Who Moved My Cheese?

How many of you have ever read the book, Who Moved My Cheese? I really love this book and I thought about it yesterday at the gym. Yep, at the gym. Why? Because here is what my goofy self did yesterday. I was about 15-20 minutes late, but I made it to the gym after trying for about an hour to talk myself out of it. I paid my $5 (walk in fee...if you are not a member you pay as you go.), went into the bathroom to change and got dressed and reached for my shoes. Hmmm...no shoes. CRAP! I really had plans on running.

So, rather than sit and wait for everything to be in place, I adjusted and ran barefoot (well, with socks) on the treadmill. Lessons learned are as follows:

• Treadmills get hot, as in burning hot, once that belt has went around for quite a while.
• Take the advice of others. I had heard that you should start off slowly because you will be sore the next day. I did 1.75 miles (time constraints due to being late) and I am a little sore today.
• Running barefoot is much more effortless!
• Be willing to change at the drop of a hat. DON'T be that mouse that sits there and waits for everything to be perfect (i.e.-cheese where it has always been)
• Don't be scared to try something new.

In other, not frazzled-brained forgetful news, my son and I found a new food we like. Parsnips. We cut them in fry form and roasted with olive oil and kosher salt. They are very much like french fries, but better for you. I allowed him to cut them, with supervision, so I think that helped him to embrace a new food because he helped to prepare them. I also let him cut up the broccoli that we roasted and the sweet potatoes. He was much more enthusiastic about veggies than he normally is.

With the new year, lots of people find "their word". One word that sums up what they want 2011 to be. I found mine. BALANCE. I want to balance kids with work and with healthy living. Sometimes it's hard to find time to run and go to the gym when you have kids. I'm going to work to find that balance. Maybe that includes bringing them along?

I also want balance in my workouts. I got a little burned out on running at the end of last year. I think it was because that was the only form of activity that I did. I want to alternate with videos and strength training. I even joined the gym after my barefoot run yesterday. Why? Because I know that the fact that I had already paid is why I went ahead and ran. So, now the gym is paid for and I know I will feel bad if I don't go.

I am loving the new Weight Watchers plan! I have shed 6 of the 8 holiday pounds and decided to try to shed 2-4 more. :) My friend shed 7.6 pounds her first week on the new plan!

And finally, I'm issuing a challenge. 31 miles in 31 days. That's my goal for January. I'm hoping that in combination with my varied workouts will help me re-ignite that spark I had for running. Who wants to join me in the challenge? (walk or run!)

To make it interesting, email me at littlemp at gmail dot com if you want to sign up. Sign ups will be open until midnight Monday, January 12th. I'll create an accountability system and then I will have prizes for those who complete 31 miles in 31 days! I know I'll give away Bondi Bands, but give me a few days and I'll have a complete list of prizes when I have a complete list of participants.

Hope you have a great weekend!!!!