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

Cookin' It Up

Food is an important part of a balanced diet. - Fran Lebowitz

I made a conscious effort to cook more at home this week.  Not only is it easier on my pocketbook but it's also much healthier for me.  I can control what I am eating and how it is being prepared.  I need that to keep myself on track with my slow but sure weight loss (down 10 pounds since March - YIPPEE!).

Most of the things I make are modified versions of my favorite foods - turkey burgers, oven-baked chicken tenders, whole grain and flax pancakes.  I'm not much of a cook but I try to make things that are tasty but good for me.  I don't want to give up flavor because I have to watch what I eat.

I had to celebrate my Mexican-American heritage on Cinco De Mayo with some Mexican comfort food but I didn't want to go out and have a plate of greasy nachos (although it was very, VERY tempting to do).  Instead, I made some delicious fish tacos at home.  They were super easy and filling.  I used tilapia filets, added a black bean and corn salsa that I made and topped with shredded cabbage and cilantro.  I also sneaked in a little touch of avocado.  I was pretty proud of myself!

I'm trying to keep the cooking at home thing easy because, I know myself, and if it isn't easy I won't stick with it.  I don't have time to do the whole gourmet cooking thing and, quite frankly, I don't want to be in my kitchen for hours at a time.  It needs to be simple, fresh and healthy.  So far so good!  It's pretty encouraging!

The healthy cooking plus regular walks will continue to give me the results that I need.  Slow and steady wins the race!

Happy Trails!
Valeka   

  

Running On Heavy's First Blogiversary!!!

Today is such a special day!  A year ago today, I got up the nerve to tell my story of weight and fitness struggles to the world.  I made the conscious decision when I started Running On Heavy to not sugar-coat anything I shared and to put my embarrassments aside.  I thought perhaps my posts could be a beacon of positivity in a world that tells us that being heavy means we are lazy, sedentary, ineffective and hopeless. I like to think that my blog has succeeded in being that to all of it's readers.

What I have received in return as a result of putting myself out there has been immeasurable.  My little blog has taken me on an amazing journey and has brought me to an exciting new place in my life.  Thank you all for your continued support, words of encouragement, and for helping me to do what I love most.  I am forever grateful.

I look forward to many more adventure-filled years with you guys! 

Hugs to you all!
Valeka

Doin' It

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

It's the little details that are vital.  Little things make big things happen.  -  John Wooden

What a great month March was!! I became more consistent with my workouts, continued being mindful of how much I eat (psyllium husk in water before each meal is my new best friend. The fiber fills me up and keeps me from over eating), AND I've eliminated a lot of stress from my life.   

I must say - it's all coming together nicely. As a result, I'm officially down five pounds for the month!  I don't quite SEE a change in my body yet but I'll take the weight loss.  Five pounds may not seem like a lot but it's better than a GAIN any day!  I lost the equivalent of this sack of potatoes.  It's five pounds gone which will help my joints when I walk, wog or run.  Besides, I never liked potatoes very much anyway :-) 

I'm very pleased with my progress and know that April will be just as great if not better!  I must admit, hearing about friends that ran races this past month further fueled the fire in me.  It is something that I miss doing and the only person keeping me from it is me.  For the last two weeks, I have been walking (with a few "sprints" thrown in) twice a day.  Splitting my work outs throughout the day makes it feel less overwhelming and I get more done.  The added bonus is that Big Baby is loving it!  I know that she and I will be in running shape soon!  

Happy Trails!

Valeka  

The Anti-Resolution

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. - Benjamin Franklin

A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.  ~Author Unknown

I have never been very much into the idea of forming resolutions on New Year's Eve.  I guess it's because I view resolutions as broken promises to ones self.  We've all done it - things get hard or too tempting so we give up on the resolution.  I especially don't like resolutions about weight loss or fitness and that is probably because in the very distant past, I did make that type of resolution and every time, I failed.  Being healthy shouldn't be something that we have to resolve to do - we should just do it. 

Ending the year six pounds lighter is certainly a motivator for me.  The fact that I didn't gain weight during the holiday season is a HUGE deal for me and I'm pretty happy about it but I know that I can do more.  I am going to make that commitment to myself this year.  A commitment.  A vow.  A promise to take better care of myself and to focus more on my well-being.  Sounds simple enough but most of the time, if you are like me, you find yourself taking care of others more than you take care of yourself.  Nothing wrong with caring for those we love but how about giving ourselves the same attention and love that we give others?  It's not okay to skimp on our own wellness or to cut corners when it comes to our health.  Being healthy gives us more energy, stamina and, ultimately, longevity.  Wouldn't you want those things for those you care about?  Then why not want that for ourselves?

Start small.  Make one small change, then another and another.  Give up a bad habit (or excuse).  My BFF gave up sodas almost a year ago.  It sounds like an itty bitty change but when you consider that a regular soda is 160 calories per can and lots of folks drink more than one per day (or sometimes more than one per MEAL), the savings in calories and sugar intake becomes significant.  Simply choosing water or unsweetened iced tea instead of a soda has helped her to keep her weight somewhat under control during what has been an extremely stressful year for her (and we all know that stress makes us gain weight and does crazy things to our bodies).  Before you know it, those small changes will add up to some major improvements in lifestyle and health.  Now....if only I can get my other bestie to quit drinking evil Red Bulls (or stop smoking)!!

With the holiday season behind me, I plan on cooking more at home.  It's something I started doing more often at the beginning of November and tried to maintain over the holidays.  Cooking at home allows me to control what is going into my body and, to be super honest, I don't completely trust myself at restaurants.  I always intend to eat healthier fare and wind up with my favorite cheesy nachos.  I am also going to add more steps to my walking.  I ended the year walking approximately 2-3 miles just about every day.  That's something that I can easily increase by walking during my lunch hour.  The extra time spent walking will help me from a fitness perspective but it will also help me clear my head in the middle of my work day.  Throughout the year, I plan to incorporate other forms of exercise into my fitness routine such as Zumba, yoga and perhaps a little martial arts (for those days when I need to get out my aggression!). 

There are limitless possibilities for us all in the upcoming year!  A new year is a chance for us to start with a clean slate and get things right for ourselves.  So let's make it happen!  Best wishes to you all for a wonderful year filled with health, happiness and prosperity!

Happy Trails!

Valeka