Skinny Jeans!

This is mostly directed towards Natch...since we all for whatever reason can't post comments on his blog. Maybe you should look into fixing that, eh Fred?

So yesterday was my long training run - I had to break it into two parts because I have to take Kim in to work in the middle of the day and I woke up late. So I ran my first 13 miles and then took her to work, swam at the pool for a bit, did some resistance training, and then later that evening I ran another six miles (it was supposed to be seven for an even 20, but the roads are super dark out here at night when the moon isn't out and there's always fruit that has fallen on the ground that you can trip on...and dead toads...not safe....)

Well, the week before moving to Kaua'i when I was going through my clothes deciding which items were necessary (I honestly wish I brought more than one sweatshirt - it actually does get chilly here!) I had picked up a pair of jeans I bought awhile ago. They were a pair of super cute designer jeans I got for a super good deal - but the catch with these designer jeans is that they tend to run smaller than the average sizes. They had been just a teeny bit snug when I bought them, but it was incentive for me to get myself to the gym and on that treadmill. As I sat there contemplating on taking them with me, I knew already that they still were snug, and I didn't have to try them on at that moment to know this. In fact, I avoided putting those things on cause the harsh reality would sting a little too much. :)

I decided to pack them up in my suitcase, because my goal was to be able to wear them comfortably by the time I returned to the mainland. I knew that if I was running and training for Honolulu, I should be able to reach my goal by January. But last night I was feeling bold, and I decided that I've been measuring too much of my progress by the scale rather than other factors. So I opened the drawer...pulled those skinny jeans out from hiding underneath all my other jeans and shorts...took a deep breath and closed my eyes...pulled them on...and guess what?? They fit! And they weren't snug like they used to be!

If I can do it, then you can do it. I've decided that I'm not eating sugar from now until after the race, just like you have decided to cut it out. If you plan ahead the things you are going to eat, you have a better chance of sticking to your plan. Don't stress out on the days you miss a workout - it happens. I have more days than I'd like when I choose to sit around rather than run, but don't let one day make you feel disheartened because you can always pick up right where you left off the next day. If you have time and you know you should but you're just too tired, try this: Make yourself workout for 10-15 minutes. If you still feel tired and sluggish after that, then you can quit for the day. But nine times out of ten, it'll get your energy levels back up and the endorphins flowing and you'll want to finish your workout in it's entirety.

So...if you happen to have some clothes from back when you were a few pounds lighter, pull them out and keep them around to keep you motivated. And if you don't, maybe you should go buy a pair of pants or a shirt you like and would like to wear in the near future. It worked for me!

Keep up the good work...it's not easy, but it's worth it!