Health Minded

Being healthy is a mindset, and a lifestyle. It is the only way to success and caring for the body you inhabit! You have to be mindful every day. This week my temperamental back decided to act up. I'm supposed to be training for my string of races this spring. I'm unable to do anything more than walk as of this writing. Earlier in the week, I could barely do that. My health is much more than my physical activity, though. Despite a plethora of Christmas goodies all over my house, I continued to eat healthy - small, frequent, whole food snacks. I drink lots and lots of water. I'm doing my breathing exercises. Now that I can move, I take short walks. I'm not focusing on what I can't do to live my life to the fullest, but rather what I can. I'm journaling what I eat. Accountability keeps me on track, especially as a diabetic. Sleep is also important. I'm trying to find the balance of when to stop drinking water so I'm not getting up in the night. Uninterrupted sleep is vital. This week I have lost 5 pounds. I'm not dieting, I'm caring for myself. I'm making healthy choices in every area. Mental health is also extremely important. I've learned that peace is priceless. Stress negatively effects every part of your life. Therefore, I let go of what I can't control, and modify what I can. Meditation is a daily part of my life. Don't feel like a failure if you are having difficulties in one area of your health. Focus on what you can do in all the other areas, and continue the daily journey of being the healthiest you can be! e b e r

Mind Over...Everything

This weekend I ran half marathon number 17 in Atlanta, Georgia. I had no idea the starting temperature would include a wind chill of 23 degrees. I had no idea Atlanta is one. Big. Hill. I had no idea that many of the miles would be run on tilted roads, straining my ankles. I was mentally prepared for the cold. I knew I could have trained more, but I went forth with the two goals I always have - have fun, and finish upright. It was a rough race. Then I let go and just...ran. I looked at the beautiful cityscapes that are foreign to me. I took in the beautiful houses at the top of the race course. I crunched through the leaves, glancing up at the beauty of scarlet fall leaves shimmering in the cold wind. I smiled as I ran past the dog park, laughing at the joyous romping of the city dogs on their patch of nature. I turned my mind away from the pain, the cold, the repetition of putting one foot in front of the other, and turned it toward soaking in my surroundings. Before I knew it, I was done. Mind over matter...over cold that lasted just that one day. Over pain in my ankles, straining on the road. Over thoughts of quitting, or not finishing. It starts before the race. It never ends. Every moment I have choices that directly effect my health. What I eat...or don't eat. Whether I get up and out and exercise. How much water I drink, versus less healthy choices. My attitude, and how it effects my stress level...which effects my health. Mind over everything that matters. That's what it comes down to. e b e r