Be the Best You!

Exciting and positive times over here in the life of runner girl! As if all girls didn't already know this, but a new pair of shoes really can change everything. Ever since I started running in my new sneakers, everything seems to be falling into place. I certainly am running better than I have in the past year or so. Okay, so maybe it isn't fully because of the shoes, but I like to think that since I am ordering another pair tonight. So, you may be thinking, what else has changed? The answer: having a positive mind! I have finally come to the realization that I have not been running my best lately because of all of the negativity in my mind. I constantly beat myself down over anything and everything, for no reason at all. If you find yourself doing this too, just remember that this is your body and your life, and only you have the power to change your outlook on both. Here is a list of steps you can take to "Be the Best You":

1. The first thing I started off doing is deleting all forms of social media. I was listening to the radio on my commute to school, and there was an advertisement saying that Americans spend more than 400 hours on social media websites each year. That is over 17 consecutive days of the year! Imagine all of the things you can do in seventeen days, rather than scrolling through endless pictures, and seeing what everyone else is doing with their life. Why watch other people living their lives when you can be out living yours! It is incredible how so many people are striving to fit in with the latest gadgets, trends, clothes, and hairstyles. Why not perfect yourself rather than trying to mimic others?

2. Do only the things that make you happy. Do you find yourself constantly agreeing to do things for others, are a part of a group, or organization that you do not enjoy, or are always trying to please others? Stop right there! If you find that there are things that you do that make you unhappy (other than things that are completely necessary, such as paying bills, chores, etc.) stop doing them. You will never find pleasure in something that causes frustration, or stress.

3. Get yourself organized. Make your bed everyday, keep your room clean, and make lists. This way you know exactly what you need to get done, and make sure that everything is done on time. I've been using this new trick lately where I set fake deadlines for certain assignments so I am not stressfully completing them the night before. There is no better feeling than crossing something off of your to-do list!

4. Create your own "lent". If you have a bad habit you would like to stop, or food that you eat that may not be the healthiest, plan your own "lent" to stop doing it for a period of time. Normally, once you stop doing something you will realize you really don't need it as much as you think you do. Lately, I have been doing a lot of baking and chocolate eating, and so, I am planning my own "lent" of not doing, or eating either of these things until Christmas.

5. Challenge yourself to a new workout, and food regimen. My high school coach always used to say, "long slow runs make long slow distance runners." I want to try to work on my speed for my upcoming half-marathon in January, so I decided to head to the track and do one of my old workouts. I opted for a ladder workout, which consisted of 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, 3/4 mile and 1 mile "sprints,"and then working back down the other side of the ladder. It was a tough workout, but it gave me the confidence I need to keep going. It is also equally, if not more important to have a healthy food plan. My latest kick is going all organic. Although I used to be completely opposed to organic products, due to being unaware about the food our nation eats, I now am only eating things that are organic. Take a look at the labels of the foods you eat. Aspartame, Xanthum Gum, Hydrogenated Oils, other words I cannot pronounce? No thanks. Food should be made naturally, not in laboratories, or factories. If you find eating chemicals healthy, be my guest and take my plate.

I hope these are useful for anyone trying to get out of a negative, stressful, draining, and technology-filled life, and into a more active, positive, and healthy one. Replace excuses with solutions, and realize that now is the time to be the best you. There is no substitute for hard work, so keep running, be courageous, believe in yourself, and move forward!

Happy Thanksgiving!

After a great start to the day at the gym, I took the ultimate challenge of cooking my first Thanksgiving dinner for my family. Of course I took pictures to document my first turkey! Take a look at some of the other recipes I found and came up with:

I fueled the long cooking day with a green smoothie.

The start of crockpot apple pie.

 Three potato and carrot oven roasted vegetables.

 Stuffed peppers with rice.

 Chocolate truffle pie.

 The turkey! Still frozen.

 Still frozen an hour later.

 In it goes!

 I brushed it halfway through cooking with butter, apple juice, thyme, garlic, and paprika. This was used to make the gravy.

 Finished potatoes.

 Stuffing.

 Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

 Apple Cider Sangria

 The turkey is done!

 The complete dinner.

 Opening her "muuuuuy bien" birthday card!

 Left over breakfast: scrambled eggs, onions, peppers, broccoli, and turkey.