It's a beautiful day...

I'm so happy Spring seems to be turning the corner...the weather has been so nice recently. I had to work on Saturday morning and by the time I left the office at noon...it was so nice outside. It was still a little bit chilly...with a nice breeze, but the sun was out and it felt great to be outside. I decided to run on over to my dad's house...and enjoy the time outside. I warmed up with a mile walk...ran the 2 miles in the middle...and cooled down with another almost mile (It's 3.8 miles from my house to my dad's).

I had two really nice weight/diet related things that had nothing to do with the scale (and then I'll get to the scale report). This Sunday, I helped with the communion breakfast at church. We have a sit down breakfast in between the first and second services...as a time of fellowship and celebration. It's really nice since the first service and the second service...we often don't see each other much. I said I would help...so I made a huge fresh fruit salad and headed to church at 8am to help. Since many of the people in the second service hadn't seen me in a while...many months at least...a lot of them came up and said how great I looked. It was a nice reminder...since I have kind of gotten out of that period of people seeing the weight loss as a new thing. One woman, who was also my 6th grade teacher...came up and asked me what I've been doing and said I've never looked this healthy. So, it was good to see people...and help with the breakfast...and to make a healthy option (fruit)...and have people say that I looked fit and healthy. whoo hoo.

My second good thing...I went shopping on Sunday afternoon. I am in desperate need of work pants. I used to have a million bajillion pairs of pants, but now barely any of them fit. I had a bunch of size 12 pants and now basically they all are unwearable. I tried to wear a pair to work last week and it was embarrassing how they looked. So, I am basically down to 2 pair of pants that fit...and only one of them is work appropriate. I headed over to Old Navy in hopes of finding some nice pants on their clearance racks. I basically got one of every style of clearance pants they had in a size 8...and went to try them on. Most of them either fit or were a smidge loose. One of the pairs that was loose I really liked...they were a pair of khakis that kind of looked like cords, but not quite. Hard to describe...but I liked them. So, I hunted through the clearance stacks and found them in a size 6...and tried them on and low and behold, they FIT and fit well. I bought them and another pair of dress pants (size 8)...and was on my way. I can't believe I own a pair of size 6 pants...it makes my head hurt, but in a good way. whoo hoo...hoo!

Monday is my weigh-in day...as per usual. I have been working out hard this week...and doing 3 days of weight training and 3 days of light cardio. I hoped to see the scale blip up...which means I might be starting to build muscle. I had a trail mix attack on Thursday night...which means that I started eating it...and ATE way too much. I filled my belly with salty, yummy trail mix. So, on Friday and Saturday mornings...during my daily weigh-ins, the weight was up...sometimes as much as 4 lbs. Does that mean I gained 4 lbs overnight? Nope, not bloody likely. That stuff was mighty salty...and my body isn't used to it. So, I imagine I was retaining water like a mofo...especially since I was sucking down water on Saturday like no tomorrow. So, I stepped on the scale this morning...and I was up one lb. I don't think it's salt...or water weight...or a lb of gained fat from sucking down too much trail mix. I think it's an actual lb gained from working out and increasing my weights. I have muscles I haven't seen for a while on my arms...and my legs feel stronger. So...I can actually say for the first time in my natural life, I am HAPPY I gained a pound. I would like to gain 4 or 5 more...the smart and healthy way...gaining muscle, etc.

Alright...enough blabbering on about my scale and my weight and what not. If the weather is as beautiful where you are as it is here...get out there and enjoy it.

WHOO HOO!!!!!!!

Hi all! I've been blathering on and on for the last couple of months about how I have been running/jogging in preparation of running our local Shamrock Shuffle. I've never been a runner...no matter how fit I have been. I came home from Florida in January...and thought, "Hey, I wonder if I could get myself in shape to run/jog the Shamrock Shuffle?" It was a fleeting thought...seriously. I didn't think it could happen. I didn't think I could start training in the cold winter. I didn't have access to a treadmill. And plus, I was a horrible, sucky runner.

So, I thought...I can rock the elliptical for 45 minutes to an hour...I'll give it a shot. I went out for my first run in January...and sucked. I couldn't run for a 1/4 of a mile without having to stop and walk. I basically felt the shuffle was out of touch for this year, but I kept trucking along. I added some running time each time out...and in a few weeks, I headed from my house to my dad's. I jogged the whole way...it was about 2.5 miles. I was shocked...for the first time, I had hope.

Over the next 5 weeks...I added more and more mileage until I was running 5 miles without stopping. Now, when I say running...I mean jogging. I was running between 13-15 minute miles. I didn't care though...I was running.

Well...today was the shuffle. I went to church this morning (I needed the big guy on my side). I headed over to register at 10am...and the race started at 11am. My dad came with me...and my roomie came too to support me. I am so grateful for them coming to support me...it was very nice and I felt very loved.



My goal was...to run/jog the whole time...and to finish the race. And that is just what I did. The race was 5 miles...and my final time was 1:01:43. I was one of the last people to finish...about 6 people came in behind me. But, I don't care...I ran about a 12 minute mile...and I jogged the whole time...no walking...and I finished. I couldn't be happier. I didn't sign up to win...I signed up to run it and accomplish it.

I've said before...I don't know why this race was so important to me. I felt the need to run it...almost as if it is the physical representation of all the work I have done in the last 6 months.

I still say...if I can do this, anyone can! Hugs to all who were cheering me afar.

What else to talk about on a Monday?

Yep, that's right...it's Monday...so I thought I should update how the health and fitness plan o' Shelley is doing. As I said before, I am glad I got my run in on Saturday...I can't believe the race is this Sunday. I think I keep letting myself forget, so I don't completely freak out. I feel ready though...I know I am not going to run it fast, but honestly...I don't care...I know I am fit and in shape to finish the race and I wasn't there last year...heck, I wasn't there in January. I was remembering in January...the first time I went out for a run. I had been rocking the elliptical, so I thought..."Hey, running isn't much different...so I'll just jog out a mile and then come back." I headed out...I walked to the edge of my apartment complex and then I started running...and within a 1/4 of a mile, I was out of breath and walking. I felt so defeated. I started to think that even though I lost this weight...and I am in better shape...that I still can't run even a mile.

Then, I went home...and decided I was not giving up. I made a plan...and decided to keep going. The next time...I ran a little farther before I slowed to a walk...and then a couple weeks later, I ran over to my dad's house...and was able to run 2.5 miles without stopping...then 3 miles...then 3.5...then I went for 5...and made it. I am more proud of myself for not giving up than I am for being able to job continuously for 5 miles. This process has reminded me what is possible...if you don't give up when faced with a challenge.

Alright...enough of that stuff...it sounds like a Tony Robbins motivation speech...and eww! On to the bare bones of the weigh-in report. I've been trying to stop losing weight...and so far, I am still struggling to figure that out. It's slowly getting better...but I still don't have the balance yet. I weighed in this morning...and lost 2 more lbs this week for a total of 79 lbs. Holy bejesus! I think part of it...is that I am pushing cardio hard lately in preparation for the race coming up. After Sunday, I am going to switch from cardio focused to weight training focused. I won't stop running or the elliptical, but it won't be the prime focus. Another thing I am working on...is trying to bump my calories up. I have gotten really used to the calories I was eating...so, it seems like I am stuffing myself with food in the last couple of weeks. It's all about food selection though.....for lunch, I can have a huge salad, a big bowl of yogurt with fresh or frozen fruit, some whole wheat crackers and some cottage cheese...all for under 300 calories. Or I can have a sandwich...with high sodium meat, mayo, bread and potato chips....which is much less food...and much more calories. So...it's all about choices. I've truly learned to make some nice choices...and not wasting my calories on things.

OK...I am watching Dancing With The Stars...and watching Penn from Penn & Teller dance is just flippin' hilarious, so I gotta get back to it! *winks*

Run, run, run....

Happy Saturday all....

This week seemed to fly right by...unlike last week that seemed to snail along. Who knows what the difference was.

I went for my standard run today...and for the last couple of weeks, I have cut my runs short. This week, no matter what...I was going to run the 5 miles. I made sure to eat enough before I headed out (which was my mistake last time). I had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast...and then had an english muffin with PB and a banana right before the run. It kept me fueled and full for the entire run.

This run was important to me...because it was the last big run before the race next weekend. I am excited...and also getting nervous. It's going to be fun though. I'm not a fast runner at all, but I can't wait to cross that finish line...even if I am the last person to do it. I am just proud that I set a goal...and then attacked it.

Or another thing I am proud of...is my semi-good computer skills. lol My roomie got a new laptop a couple of weeks ago, so she connected to the wireless router. Ever since she did that...my computer was connecting to the computer super slow. It was driving me nuts last weekend...every page was taking 1-2 minutes to load. I was NOT having it.

So, I started trouble shooting. The first thing I did was run a virus check on my computer. It does it daily, but I wanted to be sure it wasn't a trojan slowing up my machine. No viruses. Then, I updated my spyware software...and ran that again. I also downloaded a program my brother told me about...that really cleans your computer of any bugs. I was following command prompt after command prompt as I was running all these cleaning programs. It didn't find a lot...and it didn't help my internet connection run any faster.

Now, what I did 3rd is probably what I should have done first...since I thought it would probably fix it. I figured the virus checks and the spyware removal was good for my computer anyways. What actually fixed the problem...was unplugging the modem and router...and leaving them off for 5 minutes and then booting them back up. See...half of all computer trouble shooting is turning something off and turning it back on. I think the router I have is kind of crap, but well...they are expensive, so I am not looking to replace it...but it does mean it needs to be rebooted every few months.

I am glad I know a few things about computers...because if I had to call someone for help...I wouldn't have gotten any real help. Who do I call? The cable company? Dell? The router retailer? The modem retailer? And of course...each company you call...will tell you it is someone else's issue. Luckily, if I do get stuck...my brother is a mad genius when it comes to trouble shooting computers, so instead of calling the companies...I call him.

Anyways...enough babbling. I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday...and if you celebrate Easter, have a fabulous one. Hugs all.

Monday= Weigh-In!

Hi everyone...it's Monday and of course, that means it is weigh-in day. I had a really good...really nice weekend. I got my run in on Saturday....worked out on the elliptical on Sunday and what not. I felt really strong and healthy.

I am still losing weight in transition, but this week...hopefully that will stop or at least slow down. I am adding back in grains and bread this morning...I am eating some Multigrain cheerios right now. Mmmm....I also bought some english muffins and some Special K cereal. Yummilicious!

Anyways...I said I did lose weight this week and yep, I lost 3 lbs this week. I was actually surprised this morning when I stepped on the scale. I weigh everyday...because well, I like to know how I am doing on a daily basis. It drives some people nuts, but not me...instead it gives me good information because I don't get emotional about what the scale says. Well, my weight was holding at 1 lb lost...all the way up to Sunday morning. Well...it jumped from 1 lb to 3 lbs from Sunday to Monday. It shouldn't be that shocking since I often lose more over the weekend...I'll stay the same all week long and then drop my weight between Saturday and Monday morning.

So, I lost weight...and didn't even mean to. I think part of the issue is I have been pushing working out because I am training for the race coming up in 2 weeks. If my weight continues to go down, I will add even more food. It's shocking how much food you CAN eat when you eat the right types of foods. Quality verses quantity.

NEWS FLASH: I went to Target today....looking for any good sales and hopefully to buy a pair of pants or two. I have some that don't fit at all anymore, even with a belt. Well...guess who bought a size 8 pair of pants today? I DID! They weren't on sale, but I liked them...so I splurged. And by splurge...I mean that I spent 20 bucks on a pair of pants. I would like to though buy some engraved plaques that say, "Hey I wear a size 8!!!!" and wear it around my neck constantly...Flavor Flav style. Holy carp people! I never thought I would be a person wearing single digit clothing..ever. The smallest I was the last time I lost weight was a 12...and then I bought some size 10 pants back in January. And every single size 10 I tried on today...was too big. So, I grabbed some 8s...and every single one fit and some were LOOSE. Holy bejesus! Can you tell I am a little excited???

Happy St. Patty's Day to all....

Hey everyone....Happy St. Patrick's Day! I took the day off work...why? Because I consider it my nation's holiday. I am a redhead with pale skin that won't tan...and freakles all over in the summer time. So, yeah...to say I am Irish is an understatement.

If you live near a Stewart's and happen to be wearing green today...stop by and get a FREE SCOOP of ice cream. I wish I was eating ice cream, but not quite yet....but soon. Next year, I will get my free scoop. Heck...maybe next year I will go to every Stewart's in town...which would easily be over 10. j/k

I took a quick run over to my dad's this morning....3 miles...and then we went and bought some green carnations and headed over to my mom's grave marker and put them on the stone. She always loved St. Patty's Day and being Irish. She wore a claddagh ring for years and years...which I now own and only wear is seldomly because I am terrified of losing it. So, I hope she likes the flowers.

And now...I am heading out to go to the video store and then do some shopping...looking to see if the sales are any good for some pants, etc. If not...I'll keep looking.

Enjoy the day...even if you aren't Irish...pretend you are!

Busy and fun Saturday....

Ah...the weekend is almost over. How did that happen so fast? I'm happy to report that I did get my run in on Saturday. It was raining when I got up, but it quickly stopped...so I strapped on my shoes and headed out. I didn't eat enough before heading out, so I ran out of gas and stopped at 4 miles, but still...FOUR MILES. I'm not complaining.

Saturday was also my roomie's bday. It was one of those birthdays that ends with a ZERO. I won't say which one...you'll have to figure it out. We went to the movies and then watched a rented movie. We went to see Vantage Point, which was pretty good. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but I did. I thought it was cool how they showed the same 20 minutes from a bunch of people's different views...hence why it is called Vantage Point. There was a guy sitting a few rows behind us who was SO annoyed every time the movie went back to the same starting point...I guess he didn't google the plot before going to see it. The rented movie we watched was Dan In Real Life. It was cute...and Steve Carell and Dane Cook with both quite funny.

What did I get my roomie for her bday? Well...I made a mint no bake cheesecake for her to take and eat with her family. I knew it wasn't on my diet, so I was glad she could enjoy it with them. She said it was good and they liked it...in fact, I think her sister got very excited about it. LOL I also got her 2 books about MS, health and weight loss. She's doing all the research she can and they have a lot of ideas and meals plans in there...so I hope she finds them helpful. I also got her some smelly stuff from Tar-get...and some pistachios...cause they are yummy and she likes them. I think that's it...oh yeah...and a kick @rse card.

Saturday was kind of a busy day...which is kind of nice since I usually am not the Queen of Productive and Running around. What have I done today? Well...maybe if you are lucky, I will save that for another entry. *winks*

Holy wind Batman....and a weigh-in too!

Hey kids....it's Monday and that means we all survived Daylight Savings Time and the loss of our hour of sleep. Before I get to that elusive weigh-in stats, let me recap my weekend for you. (I like to keep you in suspense!)

I really wanted to get my run in on Saturday because I missed it last Saturday due to having to work and there being a huge snow storm. I have gotten used to having my Saturday runs, so I missed the week without it. The weather report looked bleak again...and it said it might be a day of rain/sleet/freezing rain. Pfft to that! It said it might not start until late morning, so I got up an hour earlier...and headed out on my run earlier than usual. I got about 3 miles and change in...and it started raining. I thought I would tough it out for a while, but then the wind picked up some too...and the rain was cold and biting. So, I turned in early...and only went a little over 4 miles. I am glad though...that I got most of it in...and didn't ditch the whole run because of the possibility of rain.

Ah, Daylight Saving Time...it's upon us again. I love this time of year...when it stays late so much later. Remember those times in summer when drive-in movies don't start until at least 9pm because that is when it really starts to turn to dusk. I love having the light for so much more of the day. I did feel like I missed the sleep though...because of the DAMN wind! I tried to go to bed early on Saturday night...to steal that extra hour of sleep back, but the wind was howling...and it was so loud. I was amazed at how intense it was...I was worried the power was going to go out...and it almost did. I was awake well past midnight...and that's late for me, so it's obvious I didn't get to snag an extra hour of sleep. I also didn't get to sleep in on Sunday...because I was up bright and early for church. I could have skipped it, but I committed to going to church each and every Sunday during the Lentin period...and I believe in honoring my commitments.

I did catch a quick nap on Sunday afternoon...and that helped. Of course, it just made me not tired for going to bed until about 11pm on Sunday night, but I still went to bed at 10pm because I am a creature of habit. I watched a little crap TV and was in dreamland sometime after 11pm.

Alright....on to this weigh-in mumbo jumbo. As I've said, I am working on transitioning....and stopping this weight loss momentum. I am working on maintaining...something I have never done well. I can lose weight pretty easily...and gain weight even easier. But staying the same weight...or within the same weight range, is much more difficult for me. I usually go immediately from losing weight to gaining weight. Not going to play that game again...I swear it. Well, my body is obviously still in losing mode....since I lost 3 freakin' pounds this week.

I'm still following the plan...I figure, the plan worked during the weight loss portion, so I need to trust it and follow it during the transition phase. Plus, I get to add even more things in this week. I had already been adding in those starchy and sugary veggies like corn and carrots....added in fruit (oh how I love fruit!)....and this week...adding more dairy in. I bought some yogurt that I cannot wait to try. Next week...I add in grains...which means bread in some sense or another. I haven't had bread in so many months...I think that will be the most bizarre of all.

Let's hope next week doesn't see another drop on the scale...because if it does, I might start eating a diet full of just ice cream and candy! lol (just kidding people...no need to send a diet intervention my way! )

I'm a happy kid...cause it's Friday!

Hey y'all.....Happy Friday! I am glad it is the end of the week...and that the weekend is upon us.

Anyone have any fun and exciting plans this weekend? Not too much for me...just more of the same ol', same old. I hope to get a run in on Saturday morning, but right now I am not sure if the weather is going to work with me. We are supposed to get some rain and possibly sleet tonight...and then there is going to be a window tomorrow until late morning and then it is starting all over again. So, my run will depend on how bad the sleet is...and what time late morning actually means. If it doesn't start until 10:30am or 11am...I could most likely get my run in before it, but if it starts spitting and being all nasty at like 9am...probably no run for me. So, cross your fingers that the weather holds out...at least until I can get my running shoes on and across town.

And then, I am doing the standard shopping...and running a few errands. My dad and I might look for new patio furniture for the back porch. We have some, but it's kind of old...and therefore, ratty. I am not sure if we need new ones or if we just have to power wash the ones we have...to pretty them up. I figure...we'll look around while we are puttering through Wal-Mart and Target during our Saturday shopping adventures.

I also have to make sure I get some much needed workouts in this weekend....I didn't workout on Wednesday or Thursday this week. I woke up with a huge charlie horse on Tuesday morning...and the pain lingered around for a few days. So, basically...my lower right leg felt like it wanted to fall off. I did think that running on the elliptical was probably a bad idea then, eh? I massaged the bejesus out of my calf muscle last night...and took a nice, hot shower and massaged it again...and voila...it feels so much better this morning. I'll be hitting the elliptical tonight...hopefully running tomorrow...and elliptical or weights on Sunday. I usually skip working out on Sunday, but not since I skipped two days during the week.

Alright...that's about all I have for updates. I hope everyone has a fantabulous weekend! Hugs all around....

Oops...missed Monday's weigh-in report!

My bad y'all....I let Monday come and go without mentioning anything about my weekly stepping on the scale. I weighed in...I just forgot to tell you all about it.

Well, this week...as I have been transitioning out of the weight loss phase and into the maintenance phase, I still lose 2 lbs. I am going to trust the transitioning process...and know that my weight may fluctuate a little bit in the next few weeks to a month. I'll have to make some changes if I keep losing at this even clip, but I also want to give the transition period a chance to work. What a problem to have, eh? Worried about losing too much...I never thought I'd be saying that.

I am adding a new food group item...each and every week. Last week, I added more veggies...and some of those forbidden veggies. I hadn't been eating things like carrots or corn because even though they are healthy...they are the starchier of the vegetables. So, last week...those resurfaced! And this week, I am adding fruit back into my diet. I have missed fruit something fierce...and last night...eating my thawed out frozen peaches...it was like I was in heaven. In the next coming weeks...I am adding more dairy to my diet and then adding in the grains. I've gotten so used to not eating any bread or anything in the grains family...that I know that is going to take some getting used to.

As for exercise, I didn't get my run in on Saturday...which of course...bummed me out. I really look forward to it each and every week. I had to work in the morning...and even if I did...we got hammered with quite a snow storm, so running outside wouldn't have been an option. I didn't just laze around though...I spent a lot of time with Mr. Elliptical over the weekend and made up for my lack of run. Next Saturday though...I am hoping that the weather is on my side and I get another run in, especially since my race is now less than a month away.

Hugs to all....and I hope everyone is having a healthy and happy week!

Monday Weigh-In 2/25

Hi kids....it's Monday, so of course...it's weigh-in day.

Oh, I never updated about if I got to go on my run...and how it went. I did go on my run. The weather was alright...and even warm (for February). The temp was in the high 20s...so it felt balmy compared to last week's run. I headed out...and planned on getting th 5.25 miles in. My main objective was to work on my time...and try to get a better pace. I ran the first mile as I usually do...and then every ten minutes I would run for at least one minute at a faster pace. I figured it was the best way to pick up my pace.

It worked....I ran a slow 15 minute mile last Saturday. It took me 75 minutes to run 5.2 miles. This week...I ran 5.25 miles and got it done in 62 minutes. Holy smokes. I am shocked I finished the same distance 13 minutes faster. I expected it to be a smidge better, but while I was running it...it didn't seem all that much faster. If I do the math, I ran about a 12 minute mile...and for right now, I'll take it. I need to keep working on it before the race in March, but all in all...I am a happy, happy girl.

Okay...enough about running. What about this weigh-in? I started my transition program last week. Not a lot changed, but I am slowly adding things back in. So, since things weren't different...I wouldn't have been surprised if I still lost weight. And...I did. I lost 2 lbs this week for a total of 69 lbs this week. I can't believe I am one pound shy of having lost 70 lbs. That just seems nuts since at first...I thought it would be great if I could lose 45 lbs. I got to the point that I didn't want to do the job half assed like I have every time before. I didn't want to stop until it was done. And now...I am there.

Whoo to the hoo people!!!

Saturday report....

Happy Saturday everyone!!!

I can't believe I haven't updated since Tuesday...I kept meaning to, but then I didn't. So, for today...I will do a bunch of mini-updates.

I think my roomie is feeling better...or at least that's what she says in email. I work days and she works nights, so I don't actually see her until the weekend comes around. She says her voice is still shot, but she is working towards being healthy again. That's great...and what else is great is that to this point...I have not gotten sick. *knocking on wood* The only thing that really happened...is that the constant washing of my hands...has left them super dry and I have a heat rash that has broken out on one of my hands from the constant washing in hot water. I'll survive though...and I am moisturizing like a mo'fo.

I did my taxes this week. I e-filed, so it doesn't take much effort...just entered all the info in the little boxes and clicked send. I am supposed to get my money back sometime next week. I plan on just using the money to pay off more school loans and what not, so nothing exciting...but I feel good having them done.

I had a good day at work yesterday. A client I haven't seen in about 2 years came to the office to say hello and catch up. He wasn't doing so well for a while, so it was great to see him...and see him doing well. It put a big huge smile on my face to see him walk into the office. Sometimes...the work I do can get overwhelming. The success stories are few and far between...so, it's nice to see someone on the right path, no matter how long or what it took for him to get himself there. It left me in a cheery mood on Friday.

And now...I am hoping to get my Saturday run in. It snowed yesterday, but it's stopped now. I hope the roads are safe enough because I would be really sad to not have my run. Today, I am going to run the 5 miles again, but I am also going to work on my speed. I think I am going to do some interval training. I am going to run my normal jogging speed for 4 minutes and then sprint for the 5th minute...then run for another 4 minutes...then sprint. I hope that will help me pick up my speed over the entire run...and keep me going for the whole five miles. I'll let y'all know how it goes.

Alright...I'm off to start my Saturday. I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!

the little train that could...

After the first of the year, I decided I really wanted to run a local race in March. I've talked about it before. I don't know why it felt so important to me to run this race...but it did. I have a few ideas....one, it's a St. Patty's Day run (even though it's after the holiday) and two, it would seem like a great show that my level of fitness is where I want it to be.

At first, I thought it was a 5K run. I convinced myself that no matter what....I should be able to handle a 5K. When I went out to try running for the first time....and within a mile...felt like I was dying, I was not so sure about this whole 5K business. But, I thought...I CAN DO IT. I WILL DO IT.

Then I got on the race's website...and my heart sank. It wasn't a 5K race, it was a 5 MILE race. Holy bejesus! I had some serious doubts that I would be able to run for 5 miles...since I was still trying to convince myself I could run for 3.1 miles (5K).

The tides started to turn a few weeks back when I headed out on my Saturday run to my dad's house. I ran for 33 minutes without stopping....and ran 2.5 miles. I was shocked and hopeful. Then the next week, I went 3.5 miles. The next week, I went 4 miles. So, not only did I run farther than a 5K, but I was getting very close to that 5 mile mark that made my heart sink about a month ago.

This Saturday...the goal was to run the 5 miles. I mapped it out...and had a plan. It was flippin' cold on Saturday. It was about 15 degrees when I headed out the door. As I did my warm up walk, I considered turning around...since my legs were numb and as I continued, my lower lip got numb. Nuts, right? But I kept going. As I started jogging...I warmed right up and all was right with the world. I kept jogging...I jogged the 2.5 miles I did in week 1...the 3.5 miles I did in week 2...the 4 miles I did in week 3...and then I kept trucking on. The last mile was more hilly than the rest...but I trudged on.

All in all...I jogged 5.2 miles. OMFG...for someone who started out not being able to run for a mile without huffing and puffing and having to stop to walk...I went for 5 miles without stopping...in freezing cold weather. I didn't jog very fast, but I don't care...I kept jogging.

In the next month, I am going to focus on picking up my speed a little bit...but not today, today a just enjoy the fact that someone who never thought she could run...ran 5 miles...and a little.

It's Sunday already.....

Happy Sunday y'all....

This weekend has been active and also lazy. How does that work??? Well, I will tell you. On Saturday, I got up at 7am...my muscles were a little tired and checked the weather report. Saturdays are my days when I jog from my apartment to my dad's place. I heard snow was coming, so I wanted to make sure it wasn't happening in the morning. Well, the weather said that the snow wasn't coming until noon or so. I had breakfast and drank lots of water...and got my winter workout clothes on...and headed out the door.

I started jogging and still felt a little tired, so I decided I could cut the run short if I wanted to, but well...it's just not my style. So, I got to the 2.5 mile marker...and kept going. I got to the 3.5 mile marker, which is where I stopped last time...and decided to keep going. I ended up going 4.25 miles or so. I ran straight for 60 minutes...and I have never done that before. Next time, 5 miles is the goal. I felt great this week...that I kept going and pushed myself to add more distance.

My dad and I went shopping as usual...and I found an electric blanket on sale for 50% off. I wanted one a few months earlier, but they were so expensive...at least 70 dollars. That seems nuts to me. So, since it was so cheap...I threw it in the cart. I planned on paying for it, but when it came time to checkout...my dad bought it for me. He really is a kind and wonderful person...and of course, not just because he bought me a blanket. I'm a lucky girl. I also bought rechargeable batteries for my new mp3 player and so it is all juiced up again. Hopefully next week I will have a run with tunes. Oh, I plugged my blanket in last night...and turned it on low...it was nice sleeping with a blanket of warmth all around me.

It snowed off and on all day yesterday and today. The snow this morning when I went to church was light and fluffy. It is so pretty outside...I'd go take a pic of it to show you, but well...I'm too lazy. I was going to workout today, but since my bones were so tired yesterday pre-run, I decided to skip it and give myself a break. All I have done today other than church and hanging with my dad for a while...is watch TV and lounge on the couch.

I hope everyone had a great weekend...and let's hope it was more exciting than mine. Hugs all.

P.S. On schedule for the upcoming week...I am going to do my taxes and see how much I am getting back...and hopefully I won't have to pay anything.

TGIF

Thank God It Is Friday....this week has just dragged for me. I had this Monday off work and I have next Friday off work, so each day in between...has just taken FOREVER.

Plus, we got a pretty nasty ice storm Wednesday night into Thursday. It was pouring rain and then freezing rain and then snow on top of that. When I got up on Thursday, I looked outside...and it didn't look too bad. Well...until I got out to my car to warm it up before cleaning it off. My car was covered with at least a 1/2 inch of ice, if not more. I pulled and pulled on the door and COULD NOT get it open. I wondered if my lack of door opening abilities was going to keep me home from work. Well, I refuse to let the ice win...so I got the key to my dad's van out from my keychain...and started stabbing it along the seam of the door. (I used my dad's key because with my luck...the key would break and if it was the key to either my car or the apartment...umm, that would be bad). The key didn't break and after about 10 minutes of hacking away...and then pulling like mad on the door...rinse and repeat, etc. I FINALLY got the door open...and crawled inside and turned the car on. I cleaned off some of the car...and then went inside to wait for it to warm up and start to de-ice.

With all of that ice related drama...I was only 15 minutes late for work. Go me! We all know I love snow...but this ice business, I could do without it.

Oh...and last night, I was doing weight lifting instead of cardio, so my muscles are just a tad sore and tired this morning. I woke up...was getting ready and went down to warm up my car and my door was frozen shut again. I pulled on the door...and felt every single muscle in my arm. lol. Luckily, the door opened with only a little nudging because if it was going to take strength...my arms didn't have it in them today.

Oooh...again. I forgot to mention. They opened up the registration this week, so I officially signed up for the 5 mile race in March. I sent in the money...and ah, it feels so good to be official. I am really looking forward to it. I planning on running again to my dad's tomorrow morning...as long as the roads aren't still covered in ice. I jogged 3.5 miles last Saturday, so I am aiming for a full 4.5 or 5 miles this Saturday. I have it measured all out, so as long as my legs stay with me...it should be doable.

I hope everyone enjoys their Friday...and has a fabulous weekend. I don't have a lot planned. Jogging to dad's on Saturday...running errands...grocery shopping. Church on Sunday...and sometime this week a quick clean of the apartment.

Hugs all...

Football recap...and of course, a weigh-in!

Hey y'all.....

So, did you watch the Superbowl last night?? I did. I went over and watched it with my dad since my roomie isn't interested at all in anything sports related, so I thought I wouldn't torture her with me watching the game. I am not a huge football fan...meaning I don't go insane like I do when watching Red Sox games, etc...so, I didn't really care who won. I would have liked to see the Pats win since they went undefeated all season long...and that is a really special thing. But, I would also like to see the Giants win...not for the Giants, but for Eli Manning. I am a fan of his brother Peyton and both of the Mannings seem like just the nicest guys.

So...hooray for Eli and his Giants. It was a really entertaining game. It wasn't decided until the final minute. I would much rather have a game like that...then one where the outcome was decided after the 1st quarter.

Alright...enough of this fooseball talk. Let's get to the Monday Weigh-In/ Weight loss talk!!! It is Monday, yes??? I have been exercising like crazy this week. I went for a run on Monday, weight training on Tuesday, rest on Wednesday, Elliptical on Thursday, Elliptical on Friday, the big run on Saturday and weight training again yesterday. So, I have been working out pretty hardcore this week...plus, watching my food as always, etc.

And did it pay off??? Of course. I lost 3 lbs this week. That makes a total weight loss of 63 pounds. My plan...is to start transitioning from weight loss to maintenance the day after Valentine's Day. The plan is to slowly start adding things back in...so that I don't go back to eating the way I was before...and gain all the weight back. And, it is also supposed to only add one thing at a time, so that my system doesn't get completely shocked by the addition of new things that it hasn't seen since the fall of 2007.

Hugs all....

I think I can, I think I can....

Hi all...I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend....at least, so far.

What have I done today? Well...I got up at about 7:30am (which is completely sleeping in for me), had breakfast, watched a little bit of a movie and then got dressed and got ready to head out for my run of the day.

As I said yesterday....I planned on jogging from my apartment to my dad's place today. I headed out at about 9:45am. It was cold this morning, but not too cold. It was in the high 20s. It felt pretty gosh darn cold when I started, but after about 10 minutes or so, I warmed right up. Anyways....so, how did it go? Well...I warmed my legs up with a walk for about 5 or 10 minutes and then started jogging. I decided to just keep going as long as I could. I ended up running for 33 minutes. Holy Bejesus...I didn't think I had that in me. I thought I could run 10 minutes...maybe a little more. I kept making deals with myself...run 10 minutes...okay, now run til the end of the street....now run until the circle in town...now run until I get to the hospital. I stopped a half mile from my dad's house so I would have time to cool down, etc. I ended up running about 2.5 miles...so obviously it wasn't a super fast run, but who cares...it was a run!

I feel so good about getting it accomplished. I'll be honest...when I started out on the run, I was nervous...I was afraid. I have never been a runner, so I wasn't sure I could do it. And now..I know that this race in March can happen. I went to google maps and figured out different routes I can take to add distance to the run time...until I get up to a nice 5 miles.

Whoo hoo. Running is something I CAN do now and that's awesome. I am really looking forward to next Saturday and doing it all again.

Enjoy your Saturday night y'all.