Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog

Well hello everyone, it's me ~ Marilyn preparing for my third Litchfield Hills Road Race. 7.1 miles of long country roads and a hill at the end that scares even the elite runners. I've trained well. I'm a slow runner but speed has nothing to do with how I feel before, during and after my run. I'm out there completing something I'd never even dreamed of. In previous years past, I was the "official" videographer for the race, riding I the pace car. Back then I thought those people were nuts. Running in the heat and humidity of the early afternoon ~ that's never going to be me!!!!

Well, I proved myself wrong didn't I? Yes I did!!! If you are reading this and you are not a runner, you have no idea how I feel. It's hard to put into words the excitement felt the day before and day of the big race ~ ok and the day after you're really tired----but it's a good tired. LOL the shouts, cheers, cowbells, music and the outstanding onlookers motivate you. It's the high fives from fellow runners passing you that gives you the energy to keep moving.  I've been high fived during my training runs ~ yes indeed ~ by men and women half my size who support me and don't care how long it takes me to finish. Runners are polite. Runners are real people. Runners are genuine in spirit. I'm proud to be a runner ..............

Check out this cute video of a duck following somebody around every time they walk. I guess even creatures in the animal kingdom want to get some exercise in!

When entering a disaster zone, the first things relief workers do is make sure people have clean water, food, shelter, rest, etc. because those things are the basic things human beings need to stay alive.  

We have to have enough food, water, air, rest, etc. before we can live, let alone go on to work, produce, create, innovate, enjoy our lives, and reach our full potential.  See Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs below.   

I struggle with getting myself into shape.  For quite sometime I have been "A SHAPE", primarily round. I lack the discipline to eat well and exercise. Excuses come easy, negative thinking drags me down and finances always seem to paint a picture of the easier "more affordable" options to eating being made up of .88 cent boxes of Ronzoni shells in butter versus eating whole foods.  Well take a look at these guys...

Simply put.  If these guys can do it at their ages.  Then I (we) have NO EXCUSES to get going. Here is a library I am forming of some really old people who are in much better shape than I am, and I'm half their age!

I had an awesome appointment with my trainer today. He took the measurements with the calipers and my body fat is nearing 10 percent. It's getting close to the point where it's tough to measure the body fat. After 10 percent, it's tough to get an accurate reading. My thighs and chest now measure at 8 percent but the abs are still holding at 16.

That's actually good that the abs are not at 10 yet, it means they are still tightening. I do see a difference in the abs. They feel tighter and my love handles are barely noticeable. I'm actually very happy with the way the abs are progressing. From the feedback I hear, the bulge in the abdominal area is not noticeable through clothing, which is awesome!