Ooooooooohhh! I'm in trouble! My husband is so mad at me! Maybe not mad (well, maybe a little) but probably more disappointed and annoyed. I felt like I needed to go put myself in time out...lol
I went and did my thing this morning...got up early, set out around 6:30 and planned to walk for an hour. It turns out I really left at 6:40, got lost, and only walked for 4 miles. When I was about 1.5 miles away, I looked at my watch and saw that it was 7:30 and should be walking up to the house. I was easily 20 minutes away! I race walked faster than Hal ever could have dreamed to. I race walked so fast, that I ended up jogging...and stayed jogging. I jogged down the street, into the park, across the lawn, into a school (probably going to get in trouble for that too lol) said hi to some teacher, while jogging, through the bars separating the neighborhood from the school (that I had a very hard time fitting through when I moved here in April) and down my street toward the house. My HR got up to 170! I made it back on time to see him glaring at me from the driveway telling me he is going to be late. So busted! I did that 1.5 miles in 10 minutes though! Woo hoo, but *spank spank* for making my hubby late.
The best part of this, was that I found my grove...the grove where I was able to correlate my breathing with my running and my legs, ankles and feet didn't hurt. At all. The only pain I had was a cramping in my stomach from running too much--remember those cramps from childhood when you would run so much you would split your side? When you would stop running for a moment just to make the cramping stop, and start running again? That was me. Seven years old all over again, but in the body of an overweight 30-something year old lol. I love life.
It was really neat waking up, and remembering that I had already called today a great day for exercise. It stuck and I knew it from the moment I woke up. Over an hour of exercise done, before 8am. Sweet!
4 miles, 75 minutes, including cool down, burning 974 calories. It was a good day for exercise. I still have a ton of energy! Maybe tomorrow will be another :).
Make it count! You'll be surprised with what you can accomplish physically, when it isn't about that physical moment. Worrying about my hubby being late, threw all of my physical "can'ts" right out the window.
I can do this. I am a star.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Day 233 (day 2 / week 34)
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Day 213 (day 3 / week 31)
Today I started my C25K (Couch to 5K) training. I modified it a little bit, because I am not coming straight from the couch, and I have been pre-training for some time for this (I guess I could say that lol) ;). Today I walked/race walked/jogged 4.8 miles in 80 minutes and burned roughly around 1500 calories (my HRM has been very bad and is in time out for a while). I would be in the middle of a jogging spurt, and my HRM would drop to 67 and crawl back up to 116 and stay there. I probably spent more time struggling with my HRM than "training." I started to think today if starting a C25K program is smart, with having to work and all and I feel that if it's meant for me to do, God will make it happen.
So I get home and I am venting to my hubby about my HRM and
are you ready for this....
God must have provision for me to exercise while I am working, because he has just provided me with a...
.
.
treadmill!!!!
*happy dance* *running man* *cabbage patch*
I am SO excited I cried when I sat down to think about the blessing I had just been given! God really DOES approve (not that I had any doubt--confirmation is always nice though :) :))!
Last night we went to a buffet again with my in-laws. I did the same thing as last week when we went, so I didn't break the bank again :) (see, it's not a fluke!). Anyway we were talking about the Monkey Boy and what time I would have to leave our house to get him to his Papa's in the morning, so I could be at work before 7am. We decided that we are just going to have to get a bed over to their house and have the Monkey Boy spend the night on the days that I have to work because when the winter comes, it's going to be too much to bring him out there at 5:45am. We haven't made any set plans yet as we are still feeling it out. We will know more when I start work.
So anyway this morning after I exercised, my MIL called and talked to my hubby for a while, then he said she wanted to talk to me. She said that since they are going to be putting a bed in the Monkey Boy's room at their house, they need to do something with their treadmill and asked me if I had room in my exercise room and if I wanted to use it! The first thing I thought of was that I can't take her treadmill because she uses it everyday (she doesn't need mental tricks to exercise like me, she just does it). She said that the weather is changing and she will be able to get outside to walk soon, so it's not a problem. Wow.
I really didn't know how I was going to get outside before or after work to exercise, becuase it will be dark during both times. I was kind of preparing myself mentally to walk in the dark, but I really didn't want to. I figured I would end up doing a video or something (which I'm getting bored with) so this is just a HUGE blessing. How awesome is that!! I will be able to do my C25K training, in my own home!!! Yaay! AND my MIL's neighbor is getting rid of a new weight bench (no weights) and asked her to ask me if I wanted it! Yaay! He reigns and it pours!
Ok onto the juicy stuff.
My measurements:
Wt: 192.0 / 195.2 / 215 (-3.20) (total lost 23#)
Chest: 37.5" / 37.75" / 43.75"(-0.25") (total lost -6.25")
Waist: 32.5" / 33" / 41.5" (-0.50") (total lost -9")
Hips: 42" / 42.5" / 47.75" (-0.50") (total lost -5.75")
Neck: 12.75" / 13" / 14.25" (-0.25") (total lost -1.55")
Under bust: 32" / 33" / 36.75" (-1") (total lost -4.75")
1" below belly button: 38.5" / 40.5" / 47.5" (-2") (total lost -9")
Above my thigh: 37.75" / 39.5" / 44" (-1.75") (total lost -6.25")
R Thigh: 18.75" / 19" / 27" (-0.25") (total lost -8.25")
L Thigh: 19" / 19.5" / 27.5" (-0.50") (total lost -8.50")
R Calf: 14" / 14.25" / 14.5" (-0.25") (total lost -0.50")
L Calf: 14.25" / 14.5" / 14" (-0.25") (total lost -.25")
R upper Arm: 10.5" / 11" / 14" (-0.50") (total lost -3.5")
L upper Arm: 10.75" / 11.5" / 13.5" (-0.75") (total lost -2.75")
R wrist: 5.75" / 5.75" / 6.25" (-0") (total lost -0.5")
L wrist: 5.75" / 5.75" / 6.25" (-0") (total lost -0.5")
March 2009
August 1, 2009
I really feel great and I think that is the best measure of success. I can do so many things that I couldn't before, and I feel stronger and I AM stronger. I am still "obese" but that is temporary and not permanent! I can't believe I am almost into the 180s!!
I don't know if I mentioned this before, but my original start weight is 240 from 2007. Once I hit 190 it will mean that I have lost a total of 50 lbs. Yaay!
Ok well I am off to have fun! Have a great weekend and make it count! If I can do this, so can you! We just gotta take one day at a time :). I am living proof!
I can do this. I am a star.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Day 210 (day 7 / week 30)
Today I got out early to walk and decided to walk for 60 minutes since that was all the time I had before my hubby had to leave for work. I don't have any routes that take 60 minutes, and I didn't want him to be late, so I just walked for 30 minutes and turned around (assuming it would also take 30 minutes to walk back).
Well during my walk, a young lady ran passed me and I immediately thought to myself, "I can do that" so I did. I ran like the wind. If my hubby was behind me, he would have yelled, "Run Forest! Run!" (No wait...that would have been me, if I didn't look like a crazy person yelling it at myself lol). I started off pretty slowly and clumsily but then decided to pick up my feet (always a good thing) and I felt like I was flying! I cut 20 minutes off of my time, because I got back to my neighborhood with a little over 20 minutes to spare.
My heart rate monitor was being wonky...it said my HR was jumping from 112 to 165 so whatever. That was frustrating, but I was flying so I couldn't be bothered with the nonsense numbers. lol.
I rapped around and came in through a different part of our neighborhood just to kill some more time and I got back after 55 minutes (3 miles).
Do you ever have a feeling, like when you are talking to your spouse/friend/someone, where you didn't get an answer from that person, but then God answers it for you, sometime later? Well last night I was thinking about this clothes box/pile that we have in the corner of our room. It's clothes that the Monkey Boy and myself have grown out of (in my case shrunk out of lol). I asked my husband, "do you know where I can take those clothes tomorrow? I'm tired of looking at them." He said, "I think there is a drop off station by Albertson's or Smith's somewhere." I'm a little anal and don't care too much for wild goose chases so I asked, "which one, the one on Buffalo?" he says, "sure," which is his way of saying, "I don't know." I shrugged and kind of wished to myself that I knew exactly where to take the clothes.
Well today when I got back from my walk/flying session, I was saying my good-bye's to my hubby and noticed this little yellow bag pushed up against the house, where our garage would be, if we had one (it was converted into a room that we called the wasted space room). I grabbed it and it was from the vietnam veterans, and they were looking for clothing donations--pick up time is THIS MORNING. Isn't that funny? In the last few months that we have lived here, I have never gotten anything for a donation pickup so that just warms my heart, that He was listening and He answered my question. God really does answer prayers. :)
Off to take a shower.
Make today count. Go flying! Run like Phoebe on Friends. If you haven't seen that episode here is a snipit from youtube. It's broken up so you only get the running part of it. So funny!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfaztVg4kaA
Make it count!
I can do this. I am a star!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
day 143 (day 3 / week 21)
I'm so proud of myself. Today I went for a walk/jog, but I went on my 3.18 mile route (according to sparkpeople's fitness map tracker), that I usually power walk with the Monkey Boy. I was able to complete the entire thing in under 50 minutes (48 to be exact) taking 12 minutes off of my normal time...but I didn't have a monkey boy or a stroller this time and I jogged some of it (although very slowly).
I am definitely able to jog for longer periods now. Today I didn't focus on running for a given amount of time, but I would make visual goals--run to the bus stop, run to the tree around the bend, etc. I am taking it really slow, being careful not to go fast, but to mind my form, and make sure that my feet are landing properly, that I'm not slouching, my pelvis is slightly tilted forward, that my stomach is tight and I am engaging my muscles. This all sounds a lot easier than it is, coming from the girl that trips over air when chewing gum. Man! mental coordination mixed with physical, is hard for me! lol.
I don't have a picture from my bowl from last night, but I think I will have it in a few weeks--it needs to be fired and all of that good stuff.
Hope you all have a relaxed weekend!
Oh! One more thing that I have been meaning to share. When I started trying to jog about a week ago, I became aware of something that I am constantly reminded of, and it gives me HUGE strength, confidence and faith that I can do this. I took a picture of it:
His word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). God is the strength under my feet, He guides my way and supports every step I take. I just thought that was so awesome, and IS so awesome that I am continually reminded of that, because of the cross on the sole of each of my shoes. :) :) :).
On a different note, (not taking anything away from what I just said), but aren't my new running shoes cute? lol
Make today count! It's so worth it!
I can do this. I am a star.
UPDATE: I just got finished mowing a REALLY long lawn (unfortunately ours) with a push mower! 45 minutes burning roughly 385 calories (according to sparkpeople). :) :)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
day 139 (day 6 / week 20)
I am so proud of myself! I woke up at 6am and had eaten some yogurt, drank some water, gotten dressed and was ready to go jogging by 6:30, so that I could make sure that I was home before my hubby left for work at 7:15.
I stretched outside a little bit and left my driveway at 6:46am. I jogged for 1 minute, and walked for 1 minute, keeping my heart rate between 150-160 (walking) and 160-170 (jogging). I stepped foot back into my driveway at 7:16am, so I did 2-15 minute miles!
I tried to be mindful of my form, although I still haven't been able to get my grubby hands on a ChiRunning video yet. I've just seen some snip-its from youtube, but it's hard I think without someone helping me. I'll get it down soon enough. When I felt like I wasn't pain free, I would stop and just walk--luckily enough, I felt good today! There weren't any barking ants following me this time either, or the last time I jogged, but lemme tell ya, they were everywhere the first day though...(lol).
When I got home I stretched really well. I put on my 15 minute stretching video, Slim & Limber (Slim in 6) and it felt GREAT. After I stretched I grabbed my hand weights and did 2 sets of 2o arm curls, 2 set of 20 over head press, and 2 set of 20 one-arm dumbbell rows (back/shoulder and bicep day) with my 5# hand weights.
It feels like a real sense of accomplishment to try to do this. Knowing that someday in the next few months, I will be able to run this whole thing, really motivates me! Heck, 5 months ago I couldn't do a jumping jack or jog in place. Today I jogged for at least 15 minutes--outside, in public, no less!
My MIL really blessed me by buying me these shoes for mother's day also. They have really helped me to step up to the next fitness level. They are actual Nike Running shoes (Nike Run) so they are made for what I'm doing (I would love to go get fitted for some running shoes someday, but we just can't afford it right now), AND they cute on top of it--black and silver with a pink logo :).
Anyway enough of that. Gotta go jump in the shower and start the day!
Hope you all have a great one! Make it count!
I can do this. I am a star!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
day 137 (day 4 / week 20)
Yesterday I started out slowly as a few of you suggested to prevent injuries, and today I tried to work a little harder. I don't want to push myself too hard (which is easy to do for me), because I don't want to keep myself from being able to exercise another day (as you guys also suggested). My heartrate monitor is inaccurate and totally douchy, I can't rely on that, so I went by my time. I know my distance is constant. Yesterday I did 2 miles in 45 minutes, jogging and walking. I could only jog for 30 seconds (on average) at a time. Today I was able to jog for 1-2 minutes at a time and took 10 minutes off of my total time! Yaay!
I 
Fun story...when I was gardening, my hubby kept messing with the hose (men need to feel like they are useful outside--well mine does...j/k *wink*) and he broke the nozzle on the hose and BLASTED me with water lol (accidentally). It was quite funny but he was annoyed that his new nozzle broke (his fault for messing with it! lol). It felt good, I was hot :).
Hope you all have a great day! I am going to a 3 year old's birthday party! We bought him a bath blizzard, because he likes a few bubbles in his bath. Make today count!
I can do this. I am a star.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
day 136 (day 3 / week 20)
Let me tell you a tale, a smelly tale, about an ambitious semi-fat girl. She set out on an adventure to lose her butt and instead got lost herself. As she found her way home she sounded the trumpets the entire time--rest assured the dogs knew she was there.
none of that makes sense. lol. it sounded better in my head. oh well :).
Well I did it! A semi-fat girl (myself) who hasn't run in a VERY long time, ran (well jogged)! I didn't get very far, but I tried it, and now I know what I'm capable of (not a whole lot lol).
I set out to walk/jog for 30 minutes, and it turned into 45 minutes. Not bad for a big girl! I started off jogging and made it to the end of our street before stopping--lungs burning, heart pounding--man that was tough. I caught my breath and then kept going. I would walk as fast as I could (HR around 135-140) and then I would jog for 10-15 seconds, and then speed walk again. Toward the end it was getting easier to jog for longer periods of time--30 seconds and more. 
I got lost. lol. No, not lost...I think I just didn't know where I was (lol, yes that's the definition of lost)--it's a new neighborhood, but I knew I would find my way home, so I don't consider that "lost." I had a plan, and was going up this r.e.a.l.l.y loonog street and then I thought I saw a school and I was hoping it would be a High School, so I could go onto their track, but it was just a stupid park. I walked and walked this different way, for what I thought was great distances, because I was speed walking, ya know, and then I found a street that sounded familiar. So, I took a right and I walked down that one and it took me to Flamingo where I took another right, and found myself literally 1 street away from mine! *grumble* I need to get in my car now and drive what I walked/jogged to see how far I went, cause I know that I didn't just go around the block lol. . That's what it seemed like though, coming off of that street lol.
I worked my butt off today. I am dripping sweat! My HR monitor acted lame, when I was jogging, it said my HR was 52. pssht. then when I finished jogging it said it was 124 but I felt like I was going to push out a lung, I was breathing so hard. *shrugs*
At least I did what I said I was going to do. I jogged! Not very far or very much, but I did it! yaay!
Hope you all have a great weekend! Make it count :)
I can do this. I am a star!
UPDATE: So I clocked it and it was exactly 2 miles, that I jogged/walked today :). My first running goal will be to do the whole thing jogging, and not having to stop! Yaay!
Friday, May 15, 2009
day 135 (day 2 / week 20)
Today I started off my workout (Ramp It up from Slim in 6) with the word of the day, from yesterday, resonating in my mind....boredom. If I think I'm going to be bored with my workout, then I'm going to be bored with my workout. Why am I letting myself be self defeating? I am a star! I can do this and have been doing this! I know I can do this!
With that attitude in mind, I didn't focus on the workout anymore, but on my body. My muscles. My movement. My breathing. The task at hand. I just closed my eyes and focused. You'll be surprised with what you can accomplish when you approach every task with this kind of focus. Before I knew it, I had done every single second of Ramp It Up, as if I had been doing it for a month straight...including those tedious leg lifts! I did EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM--IN A ROW! I definitely felt the burn, but that burn just made me focus even more!
The moment I decided to let go of the workout and focus on my body, my entire focus of the workout changed. I am no longer thinking about the mundane and monotonous workout--the time that it takes to complete it, but that the more I do this, the stronger I am going to get.
A friend of mine that lives next door to my in-laws here in Vegas, runs every Saturday morning with her "running group." When we first moved here and she saw that I had been losing weight, she asked me if I wanted to go running with her. First I thought, "wow that would be a great way to lose this weight faster" but then reality set in and I kind of chuckled in the back of my head thinking, "that's a good one, a fat girl 'running.'" But instead of saying "no," I said, "when I have a pair of running shoes that fit me w/out causing pain, I will go running with you," knowing fully well that that wasn't going to happen. I think it was the next weekend that my MIL bought me these shoes (I love them so much!).
I saw my friend the week after I got these shoes and I was still on the high from being able to fit in these shoes, that I mentioned to her that I had them now. Well she invited me then. The idea of going to run, is more exhilarating to me at this point, than doing it. I am scared! She said she would email me some information and we left it at that.
Two days ago I got that information and it's been gnawing at the nape of my neck ever since. When it was just the thought of her and I running, I was ok with it. Now she has a runner friend coming too! They want to run 5 miles for 2 hours. How on earth am I supposed to do this??? I have not ran a single step in a VERY long time--at least 5 years. I used to run all the time when I was fit, but I had some problems with my foot, that I am afraid will come back to haunt me.
All of this went through my mind as I found my focus in my workout today. How will I ever become a "runner" and get into the best shape of my life, if I don't just do it? My friend knows that I am overweight (duh it's obvious lol) and she knows that I will probably not be able to run like her and her friend. She knows she will probably have to stop for me a million times, and she still wants me to come (I think, lol). What's the worst that will happen? I go and all of this happens--I'll stop, my foot will hurt, I will have to walk, I'll slow them down, annoy her friend, yadda-yadda-yadda. No the worst thing that would happen, is that I think about it, and that's all that I do. "What if I went running with her?" "Would I have been able to do it?"
I think I'm going to do it. I woke up this morning planning my email to her, telling her why I couldn't do it. I will tell her exactly how I feel, and if she still wants me to go, I will. If she doesn't, then I will go running in my own neighborhood, by myself, just to see how I do. What's the worst that could happen? I find out that it's just not the right time for me yet, and I know, not assume, but actually know :).
It amazes me that when God sees us grabbing for the strength to do something, He gives it to us. We can do all things in Christ, who gives us the strength to do it! ALL THINGS. (Philippians 4:13).
I can do this. I am a star!
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