Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WellYes2018 #CollectiveBias
I’ve had a major goal in mind for some time now, but I’ve been keeping it to myself because of fear. This decision came about after a Well Yes!® Moment of Yes I recently had in which I realized that I need to get back to doing what I love and find time to make it work with my busy new schedule as a mom. I know the goal will be incredibly challenging but worth it, and I’m finally at a place where I’m determined to make it happen and ready to share it.
In November, when I was just heading into my second trimester of my pregnancy, I decided I would secretly sign up for the lottery for the Chicago Marathon, which takes place in October 2018. I have run this race before — it was my second marathon after the Kentucky Derby Marathon in 2015 — but not as a mother. Ever since bringing our 3-year-old home as part of the adoption process, I have not been able to successfully train for a race. I’ve signed up for two half-marathons in 2017 that I wasn’t able to complete. The first didn’t work out because I didn’t successfully adapt to motherhood yet and plan for the race accordingly. The second race I had to skip on doctor’s recommendation early into my pregnancy. I’ve been longing to run a race again since the Chicago Marathon in October 2016. I felt so inspired when I took Victoria to watch the runners, including one of my good friends, in 2017, and I knew I wanted to take part in it again. Last year has just felt like an off year for me because I put my love of running on the backburner. And so, I had a Moment of Yes for the new year: I want to make time for what I love, what makes me feel good about myself. In 2018 I want to let go of any judgement, opinions and excuses and get back to running!
While I was not able to win a spot in the Chicago Marathon in the lottery, I decided to sign up for the Chicago Half Marathon just a couple weeks before. I hope that I can still find a marathon to sign up for in the fall as well. In order to train successfully, I’ll need to make sure I am taking care of myself, including nourishing myself. That’s why for the past several months I’ve been staying active as much as I can while putting good foods into my body. One of my go-to food options has been Well Yes!® Soups, which are made with non-GMO, nutritious ingredients, like sweet potatoes, kale, and quinoa. I love the vegetarian options like Tomato Carrot Bisque and Minestrone with Kale Soup. They all come in cans with non-BPA lining, too!
One of my go-to soup flavors is Cajun Red Bean & Vegetable Soup. It’s been perfect on these cold Chicago days when I’m trying to refuel after a treadmill workout. Plus, it has 14 grams of protein (per can), which I appreciate as a vegetarian.
The Chicago Fall Half Marathon will be about six months after I have my baby. The reason I initially wanted to keep it a secret is that I was worried about what people might think about my decision, perhaps that I am crazy to do that so soon after childbirth, that I’m naive to think I’ll have the time, or that I would be taking too much time away from my kids. But to me, this decision is me saying yes to doing what is best for me, taking time for myself, giving myself motivation to stay active during and after pregnancy, and doing what makes me happy. Yes, I know training and the race will be difficult, that I will be absolutely exhausted when the baby arrives, that finding the time to train will be a challenge, but to me finding a way to make it work and to complete the race, even if I have to walk, will be worth it. I will be so proud of myself, and I hope my daughters will be, too.
Do you have a goal you are ready to share with the world in the new year? Also, have you tasted Well Yes!® Soups yet? Share your thoughts with me in the comments!
Don’t forget to enter the #WellYes2018 Sweepstakes in the widget below for a chance to win up to a $500 Visa gift card! It’s as easy as clicking, logging in, and sharing your Moment of Yes story! If you win, think of all the ways you can use the prizing to achieve your Moment of Yes!
#WellYes2018 #Sweepstakes (1/15 to 2/16)