I started back to running today.  This time last year, I started C25k and within a month I was easily doing 5k and in 2 months, 10k.  I know my body can do it.  Since this time last year I have shed nearly 70 pounds.  I still have around 50 to go.  What has changed is my mindset.  

The reason I love running is because once my body subjects itself to the torture and relinquishes the endorphins over, my mind clears and I can focus on finding an answer to something that's plaguing me.  

Today, it was food.

I know that God provides us with everything on earth we need to survive and more.  Our nourishment and answer to our health problems is found within our food.  However, so much is being done to what God made perfect that it is becoming harmful to us.

I know that God provides us with what we need to survive but we over stock our fridge and pantries with things that will go to waste.  It's okay to store up in planning ahead but without a plan it is wasteful.

I know that I lived to eat.  I love food, flavors and textures.  I love a colorful, full plate but do I eat it all, should I eat it all?  That depends.

Today, I thought of gluttony!!

Gluttony is what leads to obesity.  It's what led me there.  Gluttony is severely frowned upon in the Bible just like other lifestyles that are not of God.  A person who is a glutton is a disgrace to his father, lazy, becomes poor, and it is better to put a knife to your throat than to become a glutton.  That sounds harsh but becoming a slave to food is a slow painful death even with the pleasure the food gives us.  Proverbs 23:2, 21, 28:7, Titus 1:12.

The mindset must change.

We must re-educate ourselves on what is healthy, portions and we must learn to eat to live, not live to eat.  The changes are gradual sometimes and sometimes we dive right in.  My body is a temple and I should treat it as such.  I should respect that God created it perfectly and that He gave me the tools to better health.  I strive to buy food in a manner that is not wasteful and clean as well as growing our own.  I am eating leaner to become leaner and to have the energy to have the clear mind to become closer to Christ so that he can continue to show the way.

Reaching goals...

1. Walk to increase distance.  When I was getting close to my 5k goal but wasn't finishing it in the time allowed by the app I was using, I just walked the extra distance until my distance goal was reached.
2. Intervals for speed.  If you feel super slow like I did for months and know you want to cover more distance in less time or just increase your 5k speed, try interval training.  A day or two a week during your running you may want to skip the 5k program plan and try running intervals.  I used my 5k app and went back to day one.  I would run as fast as my legs would move me and then walk.  I also increased my tempo during regular runs in the middle of my runs to increase my speed...it works!
3. Plan life around workouts.  Your health is so important.  I can not even stress it enough.  I would love to spill what I have had to deal with in the last 10 years with my health but I will tell you, because of factors such as Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, along with my weight; I was labeled "morbidly obese" last April.
4. Bad days happen.  Don't let a bad run ruin your motivation.  Don't let a glance in the mirror or a picture a friend took make you feel you are not progressing fast enough.  A healthy lifestyle and healthy body happens much slower than we realize.  If you feel your run is just not going to happen, walk instead.  
5. Run occasionally with no limits.  The one thing I love most is when I have plenty of time to run.  I find myself pushing the limits.  It is nice to go for a leisurely run on Saturday morning and find that you can go just a little further when you aren't pressed for time.
6. Run occasionally with limits.  I found when I started back to work this school year that if I wanted to run in the mornings before work, it would have to be within an allotted time so that I could get back home, clean up, and get to work early enough for duties.  I had gotten used to running with no limits and realized that my pace was as slow as some walkers speed.  The time limits helped me to increase my speed.

1. Set new goals.  Don't settle for one goal.  Strive for excellence.  See how far your body can take you.  Once I reached my 5k goal on a regular basis my options were to set a speed goal or set a distance goal.  I chose distance.  My next goal was 10k.  I do 10k on a regular basis before work...don't ask what time I get up in the morning.  It is ridiculous.  
2. Register for a race.  I am running a race in November, an 8k for Wounded Warriors.  It keeps me motivated for two reasons.  One I have paid for it and it cost a bundle to run because it is a fund-raiser.  Two because I am doing it with friends, for a friend.  Even if I don't win, I have already won!
3. Make longterm plans.  Start thinking about what you will do during the holidays, when bad weather happens, through the long winter months.
4. Run with friends.  You could probably do this just fine in the beginning.  I felt this was a very personal thing and that I would either slow someone down or someone would not be able to keep up the distance.  Now, I think I am ready for a running buddy.  My pace is better and I feel I can keep up with the distance...just don't ask me to push a baby stroller...that's for Wonder Women!
5. Injuries.  That is when you can rest.  Take it easy, see a doctor if necessary.  I hurt my ankle a few weeks ago, running in the dark on a road and I stepped off in what I thought was a driveway to avoid a car in the wee hours of the morning.  Only I stepped in a hole.  I finished my run but the next day it wasn't pretty.  It didn't hurt to walk or run but it did hurt.  Let injuries heal, rest and then keep moving.