Being Honest About Healthy Holidays

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Coco

The first week of November seems way too early to be thinking about the holidays, but last weekend the grocery store was full of peppermint flavored, snowflake shaped everything even before the Halloween candy went on clearance. It’s not a great time of year to notice that your jeans are getting snug, but they are forcing me to own up to some habits that I need to get in check so I can enjoy healthy holidays.

Healthy Holidays
Since I wrote about my “healthy enough” diet, my after-dinner snacking habit has gotten out of control. I blame the dinner party we had a few weeks ago, and the variety of “family size” bags of chips that were leftover. I’m pretty good about not buying too much junk food (I learned that lesson a while ago), but once it’s in the house I have a hard time resisting. I’m not good at portion control, so I’m sure I’ve been adding several hundred empty calories to my intake almost every night.

My snug jeans already were making me own up to what I’ve been doing to myself, but thinking about this week’s Wednesday Word–complacency–has forced me to be even more honest.

Deb Runs

The basic definition of “complacency” in the Mirriam-Webster on-line dictionary wasn’t too thought-provoking:

a feeling of being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to try to make them better; a complacent feeling or condition

But the “full” definition was pretty harsh:

self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies; an instance of usually unaware or uninformed self-satisfaction

I’ve been complacent about my nighttime snacking–munching away without thinking about the consequences, convincing myself that my diet was pretty healthy–but now it’s time to reckon with the truth and break a habit that is standing between me and healthy holidays. If I can’t resist lime flavored Tostitos, how will I exercise restraint in the face of platters of homemade Christmas cookies? 

Another way to be honest about healthy holidays is to join the #HolidaySweat challenge hosted by Amanda (@RunToTheFinish) and SweatPink. 

HolidaySweat

The challenge will run from November 8 through January 2, with weekly prompts, prizes, and, most valuable of all to me–accountability, support, and motivation as I strive for healthy holidays. You can learn more and sign up here.

[Tweet “Don’t be complacent – join the #HolidaySweat challenge with @runtothefinish @fitappraoch #WednesdayWord”]

Is there something you’ve been too complacent about?

Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

Clouds Make The Best Sunrises

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Coco

You know I like my sunrise pictures–or, as I tag them on Instagram, my #runrise pictures. I set my alarm while we were on vacation to catch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. I try to time my long runs for good sunrise photo-ops.

Washington Monument Sunrise

All this attention to sunrises made me realize that the presence of some clouds makes the best photographs. With clouds, there can be streaks of pink or orange, contrast between dark and light, texture. Without clouds the sky is just … blue. It can be pretty, but it’s not as breathtaking or soul-stirring. Continue reading →

Posted in Life, My Faith | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Five Reasons To Cheer On Marathon Runners

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Coco

I’ve been running for 14 years, but I’d never spectated at a race until last weekend. Now that I’ve done it, I definitely will be doing it again. In case you’re wondering why you should give up a few precious weekend hours to cheer on marathon runners, here are my top five reasons.

Cheer A Marathon
1. Guilt. The main reason I committed to joining my Moms Run This Town group’s Marine Corps Marathon cheer station was guilt. When I am racing, crowd support means a lot to me. Bring on the cowbells! I knew it was past time for me to give back to the running community and support other runners. Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

Appreciating Different Perspectives

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Coco

I am a social media junkie and an NPR junkie. Over the past few years NPR has done a number of interesting stories on Facebook, and the ones I find most interesting relate to the sociology of Facebook. There have been stories on Facebook and bullying, Facebook and depression, and Facebook and politics. One story I still think about considered whether Facebook brings us together or drives us further apart. 

 

Cloud Gate Chicago

Reflections on Perspective — Cloud Gate, Chicago (@Got2Run4Me)

 It may be obvious how Facebook brings us together. The whole point is to connect with your friends and keep in touch, right? But the story noted that the ability to select your “Friends” and edit your “Newsfeed” can drive us apart. Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness | 16 Comments

Washington D.C. Kayaking Tour

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Coco

I love living near Washington, D.C., but I often get too caught up in the daily grind to take advantage of the great activities going on around town. I’m trying to change that, so when I saw an advertisement for a “Fall Foliage Kayaking Tour,” I checked our calendar, checked the weather, and signed up. 

Kayaking Tour
The tour was offered by Boating In D.C., from the Key Bridge Boathouse in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness | 17 Comments