It's interesting how we all have our own personal struggles and can feel so alone; however as I come back on to blogger and check out blogs I used to read consistently, I notice a pattern similar to my own. I've been keeping away from my blog and blogger in general due to my own embarrassment at having gained my weight back and not running anymore. How could I put this down on "paper"? How could I face others? Imagine my surprise when I come back to see several people I follow having the same problem.
Weight loss is easy. Maintenance is hard. My last half marathon was scheduled for the end of 2011. I had to cancel due to work and was so bitter about it, I said "Screw Running!" I was so mad about something I couldn't control that I allowed it to control what I could. I stopped running. I started going off my eating plan. Then I was surprised when I woke up a year later and had gained every single pound back. I'm mad at myself for allowing something else have such an effect on me.
But it's time to turn this around and stop letting that dictate how I act, feel, and do. My work schedule is changing and will allow me to have a more easily kept to consistent workout schedule. I won't be working at a place where we serve delicious comfort (junk, crap) food to the youth living in our residential facility and I won't have constant access to the pantry filled with cookies, pastries, chips, etc. I'll be working a regular 8 to 5, M-F job with less stress and an ability to bring in ONLY what I will eat that day. I won't have the option to say F' This! I'm going to eat what they're eating instead of the good-for-me food I brought. I know this doesn't completely cut out any temptation and I know it will still take work from me, but I feel this is one check on the GO ME side of the column.
I'm excited. I'm ready. Bring. It. On.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Starting Fresh and New!
I'm sick of the "new relationship belly", especially now that we're over 8 months together and that new relationship belly amounts to gaining back 37 pounds! Yesterday I started watching my food using the Weight Watchers points plus system. Not going to meetings at this time, but I'm not counting that out yet.
I am currently 233.4 pounds! That's CRAZY!! I'm only 21 pounds from my heaviest and it's time to do something about it.
My darling boyfriend (DB) is also working on watching what he eats and has joined a gym. Having someone to do this with will help. I also have all the control over the food that comes into this house, because I do the grocery shopping and he doesn't cook much. For me to be successful with food, I need to have almost complete control. I need to plan my day's eating and keep multiple snacks at work. I need to write over all food packages with the points that everything contains. I need to plan my week's meals using WW friendly recipes (this week is Turkey Parmesan Meatloaf and Brown Rice Casserole) and pack things in single serving packages. Most of all, I need to drink less beer and drink more water...=)
I don't know if I'm ready to get back to running again. I was set to run a half marathon in November, but at the last minute, I kind of got screwed over at work and was told I couldn't go even though I had asked for the time off with plenty of time to spare. I was pissed to say the least. I rebelled a bit. And since I couldn't really rebel at work, I took a break from running. A lonnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggg break. I haven't run since. Of course, I still pay my monthly gym bill. And this not running thing has definitely contributed to the weight gain. Now that I've moved in with DB, I need to switch which Planet Fitness I go to. It will be even closer to where I live, so I think that will be helpful. Also, when I go, I'm not going to run. I've always wanted to learn how to do the circuit workout and I think the variety would be fun. It's only 30 minutes, so it would be over quicker than most of my running workouts. I think it's just what I need.
This week's goal: Track everything (even though my supervisor is taking us out to Macaroni Grill for an appreciation dinner) and talk with Planet Fitness to get my membership switched to the other gym. I hope I don't get charged any kind of fee. That would be lame.
I am currently 233.4 pounds! That's CRAZY!! I'm only 21 pounds from my heaviest and it's time to do something about it.
My darling boyfriend (DB) is also working on watching what he eats and has joined a gym. Having someone to do this with will help. I also have all the control over the food that comes into this house, because I do the grocery shopping and he doesn't cook much. For me to be successful with food, I need to have almost complete control. I need to plan my day's eating and keep multiple snacks at work. I need to write over all food packages with the points that everything contains. I need to plan my week's meals using WW friendly recipes (this week is Turkey Parmesan Meatloaf and Brown Rice Casserole) and pack things in single serving packages. Most of all, I need to drink less beer and drink more water...=)
I don't know if I'm ready to get back to running again. I was set to run a half marathon in November, but at the last minute, I kind of got screwed over at work and was told I couldn't go even though I had asked for the time off with plenty of time to spare. I was pissed to say the least. I rebelled a bit. And since I couldn't really rebel at work, I took a break from running. A lonnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggg break. I haven't run since. Of course, I still pay my monthly gym bill. And this not running thing has definitely contributed to the weight gain. Now that I've moved in with DB, I need to switch which Planet Fitness I go to. It will be even closer to where I live, so I think that will be helpful. Also, when I go, I'm not going to run. I've always wanted to learn how to do the circuit workout and I think the variety would be fun. It's only 30 minutes, so it would be over quicker than most of my running workouts. I think it's just what I need.
This week's goal: Track everything (even though my supervisor is taking us out to Macaroni Grill for an appreciation dinner) and talk with Planet Fitness to get my membership switched to the other gym. I hope I don't get charged any kind of fee. That would be lame.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
On the Go
Hey all! Writing this post from Panera. What's better than a random day off of work, treating yourself to a meal out, and getting caught up on internet stuff? Nothing, that's what. =) I decided to come to Panera, since this week at Weight Watchers we discussed eating out. Trying to eat out on WW can be difficult, especially if you're used to eating whatever you want or see that looks good. Let's face it: Most restaurants are not in the business to keep you healthy. They're trying to entice you to eat and eat a lot.
I've never been much of the type to eat out, but when I did I would go for it! It was always considered a treat, so I would eat whatever I felt like. Now, trying to eat out and do that sensibly can be hard. One thing that has helped me since starting WW has been to figure out what I'm going to eat beforehand. I'll check the Dining Out Companion or check on-line. I pick out a few things that look good that will allow me to stay within my points and go with that list in mind. Panera probably makes that the easiest with their Pick 2 option, but there are many hidden traps if you haven't researched (like the Sierra Turkey Sandwich...crazy!). Today I got my usual: Vegetarian Black Bean soup with 1/2 Smoked Turkey Breast sandwich. Heaven!
Learning to eat out on plan can be a difficult and stressful experience, but if you take a few moments of your time to research and pre-plan it can be done. Living on plan doesn't have to translate into you being a hermit, sitting and eating at home. Get out! Enjoy life! =)
I've never been much of the type to eat out, but when I did I would go for it! It was always considered a treat, so I would eat whatever I felt like. Now, trying to eat out and do that sensibly can be hard. One thing that has helped me since starting WW has been to figure out what I'm going to eat beforehand. I'll check the Dining Out Companion or check on-line. I pick out a few things that look good that will allow me to stay within my points and go with that list in mind. Panera probably makes that the easiest with their Pick 2 option, but there are many hidden traps if you haven't researched (like the Sierra Turkey Sandwich...crazy!). Today I got my usual: Vegetarian Black Bean soup with 1/2 Smoked Turkey Breast sandwich. Heaven!
Learning to eat out on plan can be a difficult and stressful experience, but if you take a few moments of your time to research and pre-plan it can be done. Living on plan doesn't have to translate into you being a hermit, sitting and eating at home. Get out! Enjoy life! =)
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
2011
I'm back! I struggled with internet connection and motivation to write in here, but I'm ready to start this back up again. A few things have happened since I last wrote. Most notably, I ran the Women's Half Marathon in St. Petersburg, FL in November. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life! My friend and I ran together for the first 6.5 miles and then split off. We hadn't planned to run together, but it made the first half go by fast. Once I hit 9 miles, I thought "I can see how people do this." =) At 10 miles, I just thought "only a 5K left!" Then at 11 miles, I thought..."my legs are going to fall off. What am I doing?" Haha...=) My hamstrings, thighs, and glutes burned! But when I made it to 12 miles, I knew I could do it if I just kept moving one foot after another. And I finished. I finished. I FINISHED! My total time was 3:00:45. My optimistic goal was 3 hours, so I feel pretty good about that time. Once I was done, I knew I wanted to do another one. Crazy lady!
I've also officially started Weight Watchers. I followed it unofficially from January 2010 to December 2010. I lost 50 pounds on my own; however from July to December I continued to re-gain and re-lose the same 10 pounds. It was frustrating and annoying. I would get so close to being under 200 pounds and never make it. In December WW changed their system. It seemed like a good time to start attending meetings and becoming an official member. I did great losing 40 pounds on my own. Now I need to Ask For Help (WW tool) from others to continue on my journey. I've been to 3 meetings and I think my leader is awesome! =) Right now I weigh 211.8. My first goal is 201.8 (5% of my starting weight). I'm back in it and I'm ready!
This blog will comprise of my journey on to being a healthy, fit person. My goal is to write at least once every two weeks (if not every week). I'm sure I'll be bursting to come here and post on my good weeks, but I'll also work to be honest on the not-so-good ones.
Good luck to all that are on this venture. We can do it and come out on top!
I've also officially started Weight Watchers. I followed it unofficially from January 2010 to December 2010. I lost 50 pounds on my own; however from July to December I continued to re-gain and re-lose the same 10 pounds. It was frustrating and annoying. I would get so close to being under 200 pounds and never make it. In December WW changed their system. It seemed like a good time to start attending meetings and becoming an official member. I did great losing 40 pounds on my own. Now I need to Ask For Help (WW tool) from others to continue on my journey. I've been to 3 meetings and I think my leader is awesome! =) Right now I weigh 211.8. My first goal is 201.8 (5% of my starting weight). I'm back in it and I'm ready!
This blog will comprise of my journey on to being a healthy, fit person. My goal is to write at least once every two weeks (if not every week). I'm sure I'll be bursting to come here and post on my good weeks, but I'll also work to be honest on the not-so-good ones.
Good luck to all that are on this venture. We can do it and come out on top!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Autumn Rock n Run
So, I need to continue to write in a blog? I can't just write one entry and leave it at that? Oh, I see. =)
I haven't written, because I've been so worried about what to write. Once you start a blog, there's some pressure there. Will people read it? Am I interesting enough? Do I have enough time for this? And so on and so on. I'll do my best, I guess, to not disappoint. And I have a follower!! Hi, BusyRunningMama!
This last Saturday I had a 5K. I was pretty pumped about it, because I thought I'd get a new PR (personal record). My current PR is 37 minutes. I was pretty convinced I could do it in 35. I was also excited because I had convinced another friend to sign up for it. Her first 5K! How exciting is that?
Here's a picture of my t-shirt, number and the race route.
The day started out pretty well, but it was HOTTTT and very humid. Florida summer running is not for the faint of heart. I placed myself in the 10+ minute mile corral after warming up. My friend started there too. I usually run 5Ks by myself. It helps me to stay focused on my race (of course, it helps that my running friends all run farther distances than me, 15Ks, marathons, etc.). I hadn't really talked with her prior about this, but I felt somewhat responsible for her. It was her FIRST, remember? Once we started going, my excitement was bubbling over and I kept looking over at her. Nothing compares to your first race and the look on her face was awesome. We were both going along at a pretty good clip. I felt good about my chances of a new PR. At the water station halfway through, I told her I was going to walk a bit and she could keep going. I do a run/walk combo based on how I'm feeling. At that point, I knew I needed to walk for a minute or two to catch my breath and finish the race well.
It was then that tragedy struck. Stomach cramps! If you've ever had them, you understand what I'm talking about. You can't even force yourself to overcome them and run. The only choice is to walk (i.e. hobble) until they go away. As I went along, I kept thinking about my options. Quitting wasn't going to happen. I paid for the race, so I'm going to finish it (and my car was farther away than the finish line). =) When a woman passed by me with a stroller, I took a deep breath and wished the cramps away for the 10th time. Looking at my Garmin, I saw my PR time come and go. All said and done, I ended up having to walk an entire mile of the race. With a 1/2 mile to go, the cramps let up and I BOOKED it! I did the last 1/2 in 4 minutes, which helped me make up some time. I finished in 42, which isn't my worst time. I'm not going to lie and say I'm not disappointed. I am. But, I'm happy I finished. There was a twinge of jealousy when I saw that my friend had finished in 36...for her first race. But, I'm happy for her too. And now I have a new convert!
My lesson from this race is that I will have bad days. I will also have good days. I can't quit running because of one bad day. It makes me feel great and I've accomplished so much. I can't quit now!
My next focus is a 5 mile and 2 mile distance dare event. You can sign up for either race or you can do the distance dare and run them both. The only caveat is that you have to finish the 5 miles before the 2 mile race starts. There is 1 hour 15 minutes between the two. So...I'm going to have to speed it up a bit. I'm not worried about how I do on the 2 mile. My focus will be finishing the 5 miles in time. Here I come!
I haven't written, because I've been so worried about what to write. Once you start a blog, there's some pressure there. Will people read it? Am I interesting enough? Do I have enough time for this? And so on and so on. I'll do my best, I guess, to not disappoint. And I have a follower!! Hi, BusyRunningMama!
This last Saturday I had a 5K. I was pretty pumped about it, because I thought I'd get a new PR (personal record). My current PR is 37 minutes. I was pretty convinced I could do it in 35. I was also excited because I had convinced another friend to sign up for it. Her first 5K! How exciting is that?
Here's a picture of my t-shirt, number and the race route.
The day started out pretty well, but it was HOTTTT and very humid. Florida summer running is not for the faint of heart. I placed myself in the 10+ minute mile corral after warming up. My friend started there too. I usually run 5Ks by myself. It helps me to stay focused on my race (of course, it helps that my running friends all run farther distances than me, 15Ks, marathons, etc.). I hadn't really talked with her prior about this, but I felt somewhat responsible for her. It was her FIRST, remember? Once we started going, my excitement was bubbling over and I kept looking over at her. Nothing compares to your first race and the look on her face was awesome. We were both going along at a pretty good clip. I felt good about my chances of a new PR. At the water station halfway through, I told her I was going to walk a bit and she could keep going. I do a run/walk combo based on how I'm feeling. At that point, I knew I needed to walk for a minute or two to catch my breath and finish the race well.
It was then that tragedy struck. Stomach cramps! If you've ever had them, you understand what I'm talking about. You can't even force yourself to overcome them and run. The only choice is to walk (i.e. hobble) until they go away. As I went along, I kept thinking about my options. Quitting wasn't going to happen. I paid for the race, so I'm going to finish it (and my car was farther away than the finish line). =) When a woman passed by me with a stroller, I took a deep breath and wished the cramps away for the 10th time. Looking at my Garmin, I saw my PR time come and go. All said and done, I ended up having to walk an entire mile of the race. With a 1/2 mile to go, the cramps let up and I BOOKED it! I did the last 1/2 in 4 minutes, which helped me make up some time. I finished in 42, which isn't my worst time. I'm not going to lie and say I'm not disappointed. I am. But, I'm happy I finished. There was a twinge of jealousy when I saw that my friend had finished in 36...for her first race. But, I'm happy for her too. And now I have a new convert!
My lesson from this race is that I will have bad days. I will also have good days. I can't quit running because of one bad day. It makes me feel great and I've accomplished so much. I can't quit now!
My next focus is a 5 mile and 2 mile distance dare event. You can sign up for either race or you can do the distance dare and run them both. The only caveat is that you have to finish the 5 miles before the 2 mile race starts. There is 1 hour 15 minutes between the two. So...I'm going to have to speed it up a bit. I'm not worried about how I do on the 2 mile. My focus will be finishing the 5 miles in time. Here I come!
I've included an image of why I run. Well, partly why I run. So I can have these. =)
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Let's See How This Goes
I've been really getting into a few blogs lately and thought I might enjoy starting my own. This will most likely involve what's been on my mind for the past 8 months: getting healthy. I quit smoking August 3rd, 2009 and have continued to be a non-smoker (Go me!!). Around January 2010, I was getting a little antsy. I'm a goal-setter, so I was interested in having something new that I could start working on. Long story short, I started a self-made version of Weight Watchers based on things I received from a former member and information I found online. To be clear, I haven't actually been to a WW meeting in person or online. I also started running at some point, but I think I'll save that story for another post.
I first weighed in at 253 pounds (!!!), which seemed so crazy to me. Although, to be honest, it wasn't completely unwarranted. One of my quit-smoking techniques was to allow myself to eat anything I wanted. =) I've had a few small setbacks since January, which included a 3 week jury duty stint. It was a little hard to eat well during that, but for the most part I've done well keeping up with my tracking and watching my activity level. Today I weighed 205 pounds! That means 199 lbs is clearly in my sights. I haven't been under 200 since my undergraduate career! =) I can't wait to meet this goal and continue to set new ones.
I think this blog will help me continue on my goal. I would like to meet others who are also working on this journey. It may even help to motivate others, which would be a great side effect!
I've also been thinking lately about starting to attend actual WW meetings. I've come pretty far on my own, but it would be nice to see what I'm missing by doing this on my own. I think it would also be great to have other people excited for me when I do well. That bathroom can be kind of quiet when I'm weighing by myself =) A budget has been started, so I can see if I can eke out the extra money for meetings. It's a little tight as it is.
Well, I guess that's it for an introduction, eh? I hope you stick around and we can help each other! Have a great day!
I first weighed in at 253 pounds (!!!), which seemed so crazy to me. Although, to be honest, it wasn't completely unwarranted. One of my quit-smoking techniques was to allow myself to eat anything I wanted. =) I've had a few small setbacks since January, which included a 3 week jury duty stint. It was a little hard to eat well during that, but for the most part I've done well keeping up with my tracking and watching my activity level. Today I weighed 205 pounds! That means 199 lbs is clearly in my sights. I haven't been under 200 since my undergraduate career! =) I can't wait to meet this goal and continue to set new ones.
I think this blog will help me continue on my goal. I would like to meet others who are also working on this journey. It may even help to motivate others, which would be a great side effect!
I've also been thinking lately about starting to attend actual WW meetings. I've come pretty far on my own, but it would be nice to see what I'm missing by doing this on my own. I think it would also be great to have other people excited for me when I do well. That bathroom can be kind of quiet when I'm weighing by myself =) A budget has been started, so I can see if I can eke out the extra money for meetings. It's a little tight as it is.
Well, I guess that's it for an introduction, eh? I hope you stick around and we can help each other! Have a great day!
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