The Staypuff Marshmallow woman goes for a run outside!

Monday, January 04, 2010

Ok the only thing worse for me then running on the treadmill is deciding I need to run on the treadmill and finding out that I can't run on the treadmill!

Today it is like 5 degrees and a thousand degrees below zero wind chill in beautiful Indiana. So I hem and haw all day trying to decide if I can run outside or not. I wait for it to warm up and it never happens. So I finally decide to go to the gym and........



IT IS FREAKING CLOSED!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
(I shouldn't complain really. I pay $50 for an entire year to use the gym at my church. However, it is closed two week at Christmas, one week at Spring break and one week in the summer)

So, now what?? Give up?? Not me!

I went home and bundled up like the staypuff marshmallow woman and ran any way!!! I looked something like this:



Well, maybe not THAT bad...but I felt that way! Surprisingly I got my 3 mile run in no problem and actually felt fairly comfortable after I ran about 5 minutes or so. I think I easily could have run a much longer distance if I needed to. I now have hope I can continue most of my running outside this winter....I wonder if I could run in the snow if I added snowshoes to the ensemble?

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One year ago today...

Sunday, January 03, 2010

One year ago today I rededicated myself to Sparkpeople. Today I am fit, healthy, happy and 51 pounds lighter! I am so glad I took the first step toward loving myself that day. For everyone new to this site---take that first step and persevere. Trust me, you are worth it!

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Half Marathon Training Week #13

Saturday, January 02, 2010

Week of December 21



Monday:
Elliptical
45 minutes
6.54 miles

Tuesday:
Long Run
8 miles
1:30:20
6:1 ratio


Wednesday:
Run
3 miles
33:00
6:1

Thursday:
Elliptical
44 minutes

Friday:
Rest Day--------->Merry Christmas!

Saturday:
Run----------->HORRIBLE conditions!!! Cold & VERY WINDY!
5 miles
53:47
8:1

Sunday:
Elliptical
41 minutes

I am still using the Galloway method. I usually use a 6:1 run/walk ratio and it is still working out pretty well.....no problems or injuries to report. I know it isn't good to run the day after my long run but I had to this week due to weather concerns. I hate the treadmill so I do everthing I can to run outside on the "better" weather days. Lately here in Indiana the winter seems to be lacking any good weather days-lol.

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My 2010 Goals

Thursday, December 31, 2009

I am a big believer in setting specific goals rather than resolutions. After all how can you get somewhere if you don't know where you are going in the first place?



So...after much consideration here are my 2010 goals:

1. Continue the long and slow progress on my weight loss journey. I want to have lost a total of 65 pounds by June 17, 2010

2. Complete the OneAmerica 5K on 2/13/10 (this is a training run for the half marathon I am running in May 2010)

3. Complete the OneAmerica 10K on 3/6/10 (this is a training run for the half marathon I am running in May 2010)

4. OneAmerica 15K on 4/10/10 (this is a training run for the half marathon I am running in May 2010)

5. Complete my first half-marathon the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on 5/8/10

6. Achieve a healthy BMI. I am sooooooo close to this I can taste it!

7. Walk the stairs at work every day. I work on the seventh floor so I figure simply walking the stairs up to my work every day will be a simple and easy way to add more fitness to my daily routine

8. Add strength training to my fitness plan. I am ashamed to admit I currently do zero strength training. Nowhere to go but up here, right?

9. Read my bible devotional daily. Complete my group bible study weekly.

10. Floss daily. Nuff said here!

So, there they are. 2010 is waiting for me. It will be a long road, but there is no telling how much I can achieve in the next 365 days....

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361 days after starting on spark I became a sparkpeople motivator! You can do it too!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

What a great week! I met my goal of losing 50 lbs in 2009. I had one of my blogs chosen as a "popular blog of the day" and I was made a Sparkpeople motivator. What an honor!

A year ago I felt fat and hopeless. I am not sure what I ate, but no doubt it was fat laden and unhealthy. I got virtually no exercise. I felt bad and had almost no self esteem. Today I ran 8 miles in the freezing Indiana weather and loved it! I exercise 6 days a week and actually enjoy it. I eat clean, fresh foods the majority of the time. I had a homemade ham, pineapple and fresh spinach "pizza" I made on a tortilla for lunch--which I ate with baby carrots and a bowl of fresh pineapple---YUMMY! I am happy and have energy. I have achieved things I never thought possible only 365 days ago.

When I started Sparkpeople on 1/3/09 I had the vague goals of "losing some weight and eating healthier". I had no illusions as to this being a fast or easy process, as my doctor had told me "your thyroid is shot. You need to accept that you have to work twice as hard to get half the results of most people" (although it was pretty depressing to hear those words I must admit). I have slowly (very slowly) made changes to my nutrition and diet. I do not consider this a "diet" It truly is a lifestyle that I have slowly embraced.



I started running in May. What a difference that has made for me mentally and physically! I found that setting non-weight related goals was helpful for my attitude. When the weight is coming off slowly (or worse yet-not at all) it is wonderful to have other areas to see improvement in and focus on. I have signed up to run my first half marathon in 2010 (hello-13.1 miles????? Me????). The funny part is, I can't wait! I think everyone should try to do something they never thought possible-it is the most empowering experience that you will ever have.



What is that old asian proverb.... fall seven times, stand up eight! I have failed in the past but it made me stronger today. In answer to a sparkfriend's qestion: I first started on sparkpeople in September 2007. I lost 30 lbs by April 2008 then I just quit. I gained back 33 lbs and then resarted with spark again on 1/3/2009. The rest as they say is history! !



A year ago I thought none of this was possible. but 361 days later I am a new person. I am a better mother, wife and friend because of the love I have shown myself this year. Am I done? No way! I still have 15 pounds to lose and a half marathon to run. I can't wait to see where I am next year at this time! BRING ON 2010!

To be a sparkpeople motivator is truly a great honor. I thank every person who clicked that little button that said I motivated him or her from the bottom of my heart. You may not know my name--but you all know my struggle and you have helped me to triumph in 2009! Thank you again for all of your support and love. I honestly couldn't have done it without you!

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