Tag / athlete

by susanmcrae75

The Love (Hate) of Water

Ah, the benefits of water.  We all know we are mostly made up of water…make that about 60%.  As a former swimmer, I should love it, but it has always been a love hate relationship with me for sure.

Love:  got me into college with a scholarship, I loved racing and playing in it, love floating around relaxing in a pool or lake, love catching fish from it, and will probably retire somewhere where I can see it daily.

The hate runs a little deeper.  When I was very young, I would watch my older sisters dive into our pool.  So of course as soon as I could toddle around?  Yep, right into the pool-the deep end specifically, and my father had to perform rescue breathing on his one year old.  So not sure if it is due to this subconscious memory or not, but my whole life, I’ve been afraid of water and drowning (vehicle, ocean, lake, pool, whatever!).  Several teenage boys likely have permanent scars from my fingernails and knees when they thought it would be fun to hold teenage girls like me underwater-yep, they learned.  And, to this day, I really do not enjoy getting wet-pool or water gun-doesn’t matter!  Crazy for a swimmer I know.  I also never quite understood the importance of it with exercising and my sport.  Knew I needed it, knew I was thirsty, knew it possibly provided a nice 4 lap break during a workout, but no one really ever explained it.

So, fortunately now that I have learned a lot more about health and nutrition through my current fitness/health program, I have another mark on the love side.  I admit sometimes it is much easier with a little natural flavoring from fruit, etc.  However, I have been told once you get accustomed to drinking water, you crave it, and now I’m a believer.

Why drink it?  And why have the goal of half your body weight in ounces per day?

Reduces fatigue, decreases some headaches (one of my migraine triggers is dehydration…of course), aids in digestion/regularity, curbs appetite/assists with weight loss, decreases frequency of muscle cramps, improves hydration/appearance of skin, and more!!  Who out there could not benefit from improving one, more or all of these areas, simply by drinking more water?  It has definitely helped me lose 23 pounds recently, and helped me recover from the workouts I am doing!

I challenge you to start by adding one more 16 ounce serving to your day.  Gradually increase towards your goal of half your body weight and see how you feel.  Set goals and keep track.  It will help you on your fitness journey, doesn’t cost a thing (unless bottled of course!!) and improve your overall health in the process.

And as usual, if you are searching for an awesome program with and awesome group with awesome results, let me know!  There is always room for more people trying to get back out there, reach fitness goals, cross train to prevent injury, whatever!

Now go fill up!

-S

 

Our challenge group: https://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/d/annual-all-access-bod-shakeology-challenge-pack-BODChallengePack?referringRepID=1977090

by susanmcrae75

Welcome! Who I am….

I created this blog to help those like myself who are trying to find that inner fire to create their best selves.  It is in all of us, but sometimes it falls by the wayside.  Injuries, kids, job, schedules, you name it….we put ourselves at the bottom of the list.  I was a former college swimmer, who for 16 years did not have to worry about my health, what I was eating, setting goals….then I graduated.  After that, I was a bit lost.  I tried so many different exercises, diets, logs, you name it.  There was always something missing and my results never stuck with me.  I had some injuries, emotional struggles, a busy schedule and family.  I recently had some revelations:

First, I liked to be coached and have a team with a common goal.  Someone was there to keep me on track and encourage me, and my teammates expected me to show up and encourage them as well.  I struggled with keeping myself motivated.  I didn’t necessarily want to take back up an official sport, but I missed those aspects of it.

Second, I got bored.  The same thing over and over was fine for about 2 weeks.  Then I would miss a day, then another…

Third, I didn’t know how to eat!  I tried keeping track of food in a log, determining points, had no idea of portions, and just did not have the energy or time to keep up with it for the long run.

And lastly, the time aspect.  I work full time in healthcare (coaching and encouraging all day!) and then come home to job #2:  mom.  I needed something to fit into my busy lifestyle, that I didn’t have to totally work my day around.  Nutrition needed to be something I could easily keep up with-I would forget or not want to do it by the time I got home, or I was guessing….  

Then, I found a program that combines nutrition, fitness (30 minute workouts), and a supportive group/community that supports me.  I in turn also support my team!  Yes!  So I decided to become a coach of this program to help myself, help others and enable them to help others as well all improve the life we are living.  This includes mind and body!  

We are all real people, looking for something that works, and continues to work!  Let’s do this!

Susan McRae