Yes. It’s hump day. You have probably already been through a lot with work, school, family and whatever else you have going on. The good thing is that you have a new day. Each day, you get a fresh start no matter what day it is.

Make sure that you get a good night’s sleep. It will help renew your body so that you can get out there and make it happen.

Keep going. You’re almost there. You’re getting stronger physically and mentally.

Remember to take some time for yourself and breathe today. We can do this!!

]]> http://biggirlsrun2.com/2015/03/18/midweek-motivation-14/feed/ 0 biggirlsrun2 Pic 1 3-18-15 Pic 2 3-18-15 Pic 3 3-18-15 http://biggirlsrun2.com/2015/03/08/thank-you-and-happy-monday/ http://biggirlsrun2.com/2015/03/08/thank-you-and-happy-monday/#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2015 05:14:32 +0000 http://biggirlsrun2.com/?p=1831 ]]> Thank you! Since my last post, I am Fat. I Exercise. I Promote Health and Fitness at Every Size, I have received an overwhelming amount of support and love from people I knew in-person and people I never met. I am so so grateful and inspired by all of you. It means a great deal to know there are others who share a similar experience, body type, and/or health and fitness ideal.

And, I’m excited to share that I signed up for my 3rd half-marathon in Santa Barbara, CA this summer! I’m re-energized to start running again and mix it up with the CrossFit workouts. Stay tune!

Pumped up to channel my inner spirit animal, la tortoise…

You’re going down

… and know that…

It does not matter how slow you go as long as you do not stop. – Confucius

So, do what makes you happy and…

Just Kick Monday In The Face

 Just Kick Monday in the face today!

Mary stretches before a class at CFHK. Photo Credit: Annabel Clark for The Wall Street Journal

It’s been a few weeks since I was one of the subjects in a story in the Wall Street Journal, Weight Loss or Not, Exercise Yields Health Benefits. The story was inspired by this recent study, which showed the importance of exercise instead of just weight-loss for long-term health, Lack of Exercise Accounts for Twice as Many Early Deaths as Obesity.

The reporter from the WSJ contacted me directly after reading this blog and really liked my fitness journey, and asked to photograph me for the story at my gym, CrossFit Hells Kitchen (CFHK). I was excited and nervous. I was excited to be photographed for one of the most widely read papers in the nation, and to be part of a story that provides an alternative perspective on exercising for health and not just for weight loss.  I was nervous because I knew that public ridicule of larger bodies was not new, and this would create that platform on the internet. After thinking for a day, I decided to do it! I wanted to show others that big people can be athletic, active, and live happy and meaningful lives.

After the story went to print, I was excited to share it with friends, family, co-workers, and all those who had eyeballs. I received a lot of positive feedback and excitement. The story was actually one of the top five most read articles online in the WSJ website that day! It was even re-posted on the CrossFit Facebook page! I was famous! Even if it was just for a few days.

But, I started reading the comments and encountered my first online trolls. People commented that the story promoted obesity, that I lived an unhealthy lifestyle, and that I should get my weight under control. I was upset at first and couldn’t tear myself away from reading these comments in the beginning. Then, I realized that these people do not know me. They do not know my story, my journey, and who I am as a person.

There were people who took the story out of context and said it promoted obesity because the other fat athletes and I did not exercise for weight loss. People are more comfortable with shows like The Biggest Loser, where it promotes the shaming of fat people and the illusion that losing weight will change everything from bad to good. Some people become discouraged to exercise when they do not meet their weight loss goals, this means that they also lose out on the many benefits of exercise. It is about more than just losing weight and the number on a scale. It is about being active and healthy at any size, age, gender, ability, etc. We need to spend more time encouraging each other to be at our best than to try and break each other down because we do not fit the same standard.

What made me unique for the story was that I am a fat person who exercises not for weight loss, and I actually enjoy it and do it consistently. But, I think I am normal and that exercising for health regardless of your size should not be unique in our society.

I am fat. I exercise. I eat. I live life. I promote health and fitness at any size.
So live your life and be kind to yourself and others.

More pictures from the Wall Street Journal photo shoot below, enjoy!

Mary stretches at CFHK. Photo Credit: Annabel Clark for The Wall Street Journal

Group warm up at CFHK. Photo Credit: Annabel Clark for The Wall Street Journal

Mary sets up for dead lift at CrossFit Hells Kitchen. Photo Credit: Annabel Clark for The Wall Street Journal

Mary dead lifts 215 lbs at CFHK. Photo Credit: Annabel Clark for The Wall Street Journal.

Mary does Workout of the day at CFHK. Photo Credit: Annabel Clark for The Wall Street Journal

Mary does Workout of the Day at CFHK. Photo Credit: Annabel Clark for The Wall Street Journal

Happy Wednesday!

Time to…

… and …

… and…

… so, don’t worry, and…

ENJOY!

Mary The Trieu works out at a CrossFit gym in New York City. She exercises for many health benefits, but does not emphasize losing weight. PHOTO: ANNABEL CLARK FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Here’s the online story: http://www.wsj.com/articles/weight-loss-or-not-exercise-yields-benefits-1423505611

We’re Back! Sorry, we’ve been away for a while but we’re back and excited to fill you in on what’s going on! To start the week off right, here’s a little Monday Motivation for you. Enjoy!

Remember to…

Wake Up and Be Awesome!

…and…

Never Give Up! Get that cheese.

…don’t sweat the small stuff, but…

Work Smarter Not Harder

…and remember…

Don’t Hate Mondays, Make Mondays Hate You

BAM! Go out there and kick some butt!

It was not easy to get back into running, but I kind of like the challenge and being able to start over. I think it is nice to have that feeling of excitement and nervousness of beginning something. Sometimes, I get unmotivated or bored with running because of the same routes or routine.  But, being somewhere new adds the extra sense of adventure in exploring new running spaces and retraining the body. It is still enjoyable for me even if it is hard.

Now, a little about my neighborhood park. Morningside Park is small, probably not more than 1-2 miles from one end to the other, but it has a lovely pond full of turtles, and endless stone stairways if you want an extra glut workout. :). I ran around the park twice and climbed up the stairs slowly but steadily. I definitely needed build back the endurance to run longer distance, but it felt great to feel the burn and the act of running. I’m trying to run once to twice a week in addition to my new CrossFit training routine. So, take out your running shoes folks, its never too late to start again!

Here’s some pictures from my run at my lovely neighborhood park. Enjoy!

Morningside Park

Morningside Pond

Waterfall at the Morningside Pond

A turtle going for a walk along the Morningside Pond

A group of turtles swimming in the Morningside Pond

Morningside Park Stairs

Happy Running!

For now, here’s a little motivation for your Wednesday. :)

Start the day off by doing this!

…and …

…and…

…so…

Have a great Wednesday!

Be Super! I feel like she’s inside all of us trying to break free.

I encountered more awesomeness last weekend when I went to Washington D.C. to watch and support my friends, Luniya and Evelyn, do their first half marathon. They completed the Rock ‘n’ Roll U.S. Half Marathon Race with a great time and I am so proud of them. I wish I could’ve joined but I didn’t train enough but it’s always fun to watch people finish a race. The atmosphere is  so positive and full of unimaginable awe when people realize how strong they are when they complete something they thought they never could do. :)

From left: Evelyn, Luniya’s coworkers- Osman and Mary, Luniya

So continue to amaze yourself with what you are capable of and don’t let your dreams be just dreams. :)

My sister, Ellen, and I finished the half marathon team relay in New Orleans despite the light rain, wind, and catching a cold!

We arrived on Friday night and the hotel was fully booked by a cheerleading competition and the Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon participants. It was crazy! Luckily, we called to make sure our room was guaranteed.

We went to the health expo on Saturday and it was huge! The Brooks shoe brand had a carnival theme show, gave out free prizes, and free gait analysis. I even won a free t-shirt from Brooks!

Ellen and Mary @Health Expo

Brooks Truck Store

Brooks Carnival Show

Mary being silly

I was excited for this race since it was on my birthday and I wanted to do something healthy on my birthday. But my throat was beginning to feel sore and my nose was congested on Saturday…Ellen offered to run the first leg (8 miles), but I decided to do it myself. The course of the race was pretty flat and very well organized. There were cheer stations with people dressed up as the “Kiss” rock band, actual bands playing music, water and gatorade at every other mile, and snacks at the relay transition zone. I would highly recommend the half marathon relay to anyone who wants to just get their feet wet with running a race. The race ended at a park where there was a lived band, The Dirty Dozens, local food stands, merchandise for sale, and of course beer. It was a really fun event. Here’s some photos recounting our race. Enjoy!

Mary about to start

Start Line

First Band

Smile! You’re doing Great!

“Kiss” Cheerleaders

Newspaper Skirt Cheerleaders

Relay Transition Zone

Mary Finished

Mary passes the “baton” to Ellen

Ellen about to start

Sites along Ellen’s Route

Half Marathon Finish

Beers

Jambalaya

The Dirty Dozens

After the race, we went crazy and ate a lot. The local cuisine there includes fried seafood of all kinds. My sister and my favorite was the charbroiled oysters. MMMmm. For a photo journal of our food adventures in NOLA, please check out my sister’s blog, Eats With Ellen.

I think I might start doing a different race for each of my birthdays…..

Happy Running and Take Care Always!