...January is half over already. How does that happen? You may have noticed, I haven't posted since Christmas. We DID enjoy our Christmas & New Years weekends - it was an awesome time with family and friends. And we've plugged through the last two weeks, while the weather has been pretty gloomy. Honestly, I have only been outside three times since my last post. I went 2.58 miles on Monday 12/29, 1.76 miles in the cold & wet* on 1/2, and a slow 1.6 on 1/6. That's only three times in three weeks! Ugh...
I'm not going to beat myself up about it. I was pretty bummed at New Years because I started the year weighing 4 pounds MORE than the year before (That's a net GAIN)! All my efforts to slim down and tone up throughout 2014 seemed to be a total bust. That was really depressing. But somewhere along the line, I focussed on the goal ahead and gave myself some grace. The weather has been yucky, so I haven't gone outside. But it won't stay that way, so I'm not gonna worry about it! In fact, there should be some sunshine (and some running) today!
Because I've not been exercising, I'm trying to be more conscious about what I eat, sticking to The Daniel Plan principles as much as possible - Real, whole food that you make yourself. Cold, yucky weather equals lots of soup - chicken, turkey, black bean, beef stew, etc. Load it up with veggies and it's Mmmmm Good! We had a big salad for lunch, lots of greens. I've learned that ONE serving of starchy carbs with my supper keeps me from snacking in the evening. One whole grain roll, one half cup of brown rice, etc. If I have all veggies and protein I get really hungry by bedtime. It's all a matter of figuring out what works for YOU! In spite of not exercising, I am already back down that excess four pounds, so I'm right where I started a year ago. I can live with that.... for now.
After all, my goal is not to be skinny, it is to be healthy and limber. I want to enter my Fifties fit and able to bounce. I know I will have to deal with osteo-arthritis as I age, I already do in my hands and hips. I want to be able to go dancing on Friday night and not be sore and achy the rest of the weekend. I want to be able to get down on the floor to play with my grandkids and be able to get back up. If I get sick or injured, I want to recover quickly.
Speaking of the weekend - this Saturday is my first official 5k. I had thought to do a trail run, but the more I thought about it, I chickened out. We hike a lot, and trails can be treacherous with rocks and stumps that are easy to trip over. As wet as it's been, it will probably be muddy and slick. At this point - my first Official run - I do not want to risk any injuries that could be avoided. SO - we are registered for a 5k that will be run on pavement. Hopefully the traffic doesn't prove more dangerous than the stumps. I would like to do a trail run, but not quite yet.
*I did get a windbreaker for Christmas - a bright pink one with a hood that is just perfect! I can wear a light long sleeve t-shirt under it and not get overheated. It is easy to unzip if I get too warm and has zipclosed pockets so I don't lose my phone or tissues. I was also gifted behind the head ear muffs that are super cozy, easy to take off if I get too warm and they fit into the coat pocket!
So here we are - 47 weeks to go - keep #RunningTowardsFifty!!
I did get outside today - ran one mile without stopping, two miles total. Really tired afterwards, but did very well, I think. Ave 17 min/mile, not bad for several days off.
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