Jun4

The Truth

Posted on by
The Truth

Let’s have an honest chat today if that is ok with you all?  Ok, good.  You may or may not have noticed that in the last month or so things have seemed a bit “off” here on LiveRunLoveYoga.  My posts have been lacking spark.  I’ve not been posting as much as normal and have been just skipping days altogether.  Truthfully, I feel bad about it but there are reasons for it and I think it’s time to share.

A few months ago I had an experience that reminded me that blogging is a business.  Unfortunately there are people who are just looking to cash in on bloggers, and brands.  This happens not only in blogging but in all areas of life.  In my experience there was a lack of communication and the level of professionalism exhibited that did not rest well with me.  I don’t regret my decisions or the way in which I handled the situation but it definitely left me angry, frustrated and discouraged.  As a result I haven’t been in the mood to write, post and share.  In fact, it left me wondering why I even spent so much time blogging and sharing my experiences as at all.

Since that negative experience I’ve been thinking about blogging and why I blog and want to share a few thoughts…

I don’t blog with the intention of having thousands of followers or big brand endorsements or to make blogging my job.  I can understand why some blog for those things but it’s just not for me.  I blog to share my experiences and talk about what I’ve learned from running and yoga.  I blog because I enjoy writing and like to relate to those who share similar passions to me.  I blog in hopes of inspiring people to run or practice yoga in order to experience the benefits I have.

I blog with honesty.  I don’t share reviews of products I don’t believe in.  I worked with Gatorade because I believe in their brand.  I’ve used Gatorade to fuel me since I was in high school sports.  I’ve reviewed yoga gear because I practice 4 times a week and it fits in with LiveRunLoveYoga.  While some of my reviews have been done in return for a giveaway or product others are done just because I truly  believe in a product and want to share with you its value.  I can assure you I’ll continue to only review and work with brands that I believe in and already use as part of my everyday life.

I’ve cut back on the numbers of days I post.  I used to have a self-imposed “rule” to blog Monday through Friday but I’ve since let that rule go.  It’s more important to me to blog when I am inspired and have good content.  If that means 5 days a week for a while and then 3 days a week for a month than that is ok with me.  Our lives are continually changing and so is what inspires us.  Currently I’m more focused on packing, moving and creating a life with Michael.  It doesn’t mean I don’t still love running, it just means it’s not something I’m talking about all the time.  When August rolls around and I start yoga teacher training I’m sure you’ll see a whole new type of post inspired by an entirely new experience.  To me, that’s what keeps blogs interesting.  Some once told me something and I’ll never forget it, they told me that sometimes we have a lot to talk about and share and others times we are meant to talk less and listen more.  I suppose blogging is the same.

I’m not going anywhere but I’ve realized I just need to approach blogging a little differently than I did before.  It’s a hobby for me and as a result it needs to be fun and something I enjoy.  I can’t worry about numbers, and products, and how often I post.  For me it needs to be about sharing my experiences and passions and connecting with readers who enjoy those passions as well.  I promise to have honest posts with good content inspired by my passions.  I may not post everyday but I will post when I think I have something valuable to share and can take the time to write a quality post.  In my opinion this is better for me and for you.

Posts that Inspire

I hope that you’ll keep coming back and reading LiveRunLoveYoga.  I’m truly flattered that all of you find my writing interesting and engaging enough to keep coming back.  I’m even more flattered that some of you take the time to comment and share your thoughts and opinions with me.  To me, connecting with readers and even making a few blogging turned “real-life” friends is what makes this worth while.

Thanks for listening to me today.  I hope in some way you can all relate and perhaps understand why things have seemed a bit “off” around here.

Have you ever had to change your approach to blogging?  Why do you blog?

Jun1

Love the Run!

Posted on by
Love the Run!

Happy Friday and Happy June!! This short week flew on by! Sorry for the lack of posting yesterday but I had some other things to take care of and just didn’t have time.  I was thinking about my goals for the month of May.  May in reality was rather goal-less.  I tried to live in the moment more, connect with friends, read and relax, run for fun and start to build my strength back for yoga.  What I didn’t expect was to find motivation to take control of my frustrations and work to change those situations.  Today that has me feeling pretty awesome.  I anticipate that June will be similar to May.  This month I move out of my apartment in the Back Bay and to the suburbs with Michael which I am so excited about! That means I’m trying to get in as many fro-yo dates and stoop nights with my neighbors as possible, packing, and getting in as many runs around the Esplanade as I can before moving day.  After the move I will be getting settled and adjusting to a new commute, new running routes and most importantly a new routine with Michael.  At the end of the month is vacation!  I plan to enjoy life and all the changes this month brings! I’ll continue with running and yoga, focusing on doing what feels good and what makes me happy.  Speaking of making me happy…I’ve been loving running this week!

I’m three for three on all my runs this week! I plan to run on Saturday or Sunday as well which means I’ll get 4 runs in this week and it’ll be the most days I’ve run in one week since training for Boston.  For the last month or so my runs have been SLOW (slow for me that is) and it’s been frustrating.  Hitting around a 9:15 min/mile is not something I am used to.  Even on my longest training runs I rarely went above a 9min/mile.  I tried to embrace it and just continued to run for the enjoyment of running.  I liked being outside and moving my body and sweating after work.  I liked knowing I was still putting miles on my shoes.  I tried to tell myself that my body was just tired and it was part of the process of healing and recovering after both Chicago and Boston marathons.  You know what? I really think it was.

This week I have been MOTIVATED and EXCITED to get out and run! I look forward to it every day.  Tuesday night I laced up my shoes and headed out for an easy 4 miles.  I had no expectations…just run.  In fact I thought I might be feel crappy and have to deal with annoying itchy legs because I hadn’t run in a week.   Much to my amazement I felt incredible and as I ran over the Mass Ave. bridge I knew I was going to have a good run.  I felt strong, my breathing was calm, my mind was relaxed and I was enjoying the cool air surrounding me.  After a mile my breathing picked up and it felt good to be breathing hard.  I kept pushing myself and kept trying to go faster and faster.

Tuesday’s Splits

I was really happy to see negative splits.  That might have been a first since the marathon.  I just felt so good and the run left me feeling so motivated!

When I set out for Wednesday’s run I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.  I recently added in lunges and squats post run to help build some strength.  At first my legs felt tight and sore and I told myself it was ok if it was a slow and easy run.  And then I remembered Tuesday and how good I felt with those 8 minute miles.  I wanted those again.  I pushed through the tired legs, found my groove and just went into cruise control.  I soaked up the sun and the warm air and the view of the sailboats on the water.  I could have stopped at mile 3 but I pushed through and went for 4 and was so happy I did.

Wednesday’s Splits

Check out mile 2…an 8:13! That’s motivation in a mile if you ask me.  To have an average 8:37 min/mile run made me feel so good! I felt strong and proud of my body.  To be honest, I hadn’t felt that way since the marathon.  That run reminded me why I love running.  I love running because I feel strong and powerful and totally in control.  I’m in charge of my run and the outcome of the run.  I reveled in the feeling of that run, the way my muscles felt and my heart pounding in my body and feeling the sweat dripping down my forehead and down my back.  I was reminded of my mantra for the Boston Marathon, “You are Strong, You are Beautiful”.

Boston Marathon Mantra

Last night’s run was just as good.  I was in the groove again and once again felt strong and beautiful.  It felt like I was running out all of the emotions that had been holding me back lately.   Frustration, anger, anxiousness, fear all were left on the pavement.  Once again I was left feeling like I could do anything! That is why I love to run.

Why do you love to run? How have your runs been lately? What do you have on deck for June?

May30

What I Ate Wednesday!

Posted on by
What I Ate Wednesday!

Hi Guys! It’s hard to believe it’s Wednesday already! Long weekends really seem to throw me off.  While time may seem off my run last night was spot on! I did 4 miles and felt fantastic the entire time.  Boston’s skies turned hazy and gray in the late afternoon and thunderstorms rolled in.  With the lack of sun it was nice and cool.  It felt so good to get out and run!

This week I’m trying to get back on track with eating, the holiday weekend had me indulging a bit more than normal.  Many thanks to Jen over at Peas and Crayons for hosting the party! It’s really great that she hosts a link-up for us every week!

Breakfast. 

I kept it simple on the first day of work after the long weekend.  A bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats with my Skinnygirl Daily Cleanse.  What is not pictured is the cup of coffee I took with me in the car.

Honey Bunches of Oats and Skinnygirl Daily Cleanse

Lunch. 

I haven’t had a sandwich for a lunch in a while so that’s what I went with today.  I had Genoa salami, American cheese, spinach, roasted red pepper and mustard on a sandwich thin.  On the side I had an apple and organic sweet potato chips.

Genoa Salami Sandwich with Organic Sweet Potato Chips and an Apple

Snacks. 

Every morning I have a banana around 10am.  For an afternoon snack I packed a cottage cheese double (cottage cheese with blueberries) and Fig Newtons.

Banana, Cottage Cheese and Fig Newtons

I always like to change my snacks up.  For many months I was into Greek Yogurt and granola bars.  It keeps my lunch fresh and fun!

Dinner. 

Yes, dinner can be breakfast!  Eggs can really be part of any meal in my opinion.  I had scrambled eggs with spinach and cheddar cheese.  On the side I had a salad with cucumbers and avocado.  I made a piece of toast too for some extra carbohydrates.  I was so hungry during my run!

Scrambled eggs with spinach, side salad and whole wheat toast

It’s quick, easy and healthy!

What is your favorite kind of cereal? How do you change-up your lunches?  Breakfast for dinner, love it or hate it?  What is your favorite breakfast food for dinner?

May29

Memorial Day Weekend and Weight Loss Updates!

Posted on by
Memorial Day Weekend and Weight Loss Updates!

Happy Tuesday! I love starting my week off on a Tuesday!  Three day weekends are really the best.  We had a fun but very productive weekend.  Saturday we visited our friends and helped them to build a chicken coop.  We all headed out to dinner by the ocean and then ended up dancing at this bar playing awesome 90′s music! So impromptu and fun!  Sunday we spent the day at home ripping up carpet and rearranging furniture before closing out the day with Mexican food and margaritas with Michael’s parents on the patio.  Yesterday was more puttering around the house, moving furniture and the like.  I did manage to get to Lowe’s and get lots of fresh herbs for us to grow.  I planted us some basil, flat-leaf parsley, cilantro, rosemary, dill and lemon balm.  We decided to get out and have a little fun late afternoon on Monday.  We drove to Marblehead, Ma and walked around for a while looking in all the little boutiques and sitting by the harbor.  We had an early dinner before driving the neck of Marblehead.  I’d never been out there so it was awesome to see all of the amazing homes along the water and check out a few of the secluded rocky beaches.  We had so much we wanted to accomplish over the weekend I didn’t even get to workout!  I did learn two things this weekend:

  • Building, ripping up carpet, moving furniture, planting flowers and most home improvement projects are a workout!  Your lifting weight, on your feet and breaking a sweat for hours.  I was exhausted by days end.
  • It’s so easy to plant herbs to have on hand for cooking at home!  For just a few dollars you can buy a whole basil plant and have fresh basil all summer long!  In my apartment in Boston I had a window box and was able to plant basil and other herbs for cooking.  This year I’m trying tomato plants!

Herbs!

Last week’s workouts were good but it wasn’t the most productive week.  I had a few commitments at night which didn’t leave me with time at night or feeling motivated to get up at 5am.  At first I was a little upset with my lack of workouts but then I reminded myself that this is the time to do the other things I need to do, enjoy time with my friends and the like.  Workouts will be there.

Workouts Week of 5/21

It’s been about 2 weeks since I started cutting back on carbohydrates and focusing on portion control.   I also cut back on sweets and started making smarter choices.  So far I’ve lost 2 pounds and am almost back at my marathon weight.  I feel much better and at this point making these choices is pretty easy.  I’m realizing I am just as satisfied with a smaller portion versus a larger portion particularly with sweets and less healthy foods.  I’m going to continue with this plan and hope to lose a few more pounds!

Weight Loss!

Long weekend’s tend to throw off my routine and usually involve more drinking and eating than normal.  This week I want to get back on track with the following goals:

  • Run! I haven’t run in a week so I plan to get out tonight for a few miles and hope to do this again on Thursday and Saturday.
  • Drink lots of water!  We worked outside all weekend and I feel like I didn’t drink enough water.  This week I need to focus on drinking more water and replenishing.
  • Skip the sweets this week!  I had a few extra treats this weekend so I want to skip them this week.  It’s all about moderation!

Running!

How was your Memorial Day weekend?  What are your updates on life? How do you plan to get back to normal after a long weekend?

May25

Life in a Jar

Posted on by
Life in a Jar

Happy Friday! We made it to the long weekend and the official start of summer! I always like to take a few minutes to reflect back on the week.  I like to think about the things that I am proud of, the things I wish I had done better and the things that I want to work on in the coming week.  This week was a little out of my normal routine, my priorities seemed to shift a little.  That’s OK, it was a productive week.  Thursday I skipped my morning running to sleep for that extra hour but looking back on it, I wish I had gotten up and ran.  It’s my time and it’s like therapy.  I had a bit of a frustrating week at work but I’m taking steps to change that and take control of my frustrations but I want to better learn to deal with the things I can’t change.  The most prominent thought of the week that I’ve been carrying with my is thankfulness.

Michael and I always chat on and off during the day via gchat.  We check-in in the morning and say hi.  The other morning he told me that he was walking around his house that morning thinking about how thankful he is for his life and how lucky he is.  We proceeded to chat more about how blessed we are.  We are truly blessed, blessed with the best things in life.

We are blessed to have each other and relationship that is nothing but supportive.  Michael is one of my biggest fans and sometimes I think he’s being hard on me or challenging me too much, but in the end I know it’s to make me successful.  We have families that love us and are thrilled to spend time with us, share our lives with us and support us along the way.  We have home to live in, jobs to pay the bills and fund our hobbies, vacations and more, and we have safe cars to drive.  We have friends who love us, support us, make us laugh and are there for us.  We have our health and our families health. We have a lot of good in our lives.  Sure, there are plenty of things we’d like to change but at the end of the day we have the important things, the things that matter most to keep us happy.

It reminded me of this story I read called “Life in a Jar”.

When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class
and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively
filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

‘Now,’ said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things – family,
children, health, Friends, and Favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else —The small stuff.

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ He continued,
there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So…

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

‘Take care of the golf balls first —
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled
‘I’m glad you asked’.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
There’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.’

So today I leave you to think about the things that you are thankful for.  Consider whether or not you have the pebbles in your jar first or if they come last.  Think about the sand in your life, do you carry worry and stress around as a result of the sand?  Maybe this weekend you’ll take the time to go have that cup of coffee with a friend.

Source: google.com via Whitney on Pinterest

I hope everyone has a fantastic long weekend!  Spend some time with your golf balls, this is a great weekend to do that.  Memorial day is filled with cookouts and barbecues and family gatherings and most of all laughter! 

What are you thankful for? Have you heard this story before? Do you focus on your golf balls or the sand?  Do you make time for coffee with friends? Is your jar filled in the right order?