All I needed was a little more *umph*

Yesterdays snow got me down in the dumps. I spent most of the day sitting in front of the computer and tv. Not my proudest moments. I took it as a rest day, seeing that I wasn't going to do anything anyway, and left it at that.

I must have just needed to veg... because this morning I woke up with a little extra *umph* and was ready to get my ass in gear. I ran my 3 miles (that I was supposed to do yesterday) and left the treadmill in a pool of sweat.

My focus for the next two weeks will be split between getting my miles in for training... and staying 100% on track with my food.

I also noticed that its been awhile since I took my measurements... lets update them!

Feb 25th / Today:

Chest: 39 / 37.75
Waist: 33.5 / 33
Hips: 41 / 40.5
---------
-2.25 inches!!

Behind the Scenes.

This is what I woke up to this morning. We are supposed to get more today. YUCK!

I ran 2 miles yesterday at a 13:30 pace. That is the fastest so far! It killed me though. I sprinted the straights and walked the curves... but my legs were shaking the whole time. I loved it.

Today I am supposed to get in 3 miles. Obviously running outside is out... so it will be another long one on the treadmill. I have very little motivation to get going today. I'm not going to push my time today... even if I have to walk them, I will get 3 miles in today.

So, I finally got my CD reader fixed on my computer and downloaded all 500 pics we got done. Some of the best ones were the candid pics... the ones where the camera was still going even though we were no longer posing. Take a look:

Snow.... Before and After 50 lbs pics..

I ran 3 miles yesterday on the treadmill. It was hell, but I tuffed it out and finished 'em. Today I have to get 2 miles in. I really should have gotten up early today and done it outside.. today is that warm day before a snow. We are supposed to get pounded tomorrow and Thursday. I am just not ready to deal with snow yet. YUCK!

Whenever it snows here before Halloween it usually means a really cold and harsh winter. Its been 6 years since its done that... so I guess we were due. I'm glad the girls costumes for Saturday night are bulky enough to fit 3 or 4 layers of clothing underneath!

Ok, so I thought I would share with you a little before and after.... this makes me happy!

Notice the stretch marks have nearly disappeared... and my surgical scar that runs from my bellybutton down is no longer pink! Oh... and I had to hold my pants on because they are 4 sizes too big.. but they are may favorite winter PJ's and can't bare to throw them out! LOL

Its nice to have lady like curves again and not just the rolly polly ones!

So, this is what 50 lbs lost looks like. Time for my run....

A weekend of pictures!

I had a good weekend. Friday we got out of the house and went for a hike up the rim walk. The girls, the puppy and me. It was great. We ended up hiking 2 miles, which was a lot for my Baby and the puppy, so at one time or another I ended up caring Baby on my shoulders and puppy in my arms. It was quite the workout for me! LOL

Then on Saturday morning we met with a friend from church, who is also a very good photographer, and she did our family pictures! I was so excited. It has been 4 years since I have been able to get Hubby in front of the camera with us! She took 500 pictures!!! Here are just a sample...

I love them!

I did not run all weekend. But I think I needed the break. I woke up this morning to 26 degrees outside. Way too cold for me. So I am going to hop on the treadmill when the kids wake up and pound out 3 miles.

I need to focus on my food again. Calories, quantity and quality. I have a race to run in less then a month and I want to be 10 lbs lighter for it!

Everyone is entitled to a bad day...

Yesterday was a flashback to the old days. Eating whatever I could find and never feeling full. I'm sure it had to do with the funk I was in. I had a lot of mixed feelings going on yesterday and they just got more jumbled as the day went on. By the afternoon I recognized what I was doing and it made me feel even worse. I felt like a failure.

To go from feeling at the top of the world to feeling less then scum... in one week... is quite the roller coaster ride. I don't know where my head is this morning. I know that I don't want a repeat of yesterdays food.... but I do know that I'm not out of this funk yet. So, what to do?

I'm going to have to find another way of stuffing my emotions. Something that doesn't involve food. The only way I can do that is by getting out of the house. It's freezing again today... but that's what jackets are for, right? I am taking the kids on a trail hike up on the mountain this morning. By the time we get back it will be lunch time... then we will go to the library and get our books for the next week!

The trick to getting me through these funks without gaining 10 lbs will be keeping me out of the house.

Jack Frost was nipping at my heels...

My motivation this morning was ole' Jack Frost. It was 32 degrees outside this morning when I went for my run. As I stepped outside and took a deep breath my entire body went into shock. Brrrrrrrrr!

I usually run the bleacher stairs after my run, but this morning I needed to warm up my legs and get the blood flowing... and fast. So I sprinted up 6 times and then ran 1 mile. At this point I could no longer feel my nose and decided that was enough.

I could have run more.... I could have done more... but I just can't do it in this cold weather. I'm going to have to find another way to train this winter. Suggestions??

But it's cold outside.

The temperature is dropping and winter is getting closer. This morning I had to go out and let my car warm up a little bit to get rid of the frost on the windows before I could go to the track. I can already tell that it is going to be harder to venture out in the wee early hours of the morning when it gets colder.

Once out there I warmed up fast. I ran week 5 of the C25K program and felt pretty good. Then I went to the big bleachers and ran up the stairs 6 times. When I got home my undershirts were drenched with sweat. I love to see that!

I noticed yesterday that I only went pee twice all day. (I know, weird subject, but crucial!) I am not getting my water in like I need to be. This is another common problem for me in the winter time. When I'm cold, I just don't get thirsty. The last thing I want to do is drink cold water. Any suggestions? I am going to get my water in today... cold or otherwise. I can't go getting dehydrated!

Oh yeah, and go leave a comment on 344 lbs and make him workout for an extra 20 seconds!!

Finding My Happy Place.

Wt: 175.6

I'm in a very happy spot right now. I love the way I look and feel these days. I am wearing ALL of my old skinny clothes now and have actually bought and worn a size smaller. I feel healthy, fit and sexy. I don't feel the stress of having to lose more weight...... but yet I'm not wanting to stop either. My running is keeping me on track and focused during the day on what I eat. It gives me that mental challenge every morning of 'can I do it?'.... and when I finish I feel stronger then when I started.

This is a new feeling for me. I'm on a track that I feel I can stick to. I'm not worried about what the scale will say every morning because I feel good in my clothes. I know that if I keep going I will lose the last 20 lbs, but instead of dreading every workout and every weigh in... I am going to enjoy the journey.

Hubby took this picture of me this morning when I got back from running 2 miles. I had just shed my shirt, jacket, hat and gloves and felt light as a feather. Its the first time I've seen my stomach so flat. Yay!

Treadmill VS Pavement

I could not get up this morning. No matter how many times Hubby tried, he could not get me up. Waking up at 4:15 every morning with him is great. He does his workout, I go out to the track and do my run, and the kids are still sleeping when we are done. It also gives us a little bit of alone time before the day explodes.

Today, though, I needed my sleep. I curled up next to Baby, who has relapsed into sleeping in our bed again, and slept for 2 more hours. I didn't even hear Hubby leave for work. When I did finally crawl out of bed I felt guilty and a little sad that I had missed my early morning run.

So I put on my running clothes and got on the treadmill. Because I have such a hard time getting motivated on the treadmill to run I put on week 4 of C25K on my IPod and pounded out 2 miles. I swear, running on the treadmill is so much harder then running on pavement. Maybe its just the scenery. Which do you prefer??

I feel better now and am ready for the rest of my day.

I am really considering getting that Insanity workout. Has anyone tried it??

Mind Over Body.... or.... Body Over Mind??

Yesterday I took the morning off from running and did a 45 min Tae Bo workout. I was so sore this morning I could barely get out of bed . Putting my shirt on was a whole different kind of pain.

I was out on the high school track by 5 a.m. and started my warm up by walking once around the track. My body was protesting every move. Every step was in agony. But I took a deep breath and pushed to go a little faster. Once the blood was flowing I stopped and stretched a little bit before starting my run.

Being able to run a whole mile without stopping on Monday morning really showed me that the boundaries I have set up in my head really control what I do in my life. I have never been a runner. That mile was the first mile I have ever done IN MY LIFE without stopping. Why? Because in my head I always said I couldn't do it. That I was never, and will never be, a runner.

Well, guess what.... I'm a runner. This morning, through the cold and the pain, I ran another mile without stopping. Even when that voice in my head was saying "STOP... you can't do this" ... I kept reminding it that "YES, yes, I can".

Now that I have lost a majority of the weight, my body is ready to move ahead. To get stronger and healthier... but being heavy for the majority of my life has caused my brain to stay in the 'I'm too fat' box. Doubting that I can really do anything as crazy as being a runner. I have to keep reminding it that I'm no longer the fat girl. I have to keep telling myself : Yes, I can.

Becoming healthy is a battle of the body and mind... we have to remember to work on both.

Fun at the Pumpkin Patch.

Yesterday we took the kids to the pumpkin farm to pick out their pumpkins. It was hilarious. Angel wanted the biggest one... and insisted on carrying it... at least for a few steps before quickly putting it back in the wagon! Baby took forever trying to find the 'perfect' one. She was picky too.

Finally everyone was happy with their choices and we all came home and got to work cleaning and carving. I know they wont last until Halloween... but try telling the kids they have to wait 2 weeks. HA! It just means we may have to do it all over again in 2 weeks.

I didn't have a run this morning, but am off to do a Tae Bo workout right now!!!

I DID IT....

I ran a whole mile without stopping.

This is a huge accomplishment for me. I don't think I have ever done this in my life. Not even as a young teenager in high school could I make it 4 times around the track without having to stop and walk.

This morning, is 40 degree weather, I headed out to do my 5 a.m run. I had to stop at the gas station on the way to buy a pair of gloves because my fingers were already numb from the cold. I got to the track and found it empty. The once crowded lanes were now all mine thanks to winter! I walked one lap around the track to warm up... and to try and psych myself up to running a whole mile without stopping. The psyching up part didn't really help, it just made me more nervous and doubtful. So I quit with that and just started jogging.

The first lap was easy... surprising, since I usually have to stop and walk the curves. The second lap is when my head was trying to get in the way.

"This is my second lap... I can't do two laps... I can't even do one... but, I did... huh... maybe I can do two... ok.. lets keep going... but there is no way I can do three."

With two laps done I was really starting to doubt my third lap.

"I'm gonna drop dead... I can't breath... I'm not breathing... no wait, I hear the wheezing... I'm ok."

On the fourth lap it was just sheer determination to run 1 mile with out stopping that got me to finish it. I wanted to jump for joy, but by then some people had started to come out and walk the track, so I just smiled and said a little 'yay'.

And now for the rest of the story:

I walked another lap around to 'cool down'. By then I realized I was at 1.5 miles. I can't stop there... so I decided to take Hubby's advice and do some sprints. For two laps around I walked the curves and sprinted the straight away.

Mile 1: 12 minutes

Mile 2: 14 minutes

I came home feeling fantastic. Hubby was in the middle of a P90X Plyo workout so I took my own picture and then did the cool down and stretch with him.

What a great day!

Over the Top

Thanks to Bulge to Bump who gave me this award!!

To accept this award I have to: Copy these 35 questions and change the answers to suit you then pass it on. Once you have filled it out ~~~ be sure to pass it on to 6 of your favorite bloggers and alert them that they have been awarded!

1. Where is your cell phone? On my computer desk

2. Your hair? wet

3. Your mother? Amazing

4. Your father? Strong

5. Your favorite food? soup

6. Your dream last night? no dream

7. Your favorite drink? tea

8. Your dream/goal? to be/look healthy

9. What room are you in? livingroom

10. Your hobby? reading

11. Your fear? something happening to my kids

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? a bigger house

13. Where were you last night? Home

14. Something that you aren’t? A drinker

15. Muffins? any

16. Wish list item? A new bedroom set

17. Where did you grow up? All over

18. Last thing you did? ran 6 miles

19. What are you wearing? jeans and a sweater

20. Your TV? On...

21. Your pets? Stormy, a mini Aussie... Woodroe, a basset hound... Ruger, a chocolate lab... Shorty, a miniature horse... Salt and Pepper, parakeets.

22. Friends? amazing

23. Your life? blessed

24. Your mood? productive

25. Missing someone? My dad

26. Vehicle? Santa Fe

27. Something you’re not wearing? shoes

28. Your favorite store? any thrift store

29. Your favorite color? red

30. When was the last time you laughed? this morning when i was watching my baby beat up her daddy. She really missed him! LOL

31. Last time you cried? Last night

32. Your best friend? My Husband... and JJ!

33. One place that I go to over and over? the bathroom

34. One person who emails me regularly? Prevention

35. Favorite place to eat? Red Lobster

Iron Girl 5K

It's been a hard week for me with my Hubby working out of town. No worries, I've been getting my running in on the treadmill... but my food has been TERRIBLE. Pizza, cookies, chips.... oh my.

So, I started looking online for something to keep me motivated. I have 3 months till my half marathon, but for some reason that isn't doing it for me. So I found the Iron Girl 5K next month! I was so excited because it is to raise money for the cure for cancer. If you are a cancer survivor you can share your story with them and they will pay your entrance fee for the race!

I am officially signed up and will be running on November 15th. My goal is to be at 165 by then. I have 5 weeks!!

Life is too short... get up, get going, or your going to miss it!!

Move It People!

One of the most annoying things to hear from people is: "I dont have time to workout".

Michelle wrote this post yesterday and I loved it. Why is it you can find time to watch your favorite TV show, go out with the guys/gals or read a book but you cant find the time to workout?? Really?? Is this how much you are dedicated to living your life to the fullest?

I used to have the same excuses. "I don't have time" or "I have little kids". Well, I started waking up an hour early in the morning and going out running while Hubby was getting ready for work. This allowed me the time I needed to get in my workout while still having someone at home to watch the kids. Granted, it wasn't easy at first but now that is my favorite time of day.

Just to show people that you can always find the time to better yourself I hopped on the treadmill during the first hour of Biggest Loser last night and got in 3 miles. Don't have a treadmill? Jog in place, skip rope, do jumping jacks, sit ups , push ups, mini trampoline... got the picture? Good. Now, stand up and finish what you started!

Garbage Day

Monday = 176.6 lbs
Today = 175.6
Total = -1 lb

I always tell my husband how much I truly hate it when he goes to work out of town. I know , that he knows, its because I love him and miss his company. His jokes, his laughter, his body heat when the nights are freezing.

It's times like these when I really respect single parents.

Anyway, I also hate it when he leaves because I have to take over his part of the chores around the house. Like taking the garbage can to the street. Now, most of you live in nice cozy suburbs, where your house is 15 feet from the street. All you have to do is open the garage door, grab the garbage and take a little stroll to the curb.

Not us.

Like I've said before, we live in the country. Our driveway is a quarter of a mile long... and its not paved. This may not seem that big of a deal to some of you... but try walking on a dirt road while pulling a garbage can LOADED with stinky trash behind you. There have been a couple of times that I've dislocated my shoulder trying to get those tiny little wheels over some big ole' rocks.

Today was garbage day. This I remembered after running 2 miles, taking a nice hot shower and getting all cozy warm. So, with dripping wet hair, I put on a coat, some tennys and headed outside into the freezing cold weather.

I swear, the only reason I've lost a pound in one day is because it was garbage day. Hurry home Honey.

Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever... or in my case:

Feed a Cold, Feed a Fever.

This past week has been nothing short of a train wreck. Getting sick messed with everything from my inner go-getter to my will power to not eat crap.

First off, this was my first week back from running my first ever 10K.. so I actually had no plans to run for at least 4 days to let my body recuperate. But for some reason, knowing that my body couldn't run even if I wanted to... well, it was a little depressing. For some reason it left me feeling like a failure.... and what always happens when I feel like that?

I EAT. Lord, did I eat. I ate crap that hasn't been in my body in well over a year. Not only did I eat it, I loved it. I enjoyed every second of eating it.

Friday night I had a dream. I was looking in the mirror trying to get on my new pair of jeans, only I was HUGE. I stepped on a scale and someone said 'WOW, you don't LOOK that big'. When I woke up I felt sick. Seeing myself lose control like that made me really nervous. I know I'm sick, and I know that its ok to fall off the wagon... but this time it gave me an anxiety attack. This is the longest period of time I have gone not caring what I ate... or how much I weighed... and it scared me.

Today's weigh in was 176.6. A gain of 1.6 lbs. Not as bad as it could have been... but I'm still disappointed. Not in gaining the weight, but in my attitude all week long. Being sick I should have cared more about what I put into my body... instead I filled it with crap.

I am back on track. Yesterday I had a perfect food day. This morning I hopped on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Nothing strenuous... I still have a small cough... but just a brisk walk that got the blood flowing.

Hubby is out of town this week and I have made a little personal challenge for myself. I want to be at 174 when he gets home on Friday. I still have a half marathon to train for... I'm not done yet!

Sick

Sorry for the lack of updates guys... but I am officially sick. I have a hacking cough that is deep in the chest and my head feels like its going to explode. I've cancelled all my runs for this weekend and am taking lots of meds.

So until I get better its back to my cave I go.