refocusing and reflecting back

Firstly I want to thank all of you for reading my blog. It’s been viewed almost 1400 times since I started it in February (and no, I don’t count my own pageviews) which is crazy to me that there are people out there who want to read what little old me has to say. Last week’s post (Epic Update) was the first time I let my Facebook community know I had a blog. Which was scary for me. I guess because I still harbor this fear of being judged and it’s easier to continue my struggles in private.  I received so many uplifting and encouraging comments from readers, though, and it validated why I have a blog in the first place. If I can inspire a few others into starting or returning to a healthy lifestyle, then I did more than I ever thought I could with my words. Keep reading, keep commenting, but most importantly, keep thinking about making healthy choices however small they are because they do make a difference.

  This past week I’ve been back to a routine and out of vacation mode. Returning to healthy eating, better sleep, less drinking, and more exercising makes me feel so much more powerful (especially mentally). By powerful I mean energetic and having a sense of control over my life.  I ran over 19K last Saturday as my last training run for the half marathon coming up in FIVE days.  I did that run in just over 2 hours and felt really good despite it being a really hilly route. I dread running long distances until I get it done, so the feeling of putting a tick in the last training day box was probably the best of all.  Just 5 months ago I had a 6 week old baby and could not run more than 3 minutes before having to walk.  I’ve learned that being able to run a half marathon distance has everything to do with disciplined training and the belief in yourself that you will do it.  It’s all about hard work and overcoming self-doubt. It really has nothing to do with natural born ability (there’s no such thing as being born a runner or a non-runner, or born with a body that can’t be fit). And, there are no excuses (I just had a baby, I’m in my 30’s now, I don’t have time with two kids  and everything else I do in my life).  I’ve learned to stop overthinking why I may not be able to do something and just plunge in and start. If not now, then when? It’s not going to happen itself.

On Sunday I ran part of the oak bay half marathon in a relay team of 3 other lovely friends I have made through BDHQ’s baby bootcamp class. I can’t believe new mommas can run so fast.  We collectively ran 21.1K in 1h45 (that’s a pace of 5 minutes/km) and we were in the top 10 of all relay teams.  I’m so inspired by these girls who don’t let their “mom” label define them.

here we are before the race

still smiling and soaked afterwards

I lost a pound this week but to be very truthful, I had already lost most of this pound and then went on vacation and gained it back.  So...it would be accurate to say I re-lost a pound. I ate well, starting in the mornings (I find if I don’t have a healthy breakfast I am more prone to eating sugar and carbs throughout the day).  I meal planned and grocery shopped only to my meal plan ingredients.  I have never posted photos of my food but thought this week I’d do that since I went back to eating colorful veggies and fruits! 

 

I try to have this every day for breakfast

1 cup frozen berries, half banana, 1 cup fresh spinach, 1 scoop vanilla protein powder or Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp NutraSea lemon flavored fish oil (it tastes pretty darn good), almond milk or milk

ingredients for fennel salad

1 large fennel bulb and 1 red pepper, 1/4 onion, 3 tbsp chopped mint leaves, juice of 1 lemon, salt and pepper

I'm not a fan of selfies but I committed to showing my progress

I decided I’m going to run another half marathon this fall and keep up with my training. I know myself, and if I don’t have another goal to work towards I have a hard time staying motivated and I won’t lose weight.  My goal this week is to sign up for a run club and train with others who can kick my butt a little harder than I can by myself.