link between exercise and mood

I often joke with my hubby when he's really cranky that he needs to go for a run. I say it jokingly, but I mean it and he knows it. Sometimes he takes me up on the suggestion and is out the door 10 minutes later!

Lately I've been feeling down, overwhelmed, stuck and fat (ohhhh did I just write that out loud?) It just dawned on me that my foul mood and low self-esteem is because I haven't had a GREAT workout in weeks, maybe even months. (see Jan 5th post for why)

Have you ever noticed how much better you feel after a really good, heart-pumping workout?  Even if you're feeling ill or cranky or just plain stressed - taking time out of your day for vigorous exercise will make you feel less of what was ailing you and closer to fantastic. Some people even need to exercise to be more creative - like writing or painting or designing, etc. That explains why I haven't written many posts recently. (This post was drafted as an idea I had on Jan. 13th - and that's the date it'll be published as - but I'm actually 'writing' this on Jan. 27th - more than 2 weeks later!  Bet you can guess why it's getting done now...  YEP, I exercised!)

It's a bit scary how quickly lack of energy due to lack of exercise can lead to low moods and self-image, which then leads to even less motivation to do anything...  and it just snowballs!  At least in my case, I know that once my 'injury' is healed, I'll be back doing whatever I can to get my butt moving - maybe even with more vigor to make up for what I missed out on! (and to shed those extra pounds more quickly)

Even if you don't feel like it, get out and do SOMETHING - you'll be amazed at how easily it changes your mood and perspective on things. That's what I'm doing now (2 weeks later) and it's making all the difference for me!

injury - or...?

Wonder why I've been MIA for months now? Last summer (June '09) I contracted a planters wart from all the swimming at the pool . Go figure - I'm out doing something I love and getting exercise, and get a complication that has basically rendered me injured since September.

I'm tired of putting up with this planters wart for 6+ months now. It took 3 months to get a referral to a dermatologist after 6 weeks of treatments with my MD didn't see progress. I cannot wait to meet with the dermatologist on Monday! Currently trying GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract - it's basically a natural version of Compound W) on the recommendation of my Naturopathic Doctor and it really HURTS! I think she said the idea was to aggravate the area around the wart to tell my body it needs to attack it and get rid of it. Apparently warts are non-invasive to our immune systems, so our bodies don't fight to get rid of them. Lucky me!

You're probably thinking, how gross! I KNOW I AM! Sorry if you're totally grossed out. I haven't been able to walk on it very easily and according to both my GP and ND, I should definitely NOT be running on it, even though I have been. Surprisingly it hurts worse walking. I think the rest of the pain from running blocks out the wart pain.

This has been my reason for gaining 10+ lbs since September. UGH! I had fabulous plans of going for walks after dropping my son off at the bus every morning, and even had friends to walk with! It was so frustrating for me to discover I was limping by the end of the first walk with Michelle and Jen - and that was the first week of school! I haven't even attempted it since. Most days I can barely walk to the bus stop and find ways/reasons to be out running errands in the car just so I don't have to walk it.  Isn't that pathetic? I think it is. This has also affected my mood, but more on that in another post.

What have I learned from this? If I EVER see signs of another planters wart, I'll be treating it immediately. This time around, I didn't do anything until it was starting to bother me. AND, I won't ever step on the pool deck or anywhere at the pool without something on my feet.

Yesterday was a special day (Nov. 24th)

My very good friend, Mark, became a new dad to a beautiful baby girl yesterday! When I went to the Running Room "Learn to Run" clinic last night, we ran by his Aunt and Uncle's home. It made me smile and think of Mark and how happy I am for him and his family. He lives far away, so I won't get to see him or his daughter for quite some time.

Mark and I - Halloween 1998

I also thought about how much he has inspired me - and felt today was a good day to acknowledge him! I've known Mark for about 13 years (can you believe it Mark?). We were in college together, worked together for a couple years, now we live provinces apart, but through it all have kept our friendship alive. A few years ago, Mark decided he needed to shed some weight - he was always ready with a big bear hug and made everyone laugh with his quick wit and impersonations (Cartman was the best!), but his future health was at risk and he knew he needed to make a change. And boy did he ever change!  He started out eating better and going to the gym on his lunch break. Within a year he was a very slim version of the Mark I met back in college - and he looked great! But most important of all, he was healthy, and had taken the 'smart' path to healthy. And now he's a runner! If you would have told Mark or me when we became friends that he would be running 10km races in 10 years, you would have had to peel us both off the floor from laughter.  Now, years later, he's still the 'new and improved' version of Mark and I'm so proud to call him my friend!

Mark & I Halloween in Halifax, 2004 - We had a BLAST that night

Mark, you have inspired me with your commitment to your health and fitness. Last night, I realized if you can run 10km races, then so can I!  I've decided to run the 10km in the Bluenose here in Halifax in May.  I'm pretty sure my other good friend, Michelle, is going to be running in it also. It'd be pretty awesome if we could all run it together! The funniest part is you two would probably leave me in your collective dust - and I'm the one that's played sports my whole life - Go figure! I've got some training to do...

Enjoy every precious moment with your baby girl, Mark, and be proud of your accomplishments and the future you are going to have with your family. You're an amazing, awesome, adventurous dad!!

I did it!

Never thought I would see the sun rise this morning!  That was a nice bonus to getting up at 6:30. I was in bed at midnight last night (earlier than usual!) but had a very restless sleep, knowing my alarm was set to go off at 6:15. I remember tossing and turning, looking at the clock at 6:08...  My husband can verify that I LOVE my bed in the morning - it takes a LOT for me to decide to crawl out of it on a regular day!  This morning took about 12min of pep talking myself before I left the comfy warmth of my covers. Even though I was over-heating (was wearing winter-weight PJs), I could have easily just gone back to sleep, especially since I was tossing and turning all night. I was really tired!

Now it's 9am - I've done a 30min intense workout, ate breakfast, sent my son and hubby off for the day,  listening to some tunes while catching up on email, twitter and updating my blog. Wow!  I don't think I've ever gotten that much accomplished by 9am!! Once I'm done this post, I'll grab a quick shower and get my youngest son up for the day (he likes to sleep in like his momma).  Talk about feeling ahead of the game!  Love it!

Before and after photos from this morning. (finally - notice the time below the TV - 6:32 and 7:12)

I must remember this great feeling of accomplishment the next time I want to get up early for a workout!


Before signing off, a brief update on this week's activities:
Monday - schedule conflict - I'll go swimming on Wednesday instead
Tuesday - Kathy Smith 30min workout, running 20min with Running Room clinic
Wednesday - swimming 45min followed by soccer 1hr
Thursday - maybe bellyfit 1hr...  I must say, I sweat a TON more during the 30min KS workout this morning that I have in any of the bellyfit classes...
Friday - Kathy Smith in the morning again?  Maybe.... It's my son's birthday - still have to plan his party and now I've got the rest of today to do just that!