Control

Not being able to run, or really do ANYTHING cardiovascularly has left me feeling out of control.

I could've been going and doing limited upper body weights, but it just sucks.  It sucks watching other people, it sucks feeling lame and it is like a tease.

When I first had to take time off from running, I lost weight. 
Let me rephrase that, I lost muscle.

Granted, I'm only 3 pounds off of where I left off from running,
 but I feel marshmallowy.

As I slowly (seriously slowly) start adding back activities, I felt the need to be more in control with my eating.  I had let it get out of hand.  And one thing I've learned over the last two months is that running doesn't control my weight (phew).  I do!

I did an all natural cleanse this weekend and started journaling my food last week. 

My friend Jenny mentioned an all natural product that she uses and so I jumped on the bandwagon.  I've been pretty happy.  I refuse to "starve" or limit myself.  But, this has done neither.  It has helped my sweet tooth and logging what I eat makes a big difference too.  I'm not following the food plan they have laid out, because I feel confident in my knowledge and know what my body needs to run correctly.  Not having the sugar craving has been a HUGE help, I believe.

Here is a pic from my first day.

And here is a pic from 4 days later.

I'd call that progress. 

Stay tuned. 

Yesterday, I ran the garbage can out and then ran back to the house.  It felt so good to stretch.  So I decided to just "test it out" last night at the Y.  I was so giddy with excitement and nervous with anticipation.

15 minutes...1 mile...and 2 of those minutes were spent running.  I cranked my ipod and wanted to sing to the whole gym.  While it was pissing me off at the time, I do appreciate that my husband ran right next to me and refused to let me push the speed button.  He also forced me off at a mile.  Pain free?  Not exactly.  It didn't HURT.  It just felt tight and achy.  Most of my pain is centralized in my pelvis right now.  Today I swim.  I also did some weights and light core work.  This morning I feel pretty good.  Stiff and achy, but I'm hoping it will get better over the day.

I am determined to be a more well rounded athlete this time around.