I did it! After months of on again/off again running, indoors and outdoors, I ran the 5K at the Redbud. And not only that, I did it in less-than-desirable weather conditions, it was very windy and very cold. Let me offer three hearty cheers for all of those who also ran or walked on Sunday—we did it!

The decision has been made. Two of my girlfriends and I started the Body for Life program today. Why Body for Life? It’s because they have great “before” and “after” photos. Each cover of the book is lined with photos of seemingly average people who have made amazing physical changes to their bodies in a mere 12 weeks. Allegedly. So, I’ve got 12 weeks to transform myself from pretty-much average to amazing. That’s the goal, anyway. However, that also means, I also need to take a “before” picture.

I've got a love/hate relationship with running. I've committed to running the RedBud in part to force my hand (or feet, as the case may be).  I've tried to be a runner over the years, and I've never made much progress. I am the queen of excuses, and I always found a reason to quit. I've tried to run on the treadmill but it was never satisfying and I would quit that as well.

What keeps you moving and exercising? Some days are harder than others and, for me, variety is the key. Luckily, I'm a pack rat, and over the years I've developed quite a cache of workout gear and equipment. I've got a step, weights, tapes, yoga mat. These items make it easier to get moving on those days when the gym just seems too many miles away. The best thing that I've collected, however, are the friends who keep me motivated, running and moving.

Are you getting burned out with your workout? Are you looking for something new and fun to kick your rear into gear? Well, have you ever tried rock climbing? I did. I survived it, and I loved it.

Iron Mom sponsor Devonne Carter wants to help you find the "why" which leads to weight loss. As Americans, we enjoy an abundance; unfortunately, when it comes to food, sometimes that abundance becomes an excess.
 
How many of you have tried diets (me), eating plans (me), lost some weight (me), only to gain it back again (me)? So many weight-loss plans focus on the how, but don't we all know how? Eat healthfully and move more. But it's just not that easy.

You will see me stumble. You will see me trip, stutter, slip, misstep or flounder; but I won't fall. I just won't do it. I've had a few reasons to fall in the past week, busyness, illness, missed opportunity. These are all such easy excuses to hang my hat on. But I didn't.
 
I did what I could. I worked out when I could.

In the past, I've been an "all or nothing" person. I didn't want to do it unless I could do it all, if there was a misstep along the way, I would consider that a failure and then just start over again. It's not a great state of mind for someone embarking on a healthy living regime.

I admit it; in January 2008, I was a statistic. I was one of those people who joined a gym in January. Hey, in my defense, the membership fee was 1/2-off in January so it was more of a fiscal decision than a physical one. I started to work out as a way to burn stress, and the burning of calories was a bonus. I started on the cardio and the strength-training, and soon I became bored with merely walking on the treadmill and I started to run.