Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Weight Loss Wednesday- 1 5K Run, 1 to Go!

Ok, sorry I didn’t post WLW last week, I do want to let everyone know, though, that I did run the 5K all the way through!  Yay me!  I was exhausted, and hot, and had tunnel vision at the end, but I did it!  My finish time was 38:48 with a pace of 12:31/M.  I finished 286th out of 566 racers, so I wasn’t last!  LOL 

No, if you’re a runner, you know my time is pretty bad…  I run

s…l….o…..w… but I WAS running LOL.  I figure the more I run the more my pace will pick up.

I am scheduled to run another 5K this weekend.  Because I felt so terrible at the end of the Girls on the Run 5K I am going to allow myself walking breaks.  I think what I’m going to do is walk through the water stations and walk for a minute after 20 minutes of running, or at the 1/2 way point whichever I feel like would be the best.  While I want to run the whole thing through again, it’s really hot here in Houston, and I don’t want to make myself sick.  I think the responsible thing to do is to listen to myself during the race and walk.  I’ll run another one straight through this fall (I’ve set a goal to participate in at least 12 races this year), and I’ll try to beat my time then.  I let you know how it goes next week Winking smile

Which brings me to my next subject.  I have been doing the Run/Walk 5K Training Program for the past 8 weeks and have found it to be very very helpful in keeping me on track and out there running.  Now that I’ve run my first 5K I’m trying to figure out what to train for next.  I know enough to know that if I don’t have a goal eventually I’ll just give up….  especially when I see myself in pictures and see how big I still am….  (my race picture was not forgiving….  fat flapping EVERYWHERE)……

Actually, it was worse on my race picture.  I’m going to order it, though, and pay the $6 because this was the first 5K I ran all the way through.  And that’s something to be proud of.  Besides, when I’m a Weight Watcher Leader I’ll need a picture to show everyone that shows how fat I used to be Winking smile

I recently finished a few books I would recommend, Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving--and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity which is a hilarious book written by two women about running and being moms... I liked it so much I almost bought Train Like a Mother: How to Get Across Any Finish Line - and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity, but then I actually WON a copy for completing a Virtual 5K! I can't wait to get started on it. The other book I read that I really liked was The Ultimate Beginner's Running Guide: The Key To Running Inspired because he really helps you to believe that you can succeed at running, and helps you remember why you want to do this crazy thing LOL

As soon as my Train Like a Mother: How to Get Across Any Finish Line - and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity gets here I’ll be choosing my next training program.  I’ll let you know what I choose Winking smile

I find it kind of amusing, I recently told you about a blog that I’ve been reading, Runs for Cookies, and she just finished her first Marathon.  While these two things are SO. NOT. THE. SAME.  I find that I really related to her when she talked about getting back on a goal.  She also let her readers know about a contest from Under Armor, a chance to win a $50 gift card… You should go enter!  And then come show me your new duds and run with me Winking smile

Monday, May 28, 2012

Menu Monday- 5/28

Ok, I just looked and the last time I did Menu Monday was Mother’s Day!  And the last time I actually planned what I was going to cook was around then too Sad smile  This has been such a crazy month. I’ve GOT to get back in the swing of things…..  So here’s this week’s menu:

Monday (Memorial Day):  Memorial Day BBQ….  Pot Luck Style!

TuesdayFish Tacos 

Wednesday:  Snack Dinner

Thursday:  Junk Food Dinner Winking smile

Friday:  Church Dinner Event

Saturday:  Burgers from 5 Guys if I finish my 5K and live to tell about it LOL

SundaySouthwest Chicken Salad

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Weight Loss Wednesday- Just keep going…

Last week at my weigh in I surpassed the 30 pounds lost mark.  It’s been a long journey to get there and at other times in my life I might have given up before getting there.  Ironically the topic at the meeting that week was “Motivation to Keep Going”…  This actually tied in well to where my thoughts were that day.  I was so excited to hit 30 pounds, but I was also remembering my last milestone of 25 pounds.  I was really excited then too, but quickly fell off the excitement and “took a break”.  I didn’t stop going to my meetings.  I am proud of that.  And I didn’t stop weighing in, even though, for the most part it wasn’t totally pretty.

You see, when I rejoined Weight Watchers this time I decided that no matter what quitting was not an option.  There are many mantras that keep people going, and this is one that I use.  I know that I know that I know that the minute I decide to skip my weigh in this week, or take a couple of weeks off from meetings I will be out of control with my eating.  I know this about myself. 

So, just after my 25 pound mark I saw the holiday season staring at me.  I didn’t want to feel like I wasn’t able to enjoy the season.  And, right or wrong, the holiday season is a lot about food with me.  There are certain traditions like gingerbread houses and Christmas Cookies that I really wanted to do and I didn’t want to worry about it.  So, I decided that I would try to watch what I ate when I wasn’t doing something like that, or attending a party, and made the decision to try to maintain over the holidays. I don’t regret that decision, because it kept me in my meetings and kept me from really going over the edge.  The only regret I have is that it took me so long to get back on track.  The business of the holidays spilled over into the New Year and it took me until about a month or two ago to finally start going in the down direction on the scale consistently.  I really held on to the commitment I made to myself when I joined, though, and quitting was not an option.  The reality is I know the plan works, it’s just a matter of me deciding to stay focused and on track.

So, as I got my 5 pound star and reveled in being 30 pounds lighter than I was when I walked in the door to WW, I decided that this time I will continue to stay focused, and keep the momentum going over the summer.  And, I gave myself a pat on the back for seeing it through…. 

Here’s to running my first 5K this weekend, and here’s to seeing the reality of healthier living and goals achieved…  Next stop---- 40 pounds!!!!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Thoughtful Thursday

I’m going to post some motivational thoughts for the next few weeks.  I hope it helps to motivate and inspire you.  I like this one, because the 4 weeks means for me what I committed to with the 3 weeks to a 30 minute running habit….

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Weight Loss Wednesday

Well, the reality of running my first 5K all the way through is here!  I’m scheduled to run a 5K on Sunday, May 20.  I’ve now walked several, and run/walked a couple, but this time my goal is to run the entire thing.  I’m currently on Week 7 of the Run/Walk 5K Training Program, and by the end of this week will be up to 30 minutes of continuous running. I really wasn’t sure I’d ever get here.  It has been quite the journey.  I have to say at this point I am beginning to enjoy running, and actually miss it when I am not able to get a run in in the morning.  It really seems to set up my whole day.  I’m in a better mood, and just generally feel better when I run in the morning.

And Guess what???  I got an added motivation at my weigh in at Weight Watchers this week!!!  I passed the 30 pounds lost mark!  If that doesn’t keep me going I don’t know what would!!!  Winking smile

I am a member of Daily Mile and have been since I started walking last year.  I really love this website, because I am very visual.  I can look at my training in several different ways and it helps to motivate me.  You can also be friends with people on there and see what others are doing….  And, I’ve been looking over my training logs and it was very encouraging to me to see just a few short months ago I was running one minute intervals and posting that I felt “BLAH”….  I’m actually quite proud of myself for continuing after post after post of feeling “BLAH” after running….  Eventually I started putting that I felt “GOOD”… and now almost always it’s “GREAT”…..  Of course there are days when it’s not, but most days I really feel great after my runs Winking smile  I’m really trying to get my husband running too….  So far I haven’t been successful, but I am still trying Winking smile

Speaking of motivation, I want to direct you to a blog I’ve been reading.  A lot of the time when I’m running I feel like a big ball of fat with flailing arms and legs rolling down the trail…..  Nice visual, huh?  It’s taken some serious mental talk to get past that and just go.  One day I was playing around on the internet and I found this blog and it is very inspiring to me.  It’s called Runs for Cookies.   I love the title because it describes me LOL  I definitely eat my activity points LOL…  Anyway, she lost over 100 pounds running, and for me, it is motivating, because it really isn’t easy at all to run with extra weight.  I can’t wait to post before and after pictures like hers.  Check it out and tell me what you think!  Winking smile

My last tidbit for you today is focus.  I know that when I’m focused on losing weight, I do.  When I’m focused on exercising, I do.  When I’m focused on cleaning the house, I do.  Figure out what your main objective is for the Month of May and put your focus on it.  See what kind of results we have…..

Have a great week Smile

Monday, May 07, 2012

Menu Monday 5/7

I’m so sorry I’ve been so inconsistent lately!  I read on another blog that “May is the other December” and I’d agree, except for me it’s been April!  Now that we’re in May things are starting to slow down.  The reason it’s April for me is because as homeschoolers we tend to finish things up by the beginning of May, so April is our final push.  My boys are scheduled to be done this week.  I say *scheduled*, because they haven’t stayed exactly on schedule, so they’ll have to put in some serious work to be done Friday, but if they put their minds to it they can do it….  I REALLY REALLY HOPE THEY DO…..

Anyway, in all of the business I’ve all but completely fallen off of the money bandwagon too.  I need to figure out a way to better plan for busy-ness.  I need some easy meal ingredients on hand or something…  Ideas would be great………

Anyway, I’m trying to get back on track this week, so here is the menu:

Monday:  Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Tuesday:  Breakfast for Dinner

Wednesday:  Snack Dinner

Thursday:  Pizza

Friday:  Shrimp and fries

Saturday:  Burgers

Sunday:  Grilled Chicken Wraps