1/2 Marathon Training...

Happy Monday!  Time to catch up my blog on how my training is going.  Week 2 turned out to be tough for me, but, I'm learning that what you put into your body to fuel your training matters!  The biggest noticeable change in starting week 3 this morning is that the water intake, (I'm now drinking 70-80 ounces a day), along with a 20 oz. bottle of good ole' Gatorade has helped considerably.  I've read to drink the Gatorade during the run, but I just can't drink anything and make it to the end of my run without needing to find a bathroom!  So, I drink it as soon as I finish.  I figure at least I'm getting my Electrolytes and carbs then, and refueling for the rest of my day. 

Gifts from my husband for completing week 2!

The next thing I've noticed is my confidence is building.  From the time I was a little girl, with terrible Asthma, doctors had always told my parents I didn't need to over do with P.E. class, I carried an inhaler with me at all times, and my Mother's fear of me having an Asthma attack away from her sort of became my fear as well.  So, for years, on into adulthood, I held myself back.  Told myself I couldn't do that.  I can only imagine what kind of runner I would be now, if I had not let my own fear and mental weakness keep me down.  Okay...enough of that.  At 46 years old, my confidence is building and I am realizing I am capable of running a 1/2 marathon, I am realizing just how tough I am mentally.  So, I'm coping much better at week 3.

I also had something amazing happen to me last week!  While sitting in a Doctor's office in Atlanta waiting for my husband to be seen, we met an 87 year old runner!  While he only runs 3 miles a day now and ran the Peachtree Road Race 2013, (Wow) he has run many a marathon, and didn't even do that until he was in his 50's!  He gave me lots of good advice, like to forget about my speed while I'm training for the 1/2, it'll only mess with you more mentally, and then you risk injuries which will set you back.  He told me to remember not everybody can run a 1/2 marathon, and that gradually increasing my distance by 10% a week will get me there, if I'm using a good training program and to run for myself, not to compare myself to others.  I had to just look up at God that morning and say, "I know that was you".  "Thank you". 

Back to today's training run...a little rattled because I woke up with huge blisters on the back of my feet from new running shoes that I had only walked in.  How in the world was I going to run with those painful blisters?  Well, I put 4 band-aids on the back of each foot, put my old faithful running shoes back on, (definately got too many miles and need replacing), and I went with it!  Talk about developing my coping skills!  I gotta tell ya, 10 minutes into this training run, and I didn't even notice the blisters anymore! Ha!  I even conquered a hill that I had only previously been able to walk up...and even walking up that hill wasn't easy!  So really, those blisters were a Godsend in a way...I had much rather learn how to deal with all the "things" that can go wrong while I'm training, NOT the day of the 1/2 marathon! 

I'm going to leave you with something from my current read, "The Runner's Devotional".  And I quote, "In Ephesians 6: 10-18, Paul tells Christians to put on the belt of truth, the body of armor of righteousness, feet fitted with readiness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, praying in the Spirit constantly.  We have learned that NOTHING is impossible with GOD.  On some days I can't put on the armor-that's when I ask GOD to put it on for me.  God's love and peace have gotten me through so much in running...and in life." 

You won't EVER run on empty with God.

 

XOXO,

 

Tina

Training With Purpose

I have decided that once a week, I am going to start blogging about my half marathon training.  Say what???  HALF MARATHON???  Yes, and before my family and friends think I am totally out of my mind...have bitten off more than I can chew...or maybe totally decided to do something based on emotion...(well, THAT, maybe...)  let me share with you why.  My personality for one, tends to push me into bigger goals than normal.  So I set myself a goal.  A BIG one. 

My motivation?  My inspiration?  A 66 year old man who battled for 14 months with Pancreatic Cancer.  That man was my Daddy.  He was diagnosed in April of 2012, after several months of doctor visits and tests that didn't find the cancer.  That's how Pancreatic Cancer works.  There will be signs, like the ones my Daddy had...weight loss, pain in the abdomen that radiates to the back, & fatigue.  He was diagnosed as a diabetic.   Research has shown that the recent onset of diabetes in people over 50 or a sudden change in blood sugar control in those who are already diabetic may be a symptom of pancreatic cancer.  Surely enough, a trip to the emergency room one evening, and a sister, who being a nurse, saw the red flags and requested they test our Daddy for Pancreatic Cancer.

 

 

I had to find my own personal way of dealing with my Daddy's diagnosis.  I had never heard of Pancreatic Cancer, so I began to do my research.  I didn't like the statistics, so I won't tell you from statistics, I'll tell you from my Daddy's story, this cancer wreaks havoc on the human body.  I decided that if my 66 year old Daddy's body could take the most aggressive chemotherapy treatment available to him, that I could push my body to raise money for research and early diagnosis.  I trained for 9 weeks to become a runner.  I trained with a running buddy who has become a close friend.  We drove 80 miles round trip two evenings a week to train with a running club.  I was NOT a runner.  Running was just not a sport I could do, I have asthma, (Yea, that was my excuse) but I did it.  WE did it.  And we did it in 100 degree temps on alot of those evenings! 

 

 

 

 

My Daddy battled cancer for 14 months, he and my Mother left for MD Anderson in Houston, Texas on May 9th,  Mother's Day weekend.  Although chemotherapy and radiation treatments were no longer working for him, he was offered an opportunity to participate in clinical trials.  Clinical trials are studies in which people volunteer to take part in new drugs and procedures.  Doctors use clinical trials to develop new treatments for the cancer.  So while the chances were that the trials may or may not help him, he would surely be helping the clinical trials team in their search for the next big treatment drug for Pancreatic Cancer. 

 

 

 

 

Pancreatic Cancer took the life of my Daddy, W.T. Bates, on June 22, 2013 at 1:58 a.m.  God designed exactly the way he wanted it to be, we were blessed to be with my Daddy in Texas for the last two weeks of his life.  It was two weeks that in the midst of the heartache and heartbreak, my family, my Mother, my brother, and my sister got to spend precious time with this courageous man. 

 

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness ..." (2 Thes 4:7, 8)

 

 

So...that BIG goal?  It's not that big when I look at what my Daddy did for the last 14 months.  I'm not totally out of my mind, I haven't bitten off more than I can chew, and yes, I totally decided to do a half marathon based on emotion.  That emotion is LOVE.  One of the last conversations I had with my Daddy was about my running and raising money for Pancreatic Cancer.  He told me how proud he was of me for the work I was doing, and that he wanted me to continue to do so to help others.  I am week 1 into my training of 12 weeks.  I got this.  God is good.  It won't be easy, but every step I run now has a purpose. 

 

http://www.active.com/donate/walks_runs/teebates

 

XOXO,

 

Tina

 

 

 

 

Guilt Free Pizza!!!

Recipe for a healthy, delicious pizza

Thin or Ultra Thin Mama Mary's Gourmet Pizza Crusts. (2 in package)  I found them at Ingall's FYI

1/4 jar of L.E. Roselli's Pizza Sauce (All Natural) 1/4 cup for each pizza, and this is only 20 calories per pizza!!!

Add any toppings you want, I use mostly fresh veggies, because I am trying my best to eat healthier, so here's what I put on mine.  

Fresh spinach

Fresh tomato, cut in slices and then those cut into halves

Fresh bell pepper

Fresh purple onion

Black olives (one small can will cover 2 pizzas)

Pepperoni Minis OR Turkey Pepperoni (you can control calorie count with this too if you so desire)

Fresh mushrooms

Sliced jalapeno peppers (just because I love a little spice and peppers are known to speed metabolism

2% Mozzarella Cheese (You also control the calories per pizza with this)  

These pizzas take less than 10 minutes to bake, and they taste better than ANY pizza place I've eaten at.  Well, other than New York City.  They make fresh pizza unlike any I've ever had!!!  

Enjoy!!!

Tina

Website Is Running!!!

I am so excited to finally have my website up and running!  I've been working very hard over the last couple of months building this on my own, many late nights!!!  Hopefully I will be able to get my regular sleep pattern back under control, and begin to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

I already knew how much hard work went into starting your own business, my husband and his Dad began their own business from the ground up 32 years ago this month!  A friend of mine gave me a book, "The Prayer Of Jabez".  It teaches you to pray for opportunity and growth, I know this is what I am meant to do, whether it's on a small level, or it expands into something bigger, I am allowing GOD to lead the way.  :)

http://www.happiewords.com

Tina

Adding the finishing touches to my website and it should be up and running in less than a week now!!!  http://www.happiewords.com

New Cuffs For Festival~

A sample of my custom dyed leather/metal cuffs, is shown above.  I cut my own metal, stamp, hammer, oxidize, and antique to get the perfect look.  These cuffs are definately made to last!  If you would like to have a custom cuff made, contact me at tburner2007@yahoo.com. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Crazy Girl" leather and metal cuff~

This cuff is made with custom dyed leather in distressed black.  The metal has been stamped, hammered, and two crystal rivets have been added for extra charm.  For cuffs like this, or custom cuffs with your own words, please contact me at tbturner2007@yahoo.com

New Jewelry~

After taking a metalsmithing course I found my niche!  I have been beading and wire wrapping jewelry for about a year now after taking classes from a local bead store.  I do still do some custom work with beads, but working with metal and leather has become my passion!  To be able to take a scratched up piece of sheet metal and turn it into a beautiful piece of jewelry art is so much fun!  And I love, love, love inspiring and uplifting words, so being able to incorporate that into my jewelry makes it so much more meaningful.  There is a lot of thought that goes into each piece I make, as well as time.  If you like what you see, contact me at tbturner2007@yahoo.com and I will be happy to talk with you about creating something special! 

 

XOXO,

 

Tina

Some of the new metal cuffs I've been creating~
 

"Believe" charm~

You've Got A Hater? You Must Be Doing Something Right!

Hater.  H8ter.  Hata.  You get the picture.  Defined as a person that simply cannot be happy for another person's success.  So rather than be happy they make a point of exposing a flaw in that person, or TRYING to expose a flaw.  As Maya Angelou said, "be careful with whom you share your blessings and your dreams, because some folk can't handle seeing you blessed..."

Sometimes it's hard to tell who's sippin' on the haterade...You become friends with people, well, you THINK  that person is your friend, until the good old internet, which has made it SO easy for people to express their hate...gives 'em away, because they think the internet is an easy way to be a hater and get backup.  Yea, most haters need backup.    Fact is, when they pour that haterade out there for their friends, they are usually embellishing the story to make themselves look good or like a victim or telling non truth completely.   Point is, haters gonna hate.  It's how YOU deal with it that matters. 

Become grateful for your haters.  WHAT???  Grateful???  Yes, and let me explain to you why, because it's EXACTLY what is happening to me.  After going through my own "hater" experience, I can tell you it's only fueled my fire.  In a POSITIVE way.  A hater sort of forces you to prove something.  In other words, let the situation become a powerful MOTIVATOR, case in point, Tim Tebow.  What in the world has he EVER done to have SO many haters???  He's a man of strong faith and doesn't waver in it, and he's SUCCESSFUL.  Why is it so many haters want to see him fail?  Get the point?  I say there are valuable lessons to be learned from your haters.  Living a life of purpose is living with a clear sense of what God has intended for your life.  If you're not careful, you can allow haters to hold you back from your goals and dreams.  Your purpose is definately not defined by what other people say or think about you.  Bottom line. 

To sum it up, without haters, you might NEVER reach your FULL potential!  We all need a hater now and then to push us to do great things!  Back to that line about becoming grateful for your haters...make sense now?  I thought so. 

XOXO,

Tina

Hitting RESTART In The Fitness Area Of Your Life

It happens.  Life gets busy, so busy that we put ME on the backburner.  In my case, my Dad's sickness became a crisis that sent me into a depression, and I was eating everything I could get my hands on.  I started with the BEST of intentions.  I was going to use his cancer diagnosis as a platform to propel me into my fitness routine again.  But just 3 weeks into it, I let my emotions take over, and it has been a struggle for the last 2 months to stay on track.  What changed it for me?  How did I get back on that treadmill of fitness after falling off? 

Realizing I am worth it!  The support of friends in fitness.  I have began to surround myself with others who have a passion for fitness.  One of the best motivators is seeing what fitness is doing for the people around you, and wanting that same euphoria!  YOU create your own life, your own happiness, your own bliss.  So if you feel like you don't have it, CREATE it!  I have made a list of some things that will help you, the list is helping me, once again, to get back on that fitness wagon and stay on!  Don't beat yourself up so badly, just get up, brush yourself off, and get at it again!  It will stick, I promise you!  As a friend and fitness trainer told me recently, "we will always have obstacles, it's how we handle them."  I am currently doing P90X and training to become a runner.  Two things I would have NEVER thought possible for me, a 45 year old woman with asthma!  Don't let anything hold you back from the life you want!  Here's my list, I hope it helps you like it is helping me! 

1.  Commit to a program for 30 days-It takes 30 days to form a habit.  Don't stop!  I know it's overwhelming to try to do something that's just the opposite of what you are already doing, but that's what a HABIT is!  If you can make the 30 day mark, you've got this!

2.  Make time for exercise-YES, we ALL have excuses for why we don't work to stay fit.  But we work to fit other things into our lives, so why not fitness?  It is after all in our best interest!  Schedule it into a time where nothing else has a chance to push it aside.  For most, that means getting out of bed a little earlier and making the time to exercise.  Years ago when I was working full time, I scheduled Pilates during the lunch hour, and it worked for me, otherwise I might not have been able to get any exercise in. 

3.  Find yourself a workout buddy.  I did this with my run training.  It is absolutely holding me accountable, having someone to encourage me, laugh with and AT me, making it a social thing is making it more FUN!  We are having a great time training for a 5K! 

4.  Don't do too much, too soon.  Start small.  The first few weeks should be all about building up your workouts, if you are going to succeed, don't overdo.  You will find yourself with injuries that cause setbacks! 

5.  Have FUN!  If you don't like doing push ups, don't do 'em!  Find something that you love, there are SO many programs and exercises that you can modify to fit you and then gradually build up your workouts as you get stronger!  I enjoy P90X, because it pushes me past what I ever thought I could do!  It is making me stronger, and changing my body. 

In a world where we have become spoiled to the "I want it now", that's not going to happen in fitness.  It takes time to change your body, but it does change!  And if you can commit to 30 days and stick with it, you will have formed a new habit, a GOOD habit, becoming FIT!

XOXO,

Tina

Pancreatic Cancer: Hell On Earth

Yes, that's what I said.  HELL on earth.  Although my Daddy has some good days right now, he is having many more BAD ones.  A week ago today he had his 3rd chemo treatment.  This one has been rough, and although my parents try to shield us (and everybody else), I can see with my own eyes what it is doing to my Daddy.  The weight loss is staggering.  He was once a size 36, really needs to be in a 32 now, but won't give up the 34's.  Maybe it's a mind thing with him, I'm not quite sure, but he is wearing suspenders to hold up pants that are entirely too big for him!  Every time I see him, it's alarming at the weight loss...did I mention I HATE cancer? 

After his 1st chemo treatment, the tumor size had been reduced by 20%.  He was full of hope at that 2nd treatment and was ready for them to bring it on!  Last week, the marker numbers for his cancer were back up to where they were at his diagnosis.  My sister and I did all kinds of research and reading and told him not all oncologists use these marker numbers, not to even think about it, because his state of mind has as much to do with his healing as anything.  I truly believe this.  He said he had put his trust in God, not those numbers, that he is going to be okay.  Let me tell you, pancreatic cancer is painful.  My Dad's tumor is in the body of the pancreas, and touching vessels and nerves.  Right now, because of the pain medications he is taking, his pain is bearable.  It's the side effects of the chemo regimen that make daily life a roller coaster for him and my Mother right now.  I don't know where her strength comes from, and some days I see through it, but she's a trooper.  She's his primary caregiver at home, and like him, she's having good days and bad days. 

My Daddy has always been a very independent, busy body kind of a man.  Pancreatic cancer is taking that from him.  One day he may get outside on his tractor and spend hours doing yardwork, and the next he is almost totally wiped out from the day before.  He pastors a small country church, and cancer has all but taken that from him as well.  Can you imagine how YOUR life would be changed by this disease?  I cannot even begin to know what he really feels knowing the current survival rate of  pancreatic cancer.  The statistics are scary.  This cancer is scary.  I want my Daddy to be one of the "all too rare" survivors of this HELL on earth! 

I am trying to put my anger, sadness, and frustration about my Daddy's illness into something positive.  In August, I will be doing my first ever 5k.  I have partnered with Pancreatica Walks/Runs through Active.com to raise funds for research and funding.  They have sent me all the "purple" things I need to bring awareness to the event, as far as I know, I'm the only one raising funds for Pancreatica at this event in August.  To make donations to Pancreatica and show your support for me, go to the link below and give whatever you can!  Take your lunch money for one day, your coffee money, roll up some change, whatever it takes, give to this organization so that lives can be saved!  Pancreatic cancer is relentless.  This could be your Mom, Dad, spouse, child.  It does not discriminate.  Help me create a little bit of HOPE.  Thank you.

http://www.active.com/donate/ToFightCancer/MRTEESATEAM

XOXO,

Tina

Love Shakeology!!!

Happy Friday!  Today, I started a new meal replacement shake, Shakeology, by Beachbody.  I chose Greenberry, no particular reason, there is also Chocolate and Tropical Strawberry, but always being different, I went with the one I was the most unfamiliar with.  I replaced my lunch with this shake.  I used 1 serving of the Greenberry Shakeology, 1 banana, 1 cup of ice, and 1 cup of 2% milk. 

My first Shakeology Meal Replacement

So here goes MY personal review...I LOVE IT!!!  I am so excited to have found a meal replacement that I actually love the taste of that I want to share it with everybody!  As they say at Beachbody, this stuff is health in a glass, the real deal, liquid life!  It definately makes it easy, and gives you peace of mind to know that THIS is the healthiest meal of the day.  A 90 day research study came up with the following results after replacing one meal a day with Shakeology:

by the end of week 1
*  Improved digestion and regularity
*  Reduced cravings (important for me!!!)

by the end of week 4
*  Increased energy and stamina
*  Lost weight (what a plus!)
*  Improved mental clarity

by the end of week 12
*  Lost 10 lbs and 2 inches off the waist on average :)
*  Reduced risk for heart disease and other degenerative diseases
*  Lowered cholesterol on average by 30% and as high as 70%!
*  Healthier skin, hair, and nails (another plus, plus, plus!)

My first month's supply of Shakeology came with a handy calendar with a month's worth of different recipes so that you can change up your choices day to day and never get bored.  After 30 days, I will blog my first months results as far as energy level, changes in my weight, etc.  I am very excited about Shakeology!!!  If you are interested in trying Shakeology for yourself, go to my website at:
http://myshakeology.com/tbturner  or contact me at tbturner2007@yahoo.com with any questions you might have!  I am working hard to live a healthier lifestyle!  Join me!

XOXO,

Tina

Tracking My 90 Day Journey With P90X!

Day 2 of my 90 Day P90X and I decided to blog about it to keep up with my progress.  Day 1 I went all in and did the jump training (plyometrics) because it is my favorite workout.  It's also tough!  I also got in 4 miles in 1 hour...got a lot of work to do on that! 

Day 2 I did the arms and shoulders, and also got in a 3 1/2 mile walk.  That was a little tougher today, did it outside and the temps were already rising.  Got it done though!  Already feeling a burst of energy, so much so that I got alot of home organizing done, mowed my yard until it started raining. 

Feeling some soreness in my legs, don't remember having before when I drank the recovery drink, so in the a.m. I am going to order another tub of that!  I actually love the taste, and it helps with the soreness you feel in the first days of your workouts.  I cannot wait until I begin to see the progress of my hard work!

If you would like to order any P90X products, go to my website at:  http://myshakeology.com/tbturner
http://beachbodycoach.com/tbturner 

To keep myself accountable and to be able to buy my fitness products at a discount, I have become a coach for Team Beachbody!  It is giving me the support of other people who are also on this journey to a healthier lifestyle and I can track my progress through my website as well, and share it with others. 

XOXO,

Tina

~Making Changes~

"Everything changed the day I understood that if I was to become a runner, I would have to run with the body I had. " - John Bingham, The Courage to Start

This just may be my new Mantra.  Isn't that just such a simple statement, yet powerful?  In the past 5 years, since becoming a full time stay at home Mom, I have made many changes in my life, trying to become more fit, trying to live healthier, but with my Dad's cancer diagnosis, I realized I haven't done enough.  I want to do everything possible to be able to be healthy and take care of my aging parents and be available for my own children and someday, grandchildren. 

It's not about "skinny" for me anymore.  It's about healthy.  While doing online research on my Dad's disease, I ran across the Pancreatica Walks And Runs Foundation.  You can sign up for different walks/runs locally and at the same time raise awareness and funds for Pancreatic Cancer Research.  Currently, cancer research of the Pancreas is the least funded.  That struck me.  The cancer that my Dad is battling is the least funded in research...I am only ONE person, but it only takes one person to make a difference! 

During the process of finding a walk/run to participate in with the Foundation, I stumbled onto a training program.  The "Couch To 5K Program".  I had seen this online, but this program is with a group of people who are also wanting to begin running, but don't know where to start.  Doing this online, I have been able to get to a certain stage, and then develop shin splints, which then caused me a set back, and I would have to start over.  I can do 10,000 steps a day on my treadmill, but I just haven't been able to become a full fledged runner! 

This program seems to be just what I am looking for to succeed!  You train with a group of people who are on your level, so the intimidation factor isn't there.  Well, I hope not...LOL  Training is about 8 to 10 weeks, you set yourself a goal race and work towards that.  I plan to be a runner by the time September rolls around, and I intend to sign up and run every chance I can to raise awareness and funds for the Pancreatica Foundation.

My first stop in a couple of weeks is getting fitted for the right shoes. (This will give me an excuse to go shopping, LOL)  My Dad has just begun his journey to recovery from Pancreatic Cancer. If he can fight this fight, I can muster up the courage to start to become a runner! It may take many walks/runs and months, but I will get there! 

Take the negative things that happen in your life and turn them into positives!  Make a difference!  Inspire! 

XOXO,

Tina