I just read the article Fitness - A Lifestyle Choice. What a fantastic article about why people don't stick to a workout program!! As I read the article, I kept saying, "YES!" because I discovered these truths a couple years ago. After I had an "i'm so fat" meltdown, my wonderful husband gave a me a tool he learned at work. (He's in management.) It was a worksheet to fill out. I scoffed at him. But he insisted I give it a try.

On this worksheet I listed all the obstacles/reasons I don't, can't, or won't exercise (and lose weight). Next to each of these obstacles I had to list 3-5 ways I could get around that obstacle. It only works if you are VERY honest with yourself.

My obstacles were...

1. I didn't have time

2. I hate to exercise (it hurts too much)

3. I need to eat in a hurry

4. I feel stupid and intimidated at the gym

My solutions...

1. I needed to exercise immediately after my husband gets home(yes, at dinner time) for a couple pre-arranged days/week. It has now evolved to mornings, before he goes to work.

2. I started with low impact/easy exercise.

3. Ten months after I started working out I tackled some food issues. I planned my meals ahead and have learned tricks (like kashi granola bars) for eating on the run.

4. I hired a personal trainer so I'd feel less stupid at the gym. She was an excellent trainer! She made me feel comfortable with working out. She helped me find ways to hold myself accountable...to get my workouts in. She even helped me with food issues. She was understanding of my difficult relationship with food.... and insisted that I take baby steps toward improvement.....NOT just dive into a new diet. Every week she gave me one new tool (or food trick) that I could use or not. It was always my choice. Slowly, it started to work. (It cost about $120/month. I put it under healthcare in my budget plan.)

This process was so much harder than it sounds and it took a long time (2 years and counting). But the years will pass whether we get active or not. There were many days that I felt like giving up (eating whatever I wanted and skipping my workout). But I had a great reason to keep going. I have two daughters. It would break my heart if they had to fight the battles I do - with weight and eating habits. I am determined to have a healthy attitude about food and activity....setting a good example for them. With a little luck, they will follow my example and it will be second nature for them all their lives.

I've had three kids. I've lost the same 40 pounds three times. I know almost every diet plan out there. But this third time I made a lifestyle choice and it has changed more about me than my weight! I've still got about 20lbs to lose....but that's not my focus right now. My focus is to stay active (stick to my running plan), challenge myself in a new way (run 25 minute 5k), and love my body enough to fuel it with quality food. In a few weeks I will improve my food plan a little more......... to lose a few more pounds............when I'm ready for the next baby step.

Happy New Year!

I was up late frosting Christmas cookies for the first grade Christmas party. Afterwards, I stumble upstairs to bed. My nightly child-check was met with a poop disaster. My two year old, who hadn't let out a peep since bedtime (one can only assume he's asleep, right?), has had a poopy diaper. He removed his pajamas, and then removed said diaper from his body and tracked said poop all over the carpet and bed. He is (naked and awake) curled up in a stink-bug position in a corner of his room with with his head buried in his blanket. Sooooo,..... I scrub carpets, change sheets, bathe a two year old ....and finally stumble off to bed.

6:30am TIME TO RUN!!! I managed to peel myself out of bed only to be met with SCHOOL CLOSINGS!!! (Christmas cookies no longer needed.)...and obviously bad road conditions. No run for me this morning.......coffee instead (and a cookie).

CONCLUSION: I've gotta have a back up plan. I think I'll run at the dome tonight. Running in a circle 15 times is better than a treadmill, anyday!

I'd have included a photo with this post.....but who really wants to see kid poo? LOL

This is Dave Dunham....legendary Mt. Washington runner. He is going to be MY coach! I'm not worthy. He'll also be coaching the group track workouts I'm signed up for. They start in January and are put on by Gate City Striders running club. Ok, now I'm starting to feel a little bit intimidated.

Here's Dave:

Now that I've formally announced I'm "Getting Active" by running, I have a few thoughts to lay down.   My runs haven't begun yet.  My coach(es?) is/are working things out for me this week.  When I look outside, I get nervous.

Thoughts keep racing through my head.....

I hate to be cold.

What am I going to wear?

These roads are awfully narrow.

Boy that car was going fast.

What am I going to wear?

It sure gets dark early. (4:15ish)

Husband gets home at 6:00.

Running alone in the dark?! Yikes!

Treadmill instead?  Ugh, no way.

What am I going to wear?

Should I hire a sitter so I can run in the day light?

I wonder what other runner-moms do?

Why did my 4yr old have to cut her brother's hair (to the scalp) before Christmas photos?

Is anybody really reading this blog?

What am I going to wear?

Stay tuned for ...."How I lost 40 pounds."  That's right, I'm saving the good stuff for next week.  By then I'll be functioning on a runners high.  (Wow, thinking about a runners high just put a huge smile on my face.)  I can't wait.