http://www.charlesandhudson.com
From puberty until past the age of 25, I was not happy or comfortable with my body. When I was a preteen and teen, I thought: if I were really thin, I would be more popular. I could go on and on as to how many things are wrong with that thought, but I’ll save that for another day!
Even in my early twenties, after I realized my lack of popularity had much more to do with my personality than my dress size, I still had it stuck in my head that I would meet Mr Right faster if I was only that perfect size. I lost a few pounds unhealthily and treated my body badly for a while and, in the end, felt worse about myself.
I did meet Mr. Right, but realized as soon as I met him (from the way he looked at me… or right through me) that he saw what was on the inside and that’s what he was attracted to.
Then, with everything I had ever wanted in life all lined up (an amazing teammate/fiancé and great career), I finally took a healthy approach to my body image. I decided I wanted to look my best for my wedding, so I joined Weight Watchers online and I started running.
I have NEVER been a runner. In elementary school, I was the kid who walked the whole mile and came in last. I sometimes sprinted over the finish line to feel less lame, but that was the extent of my physical motivation.
With every sport my parents put me in, the coach would tell me that I needed to be more aggressive. Even at the age of five, I knew it wasn’t smart to plow into another kid for a silly ball! 🙂
It wasn’t until I got into high school that I discovered the gym and that I could get exercise by lifting weights and doing the elliptical or bike machines. But, when people asked me to train for a 5k with them, I had a ridiculous list of reasons why I COULDN’T run:
- I am not BUILT for running (really? what was I built for? sitting on the couch?)
- I get shin splints if I run (get new shoes and stretch!)
- I have exercise-induced asthma (nope… what I had is called “being out of shape”)
- I have a deviated septum (so?)
Anyway, I am so happy I decided to prove myself wrong! Running isn’t the best or only form of exercise, but it is sometimes the easiest. And now, with the help of a jogging stroller, it’s the one form of aerobic and anaerobic exercise I can get during the day without having to worry about what to do with Dylan. I am back to making excuses for myself though. Here it is, half way through the week, and I have made up a reason why it is not a good day to run every day!
When I started blogging after I had Dylan, I had a purpose in mind. I wanted this blog to be fitness oriented. Through the move and everything, I temporarily lost sight of that, but I am bringing that focus back with a new goal.
I am training for my own Christmas 10k (it may be on a treadmill depending on the weather). I ran a 5k two years ago and the longest I have ever run is four miles, but I know I can do better! I have the HTC Eris which is a Droid phone and there is a program called Cardio Trainer that uses GPS to track my route and figure out my pace (my pace = snail pace). I plan to use it to accomplish my goal when running outside. I will be posting on my progress regularly and setting up a page dedicated to my training. Wish me luck!
*Modification: I’ve decided to train for a sprint triathlon instead of a 10k… so that’s a 750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run because the best way to target all your muscles to get into the best possible shape is to cross train. I will also be trying to fit in at least one yoga class or video a week. I will be putting together the page dedicated to my fitness progress with pictures and statistics next week.
Awesome! It is good to take advantage of the mild fall we’ve been having because soon it will be near impossible to be outside with baby. I like to walk. I do weight watchers, too. I think it is crazy that I always thought I was so fat and now when I look at pictures of myself before I got pregnant, I am like, “holy shit I was so skinny!!!” But with exercise and proper diet I will be nearly back to my old self eventually I suppose. Good luck with the fitness focus and training for the 10K. I can’t wait for the holidays!!!
No kidding, I know EXACTLY what you mean. I just couldn’t wait to have a waist again when I was pregnant! I’m starting to get a little more picky now though. That and I want to be in good shape for my next pregnancy so my labor goes just as smoothly the second time around.
Go you! Thanks for sharing your story, it sounds like you have a great goal to work towards! I’m struggling with this with Calla, I’d like to make it to the gym 2x a week, and walk or get outside as well. But she’s going through a stroller hating phase, so I need to work harder to get to the gym.
Let us know how training goes, it will be good inspiration for me! 🙂
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Ugh, that’s frustrating! Dylan’s usually ok as long as we keep moving. He gets fussy if I stop for more than 2 seconds because he wants to crawl, but if we’re moving and he has stuff to look at, he sits back and relaxes generally. I also signed up for a LivingSocial deal for 5 hot yoga classes for $25 about a month ago which I still haven’t done. I need to take those classes before they expire in January! So I’m thinking that can be part of my training to. I just want to feel healthy and have energy, which I haven’t lately. So, as long as that’s the end result of my “training”, I’ll be happy 🙂
Love this! Our moms group is working on a 5k charity run this spring – like a big one that shows off our group and I’m nervous because I’m going to be the one at the end huffing and puffing at 11pm. 🙂
So anyway, we’ve decided to start Couch to 5k with each other, as well as do weekly sessions to keep everyone motivated. I’ve started taking our jogger to the park with Bella but I really have no idea what I’m doing so it’ll be nice to have others with me.
I wanted to blog about it but wasn’t sure, and now seeing that you have a plan I might wait till I do too. So my blogging makes sense.
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