Yogurt

As you probably already know Y always, always, always provides us with laughs and today's conversation was no different.  It went something like this:

Y: Mommy lets do some exercises.

Me: What kind of exercises?
Y: How about yogurt?
Me: You me yoga?
Y: Blank stare

And of course once she pulled out the yoga mat and began striking poses, it was my motherly duty to pull out the camera!  She's actually not that bad (but then again, I'm no yoga expert)!

My Perfect Shoe!

I've mentioned previously that my goal for this year is to run a 5k and so a few weeks ago I decided that it was time to not just use the elliptical but to start using the treadmill again but this time it was to run not walk.  So I started with the Couch to 5k program which should be fairly simple even for me!  But I was never able to make it through the full amount of time.  Yes, I was exhausted after several minutes but I'm pretty good about pushing through exhaustion it was the pain that I just couldn't bare.  And so I'd give it up for the day and move on to the elliptical or weights with the goal to come back and try it another day.  I figured that it was just a matter of getting used to it, I could not have been more wrong.  The pain didn't go away, in fact it started to get worse and I was just about ready to throw in the towel on running completely when I started doing some research.  The conclusion I reached after the research...shin splints!

I found out that there could be several causes of the shin splints but the easiest to fix was new shoes.  Now B told me back before Christmas that I needed new shoes because the ones I had didn't really have any tread left.  But he may as well have been speaking french to me because I grew up 1) in the south and since we don't get a lot of snow or ice we didn't need a lot of traction and 2) my family didn't have a lot of money so we wore shoes until we wore a hole into the shoe and there were no holes in my shoes (even though they're a good 4-5 years old).  So I ignored him and decided I didn't really need shoes.

But in an effort to get rid of the pains in my shin I caved and went into a local running store.  They analyzed my feet on a machine which did a scan of my feet.  It showed them my arch as well as showing them where on my foot I place the most pressure and balance most of my weight.  Then they watched me walk.  Based on everything they observed they concluded that I have a neutral foot therefore I require a shoe with a neutral ride and that I don't over- or underpronate and the best type of shoe for me was a cushioned running shoe.  Then they pulled out a few brands and had me try them on.

I had been told that the shoes at this shop were a bit on the high priced end and that I could find them cheaper elsewhere, but for the type of shoe I require I found that they were pretty much the same price as everywhere else.  Everywhere else except the Nike Factory Store that is!  So that's where we headed and I walked out of there with a pair of shoes that I loved, in a color that I loved - which ultimately was the downfall of the running store.  To me, color matters!!!

Today I was finally able to go to the gym and give them a try and I cannot tell you how amazing it felt to run in those shoes!  They're light weight, they're very well cushioned and I kind of felt like I was bouncing on clouds the entire time.  And yes, I ran today.  And yes, I was exhausted.  But no, I was not in pain!!!  Now just to settle on a date for that 5k...

My Shoes!!

What's Next...

Last week I wrote a post concerning the results of my glucose tolerance test.  The results weren't as great as I wanted and yet not as bad as I anticipated.  I mentioned at the end of the post that I had set a few goals and spent a nice chunk of money, but I said I'd tell you more later.

Well now it's later! 

When I was still pregnant with Q I informed B that I wanted a gym membership for my birthday.  I wanted the means to get out and work out since we don't have the space for any type of work out equipment nor the disposable income to purchase it.  After losing so much weight during my pregnancy with Y I kept it off for about a year and then it began creeping back on, this time I am determined to not let that happen.  So on Thursday, I officially joined a gym!  Now this is huge for me because I typically hate gyms.  Mostly because I always feel like the elephant in the room (pun intended).  When I went for the first time to try it out I was extremely anxious about it and quite nervous.  I went in and I was given a tour of the gym and allowed to try it out before I committed.  I was amazed at how relaxed I felt there!  I didn't feel as if anyone was staring at me or judging me or even paying me any attention at all.  I LOVED it, and more importantly I loved how I felt after I had a great workout.  So after I was done I handed them my credit card and became a member.  It's not one of the local fancy-schmancy gyms but it'll do the job for me.  I'm excited to go in and workout when I go, it's a nice feeling!

As for the goals I've set, they aren't major.  In the end I don't care how small I get or what size I end up, my goal is just to be healthy.  I've set my goal low - to 5 pounds a month on average.  That should be relatively easy to accomplish, especially now in the beginning.  My other goal is to complete a 5k by next spring.  Not a lofty goal for most but for me it'll be quite the accomplishment! 

I'm determined to become more healthy and there's no one that can stand in my way except myself!  Wish me luck!  In order to keep me on track I plan on updating you guys on how things are going, be sure to hold me accountable!