Staying Motivated

At times it has been difficult to stay motivated and keep running over the summer.  Since I began running, I have always had a race I was signed up to run and that kept me on track with my running/training.  My last run was a 5K at the beginning of June.  I did a good job of running in June, knowing that I was signed up for the half I knew I needed to keep my running going so I wouldn't be starting over when I started officially training for the half.  The training plan I found is a 12 week training plan, so I knew I would need to really focus starting August 1.  July was the hardest month to keep running.  I made sure I got all my runs in before leaving on vacation on July 5.  I got all my runs in while we were on the road and once we were settled into our house in Idaho for the week of July 9-16.  Then the last week of the trip, as we were again on the road I only ran 2 days and one of those was on a tredmill.  Returning home, I knew I needed to kick it back into gear but it was sooooo hot and humid.  We got home on July 22.  My runs were a little slower and shorter than they had been.  I must give a "shout out" to my friend Amy B. for inviting me to come running with her.  Thanks for inviting me along to the track for the 5 x 400 workout and going on a 6 mile run plus 2 miles of walking at the trail in KC.  You help keep me encouraged to keep going.  Your tips and experience help me keep going.  Yesterday, I ran at a much slower pace and let the heat and humidity get me down.  Today, I told myself it really mattered starting today.  I have to follow my training plan and stay focused on completing the half marathon.  I can't give in to being hot and tired.  I can push through and continue to improve in my running, my eating, and my overall fitness. 

Since I began running, my sister and mom have also started running.  In fact, they too participated in the 5K with me in June.  They have not decided to join me in the half marathon, but they are planning on joining me in a 5K in September and possibly in a 10K in early October.  Having them follow my training and cheer me on has been another part of keeping me motivated.  Also, going from a size 14 to a size 10 has been another big motivator.  I know if I stop running, I will regain some of that weight.  I had to replace my summer wardrobe, and I am now excited to start replacing my fall and winter wardrobe as the school year begins.  It is much more fun to shop when picking out a smaller size, and the clothes look better on me, too.  I'm hoping keeping this blog will be another way to help me stay motivated by being accountable to someone other than just myself. 

The last time I really lost weight and felt really good about myself was when I did Weight Watchers right before I turned 30.  At that time, I weighed around 198 when I started and dropped down to 143 at my lowest.  At 5'7", Weight Watchers said I needed to be below 158 (or something close to that).  I was down to a size 8.  It was great!  I only kept it off for the first 6 months or so, then the weight began to creep back on.  Actually it poured back on.  I know over the past 5 years, my lowest weight prior to this year was 178 when I joined the gym and ate healthier over a period of 6 months.  No matter what I did, it seemed I would always find myself weighing between 190 and 200 again.  I don't want to be on the diet rollercoaster anymore.  I don't need to be a "skinny mini" but I don't want to be obese, out of shape, and unhealthy anymore!!!  Staying motivated and being fabulous is really about staying healthy and fit.  It isn't really about the weight on the scale.  Although I'd love to get my weight below 158, or maybe even below 150, I'm happy where I'm at for the time being.  I'm going to stay focused on following my training plan (running, yoga, weights, and cross training) and eating the right foods to give me the energy I need for my workouts.  I'm going to try to keep those late night cravings for junk (carbs, chocolate, sweets) away by eating the right foods during the day and keeping junk food out of the house as much as possible.  I can do this!