Running Towards Something

I finally got fed up with myself. I was slipping into a routine of not taking care of myself and then I would get mad at myself when clothes that should fit were a little too tight. It is not like I am eating a ton up here, but I was still gaining weight again after I worked so hard to get it off.

So I finally found a treadmill and decided to run every night I am in Ludington. Don't be alarmed, I am not pushing myself too hard, I am doing interval training. The treadmill is really nice because it has a 1:1 interval training course, so I walk and then run. I have been managing to go for about 3 to 4 miles every night, which I think is a great accomplishment. I have also found out that running is a great way to get rid of my stress.

I also see running as a way of running towards my goal. My main goal is to be healthy, because I realize that I am currently not healthy and do not like the way I look or fit into clothes. I don't want to continue to be this unhealthy for the rest of my life.

So, I don't see myself running away from something, but running towards better health and more self respect.

P.S. - One of my favorite quotes that I use to motivate myself is "To a winner, pain is weakness leaving the body." (I think that came from one of my sister's old volley ball tournament T-Shirts)

Holidays

Once again I have been very delinquent in my posts, but since I lead a pretty boring life and all of my followers are people I talk to on the phone regularly I don't feel the need to post all the time.

I had the week in between Christmas and New Years off, so I went back down to Belmont, MI to spend some quality time with my family and animals. I really love Christmas time because it is a time to remember the sacrifice God made for all of us. It still amazes me that he came to earth as a helpless baby in order to save us all.

Christmas Eve and Day was a ton of fun, but also very busy. I spent Christmas Eve with my immediate family and went to my Grandma Kieda's house for a small party. It was really nice to see everyone that isn't family and that I don't get to see all that often. Christmas Day was really relaxed and I think I woke up around 9 am, which is really late for me. Dozer and Bailey got into their stockings the minute they came cause they are nosy and after I helped them open their stockings I drank a really nice cup of Starbucks coffee while waiting for Ricky and Amanda to come over. After opening presents with the family, it was time to head over to Grandma & Grandpa Kieda's house for the Kieda side of the family Christmas get together. It was great to interact with my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

The next day we (dad, mom, rick, amanda, dozer and I) loaded into two vehicles to head to Cleveland to visit Lauren, Jeff, Will and Harvey. We had a great time hanging out, shopping, and going to the zoo. I know that going to the zoo in the winter is a little crazy, but it was really fun. The Cleveland Zoo has an indoor rain forest exhibit and a few outdoor animals that love the snow. The best part of the whole Cleveland trip was getting to see how big Will is getting. It is amazing to think that last year at this time Will wasn't here! It is hard to fathom. Will is now talking (babbling, really), crawling at the speed of light, and walking while holding on to stuff. Dozer also had a great time in Cleveland cause he got to play with my sister's Labradoodle, Harvey, who is only 8 months old and has a ton of energy. We took them to the dog park one day to run off some energy and before you know it, we had 6 other dogs in the park playing with them. They had a blast, but they got really dirty and had to have a bath when we got home.

All in all, the holidays were a blast! It was so great to see everyone and have a little time off to relax.