Rate My Week! March 15-21 and Advice from the Wolfe Brothers

In an effort to improve my all-around health, at the beginning of each week I've decided to stop and take stock of how I've done the previous week. I'll use a scale of 1-10 to rate how healthy I think my week was.

It's Monday March 23, so I'm going to rate my week for March 15-21. I'll give last week a 7.5 (I couldn't go with an 8 - wouldn't leave me much room for improvement - and my week was better than a 7. How's that for reasoning? ;)

I did get in 4 good runs, I tried to increase my intake of veggies, and I had very little chocolate. I did consume too many Golden Oreos with Chocolate Cream Filling, but I did need to indulge somehow.

The scale slid just a bit - a good thing. Any decline is good for me.

Okay, so March 15-21 is a 7.5 on the Healthy Scale.

Now, some advice from my Brothers-in-law. Two very different conversations on two very diverse topics: running and religion.

First, the condensed version of my conversation with Brother Doug - who came up with a simplified view of mankind some 15 years ago during an evening of induldging in some spirits with friends. Doug's view revolves around being a "LCHB": Loving, Caring Human Being. Doug's views are that if everyone simply acted as a Loving, Caring Human Being, the world would be a better place in general. I agree. Enough said. (Sorry, I'm not going to go into how this came up during our conversation about organized religion. I don't want to debate religion, defend my views - or lack thereof - or attack anyone else's views on the subject).

On to Brother Steve's advice about running. First, a bit of background on Steve. He's a runner. Has been for many, many years. If it involves running, he's done it: Boston Marathon (more than once), Ultra Marathons, Ultra Relays, Triathalons, snowshoe racing, you get the idea.

Well, during a chat this weekend, it came up in conversation how much I'm running. Not how far, but for how long. Steve told me and Matt that if we're not running for at least 30 minutes (and that's the bottom of the barrel minimum), it's not worth our time to even go out. I agree, in theory, so long as it's not 15 degrees with snow, ice and wind. In good weather, I agree whole-heartedly.

So, I've taken Steve's advice as a personal challenge - no more 28 minute runs for me! Steve told me that 40-45 is good for me. I'll go with that. It'll be at least 40 minutes for me from now on. Thanks, Steve!

Okay, back to eating my baby carrots. Shooting for an "8" this week! ;)