Tag Archives: Inspiration

Inspire, Be Inspired, Meet Tonia

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Everyone comes to the TTF website/blog for a reason.  Many of you are friends, family or running associates.  Some of you are Team Tough Chik members or fellow Fit Approach Sweat Pink Ambassadors. A lot of you are trying to figure out how to get extra entries to win the AWESOME Tough Chik fleece hoodie that we are giving away on Monday HERE.  Some are looking for a bit of inspiration. 

inspire

Regardless of the reason as to why you have visited today, I think it’s important for all of us to remember how things used to be for EACH.AND.EVERY.ONE.OF.US.  If all your friends are marathon runners, it may seem “normal” but know that only 0.5% of the US population has EVER ran a marathon, that’s less than 1%.  So your friends, no matter how cool, are not the norm in the US.  Not even close.

Do you remember how hard it was when we started working out and focusing on a fit lifestyle?  Or how hard it was to come back from that crazy injury?  Or how hard it was to come back after the last baby?   If you are JUST STARTING to focus {or refocus} on your own fitness then I want you to know that you aren’t alone.  There are lots of people doing the same exact thing, right this very moment.  If you haven’t yet taken the plunge to begin your own fit journey, then do it now.  It’s not to late to start today, no matter how poor your fitness or how many kids you have or how busy you may be, it’s not too late.  However, tomorrow is a different story.  We will never know what tomorrow may bring.  There are no guarantees.  No promises of tomorrow.  Start today.  Or restart, if you must, but do something, anything, NOW.

Please meet my friend Tonia and BE INSPIRED.  Last year in October, we had our {cough} 20 year high school reunion.  See photo below.  Tonia is on the end in the blue shirt.  Hi, Tonia!!!

20th Reunion

We talked.  She was nice, pleasant but very quiet. Some people just aren’t big talkers, right?  Well, it was more than that. Read Tonia’s story below in her own words,written December 1st, 2013.

I didn’t like to have my picture taken at all when I was that “big”. I seriously considered not going to our 20 year class reunion because of my weight.  Then when I saw pics posted on Facebook of our whole class, I felt so embarrassed of how big I had gotten.  I had been depressed in 2009 while I was laid off from work for 9.5 months.  I finally got to be way beyond what was even acceptable to me.  I had to do something about my weight.  I was concerned about becoming diabetic or afraid something else bad would happen like stroke or a heart attack.  I was worried.  So on June 22, 2013, I started my first AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge.  I lost 13 lbs and 18 inches in that first 24 days.  I was excited to see what it was doing for me.  I felt more energetic and my clothes were fitting better.  As the weeks went on, I stuck to the clean eating and even started running.  I started with the Couch to 5K app on my phone. Shin splints stopped me after about 3 weeks.  I was still walking some and bought compression socks to help with the shin pain.  A week before my first 5k I got my very first pair of Brooks running shoes at Three Rivers Running Company in Fort Wayne, IN.  It made a huge difference in how my legs felt while running.  I’ve lost a total of 50 lbs in 5 months. I’m still on the journey of losing weight.  To be honest, I’d like to lose 50 more!  I want to show my kids that when you want something bad enough, anything is possible.  My son is now showing some interest in running. He’s only 9, but he goes with me when I’m only running a mile or so.  I love it because he assumes the title as my trainer and says little things like “keep up the pace” or “keep running, you can do it”.  My daughter likes the lifestyle change too.  She loves the healthy foods in the fridge.  She’s always eating all of my fruits and veggies.  Lol!  She also loves tilapia and turkey burgers.  I don’t have to worry about anyone eating all of my plain no fat Greek yogurt though!   Please see my before & after pic below.  The “before” was in March 2013 and the “after” was the morning of my very first 5k, November 23, 2013.

Tonia

Thank you, Tonia, for sharing your story!  We are all so proud that you were strong enough to step outside of your comfort zone to do something for yourself and your family.  AMAZING progress; keep it up!!  Please keep us posted as to how things go in the future; we are all rooting for you!! 

As for the rest of you, Inspire & Be Inspired!!

aim to high & miss or low and achieve

** Inspire & Be Inspired ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

My Current Inspiration…..

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I know we all have periods of time where we struggle getting out the door to log miles or hit that next workout.  It’s normal.  If you fall off the exercise wagon, don’t stress about it, just get back at it and move forward.  Take a second and look around you and see how others are getting it done regardless of their schedule.  Yes, get back at it!

As of late, running and working out has been easy, motivation wise, for me because I am constantly surrounded with amazing people and even kids who are pushing their limits each and every day.  I have been to 4 Junior High Cross Country meets over the last 6 days and each time I walk away in awe of how hard our kids are pushing.  These kids are running faster than most adults I know.  They are pushing hard each day and they are reaping the rewards.  Last Saturday, they brought home their first trophy, placing third as a team (Aby is at the bottom of the photo).

Aby & Peotone Girls w Trophy_St George Invite_9-15-12

Most of the girls also brought home Top 20 Medals, Aby was 16th running a 14:01 in the 2 mile.  I’m pretty sure I can’t run that fast right now.

Aby_St George Medal_9-15-12

Most of the girls are very tired but keep pushing their limits at meet after meet.  This is Aby running her 4th meet in 6 days last night:

Aby Running_9-20-12

These girls make me want to run faster.  They make me realize that even as an adult if we keep pushing and running hard, even when we are tired, then good things happen.  Now the girls get to rest for a few days before starting another cycle.  Push, Push, Rest.  Push, Push, Rest.  It’s a necessary cycle.  The resting, and taking care of oneself, being just as important as the pushing. 

Push hard my friends and you too will reap the rewards.  Let these little ones inspire you too!

** Push, Push, Rest ** Amanda – TooTallFritz ** amanda@tootallfritz.com

Newbie Chronicles……Runner’s World

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Each month I look forward to the arrival of my Runner’s World magazine. I am usually months behind on my reading but this month I skipped ahead (GASP) and grabbed the current edition. 

2012-06-19_10-20-15_685

Due to the fact that I’m so far behind in my reading, I do a lot of skimming.  I read the articles that I like or at least part of them and move on quickly.   I prefer stories which motivate and inspire but I don’t want those stories to be too long because I may not have time to finish them.  My favorite series in Runner’s World is the Newbie Chronicles (photo is from the Newbie Chronicles,  July 2012 Runners World) 

The articles make me laugh.  Not because I’m a new runner but because the author finds humor in the process of running and all the little strange things that go into it.  The character keeps developing each month and he isn’t so much a “newbie” anymore but still has running “issues”.  On occasion, there is a little inspiration mixed in too!  Inspiration + Humor = WIN

Yesterday I finished the July article as I was stepping off the train and these are the words closing out the July 2012 Newbie Chronicles:

I’ve never been in a ditch so low that a run wouldn’t pop me out of it. There are no shadings in this. Every run makes you fantastic. Once you stop, you’re on your own, so it’s a better bet to just keep it going. Some people say we should do no harm. Others tell us to be kind to one another. Why not take it a step further and attempt to inspire others? Running is not a private activity. People are watching. Show someone what it’s like to want something. Lace up and give them something to believe in.

I love that, “Lace up and give them something to believe in”!!  It won’t be easy, particularly when you first start running, but it will be worth it.  You will feel better as a result of the actual running and to think, you could inspire someone else just by getting your bum out the door!  I know I want to run when I see others running, don’t you? 

Inspiration is a funny thing and I would never have thought that the simple act of “just running” could possibly make a difference to others.  I know it makes a difference for me but how could it possibly effect anyone else?.  Running melts my stress away and allows me a few minutes to myself to think about whatever I want to think about.  I no longer even run close to the house because I just need to get away.  Sometimes the things we love the most creep in on us and create a smothering effect.   While that certainly isn’t the intent for your loved ones or your awesome job to smother you, everyone needs a little “me” time whether it be running, reading, walking, or just sitting quietly in meditation.  Take the time for yourself or you may soon start to feel the walls close in around you.  And to think, your “me” time, running or working out, may just inspire somebody else to lace up too?!?!   

Besides seeing someone else running, what inspires you?  What do you do for “me” time?  Do you run, workout, or have another outlet?

** Happy Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz ** amanda@tootallfritz.com

Inspiration at Every Turn

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Looking for a little inspiration?  Look around you.  Some people see inspiration at every turn, be it a beautiful sunrise (photo stolen from courtesy of Chick #1 – Julie – Ragnar Relays),

Sunrise_Ragnar_Julie 

Children at play,     Michael & Aby_fireman 

Or men and women who are constantly pushing their limits.  I’d like to introduce you to one of those people,  April W.

April W

When I met April at a party in November 2011, I quickly learned that she was registered to run her very first half marathon in July 2012, the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon.  It looks like an amazing race, who wouldn’t want to run it?  Well, probably NOT April since she wasn’t a “runner”.  She wasn’t a runner but she signed up for a half marathon?  My immediate thought was, “Hmmmm…… I wonder if she knows that’s 13.1 miles?   I’m certainly not going to be the one to break it to her!”.  I figured one of her friends below: Cynthia & Jen with April….

    April_11-11

might eventually shed light on the situation and the distance since they were running too.  Maybe?

Over the course of the evening and a couple hundred vomit inducing glasses of wine, I learned that April was going to start training for her half in January.  Like after the new year?  Like everyone else who decides to start something new but can’t quite commit to starting “right now”?  Ok, sure.  I still invited her to come run with the F’N Running Club because we have all levels of runners.  We welcome everyone, fasties and run/walkers alike.  If you want to run, just show up, we are happy to have you and that’s not an exaggeration in the least!  Did I think April would ever show, not really but I’m always hopeful and I tried to be very encouraging and let her know that she would fit right in with the group.

The first week of January, I got a text message from April saying she was ready start running but didn’t know what to wear.  Apparently, I’ll give my cell # to any random wannabe runner after a few glasses of wine.  Possible character flaw?  See the F’N Runners run outside, year round to get a break from our screaming children take advantage of the fresh air.  I gave April some tips on what to wear for cold weather running and told her we just so happened to be running the very next day and she should come out.  And she SHOWED UP along with a lot of other crazy people.  This was January 8, 2012.  April is in the light blue jacket, middle back, wearing a black hat.  This is her first run of the year.

april_hickory-creek_group_1-8-11

I was so proud of her and several other newbies who had showed  up on that cold January day that they were the inspiration for my post on Courage.  I can’t even tell you how proud I was that she had the courage to show up.  I hope that I did her and the other newbies justice in the “Courage” post and I hope it gives others the courage to get out the door and try something new. 

April didn’t give up.  She didn’t lose motivation when the new year faded.  She just kept showing up and pushing her limits.  Left middle back, black hat.

april_1-11-12

She was even running solo without the group.  She was strong and had the will to Make It Happen.

april_1-13-12

And she started racing (right side, black vest, pink top, black hat), first up was the Midwinter’s Cruise 5K:

midwinter-cruise-2012_group 

Then the Shamrock Shuffle 8K (middle, black hat):

April_shamrock 2012

And the Soldier Field 10 mile!

April W_SF finish 2012

                               April W_kissing SF medal

Next up is the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon on July 15, 2012.  There is not a doubt in my mind, I know she will cover the distance with a smile on her face.

Inspiration lives around us each and every day.  Inspiration is at every turn if you just look and listen.  Take a look around and find somebody YOU know who inspires you to get out the door and keep working hard.  Nobody can do it for you.  Nobody did it for April.  But you can look at others and use them as inspiration to keep pushing. 

Let’s hope April comes back after her half and gives us an insider look into what has motivated her to keep pushing, moving, running and being an inspiration to her family, community and all of us F’N Runners.  Thanks, April!  And the big question, will April keep running after Napa to Sonoma?  I’m betting, YES!

Who inspires you to keep moving?  Remember Angela C? She is another real person who inspires me daily.  If you haven’t already, read Angela’s story HERE.

** Hoping YOU Find Inspiration ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

No Cheerleaders on the Homefront?

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I am constantly reading blogs and/or facebook posts about how people are so lucky, and so in love with live, and how everyone at home is sooooo supportive of them and their endeavors.  Well, let’s get real for a minute.  I generally think the people posting over and over again that “Life is sooooo GOOD!” are lying wistful thinkers.  I immediately think they are trying to convince us, the reader, that their life is in fact as good as they would like it to be or possibly even more so, they are trying to convince themselves.  Please forgive me if your life really is “Soooooo Good!”.  Congratulations.  Really.  I am happy for you.    Cheers to all of your Sunshine & Rainbows!Life for the rest of us isn’t “always” sunny.  In fact, we sometimes (gasp) struggle.  We struggle with motivation, we struggle with our needs vs desires, we struggle with time management, we struggle with $$, we struggle maintaining sanity and not taking out our frustrations on others, we struggle with MAKING IT HAPPEN, we struggle with the fact that our hubby’s aren’t standing on the sidelines of every long run with the pom-poms.  Our lives are REAL and sometimes that means real complicated.  And messy. 

I’m okay with that.  I don’t expect you to be perfect and please, don’t expect it of me or others in your life.  Know that it’s okay if your life doesn’t look as good on paper as your neighbors.  Know that it’s okay if you have to struggle to MAKE IT HAPPEN.   The important thing is that you are out there making the effort and trying.  Yesterday may not have been the best but focus on making today better.  And know that each day you get  a fresh start to do things differently than you did yesterday. 

I encourage you to thank the Lord for the gifts you have been given.  I encourage you to acknowledge and accept that we are all different, have different lives and different circumstances.  I encourage you to Make It Happen FOR YOU, regardless of who is in your cheering section. 

Cheers,                                                                                                                               Amanda – TooTallFritz                                                                              amanda@tootallfritz.com