The further I get into this running thing, the more I realize the need for celebrating the smaller events as a part of the bigger journey. Of course at the culmination of all my training I want to celebrate the completion of a half marathon and a full marathon but where's the fun in waiting until then?
So some of the smaller positives...
- I'm running faster. I'm still slow but I've cut almost 3 minutes off my pace from my beginning point.
- My food choices are getting better everyday. I want to eat healthy so I can run better.
- I like how my body is changing... more on that in a minute. ;)
- I look forward to my workouts and I'm motivated by these little things to get my workouts in no matter what.
Steve has been traveling a lot this month. That's typically not the norm but it looks like it will be for the forseeable future. When he's gone I'm a little more stressed... the dogs don't behave, Chaney is more challenging, and of course there are the inevitable disasters that seem to wait for when he's not home. That's just the way it works.
So when he travels, I'm typically a little more stressed than usual and when I'm stressed, it's easy to slip into old disordered eating habits. Add in the fact that I'm alone and I face my biggest moments of temptation to binge. These are certainly shameful moments and I always regret it because it doesn't even make me feel less stressed for very long at all. I got a little anxious when he told me what his travel schedule was but I'm proud to report that I haven't binged once. I don't know for sure what's changed but the desire just isn't there. My theory is that the little things I've listed above have changed my perspective; or at least that's what I'm going to go with. :)
I've kept up with my workouts even when he's been traveling and I'm proud of that. It's not easy after a long day of work, coming home to chores, dinner, and helping with homework, violin practice, etc. I completed one of my treadmill runs after 10 PM and in case you're wondering, that's really not setting yourself up for a good night's sleep. I was WIRED.
And lastly, the changes in my body. Probably TMI but I was shaving my legs in the shower the other morning and I found a strange and hard lump on the side of my leg close to the side of my calf, above my ankle... there was even an indention below the lump because it was protruding so much. I got all panicked so I did what a "normal" person does and I compared it to my other leg. Guess what? There was an identical lump! But after more poking and prodding, I realized what these lumps were...
New muscle definition. I'm not a hypochondriac at all. ;)
quick! call the doctor! you have...muscles! :) haha - that's funny. Good job on sticking with your eating plan and exercising despite the added stress. I'm a stress eater too, and it takes lots of planning for me not to slip into quick fixes and keep up with healthy eating even when things are hectic!
ReplyDeleteSo great to see the story of someone who has recently been bitten by (or re-bitten by, in your case) the running bug!! I'm glad you're experiencing so many of the benefits - running is an amazing "drug." I look forward to following along (even though the thought of me sewing/ quilting should be enough to terrify anyone!)
ReplyDeleteYou MUST celebrate the small victories! They motivate you to the big ones!
ReplyDeleteYou have muscles haha! Great story.
I say Celebrate!! You're doing great! Me, I have to work on the eating thing....I'm still eating way too much junk and I have a tendency to binge too when I'm stressed or depressed.
ReplyDeleteFirst off what an awesome name for your site! I love it.
ReplyDeleteAnd great post! One thing I totally agree with you on is doing aerobic work late at night.. I get wired too and that is why I try not to do it. I have no problem hitting the gym hard later in the evening (I sleep like a log) but if I run for some reason I can't sleep. I used to do speedwork over the summer at 7:00pm with a local running store but it got to the point where my next day was sometimes kind of messed up because I couldn't get to sleep. I try and always run in the morning if at all possible or directly after work at 5:00pm.
That was a very cool story about your finding new definition in your calves! How much fun is that right!
I work my back hard in the gym but infrequently actually get to see the changes and sometimes I look in the mirror and am like "Hey that is cool..
I guess the hard work is paying off!" :)
Found you on Friday Linkup and I am glad that I did! I will definitely be diving further into your site.
Chris
http://www.mavrocatstrength.com
Great post! I'll admit, my hubby will be travelling during the first 3 months of next year and I am nervous! For one, I will only be able to run on the treadmill. And second, since I will be the only one there to care for the kiddos, I will be tempted to eat fast, but bad meals. Love that you noticed your muscles! Great job!
ReplyDelete