My First 5K

I have always enjoyed the "thought" of being a runner, however I hated the actual act of running.  Okay, well maybe hate is too strong of a word.  Hummm, let's see...okay I had a very strong dislike to the actual act of running.  Yea, that is better.  

But back to what I was saying, I liked the idea of running but when it came to actually "doing it" I always tried to weasel my way out of it.  I don't care what anyone says, running hurts...your calves ache, your shins burn and sometimes your feet hurt.  Yea, running looks like a whole lot of fun right????  NOT!  So for a long time, although I loved the thought of running in a race, I knew deep down that it was only going to remain that...a thought.  

That is until a few months ago.

Now as you know, I have been working out at Fit Forward and every now and again, Jake and Levi will have us run what is call "The Loop" during our workout.  "The Loop" is roughly a one mile run from one end of this subdivision to the other and back to their studio, thus making one big loop around.  Sounds easy, right?  WRONG!  The killer part of this one mile run is this big azz hill at the beginning of the loop.  The first time I attempted "The Loop" I was running with some of the others in the class, and I thought I would try and keep up with them, so I actually ran  up the hill with everyone else.  

Huge mistake!  

By the time I got to the top of that massive hill, I was huffing and puffing like a smoker trying to smoke and run at the same time.  I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest and that I was going to pass out.  It took me almost the entire loop just to catch my breath.  Needless to say, "The Loop" and I were not on good terms and I dreaded running it ever since.  That is until about two months ago.  After coming back from vacation while I was working out, we had to run "The Loop" and although I will not run that massive hill, I did notice that once I reached the top of the hill, I was able to run the entire thing.  Talk about an accomplishment.  Now don't get me wrong, I still hurt BUT I was able to make it without passing out from exhaustion.  After a couple of times running "The Loop", I tried out my new running skills on the treadmill at the gym.  Over the weeks I was able to build up to running 3 miles at 5.0 mph.  Now I know that isn't lightening speed, but coming from a woman who could barely run a block to now, well let's just say that mama was proud!

Which leads me to today, because today was the day that I officially participated in my first 5K race. Now, before you go getting all excited, I wasn't able to actually run the entire race, however I did a run/walk combination for the duration of the race.  I tried running in the beginning of the race, but after completing the first mile, my shins were on FIRE! (Yes, I know.....I need some new running shoes.)  So to help ease my burning shins, the run/walk combination did the trick.  And although I didn't come in first, I also didn't come in last.  But no matter where I placed, the most important thing is that I finished!!!!

Now, with this race under my belt, I am excited and eager to run another one...with the hope of cutting my finish time significantly.  So tomorrow, I'm off to the gym...and can you guess what I will be doing?  Running!

Get Fit | It’s time to put on my game face and win

This past Saturday, the Get Fit competitors met Executive Editor of Suwanee Magazine to learn about the new point system and all the amazing prizes we could win. 

Wait, did someone just say prizes? 

Seems that the staff at the magazine have been paying close attention to the contestants (which is expected) and found that some of us, okay MOST of us were losing steam.  Yes, we missed a workout…or two…or three; some of us went on vacation and forgot all about making healthy eating choices (isn’t what vacation is for?); and some of us just let life get the best of us and we were down for the count (having a stressful day = ice cream, do you feel me?) .  As a result many of us just weren’t doing what we committed to do and that is get healthy.

And yes, I was one of the guilty parties!

So, to sweeten the deal; to make things a little more exciting and I’m sure hoping to motivate us to get back in gear, they introduced the new point system.  

And here are all the prizes available to win…

So to start the week off right, I was up bright and early to get my workout in with Jake @ Fit Forward and it was a good one.  Although I was not a happy camper while actually doing the exercises at the end it felt good.  With the new points system and great prizes available to win I’ve got my game face on and I’m ready to take home the prizes.

So Divya, Bill, Michelle and Ginny are you ready for a little healthy and friendly competition?  May the best man or woman win!

Ready…set…go!

Please stop by the other Get Fitters blogs and encourage them on.  We all need it as we enter the last stretch of the challenge.

 Here’s to better health!

Erika

Get Fit | Climbing Stone Mountain

This morning me and three of the other Get Fitters met up at Stone Mountain Park; the goal, to climb the mountain.  In the 8 years that I have lived in Georgia, I have never hiked Stone Mountain let alone any mountain, so I was a bit nervous.  I wasn't sure what to expect or if I could even do it but I was at least determined to give it a try.   Boy, oh boy have I been missing out on a GREAT workout.  We arrived there about 9am and started our hike.  The 1 mile hike (one way) was absolutely amazing…so nice…peaceful…and exactly what I needed to get my head back in the game. 

During the hike, we talked about our progress or lack thereof with the challenge and we shared our plans for getting back on track.  We discussed that although having the support of our family is critical to our success, also having the support of the other contestants was equally important and we agreed to be there for one another…to hold the other accountable…and to encourage each other during those moments of weakness. 

The hike itself was amazing.  It was good to see people young and old, hiking and running up and down the mountain.  Many of those who were heading down encouraged those of us going up, letting us know that we were almost there…or saying “you can do it”.  It was good to see all those people out, moving, and being active.  I felt alive and a part of a community.  It was more than what I had expected and everything that I had hoped for.

It felt good to get out and move, to be one with nature and with God, to clear my head and set a new path, and to bond with the others as we take this journey together.

Here’s to better health!

Erika

Get Fit | Recommitting to the challenge

It’s funny how fast time goes.  It seems like just the other day that I received an email from Angela at Suwanee Magazine telling me that I was a finalist and now we’re at the half way mark.  Yes, we are now six months into the challenge…where did the time go?  Today, we all met at the Suwanee Magazine office to find out about the new point system and all of the amazing prizes that we can win (more about that in a later post).  Talk about excited, I mean who doesn’t like winning prizes?!?!?!  It was also good to see and connect with the other contestants; to hear about their successes and learn of their struggles.  Listening to their stories reminded me that I am not alone in this journey. 

At this point in the challenge, I find that I am at a standstill.  I am having a hard time getting out of “vacation mode” and getting back into my normal workout schedule.  Oh and let’s not talk about my eating.  Not that I have been eating badly, it’s just that I have been eating all the things that I gave up previously (gluten, sugar, corn, etc.) and I can feel it; I feel sluggish, bloated and just yuck.  I don’t like this feeling, I loathe this feeling, yet I continue to do nothing about it.  Why?

Today during our meeting, Angela suggested that we read our entry emails to remind ourselves of the “why” we wanted to be a part of the challenge and to recommit ourselves to getting fit and healthy.  Since I submitted a video, I immediately pulled it up when I got home.  Watching it was just what I needed.  I was reminded that my reasons for wanting to be a contestant in the challenge were quite simple – to get healthy for once and for all for not only myself but also for my family.  I want to be around to see my children graduate high school, college, watch them get married and start their own family and I want to be around for my grandchildren. 

So today, I am recommitting myself to the challenge and more importantly committing to myself that I will get back on track and accomplish my goal of living an active and healthy life.

Here’s to better health!

Erika

Getting Fit | Morning "go to" Breakfast

Mornings are extremely hectic in my household even during the summer months.  With 3 children that are extremely active in sports and other outside activities plus my busy work schedule, sometimes I find myself extremely rushed to sit down and have a good breakfast.  Oh I have tried grab and go bars and protein shakes but for some reason they never keep me satisfied until the next meal.  And let's not even think about skipping breakfast in the AM, we all know that is a big "no-no" especially when trying to lose weight.  I wanted to find something that was healthy, tastes great, and would provide me with that morning boost that I so desperately needed.  I was also looking for something that I could quickly whip up in a matter of seconds.

This is what I came up with...

To make this you will need:

Ingredients:
6oz. Chobani Greek Non-Fat Plain Yogurt
1 tbsp. Organic Blue Agave
1/4 c. Fresh Strawberries, halved
1/4 c. Fresh Blueberries
1 small Banana

Directions:
Rinse and dry the blueberries and strawberries and place into a bowl.  Slice the banana and add it to the blueberries and strawberries.  Next add the agave to the yogurt and mix well.  Pour the agave and yogurt mixture over the fresh fruit and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts: 283 calories; 54g carbohydrates; 0g fat; 19g protein

*This also makes a great dessert whenever you are craving something sweet to eat!

Healing

During our spring break with the kids, I pulled/strained my pectoral muscle.  When I got back home I immediately went to see Dr. Cohl at Synergy Release Sports for some much needed fixing up.  Dr. Cohl's area of speciality is Applied Kinesiology which is a form of diagnosis using muscle testing to examine how a person's body is functioning.  It falls into the holistic health category. 

The last two week of April I was hitting the gm HARD working out at Fit Forward in the morning while getting in some much needed cardio in the evening with my daily run/walks.  I was also seeing Dr. Cohl to treat this pulled/strained pectoral muscle issue.  After a few treatments I was feeling better, still in pain but it wasn't nearly as bad as it was before seeing Dr. Cohl.  I felt like I was on the road to recovery but boooooy was I wrong. 

I first felt this sharp pain shoot through the left side of my chest on Friday.  It happened a few times hours apart from each other so I really didn't give it too much thought.  It happened again on Saturday, but again, I ignored it and kept on plowing through the day.  But on Sunday, I was singing a different tune.  The pain was sharp, frequent and boy oh boy did it hurt!  It hurt to cough, sneeze, raise my arms, sit, stand....it just HURT.  The pain was sharp and quick and I didn't know what was happening.  Along with the sharp pain in my chest, I was also feeling muscle soreness in my triceps and a tingling sensation in my arm and hand, like it was getting ready to go to sleep.  By this time I am almost in panic mode.

So bright and early this morning I met with my physician to see what in the heck was happening.  After running a series of test and a complete exam, it was determined that the inflammation from the injury could possible be pinching a nerve which is why I was feeling the numbness in my arm and the sharp bolts of pain in my chest.  The remedy...Ibuprofen, muscle relaxers (if needed) and lots of rest.

This week my focus is to heal...to rest...to listen to my body and take it easy.

Happy Birthday

Today is my birthday and with the big weigh-in for the Suwanee Get Fit Challenge just a day away, I knew I had to make this my "last chance" workout and hit it hard.  True to form Levi at Fit Forward did not disappoint with this morning;s workout.

Now I am going to shower and get ready for the rest of my day.

Happy Friday!

Last week before weigh-in

It's hard to believe that I am wrapping up my second month in the Suwanee Get Fit Challenge.  Our first official weigh-in is scheduled for Saturday, April 28th.  The day after my birthday.  Guess that means I won't be having drinks or enjoying a piece of cake this year.

This week my plan is simple.  Attend boot camp at Fit Forward everyday this week and eat clean.  As my training Levi so eloquently stated, "If you can't kill it or grown it you can't eat it."

This is what was waiting for me this morning.

At the end of  today's workout everything hurt.  Just typing this post hurts right now.  But as the saying goes, no pain no gain.







2012 Suwanee Get Fit Challenge

Well it is official, the 2012 Suwanee Get Fit Challenge has officially begun!  Today the March/April issue of Suwanee Magazine introduced the 6 contestants who are literally baring it all in an effort to beat the battle of the bulge for once and for all!  Three local fitness facilities in the area have teamed up with the magazine to help us set our overall fitness goals and from there will put together a nutrition and exercise program to help us all get healthy.  

This will be my home away from home

For the next 12 months I will be working out with Jake and Levi over at Fit Forward in Suwanee.  On their website they describe themselves as “Suwanee’s best indoor fitness "bootcamp"…WTH!?!?!?!?  What have I gotten myself into???  Okay so now I am starting to get nervous.  This may be more than what I had bargained for but I did sign up to participate and the last time I checked I am NOT a quitter so I called Jake to arrange a visit to go over what I can expect from working out with them.   

No more than 12 people per class

Let me say this, Fit Forward is not your momma’s gym.  What I mean is that their philosophy is that no one is left behind, no one is left out and together we can all accomplish our individual fitness goals.  (okay so I am starting to feel a little better about the whole “bootcamp” thing). At the end of our discussion Jake simply stated that all I needed to do was show up regularly (like 4 times a week) and they would do all the work.  So I am taking him at his word.  

The next step was to have a fitness assessment that following Saturday.  There Levi took my weight (I weigh how much?!?!?) and measurements and then it was off to complete the actual assessment.  Talk about having a WAKE UP call!  Let’s just say this girl is out of shape!  With all the huffing and puffing I was doing at the end of what felt like an eternity (it was really more like 20 minutes), I knew that I had made the right decision and that I was in the right place.   

Not my most flattering side

It’s time to STOP kidding myself and admit that I am FAT…and it’s NOT cute! 

So now the real work begins.  For the next 12 months/52 weeks/366 days (it’s a leap year)/8,784 hours I will document my health and fitness journey and I invite you to come along with me on this crazy ride.  If you’re finally ready to make 2012 YOUR year for getting healthy and fit, then buckle up your seat belt honey and enjoy the ride!

To find out more about the Suwanee Get Fit Challenge and the other contestants check out Suwanee Magazine.