Inspiration

- guest post from Wellness Chair Erin-Kate Aleksak

          What inspires you?  Is what inspires you today the same thing that inspired you yesterday, last year, before you had a family?  Finding some way to inspire yourself is key to accomplishing your goals.  What your inspiration is does not matter.  Just find something that motivates you to get up and get moving.

                We draw inspiration from different places as we change; our inspiration needs to fit who we are in this moment.  As a young runner, 20 years ago, winning was my inspiration.  I definitely didn’t win every race, but I always tried to.  I always wanted to run as fast as I could.  Later I ran for a team and together we were great.  I was inspired by my teammates’ dedication to following their dreams and giving their all.  They made me want to be better every day.

                As an overworked college student I was inspired by the finish line.  I got up early and looked forward to finishing work.  I went to class and looked forward to finishing the day.  I was extremely goal-oriented and I pushed through the weeks, months, and semesters looking forward to the finish line, graduation.

                As a self-conscious new mother I was inspired by my children.  After a long recovery after each was born I was inspired to set a good example for them.  I wanted both to be strong, confident, healthy and active growing up and as adults.  I knew that they would not grow up loving and taking care of themselves if they saw me doing just the opposite.  I knew that I had to lead by example, and the dreams I had for their futures inspired me to make my present better.

                As a more experienced mom and more self-confident adult I find myself inspired by my parents.  My mother was never active.  She chased around a lot of kids, but never put the effort into her health.  All of the women in her family were that way.  As the women in our family aged, one by one they were diagnosed with osteoporosis.  In her 50’s my mom decided to break the cycle and took up running and strength training.  She works out 5 days a week now, and is still chasing small children around.  Her courage to begin something new and her new dedication to herself continue to inspire me. 

My father fought in Vietnam as young man in the Air Force and in Iraq as a soldier in the Army National Guard.  He came home to Walter Reed in need of a new knee, from an obvious injury, and help coping with his less noticeable PTSD.  He has his good days along with plenty of bad ones, but he fights on every day.  His strength and determination will continue to inspire me forever.

Exactly what inspires us will change constantly; sometimes with where we are in life, and sometimes simply with our mood.  We need to stay open to these changes, and allow ourselves to be inspired every day.  Look for inspiration in your families, your friends and in the world around you.  When you find it, grab hold and let it push you towards your goals.

Couch to 5K Training Plan

* a Guest Post from Wellness Chair, Erin-Kate Aleksak...

If there is interest in another training plan I can put one together for those club members who already know they can run a 5k and would like to try to get faster.

The training plan starts the last week in January and goes through March.Couch-to-5k


Here is the link to our goal, The Run Like Hell 5k in Bayonne, NJ on April 1st. We'll have more information available, soon.

Appreciation For Our Wounded Soldiers This Valentine's Day

 

The United War Veteran's Council will be touring to as many military bases and veterans hospitals throughout NY, CT, NJ, DE, PA, D.C. MD as possible.  

Items That Are Needed: 

* Valentine’s Day cards/drawings from adults and children – handmade or bought – theme of ‘thank you for serving’ etc 

* DVDs of movies/TV shows past and present 

* Male and female toiletries 

* Baseball caps and t-shirts with various messages/team logos etc. 

* Children’s toys (all ages) 

* Electronic gadgets (i.e. radios, disposal cameras, cell phone cards) 

* Chocolates/cookies packages (prepackaged, - not loose) 

* Wristlets, travel mugs (with message(s)) 

* Books, magazines 

* Stationary 

* Magazines

First Ever Homemade Pizza Delivery Night!

Motivation

***First in a series by Wellness Chair, Erin-Kate Aleksak******

OK…So for the first post for the Wellness portion of the blog I thought the best topic to touch on was motivation.  This is why so many of us want to achieve a goal, but never actually get started on the path towards it.  Often all we need is a reason to begin…

You all know that I am a runner at heart.  It sounds weird, but I love feeling like I can’t possibly take another step, and then realizing that another mile has passed by.  I love trying to find out just how far or how hard I can push myself.  Most people assume that this goes hand in hand with loving to get up and out to start my workout.  THIS IS NOT TRUE!!!!  Deep down I am really a couch potato at heart; especially in the winter.  After freezing at the bus stop and walking the dogs all I want is to curl up on the couch with a second cup of coffee.  Some days I do just that.  The best way to avoid the comfy couch trap…FRIENDS!

No kidding!  Last year training for a 100 mile running race, through the winter, often at weird times like 10 at night or 4 in the morning, and in a lot of snow is not an idea that makes you want to jump off the couch and get out there.  It only happened because I already had plans to meet someone else.  How could I sleep in when my friend was standing outside in the freezing cold waiting for me?  Being accountable to someone else is the best way to make sure you get in some exercise.  We have all let ourselves down, and we will all continue to do so.  None of us, however, want to disappoint our friends.  We will do anything to keep our word to them and to support them in pursuing their goals.

My advice for beginning or continuing an exercise regimen this winter…commit to your best friend’s health.  Make your new years resolution to get your neighbor healthier.  Promise to make sure your bus stop buddy goes to the gym three days a week.  Military wives are always too good at taking care of everyone else first, so this year go ahead, take care of someone else.   

Keeping a friend company on their path to a healthier life just might be the motivation you need to hop on that path yourself.

Spaghetti Dinner Night, Pick-up only!

Halloween BASH!