Running, Relaxing and Rainbows...

Well, today was the BIG day! That's right, the day I have been preparing since the end of May. I made a commitment to run a 5k race and today, I can mark it off my official bucket list. I can tell you that when I started, I could barely jog for a 60 second period. I can tell you that in the first 4 1/2 weeks I had tremendous doubt that I would complete my goal. I can also tell you that the first time I ran 20 minutes, it was the milestone of milestones. At that moment I knew that I could do this...and today I did.

The day started out with Little Brownie waking at 3a. Daddy Brown sprung from the bed to attend to him while I slept a while longer for the big day. Once my alarm went off at 4:45a, I snoozed until 5:03a, then realized it was RACE DAY. We started out with the Brown family running on schedule. This is an unusual statement, because we are usually ALWAYS running behind. Little Brownie apparently did not return to slumber after his 3a awakening, but enjoyed resting and playing in his crib for 2 hours. I sprung out of the bed and hopped into the shower, dressed, woke Daddy Brown and the Brownies and everyone was dressed and ready to depart the house at exactly 5:35a. Daddy Brown went to put The Brownies in the car and we hit our first snag...I had left the car on all night long. WHAT? Yep, that is right, something I haven't done in MANY MANY YEARS. So, the family truckster was out of commission and with seconds counting down, Daddy Brown whisked the boys car seats out of the car and into his work truck. I ran around trying to fasten and buckle as quickly as possible. In a bit of frazzle, we buckled in ourselves and out the driveway we went. Not before a note of encouragement from a friend. Tacked to the mailbox, a special note... and in small print, Phil 4:13 which reads, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me". That meant so much to me.

As we continue down the road to drop the Brownies off at Gran Gran and Pops, Daddy Brown realized he had forgotten his wallet. We made the decision to turn around and retrieve it. Precious minutes are slipping away and I'm getting more and more anxious. Daddy Brown runs inside, grabs his wallet and it is now 6:03a. We get to Gran Gran and Pops house and drop the boys without any issues, switched vehicles so they could take the boys to eat at Cracker Barrel and we headed to our destination at approximately 6:25a. I talked to Daddy Brown about my anxiousness. Self doubt entered my mind and I began to worry. I had been worrying for several days after having a couple of bad runs. Several late nights and extremely early mornings during the past week had prevented me from getting a few extra "good" runs in and I felt unsettled and uncertain.

We arrived at the race venue on one of the most beautiful mornings at 7:03a. As we pulled into the parking lot and parked, Daddy Brown grabbed my hands and we prayed. The weather could not have been more perfect for a day of outdoor adventure. Low humidity, only about 75 degrees and partly cloudy. Daddy Brown and I went to the registration table and out of the 4 of us that was running, my name was not on the list. My heart sank into my stomach. The organizers hustled me quickly to another table, registered me without question and handed me my race number...562. I pinned my number to my shirt and still had so much doubt. Aunt and Uncle Fudge were there and Aunt Berry arrived to watch us run as our own cheering section. We stretched and prepared for the run. I went all the way to the back of the pack. I didn't want to hold any body up and I was still not sure if I could run the entire 5k without stopping. That was my goal...I didn't want to stop. No matter how slow my pace was, I just didn't want to stop.

The horn sounded and off we went. Daddy Brown was with me in pace and stride the entire time. Many times I felt like I was going to stop. Then, I'd ask for strength. I'd ask for guidance. I remembered Baby Tyler from earlier in the week and how he will never have the opportunity to run. It helped push me. I asked Daddy Brown to run in front of me and asked him to lead me home. It hurt when an elderly gentlemen passed us with a smooth gliding pace. It hurt when I realized that the 2.5 mile marker sign we just passed was for the second lap around and I was only REALLY passing the 1 mile marker. But in the end, I did it, we did it. It wasn't just me and I could not have done it without the Good Lord, a little will power and of course, Daddy Brown.

As we approached the finish line, I began to tear up. I raised my hands and praised God. For I had set a goal 3 months ago and today, I realized that goal. It was monumental for me to have completed it. Once it was over, I couldn't hold back the tears. It felt good and it felt surreal. It was almost an out of body experience. We walked to the bathrooms and I took a deep breath. We ate wonderful breakfast food that the organizers provided and we talked about the race. We watched other runners as they interacted with each other and we recovered quickly. As awards and prizes were handed out, I looked at Aunt Fudge and thought how grateful I am to have such a wonderful friend who was so willing to go on this journey with me. I looked at Uncle Fudge and giggled as I knew he was in his element. He wanted so badly to crack jokes and cut-up, but because of Aunt Fudge, hewas truly on his best behavior. I looked at Aunt Berry, who woke up at the crack of dawn to come show support. I will be eternally grateful for her for showing up. And I looked at Daddy Brown, who has encouraged and help me to do this. I felt so many emotions, I couldn't really speak. On the way home, Daddy Brown asked me, "Are you proud of yourself?" I said, "Yes". He said, "You don't seem happy." I replied, "I am, I just feel odd". He said, "You did great and I'm proud of you"!

We picked up the boys, took the rest of the afternoon to relax and rest. As we pulled into home, there was a bouquet of red roses waiting for me on the doorstep. On the note, "We are so proud of you and we love you!" Flowers left by my sisters and just one more reason I feel blessed by every person in my life. Daddy Brown got the family car running...thank you Jesus! The boys and I headed to the store to pick up a few items and along the way, enjoyed a rainbow hunt. We found 5 on the way from our house to the store. They were so excited. Little Brownie yelled, "Wook, Mommy, Bainbow!" Big Brownie pointed out all the colors he saw. Yep, it was a good day. One that I will remember and cherish for many years to come. I set a goal, I followed a program to realize that goal and in the end, I met my goal. It could not have been better...well, except the part about the old man that passed me, that still hurts! ~Mama Brown.

Feels good to be back...

It has been a couple of weeks of C-R-A-Z-I-N-E-S-S around here. In a nutshell...my mom helped sponsor a national conference in our state's capital, which the Brownies and I helped and participated. We have enjoyed a new adventures with friends at our new local Children's Museum. We have celebrated 4 birthdays of friends and family. We picked berries and fruit and ventured to our Amish country for fresh produce, a couple of times. We participated...kinda in vacation bible school until...the Brown family got sick. Oh and did we get sick with the yuckiest sick belly's around. It almost makes me yawn just writing it all down, but the month of July is like a blurry, fuzzy memory. I remember being at all those places and having TONS of fun, but whew, I'm tired.

In all our kid wrangling, balloon fetching, food eating, picture taking and all out fun, I almost fell off the workout wagon. I went an entire 4 day stretch of not running and it almost did me in. I made it to week 7 in my Couch to 5K journey and then with all the early mornings and late evenings, I was derailed for a bit. I had a terrible W7D1 run. It made me cry. I couldn't finish the 25 minute run. I was hindered a bit by strolling my 28 pound Little Brownie and it was SO incredibly hot that morning that I just psyched myself out. Nothing like a bad run to get me down. I've been down, but this time I was not going to let myself be out.

The good thing about creating the support team of family around me that are participating in the C25K program, is that I always have someone to pick me up when I'm down. I try my best to delve out the encouragement as much as possible. And after my doosey of a W7D1 run, I came home immediately...hot, sweaty and teary. I picked up my cell phone and I texted Aunt Apple and Aunt Fudge. I needed someone to pick me up. I prayed. I prayed for God to give me the strength to pick myself up. I made a decision. I decided that this time, I wasn't going to quit. This time, I wasn't going to let it get the best of me. This time, I was going to prove to myself that I could put a bad run behind me and kick it's butt, not let it kick mine. And oddly enough, I did. I completed Week 7 with a bang. Did I struggle...most definitely. Did I want to quit...undeniably, but I kept going. I even yelled at myself aloud, "YOU BETTER NOT QUIT! YOU HAVE THE STRENGTH! LEAVE IT HERE! NO REGRETS!"

I am sure if any 1 of my neighbors were up and enjoying their quiet morning coffee, I interrupted them with my robust attitude. In the end, I did it. I got my momentum back. I felt the fire in my belly again. So much so that I woke up this past Saturday and struggled to make myself stay in the bed. It was 6 a.m. and it was my rest day. I wanted to run. I talked myself in and out of getting out the bed for 45 minutes and finally said, "What the heck, I'm going running!" I strapped my knee brace on, tied my running shoes and choked down my GU energy gel. Out the door I went thinking I would start week 8. Week 8 in the program is run for 28 minutes. I had so much excitement swirling that I did something crazy. I decided that I was going to push myself further than I ever had. I was going to see how far I could run without stopping.

Down our road is a set of railroad tracks that is exactly 1.8 miles away. If I calculated my warm-up walk of 5 minutes correctly, it would be about 1.5 miles one-way. Could I do this? Could I really run to the railroad tracks? Then, could I run all the way back? As I start my jog, I felt good and found a slow, steady and comfortable pace. I wasn't out of breathe, I wasn't wheezing and trying to find a pattern. No, on this day, I felt strong. As I came around the corner stretching further than ever before, I saw the railroad tracks. My excitement intensified and I text messaged my husband, "I see the railroad tracks and I'm still going!" As I turned at the track and worked my way back, I still felt good. I hit about the 2 mile mark and to my surprise...I was still going. I text messaged my husband, "2 miles in 28 minutes and I haven't stopped!"

As I get to the BIG hill close to home, I began talking to myself and I began praying aloud. "Lord give me the strength I need. Give me the power and will to do this. I know I can do this and I know you can help me. Give me what I need to succeed." I focused and breathed. I did it. I ran without stopping for 42 minutes and I ran for 3 miles. I never in my wildest dreams thought I could do this. I didn't do it alone. I may have been on the pavement all by myself, but the Good Lord guided my feet. He helped me rise up and accomplish something I thought I could never do. It was good. God is good. God can give you the strength and the power to overcome any obstacle in your way. I could have let all the fun and adventurous happenings of the last few weeks completely take me to a place of regret. There were many days that I was so happy to see Aunt Apple and Aunt Fudge pull in the driveway to run with me. Those were the days I needed some support and I needed someone else to help motivate me off the couch.

I'm so very thankful that I have committed to something as big and physical as a 5K run. I'm more excited now than I have been through the whole process. I have to make myself take rest days. I would love to run everyday. I relive the moment I knew I was going to finish my first 20 minute run without stopping and without struggling. I did feel a little like a young Forrest Gump, as his braces ripped from his legs and he realized he could run like the wind. I am far from running like the wind, however, I am a runner. It feels good to be back. It feels good to know that I can run for 42 minutes. I am completely crazy enough to say to Daddy Brown, "I bet I could run for a whole hour!" It just feels good. I encourage you today to get up and get moving. Find whatever you need to motive yourself. Do it for your family, but most importantly, do it for you. There is only one of you. Make it the best YOU possible. Much love and many blessings! ~Mama Brown

Live like we're dying...

Have you heard of Kris Allen? He is an American Idol contestant from a previous season. I don't watch the show and I don't know if he won, but I know he has a song that speaks to me. If you have not heard his song "Live like we're dying", you need to. It is such a powerful song. I added it to my play list to play while I'm running. I strategically place it towards the end of my run when I know I might be struggling.

I have a fever...a "running" fever that is. I find that I think about it all the time. I go to bed thinking about it. I wake up thinking about it. I have even had a wonderful dream about it. I can't express in words how excited I am to run. And you know what, I know it sounds insane and crazy. It seems weird when I say it. I am still the SLOWEST runner in the world I'm sure. I could absolutely care less. I am so excited that I can run and not be crippled by an old knee injury. I am so pumped that I can run even with this extra weight on my body. Weight that is starting to melt away before my eyes.

I am seeing results in Aunt Apple and Aunt Fudge. I can't even tell you how proud I am of both of them for starting the program and continuing on. Every time I run with either of them, my heart is bursting so much with joy that I could cry. Why? Because we are doing something. We are doing something for ourselves and for each other. We are doing it with each other and individually. I think that is why "Live like we're dying" speaks so much to me. I added it to this post so you could hear this song. Read the lyrics, listen to the song and see if it speaks to you too.

Thank you Lord for this day. Thank you Lord for these special women in my life. Thank you Lord for giving me the power to overpower myself and my will. Thank you Lord for being in me and by me in every step I take. Thank you Jesus for Daddy Brown. He encourages me every day. He keeps me going. He helps me to know I can do this. Everyday, I wake up to my best friend. I love you Lord Jesus! I love you Daddy Brown! I love you Aunt Apple! I love you Aunt Fudge! I love you Uncle Fudge and I love you Uncle Berry! You guys are continuing to give me strength. Could NOT and would NOT do it without each one of you!

Live Like We're Dying Lyrics

Sometimes we fall down, can't get back up
We're hiding behind skin that's too tough
How come we don't say I love you enough
Till it's too late, it's not too late

Our hearts are hungry for a food that won't come
And we could make a feast from these crumbs
And we're all staring down the barrel of a gun
So if your life flashed before you,
What would you wish you would've done

Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying

We only got 86 400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying, oh...

And if your plane fell out of the skies
Who would you call with your last goodbye
Should be so careful who we left out our lives
So when we long for absolution,
There'll no one on the line, yeah

Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying

We only got 86 400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying, oh
Like we're dying, oh, like we're dying...

We only got 86 400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

You never know a good thing till it's gone
You never see a crash till it's head on
Why do we think we're right when we're dead wrong
You never know a good thing till it's gone

Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying

We only got 86 400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying
Like we're dying, oh, like we're dying

Drinking the Kool-Aid, and loving it...

So, as you may or may not know, I'm participating in a 5K run in August. I've been following the "Couch to 5K" program. I have just completed week 4 and that means...I'm halfway there. When I started the program, I struggled BIG TIME! I still do. If you see me "running" you might just think it to be more of a "jog prance". I have all the right moves, but the speed, a little lack luster. That being said, now that I'm approaching week 5 in the program, I can now run for a straight 5 minutes. 4 weeks ago, I could barely run 1 minute. So, I am seeing the progress...and it is good.

I have others that will be running with me in my first 5K in August. Aunt Fudge, Uncle Fudge, Uncle Berry, Aunt Apple and of course, Daddy Brown. Can't believe that all these family members would be willing to sign on with me on my first big adventure. Uncle Fudge, Uncle Berry and Daddy Brown could basically go out and run a 5K at any point in time upon demand. They are all well conditioned and in very good shape. Aunt Fudge, Aunt Apple and I are working through the program. We are inspiring and encouraging each other all the way.

As I was running the past Saturday morning, I was pondering my experience thus far. I'll be completely honest, when I start to run, I feel like my legs are going to fall off. I feel like I'm going to die. As I continue on though, I feel a little bit more confident that I can do it. In the beginning my mind was filled with doubt. I was my worst enemy. My mind would tell me I couldn't do it. My mind would tell me to stop. My mind would tell me it was hopeless. So it was a great surprise as I am entering into week 5, my mind has changed all on its own. While running, my mind is telling me, you got this. It tells me, keep it up and you can go a little bit further. Sometimes it tells me to go faster. I still feel like it is possible I might die sometimes, but I know that I won't.

Entering into week 5, I will be running for 15 minutes with 2 walking breaks on day 1. I will be running 18 minutes with 2 walking breaks on day 2. And then on day 3, I will be running for 20 minutes with no breaks at all. That is the plan. That is exciting to me. My last successful attempt to run for a consistent 20 minutes or longer, was in my early 20's. I can't wait. I know I can do it...before I even get out there. I know I can do it because the Lord has blessed me to find something that I actually enjoy doing. I never knew how much joy I could receive from finding a program that works for me. I was so skeptical when I started this program. I have a bad knee, I'm overweight, I have had a tough time staying on the workout wagon. It would be easy to quit again. It would be easy to say, I don't have the time or I just don't want to today.

As I get closer to August 21st, I get more excited. As I complete another week, I get more giddy. As I see the changes happening in my body, I become ever thankful, ever grateful. Thankful not only for my progress, but for the others that this program is affecting change. Last week, Daddy Brown pushed the Brownies in the stroller and they all ran with me. As we were getting to the end and I was barely able to keep going, Daddy Brown whispered something to the Brownies. The next thing I heard was the Brownies yelling..."Go Mama, Go Mama!" and "You can do it, Go Mama!" It was great. Big Brownie asks me everyday that I get ready to run, "Mama, why are you running?" I tell him, "Mama needs to get healthy and exercise." He asks, "But why Mama?" I tell him, "Because I want to live a long, happy and healthy life with you." He usually says, "Ok Mama, go get healthy!"

As funny as it may sound, I have a rule when I run. NO TALKING...I lose my focus and concentration. I have never enjoyed running with others for the obvious reason, I'm self conscience of how I look and how I sound when I'm running. That is getting better as I am getting better. I imagine as I'm running, little ounces of yucky fat falling off my booty. Gross and funny at the same time I know. I feel so good when I complete the run each morning or each night that it helps me get through my day and I actually look forward to my next run. As of yesterday morning, I have lost 5 1/2 pounds since I started 4 1/2 weeks ago. Not bad...not bad at all!

Yep, I think I am not only drinking the kool-aid, I think I'm LOVING the kool-aid. Let me encourage you to get up and find your flavor of kool-aid. When you do, indulge yourself and make a difference in your life and the life of others.

On the wagon again...

So, yes, it has been a while since I've posted. Been dealing with some internal struggles with de-cluttering my house, my mind and my body. I am an all or nothing kinda gal. I'm all in or all out. I Go Big or Go Home. I have always struggled in all the above areas without success of having a good balance. Since having the Brownies, my priorities have shifted. Shifted primarily to my boys. I don't usually give myself much time to decompress.

I fell off the workout wagon about 2 months ago. I gained all 6-8 pounds that I had lost and added 2 more. Ugh...seriously. The vicious cycle of lose and gain has reached out and got me again. I went to a 3 year old birthday party last weekend. After my friend posted pictures from the party, I saw a picture of myself that was my wake-up call once again. I think I have an image of what I look like and when I see myself in a mirror, it really isn't reality. Same thing when an anorexic person looks in the mirror and sees fat...I see fat, but I don't REALLY see it. So, when I see myself in a photograph, I usually want to gag and puke.

However, a bad photograph is great motivator and with that, I'm back on the wagon. A gentle push from Aunt Fudge hasn't hurt either. Having someone else to be a little bit accountable to helps. Someone that has the same desire to lose weight and be healthy. Not that Aunt Fudge has nearly the amount of weight to lose, nevertheless, it helps to have someone else to encourage you. Daddy Brown and all my family are a great support system as well. Daddy Brown gives out encouragement on a regular basis.

Today, my goal doesn't only entail my original goal of losing 50 pounds before the end of the year, but a short term goal. I want to run a 5K marathon. I have always wanted to run in a marathon...ALWAYS! I would ultimately like to participate in a triathlon. I am terrible at running, I am terrible at riding a bike and I am terrible at swimming. So let me just put that out there in the universe. However, there is no time like the present to get on the wagon and strive to reach some goals while I'm still young, while I can still get out there and make a change in my life. I need to do this for myself. I need to do it for my boys.

I downloaded a program from the Internet...Couch to 5K. It should take me 9 weeks to get there. I am going "ALL IN". I am registering now to participate in a local 5K run on August 21st. I am committing to 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week for 9 weeks to reach my goal. Doesn't seem like a lot when I say it out loud. However, my shins, hamstrings, knees and calf muscles tell a different story. I will chart my progress. My longer term goal is to run a local 5K in each of the following months to December. That should keep me moving in the right direction of continued health as opposed to meeting a goal and marking it off the list. I wrote a post back in February about "Exercise is not negotiable". I had forgotten that motto. I had forgotten that everyday that I don't get up and do something for myself, and exercise is for myself, I'm going to continue to look in the mirror and see the same old me. Not the me I am inside, not the me that I know I am.

I recently read a post of a gentlemen that is charting his 5K and weight loss journey. He has some very poignant and raw posts. I understand everyone of them. I'm there too. I want to encourage you to get back on the wagon. And remember...

"Where I am today, is where MY mind put me. Where I'll be tomorrow is where MY mind will put me. When I look down at myself, the only thing that causes me to look the way I do, is MY mind and MY will!" ~Billy Blanks

Praise...

Today is all about praise! The Good Lord answers prayers, not in our time, but in his. Daddy Brown has been suffering for 8 days the effects of kidney stones. He FINALLY passed a 5mm kidney stone this morning. Although very sore, he at least is not in the tremendous pain he has had off and on since last Monday. Many prayers have been said over him throughout the last week, and finally, awww...what a relief! Praise God!

I'll admit, I've falling off the workout bandwagon for the last 2 weeks. However, today during nap-time, I made myself stay off the couch. I am so glad that I did and now, I'm back on my game. No one is keeping score except myself. Daddy Brown is ever supportive of me, no matter if I lose 1 pound or all 50 pounds in my challenge. I am thankful for the desire to get up and move today. With that, I continue to pray for the desire to get up and do something, to eat better and make better choices.

Giving a shout out to Aunt Fudge's daughter, Chocolate Fudge. She has started a blog and she is an amazing young lady. So proud of her and her relationship with not only her family, but also in her faith. She is a great witness to her friends. I also want to say a special praise to Aunt Fudge's youngest son, Peanut Butter Fudge, who is 4 years old. Yesterday, he called Daddy Brown's cell phone and left a message saying..."I'm gonna get baptized and ya'll are welcome to come". After talking to Aunt Fudge, he decided after seeing someone get dunked in the tank, he wants to be baptized too. Aunt Fudge told him that when he was old enough, at least 6 years old, he could get baptized. So, in 2 years with a personal invitation to attend, Daddy Brown, myself and the Brownies will be in the front row when Peanut Butter Fudge makes the decision to follow Jesus. So awesome that he has an awareness and a desire at such a young age.

The "Photo Gods" cursed me last week. Back several months ago, I accidentally spilled breastmilk on my small digital camera and sadly, it never recovered. I have been using my really nice Canon Rebel xti and last week, it stopped working for an unknown reason. Of course, when there is no camera around, amazing pictures are lost. Like our very first kite flying experience last week in the back yard. Or the afternoon snack time on the back porch whilst the bubble machine is running in the background. So, Tutu Nani and Aunt Berry came to my rescue. I now have a small digital camera that I can carry in my backpack from Tutu Nani and a Canon Rebel that had been retired when Aunt Berry upgraded to a Canon D40. It's nice to have family members that can "hook you up" when the "Photo Gods" decide to rain on your parade! Praise Be!

Lifting up Uncle and Aunt Berry today for an unspoken prayer. He knows what their hearts desire and will answer those needs. Please say a prayer if you will to help them and all people involved to come to a quick resolution and solace in their decisions.

Keep it up...

I gave myself a personal challenge this year. Let me be clear that this is not a New Year's Resolution, but more of a revelation. My challenge, lose 50 pounds in 2010. If you've been keeping up, the Brownies haven't been resting well and this put an initial "kink" in my challenge. Beginning in February, I decided no matter how exhausted I am..."EXERCISE IS NOT NEGOTIABLE"! I am starting my 3rd week today of workouts. I have successfully completed 2 consistent weeks of working out at least 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes. Most of the time, my workouts begin at 11:00p, which I know is not an ideal time to workout and I most certainly could use the "I'm too tired excuse"...AGAIN. However, it is no longer an option for me.

Also, I have always been a scale monger. I would usually weigh myself everyday. This action would either encourage me or most commonly, discourage me in my progress. I haven't stepped on the scale once. Once or twice a week I have thrown in an hour long workout with Billy Blanks, which absolutely kicks my butt. When I am completely covered in sweat, absolutely out of breath and my muscles are aching so bad, I am always encouraged by his words...

"Where I am today, is where MY mind put me. Where I'll be tomorrow is where MY mind will put me. When I look down at myself, the only thing that causes me to look the way I do, is MY mind and MY will!" ~Billy Blanks

No truer words have been spoken. I just want to encourage you to get up and do something. Everything I've read says that working out is cumulative. If you can find 10 minutes, 3 times a day to do something...do it. It all counts. I still hate to workout and I am hoping that I will at the very least begin to make exercise a habit and a part of my life, for the rest of my life. I'll end with one more reminder from one of my new coaches Billy Blanks...

"Remember when you get tired and don't have the power, all you got to do is look up to the sky and ask the one on high to give you some power. Boy, he'll give you all the power you need. You know, when you're by yourself and down and out, just look up sometimes and ask God to give you what you need. He'll give it to you. He'll fill you up with everything you need and you'll start to do things you never thought you could do." ~Billy Blanks

Keep it up...if I'm doing it, you can too!

EXERCISE IS NOT NEGOTIABLE!

Ok...I normally don't watch The Oprah Winfrey Show. However yesterday while flipping through the channels, I stopped as something caught my eye. The show was with Dr. Oz and Bob Greene about the silent killer of Diabetes. I stopped because I have family members that currently suffer from diabetes and the side effects the disease causes. Oprah, Dr. Oz and Bob Greene are attempting to bring more awareness to the disease and educate us on this disease that in most cases is a preventable, treatable and curable disease. I am of course talking about Type 2 Diabetes. Type 1 is genetic and is treatable. However, in most cases of Type 1 diabetes, it is not curable.

Type 2 Diabetes however, is 98% man made. It is the disease that most overweight people will get and endure. Studies show there are approximately 6 million Americans right now that are living undiagnosed. Our diets and our sedentary lifestyle has increased not only the chances of more and more Americans to be diagnosed, but in the next 10 years, it will be the number 1 disease in America. Have I shocked you yet with all of these details? Wait...there is more. There are hidden sugars everywhere. For instance, who doesn't have these things currently in their fridge and eat regularly...ketchup and ranch dressing? For every 2 tablespoons of ketchup, there are 2 teaspoons of sugar. For 1 serving of ranch dressing, there are 3 teaspoons of sugar. One can of soda contains 10 teaspoons of sugar. And, if you consume 1 can of soda a day, based on a Harvard study, you are increasing your risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes by 83%.

Needless to say, my jaw hit the floor. If you are like me and you have family members that currently suffer from diabetes, your risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes is almost certain. This doesn't mean you shouldn't consume any sugar at all. Our brain uses sugar to process data and think, our bodies need natural sugars as much as it needs protein and carbohydrates. Most people think Type 2 Diabetes is only about sugar, but this is a common misconception. It is about all the foods we eat. Eating simple carbohydrates and sugars that are highly processed, "white foods" as an example, and eating them in such quantities that our bodies can't produce enough insulin to help our bodies absorb nutrients properly. Oh, and most of Type 2 Diabetics will not die from a diabetic coma, they will die from a heart attack. The unprocessed sugar pumping through our bloodstream will scratch the lining of our blood vessels running through our heart. This will cause an abrasion to the vessels and the body will try to repair the damage. In doing so, over time, the repaired vessels will continue to become abrased and repaired causing scar on top of scar and ultimately close off the vessel. This is what will cause the heart attack. The same abrasions can and will happen in the legs causing loss of blood flow to the feet and legs. Many diabetics then suffer from amputations of their toes, feet and portions of their legs.

I have to say I have read many articles and seen many shows about Diabetes, but this actually spoke volumes to me. I was shaking my head almost through the whole show. The cure is very simple to hear and understand, but very difficult for most, including myself to do. Eat healthy, reduce processed food and sugars. Most importantly....EXERCISE! Exercise not only helps you to lose weight, but also helps to lower your blood sugar. I am not ashamed to say that I hate to exercise. I wish that were not the case. I have a chance right now not only to help myself, but to teach my Brownies before they are engrained in poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle.

One of the things I continue to hear in my head...EXERCISE IS NOT NEGOTIABLE! I can easily make an excuse every minute of every day of why I can't find time to exercise. I need to clean the house, I'm tired, I want to do something fun and crafty or the most common...I just don't want to. I am lucky enough to have a husband that is very active and encouraging. Even when I don't want to, he helps motivate me in a positive way to get me up even if it is 11:30p at night. The Oprah Winfrey Show honestly didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, maybe the details about hidden sugar and really defining for me how Diabetes damages the body internally. The eat healthy and exercise...doesn't everybody know that part? If you are overweight, I hope you too are motivated to get up and do something. 30 minutes a day of exercise is all it takes. Repeat after me...EXERCISE IS NOT NEGOTIABLE!