Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hope everyone is having a great day!  My husband and I woke up early and headed for the 5 miler called Fast Freddie's. It was pouring rain - I mean like buckets. Mud and puddles all around.  I was very unsure if I was going to run.  I am so slow and just worried about being out there in the rain that long and slipping or something and we were leaving on a 6 hour car ride this afternoon. So I didn't run it. But I don't feel like a failure - I am disappointed. I know I can run 5 miles and that is the important part. I am thankful I can run.

My husband ran in the rain and did great!! He was really happy he did it. He said the rain didn't even bother him.  Both of our shoes are ruined from walking around in the puddles (no where else to walk) I had my older running shoes but he had the only pair he has. So guess we are getting him a new pair - he needed them anyhow. 

Off to dinner with the family. First time doing it at a restuarant -will see how that goes. I am excited to see my sons.

Have a blessed day and count your many blessings! There are more than you think - when you start counting and see others who have it much worse than you do.  I am grateful for this day and what I have and I am not going to worry about the next day. I am trying to take it one day at a time and let God worry about the rest.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

I ran 5 miles today!

I had a good day so far.  I went to Weight Watchers for my regular Saturday morning. I hadn't weighed in two weeks since last week I was up about 2 pounds and in a lousy mood. Ask my husband.  :)  So today I went and I had lost 0.8 from two weeks ago!! So from last weekend I had lost 3 pounds really. Get that reasoning. This week had been awful eating-wise too. I had a couple dinners out for work, drinks one night, a couple lunches out and no exercise. I thought the scale would not be nice to me. Friday I tried to eat healthy and I ran 2.2 miles - all I could do. I had pretty good times for me, but I was beat after 2 miles. So the scale was my friend.

I also went out for my long run today and ran 5 miles! My time was good again for me. I finally am seeing some progress on my time. Others might think that I am really really really slow. I don't think that way or I would have quit by now. I compare myself to myself and I see improvement and I am having fun (yes it is fun to run) and my health is better so no way am I quitting.

I am really psyching myself up for Thanksgiving. I am going to my family's for the long weekend and I have a couple eating out and there is going to be food around, but I am going to try to think about the people and not the food. Cross your fingers for me, say a little prayer for me, send me good vibes, whatever you can do. I need all the help I can get. Hopefully I can get a run or two in also.

Have a great day! and smile!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Don't let diets get you down!

I was talking about Thanksgiving with some of my online friends and I made the comment to enjoy the people and not to get all caught up in the food.  Either eating too much and making it all about food or worryng about every bite you take and talking about how you can't eat this or that or how many calories does that have and still making it all about food.

Let's enjoy our loved ones! Isn't that why we are trying to lose weight. To spend more quality of time with our loved ones. To be able to have more fun with them. To be able to live longer healthier lives without burdening them with our care.

I have lost both of my parents and it is true that after they are gone you always wish you would have spent more time with them. At the time all you think about is that you are busy and life is still going on and you have to keep up. But would one weekend be too much, one day, one hour with them?

I want to eat healthier and be healthier.  I don't want to be obsessed with my weight or what food I eat or how much exercise I do.  So enjoy the holidays - watch what you eat - enjoy the good food - take small portions of the food that isn't as good for you or pass it up. Make the time more about talking and laughing with your loved ones.

Just a another quick observation. Yesterday I had to take some clients to lunch with a colleague. I ordered a hamburger and fries. Why?  I don't know - I knew that they had good hamburgers and I was nervous so I ordered something I was familiar with instead of salad where I could have made a mess eating in front of clients (trying to put a big piece of lettuce in my mouth).  It wasn't all that good but I ate it all. I am not sure why.  Then for dinner, my husband and I made baked tilipia, jasmine rice, green beans and I had those little single servings of cauliflower with cheese sauce that are 1 weight watchers pt. It was sooooo good. It was so much better than my lunch.  I need to remember these things so I start picking the right things. My husband has already learned this. We went out to dinner recently and he picked some chicken dish and it came with rice and some sauce on top of the chicken and a vegetable - it looked delicious. I of course was trying to be cheap and so I got the country fried steak (hold the gravy) instead of the salmon which was like $8 more. Am I not worth eating the cost of the healthier food? My husband would have been fine with whatever I ordered.

Hmmm sometimes I just have to write it out here so I can mull over it in my mind. Maybe one day I will learn.  Have a great day!  Smile!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Trying to slow down

Well I finally had a night this week that I can just relax. It has been a long week. I learned that I need to learn how to fit exercise and eating right into a busy schedule. I know it can be done, but I haven't learned yet. I will keep trying. I am not giving up. I didn't do too bad eating, but I haven't ran since last Saturday. I hope to run tomorrow. I can't believe how much I miss it.

Another thing I have learned this week is how often I say "but".  LOL  I don't like excuses. I always have an excuse. I need to quit excusing myself and just do it! As long as I keep on and don't give up - I am happy!

I hope to have a good weekend and be able to delve into some deeper topics. 

Remember to smile at someone.

Monday, November 15, 2010

How to Beat the Winter Darkness

I am having a problem.
Long work days and short days means no time for running. And besides that I miss jazzercise because it starts at 5:15 which means that I have to leave work at 4:30. I don't feel like I can when we are really busy. Do you want to hear more whining?  I can go on and on why I can't exercise.

But here is what I can do?
  • I can wake up early and do an exercise video.
  • I can wake up early and use the elliptical while watching TV news.
  • I can wake up early and brave the dark and cold and run.
  • I can wake up early and work for awhile at home, then run when it turns light, and then either go into work or work from home.
  • I can walk downtown on lunchtime.
  • If I work from home, I can go for a run at lunchtime.
  • I can get to work early and leave at 4:30 for jazzercise and if I have to work at home later.
  • When I get home, I can use the elliptical while watching TV
  • If I can get home by 5, I can run for an hour before it gets too dark.
And of course there is the weekend. So there is lots of time to work out if I can just be creative. It is worth it. I just have to do it and not let the darkness of winter overtake me.

JUST DO IT! to borrow from Nike. Don't think about it and talk yourself out of it - just do it! Remember to smile and do a good deed for someone. Someone might do a good deed for you. Remember karma!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Random Thoughts Today while Running

I ran 5 miles today. It took me 1 hour and 19 minutes and I am happy with that time. I am ecstatic with that time!  Since it is good for me and I kept up the pace for 5 miles. Anything under 16 minute miles is good for me. I am approximately 100 pounds overweight so this is good.

I feel healthy even though I might not look it. I feel good about myself - I don't care if others see me running and think wow is she slow or looks like a big fat girl running. Yes! that is what I am. A big girl but I can run 5 miles!! I am not saying I shouldn't lose weight for my health. I should and I am working on it and I will!! Because I am committed to being healthy.

I recently turned 50 and even though I am pretty healthy already I want to continue that.  I have only been married to the love of my life for 5 years and I want to enjoy many more years of health with him. I am enjoying life more than ever lately and life is good. I don't want to say "I can't" anymore because I weigh over 200 pounds. I want to say YES to life! 

It is worth turning down sweets and pizza and ice cream and alcoholic beverages. It is worth running even when I don't feel like it (like this morning).  It is worth having to think about portion size and quality of my food if it will keep me healthy. So I want to lose weight so I can look better, buy cute clothes, and dazzle my husband (but he says I already do that) :)  But the main reason I want to lose weight is to be healthy.

Smile!! and do a good deed for someone - you will feel better about yourself.

Friday, November 12, 2010

My goals for next week

I have been busy at work and busy at home it seems. I have been choosing my food well and been saying no to sweets in our work kitchen. I have brought my lunch all week and my husband and I haven't eaten out all week which is my downfall most of the time. 

I ran last Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday. 5 miles, 3.5 miles and 4 miles. I didn't get to go to jazzercise all week. I really need to start up again. I lost inches when I was going regularly.

Tomorrow is weigh in at Watch Watchers. I hope I lose at least a pound.

Next week I want to enter into the next lowest decade of weight. So my goals are to continue choosing wisely, try to attend jazzercise at least twice, run at least 3 times, and drink more water.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Simple Summer Pleasures of my Youth

I heard a song this morning on the radio on the way to work. Not sure what it was called but it was Kid Rock singing. For some reason I like some of his songs. This one was about being young during the summer in northern Michigan. Since I grew up in southern Michigan and took many summer vacations in northern Michigan it sounded familar. It made me remember all the simple summer pleasures of youth.

  • Swimming in the lake
  • Sitting by the fire at night
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing or really we were tanning on the pontoon boat but pretending to fish
  • Spending the night on my friend's pool deck or sleeping in a tent that we made out of blankets
  • Playing board games on the front porch with my friends since we didn't have air conditioning
  • Bicycling around the town
  • Watching baseball games at local park
  • Having the time to read all the books I want
  • Lounging under our willow tree because it was the coolest place that I knew
If I only knew that life was simple back then - even though I thought it was complicated. I had my whole life ahead of me and had no idea where it would take me. I am not sure I would take the path that I did, but I don't know what I would change either. Every moment made me the person I am today and now that I am "older" I appreciate that person.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Weekend Doldrums

There is no reason for this weekend to be blah. Especially today. It has been a gorgeous Fall day. Sunny but with a chill in the air, but not enough for winter coats.  I ran 5 miles yesterday and did errands. No big obligations this weekend. I was able to spend time with my husband. But today we had to clean all day for an open house that one person showed up at. This person didn't even have their house on the market yet.

Our house has been on the market since February. It is depressing that we can't sell it. Hardly any lookers even - maybe 4. I try not to dwell on it. I believe when the time is right, it will sell. Maybe our new house isn't ready yet. Maybe we need to stay in this house for awhile longer for some reason. Maybe we shouldn't sell at all.  I don't know. But what it comes down to is "does it matter?" in the long run.

We are lucky - we are still able to make our mortgage payment, we have our jobs, and our health. Many do not have these blessings. So I am going to be positive about the house not selling even though around me is frustration and depression about not selling. No use blaming anyone - it is what it is this market. I would rather concentrate on what I can change. I can't change the housing market and I can't make someone want my house.

 So I wait, but in waiting I am gaining! I am growing in patience and gratitude for what I have surely things I need in more abundance. It will happen when it happens, but in the meantime I am going to be grateful for what I have.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Good eating

I feel like I am getting on track. I am a little afraid to say that because as surely as I do, I will be off track. But hopefully by publicly saying this if I do get off track I will jump right back on track. Do I have you confused yet?

I have been eating pretty good the last half week. I brought my lunch to work - salad and the day I ate out I ordered fish. I didn't snack all day or gorge myself. I ate "healthy" food like a bagelthin, a little bit of peanut butter and a banana. I had a salad made with fresh vegs, pecans, feta cheese, and a little bit of chicken. I ate brown rice, chicken breast, small salad, and brocolli.  And I am completely satisfied.

I did have ambitions of trying to eat totally healthy and green and clean I think is what they call it. I am intrigued, but I don't think it will work for me. At least where I am at now in my  journey. So I try to incorporate healthy whole foods into my diet and make small changes. They are the ones that last anyhow.

So today when I went grocery shopping I was amazed that I hardly touched the inside aisles except for toilet paper (gotta have that), whole wheat pasta, canned tomatoes, black beans, and peanut butter. That is a change. It felt good. Then I went of my favorite websites http://greenlitebites.com/ and saw a couple of Roni's creations that had me experimenting. This is something like hers but I didn't have any spaghetti squash.

I layered this in an 8x12 pan and put in oven for 20-30 minutes.
Cooked whole wheat penne
Sprinked some low fat cheese (mozzarella and parmesan)
Cooked ground beef with can of tomatoes, black beans, corn, taco seasoning, and spinach on top of the cheese.
Sprinkle some more cheese and VOILA!

It is about 400 calories if you cut in 6 pieces and haven't figured out the Weight Watches points yet; I am thinking about 8 but not sure. It looks very filling. Here it is! Not sure it looks as good in the picture as it does in real life.


Here is the serving - pretty healthy serving.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Letdown after 10K??

Do I feel let down after the wonderful time I had last weekend? Besides running my first 10K on Sunday, I was able to spend time with some of my best friends this weekend talking, playing, games, running, eating, ...  It was an awesome weekend.

But surprisingly no - I don't feel a letdown! I feel like I am flying high. I feel energized and it is Friday.  Of course I was exhausted on Monday and even Wednesday. Busy days at work this week and Tuesday we had dinner with our small group from church and Thursday I had a Christmas Tea planning meeting. Wednesday I grocery shopped after work and then ran 3 miles.  But even with all this busyness, I am feeling good inside.

I think when you reach a goal, like my 10K or whatever it is, you should celebrate and feel good about yourself. I do have a habit of looking forward to another goal immediately. But I think that is fine as long as you appreciate your achievements. They can be small goals or huge goals but for people like me who are goal oriented I need something to look forward to. Whether it is at work, home, or exercise wise.

I recently turned 50 and I am so excited about the rest of my life. I am married to a wonderful man, love my job (most of the time), found a church family that I love, serve on a women's leadership at church, and have made such good friends the last few years.  My life does have some downs as the people closest to me know about but I don't think I can share yet.  It is regarding my four sons. They are from 18 to 23. Enough said.

My next running goal is the Triple Crown of running. I had it wrong the other day - the third leg is not a half marathon but a 10 miler.  So 5K in February, 10K in middle of March, and a 10 miler at the end of March.  Then at the end of April is the mini marathon/marathon. I would like to at least do the Triple Crown so that means another 5K, 10K, and da dum a 10 miler. The most I have ever ran is 6.2 miles so need to stay active this winter - that is why I set the goal so I would have to stay running through the cold dark days of winter.

I also have a goal to get under 200 pounds this year. I think I just need to follow the plan and concentrate on being healthy instead of seeing how much I could eat and still lose a little weight. LOL Sorry just being honest here.

I can't really talk about my other goals, but I do have goals at my job, with my ministry at the church, and personal goals.  I love goals! It makes me feel like a vibrant growing person and not just going through the motions. But another goal, as I mentioned a few days ago, is to slow down and savor each moment, relax and enjoy my life.  So here's to life!! It is what you make it!! Really it is.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

How others see me?

This topic has come up in the last year or so.  I am surprised at how others see me. I have been told that I am an overachiever and dominating and opinionated and outgoing and successful.  What?? This is not how I see myself at all.  I have been told I am very encouraging and nice too.

It all started with a sory that happened about four years ago,
I was managing a team of analysts and one of them accidentally sent me an email meant for someone else and called me "the evil one". I was so surprised, shocked, appalled... I couldn't believe someone thought of me that way. I thought I was a pushover and too nice and meek and quiet. I didn't think too much more about it - that person left and by the way we are friends now and laugh about that incident.

I have been at my current job ten years this month. I was quiet, quiet, shy, reserved, and not very confident when I started. I have changed and my self image has not.  My husband even told me that at work I "dominate" but in a good way. A good way???? What? I am surprised at how others see me as that shy, quiet, unassuming, reserved, not very confident person and I have found out that is not what others think of me at all. WOW!

Now I am afraid that I am being seen as someone I don't want to be seen as. I am trying to come to terms with my new personality. I am glad I am more confident and happy with myself (even though I haven't lost 100 pounds yet) but I want to be seen as a friendly, happy, confident, open, helpful, encouraging, NICE person. After all, I am still a people pleaser at heart.  And I love making people happy!

I want to also thank my job (which I know is not possible) so making me more confident, my husband for making me happy and content in myself, and my many friends at dwlz.com that give me unconditional love. I finally feel that I am loved unconditionally by my husband, my family, and my friends. That is FREEING! and has made me try new things.

Thank you to all my friends and I hope I make you all feel that you are loved unconditionally too!

Monday, November 1, 2010

10K Race Recap

My husband, Marty,  and I woke up pretty early to be down by the Chicago lakefront for our 10K race. We stayed with my friend Nicole (what a great hostess) and she made us coffee and I had my typical Luna bar before we left. The race was at 9:00 am, but we had to pick up our race packets still. We piled into her van and went to pick up our other two friends, Betsy and Mike, and headed down to the race. Our other friend Nick was meeting us down there.



Nicole snagged a great parking place and we headed to pick up our race packets. We got some really nice blue technical shirts. Then I used a porty potty for the first time ever. It wasn't bad, but it was early in the day. We had on gloves and coat while we were waiting. We stretched and took pictures. We did alot of people watching. It was a Trick or Treat Race so alot of costumes. Our friend Mike was a pirate. There was a "foot". There were all sorts of super heroes.  Monster Mash playing in the background. Then finally we lined up and the Star Spangled Banner was sung and we were off! 


A week or so ago I wrote that I was worried about being last in the race - not so much being last, but getting lost or turned around all by myself out on the course. Nicole read what I had written and wrote me and told me that she would run with me and we would have fun and we would finish even if we had to walk it.

So Nicole and I started off and Marty and Nick took off and we quickly lost sight of them. Mike stayed with us for awhile.  The first mile was tough for me, but I hung in there because from my training runs I knowthat sometimes the first mile is the toughest. It got a little easier and I could see some of the first 5Kers returning already. They finished in 15 minutes or so. We could see whitecaps and they were crashing on the shore. It was beautiful. The sun was shining and it was just a nice day! Mike broke away from us even though he was walking.

Nicole and I kept running and we talked. Last year when I did my first 5K I couldn't talk hardly at all, but this time I could talk. So I must be in much better shape.  LOL. Around the 4th mile, I was struggling a little, but just kept on going. Other 10K runners were on their way back and was giving us thumbs up and yelling encouragement. It was nice! We finally arrived at the turning around point where a volunteer asked us "Are you running?" I guess he couldn't tell even though we had numbers on our shirts. He told us that they had already taken down the cones, but he pointed at the turnaround. Nicole was pretty good at following the arrows so I just concentrated on running.

While we were turning around we saw another runner just coming up to the turn-around so we waved and smiled at her. She asked to join us so then there were three. We ran the rest of the way together. She had just finished a marathon a few weeks ago and was soooo encouraging to me. She ran at about the same speed as me and she finished a marathon!!! It took her over 7 hours but she did it!! AMAZING!!  So that kept me going and around 5.5 miles who do we see, but Marty and Mike coming back for us!! They walked with us as we ran the last of the race. It was Marty's first race ever and he did awesome!! I was so happy for him. Then we saw Nick coming for us and saw Betsy waving to us and then the finish line. As I ran across they announced "it is her first 10K". Betsy, the best friend ever, told him it was my first 10K. There was hardly anyone left and they had picked up most of the bananas and bagels, but who cared I finished a 10K - it was about 1 hour 43 minutes. No record but I have something to shoot for now.

After we hugged and gave each other high fives, we took off for the van. We went home took showers and then headed to breakfast (at about 1:00 in the afternoon). A great day!! Marty and I had to say goodbye and get in the car for the 5-6 hours ride back home. We stopped after a few hours for a Starbucks and we couldn't hardly walk.  Then a few more stops to stretch and we made it home. It was a fantastic weekend! I am so grateful for such good friends that support and encourage me.  There were alot of my online friends also cheering me on and I could feel their hugs and cheers while I was running.  I had to post as soon as I finished so I could let them all know that I did it!

Now what?  A 5 miler on Thanksgiving morning that Marty already signed us up for and we are contemplating the Louisville Triple Crown of Running  5K in February, 10K in March, and the Half Marathon in April.  That is alot of running - not sure I am ready for that yet, but whatever I decide it will be fun!