I know it is easy to say that life gets in the way sometimes- but man, I feel like there are serious forces acting in opposition to my goals. We all have them, really. I know this isn't any different than any human being but I'm hoping that by listing them out- it will help me organize my strategy to push forward.
- work schedule
- kids' schedule
- hubby's schedule
- low energy (see 1st items)
- not getting enough sleep (I control that one- have to do better here).
- not planning ahead
- not sticking to food plans
- have made some progress planning for dinners but then mindlessly snack after dinner, giving in to temptations
There are other, non-regular obstacles- but these are the every day, all the time ones. And they are big- but I have to be stronger than they are. Some of them I use as excuses- but I'm having a hard time really getting a routine going. I still work out at least 3 times a week in some way- sometimes it is all running- sometimes it is running and lifting- but when I was at 5-6 days a week of workouts - it seems like so much less.
I guess we all hit ruts- the weather knocks the energy out of us- and so can life. Sometimes I look at the clutter in my house after a long day and just wrinkle my nose like I Dream of Jeannie and wish it all away. It never disappears, but a girl can try!
Before I left my last job- I had a really great routine going because I had a much more flexible schedule that allowed me to go in early and then get my workout in before picking up my kids - but my new schedule (and TRAFFIC!!) won't allow that now. I also had a group of very supportive people who were all trying to lose weight and get healthy- so we kept each other on track. The new job (at least the first 4 months) have been so incredibly busy that lunches are either scarfed down at my desk or there is a social event (many more than I did at the old job) that is lunch out with a group. I love the new social opportunites and food options- but I'm making less-than-the-best choices, and I know it.
So- I'm recommitting to myself. I'm not typically a "I'll start on Monday" kind of girl- but the truth is, I need to go grocery shopping- and that isn't happening until Sunday- so Monday, it is. I'm going to add 1 day of exercise a week to my goal- so I'm going for 4 weeks of 4 workouts- at least 30 minutes long- and including AT LEAST 2 strength training workouts a week. For the record- this includes the week of our Family Vacation to Myrtle Beach. The condo we have has an exercise room- and we are on the beach! So there is no excuse. I can't promise I'll be completely on track with food at the beach - I haven't had a beach vacation since my honeymoon 7 years ago - but between Monday and vacation- I am going to eat well and within reason. And I will get right back on track after the beach.
I think I feel a glimmer of mojo on the horizon! (Always feels better with a plan!)
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
When Fitness shows. . .
I had a really good run today. Not just because my avg pace was less than 11:30 per mile for a 60 min run - and not just because I ran 5.3 miles at 82 degrees with 80% humidity- feeling like 89 degrees.
Here's why:
I have been wanting to go back to the weekly Saturday morning training runs with one of the local running shoe companies- but just haven't. . .until today. I have signed up for another half marathon on November 5 and decided this week I better get much more serious about my training if I plan to complete it. I got up at 6am this morning- without any idea how long we were going to run today. In my head, thought it might be 45 minutes- but had no clue. Showed up to the announcement that it was 60 mins. For the first time ever- I didn't panic about that. I mean, I know it was hot- I knew it had been awhile since I ran that long- but hey- I was here, I was up- and darn it, I was going to do it. I took off on the run and felt good the entire time- legs felt strong, lungs felt strong - body didn't rebel. It felt GREAT actually. Towards the end- the running group sponsors had set up a water station at the final mile - and I took a brief pause for some water- and another girl stopped shortly after I did. She took off again right as I did- and we both smiled and sighed that we were glad it was the last mile. Then she kept pace with me until the end. Then a very unusual (for me) thing happened - when we finished and I said "good job- it's hot out here!) - she said "How fast do you run?" and I said "It varies, but usually anywhere from 11 to 11.5 min miles usually" and she said "I usually run with another partner but I want to get faster which is why I was keeping pace with you at the end" This MADE MY DAY. I mean, I am not breaking any speed records - but for someone want to use ME and MY pace to help them get faster made me feel really good. I've stopped caring about pace - and the funny thing is- I run faster now. I still keep track of it- and like that it is improving- but I don't obsess about it like I once did.
The Title - When Fitness Shows - I'm always amazed by what the human body will do- if you nudge it just a little. I've been running but not really regularly- and almost never more than 30 minutes since the Ragnar Relay in June. I was shocked how well my body performed on today's extra hot run after not having tackled that distance in awhile. And after? I felt better than I ever used to. Before, when I first started training - I would run 5 miles and then hobble from car to home because I was so sore. Today- I bounced out of my van into the house and took off to a pool party after a quick shower. It doesn't happen overnight- but eventually- your fitness shows, when you least expect it.
Here's why:
I have been wanting to go back to the weekly Saturday morning training runs with one of the local running shoe companies- but just haven't. . .until today. I have signed up for another half marathon on November 5 and decided this week I better get much more serious about my training if I plan to complete it. I got up at 6am this morning- without any idea how long we were going to run today. In my head, thought it might be 45 minutes- but had no clue. Showed up to the announcement that it was 60 mins. For the first time ever- I didn't panic about that. I mean, I know it was hot- I knew it had been awhile since I ran that long- but hey- I was here, I was up- and darn it, I was going to do it. I took off on the run and felt good the entire time- legs felt strong, lungs felt strong - body didn't rebel. It felt GREAT actually. Towards the end- the running group sponsors had set up a water station at the final mile - and I took a brief pause for some water- and another girl stopped shortly after I did. She took off again right as I did- and we both smiled and sighed that we were glad it was the last mile. Then she kept pace with me until the end. Then a very unusual (for me) thing happened - when we finished and I said "good job- it's hot out here!) - she said "How fast do you run?" and I said "It varies, but usually anywhere from 11 to 11.5 min miles usually" and she said "I usually run with another partner but I want to get faster which is why I was keeping pace with you at the end" This MADE MY DAY. I mean, I am not breaking any speed records - but for someone want to use ME and MY pace to help them get faster made me feel really good. I've stopped caring about pace - and the funny thing is- I run faster now. I still keep track of it- and like that it is improving- but I don't obsess about it like I once did.
The Title - When Fitness Shows - I'm always amazed by what the human body will do- if you nudge it just a little. I've been running but not really regularly- and almost never more than 30 minutes since the Ragnar Relay in June. I was shocked how well my body performed on today's extra hot run after not having tackled that distance in awhile. And after? I felt better than I ever used to. Before, when I first started training - I would run 5 miles and then hobble from car to home because I was so sore. Today- I bounced out of my van into the house and took off to a pool party after a quick shower. It doesn't happen overnight- but eventually- your fitness shows, when you least expect it.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Time Warp
I honestly do not know how an entire month can go by without posting- yet it seems like it was just a week ago. My days and weeks absolutely fly by now. I guess that's a sign that I'm having fun! :)
Work has been very busy and, I'll admit, I've been less than dilligent about keeping very true to my training regimen. Unfortunately, it shows on the scale too. I am eating about the same- but when you go from working out 5 or 6 days a week to 2 - that makes a big difference in how many calories you can really eat.
This isn't about beating myself up- it is really about setting my mind right. I know what I need to do- and I just truly have to do it. Getting into a routine of getting up really early every morning is about the only time I'll be able to fit it in. I dislike running on treadmills- but if that is how I have to get in my midweek runs, then so be it- it is better than NOT running. I have my 2nd half marathon in November, I have plenty of time to train and I'm still able to run 3-4 miles with little trouble.
Wondering if the heat zaps the motivation out of anyone else? I actually lose weight better in the Fall and Winter - I wonder why? This year, I think it is because of my job change and still adjusting to how our new schedule works. If I could find an inexpensive gym really close by- with a shower- I'd get a regular lunchtime workout in. I would also like to see my trainer more often but it has been really hard to work our schedules around each other and I've missed a couple of weeks.
Frustrated but not giving up!
Work has been very busy and, I'll admit, I've been less than dilligent about keeping very true to my training regimen. Unfortunately, it shows on the scale too. I am eating about the same- but when you go from working out 5 or 6 days a week to 2 - that makes a big difference in how many calories you can really eat.
This isn't about beating myself up- it is really about setting my mind right. I know what I need to do- and I just truly have to do it. Getting into a routine of getting up really early every morning is about the only time I'll be able to fit it in. I dislike running on treadmills- but if that is how I have to get in my midweek runs, then so be it- it is better than NOT running. I have my 2nd half marathon in November, I have plenty of time to train and I'm still able to run 3-4 miles with little trouble.
Wondering if the heat zaps the motivation out of anyone else? I actually lose weight better in the Fall and Winter - I wonder why? This year, I think it is because of my job change and still adjusting to how our new schedule works. If I could find an inexpensive gym really close by- with a shower- I'd get a regular lunchtime workout in. I would also like to see my trainer more often but it has been really hard to work our schedules around each other and I've missed a couple of weeks.
Frustrated but not giving up!
Monday, June 20, 2011
taking the "occassional blogger" role too seriously.
In my Twitter Profile, I list myself as an "occassional blogger". I think I've taken that description a little to far this time - my goodness, more than a month and a half . . .really??
I never even came back to report on the half marathon. MY FIRST HALF MARATHON...and I said nothing about it. AND? I ran my SECOND RAGNAR RELAY. Forgive me now- this might be a long post.
Half Marathon Recap.
When I set out to run my first half marathon, I really wanted to run the whole thing. I knew that might be hard but I was very determined. I followed all the miles in my training regimen, I rested when I should and I was very focused. My running partner and I had a lot of running around to do the night before the race- packet pickup, meeting up with her family, going back to her house to prep and finally get to bed way later than planned for a 4:15 wake up. The race start was at 7:30 and we had to be in our corrals by 7am to be sure; but in order to find parking and not be blocked out when 35,000 other runners and their families are trying to do the same thing - you have to get an early start.
The weather was pretty perfect- rain threatened but it was about 60 degrees at the start- and that is perfect to me! I was excited but not scared or anxious- just ready to run!
I have to say- the MOST frustrating part about doing this race- having never run THIS race before- is not realizing just how many people 35,000 really is. I had been overly conservative when putting my finish time in for corral selection. I believe I ended up being placed (in corral U) about 3 corrals back from where I should have been. I spent the first 25 minutes weaving around people who were either running slower than I do (which is absolutely fine) or people who were walking. I have 0 issues with people walking the half marathon; however, I do take issue when they inconsiderately walk 4 across in the MIDDLE of the road. If you are new to racing, any race, any distance- PLEASE be considerate and walk 2 across as most and move to the side of the course. I truly believe that all the weaving and navigating around burned up time and LOTS of precious energy.
When I got to mile 6, I was feeling pretty great- running a little faster than my expected 11:45min mile pace. Then I hit the track. The Indianapolis 500 track is 2.5 miles of asphalt. I knew that before the race...but what I didn't know is that when you enter the track- you go down a very steep hill and then right back up a hill of the same grade- this took some wind out of me- but I recovered. However- when I hit the 7.5 mile mark- I started to have some trouble- I think I had fueled too late in my last dip into my sports beans. By the time I was leaving the track- I was over 8.5 miles into the race. Then, it started raining. Mentally, this was really challenging to me. I don't mind running in the rain- but after running 8.5 miles- and feeling low on energy- it hit me very hard. I did a lot of run/walking from mile 9 to 10 and then walked most of 10-12. The interesting part is that walking actually hurt my hips more than running did- so after walking a while, I'd have to run to alleviate other pains. When I saw the final mile marker- I wanted to sprint- but I didn't have it in me. I ran/walked until I got to the last quarter mile- then I ran, really ran, it in. The BEST part was that my husband had volunteered for the race crew and was hading out water at the finish- so I got to get my new medal and then give him a kiss! After that- I pretty much found a spot on the ground and parked it for the next hour- my legs were DEAD. I really nursed them that day with a lot of aleve and rest and lots of hydration.
Other than some general soreness, I felt FANTASTIC the next day.
At the Half Marathon finish- I said I would never do it again. Then, 2 days later, I signed up for the Indy Monumental Half Marathon . The course is fast and flat- and I'm looking forward to kicking my PRs ass. My 500 Festival Half time was 2:59:06 (My first goal was to finish in under 3 hours- and I got it in, barely). Setting sights on running the entire half this fall- and looking to finish in 2:45:00.
Ragnar Relay- Madison, WI to Chicago
I honestly am not going to recap the entire race- but after having stayed healthy for almost an entire year- I managed to get sick the WEEK OF the Ragnar. And not just a bloody little cold- a full on sinus infection turned bronchitis. As an asthmatic, you can see where this might have been an issue.
However- anyone who knows me also knows that, while I may whine- I am determined. I was going to run that race if it killed me. Like the half marathon- I went in with goals. I wanted to run all 3 of my legs without walking- and I was hoping to maintain a faster than 12 minute mile pace throughout. My lungs had other plans, unfortunately.
My first leg was 4.7 miles and I did pretty well until about 3 miles into it- there were a couple of long, slow inclines that made me work harder- which made the asthma flare up. Even with my inhaler, it was difficult and I had to walk. I still managed to have a faster than 13 minute mile avg. My 2nd leg was 3.7 and at about 10:30 at night. It started out GREAT- lungs felt good, legs felt good- there is just something so amazing about a night run with almost nothing around you. I did fantastic until the last mile- the first half of which was all uphill- it wasn't a steep hill- but a long slow one again. I lost a lot of steam and walked the hill. I did pick it up for the last half mile though and did achieve my goal of under a 12 min mile for this leg. My last leg at 7:30am the next morning was, by far, my roughest. It was 4.9 miles total- and 2.5 miles in- I had a full on asthma attack. Couldn't break, started to panic and had to stop- not walk- STOP. After a few inhaler puffs and calming down- I started walking to finish. I texted my team to let them know what happened (it was an unassisted leg- so they weren't going to see me at all until the finish)- and told them to expect me to walk the rest.
But I started feeling better just a short time later- and instead walked and ran in intervals for the rest of the leg - arrived almost 10 minute earlier than my teammates had expected and they had to end up running out of the van to meet me at the finish line- I could hear our next runner yelling "Oh my god, she's here already! there she is!" - it made me feel so good to surprise them and I yelled out "I didn't die!!" I truly love the Ragnar Relay series- it makes you feel like such an athlete and a truly amazing experience. We weren't the fastest team by any stretch of the imagination- but we finished, we had fun and we beat our Utah Ragnar time by nearly 3.5 hours! That's good stuff!
I never even came back to report on the half marathon. MY FIRST HALF MARATHON...and I said nothing about it. AND? I ran my SECOND RAGNAR RELAY. Forgive me now- this might be a long post.
Half Marathon Recap.
When I set out to run my first half marathon, I really wanted to run the whole thing. I knew that might be hard but I was very determined. I followed all the miles in my training regimen, I rested when I should and I was very focused. My running partner and I had a lot of running around to do the night before the race- packet pickup, meeting up with her family, going back to her house to prep and finally get to bed way later than planned for a 4:15 wake up. The race start was at 7:30 and we had to be in our corrals by 7am to be sure; but in order to find parking and not be blocked out when 35,000 other runners and their families are trying to do the same thing - you have to get an early start.
The weather was pretty perfect- rain threatened but it was about 60 degrees at the start- and that is perfect to me! I was excited but not scared or anxious- just ready to run!
I have to say- the MOST frustrating part about doing this race- having never run THIS race before- is not realizing just how many people 35,000 really is. I had been overly conservative when putting my finish time in for corral selection. I believe I ended up being placed (in corral U) about 3 corrals back from where I should have been. I spent the first 25 minutes weaving around people who were either running slower than I do (which is absolutely fine) or people who were walking. I have 0 issues with people walking the half marathon; however, I do take issue when they inconsiderately walk 4 across in the MIDDLE of the road. If you are new to racing, any race, any distance- PLEASE be considerate and walk 2 across as most and move to the side of the course. I truly believe that all the weaving and navigating around burned up time and LOTS of precious energy.
When I got to mile 6, I was feeling pretty great- running a little faster than my expected 11:45min mile pace. Then I hit the track. The Indianapolis 500 track is 2.5 miles of asphalt. I knew that before the race...but what I didn't know is that when you enter the track- you go down a very steep hill and then right back up a hill of the same grade- this took some wind out of me- but I recovered. However- when I hit the 7.5 mile mark- I started to have some trouble- I think I had fueled too late in my last dip into my sports beans. By the time I was leaving the track- I was over 8.5 miles into the race. Then, it started raining. Mentally, this was really challenging to me. I don't mind running in the rain- but after running 8.5 miles- and feeling low on energy- it hit me very hard. I did a lot of run/walking from mile 9 to 10 and then walked most of 10-12. The interesting part is that walking actually hurt my hips more than running did- so after walking a while, I'd have to run to alleviate other pains. When I saw the final mile marker- I wanted to sprint- but I didn't have it in me. I ran/walked until I got to the last quarter mile- then I ran, really ran, it in. The BEST part was that my husband had volunteered for the race crew and was hading out water at the finish- so I got to get my new medal and then give him a kiss! After that- I pretty much found a spot on the ground and parked it for the next hour- my legs were DEAD. I really nursed them that day with a lot of aleve and rest and lots of hydration.
Other than some general soreness, I felt FANTASTIC the next day.
 |
| That's me, girl in blue shirt in the front behind the guy in the black. Time says 3:30- that's gun time. Because when you're in corral U- it takes 30 minutes to get to the start line.Ugh. |
At the Half Marathon finish- I said I would never do it again. Then, 2 days later, I signed up for the Indy Monumental Half Marathon . The course is fast and flat- and I'm looking forward to kicking my PRs ass. My 500 Festival Half time was 2:59:06 (My first goal was to finish in under 3 hours- and I got it in, barely). Setting sights on running the entire half this fall- and looking to finish in 2:45:00.
Ragnar Relay- Madison, WI to Chicago
I honestly am not going to recap the entire race- but after having stayed healthy for almost an entire year- I managed to get sick the WEEK OF the Ragnar. And not just a bloody little cold- a full on sinus infection turned bronchitis. As an asthmatic, you can see where this might have been an issue.
However- anyone who knows me also knows that, while I may whine- I am determined. I was going to run that race if it killed me. Like the half marathon- I went in with goals. I wanted to run all 3 of my legs without walking- and I was hoping to maintain a faster than 12 minute mile pace throughout. My lungs had other plans, unfortunately.
My first leg was 4.7 miles and I did pretty well until about 3 miles into it- there were a couple of long, slow inclines that made me work harder- which made the asthma flare up. Even with my inhaler, it was difficult and I had to walk. I still managed to have a faster than 13 minute mile avg. My 2nd leg was 3.7 and at about 10:30 at night. It started out GREAT- lungs felt good, legs felt good- there is just something so amazing about a night run with almost nothing around you. I did fantastic until the last mile- the first half of which was all uphill- it wasn't a steep hill- but a long slow one again. I lost a lot of steam and walked the hill. I did pick it up for the last half mile though and did achieve my goal of under a 12 min mile for this leg. My last leg at 7:30am the next morning was, by far, my roughest. It was 4.9 miles total- and 2.5 miles in- I had a full on asthma attack. Couldn't break, started to panic and had to stop- not walk- STOP. After a few inhaler puffs and calming down- I started walking to finish. I texted my team to let them know what happened (it was an unassisted leg- so they weren't going to see me at all until the finish)- and told them to expect me to walk the rest.
But I started feeling better just a short time later- and instead walked and ran in intervals for the rest of the leg - arrived almost 10 minute earlier than my teammates had expected and they had to end up running out of the van to meet me at the finish line- I could hear our next runner yelling "Oh my god, she's here already! there she is!" - it made me feel so good to surprise them and I yelled out "I didn't die!!" I truly love the Ragnar Relay series- it makes you feel like such an athlete and a truly amazing experience. We weren't the fastest team by any stretch of the imagination- but we finished, we had fun and we beat our Utah Ragnar time by nearly 3.5 hours! That's good stuff!
 |
| Our team, Ragnar Chicago 2011. <3 'em - every one :) |
Monday, May 2, 2011
Almost M Day
That's MINI Day!
The half marathon is upon me - and while I've been absent from my blog with the new job, I have maintained my training schedule. And while I am completely daunted by the task of running 13.1 miles- I am confident that I will be capable of doing it.
This coming Saturday, at 7:30am starting in Corral U - I will attempt to run a half marathon. One year ago I could not run 1 mile without taking a walk break. This is serious progress, friends!
My very-reachable goal is to finish within 2 hours and 45 minutes. That's accounting for any walk breaks I may have to take.
My stretch goal is 2 hours and 35 minutes.
I struggled with my 10 mile training run- but not sure if it was the distance or more my prep in the week before (more likely) because my 9 mile run went well and I felt great.
Keep me in your thoughts!
The half marathon is upon me - and while I've been absent from my blog with the new job, I have maintained my training schedule. And while I am completely daunted by the task of running 13.1 miles- I am confident that I will be capable of doing it.
This coming Saturday, at 7:30am starting in Corral U - I will attempt to run a half marathon. One year ago I could not run 1 mile without taking a walk break. This is serious progress, friends!
My very-reachable goal is to finish within 2 hours and 45 minutes. That's accounting for any walk breaks I may have to take.
My stretch goal is 2 hours and 35 minutes.
I struggled with my 10 mile training run- but not sure if it was the distance or more my prep in the week before (more likely) because my 9 mile run went well and I felt great.
Keep me in your thoughts!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
where does the time go?
I can't believe it has been 24 days since my last post- how does time go so quickly?
Well, for me- since that is just over 3 weeks- it includes interviewing for and landing a job I've always dreamed to have, giving my notice and having to wrap up all current projects and leave detailed notes for others to learn and balance my fitness schedule with my home/life schedule, plus juggle kids and find time to breathe? well, I would like to blog more- really I would. But as someone told me once when I started this blog- I'd rather write when I have something to say than simply use it as a simple "here's what I did today". It's ok for that sometimes too- but I want it to be more.
Eating-wise, I've struggled for a couple of weeks- and the scale shows it. I have not yet had a week since Christmastime where I actually put on more than a .4 in weight; but I have a feeling this week may be that week. Between altered workout schedules due to long hours at the old job and having lots of "this will be our last time to go to lunch" lunches - I've completely overeaten on many occassions. Not wildly binged or anything- just too much of not the right things.
I start the new job tomorrow with a trip to Boston (home office is located there) and I know that eating right while travelling is a challenge for me. I am planning to do as well as I can- and have made the decision to face my weigh in on Friday morning for what it is- ONE WEEK. I will get back on track and continue towards my goals.
On a running front- training for the half marathon is going well and this weekend, for the first time, I will run 9+ miles. it is a little daunting, but having done nearly 8 miles 2 weeks ago, I am confident that I can do it. I really do think I'll have a bit of a cry the first time I run 10 miles. 1 year ago, March 2010, I couldn't run more than a minute or two without walking for an extended recovery- and now I'm moving towards running 10 miles without stopping. I don't care who you are- never say never (hear me, Bieber?)- it can be done.
Well, for me- since that is just over 3 weeks- it includes interviewing for and landing a job I've always dreamed to have, giving my notice and having to wrap up all current projects and leave detailed notes for others to learn and balance my fitness schedule with my home/life schedule, plus juggle kids and find time to breathe? well, I would like to blog more- really I would. But as someone told me once when I started this blog- I'd rather write when I have something to say than simply use it as a simple "here's what I did today". It's ok for that sometimes too- but I want it to be more.
Eating-wise, I've struggled for a couple of weeks- and the scale shows it. I have not yet had a week since Christmastime where I actually put on more than a .4 in weight; but I have a feeling this week may be that week. Between altered workout schedules due to long hours at the old job and having lots of "this will be our last time to go to lunch" lunches - I've completely overeaten on many occassions. Not wildly binged or anything- just too much of not the right things.
I start the new job tomorrow with a trip to Boston (home office is located there) and I know that eating right while travelling is a challenge for me. I am planning to do as well as I can- and have made the decision to face my weigh in on Friday morning for what it is- ONE WEEK. I will get back on track and continue towards my goals.
On a running front- training for the half marathon is going well and this weekend, for the first time, I will run 9+ miles. it is a little daunting, but having done nearly 8 miles 2 weeks ago, I am confident that I can do it. I really do think I'll have a bit of a cry the first time I run 10 miles. 1 year ago, March 2010, I couldn't run more than a minute or two without walking for an extended recovery- and now I'm moving towards running 10 miles without stopping. I don't care who you are- never say never (hear me, Bieber?)- it can be done.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
10k and so much more
It has been mor than awhile since I posted- everything has been great- just really busy and haven't made the time to blog.
So many things to talk about- non-scale victories (NSV), working what works, and more than impressing myself.
So- first things first. . . .
Weight Watchers-
After having some very unfocused and very slow weight loss- I decided to go back to what I know works for me...and that is Weight Watchers. Yes, I have successfully lost 70 lbs on my own- but I want to continue with solid losses and I needed to refocus. Since Weight Watchers has so drastically changed their plan, I decided it would be great to have a new approach to my eating habits - and tracking, tracking, tracking.
And whattya know- in the first week- I lost 3.1# Back on track.
Shocking Shopping
The 10k I ran today- the forecast was all kinds of gloomy and rainy and cold; temps would start at around 50 and drop considerably (50 at start- 38 by finish). So I knew I needed a real rain jacket that would keep me dry without overheating. I invested in a The North Face jacket that is waterproof but also breathable. When I started my weight loss journey- I wouldn't have even been able to get this jacket because I'm not sure they have a plus size line - so, I would have had to buy a men's jacket. But I knew I had successfully crossed under that line, so I grabbed the women's XL and thought for sure it would fit. It didn't. Shocked, awed and COMPLETELY STOKED because the XL was TOO BIG!!! I had to buy a L - I looked at my husband and almost started crying I was so excited.
The 10k
When I first attempted running- it was late 2005, September/Octoberish. I was going to train for the Mini Marathon and the day I went to run/walk my first 10k ever- I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I have not done a 10k since, until today. It was rainy, it was cool and I had the goal to finish between 1 hour 10 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes and I wanted to run the whole thing - about 5.5 miles and it was getting tough, I wanted to walk sooo bad- but I wasn't going to let my head get the best of me, I had run this far, I was running to the finish. My official time was 1 hour 13 minutes and 40 seconds.
After the finish- as I waited for some friends to come in- I started crying. I was crying tears of joy and pride because not only had I made my goal- but this time last year, I could not run ONE full mile without stopping. It is amazing what the human body can accomplish and evolve into.
The 15k in April is still a little daunting at this point- but the 10k today showed me that proper training works and I know I can get there by then.
Now where is my beer - because today, I have earned it!
So many things to talk about- non-scale victories (NSV), working what works, and more than impressing myself.
So- first things first. . . .
Weight Watchers-
After having some very unfocused and very slow weight loss- I decided to go back to what I know works for me...and that is Weight Watchers. Yes, I have successfully lost 70 lbs on my own- but I want to continue with solid losses and I needed to refocus. Since Weight Watchers has so drastically changed their plan, I decided it would be great to have a new approach to my eating habits - and tracking, tracking, tracking.
And whattya know- in the first week- I lost 3.1# Back on track.
Shocking Shopping
The 10k I ran today- the forecast was all kinds of gloomy and rainy and cold; temps would start at around 50 and drop considerably (50 at start- 38 by finish). So I knew I needed a real rain jacket that would keep me dry without overheating. I invested in a The North Face jacket that is waterproof but also breathable. When I started my weight loss journey- I wouldn't have even been able to get this jacket because I'm not sure they have a plus size line - so, I would have had to buy a men's jacket. But I knew I had successfully crossed under that line, so I grabbed the women's XL and thought for sure it would fit. It didn't. Shocked, awed and COMPLETELY STOKED because the XL was TOO BIG!!! I had to buy a L - I looked at my husband and almost started crying I was so excited.
The 10k
When I first attempted running- it was late 2005, September/Octoberish. I was going to train for the Mini Marathon and the day I went to run/walk my first 10k ever- I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I have not done a 10k since, until today. It was rainy, it was cool and I had the goal to finish between 1 hour 10 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes and I wanted to run the whole thing - about 5.5 miles and it was getting tough, I wanted to walk sooo bad- but I wasn't going to let my head get the best of me, I had run this far, I was running to the finish. My official time was 1 hour 13 minutes and 40 seconds.
After the finish- as I waited for some friends to come in- I started crying. I was crying tears of joy and pride because not only had I made my goal- but this time last year, I could not run ONE full mile without stopping. It is amazing what the human body can accomplish and evolve into.
The 15k in April is still a little daunting at this point- but the 10k today showed me that proper training works and I know I can get there by then.
Now where is my beer - because today, I have earned it!
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