Being that it is the end of the year, most people start contemplating what they want to do the following year. I am no exception to the masses that are creating resolutions right now. I have moved passed the resolution phase, and I have started to reflect on the years that have passed, not just the one we are leaving. I ask myself questions, "How do you feel right now?" "What are your relationships like?" "Did you achieve what you wanted to this year? This month?" "What did you do for fun?" "What did you do for others?" "What did you do for yourself?" Just a few of the things I ask to help me reflect.
At some point last year, an amazing woman, colleague, and friend informed us that she would be running in her first half marathon. I am not sure what drove me to say I'd try this with her, being that I have an aversion to running outside, and the idea of running more than 2 miles made me physically nauseous at the thought....but something clicked. With the help of a few free apps on my iPhone and the "foot in mouth" concept (why did I have to say I'd do this?) I began my running adventure. My husband, who by the way would rather put on a chicken costume and dance around his boss than run, decided that if I was going to run he'd join me. Which provided an instant running buddy, and also made it so I wasn't running alone before or after work. Within a few weeks of getting started JR too had signed up for a half-marathon. So many people I knew started to run as well! It was infectious! We found there is a whole secret underground lifestyle revolving around running and races...every time we signed up and finished a race we got more excited about the next. And felt amazing!
We started, literally, running 1 minute, and walking 1.5 minutes for 30 minutes...and gradually worked up to 30 minutes straight...finishing a 5K...and running almost 8 miles from time to time. JR is 10 days from his half, and I am 60 days out...and I have been contemplating running a full marathon after I see how my poor body feels after a half. The catch isn't on whether or not I will do it, most likely I will...but now after I finish my half...do I want to improve? Do I want to see some weight loss? Strengthening? In this year, I have battled with my eating habits, which like so many others, has been a struggle my whole life. I go through spurts, of fast-food, and sodas...and can eat lean and healthy foods for a long while as well. This year, my doctor informed me that I had high cholesterol. My family is plagued by heart and lung disease, and I am only 29! So....what to do? I have a relatively healthy body...why am I treating it like crap? Do I want to provide that example for my husband? For my family? Or for my kids in the future? Or do I want them to change their lives because they see me changing mine, and want the same for themselves? Ah...there in lies the goal!
So...the resolutions are not to lose weight, save money...blah blah blah...but to increase my speed when running a 5K, to finish 2 half marathons in 2011, to begin training for the full, to see a significant decrease in my cholesterol, to practice yoga at least 4 times a week because it makes me feel better, to pass on my new healthier knowledge to my family and friends, and to live like the person I would want my family, friends, and children looking towards for an example. With the knowledge we have today about the body, and our environment, having high cholesterol at 29 is, and ludicrous dangerous. Not going for a run, or practicing yoga like I know I want to for no good reason is lazy.
Why the blog/journal? Because when I post my runs on facebook, the amount of feedback I get is motivating! I want to be able to do more than just tell people I ran...I want to tell them how much it sucked...and felt awesome at the same time. I want to document and feel accountable for the goals I have set in front of myself. I do it for my patients, why not do it for myself. I should get just as frustrated with myself when I don't do the work, as I do with my patients. In the end, the only person not getting off the couch is me...and I am the one lifting the burger to my lips and taking that bite. The interesting thing is, I feel like crap when I miss a run, drink one too many margaritas, or when I eat fast food...and when I run, or eat healthier I really feel much better....what is the point of doing the other stuff when doing the right thing makes me feel better? I have no idea...but I am going to try my hardest to change my lifestyle. So if you are reading this, whether you be my husband, my best friend, my dad, my colleague, or that strange stalker people talk about...I encourage you to start this journey with me. To create your own goals, to become accountable, the join in and help by motivating me, and let me motivate you. Yes, I realize it sounds corny, and ridiculous, but is it really? Or is it something you really want, but won't admit? Do you have a habit you want to cut out of your life? Or that you should cut out of your life? Replace it with a different more healthy habit, or find the help you need. Either way....friends I need the help. I need the motivation, and mostly I WANT to change....so Dec 31 is my start day...bring on 2011...and cheers to our health and our lives!
My friend who got me started on this journey recently injured her foot, and is unable to run this year, she has amazing motivation and has stated she will run next year as well...friend...I will be right there next year with you as well! Thank you for your encouragement, and love throughout this year. I hope that you realize how much you have changed my life by simply wanting to run that race for your mom. So my race, of course, is for you...and all the kids we treat that you allow to walk for the first time, or again. XOXO
Cheers!
Kat
