Lesson of the day...perception vs reality

So today I got a lesson in making assumptions.

I went out today to get a run in before the blizzard they are predicting for us hits tonight.  5k season starts 2 weeks from yesterday....eeeeeek!    I am nervous.  I keep thinking the previous practice 5ks have been a fluke.  That when I get to race day that I will choke and have a terrible time and totally have my brain tell my body it can't run.  The mental aspect of running is such a mental struggle for me. My mind tries to tell me I can't and I keep trying to prove that I can.  I am addicted to the challenge of overcoming that negative voice in my head.  Overcoming that negativity, fear and doubt is what makes me stronger every day.

It was beautiful out today.  The sun was shining.  There wasn't much wind.  It was about 45 degrees.  The snow on the ground from the storm last week made a very peaceful and serene view!  

I have been having trouble with my shins since last Monday after my first run in my new shoes.  I haven't had shin pain since I got fitted for shoes last spring.  But I was overdue for replacing my shoes (I was literally running the tread off them).  I ended up with a different brand and on my Monday interval run and Saturday interval I experienced shin pain.  I didn't run while traveling this week, I just stuck to walking and fortunately no pain then.  But my intervals yesterday were terribly painful.  I ended up having to stop at mile 2 and change back to my old tennies.  The benefit of getting fitted for shoes at a running store is that they typically have a very generous exchange policy if you have problems with the shoes.  So I took them back today to talk to the staff about the problems I was having.  The clerk was slightly rude in my opinion, but did help me find another pair.  I didn't get to try them on my outdoor run today (if they are only used indoor, easier for them to take them back).  I am anxious to try them out tomorrow when I do treadmill intervals again.  

Today I started strong.  Maybe too strong.  Quickly into my run my shins started to burn.  I kept telling myself it was in my head.  To push through and keep going.   I slowed down to try to adjust.  I made it to the 1.5 mile point and my mind won out....I started walking.  I was mad at myself for giving in.  I felt defeated.  But I collected my thoughts and started jogging again.  And then another wave of pain came and I caved a second time and started walking again.  Again, I tried to quickly gather my thoughts and get back on track.  Fortunately a great song came on at about mile 2.0 and inspired me to pick up my pace and begin jogging again ("Back in Time" by Pitbull in case you were wondering).  And it was like I turned a corner mentally.  The pain faded.  I got into a groove.  I overcame!  I still had a few moments where I struggled to keep going, but once I started running that last time I didn't stop again until I was done!  And that is why I run....to overcome the obstacles.  

When I finished and looked at my final time, I was again frustrated.  I was mad at myself for giving into the temptation to walk and messing up my time.  I had improved my time last week from the previous week and I guess I just assumed that I would do that again today.  So when I saw the time on my screen I felt defeated and like I had failed.  I added my comments and posted it to my facebook page.  Then I went back to compare it to last week's run....and it was then that I got schooled in the lesson of perception.  I thought that having to walk indicated I had failed.  So I felt defeated.  But the reality was that my time today was slightly under my time last week!  I was SHOCKED to see that!  So lesson learned that I need to NOT make assumptions that I have failed before I even know the whole story. 

 

Week 1                                           Last week                                        TODAY!!!

What I realized was that walking doesn't define my success.  It is one factor.  It is an important aspect of my training, but not the only one.  I am still continuing to make improvements in other areas (my overall pace).  I continue to get out there and try and that is what matters.  I will work hard to continue to train for my first 5k of the season on March 9th.  My hope is that I will complete that first race by jogging the entire time.  I will continue to push forward.  But if my results are less than what I desire for myself to achieve, it will be ok.  Again, it won't define me.  

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Motivational Monday - 2/18/13

Well last week was another whirl-wind crazy week for me!  Really, do I ever having anything other????  I was traveling for work.  If you have been reading this blog and paying attention at all, you may recall that I take extreme comfort in my routine.  So anything that puts a kink in my routine is a challenge for me.  I have to work that much harder to stay on track (and not to mention it was TOM, so throw in a little emotional and irrational and that is just an awesome combo!).  But I am happy to report it was a week of eating well and exercising...YAY! 

I will say that I was surprised at how tough being away from my hubby on Valentine's Day was.  It really caught me off guard how bummed I was to spend the day by myself (here is the irrational - he does taxes and didn't even get home until late that night, so it's not like I missed out on tons of quality time anyway....sheesh).  I tired and wasn't in the mood to workout most evenings, but I did it anyway and that always makes me feel at least a tiny bit better...guilt is really no fun!  I wasn't in my normal routine, so I wasn't taking the classes at the Y that I usually do, lifting weights or even jogging - my workouts basically consisted of walking on the treadmill at the hotel while watching tv on my ipad to pass the time.  But hey, it burned calories! 

I was THRILLED to see the scale continuing to move down last week!  Espec with TOM!!  That made the food and exercise choices worth it!!!  I was able to see 201.2 on the scale......soooooooo close to ONEDERLAND!!!!  I cannot wait for that day!!!  I am hoping for this week, but with traveling again, not 100% sure how my body will react to more routine changes.  Stay tuned to see!  You can bet that I will be blogging it from the rooftops when I do finally get there!!!!

It was GREAT to be back home to spend time with my family this weekend...absence does make the heart grow fonder!  Friday night I got some cuddle time with my hubby while my older girls were at school activities.  Saturday, the momma taxi was in full swing shuttling the kids from swiming lessons, school to decorate for dance, soccer game, dance...but fortunately the hubby and I got to squeeze in a date night and catch a late dinner and a movie (my first cheat meal in 3 weeks!).  I  also did a little shopping to celebrate recent successes and found Old Navy was running a sale on jeans, so I decided to get a pair of the size 14's I was able to get into recently.  And I scored the cute silver sweater top at Lane Bryant on mega clearance and only paid $12 for it!  I have to say I was feeling like a HOT MAMMA for our date on Sat!!!

 

Other than my family time, I would say that the highlight of my week was on Sunday when I completed another outdoor 5k jog in preparation for upcoming 5k season.  I was elated to find that I was able to jog another entire 5k!  It was awesome to know that when I did it 2 weeks ago it wasn't just a fluke and I really am able to do it!  Last time, my brother in law ran with me, so I had that pressure of not stopping so I wouldn't disappoint myself or him.  This time, he ran ahead with my middle daughter, so I didn't have anyone to push me to keep going.  I had to rely on myself for motivation.  I must have done a decent job of it...I shaved over a minute off my time from 2 weeks ago....not too shabby for not having run all week!!  I think that when you achieve motivating yourself, that is one of the most empowering and amazing experiences.  It makes me sooooo proud of all that I have accomplished and how far I have come.  And I still have so much more to accomplish!  I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be nice enough that I can get another try in this weekend too.  Another PR would be GREAT! 

The run had an element of adventure to it also...I lost my car keys out of my pocket while running...EEK!  I have heard horrow stories about it, but didn't really think it would happen to me (I don't have that problem when running on the treadmill!!!).  I am VERY GRATEFUL for the good samaritan that stalked found my car and returned the keys safe and sound....I was sooo glad to not have to retrace the trail and try to find them!!!  So I promptly went to Academy sports and I now am the proud owner of a pretty pink fanny pack that I will wear for the upcoming 5k's so I can keep my phone, mp3 player and keys safe and sound! 

5k season is around the corner and I am now offically registered for FOUR races coming up!  YAY!!!  The Diva Dash is on March 9th to start things off.  Then Run 2 Believe will be March 25th, the Color Run Springfield with my gal pal Melissa will be an absoulte BLAST!  And then the Color me Rad race will be May 4th.  I still have a few others I want to do this year, but this will be a good start.

And since 5k season is coming up, I bit the bullet and bought a new pair of tennies....something tells me it was time??  I have logged over 500 miles on them (they say as a runner you are supposed to replace every 2-300 miles....oops!)  I should take a pic of the bottom of my old shoes and share....I literally ran the tread off them!  It was time.

So (finally) on to my weekly results...(2/11 - 2/17)

Monday weight:  202.4 - down 1.4 pounds from last Monday
     (still recovering from my cheat meal I think or it might have been higher)
Weekly scale +/- (Mon-Sun all weights):  up 0.2...TOM so I wasn't surprised
Workouts last week:  6

Workout minutes:  392
Total miles last week:  27.23 - awesome! 

Times at the YMCA:  0 (traveling)


How was YOUR week??? 

 

Leave a comment with your Success or struggle...we are in this together!!

 

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Motivational Monday - 2/11/13

I am just on CLOUD NINE with my scale results from last week!!!!  It is sooo awesome to finally have a week with impressive results.  Although I try really hard to not compare myself with others,I will be honest and tell you it is hard when you hear of others having 3, 4, 5, 6, or even 7 pound a week losses.  I know I have been working hard and doing the right things, but when the scale is stubborn, it is hard to not get discouraged occasionally.  I am human afterall.  But it was awesome to step on the scale and continue to see lower numbers - it felt like it was just melting off! 

Oh but if it were only that easy all the time!!!!  I definitely don't expect these fantastic results to continue.  But it has sure been enjoyable and energizing while it has lasted!  It has renewed me with hope and optimism again...I feel refueled.  Ahhhhh, just what I needed!

Last week I was trying to fight off some sort of bug.  I was fighting a slightly stuffy nose, drainage, scratchy throat, and just felt EXHAUSTED!  But I am grateful for my health!  So many people have been fighting terrible nasty bugs this year - the flu, viruses and all kinds of ICK!  I am sooo blessed to have been this lucky so far!  I really do credit my better eating and exercise for my overall general health the last couple of years!  I used to get terrible sinus infections that would settle in my chest and I would get bronchitis and borderline pheumonia.  I was miserable for weeks.  But it seems that since I have started eating, exercising and taking better care of myself, I have been far less sick.  YAY for being healthy...yes I am knocking on wood as I type!

So even fighting off a bug I was able to stick with my eating plan and mostly to my exercise plan.  I did adjust a few workouts, but I still got them in.

So on to my weekly results...

Weekly Results:

Monday weight:  203.8 - down 4.6 pounds from last Monday - WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!

Weekly scale +/- (Mon-Sun all weights):  down 4.8

Workouts last week:  7

Workout minutes:  331 (not too shabby for fighting off a bug mid-week that left me feeling exhausted!)

Total miles last week:  13.25

Times at the YMCA:  4

ONEDERLAND here I come!!!!!!!

How was your week? 
Are you getting the results you want?

Leave your comments so we can cheer you on!

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Motivational Monday - 2/4/13

Well, while it feels like the scale still isn't moving much (still up and down from 207-210, but at least starting to hang out in the lower numbers more - I did even hit a new low this weekend of 207.0...207.6 was my previous lowest scale number) I still managed to have a few NSV's this week (non scale victories):

*  I jogged an entire 5k!  My first time ever!  This was the same route that we took for the Dash+Dine 5k in October.  It's in a park and is pretty, and a little hilly (for KS anyway).   My goal was to just go slow and steady and hope that I could finish most of it jogging, or ideally all of it.  I totally wanted to start walking right after I started.  But I kept playing my runner mind games....just go to that next bend then you can walk, oh maybe that next tree, no the bridge...and before I knew it I was at the halfway point.  Well by then it was really too late to start walking because I didn't want to waste the accomplishment I had earned so far.  Then I was down to half mile left and it seemed to drag on forever!  But I knew I would be TOTALLY pissed at myself if I gave up so I just pushed forward and finished strong.  The last sprint to the finish was amazing....someday I hope to get to the point where I feel/run like that for a whole race!  I honestly probably would have sat down and cried when I finished if I had been by myself (was with my trainer - my brother in law).  I don't run because I like to run....I run because of the power and sense of accomplishment and PRIDE that I feel when I have done something that I couldn't do yesterday or that I didn't think I could do.  That part is addicting to me!  I greatly appreciate my BIL for helping to nudge me to achieve the goals I have set for myself.  As you can see, it was not my fastest time by any means, but looks like I kept my pace fairly consistent.  And I finished...that's what really matters!  Now I can keep working on the pace.

*  I made it into a pair of size 14 Old Navy jeans (which I am told by many run small)....wooooo hooooooo!  Next size down is a 12 and I haven't been that since I was 18!  OMG I am excited for that!!!

Weekly Results:

Monday weight:  208.4 (FINALLY!  down 2.8 from last Monday! woooooo hoooo!)

Weekly scale +/- (Mon-Sun all weights):  down 3.2 for the week...YAY!

Workouts last week:  7

Workout minutes:  364

Total miles last week:  13.5

Times at the YMCA:  4

No weekly pic this week 

What NSV's can we help YOU celebrate this week?  
Leave a comment below so we can cheer you on!

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January recap

To hold myself accountable to my goals I want to do a monthly recap.

Workouts:

Weight:

Starting weight - 212.2

Ending weight - 208.2

Monthly +/-  down 4.0 pounds

Inches:

Down 5.25" total for the month

Highlights:

·         Added variety to workouts

·         Started actually using my YMCA membership

·         Started taking group exercise classes

·         Medical numbers have improved over last year (Fasting glucose, overall glucose, BP, BMI)

2013 goals review:

• Get to Onderland and STAY there!
• Currently 7 pounds away!
• Run an entire 5k (no walking)
• Did this on 2/2!  Not an official race, but it showed me I can do it!
• Finish a 5k in 30 min or less (I am at 40 min now)
• About the same on this one
• Do more outdoor running
• Starting to do this as the weather permits in preparation for 5k season
• Fit into my "when I was 18" jeans (size 12 Rockies)
• still working on it!
• Wear size 10 or less pants
• still working on it!
• Wear size M tops 
• still working on it!
• Hit 100 pound total weight loss (at 70 now)
• Getting closer - at 74 now
• Consistently log food in MFP and wear BM armband
• doing well!  Haven't missed a day logging in to mfp since Jan 1!  Also have been wearing armband.
• Continue taking measurements monthly
• On track!
• Complete Jillian's 30 Day Shred workout (with before and after photos/measurements)
• My plan was to do this in Jan, but opted for more classes at the Y and changine up the workout routine instead.  Will have to pick another month for this one.
• Do more strength training
• On track!   
• Add more variety to my workouts and diet
• On track for workouts!  Still working on the diet part, but have added a few new things into the rotation.
• Take a group fitness class at the gym
• Done!  Taking water zumba, water tabata regularly, also have spin and muscle pump
• Minimum weekly blog posts
• On track thanks to Motivational Monday!  Still hoping to be better about doing other blog posts!
• Post daily on Losing It facebook page
• Doing pretty well on this one

So all in all it has been a successful month!

How was your January?  Are you on-track to meet your goals?  It's not too late to refocus.  Tell us what your plan is fora Fabulous February!

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Motivational Monday - 1/28/13

The qualities above are what are keeping me going.  Shift and adjust is my motto.  I have to say its been a bit of a bummer week as far as progress is concerned.  As quickly as the scale started showing some improvement again finally, it has stalled out again.  GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!  This whole adventure would be much more enjoyable if someone could just tell me what the magic formula to follow was.  Eat this many calories (this much fat, carbs, protein, etc) , burn this many calories,  do this, don't do that....Seriously, I just want the recipe!! (not a dash of this and a sprinkle of that - I need SPECIFIC MEASUREMENTS!!)...that way if I don't get the results I know why.  I ate too much or didn't move enough.  Unfortunately there is a plethora of information out there and much of it is conflicting.  So you have to wade through it and try to figure out what to follow and find the right combination of what works for you.  BTW...I do recommend you seek professional advice....don't self diagnose/medicate!  Ok, pitty party over!

Fortunately, in the midst of my confusion and frustration over lack of impressive progress, I had my annual physical today so I was able to get some of the professional advice I recommend. My doctor was VERY pleased with my weight loss results for this year and was very encouraging and supportive.  And the results of my hard work is paying off and showing in my medical results.  My blood pressure was better than my last visit and while my fasting blood sugar still shows pre-diabetes, my A1c test (which is a historical look at your blood sugars over the last 2-3 months) was better than the last test, so I am having fewer spikes.

                                             2012                        2013
Blood pressure                135/83                     122/72
Fasting Blood Sugar         106                           100
A1c                                       6.0                            5.5
Cholesterol                          131                          148
BMI                                       44.6                         36.8

This is once again a reminder to me that there is more to progress than just the number on the scale.  Sheesh, why can't I seem to remember that????

She is also going to check my thyroid and iron levels just to be sure everything is as expected there.  I should have those results back by next week.  I will also be scheduling an appointment to consult with a plastic surgeon about a possible breast reduction and when would be the best time to do that (doc thought likely next year).

She said I should be eating 1400-1600 calories a day and NOT eating back my exercise calories (I have been eating 1200-2500 depending on the day, but eating back part of my calories to keep between a 500-1000 daily calorie deficit).  That is in line with what the dietitian said as I look back on ym notes from my appointment with her last spring.  More veggies and lean protein and fewer carbs.  So I am going to try to make those changes and see what results I get with the scale.

So on to my depressing weekly results:

Monday weight:  211.2 (up 0.8 from last Monday's weigh in - Boooooooo!)

Weekly scale +/- (Mon-Sun all weights):  up 2.6 for the week - big boooooo!

Workouts last week:  7

Workout minutes:  455!

Total miles last week:  13.62

Times at the YMCA:  5

Weekly progress pic:

Today's outfit is more casual than my usual Monday since I had dr's apt this afternoon.  This top is one I pulled out of a bucket of clothes I had outgrown.  Now able to wear it again.  I love the neckline on it...accentuates the collar bones and flattering on the bust and not to clingy on the belly!  Find those clothes that are flattering to your body shape/type and make you feel good about yourself!!!!  

How was your week???

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Micorwave fruity oatmeal

I have a new favorite breakfast item!  As per my usual MO, I am obsessed and eat it frequently lol.  I wish I knew who to give credit to, but don't remember where I saw this recipe....somewhere on facebook.  So whoever you were, thanks for sharing!!!

Microwave Fruity Oatmeal

1 egg

½ cup oats (recipe actually called for ¼ cup but wasn’t quite enough to keep me full)

½ cup triple berry medly (frozen) or use other fruit you like

Dash milk (I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk)

¼ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp Molly McButter sprinkles (I added)
1/2 tsp vanilla (I added)

1 packet Truvia (I added)

Put all ingredients in bowl and mix together.  Microwave for 2 minutes.