First goal for 2011...

I'm going to run.
Yes you read that right... STOP LAUGHING.
I am committing to all of you that I am going to register for the Forzani Mother's Day Run. It's May 8th this year, giving me about 3.5 months to train and get read for the run. I haven't decided if I want to do the 5 or 10 k yet, but we will see soon (in my heart, I want to do the 10k... but god only knows if I will be ready.) I have already recruited a friend to the challenge with me.
Which leads me to y'all. I am challenging everyone to get up and make a physical goal this year. Pick whatever it is you like, but make it something with an end point (don't pick "to be more active" pick " do a physical activity 3 times a week"!). Let people know what it is, be proud of the goal and own it! Maybe it will be to pick up a new activity or return to one you once loved. Maybe it's a competition, or maybe it's just to compete against yourself. I also hope that you will want to share your challenge and progress with me along your journey, but if not that's ok too I just want everyone to try.
If you want to join my running journey, Chatelaine has a how to start running guide. If you're not quite ready to run, they also have a Walk Fit program listed.
Now before I get all of these comments that I am perpetuating image issues, let me point out that I am doing this as a challenge to myself, NOT for looks. I want the cardiovascular endurance so I can go hiking and backpacking with the end goal being doing both the West Coast Trail and East Coast Trails VERY soon. To be truthful, I am really hoping that by training for a run, I will be more focused on the cardio work that I so desperately need.
We will have our very own blog dedicated to our training, our runs, our hits and misses coming VERY soon! I will try and keep you posted about this as best I can!
and now, we run (I hope someone out there gets this reference!)
XOXO - S


IT'S HERE!!!
The running blog is now up and ready to be loved!!!
http://www.runningwithadream.blogspot.com/

What is sexy?

I was on My Fitness Pal the other day and was reading the forum and ran across a post that a 33 year old guy posted with the subject header "What is sexy". Here is what he wrote:

"I see so many people on here and in everyday life saying they want to lose weight so they can be sexy. Its always funny because many of you/them are already considered by many sexy, even ifyou have a lb or two to lose, or even if you have a lot to lose. On the other hand there are many people not considered sexy that are at "perfect" weights. I suppose then that "sexy" is very subjective, i know for me its really an intangible quality, it has alot to do with attitude even more so than appearance. The way some women carry themselves, their attitudes, etc to me make them sexy. I love a woman who is confident in herself but not conceited, who has a sense of humor, and a sense of humor about herself. A big help is just being nice, there have been many times when a woman was just nice that it overrode any physical "deficiency" she may have had. on the other hand many "gorgeous" women have not been nice and it made them ugly. what do you all consider sexy "

Interesting... since I have NOT seen the same type of topic started by any of the women on the site. Most of the topics relate to health and wellness, but this one really stuck out to me becuse it went beyond the surface to really ask about HOW we are defining ourselves.

So, what do you define sexy as? Is it looking like a magazine? Or is it something from within? Is it a combination of both? Are people going to judge sexy as the same thing?

...things to think about

xoxo -S

... Just a little help for my friends...

So after thinking about the whole "resolution" thing, I decided that maybe a little support for people out there might be in order. With that in mind, I set out to find work sheets, web sites, support groups, whatever I found that I thought could be of help to both me and other people in reaching their goal (hopefully the goal is self acceptance cause that's what I went looking for!). So no, I do not have miracle weight loss cures or money trees or any of that stuff. I am also not trying to sell you anything! I just wanted to share what I found with all of you!

Stress and Anger Relief - I know for me, I get frustrated and angry especially when looking at things I want to change about myself. Figured that if nothing else, it's something to keep in mind
Let's Get Real - It's important that when looking at changes, we know why we want them as well as can make a plan to get there. It's great to want a million dollars, but why do you want it and how are you going to get there.
The Resolution Sheet - past this up maybe everywhere in your house. The more you see it, the more likely you are to stick to it... and odds are Friends will see it and ask about it making for a built in support team!
Resolution Worksheet - WARNING they are trying to sell you stuff... SORRY. But I like the idea of associating an image/colour/word with your resolution so I included it!


This all brings me to something that I want to try starting today. It's called Attitude of Gratitude and it looks at bringing ourselves happiness through really appreciating what we already have. I hope to follow the program and write about it everyday (we will see how that goes since I can't seem to get on here very much!)

Hope to post more soon!!!

xoxo - S

New Year, new...???

...almost a new me? Every year people set out to change themselves with new years resolutions. We set new levels that we want to achieve in the next year. Bad habits, new habits, goals- they are all things we want to change about ourselves. So the question then becomes... why do we do it? Are our resolutions due to something we truly want or is it something that we have been groomed to "want"?
For example, how many people want to lose 10 lbs this year? How many set that same resolution every year? I know I have. But why do I want to lose the 10 lbs? For me this year I realized it's less about the weight and more about other things I want from the loss. I want to do more hiking and I want to be able to do the active things that my boyfriend wants to do. So really, it has nothing to do with the weight. More accurately, I want to be more healthy this year. So then why have I made the resolution to lose weight?
Maybe it has somethign to do with what the media keeps telling me... "Lose that 10lbs of Holiday weight" "Bikini ready in just 6 weeks" and "This year keep those resolutions with this... (fill in the blank with the "great" product here)". Well damn, apparently I am good for nothing if I don't get on this train. Sign me up for it all!
... IT'S GOING TO COST ME HOW MUCH TO CHANGE?!
Well eff that... Maybe it's time to focus more on liking who I am rather than spending all this time changing for other people. I am not saying that I am perfect and do not have things that need to be changed. I am saying that I need to make those changes because I WANT them, not because I am suppose to be a certain way.
Really bringing me back to why I want to "lose weight" this year. I don't, well not really. I want to be able to do things that I used to do. And if as a result to getting prepared (re:in shape) to do those activities I lose weight, then bonus.
My New Years Resolution for 2011 is:
I refuse to let other people tell me what I need to do to be happy. I resolve to find that out for my self!
xoxo - S

Nike Women

This might make me ONLY buy nike products... BRILLIANT marketing and self esteem boosting.