LOTUSFLOWER's SparkPeople Blog

Weeks 4 and 5: Marathon Training: Recalibrating Route

Sat, 18 May 2013 12:47:02 EST

"The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth" (Luke 3:5).

In this blog I'm combining the 4th and 5th week of marathon training (woo hoo week 5!) because week 4 was a crazy/ busy week for me at work and I didn't have time to write.

Along with the physical aspect of training is the spiritual. I'm on a journey and I can't have one without the other. When God gave me this God-sized...

Week 3 Marathon Training: The Perfect Pace

Tue, 7 May 2013 00:00:03 EST

This week went great, I usually don't run two days in a row to avoid injury but the training plan had me running on Friday and Saturday, and I followed my plan and felt good about it. I have been feeling a pain in my right hip, so I've started incorporating stretches before running to extend my hips and encourage my running gait to be correct, I may not be extending my leg all the way back.

My 6 yr old daughter came on my run Monday with me on her bike. it was really rewarding t...

Week 2 Marathon Training: Honoring and Celebrating Loss

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:27:10 EST

To start off this week of training, I packed my running gear Monday so that I could meet up with my amazing friend Jenn (KITHKINCAID) to honor those who lost their lives in the Boston marathon tragedy.

Martin Richard, the 8 yr old boy killed in the Boston bombing

Lots of running stores around the country were having group fun runs to stand in solidarity, this one was through Ram Racing. I had the m...

Week 1 Marathon Training: First Team Run

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 20:13:16 EST

My good friend Jenn (KITHKINCAID) did an amazing thing when she trained for the 2012 Chicago Marathon, she wrote a weekly blog that summarized her training runs, nutrition, everything. If you are also training to run a marathon, I HIGHLY recommend reading her blogs (which I intend to re-read throughout my training). The link to her first weekly blog is below:

www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_jo
urnal_individual.asp?blog_id=4838051

I decided ...

Shamrock Shuffle 8k Race Report

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:40:32 EST

This is my favorite race. This race and I have a history (was once the very last person to cross the finish line, etc., etc.). To read more about that... www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_jo
urnal_individual.asp?blog_id=4162019

After successfully running this race the past two years, and hitting a PR last year, this year I almost didn't run it. After running my first half marathon ...

A God-Sized Dream

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 20:30:59 EST

"The person who starts the race is not the same person who finishes the race."

Last Saturday we had our first team meeting and running clinic -- I am getting so excited (and nervous) about beginning training for something so much bigger than myself. I never thought I would want to tackle a marathon, or that I could...but God gave me this desire to run, and it's definitely a "God thing" because serious...

Dream Come True!

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:28:31 EST

When I first began my weight loss journey I joined a health club that is part of a local hospital near me -- I loved it because there were people of all ages and sizes, and they didn't discriminate. The classes were amazing, the facility is beautiful, always voted one of the best in our area year after year. When I started attending classes there and getting to know the instructors, I thought to myself that I would love to work there someday -- now mind you, this is when I was morbidly obe...

Walk Concert in The Villages, FL!

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 23:51:54 EST

I have been a certified Walk Leader for almost a year now, and every year a reunion is held. This year that reunion was also combined with Walk Concerts in The Villages, FL. I didn't know if I would be able to attend as being a single income family money is tight, but my husband and I talked it over and we decided it would be a great opportunity and I didn't want to miss it. I put all $ from my walk classes to ...

Workout Games

Tue, 5 Mar 2013 21:19:30 EST

It was a sunny challenge last week to create a workout game, similar to Sparkpeople's Super Bowl game, to our favorite shows. I wanted to post here to share with spark friends.

THE WALKING DEAD GAME

Every time a zombie gets killed by a blade (knife, sword): do 25 jumping jacks

Every time Rick gets moody or throws a tantrum: do 25 jab punches

Every time Carl is on camera: jump in place/high knees

Any time a fire breaks out: do 25 push u...

Tinkerbell Half Marathon Race Report!

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:50:09 EST

A year ago I told my very good friend Blaize (INSPIREBYNATURE), who I met here on Spark almost 3 yrs. ago, and who has been my partner on the Sunny Gals team for the past 2+ yrs., that I wanted to run a half marathon. Not just any half marathon, but a half marathon in Disney.

Back when I started running, about 3 yrs. ago, it was a dream of mine to run a 5k at Disney. I had never been to Disney, and it...

My 2013 New Year's Resolutions

Sat, 5 Jan 2013 14:48:43 EST

I wanted to post this in my blog so that I could refer back to it:

Pay off all my credit cards by August 2013
Start saving money for next Christmas and adding to our emergency fund
Continue to save for retirement - meet with advisor, create a plan of attack.
Reach goal weight (10 lbs. to goal weight, but I may try for 20 lbs.)
Run the Disney Tinkerbell Half Marathon and the Chicago Women's Half Marathon.
Balance on my work/family life.
Strength train 3...

My Shiny New Year (110 lbs. lighter)

Tue, 1 Jan 2013 21:35:49 EST

It was on New Years' Eve 2009 after the recent birth of my second daughter when I announced to my family that my New Year's resolution was to lose over 100 lbs. When I said it, even I didn't believe it.

(I'm on the left with my two sisters)

Oh I wanted to lose the weight. I just didn't think I could. So I expected the slightly awkward silence after I dropped my New Years resolution like a bomb i...

My Vision Board

Sun, 2 Dec 2012 02:43:41 EST

Here is my vision board for the Sunny Gal challenge. It is focused on the half marathon I'll be running in January.

3 5Ks and a 15K :) And a whole new life.

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 23:29:20 EST

I'm catching up on some race blogs...

SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE 4 CURE 5K - 9/23 (33:30 NEW PR!)

This is an emotional race for me. I lost my mother-in-law to bre...

Thankful. A family gratitude blog

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 08:40:33 EST

For our Sunny challenge this week we have to post 7 days of gratitude. I keep a family gratitude journal at home and it's a wonderful way to wrap up the day with my girls. Here are 7 days of thankfulness.

Today I am grateful for...

☆ That people who want to be free are going to get help...a long time coming. - Jim

☆ To go outside, and God, and really, really, really, really, really morning time, and I thank you for God again. -Marlo....and for M...

Terrapin 5k Race Report (with pics)

Sun, 5 Aug 2012 04:02:34 EST

As some of you may know, a good friend of mine from high school passed away recently. After this happened, it made me look at my own life closer, and I wanted to live it more. So many times we say we don't have time for things, or say, "Oh, we will do this or that later." Well for the cup of coffee that my late friend and I kept saying we would grab, that time never came.

After this happened, I made a lot of calls to my best friend since freshman year of H.S., Cheri, and I broug...

NSV at the DMV (Photos)

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:47:11 EST

I can't tell you how much I dreaded showing my license - ever - to anyone. The checkout lady at Trader Joes, to verify employment, to prove residency, every time I had to take that thin piece of plastic out of my wallet I cringed. 8 years of this hatred for my Driver's License picture. We all can take bad pictures, but this one was bad with a capital "B"! First, I didn't realize I was getting my photo taken, the person ahead of me just got a reprint of their last photo, which is what I wa...

Roadblocks

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:31:51 EST

One of our challenges this week for RockIt is to write about two of our roadblocks that may prevent us from reaching our health goals. Both of mine have the same core principal.

FEAR.

FEAR OF FAILURE: I am a perfectionist. I have to do things perfectly or not do them at all. This doesn't fare well for my dreams in life, which are 1. To get to my goal weight and no longer be "obese" and...

I Am Officially a Walk Star!

Mon, 9 Jul 2012 13:42:45 EST

I just got a copy of Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home newsletter and I discovered that I am now officially a "walk star"! I'm the second story down, and the first story is my friend Nancy, who I met at the certification in April.

www.walkathome.com/walk-stars-storie
s/

This is a dream come true - what initially prompted me to start her program and lose weight was seeing a WAH newsletter with a picture of a Mom who lost 100 lbs. to be healthy for her 2...

My RockIt! Plan For the Week

Mon, 2 Jul 2012 14:23:55 EST

MAIN CHALLENGE: For the main challenge this week, plan 3-5 workouts through out the week and complete them. Once you have your plan picked out, either post in your team or on your blog so that it is out there and we can help support you. Having a plan is one of the many steps that you can take to help you achieve your goals. Baby steps lead the way to your goals! Rock It! Ladies!!!!! These workouts need to be at least 30 minutes long and can be either strength training or cardio. Get it done ...

Reflections on SASS and my Rock It! Plan

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:44:23 EST

I started off the SASS Seasonal Done Girl challenge at 196 lbs. I had recently reached 100 lbs. down and I felt like I was going to reach my goal weight during this challenge. That was not to be. I ended the challenge weighing 197.5. Well, weigh in isn't until tomorrow...and I have a funny feeling I will end the challenge at the exact same weight that I started.

I want to say it's a plateau. I've been here for a long time, and I know that in a weight loss journey such as mine...

A Dream Fulfilled: Walk Leader Certification

Sat, 9 Jun 2012 10:53:40 EST

Three years ago when they introduced the Walk Leader certification program from Leslie Sansone, I saved the postcard that my Aunt Barb gave me announcing it, and put it up on my desk. I wondered if I would be a good leader. However, at that time, I was still at the beginning of my journey. I still needed to lose 100 lbs. And I wondered, how could I lead, when I needed to be led? So I put that postcard away and...

Run For the Kids 5K Race Report - May 5, 2012

Fri, 8 Jun 2012 10:47:18 EST

This race report is a little late in getting posted, but that doesn't make it any less important. This was my baby sister Missy's FIRST 5k. Missy is a mother to 4, having had twins a year ago. After she had the twins (2 beautiful baby girls to balance off her two toddler boys) she made a commitment to run a 5k. I told her about the Couch to 5K program and she trained with that program on her treadmill at home, along with her husband, my BIL, Tony.

One weekend in Michigan we w...

A Brief Photo Inspiration Intermission

Tue, 22 May 2012 17:27:17 EST

So I am way behind. On reading my favorite blogs, on posting my own blogs. I have yet to write one about my latest 5k and my Walk Leader Certification. But those can wait...at least a little bit longer.

I'm determined to reach goal weight in 2012, and I've been in a plateau for the past 6 months. SO, it's inspiration time. This is what helps me to see how far I've come, and to keep going.

I wore a favorite dress over the weekend and my sister snapped a picture of ...

Pictures on the Shelf

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:18:57 EST

I was talking with a friend over the weekend who has also lost a lot of weight. She said that when she visited her in-laws house she went into the study and saw framed photos of her and her husband on the mantle. These frames held pictures of a woman she no longer knew. She said she was going to go in when they were out of town and take all the pictures out and replace them with new photos. She wondered how she had let herself “go” and get so big. I've wondered that too, it's like when i...

The Not Really a Progress Report, Report - March 2012

Mon, 2 Apr 2012 15:55:21 EST

I wasn't going to blog about March, because, as I said in my status update, "March was a wash." Well, actually...not really.

I did some great things in March. And the fact that instead of losing 5.5 lbs., which was my goal, I gained 1 lb. Well. So what? I'm really sick of my negative attitude about this plateau/rollercoaster/ride that I am on. I am going to celebrate my accomplishments anyway.

I rocked March. I actually actually lost 4.5 lbs. in March -- I just ...

Shamrock Shuffle 8k Race Report

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:33:05 EST

This is my favorite race. Over 34,000 runners participated in the 33rd annual Shamrock Shuffle, the traditional kick-off to the running season in Chicago.

This race and I have a long history together. My family has been participating in this race for the last several years. They used to offer a walking option for a 5k distance, but they don't anymore.

2007 - I walked it with my husband, daught...

Getting off of this Rollercoaster

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:47:09 EST

I am not happy. For a person who is usually cheerful, I am downright depressed right now.

It isn't fair. It just isn't fair that when I have a bad week I regain weeks worth of work.

I am sick of having to be perfect all the time.

I just want off of this ride.

A few weeks ago I was down to my lowest weight in the past 10 yrs., 193.5. I vowed I wouldn't go back up above 195. At my Saturday weigh-in I was 198.5. Today, because I have a sick sens...

Cleaning House

Wed, 7 Mar 2012 13:23:05 EST

I’m talking about cleaning out the clutter in our lives, and I don’t mean paperwork, or house chores or cleaning. Well, maybe I do.

I’ve had day long meetings all week that I am the organizer for – the behind the scenes lady. I have to make sure the people have coffee, breakfast, snacks, lunch, water, more water, and refresh it all.

This morning one of the guys tried making coffee himself ...

My Binge On the Page

Sun, 4 Mar 2012 19:17:51 EST

I am in the middle of a binge right now. Instead of continuing to eat, I am going to journal my thoughts publicly, unedited, in the hopes that it may make this uncontrollable feeling of wanting to shove everything in my mouth and take it away.

That it may help some of you who read it and may be in the same place yourself.

This is not a pity party. This is my binge, in haphazardly constructed sentences that may or may not come together.

I already feel sick ...

I Heart February! Progress report

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 14:10:22 EST

FEBRUARY REPORT CARD

Start weight: 200.5
Goal weight: 194.5
End weight: 193.5
Weight lost: 7 lbs! Exceeded my goal.
Total weight lost this year: 9.5 lbs.
Goal weight progress: 15.5 more lbs. to go to reach goal weight!
Total weight lost: 104.5

FITNESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

I reached 1,866 fitness minutes in February. My goal was 1,000!! Almost doubled that.

Miles walked/run in February: 46.85

I wanted to co...

A Sundress or a Magic Pill?

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:23:28 EST

I was tempted this morning. My good friends own a very successful business that is two-fold. One of them is a fitness trainer and teaches amazing classes, and the other sells herbal supplements to promote weight loss. They are all natural, and are based on bee pollen, which I've read is useful for eliminating toxins and the formula used in this particular product contains an appetite suppressant as well. One girl recently lost 16 lbs. in 2 WEEKS.

Well, as I'm about 15 lbs. away...

Food Blog Day 4 - MOTIVATE

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:02:44 EST

BREAKFAST

Great Value Buttermilk Frozen Waffle, 0.5 serving
(I usually eat whole grain waffles like Kashi, but we were out so I had one of the girls')
Agave Nectar, 0.5 tbsp
Walnuts, 0.15 cup, chopped
Blueberries, fresh, 10 berries
Egg, fresh, 1 large

Regular Coffee, 2 cup (8 fl oz)
...

Food Blog Day 3 - MOTIVATE

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:23:06 EST

BREAKFAST

Egg, fresh, 1 large
Spinach, fresh, 1 bunch
bread, Trader Joe's Flour Tortillas (1 tortilla)

Regular Coffee, 2 cup (8 fl oz)

Breakfast TOTALS: 283

MORNING SNACK

Cereal, Kashi Go Lean Crunch...

Food Blog Day 2 - MOTIVATE

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:38:02 EST

BREAKFAST

Egg, fresh, 2 large
Armour Brown and Serve Original Sausage (1 link)

Oranges, 0.5 cup, sections

Regular Coffee, 2 cup (8 fl oz)
(Coffee I promise your picture will be in the next blog!)

Breakfast TOTALS: 240 <...

Food Blog Day 1 - MOTIVATE

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:20:10 EST

BREAKFAST

Egg, fresh, 1 large
Armour Brown and Serve Original Sausage (1 link),

Almond Breeze Almond Milk, Original, 3 oz
Cereal, Kashi Go Lean Crunch honey almond flax 1 cup

Regular Coffee, 2 cup (8 fl oz)

(Dear coffee...

Take that first step...

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:24:33 EST

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." ~ Lao-tzu

The past few weekends I've had VERY active weekends. And I had a blast. Two weekends ago we went out of town to Michigan and I got multiple workouts in every day. I gathered my family up to workout, too.

I ran with my sister one morning, walked with Leslie one afternoon, got a hike in, and then on Superbowl Sunday I did the Spark fun Superbowl Workout with my husband the entire game (those first d...

SparkPeople 28-Day Bootcamp Review

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:54:06 EST

SparkPeople chose me as one of the lucky bloggers/team leaders to receive the newly released "28-Day Bootcamp" DVD by Coach Nicole, and in return I need to post my review of it. A disclaimer: I received this DVD for free from SparkPeople and did not receive any form of payment for my review.

I love trying to complete the Spark Official 28-Day Bootcamps that are held here in the Spark community typically every January and in the spring -- I never finish, but I always love trying. ...

I AM a Fighter (and January progress, February goals)

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:52:33 EST

First I want to look back at 2011 overall. In 2011 I lost 23.5 lbs. I had wanted to lose twice as much, but this weight is coming off slower and slower. YES I still made progress. BUT I am getting frustrated. I am getting tired. Earlier this week I started to lose hope.

Since reaching Onederland in August I’ve been gaining and losing the same 8 lbs. or so. The holidays did me in. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I gained 6.5 lbs. this year. Last year I gained 9.5. So th...

Didn't Recognize Myself

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:04:56 EST

I'm working on a going away gift for the outgoing President of my company, my boss of 4 yrs., and I found a group photo that I wanted to include in a collage I'm making for him. I saw my co-workers, but couldn't find myself in the picture. I kept looking and looking. I finally found myself and honestly didn't recognize who I was.

Major NSV!

I am so not this person anymore. Not outside and not on the inside, either.

It's pretty cool to take a look back ...

MOTIVATE Main Challenge - new cardio

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:26:51 EST

Our main goal this week was to add two new cardio routines to our workout. I added a fun one, detailed below, and started the Spark Bootcamp DVD that I received (which I will blog about in more detail in a later blog)

I went sledding on Saturday! It was so much fun. Now last year I went sledding in the backyard of our cottage and that was a first for me since I was a kid - but this past Saturday I went to an actual HILL. The kind you have to climb UP.

It was amazi...

MOTIVATE Bonus: Vision Boards

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:07:56 EST

The bonus this week is to start a vision board:

BONUS: For the bonus, start a vision board. You can make one from scratch or make a virtual one. Just be sure to print your finished product if you make a virtual board. Once your board is done put it up somewhere where you know you may need an extra boost of motivation, maybe over your alarm clock, the fridge, your workout gear, wherever you will need it.

I created four vision boards, because there are four major focus ar...

43+ inches of progress

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 15:35:26 EST

I will admit it. The Presidential test made me feel...unfit. I am second guessing using my run time vs. a walk time since I was only in the 20th percentile for running. Had I walked instead, I would have done much better. I mean, really, who cares if I'm a slow runner, that doesn't affect my V02 score. Some people are just slower runners. Period. Guess the President wants us to run fast. But, I digress.

Anyway, I was going through some paperwork at home and found my test re...

President's Fitness Test Results for MOTIVATE Challenge

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 22:52:11 EST

I am posting this here so that I have a record of it. This is the first time I've done the President's Challenge, in past Done Girl Seasonal Challenges I avoided this test, usually done at the start of each challenge. It intimidated me and I didn't want to do the push ups or sit ups or time my run...but I'm glad I did it. It showed me areas I need to improve on, and reminded me of why I'm on this journey. I want to be healthy. It's not about the number on the scale, or any individual num...

The Joy and Abundance of our Christmas

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:06:42 EST

I have had such an amazing last couple of days that I had to share with my Spark friends. I had what were possibly some of the worst days I've ever had near Christmas, almost cancelling our Christmas Eve plans, but God had other things in store for us.

Some of you may know that my daughter was to get surgery to remove a cyst in her neck this past Wednesday. That surgery got cancelled due to a fall she ...

Santa Hustle 5k Race Report and Pix

Mon, 5 Dec 2011 17:51:18 EST

My family talked me into doing this one, I thought I was finished with race season for 2011, but once I heard you get a Santa beard, a hat, a tech shirt that looks like Santa's shirt, and cookies and candy on the route and Christmas music streamed in, well, I was hooked! Plus a coupon for $5 off entry and I was set.

I was so excited to run this race was going to be my sister Kris' first run since having her daughter, Stella. Kris is the one who got me into running 5ks, and I was ...

November Progress Report and December Goals

Thu, 1 Dec 2011 18:05:03 EST

I'm starting back doing my monthly reports.

249

Start weight: 198
End weight: 199.5 (as of yesterday, but at my last weigh in I was 203.5...)
Weight lost: Gain of 1.5 lbs.
Total weight lost this year: 26.5 lbs.
Goal weight progress: 21.5 more lbs. to go to reach goal weight!
Total weight lost: 98.5 – (WAS 102 lbs. at the end of October)

WEIGHT GOALS:

To lose 4-6 lbs. this month. (Yes, I know given my track rec...

Bonfield Express 5k Race Report - a PR and a lot of Blessings

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:35:48 EST

This year I ran my first "Turkey Trot" as they call them, people that get up early on Thanksgiving morning and brave whatever the elements may bring, and just run. I was excited to run near my hometown, and this race was HUGE for a suburban race - over 5,100 people ran it! (And my town's day after Thanksgiving 5k was cancelled due to low participation).

The Bonfield Express started 8 yrs. ago when a local High School Dean, Coach and Teacher passed away due to complications of Hod...

Plan for Motivate!

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:54:23 EST

Here's my plan for the new season of the Done Girls Seasonal Challenge, Motivate!

Fitness (260 minutes):

Monday- Boxing (60 min.)/ST (all over)
Tuesday- Run (60 min.)
Wednesday- Walking or Dancing DVD (30 min)/ST (arms)
Thursday- Run
Friday- Walking or Dancing DVD (30 min)/ST (core)
Saturday- Morning run (60 min.)
Sunday- Yoga (20 min.)
Friday- Catch up d...

Hot Chocolate Race Report - Nov. 5, 2011

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:30:15 EST

Last year, after waking up at an ungodly hour to get on two different el trains to make it to the 7:40 a.m. start time of the Hot Chocolate race, I decided that the following year I would stay at the Congress Plaza Hotel, located directly across from Grant Park. My cousin stayed with me, but I found out that DAY that this is one of the most haunted hotels in Illinois. I am not a haunted hotel kind of gal, so I got virtually no sleep the night before, coupled with the fact that I couldn't re...