Run, Mama, Run

(First published 722/11 on my other blog, Real Housewives of NOLA.)

There are many facets to my personality. I am a mother and wife, first and foremost. I love to sew and create. I’m perfectly happy staying in and learning to crochet. At the same time I love to go out and hear a live concert, the more southern soul the better. I can make a mean martini and like my coffee so strong the spoon stands up. I live life gluten free, aim to save money and am THAT annoying lady with the coupons in front of you in Wal-Mart. I founded Handmade Louisiana and this very blog. So stands to reason I’d add yet another facet to my life. But this addition will hopefully help me live a long and healthy life!

I am becoming a runner.

Now, I’ve been told if you actually say it, repeatedly, accept it, and broadcast it, you are more likely to stick with it and actually bring the goal of running to fruitition. So I’m saying it. I am a runner.
Granted, right now I can only run literally, less than 2 minutes at a time. BUT- two weeks ago I couldn’t run 30 SECONDS at a time.  So to me that’s a great improvement! Considering I only go 2-4x a week, that’s great!

Right now I mostly run with my best friend of 24 years. She used to run in college so it will likely come back easier to her. I NEVER ran. I have always been fairly active…but of course years go by….you get lazy (or sedentary). Ironically, her brother is a marathon runner who has been trying to teach everyone he knows the benefits of running for years. Now, I’ll finally listen.

So we mostly walk. Fast, but still. Our time has steadily improved, even when we hadn’t run in 4 days. Our goal is to run for 30 minutes straight. I don’t feel the need to run marathons, just 30 straight minutes of good, solid running. The reasons are obvious. I’m getting older. If I don’t get my stamina in check now, I’ll be exhausted and not able to keep up with my boys. I realize the body ages and one day the knees may not be able to take running, but I’m going to do it the best I can, for as long as I can.

I also like the simplicity of running. I’ve tried various exercises. I worked at a gym as a young adult, so I did all the machines then. Nowadays, we can’t afford the gym membership, so it’s about free and easy. I have done pilates and yoga over the years, which are great for flexibility and some muscle building but I want to burn calories and stamina. And there is nothing simpler than putting one foot in front of the other.
So how do you like to work out? What workouts do you hate? Are you a runner? Have any tips for me? (besides getting a good sports bra..yeah….I totally learned that lesson.)

If you wish to follow my progress, drop me some encouragement, or push me when I need it, I’m on MapMyRide.com Let’s connect and run together, even if it’s virtually!
Now, get out there and run!
~~Amy

To Join a Gym or Not to Join a Gym.....that is the fat butt question..

So, I'm feeling a little squishy. A little too squishy. And unlike my friend Dee's 3 month old who I affectionately call Squishy....I'd rather not be so pudding like. I'm not overweight, and I'm sure many of my friends would say, "getouttahere" but Yeah..I need to lose a few.

I'd actually lost all the baby weight by taking up sewing and running my business. But as the business had grown and it's more about keeping it afloat than spending hours sewing (because apparently, once you actually do good at your shop, you no longer have time to SEW!) But 8-10 lbs have crept back on. Mama not likey.

So, to decide. Now, by the grace of God and hard work, we have paid off all our medical bills and credit cards. This is quite a feat as I racked up almost 3k myself in 2008 when they wrongly diagnosed me with MS only to say, oops, you don't have it. (A good mistake, I know.) We also racked up 2k more in the boys for Eli's Autism diagnosis and Harrison's cat allergy diagnosis. I'm not complaining, we had coverage, they got help and it's done. But Praise Lord it's PAID FOR!

Sooooooooo, I am the spender in the family, no question about it. But I am better than my 10k in debt days of post-college. So I'm contemplating joining a gym. Not a fancy 100 a month gym, but one of those Anytime Fitness places. It's a reasonable fee. But my husband has made me a worry wart.

What if the heater breaks this winter? (It's over 18 years old). What if the hot water heater breaks (also original).? What if my 96 car needs major repair? I'm a worry wart now, he's done that to me!

I suppose I'll experiment, if I can stick with working out at home, maybe I can see enough reward there and one day do the gym. It's hard to even consider until school starts again, the boys are so all consuming. I have to wonder, can it all really fit? Kids, House, Husband, Work, Exercise, Cooking/Cleaning, FUN? Where does it all fit in??

I think my first experiment will be to get up early, before the man and go walk. It should be cooler then and maybe if I can force myself to do that, I can get to BED at a decent hour!

We shall see.....