Guest Blogger Jen! "You Can Do It!"

Hi y'all! While you are reading this post I am work work working! 

First up for this week's guest blogger is Jen from "Boys will be Boys"!

Hi Jen!

Happy Monday Y'all!

 Hey there! I'm Jen and I blog over at Boys will be Boys. I am a 20 something stay at home momma to two little terrors. We live in the sunshine state and my boys are definitely beach babies. We love all things sports. We are originally Mid Westerners. I blog about our sometimes crazy, but always wonderful life with two wild boys. I'm thrilled at the chance to guest blog for Sonja!

I have never been a runner. My first experience with running was high school track my freshman year. I was thin and had long legs. Everyone just always assumed I was athletic because of my build. Really, I don't have an athletic bone in my body. A teacher talked me into trying track. I lasted one day. Yep, one day. I got up the next day and literally could not get out of bed. I can't even recall exactly what we did in practice the day before. I was down for the count. Instead of recovering and trying again, I just gave up.

I tried running a few more times over the years. More walking than actual running. I just couldn't get it together. Of course I understood the health benefits but never had the drive. I have always been envious of runners. It has just been a mental thing. My mind would tell me I couldn't do it, so I didn't.

Then something changed this January. My husband decided he wanted to sign up for a race. He told me I was going to do it with him. HA! Yeah right, fat chance. But there was a nagging in the back of my mind that told me maybe he was onto something. I started doing some research. I decided I would sign up for a Mud Race. Yes, probably a little ambitious for my first run ever! That week I started a couch to 5k training program.

And my life has been forever changed. I was into week 5 of the program and the hubs told me about a 5k coming up that weekend. He wanted to sign us up. Whhhhat? I still have 4.5 weeks before my 5k training is complete. I signed up anyway. And that Saturday I ran my first race. Since that day I have not looked back.

I now have two 5ks under my belt and two more races coming up in the next month. I run about 3 times a week and wait for it...actually enjoy it! Something I was convinced I could never do has become a really important part of my life. I have also changed my lifestyle. Our family is now much more active and we eat completely different. I have lost 7 pounds to show for it! An added bonus :)

I'm sharing this story today to let you know you CAN do it. Maybe it's not running. If there is something in life you have always wanted to tackle, just do it! Even if you fail the first time, try again. I had to get over the mental road blocks. My body has always been completely capable of running. I just had to get my mind set right. I had to gain some confidence. Now that I've found it, I'm never letting go!

   Thanks for sharing Jen!