Did you know that if you type emotional into google bar the next word that comes up is eater. I would consider myself an emotional eater, not in a negative way necessarily (although I do eat when stressed), but more so with a lot of "oh I've run 22 miles this week that extra couple of chocolate chip cookies, glasses of wine and Brie cheese is a reward for my hard physical work". Now don't get me wrong I'm not obsessed about my weight nor do I have some crazy goal weight I want to go to, but I do wonder if shedding just 5 pounds would impact my running ability and running results. They say that after you have run a few races you start to focus on bettering your time and this year I think is "my year" no not to qualify for any big races- aka BOSTON- I'm realistic and understand that I will likely be let into BOSTON when I'm 70 just due to my continued insanity to get out and run. I'm not a speed work person and so that has to change or I'm likely not to get faster, but I also know that nutrition has to have some impact on my running fuel/ability. So I have decided to do a few changes- I'm a "all or nothing" kind of gal so in honor of lent- which my friend Wikipedia will now explain further...
The traditional purpose of Lent is the penitential preparation of the believer—through prayer, penance, repentance, almsgiving, and self-denial. Its institutional purpose is heightened in the annual commemoration of Holy Week, marking the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events of the Passion of Christ on Good Friday, which then culminates in the celebration on Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
During Lent, many of the faithful commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxury as a form of penitence.
I have decided to give up sweets and not buy coffee at work or coffee shop in my home town. Now I'm not going out to crazy- I'll be traveling this coming weekend- told you I would explain the "Politics for Dummies" book- for a nurse in Washington internship and so will likely need to buy coffee during my travels, but the coffee buying will be limited when it comes to work or locally.
Now I'm not only about giving up something in honor of LENT, but my mom told me a while ago that she thinks Lent should be not only about giving something up, but giving to something. I decided to give to my little reader/my youngest. I gave/give a lot to my oldest during his younger years and even now. Sometimes I feel like the youngest gets less. So starting tomorrow in fact it is a "day of fun" with mom- no cleaning, grocery shopping, etc that I normally drag her around to do on my day's off, but instead a day filled of "fun" just the two of us. I'll keep you posted on how the "Lent Goals" go. I'm hoping that even after Lent ends I can continue the "no sweets" until my trip to Hawaii- yep my sister, mom and I are heading to Hawaii in May- celebrate my mom being 60 years young. My sister and I are even looking into a 10 K run in Oahu- how cool will it be to say we ran a race in Hawaii. Well here is to my wine and peanut butter cup.
Let me know, if you want, what and if you are giving anything up for Lent.
I am right with you on the nutrition thing. I began running in 2010, and that August joined a Biggest Loser contest at work. I'm not in it to lose half my person, I don't have that to lose. I was in it to give my eating habits a kick in the arse. I started bringing salads and healthy snacks to work, and started drinking more water. I did lose weight, but most of all I dropped my Diet Coke habit, started eating more veggies, and really felt much better. I have continued most of these habits, and it feels great. I agree that improving your body from the inside will help your running.
ReplyDeleteI am not going to be giving up anything for Lent, but, will renew my focus on becoming more healthy on the inside. I love that you're going to be giving *to* your son. I think this is a great idea, and may piggy back on that. :)