Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog

A friend in a running group shared an article about runners and how speed is not so important. I have to admit, before I read the post, I was very competitive. I keep thinking that I wanted to increase speed, but I'm starting to rethink it.

Most people I associate with do not run. A lot of people tell me, even in their 20's, that they can't even run a mile. How awesome is it that I'm able to run, like so many of my plant based friends who have all lost weight. We are doing it because we can run.

I blogged a few weeks ago how I was going to focus on strength training as I want to build more muscle. That is still the goal but I do have a few smaller races coming up. At the end of this month, I will do a 5K, which should be easy for me. Next month, there's a 10K race in my hometown. I'm doing these races more for fun and to make sure I still get some running in.

My workout routine has been concentrating on lifting more weights. I'm still doing 5 days a week, but not as much cardio as I had been doing. I still do cardio each day, but less time. I know the more cardio I do, the more weight I'll lose and the less muscle I will build.

My half marathon is coming up quick. It's just over three weeks away. I signed up for the Fairfield Half Marathon on June 2nd. It's been a lot of work doing the training, but I think I'm ready.

Before I started training, I said I'd love to complete the half in 1 hour 30 minutes. That was unrealistic. I'd be happy if I can come close to two hours. However, I'm not so focused on the time I finish. I really just want to complete it.

I am always thinking about goals. Yes, the abdominoplasty was a big goal but I have so many things I want to work on in the new year. I'm just glad I don't have to concentrate on my loose skin wondering if it will ever tighten!

As I mentioned on Dr. Mondo's show last week, I would like to do a half or full marathon. I do love running but it seems like it's always an after thought as I have other goals in the way. But I think the half marathon is achievable as I'll have time to train for that.

1. Why’d I Wait So Long? This was the question a plastic surgeon asked me during my consultation for an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). This question resonated in my mind.

For the past 5 years, I had been trying everything to tighten my abs to no avail. I was stubborn, thinking every doctor was wrong. Any consultation or doctor appointment I had, the doctor would always state the same thing...

“This is just skin. You have very little fat in there. Once skin stretches, it doesn’t bounce back. You were 350 pounds... there’s no way you wouldn’t be left with loose skin.”