Mantra Maker

So, I got a little excited last night when I found a facebook listing of Running Mantras.  I haven't picked my own yet, but I totally see the point of them!  ---and then I got REALLY excited when this HTML clueless girl figured out how to make a Scrolling Mantra List for my blog (see lower right sidebar)!  Here are some tips that I thought were helpful:

From:  Runner's World


Mantra Maker
How to put together your perfect phrase

Keep it short
Your mantra should be an affirmation, not a novel. "When you're tired, you don't want something elaborate," says Stephen Walker. "It's too hard to remember." Keep it to five seconds or less.

Stay positive
Think of the problem you're trying to counteract and turn it around. "If you're feeling weak, your mantra should be I am strong," says Walker.

Make it energetic
Your mantra should center on action verbs or strong adjectives, not abstract phrases, says Robert J. Bell. Look for words that convey energy, like "fast," "strong," or "power."

Embed instructions
Use the mantra to remind yourself what you plan to do or how you want to feel as you're running, says Walker. Now is the time; go for it. Or, Run relaxed. Finish strong.


BUILD IT, BELIEVE IT, BECOME IT
Choose one word from each section below to create a motivational, get-it-done power chant.

A
Run
Go
Stride
Sprint
Be 

B
Strong
Fast
Quick
Light
Fierce

C
Think
Feel 
Embrace
Be
Hold

D
Power
Speed
Brave
Bold
Courage

It's About the Numbers... or Not?

There is a time and a place for numbers.  I love them.  They control my life, and give me boundaries to work within.  But recently, I think I've become a little too obsessed with numbers and have started to grow a little resentful of them!

Culprit: Calories. 
For, I don't even know HOW long, I have been tracking (most of ) the calories that go into and out of my body.  Because when calories "out" (energy used) exceeds calories "in" (food eaten), you lose weight, right?  Simple equation.  'Cept it doesn't always work.  There HAS to be more to it!  Answer: All calories are not created equal.

There is definitely something to be said for nutrition.  Really, 100 calories of apples is exceedingly better for you than 100 calories of white bread.  Quality vs. Quantity?  Yet, my brain is so trained to convert everything I put into my mouth into a number (be it calories or PointsPlus, thanks Weight Watchers...) a lot of time, WHAT it is really doesn't seem to matter.  I've tried to eat healthier, but it all comes down to calories.  So, you may have noticed that the "My Fitness Pal" link has disappeared from the blog.  My plan is to FOCUS ON QUALITY foods this month, without counting calories.  (Note to self: Reread "Naturally Thin").

It's so frustrating to work SO hard to keep all the numbers in count, even to the point of feeling deprived.  (Which starts the binge eating... we'll leave that for another entry though.)  How am I supposed to make a "life change" when it constantly feels like I'm walking on a tightrope, and can slip off at any point.  I can't.

Speaking of calories "in"... calories "out" has also added to the frustrating factor.  I love to run, and I love how it feels to finish a good workout.  I hate that my brain loves to convert workouts to calories in order to determine if it was successful.  (And then, I think-- ooh, I burned 500 calories... now I can eat more!)

I need to just learn to eat healthy to BE healthy, and exercise for the love of exercise.  Because, really, I do love it.  I WOULD do it, even if it didn't burn calories!  It just feels good, relaxes me, and gives me a feeling of power and self confidence that I've never had.

Let's see how it goes.  GOAL: Lifestyle Change.

Motivation: Anne from www.fANNEtasticfood.com 

Theme Song

Stronger  


This past month has been quite the struggle for me, not being able to run.  Granted, it was only a sprained ankle, and people go through far worse, but it hurt me emotionally much more than it did physically.  While I was out on my run this morning  (3 minute jogging intervals), this song came on.  Looking back, it truly was my theme song.  It always came on at just the right moment on my shuffling playlist, and it was exactly what I needed to hear!


Hey, heard you were up all nightThinking about how your world ain't rightAnd you wonder if things will ever get betterAnd you're asking why is it always raining on youWhen all you want is just a little good newsInstead of standing there stuck out in the weather
Oh, don't hang your headIt's gonna endGod's right thereEven if it's hard to see HimI promise you that He still cares[Chorus]When the waves are taking you underHold on just a little bit longerHe knows that this is gonna make you stronger, strongerThe pain ain't gonna last foreverAnd things can only get betterBelieve meThis is gonna make you strongerGonna make you stronger, stronger, strongerBelieve me, this is gonna make you Stronger
Try and do the best you canHold on and let Him hold your handAnd go on and fall into the arms of JesusOh, lift your head it's gonna endGod's right thereEven when you just can't feel HimI promise you that He still cares
[Chorus]
'Cause if He started this work in your lifeHe will be faithful to complete itIf only you believe itHe knows how much it hurtsAnd I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this
When the waves are taking you underHold on just a little bit longerHe knows that this is gonna make you stronger, strongerThe pain ain't gonna last foreverIn time it's gonna get betterBelieve meThis is gonna make you stronger