Happy Anniversary to My Husband and Me

A couple of months ago, I shared with you that my husband and I were in the process of crushing our debt. His truck, my student loans, and some old credit baggage piled up to about $50,000 of debt. With the help of Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, budgeting tips, and countless meals at the expense of others (suckers), we have just submitted our final payment and can now say that we are officially free of debt.

Rai and I have sacrificed quality razors, extra pairs of jeans, and buying birthday gifts for others, and much more. Just kidding, sort of. But our strict budgeting system and the use of the word "no" have lead us to this day. We are  excited to get to save money again, amazed at how quickly hard work has paid off, and feel a sense of liberation only comparable to running without a bra.

We are moving on to Step 3 of our money makeover, completing our emergency fund. This freedom does not mean we get to splurge left and right and throw our money away. Budgeting skills are still being sharpened, and more adult responsibilities are on the way.

Right now, I'm on my way to enjoy my 2-year anniversary celebration dinner, while a bouquet of flowers perfumes my office.

To tie this to a previous lesson on self-esteem, we set a goal two years ago, and we struggle now to describe just how proud we are of each other and how relieved we are that we can move on to the next step.

A Word About Words

Let's talk about fat. Are you fat? Yes or no. What determines your answer? Is it based on scientific fact? Is it based on how you look? Feel? Did someone call you fat? Have you ever called someone else fat?

Let's look at the definition of fat.
Noun: 

1. A natural oily or greasy substance occuring in animal bodies, especially when deposited as a layer under the skin or around certain organs
2. A fatty substance made from animal or plant products, used in cooking
3. The presence of excess fat in a person or animal, causing them to appear corpulent (By the way, "corpulent" apparently has no definition, just synonyms, one of which is "fat"-- kind of a round-about way of thinking if you ask me.)

Adjective:  

1. (of a person or animal) having a large amount of excess flesh
2. (of an animal bred for food) made plump for slaughter
3. Large in bulk or circumference
4.  informal (of an asset or opportunity) financially substantial or desirable

So, according to the Oxford dictionary, fat is mostly a good idea, neutral, even nutritional. What dictionaries don't tend to take into account, though, are the connotations of words, like "fat." If you answered yes to my first question, I'm guessing you answered it with a degree of disgust or reluctant acceptance. 

Now answer this question: Are you ugly? Yes or no. What determines your answer? Is it based on scientific fact? Did someone call you ugly? Have you ever called someone else ugly? 

Ugly:

1. Unpleasant or repulsive, especially in appearance
2. (Of a situation or mood) involving or likely to involve violence or other unpleasantness
3. Unpleasantly suggestive; causing disquiet
4. Morally repugnant     

"Ugly" is negative in itself; it has never been used with a positive connotation, except maybe at Halloween. The problem that I see most often, and have probably been guilty of in the past, is that people tend to determine one word from the other. If someone is fat, then he/she is ugly. But according to the rule of logic, wouldn't that mean that if someone were ugly, he/she would have to be fat as well? Problem: we, as a society, have added a negative connotation to the word "fat" that was never meant to be. If you go to the doctor and are told you are overweight, do you automatically think, "It's official--I'm fat"? I have a feeling the answer is another yes. But when doctors use the terms obese or overweight, they aren't referring to appearance. They are referring to health. 

Consider this (for those whom this applies to): the next time you look in the mirror and don't like what you see because of extra flab or plumpness, change your wording from, "I'm fat," to "I'm overweight." See if that doesn't change your outlook on yourself. 

Fat is an ugly word, unless you're a chef or a rancher. If you're overweight and want to improve your health, first you have to change your thoughts. I've had coaches tell me that overcoming long distances is more mental than physical, and I believe it. I also believe this philosophy can apply to any challenge in life, including losing weight and/or reaching a desired level of health. 

I'd like to end with this scenario: Imagine your dog or cat was "fat." It's funny for most people, even cute. When you take him for a walk or play at home, he starts to wheeze and needs a break after just a few minutes. He looks like a sorry fool when he rolls around on the floor, cleans himself, or waddles to the food bowl for his sixth meal. No one looks at him and thinks, "gross, he's fat." He doesn't care that he has extra flab or a large belly. He's just happy to be with you. But then you find out from your vet that if Fluffy doesn't lose some weight, he's not going to live a very long life. That means saying goodbye long before you expected. BOOM. Time to change. 

Now, I know it's easier to put our pets on diets because it doesn't mean that we have to suffer through a sweet tooth or portion control or low carb lifestyles, but try to put yourself in Fluffy's shoes. If you're overweight, obese, unhealthy, that doesn't mean you're ugly. It's just time to change--time to change your eating habits, time to change your exercise routine (or incorporate one), time to change how you feel, time to feel better. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: thoughts are powerful. Change your thoughts, and you can change most anything about yourself.

Live well.
 

A Bit of Randomness

Here are some topics I would like to write about in the near future:


Nutrition/exercise
Communication
Emotional crap


However, I have not been able to narrow how I would like to write about these. I am asking for your help. Please message me with more specific ways that I can approach these topics (or any other topics that relate to life skills, for that matter). To be honest, I've lost motivation, which is why I have neglected to post anything the past few weeks. HELP! I want back in the game, and I want you to enjoy reading and interacting.


First random paragraph:
To those of you who have commented on this site, I applaud you and THANK you. I can't tell you how much it means to me when I get to read your feedback and encouragement. Please don't give up on me.


Second random paragraph:
I would like to take this time to offer an example of goals and sub-goals, as I failed to offer adequate examples in my last post. My apologies.


Goal: Run a Boston Qualifying Time
(A Boston Qualifier for my division is 26.2 miles in 3:35:00. That's roughly 8:12 per mile pace.) This goal is Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-oriented (if you have trouble distinguishing attainable from realistic, you're not alone).


Sub-goals/short-term goals/objectives (take your pick):

• Run a half marathon at race pace or faster.
• Develop a level of fitness that allows me to run higher mileage with less recovery time (not very SMART, I know, but I won't know how to measure it until I get there...).
• Run three 20-milers during training without stopping to walk; pace does not matter.
• Remain soda-free for the duration of my training.

I'm following Hal Higdon's Advanced II training program almost to a T. I've already made some adjustments to the schedule, and I'm sure I'll have to make more as my training progresses. Here's what my first week of training looks like:


Monday: 3 mile run
Tuesday: 3xhill
Wednesday: cross-train (probably bike since the only lap pool in town is closed)
Thursday: 30 minute tempo
Friday: 5 mile pace
Saturday: 10 mile run
Sunday: Rest (and maybe ice cream)


This is an 18-week training program that involves two speed work sessions a week, a long run that only gets longer, and pace work, which will help me learn how to run at race pace for longer and longer distances.


I am registered to run the Dallas Marathon on December 13th of this year. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but it's important for me to remind myself that, considering the fact that this is only my second marathon, it may not be as feasible to accomplish this goal this time as it would if I had several marathons under my belt. Nonetheless, I follow a strict philosophy: Go big or go home.


Wish me luck, and share your goals as well. I would love to encourage you as you set your mind to accomplish something great, no matter how small it may seem to others.