Step in the Right Direction

Salutations,

The past week has gone extremely well. I have really surprised myself about how simple it has been to eat healthier and fit working out into my schedule, but I also learned some things that I know already need to be fixed. I feel really confident talking about this week because I think that I'm going a step in the right direction. There are some things that made me feel great, and as always some things I would like to improve on.

Last week I have ran twice for forty minutes. I was sick for the beginning of the week so I took my runs at a slow and steady pace to make sure I didn't over exert myself. I also entered an indoor soccer tournament on that Friday and Saturday in which we played five forty minutes games. I felt very good after playing these games because I gave myself no time to eat unhealthy over the weekend. I have a positive outlook on how the next couple weeks will go because I now have the motivation to continue this process. I realized it is possible to fit physical activity into my schedule. For me, the most difficult part is beginning a new schedule. I'm very proud of myself that I have been able to start off strong and confidently and I believe that my friends and family have been a huge part of this motivation.

There are some negative things I have seen over the past couple weeks. I've taken into consideration that when school gets busy it is harder to maintain the schedule I have began. I've gotten over the "I'll start tomorrow" phase and got into the initial first steps, but now its the maintenance that is the most difficult. Taking a running start at the project did really help but now I'm starting to slow down. I need to find an equal balance of working hard but also taking time to keep up with the work load at school. Also with the Mexico missions trip coming up I will be unable to record the amount I am going to run, but I will be doing physical activity and will look to eat the healthier options if possible.

I have learned more during the past three weeks of the beginnings of this project than I have over the past couple years. I have learned that persistence is the key to motivation. At no point do you tell yourself you are unable to do something because that attitude is only going to get in the way of your goals. There is also always going to be the question of how on earth you are going to pull it off, and if I had an answer that would mean I have nothing to learn from this entire experience.

Romans 5:3 "We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

Beginning Strides

Greetings,

Fitness has always been a major passion of mine, especially sports such as soccer, hockey, and football. Since the last couple months of a drawn out winter of Winnipeg Manitoba, I have felt fairly unsatisfied with the lack of motivation I have had to do much of anything. Besides being bundled up in a blanket with warm drinks trying to avoid the bone chilling cold, I have found little to no time to be able to maintain a healthy life style. Our society demands you to look, feel, and live healthy, but life also presents tight schedules leading to fast dinners through restaurant drive thrus.

One major challenge throughout this project is going to be making time in my schedule to be able to achieve the final goals. Some goals I would like to achieve are running three to 4 times a week, running approximately 15 times a month, increasing my range of distance, and improving my time. These goals are subject to change because they may be increased or decreased, but I still work to reach the ultimate goal of either running the 10 K race or half marathon on June 15th on Fathers Day which is still to be determined.

Motivation will play a key role in these goals. My beginning motivation has come from the project itself. I have had this goal in the back of my mind for a long time, but the passion project has been able to bring it to life. Also my father has asked me on several occasions if I would be willing to run the race with him but this question was quickly shut down with some sort of excuse as to why not, but now that I have the people and the resources I will be able to strive to reach this goal. It may be difficult to maintain the motivation, but I always have help from my friends and also my teacher and mentor Shannon Smith who will be asking for progress reports every step of the way. It's difficult to choose one specific mentor because there are so many people who are important to me that I know will support me and guide me every step of the way.

A verse from the bible that I will see for motivation is
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." I know I am going to enjoy this project more and more as I improve, but for now it is going to be difficult. I will keep you posted on my goals, problems, and achievements along my journey through the project.

Thank you for your time and interest in my project,

Ashley