Monday Motivation: 5 Things To Do Today

Spring is giving me this whole new awakening. I'm shedding layers and embracing what's ahead with as much positivity as I can muster. The thing is, I am often lost for inspiration. I need a little nudge to get myself going and fully riding these good vibes. So, I thought I'd share a few things that have me feeling good lately. And they very well might be things you want or need to do, too.

Here are 5 things to do for yourself today. They might seem small or insignificant or even silly, but I'm betting that we all need a reminder to get going from time to time. If you're short on time, try to dedicate just 10-15 minutes to each "task" and go from there. That's just around an hour to a better day/week.

#1: Move your body.

I don't care if you run a marathon or just do a workout video for 10 minutes. But move your body. I'm sure we've all made so many excuses for why "today just isn't a good day" for working out. Try to shift your mindset. Moving your body doesn't always have to mean intense calorie burn or exercise for gains. It's just, well, movement. Motion. Getting into a good flow can help your mind move to new locations, too.

What I'm doing today: During nap time (or quiet time), I'm working on some freelance deadlines. Still, I'm going to bust out a 30-minute Barre workout, even if it means I need to work into the late night hours. Probably one that's more focused on stretching than strength.

#2: Go outside.

It's rainy and cold here today, but I'm still planning to go outdoors when we get a break from the precipitation. The time change -- however exhausting -- is incredible because it means so much more daylight. And even though it's still a bit chilly, that fresh air does wonders for these stuffy lungs. Even in the dead of winter when it's below zero, I try to get myself outside for at least a bit each day (10 minutes is better than nothing!).

What I'm doing today: Rain or shine, I'm going to walk outdoors for 30 minutes before dinner.

#3: Clean out a corner. 

Or a drawer. Or an entire room. Let it breathe. You can spend 15 minutes or hours on this activity, depending on your workload. Toss away anything that has been hanging around for far too long. Give something once cherished to a friend. Move the rest back into their intended spots in your home. Then marvel at the emptiness and organization of that space. Let that empty space sink in and make room for new opportunities and goals.

What I'm doing today: After a weekend of massive clearing out of our main living level (hooray for progress on my Spring Cleaning Goals!), I'm turning my attention upstairs to my office (whoa, I don't know how it got this messy!) and Ada's bedroom (the big winter to spring clothing switch!). I'll probably spend an hour organizing these space while Ada does art after her nap.

#4: Feed yourself.

Cooking doesn't have to be this intense process that takes hours. Heck, I work from home and still manage to not find time to cook a "proper" meal on many days. Whether it's a smoothie or a salad, a stir-fry or a full-on 3-course dinner, take time to connect with food. One trick I've been using lately since Stephen has started coaching is buying bags of frozen veggie mixes. I can prepare a protein and side like rice and then just steam or otherwise cook the veggies for a quick meal.

What I'm doing today: I already made myself (and Ada) a glorious smoothie this morning with bananas, strawberries, blueberries, kefir, oats, peanut butter, and arugula. Great way to start the day. I'm hoping to prepare some kind of creative carrot soup for dinner tonight because we have SO MANY CARROTS and I don't want them to go to waste. I also need to plan our meals for the week because I fell behind.

#5: Cross something off.

We all have to-do lists. Mine sits in a mental drawer that I often forget to open. And then days and weeks will pass, and those items stay on there -- stagnant. Eventually, they contribute to this unsettling weight of mental clutter. I find myself feeling behind and disorganized and otherwise frenzied, which just paralyzes me on certain days when life is hectic. Time to get to doing.

What I'm doing today: I'm writing down my to-do list so I can post it someplace in my home and stop fretting over it in the hour or so before I fall asleep. The item I hope to cross off today? Finishing a chunk of tax-related stuff that has been sitting in my folder for a week. I cannot wait to get my taxes done!

What are you doing for yourself today?

Happy Monday. I hope it's a good one!

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DNF, Part II: Moving Forward

I'm absolutely overwhelmed (in a great way) by the thoughtful, caring, and candid responses you've all had to my very first D(id) N(ot) F(inish) at the Wineglass Marathon this weekend. Your comments, tweets, emails, and other shows of support (including the Edible Arrangement my in-laws sent me!) mean so much. I wish Blogger had a better system in place of responding to individual comments. I took the day off from blogging yesterday because it seemed every post I wanted to link to had some reference to the race in it.

I needed it all out of my mind. If only for one day. But I read each and every one of your words, most of them more than once.

You taught me that DNF doesn't have to be a negative failure weighing on my mind for days, months, and years to come. It happens to elite athletes. It happens to newbies. It happens to, well, ANYONE depending on the circumstances. DNF means so much more than not finishing. Instead, it's something I should be proud of despite how I may have felt at the time, or how I feel today, or how I may feel tomorrow. I listened to what my body was telling me even though it meant giving up a goal I had carried for a long time. I did what was best for me given my situation and for what will contribute to my running in the long term.

Actually, I think that's one of the best points I took away from your messages. Racing doesn't define my worth as a runner. Of course, I know this concept, well, truth in my mind -- it's back there. But sometimes all the build-up to a specific event clouds that way of thinking. I still did all the training. I ran my first 50+ mile week and lived to tell you all about it. I was consistently strong and meeting my pacing goals.

In effect, I did everything right. But my ultimate goal -- one way more important and weighty than running a 3:50:00 marathon on one specific day -- is to be a runner for life. To stay active and fit to live the best life I can possibly live. And in that, I'm succeeding like a pro.


So many factors -- both external and internal -- contribute to performance. Enough said, really. Even on the most perfect weather days, you can be sick. Or you can be feeling your best, and roll your ankle. Or you could have trained perfectly and there could be some kind of heat wave. Just because all my wrongs aligned to make a perfect storm doesn't mean it will happen next time. And there most certainly will be a next time.

I can look at this DNF as an opportunity versus a disappointment. It has taught me that I need to focus on other areas of my training, specifically my cross-training in flexibility and strength. Varying my workouts and spending some days off the pavement in favor of other pursuits (like yoga or even pure rest) would not only be beneficial to my body but also to my mind.

Perhaps what I learned most of all is that I have a ton of people pulling for me. People (you self-titled "lurkers," included too!) that I never really knew cared. When I lace up at the start of the Philly Marathon next month (or at another race in the future), I'll think of ALL of you. Of your stories, your struggles, your wisdom. I'll think back on all the support, advice, and love you showed me in one of my darkest moments as an athlete. Running is about my personal goals and achievements, but it's also very much about community. At least for me. About this intangible, infinite thing. A bond, I guess, that we can't exactly measure in our PR times or number of races finished.

Seriously, if you missed it. Check out all the love and support from our wonderful readers. You guys and gals truly are why we love blogging.


OPERATION ROCK THE PHILADELPHIA MARATHON

With all this said, I've formulated a new training plan for the next seven weeks. I've also developed four major goals for myself. Things I think will help me as I progress through the next month. Things I think I could have done differently to help me stay healthy and strong.


1.) Stretch and Strengthen. Throughout my training since July, I didn't stretch terribly much. Nor did I do any exercises specifically meant to strengthen my legs/core/etc. I kept up with my push-ups -- but only minimally so (I can do 35 max right now versus the 80 I could do in the summer!). Stephen and I have decided to do at least 30 minutes of yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays (after our lighter runs of the week). We feel GREAT when we do yoga.

And, since everything is connected, I think working on my core strength, in particular, may help with my piriformis issue. When symptoms of the muscle problem started up last fall (basically, it feels like a muscle cramp I can't stretch because of its location leading to trouble sitting, stiffness in my back/butt, and radiating pain down my leg and in my lower abdomen), I had tremendous pain almost all day. After the Philly Marathon, I stopped running due to another injury and started doing yoga three times a week. The pain subsided and never got back up to the level it was at its height, even when I started running again. Anyway, I know yoga is -- in large part -- to thank for the improvement.


2.) Watch My Diet. But not in the way that you may think. I'm still going to continue to eat . . . a LOT. But I need to fill my plate with the good-for-me foods versus getting lazy and reaching time and time again for refined carbs. I eat pizza all the time. Let me say that again, I ORDER pizza all the time. All that white bread isn't good. All last week for lunch, I ate Taco Bell bean burritos. Yes. That's right: Fast food. And when I make dessert, I eat dessert. But like the entire batch of cookies in two days. Mostly because it's there and I'm hungry for what's most easily available.

My method will be preparing foods ahead of time that I can more easily grab and go. Instead of a candy bar, I'll reach for apple slices. Instead of ordering a pizza, I'll slurp some homemade chili. I'm still going to eat a lot, but just more of the good-for-you things that I know make me feel my best. I am usually pretty good about eating whole foods and preparing my own. It's hard after running 20 miles to feel like cooking, though. I want to make the extra effort because I know it will help me rebound and store the most energy.


3.) Run Slower. On my long runs, at least. That's right. I need to run my long runs at a slower pace. I ran each of my three 20-milers in around 3:03:00. That's 9:09 pace. That's a 4:00:00 marathon. My goal for Philly will be to finish, but my not-so secret goal will be to finish somewhere between 3:50 and four hours.

With long runs, speed is of little importance. It's time on your feet that matters most. I've read these runs should be done anywhere between 30 and 90 seconds slower than goal. I'd like to add at least a little time per mile to get more time on my feet. I may even try to run a 22-miler (Stephen did this during his training and said it helped). We'll see.

Along these same lines: I WILL practice what to eat on the run. Many people have suggested Clif Shot Bloks. But please let me know if you have other suggestions!


4.) Continue to Listen to My Body. I know I may be going a bit overboard with this statement. But after all this new training -- if I don't feel up to racing the full -- I'll go and do the half. Even though officially I cannot change my registration at this point, I'll see what they can do for me at the expo. And even if they can't change it -- tough. I'll run the half and time myself.

But I'm thinking positively. I'm also thinking that there's a reason we randomly signed up for Philly. It may have been the race I'm really meant to run. Who knows. I'm a big believer in fate.


One more thing: I also learned that I'm not alone in thinking the marathon distance might not be for me. I want to give the distance another race a go before I condemn it completely. I love the training. I feel great running 20 mile runs. But the race is just grueling. I love half marathons because I feel I have the most potential to get speedy with them. My very first half was finished in around 2:04:00, my second in around 1:53:30, and my latest PR is 1:46:31. That's significant improvement. If I could race one right now, I'm confident I'd take at least another minute off that time. And eventually even more.

For now, I'm just hoping to have a 2010 edition of this photo to show you late next month:


How have you bounced back after a big disappointment? Did you set new goals for moving forward? Any you may think would be helpful to me? Your feedback, as always, is so incredibly appreciated by me and other readers! Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Heatlhy Living: Brittany's Story

Brittany writes:

I used to dread working out, just like most people I know. Nothing seemed to keep me motivated and I would quickly fall out of my workout routine. After a year of trying, I just gave up. I began to develop pains through my neck, shoulders and back. My strength decreased considerably and I could hardly even touch my toes. My pains became intolerable and I knew I had to find something to fix them. I decided to try one more thing although I knew in my mind I would hate it eventually. I signed up for a six week beginner’s yoga series, hoping that I would stick with it at least through the length of the six weeks.

On the first day of class, I entered the yoga studio filled with emotions. I was nervous to try this new experience, intimidated by what looked like confusing positions, but hopeful that my last option would come through for me and that I would actually enjoy my experience. My yoga teacher was friendly and welcoming, which was a relief. Throughout the class, she taught us step-by-step how to go through each pose.

Soon I was putting my body in positions I never knew I could do. We were taught to not judge, but to listen to our bodies. If we couldn’t reach that far, we didn’t have to. We only went as far as our body would allow us. It was a refreshing experience. I left the class happy and energetic, completely opposite of my feelings when I would leave the gym.

I could not believe how much I loved yoga and what a difference it made to my daily pains and aches, which were barely existent within in a few weeks. In between my six week beginner’s series, I took other yoga classes that the studio offered. I quickly developed an addiction and a need for yoga. I couldn’t wait to leave work to go to my yoga classes. Instead of lying on the couch watching TV, I would practice yoga. Instead of compulsively eating, I would practice yoga. I became my own yoga advocate, telling everyone about it. I wanted everyone to experience yoga and the many benefits of it.

Yoga made me aware of my body, how it reacted when moving different ways. My strength and flexibility greatly improved, as well as my posture. I am overall more happy and energetic. I cannot say enough about how yoga has helped improve my life.


Happy Blogging :)

Brittany (from RebelRoadSister)

Pssst: Here are some yoga-related how-to posts on our site to help you bend, stretch, and breathe your way to fitness:

• Chaturanga Dandasana Sequence
• Shoulder Stand
• Headstand
• Bakasana
• Bridge and Wheel
• Half Moon
• My Favorite Yoga Pose?

And while you're here, why not visit our new Healthy Fitspiration page? You can read more great stories like Brittany's -- as well as submit your own healthy living story to be featured on our site!


Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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Healthy Living Celebration

Welcome to our Healthy Living Celebration! What follows are some amazing stories from real-life people with real-life struggles, real-life goals, and -- for some -- real-life wake-up calls.

Seriously inspirational (or, should we say: FITspirational) stuff here:

• Laura overcame her eating disorder to embrace exercise.
• Josie quit being a quitter to get healthier and fitter.
• Chrissy found her inner athlete and rolled her way to running.
• The Nerdy Runner learned to love whole foods and marathons despite her busy schedule.
• Ashley (yes -- that's ME!). Enough third person. I share part one of my healthy living story: How I understood health as a child and struggled to find my way.
• Maissa became the gazelle of her dreams, falling head-over-heels for running.
• Jen embarked on an awesome journey from being overweight to in-charge of her health.
• Amy went from curling up on the couch to, well, CURLING!
• Brittany used to hate the gym. Then she found she had a thing for yoga.
• Karen went from restricting to living the healthy life through running and vegetarianism.
• In Part II of my Healthy Living story, I tell you all how I fell in love with running.
• Alysa overcame disordered eating habits/self-image and found a strength she never thought she had through running and yoga.
• Jenna went from letting herself go . . . to being ON the go with her cute Collie/Lab pooch.
• Maddie's fitspiration started at Lululemon and continues with half marathon training.
• Jen danced her way healthy with Zumba . . . and keeps it up with running and eating whole foods!
• Kerri ran/walked her way through a couch-to-5K program and is now eying 10Ks and half marathons!
• Nina went from smoking and starving to running and stretching.
• Samantha is learning to find balance with diet and exercise, embracing healthy habits.
• Rowena suffered through a crash and found there's more to health than fitting into THE dress.
• Jessica learned there's no such thing as a "real" runner and rocked a half marathon!
• Marike never thought she'd be a runner. Now she can't see life any other way!
• Loving Myself writes about her struggle with exercise anorexia and how her friends helped her heal.
• Ariel went from gym-obsessed and drained to running with a smile.
• Laura learned to love whole foods and running, as well as the healthy living community!
• Alison took a leap of faith and started running. Her goal? Run the Chicago Marathon!
• Kati went from eating crap and hating gym class to biking 100K and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.
• Jenn went from living rules and restrictions to loving the healthy life.

If you'd like to submit your own healthy living story, here's all you need to do:

1. Write up a thoughtful story about what made you want to be fit. What inspired you to eat more healthfully. What sport you thought you could never do. What situation served as a wake-up call to your need for a healthier lifestyle.
2. Anything goes -- nothing is too silly or insignificant. (But please write something new -- don't just send us a link to an already-published post.)
3. Email this story to us: neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.
4. Also send along 1 or 2 (or 3) photos to help illustrate your story. We'd prefer they be at least 500 pixels in height or width.
5. Include your contact information (name, what you'd like us to call you, blog address -- if you have one, etc.)
6. Be patient. We'll get back to you ASAP -- but publishing on the site may take several weeks.
7. Tell your friends, family, co-workers! EVERYONE has a story to tell -- and we want to share 'em!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!!

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Respect the Marathon? Part II

You may remember a little post we did back in April called: Respect the Marathon? It was sparked by an advertisement in Runner's World and the ongoing debate over what is considered "really running" a marathon or not. If you don't remember what this is all about, go check out the post (which had some AMAZING comments, I might add). But the abridged version is in the photo above.

Sarah M. (in all her post-marathon glory, below) recently wrote us in personal response to this post and this advertisement. Her email gives me chills -- no joke. Her words are seriously inspiring/motivating . . . and she was nice enough to let us share her thoughts with you all!


I have been walking for fitness for about 8 years, and just transitioned into running in 2009. I had completed 5ks, 10ks and three half marathons by walking them, and decided it was time to bump it up a notch. Plus, when you run, you finish faster.

I did two half marathons last year, along with the 5ks, 10ks, 10-milers, etc. Somewhere along the way, I was inspired to run a marathon, which I said would never happen, especially 8-10 years ago. But, by God’s awesome grace, I completed my very first full marathon in April. Yes, it took me six hours, but I’m 178 pounds lighter than I used to be.

You are right. The marathon is about personal achievement. And, when I crossed that finish line in April, you would have thought I just won Boston.

• Respecting the marathon is about the hour upon grueling hour you put into it the months and years leading up to it.
• Respecting the marathon is writing the check, turning in your registration and believing that you can do it. You will do it, whatever it takes.
• Respecting the marathon is, when the race course splits, following the full marathon route, not the half marathon route.
• Respecting the marathon is not giving up at mile 18.
• Respecting the marathon is meeting God at mile 23.
• Respecting the marathon is putting one foot in front of the other.
• Respecting the marathon is watching the mile markers increase with every step from 23, 24 and 25.
• Respecting the marathon is having nothing left in you to give, but euphoria washing over you when you cross the 26 mile marker.
• Respecting the marathon is finishing, whether you are crossing the finish line in 3:02 or 6:02.
• Respecting the marathon is wearing the medal with pride, and wanting to do it again.

I’m not an elitist, and I’m not as hard-core as some of those athletes, but somewhere along this journey, I’ve come to the conclusion that I am an athlete too.

Wow. Right?

So, I hope you all enjoy and take as much from her words as we did. Sarah is truly an inspiration, a voice for the true spirit of the marathon. So, again, Sarah, thank you so much for taking the time to write us this amazing message! And if you have a story about your own journey toward a healthy life you'd like to tell us, just shoot us an email at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com. You may even be featured on the blog!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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