Sunday, July 10, 2011

Sunday July 10, 2011

I finished my first week of half marathon training.  I did four days (3 miles, 3 miles, 4 miles and yesterday I did 5 miles).  Here I am after the 5 miles - not very flattering but it is real.

It was a pretty good time for me. Thursday I did 4 miles in an hour which is a pretty good pace for me. I have been running in the 14 mm but after so many miles I slow down or walk.  Saturday I did 5 miles in 1 hr and 18 min but my 4 mile cut was in 1 hour.  I will keep plugging along - I am carrying alot of extra weight so I can't be too hard on myself.

I watched an Ironman video posted on bendoeslife blog and it was inspiring. Not that I could ever do that but a girl (or old woman) can dream can't she?   here is a link
Ironman Louisville 2010

No update on weight - same. :(
Okay heading off to swim at the YMCA! Later.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Sunday, July 3rd

Exercise
Swam 1/2 mile 18 laps today (almost 60 minutes I was in pool - not always swimming though) - I did freestyle one way and backstroke the other - I think I made progress. :)
Too hot to run outside but might take dog later for a short walk and/or do some weight work - I keep saying this but hard for me to actually do it (lunges, squats, planks, etc.)

Eating
So far so good - I had my oatmeal breakfast with coffee and a lite hotdog (80) and a lite hotdog bun (80) with ketchup and onion. Lunch was after swim so I added a cup of lite chocolate soy milk and a banana.

Plans for the rest of the day
hmm - resting, relaxing, reading, it is my 3 R Sunday afternoon
Might take groceries to my son that I picked up for him the other day when I did my shopping.  Besides that I am all into taking a nap, doing some reading, sitting outside (kind of hot though).

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Back!!

I can't believe I haven't been posting since the end of March!  It has been a busy and stressful few months.  I looked at my weight journal and I weighed about the same the last time I posted then I do now. Kind of sad but kind of good it didn't go up.  I am at 235.6 at WW this morning and 235.2 on my scale.  So I am going to update on my life right now.

EATING
I am doing pretty good eating "good" foods. No chips, ice cream (except an occasional WW fudgsicle), sugary snacks (except an occasional peanut butter cookie).  I eat oatmeal for breakfast almost every morning with 1/2 cup fat free milk and some walnuts and usually a teaspoon or two of oil.  Lunch is typically a sandwich made of either a bagelthin or this awesome bread I found for 50 calorie a slice - not even diet bread - looks like realy bread and then turkey lunchmeat, low fat cheese slice and spinach, red pepper, onion some vegs - cucumbers are good on it too. Snacks are nuts (which I can over indulge in) and fruit (grapes and berries are my favorites but I do have apples and bananas too). Dinner is some kind of meat (93% ff ground beef, chicken, pork loin, fish), rice and vegetables.  Trying to include more salads - but have to watch salad dressings.  Where I mess up on is when I go out to eat with my work buddies - I have a tendency to indulge or when I get snacky and have alot of nuts or peanut butter and crackers.

EXERCISE
I have been pretty consistent with my running/walking but haven't boosted up the mileage again - would like to get to 5-6 miles but I need to be faster. My runs are about 2.5 to 4 miles. I am slow so that comes out to 45 to 60 minutes.  I haven't been swimming or doing weights at the YMCA lately and need to get back to doing both again. Swimming is such a good exercise.  And I would like to start doing some planks, squats, lunges, etc at home.

WORK
Good - busy but challenging and interesting

FAMILY
My husband is wonderful and he has lost about 50 pounds and is at goal (probably a little too thin) and is working out like a fiend. He did one triathlon and a half marathon besides the races he did with me. He is doing awesome and is very consistent with his training - unlike me.   He swims, bikes, and runs. Training for a marathon and another triathlon. He is great for my motivation and it is nice to share out love of working out.
My four sons are another story - where I get most of my stress.  They are 23, 22, 20, 19.   Enough said about them. We are trying to sell our house and that has been stressful with the housing market. We found a condo we want but we need to sell our house first. It has been for sale over a year now. :( 

FRIENDS
They have been great and supportive to me but I think I have been pulling away - ashamed or maybe just overwhelmed with personal stuff.  But I have wonderful friends even though they are across the country. I am going to an annual gathering in a few weeks and then to a girls weekend in San Antonio in October. Looking forward to both. Oh and I forgot we have a whole week scheduled at the lake with some friends. Hoping to work on my tan, swimming, and get alot of books read. I love to read!! and I have a new Kindle to do my reading with.

Well that is enough - more than enough I guess - I will try to post my workouts, meals, and weight more often. Have a good weekend! Eat more vegetables and fruit when you can, take a walk when you can, be preventive and get all your yearly doctor visits, tests, dental cleanings, etc.,  take your vitamins, and just be healthy!! 

BTW - a shout to the Davis family (Pa, Jed, and Ben) from the Do Life movement (http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/, http://padoeslife.tumblr.com/, http://lifedoesjed.tumblr.com/) and on facebook. It is a terrific get healthy and start living movement.  I love their message!

And - sorry I am a run talker - I love Ben's girlfriend new blog - well it is Ben's dog that she is taking care of Sherman.  I am addicted to it. LOL http://shermandoessummer.tumblr.com/

Monday, April 4, 2011

The After - After my Work Trip to Florida

Wow what a trip!  It was a stormy day when we left and of course the plane was bumpy and rocky which I hate. I ended up meeting some of the clients going to the meeting at the airport and tagging along with their group on the way there.  I met my boss at the airport and we had a rental car to the hotel and had another client tag along.  When we arrived at the hotel - oh my!! - what a beautiful place and location.  They took me up to the suite since my name was on the meeting contract.  Two bathrooms, sitting room, bedroom, two balconies overlooking ocean. Amazing!! and the not so amazing the mini bar was free - all free. What?  Did I hear that right?  Don't tell me that - the high prices were one reason I never dove into the mini bar.  I will be strong!





I unpacked and looked out over the ocean while making a few calls. Then the important stuff - setting up work laptop and finding the reception room and the meeting rooms and making sure our boxes of materials arrived.  That took an hour or two.  I then headed to the reception around 5:45.  This is a hall I had to walk through.
More beautiful in person!  The reception was on a patio overlooking the ocean.  Didn't take a picture - darn it. The rain let up in enough time to have the reception outdoors so that was nice. We had a tent ceiling and some heaters just in case but we could still see the ocean.  Nice night - clients did not want to leave the reception. Having too good a time.  After my boss and I went and set up the materials for the meeting.  Back to the room to make sure I was ready for my presentations the next day.
Up early and headed to meeting room.
We had about 30 people attend.  I did not get to see the morning sunrise or the beach because it was so cloudy. Supposed to be a bad weather day but we were stuck in this room most of the day. Lunch was supposed to be outside but had to bring it inside but it was still nice. Meeting went well and so we broke about 4:30. Time to hit the beach with some clients - met more out there.
Still kind of overcast but we were all excited to just be able to get out there. We had dinner at an amazing restaurant Ragtime.  Delicious.  then headed back to my room to watch Grey's Anatomy, read a little, call the hubby, and just relax.  Did get a knock on my door around 10 but we won't discuss that here. Needless to say I ended up in bed by 11 - not too bad.
Last morning and guess what it is beautiful.

I did get to see the sunrise this morning from my balcony. I saw some ladies doing yoga to the sun. :) It was very nice.  We finished the meeting and had a few minutes before driving back to the airport.
One last picture to show the beautiful weather that finally arrived that we missed since we had to leave. :(  Trip home was uneventful but seemed like it took forever to finally get home. A few other interesting stories that I might add tomorrow - have to run but it was nice.

Oh yeah - I didn't tell you - I ate from the mini bar way too much - too easy and free and I was stressed and working. Then client dinner - way too good and hamburger and fries at the airport. And no exercise.  I got on the scale that night when I got home - not too bad.  Next morning - I had lost a pound when I was gone. What???  But I had been up a few pounds before I left but still I was satisfied especially after what I ate.

Okay that was my work trip!  And the best news yet  NO SEATBELT EXTENDER NEEDED!!!  and I wore clothes in 3 sizes smaller than I was.  YAY!!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

I RAN 10 miles today!! Final and 3rd leg of the Triple Crown of Running

I did it! I ran/walked 10 miles .really 10.2 plus another mile from where you picked up your number to the start line. Lots of hills through a park but it was beautiful. No rain but a little cold but weather was acceptable. I did it in 2 hr 37 min so under 16mm - 15:47 my Garmin said. I was happy to come in under 16mm after all the walking I did. I ran the first 4 miles and then walked up the hills and ran down the hills and then once I got out of the park I walked most of the way back to the stadium. I did have a slice of free pizza since Papa John's sponsored the run.  We finished in the Papa John's Cardinal stadium where University of Lousiville Football is played.

After thoughts - glad I did it but think I would have rather waited until I could run it all. Next year I want to do the Triple Crown again and beat my old times. Hopefully I will be down in weight and have more training so I can even do the half marathon next year. I am not going to do it this year.

Eventually I want to do a triathlon (the small ones) so I need to start swimming and biking more regularly.  I am also going to use weight machines so I can get stronger which will help me do all of this better and help me fit in smaller clothes. :) 

My weight hasn't changed much the last few weeks and I have a work trip next week so I hope to get back being a loser soon.

See you next week for a work trip update and to see if I can manage without a seatbelt extender - I am almost certain I can.  Then how I did with eating and working out when I am gone. Not counting on working out but hope I can control my eating when I am there and there is food just laying around all day long - free for the taking - not in WW pointplus or calories though.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

10K Race Recap - 2nd Leg of Triple Crown of Running

To be short and sweet - I did it! I ran the whole way and beat my first and only other 10K by 11 minutes. So I was happy.  1 hr 32 min 37 sec (14.37 mm pace). I didn't think I would be able to keep that pace for the entire 6 miles.  My 5K two weeks ago my pace was 14.12 but I could tell I was a little bit slower this race.

Now for the race recap.
It was a warmer day than the 5k - 40s - a little chilly when we got there but during the race it was great. Nice sunny day with a little breeze but it didn't bother us while running.
No problems getting there, parked, getting our bibs, making a portapotty run, and waiting at the start line. Marty and I saw another couple we knew (he used to work with the guy and the woman and I still work at the same company though not together). That made the time waiting go faster. Then when lining up I saw a girl I work next too and her boyfriend.

I didn't start off as fast as I did on the 5K but here are my splits (I tried to press lap on my garmin every mile so I could see how I did).
Overall  6.33 miles 1 hr 32 min 37 sec   14.37mm  4.1 mph
Mile 1   13.28 mm   4.5 mph
Mile 2   15 mm        4.0 mph
Mile 3   14.57 mm   4.0 mph
Mile 4   14.43 mm    4.1 mph
Mile 5   14.55 mm    4.0 mph
Mile 6 plus the 0.2    14.42 mm   4.3 mph
My first mile was fastest and then my last mile which is good that I still had some in me that last mile.  I sure didn't feel like it though. I felt like I couldn't run anymore.   Marty met me at finish line and had a cup of water for me. I stopped running and that was a mistake - I should have walked because my body kept moving forward and I almost fell LOL  wasn't that bad - just funny feeling.  Then I walked to the car and felt better.  I was sore yesterday afternoon but that was to be expected.

Feeling good today. not sure about the last leg of the Triple Crown which is in two weeks and is 10 miles. I have never ran more than 6.2 miles even at the gym so I better get moving these next two weeks. it is a hilly course too I heard :(  so I will probably do alot of walking and won't think too much of my time. But just know I will be out there for more than 2 hours and 30 minutes for sure.  If I could come in under 16 mm I would be very very happy but I am fine with under 17 mm.  We shall see. 

After that race I am going to just walk/run for pleasure and weight loss and will try to do a mini when I lose more weight and can get faster.

But I feel great that I did it!! It is a great feeling.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Sunday March 6th

One week after my 5K and one week from my 10K.  I am getting kind of tired. I still love running but trying to push for my mileage when I run so slow is hard.  I ran 6.2 miles yesterday in 97 minutes. I had to walk some of it - less than half of it - altogether maybe a mile or two.   My back and hip start hurting after running more than 5 miles so I think that might be my cut off and then I walk.

I am loving the swimming and my last swimming lesson is today. And I can freestyle now - swim with my head in the water and breathing correctly. So the lessons were worth it. AFter swimming my body feels real relaxed; I love the water.  I need to get back to the weight machines; haven't had much time to concentrate on those.

The scale is finally back down after a 2 week up and a little down and then up again period. I am heading to the 220s - nothing is going to stop me this time. I want 50 pounds to be gone by the time I go to my client meeting on March 30th in Florida.   Since we are talking about work....   I have been busy but I call it a "good busy".  I love what I am doing and it is different opportunities for me. I am so glad I stuck it out with my company when they laid me off. I was on the transition team for awhile and then took over for someone on maternity leave and 18 months later they knew they couldn't live without me. LOL  I was offered a job in a slightly different area which is alot more exciting for me - working with clients and strategy and design.  I am very happy. And I am not gloating or anything but the manager that made the decision to let me go has been laid off. I guess she wasn't making good decisions.  Just kidding that wasn't it - I don't think it was at least.

Looking forward to a week of running and lots of work. Also last week of Bible study with a table of wonderful ladies. Hope we stay in contact.  See you next week!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Anthem 5K - first leg of Triple Crown of Running in Louisville

I did it! I ran the 5K and I did run the whole way  - not that there is anythig wrong with walking. My last offical 5K was 18 months ago and I did it in 50 min 31 seconds. Today I did the 5K in 43 min 35 seconds.

I am not sure how I will do with the 10K in two weeks or the 10 miler in four weeks, but I feel great today! I am improving and that is all that matters. Not that I came in 7304 out of 8720 or 224 out of 389 for my division. I try not to compare to others - just improve on my time. So I am competitive but only against myself. LOL

My weight was up this week but I ate a couple times out and had one Mexican fiesta on Thursday evening but I am not worried. I am just getting back on plan. I can do this!

Just go out there and do it!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Sunday February 20th

So my goal is to post at least weekly on here.

This week a few miilestones. I did get my 45 pound star - down 46 pounds total!! 
I ran 6.2 miles at the YMCA yesterday. I didn't do so well on time since I ran out of steam. I hadn't eaten breakfast but some coffee (because I was getting weighted at WW) and had some nuts before I left to run.  So I was kind of wobbly after I finished. I learned a lesson about fueling. I did run it in 1 hr 42 minutes which sounds like a lot but my 10K back in October my time was 1 hr 43 so I did it one minute faster. LOL  Oh well.  Next week is Anthem 5K and I am feeling okay about that.  Three weeks from now is the 10K and I am a little nervous and then five week from now is 10 miler which I am terrified of.  But I am tired of being scared and am just doing it. 
I have wondered why I sign up for races. I know I am not going to win the race (by far).  Since I am running to get fit what is the motivation on running races. ???  The only thing I can say is that it keeps me motivated to keep training.  Which is a good reason.

I did say I would post on my appetite.  I am amazed that I can go hours without eating. I never thought I could and would eat alot because I thought I wouldn't have chance later or that I needed to finish every bite. I found out the first few bites are so much better than the last few. I don't have to have second helpings - I can stop at one. And I am not saying it is good to go a long time without eating (especially before running - see above) - I think it was a breakthrough for me to know I could. I wouldn't die if my stomach growled.  Now if I feel shaky of course I eat.  I won't die if I don't have the candy or cookies in the break room at work. I won't die if I don't have whatever I want at Mexican and opt for the lower calorie dishes or take off the shell.  Food is losing the control it once had on me. Not that I have conquered it completely but I am getting better.

Last night my son came over and we made snickerdoodles cookies now that my oven is fixed. It had been broken for a few months.  And I had one and a half cookies. I threw the ones we had left in the garbage!!! Amazing. I don't even crave them - chocolate and cookies aren't as appealing as they once were. I am still working on pizza - that sounds great still.  LOL

Well goodbye for another week and hopefully a few more pounds down and a few more miles. I am hoping to have a good time on my 5K next Saturday and to do a long run on Sunday 7 miles (my longest ever).

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Saturday February 13th

Hello. I haven't been as faithful to blogging as I thought I would be. I thought it would be easy to log every day what I do but it is harder than I thought. I am going to keep trying so I can stay accountable and also so perhaps I can motivate someone else that has alot of weight to lose.

This week I did go ahead and sign up for the half marathon. 13.1 miles what am I thinking? The longest I ever ran was 6.2 last Fall. This year I have ran 5 miles. I have a 5K, 10K and 10 miler to do before the half marathon so I will have training. I am not too nervous about 5K or 10K. The 10 miler scares me a little but to me even if I have to walk the last part it will be success - at least this year!!

I am still a regular at the YMCA - my day doesn't seem complete without a workout.  I love the weights and I can see improvement in how much I can lift - my arms were very weak. I do not want to be a big bodybuilder but I do want muscles and some strength - you know I am 50 and need to maintain muscle tone (or get muscle tone in my case) . I am using the treadmill to improve my speed and endurance running. It allows me to run in the cold or snow or in the dark. I couldn't make myself get out there in the cold dark mornings but I can make myself go the YMCA in the early cold dark mornings. So it goes to show - whatever works for you and you have to find out for yourself. There is no right way or wrong way. Some people eat oatmeal for breakfast for me and it works for them and some eat eggbeaters and it works for them. Find your own way!  okay back to the YMCA, the next thing I am doing is swimming lessons. Today is our fourth lesson. My husband is doing it with me but he is the one training for a sprint trialthon. He is an avid biker and he has turned into quite the runner - already breaking 10mm easily and he is also taking the swim lessons with me - his weakest event.  I am very comfortable in the water and love it but I used to swim laps with my head out of the water which if you do enough of them your back gets very sore. So I am learning to swim with my face in the water and turning it to breathe. I am making progress and am loving the swimming. 

My weight - I was at 234.8 yesterday at Weight Watchers.  I was 0.2 away from my 45 pound. :(  next week!  I am making progress - slowly but it is going to stay off and I am relearning how to eat. that is a whole other post I will do later because it really has started to click for me - relearning how to think about food. Starting to click - not there of course all the way.  This weight is VFT virgin fat territory for me. So it is exciting. My next small goal is 50 pounds gone and my next big goal is to be under 200 for the first time in 23 years (my first child). Wow!  But I can do it - I have confidence - not sure how fast it will be but I can do it!

Okay I promise another post on the lightbulb on relearning how to eat very soon.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Here again...

I haven't been very good at posting. Not sure if blogging is for me. But I have been doing pretty good with my exercise and eating.  I am down to 235.4 which is the lowest I have been in at least 5 years - maybe more. I am going to the YMCA almost every day for either a run on the treadmill, a swim, weight machines or a combination. I enjoy the swimming but I am there more for the running. I am training for the Triple Crown of Running in Louisville - it is preparation for the Kentucky Derby. I think I wrote about it before.  A 5K 2/26, a 10K on March 12 and a 10 miler on March 26. I have ran a 5K and a 10K before but never a 10 miler. I am a little nervous. I have been doing good at the Y - I ran 5.25 miles yesterday with a pace right around 15 mm (which is good for me). I feel good and the 5 miles didn't take much out of me - I could have ran farther and I felt pretty good this morning. 
I am trying to balance my life. I have a demanding new work assignment that I love but it is well demanding. Then I have my weight loss and exercise goals as well as a church ministry position I love too. Then time for husband and grown kids. I am doing it! It appears at least. I want to make sure I am balanced.

The last thing is I am wondering whether to sign up for half marathon on April 30th.  I can't make up my mind. The times I saw others clocked last year are doable for me I think. Not fast but at least I can do that.

Enough for today but keep on the journey to health!! It is a reward in itself!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Well it has been awhile....

It has been over a week since I posted. I had a whole post and I accidentally deleted it so I am starting over. I have been loving to work out at the YMCA.  This weekend I started with a sore throat Saturday night.  Sunday I had my second appointment with the YMCA employee. She was showing me more machines to add to my routine. Then I ran for a mile before our first swimming lesson. Yes, my husband and I were taking semi private swimming lessons. He wanted to improve his form and I wanted to learn to exhale in the water. 

We ended up having two instructors so kind of like private lessons. I did learn to exhale in the water. I never put my face in the water so swimming laps wasn't too efficient and my back hurt after a few laps holding my  head out of the water. So it was a success that I did learn to blow bubbles in the water. LOL 

On the way home we started talking about doing things we aren't good at YET or things we don't feel comfortable with. Sometimes you just want to give up or just stay in your comfort zone. One thing I am learning on my journey is it is okay to step out of my comfort zone and sometimes fail or not do so good or feel like a fool. I am living and growing - it is better than sitting on the sidelines watching all the time. I am getting in there and trying new things. Some I like and some I don't. But at least I know because I tried. Just like when I said I didn't like okra and had never tried it but when I finally tried it, I loved okra. Or when I said I don't like brussels sprouts and I tried it and I don't like it. But at least I know because I tried and not because I am afraid to try.

Have a great day and get out there and try something. Don't be afraid or embarrassed - just do it!!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Swim?

I have been going to the YMCA this week.  I love it. I have ran on the treadmill and did the weigh machines. My husband has been swimming there so I tried it today. He came with me to give me confidence and it worked. If he wouldn't have come with me I probably wouldn't have done it. Now I think I will even go swimming by myself. It is good for days that I can't run. Today I swam 500 yards and then I ran/walked for 30 minutes. Tomorrow might be a day off.  We did call to get semi-private swimming lessons since both of us need better techniques. I am afraid to put my face in the water. LOL

Today we had our typical oatmeal for breakfast but then had some english muffin pizzas for lunch. Very good I put fat free mozzarella, pizza sauce, turkey pepperoni, red pepper and onions on mine. Delicious. then for dinner we had something my friend calls crackslaw.  I used brocolli slaw (you can use regular coleslaw mix) and stirfried it in sesame oil and olive oil and added some onions and peas. Then I added chicken and soy sauce. It was very good with some jasmine rice.

It was so nice to have the day off today. Back to work tomorrow and we have a visitor from Canada so we are scheduled for lunch out tomorrow and maybe Wednesday. Also scheduled for dinner out Wednesday night.  I am worried since I always do bad when I eat out. I usually get fish and vegetables. For lunch we might go to Mexican so it might be chicken tacos and try not to eat the shells. Any ideas? I have ordered fajitas before and love them!! But I seem to eat too much or something and so fajjitas are not good for me.  Any other ideas?

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

YMCA

Wow I love the YMCA. I love being able to go no matter the weather and run on the treadmill. I like that on the treadmill I can set the pace and I have to run at that pace. When I run on my own I can go slower and nothing is there to push me. I am not good at knowing my pace.  But I think the treadmill will help me run outside better. I do love outside running though - I don't want to give that up.  I like the weight machines - I just need to know how to use them better.  It takes time. I haven't tried swimming yet - a little embarrassed still.
I see the doctor tomorrow for a followup on my blood work, but they called me with the results and I did lots better. 173 cholesterol (down from 202 3 months ago) 111 LDL and 43 HDL (total cholesterol should be under 200 - LDL under 130 and HDL over 46 for women so a little shy there)
94 triglycerides (not sure what it was 3 months ago) -(triglycerides should be under 150).
I was up this morning on the scale - not sure if it was the second helping of homemade pizza last night or too many nuts or roasted chickpeas.  Whatever I am watching carefully today. When you weigh every day you can't freak out if the scale is up one day. You just need to watch it the next day.
I did go at lunchtime to the YMCA today and ran for 55 minutes on the treadmill. Felt great!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Saturday January 8th

I can't say First Saturday of 2011 - the second week of 2011 has begun.

Today started off with my dear husband driving me to Weight Watchers so I wouldn't have to drive in the ice.  I lost 4 pounds and earned my next 5 lb star which means 40.4 pounds down. Then we went to Walmart and restocked with healthy foods. It seems so funny to only have fruits and vegetables, meats, some dairy. The middle aisles we just got peanut butter, brown and whole grain rice and pasta, and bagelthins. 
Then we went home and I caught up on my internet surfing. :) then my husband and I decided to go and check out the YMCA. It is free to sign up until 1/19. It is $56 a month for both of us and there is two YMCAs we can go to. There is swimming pools, exercise classes, treadmills - ellipticals - bikes, weight machines, running track at one of the Ys and more!  I was paying $38 a month for jazzercise so I am cancelling that and just doing the Y. Today we took a tour and then we used the treadmills to see how they were.  It took us a couple minutes to get used to them, but then we were fine. We are both psyched about joining. Tomorrow I signed up for a complimentary health coach showing me around the weigh machines and making me a plan. My husband will try the lap pool since that is what he really wanted to join the Y for. I want to do laps too but I am a little apprehensive of being in my bathing suit in front of others. But I will probably bite the bullet and do it.
After we went to church and out to dinner with our friends. So I am tired tonight, time to sign off.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

P.S.

I keep forgetting to say that I did Day 5 of the 100 Day Challenge yesterday. 50 min jazzercise.

This morning I did 30 min elliptical because that is all I could fit in my day. So Day 6 is down.
Scale 0.2 down - but I had popcorn late last night  239.0

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

First Wednesday of 2011...

Only a few more days and I will have to think of new titles. :)

Today I slept in a little and worked from home. I weighed in - a new low  239.2!!  Around 7:45 I decided to go to Jazzercise Lite at 8:15.  It was a great start to the day. 

Breakfast
coffee
oatmeal, 2 tsp of oil, 3/4 c of fat free milk

Lunch
bagelthin with chicken and lf cheese grilled with spray butter - then added yellow peppers, red onion, and spinach leaves,   leftover butternut squash

Snacks
coffee
wheat crackers and ww spreadable cheese wedge
grapes throughout the day

Dinner
chicken, basamati rice, stirfried squash/zucchini

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

First Tuesday of 2011

Do you see a theme? Or am I just too tired to think. I just got home and it is 10:15. I am usually asleep by 10:15.  I for some reason felt compelled to post. So here it goes.

I ran 2.25 miles this morning. I took it easy because my hip (or where my torso meets my right leg) hurts sometimes. Also I didn't want to be too late for work. What I do is still get up at 5:45am, then work for awhile, and then run, then shower, then eat breakfast and check work emails and then go into work. I made it by 9:30 - wanted to make it by 9. Oh well.  I weighed 240.0 first thing this morning. Then I had 2 cups of coffee before my run, some water, then some nuts. Then before my shower, after the run, I weighed again and I weighed 239.6 but that doesn't count. Hopefully tomorrow morning I will be under 240 once again.

I forgot to mention Day 4 of 100 day challenge is done!!!

Breakfast 
coffee and some nuts
Run 2.25
Oatmeal w/ 2 tsp of oil and 3/4 cup fat free milk

Lunch
I took my two sons out to Sushi place - I had chicken teriyaki, fried rice, and vegetables with a salad before. YUM but hmmm the calories

Snack
Last time but I broke down and went to Starbucks again for their tall skinny hazelnut latte (it is a milk serving)

Dinner
Subway Turkey 6" with lots of vegetables and pepper jack cheese and honey mustard on wheat bread
Fat free chips

And at small group tonight I passed up some bakery chocolate cake that all of the other people were eating but me and my husband. It gets easier I guess - it wasn't that bad passing it up.

Monday, January 3, 2011

First Monday of 2011

Well I woke up at 5:45 this morning and weighed 240.4 which isn't bad considering it is 2 1/2 hours earlier than the day before so I am not counting it as a gain. :)

I packed my breakfast and lunch. I packed my bag for jazzercise. I was ready for work. I arrived at work pretty early for me. I had a good day at work. I ate my breakfast and lunch. Then in the afternoon, I went and had a Starbucks lite latte tall. It helped me get through the rest of the day.  I left at 4:30 so I could get to jazzercise. I worked  hard. I came home and my wonderful husband had a great dinner waiting. It was a good first Monday of the year!

Breakfast - coffee when I first got up and when I got to work oatmeal with my usual 2 tsp of oil (to complete my  Weight Watchers requirements) and 1 cup of fat free milk (to also complete my Weight Watchers requirements) with some cinnamon and splenda
Lunch - grapes, bagelthin with chicken (cooked in the crockpot), low fat pepper jack cheese and spinach leaves, green pepper strips, and onion.
Snack - Starbucks skinny latte tall
Dinner - pork roast, whole grain rice, butternut squash, and one of those trays of cauliflower and cheese (YUMMY)
coffee

It was a good day!!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Relaxing Sunday

We had a good day, pretty much relaxing. Weigh in this morning was 240.0 it was at 8:15 so I am thinking that tomorrow at 5:45 it will be hard to maintain that loss. I will be ecstatic if I am at 240.0 tomorrow morning - we will see.
Breakfast - coffee, oatmeal with oil and fat free milk and some walnuts
Lunch - leftover chicken kung pao, orange
Dinner - homemade pizza with wheat pizza crust, fat free moz cheese mixed with 2% cheese, and ground beef with onions and green pepper
Snack - some nuts and grapes

My husband did set up a workout room in our basement for us. My elliptical is in there, a workout bench, and his spinner for his bicycle. We bought a new TV for the room so we can watch TV or DVDs when we work out. Hope this will help me with 100 day challenge!

Day 1 - running an hour
Day 2 - walking and housework

Organized my work week and scheduled my workouts (running Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) (jazzercise Monday and Wednesday).  Ready for tomorrow - first week of 2011!!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Fresh Start!

I feel like I have made a fresh start for a few weeks but it is always good to start fresh after the holidays. And what better day  1/1/11. 

I heard not to make resolutions that they are broken. I have heard all sorts of conflicting things. One thing I know is life is a journey and I want to live it and enjoy it and learn from it and help others along the way. Yesterday I wrote about the climb which is a journey but that ever goes upwards. Sometimes you fall down a little and sometimes you stop for a rest, but you keep going forward. I think of my running sometimes as a journey or a climb. I call my blog my journey to health. But really it is my life that is a journey. My health is one part of the journey, my family, my career, my love life, my spiritual life, my friends are all other parts of my journey. I want to be a well rounded person that is mature in all areas of my life. I want to grow in all parts and not just in one part or two parts.

I am not sure if I am even making sense. To sum it up, my weight is one part of ME. I don't think it is the most important part. It is a very important part though because to become mature in all parts of my life I need to be healthy. That is the reason why I want to be healthy so all parts of my life can grow and mature.

Since most of that is just ramblings; here is an update.  Today I weighed 240.4 even after going to Outback for dinner last night. I am almost there again. I want to be under 240 again. Two days these past few weeks I have made it.  Today I went for a 3.1 mile run. My last two runs have been slower than normal. A good friend told me that I should just enjoy running and not to be so worried about my time. That is true. I am running to get healthier not to beat a time. I do wish to get faster but if I never do I still want to run! Here are some running pictures of me and my dog today.

Yesterday before the run

today - me before the run, the road on my run, Brady on the run