Fitness...

You know that feeling when you put on a pair of jeggings that you haven't worn in weeks, and they're a little loose? And then you decide to brave the cute black sweater that you got for Christmas that hasn't fit good enough to wear because it's a size smaller than you usually buy? And even THAT is feeling a little loose? Because that totally happened to me the other day. (as I'm sure you already know, since I posted it on facebook. ha) I was stressing SO bad that day because I slept through my alarm so I didn't get up to go running, which I've been doing every day for the last 2 weeks. I've only missed 2 days (aside from my "break" days) and the first time I felt like crap all day for it. And then I put those clothes on and realized that maybe it was okay that I didn't run that morning. (It was REALLY only justified by the fact that I'd be going running after work to make up for it. heh.)

I LOVE being able to see and feel the difference all of this working out has made! Zumba 4 times a week. Running at least a mile every day. Top it all off with FINALLY buckling down and eating healthy. I can't even remember the last time I felt this good about things. Most of all about myself. I love the feeling of looking in the mirror and seeing the difference in my waist, arms, legs, shoulders. (and I won't lie... getting a bit of a booty! haha) I've now lost a total of 20 lbs since my mom and I started doing Zumba. Which means I'm back to the weight I was when I moved in with my Grandma. But even then I wasn't in good shape by any means. This time around I'm actually somewhat toned. Don't get me wrong... there's still quite a ways for me to go, but for the first time in a long time I actually am feeling good about myself.

This new obsession with Running all started when my mom asked if I wanted to do the Run for Red 5k with her. She thought it'd be fun to do it together since it's for women's heart health, and heart disease runs with the ladies in our family. I was a little hesitant at first, and then decided, why not? If anything I could totally walk most of it. I started running every day. Started out slow, and started pushing myself a little harder every day. Then took it off the treadmill and started running outside. And now, if I don't start my day off with it, I just feel off for the rest of the day.

And then the big day finally came. (Yesterday. ha)

We ended up with quite a team! Me, my Mom, my beautiful cousin Alesia, my Aunt Jeri, my Aunt Tracie, and my brother. It was so good. I found out that morning that they had all decided to stick together and walk it. I was a little torn because I wanted to hang out with them, but I also wanted to push myself to run as much of it as I could. We got to the starting line, and all ran for a bit once the race started. My brother was long gone running up ahead of everyone. I ran alongside my mom for a bit, but then lost her after a while. Next thing I knew, there went the 1st mile marker. Kept going for a while, slowed my pace for a bit when I saw the water table. Walked for a bit while I drank my cup of water, dropped the cup and started up again. I don't remember seeing any other mile markers the rest of the race. I had planned out the perfect playlist, songs I love mixed with Zumba songs to come in right when I figured I'd be ready to take a break to pump me up so I would keep going. (Towards the point when I knew I'd be reaching another mile) I took another slower pace for the end of one song and then kept going. I was about to slow down again and realized how close I was, and the song I had purposely put at the end of my playlist to keep me going came on. By this point I could see the finish. I had ran pretty much the entire thing!

(I look so dumb, I hope I didn't look like that the entire time!)

All of us at the finish line.

Shad finished in 33 minutes. I came in 5 minutes later.

<3

I am so proud of myself. I never EVER thought in a million years that I would ever participate in anything like this, let alone run all of it. I got a little emotional after I crossed the finish line about it. It's been so long since I've felt good about the way I look and feel about myself. And the fact that I can see the difference all of this hard work is making makes it all the better.