lorna jane | Kai Chronicles

I never thought I’d ever say I was a runner.

I’ve had asthma and chronic respiratory issues for the past 20 years so anything that laboured my breathing was scary for me.

But last May, I added an app to my phone that would track running, walking or biking. I thought this may be a motivational tool for me. It is now, but damn, it took me awhile to get into it.

My first log was a bike ride on May 27: 2.74km – It was most likely the school run.

I burned 44 calories in 10 minutes.

May 31 – another bike ride: same results. Another school run.

It wasn’t until October 6th that I tracked my first run: 3.21km 28.50 minutes 148 calories burned.

Now, I’m sure I did not run the entire way. I am fit but running has always been hard for me and my ill-fated lungs.

In October, I ran a total of 6 days and I started to like it.

In November, which was a crazy mix of holiday and ALL GO mode, I ran 6 days as well.

Now, in December I am up to 7 days and yesterday I hit my goal for the first time!!!

I ran a continual 30 minutes. No stopping. No stitch. No breathing issues.

I would have the app record to prove it but of course, I had hit the pause button just after take-off and didn’t realise it until half way through my run!!!

Never mind. I know what I did. Now, 30 minutes will be my normal run time.

Since I added running to my fitness regime, I have been more committed to daily exercise. If I don’t have time for an hour (plus) workout, I know I can go for a run first thing in the morning and that’s my daily movement done! My aim is to do at least three 30-minute runs each week.

The added cardio has helped melt away my muffin top that was so difficult to tackle with muscle design and dance alone. Now, I have a nice balance between my Tracy Anderson DVDs (muscle design and dance cardio) and running.

Why I love running

It gives me some alone time.
All I need is my 2 feet and a heartbeat!
I can map my progress with the Lorna Jane app.
I get to listen to loud music, which I find very motivating!
30 minutes is enough (for now).
It’s a nice break from the other stuff.
I feel strong and sexy.
I am seeing RESULTS!

Finally, after countless years of to-ing and fro-ing about my eating habits, stomach problems and lack of committed to my health, I am in a place where I get up in the morning and get straight to my fitness routine.

I am eating and drinking what I want (within reason – little wheat and dairy most days) and I don’t feel guilty about it or have any reason to worry about the weight or muffin top creeping back on.

At 42 years old, I can honestly say that I am feeling (and looking!) the best of my life. Taking care of yourself is so important!

My goal for 2014 is to keep it up!!

Happy & healthy

What’s your fitness & health goals for 2014?

It’s been 3 days since I gave up gluten and dairy again and I can feel the benefits already. There are other things that I avoid, like sulphites, yeast, food colouring and additives; and sugar but I’m not going all anal about never consuming a spec. It’s obviously that being really strict with myself doesn’t work long-term so I’m being a bit easier on myself this time.

With the change of seasons, I find myself not as motivated to stick to my fitness. I mean, I’m not jumping up at the crack of dawn and straight into my runners but I am still doing a daily work-out. Sometimes it’s 60 minutes but other times, it’s only 20. My bed is pretty cosy at 6am.

I’m sure that when my body is rid of all the excess gluten and sugar I ate in March, I will be back at it in full-force. I have a new Tracy Anderson DVD (dance Cardio 2) and 3 more dvds on the way. Plus I have a couple new Lorna Jane fitness/casual outfits so I can’t stop now!!

This is the life I want; the person I want to be. I know I am committed enough and already healthy enough to achieve my goals, which is to maintain my health and my petite figure and to be a health writer. I can’t really be a health writer if I am eating cake and donuts while sitting on my bum all day.

It’s not easy, I know. I’ve been doing this yo-yo thing for 8 years now but I finally “get it”. It dawned on my last week when I wrote How to set yourself up to succeed ‘s #6 tip – “If it makes you feel good, keep doing it. If it makes you feel bad, stop doing it”.

Giving up gluten doesn’t make me feel bad. Eating gluten makes me feel bad.

Giving up alcohol forever makes me feel bad, so I haven’t given up alcohol. I just choose drinks that do not contain the things that make me feel bad. A cocktail makes me feel good and like I’m Carrie Bradshaw.

If I gave up all chocolate, I’d fall into a depression. That’s why I refuse to give up chocolate but again, I choose my chocolate wisely. Dark rules. The higher the cocoa %, the better.

It’s all about choice. We all make choices everyday that make up our entire lives.

Take today for instance. I made the following choices that have me pretty chuffed with myself:

I got up at 6am to meditate.
I did a 60-minute dance cardio class (on DVD)
I went to a yoga class (90 minute class)
I bought some fresh mango and broccoli
I made a delicious mango/banana smoothie (it was to die for)
I made cream of broccoli soup for lunch (no cream needed)
I sent a 3rd submission follow-up to an editor who has ignored my previous 2. She replied within 10 minutes (she’s yet to read it but has said she’ll get back to me)
After this post is complete, I will make a decaf coffee and read a book for an hour

Mango & Banana Smoothie: fresh mango and any juice it produces while cutting, 1 ripe banana, 2 heaping spoonfuls of natural or greek yogurt, 6 ice cubes and cinnamon to taste. Blend all together. Enjoy!

Cream of broccoli soup: saute fresh garlic and chilli in oil (omit chilli if you want). Add clean and dry broccoli (cut up, stems and all), salt & pepper and a bouquet garni bag or bundle. Add enough water to not quite cover the broccoli. Simmer until soft. Cool slightly. Remove the bouquet garni bag before blending to a smooth texture. So simple, so delicious.

It’s these choices that are working for me this Wednesday.

Anyone have any fitness or health regimes working for them today?