Three weeks ago I turned 31, my friends took me out the night after to celebrate and I woke up feeling like crap! I hadn't drank that much, but enough to make me realize that 31 is NOT 21! It was at that moment I realized I was going to try to improve my life. I was about to begin training for my 3rd marathon and figured it was a good time to make changes.
I have struggled with my weight for my entire life, a constant focus in my head that holds me back in my life. I struggle because I work HARD, I enjoy working out, I'm consistent with my workouts, and I fail to see the results that I want to see. I realize that working out is only half the battle to weight loss. I will be the first to admit that I am not consistent in how I eat, but it is so hard to see others around you eat twice as much and workout half as hard and yet look healthier than you. It is time to make some life decisions...
The first decision I made was to begin tracking everything I ate. I have done this in the past and failed after just a week or so because I didn't feel accountable to anyone but myself. I have tried writing it down and I have tried apps. But this time is going to different. I am a little techie so I decided that I should make a Google form to fill out each night and share the spreadsheet where the results are posted with my closest friends. They don't have to look at it, but it is there and I know they will hold me accountable if they don't see a record for a day. They can make comments (and they do) to help with my progress. The last three weeks have been really eye opening. My friends have had great suggestions and have helped me tweak things to fit my life style. I am working on adding more protein (especially in the mornings and after workouts). I am trying to find a good, quick protein shake that I can grab in the morning that will keep me going until I can get a snack during the day. That has been a struggle, but I know I will find the right combination for my body. This tracking system has been work, but it is making me more aware than ever before.
My friends are amazing supports! They are athletes that are well aware of their fitness and nutrition and I trust what they have to tell me. They know me and know what I am capable of, but most of all they believe in me and believe that I can conquer my goals. I love you ladies, thank you for everything, everyday!
Another decision I made a few weeks ago was to give up alcohol until I run Richmond Marathon on November 16th, but honestly, my body feels so much better already who knows how long I will make it last. Originally it was about cutting calories (and not feeling like crap the day after going out), but now I realize I am much more aware of my body. I am not a big drinker. I would consider myself a social drinker, going out with friends and having a drink or 2, but I realized in the first 2 weeks that social drinking comes up a lot in my life. In 14 days, I drank water while my friends had margaritas, went to a winery, had a happy hour, and went tubing down a river...just to name a few times I said no to drinks. I figured, I probably saved myself minimum 3,000 calories in a 14 day period. Great, right? But what's even better is that I feel like a stronger runner. I run in the morning so waking up at 4:45 after a few hours sleep and a drink or 2 in your system has an affect on your body. One I didn't realize until recently.
The last decision I have made was to really make a plan for my marathon training and stick to it. Not that I haven't stuck to plans in the past, but this time around I am going to push myself for the time I want which is to maintain a 10:00 per mile pace. I have never considered myself a fast runner, I am an average runner, but what I lack in speed I make up for in determination. I have my planned mapped out from mid-July to November. I may need to make changes, but overall the plan is there and I am ready to work hard for my goal. The first few weeks have gone well and I am looking forward to the challenges that come with the training.
All of these changes will be difficult, but my overall goal is to lose weight and maintain a healthy life style. There will be days that will be harder than others, but I feel that if I put my life out there it will be harder for me to fail because I will have more eyes watching me. I want to succeed and I want to be happy with who I am inside and out...these steps will get me there. I am ready for the challenges that await!
