26 Years Ago

So, I'm not entirely sure why this dawned on me this morning, but 26 years ago today I walked a 26K marathon and then turned around and went to my prom that night.  I was 16 years old.

Granted, many people told me I was nuts to walk that marathon and do my prom the same night.  Of course I was stubborn and did it anyway.  The marathon was a tradition for me and my best friend, so I was determined to see it through.   The one problem I did not anticipate was that my feet would be swollen from the walking.  For the prom, I had these amazing shoes that I just HAD to have to go with the dress, and with the swollen feet, it was a nightmare.  They barely fit.  I hardly danced at all at my own prom and I think I was home by 11, on the very night I had permission to be out later.  I was SO tired.

Why do we do things like that?  I know I was a teenager, but we get something in our head that it just HAS to happen ... and we go for it.  I don't regret it, truly I don't.  I just wish I could have that kind of resolve in my present day.  I need to pick a marathon or a walk or something, pay the registration fee, and the commit to it.  I am sad to confess I have not done any kind of marathon or walk for charity like that since the very day I'm referring to above.

And once I find the race or walk that I am going to do ... I will not likely dance in heels that same evening.


Be a Champion!
Debra

A Juicy Post

So, I am excited like a kid at Christmas.  I ordered a juice extractor for fruits/vegetables online (Wal-mart) ... and it came in the mail today.  Don't laugh at me, I can't afford the Vitamix and Jack Lalane, etc. ... so I am starting simple, just to fall in love with juicing, and I'll upgrade later.

I know absolutely nothing about juicing.  Any juice that has ever entered this body has been from Jamba Juice (tee hee), or fresh from the fruit itself, or like apple juice from a bottle at the supermarket (rarely).  I have been reading so many recipes, and following people on FB who juice, and I am excited to give some of these things a try.  Just for variety purposes, and to maybe get some veggies into me that otherwise may never enter my tummy.

I am going to have fun with the kids too - - they love to help and make up smoothie creations, so I am eager to see what juice brainstorms they will concoct.

So for less than $40, I got a new toy.  I know there are far better ones out there, but this will do for now ... wish me luck - - and send me your juicing recipes!


Be a Champion!
Debra

Get OUT of the Way

Do you ever suffer from analysis paralysis?  Or maybe you spend so much time 'researching' your meal plans, and the best physical exercise, and the ideal macro nutrient ratios - - that this is pretty much all you're doing - - researching!  Magazines are great - - unless they hinder you with information overload.

Get out of your own way.

We are all living and breathing people, if not, you're not reading this now are you?  Get out of your own way and stop paralyzing yourself with the right day, perfect mood, exact timing or holiday.  Stop waiting until the kids are out of school or your pantry no longer has junk food.   Stop waiting until you have more money to eat healthy - trust me, I run a household of 7, and you can eat healthy on a budget if you want to.  Wanting to is the problem.  Ya gotta want it.  Stop thinking about it and dreaming about it and planning it - - and jump in head first.  You will mess up, you will fall and you will fail.  No biggie.  Get up again.

If you're breathing  - it is not too late.

Get out of your own way.

Okay - lecture over - go back to your regularly scheduled day.

"Be a champion" ... 
Debra

Labels Are Your Friend

So I am in Target tonight, killing a little time while waiting for a teenager to find some medicine she wanted.  I'm in the water aisle.  I noticed the Crystal Light now has something called 'Pure'.  Notice the label says 'Natural', but then look at the photo of the ingredients.   Doesn't sound too natural to me.  ALSO notice the serving size is only HALF a packet, so that doubles the sodium in it.  Not entirely sure what all of these ingredients are that are listed - but honestly - I think I'll just drink regular ole water, thank you.  I can't believe I use to drink Crystal Light all the time.

Notice the label also has the word 'fitness' on it ... as if that means it is good for or something.   Please read your labels folks ... you might be surprised at what you find.

Tomorrow is my anniversary

So, tomorrow I get to celebrate 19 years of marriage.  Yes, I still like him.  OF course I love him - but it helps that I still like him and enjoy him quite much.  I love our family.

Right now, we are in the very beginning stages of exploring Catholicism.  Yes, we have been protestants our whole lives and have been raising our children in the Church of Christ arena ... and now we are attending Mass every Sunday.  We really like a parish close to our home called St. Anthony Mary of Claret.

So  - sexy hubby has a great idea.  He wants us to get married (renew our vows) in the Catholic Church on our 20th wedding anniversary.  So - - on April 9, 2013 (which is a Tuesday I think) ... we will have a Catholic Church wedding.  Our original wedding was very simple.  I wore a pink dress, he wore a suit - no attendants.  It was lovely, but small and quickly planned.  I think we planned the whole thing in less than two weeks.  SO for this wedding, I want to wear a beautiful white gown, since I never did.   Neither one of us have ever been married to anyone else .. and the idea of renewing our vows and having a beautiful Catholic Church wedding - - it makes me smile.

But it also makes me realize that I want to get into the best shape of my life.  What better motivation do I have, besides longevity of course.   I have come a long way in my healthy habits and wellness adventures, but I seem to be stuck in a rut, and I can do better.  I've been sort of 'winging it', as I hate to plan.  Time to change that.  I have exactly one year to shrink my rear and wear the dress of my dreams.

Don't worry - I'm not doing anything drastic or crazy.  I don't believe in pills or fad diets.  I honestly believe that CLEAN eating is the only way to achieve true total wellness and get my weight moving in the right direction again.   I'm already smaller than I was on my original wedding day ... but I can do better.  Is it crazy that I want to be rockin' HOT and sizzlin' sexy in a gorgeous gown?   Hey, I'm a girl - I'm allowed.

Wish me luck.   Here is my original wedding photo.

Wedding Plans

So, tomorrow I get to celebrate 19 years of marriage. Yes, I still like him. OF course I love him - but it helps that I still like him and enjoy him quite much. I love our family. 

Right now, we are in the very beginning stages of exploring Catholicism. Yes, we have been protestants our whole lives and have been raising our children in the Church of Christ arena ... and now we are attending Mass every Sunday. We really like a parish close to our home called St. Anthony Mary of Claret. 

So - sexy hubby has a great idea. He wants us to get married (renew our vows) in the Catholic Church on our 20th wedding anniversary. So - - on April 9, 2013 (which is a Tuesday I think) ... we will have a Catholic Church wedding. Our original wedding was very simple. I wore a pink dress, he wore a suit - no attendants. It was lovely, but small and quickly planned. I think we planned the whole thing in less than two weeks. SO for this wedding, I want to wear a beautiful white gown, since I never did. Neither one of us have ever been married to anyone else .. and the idea of renewing our vows and having a beautiful Catholic Church wedding - - it makes me smile. 

But it also makes me realize that I want to get into the best shape of my life. What better motivation do I have, besides longevity of course. I have come a long way in my healthy habits and wellness adventures, but I seem to be stuck in a rut, and I can do better. I've been sort of 'winging it', as I hate to plan. Time to change that. I have exactly one year to shrink my rear and wear the dress of my dreams. 

Don't worry - I'm not doing anything drastic or crazy. I don't believe in pills or fad diets. I honestly believe that CLEAN eating is the only way to achieve true total wellness and get my weight moving in the right direction again. I'm already smaller than I was on my original wedding day ... but I can do better. Is it crazy that I want to be rockin' HOT and sizzlin' sexy in a gorgeous gown? Hey, I'm a girl - I'm allowed. 

Wish me luck. Here is my original wedding photo. 

 

As always, make champion choices,
Debra