Chilly Chili Run #mamavation

I did it!  

Well, kind of...

I have been working on the Couch to 5K training program, and honestly I've been stuck on week 1.  It is hard for me to really get much beyond that while I'm stuck trying to do it inside.  Also, I just feel old, overweight, and out of breath so much of the time.  Still, I am pushing myself at home and at the gym to at least get okay with the first week of this program (it's been at least a month of week 1).

This weekend, Mr. Crum and I put on our running shoes and sweats and headed to a neighboring city for their first ever "Chilly Chili Run".  It was not officially a 5k, it was closer to 3.5 miles - good enough, right?  I loved it that we did this together.  He was kind enough to stick with me on the icy/muddy trails for the entire thing.  We loved our adventure through the state park together!

We started out at a jog.  That lasted a minute or two - the real actual ground hurts my legs a WHOLE LOT more than the treadmill or the trampoline.  I'll keep working on that.  We walked at a brisk pace for the rest of the "run".  Then we enjoyed a bowl of chili and a corn muffin together before heading to pick up our boys.

My thoughts about it?  I had a great time.  I wish I had the stamina to actually RUN in this event.  Maybe it was the cold weather (after all, it is February in northern Indiana); maybe it was my need for more conditioning.  I don't feel bad about the fact that we did not run.  I will continue to work on it.  I am already making plans for a women's run this fall with my sister and mother.  (We maybe haven't told my mom that she's planning to run a 5k with us yet).

We are getting fitter and continue to work toward health goals.

What new things have you tried this week to point you in the direction of better health?  What tips do you have for new runners?  I never thought I would WANT to run - that's another story though.

Sponsor Spotlight: GeoPalz #GetMoving2013

GeoPalz helps me get moving and it gets my boys moving!  These super cute pedometers encourage us in many ways to get on our feet each day!


GeoPalz are designed for kids.  They come in so many cute styles and entice children to move by unlocking game time in the GeoPalz arcade as they increase steps.  Look at some of these games:

 


Kids also earn points toward prizes!  Parents can set prizes for their kids when they reach a goal, or kids can choose from prizes pre-set by GeoPalz!  (Below are just a few of the prizes GeoPalz offers to kids for earning points).



Honestly, my boys don't care about the games and prizes.  They just love wearing the stylish pedometers and seeing how many steps they take.  They have to check them out multiple times a day.


Check out this new family of pedometers that GeoPalz is preparing to introduce.  These are called ibitz, they work kind of like the old neopet games - activities are tracked with the pedometer and earn health for your pet that can be accessed through smart devices.  The first model will work with Apple devices. They will sell for $40 and help track the times of days that children are the most active so parents get a better overall picture of what their children are doing during the day!



Great news!  GeoPalz has agreed to participate in the Get Moving event!  They will be contributing a pedometer as part of my fantastic prize package!  Are you interested?  Which pedometer is your favorite? How do you help your children get active?  Would you dare wear a GeoPalz?  (I do).






***Disclaimer: I have received a product or products free for the purpose of review.  All opinions are my own.***


Shared on:

Mamavation Monday: Counting Calories #mamavation

I admit it with no hesitation.  I have NEVER in my entire life been a calorie counter.  Not even for a day.  Last week I read several Mamavation posts that talked about calorie counting and took some time to confront myself about why I have never counted calories as part of a diet effort.

After much reflection here is what I came to:  I don't know.  Maybe I never really thought it was a relevant idea.  Perhaps I've been too lazy with my eating.  Maybe I just don't care.  I cannot come up with a good reason that I have never paid any attention to calories.

I started this thinking last Monday.  As I made lunch (a simple salad) on Monday, I looked at the calorie counts on my favorite toppings (Bac-o's, French Fried Onions, Cheddar Cheese, Blue Cheese Dressing).  What an amazing salad with a frightening calorie count! 

Also on Monday, my sister "invited" me to try out MyFitnessPal.  I am still looking over the app, and working on forming my thoughts about calorie counting.  I do think that it would be beneficial to at least try counting for a few weeks.  Over the past week I have not been counting - but I have been noticing.  I am starting to pay attention to what I am feeding myself so I can make better choices on my intake.

This week I will begin tracking what I eat on a "normal" day.  Now, I am aware that any time you start to pay attention, you are likely to do a better job of control.  I want to get an idea of what I am eating normally and begin a plan to reduce my calories and increase my activity.

Are you a calorie counter?  How did you begin counting?  Has it helped you in any way? What advice do you have for me as a beginner?