Why I hated the word "RUNNING"

Running can be a chore, especially if you are new to running OR dread the word "running." I don't know about you but RUNNING was not one of my fav activities to do, especially before loosing my first initial 30lbs and here is why.

1. Jiggling. YES, I said it - JIG-GLING. 30 pounds ago, when I tried to run it would HURT! Yes, I said it! Between my boobs slapping me in my face and my big legs pounding on my tender knees - it was an annoyance to me and I dreaded when my husband would say those three words "Let's go Run!"

Low and behold, I went to Target and found some compression pants and some additional compression gear and that has helped tremendously. I can tell the difference in my body when I wear my compression gear and when I do not.

Now that I am 30 pounds lighter and I have the correct equipment,  running isn't as bad as I thought.  I thoroughly enjoyed my first 5K with Black Girls Run (more on that coming shortly) - and now I have a love affair with running.

Running actually clears my mind and allows me to think - especially when I'm playing Rick Ross in the background *smiling* #guiltypleasure

2. Knee Pain. I suffered from knee pain for YEARS. Never did I put two and two together that the pain was a result of my excessive weight gain. I am 5'3" which means I should be no more than 150lbs or less. My doctor said 160lbs  and she will be happy but I'm going for my personal goal of 150lbs.  I could care less on how I "look" as long as I am healthy and fitting into the clothes that I want to wear! (that's another conversation).

Not only did my knees hurt but they would make an excruciating noise when I did simple things as squats, lunges and walking up the stairs. I would literally tell people to walk in front of me - I was that embarrased. Now 30 pounds lighter, NO MORE KNEE PAIN (Praise the LORD) BUT they do still make that noise. I've just learned to ignore it - I can't let anything hold me back from obtaining my goals!

3. Lazy. I admit - I can be very lazy BUT on this journey to a healhier "ebby" I had to put my differences and "don't like's" to the side in order to obtain my goals. Running takes a lot of energy and commitment and in order to see results, I knew I had to get out there and go.

4. Shins. OOOHWEEE I do not know if you ever experienced shin splints but let me be the first to tell you -PAIN - FUL! I used to run track in high school and had to quit because of my shins and I wasn't even heavy back them (was actually a toothpick). Let me be the first to tell you, that pain is from Satan himself!

So I am sharing all of this with you for what?
In my weight loss journey, I knew I had to switch up my workouts (because I get bored very easily) and running is one of those "things" that I dreaded but knew I had to do it. Well, during my first run a few months ago, I really messed up my right foot and here is what happened to me - I got Plantar Fasciitis! An excruciating pain occurs in my right foot and it's hard to walk some times - especially in the morning. I had to get cortisone shots in my foot a few times to ease the pain. I still have the pain (because I don't do the proper stretches and exercises) BUT I wanted to share this video with you that I got from Runner's World which shows you various exercises to do with your foot to prevent what I am now suffering from.

BTW, My husband, Dr. Kittles diagnosed me after doing research online (smiling).

August 1st - GOT GOALS?

Funny how time flies when you are having FUN HONEY!!!

 

It is August 1st and it is time to set some goals. 

Can you believe that more than half of the year is already gone? With that said - what have you to show for it?  One of those slap you in the face and make you look in the mirror type of questions - eh?

Personally, 2013 has been a fun, eventful and a challenging year for me ~ all in the same breath. I figured the more I am challenged the stronger I am becoming and the greater my purpose so...I decided to stop complaining about it, listen and pay attention to what God is showing me and grow from it.

Now that I am doing some self reflection, I had to really dig in to see what goals  I would like to accomplish for the month of August. My goals wouldn't be complete if I did not add some fitness goals - one of which is to simply RUN! 

Running has always been a challenge for me. With the extra weight I had before it was TERRIBLE on my knees.  I couldn't get around a quarter of the way on any trail I took without complaining. My knees used to hurt so bad I would literally be in tears - now they are just soar from the strength training I am doing ~ praise God for healing!

Now that my knees are good, it's my foot that is bothering me BUT that is hurting because I wore the wrong running shoes during my first initial run with my husband (see this post for details on how that went). 

So NOW I am tired of the excuses. I figured this much, it will be uncomfy until I get used to it.  I challenged myself the last time I was in Charlotte to run around this lake in my old neighborhood. I remember when I could not get a quarter of the way without stopping. What were the results? Check out both of these videos on my Instagram. (Video 1, Video 2)

One of my many mantras is this, "Nothing worth having-no goal worth accomplishing happens in your COMFORT ZONE.  All change occurs the moment you step outside of the box. It is THAT moment that you decide to be uncomfortable that your life changes for the better."

I challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone this month.

Set a goal and stick to it!

 

This morning, I decided to put on some running sneakers I had thrown in the back of my trunk and get out there and run. I did it and here are my results. The goal is to run at least 3 times per week and beat my time each time. Follow my journey and progress on my instagram pages (iamebbyK) and (classyfitgals)

Set your goals, determine what your action items are and go for it! I will be checking in on September
1st to find out your results!

...the run

He was so excited when he got home. He called and said be ready when I get home, I said okay! I made sure I was extra cute and sexy, heck it was a workout with the hubby....

Hubby and I went running downtown in our little town and it was actually fun. Hubbs is a competitor at heart so running with me is no competition for him- at least not right now! Sister is determined to out do him at least on one challenge!

The run was awesome. Granted I hadn't ran I'm quite some time so I was curious to see what the difference would be a few pounds lighter. I have knee issues. Years of doing squats incorrectly and landing on my knees when doing African dance has causes me some aches and pains. It didn't help having that extra weight on my legs either! Every time I squat I hear cracking noise. It's quite disturbing and for years I wouldn't work out trying to ignore the sound and pain but this time I said no more. 

I truly believe that in order to make a serious adjustment to your life, you have to look at yourself in the mirror, face the facts and be real with yourself. Nothing will change until you are honest with yourself on your condition. I knew my knees were jacked up but this time I refused to allow it to stop me! 

So..we ran through downtown and in the middle of running he had me doing jumping jacks, climbing up and down on benches, high knees etc. 

It was my first time and I was pretty proud of myself for not really stopping. Usually I would complain in the first 2-3 minutes but he said I went 5 min non stop. Now that may not be a big deal to some of you but to me, that was an amazing accomplishment. 

29.06 minutes later and 306 calories later I felt accomplished. I knew that I did something that I never done before- I pushed, didn't give up and came out feeling like a star! 

Do you run? Do you have a fitness goal that you're looking to achieve? 

Share your story, can't wait to hear from you!