A Healthy Start!

Hi It is almost the exact middle of summer. We just ended a week of, I would say, the most uncomfortable hot and humid streak in my recent memory. I was, again, VERY glad to have a pool of my own. We also became very popular with the kids friends! (That is a good thing!!) So, what do I decide to do during this heat-wave? Yes – I begin a new eating and exercising program – and by exercising I mean start running. Yes – I have always disliked sweating – and yes – I have been known to call running ‘how to be bored while moving’ but – there it is. I visited my doctor and he gave me very specific instructions. YES, he said, you are healthy enough to run. (Bummer) And, he said, I want to see you at least 20 pounds lighter when I see you next year. I responded that I’d like to be 45 pounds less and he and I laughed together. I had already decided to go back to my sugar free, low carb, no gluten eating program since I have always felt better when eating that way - why not start running? Two friends had shared with me, a long time ago, that they used an app called ‘couch to 5K’ to help them jumpstart a plan – and they were not into running either! Now they were runners – and one friend had also begun the ‘bridge to 10K’ plan and she was surprised that she was enjoying it! Since I do not have an IPod Touch or an IPhone – I was unable to use the apps – however – I did find a great program in MP3 format called personalrunningtrainer (www.personalrunningtrainer.com) and I found more options – I started with 4 weeks to 1 mile. It is much easier than I expected – and having the music play (techno noise) while the trainer’s voice let me know when to walk and when to run – I am hooked. I found week one to be very easy – so week two has surprised me with, what seemed like not too much more running to, for me, to be much more challenging. I will continue to run week two until I am comfortable with it before beginning week three. I’ve been trying to go 4+ times per week - along with some push-ups and crunches. Cutting out the sugar and carbs has been much easier this time. Maybe because it is summer and so hot – and I just wasn’t too hungry I did not get my usual sugar crazed cravings for the first three days. I have not physically missed the sugar or flour at all. (Until the family had waffles for dinner last night – I had a moment of regret!) BUT I persevered and ended up enjoying my cheese and bacon omelet as much or more than they did the waffles. I was rewarded this morning with a good size weight loss – five pounds this week. This is a great boost for the beginning of a change. I plan to continue with my running (today it is only 75* and not humid) and keep off the sugar! Trying to get myself to a healthy weight may be a challenge – but the benefits will be worth it. PEACE. JESS