A Recap On My Health Journey, Giving Back, and Overcoming Bumps In The Road

Caitlin Havener
Jul 21, 2017 · 3 min read

So I’ve Been Slacking

I’ve got to be honest guys.. the last couple months I’ve started to slack a bit. Since Quin has gotten out of school for the summer and Florida heat has kicked into full force, many of my healthy established habits have been challenged. Not having to wake up early to get him to school has me sleeping in later and staying up late, and I have a hard time motivating myself to work out later in the day. Also, I LOVE running outside and kinda hate being cooped up in the gym, but Florida heat in the summer is GRUELING at all hours of the day. I’ve also slipped a bit here and there with my eating and have chosen the easier route with meals much more frequently (ya’ know — like Chinese delivery lol).

However, I have constantly been reminding myself about how far I have come, and how much my life has changed in the last year. Losing ~55 pounds last year (establishing a clean, low glycemic diet with the help of Calla Slim Spa in Winter Park, Florida) and establishing healthy habits has revolutionized every facet of my life. It has made me feel good inside and out and that is priceless. I’ve been telling myself the last month, “you overcame so much to lose that weight… you can overcome summer complacency and Florida heat.”

Giving back — An Amazing Motivation to Keep Running

Last week, I decided to look for even more motivation to just deal with going to the gym and using the treadmill for the next couple months until I can hit the trails again. I also didn’t just want to sign up for another 5K. I decided this time that I would also like to couple that with my desire to give back. I started searching for charitable organizations that I can fundraise for to make my miles matter. I then found Give Kids The World — a nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida providing accommodations and access to donated theme park tickets for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. The purpose behind the charity really touched me and it is one that I would love to support.

For the next several months, I will be fundraising for this wonderful cause as well as training for a 10K at Disney Marathon Weekend in January. I am currently catching up to my former mileage. I completed over 12 miles this week, which is much more than my usual this summer, but I will need to be able to complete the 10K (~6.2 miles) and would like to do it efficiently as well! I am hoping that I can get all of you to help! Whether that is donating or sharing some of my posts, your help is very much appreciated by me and of course more so these very deserving kids and their families!

So… are you with me? To donate and learn more please click here: http://bit.ly/run4givekidstheworld. Sharing this post to increase reach is appreciated SO MUCH as well! Thank you all! ❤

Caitlin Havener

Runner and health enthusiast looking to inspire others and give back. Web developer, entrepreneur, feminist, and mother.

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