Just so you know...

 

Friday, July 28, 2017

I responded to a fellow Sparker's blog this morning. She was trying to figure out how to get herself jump started, and I gave a longish response, as no one had yet jumped in to offer anything.

Here's the deal, people: all the folks you view as "Spark Stars" did not start out that way. Sometimes we go on to levels where we have trouble remembering the baby steps we had to take to get to where we are. Sounds like a fine taper blog topic... but I have less than ten minutes, so, it's going to be short. This is my "start" story.

Over the years, I have established that I could not BEGIN with exercise. As much as I love being active, my eating habits at my worst made it almost impossible to start. I mean, it was PAINFUL to move even the minimum amounts that I considered to be exercise.

So I found I had to start with nutrition. After a week or two of solid nutrition, I was able to add in walking. Walking was a 30 minutes a day program for 30 days in a row before adding strength training. Walk/jog intervals were reserved for when I got down to a weight where I felt it was safe for my knees.

So what did that nutrition plan look like? I learned portions and exchanges back in 1989 - 1992 with Weight Watchers at Work. This has been the basis of my program ever since. Even though I strayed from it, regained, had to re-lose a couple of times significantly. But I figure it was a solid basis for "how to eat".

But this Sparker was asking about things like going straight to plain yogurt. Did I do that? Well, no, I didn't! I went to those little 100 calorie Nutrisweet sweetened ones, only going to plain later in the program.

Also, quitting carbonated beverages was something I took in stages... reducing the number of cans to 1 a day, tracking how many days I succeeded in limiting myself with a SparkPeople "other goals" streak. My goal was 6 days a week, at first.

So... the answer is... no, very few of us, I bet, started with the whole program all at once. Our programs have evolved over time... building a lifestyle that FITS us, as individuals. They may have elements in common, and we can certainly learn from one another... but the important lesson here is:

Do Not Be discouraged by where you are right now! This is YOUR journey. YOU are strong. YOU are beautiful. And YOU are worth it!

We each have our own mountains to climb in life. Embrace yourself. You are lovable. Remind yourself as often as you need to, to make it through one decision at a time!

Stepping off the soap/Spark box now. For today:

Now let's all get out there and live the very best Friday July 28, 2017 we can manage. Because we're worth it, and it's the only one we'll ever get.   

What Is One Thing You Use Every Day?

 Sunday, September 11, 2016

I've been writing this blog in my head since somewhere in mile one of this morning's Buffalo Run. The Buffalo Run is a five mile race set on the hills of Pioneers Park in Lincoln, Nebraska. It is the Lincoln Track Club's longest-running sponsored race... this was its 40th year.

There was a lot of hype associated with this 40th running. They were giving gift certificates to Lincoln Running Company to every 40th runner across the line. The Road Runners Club of America named it their one "non-standard distance" State Championship race of the year, so there were some extra awards available.

And there was birthday cake too (very good, chocolate cake, and YES, I ate some... don't look at me that way, Sparkers!)

OK, so why was I running a race thinking about things that I use every day? Because one of those things was practically shouting at me. Because while we may use hundreds of items every day: our toothbrushes, a favorite coffee mug (or the coffee pot), our eyeglasses, a daily medication... on and on... every day we use our bodies! In particular, we use just about every part of our bodies: arms, legs, fingers, toes, brains...

And my left ankle was reminding me loudly that I was NOT using it wisely. In the first MILE of a five mile race! I slowed down. I walked a bit, tested it at a slower pace, and let people pass me. Turned out it barked more on the uphill/downhill sections, and I was able to jog more slowly when the elevation was even. My co-worker passed me and asked if I was OK sometime during mile 2. I told him I was having ankle issues, but I was OK, go on and run your best.

I tested it on a good long stretch of even ground, and found it was improving, and while I didn't press for speed, and listened carefully to that ankle, I was able to finish the race at a modest running pace. I repassed my co-worker sometime in mile 3, tossing the comment his way that the ankle had finally warmed up.

So my ONE THING I use every day? Today I'm giving the nod to my left ankle.

One thing that impressed me most in my race day experience: Ann Ringlein (owner of the Running Company) called my name as I approached the finish line. I had no idea she knew who I was, but it appears she does.

And yes, there was this little trinket that I did not expect, having forgotten the "State Championship" aspect of this race.

Second in my age group, second in the larger "Senior Grand Master" female group, as well. Silver medal. Despite the left ankle, and with its assistance and cooperation, given I listened and babied it a bit.

Home now, showered, left ankle wrapped. Life is good.

LIVE, but take care of every part of your body, because it is one thing we ALL use, every day!