Here Comes Summer!

I think with the renewal of spring and the fast approaching summer (at least for those of us in the U.S.) we are all getting a shot of "go get 'em" in blog land. From what I've been reading anyway! For those of our friends that are facing winter soon - let's keep encouraging them not to give in to the "stay inside and eat comfort food" syndrome. (I know it well.....)

And now - speaking of summer. SUMMER! I love it! The fresh air...the sunshine....the flowers....the birds....! But with summer also comes the shorts....the sleeveless tops....the *gasp* bathing suits!

For the past 8 years or so - when the weight really starting creeping on - I always decided in January that I would go on a diet and look great by the time June rolled around. Then when June finally got here I would realize that I had given up my diet mid-January. I would also realize (when I got the bin of summer clothes out of storage) that I'd actually gained weight and have to go out and get new shorts. I ballooned from a size 12 to an 18 in less than a decade. Swimsuit shopping was the pits. It has been a very vicious cycle.

So what is going to make the summer of '08 any different? For one - the running program and the faithfulness I've had to my weight lifting. I can see and feel the difference in my arms. And I've amazed myself at the ease to which this running thing has been happening.

I think the Couch to 5K plan is the best thing happening! When I first heard about it I was skeptical. Because it was after all - running! And I can't think of anything I hate worse than running. Except maybe liver. Or shopping for a bathing suit.

So when a few of my blog friends mentioned it - I checked it out and then sat it on the back burner to think about for a while. Then my sister & started talking about merits of running (she lost a ton about 10 years ago running) and we decided we'd give it a try. knowing that she's doing it too has kept me motivated.

The best thing about this program is it eases you into running. Too often we jump into something - overdo it and then quit because it's too hard. But this time I didn't quit. Because it wasn't hard! I'll admit- after the first two runs my body rebelled like crazy and I was in PAIN! But what I realized quickly (thanks to Nan ) was that I need the proper footwear - which turned out to make ALL the difference in the world.

I've noticed that my body isn't aching as much as it always does. (I'm 50...so I was believing that I was supposed to ache all the time.) WRONG! My poor body was just so out of shape that it was always stiff. SO now - since I've been running (and lest you think I'm running marathons here - I'm still in the first weeks of this) I feel so much better! I ache LESS! And I feel better mentally too. And I'm more aware of what I put into my mouth because food is seeming more like fuel instead of entertainment.

I would encourage any of you that are looking for a way to jump start, enhance or speed up your weight loss efforts to at least look into it. But I must warn you - invest in a good pair of running shoes. They don't have to be top of the line. I got mine on sale (normally $69 - got 'em for $37.) But I did some research to see which kind I needed for the way I run. (Yes...we all run differently.)

So that's my speech for today.

I'm hoping when I get that summer bin out of storage - that I'll have to go shopping yet again for new shorts. Only this time - smaller ones!