Hometown for the holidays

Happy New Year!!!!! Over the last week of the December, me and hubby visited my hometown of Huntsville, Alabama and I also ran my first race of 2018 which I'll write about in a later post. The trip was filled with high points (hanging out with my best friend and finding out the sex of a another friends twin babies) as well as lows ( a friend passed away at the young age of 34.) I was happy to be able to see family and to maintain my running workout schedule. Below are some photos from my trip to Huntsville and  I posted all of my trip photos on Facebook.

Also my friend Martinus Evans from the 300 pounds and running podcast was highlighted in Runner's World magazine so of course I had to buy the magazine and support my friend. As a bigger runner, I'm excited to see more magazines and society are starting to show more runners that look like me or just look different from the white, skinny runners I usually see highlighted.

Free gift wrapping table at Huntsville airport

Working out with hubby

Me and hubby taking a morning walk

Fried chickun tofu from Huntsville Whole Foods

Me with best friend and her son

Me holding magazine with friend's photo

A lake seen while workout out

Me with mom and little sister

Me with step mom and dad

Hubby, bro-in-law, me, mom and little sister 

Hubby in front of Star Wars Christmas tree

Me and hubby having dinner with friends

It was super cold in Huntsville

Working on my fitness/diet and favorite new running podcast

I've been working out at least once a day for years (going to the gym, working out to DVDS/video games at home) however I do realize the importance of switching my exercise routine up every once in a while. Usually I've been using MapMyFitness along with MyFitnessPal but recently I decided it was time for a change. 

Recently, I've been having issues with my right foot and it got so annoying I had to go to the podiatrist. He told me that I need an orthotic  in my shoes as well as change the type of shoes I wear to motion controlled shoes. Since getting the orthotics, my feet feel a million times better and I'm happy I can start running again.

Although I downloaded the Nike Run Club app to my phone in 2011 however it's only recently that I've discovered how great it is especially if you're someone who like to accomplish goals. Since I started using the app this week, I really enjoy that the apps provides correct mileage whether you're running on a treadmill at the gym or outside. Below are the different running achievements I've unlocked so far.

    

I am also finally focusing on my food issues and my tendency to gain weight due to snacking and eating too many sweets during the week. I heard about the "No S Diet" online (www.nosdiet.com) which is a simple diet which works by having no sweets, no seconds, and no snacks except of days that start with an s (such as weekends and special days like holidays and birthdays or sick day.) I like "NoS" because there's no rules, just eat one plate of food and I can still enjoy the occasional vegan sweet treat on the weekends. The No S Diet website is great for support and there's also a Facebook group and an experimental app "No S" calendar app you can download to your phone. Here's a photo of the book that sparked my diet change.

Lastly, as a plus size runner, I am always on the lookout for website or resources which help fellow runner like me. My new favorite running podcast the 300 pounds and running (www.300poundsandrunning.com)which is run by Martinus Evans. Each episode highlights a bigger runner and ask them  about their weight journey as well as what lead them to start running. Listening to these podcasts at work has really inspired me in my running and makes me happy to know that I'm not the only big runner out there.