I think I found my fire

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

I intend to continue with the couch to 5K because I'm one of those stubborn folks who doesn't like to give up. But now... I've found something in addition to a future autism 5K that really fires me up.

Not that the other didn't..if you know what I mean.. I'm not as articulate as some of the folks that post blog entries.

I'm close to my family... I love my mom and my "baby" brother. (Some baby, he's almost a foot taller than me!)....but I have always been the biggest daddy's girl around.

About nine years ago, I lost my father. While he died from a secondary (staph?) infection due to shingles, his immune system had been weakened by his long-term fight with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. When he died I was about 4 1/2 months pregnant with my son -- who had been conceived after a year of fertility treatments. So I was so grateful that my dad knew I was going to have my baby finally, but so *SO* sad that I never got to see my father hold him. And my son Thomas looks *SO* much like dad at a younger age, its not funny! Sometimes he will grin like my dad and my heart aches. And Dad would have gotten such a kick out of Georgia. Heck, he would have been the first one on the plane to go to China when my mom and I went. (grins)

I was cruising another site I go to healthdiscovery.net (A weight watchers support site) when in one member's signature I saw a link to "Team in Training": a leukemia and lymphoma society program. www.teamintraining.org/ I need to find out more, but I think they help people train for various athletic events to raise money to fight leukemia and lymphoma. Now the running things include half marathons and marathons.... as a recently off the couch potato I'm not up to that YET.. but maybe one day! (I contacted my local chapter and hopefully someone will get back in touch with me.)

The idea of being able to do something like that in my dad's honor and memory REALLY fires me up. And Dad would be so happy for me if that helped me to stick to things and get healthy for myself and my family.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HANNAHV 8/26/2010 3:53AM

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PIXIEMOM13 8/25/2010 9:58PM

I am so self concious of running in public right now though. I've decided if I don't to the Team in training for running, I *will* do it for walking or biking. But I will do it. Its important to me. Report Inappropriate Comment

SKINNYPOWELL1 8/25/2010 4:10PM

What a great tribute to dad. Best wishes on your endeavors. Report Inappropriate Comment

The best laid plans

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Well, my plan yesterday had been to ride my stationary bike after I got home (9:30pm) then chop my salad for the next day's lunch. And to get to bed at a decent hour so I could ask hubby to wake me up a bit early so I could get day 2 of C25K over with. LOL

Here's what happened... I got home. I *did* do 35 minutes on my bike. The audiobook helps pass the time nicely and by the time I finished I felt both tired and invigorated. Sweat was rolling down my face. So I sat at the computer with a big glass of water to cool down. (And I'll admit it.. play some farmville and log on to World of Warcraft.)

I also looked to see when our next bills were due - I get paid this Thursday. Bad news is somehow I missed one bill last month (hubby's cell phone) but the charges were just carried over into this month. But it messes with my head that somehow I missed the bill. I have GOT to get more organized. (I had also somehow missed our homeshied warranty, but it hadn't expired quite yet, so hubby called them and renewed it.)

So I was stressed about all that..but I used the stress to fuel the bike ride. And it did help. I didn't have problems falling asleep like I usually do after a freakout. (lol)

But I stayed up a bit late playing WoW (world of warcraft) so I did not get early this morning... so no bike ride or walk/run. But I am determined to do something tonight. My daughter still wants to go to the track, so I might still get D2 C25K in....

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PIXIEMOM13 8/25/2010 1:55PM

I'm more organized than I used to be -- I mean, I make my own salads either the night before or the morning of... before I just got frozen meals to pop in the microwave...not very satisfying and of course higher in sodium. But yeah.. gotta get more organized. Report Inappropriate Comment

SMOOCHIEFACE 8/25/2010 10:46AM

Yeah!!!! Farmville Rocks!!!!! But, yeah, I know how time can get away from ya when you're online!! Good luck getting organized!! It can be tough. Report Inappropriate Comment

Sore

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

My calves and thighs are so sore, its not funny. I'm glad today is a "rest" day from the running at least...though I might try and do some time on my bike at some point.

But I've got to drop the kids off at daycare (next week school starts for my son....and the 9/7 my daughter starts her PreK). Then I've got my Weight Watchers meeting this morning. Its Tuesdays at 10AM. Since I work every Tuesday 1-9pm I can fit it in no problems. I used to go to a meeting on Sunday mornings, but I like to have the option to sleep in! lol I can't sleep in during the week because of school..

I have some time after my meeting to come home and change for work.. I suppose I ought to get off my butt and maybe start chopping my dinner salad for work.

What worries me is tomorrow with the C25K... I don't know if I'll get hubby to kick me out of bed early to get it done... or try and do it after work. And if I'm this sore now... well, it is going to be harder to make myself do it.

Don't mind me, I'm just whining out loud a bit... I'll still do my best. Now let's hope the metal monster (the scale at my meeting) is kind..... ;)

  

OMG, W1D1 C25K kicked my butt!

Monday, August 23, 2010

You know, I could really leave the entry right there and it would give you an idea how it went.

At first it did go fine... I did the walking warm up, no problems..even got through the first two running and walking segments no problem. After that... well, I ran what I could and walked the rest. I tried to balance pushing the envelope just a bit vs listening to my body. When I got back to the house the sweat was rolling down my face. I'm sitting here recovering with a big glass of my cranberry-lemon ice water. (I have it as a shared recipe.. basically a gallon of water with 3 tbsp of unsweetened cranberry juice and 6tbsp lemon juice in it.) I will sometimes add a packet or two of splenda. So its very low calorie flavored water. ;)

I must be a nutball, but I am contemplating riding my bike if only for a little bit. Maybe 10-15 min tonight and some more when I get off work. (I work 1-9pm)

I've already assembled a salad to take to work, as well as have beef vegetable stew in the crockpot for hubby and the kids. Well, hubby and our daughter... our son mostly eats "cold plain chicken" -- baked chicken breasts that are cooled in the refrigerator.

Speaking of hubby he was a bit bashful about some of the compliments/comments on yesterday's blog entry. He doesn't think supporting me is that big of a deal..or that he did that much. He just doesn't get that some people out there DON'T have that kind of support. That they might face indifference or downright hostility from their significant others at this change in lifestyle/habits. Change is scary to some people, it really is. Thats why I wanted to say... I know how lucky I am.

As for the C25K... wow.. I'm not giving up..but whew... that was a workout! And I feel glad that I did what I could. Next time, or the time after that will be better. If I have to repeat week 1 for four weeks then so be it! LOL Good thing I'm not planning on entering a 5K until 2011 sometime.. lol

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NACHOSMAMA 8/23/2010 12:10PM

C25K is tough, but you can do it! I just spent four weeks on Week 4. I'm gonna do it one more time before I try Week 5. Keep it up!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

CAROLINAMUSED 8/23/2010 11:16AM

Good for you!!! I'm contemplating trying this (only contemplating so far, not planning - I'm in Texas so will stick to my indoor elliptical trainer until it cools down) and impressed by your effort. Tell your husband: he's not the only one out there who is so supportive, and there is no way to understate the importance of that support. Without my husband I never even tried. With him, I have support and encouragement and even more important, I have incredible motivation: I want to be healthy to enjoy our lives together. So kudos to him, and to your husband, and to all those who love and support positive change on a daily basis! Carol Report Inappropriate Comment

VTSKIER805 8/23/2010 11:02AM

I think it would have kicked my butt too had I not been on a treadmill so I could regulate my running speeds. I've never been a runner, but every sport in which I have participated have been sprint sports. Quick burst of speed, long rest time. I was nervous that I would do the same when I started C25K, so I did it on the treadmill so I could keep my speed down. It works! Try holding yourself back a bit and keeping it to a slow jog. I run a max of 5mph which is barely enough time for both of my feet to be off the ground. Good speed for me :) Report Inappropriate Comment

I'm so lucky

Sunday, August 22, 2010

I am truly lucky to have a supportive spouse. Even though money is tight, he encourages me to keep going to Weight watchers.

When my ancient mp3 player wouldn't play downloadable audiobooks from www.overdrive.com/ , he got me a newer one that did! (My library system subscrives to them, so library customers can "check out" audiobooks and download them to their ipods or mp3 players.

I just spent the past 40 minutes on my stationary bike...and the time seemed to fly by because I was listening to a book (Jean Auel's _The Mammoth Hunters_) as I rode. And since I'm only going to listen to that book while I'm exercising, I know I'll be more likely to do the ride. :)

My husband encourages me to do this.. not because he's less attracted to me heavy than thin...but because he knows I have been unhappy with my weight and how I looked. ... and he worries about my health. He would never nag me about it...but now that I'm ready to make the change he is doing what he can to help me. He recently told me that he is so proud that I am sticking with it and working so hard on it.

And I'm proud of me too. :D

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MRSRAM 8/23/2010 10:37AM

Way to go! Husbands like that are such a blessing! Report Inappropriate Comment

WILDRICE99 8/22/2010 10:06PM

That is so awesome that your husband is being supportive! Heck, it even gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. :) I've been doing the same thing...listening to books on tape while exercising. I absolutely love it! Like you say, it's very motivating...especially if you're only listening to them while working out. I'm listening to the Harry Potter series right now...Goblet of Fire. Keep up the good work! Report Inappropriate Comment

2QUILTS4ME 8/22/2010 9:26PM

I think you need to give your husband an award too!! Even just a paper one that he can stick on the fridge and see how much he is appreciated too. You are doing a great job yourself and I like the idea of only listening to your book when you exercise. That might work for me!! For your husband! Report Inappropriate Comment