Monday, January 28, 2013

25 Minutes and Screaming Shins

My shins screamed at me when I stopped. 

You have to understand that I just don't just stop dead at the end of my run, I do a five minute cool-down walk. As soon as the treadmill stops though, pain. I stretch, it feels better, but I feel like an old person when I'm walking back up the stairs with the underlying stiffness that I'm left with. And the dull ache follows me for the rest of the evening.

Guess what though? 

I don't care! I'm happy to feel the pain because it's a reward for what I have just done. I have just completed Couch to 5k, Week 7 Day 1, on my FIRST attempt!!! That's a 25 minute non-stop run! I am beyond proud of myself!

The fine print.

In case you are wondering, yes, I do warm up. I stretch then do a five minute warm-up walk. Just figured I'd mention that before anyone asks.


 


Hip-hip, hooray!!!
 
If someone had told me six months ago that I would be able to run for 25 minutes without stopping I would have laughed my head off at them!  I shocked even myself when I did.  After four days of not having a chance to run I was able to do it!!!  Excuse me while I pat myself on the back and give a little cheer!  Sometimes we can be our own best cheering section!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

This Hour Has 22 Minutes. . .

Oh wait, I think that's probably a copyright infringement, sorry CBC.

I did it!!! I ran for 22 minutes!!!  I can't believe it!  After I did my cool-down walk my shins screamed at me.  I gave them a good stretch and they felt good.  I don't know how, but I did it!

Since I ran for 14 minutes last time, I figured I would aim for 15 this time.  15 minutes passed, and I thought "let's see how long I can go then". Four minutes left and I'm thinking "I can get to twenty again".  2 minutes 30 seconds left and I'm thinking "maybe I can keep going". One minute 30 seconds, one minute, "OMG, I'm gonna do this!" And I made it!  That was Couch to 5K week 6, day 3.  Finally!!!

I started Couch to 5k on September 16.  That means it has taken me 18 weeks to do 6.  Oh well though, I'm doing it and that's all that matters!


Sunday, January 20, 2013

The Most Amazing Feeling

I went to the mall to try on some pants that I have been eyeing for a while and were now on sale. I selected a size 14. They looked big but had a low waist so I took a size 12 to the dressing room as well. My thoughts were that even if the 12 was snug I would go with them anyway since I am not done with my weight loss. So I go in the change room and decide to be brave and try the 12 first. Then I'm like a giddy little schoolgirl because they were too big!!! I asked the staff member for a 10 and they fit great. I was thrilled! Now I'm sure these pants were sized big, but I don't care, I bought a size 10!!! I don't remember EVER buying a size 10!  I can't tell you how amazing it felt.  I was on a high the rest of the night!

 
I do love these pants (I love red) and they are quite slim through the leg but I think they look great!  I can't wait to wear them!  I'm going to watch to see if they go down any cheaper in price so I can buy an 8 for when I lose more!!! Yup, I'm that determined to do it!
 
Speaking of weight, I'm at 42 pounds.  Three pounds to go! Amazing! 
 
Second attempt at a 22 minute "run".  (I say "run" but it's a jog).  Fail!  I really don't know how I made it to 20 minutes before.  I ran for 14 minutes this time followed by a three-minute walk and another 5 minute run.  I think it's time to drop the Couch to 5k program and just concentrate on getting to 22 minutes, then 23, 24 and so on. . .
 
However it's -35°C (-31°F) with the windchill right now and it's going to drop even more this evening.  I am not going out to run today!  I declare hibernation!  Instead I will do some yoga and then workout on the glider.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Just Not Getting There Yet

Oh how I failed at Couch to 5k again!!!  The week 6 day 3 run is 22 minutes.  I didn't even get close!  I thought I would break it into two elevens, but I only made it ten.  Then I couldn't make it through the second ten.  I checked out the runs in the following weeks and they all just add time.  No more run-walk-run.  I might have to check out some other apps or just try increasing the time on my own.  I'm not sure how I'm ever going to survive 22 minutes.  I survived 20 once, so maybe one day. . .

I finally got the Wii Fit out of the corner it was hiding in.  I did some basic yoga, just 17 minutes.  I'm still pretty sure that yoga was invented as a medieval torture method.  I am convinced that yoga is the answer to help firm up the mid-section a bit, although I am realistic and I know it won't do much especially if I don't commit myself to it regularly.




Bloggers note:  In an effort to make my blog more creative I have been adding pictures and cartoons.  I apologize that several pictures did not seem to appear properly.  I have updated the picture in my post "Forty!" as well as "Proceed With Caution".  Thanks for reading!

Monday, January 14, 2013

Forty!

Forty! Woot woot!  Five to go!  Sweet!  I don't know how to describe how it feels to be this close.  I am super excited so I am now sure that it will help motivate me for the last five.

Couch to 5K, Week 6 Day 2, was difficult.  I'm not sure why.  It was two ten-minute runs separated by a three minute walk.  The last two minutes really tested me, I so wanted to give up!  I didn't stop though and I made it.  Since I survived twenty minutes on my second-last run, it drives me nuts that two tens killed me.  Day 3 is 22 minutes, how am I going to make that?


I really have to convince myself to get back on the Wii Fit and start doing some yoga again. It's time to stretch the tummy muscles and firm up the mid-section a bit.  I absolutely refuse to do sit-ups, and I hear that they really don't help (I don't know if there is truth in that).  I guess it's not about convincing myself though, after all, I know I need to do it.  It's about motivating myself, my big-fat-unmotivated-self.





Saturday, January 12, 2013

A Little Worried But Getting Closer

So I bought two pairs of pants from the thrift store yesterday.  I haven't tried them on yet, but they are the next size down from the ones that are getting too big.  No capris though.  I guess I have to wait until spring to come across those.

I'm worried that I might not make it to forty this week.  I have been under on my calories for the last week (except for my cheat day) but I know a lot of the calories have been "bad" calories.  I am really hopeful that I will reach that forty when I weigh in on Monday. 


 
 
I can't tell you how excited I am to be this close to my goal.  If I hit forty pounds then I am only five pounds away from my original goal.  I'm hoping that this helps me to drive harder toward the forty-five pound mark.  180 was my pre-pregnancy weight, but 160 would be my ultimate goal.  I haven't weighed that since I graduated high school.  I will be happy at 180, but I promise that I will not stop, I will aim for 160 and I will not let myself go back up again like I did last time.  Even if I never reach 160, I NEVER want to reach the 200's ever again!

Friday, January 11, 2013

Cheat Day!

My "new" pants are starting to fall down!  This means it's almost time for new "new" pants!  Yay!  I'm thinking I need to start concentrating on a spring wardrobe though.  I am sure that all of my capris will be falling off.  Problem - need cash!!!  I'm going to Vegas in April for the weekend to see Bon Jovi so I need to save money for that, and I am trying to plan a trip for the whole family to a wedding in July.  No, I don't need any "make fast money at home/on the Internet" schemes, I just need to find a second job that I can work only one day a week (I already work full time).  Oh, and I need to stop spending money!



Today was a total cheat day, and I enjoyed it!  Between walking around Walmart (groceries and cat food) and Ikea (don't worry, I only purchased a few small, inexpensive items) plus doing Couch to 5K, Week 6 Day 1, I actually didn't end up too far over on my calories.  In fact, if I hadn't spoiled myself with a Chocolate Covered Marshmallow from Ikea after my run, I would have made it in under. 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Twenty Minutes. . .Because We Can

I went downstairs to the treadmill, put my accessories in their place, and thought "Two eights again? No, I'm gonna do twenty."  My rationale was that if I couldn't make twenty I would walk after eight and then do the second eight as usual.  I turn my iPod on and the first song to come on is Bon Jovi's new release, Because We Can.  Great song to start off to, and the lyrics are infectious.

I ran for eight minutes and thought, I can do ten.  I got to ten minute and thought, I can keep going. So I kept going.  Now I'm up to fourteen and thinking, I can get to 16 again!  16 was my previous best.  Well, I got to 16 and I'm thinking, I can still go!  17, 18, well there is only two minutes left, 19, I'm almost there. . .20!!! I ran for twenty minutes!!! I can finally move on to Week 6 which I am sure is going to kick my ass!

Photo: IT'S HERE!!! Download our new single, "Because We Can" RIGHT NOW at iTunes: http://smarturl.it/BecauseWeCan
 
 
The toenail saga:  I'll spare you the picture today.  I actually think the nail polish had been protecting the damage.  I believe the nail is cracked and now that it is not sealed with polish, water has seeped into the crack and now the moisture is trapped causing it to turn white.  I'm pretty sure that I am at least going to lose part of the toenail.  A trip to a podiatrist may need to be in my future. :(

Monday, January 7, 2013

Proceed With Caution

I finally took the nail polish off of my toes.  I have been suspecting something was up with the big toe nail since my pedicure polish started growing out more.  I have runner's toe!  I always expected it since the toenail pain started early in my Couch to 5K attempts.  Despite switching between runners to alleviate toenail and foot pain, the damage had already been done.  At least it's not causing me pain.  It's quite ugly to look at so at least it's not sandal season.  Hopefully it will just grow out and not fall off.

                    

 
 
 
 
 
 
On to the flu. . .
 
I'm still hoping to keep the worst of the flu away.  It has run amok in my house!  I felt better this evening but now I am nauseous.  My son had the "feel better" stage followed by the vomiting stage.  I'd really rather not come across that stage, not that anyone would.  I plan to run tomorrow so I really want to be better.
 


Sunday, January 6, 2013

Not Quite Sidelined

Although the GI bug has hit my house and I can't keep anything in, I am not feeling ill and I have close to normal energy.  Since it was safer to stay close to home, I did workout on the glider tonight instead of going to run.  I also had extra laundry due to sick children that I needed to get done so I didn't lose time this way.




The glider almost seems too easy now, I barely sweat compared to how I used to.  It tells me I burned 289 calories in a 30-minute workout, but since I'm not sweating as much, or feeling as tired, I don't know that it's accurate.  I should use the glider more often as it allows me to work my arms but I prefer to concentrate on running for now.  I would like to figure in some other way to work my arms in the mean time.



Friday, January 4, 2013

PGX Update

I hope that posting every day is not making my posts too boring.  Or at least not any more boring than usual!

I did run tonight, just the two eight-minute runs that I had planned.  I think I'm ready to see how close I can get to 20 again next time (previous record 16 minutes).  That is as long as I don't get side-lined with the flu.  My son has been sick and tonight when I was done my run I was sure I was going to vomit.  I managed to shake it of but my stomach hasn't been right all day.

 


I haven't mentioned PGX in a while. I have been taking it twice a day (4 capsules each time) with breakfast and lunch. I think I was taking for granted that it was curbing my appetite because I ran out and haven't taken it for the last two days and I've been hungry all the time. Super hungry!!! It was in an advertisement on sale for $26.95 for 120 tablets at a few health stores. The store where I purchased it had it with a bonus of the granules (15-pack). I'm a bit poor this week, but I will check back in two weeks when I get paid again and hopefully stock up! I do like to mix the granules in with a smoothie or my morning oatmeal. You don't have to wait for the capsules to dissolve that way.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

So Very Bad

I was so very, very bad toady!  I had McDonald's for breakfast, and Montana's for dinner.  I even pre-planned what I was going to order for dinner so that I would be good! However, we had ordered an appetizer.  The kids always ask us to and we don't usually so I thought it would be a nice treat.  I really didn't plan to eat much of the appetizer but my son decided he wasn't feeling well and for some-odd-reason my daughter actually decided she was going to save room for her dinner (she never does that)!  So here's me, all PMS-ing, trying to resist hot spinach dip, garlic cheese bread, and loaded potato skins!  My mouth is watering just mentioning it.  Epic fail!!!

Well, when you fall down you just have to pick yourself up and start over again tomorrow.  I will run tomorrow, likely just eight and eight again.  Luckily, my hubby recognizes my epic failures and decided not to get Slurpees on the way home.  Actually, I think he was actually too full!  That never happens either!

 
 
 
 
I once said "I'd rather be fat and happy rather than skinny and deprived".  I don't think my attitude has changed much other than I don't want to be fat.  I don't want to be skinny either because if I need to have a "fat" day like today, I want to be able to do it without guilt!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Skinnygirl On-the-Go Review

I tried this Skinnygirl On-the-Go Bar today.  Seriously though, I'm not sure why it's "Skinnygirl",  There is still 200 calories and 6 grams of fat in the whole bar.  They call it "2-100 calorie portions per bar". Yeah, right, like I'm just going to eat one. 

  • First, they are not separated
  • Second, they do not separate well
  • Third, I'm still going to be hungry after one portion! 
  • I did however burn about 100 calories trying to open the damn package!
Skinnygirl On-The-Go Bars
I think I am probably PMS-ing which is one more reason why I could not stop after just one portion.  I'm pretty sure that I would not buy these though as they are $14.99 online.  I imagine that they may be cheaper in a "real" store, so I might check out the prices just for the sake of checking them out, but they are definitely not exciting enough to have me hunt them down.
 

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!!
 
Here's to a happy, healthy, committed 2013!  I am committed to losing my next eight pounds and continuing on to lose an additional twenty!  Best wishes to all who are also embarking upon or continuing the same journey!
 
 
Welcome to 2013!  I decided that I would do my weigh in today to see how much damage I did over the holidays.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had not gained anything at all.  In fact, before Christmas I was at 36 pounds, I am now at 37 pounds lost!
 
I returned to running on the treadmill on Sunday.  I retreated to Couch to 5k week 5, day 2.  I successfully did the two eight-minute runs without feeling like I was killing myself, that's not saying that it wasn't hard, it always is.  I am going to repeat it once more before I try that day 3 20-minute run again.
 
I purchase yet another pair of runners and I think I finally found the right ones!  They are the Adidas Response Cushion, and they are recommended for runners that over pronate, such as myself.  They seem to "hug" my feet the way they should.  I am so happy with them although I have only worn them the one time, they seem like the are finally the right ones for me.  :)
 
Women's Response Cushion 21, Running White / Bright Pink / Neo Iron Met., swatch