So I am the type of lady that tries hard to eat healthy 90% of the time and only eat fast food 10% of the time. I find myself in the galley (the lunch room for those who are not familiar with Navy vocabulary) making salads, opting for leaner meats, eating more vegetables, and piling my plate with available healthy options.Often times I have friends who will want to order a pizza every night or eat Buffalo Wild Wings every morning. When I turn down these offers and opt for a healthier option people look at me like I have three heads. I just don't get it. Why do we live in a society where McDonald's and pizza every night is NORMAL but a person making a conscious effort to take care of herself is seen as strange? Most of the time I do this because I really do enjoy REAL food, not the processed, high in sugar crap I find in vending machines. I LOVE to eat, but I also LOVE to take care of myself!
I wonder if any other people out there have issues like this? Now I will admit I am pretty hard on myself about staying fit and looking nice as I get older but I never venture outside of the normal weight range for my height. However, I am always asked " Are you crazy? You get up and run at 6 am? You are fit already, why are you running?" I always want to reply with "Yes, I do. I don't complain about you sitting on your ass eating chips all day, complaining about being overweight. So why complain about my habits?".
It seems like letting yourself go is the norm now a days. I actually feel great after a good run or trip to the gym. I don't see anything wrong with that!!! I will keep doing what I love and I guess the people who have such a problem with it will just have to get over it!!
Today I picked up a copy of Runner's World magazine and decided I am going to start training for a marathon or at least improve my run time. I have been a physically active person for about 6 years now and I am always looking for new forms of motivation to keep me moving. Sometimes doing the same old exercises in my local gym can be boring and repetitive. I think most people can relate to this. I know that this will definitely be a challenge for me, seeing as how I have no idea what to even expect. Hell, I am not even sure how I am going to fit this into my already hectic Navy life.
For the past few weeks, I have been doing exceptionally well with my runs. I have increased endurance along with strength. I average an 8 min 20 second mile on a good day. Well that was my time for my last Navy PFT (Physical Fitness Test). However, I am sure being surrounded by hundreds of high energy 18 year olds gave me the extra push I needed during that run. I was told I did awesome for my age of 29. "Awesome for my age?" I thought I want to be awesome for any age! So here I am challenging myself to increase my speed and endurance. Reading countless articles on just how to do so. Didn't know running was so dangerous. These articles do a great job of scaring you away with its list of possible injuries. I figure if I practice good form, do some strength training, and buy a pair of great running shoes, I'd be set!
So here is to my new hobby of running!! Wish me luck!!
