Happy Friday it's FF Time!

 Guess what time it is? FF time!

These are great exercises for an at-home workout!

 

Fear isn't an option!

Get out there and be a super-hero today!

"Limitations only exist if you let them"

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

My Weight Loss Journey

I was never a small or petite girl, even as a child...you could say I was a bit scrawny as a younger girl but as I grew into a teen I started to gain weight slowly.  We (my parents, brother and I) moved a lot while I was growing up.  My dad was a pastor and a truck driver and we moved where the churches and jobs were.  Around my 14th year my moms mom was diagnosed with cancer so we moved from California to Oregon to take care of her and manage their trailer court.  

It was the first time I was in a public school and things just kinda spiraled from there for me.  I got into the more secular part of life and soon learned some very hard lessons.  I don't regret where I came from because it helped make me who I am today.  

I got married at 20 and my husband and I  had our first child ten days before our 1st year Anniversary.  Our second child came almost exactly 2 years later and I had not lost all the baby weight (42lbs) I gained from our first.  Apparently you don't have to eat for two when your pregnant, who knew...lol.  The third child came 18 months later and finally the fourth 3 years after that.  I gained and lost, 4 times and never ever got back to my pre-pregnant days. 

When our 4th child and only daughter was about a year old I was diagnosed with Thyroid disease and in the following few years developed two other thyroid disorders.  Finally I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer, had surgery, treatment and went through recovery.  The cancer was so bad it took a lot longer in surgery than the doctor had anticipated and I lost a lymph node in the process.  At the time I was overweight, sick and very out of shape.

After recovery and getting the all clear I decided that if I could beat cancer I could become a runner.  So I found a C25K program on the internet and started running.  At first I could barely run a minute without having to stop but here I am 3 years later and training for a half marathon.  Weight loss came with the running but not as much as one would think.  Apparently running makes you hungry...strange.  A few months ago I got more serious about losing the weight and here I am almost 30lbs lighter and smaller, more fit than I have ever been.  

To date I have lost 74+ pounds and am just about ready for maintenance and then I will be building more muscle to tone up some more.  I do weights now but will be doing a lot more from here on out.  I am so thankful that I am healthy and still in remission.  I plan to continue my journey of healthy living and I am so excited to see what the future holds for me.

After and Before

 

"Limitations only exist if you let them"

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Weekly Check-in

Hey y'all, I hope your having a wonderful weekend and are well rested for the coming week!  I have been doing a lot of resting on my heating pad, helping my daughter M rearrange her room (packing up old clothes for Goodwill, and tossing trash etc) to look more like a teen girl's room, as well as running and working out. 

We have been dealing with a family crises that seems like it will be around for a long time possibly for life and it is really shaking up my family. We would like any and all prayers (if you do that sort of thing).  I will not bore you with the gritty details, just know that no one is sick/terminally ill or anything like that.  

Here is what my workouts consisted of this last week...

Friday June 14th...

• Cleaning 180 minutes (every week I clean my friends 2 story house)

Saturday June 15th...

• Ran for 108 minutes (9 miles)

Sunday June 16th...

• Rest Day (Father's Day)

Here is what my daughter and I made daddy for his special day!

(I wish you could see the detail)

 
Monday June 17th...

• Ran 50 minutes (4.71 miles)
• AMT 30 minutes
• Weight room 20 minutes

 
Tuesday June 18th...

• Rest Day

Wednesday June 19th...

• Ran 41 minutes (3.7 miles)
• Weight room 10 minutes

Thursday June 20th...

• AMT 40 minutes (4.3 miles)
• Weight room 15 minutes

Friday June 21st...

• Cleaned for 3 hours, Oy Vey

Saturday June 22nd...

• Ran 93 minutes (8 miles)

This last week has been great and I have to say, I'm thoroughly enjoying my summer so far.  Tank tops, flip flops, lazy days spent reading, and working out whenever I want...what's not to like. How is your summer going? Anyone else craving watermelon?  I can't seem to get enough! 

May God bless you and give you joy in abundance!  May the sunshine find you in your happy place! (Right now one of my happy places is on the road during a long run)

"Limitations only exist if you let them" 

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Sciatica Pain Anyone?

I have been dealing with sciatica pain since last year when I broke my pelvis and the pain at times is excruciating.  Since I am allergic to ibuprofen I cannot take anything that really helps ease the pain so I don't take anything, although I have recently found that heat helps tremendously.  

How does one not sit...I mean standing all day is just ridiculous right...so I have this weird schedule of standing, kneeling and laying on one side and then the other, and of course I am working out during all this pain as well.  I have pain every day all day but I know that this will pass and that the sciatica is a result of my injury last year, it may be time for some PT or something I can do at home like massage or use of a foam roller.  I was researching on this pain and last night read that sciatica is often a result of pelvic stress fractures due to nerve damage...oy vey! I've had it from the beginning but just never realized it!  When I was first injured I had this burning pain on my sit bones with tingling that ran down my leg(s) anytime I tried to sit for more than 2 minutes, it has not changed in a year.  

Seriously, if this is the worst thing I have to deal with from my injury it's all good.  I'm really not complaining, just trying to maybe find a solution or something that helps that maybe I have not thought of.

I'm still on track with my training for the half in September and will be doing a 9 mile training run this Saturday.  The sciatica pain has not stopped me from running or working out, it's really only painful when not exercising or moving.  It does hurt a little bit sometimes when the pain is bad and I'm at the gym but it never hurts while running so that is a blessing.  Does anyone have any tips or advice for me that are not going to cost me a lot of doh-ray-me?

Okay now on to my workouts for this week so far...
 
Sunday June 9

• AMT 24 minutes (2.54 miles)
• Arc Trainer 16 minutes (.85 miles)
• Weights 15 minutes

Monday June 10

• Ran 51 minutes outside (4.3 miles)

Tuesday June 11

• AMT 27 minutes (2.53 miles)

Wednesday June 12

• AMT 18 minutes
• Weights 30 minutes

Thursday June 13

• AMT 51 minutes (5 miles)

Weight loss for this last week was 1.6 lbs

 



Let me just say thanks for listening to my woes, family issues and many other rantings throughout the years...I truly thank God and consider y'all to be ♥ friends and blessings!  

"Limitations only exist if you let them"

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

 © 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Week In Review

This week has been a great one through and through.  The kids are out for the summer and I'm off work (volunteer) until School starts up again, what's not to love!

I've been running outside this week...3 times, woohoo! Although I am not sitting much these days I am feeling pretty good.

Thursday May 30

• Adaptive Motion Trainer (AMT) for 30 minutes

Friday May 31

• Walked 30 minutes
• Cleaned Susan's house 1 hour

Saturday June 1

• Ran 1 hour and 11 minutes (6 miles)

Sunday June 2

• Walked 49 minutes (3.5 miles)

Monday June 3

• Walked 1 hour and 19 minutes
• AMT 13 minutes

Tuesday June 4

• Arc Trainer 45 minutes

Wednesday June 5

• Ran 55 minutes (5 miles)

Thursday June 6

• AMT 45 minutes

Friday June 7

• Cleaned Susan's house 2 hours (believe me it's a workout)

Saturday June 8

• Ran 1 hour and 15 minutes (6.6-7.0 miles)

Whew, I think I'm all caught up now! I have really liked doing the run/walk 4:1 intervals and my body really is responding well! I don't seem to have as much pain in the hip that usually gives me grief. As far as being able to sit, no real change...not sure it will ever get better but who needs to sit down! LOL...

My 17 year old has applied for two jobs so he can make some money this summer.  Not sure how I feel about that because he does not have his license yet and I don't really want to be the one shuttling him back and forth.  He can always ride his bike if he works during the day time, but if he has a late night shift I will have to pick him up...ugh! We shall see if either one of the jobs pan out! I would like to see him get some more responsibility and do something this summer besides sit around and play video games with his brothers.  

Don't get me wrong, they do a lot of work at our stores during their summer break so they aren't really just being lazy...it just seems like it at times to their mother.  He would like to get out there and start working for someone other than his dad, (not that he minds it) plus the money would be a major bonus for him and his life!  Well enough of my ranting...I'm off to get ready to go workout at the YMCA...ha ha ha, now you have that song playing in your head! Have a great day y'all!

 



"Limitations only exist if you let them"

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Blooming Where I'm Planted?

Warning...this post is about life, struggle and God...it's long but I think it's worth reading, it was certainly worth writing! 

I am often so absorbed by training for this half marathon that I forget to stop and attend my spiritual health.  I have this longing to accomplish this race, not because I want people to say, wow what a great thing...it's more like I have to do this to prove to myself, my body and my spirit...that I can do it! Does that make any sense to you?  

I was talking to one of my very best friends about my spiritual health just the other day and it was about this very subject.  Feeling like I'm not doing anything significant for God, has left me feeling a little lost.  Come to find out, she is going through the exact same thing.  Don't you just love how God works? I sure do.  After we talked I didn't feel like everything was solved, but I did feel like I had made some headway and like God was still there...waiting.  For what, I don't know...I just know that God has me where I am, and I need to accept it...maybe not embrace it, but accept my garden where it is and how it looks...and bloom where I've been planted.  

My life and everything I touch is my personal garden and I CAN bloom where I've been planted.  We don't need to all go out and knock on doors, or serve at the soup kitchens to be significant. Some of us are mom's and dad's and our children and loved ones are our ministry.  The people I see daily, whether they are family or acquaintances, are in my garden and how I interact with them matters.  I may be the only person in their life that day, that reaches them for Christ through some small an act of kindness.  That means a lot to me personally, I am serving lunch to the high school kids in town Monday-Thursday and I may be their only smile or kind act in their day! In that way I am significant to God.  

How does running fit in?  Well I'm not sure, to be perfectly honest.  Yet, running is a big part of me at this moment in time and I have to believe that God planted that seed somewhere along the way for a reason.  I'm a runner but that isn't what defines me, I survived cancer, but that doesn't define me either...I'm a child of God at my core and that SHOULD define me.  I am hopeful that people see my heart (God) when they read my blog.  I pray that someone has been touched by my words (Gods words) at one time or another...but that is ultimately up to God not me.  

Running has been difficult for me.  I have had my fair share of injuries because of running, yet I love it. God has brought me through those injuries and the resulting heartbreak the same way he brought me through cancer and every other heartache I've gone through in life.  I got through those injuries because inside of me is a belief that God brings us to the valleys only to shine and show us His majesty when we come out on the other side. He is ultimately the one who gave me my spirit of triumph..it's not me, it's Him.  I hope that I show that in my blog.

You may be asking...What?

I've said all that to say this...I am struggling with pain.  Running past 4 miles is causing me pain in my hip and pelvis and I'm not sure I can keep up my training. That does not mean I am quitting just that I may have to tweak my schedule.  I am just saying I'm struggling.  My husband questions whether I should keep training for this half, period.  I am questioning it myself.  I have been thinking lately that maybe instead of trying to run the whole thing I should try a run/walk schedule.  Ugh! My ego doesn't like that last statement. To be honest, it was hard just writing that last statement. Egotistically I want to say I ran the whole way, but I really don't see that happening.  Maybe God is saying His plan for my half is better than my plan is...I have to learn to stop and listen for His advice.  It's always better than my advice. God may see this half marathon as a way to touch someones life through some seemingly insignificant act or word...I am sure that He sees it's execution and completion entirely different than I see it! It may have nothing to do with me at all and everything to do with Him. 

Thanks for listening to my struggle and for not giving up half-way through, I'm sure y'all deserve some kind of medal for finishing this post. It would be called the Medal of Friendship, and I virtually award it to every one of you! 

I am blessed by you and I thank God for bringing you into my life! Blessings and hugs! I hope I haven't scared any of you off!  I promise I have not lost it...lol!  May God bless you and keep you and may His favor shine on your life.

   



"Limitations only exist if you let them"

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

 © 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.