I ran the Detroit half marathon this past Sunday. I have to say it was fun. I ran my second best PR and would have broken my PR if I was not distracted with a stunning sunrise as I ran over the bridge, having to really, really pee badly while crossing the huge bridge and then taking more photos as I entered the tunnel. Having done all of that I can tell you it was a blast! I felt so great! I was happy taking photos and laughing at others doing the same thing. I was excited for I ran the whole event! Last time I did this race I ran/walked a lot after crossing the tunnel--this time I ran the whole thing. It was so great to see other women out running--fat and fatter than me! IT WAS AWESOME! I had to yell that out here and there--WE ARE AWESOME! WE ARE NOT ON OUR COUCHES! It made me feel great to say it, it made others chime in and chuckle around me! It was edifying to yell it out from time to time--to remind myself of why I was doing the whole race in the first place. Before we started the race I was talking to a great woman named named Nikki, a flight attendant who flies all over. She was charged up to start and we were both freezing-- it was also about 37 degrees. So chatting and moving were getting us all ready. Nikki told me how she had lost about 30 pounds through running and she has about 30 more pounds to go and now she knows she can do it! Its amazing to see the magic, the power of running! Happy endorphins come from running! It psychs us up! It shows us what we can do! We can do amazing things--as women, mothers, wives, daughters---we forget the power we hold when we just get up and move! We inspire ourselves, we show others what they can do, what they can become, we get better and happier at everything. We are able to change, to grow to just become. Yes, I know it sounds crazy--running is not the end all be all, it is not the great fix it--but it sure does help. As a painter, I can tell you running has help me face all the challenges of being an artist...in a world that is very competitive, depressing, challenging, frustrating--and more! I can tell you that running has helped me find my way--not loose focus on what is important in my life. Running really helps....a lot. I know that it has helped me again not get Type 2 diabetes and that improves my quality of life. What are you doing to improve your own quality of life?
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I have to say I don't really like labels. I find they can effect ones mind and open the door for fear and personal limitations. Having said that I will share all the roles or labels I have, either self imposed or earned.
Wife-I have been married for over 20 years. My husband is awesome and first. As a professioanl I can tell you that I have been ridiculed for being unapologetic about being a wife. In my work as a painter I use the topic of "family" as a subject matter. This is not really accepted in the world. I am happy in my marriage and anyone who knows my husband and I know we have a blast with our lives. I have even had people get angry and not believe that we are best friends, don't fight with each other, don't scream in anger at each other (though we may during a nurf fight!), that we defend each other and take care of each other. Nope, sorry ladies I am not sorry for having any of that greatness in my life! I just hope that each of you can find and savor a marriage just as great! My husband was my inspiration to start running--I saw him finish his first half marathon (Detroit) and I was so moved by the energy, the supportive relationship between and from runners to each other , the support between the runners and the cheering crowd. The next spring I completed my first half marathon in Ohio! I also must say that he is supportive, encouraging, and just kind--in getting me out to run on the days I don't want to as well. He does not belittle me in any way--he has my back. That makes all the difference in the world to me. Artist-I have been a painter since before I could write! I was supplied by a mom who raised us alone. Even in those humble circumstances she made sure I had creative supplies. Today I have shown my work in museums, galleries and corporate spaces. You can see my work on my website, elephantworkstudio.com. I love animals, mostly the elephant, but birds, wild animals, endangered animals. I paint and draw them all. Currently I am working on a a baby giraffe that will be submitted to a worldwide competition. Two years ago I was chosen out of 1,100 artist to be in the show. It was all pretty exciting! For me, art is an extension of who we are as humans. Animals do not make art, but people do and art is a great outlet for love, hate, frustrations, successes--all we feel as humans. We all have challenges in life that get us down, so in my work I strive to focus on the positives--love, family , friends (not the freinemies!), happiness, cheer,--eternal things that give us true joy. That is why my work is bright colors, fun, and cheery. Mother-Yes! I am a mother! We have three great kids (except for when they are not!). Sometimes I love being a mom and sometimes I am tired of being a mom. I change my name and go off to see a movie and recharge. I am glad I could have children. I always wanted a big family, but, alas, this body did not cooperate. Drama with each pregnancy, HELLP Syndrome with the first, diabetes (and a doctor who told me I did not have that!) with the second and the third was just a cow and breach! I am still a bit annoyed with him about that. So I CAN relate to all the drama one can have while being pregnant. I love my kids, but I went through hell to have each one, plus three miscarriages were sprinkled about in between. We all have challenges, its how we face and conquer them that define who we are! Teacher- I have been teaching for about 12-13 years. Last year I taught in Detroit and it was pretty brutal. The "norm" for some of the schools in the city is very scary--assaulting teachers, swearing at teacher, skipping over 70%, all with NO consequences and then getting passed onto the next grade-- burnt me out! If I punched an adult or a child for that matter in the face I would be arrested. Instead there--every and all excuses were made! I felt sad for the processes in place for discipline are not helping our kids to be successful adults. instead it is setting them up to be a statistic. I love art and LOVE teaching art--I just don't think I should have to raise our kids and your kids too. if schools cannot have meaningful discipline actions kids will continue to spiral down a hole with learning. Do no expect any school to raise your kids! Teach them manners and how to be kind, how to read (!!!!) at home. Turn off that darn TV!! Make you kids DO something, play a board game, draw, read-something! Be active in their school, help! OK, I am done with this rant! Closet activist for public education too........sigh... Closet activist- So my husband is funny! He calls me closet activist when I love a product, a shoe, a food article, whatever I SHARE!! food--I love "Fat Sick and nearly Dead!" its a movie, check it out and get healthy today or next week. Eating well is a talent and a learned thing. READ READ READ! Get information, and find out what is in your food. I love to each well. This has truly helped me NOT get Type 2 Diabetes! Eat from outside the grocery store edge, fresh, fresh & fresh! More about this later. apple products--I love my mac! I can't say enough about the simplicity, the intuitiveness and the graphics. being healthy to live--I always talk to other about wellness, vitamin D3, and living well, with health. We will never get enough vitamin D living in the north, so we need to take more vitamin D! Read "The Vitamin D Cure" get more information for yourself! Find a source for green meat--farm raised GRASS fed cow....grass fed pig...YUM and good for you! No hormones, or extra chemicals...good for you! Diabetes Resistant- being active, healthy, learning with about food, eating well, getting enough sleep HAS KEPT ME FROM GETTING TYPE 2 DIABETES! Daughter- I have two parents who are in their 70's who are not on any drugs, healthy active, they are a great inspiration to me. I try to be a good daughter...I goof off occasionally. They are awesome! Mormon- Finally, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.I love the church and I know it is true--this means that I know that here I can have all I need to 1) be part of an eternal family--not till death do us part, 2) I know there is a living prophet on the earth so I don't have to wander about aimlessly, I know the plan of happiness and 3) I know that the Book of Mormon is a second tesitment of Jesus Christ. I love the King James version of the Bible and I love the Book of Mormon, both books are our road maps back to our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. In the church we have a health code called "The Word of Wisdom" this is our guide to healthy living. Years ago when I was in high school someone did a study of the impact of this code to see if living it effected life spans--it was discovered that Mormon men lived about 10 years longer than non-Mormon men. Not sure if that would be true today--but maybe! The Word of Wisdom does impact my desire to be healthy but only minimally. We joined the church when I was 11, my mom had me on a healthy path then. But I live it now as I can see how poor eating choices would impact my life. I think, no, I know, that it is vital that each person have a spiritual center. This has value in being a well-rounded person. Its important to be well-rounded--no pun intended for our Fat Chicks Running! hah! I served a full time mission in Mississippi, I have served in many callings (or Jobs) in the church--all are volunteer, as the church has a lay ministry. Am I going to preach to you on our runs? No. Will I answer sincere questions about my faith, sure! Who wouldn't? This pretty much tells you who I am and what motivated me. So today I wanted to run 3 miles. I have found it very frustrating that after taking only a week off, my legs are just full of protests! Like crazy, mad "I-don't-want-to-run-and-and-you-can't-make-me-protests!
Tomorrow we will be getting up and running at a lovely 6 am. I like to get it out of the way and start the day fresh. But I can tell you today I really want more. I see so many women that are just overweight and flat out fat and I feel so sad because its almost like the "world" is out there trying to get us to believe that its ok to be 20,30, or even 50 lbs. over weight. I know it is not. For me, just being the weight that I am I DOUBLE the chances of getting the adult onset diabetes. DOUBLE. Now you should understand, I don't think that being fat makes me or you less valuable. I don't think that the fat should be defining who and what I am as a woman--or even what I can accomplish. I know the fat CAN define or limit what I can accomplish, because there are days I feel like crap and that is just that! There are days I cannot run another step and I should be able to, I do listen to my body, but I want to push myself as well. |
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M. Leaym-FernandezHey, I am a wife, a mom, a teacher, a wellness activist, and connecting all my parts together--I am an artist! I worry about what women are doing to themselves. Gaining weight, not having balance in life, letting the stress destroy our bodies. This blog is going to be full of stories, ideas, and whatevers that I find to help women not end up like the women in the movie "walli" fat, unable to move, unable to work, unable to live. I want to share my struggles, my story. Archives
February 2018
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