Transformation Tuesday #24

Posted on May 16, 2017 by runstrongrun

Happy #transformationtuesday! 7.5 years and 50 pounds separate these two pictures, but the real difference is the mindset. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again… to make a lasting change, there has to be a lifestyle change. See the food that sits in front of me in the recent picture? It’s eggplant. The food in the other picture? It’s something fried.

Don’t think that I have it all figured out because I don’t. I still have my days (and weeks) where I struggle. I, in fact, have recently reached out to Christa of Sweating Awesome to be my accountability partner. She has lost over 100 pounds and is now running 5ks! She inspires me to move more and to make better food choices.

I will always have to carefully choose the foods I eat and as much as that sometimes really stinks, it’s okay. I refuse to diet. To me, the word “diet” is a four letter swear word. When one of my students brings me a maple bar, I will allow myself to enjoy it. When my pants start to fit a little snug, I will exercise more. Life is about balance and living it to the fullest!

To read more about my lifelong struggle with food and how I changed my lifestyle, check out My Weight Loss Journey. To read about how I went from a couch potato to a vegetarian marathoner, check out The Journey to Becoming a No-Meat Athlete.

Until next time,

Transformation Tuesday #23

Posted on April 11, 2017 by runstrongrun

Not only is there a difference in these two body shapes and smiles, but there’s a difference in these two mindsets. The woman on the left rarely exercised. The woman on the right, however, exercises nearly every day. Even if it’s just a walk, do it. Even if the journey seems too long or difficult, do it. Even if you feel every eye looking at you and judging you, do it.

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The picture on the left is from my trip to India in November of 2009. My journey to changing my lifestyle began the next month when I stepped on the scale for the first time in a year. I was shocked by the number that flashed before me! “How did I get here?” I thought.

Instead of falling further into a pit of despair, I decided to do something about it. My first step was becoming more aware of what I was putting in my mouth. The second step was beginning to regularly move my body. No, I did not start with running. I first started with walking. It was another year and a half before running entered the picture. Read more about how I went from a couch potato to a marathoner HERE.

Fast forward to today and exercise is now a regular part of my routine. Ideally, I run 5-6 days a weeks and incorporate strength training 2-3 times a week. Why do I say “ideally”? Because if I’m being honest, some weeks are better than others. Sometimes I lose focus and have to remind myself that there’s no end goal. Rather, this journey to better health is an everyday series of choices. A choice of what foods and drinks to put into my body and a choice of how I’m going to exercise.

Friends, the journey may not always be easy, but it is SO worth it! Find a friend or family member to support you in your journey. Read and/or listen to books such as Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst to keep you on the right path. And even if you aren’t in the mood to exercise, go for a 20 minute walk. You’ve got this! I believe in you.

Your sister journeying in this with you,

Essence pH10 Review & Giveaway

Posted on March 5, 2017 by runstrongrun

Did you know that 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated? If you’re anything like me, then perhaps there comes a point in your day where you stop and say, “Wow! I’m really thirsty!” My liquid intake consists of coffee in the morning on the way to work, coffee during recess (I’m a 5th grade teacher), and sometimes a little bit of water at lunch. By the time after school rolls around at about 3 o’clock, I am so parched! This is why one of my goals towards better health, is being more conscious about my water intake.

Continue reading →

Transformation Tuesday #22

Posted on February 28, 2017 by runstrongrun

These pics are 10 years and about 40 pounds apart.

Does a journey always travel in one direction? The answer is no. Therefore, our own health journey does not travel in one direction either. There will be days where we are doing really well; exercising the right amount, eating the right food, having a really great balance in our lives. But then, there will be days where we fall off the wagon; eating foods we know we shouldn’t be eating, not doing the exercises that we should be doing, and feeling a lack of balance in our crazy lives. Continue reading →

Review: Fitmark Bags – The Shield

Posted on February 15, 2017 by runstrongrun

Exercise is only part of the equation when it comes to leading a healthy life. Another big part is nutrition. I don’t know about you, but when I am not prepared with healthy meals and snacks I tend to grab whatever is closest and it’s usually not the healthiest. With meal prepping, however, I can be prepared with healthy, ready-to-eat meals and snacks. When I pack my meals and snacks for the day, I usually pack breakfast, two snacks, and lunch. Sometimes this becomes too much to fit in my little lunch bag. Now, with Fitmark’s the Shield, I am able to comfortably pack a whole day’s worth of food into one organized, convenient bag!