It's time to get serious about the exercising. When I think back on the times that I felt best about myself, it was when I felt good about what my body was doing for me. Ironically, this doesn't necessarily equate to how I felt about the appearance of my body. In high school, I felt really good about what my body was able to accomplish: running 9 miles at cross country practice, playing center on the basketball team, winning games, and championships, and individual honors, rehabbing from a knee injury. Even though I thought I was "fat" at the time, I still felt good about the things my body could do, the determination I had, and the pride that came along with setting goals and reaching them. In college, I felt good about playing Division I basketball (even though it was hardly all I hoped it to be), running a mile in 6 min, benching pressing 75% of my body weight. And even though I felt good about what my body was doing, it was undermined by my coaches saying I needed to lose (more*) weight in order to "gain a step". (*Between my sophomore and junior year, June-August, I lost 20 lbs at the urging of my coaches, not easy to do on an already fit and not overweight body, only to return to pre-season training in August and be told I should have lost more...YEAH, and you wonder why I have issues?!?!)
Anyway, all this to say that I feel good when my body is accomplishing something, moving toward and reaching a goal. Even though I may not like how it looks, I like how it feels. I like feeling strong.
So, with that in mind, I have set a goal (along with my husband) to run a 5k on November 13. The week of August 14th, I am going to start the
Couch to 5k running program. A 9-week, 3 days/week, program (I'll have 12-weeks) that eases you, step by step, into running a 5k. I plan on using the treadmill program outlined
here. Why wait until August 13th? Because I feel like I am starting over with Medifast after my two-week vacation, and they suggest not starting any new exercise for the first 2 weeks as your body adjusts to the new lower calorie intake.
There it is. All in writing. For the world (or at least 5 or 6 people) to see. Therefore, I must follow through. Right? Right!
Oh I shall watch you with great interest.I plan to do the couch to 5k program at some point. At the moment I think I am carrying too much weight and risk injuring knees/joints but nearer maintenance I will start this so Im really interested in seeing how it goes and what you learn from it
ReplyDeleteDawn
I will keep you posted. I am sure there will be lots to write about...if I don't die in the process! :-)
ReplyDeleteYay for your goal! I will watch for updates on how it is going!!! I can't wait for you to feel the feeling when you cross the finish line!!!!
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