One Holiday at a Time…
It’s been a while since I have posted. This time of year can definitely get crazy but I have decided to embrace it and look for inspiration around me.
I completed my first 5K two weekends ago. I did not run fast, and I did not even run the whole thing, but I finished. I really allowed my fear to take hold of me that day. I was intimidated by all of the “real runners” that attended the very busy event. As people zipped by me once the horn sounded I just kept thinking “I am out of my element”. It was raining and freezing that morning and I had PMS and just really didn’t want to be there. I thought about chickening out…spending a few hours at the mall to pass the time while I pretended I was taking part in a race. But then I would have had to explain what happened to the t-shirt I was so excited to get. I really thought about chickening out the entire drive to the race site. But I got stuck in traffic thta was entering the golf course and I had no choice but to enter. It was fate. Ready or not, I was there. I decided as I got out of my car that I would finish, whether I walked or ran. And I did…in 42 minutes! So pitiful yet so wonderful to have finished what I set out to do when it would have been so easy to turn around and run away.
I’ve signed up for another 5K on Thanksgiving day. What a way to start t he day…being active instead of stuffing my face. I am hoping it will keep me from stuffing my face later in the day. I am not even sure what we are doing for Thanksgiving yet. But I know what I will not be doing. I will not be eating a rediculous amount of food. I am setting some limits. I can eat as much turkey as I want – it’s protein. I have never pigged out on turkey so this is safe for me. I can have one spoonful of stuffing. Swapping sweet potatoes for mashed potatoes smothered in gravy. I am making a healthy green bean casserole so I can have a helping of that. JUST ONE DESSERT and it needs to be a modest helping. Just ONE drink. Since we often eat early if I get hungry later I can have a salad with some leftover turkey on top. This is my plan for surviving this day of gluttony.
I am determined NOT to gain weight this holiday season. I’d like to lose a little bit more but will not totally clobber myself if I don’t. I am going to be super active. Jillian Michaels will kick my ass several times each week and I am going to run 100 miles in November. I find that if I exercise regularly I do not crave carbs and sweets as much and I just do not want to undo all of the good I have done for myself.
This is my plan and I am sticking to it. So I am issuing a challenge to all of my friends out there. I am challenging you to make a plan for yourself. How will you stay healthy during the Thanksgiving holiday? I challenge you to go in with a plan – you will come out stronger. I am challenging you to give yourself a physical challenge this November. Let’s all be accountable to one another!
So far I have run 7/100 miles this month. The sun is out, I better get out there!
BE WELL and have a HEALTHY Thanksgiving!
Holly
