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Last night was my monthly “drinks with Debbie”, and we couldn’t have had a better time. It makes me so happy to see her happy, and she was beaming from the inside out. We have an interesting relationship, as we don’t really hang out outside of our dates, and we don’t share many close friends. This actually makes us feel more comfortable to share personal information, and makes our time together very special since it doesn’t happen very often. She has several wonderful things going on for her right now, and they are all greatly deserved. I see so many good things coming for her in the near future too, which makes me want to do a little happy dance. I think I will do one now! If you’ve never checked out her blog, you should do it now. We’ve been doing our monthly dates for a little over a year now, so that’s something to celebrate.
Today is the last day of spring! Seems like summer already, doesn’t it? I am looking forward to many days poolside or beachside with my SPF 1,000,000 and a cold drink in hand. I also love running in the heat, which I think I’ve mentioned before. I’m always really careful about hydrating before and after a hot run…as I know it is tough on the body. I feel like I’m a little behind the pack these days, as Vero & Brandi have become superstar runners. I have been there before as well, and I know that I can return to that state of fitness when I am ready to mentally go there. But it’s been nice for a change to run just because I want to, and to relax a little bit when it comes to my fitness goals. I do get the itch when I hear about someone’s amazing 7 mile run and how much faster they are getting, but I also enjoy going at my own pace right now. Luckily, Vero doesn’t mind going my speed when we do our runs together, as she really appreciates the social side of it. I am very thankful for that! 
What I do need is new running shoes, as the ones I’ve got now are about to bite the dust. And that’s not good at all for your joints….so hopefully this weekend I can make that happen.
What I put in my body makes such a big difference in how I feel. Eating too much can make you feel heavy and bloated, while not eating enough can make you feel a little cranky and irritable. There are only a few people who I know of in this world that don’t have to watch their diets at all…. and even they aren’t 100% carefree. Athletes have to eat more than the normal person to keep their weight up. Overweight folks have to eat less in order to shed the pounds. Even people who are at their desired weight have to periodically keep an eye on the scale in order for it not to move in one direction or another. Even the luckiest of us still have to deal with age at some point, which inevitably brings new body challenges. I think this is important to remember when you feel like you are alone in your weight struggles, because you certainly aren’t. We all have to find the right balance for our individual lives, and the correct perspective for our own happiness. Food is a significant part of life, we should be able to enjoy it while also keeping our bodies healthy. It is supposed to taste good and make us feel alive. As I’ve gotten older I have a greater appreciation for vegetarian and vegan cuisine, while not necessarily always eating that way. By learning how to live off of fresh ingredients from the earth you become a more creative chef overall. You can make a deliciously satisfying meal without even touching a meat product. It is a little harder for me to go without dairy, not gonna lie, but that is also possible. Food is an adventure, and our bodies are a reflection of the journey.
Last week a good friend (& fellow blogger), Laurel Mills, sent me a link to a Power Balance bracelet that raises money for The Maddie James Foundation, a charity in memory of her five-year-old niece who died of an inoperable brain tumor earlier this year. As Laurel put it, I was “the most active person she knew” (ha!) so she thought I might be interested in wearing one since a lot of athletes swear by them. To learn more about how this holistic athlete technology works, visit this link. If you’d like to buy one to see how it works for you, then click this link to buy the bracelet made in memory of Maddie. I’m getting one today. Maddie’s charity is one of only two that Power Bracelet supports.
When I wrote about my quests for 2011 back in January (read #4 here), who knew that “being authentic” would end up being the most important quest of them all! When I reflect back on this year in December, I’m pretty sure that the main theme will be finding the real me. I know that sounds cliché & cheesy, but it’s true. I am determined to figure out what real peace is, and who I am at the core of my being. I’ve already started the process by facing some pretty scary things head-on all the while listening to that little voice inside of me saying – you are doing the right thing. Wouldn’t you know that the more I listen to that “little” voice, the louder it becomes. It’s becoming more outspoken, too.
Another thing I am working on is my mind-body connection. Everyone has their own ways of “bullying” themselves, and mine in the past has been to either abuse my body with food and/or exercise. My challenge then is to learn more about my body’s likes and dislikes in an attempt to learn more about it. Show it kindness & love. It is my body, after all. I think paying it more positive attention will help curb my tendencies to take frustration out on it. Honestly it’s been like my mind is a separate existence from the rest of me, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. I think the separation happened when I was a child and I didn’t like the fact that I was prone to gaining weight, whereas my sisters were always really small. I always wished to look like them, instead of accepting what I was given. So, I rejected my body… and have been literally running away from it ever since. Now that I am 32 years old, I can finally look at myself and see a beautiful person – internally and externally. I really my reflection. I really like me.
