An exercise update....and some pictures.

I've decided to give y'all an update with my exercising.  I've been running pretty much when I decided to start way back when.  Although there was a time that I somehow damaged my foot and I have to stay off of it for almost two whole weeks!  And then it was hard getting back into it after that.  But for the most part I'm doing it.  And I'm happy to say that I definitely feel the difference.  

Just to give you and idea of what it was like for me.  When I just started out running, I would walk for 5 minutes, and then run for like 2 minutes.  And do that for a full 20 minutes.  That was okay for me.  Not too bad.  Over the month it would increase to doing more running, than walking.  By the time I was doing a quarter of a mile, it was REALLY, REALLY HARD!  I was seriously, and pathetically out of shape!  ...Come to think of it, I still am really out of shape.  But better. :D  Anyway,  by the time I got up to running a whole mile without stopping, it was hard work, and I was going really slow.  In fact my running was probably fast walking for a lot of you.  By the time I was done, my skin would be all red, and I would be sweating buckets.  Plus feeling like I wanted to crash on the bed and go into a coma.  It would literally take me an hour to feel totally fine afterwards.  

I will say, the first thing I notice about my running, was that my knees were killing me, and my right hip.  So I decided to look up running techniques, and found out that I was running horribly. Once I figured out what I needed to change in my running, my knees stopped hurting and my hips after that. :)   Nice huh? 

After I had to stop to let my foot heal, I decided not to push myself so hard, because I found out that if I would let my body recover, I was better able to accomplish more of what I wanted, which was to lose some weight, and tone myself up.  

So now what I do, is I exercise 3 times a week, doing at least two miles, depending on how I feel that day.  And let me tell you, some days I'll just walk, because I'm just not feeling good that day.  But most of the time I do run at least a full mile non-stop.  I will make it to 3 miles, but right now, I'm working on going faster.  

You know what the best part about all of this is though?  I can go up the stairs and not get winded, or I can take a walk and not feel tired.  I don't feel like my blood sugar is going crazy.  I have more energy.  I feel like I've accomplished something.  I can do more things with my kids.  I've lost weight.  I've toned up, my clothes fit better.  The treadmill that I spent a bunch of money on is actually getting used and not being a clothes hanger.  I could keep going!

Here's another thing that I will say.  Running has done me better, than just walking.  Even though I could easily walk two miles instead of running most of it.  I've noticed a big difference.  My upper body is a lot better off, and my core muscles are stronger.  Plus, I just BREATHE easier, and I don't get winded like I used to.  And I've spent years walking, and didn't have those benefits.  

So there you have it.  My exercise update.  :D

Now for some pictures.  Enjoy!!  

 Anthony and Kevin playing on the slide at the Payson park.  The static was really strong that day!  Probably from the storm that was blowing in that day.  

 Payson Lakes.  I was trying to be artistic. :)

 Megan.  She just got her new glasses that day.  She's such a pretty girl!  And she's growing up so fast.  I don't like it. 

 Me.  This shot is definitely better than others that I've taken of myself.   :)

 Payson Lake.  I was playing with a bunch of filters on my iphone.  If I look at it too long, I feel like my eyes will water. Hahah!  

Me in my car.  I was trying to be artistic with this one too.