Halfway to a 5K

A few weeks ago I started training for my first 5K run and I’m happy to report that it is going really well. I never thought it would be possible, but there are so many reasons that I am loving running. It has been easy to incorporate into my lifestyle thanks to the support of my husband. My girls are the best inspiration I could ask for. All this time I thought I wanted to run so that I could keep up with my girls as they race around with their Father. I realized that it is just as important for me to be their inspiration to run and I am finally motivated to lead the pack!

My first race is right around the corner and I am not intimidated at all. I am excited that the challenge is going to increase every day until the Chester County Turkey Trot. Ever since giving birth the first time, I have wanted to become a runner, but my second pregnancy came around too quickly to allow that. I waited after Audrey’s birth until I was literally bursting at the seams with a desire to get fit and exercise to begin training. At first, I didn’t know if I would be able to conquer my hilly neighborhood. Now I wake up each morning and am excited to take in the view during my jog. I’ve even gotten adventurous and explored the trails that surround the houses. Tackling the toughest hills on practice runs makes me eager to see what I will be able to accomplish during a flat race. It’s not easy and I’m not going fast, but those baby steps are taking me places and melting away my post-baby belly as I go.

If you’ve ever seen a post or tweet and wondered why people talk about exercise, it is done for two reasons. First of all, it makes people happy! More importantly, social networks provide amazing support and encouragement for accomplishing fitness goals. I love knowing that at any given moment someone is ready to offer a kind word or a tidbit of advice for reaching the next physical plateau. Watching others set the bar is all I need to see to know that I can and will #GetAfterIt.

 

I’m linking up with the Motivation Monday Blog Carnival. Check it out here for more.

Green Pride

Up until a few years ago, I was just about as far from “green” as you can get. I’m racking my brain trying to think of a single thing I bought or consumed with any concern for the environment and I’m embarrassed that I can’t think of any. Becoming green has been an exciting challenge for me because it’s all new. The fact that I’m changing my lifestyle to incorporate eco conscious activities makes me a unique advocate for green living. Since I know and appreciate both sides of the spectrum it’s easy for me to “see the green” in everyone.

I don’t think I’m any closer to a wholly eco lifestyle than the next person, but I do feel like what I’m doing is great for my family. While I’m shopping or cooking or traveling, I make green rationalizations to decide what’s right for us. There’s always an alternative that is more or less eco friendly than what I choose, so I make the best decision for right now and keep my mind open for better options in the future. I’m eagerly anticipating the day when my family can grow a garden and harvest food, but we’ll do that more for a learning experience than an effort to take another step off the grid. In fact, I’ll probably still buy frozen peas by the bag at that point to save time. That still beats single-serve, right?

It doesn’t matter how green you are or how much effort you put into being green. The most important thing is to keep your mind open to the possibility of improving your lifestyle by connecting ecology, economics, and simplicity in the right blend for your household. We need to show our children that we’re willing to make compromises and put in extra effort so that they will have a cleaner Earth and healthier lifestyle. Don’t let green guilt keep you from getting started. Allow green pride to motivate you to do better each day for the next generation!