Training is the best form of motivation

It's proven that if you schedule your exercise like a meeting or other commitment, you are more likely to stick with an exercise routine. I know this is true for me. If you give me a training schedule, I will complete it and even feel guilty when I miss a day of training. It makes me work hard toward a goal. I enjoy hanging the schedule on my fridge and marking each day off with a highlighter. I've used this method for training for my two 5ks.

I decided that 2010 would indeed include a 10k. I used Active.com to find the Oak Island Lighthouse 10k and decided it would be perfect and close to home.



I started looking for a training schedule and had heard a lot of love for Jeff Galloway's method of training. He stresses taking walk breaks periodically to avoid injury and burn out. I know that I have to take them occasionally because of my knees and because I'm just a beginning runner. So his method sounds great to me. I also like that his training schedules are devised to help you stay injury free. I'm a klutz by nature and injury prone as it is, so anything that can help me avoid injury is a plus!

His 10k training plan is a 13 week plan, when I looked at the calendar I realized that to have the training completed in time for the 10k, I would have to start on Monday, which works out perfectly because, obviously, I'm finished training for the OIB Run for Food.

So here it is, my Lighthouse 10k Training Schedule which will be hung on the fridge as soon as I get home today.



For me, training is the best form of motivation. This week I am going to try and focus on non-running activities. Do some elliptical, bike and weights...maybe even a little indoor swimming. Next week it starts back again...granted on my cross training days I'll be free for other activities, but my focus will be running. I am excited to see what I can do!

OIB Run for Food Race Recap

 

I just completed the OIB Run for Food! It was a 5k and half marathon, I ran the 5k. It raised money for the local food pantry, a type of organization that I believe very strongly in. It was a no pressure, fun road race! The temperature was 26 degrees, cloudy and breezy. It was COLD. We had to cross a high rise bridge, twice. Not sure if you’re familiar with high rise beach bridges, but there is a lot of wind at the top!

 

My good friend Kelly came with me to act as cheerleader and my own personal paparazzi.

While lining up at the start, my worst nightmare was realized. My Ipod, which I fully charged last night, had somehow mysteriously died. I was going to have to run this without my awesome Run Mix I made and without the encouragement of the lovely gentleman (who I imagine looks a bit like Paul Wesley and is madly in love with me) that lives inside my Nike+Ipod. I thought for a split second about quitting, it was cold and this was a major blow, but I toughed it out!

I am so glad I did! The volunteers on this race were amazing. They cheered us on as if they knew us all personally. I know they were freezing too being out in the weather. I tried to thank every one that I passed. If my Ipod had been working I wouldn’t have been nearly as observant!

My finish time was 33:31. I’m not sure what I placed, it was too cold to stick around and find out! I had a great time running this race regardless of the cold. My 2nd 5k, and if I wasn’t sure before I certainly am now…I’m addicted. I’m ready for the next!

Happy Saturday everyone!!

Ready, set, go!

Tomorrow is the big day! The OIB Run for Food 5k. Here is the latest forecast:



I'm nervous that the morning will stay pretty cold with Friday night's low of 24 degrees, and with the wind on the high rise bridge I expect the wind chill to be COLD. I'm prepared though! I took the advice of many people and bought a compression shirt, warmer pants and I got out my fleece hat, fingerless mittens and ear cover. I think I'm as ready as I'm going to be for the cold weather. I will also be in layers, so I can strip down if need be.



I'm excited and feel more ready for this 5k than I did for the Greensboro Gobbler. My friend Kelly is coming with me to cheer me on and take pictures. She's not normally a morning person, like at all, so I'm extremely grateful that she is coming with me!

In other news, today was my weigh-in day. I am down 6lbs since January 1st! Now, now...I am fully aware that by weighing on 1/1, after a night of heavy drinking and very salty foods means this number is probably very skewed, but I will say that I have have had a good on-point week and it feels great to be back in a healthy routine, tracking, exercising and cooking.

Happy Friday everyone! Anyone have any exciting weekend plans? :)

A good cause and good motivation.

On Saturday after my post I started thinking about how I was going to keep myself motivated and active during the holiday season. I mentioned how my jeans were already getting a little tighter from all of the holiday festivities, so how was I going to stop that? I'm not expecting to loose any weight during this month, but I would at least like to stop gaining. I'm realistic.



I looked on Active.com and found a 5k close to home that takes place on January 9th. It's the Ocean Isle Beach Bridge Run for Food and proceeds benefit a local food pantry.

It's good motivation to keep moving throughout the month of December because my training schedule keeps me running all month:



and it raises money for a cause that I am passionate about. The holiday season is about giving, I am giving to the food pantry and I am giving myself the gift of health. It's a win-win situation.

I am excited for this 5k. The Greensboro Gobbler, my first race, I was so nervous and didn't know what to expect. I feel like I will have more fun at this one because I know what to expect. It will be a tough run though because the course is over the scenic high-rise Odell Williamson Bridge to the mainland and back to the island..



I am up for the challenge though! I am so proud of myself for finding ways to make sure I stay motivated and active during the holidays. The old me would have just surrendered to the temptations and said "January, I'll get back on track in January." It's never too late to be good...for Santa or for you! :)

I raise my Monday Morning coffee to you, here's to a great week!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I ran my 5k this morning and it was such an amazing experience. It was 40 degrees and foggy when I arrived. I wasn't thrilled with the temperature...



but after the race I was left with this feeling of accomplishment that I can't even begin to describe. It brought me to tears.



My chips stats were:

91 of 105 Age Group
1102 of 1311 overall
finish 36 minutes 32 seconds
average 12:25mi

Living at the beach did not give me the hill training I needed for this race, but I finished running, that was my main goal, and I did it!



Happy Turkey Day!

Giving Thanks

I knew my post today wasn't going to be about weight loss, I knew I wanted to write about what I am thankful for. Then I saw Roni's post asking what we are thankful for and realized I wasn't the only one with that idea and I think it's a great one.

I am thankful for my husband who puts up with me regardless of my antics on any given day. I know it's not easy to live with me, but he only rarely seems to mind. :)

I am thankful for my family. Some days they drive me absolutely nuts and some days they make me cry but I love each and every one of them more than words could ever express. They are amazing people and I feel truly lucky to call them family.

I am thankful for my health. I have the ability to get out of bed every day. I think I take this for granted too often. This in itself is an amazing gift.

I am thankful for my friends, they make me laugh and pick me up when I fall.

I am thankful for BlogToLose.com, everyone on that site is there for me when I feel like people in my "real life" don't understand the struggle I am going through changing my life. They just get me.

There is so much in my life that I am truly thankful for. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it really makes you think about all of the wonderful things in your life and gives you time to be with those you love. No pressure, just love and be loved in returned.

I won't be around much for several days, I'm going to see my family and won't have constant internet access. On Thursday morning I have my first 5k race and I am nervous and excited! Thanks to some extra motivation (in tee shirt form) from my dear friend Heather, I think I will just:




Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!!

Can you remind me?

Today makes 1 week since I've ran at all, longer since I've run well. I woke up last Saturday morning with a water balloon for a knee and I've not worked out since. It has been very painful, but it's finally starting to ease up. With my race on Thursday, I haven't wanted to risk it. I want to run that 5k. Tomorrow I am going to try and do an easy two miles, walking as much as I need to. It feels so weird now when I'm not exercising a lot, but I like that.

This weekend is going to be an emotional one. My best friend is moving away and this is our last hurrah. I just have to remember to keep my habits in check. Food will not make me feel any better and neither will booze. Ok, booze might temporarily help, but the next day I will feel worse.

On Wednesday I leave for Greensboro for Thanksgiving and I know that will be a test in willpower. I am going to allow myself to eat what I want...in moderation. I'm not going to be so concerned with counting points that I don't enjoy myself. I would feel worse for that than I would for eating poorly. I am going to fit activity in where I can and since I will be responsible for a good amount of the cooking on Thanksgiving Day and for our Tree Trimming party on Friday, I will substitute healthy options whenever possible.

I think I am writing this more for me than anyone else. I always tell people "Can you remind me to (insert random thing here)..." because if I say something out loud, even if they don't remind me I am always more apt to remember it, so if you guys don't mind...

Can you guys remind me to enjoy myself in moderation, enjoy the time with my friends and family and cherish every moment of the next week while keeping myself healthy? That would be great...Thanks. :)

What I could do...

I had a rock star week this week. I got a lot of activity in, I made new recipes, I felt powerful and strong. I blogged a lot. I went out with my friends, had 4 beers and stopped, was surrounded by cigarettes and fried food and turned both down, on more than one occasion this week. I made time for me, I focused on being happy and finding balance.

This morning, I got on the scale and I had a total weight loss of:

0 lbs


*crickets chirping*



What I could do is get upset. What I could do is go completely off point and binge. What I could do is get mad at myself. What I could do is say "the hell with it, I'm done". What I could do is act shocked, and pretend I don't know why this happened or make up some excuse about stress eating or how I must be gaining muscle.

BUT, I'm not going to do these things...that's what old Me would have done. What I am going to do is pride myself for having a rock star week regardless of what the scale says, admit that my size 12 jeans do feel a little more snug than before and admit that my late night snacking was a bit out of hand at the beginning of the week and especially last weekend while I was dog sitting. I knew it while I was doing it, but I chose to do it anyway.

I am also going to go forward with this week, knowing that I can have a great week again. I have power over my urges to snack. I am going to be aware of the food I am putting in my mouth, the choices I am making and I am going to move forward.

No excuses, just accountability.

Moving right along...

Yesterday was a 3 mile training run, I averaged 11:03/mi and was happy with that. IT was cold, windy and I was on a 14 hour long empty tummy. Today was a "rest" day, so I played a little Wii Fit after my weigh in (step aerobics, distance run and hula hoop) and then I did a morning Yoga DVD.

Tonight I am having a girlfriend over for dinner and scary movies. On the menu is Baked Slow Cooker Chicken, roasted butternut squash (there is also some squash and onion that the chicken is resting on top of instead of foil as the recipe notes) and she is making steamed artichokes. For dessert I have an assortment of Sugar Free Pudding cups and Yoplait Parfaits to choose from.

The whole chicken wouldn't fit into my tiny crockpot, so I had to hack the poor thing up. My husband laughed at me the whole time. I don't think it would be impossible for me to become a vegetarian if I had to disjoint my own meat often. I was taking do it the whole time "I'm so sorry little bird, oh that's so gross, I'm know that must hurt!". Yeah, I didn't like that experience and I think I will just stick with already cut up chickens going forward. Lesson learned.

I hope you all have a very Happy Halloween!

I am taking care of my body, and it will take care of me.

"I am taking care of my body, and it will take care of me." That was my positive affirmation for the day. I think yesterday was a good example of that! Yesterday I had a most productive and OP day. I have to say, I'm pretty proud of myself. After work, I went for a run...



My best run outdoors yet! Of course the entire first 1.5miles I had a stitch in my side the size of Texas, but I worked through it. I am on track with my 5k training schedule, but I forgot to take a picture of it this morning. Oops!

For dinner I tried 2 new recipes, both were amazing! If you don't make these for dinner soon you're just crazy. I started with Roni's Stuff Pork with Butternut Squash and Apples, I didn't have Bulgar, so I substituted whole wheat couscous and it worked GREAT! Make extra stuffing though, because you'll want it, it's tasty!

On the side, I found a recipe for Brussels Sprouts in Mustard Sauce and I love Brussels Sprouts. I added a little horseradish to the sauce and I chopped a little onion to go in there as well. This sauce is amazing. When you put the pork on the plate and it mixes with that sauce it's a wonderful combination too!

Yesterday at work I found a recipe for Pumpkin Apple Butter, it wasn't bad, but I wanted to do it my way. Here's how I reworked it...also, last night.

Pumpkin Apple Butter

Apples, 1 small raw, with skin
Water, 1/2 cup
Apples, 1 small raw, without skin
Pumpkin, 1 can
Pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp.
Sugars, brown 1/2 cup, loosely packed


Preparation

Combine 1 apple (cored and chopped) with skin on and 1/2 cup of water in blender and blend until liquefied.

Peel and core 2nd apple and then shred with a grater.

Combine apple "juice", shredded apple, 1 can of pumpkin, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar into a heavy duty saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 90 minutes until thickened.

1 serving is 2 Tablespoons. Serve on muffins, in oatmeal, in yogurt or on toast!

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 months.

I've attached the Nutrition Data that I figured using www.nutritiondata.com. I have calculated 0 points per serving, however I am going to count a serving as 1 point because based upon your apple sizes and how loosely you pack your sugar it could waiver a bit. This morning I mixed some into my yogurt, so good!

While all of that was cooking away, I opened my first pomegranate. It was a little messy, not too bad, but totally worth it! Yummy!

By the time I finally stopped moving last night it was after 9pm! Oh yeah, and I did 2 loads of laundry! :) I love productive days.

So far, so good...

One of the goals I've set for myself in an attempt to let go of my excuses is to lose 6lbs from my current weight today by Wednesday 11/25. That will be just shy of 5 weeks from today. I know I can do it, but it's going to take dedication. My current weight is:

165.1 lbs

So, if I lose 6lbs I will officially be at my first original weight loss goal of "Lose 50lbs" just in time to go home and visit my family for a long weekend of Thanksgiving activities. On that same day I will also complete another goal of mine, my very first 5k race. I think that will be a HUGE day for me emotionally and great motivation to make the next 5 weeks great! I'm doing well on my training:

On my first rest day, I did an Ab work out and yesterday I ran my 2.5miles with an average of 11:20/mi. I ran that outdoors on pavement. I am happy with that time, I really struggle running outside. I'm hoping that 5 weeks of outdoor runs whenever possible will get me over that.

Today is another rest day and my plan is to do an arm work out at home and follow up with a little Yoga.

My eating has been OK, Tuesday and Wednesday I did well, yesterday not so much. I didn't go totally overboard just a few extra pieces of this or that. I really need to get control of my late night snacking. I think a holiday craft project of some sort may need to come into play to keep my hands busy, that might be just the ticket.

I haven't had a drink since Saturday night.

I tried a new recipe this week as well, I made Roni's Spaghetti Squash Cakes from GreenLiteBites.com. They were so yummy! I will probably make a 2nd batch this weekend. I am trying to make it a point to eat more seasonably too, this is a good recipe to take through the fall months.

So, all in all, I would say that since Tuesday and my No Excuses approach, I have had a pretty good week. The momentum is swinging in the right direction, I hope plan to keep it going that way!

Happy Weekends to all!

No Excuses Included!

Today my friend Heather shared a 5 week training schedule for a 5k. It works out perfectly because my race is exactly 5 weeks from tomorrow. I had to adjust the last week slightly because my race is on Thursday instead of Sunday like the original schedule, but I think it will work great!

My plan is to hang it on the fridge and mark the days off as I complete them. I figure (as I promised yesterday when I promised myself No More Excuses!) that on my rest days I can do any combination of Yoga, Sit-ups/Push-ups or fun activity I want to do and then mark the days off as they pass. It will work for a countdown to the race and my vacation!

I marked off Tuesdays run this morning (after getting the schedule) because I took Chaser the Wonder Schnauzer...(pause for picture)

....for a run/walk/sniff around my neighborhood. He doesn't really run well, but I was proud of him because he gave a good solid effort for about 1.6 miles! He only caused me slight injury one time when he came to a complete stop out of nowhere and I rolled my ankle a bit...it seems fine today though!

Today is a "Rest" day, so I think I am going to do an Ab Workout that was in my Real Simple Magazine this month. Then I'm going to settle in for a movie with the husband. Sounds like a good night to me, no excuses included! :)

Gobble, Gobble

I registered for my first 5k race yesterday! It's the Greensboro Gobbler and it's on Thanksgiving morning, starting at 9am. I figured this was perfect since I will be at home with my family for the holiday. I am nervous about it, but I have plenty of time to prepare. I know I won't place, I'm not very fast. My goal is to finish, with a respectable time and run as much as possible. If I do that, I will be happy! It will be great to cross the finish line and know that my family will be there cheering me on!

I had a good weekend and stayed on track, even with this being the first Football Sunday of the season. It's amazing to me though how much my alcohol tolerance has changed with my weight loss. I used to sit and drink beer and watch football with the guys all day. I had 4 beers yesterday and by the end of the 3rd beer I was feeling the effects. That is a good thing though, I definitely won't be drinking as much anymore.

I started Week 3 of the Push Ups, Situps, Squats challenge and I'm quite certain this week is going to kick my butt. I did my exhaustion test and I found that I improved my numbers in everything except Situps. I'm proud of myself and can definitely tell that I am gaining strength in my arms.

Weigh-in on Friday, I was 166lbs, up by .6lb. Not disastrous, but a trend I need to break nonetheless. My goals for this week are small. I want to be 164lbs by Friday and I want to run at least 3 times. 3 Times may not seem like much, but with my legs problems of late, if I can run 3 times, I'll be happy.

Until next time... :)