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

Him at 15

It's so hard to believe that he is 15!  It seems like it was only yesterday that he was a little boy who loved to  put on one of my hats and pretend that he was Michael Jackson.  Now he is all grown up...making that slow transition from boy to man...and as much as I welcome this new phase and embrace this shift, I would be lying if I didn't say that there are days when I wish I could turn back the hands of time to go back.  Go back to those days when he would ask me to lay in the bed with him to talk about our day.  Go back to the time when we would snuggle on the couch and watch his favorite TV show.  Go back to the days when I would sit on the porch and watch him ride his bike up and down the street.

But those days are a thing of the past.  

Now our days are filled with dropping him off/picking him up from the mall, football practice and games, discussions about what classes he will take in his sophomore year in high school, followed  with long talks about college and career goals, and taking him out to practice "driving" in preparation for his driver's license.  Now he prefers spending time with his friends which means that he's spending less time with me.  And although I remember and understand *this* time in his life it's still hard to let go.  That is why I try as hard as I can to hold on to those special moments when  he will randomly come up and give me a quick hug or kiss on the cheek; when he will come and snuggle with me on the couch as we watch one of my TV shows; and when he will sit with me at the kitchen table and share with me his day.  I love listening to him as he shares with me his thoughts, his dreams and his plans for the future and I make it a point to remind him that he can accomplish it all.  

I know my time with him being under my roof is limited which is why I make it a conscious effort to be present when we are together.  I make it a point to remind him that he is intelligent/great/amazing and that he can accomplish anything and that most of all that he is LOVED!

    

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!

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