Day 21 - Forrest Gump and Dirty Candy

My running partner Melanie (right) and me running the Des Moines Marathon in our Diet Coke shirts.

I used to run all of the time. At least 5 miles a day, 5 days a week and only took breaks from running when I was pregnant.  I would just run and run and run. Sometimes my running partner Melanie (aka Nancy) and I would call each other and plan out our route for the morning and say "let's just Forrest Gump it today" and we would go out for long, long runs just for the fun of it.

In fact, I ran so much that I finally ended up injuring myself last Spring.  My injuries included Plantar Fasciitis, Tendonitis and a muscle strain from my big toe to my heel.  It felt like a nail was being hammered into my heel.  I had to wear a special boot and was told not to run for 8 weeks.  On a positive note, I was pretty popular with the 60+ crowd in Florida during vacation.  It seems that quite a few of them had worn the same boot for various reasons and they were drawn to me.   The gentleman pictured below with me had recently undergone ankle surgery.  We were fast friends.

Now, you would think that someone who ran so much might have nicknames like "Skinny" or "Waif" or maybe even "Slim".  Not so much in my case.  My running was a vicious cycle.  I felt like I needed to run everyday because it was the best way to maintain my weight.  If I ate bad and didn't run, I would be crabby.  In fact, when I was crabby my husband would mention to me that I might want to go for a run. It might make me feel better. If I ran, then I felt like I could splurge a little and eat treats.

Now that I am on the 24 Day Challenge and eating healthy (my delicious snack of the day is posted above) and watching how much I take in, I don't have to rely so heavily on exercise.  I still love to run or go to the gym, but I feel more balanced.  I don't feel like I need to run my body into the ground.  By watching what I am eating, I can squeeze in a quick 30 minute workout and still see results and feel great.  I think the vitamins and supplements that I am taking are really helping with my energy level as well.  I feel balanced and not so up and down or crashing later in the day.

In fact, today I stopped by the gym and did 35 minutes on the Stairmaster.  I used to run for 40 minutes and then do another 30 minutes on the Stairmaster. Now I spend less time working out and I feel satisfied knowing that I am not trying to continually match my workout to what I ate for the day.

So, as the Stairmaster let up a little tension, I figured it would be a good time to take a chug of water.  I hadn't quite recovered and since drinking water and huffing and puffing don't really mix, water went up and out my nose.  I am not sure if anyone saw, but it is really hard to play it off when you have a burning sensation in your face and water dripping off your nose.  On the bright side, it reminded me of the feeling I used to get when I was little and water would go up my nose in the swimming pool.  So, I wiped my face off, finished my workout and left the gym with the promise of summer still stinging the inside of my face.  I sure do love summer.

I am on Day 21 of the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. Yes, I truly have been challenged.  Challenged to eat healthier, challenged to remember to take vitamins, challenged to say no to all the things that I used to eat throughout the day, challenged to take a look at habits that I wasn't aware of.  Was it worth it?  You bet.  What I am getting in return is better eating habits, renewed energy and a more balanced lifestyle.  I really like it and will continue implementing many aspects of the 24 Day Challenge in my normal life.

On a side note, I was driving home from the gym and there was a weird lump under my foot.  When I got to the stop sign, I lifted up my foot and looked to see what is was.  Under my foot was a dirty, candy Robin's Egg from 22 Days ago.  I bought some the day before I started the 24 Day Challenge and a few of the Robin's Eggs fell between my seat.  I thought I had gotten them all when I cleaned out the car.  Even though it had been in my car for 22 days, was just under my foot that had been walking around the sweaty gym and it had dirt on it...I was tempted to eat it.  I sure do love those things.  I threw it out my window and forced myself to act like I was disgusted about it. 

So, do I still have cravings?  Oh yeah!  Is it easier to fight off the temptation?  I guess it depends on the day.  But, I know for sure that I think about my choices instead of acting and then kicking myself later or pigging out and then feeling like I HAVE to go for a 5 mile run.
Balance is good.

If you are interested in Advocare or information on my friend and Nutrition Coach Liz Blom, please visit and "Like" her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/lizblom.nutritionandwellness