Race 1...Check!

I have the most amazing clients. They do these races with me! Laura and Tina participated in the triathlon and Johnna and I did the duathlon together.

First I have to brag. All of us finished in either first or second place. Hello?! We seriously rock! Must be the trainer;)

Anyway, it was a ton of fun. In 2009 I took a break from races. Not sure if I was burnt out from the marathon at the end of 2008 but running in a formal race just didn't sound like much fun in the last twelve months. Instead I really focused on taking classes that would increase my flexibility and challenge my body's overall strength. This year I'm doing both races and classes.

At the duathlon we began by biking for 30 minutes. Johnna was next to me and really kickin' it. I mean, I couldn't keep up. It was so fun to do a race like that with her. Johnna does many races. She began the race journey with me in 2008 and did even more races in 2009. Johnna has so many great qualities that I love in a client and friend. She's strong. She's stubborn and never gives up but instead always asks for more (so you can imagine how this is my ideal client). She loves doing things that make her feel alive. How awesome!

Okay, back to the duathlon...so we're sitting on the bikes, spinning away. My legs feel like they're going to fall off and I do think my heart might leap out of my chest. My heart rate monitor read close to 90% but I was having the time of my life.

Before I knew it our time was up and we were ready to head upstairs to the treadmills. 20 minutes was the requirement. This wasn't too bad. I could handle a run. It was tough and my heart rate touched the 90%ile again but it wasn't as painful as biking. The race was a good indicator I probably need to suck it up and get on a bike more often. A good spinning class might be the answer.

Motivation Monday: Why?

Can you list off the top of your head 10 reasons why you exercise or desire to live a healthy life? Always remembering why we do what we do can help keep us on the road when we're not as motivated during the tough times. As it turns out, we're nearing February. A month when "resolutions" die off. Don't let this happen to you; instead write down your reasons. I did....and now I'm sharing.

1. Feel empowered by becoming a stronger and healthier individual each year.
2. To keep my body fat down so that Metabolic Syndrome, Cardiovascular Disease, or Diabetes doesn't happen.
3. To live a long life with my son and husband.
4. There are so many things I want to do or visit, I can't afford to let my body waste away. I thrive off adventure and need to be in shape for when opportunity knocks.
5. To be healthy enough in order to serve others.
6. I'm curious about how far I can push myself, mentally and physically.
7. It's fun. The accomplished feeling after it's over and the practice of keeping control during.
8. Vanity.
9. To have a great quality of life way down the road.
10. Because my mind, body, soul and spirit need it. I take so much more than just physical benefits away from exercise. It's so emotional and mental.

My suggestion...
Write down yours. I was so excited, uplifted and motivated just by brainstorming these 10 reasons. Especially #4. I did some day dreaming on some of my recent adventures and how they left me feeling so alive. Alive checks are a necessity.

Book 2: Food Rules

Not sure if there will be a theme of fast, easy reads for 2010 but it's beginning that way. Food Rules was in fact filled with food rules. It's designed to be a simple eating guide. It was divided into 3 parts: 1)what should I eat? 2)what kind of food should I eat? 3) how should I eat?

Out of those three sections it was suggested by the author, Michael Pollen, to adopt at least one rule from each of the three sections. Here's what I picked:
1) Avoid food products containing ingredients that a third-grader cannot pronounce. The concept is simple. Cut out processed foods. He said this in many different ways and each verbiage was really cute. One of my favorites was "if it came from a plant, eat it. If it was made in a plant, don't."
2) Eat mostly plants, especially leaves. I love spinach, arugula and baby greens so this shouldn't be too hard. While I was away last week on a mini-vacation (mini because it was only 4 days and not anywhere tropical) I had an exceptional salad. So good, it was picture worthy. Tomatoes, arugula, mozzarella and basil. Rule two-enjoyably easy!

3) Stop eating when you are full. I'm really going to work on this. I know it's common sense but sometimes I eat so fast I don't even take time to enjoy my food, let alone check-in to decide if I'm actually satisfied enough to stop. This has worked very well lately because I can easily envision the horrendous uncomfortableness that comes from overeating.

Highly reccomend this book to anyone!

Book 1: The Noticer

Perspective. In one word that's exactly what this book was about. It was an easy, fast and enjoyable first book of 2010. The plot centers around the an old man, Jones, that lends perspective to many lives in a small community along the gulf coast. Jones has the gift of noticing. He says, "I notice things that other people overlook. And, you know, most of them are in plain sight." The key to fixing the troubles of life isn't a set of answers as to how -- as Jones says. The key is in finding the inspiration to do so. His patient lessons to those facing trying times provides hope by offering perspective, which ultimately changes the course of their lives.

Highly recommend this book to anyone!

Motivation Monday: New Gadgets Can Help

Pedometers, ipods, gar.mins, new running shoes, or a new yoga mat can (at least until the new has worn off) really make it exciting to get back into that exercise routine.

I've grown to love and appreciate heart rate monitors. They give me exactly what "zone" I'm working in as well as an estimate of calories burned and how many minutes I've been exercising. I find the feedback very motivating. It's great to see at the end of the week exactly what I've done and pushes me for the following week to meet or push myself further.

Get a gizmo!!

Motivation Monday: Riddle Me This

Say there are five seagulls sitting on a dock. One of them decides to fly away. How many seagulls are left?

Four?

No, there are still actually five. Deciding to fly away and actually flying away are two very different things. Contrary to popular belief, there is really no power in intention. The seagull might decide to do this, he may intend to fly away, and he might even talk with the other's about his intentions of flapping his wings. Until the seagull takes flight into the open sky, he's still sitting on the dock. There's no difference between that gull and the others.

Just the same, there is no difference between the person that intends to change and the one who never had the thought. Now believe me, I do understand the importance of a thought. After all the initial thought is what births the action. However,it's the actual action that gives evidence of change not the thought.

That being said, have you ever pondered the notion of how often we judge ourselves by our intentions while we judge others on their actions? The intention without action is an insult to those who expect the best. Maybe I intended to bring someone lunch, but I didn't.

My challenge is clearly imprinted here. Follow through our intentions with action. Such a fitting concept for this time of the year when intentions are at full throttle.

"Nothing happens until something starts moving." -Einstein

Motivation Monday: New Year Goal

Motivation Monday is a new segment I'll be implementing for 2010. The thought is it will be little doses of motivation and the beginning of each week. Hopefully it's something that will inspire. It seems appropriate for the first entry to be about the New Year.

I believe the biggest concept we need to keep in the forefront of our minds as we're embarking on change is to honor where we're at. Practice grace, patience and understanding with ourselves as we work towards improvement. It's not going to happen over night and it's not going to be as easy as we might initially think. There will be times that we want to quit but keep the big picture in mind. Change is gradual. After a year of working at disciplining myself with indulging in one sweet per week instead of ten, it's just beginning to come together. It's a process and change that could take quite awhile.

Remember patience.