Well... Okay

Yesterday was a crap day. Okay not the whole day, but part of it. There's nothing like an emotional blow to yourself to get you down. Luckily I have people in my corner. I've got fabulous family, a partner, and friends who love me and support me.

Anyway, after a horrible night, I woke up and knew I couldn't change things. I can't dwell. I can't stew. The only thing I can do is take care of myself. The best way I knew how to do so was to get up and work out and get a jump start on the day.

It helps. I'm doing alright. It will be better when the conflict is gone, but until then, I'll keep taking care of myself, mentally and physically.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend and you're doing well. Sending warm and happy thoughts your way. And a few pictures from the workout this morning.

Liberation or Bust!

Last night I participated in an event out on by the Women's Center here at school as a part of Women's History Month. Earlier this year, I was in the Vagina Monologues which was also coordinated by the Women's Center. I've had nothing but empowering experiences and it's been great. Anyway, on to last night.

A group of about 50 women and a few men gathered to watch a documentary entitled Breasts:A Documentary. It was extremely interesting to consider all of the different perspectives women have relating to their breasts and how they affect their lives.

After the documentary was over, the men were kicked out, the room was secured by public safety and all the women in their room took off their shirts and worked together with a partner to cast their breasts. It was tough to actually get to the point of taking my shirt off, but by the end of the night, I didn't even consider the fact that there was a room of 50 women walking around topless.

It was an amazing experience. To take an hour and not have to think about body image and to not be judged was the best part. I feel like as society has such harsh standards on women's bodies, it is just as important for them to be able to take the time to appreciate their bodies and take down all of those barriers.

After last night, I feel incredibly empowered. I love my body. I got to demonstrate that by casting and spending the evening with a group of women. And on top of all that, I now have a cast often boobs sitting in my bedroom. Awesome right? ;)

Spring *might* be here!!

I decided that it wasn't worth going to the gym today. Somehow 32 degrees sounds warm enough to run outside. So I did!

It was hard at first, getting used to the ice. But I decided to avoid most of it and just hop on the street. It felt great to be outside. I'm sick of the treadmill.

I forgot how different it is to run outside versus the treadmill. And who know the difference perspective could make. After 5 months of nasty winter, 32 degrees seems like a heat wave!

I hope to get out and do my long run outside on Sunday. We will see. There is an Easter buffet in my future.

Hope you can get out and enjoy the weather in some form in the next couple f days! Even short walks can brighten your spirits and make spring/summer weather feel closer!

Sending you warm and happy thoughts.

One Month! One Month! One Month!

Today, as I sit here, we (A and I) are one month, exactly, away from the Earth Day Half Marathon Relay.  Somedays 6.5 miles seems like a lot and others it seems tiny.  Last weekend, my long run was 4.5 miles and it went alright.  It helped that I watched 2.5 episodes of Frasier and laughed my ass off the whole time. I've been doing the Hal Higdon training schedule. Below is what it looks like.  

I used his 5K training program for my 5K last fall and I liked it, so I figured I'd give it a shot for the half marathon relay. Since I decided to start training in January, I've doubled each week.  It's honestly been pretty easy.   I'm pretty pumped.  It's going to be a good day! 

If you feel like it, you should come join us for the run! Or come watch! I'm really looking forward to it. I feel like it's going to be a big accomplishment for me, and A.  He's been a great running partner.  

After all this is over, I'm aiming for a real half marathon in late summer.  Here's hoping!

Thanks for reading.  You're pretty great, you know? 

Sending you warm, happy thoughts on this freezing cold first day of spring! 

Coming Home

I came home last night. I forgot what a convenience it is to have an elliptical just a few steps away... As in downstairs!

My brother was a great cheerleader this morning as I was trying to keep going. I had the music cranked and fans on. Yes fans. I was a hot mess by the end but there's no better feeling than getting done an knowing that there's a reason I am sweating.

It's hard not to revert to my old ways and just eat whatever, whenever when I get home. Especially when I go to Grandmas and there is a banana cream pie, fudge, and chocolate chip cookies calling my name.

My goal for the next few days is to control myself and exercise my will power while I'm at home. Hopefully it goes well! Happy weekend!

Sending you warm, happy thoughts!

Words

I've found that its helpful to have warm, positive, encouraging words in my vocabulary. It's easier to do things and want to do things.

I think so frequently, all we are surrounded with are put downs. We put ourselves down, others put us down, and we put others down. That needs to stop.
I've made a conscious effort to use positive words, and let me tell you, things are easier.

To assist me with this, a couple of weeks ago, I created a small bulletin board with positive words and quotes. It's one of the first things I see when I wake up. It has been great.

Here is my positivity board. Do you have one? Or something that has the same concept? What does yours look like?

Sending you warm, happy thoughts!

But I don't want to get out of bed!!!

Sometimes it's crazy difficult to drag myself out of bed in the morning.

If you didn't already know this about me, I'm a crazy planner. I recently bought a new planner with everything down to the half hour, just so I could plan my day out more thoroughly.

Anyway, I like to get my work out done with in the morning so that I focus on other things throughout the day. That's honestly my motivation for getting out of bed and getting active. It's been super helpful for me to realize that and to have that driving force.

What's your driving force? What gets you to get up and move, even just a little bit?

Here's me, telling myself that being awake at 6 am is what I want to do.

Sending you warm, happy thoughts!