The Stress Parasite

Stress sucks. I know, that's something everyone knows but I thought I would repeat it just because.

We all get stressed and have to deal with tense situations at one point or another; it's not a unique problem. It's how we deal with it that makes the difference.

I've never been a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kinda girl. I am usually a planner and fairly organized when it comes to most stuff. Even when things appear to NOT be organized, they are neatly filed away in my brain in order of importance along with details about what needs to be done. 

Lately, things have been super extreme, highly stressful, nail-biting times for me. The difference has been how I am dealing with it. I have my momentary internal freak-outs because that's just part of my personality but I try not to give in to worrying. Worry is such a useless emotion that is parasitic - the more you feed it, the more it grows and takes over. 

Stress wreaks havoc on your body by making it hard to sleep, eat, and focus. Plus, continually having high anxiety levels is detrimental to your health over a long period of time.

I'm not saying that people should go through life with blinders on because that is just stupid. What I AM saying is that dealing with stressful situations in a constructive, common sense way is the best option. We all have problems but the one thing to keep in mind is that there is a solution to EVERY problem and EVERYTHING is fixable, no matter how broken it gets. 

Deal with things as they happen and don't sweat it. In the grand scheme of things, problems are minuscule. Living a life full of love, laughter, creativity, and adventure is what matters most.

Happy Trails!

Valeka

Step Three - Blaze Your Own Trail

What do you do when you reach the end of a path that has been laid out FOR you?  You create your own.

One of my favorite words (despite Sarah Palin's abuse of it) is "trailblazer." I like it because it brings to mind an image of a person that is bold enough to create a new trail for themselves, and others, where one doesn't exist. 

For much of my life, I've been a stay-on-the-path kinda girl. I figured that if there was a path, it was there for a reason and that it was likely my best option for moving forward because it was tried, true and safe. The complete opposite of what a trailblazer would think and do.

Have you ever gone for a walk in the park and get the sudden urge to venture off in a new direction? That's your internal trailblazer telling you that it's time to try something different. Sometimes in life, it's necessary to deviate from the established path.

That’s how I came to love hiking and trail running. I always stuck to sidewalks and tracks because everyone used them. I never realized how much I was missing out on by staying within that comfort zone. There is so much more to see and do! Every time I take a new path, I discover something cool and unique.

Making my own trail when it comes to my health and well-being is the norm for me now. I don’t follow fad diets or buy the latest fitness equipment. I do what feels right for my body. I listen to it closely because it will let me know what it wants or needs. 

Blaze your own trail when it comes to your health and wellness and soon you'll be creating new paths in other areas of your life. Adventure awaits!

Happy Trails!

Valeka

Step Two - Self Love (Don't Let The Title Fool You!)

There are days when I look in the mirror and don't like what I see. I start wishing I had a magic wand to eliminate the jiggle of my thighs or a miracle eraser that I could swipe across my tummy pooch to make it disappear.

Over the course of my lifetime, I've given my less than stellar body parts nicknames like "doughnut", "brisket thighs", and "jelly belly." Yep, self-deprecating humor at it's finest (or worst). I always figured that if I laughed it off or criticized it first, then I was in control...or so I thought.

It's painful when others say cruel things to us yet we accept that kind of garbage from our own selves. When you love someone you encourage them, believe in them, and give them all of the positive energy that you can. We do what we can to lift them up so they can reach their goals and try our best to not use hurtful words towards them. So why on earth wouldn't we treat ourselves the same way?

A lot of it stems from the idea that giving ourselves that kind of love is selfish. It's NOT. Loving yourself isn't about being frivolous and excessively indulgent; it's about treating yourself with respect, valuing one's health and longevity. As flawed as we may think they are, our bodies are pretty freakin' awesome.

The more respect you give yourself, the more your body and mind will respond favorably. Acceptance of your body doesn't mean that it can't be improved; it means that you accept it in it's current state, which can always be bettered. Love yourself enough to make positive changes and don't chastise yourself if you fall short. Part of self-love means not giving up on yourself.

Recognize how amazing you are, stop beating yourself up, and choose the thoughts you  have about yourself with care because you ARE listening. Give it a shot because you are totally worth it!

Happy Trails!

Valeka

Father's Day

I've learned a few things from my Dad over the years like the a love of reading, the finer points of football, and how to grill an awesome burger. One of the things I am happy to have learned from him is a love of running.

When I was a kid, I remember my Dad going for a run down the country dirt road near our home every day after work. He'd run regardless of the weather or how tired he was. My brother and I would sit in our sandbox and wait for the first sight of him as he ran up the hill near the back of our house. 

As we got older, Bubba and I were finally allowed to go running with him. Dad sometimes changed stuff up on us and would take us for a run at the local high school track which was something I was NEVER able to get into. Running endless circles around the same track wasn't fun to me and, to this day, it's something I avoid at all costs. 

He always made sure that Bubba and I paced ourselves. He never pushed me to run faster than I was comfortable doing (my brother always managed to lap me). He knew that running slow was frustrating for me and explained that I should enjoy each run and feel at ease. That's something that I still believe when it comes to running - do it, enjoy it and have fun. 

Nowadays, he doesn't do much running. He can usually be seen walking his dog, Jake, around the neighborhood. But in my mind, he's still that athletic, muscular guy that ran 4 miles every day. 

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Love,

Valeka 

Urban Adventure

This week, BFF and I decided to try something new in order to squeeze some fresh air and exercise into our schedules.

The plan was this : she would walk from her office, I  would walk from home, we'd meet up at a halfway point and finish the walk home together. The total walk would be approximately 3.5 miles. Easy peasy!

The first part of the walk was filled with streets, sidewalks, cars, and office buildings. Nothing relaxing about that but at least we were soaking up some sunshine!

We chose to take the scenic route home and cut through a large city park. Nothing like a nice nature walk to clear the mind after a crazy day of work. We could have done without the mosquitoes! Yuck!

It was a pleasant surprise to find some cool urban art on the park trail. BFF couldn't resist taking pictures of the colorful displays. It felt like we had discovered some modern hieroglyphs.

I was fascinated at how nature was beginning to reclaim it's place in the city. I imagined that, if left alone, the concrete terraces and bridges would be overgrown with vegetation and wildlife in a few years. I kinda like that idea.

It was a great time and we are both looking forward to our next urban adventure. You never know what you can find in your own neighborhood!

Happy Trails!

Valeka 

                                     

Step One - Update the Tunes

One of the first things I decided to do when I started to focus on playing was to change what I hear. Not only did I change what I say to myself but I changed what I listen to while I'm having playtime.  I figured that most of us spring clean everything else - why not our work out music?  Fresh new music can inspire and energize giving that extra boost right when we need it.

The music I used to listen to while running was sorta angry and aggressive and I knew I needed to change that. I want to have fun and what I had been listening to didn't make me feel that way.

I went through the music in my iTunes library to figure out what I should add to my new and improved running playlist. My aim was to replace the harsh stuff with lighter, fun music.

The first thing I thought of adding was music from my days as a kid. I figured that if the song was attached to a fond memory then it would be perfect for the playlist. Rick Springfield, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and the GoGo's all found a new home on my iPod.

Next came the fun music that makes me dance in my car during rush hour traffic. Enter Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Pink, and, yes, Lady Gaga.

I added in some Kelly Clarkson, a healthy dose of Florence + the Machine, a splash of Beyonce, a dash of the Spice Girls (don't judge me!), and a few old disco tunes that remind me of being 3 years old and cruising with my Aunt Peggy.

I held onto Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Marvin Gaye, and Led Zeppelin because my list would not be the same without them.  And I could not leave off one of my favorite songs, No Rain by Blind Melon (it reminds me of college).

Now that my new playlist is complete, I am going to take it out for some playtime.  While I'm doing that, I leave you with this....

Happy Trails!

Valeka

Thank You, Ladies

I have been very lucky to have had three amazing women by my side throughout my life. They have provided me with unwavering support, encouragement when all others stopped believing in me, an endless stream of inspiration, and, most importantly, unconditional love.

My Nana taught me that it's okay to be different and not do or like what everyone else does. She gave me a love of the arts. I spent many weekends with her listening to all kinds of music from Willie Nelson to Frank Sinatra to Maria Callas. If it moved me, it needed to be in my life even if others poo-pooed it. According to Grandma, music and art could speak to us and, if we listened, we could learn from it. She was right.

Nana also taught me which fork to use at a formal dinner party and then said "if you get it wrong and your host, or anyone else at the table, makes fun of your error, leave. You don't want to have dinner with someone that uses education or manners to make others feel bad about themselves." She was right about that, too.

I spent a lot of time with my Aunt Peggy as a child. She would take me out for Saturday afternoon cruises to the local Sonic Drive-In with her friends while the BeeGee's played on her radio. I always had fun with her and felt like I could be myself - and she encouraged that. She never talked to me like I was a little kid or treated me as though I had nothing to contribute to the conversations happening around me. She made me feel that my thoughts and opinions were valuable. She taught me to speak my mind and stand up for myself because what I had to say was important no matter how old I was. Aunt Peggy also taught me the value of having a massive shoe collection but that's a story for another time....

Last but certainly not least is my Mother. She has taught me many valuable lessons throughout my life (too numerous to list) but some of the most important things she taught me were to be creative, work with what I have (a lesson she learned when she was growing up), and that it's okay to laugh and be silly regardless of our age. 

As a kid, I remember her whistling as she cooked dinner or hung laundry in the backyard. She would write her college notes with bright, colored pencils. She would make mud pies with me in the back yard. Mom would buy me construction paper, crayons, glue, glitter, colored pipe cleaners, modeling clay - whatever I needed to "create." Never once did she tell me to not get messy or that I should color in the lines. If anything, she thought I should color wherever I wanted to - as long as it wasn't on walls. Mom and I used to skip together down grocery store aisles while shopping. We got looks from other people that were shopping but we didn't care. It was fun, made us smile, and what could be more important than that? 

Mom always had time for me no matter what she was doing or how busy she might be. She never acted like I was bothering her even when she had been studying long hours for one of her college exams. I knew (know) that I could go to her if I had a problem and that she would listen without judgment. And that still holds true.  She is my confidant and my best friend.

I don't know where or who I would be without these women. Thank you for everything that you have given me, done for me, and instilled in me. I love you all.  

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

Love,
Valeka 

Time to Play

I'm back.

After a long time away, I'm back. The past few months have been gray. Lots of things that have happened have made me question my life, my place in this world, and who I am. I won't get into details but believe me when I say that these have been some of the saddest, loneliest days I've had in my life.

Some of the gray was brought about by the anniversary of my birth.

When I was younger, I felt like my birth anniversaries were worth celebrating. The older I got, the more that feeling of joy morphed into one of dread. I've been told that one is only as old as they feel. If that's the case, the last six months have aged me 30 years.

Aging is hard. Anyone that says otherwise is not being honest with themselves. I don't mean the biological process of aging is hard - eating well and exercising can slow down the aging our bodies go through. No, instead, I'm talking about how difficult the psychological process can be. Being in that place where one is no longer, in the words of my father, a "spring chicken" but yet not quite old enough to drive around in a motorized scooter at a retirement resort isn't easy.

Again - stuck in that icky, gray space between.

In some ways, I haven't grown up completely. I still say silly things, think eating Nerds candy is awesome, color in my Hello Kitty coloring book, count on my fingers, and giggle when I splash in puddles - things a young'un would do.

There is part of me that gets annoyed with the twenty-somethings that can't (or won't) behave themselves and think the world revolves around them. I admit, the annoyance stems from a place of jealousy because they have a lot of life ahead of them and so much potential. When I look at them and then at myself, I see hourglasses standing side by side. The sands have shifted much more on my side than theirs.

Now that I am coming out of the life-sucking fog, I realize the importance of playtime and engaging in frivolity...sometimes...when appropriate since, after-all, I am kinda sorta an adult. I've watched those twenty year olds and how they live for the moment. They chronicle their lives on Tumblr and Instagram as though they are the hottest, most important people on the planet. And ya know what? They are. We ALL are. Each of us has value and relevance in this world no matter what our age is. It's up to us to remember that every day that we wake up.

So, when I turned the age I did on April 22nd, I made a promise to myself. I vowed to give my inner child more opportunities to play and enjoy LIFE. True, my form of play no longer involves dancing at nightclubs until 3 A.M. (not that it ever really did) but I can play on my terms, in my own way.

Playtime for me means blisters on my feet, sunburn on my nose and shoulders from grinding out miles during a run on a hot Texas afternoon, getting dirt on my face, and being covered in sweat. Making time to play is a priority for me again. It may not be the wild and wooly antics of a youngster but if it brings a smile to my face and happiness to my world, then it's the right kind of playtime for me. The only gray that remains in my world is on my favorite running shirt and shoes.

The world is my playground again.

Have YOU played today?

Happy Trails!

Valeka

Until the New Year...

It's been a while since I've posted anything new on Running On Heavy and for that, I apologize. I am going to take the next few weeks to regroup, revitalize and renew myself which will trickle down to my blog.

I hope to be back in January with some new and fun things for you all to read!

Thank you so much for following my little blog. I appreciate you all so very much!!

Hugs!

Valeka

Forrest

"I used to run to get to where I was going, but I never thought it would take me anywhere." - Forrest Gump

"...My Mama always said you got to put the past behind you before you can move on.  And I think that's what my running was all about..." - Forrest Gump

As a runner, one of the most inspirational films for me is Forrest Gump.  My favorite scene is the running across America scene.  It's something that I have always wanted to do and every time I see it, I get the urge to try it (although I can't imagine running continuously for more than three years).  Still, it inspires me to keep going even when I don't want to.

Forrest was an ultrarunner and that is something that I always hoped to do at some point in my life.  It doesn't seem likely to happen at the age I am now but, hey, a girl can dream!  Watching this scene makes me wish I could do that - run alone for hours on end while being one with my thoughts and environment.  I feel like I'm living the moment vicariously through Forrest and let out a deep sigh after I watch it.       

This video shows the scene along with one of my favorite running songs EVER, "Running On Empty" by Jackson Browne, as the soundtrack.  In fact, the name of my blog is a play on the song title - I'm not empty; I'm heavy.  Get it??  Gotta credit the BFF for that piece of brilliance!      

Enjoy the video and keep seeking things to inspire you on your journey towards good health!

Happy Trails!
Valeka 

No Excuses

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life a champion.” – Muhammad Ali


"Transformation is not five minutes from now; it's a present activity. In this moment you can make a different choice, and it's these small choices and successes that build up over time to help cultivate a healthy self-image and self esteem." - Jillian Michaels


Many of us have desk jobs and for the most part, that's a good thing because we don't have to work outdoors in harsh elements on a daily basis.  But it does mean that our activity levels are not what they should be.  

My life has been pretty hectic for the past month or so.  I'm spending a lot more time writing and that means, more sitting.  No one gets healthier from sitting all day so I have a few ideas on how to give your tush a break from the chair.  I've tried all of these and they have helped me to get in some activity when I absolutely have to work on my computer.  These can all be done in short 5 minute bursts throughout your day or during your lunch break.  And taking a 5 minutes to do this for yourself is MUCH better than using the same minutes to visit the fridge for a scoop of ice cream!  
I have a couple of yoga apps on my Iphone that get me moving but my favorite one is Simply Yoga.  It gives the option to choose a 20, 40 or 60 minute work out.  The app has videos that demonstrate the poses to be used for the routine you have selected.  I'm no expert but it has helped improve my balance and flexibility.  Looking down the road, better balance will help me when I start trail running in the fall.

I've also taken up what I call "commercial break work outs."  These are usually a series of various old-school exercises like jumping jacks, squats, planks, crunches, lunges, calf raises and push ups.  This is very effective!  You would be amazed at how much you can get done during a 3 minute commercial break!  And speaking of "old-school", I found a jump rope in my closet a few weeks ago.  I may need to bust that out for some quick cardio!     

Another thing that I do is run "laps" out in the breezeway in front of my apartment.  I like to take Big Baby along when I do this.  It gets us outside for a few minutes and makes us both pretty happy!

So, there ya have it!  A few ideas that are easy, effective and, best of all, CHEAP or FREE!  All you have to do is invest a few minutes of your time to make them work for you.  You (and I) have no excuse to not get in some exercise when it really is pretty easy to fit into even the most fast-paced day!

Happy Trails!
Valeka 

Slowing Down Time

 It takes a long time to become young. - Pablo Picasso

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. - Mark Twain

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. - Henry David Thoreau


I've never been one to avoid things in life but something I have always dreaded is getting old.  Crazy as this may sound, when I was younger (like 15 or so), I was already examining my face for signs of aging and always insisted that I had wrinkles around my eyes.  My mom always told me that I had nothing to worry about and that I should enjoy my youth because in a few years, things will change and I will wish I hadn't focused so much on it.  Boy was she right!

For the most part, I have always believed that age is a state of mind.  The anniversary of our birth doesn't necessarily reflect our "age".  Now that I'm at the chronological age that I am, I realize exactly how important it is to maintain an active lifestyle.  Moving and doing helps to maintain flexibility, strength and energy - all of which are associated with youth. 

Being sedentary not only leads to weight gain but it also causes our bodies to age before they should.  You know the expression "use it or lose it"?  It's true.  For me, the idea of walking around the grocery store in pain because my joints are stiff or not being able lift my leg easily to step off a curb, is unappealing and not an option. 

There is someone very near and dear to me that is going through this and it upsets me.  It bothers me because I don't like to think about this person getting older but also because it is 80% avoidable (I'm chalking up the other 20% to genetics).  So, if you are reading this (and you know who you are), please, pretty please, start doing some moderate, gentle exercise.  I want you to have the best possible quality of life that you can and that won't be possible if you aren't active.  It may hurt a little to move and get going but the alternative is far worse.  We still have a lot of things we need to do together not to mention all the energy you will need for your soon-to-arrive grandson.  Do it for him.  

I may not be the most athletic person in the world but I am far from inactive. I'm always in motion. Sometimes it is fast and hurried and at others it is relaxed and fluid but I always find something to do.  I move my ass every chance I get even if it's just a short burst of activity.  Something is always better than nothing and if it's going to keep me from getting old before my time, I'm gonna do it.

And you should too.

Happy Trails!
Valeka

Weather Or Not

Never trust a skinny ice cream man. - Ben Cohen

Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos. - Don Kardong

I must admit, this hot weather has made me a little lax in the exercise department.  In my post, Hotness, I talked about how I've been using the swimming pool to help me get in some exercise without worrying about the overwhelming heat.  So far, it's worked well but I'm a wee bit bored with it already.

I've done some yoga and Pilates but for me, nothing can replace being on the trail. That's where I belong but no matter how much I've attempted to acclimate this year, the heat has been unbearable and my body hasn't responded well to it.  As much as I love getting hot and sweaty during workouts, sunburn, headaches and frequent dehydration (no matter HOW much electrolyte replacement drinks I chug) isn't all that appealing.  This summer, the weather has not been my friend.

But...whether the weather cooperates or not, I still need to keep my butt moving.  If I give myself the chance to sit on the sofa and devour ice cream, I'll do it and do it BIG.  We are talking a double or triple scoop dish with whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry on top!  Not using the inferno-like weather as an excuse is hard to do but it has helped me to explore other options and it does make me feel less guilty if I do indulge in a small scoop of ice cream.

This week, I'll be swimming at Barton Springs Pool, doing some canoeing (which I have discovered that I LOVE), and going to a water park.  In between all of that, I hope to get in some walks...and maybe a little ice cream.

Happy Trails!
Valeka

Size Doesn't Matter

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. - Mark Twain

Though she be but little, she is fierce! - William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

To the casual observer, Big Baby is the obvious choice to be my running/wogging/trail buddy since she looks like the "athletic" one BUT...looks can be deceiving!  I've mentioned a few times that I don't look like a "typical" athlete but that I have just as much love for my sport as any other runner.  My little dachshund, Mimi, embodies that same attitude.

Mimi is chunky despite her best efforts to lose weight (she has a slow metabolism as diagnosed by her veterinarian) but she doesn't ever let that keep her from enjoying outdoor activities!  She tries hard to keep up with Big Baby during walks and will keep going until she just can't go anymore.  She has lots of fight and spirit and I love her for it.  

During a brief weekend getaway, she and I took a walk along a beautiful stretch of beach.  I watched her run and hop around with enthusiasm.  It made me wish I had a little more of that spunk!

The two of us ran our athletically chubby butts along the sand and had a blast!  She didn't worry about her jiggle and neither did I...which is exactly how it should be.  The joy of the activity should be our priority and not what we look like while we are doing it.  Size doesn't matter to her!  She just goes out, does her thing and makes the most of every moment.  

While Mimi cooled off with a dip in the ocean, I couldn't help but smile.  It's amazing the lessons we can learn from our pets when we really pay attention to them.  She reminded me that we shouldn't focus on what we look like or what OTHERS think our limitations are.  If we don't see obstacles in front of us, not only do we enjoy life more but we may even surprise ourselves and do some pretty cool stuff!

What do you think your obstacles are?  Now that you have acknowledged them, toss 'em away.  You don't need to impose limits on yourself especially the kind that keep you from doing fun things!

Mimi thinks you should give yourself a break and enjoy life.  Trust her - she knows what she is talking about!

Happy Trails!

Valeka

Hotness

What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance - Jane Austen

The Texas sizzle is now in full swing!  The past few weeks have had days with temperatures of 100+ degrees.  The only time it is cool enough to go running is at 2 a.m. and I'm not going to do that!  All of this hotness makes staying indoors with some ice cream and a frosty air conditioner blasting so very appealing.  I've been combating the laziness and the urge to indulge in cold, sweet treats by taking a dip in the the pool on almost a daily basis.

I do my own little version of aqua jogging and water aerobics.  I swim a few laps, run in place, do standing crunches for my tummy, and repeat.  I must say, it's working pretty well.  The beauty of it is that I am getting in a good work out without the stress on my joints from running and I'm staying cool.  Plus, the water resistance is great for strength training!  The downside is that Big Baby can't join me in the pool but I make it up to her with short little walks throughout the day.

The key to staying fit in this hot weather is to improvise!  Sure, it's hot as Hades outside but there are fun alternatives to running on trails.  If you happen to live in a very hot climate like I do, now is a good time to try out some different forms of exercise.  Zumba, kick-boxing, dance classes, and yoga are some good options for indoor workouts that still pack a punch.  Many places will even offer your first class for free just so you can try it out.  

If I am going to do anything outdoors, I try to do it really early in the morning since walking trails alone in the dark of night seems a wee bit dangerous to me from a safety stand-point!  And just because I am going out when it's relatively cooler doesn't mean I don't take water with me.  Staying hydrated is very important no matter how early one goes out.

Sooooo, there ya have it - no excuse to miss work outs during the dog days of summer  After all, we have to maintain our hotness regardless of the temperature!

Happy Trails,

Valeka

           

Jeans

Blue jeans are the most beautiful things since the gondola. - Diana Vreeland

 I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes. - Yves Saint Laurent

I have a favorite pair of jeans that I have a love/hate relationship with.  I hadn't tried on those jeans in a while.  The first time I tried them on this year was January.  The weather was chilly and I needed to wear jeans so I decided I would attempt to wear my favorites.  Much to my chagrin, they didn't button or zip.  They weren't gaping open but still, point is, they weren't wearable.   I got annoyed and threw the jeans into a dark corner of my closet where I couldn't see them.  The hate part of the relationship was in full swing.

February rolled around and as I was organizing my closet, I found them.  I pulled the balled up denim out of the corner, shook them out and tried them on.  They zipped and buttoned but they were tight. I had more than a muffin top. It was like a giant wad of bread dough had been wrapped around my midsection. It was puffed out over the waistband and there was no disguising it even with a big sweater over the top.  I tried to look at the positive - at least they closed this time - but again, unwearable.  I hung up the jeans and forgot about them...until this past Wednesday.

I was going to a co-working luncheon and wanted to wear jeans.  I opened my closet door and rifled through to see what I had.  Nothing seemed right for my outing.  That's when I saw THEM peeking out from behind some dresses.

Reluctantly, I pulled the jeans off of the hanger and held them out in front of me. I pursed my lips and thought "what the hell".  Expecting a repeat of the January or February fittings, I slipped my legs in, slowly zipped and buttoned.  I was surprised and had to double check to make sure I got THE pair from the closet.  No sucking in of the gut; no laying on the bed to zip 'em.  They fit.  Not only did they fit, they were loose.  And better still, I wore them with a tank top...and had no roll over . Major progress! It was pretty exciting.  I strutted my jean covered butt into that restaurant and felt pretty damn good.  I was in love again.  

The coolest part is that I haven't starved myself to make it happen.  There has been no deprivation, insane workouts or long miles.  It's getting done with consistent, moderate activity combined with eating clean and healthy.  I believe the biggest factor has been that I am eating unprocessed foods.  Very few prepackaged, prepared foods make it into my house.  Cooking at home helps me to know what is in the meal I'm eating.  No surprises or weird things I can't pronounce and it's making a difference.  It's all in the jeans!

Happy Trails!

Valeka

Beautifully Imperfect

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart. - Kahlil Gibran

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. - Confucius
 
Most of what I write about for Running on Heavy are my struggles with weight loss and how I try to motivate myself to keep moving towards good health in a positive way.  I talk about my fat rolls, the silly things I do, my nacho addiction, and trails I visit.  I can get pretty personal with what I post.  What I haven't written about is finding beauty within ourselves.  So here goes...and it's pretty damn personal.

Let me start by saying something that I believe to be true - YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.  I know this because we are all beautiful.  Whether or not you choose to see that beauty is up to you.

We all have our days where we feel fat or less than pretty/handsome.  And sometimes people say things to us that cause us to feel badly about ourselves.  It's one thing to be told something for our own good but it's another to be told something negative about our appearance "just because".  That is something I don't tolerate because it's unnecessary.  Constructive comments are good.  Comments filled with concern for one's well-being are good.  Comments that purposely make someone feel like they just sprouted a giant hump on their back and that their face is covered with warts or hairy moles are cruel.  The wrong words said at the wrong time by the wrong person can be hard to shrug off.  Believe me, I can relate.   

Now, having said that, I know that I am beautiful.  No, I may not be a size 4 (hell, I'm not even a size 10!!), or have the haircolor or eyecolor du jour and I'm not tall but I am me and that makes me spectacular.  I am beautifully imperfect and I love that about myself.  I try hard to not let society's concept of beauty dictate how I present myself to the world.  Yes, I am trying to lose weight and be thinner but that is for health reasons rather than ones of vanity or conformity.

Here is a quote that I love and it sums up how I feel about being beautiful:

 “I am so beautiful, sometimes people weep when they see me. And it has nothing to do with what I look like really, it is just that I gave myself the power to say that I am beautiful, and if I could do that, maybe there is hope for them too. And the great divide between the beautiful and the ugly will cease to be. Because we are all what we choose.” ― Margaret Cho

Feeling good about yourself and believing in the beauty that belongs only to YOU is an important part of living a healthy, fulfilling life.  Choosing to accept the power to look at yourself in a mirror and say "I'm beautiful" and then actually BELIEVE it is life-changing.  Try it.  See what happens.  I bet you smile more, laugh more and live more.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that starts with you and loving what you see.

Happy Trails!
Valeka 

Walnut Creek Hike

I've mentioned before that I feel like I live in the BEST city on the planet.  My outing today was just another reason why I think that.  BFF and I went on a hike...in the city!  Today, we took in the trails at the Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park here in Austin. 

It was a hot day so Big Baby got to stay home in the comfort of our air conditioned home while BFF and I went out to have a little adventure!  As part of my "getting in touch with nature" promise to myself, I thought this would be a good place to start. 

And the best place to start is always with the trail map!  I'm a sucker for maps and navigating so I got a little involved with reading it.  BFF got a wee bit impatient and took off ahead of me (not knowing which trail she was taking!). 

The lady in the picture above was very helpful to BFF and let her know what trails led to what area and what the terrain was like (some were very steep and others were not).  So, we chose the trail she was on.  She looked like she knew her stuff!

Flowers, flowers everywhere!  We were pleasantly surprised with the amount of wildflowers that were still blooming.  The heat hadn't destroyed them...YET! 

 
On our way to the creek, we came across some signage telling us of a rock slide that happened a couple of weeks ago.  Even though this was to be an adventure, we decided that we should probably heed the warning and stay on the designated trails. 

 The creek and everything along the length of it made us feel like we had been transported somewhere else.  It didn't feel like a place that was only ten minutes from my home.  It was quiet, peaceful and relaxing.  

The only way to continue along the trail we were on was to go through the water.  I asked BFF if she wanted to turn back the way we came or if she wanted to continue on.  She decided to quote me and said "our shoes won't feel loved unless we let them go places they wouldn't ordinarily go."  So, we went through the water. 

BFF was thrilled to find some fossils along the creek's edge.  She wanted to take them all home with her!

Soon it was time for us to head back and try to make our way back to our car.  The trail leaving the creek bottom was quite steep but we got some great views of the creek below (I'm guessing this is NOT where the rock slide was because there wasn't a barricade up!). 

Then we ran into this lovely little sign as we continued on our path!  "Severe Consequences Loop".  Don't ya just love that name for a trail?  Well, guess what we did?  Yep!  We walked right through it!

We made our way to a picnic table where we sat and had a bottle of water to help us cool off. 

All in all it was a great day!  The little trek on the trail has inspired me to do more trail running.  I think it's something I am better suited for since the pace is a little slower than road racing.  The biggest bonus for me would be that I get to spend more time with rocks, dirt, trees and critters!  Exactly my cup of tea!

Happy Trails!
Valeka