Setting A Goal!

Last fall I ran (actually more of a jog/walked) my first 5K.  Let me just say right off that I have never been a fan of running.  I've played sports all my life but the idea of just running to run has never appealed to me.  However, since I am too old (wink) to be on a competitive sports team I have - sort of - been trying to find out what all the running fuss is about.  Races around here are getting more and more popular.  I have more friends that have run marathons than I can count on one hand.  So there must be something to this right??

I plan on running another 5K soon.  I am shooting for one in the fall at this point.  I don't want to do another until I can run the whole thing.  Not that it's bad to walk too, it's just a goal I have set for myself.  And that is where I have found the desire to run.  The competition with myself.  How much better can I do today than I did yesterday?  To actually believe that I can do something that I would never have wanted to do or believed I could before now.

Here is a picture of me after last night's run.  It isn't pretty but I love it because I worked hard, sweated my butt off and am one step closer to my goal.  The funny thing about goals is that once you achieve one, you have the confidence to go even bigger!  Now I'm not promising a full marathon here just that I want to believe that I can do the things I set out to do.  I can be stubborn in plenty of other areas, it's time I make this one of them.  So I will keep you up to date from time to time, if nothing else to keep me accountable.  I might even post another glamour shot!

Inspiration and Accountability

I am super excited about this challenge!!  I need an extra kick in the back side to get where I want to be for summer and beyond.  Candace Cameron Bure and I are about the same age and I remember watching her on Full House in the good ol' days.  Not only is she a wonderful example of what healthy eating and exercise can do for women but also a shining light for the glory of the Lord!!  I love that!  So hop on over to reshapingitall.com and join in the fun!!!

Got Milk?

Apparently I don't because during my last doctor's visit I was told I have a Vitamin D deficiency.  Vitamin D?  Who worries about Vitamin D?  I've been worried about taking Calcium and Fish Oil, maybe some Vitamin C but who knew?  Not me. 
I must have been pretty bad off because I have had to take 50,000 units of Vitamin D a day, that's right 50,000!  That's a lot when all I could find were 1,000 unit pills but alas I found some 5,000 units at Sam's Club!  Whew!  Only ten pills a day instead of fifty.

I did a little internet surfing about Vitamin D deficiency and here is part of an article from WebMD:

 Low blood levels of the vitamin have been associated with the following:

• Increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Cognitive impairment in older adults
• Severe asthma in children
• Cancer

Research suggests that vitamin D could play a role in the prevention and treatment of a number of different conditions, including type1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and multiple sclerosis.


I also read it helps with the absorption of Calcium which obviously helps prevent osteoporosis.  As you can see this is no joke.  My three weeks ended yesterday and I must say there has definitely been a change in my fatigue levels.  Now I'm not feeling zippity-do-dah all day long but I don't feel like I could curl up and take a nap at any given moment either, which was one of the reasons for the blood work in the first place.

Here are my vitamins for the week and I haven't even put in the Calcium yet.  It can look a little much at first glance but I guess it's better than having to take this much medication later on in life.  If you've been feeling bad or sluggish or just not normal, don't be afraid to ask your doctor what vitamins you should be taking.  Cause let's face it.....we ain't gettin' any younger! ;)

Brown baggin' it....kinda!

One of my "goals" for the new year was to start packing my lunch.  Now that might sound weird since I only work part time but it's so easy when running errands or shopping to just stop and grab a bite while I'm out.  Even when I'm home, I get so busy that I end up grabbing something quick and unhealthy instead of taking the time to make a good lunch.  So I figured if I make my lunch the night before and pack it just as if I was taking it to work I might do better at the brown bag. 
To my surprise, a few days later I found this cutie on clearance!  Like a little sign that I had made the right choice!  haha

Here's to the pretty sack lunch!

More water please!

My name is Lori and I am a Diet Coke-aholic!  I love it.  I love it in the morning, afternoon and night.  I love it with Mexican food and hamburgers and fries.  I don't just love it with junk food but healthy food too.  Give me some broccoli and a Diet Coke, I don't care.  I love crushed ice and stryfoam cups ( I know, I know ).  I love Sonic Happy Hour.  I have a sickness. 
I know I need to drink more water.  I will say I've gotten a little better.  I usually down at least one bottle first thing in the morning and more if I work out.  But I still drink more soda than water.  That's why I was so excited to get this little beauty as a gift from my school.

Not only is it cute but reusable.  I have a thing with straws, I don't know why.  So I absolutely love this thing.  Plus I swear it makes water taste better.  I put some ice in, a couple lemon slices and I'm good to go.  I have actually been debating buying bags of Sonic ice to have at home.  Is that wrong?  I guess my point is I've been drinking more water!  Who knew all it took was a plastic cup and straw?  It's the little things in life I tell you. 
Now don't get me wrong, I'm still drinking Diet Coke, I'm not a saint.  But at least I will be saying more often than not, "More water please!"