“The first wealth is health”- Emerson

How True is that? There are very few things in life that aren't directly connected to our health. The most obvious, yet sometimes the most challenging is the ability to be able to actually "Live your Life" Seems simple right? Well as I sit here and look back over MANY instances where I decided to pass up doing something because of how I felt or how I felt I would look to others, I am deeply saddened by how much I have missed out on. For example, the new swimming pool to many others presented a fun new activity for families to enjoy. For me, it presented a MAJOR challenge. How could I continue to make the excuse that it's boring to go to the pool because there's nothing to do there, when quite obviously this is no longer true. Not only was I keeping myself from enjoying something new and fun, I was holding Lenae back from an experience that every child deserves to have. Sure she went once with my sister and had a blast, but I was also missing out on that experience of watching her laugh and giggle down the slide or attempt to go under water. I finally decided, even though I kept on a pair of short athletic shorts and a tank top on, that I would brave it and take her. And I'm glad that I did. Even though I will feel much better when I am confident enough to just wear a suit, I still had fun with her.

My whole point is that I want to get healthy enough to where I'm not having to constantly tug at my shorts, readjust my tight tanktop underneath my shirt, or wonder what the other person is thinking of me. I want to just be able to be present in the moment and enjoy the people I am with. So to that, on with the workouts!

Our walk/jog(or plod as Mom calls it) have taken place in many different locations. We started down at the park, moved on to my neighborhood blocks, out to the country, and just recently the BHS Track. I can honestly say that the track is by far my favorite location, only because I can SEE exactly how much further I have to go each time. I can say in my head "Okay Joelle, push it 200 more meters. You've got this" I've always been a visual and do it myself learner. I have to be able to see things done or do it myself to be able to conquer it. Throughout the various locations we have gone from starting out  jogging for 60 sec and walking for 90. I thought I was going to DIE! Fast forward to last night where the workout was "Walk 5 min, jog 2 laps, walk 1 lap, jog 3 laps, walk 1 lap, and jog 2 laps." We have gotten our half mile time down to about 6 minutes. Give or take 20 seconds :) That's coming a LONG way from almost passing out at the thought of doing 60 seconds.

I am starting to actually see the results of these workouts from being able to fit into old tshirts that were once way too tight, taking off 2.5 inches off of each measurement, and down 10 lbs from where we started. It has actually, without much intentional effort, changed my diet and eating habits. I went from drinking anywhere from 5 to 6 Diet Cokes a day. Now, I really only have 2. Anymore than that and I seem to get headaches, but any less than that and I get headaches too(it's that caffiene addiction!) I have also found myself snacking a lot less...almost not at all! I have gone from drinking virtually no water to about 6 to 7 20 oz bottles a day, and CRAVE protein non stop. I can't get enough of it whether it be chicken, eggs, almonds, steak, and the once every so often Nature Valley Peanut butter granola bar. I've been way more aware of portion control and stopping at when my stomach is full...not when my plate is empty. And all of this without even trying. I think running has rewired my brain to Healthy Mode, not Lazy Mode anymore. I am welcoming it with open arms!!!!

In closing, “It takes 4 weeks for you to notice your body changing, 8 weeks for your friends to notice, and 12 weeks for the rest of the world to notice. Give it 12 weeks. Don’t QUIT!” We are on Week 6...give or take a week. I've already seen the results...next up.... Pin It