Get Gutsy: Be Better Than Yesterday

Getting gutsy is all about stepping outside your comfort zone to reach your goals and live a life that makes you truly happy. This post is my entry for Jessica Lawlor’s Get Gutsy Essay Contest. To get involved and share your own gutsy story, check out this post for contest details and download a free copy of the inspiring Get Gutsy ebook.


We don't need to make a new year resolution. We've got 365 days of them. Be better than yesterday.

But you can’t be a better you unless you make a change. It doesn’t matter how far you have gone on the wrong road, you can still turn around. As Socrates said, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

And that’s what I did; I got gutsy on September 4, 2013 and vowed to never be that same unfit, unhappy individual ever again. I was ready for a new me. I strive each day now to better myself.

I was committed to making myself a happier, healthier Amanda – pushing myself to limits I have never stepped on before, knowing that the road would not be easy and I would have a long way to go. (Which to this day I still have a ways to go!)

With a bubbly, happy-go-lucky personality on the outside for all of my friends and family to see, I

I Run 4 Liam and GA1 Awareness!!

was filled with self-hatred on the inside – ashamed of my weight, my looks, my life. I was in a dark, DARK, hole for many years. So instead of feeling sorry for myself day after day, I decided to make an active change.

You are the only one who can produce happiness. I wanted happy – the happy I saw in my friend’s eyes and lives – I wanted that.

So I made it happen. I made the choice to change my lifestyle after being haunted by pictures of my over-weight self and the awfulness I felt each and every day from being physically out of shape and in bad health. I was an athlete my whole life – it was time to get mentally strong again. Be that confident young woman that lives inside the roots of my soul. The choice to better myself has been the best decision of my life.

In 16 months I have lost a total of 35+ pounds and I have accomplished fitness goals I never knew possible! Even though I started running back in 2011, I now have the self-assurance to call myself a runner – I competed in 13 races during 2014, getting a new personal record in my half marathon (2 hours 1 minutes) and beating my previous marathon time by an hour and 25 minutes (a new PR of 4:49).

But the best thing that has come out of me getting gutsy is that I’ve helped others get gutsy, helping them get out of their comfort zones. I truly feel like I have touched the lives and inspired so many individuals who realized, ‘wow, if she can do it, I can do it to!’ We can all do it, you just have to want it. That's a reminder to myself each and every day.

Making the commitment takes sacrifice – no raging weekends with friends because of training runs, opting out to go to dinner because you’re being extra good, getting up at 4:40 a.m. to hit the streets by 5 a.m. on hot summer mornings – but all of that was and still IS worth it to me. It's what I want, it's now who I am.

Be selfish with yourself because in the end your happiness is all the matters in life. And when you’re happy others around you are happy – it’s infectious. So get gutsy by taking control of your life -- you're the one with the reigns, take them where you want to go.

GUEST BLOG POST - May Challenge: R is for Races

We make friends throughout our entire life – some in grade school, others not until college, some even POST college, which is exactly where I met Jess. Jess and I met like any normal friends do – via social networking hahaha But no seriously, we met each other through Twitter; I was working at The Reporter and she works at Visit Bucks County. We interacted, coming up with story ideas and before we knew it, we planned a business breakfast meeting. (God, sounds like a date, weird…anyway..) After the meeting we were like holy crap, we’re the same age, we have lots in common, lets go for drinks!! And the rest is history :) We drink together and we run together – I am so thankful I met Jess. She is a bit of a blogging inspiration for me and she has launched www.jessicalawlor.com into a GREAT website. I am so proud of you and I hope I one day can get a following like you do. Cant wait until we run a race again together!!

May Challenge: R is for Races

Whether you’re a seasoned runner with plenty of race medals to prove it or a newbie just hitting the pavement for the first time, there are plenty of fun and challenging races in the Philadelphia region this summer for runners of all experience levels.

In the past two years, I went from a couch potato to a runner, completing nearly 25 races (12 in 2012!) since 2011. There’s nothing better than the sweet feeling of accomplishment after crossing the finish line whether you’ve just run 3 or 13 miles.

Ready to start racing? Here are some of my top race picks for both new and seasoned runners:

For the new runner:

Tex Mex Connection 5K (North Wales, June 26) Ole! Love margaritas as much as I do? When you complete the Tex Mex 5K in North Wales, enjoy a party under the stars, complete with food and drink from The Tex Mex Connection.

The Color Run (Philadelphia, July 15): While this race is unfortunately currently sold out (a few charity spots remain) there’s nothing more fun than watching a sea of runners decked out in all white at the starting line complete the race coated in colorful powder. This race is seriously lighthearted- many people choose to walk, skip or prance their way through the 3-mile course.

The Electric Run (Philadelphia, July 20) Described as a “dazzling night-time 5K run/walk” this race, coming to Philadelphia for the first time this summer, begins at 8:45 p.m. and encourages runners to get their glow on with neon attire and accessories.

For the seasoned runner:

June Fete 5K (Abington, June 2): Ready to tackle some serious rolling hills? This 5K, which benefits Abington Hospital, challenges runners with a tough, hilly course through beautiful Abington neighborhoods. The race kicks off at Penn State Abington, with plenty of parking for all racers.

ODDysey Half Marathon (Philadelphia, June 9): Bored by normal half marathons? The ODDysey throws runners a curveball with twists and turns along the 13.1 mile journey through Philadelphia. With optional challenges throughout the course, a costume contest and a Beer Garden (!) at the finish line, this race is pure fun from start to finish.

Back On My Feet Pajama Loop (Philadelphia, July 21): Roll out of bed and head to Philadelphia for this challenging 8.4 mile loop around the Schuylkill River running path. Pajamas are not only allowed; they are encouraged! Oh, and this race is part of the Stroehmann Back on My Feet 20in24 Challenge, which includes FIVE unique races in 24 hours.

What is your favorite race in the Philadelphia region? Share in the comments below!

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional and freelance writer in the Philadelphia area. She blogs at JessicaLawlor.com about getting gutsy--forcing yourself out of your comfort zone in order to live a life that makes you truly happy. Subscribe to her FREE Get Gutsy newsletter for more ideas, tips and inspiration.