reimagine – Smart Mamas Read

For years, I watched my kids running 5Ks and thought, "I need to train to be ready next year to run." But, then, I never did. Until now. Since I found out I had Hashimoto's and changed my diet, started taking key vitamins and minerals, I've seen a huge difference in my health and energy levels. I don't think I'd be able to train for a 5K if I hadn't gotten healthier. I'm using the Couch to 5K app to train for my first race. Here's what I learned: There will be obstacles: expect them. Forgetting your shoes. A morning that goes backwards leaving you no time for a workout. You can't get the app to work. You lose your keys. The college gym you work out in closes for Spring Break. There's always something. The lesson here is that you have to push through in spite of the obstacles. Expect them. You might have to make some tweaks for better success in the future, but don't give up. Accept less than perfect effort. We live in a less than perfect world. When you get four and half hours of sleep and you haven't eaten breakfast, your workout is not going to go well. Do the best you can and move on. Celebrate effort, not results. What you can control is the effort you put in, not what you achieve. So, reward your faithfulness. Reward your disciplines. Reward your perseverence in the face of obstacles. It doesn't matter if you don't hit every goal. It doesn't matter if you aren't seeing the results you want to see. Keep at it anyway. Don't get discouraged and quit. The results will come. Stick with it. Remember every project has a messy middle. Commit yourself irrevokably in the beginning, so it tides you over when you can't see the end. It helps to let people know what you're doing, so you can get some support. I'm glad I signed up for the 5K at the beginning of my training. I might have talked myself out of it in the middle. You have to know your why. Your motivation is what keeps you going. There's nothing like the feeling AFTER a good workout. I did my first 3 mile workout this week. It took me 47 minutes. That's pretty slow. But, I'm happy that I can make it that far. I'm glad I trained.