Sunday, August 19, 2012

Help!

Over the past few years I have identified that as the summer winds down I am usually up a few pounds over where I was at the start of the summer.  I enjoy and indulge in summer a little too much and put on a few pounds.  This summer I was 157 when we took vacation to Oregon.  This morning I was 163 (but that was not immediately in the morning).  Of course, 6 pounds isn't much AND 6 pounds is really under my "Mom goal" that I have for myself.

So...  today it is the last third of August and I know my weakness is coming.  I have my 2nd half marathon of the year coming in just under a month...  then what?!  Honestly, I would like to lose the 6 lbs I have gained before my adults only football weekend in just over a month.   I need to make an effort to lose weight and not just workout to maintain...  because obviously something is not happening right!!

So...  I really need to keep motivation and have support to keep working out through the end of September, October, November and December which are the hardest times of the year for me.  I typically head back to the comfortable 180's by the end of the year just to make a resolution to lose it again....  year after year.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

5 weeks to go!!

I am a little shocked that the past 3.5 months of training for my first ever half marathon has flown by so incredibly fast.  To date I have ran 336.5 miles in 103 days.  I have increased my longest ever run to 10 miles now.  And I lived to tell about it (partially joking)!! I have lost a little over 20 lbs as of last week, I have burned tons of calories.  I have ran (and fell) in ice, snow, wind and sun.  I have ran with more clothes on than I thought I ever would.  I have rethought what "girl time" is after taking a few long runs with a few good friends.

I am following the Nike+ 1/2 marathon training program.  As I looked ahead for the next 5 weeks, the training intensifies in length of runs as well as frequency of long runs.  As amazing of a husband I do have for scheduling time for me to run, I know that I am a Mom first. 

I couldn't help myself from thinking last night as my littest one refused to sleep after midnight, "I am so glad the kids will be with Grandma the night before the race."  I have ran with my 6 year old on her bike and me pushing a jogging stroller.  I have ran many miles pushing my 4 year old and almost 2 year old in the double jogger.  I am thankful to my husband who has sacrificed hours while I have ran alone. 

I do have to say that my time running has really decreased my need to window shop, hunt for deals or bargains, etc.  When the kids are driving me bat shit crazy (because we all know that there is at least one time of the month that the kids are able to push our buttons), all I need is twenty minutes, an hour or maybe two to lace up my shoes, tune in my Ipod and get out of my own head and into nature.

It is mid April in North Dakota.  Last year, we had snow at this time.  I am so thankful that the year I decide to run my first ever half marathon, we have had a mild, though windy winter and spring.  I have tan line to show already!  I honestly think growing up in the clowdy, overcast and dreery Northwest, I crave the sunshine.  I know people in the frozen tundra we call North Dakota that take Vitamin D suppliments during the winter months.  I have always been bad at remembering to take suppliments, but I do feel a huge difference when I get outside and take a run in the sunshine.  I can breathe deeper, I can take a moment before I react, I can appriciate life a little more.

So, did I say I have 5 weeks until race day?!  Is that relief to be done training for the longest ever race in my entire life ~or~ fear?  Honestly, I am not really sure which.  I am a person who operates better with a very busy and scheduled life.  The more time I have to relax, to slack off, to do nothing - the more...  well, I will do exactly that.  The busier I am, the more productive I am.  I think to know I have basically my toddlers 2 hour nap to get on the treadmill and get my 4 mile run completed and a shower drives me to do more.

Let's be honest though...  I HATE the treadmill.  I am not exagerating.  I am not fibbing.  I am not a fan of the machine in my basement with the rotating belt.  It serves a purpose if I have no other choice, or am too busy to do otherwise.  I find no enjoyment of watching crappy daytime (or even worse early morning) TV while going no where.

So, as the weeks tick down, I have been trying to read up on what to expect.  I am still uncertain and I know once we leave to head to the race the nerves will hit.  So much to think about - What will I wear for the race?  What to eat in the week before, the night before?  What time to get up to run?  What time will I finish in?  (This one makes me smile - though I have a goal I am shooting for, FINISHING a HALF MARATHON is really the goal!!)

My fears for the half is 1) I will have my period during the race and 2) That I will lose toenails.  I have heard horror stories about feet.
So as I look forward to the highlight of my May being running my first ever half marathon.  To me, I look forward to this more than my 35th birthday, not even my anniversary of meeting my husband or of marrying the wonderful man.  In the meantime, I do have weekly dance classes, an end of season dance performance, weekly soccer practices, weekly soccer games, weekly church school and my darling baby's birthday that are all admist the training.  That is right...  training to run 13.1 miles has to be in between my regular duties of being a Mom.

In just over 5 weeks, I will return home after a 4 day, 3 night vacation from the kids as a half marathon runner.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

My 3 month journey

Well, as you all know the first of the year I was fat and unhappy.  I was beyond ready to start my weight loss journey, yet again.  Gaining 20 lbs from summer through the holidays had me in pants 2 sizes bigger.

I watched what I ate, counted my calories, started running.  For 3 months I have averaged a little over 3 miles a day.  Of course I have taken days off but I have also added distances from 7-9 miles to my list as well.  Longer runs help to keep the numbers even.

Over 3 months I have lost 20 lbs, over 15 inches, and ran over 300 miles.  I estimated when I started this I would train about 400 miles for my first ever half marathon.  I am betting with 6.5 weeks left to go, I will run more than that.  Especially since I have been averaging about 25 miles a week.  I also set a goal to run 800 miles in 2012.  If I have 450 miles done by mid-May...  I guess I can run 1000 miles in 2012.  :o)  Not sure if I will though.

So....  I still eat pizza, I still grab a Starbucks Mocha, I still eat chocolate.  I just do so in moderation and try to workout as well.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Wow! Long time, no post!

I have been chugging along with life, training for my half marathon which is coming in less than 8 weeks now.  I have completed a 9 mile run this past week.  In almost 3 months of training, I have ran 268.61 miles and have lost all but 1 pound I desired to lose.  I have been running 5-6 days a week and averaging 20-25 miles per week.  I figured I would run 400 miles training for my half marathon and I am on target to do so, if not wore.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Random Weekend Ramblings

I will start this with the highlight - Thursday we had our month #2 weigh in.  I was at a minus 15 lbs even.  My dear husband has lost nearly as much.  I have logged 180 miles in 60 days, averaging 3 miles a day.

So Thursday was a busy day for me, wake up for weigh-in, Moms Club board meeting followed by grocery shopping for 2 weeks with 2 kids (note that my 4 yo won't walk for the grocery trip, so this makes me babywear my 22 lb 21 month old).  We got home to put groceries away, eat lunch, run and go get the school age kid.

Friday was just as busy except my littlest one slept in so I could run in the morning.  We had to take the oldest to school, drop off a book for a friend, run to the grocery store for a few forgotten items, Moms Club play group, then to pick the in-laws up at the airport.  The flight was delayed 1/2 an hour (not bag), so I distracted the girls with apples, coloring and stickers.  We had a later than normal lunch and bearly got home to lay the little one down for a minute when we needed to leave to go get the eldest from school.

Saturday we ran to Sam's to pick up paper towels, toilet paper, kleenex & diaper.  The cashier LOST my Sam's Club card.  (WTF?!  How is that possible?!) - Dylan was screaming 1/2 the time- they charged for me for 2 packs of paper towels (at nearly $20 a pop), so I had to go to customer service to get my $$ back.  Dylan is screaming for milk or juice and of course I left w/o a sippy cup.  We go to the van to find a vehicle next to us leaving - and leaving their cart parked up against our van (thank you so very much lazy people!!!), also the truck on the other side parked so close I could bearly get my skinner booty into the drivers side door.  Grrrr!!!  We ran next store to Wal-Mart and got a 3 pack of the entirely over priced Tummy Ticklers juice with the fancy character tops (Tinkerbell & friends pack).  After this quieted Dylan down, I ran to Starbucks to soothe MY soul!

Got home and worked on eldest child's sight words, fixed lunch in the way of a butterfly, heart and elephant shaped sandwiches (thanks to those shaped sandwich cutters).  I made them PB & honey, PB & jelly as well as PB & nutella.  After lunch little one takes a snooze while I get in 3 miles and throw some hair color on, begin painting the girls nails when the little one wakes.  While I am painting her sisters nails Dylan unscrews a lid and gets paint on her too short hand me down shirt.  Guess that one can't be passed on to anyone else....  I shower.  Throw dinner of fall frozen squash and ranch cicken into the oven.
After dinner we clean the living room & kids bedroom including vacuuming.  I really hate long hair in this situation.  I hate that I get so much hair sucked into the vacuum.  I hate that I have to cut the hair off the brush on the vacuum.

On tomorrow's agenda is to make 2-3 dozen cookies with the girls for a funeral at church.  I am thinking of making a Pinterest recipe what calls for a sugar cookie recipe with half colored and lots of sprinkles!!!  Life is about making memories with your kids, even if they do make a mess in the process....  right?

Friday, February 24, 2012

Weigh-in Friday!

So, another week, another weigh-in.  Today the scale lowered by 1.6 lbs over last week.  Whoo-hoo!!
I am 1 lb from where I was last summer when we went on vacation (and I gained 5 lbs which I never lost until now).  I have another 6 lbs to lose to be at my goal...  of course, I have another 12 weeks until my half marathon, so I wouldn't be surprised if I drop a few more which is FINE by me (my goal is still 15 lbs above my wedding weight). 

I updated my weight loss & milage tickers to the right as well.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Weigh-in Friday!

Today was my weigh in day.  My alarm went off at 5:45 and I turned it off.  Laid in bed and thought about getting up.  It took me about 5 minutes, I rolled out of bed and got my workout clothes on.  I went down stairs to weigh in and workout.  Last week - well, for the last 17 days the scale read 175.6 (well, I only weighed the 1st & the 10th - but no change).  Today I weighed in and was shocked at what the scale said to me, 172.6.  3 pounds, REALLY?!  I will take it, not as 3 lbs in 1 week, but 3 lbs in  17 days.

So I celebrated by taking a day off from running, I did a mere 20 minutes on the eliptical instead and celebrated those calories burned with a mocha.  :oP  The rest of the day will be good since we are having pizza for my nephew's birthday party tonight.

48 days into the new year and I am 11.8 lbs lighter and have ran 146.65 miles.  Just over 3 miles a day.  I think my goal shall be to increase my distances I run, but decrease the amount of times per week I run.  To run 4-5 days a week and still have totals around 20 miles as I have averaged per week so far.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Goals, goals, goals...

So what would life be if we didn't make goals?
I made a goal for the new year to lose 20 lbs and to run 800 miles.  Today is February 7th, just over 5 weeks into the year and I have ran 113 miles.  If I keep this up, I can run over 1000 miles this year!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

1 month down

The first month of our weight loss competition has me 5.5 inches down and 8.8 lbs down.  I ran 86.6 miles in January too!! 

So this month, we have been cursed with 3 out of 3 sick kids, eating out multiple times, twisting my ankle on the treadmill and an treat of grabbing a mocha for fun.  My one standard item is to run.  I think I took 3 days off during the month.  My husband's birthday, the first day I was sick (yep the kids got me sick too!) and another "rest" day. 

We have been blessed here in ND with a warm winter, so getting outside to run has been a blessing.  Of course, as a SAHM most of my days are on the treadmill while kids sleep.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Milestones!

Today marked a milestone for me.  I acheived my goal of running 60 miles in the past 4 weeks.  Really, 23 days but whose counting.  In the past 23 days I have also lost over 5 lbs and inches off my body.  I really, could not be happier!  60 miles in month 1 of my 800 mile goal for 2012.  I guess to acheive 800, I need 66 miles a month.  Good thing the month is not over and I have 7 more days to get the other 5.5 miles...  I think I can do it!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

A week of struggles

A week?!  It is only Tuesday!  :o)
Sunday I opted to take the day off from working out and to sleep in.  Yep, kids got up at 6 am.  Fail.
Monday I struggled through my 4 mile run like it is hard or something.  :oP
Today I had ZERO desire to get up before the sun to workout.  I have one kid with a cough, 1 kid up with a runny nose (the baby), so before 3 am I was up 5 times with the two of them.  ::Yawn.::
I drug my dog tired ass out of bed and ran a mile bearly under 10 minutes and did the shred complete with 7.5 lb weight up from my past 5 lbs.

Now it is nap time.  Please give Dylan the memo.  I need to fold laundry, unload & reload the dishwasher and figure out dinner.


...  still so sleepy.....

Saturday, January 14, 2012

34.67 miles in 2012!

In 14 days of the New Year, I have ran 34.67 miles.  I feel amazed about this acccomplishment, it's a great start!  I ran just over 20 miles this week and 4 this morning.  I am happy to say that it is getting so much easier!  My weight loss is not as great...  2.8 lbs in 2 weeks.  It is okay, but I really hoped for more... 

Thursday, January 12, 2012

I think I can, I think I can.

So the New Year is almost 2 weeks in.  Tomorrow is week #2 weigh-in for me.  At this point, I know I will see a loss.  Last night on a whim, I took out my tape measure.  I took measurements before I started.  11 days of running (well, 10) - and I lost 1 inch off my hips and 2.5 off my waist!  I knew that working out really helps me to keep my baby belly sucked in as opposed to the alternative which is a not so flattering, let it all hang out.

So, I will take my official measurements after the first month, but this is incentive!!  I also realized if I can run 4 miles on the treadmill or outside - after only 2 weeks of working out then in 4 more months I should be ready to run 13.1 miles.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

1 week down!

So today is January 8th.  8 days into the New Year and 1 week down of working out. 

I have to confess that yesterday I did not eat the best or exercise at all.  It was my husband's birthday and we made a buffet of appitizers to watch the NDSU Bison win the National Championship in Football.  I made breaded baked mushrooms, baked crab rangoon - with fat free cream cheese.  I also made quacamole and fruit & veggie trays.

After 7 days of working out, I have ran 18.2 miles and did Jillian Michaels 30 day shred 3 times.  I set a goal on Nike running to run 60 miles by 1/23 - I set these before the new year!  Well, I have over 40 miles to run in 2 weeks to achieve this goal.  Not sure if it is acheivable at this point.  I have been running 1-1.5 miles as a warm up to the shred one day.  The next day, I run 3-4 miles.  Today I did almost 4 miles outside.  It felt great to get outside in the sun!!  I am so thankful we don't have snow yet!!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Week 1 Weigh-In

I said I wasn't going to weigh today since I am bloated, but I couldn't resist.  2.4 lbs lost this week!  Whoo-hoo!  I think more importantly is to look at my fitness level.  I am running everyday.  One day I run 3-4 miles (okay, farthest I have made it is 3.25 mi), and the next day I run a warm-up to the 30 day shred.  I feel awesome!  Okay, waking to workout has me feeling frumpy, so after I shower I grab jeans and a t-shirt, a hat.  I have no desire to try to look cute these days. 

One big factor is my food intake.  A 1/2 cup FF vanilla yogurt, 1 banana, 1/2 cup strawberries, blueberries or peaches with 1/2 cup water and a scoop of protien powder.  Under 300 calories and tastes good AND fills me up!!!

Lunch has been a salad, dinner is a healthy but normal meal.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy 2012!

So, I rang in the New Year fast asleep next to my hubby who had to get up very early to go to work.  I had a twinge of excitment as I laid out my workout clothes and set my alarm for 5:30 am.  I am not excited about getting up early.  I am excited about starting anew, having a healthy start to my New Year.  I woke about 5:15 when Dylan was whining and got up to go workout.  I ran 3 miles in 36 minutes (nothing impressive by far, but more the start).  I have ate well through breakfast and lunch, though it has been a struggle.  Dinner will be a normal family meal, with a small to average serving size.

Good Luck in your resolutions for 2012!!