Believing (again)

It's been almost 4 months since I've updated here.  In that time I've had 3 races that I've wanted to recap (and will get to today), but I just haven't been able to find the words to do it.  Because starting about 6 months ago, I stopped believing in myself.

I didn't believe that I was  real runner.
I didn't believe that I could finish the races.
I just didn't believe in me.

Slumps are hard to dig yourself out of, but I am coming round.

I have a new half-marathon to train for and a plan to follow.  My health is (nearly) good. The weather is almost enjoyable.

I've decided that since I AM going to believe in myself, no matter what, that I've added the message to my body - permanently  - so that I never forget to believe in myself again.

Rules for Living

An article was published by the Canadian Press today about the 9 rules for living that author Bruce Grierson  has penned. Grierson recently published a book, What Makes Olga Run?, about 93 year-old Canadian track star Olga Kotelko. I’m looking forward to reading the book because WOW! what an inspiration. Olga didn't take up track and field events until she was in her 70s and sounds like the kind of old lady I would love to grow up to be.

Back to Grierson’s 9 rules for living. Some of his rules seem like no brainers: “Begin Now” - “Don't Do It If You Don't Love It” - “Keep Moving”, while some made me pause and think about them a bit more: “Be Opportunistic” – “Believe in Something” and "Be a Mensch"  . It made me think. What rules for living do I have? At the young age of 43, I’m no expert on longevity, but I realized I do have a few “rules” that I try to follow. Hopefully they help lead to a long and healthy life. And who knows? Maybe I’ll be setting records when I’m in my 90s!

Andy’s Rules for Living

1. Laugh every day 
2. Tell the people you love that you love them every day 
3. Drink plenty of water 
4. Eat fresh vegetables 
5. Get out and walk 
6. Get enough sleep 
7. Be kind to yourself 
8. Own pets 
9. Believe in yourself 

What are your rules for living?

Time

Finding time for yourself is important.  If you don’t recharge and relax you can never be the best person for those around you.  But finding that time can be hard.  Work, commuting, dinner, house cleaning, homework, sleep, grocery shopping, bedtime routines, family time, date nights and every other little detail of life still need to happen.  It can seem overwhelming to try to add in exercise on top of it all.  Yet if we don’t make the time, it will never happen.

Some people wake up early, before the requirements of the day begin and run or work out then.  I’ve managed to do that a grand total of once.  I value my sleep just as much as being active.  Actually, I might value sleep a wee bit more. 

One of the ways that I’ve added in the time to exercise without feeling guiltyier about taking away family time was to join Tae Kwon Do with Liam.  That way I’m still getting 3 hours of exercise a week, but I’m still spending that time with him. 

Finding time over and above TKD to fit in running is currently a struggle.  I don't get home from work till after 5:00, and even if I'm out the door by 5:30, it's after 6:30 before I'm home, changed and ready to engage in family life. It is doable, and I have an amazing family that is supportive of this, but I find it hard sometimes to just go, Go, GO! 

How do you balance all the requirements of life with finding time to exercise?

21 nice things about me

The lovely ladies over at The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans offered up a mini-challenge last week to go along with their New Year’s Weight Loss boot camp. While I’m not doing the exercise part of their boot camp and I am following along with the group. I’ve never been very good at self-discovery or being able to talk about myself in a positive way, but I did enjoy this challenge.

This Week’s Mini-Challenge

I want you to say, write, type, paint, or WHATEVER medium you choose, THREE NICE THINGS about yourself every.single.day this week. Starting today and ending next Tuesday. That would equal 21 nicey-nice things about you. You can share them with the world, or keep them to yourself. But honestly, you probably should share them, because it will make you feel so much better, and then we can agree with you and make you feel even more spectacular. So do it, m’kay?

Here are the 21 nice things I have to say about myself:

Tell me 3 nice things about yourself!

Who inspires you?

Today while I was on one of the websites that I use to help track my journey to health, I noticed that  a friend had updated her "what inspires you" section with ME!  She finds me inspiring!!

I don't know that I've ever inspired anyone before... especially for something like health and weight loss.

I however, am inspired by a few people.

• My mom - she's struggled with her weight all her life and is now also dealing with diabetes.  She is at her goal weight and at 71, is more active than most folks my age.  
• Hilary and Liam - they inspire me to be the healthiest I can be so that I can be active, have fun and enjoy life with them.
• My SIL Sarah - she's a single Mum striving to live a healthy life and raising my awesome nephew to be an amazing man one day.
• My friend Sandy - She has overcome cancer and lives with Celiac disease.  She carries on and is finding new ways to be healthy.
• My friend Jason - He suffered a heart attack this summer that scared the heck out of all of us.  He too is finding new ways to be healthy.

And there are many others too.  Everyone who is on this journey to health and well being inspires me.  On days that I struggle to stay the course I have many people that I can turn to for guidance, support and inspiration.

Finding your way isn’t always easy. Life’s direction can feel like a maze. The gift of true friendship is that it takes us by the hand and reminds us we are not alone in the journey.”~ Unknown

Who inspires you?