My 10 little things

I have found that getting healthy and in shape is all about the little things...



 1) You can't feel guilty leaving your spouse with 2 screaming kids! It's like a bandaid- just get the painful part over with! Once you're alone and on the beaten path it gets easier!

2) It's not the binge eating that gets me; it's the little snacks throughout the day! A chocolate bar here and a handful of mini M&Ms there (those are sinfully DELICIOUS!!)! Gots to say no to those little snacks that I "forget" to add to my daily intake!

3) As I told my daughter while potty training, it's okay if you have a slip up and forget, you just have to try harder next time! And then make a BIG DEAL out of your success! Whether its a sticker chart and a present or posting pictures on Facebook so people can tell you how awesome you are!

4) Plan to succeed... How many times do we hear that and then don't do it?? My weekly menu is planned out and it turns out when it's stuffed full of healthy food, I eat healthier?!?! Crazy but true... Maybe that's why these plan to succeed people actually succeed -- I am a believer!

5) Be accountable to at least one person... Even if its someone smaller than you! For the last month the women in my family began a group (largely in part to my much smaller than me, older sister) in which we had to be active for 20 minutes everyday! And I'm talking sweaty-stinky-hurting-active. It was hard, but knowing I would have to write the post saying I was too lazy to get off my butt definitely helped me get moving! Not to mention another season of my favorite reality show The Biggest Loser in which 400 pound people put my efforts to shame!!

6) Make it fun!! No one likes to do things that aren't fun... Laundry, cleaning out the fridge, animal accidents on the carpet... No way to make those tasks any fun- I don't care what you say!! But my two year old daughter taught me recently that if its fun- you'll WANT to do it! This will explain why I break dance in the middle of a JT song and stop to laugh at myself when I can't figure out what I just tripped on! (Yes, I have caught people staring... Oh well)

7) Keep at least one eye on the prize and the other on the road! I have a little black dress and a pair of very expensive jeans that I WILL be wearing again, without my muffin top (even though that is the best part of the muffin!)! Every time I want that cupcake with delectable cream cheese frosting, I imagine it stuck to my behind and realize I don't want to run just to eat it! Nothing, in my opinion, is THAT good!! And they are little moments when you have to make a little decision but in the end it is so empowering to know you beat that cupcake!

8) Embrace the plateaus, no matter how loooonnnngggg they may be! Recently my weight and measurements didn't move for FOUR WEEKS, and I was working so very hard!! But, with my husbands wonderful support, I kept at it and then it happened- the numbers moved... And kept moving! But in those four weeks I learned to do this to feel better as well as look better! I finally get why so many people go the extra lengths to eat healthy- you just feel amazing!!

9) Put it all on film... Seriously. At the beginning of my journey, I took a VERY deep breath and squeezed into the smallest bikini I have ever worn... I looked like shamu got stuck into the plastic ring on a 6 pack of cans and couldn't get out! But bravely I stood in front of not only a camera, but my husband as well (someone had to take the picture). I want my own before and after picture as well as a way to see how far I have come and not just how far I have to go! All with a simple click!

10) My last little motivation is a two for one special... She is 2 1/2 and he is almost 3 months old. I love them dearly and want them to have me around as long as possible! I want to be an active and healthy motivator in their life and encourage them to do the same! When all else fails to get me off the couch my kids get me moving... And definitely find ways to keep me moving!

Next goal in sight... Be under my baby weight before my baby turns one! I may not run fast- but I can definitely run far!

Active thoughts your way,


~K
The Horizontal Running Team Captain

You keep me going

The first moth has been completed- done! And it definitely had it's moments. From leaving not one, but two, screaming children with my husband to running in the road because there is too much snow on the ground. This month was a month that I had to really rely on those around me that keep me going, that inspire me. Have you ever been inspired by someone? So much that it makes you do something you thought you would never do?

My journey to running obscene distances began when I saw a friend of mine talking about her journey on Facebook. She and her mother were going to run 13.1 miles together and they weren't runners to begin with. At first I couldn't believe the miles she was logging and thought there was no way I could do that! Shortly after my daughter was born I realized how hard it was to lose the baby weight and knew I had to do something- I proceeded to peer pressure my sister to run with me (no one likes to look silly on their own) and the rest is history. But I was inspired- and it helped me to understand I could do it!

Lately I have been looking for inspiration and have noticed the wonderful people I have in my life! So, in reflection, I saw so many diamonds in the rough...

My sister who has kept up on her running and I about to complete her first 39.3 series. Crazy- absolutely but Aw inspiring!

A friend that I don't see often but when I do it's uplifting, supportive and a laughing adventure! She helps me to find me and understand what I need in life- she inspires me to remember who I am and be okay with that!

A friend that I'm blessed to see very often, raise our kids together and laugh at everyone around us! She inspires me to be a better person in the professional and spiritual world and sees who I can be!

A friend that I have been blessed to share our single lives, our married lives and our motherhood adventures together! She inspires me to remember its all an adventure to be had and to enjoy it.

My mother, traveling her own journey but inspiring me to never give up! Just keep trying!

My husband, My best friend, My biggest fan... This journey would definitely not be possible if it weren't for someone at home that can help me and support me throughout the ups and downs of this journey. Just like I need a good bra to get through this adventure, We all need an excellent support system and people that inspire us on a daily basis!

This is definitely not a journey I could have done on my own. I have never properly thanked those that inspired me to walk this road, and my only hope is that I can provide inspiration to you to do something you never thought you could! By sacrificing anywhere from 20-40 minutes 4 days a week in February I logged over 25 miles! Little steps to a big hairy audacious goal!

I hope through my journey to become a better woman, wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend! Besides- who else would laugh at me when I explain how I ran into a parked car while changing songs on my iPod or that I'm so cheap and my bras don't fit that one side popped out while mid-stride?

I have a two part challenge for you this month...

• First, do something to inspire someone this month... You never know what effect you will have on their life! And if you have been inspired by someone- tell them! It will make their whole day!! 
• Second, give yourself 20 minutes a day. 20 minutes to do something good for you! My sister inspired the women in my family to do something every day in the month of March that will make you sweat, and not only do I think this is AWESOME for the women in my family but I think it would be great for you too! Let me know how you do! 20 minutes, you can do that!

Happy trails to you! Stay on the beaten path, trust me, you can do it!

~K

Ps... In an earlier post I noted my email, and I put it in there wrong- it is Katie_Alexander721@yahoo.com
I would love to hear your stories!