10 days of good...one day of bad.

I was hoping to update this blog more frequently but it has been 10 days since I have done so.  10 days that for myself that included working, forensic coaching, track, theatre show, studying, Book Club, Bible Study, youth group, and a huge Taco Dinner I was in charge of. Oh and the computer crashed in there as well making getting some work done quite challenging.  SO much going on.  But until today I did not miss a single workout.  Until today I cut back SIGNIFICANTLY on sugar and soda.  I lost two pounds.  I was feeling generally positive with zero anxiety.  That's right...until today.  Today was just plain hard.  Everything I sought out to do including going to spin class at the gym this morning did not seem to happen. I spent most of the day in constant sometimes near tears anxiety ridden state.  I ended the day much more positively than I started it.  I still hate days like this.  It feels like a completely wasted Saturday and normally I love Saturdays.  But tomorrow is a new day.  This week is not as crazy as last week and not nearly as crazy as the week before.  So let's simply press on again.

Busy Mom Diaries: 400 Meter Dash

One commitment I took on this month that I probably do not have time for...but had to seize the opportunity...was helping with track at my children's school.  I work an earlier shift this year making it possible to help with after school activities.  Last year this was not the case and it was even harder when I did in home daycare.

I am not a coach and I have zero coaching experience.  I am not much an athlete either...at least I was not one when I was younger. I did not appreciate running, competing, training etc. until I was much older.  I love to work with middle schoolers.  I love running.  It seemed like the perfect combination.  And it has been. Especially because I am not in charge and I can simply help wherever needed.

My son ran his first 400 meter dash.  This was my race in junior high.  It is a very difficult one for kids.  It is in between a sprint and a distance.  It is difficult to sprint the whole thing, but at the same time there is not much time to build.  It was difficult to prepare him for the race because running the 400 on a track is much different than running in practice...or running with me.  You have to face it and do it.  When he finished he was a little overwhelmed and hoped to run better, but I was proud of him for pushing himself hard to the finish line.  I said it was first time so he had no time to beat!

I feel that way with many things in life.  I want to prepare for things, but there are many things I cannot fully prepare for.  There comes a time that you have to face what is before you and simply push yourself forward.  Yes sometimes that means feeling a little overwhelmed.  What is God teaching you through this? What can we learn from it and how did it make us grow as Christians?

My son and I will be practicing at the track this weekend.  I need to work on my 400 intervals too!

For my workout today I swan 1200 yards with my tri friends at the pool in the early morning hours.  I am glad I started my day this way! I am still keeping my food diary too.

Busy Mom Diaries: You Have a Fat Stomach

Have you ever had a preschooler say to you, "Is there a baby in your belly?"  When clearly your baby is now six years old and your womb has not been occupied since.  Or have you ever had to answer the preschooler's question, "Why are all the teachers at this school fat?"  Or a simple statement I was given today by an innocent four year old--"You have a fat stomach."

Little children do not know that makes us moms self conscious.  They do not even know what it means to feel self conscious.  Yet we cannot help but wonder if the rest of the world sees us the way they do.

Aside from after my youngest was born, I have not been overweight.  I went on Weight Watchers which was an education I never had on how to eat healthy.  I also trained for another marathon.  I lost the weight over a few months.

Like other members in my family, all the weight I gain goes right to my stomach.  For some it is their thighs, their butt, their lower legs etc.  I get a little a bit of a gut. I can look a few months pregnant in certain outfits even though clearly I am not.  I have not dealt with many body image issues, but this is one I will be brutally honest about.  I don't like it very much.

Yes, I need to accept myself and the way God created my body.  I need to refrain from complaining about my body especially in front of people who generally struggle more with their weight.  But I have gained six pounds in the last few weeks.  I am also craving Chips Ahoy and Oreos.  I would like to have potato chips as a side dish.  I love ice cream in the evening.  I don't drink pop very much but I love a ice cold Coca Cola. And I don't want to keep going down that road.  It is much easier to keep going if I just say, "It's not a big deal.  Accept my body the way it is."  What if I keep sliding down this slippery slope of unhealthiness? These type of foods don't help me run better, don't give me long term energy, and the cravings increase.  Then what?

So yes I am striving to keep track of what I eat and striving to live healthier this month.  I had a great run this afternoon of 3.01 miles with an average pace of around 9:40 minute miles.  I will take it.

Busy Mom Diaries: Wellness

Today is the Monday after Spring Break which I have heard referred to as BS Monday.  When I awoke this morning thoughts of--"Maybe I should go back to being a stay at home mom.  There is enough at home to keep me busy" or "Maybe I should work part time" or "Why do the school breaks seem so short!?"  Kind of ironic it is April Fools Day too.

Today is also Wellness Day which is an annual event put on by the company I work for.  I tried to keep it in mind that I should have a good attitude about BS Monday Wellness Day.

Wellness means different things to different people.  The definition of wellness is the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal.  When I first heard about "Wellness Day" I pictured it as the wellness program my husband and I went on two years ago with some friends.  We had to change our meals and snacks to healthier options, exercise at least five time a week, practice good sleep habits, and check in with a coach.  I only lost one pound.  But I was able to completely give up soda during the five weeks and I have decreased my consumption since then.   That was probably the best thing I gained.

Wellness Day in our workplace means doing activities together to promote more self care and community. These create "good health" in our workplace. For some that means shopping, going to a movie, doing arts and crafts, and going out for lunch.  I would prefer a long bike ride, going for a hike or even a long run on Wellness Day.  I have not had co-workers interested in this.  So what I gain is fellowship outside of our normal day to day workday.  That strengthens our team and builds positive relationships.

I ended Wellness Day by helping out at my kid's school with the track team.  Running along the trails at our local park with them was more "wellness" for me and fun too.  I love seeing kids try running and push themselves even if they may not turn into runners.

I hope for this month I can continue to practice acts of wellness.  I am starting by choosing healthier meals. Having breakfast this morning with co-workers at an All You Can Eat buffet did not set the stage for healthy eating.  But I was able to keep my portions under control.  I am opting for a salad tonight instead of pizza.

As for exercise, this is my official rest day.  I did do some walking with my co-workers and running with the track team.  I am counting it an "unofficial workout."