Mud Games = Filthy Fun

So, I had the best and worst week at the same time.  My step daughter, son and his friend came for the weekend.  So I could feel myself, already last Thursday, slipping away for the week.  Yes the week.  I did absolutely terrible this week.  I ate like I didn't care what I was putting in my body.  I have to admit, I don't really regret it - and I know I'll be right back on this week... but I can tell you why!  I feel like absolute SHIT from all the binging I did.  I'm not going to go into what I all ate, frankly a little embarrassed.  But at least I'm admitting that part, right?

Now to the best part!!!

What I do want to talk about is the Mud Games... seriously pure filthy fun.  My friend Shelly asked if I wanted to sign up for the Mud Games - it's a race that is run in the middle of nowhere where they put up obstacles for you to do and mud is seriously involved.  Here's a before picture of us:

Me & Shelly

Our group photo... can't see - but happy to see that sunshine!

First you start off running towards the wilderness:

oh yeah... I'm hot!!!

  

This is my hubby and his daughter (navy / cream)

Then there were several obstacles.

1. Tunnel Crawl - crawl through a tunnel of dirt.  Not bad!
2. Rop Web - you climb an aparatus and then there is a rope web you have to cross (this was scary to me because I'm afraid of heights and you can see through the rope.  Probably only 8-10 feet in the air though.
3. Mud Crawl with balance beam - crawling through mud under barbed wire, then walk on a balance beam.  GROSS!  but fun!!!
4. Container Climb - climbed over a pod like (moving container) container... that was probably 15 -20 feet tall.  Not bad until coming down - "don't look down"
5. Tire run - run through tires
6. Net Crawl - crawl under a net (not bad, but sticks hurt)
7. OMG -- Wall climb!!!  Did I mention I'm afraid of heights?  Check out this picture!!!

My step son and his friend about to climb it!

Me looking at what I need to attempt next!  Don't I look Thrilled??? NOT!!!

My husband stayed at the top to help me up!  Wasn't that sweet???

I didn't wait for him to slide down with me, I wanted off!!

These are my step kids coming down!!

He did not get very dirty (on purpose... not sure why)

Amanda and Sarah

Then the aftermath...

I would definitely do this again (I am actually, just trying to figure out which one and when).  It's expensive, but so out of the ordinary.  It was great getting to experience this with my family and friends.  I was so happy to have Jasmine and Devin join in on the fun.  Nothing we've ever done together before!!!

Well I hope this inspires you to do something different, something challenging and fun.  It was a blast (this coming from the princess that I am).

Have a great week and I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After!

A View From the Other Side

My Week:

First I'll start off telling you about my week and then I'll get into the "data" I've been combing to find out what those skinny people do to stay skinny!!!

I did really well this week.  I "only" earned 29 activity points... about 10 below my average for the last 3-4 weeks.  But I still got in all the "planned" activity I set out to do.  So I'm very happy with that.

I went out to eat 4 times this week:

• 1 brunch (OMG was bad, but soooo good.  I planned on being bad though - ate a very light dinner and no other meals in between)
• 1 lunch - to chili's.  Chose what I was going to have before I went, counted all the points and stuck with it.
• 2 dinners -- Olive Garden and Panera.  Both restaurants I chose my meal before had and mostly stuck with it.  Olive Garden I ended up have 1 bread stick and an extra helping of salad (these two were not planned) but had their veggie lasagna with grilled chicken (OMG was that good - 14 pts)

I used all my activity points (which I generally always do) as well as most of my extra weekly points (only have 18 of those left).  My goal is to just try not to use all of those, which worked this week.  I tend to lose sometimes even if I do use them, but I know many cannot lose weight when doing that.  Without knowing those people, I'd say that it would be because they do not exercise, but I know one person that exercises a crap ton and cannot dip into those points or she won't loose - so that theory's gone and will play well into what I've found from my research.  Anyway - the week was good for me, not too too many cravings or bad days.  I lost 3.4 lbs this week - my total is now 90 lbs (OMG... 10 lbs away from a pressie to myself).

A View From the Other Side:

I apologize for the length and formatting issues you may experience... it's hard to "format" appropriately. I asked 10 people that I view as being healthy from the outside (visually thin and healthy looking) and I received data from 4 of the 10 people I asked.  Pretty good I'd say.

Those that I received data from I would say are probably some of the healthiest people I know and in general I don't see them eating bad things (mostly).  Keep in mind I only see them at work.  But here's their make-up and healthy eating and habbits (I'm purposefully keeping age out of the equation - but ages range from 34 - 45):

Person A:
About 5'6", If I had to guess her weight I'd say probably 120-125 (I'm a terrible judge of weight though), I'd say she wears a size 2 or 4 (again terrible judgement here too).  No kids, married. She likes to try new recipes out and her family has asked her to start sending them her recipes.  She also belonged to a co-op exchange last year, I'm not sure she will do that this year (she said it's hard to eat all that food).

• Breakfast - coffee (2-3 cups), organic raisin bran and almond milk OR whole wheat toast with all natural peanut butter, banana and a glass of almond milk.
• Morning Snack - fruit or granola with tea or orange choose.  The granola consists of granola, dried cranberries, peanuts and yogurt covered raisins.
• Lunch - Her lunches varied a lot:  1/2 turkey sandwich and a spinach salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil; spinach salad with carrots, broccoli, red peppers, sunflower seeds, walnuts, dried cranberries and olive oil/apple cider vinegar; squash with 1 T butter and agave sweetener and cucumbers with hummus; Chili with salad (olive oil and balsamic vinegar); 2 turkey lettuce wraps with cheese, BBQ black bean chips and glass of almond milk; mushroom veggie burger with hummus, avocado and arugula on whole wheat English muffin with BBQ black bean chips and Joia Natural Soda (Saturday); oatmeal pancakes, 2 eggs, 2 turkey sausage patties and Juice (Sunday).
• Afternoon Snack - hand full M&M/pretzel/almond mix (I believe her when she says a handful), apple, trail mix granola bar, veggie straws, apple, 1/2 banana, cucumbers with hummus and crackers. weekend:  2 glasses sangria with fruit, 2 slices baguette with olive tapenade and 2 stuffed red peppers (Saturday)
• Dinner - Salad with salmon, blue cheese, walnuts, 1/2 corn muffin and glass of almond milk and tea; chili (vegetarian), 1/2 corn muffin, 4 dark chocolate covered almonds, glass almond milk and tea; small plate of whole wheat spaghetti with tomato sauce and grass fed ground hamburger, glass of almond milk and 5 dark chocolate almonds; squash with 1 T butter and agave sweetener, bowl minestrone soup, glass almond mil 5 dark chocolate almonds (does this bag last her a lifetime???);  mushroom veggie burger with hummus, avocado and arugula on whole wheat English muffin with BBQ black bean chips, baked sweet potato slices (tossed in olive oil, salt, pepper and paprika) 1 glass of wine and 3 dark chocolate almonds (she's literally killing me!!!); weekend:  3 glasses of wine, marinated baked chicken breast, asparagus with parmesan cheese (baked), red potatoes with olive oil, rosemary and garlic and a 1/2 chocolate chip cookie (seriously),  Sunday was the same as Saturday except instead of a cookie she had 8 (oh she went overboard, must have been the wine) chocolate covered almonds.
• Activity:  She does something EVERY DAY.  At least an hour a day (or more) - 60 minute core routine (P90x), 60 minute combo of elliptical + leg work, 60 minute strength/resistance training + 15 min abs, 45 minute run, 75 minutes of warm up run (10), back/biceps (50 min) and abs (15), sat/sun 1 hour walk.

What did I learn from her? There's a reason why she's healthy!  She has so much control and eats so darn healthy AND works out.  She only drinks on weekends.  She has a snack almost every day (weekends were the only time she didn't snack - only Sunday really).  I have always said I would like to be like her and this just proves it more!!!

Person B:
About 5'2", If I had to guess her weight I'd say probably 110-115, she probably wears a size 0 or 2.  One kid, married.  Not much of a cook. Has standard breakfast, lunch, midday/late night snack and standard daily beverages, dinners vary.

• Breakfast - 1/3 cup V8 Fusion Light Pomegranate Blueberry Juice, 1/8 cup raisins and 1-1/2 Graham crackers
• Lunch:   1 package Ritz peanut butter cracker sandwiches (6 per package), 1 Greek lowfat yogurt
• Mid-day Snacks:  (usually 2 per day of any of the following) One 100 calorie Lorna Doone cookies, 3 cups Angie’s Boom Chicka popcorn, ¼-1/2 cup crackers – i.e. Blue Diamond Almond Nut Thins, Fritos-Lays Baked Cheetos, lowfat chex mix, 3 Kim’s Magic Pop wafers, carrots with light ranch veggie dip
•  Daily Beverages:  2 cups coffee,1-2 diet Coke or Light Minute Maid Lemonade,1 water, 1-2 glasses red wine
• Dinners: (always vary) 3 medium sized pepperoni pizza slices and Plain romaine salad with Girard’s Light Champagne dressing; Caprese salad (1 tomato, 2 slices fresh mozzarella, olive oil, basil) and Angie’s popcorn; Pasta with chicken Milano sauce and plain romaine salad with Girard’s Light Champagne dressing;   Ham/cheese Panini, Field salad and bread with butter; Chicken/bacon chiabatta sandwich,   French fries and Caesar salad; and   Chicken,  Couscous and Hearts of Palm salad.
• Exercise: (no ‘standard’ exercise and levels depend on the weather and her race goals.  Below is what she did for a given winter week.  In spring/summer/fall, she typically works out 5 days/week including 3 runs, 2 bikes, 1 weight workout for a total of 6-8 hrs/wk). 
• Every day: 50 sit-ups
• Day 1 & 5: off
• Day 2: - 4:  40 min stationary bike
• Day 6: 45 min arm weights and 60 min run
• Day 7: 35 min run

What did I learn from her?  She's very much into a routine and pretty much sticks to it.  She has 1-2 alcoholic beverages every night but really doesn't eat a ton - so again, there's a reason why she's thin.  If you knew this woman she does look very fit and healthy.


Person C:
About 5'6", guessing weight around 135-140, probably wears a size 6-8.  Has two children and married.  Has a great social life.  Often times does not sit when eating lunch (with us at work) stands and eats becasue she says she sits all day.

• Breakfast:  3 cups coffee w tsp cream each (daily standard); 2 cups Special K w almonds and 1c 1% milk; English muffin w peanut butter, 1 hard egg, 1 c green juice; Scrambled eggs w cheese, 2 slices bacon, cinnamon roll, orange juice; golden Graham's w 1% milk; Bowl of corn Chex w 1/2 banana and 1% milk; strawberry/banana yogurt smoothie, scrambled eggs w cheddar cheese, 1 orange roll; 
• Lunch: Salad: romaine, mushrooms, cherry, tomatoes, crumbled feta w olive oil, red vinegar, lemon juice and dill dressing. Handful of Parmesan pita chips; 10-12 crackers w cheese, apple; heirloom grain salad, 2 slices bread, raspberry iced tea. Packet of choc covered almonds; Veg lasagna and an apple; Bagel w chive cream cheese, pear, 1 c cheese it's; Egg, cheese, spinach on English muffin
  Pear, Greek yogurt, toasted almonds; Sliced turkey on 10 grain bread w miracle whip, havarti & spinach, Cheetos & banana and Teriyaki chicken skewers, steamed broccoli, rice pilaf
• Dinner: Spinach salad w egg, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, sunflower seeds, feta, dressing of olive oil/vinegar/lemon/dill. Roasted sweet potato; 2 tilapia fillets, 1c asparagus, sm baked potato. 2 vodka diet 7up cocktails; Salad 2 c dark greens w balsamic, 1/2 c pasta salad w feta, q/2 c melon, 4" slice pizza, 2" cube chic bread pudding. 3 coors lites; Scrambled eggs w cheese, 2 slices bacon, cinnamon roll, orange juice Veg lasagna, bread, salad, apple pie w ice cream. 2 glasses white wine; Broccoli chicken divan, 2 crescent rolls, pear slices, glass Pinot Grigio;1 orange bell pepper stuffed w ground turkey, Spanish rice, melted cheese. 1.5 corn muffins w honey, steamed corn. 1 vodka 7-up; 2 slices chicken Alfredo pizza , 1 c cantaloupe Spinach/romaine chopped veg salad w lite blue cheese, 1/3 sweet potato; toasted turkey and cheese torta, golden rounds, pickles, fruit salad; 8" thin crust pizza w mushrooms, olives and onions, salad w lite Italian dressing. 6 light beers; Egg salad w fresh spinach, 1/2 sandwich, blue corn chips & salsa, mixed fresh fruit, pickle; 2 vodka & diet 7-up. Grilled Garden burger w miracle whip, havarti & spinach, baked sweet potato, chopped salad, slice watermelon.
• Snacks: 6-8 cheese/crackers, 5 strawberries, cookie, 1 glass Pinot Grigio;1 c buttered popcorn; 2 cocktails, 5 coors lights; 1 coors lite; 1 glass Chardonnay
• Activity:  2 mile walk w dog; Wii just dance; Walk 1 mile; Walk 2 miles; Walk 1.5 miles

What did I learn from her?  She sometimes doesn't eat 3 meals a day, exercises often and drinks daily (LOL).  If you knew her you would be like "DAMN she dresses so cute and is so nice and thin (and healthy looking)".


Person D:
About 5'8", guessing weight around 140-145, probably wears a size 8-10.  2 kids and married.  Eats all day long (not bad things, but eats often).  Really makes healthy foods, good cook.

• Breakfast:  coffee / latte every day, plus either granola bar, breakfast sandwich (whole wheat bun with turkey and cheese), donut, scone or egg / bagel sandwich.
• Lunch:  usually left overs from dinner (just cuz i know)... white rice with organic chicken breast, greek yogurt and olive oil; bagel, laughing cow wedge, olive oil spinach and greek yogurt,  eggs (w), whole wheat bun, turkey, mayo, salad dressing and cheese with strawberries; soup and bun
• Dinner:  Eggs (2) and bagel; steak (3 oz), corn tortilla (2), low fat mayo, cheese and peppers (mmm mmm good); home made pizza with cheese and sauce; whole wheat bun, spicy black bean burger, beer; organic chicken breast, bagel, butter and popcorn; pork (5 1/2 oz), whole wheat bun and risotto with olive oil
• Snacks:  Dilly Bar (DQ), Beer (she really likes beer), granola, rice crispy treats, honey mustard pretzels, frosting (LOL - this is soooo me), rice crispy treats (guessing she put the frosting on here or just ate it), popcorn, oreos, jolly ranchers, noosa (she loves this yogurt), greek yogurt, watermelon and olive oil (now that's kinda weird)
• Exercise:  40 push ups and 20 minutes elliptical; 30 min elliptical; 75 minutes walking; 35 minutes walking; 

What did I learn from her?  She definitely gets her healthy oils in, eats very regularly and "normal" portions without weighing and measuring (I know this personally), doesn't miss a meal and truly fits the "normal" person category.  Exercises regularly. LOVES BEER!!!

What I found was most of them had a standard breakfast and lunch and dinner, yet still healthy, varied quite a bit.  Each one of them have some sort of exercise they work in weekly - vigorous or not... it's still movement!!!  Weekends they tended to splurge more. (Sounds just like me... so why do I struggle so much?) Each one of these people I would guess fluctuate in their weight regularly but for the most part are probably within 3-5 lbs of the same weight at all times.  Not once have I seen any of them "heavier" or would notice any fluctuation in weight.

Which person do I wish I could be?  Person A - because I know her personally it is just in her nature to eat healthy.  She genuinely likes it and is very conscious of what she eats, but not because of weight.  Because she wants to eat healthy.  I hope that some day I am in this same spot - I do like eating healthy but she is above and beyond!!!

Who could I see myself being like?  Person D and actually probably the person I will be once I'm at my goal weight... which means that I will have to constantly work at keeping my weight off and making concious decisions on eating healthy.

Which person would you like to be and which do you think you could be???  Tell me more... and hey - have a great week!!!

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After!

Holiday blues???

It happens to the best of us!  I was in "vacation/holiday" mode since I weighed in early Wednesday morning. I ate what I wanted, exactly what I wanted - such as ice cream, pizza, chips, guacamole, cheese, meat, crackers (OMG crackers... Triscuits has some absolutely fabulous new brown rice crackers... I never checked to see how many for x calories... I just ATE THEM), breakfast burritoes, hamburgers, coleslaw, etc. etc. etc.

It was kind of a crazy weekend/week, but luckily I knew in the back of my head this was temporary mode.  I also counter balanced it by a shit ton (I mean a shit ton!!!!) of exercise.  I exercised EVERY DAY - and really not just a small amount of exercise - a shit ton!  LOL  I think I'm hilarious!!!

Here's what my week consisted of (I'm starting with Wed because I weighed Wed last week)

• Wednesday - got up before work and weigh in... Cardio Party (40 minutes of activity)
• Thursday - Hi Def Sculpt - Express (30 minutes) and 25 minutes of walking on the treadmill (Was in Fargo at a hotel)
• Friday - got up before work (at the hotel) and did Hard Core Fusion Express (30 minutes)
• Saturday - went up north to visit family... ran 3.5 miles and walked over 2 miles
• Sunday -- still up north... Hi Def Sculpt (53 minutes and while an 11 year old WATCHED me the whole time) and walked over 2 miles
• Monday -- home... Cardio Party (40 minutes)
• Tuesday -- Hip Hop Abs - two videos Cardio and Total Body Burn (1 hr 10 minutes)
• Wednesday -- walked at lunch 2.25 miles and hi def sculpt express (30 minutes)... oh and tried a bit of the insanity work out with my husband.
• Today -- Cardio Overdrive Express (25 minutes)

So you see... I did plenty of eating AND exercising.  I gained 1.6 lbs this week - which is good because just on Tuesday, I was up 4 lbs.  So it all came together in the end... and I gained WAY less than expected.  I'm pleasantly surprised and happy that I do not have the "Holiday Blues."  I do not feel like it's a set back at all because of how hard I worked this week with exercise.  Sometimes... you just gotta do it (meaning the eating and the exercising to try to lessen the blow)!

I am already back on track (as of yesterday) and I feel very good.  I plan on keeping up the exercise and getting the right foods in me.  I'm still doing the challenge with my FB Challengee's so that keeps me going as well.  I also am challenging myself to try two new healthy recipes this week.  I need to figure out what, but we'll be home this weekend (hopefully) so I'll have time to plan it out.

I'm hoping to have some data for you next week - if you remember back a few posts, I asked several "thinner" people to track what they eat so I can analyze the crap out of it :)  Well, thanks for reading and always remember...

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After! 

A good week... all things considered

Well I'm truly still on a high from running a 5k.  I know it doesn't seem like much to some of you, but that was a huge accomplishment for me.  I was talking with someone today where he/she was making fun of a 5k - basically discounting it altogether.  Saying he/she could run a 5k while eating a pizza.  I know he/she was somewhat joking about it, I knew he/she truly felt that way.

Then he/she went on to make fun of the walkers of the 5k's.  SERIOUSLY!?!  This person did say they were WATCHING these people from their yard.  WATCHING.

I wasn't mad at him/her for saying it at all... but just thinking - yep there are those people out there that feel that way.  But you know what... it was probably one of the HARDEST things I've ever made myself do.  First off it was hard just to start the couch to 5k program.  Seriously HARD.  It was even harder each week to stick with it.  And even harder yet to actually run it.

In looking at this person, he/she doesn't seem like he/she's the healthiest of people.  So I'd actually like to see him/her run one, without eating the pizza while running :)... hopefully looks wouldn't be deceiving (and thus proving me wrong).

Anyway - I just needed to say publicly that no one should ever discount anyone from doing ANY sort of exercise or activity.  I am not upset with this person at all, but would just like to poke fun a little bit for being a spectator making fun of someone participating.

Anyway - that's not really what I wanted to write about today.  I wanted to write about my successes for the week... I'll just list them out so you can bask in my happiness with me!

1. Friday Night (the night before the run) I googled what you should do the night before you run a 5k.  It said a 20 minute walk.  To keep yourself loosened up.  So I went to the gym.  Walked for 3 minutes and couldn't stop myself from amping it up to run.
1. Also bought Shawn T's Hip Hop Abs
2. Saturday - the run.  Followed by a yummy mexican meal (after I showered up of course).  I splurged that day.
3. Sunday -I started my Healthfully Ever After challenge work out.  I ended up changing the work out because I was figuring out timing for our vacation in June and to do the whole program wouldn't work out with the timing of the vacation.  So I committed to doing The Firm Videos [this particular set is not longer offered as a "set" persay but you can buy each individual set.  I do have an extra copy that I'm selling that is WAY cheaper than buying them individually - individually they sell for $15.00 a CD, I'm selling the set for $17... contact me if you're interested.]
4. Monday - day 2 of the Firm.  No additional work out because I had plans to meet up with friends after work... so I got up at 4:40 AM (OMG) to complete my work out.
5. Tuesday - day off!  No Firm video's to do that day!!!  So instead, since I missed getting home for water aerobics - I did Shawn T's Hip Hop Abs -- pretty cool!  I really liked it.
6. Wednesday day 3 - had to get up in the morning AGAIN because we had to go out of town for the evening to see my step son get some wonderful academic awards and a scholarship!!!  Up at 4:45 AGAIN!!! I also weighed in a day early because I had to travel to Fargo on Thursday morning for work.
7. Today day 4 --  I was going to get up and work out before they picked me up on the way up to Fargo.  I got up, got dressed, put in the video and started the work out.  I quit within 5 minutes.  Totally not into it, too tired from not getting home until 11:30 last night.  So instead - I fought with my co-workers to let me stay back in the hotel tonight so I could do my work out and get some work done... that was a big to-do and I do feel terrible for not socializing with the folks here that took the time out of their schedule to hang out with us.  But I made great progress on my work and I got a good work out it.  I'm actually going to head down and walk on the treadmill for 20-30 minutes right after this.
8. Tomorrow -- will be waking up and working out before we get to the office!!!

My results this week were great - great especially since I lost last week too (and had my period between weigh ins).  I lost 1.4 - my total is now 88.2 lbs lost. 

They say to celebrate the wins along the way - so when I reach 100lbs gone, I will reveal my pressie to myself.  I cannot wait to show you (if you're one of the unlucky ones that hasn't seen it yet).

As I said I'm in Fargo (Thursday/Friday) so eating is all dining out... I made a decent choice for lunch but dinner was pizza.  Tomorrow I'll do better :)  DAMN that pizza was good!  I'll be heading out of town again for some fun this weekend - so no real control over my food there.  I have somewhat of a plan, but I also want to eat some crap food too - so wish me luck on finding a good balance for the weekend.  My work out video's are coming with me and I'll be gardening and trying to fit in a run (haven't run since the "run").

Take care and have a great week!

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After.

I did it! I did a 5k

I have been training to run a 5k for 10 weeks now... two weeks ago I finished the couch to 5k program and passed with flying colors.  If you would have asked me even 3 months ago if I would ever run (ANYTHING) I would have told you I am not a runner, I don't like it, I can't run, I hate running, blah blah blah.

But one day someone posted on our Weight Watcher group page "does anyone know of any 5k's coming up?"  My leader posted a few around the area and within the Twin Cities... and I decided to text my husband who was away for the weekend, to see if he wanted to run it with me.  Only I thought I only had 3 weeks to get ready for it...when in reality I had 10 weeks (whew!!!).

So I started to run, and honestly I thought I was going to die... DIE!  The first session was running 60 seconds and walking 90 seconds (alternating) for 20 minutes.  60 seconds of running is forever and 90 seconds of walking is not enough!!!

Each week would be a new challenge where more running is introduced, but the walk times (sometimes) would increase as well.  Each day/week was more running than I've done in my life with the exception of being in sports up until Junior High or being forced to run the mile in High School.

I have seriously thought all along that my feet, knees and ankles (and asthma) would never allow me to run. In High School (yes I KNOW it was a LONG time ago) I would run too fast and my asthma would kick in and it would be a miserable time and then I'd walk most of it.  However doing this couch to 5k (and being so out of shape) I made myself go slow.  I ran probably as fast as some could walk at first.  I never had a problem with my feet (once I got new shoes), my knees hurt every once and a while but I was able to work though it.  My biggest issue is my right hip flexor - it HURTS.  Hurts real bad.  But I've been working at keeping it stretched out as much as I can...and it's helped some.

My biggest accomplishments have been running 5 minutes in a row, then 8, then 10, then 12, then 20 (yeah big jump), then 22, then 25, then 28 then BAM!!!  I was ready for my 5k!  In prepping for my 5k I decided I needed to try it two weeks ago...  Then again last Sunday.  My times were:

May 5, 2013:  40:39  -- I did not walk once and I ran it alone.
May 12, 2013: 40:05 -- I walked 1 time (for probably 3 minutes) and I ran with my husband

This week was my race, so I took it easy after the run on Sunday and said I was only going to run on Wednesday and that's it.

I got home from work on Wednesday and wanted to run right away so that I could eat dinner right after and it would just be done for the night.  STUPID!!!!  STUPID!!!! STUPID!!!  It was 82 degrees, huge wind and sunny (in my face then directly on my back).  It was my best and worst run.  My husband ran with me again and got my page up... we ran the first mile in 11 minutes (my goal was 13 minute miles ... changed from my original goal of 15 minutes).  I was excited and pissed at the same time.  I didn't want to run that fast, I gassed myself out.  We did the turn at 1 mile to come back and shortly thereafter I had to walk.  I was so mad (I mentioned that I cried in my post on Thursday).  I was super disappointed in myself that I had to walk, but I was starting to feel sick and just couldn't keep going.  We walked for about a minute and I was able to run again... then I had to stop again (same thing, walked for a minute or two) and then ran again... and oh guess what - had to walk AGAIN.  Seriously this hurt my ego bad!  I thought I had this run in the bag!  We went a total of two miles and I quit.  I wanted to throw up - not sure whether it was from the heat or my utter disappointment in myself.

We got home and I crashed on the bed with the fan on me.  I was soooo hot and so uncomfortable - but really should have kept moving.  My heart beat was OFF the chart (not really but felt like it).  I walked into the bathroom and looked in the mirror - my face was tomato red.  Of course I had a headache instantly and just so disappointed.

Then, on Friday my husband went to go fishing.  I decided since I was feeling sluggish... I needed to hit the gym (keep in mind my run is the next day).  I was going to just walk on the treadmill - so I started to walk and after 3 minutes of walking I said "screw this, I'm gonna run."  I still paced myself but I was putting the speed up and down between 4.8 and 6 (never did 6 before).  I would walk 3 minutes and run 3 minutes - did that for 33 minutes.  Then I didn't have my 10k steps in... so I walked it out to 60 minutes to get my steps in.

I was hoping that it wouldn't screw up my race today and it didn't!  Thank the Lord!  Today when I woke up it was pouring rain, cold and windy.  I was hoping for cooler weather but I'm not equipped to run in the rain.  I wanted to just stay home and not go, but my mom was coming (driving an hour) to see me run.  So I decided screw it and got dressed.  We headed over and one of my Weight Watchers friends (holla Kara) was there waiting for me.  She was going to run it with me.  She and my husband of course.   They were so good to me - they stayed with me the whole time, when I know both of them could blow me out of the water.

I did not walk once.
It stopped raining SECONDS before the race.
I got hot, but not terribly hot.
I did it.
I finished it.
I finished it with a better time than my other test drives!

I finished with a time of 37:10!!!  Go me!

My original goal was to run just 1 mile (straight) then it was 2 miles, then it was to run the whole thing (everyone told me not to set such high expectations - but I can't help it)... then it was to finish with 15 minute miles... then 13 minute miles... and finished with just over 12 minute miles!  People - it's good to have goals -- then you can beat them :)

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After!!! (and I'm so close I can taste it)

A Challenging Week!!!

I knew this would be a hard week.  I had my mom here for the weekend - we tried to be good but there were several hiccups in that plan.  Also, as I've said in the past when I've had a few days of mess up - it's hard to get myself back in check.  I tried hard, but dang - this isn't easy!

I lost 2lbs this week (kinda surprised)... I can say I worked out almost every day - but I didn't get all the activity points that I have in the last few weeks.  The only thing I can think of is maybe all my hard work and exercise from last week has come to pay me back this week.  My grand total is now 86.8!!

Mothers Day compare picture.

What were my challenges this week?
- Saturday/Sunday:  movie popcorn (went to two movies, had popcorn both times)
- Sunday --  mothers day buffet (UGH)
- Monday - couldn't get full :(
- Tuesday -- went over my points a bit, but more or less in check
- Wednesday -- MUCH better... but it's always easier to be good the day before weigh in

---> basically keeping my points in check each day... went over most days (all but 1 day)

The activity I accomplished this past week was:
- water aerobics: Thursday, Saturday, Monday (was in some pain so took it a bit easy) and Tuesday
- running:  Friday - 2.27 miles, Sunday 3.1 miles and Wednesday 2 miles  (horrible horrible run, ran too fast, hot over heated had to walk three times [cried like a baby because I walked] ... but the good of it was mile was was an 11 minute mile (too fast but fun to see) and mile 2 was 12:58 (great for walking 3 times))

I earned 29 activity points (earned 39 last week) and I used all those points up in food plus all my weekly and was negative about 65 in my weekly.  So as you can see - last week must have paid off this week!  So remember that when you're feeling down when you worked your ass off and you don't see it on the scale that week!

Since my run is coming up on Saturday (very very excited!!!)... I've started to think about my next challenge.  I've also challenged my Facebook followers to think about and declare (tomorrow) what their challenge will be.  We are doing a three week (21 day) work out challenge.  The rules are:

1. Choose a challenge that will be hard to for you to do, but attainable.
2. You must work out a minimum of 3x per week (preferable 3-5)
3. Measure and/or weigh yourself
4. Report in 1-2 times per week on progress
5. Report end results (at the end of the challenge)

At least one lucky winner will get "something" for completing the challenge.  (ps... it may take a while for me to get the item, but at least one person will for sure receive something).

Wanna join?  Check out my facebook group page and sign up tomorrow when I post 'What is your challenge going to be?'

Need idea's for work outs?  Check out my Pinterest board I Work Out.

My challenge will be... VERY DIFFICULT.  I'm going to start the Insanity work outs - which is a 60 day challenge working out 6 x / week.  YIKES.  My husband is doing it right now... it sounds hard (he's really strong and is very challenged doing the work out).

Note: I get nothing for you clicking on these links or purchasing anything... just wanted to give you some ideas :)

Well good luck to you this week... and really think about joining this challenge.  If nothing else, you've committed to making yourself move and get active.  That counts for everything right?!!!

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After!

Not without effort!

I had a great week, I tried really really hard to lose that .2 to get me to my next goal.  Sadly I didn't make it, but honestly I'm happy with my results regardless.  I stayed exactly the same, I even popped on over to another scale to make SURE that it was right.  I knew it was going to be one of three results... either I'd lose that .2, gain that .2 OR stay the same.  I got the second best result I could get.  So I'm still at 84.8 lbs gone.

What did I do this week to stay motivated?  Well I had a few off days where I was really hungry and I did end up going over my points.  I had a great week of activity - 39 activity points this week.  I ate them all.  Last week I had 36 and I ate 34 of them and didn't touch my "extra" 49 points.  I didn't do that this week - I actually used all but 10 of the "extras" along with my activity points as I said.  So, I'm not surprised I stayed the same, but like I said I'm ok with that.

My activity this week consisted of:
- running: I ran Thursday (28 minutes), Saturday (30 minutes), Sunday (I actually did a 5k by myself this sunday... I proved I could do it.  I wanted to test out the course that I'm running on the 18th.  I ran for 40 minutes (and change) straight.) AND Monday (I went back to interval training because I completed my couch to 5k program - so I only ran 16 minutes on Monday)
- water aerobics:  I did water aerobics on Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday (had to miss Monday because I took a CPR class)
- walked:  Monday (just under 1 hour, a little over 2.5 miles) and Wednesday (about a mile and a half for 30 minutes)

So as you can see, I tried hard to stay active.  I feel very successful this week even though I stayed the same... I kept to my working out commitments and fit in work outs on Monday and Wednesday when I was busy at night.  I walked between work and my CPR class on Monday and one of my bestie's and I walked our work parking lot during lunch yesterday because we needed the activity.

So even though I stayed the same, it was NOT without effort.  It's important to keep that in mind when you stay the same or even gain sometimes... it's going to happen.  There's sometimes NO logical reason for it.  Keep your chin up and keep working hard.  IT WILL PAY OFF!

This week/weekend will be hard for many of us.  So make sure you have a plan going into the weekend.  My mom is coming to stay Fri-Sun and we're both watching what we eat, however it will still be hard because we're always on the go.  We will be brunching on Sunday and following that up with movie (and popcorn as always)... so I need to be on track ALL the other days.   Sunday I will let myself eat whatever I want, but will make sure I don't feel sick after eating (meaning get too full).

I will be doing water aerobics tonight, saturday morning, monday and tuesday.  I will be getting a minimum of 3 runs in before Saturday and my 5k is on Saturday... wish me luck!!!  So I'll have plenty of exercise to make up for that brunch.  No excuses!!!

What will you do to help you through the weekend?

I'm hoping to have a surprise for you guys in the next few weeks... I've asked several of my visually healthy (thin) friends to write down what they eat for 1-2 weeks.  I think I got 4 - 5 of them to actually do it.  So I'm going to talk about their profile and how each one of them eats - it has to be anonymous and many of my readers know each other so I won't be describing them too much so I don't give it away.  But it should be interesting and I can't wait to analyze the data!

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After.