I love breakfast. It's my favorite meal of the day! I never miss it, although I used to regularly (hmm, no wonder I had a weight problem). While it's never been scientifically proven, I do believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And something is better than nothing. However, exactly what you put in your body for breakfast can set the tone for the rest of your day.
I'm a big believer in PROTEIN. Not necessarily the easiest thing to work into breakfast without eating eggs every day, but it can be done. Quick and easy, my personal favorites are either Kashi Go Lean Crunch (love, love, LOVE it... could eat it every day!) or a protien bar (I really like Special K, but the South Beach ones are good too, and about half as expensive). The Go Lean Crunch is perfect for me because it has 9 g of protein, 8 g of fiber, and only 13 g of sugar. The bars are good for on the go, but not as good.
Of course, there is the perfect protein: eggs. Any way you cook them (just don't drown them in bacon grease or anything), eggs are awesome food. My favorite breakfast to cook is still bacon and eggs. And because I so rarely have it any more, I still buy REAL center cut bacon, and fry it in a pan. I tried the turkey bacon; it's ok... it's improved over the years. But it's not the same. And if I only have bacon once every 2-3 months, then damn it, I want REAL bacon!
Other great sources of protein in the morning are yogurt, cottage cheese, milk or low-fat cheese. Those are just my preferences... I can eat breakfast food for dinner, but I can't eat dinner food (such as beans or steak) for breakfast.
Which brings me to the point of this seemingly random and pointless blog... how breakfast can trick you. Everyone knows the obvious ones: those sugar-laden kid cereals (which they are now adding fiber to, and calling it healthy... what a crock), those cinnamon rolls dripping with icing (which I do love by the way), and of course, the ever popular drive thru breakfast biscuit, steaming hot and slathered in grease.
I tried a new cereal today: Bear Naked Cranberry Raisin. It's "100% pure & natural cereal". It sounds really healthy looking at the front, and looking at the ingredient list... heck, the very first ingredient is Wheat bran. Most of all the other ingredients are organic, there is nothing hydrogenated, preserved, and does not contain any Red Dye #5. Sounds great, right?
Then I looked at the Nutrition label: Only 1g of protein and 2g of fiber. Granted, it is low in sugar (only 8g), low in carbs compared to other cereals and only 110 calories and 2.5g of fat. So, while it's certainly not the worst cereal out there, it's also not the best. Which is too bad, because it really tastes good!
Also, the serving size is pretty small: 3/4 cup. At least with my Kashi, I get 1 cup, and that's PLENTY! So, while this new cereal tastes good, and definitely gets points for being minimally processed, I know without the protein and fiber, I'm going to be hungry again in an hour.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
I've been gone a while...
It's been a roller-coaster week.
I made it through week seven of my 5K training, but the day after, when I would usually update, my grandmother took a turn for the worse. I spend Sunday the 27th waiting for word on how she was, and when it finally came, the news wasn't good. My mom didn't think she'd make it through that night. And when I got there, I didn't think so either.
My sister and I spent that night at Mom's. Grandmother pulled through that night, but it was clear that there wasn't much time left. She died on Wednesday morning, around 5:45 am with me, my mom and my sister at her side. After all the pain she's had to suffer through this past year, she is finally at peace.
I missed my race on Saturday, although not deliberately. I set my alarm and planned to go, even though I had not finished my training. However, the week's events and lack of sleep resulted in my sleeping through the alarm, and by the time I woke, it was too late to get downtown in time.
I'm considering registering for a 5K in December, just so I have a goal to work toward. Right now though, as I'm sitting here watching the cold rain come down, I'm just not interested in running. I know I will get back to it... I know I need to. But there is just so much to do now, and I want to be there for my mom as she goes through everything.
I made it through week seven of my 5K training, but the day after, when I would usually update, my grandmother took a turn for the worse. I spend Sunday the 27th waiting for word on how she was, and when it finally came, the news wasn't good. My mom didn't think she'd make it through that night. And when I got there, I didn't think so either.
My sister and I spent that night at Mom's. Grandmother pulled through that night, but it was clear that there wasn't much time left. She died on Wednesday morning, around 5:45 am with me, my mom and my sister at her side. After all the pain she's had to suffer through this past year, she is finally at peace.
I missed my race on Saturday, although not deliberately. I set my alarm and planned to go, even though I had not finished my training. However, the week's events and lack of sleep resulted in my sleeping through the alarm, and by the time I woke, it was too late to get downtown in time.
I'm considering registering for a 5K in December, just so I have a goal to work toward. Right now though, as I'm sitting here watching the cold rain come down, I'm just not interested in running. I know I will get back to it... I know I need to. But there is just so much to do now, and I want to be there for my mom as she goes through everything.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Amusing Things Seen on My Runs
Today was W6D3 of my 5k training. 25 minutes straight running, no walking... and I did it! 
I felt tired but good. My breathing was good, but my legs were getting close to Jello by the time it was over. All in all though, it felt really good. I'm convinced; I do better running, and for the rest of the day, if I can get my run in early. Must find a way to work that out!
Now, for the amusing part. I look around as I jog. It's one of the reasons I refuse to join a gym or buy a treadmill (aside from not having the money for such things). Generally, I enjoy looking at the scenery, waving to my neighbors, checking out others landscaping, watching kids play. There's also a house in the neighborhood behind mine which has two domesticated bunnies roaming around the front yard from time to time! Of course, there is the occasional unpleasantness; the dog incident for one, as well as the inevitable squished frogs, bugs and worms. I just try not to run through any of that... YUCK!
Today however, I saw two things that were puzzling, amusing, and rather funny! The first was during the last half of my 25 minute run. I saw something in the road. From a distance I thought it might be a small pile of leaves or grass; it just rained. Then I feared it might be yet another squished thing, only bigger. As I got closer, I realized it was moving... slowly. I had to get right next to it before I recognized what it was... A CRAWDAD! Now, there's a small pond in this area, but it's pretty murky, and this was still a good ways away from it. There it was, in the middle of the road, just goin' for a stroll! It was still there when I made my return trip. By far, strangest thing I've ever seen out on my runs.
The other thing that tickled me happened as I was cooling down, walking back down my street. I heard a Mockingbird warbling... and getting quite carried away with his song too (showing off for a female, I'm sure
)! I looked around, and sure enough, there he was, on top of one of the Bradford Pear trees which adorn the front yard of all the homes in this development. The funny thing was, he wasn't just sitting there. He was literally dancing and flitting from the tippy-top of one branch to another! It struck me as so funny, that I had to laugh out loud! 
Even though I depend on the weather to be nice (or at least not pouring down rain) and I have to wait around for childcare sometimes, I really love running outdoors. You never know what you'll see next!
I felt tired but good. My breathing was good, but my legs were getting close to Jello by the time it was over. All in all though, it felt really good. I'm convinced; I do better running, and for the rest of the day, if I can get my run in early. Must find a way to work that out!
Now, for the amusing part. I look around as I jog. It's one of the reasons I refuse to join a gym or buy a treadmill (aside from not having the money for such things). Generally, I enjoy looking at the scenery, waving to my neighbors, checking out others landscaping, watching kids play. There's also a house in the neighborhood behind mine which has two domesticated bunnies roaming around the front yard from time to time! Of course, there is the occasional unpleasantness; the dog incident for one, as well as the inevitable squished frogs, bugs and worms. I just try not to run through any of that... YUCK!
Today however, I saw two things that were puzzling, amusing, and rather funny! The first was during the last half of my 25 minute run. I saw something in the road. From a distance I thought it might be a small pile of leaves or grass; it just rained. Then I feared it might be yet another squished thing, only bigger. As I got closer, I realized it was moving... slowly. I had to get right next to it before I recognized what it was... A CRAWDAD! Now, there's a small pond in this area, but it's pretty murky, and this was still a good ways away from it. There it was, in the middle of the road, just goin' for a stroll! It was still there when I made my return trip. By far, strangest thing I've ever seen out on my runs.
The other thing that tickled me happened as I was cooling down, walking back down my street. I heard a Mockingbird warbling... and getting quite carried away with his song too (showing off for a female, I'm sure
)! I looked around, and sure enough, there he was, on top of one of the Bradford Pear trees which adorn the front yard of all the homes in this development. The funny thing was, he wasn't just sitting there. He was literally dancing and flitting from the tippy-top of one branch to another! It struck me as so funny, that I had to laugh out loud! Even though I depend on the weather to be nice (or at least not pouring down rain) and I have to wait around for childcare sometimes, I really love running outdoors. You never know what you'll see next!
Friday, September 18, 2009
5K Training - Week 6
Yes, it's Friday. Which means I should be on Day Three, but events conspired against me getting out and running on Wednesday, so here we are!
Monday was Day One. And it kicked my butt. I don't know if it's because I had to run in the evening instead of morning, or if I just didn't eat right during the day, but it was HARD.
I was feeling really winded by the end of the 8 minute segment in the middle. And I actually thought about stopping. But then I feared if I stopped, I might not be able to start again, so I pushed on.
The last five minute run was agony. I don't know why, but I didn't like it one little bit. I felt like total crap, as bad as I felt at the end of the 20 minute run last week! But I am proud of myself for not giving up.
Today was Day Two and it was actually better than Monday. I figured it would be worse, what with my slacking in the exercise department this week, but it was good. Hard, but good.
Adjusting to this new schedule, and not being able to run in the mornings is difficult. When I could go out first thing in the morning, it started my day off RIGHT. I felt good all day, ate better all day, and was far less crabby during the day.
Now, having to wait until my husband gets home from work (and don't get me wrong, after three months of unemployment, I'm glad he's working!) puts a crimp in my style and I'm not nuts about it.
One of my neighbors, who homeschools her girls, offered to have them come play with the kids while I go run. Hopefully, I can take her up on that this week, and / or find the money to buy a used jogging stroller!
Since I'm now a day behind in my normal training schedule (which was already a week behind when I needed to finish it) it's time to step it up. I'll do day three on Sunday - one long 25 minute run with no walks! Wish me luck!!
Race for the Cure is just TWO WEEKS from tomorrow! Please, if you haven't already, visit my page, and consider supporting me as I run for a really, really great cause!
Monday was Day One. And it kicked my butt. I don't know if it's because I had to run in the evening instead of morning, or if I just didn't eat right during the day, but it was HARD.
I was feeling really winded by the end of the 8 minute segment in the middle. And I actually thought about stopping. But then I feared if I stopped, I might not be able to start again, so I pushed on.
The last five minute run was agony. I don't know why, but I didn't like it one little bit. I felt like total crap, as bad as I felt at the end of the 20 minute run last week! But I am proud of myself for not giving up.
Today was Day Two and it was actually better than Monday. I figured it would be worse, what with my slacking in the exercise department this week, but it was good. Hard, but good.
Adjusting to this new schedule, and not being able to run in the mornings is difficult. When I could go out first thing in the morning, it started my day off RIGHT. I felt good all day, ate better all day, and was far less crabby during the day.
Now, having to wait until my husband gets home from work (and don't get me wrong, after three months of unemployment, I'm glad he's working!) puts a crimp in my style and I'm not nuts about it.
One of my neighbors, who homeschools her girls, offered to have them come play with the kids while I go run. Hopefully, I can take her up on that this week, and / or find the money to buy a used jogging stroller!
Since I'm now a day behind in my normal training schedule (which was already a week behind when I needed to finish it) it's time to step it up. I'll do day three on Sunday - one long 25 minute run with no walks! Wish me luck!!
Race for the Cure is just TWO WEEKS from tomorrow! Please, if you haven't already, visit my page, and consider supporting me as I run for a really, really great cause!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
5K Training - Week 5, Days 2 & 3
Day two was Wednesday. Since Rob was back to work, and it was raining in the morning, I had to wait until he got home, so I didn't jog until about 6 pm.
I actually felt pretty good. The 8 minutes stretches were not as hard as I thought they'd be. I don't know if I just psyched myself up for it better, was so anxious to get out there, or if it was because I wasn't running on an empty stomach, like first thing in the morning. At any rate, it was good.
Day three was yesterday. And it kicked my butt. Seriously.
I ran over by Mom's house, since Rob had an appointment, and I was over there anyway. So she watched the kids (or rather the kids watched Noggin over there for 30 minutes) and I set out for my first straight 2 mile jog.
It was TOUGH. Actually, the first 10 minutes weren't so bad, but I was ready to walk by then. But I didn't. I kept on pushing. I didn't get too winded, which is good, but I really felt the tiredness in my legs, and by the time my podcast told me my 20 minutes was up, I felt like puking. I was definitely feeling my legs, and ever so grateful that I took some detours down dead end streets when I hit the Great Big Hill going back up to Mom's house... it was hard enough to walk up it at that point, and I knew I wasn't going to be up for tackling that hill at the end of my run.
The route I took was a bit more hilly than the one I run here, so that could account for some of the tiredness I feel today. But it was the first time I've ever jogged a whole two miles in my entire life (I think the most I ever ran when I was in school was one mile... and I was in way better shape, and a good deal younger then! )
All in all, a good week. I'm trying to think of a way to safely step up my program a little, so I'll be ready for my 5K on time. I have 4 more weeks of training on this program, and the Race for the Cure is in 3 weeks! I really want to try to run the whole thing, so I think maybe if I cut out my day of rest on Sunday, and truly run every other day, I can probably accomplish my goal of finishing this program before the race, and still give my legs the rest they need.
So, tomorrow, I'll start Week 6, Day 1!
I actually felt pretty good. The 8 minutes stretches were not as hard as I thought they'd be. I don't know if I just psyched myself up for it better, was so anxious to get out there, or if it was because I wasn't running on an empty stomach, like first thing in the morning. At any rate, it was good.
Day three was yesterday. And it kicked my butt. Seriously.
I ran over by Mom's house, since Rob had an appointment, and I was over there anyway. So she watched the kids (or rather the kids watched Noggin over there for 30 minutes) and I set out for my first straight 2 mile jog.
It was TOUGH. Actually, the first 10 minutes weren't so bad, but I was ready to walk by then. But I didn't. I kept on pushing. I didn't get too winded, which is good, but I really felt the tiredness in my legs, and by the time my podcast told me my 20 minutes was up, I felt like puking. I was definitely feeling my legs, and ever so grateful that I took some detours down dead end streets when I hit the Great Big Hill going back up to Mom's house... it was hard enough to walk up it at that point, and I knew I wasn't going to be up for tackling that hill at the end of my run.
The route I took was a bit more hilly than the one I run here, so that could account for some of the tiredness I feel today. But it was the first time I've ever jogged a whole two miles in my entire life (I think the most I ever ran when I was in school was one mile... and I was in way better shape, and a good deal younger then!
) All in all, a good week. I'm trying to think of a way to safely step up my program a little, so I'll be ready for my 5K on time. I have 4 more weeks of training on this program, and the Race for the Cure is in 3 weeks! I really want to try to run the whole thing, so I think maybe if I cut out my day of rest on Sunday, and truly run every other day, I can probably accomplish my goal of finishing this program before the race, and still give my legs the rest they need.
So, tomorrow, I'll start Week 6, Day 1!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Princess of Destruction
She'd be the Queen of Destruction, but for her age.
She's not even three years old, and she has wrought more havoc on our household than any 3 other children I know.
In the last six months she has:
- Colored on nearly every surface in her room, Charlie's room, and even my hardwood floors with crayon (thank goodness for Mr. Clean Magic Eraser!).
- Spilled nail polish on my couch.
- Colored on my couch, and my mother's ottoman with a Sharpie marker.
- Continually decorated my mother's stone coasters with pencil.
- Torn every flap from almost every lift-the-flap book she has.
- Torn pages and dust covers from books.
- Completely destroyed one of my foam toe separators (used on the rare occasions I have to do my toe nails).
- Torn little bits from one of my make-up sponges, accidentally left out on my bathroom counter.
- Completely emptied a vial of Afterbite (again, accidentally left within her reach).
- Broken every single crayon in our possession, assisted by her brother, but undoubtedly instigated by her.
- Completely destroyed several bead necklaces, bracelets, and a darling little purse that she loved, but tore up anyway.
And that's just what I can think of at this moment in time. There has been much more destruction and chaos, including scattering clean clothes all over the floor (and we have 2 dogs that shed constantly, so the idea that our floors will EVER be totally clean again is completely foreign at the moment), taking every diaper from a new box and strewing them about the room, unraveling a brand new, jumbo roll of toilet paper all over the bathroom, scattering puzzle pieces and other parts of toys and games to all four corners of our home, rendering them virtually useless.
No amount of stern talking-to's, yelling, time-outs, or any other discipline measures seem to have any affect at all. She keeps finding new things to destroy, and with lightning speed, and pinpoint accuracy I might add. All of these incidents have occurred in the time it takes to transfer a load of laundry, unload and reload the dishwasher, take a quick shower, or some other such quick chore during which I left the children to their own devices, usually with Noggin as a reward / distraction / hopeful deterrent.
I'm thinking of scrapping my idea of making her ladybug costume for Halloween, in favor of dressing her up more aptly as the tornado she is!
*sigh*
She's not even three years old, and she has wrought more havoc on our household than any 3 other children I know.
In the last six months she has:
- Colored on nearly every surface in her room, Charlie's room, and even my hardwood floors with crayon (thank goodness for Mr. Clean Magic Eraser!).
- Spilled nail polish on my couch.
- Colored on my couch, and my mother's ottoman with a Sharpie marker.
- Continually decorated my mother's stone coasters with pencil.
- Torn every flap from almost every lift-the-flap book she has.
- Torn pages and dust covers from books.
- Completely destroyed one of my foam toe separators (used on the rare occasions I have to do my toe nails).
- Torn little bits from one of my make-up sponges, accidentally left out on my bathroom counter.
- Completely emptied a vial of Afterbite (again, accidentally left within her reach).
- Broken every single crayon in our possession, assisted by her brother, but undoubtedly instigated by her.
- Completely destroyed several bead necklaces, bracelets, and a darling little purse that she loved, but tore up anyway.
And that's just what I can think of at this moment in time. There has been much more destruction and chaos, including scattering clean clothes all over the floor (and we have 2 dogs that shed constantly, so the idea that our floors will EVER be totally clean again is completely foreign at the moment), taking every diaper from a new box and strewing them about the room, unraveling a brand new, jumbo roll of toilet paper all over the bathroom, scattering puzzle pieces and other parts of toys and games to all four corners of our home, rendering them virtually useless.
No amount of stern talking-to's, yelling, time-outs, or any other discipline measures seem to have any affect at all. She keeps finding new things to destroy, and with lightning speed, and pinpoint accuracy I might add. All of these incidents have occurred in the time it takes to transfer a load of laundry, unload and reload the dishwasher, take a quick shower, or some other such quick chore during which I left the children to their own devices, usually with Noggin as a reward / distraction / hopeful deterrent.
I'm thinking of scrapping my idea of making her ladybug costume for Halloween, in favor of dressing her up more aptly as the tornado she is!
*sigh*
Monday, September 7, 2009
The Difference a Year Can Make
A little more than a year ago, I was at my heaviest weight, not counting pregnancy.
A year ago, I wore a size 24 pants, 3X shirts, and a 46DD bra. I rarely cooked at home. My family's diet consisted largely of take-out food. Pizzas, nachos, hamburgers and fries. Soda was my main drink of the day, except for my coffee with creamer and Splenda.
A year ago, I weighed over 250 pounds. I was miserable and unhealthy, and getting sick and tired of always being sick and tired. I knew I wanted better for myself, for my kids. And I knew what I needed to do... what I'd been needing to do for years, and didn't.
I was complacent. I was lazy. I was too lazy to change the things I needed to change. Until I got fed up.
I never had an "Ah-Ha" moment. I never had a sudden revalation that served as an inspiration to change my life. I just decided to change it. A little at a time.
Now, a year after I started keeping track of my progress, I'm just over 192 pounds. I now wear a size 16 pants, L-XL tops, and a size 40D bra. I'm now the same size I was when I got married almost 9 years ago.
This journey hasn't been easy, but it hasn't been hard either. I've never deprived myself of anything I wanted to eat or drink. I just started making better choices... a little at a time.
I've done "all or nothing". I've been on "diets". I've done Weight Watchers, and Jenny Craig, counting calories, and kept food journals. All of those things worked for me for a time, but I never fully changed my habits, and eventually, I grew tired of counting points and calories, of writing down every single morsel I ate, and I quit.
This time, I decided I was just going to take it a day at a time, a week at a time, and make small changes that, bit by bit, have added up to a healthier lifestyle. I'm not saying that these "all or nothing" programs don't work... I've seen them work. For other people. They just did not work, in the long run, for ME.
Things I've Learned
* What works for one person, may not work for everyone. That's why they have those little disclaimers on all those commercials for any kind of weight loss program or product. You have to find what works for YOU.
* There is no "Magic Bullet*. It took me YEARS to get fat... it's going to take time for it to come off. It's been more than a year... and I still have work to do.
* Inspiration is great... I've had a number of people who have inspired me in different ways. But you have to be ready for it. You have to be ready and willing to change your own life... in the end, all the inspiration and encouragement in the world is not enough if you are not willing to do the work yourself.
* It's not about "going on a diet". I'm convinced, calling it a "diet" or a "resolution" can and will set you up for failure. It's about LIFESTYLE. You're not going on a diet, you are changing your diet. And in the process, your way of thinking about food.
* It's not about deprivation, it's about moderation. You CAN eat almost anything you want, in moderation.
* Food is an addiction. You have to treat it that way. You can break the cycle of food addiction if you want to, but you have to have the right tools. You need to know the reasons for why you over eat, and deal with those underlying issues, in addition to changing your diet.
* Eating right starts at the grocery store. For me, if it's not in my house, I will not go out and get it. So I just don't buy the things I know I cannot control myself around.
* It is NOT that much more expensive to eat healthy. Just replace those unhealthy, prepackaged junk foods with healthier choices. You might spend a little more in the beginning, but over time, my grocery bill has actually gone down. Chips and soda and Pop Tarts are expensive... I don't buy them any more!
* Your body will adapt. Once you start eating healthier, you will literally be unable to eat the same greasy, heavy food you used to eat regularly. You may actually start to crave salads! (This came as a total shock to me!)
* Eating healthy does NOT mean eating boring food! I'm still discovering all the new and interesting ways to keep my diet interesting, and it's really much easier than I thought, once I opened my mind to trying different things.
* Finally, it's not enough to just know these things. I've known what I needed to do for a long time. You have to be ready to change. You have to want to change. You have to be willing to change. And then you have to actually WORK to change.
I mentioned inspiration before, and I feel I'd be remiss without mentioning someone who has been a huge inspiration to me, as well as one of my biggest cheerleaders on this journey. She has herself worked her ass off and lost over 100 pounds (thus providing the inspiration), and has been a constant source of encouragement, as well as providing me with a whole host of tips and yummy (yet healthy) recipes. Thank you, Kathryn. You are truly a great friend!
There are others as well... I'm very fortunate to have a close circle of girlfriends, some I've met, some I've not, but we all stay in touch via the internet, and they too have cheered and encouraged me as I've been working to change my life.
Finally, I have to thank my family. My husband and my mother and my sisters especially... all have been so supportive and encouraging, and they have truly made this process easier in so many ways.
As I said, I still have a ways to go. I have a number in mind, but one other thing I've learned is that it's not just about the number on the scale. That's only a fraction of this process. It's not just about losing weight. It's about becoming the person I want to be, a person I can be proud of!
A year ago, I wore a size 24 pants, 3X shirts, and a 46DD bra. I rarely cooked at home. My family's diet consisted largely of take-out food. Pizzas, nachos, hamburgers and fries. Soda was my main drink of the day, except for my coffee with creamer and Splenda.
A year ago, I weighed over 250 pounds. I was miserable and unhealthy, and getting sick and tired of always being sick and tired. I knew I wanted better for myself, for my kids. And I knew what I needed to do... what I'd been needing to do for years, and didn't.
I was complacent. I was lazy. I was too lazy to change the things I needed to change. Until I got fed up.
I never had an "Ah-Ha" moment. I never had a sudden revalation that served as an inspiration to change my life. I just decided to change it. A little at a time.
Now, a year after I started keeping track of my progress, I'm just over 192 pounds. I now wear a size 16 pants, L-XL tops, and a size 40D bra. I'm now the same size I was when I got married almost 9 years ago.
This journey hasn't been easy, but it hasn't been hard either. I've never deprived myself of anything I wanted to eat or drink. I just started making better choices... a little at a time.
I've done "all or nothing". I've been on "diets". I've done Weight Watchers, and Jenny Craig, counting calories, and kept food journals. All of those things worked for me for a time, but I never fully changed my habits, and eventually, I grew tired of counting points and calories, of writing down every single morsel I ate, and I quit.
This time, I decided I was just going to take it a day at a time, a week at a time, and make small changes that, bit by bit, have added up to a healthier lifestyle. I'm not saying that these "all or nothing" programs don't work... I've seen them work. For other people. They just did not work, in the long run, for ME.
Things I've Learned
* What works for one person, may not work for everyone. That's why they have those little disclaimers on all those commercials for any kind of weight loss program or product. You have to find what works for YOU.
* There is no "Magic Bullet*. It took me YEARS to get fat... it's going to take time for it to come off. It's been more than a year... and I still have work to do.
* Inspiration is great... I've had a number of people who have inspired me in different ways. But you have to be ready for it. You have to be ready and willing to change your own life... in the end, all the inspiration and encouragement in the world is not enough if you are not willing to do the work yourself.
* It's not about "going on a diet". I'm convinced, calling it a "diet" or a "resolution" can and will set you up for failure. It's about LIFESTYLE. You're not going on a diet, you are changing your diet. And in the process, your way of thinking about food.
* It's not about deprivation, it's about moderation. You CAN eat almost anything you want, in moderation.
* Food is an addiction. You have to treat it that way. You can break the cycle of food addiction if you want to, but you have to have the right tools. You need to know the reasons for why you over eat, and deal with those underlying issues, in addition to changing your diet.
* Eating right starts at the grocery store. For me, if it's not in my house, I will not go out and get it. So I just don't buy the things I know I cannot control myself around.
* It is NOT that much more expensive to eat healthy. Just replace those unhealthy, prepackaged junk foods with healthier choices. You might spend a little more in the beginning, but over time, my grocery bill has actually gone down. Chips and soda and Pop Tarts are expensive... I don't buy them any more!
* Your body will adapt. Once you start eating healthier, you will literally be unable to eat the same greasy, heavy food you used to eat regularly. You may actually start to crave salads! (This came as a total shock to me!)
* Eating healthy does NOT mean eating boring food! I'm still discovering all the new and interesting ways to keep my diet interesting, and it's really much easier than I thought, once I opened my mind to trying different things.
* Finally, it's not enough to just know these things. I've known what I needed to do for a long time. You have to be ready to change. You have to want to change. You have to be willing to change. And then you have to actually WORK to change.
I mentioned inspiration before, and I feel I'd be remiss without mentioning someone who has been a huge inspiration to me, as well as one of my biggest cheerleaders on this journey. She has herself worked her ass off and lost over 100 pounds (thus providing the inspiration), and has been a constant source of encouragement, as well as providing me with a whole host of tips and yummy (yet healthy) recipes. Thank you, Kathryn. You are truly a great friend!
There are others as well... I'm very fortunate to have a close circle of girlfriends, some I've met, some I've not, but we all stay in touch via the internet, and they too have cheered and encouraged me as I've been working to change my life.
Finally, I have to thank my family. My husband and my mother and my sisters especially... all have been so supportive and encouraging, and they have truly made this process easier in so many ways.
As I said, I still have a ways to go. I have a number in mind, but one other thing I've learned is that it's not just about the number on the scale. That's only a fraction of this process. It's not just about losing weight. It's about becoming the person I want to be, a person I can be proud of!
5K Training - Week 5, Day 1
I think I'm going to have to start updating this at the END of every week. Last week ended much as it began. The 5 minute runs were hard, but I pushed through, and did not stop.
This week is different. Every day is a different routine, getting harder each day.
Today was not bad. I found the Podcasts over the weekend, and I can see where that's going to help a lot. The music is pretty good, and it keeps my mind off wondering how much further I have to run!
Day one of this week was comprised of three 5 min. runs / 3 min. walks. Either my endurance is getting better, or the music really did help. Perhaps it's some of each.
The rest of the week should be interesting. Wednesday will have me running 8 minutes at a stretch, then Friday, 20 minutes (or about 2 miles). That's a lot. A LOT.
I need to get out and drive my route, and add a mile on somewhere, so I'll have enough road for the whole routine, working up to 3.2 miles!
This week is different. Every day is a different routine, getting harder each day.
Today was not bad. I found the Podcasts over the weekend, and I can see where that's going to help a lot. The music is pretty good, and it keeps my mind off wondering how much further I have to run!
Day one of this week was comprised of three 5 min. runs / 3 min. walks. Either my endurance is getting better, or the music really did help. Perhaps it's some of each.
The rest of the week should be interesting. Wednesday will have me running 8 minutes at a stretch, then Friday, 20 minutes (or about 2 miles). That's a lot. A LOT.
I need to get out and drive my route, and add a mile on somewhere, so I'll have enough road for the whole routine, working up to 3.2 miles!
Monday, August 31, 2009
5K Training - Week 4, Day 1
I realize, I forgot to update on Friday, but really, it was the same as the rest of the week. Except when I got home, and reviewed the program online, I realized, I did the whole week wrong!! 
Not by much, but still.
So this week, I my schedule has been thrown off a bit, but I guess I'll have to get used to it. Rob has taken a new contract, and so will be going back to work in a week. Plus, as the days get shorter, and since the return to Standard Time has been pushed to November, it's very dark still at 7 am. My neighborhood is relatively safe, but still I would not feel comfortable out running by myself in the dark.
This morning, he had an early appointment which took him out of the house at 7 am, leaving me to figure out when and how to work in my run later in the day. I had a doctor's appointment at 3pm, prior to which I had to fast, so I was not about to run on an empty stomach, knowing I could not replenish that spent energy until after my appointment. I'm glad I waited, as I did not get home until after 4:30 pm.
After getting dinner in the oven though, I did go out. It had been gray and overcast all day, thus keeping the temperature down quite a bit from what it has been. Feeling good, I started off.
This week's cycle took me through a brisk 5 minute warm-up, then 3 minutes jogging, 90 seconds walking, 5 minutes jogging, then 2.5 minutes walking... then repeat. The three minutes was fine. The first five minutes was fine too, but I was more than ready to stop by the time my watch went off. 2.5 minutes passed all too quickly, then it was time for another 3 minutes. Again, not so bad, but more tiring than the first. The last five minute jog was damn hard though, since the bulk of it was uphill, and this was the first time ever in my life that I've run for 5 straight minutes.
I thought about quitting. I thought about just stopping as I got tired. But I decided, no. I need to push through this. I wasn't hurting, I wasn't having a hard time catching my breath, I was just tired. And so, I didn't quit.
This week I'll finish out in the mornings, which is certainly when I prefer to work out. I have found, that if I let too much of the day go by, I tend to lose my will. But, seeing as I have no other choice, I will find a way to get it done next week. Hopefully, the weather will oblige me by staying cool, so I don't have to force myself to run in the heat of the day.
Not by much, but still. So this week, I my schedule has been thrown off a bit, but I guess I'll have to get used to it. Rob has taken a new contract, and so will be going back to work in a week. Plus, as the days get shorter, and since the return to Standard Time has been pushed to November, it's very dark still at 7 am. My neighborhood is relatively safe, but still I would not feel comfortable out running by myself in the dark.
This morning, he had an early appointment which took him out of the house at 7 am, leaving me to figure out when and how to work in my run later in the day. I had a doctor's appointment at 3pm, prior to which I had to fast, so I was not about to run on an empty stomach, knowing I could not replenish that spent energy until after my appointment. I'm glad I waited, as I did not get home until after 4:30 pm.
After getting dinner in the oven though, I did go out. It had been gray and overcast all day, thus keeping the temperature down quite a bit from what it has been. Feeling good, I started off.
This week's cycle took me through a brisk 5 minute warm-up, then 3 minutes jogging, 90 seconds walking, 5 minutes jogging, then 2.5 minutes walking... then repeat. The three minutes was fine. The first five minutes was fine too, but I was more than ready to stop by the time my watch went off. 2.5 minutes passed all too quickly, then it was time for another 3 minutes. Again, not so bad, but more tiring than the first. The last five minute jog was damn hard though, since the bulk of it was uphill, and this was the first time ever in my life that I've run for 5 straight minutes.
I thought about quitting. I thought about just stopping as I got tired. But I decided, no. I need to push through this. I wasn't hurting, I wasn't having a hard time catching my breath, I was just tired. And so, I didn't quit.
This week I'll finish out in the mornings, which is certainly when I prefer to work out. I have found, that if I let too much of the day go by, I tend to lose my will. But, seeing as I have no other choice, I will find a way to get it done next week. Hopefully, the weather will oblige me by staying cool, so I don't have to force myself to run in the heat of the day.
Birthday Soup
Yesterday was my mom's birthday. I love my mom so much, and I'm very fortunate to have her close by. It's been a rough year all around, and I so wanted to do something special for her to celebrate her day.
However, living on unemployment and our savings means we have no extra money for dinner out, gifts or splurges. The children had made her huge birthday cards, with their own unique brand of coloring techniques, and they were rolled up and ready to go. So, I decided to make her a birthday cake myself. It was the least I could do.
I started the cake while the children were having their lunch, and made the frosting (chocolate butter cream... yum!) just before we left for Mom's house. As I mixed the frosting, Charlie decided to make his own special creation for Grandma: Birthday Soup!
He went over to Sarah's little kitchen (which he has just as much fun with as she does) and went to work. Whirring and stirring, then putting it in the oven. It was done in a matter of seconds! He was so thrilled with the idea of his Birthday Soup, that he insisted on taking it with us... after all, it was Grandma's birthday!
So off we went, umpteen toys in hand, the rolled up cards, my freshly frosted chocolate cake and, of course, the plateful of Birthday Soup.
I held off on decorating the cake until we reached Mom's house, for fear that the lid would make a mess of the decoration. Turns out, I didn't have a great deal to worry about, since my decoration turned out hideous anyway:
Oh, well, it's the thought that counts, right?
And Sarah was impressed anyway... when my sister lifted her up to see the freshly decorated cake, she looked at it and said, "Oh, it's PINK!! And choc-o-wat! I looovve cake!!"
All in all, it was a great evening, and the cake was a hit! As was the Birthday Soup!
However, living on unemployment and our savings means we have no extra money for dinner out, gifts or splurges. The children had made her huge birthday cards, with their own unique brand of coloring techniques, and they were rolled up and ready to go. So, I decided to make her a birthday cake myself. It was the least I could do.
I started the cake while the children were having their lunch, and made the frosting (chocolate butter cream... yum!) just before we left for Mom's house. As I mixed the frosting, Charlie decided to make his own special creation for Grandma: Birthday Soup!
He went over to Sarah's little kitchen (which he has just as much fun with as she does) and went to work. Whirring and stirring, then putting it in the oven. It was done in a matter of seconds! He was so thrilled with the idea of his Birthday Soup, that he insisted on taking it with us... after all, it was Grandma's birthday!
So off we went, umpteen toys in hand, the rolled up cards, my freshly frosted chocolate cake and, of course, the plateful of Birthday Soup.
I held off on decorating the cake until we reached Mom's house, for fear that the lid would make a mess of the decoration. Turns out, I didn't have a great deal to worry about, since my decoration turned out hideous anyway:
Oh, well, it's the thought that counts, right?
And Sarah was impressed anyway... when my sister lifted her up to see the freshly decorated cake, she looked at it and said, "Oh, it's PINK!! And choc-o-wat! I looovve cake!!"
All in all, it was a great evening, and the cake was a hit! As was the Birthday Soup!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Bloggy Things
I've been neglecting my blog here, I know. I'll return later in the day to update on my 5K training and hopefully an amusing kid-related anecdote as well.
For now, I have to give a shout-out to one of my favorite blog mommies, Annette, The Fairy Blog Mother.
If you're a fan of funny, witty blogs (which happen to include a ton of free giveaways), this is the blog for you! And, if you've never read a blog (other than mine), this is a good place to start! She is extremely fun and sassy, says what she means, and means what she says!
One of the giveaway chances on her blog right now is from a company called LuShae Jewelry. Just grab a badge off their website... like THIS ONE:
and enter for your chance to win $200!
Monday, August 24, 2009
5K Training - Week 3, Day 1
And I feel great! Despite my hesitation about the dog, I went on my usual route. It's what I know... I know the approximate mileage, etc. But I'm going to change it up this week for a couple of reasons.
One, I'm bored. I'm tired of looking at the same houses, running around the same cars.
Two, running different terrain tones different muscles. At least that's what I've heard. Your body gets bored w/ the same old routine. I have yet to do any actual research to back up that statement, but I will... if I feel like it!
When Rob and I took the kids to the park on Saturday, we met a nice couple, new to the area who also has kids. Got to talking, and the wife's a runner. We all hit it off pretty well, so I'm thinking I'll give her a call and see if she might be interested in checking out the Greenway up behind the shopping center near my house.
So, this week, I ran a total of 10 minutes (5 cycles of run 2 min, walk 3). And I felt really good. The last one was the toughest, because it was up a small hill 90% of the way, but I did it!
And in case I haven't mentioned it before, the training program I'm running is from www.coolrunning.com. It's the Couch to 5K program. It's designed to ease you into running, rather starting off gung ho, burning out and getting hurt. And a big thank you to my friend Kathryn for telling me about it, as well as being my biggest cheerleader!
One, I'm bored. I'm tired of looking at the same houses, running around the same cars.
Two, running different terrain tones different muscles. At least that's what I've heard. Your body gets bored w/ the same old routine. I have yet to do any actual research to back up that statement, but I will... if I feel like it!
When Rob and I took the kids to the park on Saturday, we met a nice couple, new to the area who also has kids. Got to talking, and the wife's a runner. We all hit it off pretty well, so I'm thinking I'll give her a call and see if she might be interested in checking out the Greenway up behind the shopping center near my house.
So, this week, I ran a total of 10 minutes (5 cycles of run 2 min, walk 3). And I felt really good. The last one was the toughest, because it was up a small hill 90% of the way, but I did it!
And in case I haven't mentioned it before, the training program I'm running is from www.coolrunning.com. It's the Couch to 5K program. It's designed to ease you into running, rather starting off gung ho, burning out and getting hurt. And a big thank you to my friend Kathryn for telling me about it, as well as being my biggest cheerleader!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Charlie and the Lawnmower
As yet, I've not told you much about my son. Charlie. He's almost five. A very sweet, somewhat shy, and smart little guy... who is completely obsessed with lawn equipment!
That's right. OBSESSED!
It started when he was about three. He'd point out to us every lawn mower, trimmer, leaf blower he saw on a daily basis. It was cute. So, we got him his very own bubble mower! He absolutely loved it, and to this day, it's his favorite toy.
And even though he's almost too tall for it now, he still pushes it all over the yard. He'd do it every single day if he could.
Well, sometime last year, I got his little sister Sarah a stroller for her dollies. She'd love that, right? Well, little did I know, so would Charlie.
He borrows it on a regular basis to "mow" inside! I think he's put more miles on it than Sarah has, by far! The Swiffer sweeper has become his weed trimmer. The carpet and area rugs are his "lawn".
He's very serious about this too. He follows the lines of the area rugs perfectly, making sure to "mow" every square inch of them. He backs up, and gets into corners. And he does it all with appropriate sound effects too. From cranking it up (he actually pulls his imaginary pull cord... two or three times mind you) to hitting a thick patch of grass, and shutting it down, he has different sound effects for all scenarios! For the "trimmer" too.
He did it at school too. In the classroom and on the playground. In the absence of something to fill in as a mower, he just pushed his imaginary one. Cranked it up and everything!
He does this on a daily basis, and has pretty consistently for the last two years. He did take his hiatus over the winter months though! As soon as the mowing crews disappeared from the streets on our daily drives, and Daddy quit mowing our dormant lawn, Charlie's incessant mowing and trimming stopped. And mercifully (for the adults who endured the hours on end of mowing sounds), he found other activities to occupy his free time both at home and at school.
As soon as the first lawn crews of spring arrived though, so too did Charlie's mowing habit. It was just this past spring that the refination of the different mowing and trimming sounds came to pass. And it's constant. I swear, if I let him, he would "mow" all day long, every single day! Oh, he occasionally takes a break.
Like if his lawn mower is broken... he'll go get his play tools and "fix" it. Or if a REAL mower shows up somewhere outside his window, he'll stand at there and watch it for as long as it's within his sight.
I suppose there are worse things. And I really have to admire his imagination and ingenuity. The fact that it's somewhat amusing however, does not stop it from becoming incredibly annoying when he's been "mowing" for hours on end!
Thankfully, his interests have diversified somewhat since the beginning of this obsession. And I'm confident that they will continue to do so. I know it's a phase, but it's an awfully long one!
That's right. OBSESSED!
It started when he was about three. He'd point out to us every lawn mower, trimmer, leaf blower he saw on a daily basis. It was cute. So, we got him his very own bubble mower! He absolutely loved it, and to this day, it's his favorite toy.
And even though he's almost too tall for it now, he still pushes it all over the yard. He'd do it every single day if he could.
Well, sometime last year, I got his little sister Sarah a stroller for her dollies. She'd love that, right? Well, little did I know, so would Charlie.
He borrows it on a regular basis to "mow" inside! I think he's put more miles on it than Sarah has, by far! The Swiffer sweeper has become his weed trimmer. The carpet and area rugs are his "lawn".
He's very serious about this too. He follows the lines of the area rugs perfectly, making sure to "mow" every square inch of them. He backs up, and gets into corners. And he does it all with appropriate sound effects too. From cranking it up (he actually pulls his imaginary pull cord... two or three times mind you) to hitting a thick patch of grass, and shutting it down, he has different sound effects for all scenarios! For the "trimmer" too.
He did it at school too. In the classroom and on the playground. In the absence of something to fill in as a mower, he just pushed his imaginary one. Cranked it up and everything!
He does this on a daily basis, and has pretty consistently for the last two years. He did take his hiatus over the winter months though! As soon as the mowing crews disappeared from the streets on our daily drives, and Daddy quit mowing our dormant lawn, Charlie's incessant mowing and trimming stopped. And mercifully (for the adults who endured the hours on end of mowing sounds), he found other activities to occupy his free time both at home and at school.
As soon as the first lawn crews of spring arrived though, so too did Charlie's mowing habit. It was just this past spring that the refination of the different mowing and trimming sounds came to pass. And it's constant. I swear, if I let him, he would "mow" all day long, every single day! Oh, he occasionally takes a break.
Like if his lawn mower is broken... he'll go get his play tools and "fix" it. Or if a REAL mower shows up somewhere outside his window, he'll stand at there and watch it for as long as it's within his sight.
I suppose there are worse things. And I really have to admire his imagination and ingenuity. The fact that it's somewhat amusing however, does not stop it from becoming incredibly annoying when he's been "mowing" for hours on end!
Thankfully, his interests have diversified somewhat since the beginning of this obsession. And I'm confident that they will continue to do so. I know it's a phase, but it's an awfully long one!
Update on the Pit Bull encounter
I got a hold of animal control, and made my report. Within the hour, they sent someone out, and she then came to talk to me. Turns out, this particular family has a long history with animal control, going back 4-5 years when their last dog kept getting loose. Apparently, they realized they couldn't control that dog, and got rid of it.
And now they have a new dog. The pit bull. Her name is Penny. She's young, maybe 3 months old. Too young for rabies shots (yikes!) and the owner has been *trying* to get her into PetSmart for training... and missed 4 appointments so far. The animal control officer spoke with the wife, who told her that the husband had gone out to get a chain for the dog.
Now, here's where my worry comes in. I have no problem with the puppy. I don't particularly care for pit bulls myself, but, if properly trained, they can be very sweet. Problem is, I don't have a good feeling about the quality of training this pup is going to get. Right now, she's just acting like a boisterous puppy. However, if she is kept chained up, outside, mostly ignored and not properly trained, she could very well become aggressive. And since we already know that these people cannot seem to figure out how to properly contain a dog (as in build a freaking privacy fence people!) what are the chances that this dog is going to get loose again? Realatively high in my opinion.
I'm thinking I'll be finding a new workout route to run from now on. Blah.
And now they have a new dog. The pit bull. Her name is Penny. She's young, maybe 3 months old. Too young for rabies shots (yikes!) and the owner has been *trying* to get her into PetSmart for training... and missed 4 appointments so far. The animal control officer spoke with the wife, who told her that the husband had gone out to get a chain for the dog.
Now, here's where my worry comes in. I have no problem with the puppy. I don't particularly care for pit bulls myself, but, if properly trained, they can be very sweet. Problem is, I don't have a good feeling about the quality of training this pup is going to get. Right now, she's just acting like a boisterous puppy. However, if she is kept chained up, outside, mostly ignored and not properly trained, she could very well become aggressive. And since we already know that these people cannot seem to figure out how to properly contain a dog (as in build a freaking privacy fence people!) what are the chances that this dog is going to get loose again? Realatively high in my opinion.
I'm thinking I'll be finding a new workout route to run from now on. Blah.
5K Training - Day Six: An Unwanted Adventure
It was going pretty well. Not any better than Wednesday, but not worse either. Worked through the shin splints. Concentrated on my form.
I was just finishing my fourth interval, when it happened. A dog comes running out of it's yard after me. Ok. No problem. It happens. It'll go home.
It didn't go home. It's running all around me, jumping up on me. Running and jumping in front of my feet as I run, nearly tripping me. I'm trying not to kick or step on the dog as I yell NO and GO HOME! I'm now 6 houses or so down from where the dog came from. It's not going home. It's still jumping on me. And every time I try to shoo it off, it comes back.
Oh, did I mention this is a pit bull??? A puppy, maybe 15 pounds, but a pit bull nonetheless.
Now, I'm an animal lover. I'm a dog lover. And I don't have issues with "aggressive breeds" per se. I do, however, have issues aggressive DOGS. And this dog, while semi-playful, was aggressive.
So I turn around and head back to where the dog came from. Dog jumping, me yelling NO as loud as I can. I can't remember exactly which house, so I pick on and knock on the door. The dog is jumping on me the whole time. Man comes to the door, I apologize and ask, IS THIS YOUR DOG??
He says, no... next door. I confirm which next door, and apologize again.
Go next door. Dog still jumping up on me. Ring the bell. No answer. Again. No answer. KNOCK. NO ANSWER.
I go around the side of the house to see if there's a gate in the chain link fence around back. Nope, not on this side, but clearly, it's a temporary fence. Go back, ring the bell again. No answer.
Try the other side. This time, as I go around the other side of the house, here comes another gal walking down the street, and the dog takes off after her. So I yell at the dog to come back, explaining to her that it's not mine, but trying to keep it from chasing her. Dog comes back, she moves on.
I still can't find a way into this gate, but I can see that it's been sloppily installed, leaving a gaping hole between the fence and some bench they wedged up by the fence and the house, which is probably how the dog escaped in the first place.
Obviously hearing me still trying to get the dog to leave me alone, go into the fence, get the freaking OWNERS to get their assess outside and control this thing... the girl comes back. While she's attempting to grab the collar (and the dog is mouthing at her... not really biting, but still putting teeth to skin, as he had me) I go around and BANG on the door again. STILL NO ANSWER.
There are THREE cars in the driveway, and NO ONE'S HOME??? Give me a break!
Finally, the other girl and I decide just to put the dog over the fence. She manages to get a grip on him, and pushed it over the fence. Dog tumbles, then charges the fence. Satisfied that the dog is fine, and contained, if only temporarily, we both make our escape after I thank her profusely for helping out. And I make damn sure to turn back and commit the address to memory.
Now, with muddy paw prints covering the bottom of my shirt, and even reaching as high as my boobs, I try to regain my composure and finish my workout. I've lost track of how many intervals I've done, so I do an extra just in case.
Got home, stretched, got my water. Checked in with Rob, verifying that he does take some note of how long I'm usually gone, and that he would notice if I'd been gone too long. Call animal control. Cause even if this dog is only a nuisance right now, give it a few months. A few more pounds. This dog had that "look". The look that says, "I might be playing now, but I have the potential to cause harm".
I have no idea what kind of environment this dog is being raised in. I got the feeling from the next door neighbor that it's probably a new dog. I don't care. If you can't keep a dog that is classified as a "dangerous breed" contained properly, then you should. not. have. it. Period.
So, overall, the training run was fine. I'm ready to step it up next week. But I'll be checking with animal control before I go jogging by that house again, that's for DAMN SURE!
I was just finishing my fourth interval, when it happened. A dog comes running out of it's yard after me. Ok. No problem. It happens. It'll go home.
It didn't go home. It's running all around me, jumping up on me. Running and jumping in front of my feet as I run, nearly tripping me. I'm trying not to kick or step on the dog as I yell NO and GO HOME! I'm now 6 houses or so down from where the dog came from. It's not going home. It's still jumping on me. And every time I try to shoo it off, it comes back.
Oh, did I mention this is a pit bull??? A puppy, maybe 15 pounds, but a pit bull nonetheless.
Now, I'm an animal lover. I'm a dog lover. And I don't have issues with "aggressive breeds" per se. I do, however, have issues aggressive DOGS. And this dog, while semi-playful, was aggressive.
So I turn around and head back to where the dog came from. Dog jumping, me yelling NO as loud as I can. I can't remember exactly which house, so I pick on and knock on the door. The dog is jumping on me the whole time. Man comes to the door, I apologize and ask, IS THIS YOUR DOG??
He says, no... next door. I confirm which next door, and apologize again.
Go next door. Dog still jumping up on me. Ring the bell. No answer. Again. No answer. KNOCK. NO ANSWER.
I go around the side of the house to see if there's a gate in the chain link fence around back. Nope, not on this side, but clearly, it's a temporary fence. Go back, ring the bell again. No answer.
Try the other side. This time, as I go around the other side of the house, here comes another gal walking down the street, and the dog takes off after her. So I yell at the dog to come back, explaining to her that it's not mine, but trying to keep it from chasing her. Dog comes back, she moves on.
I still can't find a way into this gate, but I can see that it's been sloppily installed, leaving a gaping hole between the fence and some bench they wedged up by the fence and the house, which is probably how the dog escaped in the first place.
Obviously hearing me still trying to get the dog to leave me alone, go into the fence, get the freaking OWNERS to get their assess outside and control this thing... the girl comes back. While she's attempting to grab the collar (and the dog is mouthing at her... not really biting, but still putting teeth to skin, as he had me) I go around and BANG on the door again. STILL NO ANSWER.
There are THREE cars in the driveway, and NO ONE'S HOME??? Give me a break!Finally, the other girl and I decide just to put the dog over the fence. She manages to get a grip on him, and pushed it over the fence. Dog tumbles, then charges the fence. Satisfied that the dog is fine, and contained, if only temporarily, we both make our escape after I thank her profusely for helping out. And I make damn sure to turn back and commit the address to memory.
Now, with muddy paw prints covering the bottom of my shirt, and even reaching as high as my boobs, I try to regain my composure and finish my workout. I've lost track of how many intervals I've done, so I do an extra just in case.
Got home, stretched, got my water. Checked in with Rob, verifying that he does take some note of how long I'm usually gone, and that he would notice if I'd been gone too long. Call animal control. Cause even if this dog is only a nuisance right now, give it a few months. A few more pounds. This dog had that "look". The look that says, "I might be playing now, but I have the potential to cause harm".
I have no idea what kind of environment this dog is being raised in. I got the feeling from the next door neighbor that it's probably a new dog. I don't care. If you can't keep a dog that is classified as a "dangerous breed" contained properly, then you should. not. have. it. Period.
So, overall, the training run was fine. I'm ready to step it up next week. But I'll be checking with animal control before I go jogging by that house again, that's for DAMN SURE!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
5K Training - Day Five
Today was hard. Seemed to take a bit longer for my legs to warm up than it has been. Shin splints for the first 2 intervals. By the third one, my lungs were screaming at me. On the fourth one, lungs and legs were protesting loudly.
The negative thoughts started creeping in. Why am I doing this? What made me thing I was cut out for running? I don't know if I can do this.
But I pushed those thoughts down. Remembered something harder that I've done.
My son. Giving birth to my son was the hardest physical work I've ever done. And I didn't have a choice. I had to get through it.
Is running for 90 seconds at a stretch really harder than pushing out a 10 pound baby on my back??
HELL NO!
Is running for 90 seconds harder than 21 hours of drug-free labor??
HELL NO!
I did that... and I was in much worse physical shape. I did that... I pushed for two hours on my back to get that kid out. And I'd do it again (although, NOT on my back)!
I can do THIS.
I know it's going to get harder. Next week I'll have to run for 2 minutes at a stretch. But I refuse to give up. I refuse to let this be another thing I don't finish. Even if I don't stick with running for the long haul, I'll know I tried. I'll know I did this. I'll know I worked hard, doing something outside my comfort zone. Something to challenge myself, mentally and physically.
And on October 3rd, I'll run for a cure for breast cancer!
http://tinyurl.com/megansraceforcure
The negative thoughts started creeping in. Why am I doing this? What made me thing I was cut out for running? I don't know if I can do this.
But I pushed those thoughts down. Remembered something harder that I've done.
My son. Giving birth to my son was the hardest physical work I've ever done. And I didn't have a choice. I had to get through it.
Is running for 90 seconds at a stretch really harder than pushing out a 10 pound baby on my back??
HELL NO!
Is running for 90 seconds harder than 21 hours of drug-free labor??
HELL NO!
I did that... and I was in much worse physical shape. I did that... I pushed for two hours on my back to get that kid out. And I'd do it again (although, NOT on my back)!
I can do THIS.
I know it's going to get harder. Next week I'll have to run for 2 minutes at a stretch. But I refuse to give up. I refuse to let this be another thing I don't finish. Even if I don't stick with running for the long haul, I'll know I tried. I'll know I did this. I'll know I worked hard, doing something outside my comfort zone. Something to challenge myself, mentally and physically.
And on October 3rd, I'll run for a cure for breast cancer!
http://tinyurl.com/megansraceforcure
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Bucket List
If you haven't seen the movie, The Bucket List, with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, I suggest you go rent it. Of course, my seeing the movie wasn't the true inspiration for making my own bucket list. Like most people, I have always had things I want to do... someday.
One of these days I will...
Some day, I'd like to...
Before I die, I want to visit...
These are the things that comprise a "bucket list". Everyone has things they want to accomplish in life. I'm of the opinion however, that one's bucket list should not be comprised of "practical things". Everyone wants to get out of debt, lose weight, find love, etc... those things are a given.
A bucket list, is a unique list of things that YOU want to do in your lifetime. They're not right, they're not wrong, they can be completely whimsical in nature, or quite serious. But I've come to think that it's important to write them down. If it's written down, you won't forget it, and it's something to aspire to.
These are some of mine, in no particular order.
1) Travel the country in an RV, eventually visiting every state in the contiguous US.
2) Visit as many national parks and landmarks as possible. Specifically, Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Mount Rushmore, The Redwood Forest, and Denali.
3) Travel through parts of Europe; Italy, Spain, Ireland, and Greece.
4) Attend a tennis match at Centre Court, Wimbledon (preferably week 2).
5) Attend a tennis match at the US Open, Arthur Ashe Stadium.
6) Visit New York City, stay in a nice hotel and see at least one show on Broadway.
7) Take a small ship cruise to Alaska
8) Visit Australia; The Syndey Opera House, Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef
9) Visit Hawaii
10) Drive the Pacific Coast Highway, from San Francisco to San Diego.
11) Learn to play the guitar
12) Learn to scuba dive
13) Go skydiving
14) Learn to ride a horse
These are just the ones that I could think of off the top of my head, and part of an ever evolving list. Most of them require more time and money than I will have anytime in the near future, but they are goals nevertheless. In the meantime, I'll continue to focus on the every day goals of my immediate future, the things I need to do to make these larger dreams a reality one day.
One of these days I will...
Some day, I'd like to...
Before I die, I want to visit...
These are the things that comprise a "bucket list". Everyone has things they want to accomplish in life. I'm of the opinion however, that one's bucket list should not be comprised of "practical things". Everyone wants to get out of debt, lose weight, find love, etc... those things are a given.
A bucket list, is a unique list of things that YOU want to do in your lifetime. They're not right, they're not wrong, they can be completely whimsical in nature, or quite serious. But I've come to think that it's important to write them down. If it's written down, you won't forget it, and it's something to aspire to.
These are some of mine, in no particular order.
1) Travel the country in an RV, eventually visiting every state in the contiguous US.
2) Visit as many national parks and landmarks as possible. Specifically, Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Mount Rushmore, The Redwood Forest, and Denali.
3) Travel through parts of Europe; Italy, Spain, Ireland, and Greece.
4) Attend a tennis match at Centre Court, Wimbledon (preferably week 2).
5) Attend a tennis match at the US Open, Arthur Ashe Stadium.
6) Visit New York City, stay in a nice hotel and see at least one show on Broadway.
7) Take a small ship cruise to Alaska
8) Visit Australia; The Syndey Opera House, Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef
9) Visit Hawaii
10) Drive the Pacific Coast Highway, from San Francisco to San Diego.
11) Learn to play the guitar
12) Learn to scuba dive
13) Go skydiving
14) Learn to ride a horse
These are just the ones that I could think of off the top of my head, and part of an ever evolving list. Most of them require more time and money than I will have anytime in the near future, but they are goals nevertheless. In the meantime, I'll continue to focus on the every day goals of my immediate future, the things I need to do to make these larger dreams a reality one day.
5K Training - Days Three and Four
Day Three - Last Friday. It was harder than Wednesday. I could feel my shins a lot during the running intervals. Not quite full blown shin splints, but close.
Day Four - Start of week 2 training: 90 seconds running, 2 min. walking. Not as bad as I thought it would be. I could feel it in my shins again, but by the third interval, it wasn't so bad. The timing was a bit tricky since my watch only has set times (I can't just set it for 90 seconds) but I managed, and I didn't cheat! 30 seconds doesn't sound like a lot of time, but when you're panting for breath and your legs are starting to say Hey, wait a minute... 30 seconds can seem like forever.
I'm stuck with my weight. Hit another plateau. I know that I didn't eat great this week, that I need to do better. I also need to start exercising the rest of my body on the days I'm not walking / running. My abs feel like mush. My arms aren't bad, seeing as I routinely lift 30-40 pound children all day long. My pecs need work though, as do the backs of my arms.
So this week I'm working in the other two tapes of my Firm workout... the main one, Cardio Firm is very lower body heavy, and I don't need to exhaust my legs. So tomorrow I'm going to break out the Ab Firm tape, and work on my middle. Then Thursday we'll see what Body Sculpt is all about.
Day Four - Start of week 2 training: 90 seconds running, 2 min. walking. Not as bad as I thought it would be. I could feel it in my shins again, but by the third interval, it wasn't so bad. The timing was a bit tricky since my watch only has set times (I can't just set it for 90 seconds) but I managed, and I didn't cheat!
30 seconds doesn't sound like a lot of time, but when you're panting for breath and your legs are starting to say Hey, wait a minute... 30 seconds can seem like forever.I'm stuck with my weight. Hit another plateau. I know that I didn't eat great this week, that I need to do better. I also need to start exercising the rest of my body on the days I'm not walking / running. My abs feel like mush. My arms aren't bad, seeing as I routinely lift 30-40 pound children all day long. My pecs need work though, as do the backs of my arms.
So this week I'm working in the other two tapes of my Firm workout... the main one, Cardio Firm is very lower body heavy, and I don't need to exhaust my legs. So tomorrow I'm going to break out the Ab Firm tape, and work on my middle. Then Thursday we'll see what Body Sculpt is all about.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
5K Training - Day Two!
I was prepared for it to be hard today. Especially since I went out and hit tennis balls w/ Mom for an hour yesterday (I haven't done more than move my racket from one place to another in more than 12 years)!
I was pleasantly surprised.
I stretched. A lot. Before I got started. I had to since I woke up so stiff this morning.
The morning was overcast and cool-ish. Even drizzling a bit. But I went anyway.
I was prepared for it to be harder than Monday. For my legs to scream at me to stop! For my lungs to feel like they were on fire.
But they didn't! In fact, it was easier today! And I realized that I lost count on Monday, and actually did one more cycle than I was supposed to... so I did an extra one today too. That made me feel better about my time on Monday. And I bettered my time today!
I can do this. I can DO this!!
I was pleasantly surprised.
I stretched. A lot. Before I got started. I had to since I woke up so stiff this morning.
The morning was overcast and cool-ish. Even drizzling a bit. But I went anyway.
I was prepared for it to be harder than Monday. For my legs to scream at me to stop! For my lungs to feel like they were on fire.
But they didn't! In fact, it was easier today! And I realized that I lost count on Monday, and actually did one more cycle than I was supposed to... so I did an extra one today too. That made me feel better about my time on Monday. And I bettered my time today!
I can do this. I can DO this!!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...
That's what little girls are made of.
However, when that little girl is a precocious, two and a half year old second child, there is a flip side to that coin.
There's screaming. There's sass. There's showing her ass!
I call her my little curly-headed alarm clock. Because she and her brother usually wake between 6-6:30 am every single day. My highly developed "Mommy Sense" has trained me to wake ever so slightly around this time so that I can hear whatever little rumblings are coming from the opposite side of the house.
Normally, it's fairly subtle. The sound of a door opening. Little feet shuffling. Then giggles. Or a sweet little voice, gently calling: "Oh, Moooommmmyyyyy!! Where aaaaarrrreeeee yoooouuuuuu???"
Occasionally, the giggles are followed by fighting, or the ever present refrain of a household with more than one preschool-aged child: "MINE!" Which is usually followed by crying. To which I grumble, and roll out of bed, or ever so gently poke my husband in the ribs in hopes that HE will get up and deal with it. Either way, this particular alarm clock almost always results in a scolding and / or time-out before breakfast.
This morning's alarm however, was not subtle. It was not sweet. It was not even merely obnoxious. It was searing.
Imagine, if you will, just coming out of a rare night of peaceful sleep. Just starting to stir when you hear a door open, followed by the ear-piercing shriek of a toddler screaming: "Daddy!! DADDY!!! DADDY!!!!!" Then, when no response is given: "MOMMY!!!!"
Now, I'm not talking about merely yelling. Or even screaming. I'm talking about a nearly ultra-sonic shriek that could almost peel the paint! This is the same shriek that she let fly for nearly a solid HOUR the other day, during an exceedingly long tantrum.
Since Daddy was screamed for first, I every so gently nudged him fully awake, and suggested that he may want to go see what the reason could possibly be for the darling daughter of ours to be shrieking like that.
Turns out, there was no reason. Such is the nature of life with a toddler.
Why did you do that?
I don't know!
Next thing I know, I'm flanked in the bed by the shrieker and the brother she woke up, and after a stern warning NEVER to scream like that again, the four of us enjoyed our morning snuggles.
For about two minutes.
However, when that little girl is a precocious, two and a half year old second child, there is a flip side to that coin.
There's screaming. There's sass. There's showing her ass!
I call her my little curly-headed alarm clock. Because she and her brother usually wake between 6-6:30 am every single day. My highly developed "Mommy Sense" has trained me to wake ever so slightly around this time so that I can hear whatever little rumblings are coming from the opposite side of the house.
Normally, it's fairly subtle. The sound of a door opening. Little feet shuffling. Then giggles. Or a sweet little voice, gently calling: "Oh, Moooommmmyyyyy!! Where aaaaarrrreeeee yoooouuuuuu???"
Occasionally, the giggles are followed by fighting, or the ever present refrain of a household with more than one preschool-aged child: "MINE!" Which is usually followed by crying. To which I grumble, and roll out of bed, or ever so gently poke my husband in the ribs in hopes that HE will get up and deal with it. Either way, this particular alarm clock almost always results in a scolding and / or time-out before breakfast.
This morning's alarm however, was not subtle. It was not sweet. It was not even merely obnoxious. It was searing.
Imagine, if you will, just coming out of a rare night of peaceful sleep. Just starting to stir when you hear a door open, followed by the ear-piercing shriek of a toddler screaming: "Daddy!! DADDY!!! DADDY!!!!!" Then, when no response is given: "MOMMY!!!!"
Now, I'm not talking about merely yelling. Or even screaming. I'm talking about a nearly ultra-sonic shriek that could almost peel the paint! This is the same shriek that she let fly for nearly a solid HOUR the other day, during an exceedingly long tantrum.
Since Daddy was screamed for first, I every so gently nudged him fully awake, and suggested that he may want to go see what the reason could possibly be for the darling daughter of ours to be shrieking like that.
Turns out, there was no reason. Such is the nature of life with a toddler.
Why did you do that?
I don't know!
Next thing I know, I'm flanked in the bed by the shrieker and the brother she woke up, and after a stern warning NEVER to scream like that again, the four of us enjoyed our morning snuggles.
For about two minutes.
Monday, August 10, 2009
5K Training - Day One!
So, I made up my mind to do this, and I went out on Friday to this fabulous store called Run for your Life and got fitted for my first pair of running shoes. I'm glad I went to a running store because how else would I possibly know that I overpronate my ankles when I run?? Anyway, thanks to the very helpful sales girl, I walked out with a nice pair of good fitting running shoes, a good jog-bra, and light $145!! 
But thanks to tax-free weekend, it wasn't as bad as it could have been!
Saturday, the whole family tripped up to Target to pick out a sports watch with a timer. An hour later (and thanks to the nice lady in the grocery section who gave my grumpy kids free snacks!) we walked out with the least expensive, least complicated watch I could find that would still do the job.
This morning, at 6 am, my little curly-headed alarm clock went off screaming! I went in and "snoozed" her for a bit, but my brain was already working, so I was up by 6:30. Did my weigh-in, got dressed, had a little water, and off I went! I wanted to be sure to get out the door before 7am because a) it's already 75 degrees and 78% humidity, climbing to a high of 97 today and b) Monday is garbage day... YUCK!
Started off w/ a five minute brisk walk, then it was time for my first 60 sec jog. This training program starts off with 20-30 minutes, jog for 60 sec, walk for 90 sec. So I calculated that 20 minutes of that meant 8 cycles. First one, not too bad... got my heart rate up. Second, a little harder, but still ok. I could feel the difference my new shoes made immediately! By the fourth interval, I was thinking, Ok, halfway there... by the 6th, the thought crossed my mind that maybe that's enough for now.
NO!
Did the 7th... waited a little longer than 90 sec, so I wouldn't have to start jogging UPhill... 8th interval... longest 60 seconds of my life (with the possible exception of the transition contractions during my labor w/ Charlie)!
As I did my cool down walk, heading toward my house, I thought, I don't know if I can do this. This is HARD!
But that's the point. If it were easy, everyone would / could do it. Same thing with natural childbirth. It's hard, but it's so worth it! BIG difference here though (and this is what got me through that last 60 second jog): I didn't have a CHOICE but to get through childbirth. I have a choice here. Am I going to give up? Or am I going to stick with it (for once in my life) and keep on going.
I'm going to keep on going.
But thanks to tax-free weekend, it wasn't as bad as it could have been! Saturday, the whole family tripped up to Target to pick out a sports watch with a timer. An hour later (and thanks to the nice lady in the grocery section who gave my grumpy kids free snacks!) we walked out with the least expensive, least complicated watch I could find that would still do the job.
This morning, at 6 am, my little curly-headed alarm clock went off screaming! I went in and "snoozed" her for a bit, but my brain was already working, so I was up by 6:30. Did my weigh-in, got dressed, had a little water, and off I went! I wanted to be sure to get out the door before 7am because a) it's already 75 degrees and 78% humidity, climbing to a high of 97 today and b) Monday is garbage day... YUCK!
Started off w/ a five minute brisk walk, then it was time for my first 60 sec jog. This training program starts off with 20-30 minutes, jog for 60 sec, walk for 90 sec. So I calculated that 20 minutes of that meant 8 cycles. First one, not too bad... got my heart rate up. Second, a little harder, but still ok. I could feel the difference my new shoes made immediately! By the fourth interval, I was thinking, Ok, halfway there... by the 6th, the thought crossed my mind that maybe that's enough for now.
NO!
Did the 7th... waited a little longer than 90 sec, so I wouldn't have to start jogging UPhill... 8th interval... longest 60 seconds of my life (with the possible exception of the transition contractions during my labor w/ Charlie)!
As I did my cool down walk, heading toward my house, I thought, I don't know if I can do this. This is HARD!
But that's the point. If it were easy, everyone would / could do it. Same thing with natural childbirth. It's hard, but it's so worth it! BIG difference here though (and this is what got me through that last 60 second jog): I didn't have a CHOICE but to get through childbirth. I have a choice here. Am I going to give up? Or am I going to stick with it (for once in my life) and keep on going.
I'm going to keep on going.
Intro
I'm Megan. In 3 months, I'll be 34 years old. I've been married for 8 1/2 years, and I have two kiddos; Charlie is almost 5 and Sarah is 2 1/2.
This is me:
My life for the last seven years has primarily revolved around my home, my husband and my children. It's been a rewarding time, and I'll always treasure the fact that I've been fortunate enough to have children, and stay home with them. However, like many moms before me, I somehow let myself go, and lost my sense of self.
It's time to refocus some energy on ME.
I've been feeling that way for a while, and this year, I finally started doing something about it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At this time last year, I was lugging myself and my kids around at my highest weight ever (not counting pregnancy). I was 5'7", and topped out around 265 pounds. By the time I finally started getting serious about getting the weight off and started keeping track of it, I was down to 253. This was me, last August:
I was tired of being tired all the time. Tired of looking like a slob no matter what I wore. Tired of having to order all my clothes online because I couldn't find my size in stores that I could actually afford to shop in. Still, I wasn't fully committed.
My son's 4th birthday rolled around, then Halloween (ie: candy season). I took a rare opportunity to have a girls' night out on my birthday, then ate my way through Thanksgiving and Christmas. Still, by the end of 2008 I'd lost 17 pounds from when I started tracking it.
I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. For me, if I called it a resolution, I was setting myself up to fail. Every time.
But in January, I started making more small changes to my diet: no more diet soda (I was drinking anywhere from 2-5 Diet Rite's per day); no more buying chips, sweets, less processed food. Our budget played into this decision quite a bit as well, as I could no longer justify paying for stuff that wasn't essential.
By the end of March, I was down 40 pounds, just by changing my diet. I was back into clothes that I hadn't worn in four years! I was feeling better, lighter, more confident. It was time to kick it up a notch.
I started walking in mid-April, and by the end of that month, I was up to 2 miles. I'd love to say "a day" but let's face it... when you've been a lazy butt for years, old habits are sometimes hard to break! But I was walking most days, and the weight kept coming off.
Suddenly, as the 200 pound mark, my old self-destructive behaviors began to resurface. I went up and down throughout the months of May and June. But finally, in mid-July, I did it! I finally was down below 200 for the first time in FIVE YEARS!!
In the last month, I've hit another plateau, but it's finally on the way down again. All told, since last year, I've lost nearly 70 pounds! I'm walking regularly, and doing my FIRM workout when I can... that requires a pre-workout routine of removing dog hair from the living room rug, so I admit that I haven't been as committed to that workout as I'd like to be.
This is me this morning, ready for my first official training run:
So why start running? I'll be the first to admit, I never saw the point to it. You get just as good a cardio workout, and burn just as many calories by walking 2 miles as you do by running it. But lately, during my walks, I've felt like running. I tried throwing in some intervals here and there, only to wind up very winded with shin-splints. But when one of my online mom friends suggested a get together over a half-marathon, the idea sounded like a winner. Not only was it a goal to work toward, it was a chance to meet in person some super great women I've come to know (online) rely on over the last few years. What could be better?
Then my rational brain kicked in, and I decided, if I wanted to make that half-marathon next April, not only do I need to train for IT, it might be best to start off with a shorter, local race.
Like a 5K.
And what better one to start with, than Race for the Cure? The timing is right (just under two months away) and the cause is a great one!
So I'm doing it. I registered today. And I'm running not only for me, but in honor of the survivors in my family: my great-grandmother, who had 2 mastectomies, and later died at the age of 89; my cousin and my sister, who are both recent survivors, living cancer free today!
This is me:
My life for the last seven years has primarily revolved around my home, my husband and my children. It's been a rewarding time, and I'll always treasure the fact that I've been fortunate enough to have children, and stay home with them. However, like many moms before me, I somehow let myself go, and lost my sense of self.
It's time to refocus some energy on ME.
I've been feeling that way for a while, and this year, I finally started doing something about it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At this time last year, I was lugging myself and my kids around at my highest weight ever (not counting pregnancy). I was 5'7", and topped out around 265 pounds. By the time I finally started getting serious about getting the weight off and started keeping track of it, I was down to 253. This was me, last August:
I was tired of being tired all the time. Tired of looking like a slob no matter what I wore. Tired of having to order all my clothes online because I couldn't find my size in stores that I could actually afford to shop in. Still, I wasn't fully committed.
My son's 4th birthday rolled around, then Halloween (ie: candy season). I took a rare opportunity to have a girls' night out on my birthday, then ate my way through Thanksgiving and Christmas. Still, by the end of 2008 I'd lost 17 pounds from when I started tracking it.
I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. For me, if I called it a resolution, I was setting myself up to fail. Every time.
But in January, I started making more small changes to my diet: no more diet soda (I was drinking anywhere from 2-5 Diet Rite's per day); no more buying chips, sweets, less processed food. Our budget played into this decision quite a bit as well, as I could no longer justify paying for stuff that wasn't essential.
By the end of March, I was down 40 pounds, just by changing my diet. I was back into clothes that I hadn't worn in four years! I was feeling better, lighter, more confident. It was time to kick it up a notch.
I started walking in mid-April, and by the end of that month, I was up to 2 miles. I'd love to say "a day" but let's face it... when you've been a lazy butt for years, old habits are sometimes hard to break! But I was walking most days, and the weight kept coming off.
Suddenly, as the 200 pound mark, my old self-destructive behaviors began to resurface. I went up and down throughout the months of May and June. But finally, in mid-July, I did it! I finally was down below 200 for the first time in FIVE YEARS!!
In the last month, I've hit another plateau, but it's finally on the way down again. All told, since last year, I've lost nearly 70 pounds! I'm walking regularly, and doing my FIRM workout when I can... that requires a pre-workout routine of removing dog hair from the living room rug, so I admit that I haven't been as committed to that workout as I'd like to be.
This is me this morning, ready for my first official training run:
So why start running? I'll be the first to admit, I never saw the point to it. You get just as good a cardio workout, and burn just as many calories by walking 2 miles as you do by running it. But lately, during my walks, I've felt like running. I tried throwing in some intervals here and there, only to wind up very winded with shin-splints. But when one of my online mom friends suggested a get together over a half-marathon, the idea sounded like a winner. Not only was it a goal to work toward, it was a chance to meet in person some super great women I've come to know (online) rely on over the last few years. What could be better?
Then my rational brain kicked in, and I decided, if I wanted to make that half-marathon next April, not only do I need to train for IT, it might be best to start off with a shorter, local race.
Like a 5K.
And what better one to start with, than Race for the Cure? The timing is right (just under two months away) and the cause is a great one!
So I'm doing it. I registered today. And I'm running not only for me, but in honor of the survivors in my family: my great-grandmother, who had 2 mastectomies, and later died at the age of 89; my cousin and my sister, who are both recent survivors, living cancer free today!
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