Step It Up | Challenging the Body and Brain
I’m back on the blogging game and ready for action. I finally feel refreshed and that new year hustle that so often comes to us this time of year.
It’s been awhile since I’ve done a “Step It Up” on here, so I thought being that it’s the new year, now would be a great time for one. This Step It Up is more of a resolution I’m setting for myself, a challenge to my body and brain, knowing that it will help me in all areas of life, including work!
So here it is friends, the goal I have to challenge myself this year is to run a half marathon. Yeah, I said it. Ok, I’m SO not a runner, (I’ve always been more of a jazzercise kind of gal) but this is something that I truly believe I (and everyone) needs. A mental and physical challenge. 2012 was probably the least active year of my life, being a newly wed and freelancing made me want to spend every spare second I had cuddling with my husband while watching a Netflix series. But now that I’ve gotten that out of my system and have learned that having a balanced life really does help you in SO many different areas, I’m more motivated than ever to do this. My husband is also training for a full marathon (crazy guy) so we’re in this together, which makes it even more awesome. I’ve been training since the beginning of the month and today I ran 2 (slow) miles without stopping for a walk! It may seem small, but for someone who hasn’t worked out very hard in a year, I feel pretty accomplished. I even got myself some crazy colorful new running shoes to inspire me to get out there!
I think everyone at one time in their life has had a resolution to eat healthier, so I know I’m totally falling into the pack when I say this, but I do resolve to step it up by eating healthier. I think of it as an overall getting balanced thing. I’ve recently discovered some great healthy eating sites such as SkinnyTaste.com, Kris Carr, and the awesome recipe pinning site Punchfork (they were actually just bought by Pinterest). I made this soup last night and it was delish!
Working from home and freelancing can seriously take over your life if you let it. Anyone out there feel me?? If so, you should sign up for a half marathon and train with me. Get out of your normal day to day world and challenge yourself apart from work. It’s great to set goals for work, but I truly believe that setting goals like this will help you be smarter and more productive in everything you do. It will be fun! (kinda) A lot of work, but a challenge to your body and your brain.
Take the challenge with me, do a halfsy. Get yourself some cute running outfits and do it! We can do it together!! Leave a message in the comments if you’re down and I can send you my training sched.
Happy Monday and 2013 everyone!
Go you, Joanna!! I’m making it a goal to eat healthier and work out a little more than usual. I’m always SO tired after a day of freelancing which is usually the culprit for me not getting off the couch. But more often than not, working out makes me feel so much better and gives so many endorphins. I think it’s good for us.
Yay! Me too
You are definitely a work out inspiration for me 
It’s crazy how I already feel my productivity going up- thanks so much for the support girly!
Isn’t it funny how clothes motivate you to work out? I bought a new running top at Target yesterday and I’m really excited to run now! We’re really trying to eat healthier as well- thanks for sharing those recipe links, I’ll have to check those out!
Go Kate!!
That’s a great goal, Joanna! I, too, have been trying to work on getting healthier and working out my body more. I tell ya, nothing is better than a successful workout. Good luck with your training! It already sounds like you’re on a roll!
Thank you!!
this year I’m working on shifting evening workouts to the morning. I’m excited to see how it shapes my day. I’ve been going to bed 9:00-10pm to help me resist hitting snooze… (makes me feel like an old lady!!) I’m not a “morning person” it’s so hard. I still love mornings, if that makes any sense. In general I love staying up late or waking up early when it is dark and quiet. So far, so good.
Have you seen lululemon and lole?! This year I’m budgeting to make investments in my gear so I can be more comfortable running in the cold, dark mornings. I do yoga as well, but don’t have any hot yoga studios around…so I’m thinking about getting a humidifier so I can amp up the heat and do some hot yoga at home. I think winter it would feel especially good
Good luck on your halfsy training. I haven’t run one before, but I might just have to train with you! Have you found a specific training schedule?
Just checked out lululemon- LOVE! I’m already putting things on my wish list
I’m in love with your idea of the at home hot yoga- what a great idea.
You should totally do the halfsy with me- I found a basic training sched I can email you if you’re interested!
Do it! You can either use my email on my comment or DM on twitter and I will get it to you
(http://twitter.com/bethanybarkey)
Love this! I also haven’t found anyone else who has used skinnytaste. Doesn’t exercising and eating well feel so good?!
Yes it does!!
I love it! You are amazing, girl! I’ve been trying to jog more too. I started last year and then I kinda fell off the wagon. But I wanna keep up with it! And I’m totally not a runner, either. In high school, I failed PE because I refused to even try anything! Haha.
You should share some recipes! Hehe.
hahaha love it! And I think I will share a few of my fav recipes once I get deeper into this thing
You are so inspiring. So excited to follow your journey this new year!
blush
Thank you for following along Grace!!
Congrats on starting a 1/2 marathon training program! I was in your shoes about 3 years ago and wasn’t a runner AT ALL. I signed up for a race to just challenge myself and get out of hibernation mode and have been hooked on running ever since. I just signed up for a 1/2 in march so i’ll be training right alongside you. This time around I want to eat cleaner as well so thank you for the links – bookmarking them now!
Nice!! Glad to know you are still running after 3 years!
Yea that’s super cool! I love running goals! Which 1/2 marathon did you sign up for??? I’m looking for one to do in like November (aka a goal to get rid of post-baby weight), but I haven’t found one yet, they don’t seem to have listings out that far in advance!
Oh and I LOVE new running gear!!! So inspiring! I love the cute, colorful sports bras from Target and am a sucker for Nike running capris
Joanna! new fan here
those shoes are SO fabulous – I bought a pink pair like that a few years ago. I am so not a pink type of person, but they were so cute that I wanted to put them on. and once they’re on, why not go for a run?
one of my goals for this year is to run a 5k! certainly not a half marathon (or a full marathon – even thinking about that makes me want to lay down and just never get up) but baby steps, right? best of luck in your journey!
Yes! Baby steps are how you get anywhere, right?? And a 5K is awesome! And so is the fact you have pink shoes
I’m not a huge pink gal either but I loved the blue! Good luck on the 5k!
I kind of want to do this with you but we are trying to get pregnant so not sure training for a half marathon is the best thing to start right now. Maybe I could start and if I get pregnant reevaluate then?
Love the new shoes – what brand are they? I have some relatively new Nikes and already the sole is peeling on one side which sucks, since I bought them in San Francisco when I was on a work trip there! All the best with your marathon Joanna!!
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