Running Away...

I started running this summer, and not very well I might add.  At first I could only run for about 2 minutes at a time, by then I was huffing and puffing.  Pretty sad right?  I was out of shape, but I had no idea how out of shape I was.  I learned quickly, but refused to accept it and eventually overcame it. I have a fierce competitive streak in me, even if I'm only competing against myself. 

What I probably look like running

I started to do something called interval training.  This is where you walk for awhile and then you run or jog for awhile.  You may have seen those C25K programs on the interwebs (Ha Ha). Well eventually you try to run/jog for longer than you walk and Bam...your a runner.  Well, okay not exactly like that but close. I put a lot of effort into my cardio health because it was pretty lame I have to admit. For that I worked out at my local YMCA (bet your singing that song now) on what they call an Elliptical and an AMT which stands for Adaptive Motion Trainer.  All of the sudden I have great cardio.  Yea for me. Yea for my heart.

My daughter and I love to walk together and our summer mornings usually started out with a 3 mile walk through our local park and town. Every time my daughter and I went for a walk, we added some jogging and then some hill repeats and racing.  It was a lot of fun for both of us.  She's almost 12 now and will someday be able to run with me, she is still working on her form.  (She's at that gangly stage, long legs anyone?)

If running isn't for you, jog...All you have to do to become a jogger, is to run slowly...lol.  Those of you who run will get the funny in that statement, at least I hope you will.  Seriously, I consider myself to be a runner, but I will admit I'm not that fast, but who cares, at least I'm lapping everyone on the couch.  I am now obsessed with all that is running. And...


When I say obsessed, I mean over the top OBSESSED (this is said in my singing voice). I dream about running, when I pass a great road I think to myself I'd like to go running there...when I watch the boob tube (T.V.) I will always see a great place to run...I have running skirts, shirts, jackets, shoes...etc. Get the point, I'm obsessed.  When I go to sleep at night, I'm thinking about running and hoping for a dry and not too cold day.  You see I like to run outside not on the dreadmill.  I like to smell the fresh air and feel a breeze on my face, and also I like to actually get somewhere different than where I started.  Just sayin'.


When I wake up I'm wondering what the weather is like.  Is there enough fuel in the body to do a morning run or should I wait til later on in the day.  Again, I'm obsessed, and I digress.


Where was I before I got distracted?  Oh yeah, I was talking about training to run.  After a few months I was able to run longer than I walked, until I could run and not walk, unless I wanted to.  Success! In October I ran my first ever 5K at age 40, my time was a respectable 34:36...I came in about the middle of the pack.  I actually walked part of it, who knew there was a hill? Not me! I have since ran many unofficial 5K's in a shorter time period so I know I have improved. 

My next race is April 14th at The Pear Blossom Run I am doing another 5K due to a foot injury and I will be running this one with family.  My 14 yr old son Jesse will be with me as well as my sister-in-law...although I will not be running along side them, I'm faster than both of them and would like to beat my last time. I had originally planned to do the 10 mile run but injured my foot on a long run several weeks ago and have had to cut back on training a bit.  I am back to running and doing well..my last 5K run time (un-official, of course) was 32:35 and you can bet I was doing the happy dance after that one.


My son and I are now training together for the 5K and it has been a blast so far.  Both my 16 year old Jacob and my 14 year old Jesse have just come out of the wrestling season and are in pretty great shape.  Jesse has lost almost 30lbs and is much lighter on his feet.  Unfortunately Jacob was injured and awaits an MRI on his knee and will not be able to join us in April. 

Running has become my life saver in more ways than one.  Running helps me stay sane, healthy, fit, looking great and feeling not so blue.  And before anyone says the inevitable "Running will ruin your knees" let me point out this article at Runners World dot com. I make sure to ice, and rest often.  I do my best not to over train, even though I am not always successful. I land mid-foot so as not to hurt the balls of my feet or the heels of my feet, so no worries, it's all good.  At age 41 (Shh, don't tell anyone) there are bound to be aches and pains...it goes with the territory of growing ancient older. Don't even get me started on the shin splints I got when I 1st started to race like the wind jog. 
 

I enjoy running and I seem to be good at it.  I feel more accomplished when I run, maybe it's the wind in my face and the beauty that surrounds me...whatever it is I hope to be running for a long time to come.  Do any of you run/jog? If so drop me a line and let me know what it is about running that you love/hate.  Blessings and God Bless.

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

© 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

I'm Here, I'm Here, I'm Here

 Hey everyone...this is me...just wanted to check in since it's been quite awhile.  I have been very busy training for runs...biking...and of course doing all the things a mom does.  The winter months have been hard on my family, bringing sick kids home more than I like to see.  


The two younger boys (16 & 15) did wrestling again this year...both did pretty well, except the oldest was injured again for the second time in two years and was unable to go to districts...this time it was his knee and we are still trying to get that fixed.  My other son just turned 18 and is graduating this year (wow, I feel old) he is also working at our bigger convenience store on the weekends.  The girlie is graduating elementary school this year and will be headed to middle school all too soon.  


Most days, for me, consist of getting the kiddos off to school...coffee time for me...working at our little store (helping make lunch for the High School kids)...working out at the local YMCA for about an hour or so...and finally home to get dinner and try to find some time to relax with the family. 

I have just discovered Pinterest and I love it...so much fun! My health is great right now and I am hoping it stays that way for a long time to come.  I try to keep healthy with food and a lot of exercise...my favorite routines are running (outside) and biking. Just wanted to check in and let you all know I am here and I am alive...I have just been so darn busy...blessings my friends. 

 I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

© 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

My Journey With MFP

Remember this site that I shared with you last month...well it's what has been keeping me busy.  I joined in on a challenge for the month of August, called Kickin' The Crap Outta August, and well, that is exactly what I have been doing.  Kickin' some major hiney. My team is called F2F (Flab to Fab) and we are doing great so far.

Every day we have challenge exercises like strength training or cardio bursts the make you stretch your perceived abilities...I have found that I am much stronger than I thought I was...and that I can do so much more that I believe. So far this month I have lost 7lbs as of last Sunday and hopefully when I weigh in on this Sunday I will have more to report...I am building more muscle and regaining strength I lost during my battle with cancer, treatment etc...This challenge has just 6 more days and then I can relax a little, and baby my back a little more.

So I will keep this short and sweet, and will check back in at the end of the month to more fully report on my progress and what I have learned in these last couple of months. 

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

© 2011 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Food and Exercise Journaling

Let me start by just saying ugh...

My Daughter just turned 11 and we celebrated her birthday with cake, ice cream, and pizza...all of these have either lactose or gluten in them...yes I paid for it, silly me, when will I learn?

So just to be completely honest with myself...I can no longer eat/drink milk products (except hard cheese which has no lactose) and no more bread/wheat products.  I am sad, because I love these foods.  I just cannot keep hurting myself in good conscience. (Insert sad face here)

Yesterday I ate...

Breakfast (Don't judge) 4 piece chicken nugget 
1 Cup Strawberries

Snack 
1.5 Cup Watermelon

Lunch
4 oz boneless skinless chicken breast
5 tbsp Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing
Salad


Dinner
:0( Pizza
:0( Cake
:0( Ice Cream


Exercise
Jogging 40 minutes on mini trampoline
Cleaning house


Water
8 (8oz) Cups


So even though I ate a crappy dinner I still stayed over 100 calories below my goal...At least I can smile at that.


Let's hope today is much different...no make that...Today will be much better. Please feel free to come by and leave me a comment or some good advice...Thanks and May God bless you abundantly.


I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*
 
© 2011 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Journaling My Relationship With Food and Exercise

 

I am continually striving to use the tools I have acquired over the past few years in regards to exercise and diet.  I thought it would be nice to document my journey as it continues, with you.  

Over the years I have learned that you cannot hope to lose and keep off unwanted pounds if you are going to just diet...because a diet is a temporary fix to a permanent problem.  Learning to eat properly and exercise is a life long solution to keeping off unwanted and unhealthy pounds.  I am constantly reminded by my body that it needs to be fed healthy food in the proper portions and get regular exercise in order to run properly and optimally.

 

Whenever I take a "break" from eating the right foods my body pays...every time.  This is something you would think that I would have learned by now...but, no!  I seem to conveniently "forget" when I see that delicious piece of chocolate cake, or scrumptious slice of my niece's Cherry Cheesecake.  However, it only takes a few minutes for my body to pay the price...including...cramps, gas, diarrhea just to name a few. 

In the last couple of years I have started to realize that my tummy troubles may very possibly be related to gluten and lactose intolerance. For years I have had I.B.S. but I am slowly learning that it may be more than that.  When I eat bread, or pasta or cereal I get cramps, etc...When I drink milk in particular I get the same symptoms...gas, cramps, diarrhea and just a horrible stomach ache. I have been working at eating low carb, low sugar and cutting out milk and most gluten.  This means I eat a lot of fruit, veggies and lean meats.  It has been very difficult giving up grains and milk since I absolutely love bread, cakes, milk etc...I mean who doesn't love a great double chocolate muffin from Costco? Me, Me Me !!!

All that being said, I am on a continuous journey of learning to eat properly and exercise more regularly.  I just recently turned 40 and so far it has been fabulous but also it has made it even more evident that in order to stay healthy in body and mind I have to work hard at eating right and I have to be consistent in my exercise. So I invite you to join me and as always I would love to hear from you regarding your own struggles with these issues.

So this will be my journal entry for the last few days:

Breakfast is as follows...

2 Eggs Scrambled 
1/2 ounce of Cheddar Cheese 
2 tsp. Tomato and Green Chili

Coffee with Creamer

Lunch is as follows...

1 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 4oz
2 Cups of Salad Greens
4 Tbsp of Newman's Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger Salad Dressing 

Dinner is as follows...

Same thing as lunch or...

3.5 oz of Lean Hamburger
2 Cups of Salad Greens
1/2 oz of Cheddar Cheese
2 Tsp Tomato and Green Chili 
1/2 oz Yellow Tortilla Chip Crumbles 

Snacks are as follows...

Jello Sugar Free Pudding Cups
Grapes
Strawberries
2 Tbsp Light Whipped Cream 
String Cheese
Lots of Water Throughout the Day

*Exercise is as follows:
*Jogging on my mini trampoline 30 minutes

This is just what I have been eating these last couple of weeks, and I do realize it is not too varied but again I am dealing with the whole gluten and lactose issues so it is a learning experience and like in life this is not a sprint but a marathon. So come along and remember to share with me what you are doing, who knows you may learn something, as well as teach something to me. 

 I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

~Stretch~