Her New Addiction

25 Jul, 2012

If you ask runners why they run, chances are the answers will vary. Originally when I started running, I did it because I wanted to lose the extra baby weight around my waist and hips from my last pregnancy. And then I got addicted.

What? How did she get addicted?

Running makes me feel strong and powerful, pushing my body to do something its never done. It releases natural endorphins, a.k.a. happy feelings and I get to do it by myself. I can run with my headphones or be alone with my thoughts. I get to breathe in that early morning, natural earthy smell and watch the sun rise over the corn fields. It feels like its just me in wide open spaces. That–my friends is how I got addicted.

Run To Lose

On average, a 150 pound person will burn 100 calories per mile. But there’s a catch, you need to burn more calories than you ingest (so ask yourself if that Oreo brownie earthquake is worth it! Sometimes it is). You will need to combine running and a healthy diet.

How I lost eight pounds in the last 3 weeks.

1. Get Movin’

Running. I get up early and go running with a few friends. Because I am building up my stamina, we run in intervals at a steady pace.
Begin your work out with walking for 5 minutes to warm up. Then jog for 5 minutes, walk for 5 minutes until you’ve reached the distance you want to achieve. I hit 3 miles daily.
The next morning increase your jogging time. Run 8 minutes and walk 5 until you’ve reached your distance goal. For beginners who want to begin running, click here: Beginner’s Training

2. Healthy Eating

A common mistake runners make is over compensating for the extra calories they’ve burned. They assume that since they just ran two miles, they can eat a bowl of ice cream. Cravings tend to set in for me after I’ve finished a run, I’ve learned that the cravings and hunger feelings are my body telling me its dehydrated. Drink plenty of water during and after your run.
When beginning any exercise routine, it’s important to watch what you are putting into your body. Consider a high protein diet. Eat every two hours if possible. I eat breakfast, have a shake for a snack (high protein shake, with no sugar or additives), lunch (500 calories), an afternoon snack of almonds and cottage cheese and a light dinner (protein and veggies).

3. Stay Hydrated

Make sure you are drinking about half your body weight in ounces. Water removes toxins from your system.
Drink cold water. It can help you body work harder to warm up the liquid which isn’t a bad thing for your waistline.
Hydrating before you exercise will help release muscle-building hormones in your body.

One last thought, don’t run with the idea in your head that you will look like a Victoria Secrets model. They work out eight hours a day and honestly—they don’t have a life. Run because you want the freedom the open road offers; run because you want to be a healthier, stronger YOU!

What do you do to lose weight, get healthy or workout? I’ve been wanting to try Sanae’s Zumba, but not until the kids are in school, so for now its to the country for a run.

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