I love me... who do you love?

[GoGo_JoJo]

I hope this comes across as its intended!

It hit me towards the end of mile 3 of just a 4 mile run tonight...

I like me... nope... I love me. I love how fit I now am, I love the fact that I was only (ha!) doing a 4 mile v a 10k to look after myself and my body. I was grinning like an idiot, just like W5R3.

I love that I'm more careful of what I eat (in spite of the 2 portions of gorgeous pavlova with friends at lunch!), that I drink more water, that I just DO more and the more I do, the more capable I am.

I love the fact I'm more aware of my mental health and react proactively when things do slump.

Maybe I'm just growing up finally (I do hope not) but I think I finally understand that we do indeed need to love and care for ourselves to the best of our ability to fully enjoy life to the fullest.

So come on... who do you love? 😁❤

[Berksrover Graduate10]

I totally get where you are coming from GoGo_JoJo and I am glad you brought this up, my sense of well being has gone through the roof since starting C25K and at the same time eating more healthily, so I don't mind admitting it I love me too!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to Berksrover]

Fantastic! So glad to hear it!! ❤✊👍😁

[AnnieW55]

Yep. I love me too! Your post really resonated with me and you put it into words better than I could.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to AnnieW55]

For some reason we feel we ought not say it. It feels big-headed or egotistic but actually I think we really need to say it and feel it. 👍❤😁

[Jay66UK Graduate10]

Agree. I feel fantastic compared to before running. And knowing that I have runs coming up makes me modify my eating and drinking a lot.

I’ve also made positive connections with loads of people I’ve never met - and am never likely to meet - and that has had an added benefit to my mental health.

My fitness is very much work in progress but I’m loving the change.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to Jay66UK]

We're all a constant work in progress, just now we see we're the artist and really can see the work coming together now! 👍❤😁

[Jay66UK Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Just a shame I got the surrealist training! 🤪

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to Jay66UK]

There are so many forms of art, but all are beautiful to those who can appreciate it 😘

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Jay66UK]

You make me laugh!

[Jay66UK Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

That sadly is very much the effect I have on women 🤣

[Goforitmama Graduate10]

I'm getting there, definitely improved since I started back at running, but still have a little way to go. Definitely more confident and have been working on my inner smile, but the rut of depression feels hard to get out of some days.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to Goforitmama]

It can be such a deep pit but I lovethat expression "inner smile". ❤ I hope you let the world see it too. 😉 It really is hard to feel down with a smile on your face (trust me, I've been there... you feel silly but you end up laughing)

👍😁

[Goforitmama Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thankyou, It will pass.

[Jay66UK Graduate10 in reply to Goforitmama]

😢

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

I love me too.... and all you lot.. for becoming who you really are... awesome and amazing! x

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

👍❤😁 and we love you too 😘

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

I’m learning to love me too. Feels weird writing that though. I have a wee bit to go before the finished article emerges. On the other hand I have noticed that I do smile a lot more nowadays and it’s amazing the number of people who smile back. Probably think I’m nuts. 😳

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

That's wonderful! Smile, and the world smiles back at you 👍❤😁

[misswobble Graduate10]

Smiling is good for you ☺😊

I love that I can run Yeeeeeeeeeeeha

Just a few years back I couldn't envisage where I am now fitness wise

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

It's the best exercise for your face! 🤣🤣 It's incredible that small changes can create such big ripples 👍❤😁

[sarah65 Graduate10]

Brilliant post and makes us reflect on how far we’ve come. Since I started C25K in January I’ve improved my confidence and body image and feel that after years of yo-yo dieting I’ve finally settled on healthy eating and running. I remember posting not long after I started about having a bad run after a previous day of bingeing on junk food and IannodaTruffe simply responded “You are what you eat. Now I’ve heard that millions of times before but coming from him, in the context of running better, well it really made me think about the psychology of over- eating/body image etc.

I’m now over a stone lighter (and more importantly am developing a much better attitude to food). Running stopped me being ashamed of my body. I became impressed with what this imperfect body can do and started to love it.

I look at myself now in the mirror, in my running kit and and feel proud.

[Berksrover Graduate10 in reply to sarah65]

Isn't it wonderful to hear stories like yours sarah65 and in reality it is such a simple thing to do, doesn't need to cost the earth (unless you turn into a running shopaholic Jay66UK 😉) and the benefits go way beyond being able to run a bit. Go us, we are brilliant!

[sarah65 Graduate10 in reply to Berksrover]

Thank you! Never thought I’d be falling in love with running shoes!

[Jay66UK Graduate10 in reply to sarah65]

Bravo 👏👏👏

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to sarah65]

That's wonderful! That's how we need to see ourselves, our bodies are pretty impressive when looked after. 👍❤😁💪

[Berksrover Graduate10]

I generally stay away from home for a few days every week with work and running gear is first thing in the suitcase, those that know me, would never have believed it!

[sarah65 Graduate10 in reply to Berksrover]

Isn’t it great? 😁

[Hidden]

I have naturally high levels of serotonin and high self esteem (probably linked) so running sends me through the stratosphere.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

👍🤣❤😁🚀🚀🚀☄☄☄

Gosh that's a lucky draw, love it!

[Hidden in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I've never had depression and I'm never bored so i am extremely lucky

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

What a lovely post.... I have always been rubbish at doing relaxing stuff. Even if I go for a swim I have to do a mile , I am always pushing all the time. So I try every 6 weeks to have a massage as its just bliss and helps me relax. So on Saturday I am booked in for an Indian Head massage... I am sooo excited!! Thanks for posting this and reminding us all

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Oh yes. Massage is just lovely. Perfect way to treat your body, mind and spirit 👍❤😁

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Reading that... I love you!

Inspirational stuff right there, almost makes me look forward to my first injury.

I love the guys who say “you can” and loath the guys who say “you can’t” because they never have.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Bless you 🤗 Everything has something to teach, learning those lessons almost makes the bad stuff bearable!!

You're going to love this journey 👍😁❤