muffin top reduction
I did it. I conquered the mountain. So I thought anyway. Now, hours later, I am more convinced that the mountain conquered me. I’mma be feeling this one for a few days, that’s for sure.
When I get something in my brain, I just need to follow through with it. And today I decided to attack the mountain at 2:00. In the hottest part of the day. Oh well. I could not be dissuaded.
There were so many people there. I think I saw more fanny packs today than I’ve seen in the past year. Slightly disturbing.
Try as I might, I couldn’t get my lungs to cooperate with me. I started out running, but I eventually had to stop so my lungs could catch up with the rest of me. I tried running again, but I didn’t last too long. When I could hear my own wheezing over the music blaring in my ears, I knew it was time to stop pushing so hard.
So I walked most of the way up.
I was frustrated, to say the least.
But I was still a hot, sweaty mess by the time I reached the top, though.
I was determined to run the whole way down.
So I did.
Maybe I was a little high from too many multiple puffs of my inhaler. I don’t know. All I know is that I ran the entire 1.2 miles down the mountain.
And then I collapsed in the grass and tried to remember why exactly I made myself do this today.
Oh yeah. Self-discipline. Increased lung capacity. Muffin top reduction.
Well, I’m just glad that mountain is behind me.
If only all the other mountains in my life were just as “easily” mastered with an iPod, an inhaler, and a pair of sneakers.
If only.
Good for you, friend. Don’t think I could run that in my present lethargic and overweight condition. Ha.
You’d beat me. But I can always school you in a sprint. Never forget that.
I’m glad you conquered this today. I hope the implications of the mountains in your life make you aware that they’re difficult- some are mt. Kilimanjaro big- but you will conquer them someday.
Just take it one mountain at a time.
I love you.
@gritandglory says:
are you sure about that sprinting business? maybe so. but, hands down, i’ll wrestle you to the ground first every.single.time. (bah!)
i love you!
I am not a runner. I think the furthest I have ever run at one time is about three miles, and that was a few years ago! The closest I come to running today is watching “Chariots of Fire” on Direct TV! LOL So, congratulations on conquering the mountain! I am impressed. (Also a bit concerned about the wheezing … sorry, it is a nurse thing. :D ) The first think I thought of when reading that was, “Pace yourself, Alece!”
I did read an article on line by Trisha Meili, “The Central Park Jogger”, who survived a brutal attack and survived. She has since returned to running, which is an impressive feat! In an online article in Runner’s World, June 2009, she states: “‘Many of us here have been knocked down by something, but here we are and look at what we can do,’” Meili says. “I have learned that with love and support, there’s hope, and from hope, possibility emerges.”
My prayer is that you will know you are loved and supported and will be filled with hope today.
@gritandglory says:
i’m a bit concerned about the wheezing too. when i mentioned my tight-chest and other breathing issues at my recent physical, all they did was give me inhalers. i’d hoped they might do something to test my lung capacity or … something. i don’t know what. my heart rate escalates really quickly too, and beats crazy fast over small things (like walking a flight of stairs). that doesn’t seem normal to me… but i’m not sure what to do about that one. anyway, here i am listing some of my bizarre medical issues to my nurse friend! :)
@mjdagenhart says:
Congratulations! I’m happy that you conquered one of your goals today.
One mountain at a time :)
Okay, note to self: Do not get in the way of Alece when she gets her mind set on something. lol
Man, just READING that inspired me. Sorry you’re sore, but that’s some well-EARNED soreness.
Spiritual applications all OVER the place here!
@gritandglory says:
a friend pointed out that i seemingly made myself do it under the worst possible conditions. i don’t know what that means except trying to prove to myself that i can do it no matter what… actually, i think it probably ties in with my tendency to expect from myself an impossible standard (of perfection?) that i’d never expect of anyone else. hmmm…
i find it very hard to believe that you have a muffin top!
@gritandglory says:
i could post proof. but i’m not THAT transparent! ha!
@ventigrace says:
I’m proud of you Kitty-in-training!! 1.2 miles… GO GIRL GO!!
Okay, but seriously… I TOTALLY laughed at the thought of you THINKING you have a muffin top. NOT. POSSIBLE. Do you need photographic evidence of what a muffin-top looks like? I hope to hack it off soon enough… but DANG…I’ve still got one.
@gritandglory says:
i wish we were doing our “incremental training” (or whatever it was called) like we’d planned…
and kitten, i DO have a muffin top. workin’ on hackin mine off too.
look at us — both kitties in training at the same time. still makes me kinda chuckle.
Ok I totally got made fun of (kind of) for not knowing what muffin top was… just found out this year.
@atangie says:
Well done. When are you going to do it again?
@gritandglory says:
of course you had to go and ask that!
@atangie says:
I asked… (smile) … even though I already know the answer.
@cassgirl says:
One mountain at a time
One bowl of stress at a time.
I am so proud of you that you conuered what Alece wanted to conquered!!!
I love you fierce friend!
@chrystieecole says:
Ok, I almost spit my water on the computer…fanny packs, muffin top reduction…! Hilarious! Loved it!
Wow! You go girl! One mountain down and a couple more to go … only the best part is Jesus is walking beside you on those … and carrying you sometimes. :) He rocks and so do you!
Way to go! I HATE running and am really bad at it so I have huge respect for your doing this. Good for you. Wouldn’t it be great if we all pushed our selves like this or In other ways every week. The only thing I’m pushing myself to do today is clean the kitchen of the piled up mess from the long weekend. Oh by the way. What muffin top?! If you even have one its got to be like a mini blueberry muffin. One of those cute ones!
@gritandglory says:
“one of those cute ones” – ha! i wish!
what was your weight-loss secret again?
haha…fanny packs, huh?
that’s pretty awesome
so glad you did it! I love that feeling…the feeling of making it to the top. Of any mountain, really. Knowing that I did. It makes all of the pain and frustration (and wheezing) worth it :)
you have inspired me…I’ve decided that I need to get in shape. Notice the word NEED and not the word WANT. But alas, I’m going to do it. Getting up at 4:30 tomorrow morning to go running before work; we’ll see how well that one goes. But I shall think of you and your mountain.
Congrats on youf victory, friend! This is only the beginning..
@gritandglory says:
running at 4:30?! way to choose the hard!
how was your run?
haha…well it actually wasn’t too bad
minus the part where it’s before the sun rises and I felt like I was going to get mugged the whole time
it was actually a miracle I even got out of bed
but, my ipod was very good to me and brought lots of encouragement
and I thought about your mountain
so today wasn’t too bad…we’ll see about the next time around
@gritandglory says:
kudos adriane! good for you!
ha…thanks
let me tell ya what, my poor little legs are feeling it, though
when I was coming to work the walk up that hill was a lot harder than last week :)
way to go, alece!!!
@traceepersiko says:
friend, you do not muffin or top anywhere. I have seen you recently!! You’ve got serious commitment and integrity. you are trustworthy with the little things. This is/was one of your small things. you stayed faithful. I respect and admire that so much in you. you are an encouragement to me. thank you,
DILY
@gritandglory says:
beg AND differ! i both muffin AND top!
thank you for saying i’m being faithful with the small things. that’s so my desire…
[and i guess that means i need to tackle her again when you're here!]
@traceepersiko says:
beg and differ all you want. the truth remains that you are tiny and so freaking beautiful!
and yes bring on the mountain!
@gritandglory says:
it just has to be said:
i looooove you.
Weight watchers. Works like a charm when you stick with it. But I must warn you. I’m a size 2 now but I still have a little muffin top. My mom would say its because I wear my jeans too tight. Ha ha I think serious exercise or starvation is the only de-muffiner.
@gritandglory says:
i think if my muffin were a size 2 i might not mind it as much!
(love you!)
haha. wow. You did a lot better than I would have.
@danielleH says:
but you did it! that’s my theory with the runs – even if i have to walk a bit…i still will finish.
isn’t it funny how in between ipods songs your energy drops and you panic a bit (at least i do that)
@gritandglory says:
“the runs” made me think “big D”. just sayin’… :)
and yeah… i totally need music that matches the rhythm of my pace!
@XCWATERBOY says:
hey alece,
your blog doesn’t like my internet provider here. i tried posting this a few days ago but no dice.
here’s take 2.
i don’t know if you were back yet or anyone told you but during my mountain race/marathon training I thought running up everest would be a good idea. I did it 2 times, once in august, once in september. I did it from dave’s office door to the summit rocks.
The first time I start wayyyy too fast thinking it will just be a bad hill (its not its a small, ferocious mountain)
by the classroom i know im in trouble. soon after that im doing the “curse my life, im breathing impossibly too heavily while walking” crawl. it was, not lying, really horrible.
of course the other interns want to cheer me on in my first attempt and so they are at various points on the trail to cheer me on. they got to see me at my worst up close and personal.
best part? jace and crystal hiked up to top before i started. i get to top say “don’t look” and proceed to puke. a few minutes later i jog down.
the following month i did it a lot more controlled. still walked a bunch but managed not to puke.
so yah you climbed/ran/walked/survived up a mountain. well done.
@gritandglory says:
loved hearing this story, peirce.
and i am SO glad i didn’t puke!