Happy Valentine's Day!
I realize I have not posted in almost a week and it really has just been because of being busy and not making the time to blog, being out of town, and now- sick children. Life happens.
This past Saturday, I had a 5K. It was the 500 Festival Mini Marathon Training Series 5k. This race is significant because it was the marking of 1 year since my first race back after having my 2nd daughter. Last year was the same training series race, but I had only been back to running for 6 weeks (and was working my way through couch-to-5k again). I started that race out way too fast and lost all steam very early and walked most of it (no shame, just not what I wanted to do). I complete that race in 47:10. This year, one year later- My official time for last Saturday's race was 36:29. That means I shred 10 minutes and 40 seconds off of my overall race time. It wasn't my fastest 5k ever- and that's ok- it was nice to have races to compare.
On another note- my friend Liz did a guest post at Fit City Indy about the perceptions of Fat/Skinny and Fit. It is a very interesting read and I agree with what she is saying. As someone who has struggled with weight all of my life, I am only now realizing that my success at losing (and keeping it off) is directly related to my relationship with the scale. I used to be obsessed with it. And after several days or weeks of the "wrong" numbers, I'd give up- completely. It has only been since I acknowledged that the number on the scale is just a guide- one part of many factors- that paint the picture of health and fitness. It is so often overlooked that many "skinny" people are highly unhealthy because they are overly sedentary and eat nothing but junk food and crap - but happen to be blessed with metabolisms or DNA that make it easy for them to lose or not gain weight- appearing more healthy, perhaps than someone overweight. Just like Liz said- I know I'm over my ideal weight. I'm not even close to it at this point. However, at this point- I also know I am ok if I don't actually get into that specific range but maintain (and grow) my level of fitness - which is a very active lifestyle (I very consistently workout 5-6 days a week). I can run 3+ miles without stopping. I can lift weights and have core strength I never dreamed of. My goals have changed from once being a number on the scale to being a clothing size range and fitness goals - Something realistic and maintainable for life. That is the key to success in weight loss and fitness- small, building-block, attainable goals that add up to sustainable lifestyles.
Again- like Liz said- I don't have a perfect relationship with food either. I make bad choices sometimes- but they are choices I make with my eyes wide open now too. And, unlike before, I made 1 bad choice and then make a lot of great ones. Or my "bad choice" may be better by controlling the portion. What works for me may not be what works for the next but Liz's point of not judging a book by the cover- simply based on weight - is a very good one. You may never know the true athlete standing in front of you.
I loved Liz' FitCity post--I read it a couple of days ago and have still been thinking about it today.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your 5K--awesome how far you've come in just a year!!
Aw, thanks for the support of that post. I stewed over it for about 2 weeks. I was just shocked that someone actually held that opinion and was willing to voice it and continued to stick with it! I will say- he has now agreed that getting down to a specific weight and then getting fit is what will work "for him." He very proudly came and showed me his fitness routine plan for when he hits his weight... and I had to laugh because I could totally do the routine right now.
ReplyDeleteI loved hanging out with you before and after the race! Looking forward to the 10K with you, too! Ashli really liked meeting you- everyone that meets you tells me the same thing- they love your positive energy!