A healthier me: Mission accomplished

Sometimes all it takes is getting off the couch. Three months ago, I set a goal of getting healthy. And Saturday, I completed my first mud run, a three-mile course with mud pits, balance beams, hills and a lot of fun.

I felt a great sense of accomplishment, making all those times I forced myself to make a gym appearance worth it. I won't lie. Some days I didn't want to go. And some days I didn't (even though I felt super guilty). But the aches, hours of cardio and pushing myself to the limit culminated in crossing the finish line at the Dirty 6 Mud Run. 

It was publicly announced yesterday that former WSU and New Orleans Saints football player Steve Gleason has ALS, a terminal disease that damages the nerves that control voluntary muscle movement. The Times-Picayune ran an incredible story on Gleason and one of his quotes has resonated with me.

By no means am I comparing my fitness journey to Gleason's courageous battle. But what he said is so true. I was fearful of putting all of this on the blog because what if I failed?! I was fearful in signing up for the mud run because what if I couldn't complete the training?! Well, I'm here to say that once you let go, anything is possible.

A childhood spent playing in dirt piles and my natural clumsiness combined to lead up to this defining moment.

Find out more about my journey to a healthier me here.

Five for Friday + A healthier me: The moment of truth

Well, friends, the time has arrived for my first mud run. Tomorrow morning you can find me at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler getting dirty with a few hundred crazies. This journey to a healthier me is far from finished, but I can't wait to put the hard work of the past few months to the test.

I wanted to share my fave posts from the past few months in this edition of Five for Friday. Future topics will include fun playlists, nutrition and potentially training for a half effin' marathon! Thanks for all of the encouragement I've received via your wonderful comments and emails. They mean so much!

1. Back at the beginning

2. Where the magic happens

3. Sassy support

4. Mileage milestone

5. Thrice as nice

Find out more about my resolve to get fit then delve deeper into the Five for Friday archives.

A healthier me: Thrice as nice

Week 7 of my running program is in the books, fitness friends. And I'm happy to report I hit the three-mile mark. It's still hard to believe only three months ago I could barely run three consecutive minutes. It hasn't been easy (there are still days I have to force myself to make a gym appearance), but when I'm finished running, it's always worth it.

I'm a little less than two weeks away from reaching my goal of competing in my first mud run, and I couldn't be happier with the progress I've made.

Come along with me on my journey to a healthier me.

A healthier me: Mileage milestone

I'm proud to report I reached a major goal in my journey to a healthier me. With the help of my running program, I did a little over two miles and 20 minutes nonstop on Friday! It's still not a full 5K, but considering I was a regular fixture on the couch prior to June, I'm super stoked with my progress and can't wait to put it to the test in September. Go me!

It hasn't been easy, but it's most definitely worth it. Check out my progress towards a healthier me here.

A healthier me: Sassy support

Now that I've been working out for about a month, I figured it was time to treat myself to a little fitness gift. I'm the proud owner of new workout pants and two sports bras (including number one in this roundup). 

The philosophy I use in choosing gym attire is "function meets fashion." Just because you're getting all sweated out doesn't mean you can't look and feel cute. I've found that wearing materials like polyester and spandex (just say no to cotton) are best for moisture-wicking and breathability in sports bras. And those capabilities are key, especially now that I'm almost halfway through my running program.

Get the gear: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

Check out more of my journey to a healthier me.

In the kitchen: Asian chicken noodle broth

It seems like Gwyneth Paltrow is everywhere these days: Singing on Glee, starring in movies, helping me in the kitchen. I discovered her lifestyle newsletter GOOP and was really impressed by the yummy recipes she features. In the name of my lifestyle change, I'm eating better (the fiance is along for the ride).

Looking for a nutritious yet tasty meal, I turned to Gwyneth. And she came through in her newsletter about Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. Pretty sure his Asian chicken noodle broth created a revolution in our tummies. It was delicious, filling and super easy to make (and this is coming from somebody who has like zero culinary skills). Happy cooking!

Serves 2

1 tablespoon mixed seeds (pumpkin, poppy, sun flower)

a small handful of raw cashew nuts

1 quart chicken broth, preferably organic

2 skinless chicken breast fillets, preferably free-range or organic

2 teaspoons five-spice powder

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

olive oil

a thumb-sized piece of fresh root ginger

½ to 1 fresh red chili, to your taste

4 ounces rice sticks or vermicelli

a handful of snow peas

6 thin asparagus spears or 4 regular-sized spears

6 fresh baby corn or 1/2 cup fresh corn kernels

soy sauce

juice of 1 lime

a small handful of spinach leaves

Check out my past cooking adventures here.

A healthier me: Where the magic happens

As a way to chronicle the journey to a healthier me, I'll write about different aspects of the process. It's mostly to keep me accountable, but it'll also be cool to reflect on when I reach my goal.

This week, I wanted to share where the pain magic happens. I'm lucky to have a nice gym in my complex. The "fitness center" in other places I've resided usually consisted of a busted treadmill and rickety '80s Bowflex equipment even the Goodwill would reject.

Sometimes there are nasty people who don't wipe down the machines (ewwwwwwwwwww) or those who are just plain psycho (the dude who tried to duct tape a laptop to the treadmill). But it's still better than nothing.

And I'm happy to report that I dropped seven pounds and successfully completed the first stage of my running program this past week. Go me!

[Top: The motivating view of the pool from the treadmill / Second: The cardio area where I spend the majority of my workouts / Third: The trusty stairclimber / Bottom: Gettin' swoll on the weight machines]

A healthier me: Back at the beginning

Sometimes I don't know how personal to get in the blogosphere, but here it goes. I need to make a lifestyle change. And I need to write about it here to hold myself accountable. Weight is something I've struggled with, and I'm tired of feeling like ish.

It's easy to forgo fitness and grab whatever premade crap is available sitting at a desk or couch blogging and graphic designing. But the excuses stop today. Last fall, I lost 20 pounds, so I know it can be done. But my problem is sustaining the motivation to hit the gym and eat better once I've achieved my goal.

My 30th birthday is in October (yikes) and I want to slim down to commemorate the milestone. But mostly I just want to feel good about myself. Fitting in those skinny jeans wouldn't hurt, either. I'm far from the shape I was in when I was at the gym five days a week and running 5Ks, but I'm determined to get back there.

Dirty 6 Mud Run 2 / Saturday, Sept. 24 2011

Get the essentials: 1. SparkRecipes + Couch-To-5K apps / 2. WSU T-shirt / 3. Moisture-wicking pants / 4. Journal / 5. Water bottle / 6. iPod nano / 7. Supportive shoes

A healthier me: Playing in the mud

An athletic event involving mud ... Sign me up. Well, maybe. I came across the Mad Mud Run while researching 5Ks and was reminded of the fun I had playing soccer in the elements during high school. 

I'm still not sure if I'll do this year's mud run because even though I've made progress in my quest for a healthier me, four miles by the end of November may not be realistic. It's definitely something I'm working toward, though. 

And I'm happy to report, my daily cardio routine is at 55 minutes. Go me.

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Course map

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A healthier me

Feeling sluggish, unmotivated and large suck, which is why I've decided to make a lifestyle change. And it starts with working out and eating better.

I realize it's probably not cool to bare one's soul on the Internet like this. But if I put my struggle out there, I can be held accountable and get support. Not having those are the main reasons I tend to slack off.

I'm far from the place when I was at the gym five days a week and running 5Ks, but I'm determined to get back there.

My former trainer stressed the importance of setting goals, so here they are:

• Daily: Work up to 60 minutes of cardio.
• Weekly: Exercise three to five days a week.
• Monthly: Lose inches and pounds.
• Yearly: Run at least one 5K. I have my eye on this.

What keeps you motivated? I'd love to hear your tips, meal plans, exercises, playlists, tricks and anything else that helps you stay on the right track.

Cross City Race: September 2008, Fresno

Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure: November 2008, Fresno

 We raced for my Mom, who is a breast cancer survivor!