Finding True Health After Disordered Eating And Over Exercising Part 2

If you haven't read my first post Part 1 check it out ...Here.

I joined my first Golds Gym back in 1997. I had been in the working world a few years so I ponied up and bought a membership.

I started doing the elliptical for 30 minutes, taking body pump classes, and lifting weights with a few body builder guys I met. I thought I was a fitness buff! Ha! 

I didn't know the first thing about food or diet. I did however read a ton of magazines and the newest thing to do was to drink H20... The old 64 ounce rule. So I did this.

But my horrible diet stayed the same. Very southern mixed with Mexican queso and chips everyday after I got off work. Tons of sugary foods. Lots of desserts. I had stopped eating fast food at this time...did this back in 1996. But nonetheless my diet was still really bad. Really bad! 

This was 1997. Lots of elliptical and bad nutrition. 

I decided I wanted to run my first 5K ...I thought well I've been doing the elliptical surely I can run! 

Hahaha! How stupid was this! I literally had never run a block...but I signed up to run 3.1 miles! 

About 1/2 a mile in I thought my heart was going to explode and I had to have the golf cart pick me up...so I never even finished! 

This was from that very first race! (Thank goodness fitness apparel has changed!)

I wore the wrong shoes...1full size too small....non running sunglasses...they used to slip all over my face...I used to not even wear a hat...omg the sun damage!! 

I soon realized running was wayyyy harder than I thought. Wayyyyy! 

And I knew nothing about running! Nothing!

I ordered a subscription to Runners World. And made running my goal. 

When I first started I couldn't run a block. I would run from mailbox to mailbox. After many months of this....I was able to run a mile...then 2 ....then 3.....

And then that's what I did...for years ...many many many years. I ran. 3miles. 5ks. 5 milers. 10ks. 1/2 marathons. Treadmill runs. Outside runs. Long runs on Sundays. Races races and more races! 

Run. Run. Run. 

I ran in rain. Snow. 

I ran out of bad relationships. 

And into new careers.

Running was my constant. I was in control. 

And I got thin....very very thin....

I ran 4-5x a week for 16 years! 

What was I running from? 

Stay tuned...part 3 is coming...

Workout Tuesday

I love love love to run! Have for many many years...that being said...

The first mile or so is always so hard...such a struggle...always has been. 

It's like my body is saying...hold on there...are you gonna keep going? 

Yes yes I am...so start working! 

Running is hard. It's the hardest cardiovascular exercise for me ever! It's always tough every single time I lace up my shoes. Always! 

But always worth it! 

Never feels better than after the first mile and just trucking...running like there's no tomorrow...running with zero thoughts..running to be...running to feel great....just running. 

4.17 miles 400 cals treadmill...sprints hills fast....steady....good ole run! 

Workout Monday

Treadmill run 4.5 miles

I mostly run on the treadmill. Today was no different.

These  and These are my favorite running and workout shoes! No stability...light weight...just cushiony!

I learned a loooong time ago to change up my running. Meaning to not just run at the same pace for the entire run.

So today I started out around 6.0 for the first few minutes. Then I gradually increased to 6.2-6.5 for 5-7 minutes. Then added some incline of 3.0 for 2 minutes. Then flat again. I did speed drills each for 30 seconds at 7.5 for 3 minutes. Then kept it around 7 for an entire mile. I did different thing thruout the entire run. Changing inclines...speeds...etc.

I think changing it up keeps my body guessing. Trains my heart. Helps to burn calories at different rates. Plus it's fun this way!

 I love also to run to music. Running super fast (for me) at 8.5 for a minute or so to a great song!

I love to run! It's my drug!

How I stay lean at 40

Me today age 40.

Buy the feather necklace I have on here. I love it and wear it everyday...even while working out and going to the pool.

When I started running many years ago...I thought that it was going to be the way I became lean and "muscley".

While yes running ..(read more here about when I started running) did make me lean...it also made me very thin...sort of gangly looking. Not healthy and fit looking at all.

This was after I ran a 1/2 marathon...skinny! Not very much muscle...about 96 pounds of muscle total. I weighed about 115ish.

Soon after I met my husband ...whom just happend to be in the gym business with a Master in Education/Health Promotion. ..I started lifting weights the right way. Heavier, longer periods of time...intervals, full body workouts...kettle bells...strength training...becoming very fit...while still running...just not super long distances. 

That was over 9 years ago. 

I have strength trained 2-3 days per week. 

Run or done some type of cardio 3-4x a week. 

Every week for those 9 years. Taking off after giving birth to my daughter and a few vacation weeks...but that's about it.

I don't necessarily love working out every single time however.....

I love feeling good about myself.

I love love love having muscles.

I love being fit! 

How I became a runner....

I started running in 1999.. (sort of).....I was the worst runner ever!!

I remember competing in a 5 mile run in Kentucky...keep in mind I had never run a block! I thought because I had been doing the elliptical and step aerobics for many months that it had to be the same thing. 

Well it's not! 

To me running is much harder...in fact it's the hardest form of cardiovascular exercise ever!

I wore the wrong shoes, had blisters for weeks, started off extremely fast out of the gate, didn't eat a bite before I ran, and had to be picked up with the Emergency golf cart because I couldn't make it to the finish line.  Worst experience ever! 

But that experience made me want to be a runner! 

So when I moved to Florida in 2000...I was determined to start running. 

I started running literally a block at a time and then I would walk a block...I did this for maybe 30 minutes at a time 3-4 days a week. I did the old school circuit/nautilus type machines on opposing days. I did this for about a 7-8 months. Finally I could run for about a mile without stopping. It was hard and sometimes my side would still hurt but I kept going. 

Then I signed up for my first 5k...which is 3.1 miles. I trained for many months before....because 3 is much harder than 1. So I would run for a mile which took me 11-13 minutes...then I would walk a minute until I got to 3 miles. 

The 5k was on the beach and sand for me is very different to run on. Much more difficult! 

But I finished! And it was a great feeling....I had been running at this time for maybe 10 months. 

So as I was leaving the race with my race shirt and my number that I was sooo proud of...someone stopped me and said mam I think they are looking for you...I was so confused...who? Who's looking for me?

The judges! 

You know why? Because I had won my age group! That's right I beat out 2 whole people! Haha! And I won a trophy!! 

Well I was hooked now! I was ready to do more and more 5k...maybe even a 5 mile race....and my love for running began! 

Fit at 40+

My first post on fitness.

Here's what I currently look like age 40 years 9 months...

I do NOT have good genetics!

It is NOT luck!

And NO I am not naturally skinny!

I do NOT have a personal chef!

I am NOT independently wealthy!

I am just like u...

I am a normal girl who wanted to make herself feel confident......I wanted to have muscles, I wanted to be a runner, I wanted to be as fit as I could...

I am a girl who doesn't quit, who keeps trying her hardest, who pushes the limits....

I wanted to feel good about myself and actually accept a compliment. 

I wanted to look in the mirror and love what I saw....

I wanted to be the very best ME that I could be!!

And that my friends is what I have done!