It's been awhile since I posted...
I'm sure there are many more updates since I last posted that I'll forget to mention, but there is one thing that I really felt the need to write about. July 1, 2012 will be exactly one year since I started my weight loss journey... one year since I decided that I couldn't (and wouldn't) be able to continue living like I was and expect to see 50... one year since I made a decision to put ME first.
When I started in 2011, my one year goals were to lose 100 pounds and learn to love running. I didn't start with an end weight in sight because I don't know what I want that to be. Well, I didn't lose 100 pounds, but I did lose 60. That's not bad for 365 days.
But I won't be going "balls to the wall" into my one-year anniversary as I hoped. I broke my foot on May 31, and I will be out of commission for an undetermined amount of time.
Thankfully, Melissa is still willing to work with the new, less-mobile me and is still helping me workout as much as I can. I can't really do any running or biking (heck, I can't even walk), but I'm still sweating it out in the gym with weights and pushups and abs. I still have to keep moving.
So here is my new goal: a 10k on Sept. 30. It's a lofty goal, I know, but I know my body is still capable of competition, even if it's not so at the moment. I go back to the doctor this coming Wednesday to see where I am in the healing process. My hope is that he tells me I can: 1) do the stationary bike, 2) go to South Africa in two weeks, and 3) be up and running, literally, by August 15. If I train hard for a month and a half, I'm sure my body will get back what stamina it has lost in the past few weeks.
If prayer is your thing, please pray for a quick healing and that my foot is stronger after this setback than it was before.
(For any of you wondering, I broke my foot in the ocean. Who does that? Only me...)
Friday, June 22, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
$tarbuck$
Starbucks... my biggest addiction to date. "I just can't quit you!"
The average Starbucks drink will cost you $4.00. If you're me, you can find yourself paying $6.00 for 12-24 ounces of caffeinated goodness. And that's everyday. I go to Starbucks probably... easily... 6 times a week. That is almost $40 a week I spend on coffee (delicious, delicious coffee). That's scary.
What's more frightening is this...
The average Starbucks drink contains 200 calories, and that doesn't include the frappucinos. The average frappucino can cost you upwards of 500 calories... per drink! That's anywhere between 3-7 average-sized apples, 5 medium bananas, one 6" ham and turkey Subway sandwich WITH baked Doritos! 500 CALORIES IS A TURKEY BURGER WITH FAT-FREE MOZZARELLA CHEESE, A CUP AND A HALF OF GREEN BEANS, AND A SUGAR-FREE JELLO AND WHIPPED CREAM DESSERT! Essentially, you are drinking an entire meal.
And not in the good way, either.
I used to work for Starbucks, and I will be the first to tell you that it is an AMAZING company to work for. The benefits are great, they treat their employees awesome, and they do a lot of good in the community. But dang, their drinks are dangerous.
I would stop at Starbucks every single day before my 40 minute commute to work. I used to get a Venti Soy 1-pump Vanilla Chai, and I wore every single bit of those 360 calories. Then I switched to Venti Soy Sugar-Free Vanilla Lattes. It saved me almost 100 calories, but I was drinking it all day, which wasn't good. So then I switched to a Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte... Finally, 100 calories! But the secret weapon is the amount of sodium and sugar! 125mg of sodium and 13g of sugar!
I decided that I was giving up Starbucks this week. I haven't been there in 6 days, and I'm surviving. Actually, I feel really good. I have an extra $30 in my pocket to boot!
I won't lie when I say I didn't give up the Bux for the lack of nutritional value; it was all money. But then I got to thinking What could I eat for 100 calories? Well, that's an extra banana or apple a day, an extra few slices of protein-packed meat on my sandwich, an extra mid-day snack to help tide me over until dinner, or a small sweet treat at the end of the day. (OR an extra 100 calories to add to my calorie deficit each day!) For a food addict, I was really wasting my calories!
I urge you to see where you can cut unnecessary calories each day. This has been a trying week in many ways, so I'm focusing on challenging myself with this. I will say that I've also taken on the challenge of no sweets until June 9. I had a piece of cake today for a co-worker's birthday, and I'm done. There is this dress that Amber over at Live. Love. Fit! let me borrow, and I will wear it for Leah and Brett's wedding! If I can pull this off, it will be SIX sizes smaller than the dresses I wore when I first started this journey.
Let the challenges begin! How will you challenge yourself this week?
UPDATE: I still can't quit it. UGH!
The average Starbucks drink will cost you $4.00. If you're me, you can find yourself paying $6.00 for 12-24 ounces of caffeinated goodness. And that's everyday. I go to Starbucks probably... easily... 6 times a week. That is almost $40 a week I spend on coffee (delicious, delicious coffee). That's scary.
What's more frightening is this...
The average Starbucks drink contains 200 calories, and that doesn't include the frappucinos. The average frappucino can cost you upwards of 500 calories... per drink! That's anywhere between 3-7 average-sized apples, 5 medium bananas, one 6" ham and turkey Subway sandwich WITH baked Doritos! 500 CALORIES IS A TURKEY BURGER WITH FAT-FREE MOZZARELLA CHEESE, A CUP AND A HALF OF GREEN BEANS, AND A SUGAR-FREE JELLO AND WHIPPED CREAM DESSERT! Essentially, you are drinking an entire meal.
And not in the good way, either.
I used to work for Starbucks, and I will be the first to tell you that it is an AMAZING company to work for. The benefits are great, they treat their employees awesome, and they do a lot of good in the community. But dang, their drinks are dangerous.
I would stop at Starbucks every single day before my 40 minute commute to work. I used to get a Venti Soy 1-pump Vanilla Chai, and I wore every single bit of those 360 calories. Then I switched to Venti Soy Sugar-Free Vanilla Lattes. It saved me almost 100 calories, but I was drinking it all day, which wasn't good. So then I switched to a Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte... Finally, 100 calories! But the secret weapon is the amount of sodium and sugar! 125mg of sodium and 13g of sugar!
I decided that I was giving up Starbucks this week. I haven't been there in 6 days, and I'm surviving. Actually, I feel really good. I have an extra $30 in my pocket to boot!
I won't lie when I say I didn't give up the Bux for the lack of nutritional value; it was all money. But then I got to thinking What could I eat for 100 calories? Well, that's an extra banana or apple a day, an extra few slices of protein-packed meat on my sandwich, an extra mid-day snack to help tide me over until dinner, or a small sweet treat at the end of the day. (OR an extra 100 calories to add to my calorie deficit each day!) For a food addict, I was really wasting my calories!
I urge you to see where you can cut unnecessary calories each day. This has been a trying week in many ways, so I'm focusing on challenging myself with this. I will say that I've also taken on the challenge of no sweets until June 9. I had a piece of cake today for a co-worker's birthday, and I'm done. There is this dress that Amber over at Live. Love. Fit! let me borrow, and I will wear it for Leah and Brett's wedding! If I can pull this off, it will be SIX sizes smaller than the dresses I wore when I first started this journey.
Let the challenges begin! How will you challenge yourself this week?
UPDATE: I still can't quit it. UGH!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
That's INSANE!
Two nights ago, with the help of a Graduate Assistant in my office, I started Insanity. I'm sure you've probably heard of it, but it's a program (like P90x) that is geared toward changing your body by completing 60-ish days of intense interval training. It's like Jane Fonda's Buns of Steel on steriods... and for your entire body.
I completed the Fit Test, which consisted of minute-long spurts of 8 different exercises (high knees, power jumps, power jacks, etc.) where you count your reps. You then do the fit test four other times throughout the process and compare your reps to see your progress. It's an interesting idea, and even the fit test was difficult. My reps weren't good on some of the exercises, but I was impressed with my outcomes on some.
If I choose to do the whole program, it will take me more than two months simply because I'm not going to double up on Melissa days with Insanity Days. I'm not THAT crazy. Melissa has sad before that what we do is basically Insanity-like procedures; I believe that. She also made a comment last night that Insanity isn't really designed for weight loss. I can see that, too. Even people on P90x don't lose that much weight doing the program because they are gaining so much muscle. I think the big difference between what Melissa and I do and what Insanity does is the intensity. Insanity is 6 days a week with the 7th being a rest day. With Melissa, we go hard two or three days, and the other days are strictly cardio days like running or walking or other exercises. We do the strength training, but it has to be combined with cardio.
I think that if I take anything from this journey, it has to be that too much cardio makes you start losing muscle mass, and too much strength training will not help you lose weight effectively. Yes, muscle helps you burn fat, but cardio boosts your metabolism, so there has to be a balance between the two to acheive results.
Updates for me include my additional loss of 8.8 inches last month. I may have already updated that, but I forgot if I did... so there you go. I haven't run at all since the 5k. That is definitely on my list of things to do this week as soon as it stops being cold and snowy outside (yeah, snow).
I completed the Fit Test, which consisted of minute-long spurts of 8 different exercises (high knees, power jumps, power jacks, etc.) where you count your reps. You then do the fit test four other times throughout the process and compare your reps to see your progress. It's an interesting idea, and even the fit test was difficult. My reps weren't good on some of the exercises, but I was impressed with my outcomes on some.
If I choose to do the whole program, it will take me more than two months simply because I'm not going to double up on Melissa days with Insanity Days. I'm not THAT crazy. Melissa has sad before that what we do is basically Insanity-like procedures; I believe that. She also made a comment last night that Insanity isn't really designed for weight loss. I can see that, too. Even people on P90x don't lose that much weight doing the program because they are gaining so much muscle. I think the big difference between what Melissa and I do and what Insanity does is the intensity. Insanity is 6 days a week with the 7th being a rest day. With Melissa, we go hard two or three days, and the other days are strictly cardio days like running or walking or other exercises. We do the strength training, but it has to be combined with cardio.
I think that if I take anything from this journey, it has to be that too much cardio makes you start losing muscle mass, and too much strength training will not help you lose weight effectively. Yes, muscle helps you burn fat, but cardio boosts your metabolism, so there has to be a balance between the two to acheive results.
Updates for me include my additional loss of 8.8 inches last month. I may have already updated that, but I forgot if I did... so there you go. I haven't run at all since the 5k. That is definitely on my list of things to do this week as soon as it stops being cold and snowy outside (yeah, snow).
Monday, April 2, 2012
5k? CHECK!
The day after my first 5k... I never thought it would come.
When Melissa told her You First clients (back in January) that we were all running a 5k on April 1, I think we thought it was an April Fool's joke. Well, it wasn't. We all ran, and we all ran really well!
The course was, as she put, the most difficult you'd find in the area and surrounding areas... I believe it. I'd tell you where we ran, but unless you're from here, it will make no sense. I'll just say that there were a LOT of hills. Then again, running outside in West Virginia isn't the easiest thing.
That's why I was fine with a time of 56:29. I did 3.1 miles a week before in 51:00 flat, but I was also running on a treadmill. I'd be interested to see my time on a flat course, but overall, I'm very, very pleased with how things went.
I ran about a mile and a half before I stopped to walk for a bit. That also was when the first substantial hill came, so there you go.
All in all, my philosophy was to just keep moving. Other than the 10 seconds I stopped to tie my shoe, I didn't stop. I knew if I stopped, I wouldn't start again.
Well, it's sideways, but here I am crossing the finish line (I know it doesn't look like I'm running, but I am)
I'm hooked. I can't wait to do more 5ks this spring/summer. I figure that if I can conquer this course, I can do about any other course around. I am already committed to doing The Color Run on Sept. 22 in DC (www.thecolorrun.com), but I know there's a few festival 5ks in the area this summer, as well as a mile run for a festival in the town I work in. I'm going to seriously sign up for every single one I can.
I don't think anything can beat the feeling of doing something that you never thought you'd be able to do. A year ago, 50 pounds ago, 35 inches ago, I would have never imagined I would ever be able to run, let alone enjoy it. There, I said it. I love running. It might hurt, but it's a good hurt.
When Melissa told her You First clients (back in January) that we were all running a 5k on April 1, I think we thought it was an April Fool's joke. Well, it wasn't. We all ran, and we all ran really well!
The course was, as she put, the most difficult you'd find in the area and surrounding areas... I believe it. I'd tell you where we ran, but unless you're from here, it will make no sense. I'll just say that there were a LOT of hills. Then again, running outside in West Virginia isn't the easiest thing.
That's why I was fine with a time of 56:29. I did 3.1 miles a week before in 51:00 flat, but I was also running on a treadmill. I'd be interested to see my time on a flat course, but overall, I'm very, very pleased with how things went.
I ran about a mile and a half before I stopped to walk for a bit. That also was when the first substantial hill came, so there you go.
All in all, my philosophy was to just keep moving. Other than the 10 seconds I stopped to tie my shoe, I didn't stop. I knew if I stopped, I wouldn't start again.
Well, it's sideways, but here I am crossing the finish line (I know it doesn't look like I'm running, but I am)
I'm hooked. I can't wait to do more 5ks this spring/summer. I figure that if I can conquer this course, I can do about any other course around. I am already committed to doing The Color Run on Sept. 22 in DC (www.thecolorrun.com), but I know there's a few festival 5ks in the area this summer, as well as a mile run for a festival in the town I work in. I'm going to seriously sign up for every single one I can.
I don't think anything can beat the feeling of doing something that you never thought you'd be able to do. A year ago, 50 pounds ago, 35 inches ago, I would have never imagined I would ever be able to run, let alone enjoy it. There, I said it. I love running. It might hurt, but it's a good hurt.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Just Do It!
It's finally come... the night before the night before my first 5k run.
No, this whole post won't rhyme, although I'm fairly certain I could do it if I try.
Sunday is when I run my first 5k. This past Sunday, I thought I should probably get on the treadmill and see if I could even go 3.1 miles without keeling over. So my uncle and I went up to Anytime to do just that. (I love when he's in town because 1) I never get to see him, and 2) he's always down to show me up at the gym) So I got on the treadmill and covered up my time and distance, set my speed to 3.8 (.2 mph faster than I have been running), and just went.
SIDENOTE: A week ago, I ran half a mile for the first time, all at once. I was super pumped. Read on....
Well wouldn't you know that I hit one of my goals: running a mile without stopping.
I never, never, NEVER thought I would be able to do that. NEVER. I absolutely couldn't believe it. I'm not sure how quickly, or slowly, I did it, but I don't care. It took me 51 minutes to complete 3.2 miles, so I know it was less than a 20 min. mile average.
And then I did it again on Wednesday.
I'm feeling much better about this 5k now. Melissa keeps driving home the point that it doesn't matter if you come in first or last becuse if this is your first "race," it'll be your best one yet. I really have taken that to heart lately because in the end, life is just a race against yourself. It doesn't matter if you're running slower than the person in front of you because you're not trying to change their body-- you're doing this for YOU.
Whatever time I get on Sunday will be my slowest ever. I fully intend on keeping up with running because there are some advantages. "A run never takes more than it gives," or so says Nike. I believe it.
I did find that the Couch 2 5k program was more of a hinderance than something that pushed me. I finally had to put it away and just run, not caring when I was supposed to take scheduled breaks or jog. Now I just go until I need to walk, and when I know I can go again, I do. If you want to do something, all you have to do is do it.
From here on out, my new goal is everytime I go to run, walk, jog, or any combination thereof, I will never do less than 3.1 miles. I can't, because I always have to keep moving forward. I have 3 months before I go to South Africa, and I need to do as much as I can in that time.
I have another 5k scheduled for the morning on June 9 in my hometown. I would also like to do another one, maybe the Strawberry Festival or Italian Heritage Festival 5k. There's also this thing called The Color Run that I'm hoping Melissa and I can do together. With everyday, she's becoming so much more of a friend, and I'm always so thankful she has taken a chance on me. When I went to run that half a mile the first time, she stayed right there with me and made me push past the pain and the negativity in my mind. She could have just run on and lapped me, but she didn't. I thank God daily for her.
No, this whole post won't rhyme, although I'm fairly certain I could do it if I try.
Sunday is when I run my first 5k. This past Sunday, I thought I should probably get on the treadmill and see if I could even go 3.1 miles without keeling over. So my uncle and I went up to Anytime to do just that. (I love when he's in town because 1) I never get to see him, and 2) he's always down to show me up at the gym) So I got on the treadmill and covered up my time and distance, set my speed to 3.8 (.2 mph faster than I have been running), and just went.
SIDENOTE: A week ago, I ran half a mile for the first time, all at once. I was super pumped. Read on....
Well wouldn't you know that I hit one of my goals: running a mile without stopping.
I never, never, NEVER thought I would be able to do that. NEVER. I absolutely couldn't believe it. I'm not sure how quickly, or slowly, I did it, but I don't care. It took me 51 minutes to complete 3.2 miles, so I know it was less than a 20 min. mile average.
And then I did it again on Wednesday.
I'm feeling much better about this 5k now. Melissa keeps driving home the point that it doesn't matter if you come in first or last becuse if this is your first "race," it'll be your best one yet. I really have taken that to heart lately because in the end, life is just a race against yourself. It doesn't matter if you're running slower than the person in front of you because you're not trying to change their body-- you're doing this for YOU.
Whatever time I get on Sunday will be my slowest ever. I fully intend on keeping up with running because there are some advantages. "A run never takes more than it gives," or so says Nike. I believe it.
I did find that the Couch 2 5k program was more of a hinderance than something that pushed me. I finally had to put it away and just run, not caring when I was supposed to take scheduled breaks or jog. Now I just go until I need to walk, and when I know I can go again, I do. If you want to do something, all you have to do is do it.
From here on out, my new goal is everytime I go to run, walk, jog, or any combination thereof, I will never do less than 3.1 miles. I can't, because I always have to keep moving forward. I have 3 months before I go to South Africa, and I need to do as much as I can in that time.
I have another 5k scheduled for the morning on June 9 in my hometown. I would also like to do another one, maybe the Strawberry Festival or Italian Heritage Festival 5k. There's also this thing called The Color Run that I'm hoping Melissa and I can do together. With everyday, she's becoming so much more of a friend, and I'm always so thankful she has taken a chance on me. When I went to run that half a mile the first time, she stayed right there with me and made me push past the pain and the negativity in my mind. She could have just run on and lapped me, but she didn't. I thank God daily for her.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Some Inspiration
Sometimes, you just have to realize you're no good at something. For me, it's updating this blog.
So, I've got some big news.... After months of being at -46 pounds lost, the numbers on the scale have finally started moving again. I have finally hit my first goal...
-50 pounds!!!
51.5 to be exact, but I couldn't be more relieved.
I was talking with Matt, the owner of Anytime Fitness, about my next steps. He's been waiting for me to be ready to take pictures. You know, one of those "see how big my pants are" pictures, where you stand there and hold your pants out. Those are fine and all, but am I the only person who considers the fact that of course they're going to be bigger than your body... there's nothing filling them out! Personally, I don't see enough difference in myself with 50 pounds gone to really make that picture mean anything to me, let alone anyone else. So I'm waiting until I lose another 50 pounds.
However, I did tell Matt that my goal is to be on a billboard. Right now, AF has a few billboards up displaying weight loss of their clients, which I think is AWESOME. I WANT ONE, TOO!! :) Amber over at Love. Life. Fit! is on one, and she made the comment that she never thought she would be on a billboard promoting weight loss. I just think it's so cool, pushing so much and working so hard to start inspiring yourself!
Any of us on this journey feels a small burden to inspire other people; I know I do. It's rare that I inspire myself, but I think that's so important. Amber inspires me, and I hope she inspires herself! I want to be there, too. So my goal is to push myself to the point of self-inspiration. I'm not sure what that will take, but I think I'll know it when I see it.
For now, I've been set back just a little. I sprained my right wrist, so weight lifting and planking are out for me for a bit. I know Melissa will still work me hard, though, using other means. There are plenty of exercises where I don't need weights. :) The jarring of running doesn't feel too good, but I'm hoping that if I keep using this wrist brace, I'll start to feel better soon. After all, the 5k is in two weeks, which is really scary. I know I'm not ready for it, and I highly doubt I'll be making my "Run a 5k in less than 40 minutes" goal a reality, but I'm sure going to try. I'm hoping that some burst of energy and courage hits me that day, and I'll at least make my "run a mile without stopping" goal happen.
Fingers crossed!
So, I've got some big news.... After months of being at -46 pounds lost, the numbers on the scale have finally started moving again. I have finally hit my first goal...
-50 pounds!!!
51.5 to be exact, but I couldn't be more relieved.
I was talking with Matt, the owner of Anytime Fitness, about my next steps. He's been waiting for me to be ready to take pictures. You know, one of those "see how big my pants are" pictures, where you stand there and hold your pants out. Those are fine and all, but am I the only person who considers the fact that of course they're going to be bigger than your body... there's nothing filling them out! Personally, I don't see enough difference in myself with 50 pounds gone to really make that picture mean anything to me, let alone anyone else. So I'm waiting until I lose another 50 pounds.
However, I did tell Matt that my goal is to be on a billboard. Right now, AF has a few billboards up displaying weight loss of their clients, which I think is AWESOME. I WANT ONE, TOO!! :) Amber over at Love. Life. Fit! is on one, and she made the comment that she never thought she would be on a billboard promoting weight loss. I just think it's so cool, pushing so much and working so hard to start inspiring yourself!
Any of us on this journey feels a small burden to inspire other people; I know I do. It's rare that I inspire myself, but I think that's so important. Amber inspires me, and I hope she inspires herself! I want to be there, too. So my goal is to push myself to the point of self-inspiration. I'm not sure what that will take, but I think I'll know it when I see it.
For now, I've been set back just a little. I sprained my right wrist, so weight lifting and planking are out for me for a bit. I know Melissa will still work me hard, though, using other means. There are plenty of exercises where I don't need weights. :) The jarring of running doesn't feel too good, but I'm hoping that if I keep using this wrist brace, I'll start to feel better soon. After all, the 5k is in two weeks, which is really scary. I know I'm not ready for it, and I highly doubt I'll be making my "Run a 5k in less than 40 minutes" goal a reality, but I'm sure going to try. I'm hoping that some burst of energy and courage hits me that day, and I'll at least make my "run a mile without stopping" goal happen.
Fingers crossed!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Beach Blog!
I'm back at the beach, but I'm in Ocean City, MD this time. Thank goodness I actually get to go to the beach in MAY when it's WARM! Until then, it's indoor workouts for me.
I was very determined to control my environment this time, as my last beach trip to SC ended in a less than lackluster health performance on my part. So this time, I prepared steel cut oats beforehand, Zone Perfect bars, natural peanut butter, kiwi, splenda, Breakfast-on-the-Go packs, and fruit cups. I was determined to eat healthy this trip to prove to myself that I have control over what I put in my body in strange environments. So far, so good. I will say that I plan on indulging in a small steak tonight. It's been almost two years since I've had a steak for dinner.
This morning, I even got up at 8am and ran. I'm 2/3 way finished with Week 5 of Couch 2 5k. This is the furthest I've gotten in the program, and I feel great! I'm so surprised how easy running is becoming. I ran for 8minutes straight today, which is the longest I've run at a time. I wasn't even winded!! I can't believe that; I even felt like I could have run more. The last day of this week has me running 10 minutes in a row. I KNOW I can do it!!
It is exactly 29 days until my first 5k. One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to run a 5k in under 40 minutes; I'm getting there! It's coming up so fast.
That's all for now, but I'll leave you with this: you have complete control over your environment. If you don't control it, it will control you.
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