Time to Run: Get Motivated | Active.com

Time to Run: Get Motivated Active.com

In preparation of my upcoming Couch to 5k training program, I thought this article was helpful. It's easy for me to lose motivation so I'll try to keep these things in mind.

The Country Music Marathon and 1/2 marathon was held today in Nashville. I had friends that participated in this and I watched some of the coverage on t.v. It was very motivating to watch and I almost wished I had the courage to do this! I'm feeling positive about this C25K challenge and hoping my next 5k will include more running than walking.

Staying on track

I'm staying on track with fitness this week. One motivator is that I am scheduled to have my yearly physical soon. I have done well with sticking to healthy eating and exercising all week. So, it CAN be done! I really need to post a note somewhere where I can see it...to remind me about how much better I feel when I exercise and eat right. That alone should motivate me to stay on track! I am glad that I found a co-worker that likes to walk and we have started walking on our lunch break, as long as the weather allows us to. Unfortunately today that was not the case! We are having storms passing through Tennessee today with tornadoes and heavy thunderstorms. It looks like I'll be hitting the treadmill when I get home.

I am very pleased to announce that I found a Couch to 5K challenge via @EatMoveWrite on Twitter a few days ago and I signed up. I began the program a while ago, but didn't finish it. I want to start over with this challenge and make it through to the end! Here is the link to the challenge, if you are interested too! Couch 2 5K Challenge

Starting the day off right

It's Saturday morning and I began the day with a 3 mile walk. I got up and made my coffee so it would be ready when I get back, made a protein shake for breakfast, filled my water bottle and headed out.

I found a walking trail at a local city park. I enjoyed it. I got there early enough so there weren't very many people and I beat the soccer crowd. This park is only a few miles away from my house, so I plan on visiting there often.

I came back home to enjoy my iced coffee while sitting on my deck. The weather was mild and the breeze was blowing. It felt really good since I had worked up a sweat from my walk/jog session.

Now I'm ready to enjoy the day! I'm planning on attending a church service later tonight then I'll be working on my side dishes for my family dinner tomorrow.

What do you have planned for today?

March for Babies - May 1

I'd love for you to help support me in the March for Babies walk this year. Here is my March for Babies webpage - Its very easy to make a secure donation from this site. My walk is only 8 days away and I have not met my goal yet! I'm looking forward to the walk, since my daughter and her friends have decided to join me. We even had some t-shirts made! The t-shirts just came in today. I'm so excited!!

I'll be sure and post pictures before,during and after our event to share!

Every day, thousands of babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick. I'm walking in March for Babies because I want to do something about this. And I need your help.

Please support my walk. Making a secure donation is easy: just click the 'donate now' button on my page. Thank you for helping me give all babies a healthy start!

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

Southern eating made healthy? is it possible?

I am challenging myself to re-make some of my favorite southern dishes in a way that is healthier. Southerners traditionally have diets consisting of fried foods, biscuits, sweet tea and rich desserts. I was rasied on this kind of eating and am paying for it now! I want to be able to eat the foods I love, but would like to make substitutions so these foods aren't so bad for me and my family. But let's keep that a secret from my family. If they know I'm not adding full fat cheese and real sugar, they will ban my cooking.

Obesity is a national problem, but the southern states seem to struggle more with this problem. I found this website helpful Obesity Trends from the CDC It appears as my state is in the top three highest states for obesity. This map is found on the CDC website.

I have family members that have just been diagnosed with diabetes and I have high cholesterol myself. I want to do something to change this epidemic in my state and the United States. Have you seen the TV show, Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution ? I have been watching it and am shocked by the obesity problems in our country. Have YOU signed his petition? Check out his website using the link above.

It's almost Easter and I have a family dinner to attend. I've tried making healthier options in the past, only to be ridiculed by my family. I am bringing a 7-layer salad and macaroni and cheese. I am determined to make some changes that are hopefully un-noticable. The salad is pretty healthy, as long as I substitute low fat cheese and mayo. The macaroni and cheese on the other hand, is a different story. I'll let you know how this turns out....stay tuned! Happy Easter!

Be Who You Are!

Daily Devotional – Scripture – Teaching Joyce Meyer Ministries

How boring life would be if we were all alike. God made each and every one of us different in our own special way. Instead of being jealous of others, we should live our lives to the fullest. Take a look at this devotional by Joyce Meyer. She has a special way of helping me look at the positive side of life instead of wallowing around in negative thinking.

I just received a copy of her book "Battlefield of the Mind" in the mail today. I'm looking forward to jumping into that one! If you struggle with negative thinking, this book will help you overcome feelings of worry, confusion, depression and anger.

Visit her website for other resources to inspire you! Joyce Meyer Ministries and watching her tv show, Enjoying Everyday Life is very uplifting!

Sometimes we all need a little inspiration. What do you do when you need to be inspired?

It's time for ME time!

Where did the spring weather go? It feels more like fall today. I slept later than usual for a Saturday, but since I've been sick I guess I needed it. I was very happy that today is the day for my monthly massage appointment at Massage Envy. I usually leave home a few hours before my appointment for some much needed ME time. I stopped for a sandwich at a place called Which Wich? This was my first time going to this place but I liked it.

It took me a moment to figure out how to order. The menu is posted on the wall for different types of sandwiches. There are also brown paper bags corresponding to the sandwiches on a table that the customer fills out to place the order. Here is mine:

I ordered a turkey sub on wheat with provolone, lettuce, dijon mustard and low fat mayo.

I also had some jalapeno chips!

and some iced tea!

The food was good and I enjoyed the atmosphere also.

After eating, I was ready for my massage!

Now I'm all relaxed and ready to spend the evening with my family.

Walk 100 Miles with the Mayor of Nashville

Centennial Park - photo compliments of Nashville.gov website

The mayor in Nashville has started a walking program called Walk 100 miles with the mayor . The next walk is scheduled for tomorrow at Centennial Park in Nashville. This is a nice park located close to downtown Nashville. I'm thinking about participating in this. It's a great program to encourage Nashville residents to take steps to living healthier. According to the local newspaper, Tennessee is the 2nd fattest state with over 30% of residents being obese. I'm glad the mayor is taking steps to get Tennesseans to live healthier. See the link below for more information about this article.
Tennessee obesity article

Since I am feeling better after having bronchitis, I'm looking for something active to do this weekend. But I don't want to overdo it. Walking sounds like a great way to ease back into working out. It's time to get my water bottle and my pedometer ready. I wonder if I'll see anyone I know at the park?

Sickness...please go away

I'm very proud of my daughter for sticking to working out. I'm glad we have equipment at home. No excuses!

Unfortunately, I have not been able to workout since last week. I've been sick with bronchitis since last week. I haven't been sick in a long time and this one hit me pretty hard. I started getting sick before my husbands birthday weekend, but managed to be a trooper so our plans weren't completely ruined. After we got home from our weekend, I started feeling worse. I began running a fever, which is rather odd. I usually don't get sick where I have a fever. On Sunday, I decided to go to an urgent care clinic. I'm glad I did. I was given a prescription for antiobiotics and a cough syrup. I have been in the bed ever since, except for getting up for a few hours in between naps. I am starting to feel a little better, so hopefully I'll be able to make it to work tomorrow and get back to normal. It sure is different when we get older. I don't seem to bounce back as easy as I once did.

Do you have any secrets for bouncing back after being sick?

My husband's birthday weekend

I just returned home from a night out with my husband. We celebrated his birthday by going to Nashville and staying the night. We only live about 30 minutes away but it was nice to get away from the house and kids for the night. We started the day on Friday by eating lunch at Amerigo's in Nashville. Amerigo is a very nice Italian restaurant. I ordered an iced tea (I live in the South....its always the first thing I order.)

I ordered a salad/pasta combo for my entree. The salad was a spring mix salad with balsamic vinagrette dressing and the pasta was fettucini alfredo. Of course we were served italian bread with olive oil for dipping. John ordered his usual....Lasagna.

After lunch, we checked into our hotel, Drury Inn and chilled out for a while.

The hotel offered complimentary drinks and snacks for a few hours so we took part in that. I had a chardonnay and John had a beer. After enjoying our free drinks, we headed out to the Nashville Sounds baseball game. I managed to get 2nd row tickets for John's birthday. It was a good thought but I think we both prefer to have seats higher up so you can see better.

After the game, we headed out for a late dinner. It was a little frustrating at first since restaurants were closing around 10:00 p.m., but we found a Ruby Tuesday restaurant that was open. We had a very enjoyable dinner and a few drinks. I had a lovely Sangria. I ordered barbeque chicken with grilled zucchini and baked mac n cheese. John had baby back ribs. Of course, we sampled each other's plates.

It was an enjoyable evening for us both. Happy Birthday sweetie!

April 6 - National Start Walking Day

I posted a few days ago about today, April 6 being National Start Walking Day. I just wanted to report that I managed to get up from my desk and take a walk outside with one of my coworkers. I tried to recruit others in the office to join, but no one was interested. I'm glad I kept my commitment to walk and it made me feel good too. It was a gorgeous day with lots of sunshine. We walked right before lunch for about 30 minutes. It makes me feel good to stick to my goals. A feeling of accomplishment.

If you aren't familiar with Start! see the webpage below. This is sponsored by the American Heart Association, one of the causes I support.

It's not too late to Start!

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Affiliate/National-Start-Walking-Day-2011_UCM_322924_Event.jsp

I'm proud of myself

We had stormy weather here in TN today. Its so different than the weekend. We had such a beautiful weekend. I was sad to see the sunshine go away. I was able to spend a lot of time outdoors on Saturday and Sunday. I managed to get in an outdoor walk/run and mow the lawn. I will mention that I also got a sunburn from that activity. I didn't expect that at all. I love spring.

One of my goals has been to get a workout in during the workweek. It is hard for me to do, especially when I have to work late. But for the record....I did it today! I am so proud of myself. Usually I come home from work and sit down with my laptop and don't get up until time for bed. I made myself an "appointment" to workout. And it worked. My workout consisted of a treadmill workout and weights. I decided to get back on the Couch to 5K plan. I'm glad to say that I was able to do it without too much difficulty. I still have ankle problems and after 20 minutes or so I start feeling pain. But I managed to get through it. Happy about that.

National Start Walking Day- Join me!

Here's a great idea!

Did you know National Start Walking Day is coming up? My community has an event planned on Wednesday, April 6th. Maybe I'll try to attend this event. Even though it is scheduled during my work hours, I should be able to make it. Thank goodness for flexible work schedules! Maybe I'll see you there.

Start! Walking for better health

Welcome to Gina's pancake kitchen!

It's a beautiful Saturday morning. The sun is shining and it looks like it will be a beautiful day. My daughter, Whitney has been wanting pancakes all week so I decided to get up and make pancakes for the family.

Tiger is enjoying the sunshine. This is one of his favorite places.

I made a batch of regular pancakes for everyone else and added a few more things for my pancake. Since my family isn't into the healthy eating thing like I am, sometimes I have to prepare my food separately. I added frozen blueberries and flaxseed to the batter. It turned out great!

To go along with the pancakes, I made scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage.

And of course, COFFEE!

Tiger seems a little anxious for breakfast to get finished....

Now that breakfast is done, I'm going to see what I can do today to enjoy the sunshine. It has been rainy and chilly here all week. I welcome the sunshine and hope it decides to stay. I hope to add some walking or jogging to my day, as well.

Enjoy your weekend!!