Two Minutes to a Healthier You

on July 22, 2011
in All Posts

I believe that small efforts really add up over time.  And guess what?  All you need to be healthier is two minutes a day.  Yes, just two minutes!

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What do you do in those two minutes?  You think about tomorrow and how you’re going to fit in your goals – eating better, exercising, meditation – and anticipate any challenges.  “Do I need to wake up a bit earlier to squeeze in my workout before work?”  or  “Should I boil brown rice for dinner as I make breakfast?”  I really believe so much of healthy living is planning ahead because – trust me – it doesn’t happen by accident! 

 

If you take two minutes to plan ahead, you prioritize your health. 

 

So, last night, I was in bed, thinking about tomorrow (well, today).  I knew I had a busy morning and that it would be really hot outside by the afternoon, so I had to squeeze in my morning workout.  Thus, the alarm was set for 6 AM.  I snacked on two dates for pre-run fuel, and I was out the door by 6:40 AM for a lovely 3.0-mile run!

 

Breakfast in the car… you do whatcha gotta do.

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Panda Puffs, banana, cashew, almond milk.

 

Okay, kids.  I’ve been dropping hints about this… but now it’s official.

lake_logan

In two weeks, I’ll be doing the Lake Logan International/Olympic Triathlon – 1,500 meter swim, 40K bike, and 10K run.  I have only done one other Oly tri (race recap here) and finished in 3:06:07.  That race included a bike crash and a panic attack, so I’m hoping this one will go smoother. 

 

Obviously, with only two weeks to go, I’m totally going to phone in my training.  Here is my crash training plan.  I do not recommend doing this, of course, but I’m hoping I can draw from my extensive race history and overall cardiovascular fitness to push through.  My goal is to have fun, so if I need to walk during the run, that’s cool with me.  Ashley and Carolina John are doing the race too, which is exciting!

 

PS – This will be my 39th race!  I am so excited.  I’m really hoping to break 50 races before my 30th birthday (in 2.5 years, but I anticipate I will lose time with babymaking).  I think I can do it if I stay focused!

{ 74 comments }

 

  • Hannah @theflexitarianeater July 22, 2011, 9:29 am

    Ahh so exciting! Good luck, I’m sure you’ll rock it? And 39 races?! WOW!

    • Hannah @theflexitarianeater July 22, 2011, 9:30 am

      Im sure youll rock it!!!*. (that was NOT supposed to be a ?. No doubt in my mind that you’ll do great)

  • Baking N Books July 22, 2011, 9:29 am

    Do you think you’ll have kids in the next couple of years?!! What about the business and stuff? My friends started a business but want it to develop more and be stable before they start a family. But it seems like you have a great support team there with the clinic!

    Eeps – good luck with the Tri!

    • Caitlin July 22, 2011, 9:32 am

      Hopefully we will! But we gotta wait and see. Not necessarily up to us 🙂 Fingers crossed.

  • Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun July 22, 2011, 9:35 am

    Cannot agree more! Planning makes all the difference for me as well and helps me to stay on track towards my goals.

    I definitely think you got that race under control. Like you said – you have extensive experience.

  • Laura July 22, 2011, 9:35 am

    yayy! good luck! can’t wait to read about it!

    also… babymaking!! 🙂

  • melissa July 22, 2011, 9:36 am

    looks like a great race!

  • Victoria (District Chocoholic) July 22, 2011, 9:39 am

    NICE on the Olympic Tri. You will kill the swim with how hard you have been working in the pool.

  • Laura @ My Reason to Tri July 22, 2011, 9:42 am

    how exciting!!!! my friend is doing the aquathon, im thinking of doing the sprint. thats awesome that you are going for the oly!!!! are you camping there the night before?

    • Caitlin July 22, 2011, 9:46 am

      Naw we’re staying with Ashley! So excited you will be there too!

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg July 22, 2011, 9:43 am

    Good luck with the training!

  • jen @ taste life July 22, 2011, 9:44 am

    Awesome! Lake Logan is pretty close to my house and I remember last year seeing all the people in town for the race and feeling excited for them. Good luck!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat July 22, 2011, 9:44 am

    Wow that’s so exciting Caitlin! I’m sure this race will go smoother as you’ve already got so many under your belt! I totally agree with your 2 minutes thing… remember that link I left a couple of days ago with those daily planners? In one spot, there’s a routine evening checklist, and one of the lines is “write out tomorrow’s top 5”, which is the top 5 things you want to achieve. I’ve been doing it every night and it definitely helps me stay focused the next day!

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen July 22, 2011, 9:48 am

    you can definitely do the 50 before 30 thing!

  • Erika @ The Teenage Taste July 22, 2011, 9:48 am

    AHHHHH! This is so exciting Caitlin! You are AMAZING! 🙂

  • Aine @ Something to Chew Over July 22, 2011, 9:49 am

    Exciting news! I know you’ll rock it with your planning abilities 🙂

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss July 22, 2011, 9:54 am

    How awesome!!! That’s exciting! I’d love to run a tri…but first I think a marathon is in order.

  • Ashley O. @ The Vegetable Life July 22, 2011, 9:57 am

    39 Races! That is unbelievable, I hope to be there too someday!!! An olympic Tri sounds amazing I’m sure you will do great! 50 before 30 will be easily accomplished by you regardless of babymaking, I am sure of it!

  • Jen July 22, 2011, 10:01 am

    Ah, how exciting! You’ll rock it! And about planning ahead, it’s definitely a smart thing to do. Things tend to run more smoothly when preparation is involved. I love the concept of cooking a grain for dinner at breakfast time. There are so many times when I don’t make brown rice for dinner because I don’t feel like waiting for it to cook! I’ll have to make a mental note of this.

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) July 22, 2011, 10:12 am

    I think it’s funny. People think that being healthy is such hard work or takes too much time for the grab and go stuff. You are so right, if you only think about it a few minutes a day and prepare, it is so easy. Yes, it may take a little more time sometimes (like making bean burgers or prepping your oats), but in the greater scheme of things…it’s so worth it in the end!

  • karin (allpointswhole) July 22, 2011, 10:12 am

    I love that you love those Panda Puffs as much as me and the tot. We have a similar post up today…little bit of a different twist but I totally agree that its all about planning ahead. When you do that in small ways, healthy living really feels simple

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) July 22, 2011, 10:16 am

    You will rock the tri! I know you will! 🙂

  • Kelly July 22, 2011, 10:21 am

    Wahoo for your second Olympic tri- I’m pretty sure this one is going to go a lot better than the first!

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me July 22, 2011, 10:49 am

    Good luck on the tri! You’ll do great!

  • Carolina John July 22, 2011, 10:50 am

    The lake is so beautiful you shouldn’t have any concerns about the swim. This isn’t florida – there are no alligators up in the mountains. Only goats and deer that can run you down on the bike. And don’t forget the rabbits – their front teeth can chew right through a running shoe.

    I’m kidding of course and trying to psyche you out. So excited you got registered! Can’t wait to finally meet you in person after all these years.

  • caroline July 22, 2011, 10:56 am

    I completely agree about taking a small amount of time to plan ahead. I make my breakfast and lunch the night before work and school, and on the weekends I package snack bags and chop up some vegetables for easy dinners. Sometimes I feel crazy for planning ahead, bc I feel like most young 20 somethings don’t do so, but I’m glad you agree it’s effective.

  • kristenq July 22, 2011, 11:07 am

    WOW!! 50 races that is awesome!!!!!
    and breakfast in the car…how in the world did you do that haha

  • Shannon @ Mon Amour July 22, 2011, 11:09 am

    50 races is a lot but such a great goal! I am a big believer in planning ahead. I think it really helps me stay on track

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife July 22, 2011, 11:40 am

    okay COOL! Wow 50 races?! What a fun/inspiring goal!

    SO true, prioritize and that health shows up!

  • Lindsey July 22, 2011, 11:48 am

    This is so true! Healthy living for me means planning ahead all the time!

  • Michele July 22, 2011, 12:02 pm

    Congrats on scheduling for the tri 🙂 They are so fun!

  • Jo @ Jo In the Kitchen July 22, 2011, 12:06 pm

    That’s exciting about your race! Have fun training, and I’ll be anxious for updates 🙂

  • Allie Q (Fit Geek) July 22, 2011, 12:07 pm

    So yesterday I was taking a test for a yellow belt in my self defense class (which is basically an MMA class), and I totally freaked out and had a panic attack. I actually thought of you because I remembered you saying you had one during your triathlon. Man, that SUCKS. And it’s even worse having an audience to your freakout. Buuut, I still passed the test. I think it’s so easy to let something like that stop you from trying again (and it’s understandable why). It’s awesome that you’re motivated to do these races, and even more awesome that you didn’t let your bad experience deter you.

    • Caitlin July 22, 2011, 12:11 pm

      Yay, congrats on passing, Allie! 😉 So exciting. Ugh, yes… panic attacks suck. But you’re amazing for poushign through. That’s pretty cool you’re now a yellow belt. Whats the next step?

      • Allie Q (Fit Geek) July 22, 2011, 12:19 pm

        I’m not really sure, haha. I’m still very much a beginner. A yellow belt is like the bottom of the chain, so I’m just gonna try to improve for now and I guess my instructor will tell me when the next test is.

  • Christine @ BookishlyB July 22, 2011, 12:36 pm

    11 more after this one? Totally doable!

  • Ali July 22, 2011, 12:40 pm

    Babymaking?? YAY!! 🙂 You will be a great mom, your kid will grow up with such a healthy attitude!

  • Amber K July 22, 2011, 12:42 pm

    Planning ahead is so key! Love it.

  • Erin @ Naturally Addicted July 22, 2011, 12:54 pm

    Baby making?? way to slip that one in there!! That’s awesome… you’ll be a fantastic mom!!

    Congrats on your 39th race! My goal is to get there one day. Good luck with your crash training!

  • bonnie July 22, 2011, 12:57 pm

    i definitely agree with planning ahead for success! often when i’m stuck with unhealthy food options or “no time” for wokrouts its because i didn’t take time to thoughtfully plan my day.
    and YEAH for the oly tri!!! you’re gonna rock it!!

  • Jennie @ Designed to be Fit July 22, 2011, 1:06 pm

    I try to do this every night. I sit in my office and write a quick to-do list of all the things I want to accomplish the next day. It’s not just work related, I’ll also think about dinner plans and my workout too! That way I go to bed knowing pretty much what my day will be like tomorrow. 🙂

  • Brittany July 22, 2011, 1:24 pm

    Hi Caitlin! Totally random question here…I have always wondered why you write your mileage as “X.0 miles” rather than just “X miles.” Like today, for example, you write that you ran 3.0 miles. Is there any significance to that? I am just genuinely curious, since I don’t see it written that way elsewhere. I will say it looks more hardcore that way… 😉

    • Caitlin July 22, 2011, 1:39 pm

      Bawhaha. I don’t know, just a habit? I like putting the .0 after it!

      • Brittany July 22, 2011, 3:13 pm

        That’s as good a reason as any. 🙂 I will be cheering you on in your 50 before 30 challenge! I am taking part in a personal 50 marathons before age 50 challenge; so far, so good….but you are right about that whole time-consuming babymaking thing!

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) July 22, 2011, 1:33 pm

    You will totally do 50 races before your 30th! You have plenty of time 🙂

  • Johanna B July 22, 2011, 1:58 pm

    Best 2 minutes of your life. Planning is a good thing. Wish more folks did it.

  • katie @ KatieDid July 22, 2011, 2:03 pm

    I like the thought of the planning. Especially if your living a hectic life it becomes ultra important to take time to plan. And you rock for signing up for that! I don’t know how you fit it all in but it’s just awesome.

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing July 22, 2011, 2:07 pm

    Congrats on the tri!!! And the whole planning thing? Yeah, couldn’t have come at a better time. I failed to plan last night and set my alarm so I’d have time to workout before work, and I slept until 1:30. Oops…

  • cailen July 22, 2011, 2:13 pm

    planning is a great thing. i’m a big planner and i feel it helps me stay focused, organized and stress-less.

    good luck with the triathalon – that’s awesome!

  • Cari @ Happy Life, Healthy Bites July 22, 2011, 3:08 pm

    I was thinking about how getting healthy is going to require planning something that I am not so good at. I’m a very spontaneous person so it’s a challenge.

    Good luck with your triathalon – very exciting!

    New reader here and I’m enjoying your archives.

  • Khushboo July 22, 2011, 3:53 pm

    “fail to plan and you’re planning to fail” is my motto! Even the busiest of schedules can fit in healthy living with a little bit if planning. I also set my alarm earlier this morning for a 3mile run. It was so easy to snooze my alarm but I’m SO glad I didn’t!

  • Kristen @ notsodomesticated July 22, 2011, 4:05 pm

    Good for you!!! My friend, Lauren, does triatholons with her husband, and I’m always in awe of her. Best of luck!

  • Errign July 22, 2011, 4:08 pm

    Ooooh fun! You’ll be super close to me, so let me know if you want to meet up for ice cream or something 🙂

  • Aja July 22, 2011, 6:08 pm

    Congrats on yours 39th race. You can probably get to 50 before you turn 30. Good luck!

  • Molly @ RDexposed July 22, 2011, 6:25 pm

    Keep preaching the small changes!!

  • Jackie @ That Deep Breath July 22, 2011, 7:17 pm

    I completely agree…just a couple minutes a day adds up to a big change!

  • Cat @Breakfast to Bed July 22, 2011, 7:47 pm

    I raced when preggers (1st tri) and will race again next week (12 weeks postbambino) you can TOTALLY do this.

  • Courtney Leigh July 22, 2011, 8:35 pm

    This is what I need to do more of and I know it. So many of my unhealthy choices happen because it’s seven o’clock and I just don’t feel like putting that dinner together so let’s call Jimmy John’s. I KNOW I would do better with more organization, the probably is actually DOING it. Le sigh.

  • joyce July 22, 2011, 8:49 pm

    39th! that is impressive!!
    oh gosh
    and breakfast in the car–this is why i decided green monsters = best breakfast ever
    also when people stare at you, thinking it’s weird sludge
    it’s awesome–i smile with kale in my teefs.
    hehe
    i just started my own blog after reading all of these amazing blogs–yours included! i love it
    i hope you visit! 🙂

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 22, 2011, 8:52 pm

    This is so exciting! And I’m sure this tri will go a lot smoother for you. Think positive, right? 😀

  • Katherine July 22, 2011, 9:56 pm

    Wow, good luck!

  • Mary July 22, 2011, 9:58 pm

    Caitlin, Would you mind doing a post on how you budget your race fees into your life? I’d LOVE to do a lot more races but I feel like I just don’t have the $$$ to do it!

    I think it’d help my motivation if I signed up for more races!

  • *Andrea* July 22, 2011, 10:16 pm

    goodluck!!! so inspiring 🙂

  • Paige July 22, 2011, 10:31 pm

    Nice!! You can totally do the 50 🙂
    good luck!

  • SarahC July 22, 2011, 10:38 pm

    That is so exciting!! And I’m sure you’ll make it to 50. What a great 30th birthday present to yourself – 3 books, 50 races, and maybe a baby! 😉

  • Ashley July 23, 2011, 7:58 pm

    I’m still thinking about doing Lake Logan…it’s a wetsuit swim, right? Are you thinking about doing a full suit, or sleeveless?

    • Caitlin July 23, 2011, 10:43 pm

      Do you think I have to wear a wetsuit?? Or do you think I can get by without it?

      • Ashley July 25, 2011, 8:31 am

        I’m not sure…I read on SetupEvents.com that the water is expected to be around 70 degrees and wetsuits were being allowed. The forecast looks like low to mid 80’s. I’ve never been in water temps that low…not sure how cold that will feel!

        • Caitlin July 25, 2011, 9:19 am

          Hmm I’ll ask at my pool what their temp is. I feel like 70s isn’t that low. Of course, I did a tri in 55 degrees once so my perception might be warped.

  • Gloria July 24, 2011, 11:44 pm

    I love your attitude and always enjoy reading your blog, Caitlin. You can tell that you put a lot of effort and thought into what you write about. Even though I don’t often comment on here, I just wanted to let you know that reading your posts every week is motivating me to be healthier. I have struggled with an eating disorder/depression for years, and sometimes I still have really horrible weeks where I don’t do anything good for myself besides read your blog. If nothing else, I know that I want to find the balance that you have in your life. I like your honesty and the fact that you show you are not perfect. I also like that you show how physical health and mental health are both important and related things. If more people read your blog instead of some other media out there, we would live in a much healthier and happier world. Thanks for being great 🙂

    • Caitlin July 25, 2011, 9:18 am

      That you SO much for your comment, Gloria. I really, really wish you the best of luck with your recovery. <3 I'm always here for you if you want an email chat!!!

      • Gloria July 25, 2011, 7:03 pm

        Thank you for the sweet response! I might just take you up on that offer sometime. I am actually in the process of starting counseling again right now and I’m feeling very hopeful 🙂

        • Caitlin July 26, 2011, 11:00 am

          You should be 🙂 You’re being proactive and that’s definitely a reason to be hopeful.

          xoxoxox!!!

  • Khushboo August 12, 2011, 10:02 am

    Wowie you are getting more hardcore by the day, woo! And to think you weren’t able to run a few months ago- you give hope to all those who are suffering from injury!

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