Is it me, or do you think that the more you work out, the more you sweat? This is incredible … I ran/walked/ran some more for 40 mins today, and then was supposed to go and pick up my kids, but literally couldn’t have without showering first as I was DRENCHED. You’d think that at a higher weight, I would’ve sweated more???
Yikes. Soon the poems like Jon’s post today will pertain to me. 
Just curious … does anyone have any experience in the Bell City Chase? This is the link to the one in Vancouver, as I will be there on that weekend … but it looks like they’re hosted in every major Canadian city.
It looks like a load of fun … I found it on the Running Room website. They say it’s a cross between Survivor and Amazing Race and (wait … ick … I may be out) Fear Factor. Hmmm ….I’m curious about the physical challenge of it.
This morning, my 6 year old, Derek said something cool. You see, I’ve lost 27 lbs in 3 months, and the kids, seeing me every day, haven’t said too much about it. Today when I was helping Derek pick up his Lego before school, he was staring at me quite intently. Then he says, “Mom, you look different. I think you’re getting taller.”
That’s the biggest compliment ever from a six-year old who just wants to be bigger and bigger! 
My kids rock my world, and remain my biggest motivating factor.
Before I head out for my run, I’ll introduce to you to Troy (7), Camryn (2), and Derek (6) …
I went for a swim this morning, and am reminded of how much swimming works the entire body. It comes much more naturally to me than running and that brings two thoughts:
1. I enjoy the physical and mental challenge that running brings me. I like overcoming what doesn’t necessarily come easily or naturally to me.
2. I love the experience of “flow” from swimming … where my breathing becomes completely rhythmic, my arms are in some kind of synchronized dance with my legs that I never had to choreograph. Love it.
I swam 2 kilometres today …. and the funny things, is about 15 lengths from 2k, I really, really wanted to call it a day, and I thought, “No…. I want to be able to blog that I swam 2k!” Ahhhh …. the benefits of blogging!
Heard today on the radio that just a one-minute long kiss burns 26 calories. Not bad!
Do something good for your heart today!
A friend dropped by for awhile today, with her three boys. Between both families, that equals five boys between the ages of 2 and 7, plus my 2 year-old daughter. The kids were all wild, as some of them had been recently ill and had “cabin fever”. My friend got freaked out about how “rotten” (her word, not mine) her boys were acting, and left after only a short visit.
It reminded me of something my Grandma (rest her soul) used to say about kids: They just need to get their yahoos out. This means that they’re just kids, and they need to wear off energy, the same way they need food and water.
I’m no different … if I miss a few days of doing anything physical, I need to get my yahoos out, too. For me, that means I get more tired, grouchier with my family, and feeling overwhelmed with my work. Once I exercise, I can feel that cloud lift.
So … how do you feel when you haven’t had a chance to get your yahoos out?
(Yes, Grandma drank some , but she was a wise, wise soul.)
Movie last night = great. I cheered and I cried (two requirements for “great”.)
This morning I did my workout while Troy had early soccer practice. (8 a.m. — not early for regular morning-ers like Chris, but early for me). The leisure centre where I work out is a pretty incredible place for people-watching, and hence motivation for me. I love watching athletes in their groove. This morning I saw figure skaters, weight-lifters, swimmers, soccer players, runners, and basketball players. I think being passionate about what you do is the key to lifelong fulfillment from fitness.
In the past, I’ve only ever viewed exercise as a tool to weight loss, and the goal for weight loss was to fit into smaller jeans or look better in a skirt. I’ve done a 180 on that mentality. I really am more focused on how I feel after the workout, how much I can accomplish. Don’t get me wrong, the jean thing isn’t gone completely, (I’m sure I’ll be quite enjoying smaller jeans! ) but I’m much more focused on the process, the mini-victories.
Funny, as a recreation therapist, I often step up on my soapbox to clients and my staff and talk about the philosophy of “process not product.” This means that the end product, like an oil painting or a woodworking project, doesn’t have to be perfect … but the real key is if the process was meaningful and enjoyable. For 15 years, I’ve been saying, “process not product” in an all-knowing voice, and now I finally am applying it to something big in my own life. I don’t quite know what the product will be at this point. I don’t have specific long term goals about weight, body fat, or BMI … I don’t know if I’m going to catch the marathon bug. Right now I just want to keep consistent, in order to continue seeing the positive changes in my body. Oh .. and I know I want to run a 5k, just to have a race experience.
Today, there was a Soccer Dad who just started running, and was using the same strategy as me, ie. to run and watch the soccer field below. I felt like we were playing cat-and-mouse, as I’d pass him, 2 mins later, he’d pass me, etc. We were both joking about it by the end … and I couldn’t believe how that motivated me to stretch out my run. I was one sweaty Soccer Mom after 45 mins! Lotsa good fun.
Have an awesome day.
My husband is a shift worker, so when he is home on a Friday night, we do Pizza Night with the kids (where they get to top their own and we try to freak them out by telling them it’s Fear Factor Night and setting out artichoke for them to eat…they hate these party games, go figure), and then usually Date Night for us. Kids are too sick for us to get a sitter and go out and do anything, so I’ve rented a movie … Friday Night Lights. I’m a sucker for oomphy-type sports movies, so I hope it’s good.
Did my ab work at home today, and sent all three of my children into life-threatening fits of laughter. Try the veal artichoke … I’m here all week.
Two out of three kids were sick today: one vomiting, one coughing up a storm. Poor babies. 
Lucky everyone settled to bed well (thank God for medication) and I was able to get out for a 45 min run/walk session outdoors after my husband got home. I have to say that I love being in the snow, in the quiet, in the evening. Incredibly peaceful. (Such a break from watching “George Shrinks” over and over and over ….)
Feeling like I’m in the market for a “gadget” … going to start shopping for a running watch. I know little in this area, so I’m completely open to suggestions ….
Decided on a whim tonight to see how long (in minutes) I can run, instead of just automatically doing run/walk intervals to make up the 45 minutes. I ran 15; walked for four, and then ran another 12 minutes before cooling down … and heading for weights. Might sound minor to some, but it’s a big step to me!
