Mile A Day Challenge and 2013 Goals

I remembered Elise doing #mileaday on Instagram last year and found myself rooting her on internally. This year when she announced she was doing it again I found myself wondering if I could do it, too. I'm no stranger to working out but my pattern the last six years has been to work out for three months and then get sick or be on single parent duty and either lose motivation or think I don't have time for it. I mean...look at my sink full of dishes!

Right after Thanksgiving I was coming off my single parent duty excuse for not exercising regularly when suddenly a few of my friends started posting their #mileadays. Something about those images made me put my jogging shoes on and decide to try. I didn't want to be that girl that gave up after the first week but I also knew accountability would go a long way so I joined #mileaday on Instagram. 

I think I went a whole nine days without skipping. I hadn't worked out for nine days consistently since...um, never, so just that part felt like an accomplishment. I started out going around our big park loop twice with Ruby in the stroller and sometimes taking Sunday along. She pulled but not always forward so I also got in a bit of an upper body workout-one arm at a time. I always had to stop and walk and stretch out my shins halfway through because they always bother me but my breathing got easier and it didn't feel like such a battle after the first week. I built up to 2 miles and then 2.5 towards the end. I ran outside almost every time which meant cold temps, rain, and even while it was snowing. Each day finished felt so good and the encouragement I got from friends on IG helped me want to get out there again. 

I skipped a handful of days those last two weeks with traveling and Christmas responsibilities but often made up for it with longer jogs or extra time on the eliptical at the gym. The best part about it was that it just got me moving again. It set me up for not feeling so overwhelmed with all of the fitness hype that starts January 1st and got me to a place where I can take it to the next level this month. I'm so thankful for Elise starting this project and sharing her own journey and for buddies both online and in town that joined in. I like having "running buddies". 

My goals for 2013 include continuing jogging but in order to mix it up and keep me interested I'm getting back in the gym and hoping to do the eliptical for 40 minutes along with weights and situps. I've done kettle bell workouts in the past that I like to incorporate as well as a program Brett has used (the name escapes me). We're also trying to eat exclusively at home this month so I'll be focusing on whole foods and simple meals in order to attack from the other side. 

I'm 25 pounds heavier than I was before I had children and wrestle with my body image like many moms do. My goal this year is not to lose 25 pounds but to get to a healthier place so that I like the way I look and feel proud of the hard work I put in to get there. Another one of my hopes for this year is to be on our way to having another baby before the end of the year but I'd really like to be in a better place before that happens again. 

So, here's to putting in some hard work and seeing what happens. If you're in a similar place I hope you have the support you need to be successful. Internet high fives go a long way!

-Rachel

P.S. I have worn Brooks shoes for the last five years because they have great support for my stride type. I recently went in to a local running store and asked about minimus shoes. Brett wears them and swears by them. The gal inside suggested I start with these Brooks Pure Cadence shoes as they're a good middle ground between regular and minimus shoes and are less likely to cause injury. I may switch to minimus shoes in the future but really like these. They're light weight but also have the support I need. If you're looking for shoes I highly suggest going in to a real running store and letting an employee watch you walk and try a few on. Spending some money on a good pair of shoes will not only save you from injury, you'll feel more invested in your new goals!