Health Synergy with Irina

Day 3, 362 days left to go.

This was was my first day back to work, and it was intense. I managed to resist the donuts in the break room, go home for lunch instead of ordering something next door and remembered to pack my workout clothes! And although I am very proud of myself, I feel like I’ve been dogging bullets all day!

This got me thinking of how much easier it would be if everyone at work was on the same “get healthy” page. We could sustain one another, not undermine our efforts.

Stress triggers a cascade of events one of them being craving a quick source of fuel. Although we are so technologically advanced our physiology is still as it was centuries ago and it responds in a very primal way. Back in the day when we had to hunt for our food and stay on alert to escape predators the physiological response to stress was very helpful. Stress equaled danger then triggered the liver to release stored glycogen (type of sugar) in anticipation of the fight or flight response. But now our stress is constant and it is experienced sitting down…Women have the added “benefit of storing fat much more efficiently then man and this contributes to the cascade event. This is why testing will power when you are already weak is setting yourself up to fail.

In this situation having a well prepared meal plan and the support of family and friends is very important. I’ve been a runner for over 10 years and I’ve met some amazing women along the way. When I get off track I know who to call to kick my butt into gear. I know who will call me on it if I don’t show up for run or whine that it is to early or to cold. And if no one is available I always have my furry pack, they are always ready to help me get moving.

If you don’t have a support group, please know you are not alone. Here are a few tips if you don’t have a reliable workout/ healthy lifestyle partner.

1. Join a meetup group in your area

2. Get a dog or two 🙂

3. Sign up for races

4. Go on REI adventure trips.

5. Join the local Fleet feet for training runs

6. Convince someone in your inner circle to get on the healthy wagon with you…easier said than done but worth the effort.

7. Join a gym, my favorite is orange theory. They don’t play around, you are there to feel the burn!