Day Tripping...No Road Map?

Knowing where you are so you can figure out where you need to go!  

Sounds simple yet most of us get caught up in the process.

I can honestly say that the majority of folks I coach have no clue their current state of affairs; financially, mentally or physically

So I recently ask myself...why?

It seems to me that as we strive to have more we have less!  It's a common theme and applies to several aspects in our daily grind.

Here is another dynamic of this ... As we are in this process of wanting more yet having less we often let our minds develop unhealthy habits!

I encourage people to step back and really take a look at the big picture.  Figure out where they are and then determine where they want to be.  At that point get a game plan and make it happen.  Starting there with a solid foundation gets you more!  

Think about this...

Would you take a start a trip without a destination?  Only if you could afford to mentally and financially.

Would you run a marathon without a purposeful training plan?  Only if you want to be crippled.

Would you start a business without a solid plan and re-evaluated often?  Only if you wanted to fail and have to close your doors!

Our services at the Wits End aid in helping people get their sh*t pulled together!  

Some days it is challenging, but the days when I receive a text out of the blue telling me what an impact we have made for that person, all the fatigue subsides. 

It takes a lot of energy helping others so we eat well, hydrate and get our move on!  

Hoping this post just might pull the string on the light bulb for some!

Happy Thursday!

Sandra Wells

Birds of a Feather Flock Together!

As I was running into Regional Park this AM, I saw a girl running up the hill towards me.  It was Kalin.  I met Kalin a knitter while building a new project of share risk space known as "the 9".  A couple of projects later, Kalin works with us at the Wits End!  Her responsibility is to assist me in all sorts of stuff and pickup after me!  Basically anyone who works with me needs endurance...lol...so I suggested she get her some water and start endurance training!  Of course I slowly suggested as to not scare her off before she got started!  Today Kalin is a well hydrated runner...and I'm a knitter!  

With all that being said strength is in the people we choose to be around!  I am a big fan of group exercise. One of the biggest benefits of having a group or a partner is accountability! Research shows that within the first 6 months of starting a fitness program 50% will drop out. It is important to have someone motivating you, and really just expecting you to show up. lol 

Our up and coming Jeff Galloway running program is perfect for the beginning runner, or a runner seeking better endurance, better times, or recovering from an injury. There is some independent work, but there will be a group run every Saturday to keep you motivated and accountable. You can read more and sign up here

So You Think You Can't Run?

I always thought, "I can't run!".  I am fairly certain a lot of other people think the very same thing...

In 2009 I did run and in 2010, I ran and ran and ran...

As 2010 came to a close, I spent an afternoon pouring over my training log and reflecting on how that year of running & coaching had impacted my spirit for the sport.  My mind drifted back in time to my earlier years.

I began a very short running career at Pauls Valley Middle School.  It was 1981 and I decided to try my hand at track and field it ended ugly with me giving up and heading over to the tennis court.  For the next 18 years I lived under a very misguided impression that I was NOT athletic.  That paired with living in a small town with limited wellness resources I became an obese adult experiencing high blood pressure and other weight related illnesses.  Like so many others my health forced me into change.  At 206 pounds and a blood pressure of 225/185, I joined a local Weight Watcher meeting, the only wellness source in my small town.   It was 2003 and my wellness journey was forced on me. 

You see I started with the easiest thing available, cutting calories.  Then I started walking one step at a time.  When I arrived in Ardmore I had lost 45 pounds and was a walker.  It was a lonely journey.  Then I met Phillip.  He encouraged (challenged) me to try my hand at cycling then hiking then running.  Eighteen years later I am now an athlete; accomplishing century cycling events, a rim to rim Grand Canyon hike and completed numerous running events with 5K age placement awards not to fail to mention marathon/half marathon finisher medals.  The bonus, I lost the weight and became fit! –  as taken from my Manifesto, “The Running Martyr”.

  

Before coaching I was headed down an unhealthy path of running.   Running is a very addictive and empowering sport.  Remember, my running career was cut short by a Coach leaving me with the mind set I was not athletic.  So being able to accomplish a century ride or run a marathon is very empowering.  To experience that empowerment without proper guidance can be very dangerous.  That is why runner injury is so common.  I was once told by a seasoned runner, “Making it to the starting line injury free is half the battle.”    As a returning runner I tried several methods to get me back on the road and help me stay injury free.  I implemented the Galloway Training Program and have been running injury free now for over a year. That is the primary reason I decided to join the Jeff Galloway Family. 

Who is Jeff Galloway?

• A world-class athlete. As a member of the 1972 Olympic team, Jeff competed against the world’s best athletes in Europe, Africa, and the former Soviet Union. He broke the U.S. 10-mile record (47:49)
in 1973 and has a six-mile best of 27:21. Among his victories are
the Peachtree Road Race, Honolulu Marathon, Atlanta Marathon and top place finisher in many prominent U.S. races such as the Boston Marathon.

• Founder of the Galloway Marathon Training Program. 

As the Program Director for Ardmore, OK Jeff Galloway Group.  I am super excited to announce our Getting Started Program.  If you have ever thought..."I can't run!", this is the program for you!  Log on and check out the details.

http://www.active.com/framed/event_detail.cfm?CHECKSSO=0&EVENT_ID=2110729

If you should have any other questions or just need to chat feel free to contact me.  I look forward to this venture and hope to see you at our kick-off.

A "doable" Life

Today's blog is inspired by my clients.  At the close of each month I spend time with each client.  The goal is to review his or her accomplishments and plan the next 30 day block.  Each month I gain an extreme amount of feedback that in turn helps me be a better coach!  

This review period a client told me at for the first time in a long time (as long as she could remember) she has been consistent with her wellness plan!  Her consistency has been 1 month shy of 6 months (5 months).  I ask her what she attributes her success to??  Her response was it is DOABLE!  

As a coach my philosophy is...if you have a DOABLE plan you will be in it for the long haul.  I know that seems very simple.  In fact most people don't need a coach to tell them that. They could use a coach to show them just exactly how to create DOABLE!  However, coaching does not end there!  

We humans tend to be impatient.  Struggles with finding a doable plan then following it is very common.  I attribute that to the saturation of resources; printed & digital information.  How many of us be it in social media or google get influenced and suckered into some quick fix of the latest trending fitness program?  I mean... Crossfit, HITT, Insanity, P90X, yada, yada, yada...this half marathon plan...Beyond 30 Diet...Protein Shakes...

Now, I do not see anything wrong with programs (exercise or nutrition) as long as they allow for a doable life.  The problem comes along when we as humans choose to over do and we start causing ourselves problems.  The body needs rest, water, nutrition and movement.  If you give your body those items in the proper amounts then your body will be healthy.  I tell clients they need to learn to control intensity!  When we abuse intensity we fail!  It no longer becomes doable!  Then we end up back at square one.

It's human nature to want to keep up with the Jones family!  However, if you can't afford insurance for that big fancy car then what's the point!  I challenge you to find your healthy doable.  Rein in your mind regarding intensity.  If  you struggle with that then find a good coach!  It's much cheaper than an a knee or hip replacement!  

If you struggle with this and need help click the link below:

www.doablelife.com

Sandra Wells