Plus Sized NOT!

Every now & then my mind will take a detour to: "I have been on this fitness journey for about 2.5 years now! So, why am I not a size 2????" It's during these times that I start to feel discontent and upset with myself and I absolutely hate it. Most of you know that I am an admitted Pintrest addict and if you follow me, you know that I love food and I love fitness. The other day while on Pintrest I came across this photo:

Ladies, this absolutely gorgeous creature is considered a plus size model! Say what????? I don't know about you, but I could only wish I looked like her! Everything about her is stunning! What I love most about this picture is that it's completely obvious that she works out, as her tummy is toned, her legs and arms show muscle definition and her shoulders are softly rounded. I am willing to bet that she maintains a healthy diet! I bet she drinks lots of water, I bet she eats lots of fruits & veggies and, I bet that every now & then she indulges in a cocktail. I do not see any evidence of her having given birth due to the lack of stretchmarks, but I understand that not all women get them. I'm just going to pretend that she has given birth to 3 beautiful babies! ;0) Am I going to easier on myself because of this picture? NO way! I'm still going to work as hard as ever on the exercise & nutrition end, I'm just going to be nicer to myself when it comes to self image and the occasional "Why aren't you a size 2?' mentality.

I'm sooo glad I came across this picture today, because it has encouraged me on so many levels and I hope it encourages you too. I'm not saying that being a size 2 is a bad thing because it most certainly is not, but it's not something we would beat ourselves up over if we're not. It's all about being healthy and you ladies have encouraged me sooo much in so many ways to keep at it!  :o) 

Treadmille-ville

Sitting right here in front of my PC and typing on my keyboard is someone who is tremendously fond of running on a treadmill. Call me crazy.... because I know I am, but the treadmill has been one of the biggest contributors to my success in running. Well, at least I think so.... Anyway, a few months after embarking on my fitness journey, summer hit Arizona and I was not interested in running thru 100+ degree weather at all. My commitment to running was not yet what it is now, so getting up at 4am to hit the pavement was something I so was not ready to do then. Soooo, I headed over to the local Rec center where my love affair with Mr. Treadmill began. I was a little nervous at first because I'd heard the stories of people falling off and I did not want to humiliate myself. I began very slowly, almost walking, to running at a decent speed and really enjoyed watching the mileage on the machine increase as I ran. 90% of my Sole Sisters and Brothers detest running on the treadmill because it's monotonous and not as exciting as running outside. Well, like everything in life, to each their own, because I love it. I trained almost exclusively on the treadmill for my first half marathon and finished in great time! A good friend of mine, who happened to play for the US Women's National Soccer Team and then went on to play pro for the San Diego Spirit, is an avid treadmill runner. I figure, if it's good enough for a former professional athlete, it's good enough for me! ;o) Don't get me wrong, running outdoors is awesome... Especially when it isn't blazing saddles out there, but I will never knock the treadmill. That precious machine has a very special place in my corazon and has been very important in helping me to be the runner I am today. :o)

As of April I canceled my membership to the rec center and joined Planet Fitness, where I keep looking for, but can't seem to find this guy:

I don't think he even works out there because I have never seen him. Hmmmm!

The decision to leave the rec center was tough but also a no brainer because Planet Fitness is much cheaper and I ONLY use the treadmill at any gym I go to anyway. They don't offer any classes but that's OK because there is absolutely NOTHING better than The PITT in the East Valley, in my opinion. I know this won't be the case when I head back to work, but I've been training there mid-day and it's empty! Yay! :o)

Have you ever trained on a treadmill? If so, share your thoughts.

Fresh Legs.....

....are for the most part what got me thru this mornings' run. It felt really wonderful not feeling any pain for most of it and I was happy only having  to focus on my surroundings, the occasional breeze and whichever song was playing. I thought after yesterday's PITT work out, I would feel really sore because normally when I hit the floor most mornings, especially after a hard work out, my legs and sometimes feet are screaming bloody murder. Not today!!! :o) I do love the soreness I feel on my muscles most of the time because that just tells me that I worked hard, but not when I have to run. My history with cramping has made it so that any twitch freaks me out! I'd rather give birth to 10 pound twins than to ever cramp again. Seriously! Most runners relish running in great weather , (especially in AZ), good terrain, etc. In my case, nothing tops fresh legs while I run. That pain-free, no tightness whatsoever while I run feeling is better than........ ummmm, butter cream frosting! :o)

Sooooo, at about 4 miles into my workout I noticed someone headed in my direction who looked verrrrry familiar. As I got closer I realized it was one of my Sole Sisters!!!! Amy W.! I 've only hit the pavement with her once before and we run at a very similar pace so I didn't die. She did kick it up some and I was probably going at full speed for me, but we didn't talk.... much. I think it's pretty funny that after my last rant blog post about being a content solo runner,  I would run into a dear friend and enjoy it! Of course, it was only for 1 mile and we didn't carry on a full conversation (thank goodness). :o) Lucky for me, she was headed over to boot camp up at the park nearby and I was about a 1/4 mile from my house, so I had a good excuse for cutting it short.

I'm starting to think that I may need to start setting some more goals for myself... Not sure what though. I'm at my happy weight ( for the most part), I hit my mark on the exercise front 99% of the time and I've got a couple races lined up to train for. I'm thinking maybe I should just set some non-fitness goals... so I don't burn myself out. I know! My goal this week will be to come up for some new goals! Yes! :o)

Well, time to start my day... I'd like to leave with you this: I know that all of you amazing ladies live very busy lives and I'd like to thank you for taking the time out for me and following me. Your support means more than you will ever know. You are all so motivating and inspire me to push myself in ways I never thought possible. Love you guys! :o)