Goodbye Moon, Hello August

Usually August is not a month I took forward to, but this year I am embracing the eight month of the year!  

July started out with so much promise.  I was strong with my tri training; my health was improving; my schedule was in place; and my family was strong.  Then, my iPhone died.  In the future if the iPhone goes again, I will start becoming concern. After the phone, my health was next.  Due to an increased tri training schedule, my body's weakness were exposed, my pain increased, and I had to make the choice to drop out of my upcoming sprint tri. Then at the end of the month, I unexpectedly had to say goodbye to my oldest dog, Dolce.  

I could write a lot more about the month of disappointment, but I am ready to mentally move on. Reflecting back on the month, I know there is nothing I could do to change what happened.  My motivation was there; there were just some strong setbacks.  I have had setbacks in my journey before and will again in the future.  Each time I get thru them.  So for the month of August, I am working on a couple of goals.  

1) My blog: The first weekend of August I am attending my first blogging conference in Kansas City (www.goblogosocial.com).  I hope to learn how to utlitize social media and the resources which are out there.  In addition, I have purchased my own domain so I would like to move this page to the new address of www.betterjnel.com.  Hopefully by the end of August, you will be reading me at a new location.

2) My running: Since I had to make the difficult decision on stepping away from the sprint tri this year, I am fully focused on improving my run/walk intervals.  Before I was injured, I started seeing improvements already with being able to run longer, and I felt stronger.  So with the help of my new running coach Rachel (http://drrachelruns.com), I have a new plan in place to improve my intervals and distance. Still planning for two more half marathons by the end of year with a full next year

3) My diet: I have to eat more!  My daily calories is about 200-300 short of what I need for my activity level.  I am improving on increasing my calories and making sure they are quality calories.  There is always room for improvement.  With the encouragement of my trainer, I am adding new veggies as well as learning how to cook them!  

So here's to a better August and a Better JNel.

Facing a Former Fat Girl Fear

While there are a lot of great benefits of having a significant other, the benefit of having access to a neighborhood pool sometimes outweighs those typically dating benefits.  It is great to have someone to hang out with, someone to laugh with, someone to hug you...but having access to a pool during the summer is amazing.  Starting from the time the pool opens, every weekend, my mission is to get to the pool.  

I already overcome the fear of wearing the swimsuit last year as the body I have might not be perfect,

Pool Selfie

but I have worked hard to get to this body!  This was especially in my mindset after I finished a 5k on Saturday and then heading to the pool afterwards.  Being that it was a neighborhood pool and the weekend, the majority of swimmers were children.  

Spending time at the pool brings back childhood memories biking up daily to our neighborhood pool with my two friends, Erin & Erin.  The pool opened at 11 AM, and we were there.  Hanging out in the four different pools the swim club had until 5 PM when our parents were heading home from work.  Having swim lessons early in my youth, I was very comfortable swimming in the deep end, flipping off the edge of the pool, and going off the diving board.

As my weight increased and my activity level decreased, my freedom around a pool decreased. When we traveled or I had access to a pool, I would not get into the water even as I craved to.  The thoughts of others saying something about my size, my weight, or worse, calling me a "whale" was always in the back of my head.  So here I found myself on Saturday at the neighborhood pool embracing another fat girl fear.  There are certain things in which as a larger person, I used to avoid: sitting in a booth, getting in an elevator after people who can feel the increase weight, eating in public, and getting on the diving board.  

The neighborhood kids were all gone, and it was just the lifeguard, my boyfriend, and I at the pool around 5 PM.  The diving board was calling out to me.  I have been watching the neighborhood kids jump off during the day with no fear.  Knowing the last time I was on a diving board was before my teen years, I wanted to do it.  

I walked over and stepped up to the board.  Then...that fear set in.  What if I slip?  What if the board does not bounce?  What if I make a huge splash showing my size?  What if I weigh too much and break the board?  This diving board is just a foot off the ground.  But to me, it was me overcoming 20 years of pushing aside my desires because of my weight.

Not knowing what was going on in my head, the boyfriend became increasing frustrated as I kept getting on and off the diving board.  He proceed to get on the board and jump in without a thought.  I followed him by getting back on the board and walking out again to the edge of the board.  I checked with the teenage lifeguard that he would be able to save me if anything happened.  

Then I plugged my nose and stepped out over the edge...screaming the whole way until I hit the water.

I immediately pushed myself up to the top of the pool and started giggling above the water.  There are moments in my journey in which I say goodbye to the former me and embraced the new me.  This was one of those moments.  I laughed because I remembered how I was able to overcome those barriers in which I put in front of me.  

And just like I was as kid, I immediately got back out of the pool and proceeded to jump off the diving board for the next 30 minutes...screaming and laughing the whole time.  

Ice Ice Water...So Cold!

My two favorite reusable water bottles.  They are
always in my refrigerator full and ready to go

In my effort to increase my daily water intake, I have carrying around glasses of water.  I am hoping by having the glass nearby it will motivate me to drink.  Due to this, I had a klutz moment in which I dropped my phone one of these glasses of water and was without my phone for 16 hours as it dried out.  Needless to say, that I realized how critical a smart phone is to my fitness/nutrition lifestyle. 

So today, I am using one of my reusable bottles to carry my water around.  Prior to my start a journey towards a heart healthy lifestyle, my beverage choices consisted of Starbucks or ice tea.  I would have a glass of water here or there, but for the most part, I was dehydrated myself.  I did not have a soda habit so that was easy to overcome.  My daily struggle is still to hit the recommended daily water intake.

So what is the daily water intake?  Is it going to be the classic 8 glasses of 8 oz. a day, and that should be the same for everyone.  No matter your age, weight, physical activity, etc.  To the Internet we go...I headed to the mayoclinic.com to research what my daily intake would be.  According to the Mayo Clinic who references the Institute of Medicine, an adequate intake of water for men would be 13 cups and women at 9 cups a day.  The 8 by 8 roll would not apply to that.  There are also calculations out there based on your weight and what you should drink, but for me...I am comfortable with saying that I need 96 oz a day.

This is for a couple of reasons: 1) I need to lose weight so the more I keep my body hydrate, the most it is going to be functional to allow me to exercise (recommended daily increase of 2.5 cups with exercise)  2) I have a tendency to feel dehydrated.   I remember very few things for the Oprah show, but one fact I remember her providing to her viewers is that if you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

So 96oz a day...how do I accomplish that?

 - Out of the water I drink, I avoid crystal light/mio/etc to add to the water.  That sugary flavor (even if it has no sugar), it creates an unsatisfying feeling within me.  If anything, that sugar taste creates more of taste for foods in which I should not even be craving.

- When exercising, I drink prior, after each set/machine change, and after.  I have a "Pavia dog" reaction during my strength training because after each set, I am drinking water.  During my workout, I try to finish a full bottle to get me off to the right start.

- I use the glasses with the measurements I need.  At work, I use a 32 oz glass of my water.  I am striving for three of those a day so if I can finish one before lunch, I am good to go for the rest of the day.  Plus, I use a similar glass at my house so I know if I had one at work, one during my workout, then I need one more at home.

- Water pitcher in the refrigerator.  There is nothing like coming home to cold, cold water...fill up a pitcher and put it in their today.  As the temperature rises, you will not find satisfaction in that side, but cold, cold water.  While you want to avoid sugar, adding a little lemon or even ginger increase the taste factor on a hot day.

So I will keep pushing myself with this habits to get my water in daily (and keeping my phone away from the water!)

Working a Better Community: Healthy Living Alliance

It seems like almost once a month a new chart/listing/ranking comes out which measures the status of

your state.  The healthiest state..the highest rate of obesity....the best city for biking...the worst city for public transportation.  It seems like every city/state is battling to prove their health worthness with stats.

But what is really happening in this communities?  The most recent CDC rankings has my current state ranked the 10th most obesity state and estimated the direct medical cost of obesity per Missourian is at $754.  For some Missourians, this amount might be a whole paycheck.  Not matter what condition your health is, the impact of obesity can be felt for every person. 

Yoga on the Square with Healthy Living Alliance

That is why we are a neighbors to each other should provide the resources to improve our health as a community.  I remember when I was growing up, everyone may age was always out playing and moving and being active.  As an adult, beyond joining a gym program or sign up for a running group, it is difficult to find the community resources to keep us moving (especially with a limited budget).

For me, I have never paid attention to what was happening in my community when it came to healthier resources until I started this journey.  (To be honest, I never really paid attention to any aspects of the community in my twenties).  But on my journey to a Better JNel, I would say an indirect result was becoming a better citizen.

Because of this, I have started a partnership with the Healthy Living Alliance here in my city (http://hlaspringfield.org/).  Started back in 2011 (the same year I started my journey), the HLA has been working on the goal of improving lives, reducing the community cost of lifestyle-related diseases, and strengthen our city's economic outlook.  In our city, the HLA has been hosting school programs to promote healthy eating, campaigned for a successful ban on all indoor smoking in the workplace (twice), and providing free community exercise programs to increase movement. 

It was last year which I became exposed to the Healthy Living Alliance during free Friday lunchtime Yoga on the Square.  It was not until recently in which I expressed interest in being a Healthy Living Alliance Ambassador which by discussing my lifestyle changes, we could use my story to motivate my neighborhoods. 

I am excited to see where our partnership goes as well as energized for another year of Yoga on the Square.  I challenge all of you to outreach to your community to see what resources they have as well as how you can get involved. 

@BetterJNel: Home Fitness Room for Under $200

Ozarks Woman's Frugal Home Fitness Room for Under $200  (Follow link to video)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Home gyms don't have to be pricey. For one Ozarks woman, all it took was a little patience and some shopping around.

At work, Jennifer Nelson sits behind a desk, but when she's at home she doesn't like leaving her family to go to the fitness center or its monthly price tag.

"It really came down to the fact that I wanted the resources that I wanted, easily accessible and I didn't have the funds," says Jennifer.
So, Jennifer decided to bring the gym to her.

"This exercise ball was a discount. It was an open package return and they donated it to Goodwill," Jennifer explains. "If you go to Academy, it's going to run you like $15.00. I think this was like a quarter."

Instead of the big box stores, she took her quest for budget friendly-fitness equipment to Craigslist and garage sales.

"The best time is always the last part of every month, because everyone's moving. You know everybody is trying to get rid of those items."

It pays to come prepared. Jennifer scored an elliptical trainer for free.
"It was just you haul it, you take it and we were the first ones there with a truck."

This is the time of year when alot of people are spring cleaning. Jennifer recommends calling your local thrift store and letting them know if you're looking for something specific.

"We operate a wish list," says YOTO Inc. Executive Director Ken Childers.

Whether it's bargain bikes or affordable ab crunchers, Ken enjoys the adventure that comes with shopping on a thrift store budget. He operates the Youth of the Ozarks Thrift Store on N. Glenstone Ave. in Springfield.

"I came to work this morning and there was nothing out back. I come in from a lunch appointment and voila, I have a working treadmill."

Jennifer was able to build a quality home gym for less than $200, but even the best fitness rooms only go so far.

"You really can't ignore it when it's at your house, but at the same time you can find those good deals on Craigslist means that a lot of people don't utilize those resources," says Jennifer

Motivation hasn't been a problem for Jennifer. In a year and a half, she has said goodbye to 150 pounds.

"I just finished my first half marathon this weekend, those are things that having these resources to work at home 30 minutes a day got me to that finish line."

Having a gym at home has not only encouraged her to make keep up her new healthy lifestyle, but to spend more time with her family.

"I work from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. most days and we come home and have dinner and it's off to the gym for her and that's an hour. That's all we had together. So by putting in a gym, you know I get her the rest of the evening," says boyfriend Josh Collwell.

Jennifer also says it's important to reward yourself. For instance, the money she would have been putting into a gym membership now goes toward buying healthy foods or new workout clothes

Better JNel Babble: Go Girl Half Marathon

May Playlist: 13 Songs for 13.1 Miles

Photo from www.lululemon.com

When I first started running, I made the error of selecting songs in which are great for dancing.  I was 

quick to find out that a song that makes you want to get out on the dance floor may not necessary push you during running intervals.  After a couple of weeks of exploring, I found the best running songs for me had numerous bridges to a fast pace chorus.  With those bridges, it allows me a "cheerleader" moment to push myself to run during the whole chorus.

In honor of my first half marathon in May, I am highlight 13 songs which will push me to get to the finish line.  

1) "Crazy In Love" - Beyonce: During our STL St Pat's 8K, Josh took my Nano to run with and rated this song as the 'best running song'.  The song bridges to two different 30 second chorus.  In case you want to stop, I always think of Beyonce amazing dancing in the video to push me a couple of extra steps.

2) "We Run This" - Missy Elliott: Beyond the title, the background drumming and cheerleader-like background voices motivate me to "Run This".  Just try not to stop to do a few moves during the bridge.  (If you do, no one will mind!)

3) "Milkshake" - Kelis: What other motivating statement do you need beyond "My milkshake brings the boys to the yard, tt's better then yours" do you need?  While it is a slower beat, it has perfect 30 second intervals between the chorus, bridge, and verses.  Perfect for in the middle of your run.  

4) "3" - Britney Spears: The verses are a quicker pace then most and the song is pretty much spilt between 30 minute intervals.  The final chorus section is a perfect time to push yourself, and she is is even counting "1, 2, 3" for you.

5) "Let It Rock" - Kevin Rudolf & Lil Wayne: This song makes me want to start clapping the second I hear it.  It had a great background beat for you to hit the ground with.  I always try to make sure I am switching my feet with each beat.  The chorus is quick with a slight bridge.  Motivating Line: "When I arrive, I bring the fire!"  

6)  "Sexy and I Know It" - LMFAO:  Of course you need to run to a song in which specifically tells you what you are doing "I Workout!"  Fast pace with great intervals.  Bonus points if you "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle" while running!

7) "Thrift Shop" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: At first, I would not thought this was a good running song.  During my first 10K, this song came on when I knew I was going to finish in last place, and I loved running to it.  The background trumpet creates a smoother running pace and the sections are perfect for run/walk intervals.  Just don't want to be tempted to stop at a Goodwill to "pop some tags" during the race!

8) "LaLa" - Ashlee Simpson: Pace of the song is consist with a slight pause right before the chorus so it is the perfect interval pushing moment.  You might even what to "LaLa" on the course.  :)

9) "Maneater" - Nelly Furtado: This song makes me want to do some old school 80"s fitness workout (think Saved By The Bell episode where the girls make their fitness video).  The background beat makes you step often in this song and causes a quicker then normal pace.  Break out your headband!

10) "What Doesn't Kill You?" - Kelly Clarkson: Beyond the line ("what doesn't kill you makes you stronger", the chorus is longer then average so it is a great time to change up your intervals.  Feel free to sing it on the course...your fellow runners will appreciate the motivation!

11) "When I Grow Up" - Pussycat Dolls: We have all tried to be a pussycat doll!  (Even my trainer with the Pussycat workout video).   While you are not running with a boa, the two-part chorus is perfect to push yourself.  I have started running believing it was going to be a quick chorus, but found myself going longer then my normal interval time. 

12) "Blow" - Ke$ha: If I could figure out to get a $ in my name, I would do it.  Until then, this song is a great interval chorus song because just like the above Pussycat Doll song, it is a longer two-part chorus.  Push yourself to get thru the whole chorus and put a symbol on your race bid (Better$JNel)

13) "Booylicious" - Destiny's Child: It was hard to pick one from the group, but the Stevie Nicks sample guitar is difficult to ignore.  Act like the street is your runway and work it out!

13.1) "Stronger" - Britney Spears: This is my power song.  This will be playing for me during my final 0.1 miles.  I have crossed numerous finish lines with this song in my ears!  "I am stronger then yesterday!"

What songs motivate you when running?

May Goals: Miles, Meals & Me

The last couple of months have been a challenge for me, but I have had to remind myself that this is a journey to a better, healthier me.  With all of these challenges, I remembered why I started and what I wanted to get out of this experience.  While things got crazy, I have still been working towards my goals in which one significant one is going to be accomplished this month.  Getting refocused, here are my May Goals!

1) Finish my first Half Marathon:  I say 'finish' because my goal is to cross the finish line (prior to closing the finish!)  I know with my training, I will be able to finish.  Being that my first half marathon is on May 11, I still have the rest of the month to look at.  I want to continue on with my training.   Including my half marathon, I am striving to get 40 miles logged for May.  To challenge myself, I am going to be walking my local American Heart Association Walking Paths.  My local chapter designed 30 paths here in my town, and I can not wait to review them.  (Find a AHA walking path in your area here: http://www.startwalkingnow.org/home.jsp)

2) Preschedule my lunches & snacks during the work week: Since I eat the same breakfast every morning, the next step is to continue the clean eating and balanced meals during my work day with lunch and snacks.  I have had some issues with energy and food so eating balanced meals has become critical on my journey.  While everyone always says to plan meals ahead, it is advice in which I have found it difficult to embrace.  I believe that was because I tried to do the whole week and every meal therefore I setting myself up for success by giving myself lunch and snacks.  Then next month, we are going to plan the whole day!  

3) Schedule week for exercise, work, and social media to provide success with balance: They say if you are focused on one goal, you forget about the others.  This month, I am going to work towards my schedule to provide the necessary balance to be successful in all areas.  When you put it down on paper and schedule the time, you are more likely to make it happen.

Seems like a pretty simple month, but there are 31 days to make these things happen.  In addition, it is National Bike Month so I will be getting some miles on both of my bikes.  Until next time, I am busy working on a Better JNel

Color Run vs. Color Me Rad: Who Wins?

Last year, I had plans to compete in “The Color Run” in St. Louis, MO.  Due to a medical situation, I gave up my registration for the Happiest 5K on the planet. At the time, I was devastated as this was the race I was working towards all summer.  Well, they always say something happens for a reason.

In January, I was rewarded with not only the announcement of “The Color Run” coming to my city AND “Color Me Rad” as well.  Both races were scheduled two weeks apart so it was a perfect opportunity for me to compare both races.  So I registered for both and prepared myself for COLOR!

Registration Process: The price ranges for each run depending on when you register online.  Each provides an option to register as an individual or a team with The Color Run providing a discount for team registration.  (Even if you register for a team, it does NOT guarantee a spot for everyone.  They must register prior to the city selling out.) If you sign up for The Color Run’s VIP list prior to registration opening for a city, you receive an additional discount code.  Color Me Rad offers the option to provide a direct donation to the charity of choice.  Color Me Rad requires with registration the option of the wave time.  For me, the registration price was the same for both races due to the Color Run VIP code/team discount and time of registration.  Without those codes, Color Run is slightly higher. 

Winner: Color Me Rad

TIP: Contact the race organizer about volunteering for Color Me Rad prior to registering.  In my city, if you volunteered Thursday or Friday for packet pick up, you were able to race for FREE.

Race Packet: The Color Run provides a white Color Run t-shirt, Color Run headband; two face tattoos, a celebration color powder packet, and running bid.  Color Me Rad provides a Color Me Rad t-shirt (color varied in my city), one tattoo, sunglasses, and running bid.  (Before the final color bomb for Color Me Rad, they do hand out a free color powder packet…no reason to buy at packet pickup!)

If you like to wear the t-shirt for the race, The Color Run wins the shirt as when I picked up my shirt for Color Me Rad, it was blue.  I prefer not wearing the same shirt for the run so I liked the Color Me Rad shirt to wear afterwards. The Color Me Rad tattoo is significantly larger as a placement on the face is not possible where The Color Run tattoo fit perfectly on the check.  Again, that is your preference.  So it really comes down to Color Run headband vs. Color Me Rad sunglasses.  To protect your eyes, the sunglasses where necessary so Color Me Rad had a better giveaway.

Winner: Color Me Rad

TIP: Pick up your packet prior to Friday evening after 5 PM.  Due to the popularity of the event, you will wait a long time if you register at the peak times.  You can register for friends.  If you can’t pick up during the week and can wait, pick up your supplies the morning of.  The wait would be significantly reduced (1 hours vs. 5 minutes)

Pre-Race Celebration: Prior to Color Me Rad, there was dancing, music, and giveaways in the race area where The Color Run did have giveaways, but all waiting in the race line.  For Color Me Rad, there are ‘waves’ in which you sign up for, but in my city, the time you registered for was not enforced.  Both races do impose waves with a waiting period between each one to spread out the race.  Both races start on time with Color Run providing a significant countdown on a sound system vs. Color Me Rad which was a bullhorn.

Winner: Toss Up

TIP: Even if you are walking, start out earlier to celebrate more at the end.  Those who start in the last group have a tendency to miss out on the party at the end. 

Color Run Color Entry             Color Me Rad Color Entry

Race Route: This comparison is difficult as the race organizers determine the route and usually it is not the same route.  In my town, The Color Run was downtown and Color Me Rad was on a college campus.  As far as distance, The Color Run was at 2.83 miles and Color Me Rad was 3.2 miles, but again, that can vary depending on the route.  While on the race route, Color Run has numerous signs on where you are able to take pictures with your group including the very popular “I Heart Tutus” where there is no branding during Color Me Rad.  Color Me Rad does have photographers along the route in which you can purchase photos post race for 2.99 per photo which have the Color Me Rad logo on it.  For overall branding and picture resources, I have to choose Color Run.

Winner: The Color Run

Color Comparison: This is the main reason on why you enter the race: the color.  This comparison will be challenging due to a rain during my Color Me Rad adventure.  (While I was worried about the

Before & After                            Before & After
Color Me Rad                             The Color Run

run, it made the event much more colorful!).  Color Run had four powder stations with a liquid shots at the end.  Color Me Rad has two powder stations, two liquid stations, and a final powder celebration.  The volunteers determine how much color you get on you so if you are looking for a lot of color, make sure you ask for it.

Winner: Toss up as if you ask for more color, you receive more color

Tip: Everyone waits for the first volunteer in the color station.  Skip the line and go to the second volunteer to get the color.  Make sure you spin in front of one of the volunteers to get full coverage.

The Color Run (Top) &
Color Me Rad (Bottom)

Post Race Celebration: When coming up to the finish line, Color Me Rad made the final color celebration at the finish line where The Color Run’s color was already completed by then.  Because of that, Color Me Rad had the better finish line.  Both had water and KIND bars at the finish line.  Afterwards, The Color Run had an official stage set up with dance competitions and numerous color bomb moments.  Color Me Rad had a two person lift in which was raised up and a couple of color bomb moments.  Both gave away tons of items including color packets and t-shirts.  Because of the stage and branding, The Color Run post celebration was better. 

Winner: The Color Run

 So who is the overall winner: The Color Run vs. Color Me Rad?

OVERALL WINNER: YOU

Both races were fun and colorful.  There were families with strollers, college kids, and even grandparents walking the race.  There were more people walking then running.  For a lot of people, this was their first 5K ever, and they accomplished the goal of crossing the finish line.  If it was not for the color and the fun, they may have never signed up for this race.  There are numerous programs out there to attempt to motivate us to move; The Color Run and Color Me Rad have found a great way to get people excited about exercising.  So if it is color, foam, or even a nighttime run, get your friends together and sign up.  You will have a blast!