Haha! Best laid plans…. When I started back on my running journey doing the C25K plan I had intentions of blogging about it every week. Well here we are 4 weeks from my previous post! Good news in a nutshell is I am still progressing …
Has it really been over 2 weeks since I posted?! Time is flying by! I am still cruising along here following the Couch to 5k plan. You can check that out here. Since my last post I’ve made some progress! As of my last post …
I’ve missed writing! I was thinking this morning how much I enjoy reading and writing now! I definitely don’t remember thinking and feeling that way back in high school AP English!!! 😂
Much and not much has transpired over these last few months. I believe my last post was about having surgery to remove my 18 year old breast implants. (Check that post out here.) Good news- I have recovered well and am back to doing all the things! I feel better than ever and am grateful I had that done and am feeling back to 100% me.
I’ve been back to running consistently now for nearly 6 weeks now and did a 5k last weekend. I’m so happy to be back at it and even signed up for a half-marathon in November!
Power for Purple 5k
I’m also lifting 3x/week and that feels amazing to be getting stronger. Muscle is where it’s at baby! 💪🏻
I have been having big thoughts and big goals again around fitness – running in particular and am so excited about the future! I am going to do this! 🤯
Now to get a bit real.
I have been working on creating a business and essentially have one – an LLC, a website…
But I have to admit I’m questioning this path and what I’m doing. I believe I have a message to share but also balancing that with what I want personally.
I’ve been doing an amazing course that has helped me more than just about anything I have ever done, including therapy. I thought I had done a lot of personal development and had “arrived.”
Boy I was wrong.
I’m learning even more that’s a good thing! I’ve learned a lot in just 6 weeks about myself in this course. (BTW it’s called Radical Happiness with my amazing friend, Dr. Tarryn MacCarthy -look her up here.) Seriously, click the link!!!
Through this course a big thing I’m learning and practicing that has helped me as a dentist is regulating my nervous system. And managing my energy. I feel calmer throughout the day practicing and don’t leave as exhausted as I had been. Hurray!!! 🥳 I really did not think that was possible. And a big part of why I was looking into having a business to leave or practice very little.
I’ve realized I nearly constantly seek to achieve and have been driven by external praise and recognition. Obviously this has gotten me this far in life but I’m at the point I’m over it. And, I’m tired (of it). I see it in the entrepreneur world I’ve entered into and I don’t like it. I don’t want to be a part of that anymore.
Basically it’s just taking my bad habit patterns into a new career! 😂
Sadly, I think that may be part of why I sought after this whole “business” – thing. The fact I was unhappy in dentistry looking for something else was the biggest driver and now that I am happier practicing dentistry it’s just not making as much sense to me. I love my days off dentisting and wouldn’t want to work more than the 3 days I do. I also don’t want to be working much on the days I’m not dentisting.
I enjoy so many other things. Doing many other things, hobbies, activities….and I’m learning to rest and relax! Finally after 43+ years!!!
And, even enjoy it! Savor it!
A few weeks ago it was getting to be where I felt like I was working most of the time and/or felt like I should be working. Sure I know I can do it but I’ve learned that I need and want my rest and downtime!
I’ve gotten to see inside the world of entrepreneurism a bit and yes it’s hard, yes I know I could do it, but do I want to do it?
To help answer that I’m taking a step back – taking more time for me – to slow down – to rest – to be outside – to just be.
View from time in the hammock!
Once I took all of the pressure off a couple of weeks ago I felt a HUGE relief!
I felt calmer, more at ease, and happy. 😊
And maybe it’s a matter of not doing it at all right now and more slowly or in bits and pieces. Some things I’ve been doing I enjoy and some I do not. Some are just not me.
The point was to do something I enjoy. Not add more stressful work I don’t enjoy!
Most of us don’t do that nearly enough. That is stop, and take inventory of our life. Then when we finally take a moment and pause we may think how in the world did I get here?! And realize we aren’t even living our own life. Or a life we want to live.
For me I’ve come to realize I am worthy as I am.
I am worthy as I am.
I don’t have to always be doing, be achieving, be accomplishing, striving, making money.
I mean what is the point if not to feel good, living in calm and ease and joy! That’s what I want!
I think I’ve often gotten my worth from what I’ve done and achieved. Again, that has gotten me this far in life but I don’t have to keep on going and living with this mentality.
Cliffs of Moher
And I’m not.
Oh yes, and after our trip to Ireland (!) I’ve been bit by the travel bug again! I cannot wait for more adventures to come!
As I said above I have big goals and dreams, particularly on the running front. It is a balance between the achieving and just be-ing. A big part of that is in enjoying the journey itself.
I used to think many of the things I do are selfish. I’m sure some think they are. However, I had the thought the other day in yoga that if everyone did these same things – taking time for themselves, to take care of their bodies and minds – what a different world we would be living in!
People would be calmer, happier
…so it’s not selfish and maybe what I’m doing doesn’t change the world, make lots of money, and maybe I decide to have or not to have a business, but I’m living MY life to it’s fullest and in my own authenticity.
I’m feeling that it’s time. It’s time to share a very personal part of my story. Of what I’ve been going through And I share, not to gain status or reputation. I share to help others. Even impacting one woman will be worth it. I …
“Water is the only drink for a wise man.” – Henry David Thoreau Why: 💦 75% of us are chronically dehydrated!!!💦 Our bodies are 60% water and our blood is 90%!💦 Improve overall health and well-being! How: 💦 Start with half your body weight in …
Year-end review! There are many ways you can do this and innumerable posts on but this is what I did! 1. Make 3 columns and go through your year noting: Things that were awesome Things never want to do again Things that make you feel …
When’s the last time you tried something new? Something you might even suck at?! If you’re anything like me I bet it’s been a while. What is it with this idea that we gravitate to doing things that we are good at and avoid those …
TLDR: After being at a 5 day conference I came home the same weight. See tips below!
Early July I was at The Dental Festival in Nashville. I was gone for 5 days. As you may know by now from reading here I am also on a bit of a health journey.
So what do we do when we are working towards our health goals and have a trip?!
I used to panic, fret, and worry!
Not anymore!
I was so proud to return from this 5 day conference and I had not gained any weight!
Here’s what I did:
1. Workouts
I still got in a couple of workouts. I made it a goal to get in at least 1 workout over the 5 days. Getting in a second was a bonus! The hotel had a nice fitness center and my workouts are online from my coach. They can be done anywhere!
I left super early Wednesday so getting up even earlier was just a no-go. So when I saw Wednesday’s conference schedule that things ended around 4pm with a free evening, I was going to take advantage and get a workout in right after. Friday I just got up early to get a workout in at 6am before things started at 8.
For me, it has shifted from “oh I need to workout to burn calories” to “working out makes me feel good.” So getting in my workouts is a priority in that it makes me feel great not just physically, but mentally as well!
2. Walking
Uber vs walking to our dinner spots? Walking all the way! Anytime between sessions, I’d try to get a little bit of walking in as well. During our free evening Wednesday I walked to the Whole Foods about a mile away to pick up some things for breakfast. Basically, take any opportunity to get some movement in!
3. Protein.
I’ve found focusing on protein is huge for this process. I do track macros per my coach/nutritionist and protein is a biggie. Protein helps with building muscle and also helps us to be satisfied.
4. Planning
Taking some time to plan is huge. Planning when you might be able to get a workout or walk in and planning a little with nutrition. The meeting provided us lunch every day. I knew I’d most likely be going out with other attendees for dinner. That left breakfast.
As mentioned in #2, I did see there was a Whole Foods not too far away. The room had a small fridge and I asked to get a microwave. (***Tip – call ahead and ask and also ask at check-in. The hotel was super accommodating!)
So I ventured to the store and picked up some things, much of which was focused on higher protein (see #3). At first I thought it was nuts what I spent there but the reality is it was much less than buying breakfasts at the hotel for several days, and fit into my nutrition better too!
5. Water
I focused on drinking my water. It can be easy at these meetings and being on the go to not drink much water, but I carried a water bottle around with me and there were water jugs all over to easily refill. It was a pain at times getting to the bathroom but I did still get my 100+ ounces in!
6. Little alcohol.
I did not drink very much. If you’ve been to Nashville, you know there are a gazillion bars. Add a conference to that and wow….things could’ve gotten out of control easily. Not that there’s anything wrong with enjoying adult beverages, but with health and fitness goals it’s important to be mindful
We went out to a cool place for dinner one night that had a unique drink that sounded intriguing to me so I did enjoy that Thursday evening. Then, I only drank on the Sunday Funday outing and kept it to a minimum as well and was sure to enjoy what I did have.
As you have read, it might take a little work and extra-planning, but staying on track with your health goals is possible while traveling, as well as enjoying yourself! Happy travels!
I am feeling uninspired this week. Anyone else? I also have been feeling tired and rundown from just trying to keep up with all the things. It’s hard finding that balance between working towards your goals and taking time for rest and fun. I often …