Some head work and exercise all in one

[dolchanmom]

I wanted to share some thing with you today. I feel that you guys probable understand my feelings, when it come to this, better than my friends or husband.

I RAN LAST NIGHT!!!

Now this is no small feat for me. I have been wanting to do this for some time. What was holding me back was not just physical but mostly mental. I knew I would need to take it slow and I would not be able to go very far and I think that’s normal when first starting. My huge fear was people seeing me do this. I was stepping out of my comfort zone big time. I was not in my safe workout place like Curves or my own living room. I was putting myself out there for everyone to see. Well everyone on one cul-de-sac, like I said I knew I could not go very far. LOL I know honestly people have more to worry about then watching me jog. People jog by my house every day and I never think twice about it but they’re not FAT. I guess I think people are thinking what is that fat girl doing? Did the ice cream truck go by or something? This is where the head work comes in. They don’t care what I’m doing out there.
So this is what got me going. I did great yesterday. I ate awesome, I found things to do during the day instead of sitting around, and I went and worked out after dinner. Well that is great why would I want to screw that all up by snacking and drinking a lot of wine while watching T.V. to end my day? But I wanted to so bad, not screw things up, but eat and drink wine. I did not know what to do to get food off my mind. I started thinking about this "runners high" that I heard mentioned earlier in the day. What a great way to replace my own "food high".
Of course I had so many reasons to talk myself out of it. It's pretty late, it’s getting cold, it’s probable raining. It was becoming pretty apparent that I was scared. So now I needed to do this. I needed to get over this fear. I got up put my shoes on, grabbed my IPod and cranked up some of my favorite music. I walked out to the mail box to drop off a letter and by the time I got to the end of my driveway, where the mail box is, I was shaking. I started jogging and I wish I could say I just couldn’t stop but that was not the case. I jogged around the corner and down to the end of a cul-de-sac and back up. My pants were falling down and I could not breathe. I just kept saying just get past this next house and then the next. I then took a nice long walk at a fast pace to keep my heart rate up. When I got around to where I could see my house again I jogged back home.
I would like to say I got that “runners high” but I did not. I was exausted, sweaty, and could not stop coughing. I took a nice hot shower and went to bed.
Next morning was when I felt a bit of a “high”. I could not believe I did it.

Brandy

[gregken77]

Brandy---Hey you got to start somewhere. At least you started so the hard parts over. The first time I started back jogging I made it one lap around the track and sounded like a bad immitation of Darth Vader before it was all over. I had to build up slow--still building actually. I usually end up walking more than I jog. However I have kept at it and I can actually make it 3 miles now without stopping. Now there real real real slow miles. ha ha But I make them. I am usually so sore after I have to skip a day of working out when I go 3 miles so I mix it up. I usually try only going 2 miles during the week, hit it hard on friday with a 3 mile jog and if I feel like it---soon I am going to add a road march on Saturday. I did that once so far and paid for it dearly. But I think as I get in better shape I will be able to do it. Just try adding alittle more each day. Jogging is about 80 percent mental. Your body can do more than you think---just try to ignore the I want to stop feeling as long as you can. You really made me laugh about the ice cream truck comment. ha ha Dont know why I got so tickled at that---I could just see that in my mind. Anyway funny stuff. Keep it up---Im proud of you!

[ellgee]

Brandy that is major awesomeness! I can totally identify with this because I (someday) want to run, too. Not just yet as I'd break both my legs but hopefully one day.

Be proud of your accomplishment because it is huge! Keep working at it. I'll hopefully join you in a few months.

Laura

[PhotoNut]

Holy smokes that was motivational! Kudos to you, my friend! You put into practice one of the most powerful lessons I have learned from our support group counselors, and that is: Thoughts and feelings are nothing more than just thoughts and feelings. They can not stop you from doing what you need or want to do.

Most of us never stop to examine what we are feeling. We simply respond out of habit to our feelings or thoughts. It can happen as quickly as a fleeting thought. "Hm, I'd like to try to run-feeling interrupts-nah, I can't' and the thought is gone along with the chance to act. Or -feeling of stress rises- reaction, go to kitchen and find relief. So often our actions or lack of action is ruled by these emotions and thoughts that makes us uncomfortable (shaky, stomach in knots, tense) because we have conditioned our selves to elimate the feeling of discomfort by turning away from a challenge or by reaching for comfort foods.

Our counselor told us to take a moment and identify what what the discomfort is, and then say to your self, "Yep, I'm nervous about this." OR "Yep, I'm afraid I might look stupid or fail." OR "Yep, I'm stressed about that bill that needs to be paid." and follow thru by saying, "But that doesn't mean I have to put that food in my mouth" OR "But I'm going to go out and try to run anyway" When we follow thru, it is very empowering! Which is what I suspect you were feeling this morning with your delayed "high".

I want to ruuuuuun!!! I hope my knees can take it. I'm working on strengthening now for this very goal. Thanks for sharing! I'm pumped! :thumb:

[want 2 be a loser]

Great job! I know where you are coming from. I see people running and I think man that looks so easy! I am a very slow walker so if I walk by myself I get so bored I thought it would be better if I could run. I started doing the couch to 5k you can print of a schedule to follow on line if you want. I have a problem trying to figure my breathing out. I just jogged & walked for a 2 mile womens run. It was my first one ever. It was neat, there were about 8000 women in it, it was neat seeing all the people that come out to encourage you even if you were walking it. It was cool being part of it. Maybe you could find something like that in your area to give you a goal to go towards. But it is awesome that you have taken the first and biggest step. It does get easier! Some days anyway! LOL

Lana

[dolchanmom]

Greg- Thank you so much. I cant imagine even making it around the track one time right now. You are doing great.

Laura- Well if I can do it you can too. You will get to a point that your body can handle it. I have been working out at Curves and walking for a bit over a year now. I just felt it was time to step it up a notch.

Susan- Thank you so much. Your support really motivates me. I have been eating a lot of the foods that your trainer recommended. I think your "Time to Clean up my Act" thread is what really got my ball rolling again. You are doing great!!

Lana- I read your thread this morning and it really motivated me. You are doing wonderful. Yes I would hope to get to the point that you are at. Yes if you have any information you would share with me I would love it.

Thank you all so much for reading my long post. I really appreciate all the support I get here. Like I said I dont think anyone else understands quite like you guys do.

Brandy

[Fifi]

Brandy,

Wow! What a testament. Keep it up!!

[dolchanmom]

Thanks Fifi. I was just typing in your thread as you were in mine.

Brandy

[Jachut]

Oooh goodie, another runner!

That is so brave of you. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there in public to do that. Greg is right, running is very much a mental challenge. I was trying to tell the kids that at school - I'm training the cross country team of grade 3 to 6's, so every day there's been a 2 mile trek around the block the school is on. Its amazing how many kids just dont have that inner grit, I mean at their age, they're light, they're fit, they CAN run that distance easily but they're just too lazy to stick at it. I get very frustrated with some of them!

Runners high, now that comes a bit later. It takes about 20 minutes to hit for me, in other words, you have to get to the point where you need to either call an ambulance or let the endorphins take over, lol. I have to work quite hard for it, it only comes with a certain intensity.

As a note of encouragement though, that feeling that you're going to die, it passes very quickly. The first five minutes of every run feels like that, and then your body clicks into gear. Within a few weeks you'll be able to easily break that barrier.

[MommaStone]

Brandy,

What an awesome NSV! I am going to walk tonight, not matter what! You have inspired me.

[wingsfly825]

the first step is the hardest and you did it..you should be so very proud of yourself and how far you have come...keep up the great work..you look terrific..

[nightnurse]

JOG!!! I just want to be able to cross my legs again.! WTG BRANDY!

[MommaStone]

Well, Brandy. You motivated me and I did it. just got back from a 30 minute walk. It's a lovely evening here in central IL

Thanks for the motivation!

[dolchanmom]

Jachut- You motivate me big time. When I see your picture Im always wondering if I could really ever look that good. If I can ask you a question though, did you ever have the "apron" stomach? You know the flab that hangs?
Thats great what you are doing with the kids at your school.

Deb- Im so glad I could motivate you. I went for a great walk last night too. It was so nice outside that I did not want to go to the gym. I really took my time to breath in the fresh air. There are so many flowers blooming right now it made it so enjoyable. Keep up the great work!

Teresa- Im so glad your back. Thank you for the kind words.

Night Nurse- I was just telling my husband how great it feels to cross my legs. You will get there and when you do it will feel great.

Thanks guys. Love you all
Brandy

[Jachut]

No, I never had the apron stomach, that's why I ended up with an OK tummy.

[christie]

Brandy, that is great. I felt the same way the first time I jogged for two minutes straight on my treadmill. Amazing feeling. No one was around to see the flab shake and shudder, but it felt good to be able to do it. Now I try to work in interval training to jog and get a little variety in my treadmill walks.

Great job!

And boy! If we could go take a walk or work out every time we were fighting a food craving, wouldn't that be something?

[wingsfly825]

chris is i worked out everytime i was stressed it would be a wonderful life and eventually i would probably disappear hahahaha

[breezy]

Saweettt!!!! Brandy, it is so mind boggling how very similar the fears are that most overweight people have. The idea of someone "watching" me jog by far exceeds the fear of not being able to do it. I am pleased as punch that you overcame those fears and did it! Congratulations and job well done!!