Health Check-In

As I discussed last week, upon your return from vacation you are ALL ABOUT the goals ! The cleanest house, the organized to do list, the perfect calendar, growing bank account, and of course a whole new health plan. We are dreamers and after vacation is always a time full of possibility for the Bessettes. This year seemed even more appropriate for change as vacation fell to the final weeks of August, a new season, a new month a new chance!

Right now our life is facing so many potential changes that new goals seem to be an odd combination of the perfect opportunity while extra overwhelming. Many of these forthcoming changes will bring new way of life to our world and so we have chosen to approach it with a full make-over by adding a few personal goals. For me one of the largest goals is a health overhaul.

What does a health makeover look like? For me it is going to be a focus on food choices, water intake, and exercise. Remember my hope for beast status? Yup……still hoping……which means time for action! And as far as food goes, well from that same post you can tell food is not just something I enjoy, but part of my experiences. I am human, I am a girl and sometimes I need that perfect taste of FILL IN THE BLANK (coffee, fried food, burger, wine….the list goes on). And I love that every season can introduce new flavors or a holiday means a favorite dish - BUTTTTT - food still is meant to be fuel. It is to keep us alive, energetic, active and healthy - and if you are not careful food can be just the opposite.

So here are my goals for the first phase of the overhaul:

EXERCISE

I want to be a runner (again). In the late summer/early fall of 2009 Danny’s cousin persuaded me into running a half marathon the next spring. It would be for CF, it would be in Atlanta, and I could learn to run. Over the last year I had started to add on a few pounds and felt like at 24 I was starting to determine what sort of adult I would be - fit or not, so perfect timing. Using that thought process I committed - 100%, utilizing my a-type, perfectionist ways, I C-O-M-M-I-T-E-D! I followed Jeff Galloway’s book and running plan for beginners. It was not easy and I remembering being sort of embarrassed that running just a few moments was hard - how could I EVER get to race status?? But I also remember Jeff’s prompting - no matter if you have to walk, just follow the schedule and do that day’s workout. Well it worked.

The first time I remember it changing my life was that Halloween. I had never been one to overly enjoy dressing up and certainly not one that liked using it as excuse to wear even less clothing than normal. That year I had no costume and the party we planned to go to was THAT NIGHT. So Danny and I chose Wizard of Oz and all I could find was a child’s costume. It actually fit…..and Danny could not get over how much toner I was all of sudden. So I was seeing the benefit of running- and it was really exciting. So I kept going.

The next clear memory is right around Christmas. My office holiday party meant I had a half day at work, so Danny metroed downtown so we could take advantage of a chance to play tourist on a free afternoon. I don’t know what it was but I was just off…..so we wrapped it up early and I told Danny I felt like I just needed a run (WHAT?? Who is this person - wanting to run???). I went home, laced up the shoes, ran and felt better! From there I was hooked…..and got up to a 5k and then 5 miles on average. I remember hitting the trails and watching the mile markers go by and it feeling so, so good!

Now 2009 melted (literally with snowmaggeden) into 2010 and I had a wedding to plan, making the half marathon transition to the back burner. And really so did my running. I still ran some, I still liked it, and reaped the benefits, but training was no longer a focus. As the years rolled on it really got worse and suddenly it has taken me what feels like all summer to get an OK pace and barely a mile and half under my belt - OUCH. I WANT IT BACK…..

So the only true exercise I am 100% focused on right now is running. I have never trained in the heat of the summer nor with these many extra lbs… but I am doing it! I have signed up for a 10K on September 28 with a good friend in Pittsburg. I was hoping to make it exciting, a full experience and get addicted again. Sadly it has been a bit of sore spot and frustration more than anything….but if I want this to be a forever change, if I really want to be a runner…..I have to recognize, it is just going to take time. So back at the training hard this week…..to be continued.

DIET

After my tour of New England cuisine while at Cape Cod I came home last week and did a cleanse - only eating fruits, veggies and water for 5-7 days. Ummmmm, no - by Tuesday night my headaches, weakness, and flu like fog was unbearable and I had to add in a bit of protein and coffee. On Wednesday I did Ok for a little bit and then while working I felt like I was going to just pass out - so I added to my fruit and veggies the smallest size of soup by Panera. By the end of the week I was still limiting caffeine, dairy, and meat - but was not able to truly cleanse my body. It’s not that I thought it was bad….just not good for me - especially while trying to train for my 10K.

However I did appreciate how last week I really thought about EVERY meal. I was selective, aware and purposeful. Food was about making my body feel regulated - not meeting an emotion or rewarding my behavior - what am I a dog??

So I looked at last week: took the good, cut the bad and hope to be a little more even keel. Goal - to make good selections and eat the proper portions. OOOO and my FAVORITE healthy option, drink water! I love water - maybe even get a little festive and add lemon! My problem is that I also love caffeine - Starbucks, Diet Coke, Ice Tea, - so giving those up are a little harder - but drinking water, never hard! I love that part.

Every Wednesday I plan to share more of my health journey - what I am doing, what I am reading, what I am learning and hopefully what I am feeling…..onward to health!!