The Importance of Unplugging

 The Joys of Technology

how many times did you watch this?

Technology today is pretty great. I love that I can stay connected to friends and family all over the country with my phone (without having making a single call). I love that I can track my daily exercise and calorie intake, find new recipes, catch up on the days news, zone out on Facebook and watch kitten videos on this tiny but powerful computer that fits in my hand. But being plugged in 24/7 isn't healthy for my mind or body. Lately I've been starting to feel annoyed with technology; annoyed with my computer, the internet, all the crap on TV and my phone. I am not sure why this is. It could be because the weather is getting colder and I don't really want to spend too much time outside. It could be because the holdiays are coming (that's a whole other can of worms) or it could be because I am not unplugging enough.

There are days I find myself too plugged in, yup that's right, too plugged in. Question: is that even possible? Answer: well, yes it is. I will be at home watching TV, playing around on the computer and texting at the same time. It is embarrassing to even think that I am spending some evenings with three screens blaring messages, music and just plain noise at me (not to mention whatever weird radiation may come off these devices). I don't think I am addicted to my "devices"; but then again isn't the first step to overcoming addiction admitting you have a problem? I will admit on certain days I feel like I am playing with my phone or computer far too much, but I am not as addicted as some people out there. I can live without a phone with internet (I did up until a few months ago). I can live without checking Facebook for a day, or two or three. I enjoy having access to these things, but value peace and quiet too.

When Unplugging is Necessary

There are some obvious instances when turning off and powering down is important and necessary. Here are a few that are important to me.

I don't need technology when i have this!

1. When driving. This one is a no-brainer. We have all seen pictures and heard stories about what can happen when you text and drive. I don't want to risk injuring myself, my passengers, my dog or anyone else out there. It's stupid, just don't do it.
2. When I am out running or biking. I actually never bring my phone on a run. It is too big and bulky and I am out there to focus on my run. I always stash my phone in the bag on my bike, but not so I can check Facebook. I keep it with me because I am not apt to be farther from home while biking and want to make sure I can call someone if I have a problem (flat I can't fix, etc.). I don't think I have ever had to call anyone on a ride thus far.
3. At the gym. My phone stays in my car. I don't have a locker, so leaving it in the car is the safest option. Also, just like running, I am at the gym to focus on my workout. No one needs to reply to a text during yoga!
4. When I'm playing outdoors. No need to focus my attention on my phone when I am out walking,  hiking, snowshoeing, skiing or sledding! I have it with me in case of emergencies and use it sometime to take pictures. Other than that I am out there playing and having fun and enjoying the fresh air!
5. Bedtime. I keep my phone by my bed only as an alarm clock. Before going to sleep each night I put my phone down and pick up a book. I may only get through a few paragraphs before my eyes start to close, but putting my phone down lets my mind rest and focus on recovery and sleep.

7 Important Reasons to Unplug and Find Space

I read a great article recently by Joshua Becker on his blog Becoming Minimalist (you can find the whole posting here: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/unplug-please/). This article talks about some of the unhealthy attachments to technology that are plaguing our world. Here are a few startling statistics he mentions:

• 84% of cell phone users claim they could not go a single day without their device. (source)
• Studies indicate some mobile device owners check their devices every 6.5 minutes. (source)
• 88% of U.S. consumers use mobile devices as a second screen even while watching television. (source)
• Traditional TV viewing eats up over six days (144 hours, 54 minutes) worth of time per month. (source)
• Some researchers have begun labeling “cell phone checking” as the new yawn because of its contagious nature. (source)

Eek, some of these statistics are downright scary. What concerns me is how many kids these days are connected to technology and "devices" almost all day long. Working in schools I am witness to students who carry their phones, Ipods and tablets around with them everywhere. Many schools are starting to incorporate more technology into the classroom. I have been in classes where every student sits and works on lessons or projects on a laptop or Ipad. From there students move to their next class checking their phones in the hallway.

I have been in the cafeteria's and seen students sitting together at a table all on their devices or with headphones in their ears. Are they even talking to each other? It is scary to think that some kids these days can't go a lunch period (20 minutes) without looking at or playing with some sort of device with a screen. Last year I was at a school chatting with a 7th grader. She saw my phone (older, non-smart phone) and commented that she had the same one. I told her that when I was her age we didn't have cell phones. She was beyond amazed and asked how did we communicate. I told her you carried change and looked for a pay phone, or called your friends at home and made plans. We survived and life was just fine.

Here are the 7 reasons that Joshue gives on why we should unplug and power off:

1. Powering-down helps remove unhealthy feelings of jealousy, envy, and loneliness. Researchers recently discovered that one in three people felt worse after visiting Facebook and more dissatisfied with their lives....Powering-down for a period of time provides opportunity to reset and refocus appreciation and gratitude for the lives we have been given.
2. Powering-down combats the fear of missing out. Scientifically speaking, the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) has been recognized as a recently emerging psychological disorder brought on by the advance of technology. The premise is simple. Our social media streams are ever-filled with everything happening all around us....Turning off social media and finding contentment in our present space is a welcome skill.
3. Solitude is harder to find in an always-connected world. Solitude grounds us to the world around us. It provides the stillness and quiet required to evaluate our lives and reflect on the message in our hearts. In a world where outside noise is coming quicker and louder than ever, the need for solitude becomes more apparent… and easier to overlook. True solitude and meditation will always require the intentional action of shutting off the noise and the screens.
4. Life, at its best, is happening right in front of you. Our world may be changing. But the true nature of life is not. Life, at its best, is happening right in front of you. These experiences will never repeat themselves. These conversations are unfiltered and authentic. And the love is real. But if we are too busy staring down at our screen, we’re gonna miss all of it.
5. Powering-down promotes creation over consumption. Essentially, most of our time is spent in one of two categories: consuming or creating. Certainly, technology can contribute to creating. For example, this article was written (created) on a computer. But most of the time we spend in front of technology is spent consuming (playing video games, browsing the Internet, watching movies, listening to music). But our world doesn’t need more consuming. It needs more creating. It needs your passion, your solution, and your unique contribution. Power-down. And begin contributing to a better world because of it.
6. Addiction can only be understood when the object is taken away. Through a recent technological fast, I learned something about myself. I learned I am far more addicted to technology than I would have guessed. But that is the nature of addiction, isn’t it? We can never fully realize our level of addiction until the item is taken away. And the only way to truly discover technology’s controlling influence on your life is to turn it off, walk away, and sense how strong the pull is to turn it back on.
7. Life is still about flesh, blood, and eye contact. There are valuable resources online to help us grow and evolve. I have been enriched by the connections I have made and the friends I have met. But no matter how much I interact with others through the miracle of technology, there is something entirely unique and fantastic about meeting face-to-face. The experience of looking another person in the eye without the filter of a screen changes everything. Each time, I am reminded that life’s most fulfilling relationships are the ones in the world right in front of me. And spending too much time looking away from them does a great disadvantage to my soul and theirs.

My Pledge to Unplug 

Here and now I am making a pledge to unplug myself from technology more and here is how I am going to do it:

• Turn the TV on only when I know I have a show I would like to watch or I plan to watch a recording.  No more turning the TV on when I am bored and need something to do. When I do that I end up watching crap or reruns of shows that I like, but have already seen.

• Pick up a book. I have a huge stack of books that I want to read. I need to start reading them. My goal is to choose 1 evening a week where I sit and read instead of turning to technology. 

• Eat at the dinner table. There are multiple reasons why eating at the table is better than in front of the TV. Unplugging and giving my eyes and ears a break is just one of them. 

some meals really require a table!

• Make sure the alarm on my phone is set about a half hour before getting into bed. By doing this I won't need to touch or look at my phone for 30 minutes before even getting into bed to read. There is nothing that important at that time of nice. The obvious exceptions are phone calls from family (in case of emergency).

• Knit and Craft more! I have so much yarn and so many knitting and craft projects I want to do. Although I do knit while I watch TV, it isn't easy to pay attention to just the knitting while the TV is on. I also want to get out of the house and interact with other who knit and craft. I am sure I can recommit one evening a week to go to "Knit Night" at my local knitting store (here is my Knitting Studio in Montpelier shout out!) and start up "Make Something Monday's" craft night with my sister!

livin' life face to face!

• Get Outside!! One of the reasons I live in Vermont is because I love every season VT has (even mud season!). I need to get outside more to play and breathe in the fresh air. My dog Odin also love the fresh air, and some would say he needs a little more exercise. :)

So here it is, my hopeful plan to unplug more.  I need to start living life more in the present and face to face. Life is far too short to waste it online.

 

Good Runs, Bad Runs and Getting Back on Track

Me after a good run!

One thing I have learned over the past few years that I started racing is that some runs are good, some ok, and others just plain awful. I wish that every run was one of the good ones; where my pace is perfect, my legs tireless, my breathing on point and my mind both relaxed and focused. I have been lucky enough to have many runs just like that, but I just recently had one of the worst runs I have ever embarked on. Everything went wrong. That run wasn't the only thing that knocked me off course.

What on Earth Happened!

Go Solons! Final Record 8-7-1!

Since I last posted I have been busy (not that busy is an excuse), but busy enough to have training and diet to get a bit off track. Here's what I have been up to:

•  Continued to work my FT job
• Finished up the Fall soccer season
• Started up a new business venture (Gwen's Green Cleaning!)
• Started a new part time job at a local after school program
• Took in a foster dog 

All these things are really positive, but have also stressed me out a bit. Not all changes in life are stressful, but for some reason I love order and schedules, etc. So, when my routine is disrupted I tend to stress a little (or a lot). Not only has my exercise routine been disrupted, but my diet as well. I partially blame the change in the seasons, Fall makes me want to curl up on the couch and drink cocoa, eat soup and apple crisp and pie and more pie. I stopped drinking my daily green lunch smoothie, mostly because the weather was starting to get colder. When you're feeling cold the last thing you want to do is drink a partially frozen ball jar sized drink. So, my veggie intake has dropped significantly. I have admittedly fallen back into my old ways of eating too many carbs and not enough fruit and veggies. This, combined with less exercise isn't the greatest combination.

 

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

I can't say that I am happy that I've strayed from my new path. These things happen, I can't be perfect all the time (or can I?). Before I lay into myself too much, I should refocus on the positive. In the immortal words of Monty Python, "always look on the bright side of life." And the bright side is this:

I could not stop smiling after setting a new PR!

• I am less than 5 pounds away from my goal weight of 165! 
• I ran my first sub-two hour half marathon 
• 1:55:29 in the RaceVermont Shelburne Fall Half
• I am signed up to run the full Vermont City Marathon in May (thanks to my amazing boyfriend LH)!
• I became an Aunt on October 14, 2013 and have a beautiful niece!
• I just celebrated my being at my FT job for 4 years (and don't want to work anywhere else)
• I've been getting tons of compliments (who doesn't love compliments!) of how I am looking more thin and trim, it is great to hear after working my butt off (literally) and losing 26 pounds (and counting!!)

 Next Steps

What I need to do now is refocus myself on my goals. With another distance race coming up in December, the Happy Holidays Half Merrython (a 2.62 mile race followed by a half marathon - total of 15.72 miles) and the Boston Prep 16-miler in January, there is no way I can stop running now. And of course the most important of all, the Vermont City Marathon in May! Here is my refocus plan:

• Start up  my food diary again 
• I use FitnessPal, it is a great online tool and app that help you track your exercise and die
• Recommit to swimming again 
• After my triathalon I found that my pool workouts were getting boring, probably because I didn't have a race I was working toward. But those workouts were quick and effective cross training to go along with my running
• Commit to waking up early and running at least 2 mornings a week. 
• Although the time change isn't great, it has helped me to start waking up earlier. I need to take advantage of that and run in the mornings. 
• Start attending group exercise classes at my gym (since I am paying for them)
• 2-3 a week would help my get my money's worth. They have yoga, which is something my physical therapist suggested I start doing 
• Get back to April's Boot Camp at least once a week! 
• I have made too many excuses and really need to just get my butt out of bed and get back to having my butt kicked!
• Continue to rock it in the ABC Holiday Challenge (I could win $$)
• Exercise at least 5 times a week for 30 mins
• Stretch 6 times a week for 10 mins
• Drink lots and lots of water everyday (half my weight in ounces)
• Make lots of healthy meals that warm the soul!

• I am really into making soup and eating it for days (or freezing it for the depths of winter)
• Quiche is a great way to have a healthy breakfast quickly. I make it on a Sunday eventing and have it all week. It is a great alternate to Oatmeal (which is delicious, but gets old fast)
  
• Let myself enjoy the holidays!!  
• Eat, drink and be merry (all in moderation, except being merry!)
• Spend time with family and friends as much as possible
• Watch less TV, get out in nature more!
  

Right Down To The Core

Just Me and My Core
My relationship with my core as not been a strong one. I have spent my life trying to hide under baggy shirt Honestly, until this past winter I really didn't think about it that much. While in middle school I competed in the VT State Fitness Competition and had to do as many sit-ups as I could in 1 minute. During high school soccer I remember getting surprise visits from the super fit and hard core x-c coach NH ("Herbie") to do his special core workouts. These included leg raises, flutter kicks and crunches... lots of crunches.

Aside from those few moments in my life I knew only one thing about my core- it was a bit pudgy and more of a muffin top than abs of steel. I still claim to this day that underneath the "VT Winter Insulation" is a very real 6 pack. This claim is still true, although I'm proud to say that the winter insulation is thinning. I have plenty of sweaters to keep me warm - don't need to rely on fat anymore. But enough about that, back to the core of the problem (haha.. sorry, I had to).

Last fall I was crippled with extreme back pain. It hurt so much I could really only lay on my back. Walking hurt. Running hurt (which isn't good when you're training for a half marathon). Playing soccer hurt; which isn't good if you're a coach and a player. And most of all, working hurt. Luckily I don't sit down all day for my job. I am up and moving around, doing a variety of things. That isn't good when you can easily get from sitting on the floor to standing, or getting out of a car takes longer than it should. I started off by going to my doctor. They prescribed me some muscle relaxers and suggested I go see a chrioprator to get my back realigned.

The Now Infamous 6th Vertebrae
My chiropractor told me that I not only had a weak core and tight back muscles, but more interestingly an x-ray revealed that I have a 6th lumbar vertebrae.Yup, you read that right, I have an extra vertebrae in my back. Unfortunately it doesn't make me taller (as we all know), it instead has put more of a curve in my lower back. This extra vertebrae is actually part of my sacrum that didn't fuse. This puts more of a curve in my spine and tilts my pelvis back (which is why for my entire childhood it looked like I was sticking my butt out - trust me, I wasn't doing it on purpose).

I was given some core exercises and stretches to do as well as weekly appointments to have my back adjusted. This helped for while, to the point where I thought I no longer needed to see the chiropractor on a regular basis. When I started exercising more in the S
pring I found myself in extreme pain again. I went back to the doctor and was referred to a physical therapist. She told me two things. One - I have the tightest leg muscles of anyone she has ever met and two - I have a very weak core (especially on the left side).

The Big Fix

some people hate it, but i love planking!

During June, July and August I created monthly workout challenges for myself. Each day I would gradually increase the number of reps for each exercise. Although I thought many of them were super successful I will admit that toward the end of the month the workouts got a bit tedious and were somewhat unexciting. I would by lying if I said that I completed every single day of exercises. Anyhoo, here is a quick overview of each months workouts:

June

• Start month  - 15 situps, 5 crunches, 10 sec plank and 10 push-ups

• End month  -  100 sit-ups, 200 crunches, 2 min plank and 60 push-ups

July

• Start month - 15 sit-ups, 5 crunches, 5 leg raises, 10 sec plank, 10 squats, 10 push-ups
• End month  - 125 sit-ups, 200 crunches, 65 leg raises, 2 min plank, 100 squats, 60 push-ups

August

one of the few times i have shown my stomach in public!

• Start month - 10 crunches, 10 in&outs, 5 supermans, 1 min plank, 25 push-ups, 20 lunges, 20 narrow squats and 20 basic squat w/side lift
• End month - 125 crunches, 50 in&outs, 40 supermans, 5 min plank,  60 push-ups, 60 lunges, 75 narrow squats and 75 basic squats with side lift

For the month of September I wanted to try something a little different. My plan was go to back to the original core exercises my physical therapist gave me.  These include: roll-ups, leg lock bridges, and plank with a focus on keeping my core engaged. I have also started doing a kettle bell workout 3 times a week.Using my 15 pound kettle bell I do a variety of exercises and do my best to focus on using my core. These exercises include: around the body pass, bent row, dead lift, figure eight, alternate hand swing and front squat. I do 10 reps of each and 3 sets total. It gives me an all over workout and especially works the core (if I am doing it right). Check out Women's Health Magazine for more information on my kettle bell workout: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/around-the-body-pass?workout=21113

 I can't say I am completely sold on my current core workout. In past months I liked to know exactly what workout I was going to do each day. It felt like more of a challenge than a workout. There is something about checking a workout off the calendar that is settling. I am thinking about finishing out September as planned and creating a new challenge for myself for October and go from there!

What My Core Means to Me Now
The view of my core has changed dramatically over the past few years. I see my core as something not set in stone, but instead something I can continue to work on and strengthen.My having a strong core I can become a faster runner and a better quicker soccer player. It is also my hope that strengthening my core and teaching myself to engage it I can reduce the amount of back pain I have. I would love to get through one day without experiencing pain. Now that I am getting older (eek!) I know the days of few aches and pains are probably numbered. But the more I can to take care of myself now, the better. I also love to improve my posture and maybe get rid of my "muffin top". I want to be proud of my core, not want to hide it every moment of the day.




I know what you're thinking. Once I have my six- pack I'll want to show it off. Well, don't worry I am very against crop tops, so no matter how awesome my abs become I will still keep them covered!

Kelly, Jessie and Lisa may have rocked the crop top - but it's just not my style!

The End of Diets

On my new journey to a fit and healthy life I have not only changed my habits when it comes to exercise, I have also changed my habits and view on food. I will be the first to admit, I love food. But, no matter how much I love food there is no way I could have lost 20 pounds in the past 5 months by just increasing the amount of exercise I was doing. My way of eating was not only bordering on unhealthy, but was also unsustainable. I am a carb lover; pasta, bread, cereal, cookies, pastries and so on. I was a sucker for Mom's homemade mac & cheese and secret family recipe chocolate cake. Also like most Americans I had lost my sense of portion sizes. To me a bowl of cereal was not the 1/2 cup or cup listed on the box, but inside the size of the big blue bowl in my cupboard.

 My problem with the love affair with carbs was not only exaggerated portion sizes, but also that I would often and almost always choose a them over things I needed like protein or veggies. It isn't that I don't like vegetables, I love them. But my craving for carbs (and sugar) always won. This caused me not only to gain weight, but also to feel tired, sluggish and feel constantly hungry. For a while I also thought that I had a gluten intolerance. Come to find out, I just wasn't getting enough fiber. At the end of some days I would realize that I had only have 1 serving of vegetables or worse, none.

I had tried dieting in the past. These "diets" consisted of me giving up chocolate, ice cream or desserts. I tried Weight Watches once for about a day. I've also bought diet pills from the pharmacy, but been too freaked out to take them (who actually knows what that stuff does to you!). During college I lost weight by measuring everything I ate for an entire summer. Although that worked back then, I really have no patience for it anymore. Instead of cutting out certain foods or measuring what I ate, I changed the way I looked at food.

Eating fruits and vegetables made me feel better. I had more energy when I ate less heavy processed foods. I also started eating 5-6 small meals a day instead of 3 big meals. I also have taken on the mentality of the say: "Eat dinner like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper." My first meals of the day are larger and dinner is no longer massive (and if it is, it is mostly vegetables).

What I Eat:

Breakfast - is all about fueling up for the day.

• Instant Oatmeal - Maple Brown Sugar (lower sugar) with a cup of blueberries
• Banana
• Stonyfield Farms Yogurt Smoothie
• On days I go to the pool or workout in the morning this is my pre-workout fuel
• 2 cups of coffee with french vanilla soy creamer

Snack - something that I can take on the go that will hold me over until lunch (which is usually closer to 2 pm than noon).

• 1 cup of raspberries or blackberries
• 5-6 VT Smokehouse Pepperoni Peices
• 5-6 peices of Cabot cheese

Lunch - my last big meal of the day - it gets me through any afternoon. Cutting out carbs at lunch has helped me to not get that sleepy sluggish after lunch feeling.

• Green Smoothie
• 2-3 cups green spinach
• 1 cup strawberries
• 2 frozen bananas
• ~1 cup unsweetened  almond milk
• 2 spoonfuls chia seeds
• ice
• Put this all in a blender and blend until somewhat smooth. It usually makes a quart sized mason jar full. It tastes really good and fills me up all afternoon.

Snack - fuels me up for my afternoon or evening workout.

• 2 brown rice cakes with peanut butter and nutella 
• baby carrots or an apple

Dinner - is really all about portions with everything except veggies. My plate is at least half full of veggies (if not more). I tend to eat later, so don't want to load up on heavier foods so I can get to sleep easier.

• Protein - usually grilled chicken, steak or pork chops
• Veggie - this summer has been a lot of fresh veggies, either steamed or grilled. 
• Carb - if I have any, I have a half cup to 1 cup of brown rice, egg noodles or whole wheat pasta

The one thing I haven't done in my healthy eating make-over is deny myself the food I love. I don't say no to chocolate or ice cream or pasta. I just don't say yes to it every day or every time I have a craving. I stock up on things like dark chocolate covered almonds and dried fruit. Something with a little bit of sugar to satisfy any craving I'm having.

Overall I have realized I just have to listen to my body. I know when I have a "bad food day" because I am tired, sluggish and have no energy. I focus on what foods make me feel better and try to eat those.

Water!

Water, I drink lots and lots of water. I rarely drink other liquids, sometimes Honest Green Tea, milk (chocolate after long runs) and wine or beer occasionally. But water is key. Most people don't drink enough of it.




My 2 Cents
Listen to your body! Eat foods that make you feel your best. Avoid foods that make you tired and sluggish. Eat fruits, protein and as many veggies as you want and drink plenty of water!

My Life

C and I after my first 13.1 race!

Last year I ran my first half marathon. After watching my brother C.L. complete countless marathons and triathlons I decided it was my turn to step out of the crowd of supporters and onto the race course. At the end of the first half marathon I thought I was going to die. I spent my time at the afternoon family BBQ curled up under a shrub in agony. After that I slept for 15 straight hours, only to wake up barely being able to walk. But, being the Lyons that I am, I didn't let that stop me. I continued to run and attend bootcamp throughout the summer. By Thanksgiving I had finished 3 half marathons and a marathon relay. My times steadily improved and I began to feel more comfortable with running long distances.

Our Ironman!

Another thing that has inspired me to want to do more, watching my brother finish the 2012 Lake Placid Ironman in around 13 hours. I would be lying if I said I wasn't competitive. While watching him race and cross the finish line of the Ironman (and every other race) I have thought if he can do that, so can I.

 So, Who am I?

To give a little more background about myself. I grew up in Middlebury, Vermont and am the youngest of 3. I played soccer for as long as I remember almost all year round. In high school I played lacrosse and skied a few seasons on the Nordic ski team. I also spent some summers swimming on the Middlebury Marlins Swim Team. I was an athlete through and through. I ran to get in shape for the sports seasons or ran during season. Until now I ran to stay in shape for the season, not for fun or for fitness. I also don't think I ever ran more than 4 miles until last year.

My New Fit Life!

It took back injury and some personal hardship to realize I needed to really make a positive change in my life. Yeah, I had run a few half marathons, but I still wasn't taking care of my body. When I started physical therapy for my back issues I (and struggled with even the most basic exercises and stretches) I knew I had to make a change. Also seeing the numbers on the scale slowly increase to close to 200 lbs. and my doctor telling me that my BMI was too high, I knew it was really time. No more excuses, it was time to change my life. So I got a gym membership and started swimming two days a week. I could get my cardio in while taking care of my back. I slowly began running again. I also set a goal for myself - to complete a triathlon this summer. So I signed up for one.

Finishing up my 14 mile ride

Swim, Bike, Run

I signed up for one of the Vermont Sun Triathlons at Branbury Beach State Park on Lake Dunmore in Salisbury, Vermont. On August 11, 2013 I was going to swim 600 yards, bike 14 miles and run 3.1 miles. I spent my spring and summer training. I swam at the gym two days a week, ran at least four days a week and biked at least two days a week. As the race got closer I paired up my biking and running workouts - to get used to the feeling of getting off my bike and running. Well, that training paid off. I finished in 1:34:39, much faster than my goal of 2 hours! I also won my age group! As I crossed the finish line all I could think was how awesome I felt and that I couldn't wait to sign up for another race and that training for an Ironman is definitely in my future.

What's This Blog All About?

To me this blog has several goals. 1 - to keep tabs on myself and my training. I need to keep myself accountable and on track. 2 - to help and inspire others. Since I have completed my triathlon (and during my training) I had many friends mention that they had always thought about signing up for one, but just weren't sure. I am here to say: Just Do It!! Sign up, train your butt off and have fun! I am also hoping to find some more training partners here in central Vermont, because training is always more fun (and motivating) with friends!! And lastly- I want to inspire other to change their life like I did. Eat cleaner and healthier, get fit and start living a happier life!

My Health and Fitness Goals

The first step to keeping myself in check is to lay out my goals for all to see. I initially wrote this list last year. Since then I have made some adjustments and am always looking to add to it or adjust it as needed.

Fitness

Pre-race awesome!

• 2012: complete (2) half marathons - 
• I completed 4 half marathons and 1 marathon relay!

• 2013: complete (2-3) half marathons and (1-2) triathlons
• I've completed 1 half marathon and 1 triathlon so far!

• 2014: complete (2) half marathons, (1) full marathon, (3-4) triathlons

• 2015: complete (2) half marathons, (2-3) full marathons, (4+) triathlons, including a half Ironman

•  2016: complete (2) half marathons, (2) marathons, (4+) triathlons, including a half Ironman

• 2017: complete a full Ironman!

With this list typed out it looks a bit crazy! My overall goal is the full Ironman in or by 2017. So, whatever I need to do to reach that goal is what I am going focus on. Other health goals I have are:

• Run a sub 2:00:00 hour half marathon

• Run a sub 4:00:00 hour marathon

• Get weight down to 165 pounds (about 15 more pounds to go!!)

Hiking with my dog Odin

• Get BMI down to a healthier level

• Eat more local organic foods (including local meat)

• Switch over to eco-friendly/organic health and beauty products

• Make all my own cleaners (no more toxics) 

•  Hike, kayak, camp and get outside!

• Travel!

So stay tuned. I am going to be sharing my training plans, healthy recipes and foods, as well as my successes and failures. No matter what happens with the Ironman, I am planning to stay positive and happy and enjoy every minute I have with my friends and family.

Lyons Family!