Still Chuggin'

Just a week and a half until my 5K. I am so excited because I feel so ready! I ran my first 3 mile jaunt about 3 weeks ago and have been pleased to see that I can consistently do that. In other words, it wasn't just a fluke. Last night, I took Taylor (9) and Blake (almost 8) for a run with me. It was fun. We went on a bike trail in McHenry that takes us towards Glacier Park so it is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. I love it because it is peaceful and as close to country as I really get around here. It follows a railroad track so while I was jogging, Tay and Blake were moseying along, picking wild flowers and walking along the railroad ties. It was truly a picture of what childhood should be and I was grateful for that image. We went just over 2 miles and I was also grateful that when we returned to the van I did not feel winded! This is absolutely amazing to me! I know it is less than the 3 miles I've started running, but for someone who has always loathed running, being able to run an easy 2 miles is mind blowing.

It's interesting how one's thought process can change when new habits are formed. For most of my life, the thought of working out has been a chore; something I would do sometimes because I knew it would be good for me or I knew I would feel better afterwards, but that I didn't ever really care to do. After working out 6 days a week for 10 weeks and now adding the running, I just don't like to even imagine not working out. The last couple of weeks, I've only averaged maybe 4 days a week working out just because one must continue on with real life and it isn't always compatible with my gym schedule. One would think that is great! I used to give Dan a hard time for feeling so bad if he missed a gym day or didn't eat well. Now, I am even worse! So Monday, I am at the clinic and they have already determined I have a bladder infection, but suspect that I have appendicitis, as well. So they decided to do a cat scan and casually mentioned that if it came back that I did indeed have appendicitis, they would admit me into the hospital for surgery. My thoughts were two fold. First, I thought that while I've never thought surgery was a huge deal for others to have, I have never had it and I wasn't interested in that being my Monday afternoon activity. But the very next thought was "I have a 5K to run on the 31st! I can't have surgery! Not only would I probably not be in the best shape to run (and bounce) on the 31, it would set me back in how much I can do and I will go backwards instead of forwards! This just wont do!" You have no idea how much this makes me laugh because it is not me!! Where these thoughts have come from is beyond me! But I know that while I may not be able to keep up a 5-6 workout per week schedule, I can not imagine living a sedentary life again.

Incidentally, I did not have appendicitis. It was determined, however, that besides my bladder infection, I also have a cyst on my ovary and uterine fibroids. (Dan says he would have opted for the appendicitis.) I have an appt. with my OB/GYN next week, so I guess I'll know more then. Until then, I'm good friends with the Naproxen. I'm slightly disheartened because I have been really working hard to fight back against all the disfuntion my body has been spewing the last couple of years. I figure if I am physically strong and have a healthy diet, that has to carry some weight. For awhile things seemed better but I've been struggling to feel great the past month or so. Some of my heavy arms have been coming back and definitely my achy joints. Though I must admit, I was taking natural food supplements because my adrenals were worn down and it had really helped my sore joints feel normal again. I no longer felt like the tin man who needed to always carry his oil can with him. I had run out of the supplements and my chiropractor lives quite a distance away, so I just quit taking them for awhile. The bad news is I paid for it and became really stiff again. The good news is it let me know the supplements really made a positive difference and I am now taking them once again. Now the cyst and/or the fibroids have me in regular discomfort and I am bummed. What does it take to just have a strong, healthy body around here? So, I am disheartened, but not about to give up! I am only 32 and I REFUSE to let my body age at the rate it is trying to! I will fight it every step of the way!

OK, onto better topics... how about a weight watchers update? WW is going very well and I am slowly and steadily shedding the pounds. As of yesturday, I have lost 12.4 pounds. This has been in about 6 or 7 weeks or so (not sure exactly). I think I have averaged between 1.5 and 2 lbs. per week which is a nice rate. I feel like I am in a really good spot because while I wouldn't be opposed to losing a couple more pounds, I am also content where I am so I don't have a ton of pressure on myself. More than losing more lbs., I really want to loose more "cottage cheese" that has taken up residence on my thighs. So toning is more my focus. I had a big milestone last week though. I bought my first pair of size 6 jeans since before I got pregnant with Alyssa. Alyssa is 6 now, so it has been some time. I am excited. I feel confident and I feel empowered to tackle whatever I decide to tackle. Life is good!

Have a blessed day and go do something nice for yourself today!