Do you want to know what motivates me the most to continue a healthy lifestyle? It’s not the number on the scale. It’s not the way my butt looks in jeans, my arms look in a tank top, or my legs look in a skirt. It’s not the time I can achieve in a race. It’s not the number of push-ups I can handle. It’s the feeling – the feeling of health. Knowing how good I feel when practicing healthy habits will get my butt off the couch and get those veggies on my plate every time. You know what I’m talking about…and just how addicting that feeling is.

By the end of my vacation, I certainly felt happy about all the time I had with family. I relished the opportunity to not cook dinner every night and to indulge in an abundance of frozen yogurt. However, I also didn’t feel as healthy as normal – still good, but not quite as energetic, strong, and fresh. Wanting that feeling back had me hopping right back into my regular habits. I gotta say – the feeling of health feels good. Just two days of my standard meals and workouts has catapulted me back to that rejuvenated essence of health. I feel like screaming how good I feel at the top of my lungs! Just as this salad screams “healthy and scrumptious” at the top of its lungs.

In the mix, I have white beans, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, onion, avocado, goat cheese, mango, and Annie’s Naturals honey mustard dressing atop super fresh lettuce. When I say super fresh lettuce, I mean super fresh. Straight from my sister-in-law’s garden.

Who needs a green thumb when you have loving family only 2 minutes away? 😉

Another thing I don’t need – meat. While I still like grilled chicken or steak with my salads (and eat meat without worry a few times a week), I don’t have to have them anymore. And I have finally convinced Peter of the same! When I originally planned this meal, he asked if there was chicken involved. But then, HE suggested beans and the cheese as our protein sources when I brought up our grocery budget. Score for the budget opening Peter to more vegetarian meal options in this household! The veggie packed meals definitely contribute to my feeling of health.

Just as workouts that make me want to die from their hardcoreness add to my feeling of health. I completed one of the toughest strength workouts I’ve had at the gym in awhile yesterday. The workout focused on my back and biceps, with some legs and abs thrown in for good measure. I felt sore by the time I left the gym. Mission kick-my-own-butt = accomplished. 

Give this one a shot for a fantastic Pull Workout (hamstrings, back, and biceps). Or mix and match some of the moves from my push workout I shared yesterday to score a full body workout that will make you beg for mercy. Let me know if you use any of it!

Well, time for me to hit the ground running. Quite literally, in fact. Catch you later!

• What screams healthy to you?
• Of possible interest: If you entered the Physique 57 Giveaway and still want to try out the workouts, check out this great deal on their Facebook page!

I have a special treat for you all tonight – a special post from Anne of fANNEtastic food! I’ve been reading Anne’s blog for at least a year and enjoy every single post. Since she has inspired me so much on my own running growth, I asked Anne to share her running story with you all. Get inspired from one of my favorite blog friends! Take it away, Anne!

Hey, Faith, Fitness, Fun readers – Anne here from the food and fitness blog fANNEtastic food! I started my blog in October of 2009 as a way to motivate others to lead happier, healthier lives through fitness and nutrition. Since starting my blog, I made a big career change and headed back to graduate school to become a Registered Dietitian! I’m now half way through with my program – so far so good 🙂

On my blog, I share delicious and easy healthy recipes, simple health tips (check out my recent post about how to make a recipe healthier – includes a printable PDF!), and my adventures in fitness. In particular, I love running, and was thrilled when Tina asked if I would share a post with you all about how I got into running!

Because you see, I wasn’t always a runner.

If you read my blog now, you might think that I’ve always been able to run 10 miles, or 11 miles, or even 13 miles – but that’s not the case at all!

When I first graduated from college in 2004, I ran occasionally, but I’d never run more than 3 miles. I mostly stuck to using the elliptical and weight machines, but every once in awhile I’d go for a run on the treadmill, or outside. But I still couldn’t make it past the 3 mile distance.

In 2006, I signed up for my very first 5k race. It was the “2nd Annual Gulf Coast Relief 5k” for which the proceeds went to help revive the New Orleans area following Katrina. A big group of my friends and I all signed up for the race (which was basically the whole reason I signed up), and I remember being so nervous and excited that morning standing waiting for the race to start. And then – what a thrill! Races have such an incredible energy because there are so many people – both on the sidelines AND in the race itself! I loved running among all the others in the early morning light, listening as we passed people cheering us on. It was over in a flash and I was SO proud crossing that finish line! My first race and I was hooked.

Flying high from that accomplishment, I decided it was time to delve into the world of over 3 mile runs. Tentatively, I agreed to sign up for a 5 mile turkey trot on Thanksgiving Day, 2006. My dad, uncle, and brother also signed up for the race, which really helped my motivation. I remember that race as being the day I really believed that I could run longer distances. Running is never easy, no matter how much you do it, but that’s part of what makes it great. It’s always good to challenge yourself. Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone!

It wasn’t until 2009 that I delved into the world of longer races (10k’s, 10 milers, and eventually my first half marathon), but that first 5 mile turkey trot was what gave me the confidence to really believe I could do it. It’s still kind of crazy to me now that I ran my second half marathon in March. Just goes to show how far you can come with a little determination (and good training buddies)!

I’d love to hear from you guys now, too! Are you a runner? If so, how did you get started? If not, do you think you want to try?

And if you’re looking to get started but want to try the treadmill first before venturing outside – check out my printable PDF treadmill workout brochure. Just adjust the speeds to your level and you will be good to go!

A big thank you to Tina for having me here today – I hope you guys will stop on by my blog to say hello 🙂

Happy running!

Thanks, Anne! And as she asked – Are you a runner? If so, how did you get started? If not, do you think you want to try?