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"I'm not a runner." "I'd rather sit on my couch." "Ha! The gym? Me? Riiiight..." This used to be how I talked about exercise. I used to joke about the fact that if people saw me running, they might want to run too because I was likely being chased by something scary. And then one day, with the encouragement of my sisters-in-law, I decided I might try it. I used the app "Couch to 5K" and I got to where I was able to jog a whole mile. It wasn't a fast mile, but it was more than I had ever been able to jog without stopping in my entire life. This was a huge accomplishment for me. Shortly after I built up this endurance, we found out we were expecting our third daughter. I was pretty sick for a little while and ended up giving up the running dream until after she was born. I was shocked at how much I missed running in those last few months of pregnancy. After I was fully-recovered from my caesarean section and able to leave her for a little while, I started jogging again. Between 2015 and 2018, I would run for a little while, then fall off the wagon. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. My running commitment wasn't really a commitment, but more like a hobby that I would pick up every so often. Finally, in the summer of 2019, I really got serious about it and started doing a 5K each month. During the "Run for the Tree Kangaroos" race at the Kansas City Zoo in September, I injured my hip and had to take a pretty significant break. In March of 2020, just as COVID-19 was starting to make its rounds, I started taking daily walks to clear my mind after school. Being in school administration during a global pandemic is something that takes up a lot of headspace. These walks were mentally and emotionally healthy, but also started to bring back the positive feelings that I had associated with running in the past.
I love looking at the homemade medal hanger almost as much as I enjoy sifting through all of the medals for the races I did in 2020.
I've set a goal for myself of 20 5Ks in 2021, along with four 10Ks. Who knows? Maybe I'll work up to that half-marathon I've been dreaming about for the last few years. We'll see about the half-marathon, but either way -- today I can say with confidence, "I am a runner." Taking life one jog at a time here at the farmhouse, Hannah ♥️🏡♥️
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Let's be real.
I know what I need to do. When I want to make healthy choices, I can. I am completely capable of making the right call when various food choices are in front of me. I've studied and implemented the Whole30 program. I've eaten using a Keto lifestyle for weeks (sometimes months) at a time. I did Weight Watchers for over a year and lost between 15-20 pounds. And then, one day, I'll feel so good in my own skin that I'll make the choice to eat something that isn't a healthy choice. Something like a donut from Koehn's Bakery... A pumpkin pie blizzard from Dairy Queen... Or a blueberry scone from Starbucks. And you know what? If I had consciously made a choice to have a scone and a caramel macchiato and get right back on track, that would be great!
And slowly, my weight creeps up and my pants feel a little tighter and that Stephens double-chin becomes a triple-chin.
And before I know it, I'm throwing a kid on my lap or in moving them in front of me every time we take a picture. I'm wearing flowy layers because I don't feel comfortable in my more fitted clothing. And I'm digging out my jeans that are a size bigger because I feel better in them.
But the thing is...it's never about how I look.
It's about how I feel. When I'm making good food choices, my joints are less achy. My face is clearer. I'm less irritable. I have more energy. So that's why when I got the email announcing the "Biggest Loser" competition at school starting this Monday...I knew this was a great opportunity to start again. Through the Farmhouse654 12-Week Challenge that several of us are going through this year, I'm working towards making my dream life a reality...with goals related to our home, relationships, finances, personal growth, and of course, health.
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