Let's Get Healthy

It's been awhile since I've been able to sit down and take a breather and write some words.  For one reason or another it seems that as time goes by I'm getter older and older with each passing day; however, there is never enough time to do all the things I need to do.

In the midst of all the usual things - working a full time job, helping my husband with his business, my workouts, and the usual household duties cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. - I don't seem to have the time to play my Cityville on FB, write my (daily) blog, plan camping trips and beach parties to say goodbye to two of our greatest friends as well as creating and putting together a scrapbook of memories for those good friends.

And on top of all that I've joined a "Let's Get Healthy" Challenge which I am becoming more committed to than all the other things on my enormous plate.  Three little words with such strong meaning and somehow I'm able to incorporate it into my daily routine. 

I wake up at 5:30 every morning to do laundry, make scrambled eggs (or hard boiled egg), slice fruit to go with my low-fat yogurt for breakfast, put together a serving size of blueberries/strawberry and slice a bell pepper for my midday snacks, then do a little stretching before getting ready to go to work.  I have changed my mid-day snacks from crackers, cookies, etc to fresh or dried fruits and nuts.  Then after a long hectic day at work I make sure I get my workout in - whether it be running, swimming, or a Beachbody video.  Dinners have been getting their own makeovers too - sticking to grilling whenever I can.  And then I try to make it to bed earlier just so I can get a good nights rest to do it all over again.

My hubby also decided to get one of those 'infomercial' products 'The Food Lovers' which supposedly incorporates all the foods we love to eat, but using different methods or different ingredients to make it healthier for you.  I haven't had a chance to fully read all the materials so I don't know all the details yet, but it sounds interesting.  

Part of this "Let's Get Healthy" Challenge I've had to set goals for myself - for 30 days - and I'm being held accountable of my goals to the group I've joined.  The group leader, Tonja, provides motivation and inspiration to the group.  For the month of August I decided that I wanted to lose 3lbs, get better at swimming laps, complete 8 mile run in less than 1 1/2 hours, and change my eating habits.  

So with Week One complete I've made a little progress swimming laps and I've made some changes to my diet.  I've been taking out the sugar where I can, adding more fruits and vegetables to each of my meals (including snacks), and seriously downgrading the amount of bread, pasta, and rice.  In addition, I am now more devoted than ever to working out at least 5 days a week (special thanks to being accountable by logging my workouts to the Team Beachbody WOWY workout group).

It was also during this week that I realized how fast time really goes by.  Although in the back of my mind I knew September 4th was just around the corner, I didn't realize that my first half marathon was just a few short weeks away.  My main goal for August is now to run between 4 and 5 miles without stopping.  

I'm still committed to my original goals, but my new goal takes priority.  I'll be running my way to a better, fitter, and healthier me while making better food choices.  And I'm not going to let camping, a beach party, or a night out with friends slow me down.  In fact, I'm inviting friends to join me on my workouts and work on getting healthy and fit together.  With the help of friends, my group leader, and my commitment to the "Let's Get Healthy" Challenge I will succeed.  And I can't wait to share the results.