My Mom’s Fitness Journey

Mom’s first 5K 3 years ago.  She was losing weight (and I was gaining it at that time.)

When Laura asked me to do a guest post, I immediately thought, I’m not worthy.  And I’m not! First, I don’t write on blogs, I just read them. Second, she’s fit, I’m fat!  After receiving lots of encouragement from her, here it goes!  I have had weight issues since giving birth to my 3rd child (that was about 25 years ago!)  I’ve lost, gained, lost, gained, and so it goes.  A couple years ago, I went on a very low calorie diet (VLCD).  I ate only 500 calories a day for a period of about eight months.  I got back down to a very good weight for me.  Just a quick disclaimer, the VLCD was a stupid and desperate act on my part!  Anyway, over a period of months, I put most of the weight back on.  (Which is what usually happens after a crash diet!!!)  I couldn’t wear any of my clothes, and I felt so tired and depressed.  I started having some health issues, (all exacerbated by the excess weight I might add).  In a conversation with my cardiologist, he said something that really stuck with me.  He told me that my weight was not my problem.  The excess weight was a symptom of not being healthy.  I knew this, I studied nutrition and fitness.  I’m a nurse.  I teach my patients this.  So this was no big revelation.  But what he told me next has become my mission.  He told my to stop worrying about my weight and just focus on getting healthy.  Simple, but genius.  He said the weight will take care of itself when you get healthy.  And that’s what I do.  I don’t weigh; I don’t care what the scales say.  I just get up everyday and try to live it as healthy as I can.  Some days are better than others, and that’s okay. 🙂  I no longer base my happiness on what the scales have to say about me.  I just try to eat the healthiest, tastiest food I can and keep moving.  Walk, run, toning with weights, whatever I can do and enjoy.

Mom walking Lola in the Fast and Furriest 5K 3 years ago.

One of the first 5Ks where I really remember seeing my mom run at the end.  I looped back after I finished and found her and finished running with her.

I’ve been a daily walker for many years.  I’m not a treadmill walker myself, it bores me.  I love to be outdoors.  Plus I have a very active dog that loves to walk me several times a day.  When I really got serious about being healthy, I felt like I needed to kick it up a notch.  But it had to be something that fit into my lifestyle otherwise I wouldn’t continue doing it.  I toyed with the idea of joining a local fitness club, but with my long work hours I just didn’t feel like I would be able to utilize it enough.  Yeah I know it’s open 24 hours, but after a long 14 or 16 hour day, it would be about the last place I wanted to go.  Fitness has been important to me most of my adult life, and I’ve worked out at some gym or club ever since my children were young.  I also had a personal trainer for a few years so I knew what to do and how to do it, it was just a matter of DOING it!  I had been reading Laura’s blog. The blogs on fitness and healthy eating were very motivating to me. I wanted to feel the wind in my face and run with my arms stretched out just like I did as a child.  I wanted to eat to live instead of living to eat!  Laura had talked me into doing the 5K in her neighborhood in Harbor Town with her 3 years ago and I’d done a few off and on.  But I had just kinda quit for the most part. Laura asked me to do the Go Lucy Go 5K in my hometown with her, and I didn’t have any excuse not to.  So I did it. I’m a walker/runner.  I enjoy the scenery. I love the smells of fresh cut grass, honeysuckle, wisteria, and looking at funny shaped clouds, pretty houses, and the beautiful landscapes as I pass.  I feel so close to God. Sometimes I find myself singing “How Great Thou Art”, just in my heart (I’m so not a singer).  Walking/running is something I can do in my own time and at my own pace which just really fits my lifestyle at this place in my life.  My goal is to be able to run a 5K by the end of the year.  For now I’m just trying to improve my time with each 5K.  I’ve done one the last three weekends with Laura.  My first, I did 15:39/mile and this weekend at the Eye Opener 5K I did 14:45/mile.  I’ve improved each time.  Gosh I know that sounds so lame to all the runners!  But like I said, it’s my journey and I couldn’t be happier!!  I did it and I feel like a winner!  Just happy to be here and have an opportunity to improve.  And I love, love, love getting to spend precious mother/daughter time with Laura!  Does it get any better?  I’m at a good place in my life.  I’m just happy to be me!!  Ands that’s my story. I’m not perfect on my journey.  But that’s the beauty of it.  I don’t have to be.  I’m just on it, and for me it’s a good place to be.

2 weeks ago.  Mom got 3rd in her age group.

Mom’s fastest 5K ever last weekend.  She even placed.