Yesterday while walking to Runners’ Edge I was dreading the thought of a speed workout. I even thought about opting out and not going… I have just been so tired lately. THANKFULLY I did go because to my surprise there was no speed workout and just a run. I ran 13.04km with an average pace around 5:16/km. It was a pretty good run. It was SO beautiful outside… I hope this weather keeps up for race day. Fingers crossed.

so flattering.. i know.

This morning I got an early easy peazy 6km recovery run in the rain. Am I ever glad I got my legs moving because they definitely needed it and it felt great! 

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Awhile ago I mentioned that I was reading Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr

I FINALLY finished the book and I loved it. Have any of you read it? It’s an overload of valuable information and I think everyone should take the time to read this book. I found that with a book like this it’s important to pick and choose what information is beneficial for you and what you are going to do with that information.

For example, in one chapter she talks about meat and factory farming. I have a really hard time with this. I’m not a full on vegetarian by any means although I’ve never been a big meat eater; some days I may crave a burger and the next, I gag at the thought of having a piece of meat on my plate. Wierd.. I know. I think it’s important for people to be aware of what factory farming is and what it entails but at the same time, the other part of me doesn’t want to hear it or see any pictures. Maybe that’s ignorant to say, but it’s the truth. It makes me so sad to think about the animals being tortured. Once that information is in my head, it’s impossible to get it out. Although reading it definitely created dialogue and made me think, what can I do to be part of positive change? Either stop eating meat or buy products that are “certified humane raised and handled”. Anyways… this post wasn’t supposed to be about meat or vegetarianism… moving on..

I have been processing everything that I’ve read and am trying to figure out and decide how I want to incorporate it in mine along with my families daily lives. Part of me doesn’t think it would be that big of change because already the majority of our diet is fresh food. I make shakes/juice on a daily basis, if not more. The kids even ask for green shakes and that makes me so happy!

At the end of the book, Kris has a 21- Day Cleanse and gives advice each step of the way on how to get through it. I’m not talking about these liquid only cleanses, or popping pills to clean your system out cleanse… no way. This is the real deal… “the cleanse is to tune your body, mind and spirit; it’s intended to give you freedom from obstruction and liberation from bullshit”. Each day of the cleanse there is something different to focus on, a prayer -ex: “Sometimes I feel uptight and impatient. Please help me turn my pounding fists into open receiving hands”, an affirmation – ex: “I let go with ease. I am a clear channel. Energy flows through me, and all good things come to me”, God Pod Maintance – ex: Go to an exercise class and shake your booty and then Kris gives a Tip in regards to the cleanse that day. Some may think it sounds ridiculous but it’s actually really interesting. During the 21 days it’s totally up to you how much you would like to participate; if you want to jump on the vegetarian bandwagon or if you want to start by cutting sugar out of your diet. It’s in your hands baby!

I think the most important thing is to find a balance . A balance between, well… everything in life. Living in the moment and doing what is right for you. For a long time, I had no balance at all. I would deprive myself or go all out and it caused so much stress, not only in my life but in relationships I had. I exercised obsessively and counted every little thing I put in my mouth. I don’t think anybody deserves to feel that way or should be so hard on themselves. So how do we find our balance? One of the ways that I’m sure we’ve all known about for a long time (but may ignore at times) is to begin by loving ourselves. Sounds cheesy, but it’s so true isn’t it? At one point in CSD it says to “picture yourself when you were five. How would you treat her, love her, feed her? How would you nurture her if you were the mother of little you?”
I know we can all be hard on ourselves at times, right? These words can really get you thinking..

I think I have found a few more answers from reading this book on how to better my balance and look forward to trying them out and seeing if they work for me.

Was there ever a time you realized you were to hard on yourself? How did you find your balance?