Learning How to Run Again

Friday, April 28, 2017


I will never forget the day I realized I had forgotten how to run. Don’t jump to conclusions, I was never a REAL runner who trained and ran races. What I am talking about is the simple basics and ability to revv up the engines and blast forward in a run…for fun, to move quickly out of the way, to chase after a kid running in the street, etc… I realized I had resorted to scurrying, something in between walking and running.

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How did this happen? When did I forget how to run? I think it has a lot to do with the sedentary lives we lead and then as we gain weight we tend to avoid those activities that put more strain on us and our bodies. You can be plenty busy and not have to run. Most moms who have given birth and gained weight know what it is like to tend to the kids, be plenty busy, yet not spend any time “running.”

It occurred to me that running is an important skill to have and maintain. You never know when you might need it and its important to know you can easily engage the skill when you do need it--like riding a bike or knowing how to drive a clutch car.

Being able to run is also important for our health. It is great for our hearts, lowers cholesterol, boosts our immune system, expands our lung capacity, improves our mood through releasing endorphins, and even enhances bone density. Running can assist us with weight management. You don’t have to be a long distance runner to access the benefits of running. You just have to do it and practice it regularly.

The key is getting started. When I first decided I had to figure out how to run again I was the most overweight I had ever been. I had three small children and a lot on my plate. I FELT physically heavy. I wasn’t sure how to revv up my body to get to a run. The first time I tried it out was on the sidewalk in front of my house. It felt awkward and uncomfortable. I really didn’t feel myself. I only managed a sprint across the front lawn. Something inside of me refused to give up. I couldn’t accept that I could no longer run. I was way too young for such a thought.

I kept practicing. I set slightly longer goals for my short runs. It started to get easier, even though I still felt awkward and I was always out of breath. I played “running” tag with my kids. I played counting games with myself. It started to become easier and easier. I realized the biggest barrier to my success was my embarrassment over not being able to run and how I imagined how I looked when I ran. Ultimately it was more important to me to know how to run and feel better because of it than the embarrassment over not knowing how to run and what I looked like doing it.

In my research I came across a woman, Julie Creffield, who started a website challenging the notion that people are “too fat to run.” I even wrote a blog about it. My favorite phrase is “Running has no size!” It is true.

It is now a number of years later, I have lots of running/cross training shoes, and I run a couple of times a week outside, on the treadmill or on the track at the “Y.”  Weather doesn’t stop me! It feels great. It does improve my mood and my numbers are in great shape, and although I am no skinny woman, I am 50 pounds lighter than I was when I learned how to run again. Running does help me maintain my weight.

I’m glad I wanted to face the reality that I had forgotten to run. I am proud of myself for persevering. It meant putting something about me first. When you struggle with weight there is an inherent self worth issue. We should all remember we deserve to conquer our demons because every inch and pound of us is worth it!

If you are wanting to start running in earnest, check out my blog, #TooFatToRun: New Runner's 6 Tips for Success, or the many other resources out there to help you get started. My one important tip—make it fun and all about the adventure of a healthy lifestyle.

To Your Health! Live Vibrant!



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Sign of a Healthy Lifestyle -- A Vegetable Garden

Monday, April 24, 2017
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Sign of a Healthy Lifestyle -- Inspirational Quotes

Monday, April 17, 2017
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An Open Letter to Oprah and My Hairy Audacious Goal

Friday, April 14, 2017



Dear Oprah-

You have always been so encouraging to others. You have shown us all how to think big and believe anything is possible. I have heard you say to others  “go for your dream” and have a “goal with a plan.”

With this in mind I’ve got a big dream with a hairy audacious goal attached that I want to share with you. You are a person I have always admired and learned from. Like you, I very much want to actively help make the world a better and healthier place.

My goal is to have you discover Livliga. My plan is to forge a partnership with you so we can help people live healthier lives. My dream is to tame the obesity epidemic through right-sizing our food environment in order to make it possible for people to live happier, healthier lives.


First things first, I would like to introduce you to Livliga, a healthy lifestyle tableware company that supports people in ‘knowing better so they can do better.’ It is all about healthy, right-sized eating at every meal. Put simply, we are a company that creates artist-designed portion control dinnerware, glassware and serveware that is so subtle that you can use it with your family and when you entertain. We even have a children’s line. We also produce uniquely designed private label dinnerware for corporate customers.


We at Livliga believe we can help make the world a healthier place one right-sized bite at a time. We have a big vision, one that embraces partnering with other like-minded individuals and businesses so we can reach the most people and have the largest impact.

Just as you have showed people with your recent Food, Health and Happiness book of recipes and insight, the real secret to living a happier and healthier life is in the lifestyle a person adopts and can sustain. It is about making mindful decisions and experiencing ‘conscious enjoyment.’

A little more about Livliga…we incorporated in 2011. It is an innovation I conceived out of my own personal need and because as the Executive Director of the American Heart Association in Denver, I understood how obesity is the root cause of so many of the diseases we struggle with and that are now affecting our children. We are science-based and all about the psychology of eating. Our company has been selling our product for just over 3 years, now has 3 patents, and has won 3 national awards; our most recent award is for our LivSpoons, which won the 2016 Editor’s Pick for Best New Product from the Gourmet Retailer.


With the shift to focusing on people experiencing and enjoying a healthier lifestyle, our product is perfectly positioned to be the right product at the right time to help people right size their food environment in their everyday lives in an attractive yet subtle way. We fervently believe just as you stated, “I adore a pretty table. You can feel the love in the details.” Livliga is all about that love.

In truth, we eat with our eyes, not our stomach. Remember the phrase, "Your eyes are bigger than your stomach?" It is true! That is why everyone needs Livliga. In the super-sized world we live in, our eyes are constantly being cued to overeat. Livliga is the answer to right sized, mindful eating. It is science-based and artist-designed to make it easy to serve up just right portions in a subtle way and also make those portions look plentiful. There is no other product like this on the market. We are the only multi-patented mindful eating (some say "portion control") dinnerware.

Your partnership with Weight Watchers is all about coming up with the best new way to help people live a healthier life. The key to the success is through creating enjoyable eating experiences that do not make people feel they are being deprived or denied the food they love. Livliga is all about enhancing the experience. 


Food is our sustenance both physically and mentally. When we think about the best memories we have of our lives they generally are wrapped around wonderful meals with the people we love. Why not create a beautiful, right-sized, and healthy food environment that gives people the positive experiences they long for and want to share?

We believe Livliga is a cornerstone to creating this wonderful world of mindful eating with good food filled with enjoyment in a community that embraces the joys and benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

There is a credible partnership here. Imagine what you, Weight Watchers and Livliga could do together.  We ask for the opportunity to get in front of you to wow you with what Livliga can bring to the table.

We have a goal. We have a plan. Please help us achieve our dream!


Learn More About the Psychology That Makes Livliga so Effective


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Sign of a Healthy Lifestyle -- A pet

Monday, April 10, 2017
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Sign of a Healthy Lifestyle--well stocked pantry

Monday, April 3, 2017


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