Goal Accomplished!

One day I put down on a list of things I wanted to accomplish this year that I wanted to run a 5K race, but it never occurred to me that I’d be able to do it like any other athlete could. I’ve never seen myself as an athlete, or sporty person, or even in shape. But, the last few weeks things have changed. My mind and body have gone through a transformation into this person who can put her mind to something and just do it (thank you Nike for that). And that is exactly what I did! I ran the 5K, faster then I have ever done it before, and without ever stopping to get a breath, some water, or to “tie my shoe”. I had no excuses to stop, I just kept going.

Last month I was encouraged by several friends, but one in particular to run the Shamrock run, and knowing that I was in the best shape of my life I thought about it, but was sitting on the fence. A few days later, my friend came up to me and said, “I’ll change my race to the 5K and run with you if you sign up.” Wow, that’s pretty powerful encouragement! How could I say no to that? So, there I was on the last day to sign up putting my name down as going to be running (rain, snow, or shine) in the 5K race.

About a month later I get my super cool green Adidas shirt and all the race accessories, and it all becomes a reality. I began to run outside a few times, and realize that “Hey, I can do that!” and then just days before the race I am finally able to just run a mile without stopping for anything. I’ve been pushed to become an athlete I realize, and that I am capable of running and that I am no longer the out of shape fat girl! It stirs so many emotions for me that I can’t help but cry off and on about it, but in the end I realize that I could never have changed that self image of myself without prayer and encouragement! God has blessed me with some amazing people in this journey.

The day of the race we get to the park and of course it’s freezing outside! I’m so cold I just want to run as fast as I can to get somewhere warm. We watched the 15K and 8K start, and then shuffle into the enormous 11,000 plus crowd for the 5K. I had a group of people cheering me on, and two great people to run with (as well as the Zumba party in my ears to keep me going!) I hit mile 1 and realized I did it again, just ran and never stopped, so I knew I could make it to mile 2. About a block before mile 2 I almost stopped, but all I heard in my head was “If I stop, I won’t be able to go again” because I knew I’d lose the confidence in myself, not the ability. So, I slowed a bit and then just kept going. I even passed up the water station! A huge hill (to me at least) to climb came just before mile 3, and I began to think about the finish line and wanting to find my husband. I envisioned being able to just run into a huge bear hug at the finish line, so as soon as we were down the hill I picked up my pace! I started to see people on the sidewalks, and looked up, but I had such huge tunnel vision that I couldn’t even focus on anyone’s face. I just hoped that he would see me. We crossed the finish line in a huge crowd of people and my legs were shaking, but I had this feeling that I could have kept going further. I wasn’t able to get that huge bear hug until a long search for each other, but I had high fives and hugs with my friends! That evening I found my race time and knowing that I ran faster and longer I was excited to see how I did. I ran the 5K in 36:06 minutes!

Now in my head all I can think about is how 3 miles is nothing, I’m gonna have to go longer then this next time. Jon and I joke that we’re going to do the 15K next year, so we can hear our names announced, and yes I’m going to have Jon run with me soon! No way am I doing this without him anymore, and I’m for sure going to run with great friends too! I can’t say thank you enough to everyone around me these days, life is pretty hard overall, but when you surround yourself with the right people life’s challenges can be much easier.

Hitting the wall and making it through

Why is it on our weight loss journey we have to experience such a difficult time with so many emotions? I watch it every season on The Biggest Loser, where contestants hit a wall and then suddenly break down with emotional pain and make a huge break through, but I suppose I thought I’d already done that. So, when that wall hit, and then the pain, and now the break through came I was not in any way ready for the turmoil it would bring on.

My wall came on when I had only a -2 for last week’s weigh in, and I just couldn’t get past the disappointment. Then, I began to make poor food choices, not completely abandoning my diet, but just didn’t think clearly about what I was eating entirely. Two days like this, and then birthday cake hit me hard! Yes, birthday cake was my ending point in poor choices. I completely fell to the temptation of frosting and fluffy goodness. Doubt and guilt began to creep in to my thoughts, taking over my ability to think clearly, communicate, and even process my feelings. The lack of self-control I had made me feel incapable of success, that I could not accomplish my goals anymore. I then, for the first time, had negative reactions and attitudes while in a church bible study, and knew that I was overcome with evil trying to break me down! I finally had to cry really hard, realize what was going on with me and after about a day of facing the emotions head on I got myself back into the gym and began to work off the heavy burden I had felt for 4 days (and the extra calories).

So, why did the wall come up in the first place? It’s hard to explain when we will hit a wall of frustration and lack of focus, but it will always come on. I think for me, the dedication of entire focus on weight loss and exercise is something I have never fully done. My focus has always been split on other tasks and responsibilities in life. That’s not saying I am 100%, like they are on The Biggest Loser ranch, but my family has lost time with me and many of my mom/wife daily tasks have taken a back burner to that of exercise, calorie counting, and a mind/body overhaul! I think this is what brought on my wall of emotions. That green monster in my head that has always kept me overweight and filled with depression and lack of energy reared it’s ugly head to tell me it wasn’t going away so easily, and I had to find a way to kick it’s butt back against the wall and say “No, I am going to WIN!” Today and every day is a struggle. I struggle with temptation of foods, temptation of doing something other then making it the gym, and temptation of listening to those negative thoughts that find away around my will power. I will conquer my temptations! I will win this battle! I will lose more weight, and will continue to be a healthy, productive person always!


To keep me focused I’m signed up for the Shamrock Run in Portland on March 18 for a 5K run. Not only is this motivating, but I have people running with me – to encourage me and keep me going through the race! Right now, I am running/walking a 5K in about 50 minutes, and am working on getting my time down to 40 minutes, and aiming to make my time in the race 35 minutes! That’s about an 11 minute mile! So, let’s get moving and run!

Body Pump!

I am loving Body Pump. I am in my 2nd week of taking the class, and already feeling the difference in my muscles. Why did it take me so long to take this class? I can feel the confidence building as I go along as well during the class, and love the challenge that it brings upon me. Now to just find the time to get it in more often!

I am still taking by other 2 classes, body combat and Zumba, and are enjoying them just as much. I do feel less of a challenge with them though, and am glad to have found a new level for my workouts. Also, my toe and foot pain has been pretty high lately, so I have not been doing any running between classes, and am hoping for that to level out soon so I can begin back on my running challenge of running a whole mile without stopping.

Running Journey

I’m new to this running thing. I remember in middle school track how much I dreaded it and really did not do well at it at all. I can’t say I’m any better these days, but I see the benefits and really am enjoying developing the skill of running (because, really it is a skill). I’m going to begin research more about running and really begin the process of becoming a runner. On the side bar you can see that an exercise goal of mine is to be able to run 1 mile without stopping. I’m almost there to; I can run about half a mile without stopping which is a great accomplishment for me! I still have my foot pain and would love to invest in better shoes and orthopedics, but at this time it’s just not realistic. So, until the pain is taken care of I can’t do a lot of running. At this time I am jogging/walking on the treadmill for about 15-20 minutes at a time about twice a week. I love it! I’m running at 4.5 mph pace with no incline, and am also considering doing a 5K run at my gym (considering!!). So, share with me any of your running pointers, and we will see how far I get in this part of my journey.

Running Buddies

Last night Gym Buddy and I made it to the gym together and worked out for over an hour. Well, let me rephrase that – she worked out for over an hour and I was at the gym for over an hour. I had a pretty bad case of exercise induced IBS. If you don’t know what that is, just look it up, I’m not going into details. So, I spent about half the time off the treadmill and half of it on. We also did some arm weights and called it good. I can’t tell you how proud I am of my friend for finishing the 5K run/walk plan we are starting. Click here for more details.

I have made it this far and now I am starting fresh again. I feel like this plan is for someone far more in shape then I, but that I have the ability to accomplish it. So, Gym Buddy and I will be runners soon, even if it takes us 6 months! Here we come treadmill, you better watch out!

Becoming a Runner - A New Goal

I remember the feeling I had when I managed to walk/run the 5K on the treadmill under an hour, and I want to experience that feeling again with another long term goal for my exercise. For as long as I can remember, I’ve hated to run. I’m a large busted girl, and as soon as these girls came in they were in the way and uncomfortable; running just never appealed to me. I attempted to be a sprinter track athlete when I was younger, but proved that wide shoulders, bulking body, and big boobs were not the ideal physique for Track & Field – unless you become a shot-put or discuss thrower (which I tried). So now we are here more then a decade later and I suddenly want to attempt running again. Why you ask? Well, I read an article that said I could do it, and I’ve been watching an amazing women become a runner and just finish her 1st half marathon. So, I ask myself, why can’t I become a runner?

So here’s the plan. I’m going to give this goal 8 weeks (the article says I only need 6, but I know my schedule and I’m gonna need more time), and I’m going to work on running long intervals each day I get on that treadmill. Here is what the article says about getting to the point of running 1 mile. “Split your run into walking and running parts at first, says Joe Puleo, head cross country and track-and-field coach at Rutgers University in Camden, New Jersey, and coauthor of Running Anatomy. Jog a quarter of a mile, walk for half a mile, and finish by jogging another quarter. As you improve, stretch out the jogging and shrink the walking segment before jogging that final quarter mile. Do this three or four times a week and "you'll be able to run the whole distance in about six weeks," Puleo says.”

To break it down for you basically this coach is saying to run/walk and shrink the amount of time you walk to increase your running stamina, and this is exactly what I’ve been doing. But, the big area I have not been following through in is stretching the jogging out longer and shrinking the walking.

So, as of right now this is how my treadmill workouts follow:
1. Walk 10 minutes for warm-up
2. Run 1 minute sprint at 4.5 mph
3. Walk for 5 minutes at 3.4 mph
4. Run 1 minute sprint at 4.5 mph
5. Walk again for 5 minutes at 3.4 mph.
6. I continue this process for an hour and get in a 5K distance.

Here is what I would like to start doing:
1. Walk 10 minutes for warm-up
2. Run 1 lap (1/4 mile)
3. Walk 2 laps (1/2 mile)
4. Run 1 lap (1/4 mile)
5. And continue this routine until 5K is finished.

Here is my Action Plan:
1. Walk 10 minutes for warm-up
2. Run HALF a lap, and then walk the rest of lap.
3. Walk a whole lap
4. Run HALF a lap, and then walk the rest of lap.
5. Continue this until 5K is finished.

What my eventual Goal will be:
1. Fast walk 10 minute warm-up
2. Run 1 mile
3. Walk – cool down (unsure of how long)
4. Run 1 mile
5. Walk- Cool down
6. Continue this until 5K is finished

Achieved a goal!

Alright, this morning I went to the gym! That alone rocks. Then, I stepped on the treadmill, pushed the 5K button program, and began the workout. Wasn't feeling so into it, but turned on the IPod and went to town. My long term goal with this 5K is to manage to run/walk in under an hour. So, I get my 10 minutes in, start my 1 minutes sprints, and really get into it. About 30 minutes into it I begin to really get into it. I'm half way to completing a 5K. I turn up the incline, keep a fast pace, every 5 minutes I do a 1 minute sprint, and keep the IPod rock'n out. I begin to think I'm going to get the 5K done today! Then I start walking faster, adding seconds onto my sprints, and realize that I CAN DO THIS under 60 minutes.

So, at 58 minutes I accomplished a 5K on the treadmill and burned 517 calories. I have to admit, I got in the car and screamed so loud in victory, and pumped my fists up in the air! God was running right there with me! I felt that extra push, that nurturing spirit, and that whisper in my ear telling me I could do it!

Workout Overview & calories Burned theory

What a great workout tonight with my ladies. I am so blessed to have two friends who are willing to take time out of their busy schedule to hang out and workout at the gym. Robin & Laura you are the best friends a girl could ever ask for. Here’s an overview of what our workout looked like (except Laura, hers is all geared towards baby).

We used 3 different cardio machines (long story as to why we changed) - 45 minutes total of cardio. I did some running on the treadmill at a small incline.

Circuit weight training – after meeting with a trainer for an orientation on the machines we got a good idea of what to do with the weight machines upstairs. Several arm presses and lifts: 3 sets of 12, lunges in the hallway, and 3 sets of 12 on the ab machine. Friday we will be doing squats too and side dips with hand weighs.

Future plans include yoga on Tuesday nights, they are going also on Thursday’s, but I will be attending a parenting class. (I feel very strongly that parents should always learn more on how to be better, so a free class came into our hands and we scooped it up.) I would also like to do a spinning class, but Robin swears I will hate it. Of course the whole point of taking these classes is for me to challenge myself and my body to points where I am dropping huge numbers in my weight loss.

Another interesting fact I learned today was that in order to lose 1 pound you need to have a deficit of 3500 calories each week. This includes in calories burned and NOT consumed. So, if I am getting this right you need to be eating less then your body needs to MAINTAIN your weight, as well as burning at least 500 calories a day in order to lose 1-2 lbs a week. Since my body requires around 2200 calories to maintain my weight, and I am eating around 1500 each day I am down to 4900 calories there. I also am burning anywhere between 250-500 calories a day with my exercise. So, in theory I should be losing those 1-2 lbs a week now that I am back on the workout wagon. We will see, won’t we?

Another gym visit

Made it to the gym tonight again. I'm so excited to be pushing forward again. God has given me so much. I have a new gym buddy, and will soon be working out with her off and on when we can make it work together.

Tonight I attempted this running thing you all keep telling me about on the treadmill. I figured if the people on biggest loser can do it (Like Michael, who weighed over 500 lbs when starting and now it down in the 300s) then I should be able to do the same thing. So, I started off with 1 min sprints half way in the workout, and did about 3 of them. Not bad for the first time out. I had my IPod and realized fast I need a better playlist and some new music. Anyone willing to lend me some CDs to download?

Felt great afterwards, and got home to help finish the dishes, bake a cake for my party tomorrow evening, bake muffins for the walk in the morning, and upload all the photos I took today. And I still feel good.

It's all about the small steps

Well today was a productive day around the house. I was able to get a lot of house work done due to having one of my girlfriend’s daughters visiting for the day to play with Julia and spend some time away from her siblings, but by the end of the day though she was pretty bored. I also baked a chocolate cake, thinking another one of our friend’s was coming over for his birthday, but that didn’t work out. So, I had my girlfriend and her daughters over for dinner, but they didn’t take any cake! So, I decided Jon has to take the cake to work tomorrow and share the love with his co-workers.

Last night I worked out to my Wii Active game, and moved the settings up to high/hard. The end of each routine usually has a 2 minute run (in place), and I usually tap out around a minute and do a fast walk. Usually has something to do with the fact that the sensor isn’t reading my pace, and the game is telling me I’m going to slow. Well, something worked all together last night, and I was able to do the whole run without stopping. In fact, I could have kept going. Let me share something with you here. I HATE RUNNING. When I was much younger (and in shape) I did track, and of course it was probably my healthiest of times in life but I hated having to do the warm up run every day at practice. Once I stopped doing sports I dreaded ever having to go any faster then a fast walk. With knee injuries and lower back injuries I probably won’t ever become a die hard runner any time soon, if ever, but I am glad to see my mediocre accomplishment at this time.

Today I kept in the range of all my nutritional goals (calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, and sodium) except my darn sodium levels. Even with eating spaghetti for dinner, I managed to only have 1,851 calories today.