Run Sonya Run!

Well folks, not only did I lose 3lbs this week, but this girl got off her arse and ran today! 

I have been feeling pretty crappy lately that I have let my fear of running in the heat and humidity (I still don't have a gym membership) get in the way of reaching my goals. Today was the day I said "f*ck it, I'm running!"

Well folks...holy crapbars....I thought I was going to die. Yeah, I know what you might be thinking, and yes, perhaps I'm being a bit of a drama queen here, but dudes, it was 28 degrees (82F) outside and that's not even taking into account the humidity!!!!!! The wonderful weather network tells me with the humidity it 'feels like' 40 degrees (104F!!!!).  I sure know how to face a fear, don't I? I even ran at 3pm!  Of course ideally I would have liked to run in the morning or late at night when it's cooler, but I can't with my damn work schedule (unless off of course). This is why I've put off running lately because the time I can run, it's so freak'in hot, but not today ladies and gents, not today!

I decided to go back to doing workouts from the C25K program that I loved before. I did week 4, Run 1. Am I proud of the fact I can't run as long as I could before? No, not really, but I am proud I got out there. I am hoping when cooler weather hits us again I can get back to running the distances I was before, but for now I'll deal.  Like I said, I have this fear, my body is not use to the humidity and I'm out of practice....plus lets face it...I'm still fat.... oh sorry...obese.... Thanks BMI!

Week 4 of the C25K is this...

walk 5 min
Run for 3
walk for 90sec
run for 5
walk for 2 min
run for 3
walk for 90 sec
run for 5
walk for 5

The first rotation was okay. The last rotation was (my famous word) BRUTAL!!!!! I wanted to quit so many times since I still don't have that determination that I used to. I just kept saying to myself though (sometimes even out loud) I can do this. A couple times I was in the zone so much I said it when people were near me. I seriously think they thought I was coo-coo!

Once I was finished I once again passed out on a grassy hill near my house. I literally ended up in the recovery position! lol... It was so hard peeps. It took me a long time for my breathing to get back to normal, but I did it.

This time around ( if you've been reading my blog, you'll know this is not my first trip around the block with WW) I really want to get this exercise AND eating right thing down pat at the same time. Somehow all these years I've only been able to focus on one or the other. It's like focusing on both takes too much brain power for me or something....ugh....Hello, I'm a smart cookie, I should be able to do both at the same time for god sakes,  but for some reason I haven't been able to. Here's hoping I can truly change that from here on out!

So here's to a brutal awesome day of running with many more to come!

Food Good, Running not so much...

Well, I'm 240lbs with my clothes off! Woo-hoo!!!!! I yet again weighed myself this morning and I'm back down to 240lbs. Crazy. Now if I can only be 240lb with my clothes ON. Damn you weight watchers for not allowing us to strip at the meetings.

Yesterday I did nothing. Sad, but true. I just wanted and needed a day to relax and not worry about anything. I did a little bit of sweeping and laundry, but other than that I watched TV and read. Yup...total couch potato. I do wish I had enough energy to run though. Why?... because then I wouldn't have to do it today! It's hot out there people, and I can't run at night because I work. Now I have to get out there at 3pm. Yup, that was poor planning. At 3pm it's still hot out! Hot = unhappy sweaty runner. I do have to get use to it though, as when I work nights, this is the time I will have to be running. It's either 3pm, or 8am when I get home from shift. I'm still not sure what's better. I'll have to maybe feel out both times and see. At 8am it would be cooler (maybe), but usually after working nights I'm kind of out of it and ready for bed. At 3pm though I'm in bed and  really don't want to get out!

I have to admit I'm worried about the run on July 3rd. Since the June 12, 2010 5K I did, I've only ran once! I know...where did my mojo go?  Not good. Mojo I need you right now! In all honesty,  I think I'm still afraid of the pain. The last few runs I've done have been pretty bad runs. Not enjoyable at all and lately I've felt like I've been going backwards rather than forwards.  I am trying to run faster, but it's kicking my ass. I've thought about doing some of the C25K weeks over again, as I increase my speed to see how that would go. I might try it today.  It's worth a shot. Anything to make running enjoyable again.

Other than that, food wise I'm doing okay. Today might be hard for me as I woke up at 10am and work nights tonight. LONG. ASS. DAY. Here's hoping I can nap for a bit before working 7pm-7am.  I've ate 6 points so far. I have 25 points left until tomorrow morning when I go to bed. I would have more if I had any extra weekly allowance points left, but I've already used those up at the weekend parties. :-( Wish me luck. I think I'll be chewing on several pieces of carrots and cucumber all night!

Week 9, Run 3 - Graduation Run - DONE!!!!!

I graduated!!!!!! I just ran my last run of the couch to 5K program. My last run being 6K! WOO-HOO!!!! That's right, I'm an overachiever! I actually didn't set out to run 6K, but I forgot my Nike + sensor at home and I couldn't remember my 5K stop point . I only knew my start (of course) and my 3K turn around point. For fear of not running long enough, I just ran back to where I started (which I knew was exactly 6K). 

I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself for finishing what I started. Never in a million years did I think I'd ever be able to run 5K, let alone 6K, but I have and it feels fantastic! 

Do I really Want it?

Learning to run has reminded me that if I set my mind to something, I can do it. Through determination, will and drive I can accomplish any goal I set for myself. Nine weeks ago running 5K seemed impossible, but  it was my goal I set for myself and I did it. I plan to do it again today as well. Week 9, run 2,  here I come. So now why the hell is it that when I set a weight loss goal, I can't have the same success? I've reached every goal I've set for myself in recent years. Move out on my own, landing a job that I wanted and love, bought a house on my own, graduated from university etc..etc..., but this damn weight loss goal I just can't seem to tackle.

I tried to 'Dr. Phil' think a bit tonight and ask myself...is being fat working for me? It must be in some regards because I'm not changing. I don't have that drive, determination or will to huncker down and calorie count and loss this freak'in weight once and for all. As I thought more and more I came to realize that perhaps my weight has become my security blanket. If I truly begin to shed the pounds and separate myself from my 'blanket" I'm valnerable  to possibilities that perhaps scare me. I'm not going to get into details, but I'm sure you get what I mean.

I'm confident in many aspects of my life. I'm smart and successful, but when it comes to weight loss, I'm a failure. I feel like I'm not strong enough to getter done. With that being said though, I know I have begun to make positive changes in my life and people are noticing. People have even called me an inspiration. Me! An inspiration. HA! That is shocking! It does feel good though to hear coworkers say they thought of me as they went out for a run and said, if Sonya can do it, so can I. The scale may not say I've lost weight lately, but many had asked if I have. I look in the mirror and I see a smaller self. My stomach is less bloated, my arms don't have as large of "wings" as they use to, and my legs look stronger. Of course I wish my double 'no neck' days were behind me, but here's hoping with my continued running and veggie diet it will come with time.

I'm not going to lie though, I do get frustrated. Here I am running 3 times a week, and eating a vegetarian diet where I've had more veggies in the last 3 months than probably in the last 3 years, but still I'm not losing weight.  I guess that's what you get when you don't buckle down.  I do admit lately I enjoyed french fries and ice cream perhaps too much. These are my two tried and true coping foods, and when our dog died, you can bet I had them A LOT! I wish I could say I've found a new coping strategy to deal with stress/anger/sadness, but I guess I haven't. I know I'm still not ready to calorie count or count points again though so I shouldn't be surprised by the scale results. Afterall, you can't have your cake and eat it too but of course this is where I get frustrated yet again. I say I want to lose this weight, so why the hell do I still make those bad food choices? Gurrrrrrr. When will I learn? When will I finally believe I can do it and that I'm worth it?

I RAN 5K!!!!!

That's right ladies and gents, this fat chick ran 5K!!!! Goal = achieved! Woo-Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not too shabby for a girl who just started running three months ago!

On Sunday, my best friend (who has been running  for just over a year herself) and I went down to the lake (lake Ontario) and ran on the waterfront trail. It was GORGEOUS! The weather was awesome, the view was amazing and the trail was fantastic! It was my first time running there (or really being there for that matter), but you can bet it will certainly not be my last.

My first 5K was still part of my couch to 5K training. I'm in week 9 and this week is all about running three 5K runs. After my third, I've officially graduated!!!!!  I got to say, I found this run easier than my last three runs of 4.46K. I'm not sure why. All I can think of is that the trail had more hills than I'm accustom to, and what goes up, must come down. I love running downhill!!!! I actually was a bit faster on this run than my last couple runs. I ran the 5K in 40 minutes. Not cheetah fast, but not snail pace either...more tortoise-ish. My goal was to run it in less than 45min and I did it. I'm hoping on 'race day' to finish it in less than 40min. I do wish of course I was faster, but speed will come with time. Lately I've just been concentrating on going the distance.

Not much else is new around my neck of the woods. I made Polish Style Lasanga for dinner last night, but I have to say I will NOT be making it again. First off, I realized it's not that healthy. Secondly, I found I had to use two packages of instant potatoes to cover the noodles, and then I didn't have enough cream cheese to mix the potatoes with so they ended up being soooo dry. Plus my oven ready noodles were not so oven ready. As the potatoes were so dry, the noodles didn't have enough liquid to help them soften. As you can imagine, this dish was a disaster! lol.... I really should have just made potatoes with onion in them and called it a night!

Tonight I'm hoping to make a new dish using polenta. I went out and bought all the ingredients for the dish, but now do you think I can find the bloody recipe? Hell No. I thought I e-mailed it to myself or facebooked it to myself, but nope. I can't find it. Gurrrrr....now what the hell do I do? lol.....Here's hoping I find it before my veggies go bad!

Tired Runner

I have been a bad blogger lately. Mostly because I am so tired. So tired that accomplishing more than one thing a day is too much. I've been in bed a lot lately. I've been too tired to read, therefore haven't been reading your blogs, and too tired to write, therefore I haven't updated mine.

This tiredness is abnormal. I stopped taking my vitamins and I'm feeling it. I didn't stop on purpose, I just never remember. I'm wondering if my B12 or iron is low.  No matter how hard I try to ensure I'm getting enough green leafy vegetables in, I know I'm still not getting enough. As a result the last two days I've taken all my vitamins  (like a good girl) which include a multivitamin, B complex vitamin, calcium tablet, vitamin C and D,  a St. Johns Wart and Green Tea capsule, and now a iron capsule. A lot? Perhaps, but I know they are essential and hopefully will help to make me feel better. This tiredness thing is starting to get annoying, and I refuse to introduce coffee or pop back into my diet!

Regardless of my tiredness, one thing I haven't let go by the wayside is my running. I am now on Week 8 and today I just finished run two. This run is 4.46km long. I managed to run it in 35.42 minutes.  My last run (same distance) I ran  in 37.17minutes although it did include running up a big hill.

Today I really started to understand that running is a complete mental game. At the 1K mark, I really wanted to quit. I wasn't feeling the run, I was tired and sore already. Then when the little Nike + dude came on and reported I just ran 1.5K, I wanted to tell him to shut the F*ck up and throw my ipod across the road! I kind of have a love-hate relationship with the Nike + sensor dude. I hate him in the beginning for telling me I have run only 0.5km when I feel like I've run 5K already, but I love him when he tells me I only have 400 meters to go!

Today there was a lot of negative self talk going on. I just didn't know how I was going to finish. I kept moaning and groaning and beating myself up one minute, but then the next I'd snap out of it, and just say outloud (yes outloud...I'm sure my neighbours think I'm crazy) that I can do this, because I've done it before! Thankfully, I didn't give up and instead kicked some demon-negative self talk ass and didn't walk once. I ran the entire 4.46km and then passed out on the grass!!! I'm not going to lie, it was damn hard. Probably my hardest run yet, but it was also my longest and my fastest, but I did it, and that is something to be proud of. Fat chicks really can run!

4K - one step closer to 5K

Today I ran 4km!  I was slow, I was tired, I was sore, and I was sweaty, but most importantly I was sooooo proud of myself when I was done!

I decided to run 4km today because I realized when searching the coolrunning.com website that I should be running 25min OR 4km.  I have been running for 25 minutes, but not 4k. Today I thought I would give 4k a shot and not focus on the amount of time it took to get me there. It took me longer than 25 minutes to complete because even though I stand at 5'11" tall, I run like I'm 4'9".  My stride length sucks...still not sure how to improve it, but hey...I've only been doing this for 2 months!

I ran 4k in 32min 56 sec (pace - 8.13min/k). In other words I went from running 25minutes to running almost 8 minutes longer!  How do I know this? Well I went out and bought the Nike + ipod. I love it! Best little thing ever. I now know my pace, my distance, my calories burned and time! It's fantastic.

I don't own the shoes to put the sensor in (most know by now the sensor goes under the sole of Nike shoes) so I found a tip off the internet that said to place of sticky velcro on the back of the sensor and on the lip of my shoe and then ensure that the sensor is  secured with the velcro and shoe laces.  Make sense? Maybe...anyway, It worked great!  I was very pleased and look forward to running with it in the future.

Because of the Nike + ipod, I didn't actually listen to the C25K podcast this time. I knew week 7, run 3 was 25 min or 4K so I just set the Nike + to 4K and ran listening to MY OWN MUSIC!!!!  Don't get me wrong, the dance music on the podcasts are good, but I loved listening to my own music.....although got to tell ya, the songs I belt out in the car are not necessarily the best songs to run to! Some adjustments to the song list are needed. Any suggestions?

Flakie Sadness

I had a weak moment and now I'm paying for it. When out grocery shopping yesterday I bought a lot of good foods. I also bought passion flakies and cinnamon raisin rice pudding. I knew it was bad, but I thought maybe (just maybe) I'd be able to not inhale them both in one day.


I was wrong.

I ate the entire box of flakies in less than 24 hour and the entire large container of rice pudding.

They are both completely gone now.

So. Not. Cool!

I'm not sure what triggered the need to inhale. I really didn't think it would turn out this way. I can have chocolate in my house and ice cream in my house for weeks without eating it now (something I would have inhaled before), but I suppose flakies and rice pudding are still a red flag food for me. It's better if I just stay away.

I was feeling a bit nervous/anxious after I wrote my post last night (okay, well perhaps I do know why I inhaled) After looking up my route on mapmyrun like I said I did, I then went to coolrunning.com and realized I'm only running 3K in 25 minutes when I should be running 4K. I knew I was slow, but it was kind of like a punch to the stomach. Here I thought I was doing well (and yes, I do realize I still am for just doing it in the first place), but then to realize I'm behind the pace by so much...well, it kind of sucks. Top it off with the fact I mapped out 5K and now truly know how far that is....I think I freaked out a bit.

Today I'm feeling a bit better of course. I'm trying not to think of the 5K race, but just taking it run by run as I have for the last 7 weeks. On the coolrunning website It states "Week 7 - Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes)." My podcast just has me running 25 minutes...but perhaps I need to run the 2.5 miles (4km) instead no matter how long it takes me. I'm really not sure. Four kilometers might take me 35 minutes and that's a huge jump from running for only 25 minutes. Ahhhh...I'm not sure what to do. Help! Any runners out there?

One Productive Day

Today was a productive day. I had to really force myself to make it a productive one, but I did it and I'm proud.

This morning I got my butt out of bed (yet again, not easy to do!) and went and volunteered with the horses again.  I love it. I was able to meet the two new horses they have and visit the other ones as well. It was great fun. grooming, watching the horses get trained etc...etc... I got a workout shovelling poop again too! Got to love those poop workouts! 

After being there for about 3 hours I came home and after having a shower and getting ready I went and had my 60 minute massage! Ladies and gents (if there are any out there) It was fan-freak'in-tastic! Just what the doctor ordered! She said my calves were really tight (which I knew about - hence one of the reasons for going) so she worked on those a lot along with my lower back, shoulders and neck. I was so relaxed coming out of there I really (and I mean really) just wanted to come home and have a nap. I didn't though. I forced myself to go and get groceries. I didn't have any real food in the house and I knew if I didn't buy food today, I'd be eating out tomorrow (which of course I don't want to do!). 

I spent about 1.5 hours in the grocery store then I came home and put everything away. I then got my fat ass outside running! Thankfully the rain stopped just long enough for me to be outside for about an hour.  Currently it's a thunderstorm out there! I decided to take a new route today for my run. My old one is getting boring as it's basically a huge block and pretty flat. I said I was going to get some hill training in this week and that is exactly what I did.  I ran up one crazy long hill...but I did it! The same hill I had trouble walking up only a few months ago, today I ran up! WOO-HOO!!!!!! It's feels so great! My total training time today was about 45min. I ran about 2.9K (as per mapmyrun) and walked the rest for a total of 5K.  It's still daunting to know the part I walked I still need to learn to run to finish my first 5K. AHHHHH.....shit, I hope I'm going to be ready! I did feel I could have ran longer today (which was a nice feeling), but I'm not sure I could have ran the entire thing. Here's hoping in a month I can! 

After the run I came home and made Thai Vegetable Green Curry.  I picked up a jar of President's choice Green Curry  (which is damn good!) and followed the instructions on the back of the label. I fried up some tofu with a bit of EVOO  and then added in some thinly sliced red peppers (one entire red pepper). I let them cook for a few minutes and then added in the jar of curry and a can of corn. It simmered for about 10 minutes and was done! Easy Peasy!  I then made some minute rice and put it together and had an awesome dinner! It was soooooooo yummy!!!! I only ended up eating 1/2 the bowl. It's pretty filling so I'm going to save the rest for saturday and sunday. Lucky Me! 

After dinner I ended up having a bath with epson salts to relax my muscles again and I then crawled into bed with my laptop. Oh baby!  I can't promise I'm going to be able to catch up on all of you tonight, I'm pretty exhausted and have to get up at 5am for work in the morning. Oh joy oh fun. Here's hoping you guys are having a far more exciting friday night than I am! 

5K to 10K?

So I know I haven't even graduated from the couch to 5K program, nor have I ran my first race, but I'm looking ahead anyway!

I know what works for me. I finally realized setting goals keeps me focused, motivated and determined. I'm not talking about goals like working out three times a week (although that might work for you), but I'm talking about actually setting a goal where I'm committed to something( aka - a race). I also know that following a training program has helped me. The fact I can now run for 25 minutes knowing that I found 90 seconds hard during the second week of training only 6 weeks ago is encouraging. It makes me think, if I've come this far in that short amount of time, where could the next 6 weeks take me? The possibilities are endless. I love that each week I continue to increase my running time. I know that once I've 'graduated' from the c25k program I'm going to miss the weekly advances. I fear I'll get bored running 30min 3x/week so I decided to think ahead a little.

Today I decided to search online for podcasts that I can use after I've completed the c25k podcasts I've been using to help me train.  With a little digging I found one! It's a 10 week program (c25k is a 9 week program) to help me train for a 10K race! How cool would that be to go from couch potato to 10k racer in 6 months! The podcast I found can be found here  if you are interested. You can also find them on itunes for free. Just search for 'Freeway to 10K' under podcasts at the itunes store. For myself I find podcasts training programs so much more helpful than just reading a website and attempting to time myself with a stop watch.

In food news, I made Kale Chips for the first time tonight! It was my first attempt at eating kale actually - ever. I had no idea what it was going to taste like or whether I was going to like it, but I've heard about the benefits to eating this wonderful green for awhile now and I thought I'd give it a shot. Like I've said in previous posts. I'm attempting to venture out of my comfort zone of peas, green beans and corn now that's I've converted to vegetarianism.

I used a bit of EVOO and salt on the kale and mixed it together and then put it on a cookie sheet. I then put it into the oven at 350 degrees until they looked crispy - 10 min maybe?  The end result was delicious. A bit salty (my fault - I had no idea how much to put so over did it a bit), but otherwise a very tasty healthy alternative to the potato chip!

I think next time I'll try adding some parmesan cheese into the mix. I just read a blog that added a little and that sounds tasty too!

Week 7, Run 1 - Done

Hey folks...not much to report, but just wanted to say yesterday I came home from work after working midnights and decided to run before I went to bed. I was going to sleep first and than run, but decided against it. It's not easy to force myself out of bed once I'm in it! I managed to complete another 25 minute run (week 7 is all 25 min runs), but it was the first time that I experienced back pain. It's as if my whole lower back got stiff...and my left hip was sore as well. Not fun....but I pushed through. Yay!!!!  The key is to spend ample time stretching before I head out I think. I must admit I'm guilty for not doing it as often as I should. Slap myself silly I know! I decided a massage is needed so I booked a 60 minute one on friday. Can't wait!

I'm not sure what the plan for today is. It's almost 5:30am and I'll be done work soon enough (can you tell it's a slow night?). I then of course need to get some zzzz before forcing myself to wake up at 2pm (once again, I say this is not going to be easy!). I work day shift on saturday so I need to flip my sleep clock, and flip it fast! Fun? Not Really! I'm hoping to do something productive today. I'm just not sure what. Usually I'm half dead from lack of sleep on my first day off so fingers crossed I can force myself to do something! I'll keep ya posted!

Oh and one more thing to report....the Dole southwest salad addiction it catching on. One more gal at work tried it and now loves it too! See, I wasn't lying when I said it was damn good!

Friends, Family and Food

Howdy folks, how was your weekend? Mine was jammed packed with the three F's. Friends, Family and Food.

As I talked about in my previous post, my family  headed to the Lone Star for dinner for my father's 60th birthday. Thanks MirandaJayne for the advice on what to order, but sadly my sister was a bit apprehensive to have anyone order anything that came on a cast iron hot plate (ie. fajita). She feared my two year old nephew would touch it. As a result I ended up ordering Texas Taquitos. As stated on their website they are a

"southern-style spring rolls stuffed with Jack cheese, grilled corn, onions, black beans and cilantro in crispy wrappers served with a zesty chipotle plum dipping sauce".

There were four of them - pretty small but not the healthiest I know.

*sigh*

Luckily, I didn't feel like eating much else for dinner....mind you I sure  did eat a few flour tortillas and salsa though. Damn they were yummy! Of course pictures were taken during the birthday celebration - all made me want to vomit. Damn camera, why do you hate me so much? Here when I think I'm making progress and feeling skinnier, you never fail to slap me back into reality!

Oh well, sunday I ended up getting up early and headed over to my friend's geocaching event she hosted. It was fabulous. Wonderful food, lots of people, free swag and great giveaways. She really out did herself.  After breakfast my sister, friend with their spouses (and myself of course) headed out to find some caches that were placed for the 10 year anniversary. We hiked/walked for 4.5 hours through a conservation area!  It was a lot of fun (and time flew), but damn I was tired when we were finished. I came home and crashed. Lets just say I did not do my wonderful c25k run that day. Instead I took a trip to dream land!

Today I did get out there though and ran my butt off. but I have to admit I really didn't want to. My last two runs have been pretty brutal and that was with having 'walk periods' in between the running parts. Today was a full 25 minute run with no walking breaks. I kept thinking to myself, how the hell am I going to do this when I"ve struggled doing the last two runs so much?  Of course this led me to I procrastinate until 3:00pm. Then finally I said enough was enough and got out there. I did some extra stretching (and praying) and stuck on my runners and headed out the door. Thankfully the run was better than my last two and I finished without any major issues. I'm still pretty slow (although I have no idea what my real 'pace' is) but who cares? I did it! I ran for 25 minutes people! 6 weeks ago I found it hard to run for 60 seconds. Now that's improvement baby!!!!

I have to say I am proud of myself. I'd be lying if I didn't, but I also just keep looking forward and still realize I have a long way to go to get ready for my first 5K. I have to increase my speed, learn how to run hills etc..etc... Week 7 I'm going to start working on these things. Week 7 consists of three 25 minute runs. I think I'm going to try to run by the lake (where my first 5K will be) at least once to prepare myself a little more. My runs right now have always been around my neighbourhood which if fairly flat. The lake has more hills. It's going to be hard, but I have to try! I know it will only help in the end. I have a little over a month until my first 5K and I want to be as prepared as I can be!

Down - 1.5lbs

Well I must be doing something right! I'm very happy with these results considering I've sucked at tracking or doing my 30 day wii challenge this past week.  I'm still in the 240s, but  I'll take it with a goal to hit the 230s next week!

Today I went to pick up my new eyeglasses. Yay, I can see!!!! Thanks to my eye doc, I was able to get an AMAZING deal on some Alfred Sung eyeglasses. In all honestly I am NOT a brand name gal, but these ones I just so happened to like. Really they were the only ones that were workable on my face!  I like them, but they are so different from my previous ones it's taking some getting us to. I look in the mirror, and say, "who's that gal?"

Not much is on the agenda today. I'm just trying to rest a bit before heading into work for 7:15pm. I get to work nights again (oh joy, oh fun). It's going to be a LONG night as I've been up since 10am. ugh...


I did get out there and do my run today. I swear the C25K podcast I listen to when running has sped up the music to therefore speed up my running pace. Dear God, it was brutal....but I did it. Week 6, Day 2 - Done! Sunday is the day I run for 25 minutes. Ugh....I'm scared! The last two runs have been so hard and they have had walking breaks in between. I know I ran for 20minutes already, but for some reason my legs have felt so heavy lately and with the wind...ugh....Pray that sunday is a nice day for me! 

Windy Jeans

Today I woke up a tad bit early so I headed out for a run. I think it was the most difficult run yet. Not because of the amount of time I ran, but because it was so damn windy! Holy Crap, it was windy! I'm also still fighting that head cold which I seriously wish would go away! Anyway, this run was so hard.  It  felt like week 1, run 1! I pushed through though and finished. Thank god week 6, run 1 is over! 

In other news, about a week ago a took a chance and ordered jeans online. Being a plus size girl is hard enough, but add being tall to the mix and let me tell ya it's very difficult to buy pants/jeans. About a year or so ago I was very excited at the fact that some of the plus stores around town were finally catering to us tall fat gals.  I was able to buy jeans without an issue. Now because these same stores say not enough people are buying them, the jeans are disappearing. I'm so annoyed!!!! Where the hell am I going to buy my jeans?  Anyway, when I was at Rickis  the sales lady said I could order tall jeans from their website, so about 2 days later I gave it a shot. Well Ladies, the jeans came in today and they fit! Yahoo!!!!! I can do them up, and they are long enough! It's a good day for a tall gal!!!! I must admit I have a bit of a muffin top (as they are a lower rise than I'm use to), but with the right shirt I'm able to hide it with hopes it will start to disappear soon! Waist 34". Length is 35" 

Woo-Hoo!!!!!!

Well ladies and gents, it took me 30 years, but with a head cold and tissue in my pocket, I just ran for 20 minutes straight! Week 5, Run 3 - DONE!!!!!


... Now it's time for some Benylin!

WI - Lost 1.5lbs

 Aren't my toes cute?  I just happened to get a pedicure yesterday. Perfect timing or what!

So this week I had better success, not huge success but better and I took the photo to prove it. Can I just tell you how bad I want to get out of the 240s? I have been stuck in the 240s for FAR TOO LONG! I am really going to try to do even better this week so I can see a 3 on the scale next time. I love threes and it's time we started to see each other more often.

The second photo is a number I really didn't want to see. It's a tad bit embarrassing. The second photo shows my percentage of body fat. AHHHHH. Really? Does it seriously say fifty-freak'n-three percent? Dear god, that is brutal. Now I said I wanted to see the number three more often, but let me clarify. I want to see the number three, but not when there is a five in front of it!  Cookie (my best friend) told me not to believe it, but if I'm trusting the scale with my weight, don't I have to trust my scale with my percentage of body fat too?

Anyway....I really am trying not to focus on the scale too much. Last week when I didn't lose any weight it helped to justify a self sabotage which is not cool. This week,  I saw the 53, flipped my scale the bird and now am moving on.

The past few days have been busy for me and a bit stressful, but I think I'm handling it okay. I haven't ate to cope which is entirely new for me. I did go out for Cookies 'yay I'm FINALLY done school' party (she recently went back to school) and had a few drinks, but who doesn't do that every now and then?

I have officially completed week 4 of the c25K and I'm NOT going to repeat it! I surprised myself and did fine. Week 5 however, I'm a little scared about. My first run I'll be doing today should be okay. It's three, five minute runs with 3 minute walks in between. But my last run of week 5 is 20 minutes with no walking! AHHHHHH. Can we say scared?  Twenty minutes people, and on top of that my friend wants to run with me on sunday. Sunday just so happens to be the day I planned to do the big run.   Now usually I wouldn't have a problem running with a friend, but this girl has a slight crush (what am I in grade school?) with this so-called new friend. Even though I know my place in his world, do I really want to run my first 20 minute run with him where I'll be sweaty and possibly dying? Not really, but I'm going to anyway because that's just how I roll.

Guess what I did today?

I signed up for my very first 5K!

Run The Lake, 5K Run June 12, 2010

Thank you for submitting your race registration through the Running Room Online 

Event Registration service. Details of your registration are listed below.

Payment has been received. You are now registered for this event.

ugh....

See anything wrong with these pictures?

My Wii remote batteries were dying the last time I did workout four so apparently it didn't register so I just had to do it again! BOO!!! This of course meant I had to suffer through another brutal session of  lunges and squats! Thank goodness the next workout focuses on my arms!

The timing and the calories burned is a little less on my second round of "workout four" because I just got in from running Week 4, Run 2 of the c25k. Since the first exercise of the Wii Challenge is running/walking, I skipped it. Sue me!

Howdy Folks!

It's been a busy few days here so I didn't get a chance to write yesterday (or catch up on all of you!). I just wanted to let you know I'm still going strong on the c25k and the Wii EA Sport Active 30 day Challenge!

I ran my first run of week four yesterday and ran for a total of 16 minutes!!! WOO-HOO!!!!!!  I've come to really realize this running/exercise thing is all a huge mind game. I just kept repeating, "if a 375lb man can do this, so can I" to myself and it worked. I made it through. YAY!!!!!  Now am I looking forward to my next run? Not particularly (hey, I'm just being honest here), but I am determined more than ever now that I have my running date to kick a little ass, so here's to many great runs ahead!

This morning I watched a bit too much tv (multiple episodes of United States of Tara via castTV) and then got off my duff and went and did my 4th session of the 30 day challenge. Today was a bit tough. First because it's been 3 days since I've done it, and secondly because today was a lot of lower leg stuff. Lunges, squats, jumping lunges, more squats, all the good stuff. I know my duff will thank me, but I'm beat...and I still have it set to easy! lol... god help me when I get to level medium!

Food wise, I haven't been a really good girl. I had ice cream, french fries and a boston cream donut. ugh...but if it's any consolation, I did realize that the fries were nasty and the boston cream donut felt as if it was full of chemicals. Wish I could say that stopped me from eating them, but sadly not.  Some day my friends, some day!

Anyway, this weekend the plan is to get some groceries so I'll have no excuse to go and make bad choices again.  I found a great veg. recipe site recently that gives the calorie content so I might see if I can make something from there. That way I can track it properly when I eat it unlike the other meals I've made lately.

Anyway, that's it for now folks. I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Chow for now!

Official WI

Zero Pounds lost this week. It's better than 0.5lbs gained that I saw yesterday, but I agree....still not good. I'm trying not to worry about the scale too much. If I do I have days like yesterday (which ended with me having a damn pizza and NOT running). I hate that the scale still has that hold on me. I really thought I was over that, but I guess I'm not. Instead I let it determine my mood which resulted in me making bad choices....AGAIN. Gurrrrr.

Today I wasn't feeling that well.  I was still super tired so I went home early from work. I climbed into bed at 5:30pm and watched TV online for a bit via CastTV.com (LOVE ONLINE TV!). I watched some American Idol, Bones and then finally watched an episode of The biggest Loser. I'm not sure if you caught it, but one of the contestants ran their first 5K in the gym on the lastest episode. Actually he ran 5 Miles! That's 8K people and he's 375lbs! 

Of course this inspired me immediately. I got my fat ass out of bed, put my sweats on, and out the door I was to do week 3 run 3 of the c25k at 8:30pm. All I kept thinking was, if he can do it, I can too dammit! Tonights run was great. I felt like I could run longer than 3 minutes at a time, which is encouraging considering how I felt last time.  I'm not as scared anymore of week 4. I know it's going to be hard, but you guys are right...I need to try. I can do it. After all, if a 375lb man can do it. So can I! 

Tonight I also contacted my friend who is going to do my first 5K with me. He has finally picked our run. To my surprise he picked one in June! June 12th to be exact.  My first reaction was, "are you crazy? I can't do one in June. It's too soon"....but then I thought, that attitude is going to get me no where, so I agreed. AHHHHHHHH. So help me god.....

I guess  I have to remind myself that Operation give a Sh*T is not about finishing a 5K or getting to a goal weight (although yes, I do want to get there) ultimately for me, it's about getting healthy.  So even if I run half of this 5K and walk the rest, I am still accomplishing great things. It isn't a failure if I can't do the entire 5K right off the bat.....but let me tell ya I'm sure the hell going to try! 

I think it is good that I finally have a date to work towards. I need that more than ever right now, so I must say thank you to Michael from the biggest loser for the inspiration he gave me today. You'll never know how much I needed it.