It is highly important to snack healthy to improve the waistline. For most it is challenging to not grab a bag of chips, cookies or eat something that is extremely high in fat. Snacks should be low in sugar, high in fiber and protein. Here are a few of my favorite! Share your yummy healthy snacks with all my readers.
Snack Ideas
1. Fiber One chewy bars.
2. Atkins peanut butter protein bar.
3. Kind bars (these are my favorite)
4. EAS Carb-control-ready to drink
5. Oatmeal
6. Pretzels
7. Smart Pop
8. Greek Yogurt (I have this every day)
9. Low-fat cottage cheese
10. Hard-boiled eggs
11. Rice cake with peanut butter on top
12. Hummus and fresh veggies
13. Pistachios (I have a bag of these in my car in case I get Hungary)
14. Pumpkin seeds
15. Almonds
16. Shakeology
17. String cheese
18. 2 oz. of Chicken breast
19. Sugar free pudding
20. Ice Cream (Be careful on this...I normally get weight waters or sugar free fugar bars)
Now it is your time to tell us what you like to snack on!
Happy Halloween.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Get out of your comfort zone
What is your comfort zone? Is your comfort zone keeping you from doing amazing things? Think about your comfort zone...then I want you to leave it behind. There is a whole new life/world on the other side of that comfort zone....why wouldn't you want to experience it?
When is the last time you truly challenge yourself? I am talking about a REAL challenge, one that gets your heart pumping. It doesn't have to be a marathon, workout or trying a new food. Stepping out of that comfort zone can be so many different things. Maybe it is asking a guy out that you have a crush on, jumping out of a plane or applying for a job that you been wanting for years. Only YOU know the things that make you uncomfortable and only YOU have the power to take the leap of faith towards that new adventure.
What do you think your new adventure should be? Share your ideas below...let's support one another on this new journey!
For me.... It is getting my Personal Training certificate and taking a Photography class. I been wanting to do this for a few years now but failed to take the time to follow my dreams. Today, I will find a photography class and I will circle a date to take my PT test!
What about you?
Monday, October 29, 2012
Mission I'mPOSSIBLE: My best running partner...my dog
Mission I'mPOSSIBLE: My best running partner...my dog: Everyone likes to have a running partner regardless if they have two legs or four. Running is what brought Louie and I together. I knew ...
My best running partner...my dog
Here is a picture of Louie after a 4 miler.
He decided that he wanted to train for a Tough Mudder too.
Louie not only is the best running partner but he is also is a wonderful part time coach. I can't tell you how many days I have came home in a terrible mood or felt to tired to run. Louie doesn't care how tired I am or what kind of mood I am in. All he wants for me to do is lace up my shoes and grab his leash. He may not be able to talk to me but Sir Louie always has a way to show me that he needs a run or that I should be out training. As you can tell from the pictures below he will grab my running shoes and glare at me till I say "Okay let's go."
I am not going to lie and say training Louie to run with me was easy. There are still days he will run in front of me or will want to attack the dog running on the other side of the path. We struggled at first and normally do struggle the first mile or so. However, once we are in our groove together it makes for a very peaceful run.
I even at times allow Louie off leash..this I believe to him is like being in Heaven. This gives him freedom to run as fast as he wants, pick up sticks and chase a million squirrels. Even with the freedom Louie never takes off! He always stops a few yards in front of me and will wait till I reach him. I believe this is Louie making sure nothing happened to me; I think it is really cute!
We keep each moving! We have formed a wonderful relationship that only a dog and a runner can achieve. I can't even tell you how many miles we have logged in together. What I can tell you is that Louie is the best thing that has happened to me both on and off the running trails.
Need motivation? Get a dog! I can promise you that they will never let you down. They will always want to go for a walk, run or a car ride. Dogs are the perfect motivators to keep us humans moving! Things you should remember if you are running with Fido.
1. Get medical clearance from the vet.
2. Know which breeds are best for running.
3. Consider the age of the dog.
4. Make sure Fido is on leash.
5. Consider running surfaces (blacktop and stones can hurt their little feet if you are not careful.)
6. Be aware of overheating signs.
7. Ease your dog into running.
8. Know your dog's temperament.
9. Make sure dog is up-to-date on shots.
10. CLEAN up after your pet. (This is very important! No one likes stepping on dog crap.)
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Breast Cancer Awareness
October is breast cancer awareness month. You probably have seen professional athletes at football games, soccer games..etc wearing the color pink. I love that these athletes support such a wonderful cause. Let me stand on my soap box for a minute and encourage all of you to do monthly breast exams. It takes less than 3 minutes.. SERIOUSLY!
Breast cancer is a subject that is close to my heart. I have had co-workers fight this UGLY disease, seen women lose their lives to it and I too have had lumps removed. Thankfully, for me both lumps were not cancer but it still scares me to think that one day one of them could be.
If we paid more attention to our own breast as men did we probably would know when things change or look different. So KNOW YOUR BREAST. That way if something changes, look different or feels harder you can get your butt to the doctor.
I was 17 years old when I found my first lump and 29 when I found my second. It probably was the scariest thing I have ever dealt with....but I can't image what it would feel like to have to battle breast cancer. Now I have two scars to remind me that I have to take this disease seriously. We need to fight this terrible disease and it starts at home with self-exams. <-----Click self-exam to find out how to do exams at home.
Let's all save second base! Let's fight Breast Cancer together...Let's kill off this ugly ass disease. Now I will step off my soap box and head down to the shoe to walk the Step up for Stephanie 5K. I will remember all the ladies, men and families that is or have had a love one battle this terrible disease.
CHECK YOURSELF
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Mission I'mPOSSIBLE: Fight Depression with Exercise
Mission I'mPOSSIBLE: Fight Depression with Exercise: Source: polyvore.com via Melanie on Pinterest If you ever experienced depression, you know how frustrating it can be. It may ma...
Fight Depression with Exercise
If you ever experienced depression, you know how frustrating it can be. It may make you tired you just don't want to get out of bed or you have major anxiety that it is hard to relax. Whatever symptoms you have, it can be challenging getting yourself out of that dark hole. Of course going to the Doctor would be a great idea but so is exercise.
Exercise is the one tool that holds me together. I am not a depressed person but I haven't felt myself this week. If you been reading my blogs or following me on Facebook. You probably know that I have been trying to rest and recover all week. You may also know that exercise is a HUGE part of my life.
When exercise is removed from my life I don't know what to do with myself. This week I slept more, cried a lot and honestly felt very alone. I realized last night that I was in fact having little signs of depression. I normally love being around people...but I refused all week to be near people that care about me. I blew off two dates, a kickball game and a Halloween party....That is not normal for someone like me.
The thing about depression is that you can either do nothing about it or take complete control of it. I plan on taking control of this mood that I have been in all week. I am ready to sweat, to move and to remove this ugly thing that has been sitting in my head all week. Exercise is what brightens my day, it makes me feel like I have a purpose in life. This is why exercise is so easy for me...I just need it just like some people need their morning cup of joy.
10 Ways That Exercise Can Help Fight Depression is from the Veggie Fitness Blog.
10 Ways That Exercise Can Help Fight Depression.
1- Exercising releases ‘Feel Good Chemicals’, neurotransmitters and endorphins may help to ease the depression a person feels. Ever hear of a ‘Runners High’?
2- Exercising increases your body temperature which may have calming effects to those who feel anxious or depressed.
3- Exercising boots your immune system which helps ward off any other chemicals that may worsen ones depression.
4- Exercising is proven to reduce stress which is one of depressions co-pilot.
5- Exercising makes you look better which boots your self-esteem and mood. Hard to be depressed when you look and feel so good
6- Exercise helps you gain confidence. Meeting your exercise ‘goals’ will help you feel a sense of accomplishment.
7- Exercise is a positive distraction from the worries and negative thoughts that feed ones depression.
8- It has been proven that exercise does indeed help mild to moderate cases of depression, it is effective and underused according to many doctors.
9- Exercise is fun, having fun will make you happier. So running is not for you. How about taking a dance class or joining a walking group. Make new friends and feel better about yourself.
10- Exercise helps you cope in a healthy way. Instead of heading to the bar for a drink go to the gym or take a walk. By feeding depression with things like food and alcohol you are only making it worse.
I need that 'Feel Good Chemicals' every single day. Runners High is no joke and I am glad that it will be back in my life starting today. One week off of that high wasn't much fun.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Columbus Marathon
Packet Pickup
Packet Pickup is one of my favorite pre-race day rituals. I love being surrounded by people who are just as excited, nervous and worried as me. As soon as I step into the expo the jitters show up. Nothing will calm my those jitters until I am about 2 miles in my run on race day. Jitters are normal and needed! I believe it is your body getting ready to do something simply amazing and epic! That is what I intended to do.. BeAmazing and have an EPIC day!
This packet pickup was a little different for me. Normally, I am all smiles but this year I got really emotionally. When they handed me my BeAmazing bib I started to tear up. I realized that this bib represents my race number but it also was a symbol of my 5 months of hard work and decication. It just hit me that my big day was really here and now it was my time to shine.
I shopped a bit. Got a sweet hoodie with Columbus Marathon on it, two 26.2 tees and a case for my phone to put on my fuel belt. I understand that having my phone with me is silly but I didn't want to miss a signal photo opportunity.
After the expo my runner partners decided that pancakes were an absolute necessity. Pumpkin pancakes, turkey sausage and egg whites sounded like the perfect pre-race lunch!
Here is a picture of us girls before we headed to breakfast! I am in a Lindsay sandwich.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think one day I would actually run for pleasure. I was bitten by the race bug when I ran my first 5K. I have loved running and racing ever since. So when Lindsay said, "Kathy let's run the Columbus Marathon." I answered with a happy "Let's do it."
Columbus Marathon
I felt like a kid waiting to open my Christmas presents while waiting in our Corral. I been excited about this day for a solid 5 months now. I couldn't believe that it was finally here. The jitters were extremely high but there was no time to doubt myself because I had 26.2 miles to complete. I never once questioned myself on why I was there or if I trained enough. I was READY to conquer this race, to finish with a smile and to prove to myself that I CAN DO ANYTHING.
There was 18,000 runners surrounding us at the start line. My favorite thing about race day is the National Anthem. As an high school athlete this was my time to really focus on the game. As an adult I still focus on what is about to happen but I also think about all the men and women who have lost their lives for our wonderful country. I always shed a tear when I hear this powerful song.
The race start at 7:30 a.m with fireworks and shots from a very loud canon. We didn't make it to the start line till 7:45. The moment I crossed the start line all my jitters had disappeared and my game face had shown up. The first few miles were very cold and were all about getting my legs ready for a very long day.
The first six miles flew by. I don't even really remember what happened during that time. Around, mile seven I started feeling a little tightness in my legs. I was worried because it was far to early to be feeling pain, eventually that pain disappeared around mile 10.
My cousin Diana was my focus for the first 13 miles. This was her first time ever running a half marathon, she walked the Pittsburgh half in May with me. I was so focused on getting her to her turn off at mile 13 (she still had .1 to go alone) that I didn't once think about the other 13.1 miles I had to go. She took off at mile 12 with a smile on her face and a very proud cousin behind her.
After Diana left us, it finally hit me I had 14 more miles to run. We had already been running for 2 hours or so which meant I had at least 2 1/2 more hours to go. The first half of the marathon was exciting! The crowd was loud, the music was awesome and the miracle children at each mile broke my heart...but they gave me the energy I needed to run harder. Mile 12 was dedicated to the babies and children that lost their battle. That was a very hard mile for me. My emotions were all over the place on race day.
The second half of the marathon was not as enjoyable as the first half. The crowd got smaller and there was less entertainment. I knew that getting to the shoe (Ohio State University football field) would be my main focus from mile 14-18.
I was still feeling amazing at mile 17 and so were my running friends. We were all very excited to run in the shoe...Honestly, I think I was a little in pain but my energy was so focused on the shoe I didn't think about my legs. I wasn't impressed with the shoe after all....we were on the field for less than 2 minutes but we did get a sweet picture. This picture is the only time I stopped running during the race.
After the shoe the pain really started to creep up. My feet and quads were on fire but there wasn't enough time to worry I still had 8 more miles to go. At mile 18.5 a group of guys were handing out shots of PBR and pretzels. I was the only one out of the group that took the shot and a handful of pretzels. I don't even like PBR but let me tell you that beer was the most amazing tasting beer ever at that moment!
I couldn't keep up with the girls around mile 19. I tried my hardest to keep up the pace but I knew that if I would I would probably not make it to the finish line. I wanted so badly to finish with the girls I trained with but I didn't want to hurt myself nor did I want to hold them back. I told them to go ahead without me and that I would see them at the finish line.
I knew I had 6.5 lonely miles to run but I knew in my heart that I could do it. I went into autopilot for at mile 19.5 till I saw my friend at mile 22.5. I have never experience this feeling before but I am glad I had it. I didn't feel anything, didn't think about anything...I was just running. I don't remember a thing about those miles. I just ran till I saw my friend Jill.
Being able to run with Jill for a few minutes was like having an angel running beside me. She told me I looked strong and that I could do it. I started to doubt myself before I saw Jill but her energy and encouragement allowed me to believe once again that in fact I was doing it. Thanks Jill for being there for me...when I look back on this day you will be the one person I will remember the most because you were there when I needed you most!
I knew I had basically a 5k left...easier said than done right? I believe I looked at my watch every single minute...it felt like I was moving but time and the rest of the world stopped. This is when I started going crazy...I did in fact start talking to myself. I felt like I was in a cartoon... I had the devil Kathy on one shoulder and coach Kathy on the other. The devil Kathy wanted to walk...she kept telling me that the pain was so intense that the best thing would be to walk for a bit. While coach Kathy screamed DON'T you dare walk..YOU KEEP YOUR ASS RUNNING. That conversation continued till mile 25.
Mile 25 was when all the emotions came out. I started to cry. I started to cry because I knew I was going to finish. I was crying because I was in so much pain and I crying because I finally realized that I had ran those last 7 miles completely alone. It is a very weird state of mind when you lose control of your emotions...one minute I was crying and the next I was smiling. I started to smile when I saw mile 26 for the first time and when the crowd yelled "Go Be Amazing" (YES that is what my race bib said).
I sprinted the last .2 miles into the finish. I have no idea but I flexed my muscles at the finish line and gave the camera a big ass smile. I ran my 2nd marathon in 4:46 minutes.
I did it! We all did it!
It felt so good. I had done it. The thing I had worked so hard for. I had gotten up before the sun for months. I had pushed myself to places I didn't think possible. I had endured the actual race. I had just ran my second marathon without walking! I hadn't done it alone. I prayed my way through training and even more so through that race. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible for me. Special thank you to my training partners, my cousin Diana, my parents and to my race angel Jill.
Mission accomplished.
Now its over I get asked, "will you do it again"? Yes. And to anyone out there who has the desire to do it, DO IT! If I can, I know you can. And it is all totally worth it. I am proud of myself. I worked at something hard and I did it again. Do something today to make you happy with yourself. Cut your hair, work out, eat some veggies, go to bed early..be happy with you! This marathon was one of the most challenging, painful, spiritual, amazing experiences of my life.
Believe in the Mission. Believe in the Possibilities. Believe in You and Be Amazing doing it!
"I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible." -- John Hanc
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Just gonna do it again
This blog is not my race recap rather to keep my mind focus and to tell all of you that I have lost my mind. Yesterday, I spent the day on the coach in pain looking for my next adventure. One would think that after completing 26.2 miles that would be more than enough adventure....but not for this girl. So I decided to take the day and look at races that I been wanting to do.
The one race that came to my mind was the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington D.C. I have heard so many amazing things about this race and it has been on my bucket list for some time. So I did the search on the race and realized that I just HAVE to do it. This race normally sells out in two hours the day it opens up. Getting into this race would be a small victory in itself.
I have many friends who are considering the race as well. To me it is the perfect place to take on a challenge as large as a Marathon. This race is all about the men and women who serve our country. They are at the expo, along the course and the ones that are at the finish line handing out all the goods.
So if you need the motivation to do something as hard as a Marathon.. I would believe that this race would give you just that. After all, those men and women put their lives on the line for us to live a normal life. Another perk is running around the beautiful monuments and downtown D.C.
The day after my first Marathon I didn't even want to think about running again. This Marathon different! I can't wait to get my running shoes on and hit the road again. I can't to run in Disney in 79 days. Insane.. Maybe but that is the only way I know how to be. Running just does something to me. It allows me to visualize my own ability to achieve amazing things on the road and in my daily life.
So I will keep doing what I do best.... I am going to keep running and believing in my possible mission.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Game Day
One word for how I am feeling at 4:30 AM on race day.. PROUD!
Everyone thinks that running comes easy to me. I can tell you that there is NOTHING easy about running...well maybe the stopping part. I run because it allows me to take the world in one step at a time. It allows me to take control of my future and mostly my health.
Running is NOT easy the hardest part is even lacing up my shoes. I rather sleep in on a Saturday than run 10 miles before the heat kicks in. There are days I would do anything to not feel pain in my back from logging mile after mile.... But today (Marathon Day) is why I do those things. Why I make myself get up, why I feel the pain...Just for that one moment when I can look around me and say WOW this is truly AMAZING.
Today, I feel ready! I feel a little nervous!!! (someone told me last night nerves are a great thing!! It is telling the body that you are about to do something Epic) Mostly, I feel PROUD. I feel proud that I have been training hard since June. I am proud of my running partners who were with me when I wanted to quit..I am also proud that they didn't quit. I am proud of my Dad who is chasing after his 2nd full marathon finish and hopefully with a new personal record. I am proud of my cousin Diana who took this challenge on...she will be completing her 2nd half this time running it!
Mostly, I am proud of myself! I am proud that I am a little crazy to do something as amazing as this. Proud that I never give up on my dreams and proud that I don't allow people to shoot my dreams down.
I can remember 8 years ago I had this dream to complete a Marathon some day. I too believed that those runners were crazy, insane but I wanted to be part of that special club they had. I wanted to be a Marathoner. Today, I get to do it for the second time in my life! I get to feel the magic all over again and remember that anything is possible if you just believe!
That is right today is NOT that day! Today I will BE AMAZING!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Aquaphor
I should buy some serious stock in the product Aquaphor. I been using it for a few years now and it is the only thing that helps reduce chafing for me. As a runner you have to worry about everything that is on your body. Will those pants rub, will this fuel belt bounce up and down and hopefully this sport bar will stay put...all questions that run in my head before I put on my clothes.
In fact I always have practice runs with the clothes I plan to run on race day.....if I have any signs of chafing I will never wear it running again. Runners are known to chafe in between the thighs (that is why I don't wear short shorts), under the arms, nipples (men mostly), butt crack (believe me lube up the butt area) and even the toes. I even chafe when my tags on my clothes rub to much. Chafing is NO joke... it can cause a perfectly good day turn into the worse day ever. This is why lube is so important!!
I guess running is a little more than just lacing up your shoes. It is all about the right clothing, right fuel and PERFECT weather. To have a perfect run you have to have the perfect recipe. I have all my ingredients together...now it is just time to mix them and blend them to have the perfect outcome!
Race day if 4 days away! :)
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I run because I can and because they can't :(
Things I hear all the time from people...
1. You ran what? 20 miles CRAP I don't even like driving my car that long.
2. You will have knee surgery and hip surgery before you are 50.
3. That's just plane stupid.
4. Why run? You're not going to win the damn thing. Do you get prizes?
5. Don't you get bored?
6. You run for a shirt and a medal?
7. Run, Forrest, Run.
8. You Amaze me.
9. I can't run I smoke to much or I will be hungover.
10. Lastly, WHY?
I love hearing comments from my non-running friends. All their wonderful comments always bring a smile to my face because they will never get WHY I do it. A non-runner will never get it or understand WHY unless they lace up their own shoes. I always challenge my friends to give it a whirl but they always stop when the training gets hard.
When the training gets hard I think of the people who can't run. I think of my students who are wheelchair bond, use a walker or could never run that far even if they wanted too. They give me the motivation I need to run faster, harder, longer.
The Columbus Marathon added the Marathon miracle Mile this year to the race. Each mile there will be a child there who has an amazing story. Those beautiful children have been fighting for their lives for a very long time. Some have success stories, while some still continue to fight hard.
I love that they added this to the course this year. Why? It is simple.... every time I see one of their beautiful faces I will probably cry a little but I am 100% sure I will run harder. The pain I will feel on race day is NOTHING like those little miracles children feel or have felt. So when I want to quit or want to tell myself I CAN'T DO THIS... I will remember the child in the wheel chair, the child that is blind, the one that has down syndrome, the one with a weak heart...the list can go on.
I will run for them and I will smile at the finish knowing that their strength has carried me till the end.
Monday, October 15, 2012
6 Days left.... Visualization
Marathon day is 6 days away! I am so excited, nervous and of course sick :( I will NOT allow anything to take away my moment on Sunday. A little zicam, vitamin C, soup and of course some flatbread sea salt crackers will nip this sickness in the butt. Maybe the crackers will not cure me but they certainly make me feel better :) After all I am carb loading right!
What is on my mind this week so far.....
Visualizing the finish line!
This has been a huge part of my training.
Before bed every night I allow my mind to relax and play what I want or think will happen on Sunday. My mind can actually see my feet crossing the finish line. I can see what I am wearing, think about how it will feel (in theory) and visualize my family and friends congratulating me at the end with a medal around my neck. I can see myself crying and hugging my running partners. I can feel the joy and excitement!
Over the course of a 26-mile race the mind has lots of time to think, and in my first marathon there was a point somewhere around mile 20 where my heart began to ask my body a lot of questions.
- What in the world are you doing?
- You have lost it Kathy.
- Don’t ever do this again.
So you just keep running.
This is when the recording of my finish line will be so important. I should be able to just close my eyes and see everything I visualized this week. This will help me get to mile 25..or so I hope!
Miles 20 to 25 are the hardest miles for me...it is all about heart! The legs feel like rocks but the heart keeps beating and screaming DON'T YOU DARE GIVE UP! I believe my first marathon I cried at mile 23 ... I didn't think I had anything in me to finish but I got over the wall and did what I do best...IGNORE the pain!
At mile 25 the pain normally fades away for a little while and the cheers from the crowd will give me the energy I need to finish......
Visualization is KEY this week!
Saturday, October 13, 2012
My first long distance race...
I heard someone talking about Marathon's at work and I thought to myself.... I could do that! That night I got home and started searching the internet for ways to train for a long distance race. I decided that Team in Training would be the perfect place to seek professional advice, as well as get the motivation I needed to run something as big as 26.2 miles. I didn't think twice about joining! I was going to run the 2007 Columbus Marathon and I would raise 3,000 dollars for a good cause.
(I was so out of shape and heavy around the waist.)
I talked Big Joe (my dad) into joining me in this journey. He loved the idea of running a marathon with me because it was something he had never accomplished...this would be his first race too. Training was hard. I was a rookie, making a lot of bad decisions. There were runs I would lay on the bathroom floor so sick because I didn't hydrate enough. After a hard 16 miler I was so sick, I almost called the squad to come pick me up. I couldn't stand up or do anything for that matter. I remember my roommate helping me in the shower... I just sat there with cold water running over me thinking "I am going to die." Gatorade and sleep helped with this horrible rookie move.
During the training I started getting sharp pains on the bottom of my foot. I ignored the pains and continued to run....Rookie move again. I had to stop training for a solid month because of a case of Plantar Fascistic. I was in the heart of my training when I had to take the month off. Due to that I decided to only run the half marathon instead.
I completed my first Half Marathon in 2 Hours and 21 minutes. My Dad finished his first Marathon in 6 Hours and 13 minutes. Big Joe hit a wall around mile 18 but finished with a small smile on his face. Since then I have ran 16 Marathons, 1 full marathon, 4 Tough Mudders, 4 sprint triathlons and 1 olympic Triathlon. My Dad also has a long list of accomplishments too!
In one week we will be back at the Starting Line of the Columbus Marathon. We are now experience runners! We both trained hard! We have the proper shoes, clothes, fuel and understand why it is important to lube up. We will finish this race strong and will have another awesome memory to add to our list of stories together.
I can't wait!!!
(I ran 2 miles the from the finish line to find Dad struggling. I ran beside him till he crossed the finish line. This is a picture my Mom took of us.)
(6 years later from the picture up above. I look stronger, happier and certainly healthier)
Friday, October 12, 2012
Do you follow the Three Simple Rules?!?!
The three simple rules of life seem so easy to follow but I can bet that many people afraid to follow them? Most of those rules are hard for a lot of people to follow because so many people are stuck in the motions of life. They fail to take action to change their lives because many think life can not get better or simply can not get worse.
It kills me to think how much time I have spent "going through the motions". Nothing happened in my life and I wasn't enjoying it either. I would wake up, eat, work, eat, workout, eat and go to bed. Nothing special happened during the morning, day nor did anything special occur at night. Nothing to make me feel different or to make me feel alive. I have changed so much in the last two years that "going through the motions" is something I try to stray away from. Why? For me "going through the motion" is a place that is sad, lonely and just plan boring.
I like to live outside the box, push the envelop sort of speak...why live life doing what others think you should? I am really good about going after the things I want!I will push myself to the limit and kill my body to get the goal. However, that only comes in my physical life (workouts, races..etc). When it comes to my personal life (friends, family, relationships) I tend to take the action step forward but when it comes to asking/talking about feelings I always sit back and keep silent.
It bothers me that I can't ask and tell people how I feel. It has caused me to walk away from great relationships with guys and/or keep me back from even starting relationships. I am afraid of failure in every aspect of my life but I am mostly afraid of rejection. <----Probably why I am still single! So this is something I need to work on and plan on working on. There are things in my life that I continue to keep silent because I don't want to lose a friend or mess up the work scene. But I can't enjoy life by being silent anymore it only means I am heading back to "going through the motions."
So hopefully, I will suck it up and start telling people how I feel. Start believing in everything I have in life to give someone and to give a job. Hopefully, I can do this without fainting or having a panic attack! :)
We all should live life this way. Go afraid what you want, ask because you never know what the answer could be and continue to move forward instead of standing still. What simple rule do you need to follow more? I challenge you to start improving that area and I bet you will see a big difference in your life and the lives around you. Positive thinking is attractive and addictive :)
Monday, October 8, 2012
Symbol of hope
I have prepared for my upcoming Marathon for five long months. The journey was certainly NOT easy but the journey was one I needed. Training always allows me to think about my life and my future. This marathon training was no different...in fact I believe this marathon training has allowed me to let go of some things I been holding onto and bury some hurt.
As I logged mile after mile, I slowly was able to let go of things that have been weighing me down. Things in my career, personal life, physical life and mostly spiritual life. I have found that when you let go of pain and hurt that you are able to open up and see new wonderful things right in front of you.
You see this journey wasn't about just running, it was about me being able to move forward with hope of a better future. I know I will finish the race with the biggest smile on my face and I might even cry a little....who am I kidding I will probably cry like a baby. Finishing the race means more to me than crossing the finish line and receiving my medal. Reaching mile 26.2 is a symbol hope, a symbol of an amazing future and a statement to myself that the mission is POSSIBLE with hard work and effort.
So many people say they can't do what I do but I say you can if you believe and take the step towards the finish line. Training has allowed me to say to myself that you can step towards many things not just finish lines....if you believe in yourself you certainly can do anything.
I am so excited to see what the future holds. I just know that big things are coming my way. I don't know what they are but I do know I am not going to sit on my couch and wait for them to happen. I will continue to remove the negative things out of my life and bring more positive things in. This journey is not just about a race it is about my life.
I just wish more people would take this challenge of running a race... maybe not a marathon. I am telling you training and racing changes a people. If you have any interest or are sitting on a fence about trying out running.....I am telling you now to DO IT!!! It will make you a stronger person, a better person! I will gladly help you with a training schedule and I will be there cheering you on.
Here is what I get at the finish line! My symbol of Possibilities :)
Sunday, October 7, 2012
If it doesn't challenge you .. it doesn't change you.
Insanity
1: a deranged state of the mind usually occurring as a specific disorder (as schizophrenia)
2:
such unsoundness of mind or lack of understanding as prevents one from
having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular
relationship, status, or transaction or as removes one from criminal or
civil responsibility
3a : extreme folly or unreasonableness
b : something utterly foolish or unreasonable
So it makes complete sense as to why some people think Shawn T's Insanity series is CRAZY. It is a little unreasonable and at times your mind is a little deranged but I am certain that you would enjoy every single minute of it...while hating every minute of it too!
My friend Sarah was a little worried about taking on Shawn T's Insanity 90 day challenge. She wanted a change in her life but wasn't sure if she was strong enough to take this challenge. I convinced her to give it a try because I knew if she could run a marathon with tendonitis in her foot she could certainly do this insane workout. I was right!
Sarah is now a little more than a month into the Insanity challenge. She down 5.5 pounds and has lost over 14 inches.
Here is a little what Sarah has to say so far about her progress..
"I've never been so driven with my health as I am today. We as a family
are eating so healthy, I'm turning unhealthy foods away, and even cut out
caffeine mostly. Since starting Insanity I have had one diet coke and I
might drink a total of 2 cups of coffee/week. Before I was drinking
1-2 cups of coffee daily and I would probably drink 5 cans of diet
coke/week. The key has been lemon water. I put a quarter lemon in a
BIG cup of water and set it on my nightstand. I drink it first thing in
the morning and it really wakes me up. Then I'm drinking lemon water throughout the day too. I'm not snacking as much or I should say I'm
not eating out of boredom. I'm eating 5 small meals daily with one of
those
being my shakeology. I have so much more energy to play with the kids
and to get things taken care of around the house while they are
sleeping. Before all of this I would often times naps or lay down
either watching tv or reading while they were sleeping."
Sarah has even started to talk look at future program or plans she will do next. She is developing a lifelong habit that will keep her happy, energetic and healthy. I couldn't be more proud of her motivation and dedication. I know she will continue to have amazing results! Watch out for her success story in two months...I am 100% sure she will have a hot lean body, a new look on how she views herself and maybe even a desire to help others reach their personal best! Keep kicking ASS girl!!
Check out the new Insanity: The Asylum volume two! OUT THIS WEEK!!! If you want to take the challenge email me and let's chat! katmorgan2004@yahoo.com
Monday, October 1, 2012
life is a roller coaster
I went on my first roller coaster ride when I was probably five years old. I loved everything about the ride; the ups, the downs and all the crazy turns. To me nothing was better than a roller coaster! I hated to ride the swings (they made me sick), the water rides were boring and I didn't care to ride the silly cars. I wanted the trill; the ride of my life! I loved that I had to close my eyes most of the time and would scream like I was dying!
Little did I know that my life would be a roller coaster ride too. No matter what direction you look at it there are many different ways to ride my life roller coaster, in fact I believe I have several different coaster rides in this life of mine. I have had so many ups and downs, twist and turns and even sometimes my ride has comes to a complete stop. Just like that five year old girl my ride has made me scream, cry and even sometimes smile.
Life shouldn't be simple! It should be hard and it should feel like at times the world is against you. I remember feeling like everyone was against me when I was near 200 pounds. I felt like I was almost to big to enjoy the ride anymore, to big to even get on. But then I remember life isn't fun sitting on the sidelines watching life is about screaming, laughing and sometimes being so scared you pee your pants a little. :)
I have had my kid coaster, my high school coaster, the college coaster, the 20 something coaster and now I have my health coaster. The college coaster I was on before was SUPER fun! There were times I even got sick because of all the drinking and partying I had on it. The 20 something coaster was complete hell. However, the health coaster is my favorite ride of them all!
The health coaster is about growing up and taking the step towards the never ending ride. I had to leave a lot of passengers behind on this new ride. Ones I felt would always ride my roller coaster (life) with me but I picked up a lot of awesome new passengers who encourage me to reach new levels of highs!
You will find a lot of passengers on your ride that will hold you back. Don't let them! Leave them off your ride because you honestly will never reach your potential, your true success, until you release all the bad weight. I know this first hand! A ride shouldn't be about drama or negative comments. It should be about the adventure, the trill and awesome feeling you get when you reach the end.
So go ride that ride! Ride it with a smile, with tears of happiness and go ahead scream a little. Remember this is the best ride of your life and you only get one chance to get it right!
My Peanut Butter Confession..
I hate to admit but I have to confess it once and for all. I am in LOVE with something. I am in LOVE with Peanut Butter. I knew for a long time that I liked it but sometimes I there are times when I feel lost if I don't get it every day. I LOVE it on a sandwich, apples, celery, ice cream, in a shake, on a spoon, in my oatmeal and sometimes even out of the jar. I love peanut butter balls cover with chocolate, honey and almonds....I LOVE THE STUFF but my behind does not.
I haven't been to honest with my love for peanut butter or should I say my tablespoons worth. I usually measure EVERYTHING I eat....but not this creamy wonderful stuff. I realized lately that I might be getting a little to friendly with the Jiffy Jar. So today I have decided to give Peanut Butter up for a full month. CRAZY-YES!! I don't know what I am going to do without this stuff but honestly I don't need it. I am not going to drop over dead if I don't get my spoon full of it every day. I can live without it....or so I hope!
Today I decided to check my measurements out, a true Kathy experiement. A normal Kathy scoop of peanut butter is giant. A normal tablespoon of Peanut Butter is not giant. I basically was giving myself almost an extra 2.5 servings of this stuff every day. CRAP! For someone that is trying to maintain her weight that extra 2.5 servings is worth 230 calories.. SERIOUSLY! I would have to run almost 2.3 miles to burn off that almost of calories.
NO... Peanut Butter is NOT bad for you unless you are to friendly with your spoon like me. If you are honest with your serving size than you will be fine. This my friends is why it is so important to measure and write down everything you eat! I have done this with my Peanut Butter every day for almost 4 months....EVERYDAY. That is a lot of unwanted extra calories.
So that is my Peanut Butter Confession..... What kind of things are you hiding from yourself?? Do you have a confession to make?? Be honest and keep the measurements REAL!
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