It's Science, not Magic...

Birthday Week(s)…

The past this week (and the previous one) has held 4 birthdays in my immediate family.  Guess how this translated the the old  healthy eating plan…EPIC FAIL!!!!!  It’s not that I’ve gorged myself on cake and ice cream (I actually don’t care for cake.), it’s just the busy pace has gotten in my way.  This is the first year that I’ve had separate parties for the boys, and they were both rained out thus forcing last minute alternate plans.  Alternate plans=stress.  Stress=food.  Food=whatever is in my reach.

UGH!

I actually gained 2 pounds over the course of birthday season this time around, but I’m NOT going to let that stop my forward momentum.  I’ve come too far to turn back now.  I’d just be beating myself up 6 months down the road saying, “well if you hadn’t gained back those (x number of) pounds, then we wouldn’t be in this mess.”  I refuse to let the cycle continue. 

Yeah, so I gained 2 pounds.  Not good, but NOT THE END!!!

I am still on track with exercising.  I think I am about to start a training regimen for a half marathon.  I don’t have a specific race in mind, but I have found that I work best when working toward a goal.

Random…I’m laughing as I type this.  It’s 8:30 on the Hubs’s birthday, and he is snoring like a BANCHEE on the couch.   Hahahaha!!!  When did we get so old????

Motivation…

Where does your motivation come from??

What gets you out of the bed at 5 a.m. to go for a run??

Why are you on this journey??

What makes you say no to cake and yes to carrots??

I guess it is different for everyone.  I’m sure lots of folks would say they are doing it for their kids or just to be a healthier person.  I’m doing it for me.  So sorry if that sounds selfish, BUT it’s true.  I’m tired of being trapped in a body that I don’t feel matches the real me.  I’m going to fight this fight day after day until I become the woman that I see myself to be.  I deserve better.  No, I deserve the best.  And, along the way my family will benefit as well, and that is fabulous (‘cause I’m rather fond of them!!).  But I’m in this for me!!  I think I have to be in this for me.  If I were “in this for my kids,” then I think I would end up resenting them along the way.  The only one who needs to be resented is ME.  I did this, now it’s my time to FIX IT!!

HOOAH!!!  (sorry, I’m an Army wife, and sometimes I just can’t help it!!)

Some foods that work for me…

I am finding more everyday that this is definitely a journey and not a diet.  I am SLOWLY figuring out what food combinations work to keep me satisfied throughout the day.  You would think that I would have been able to catch on to this more quickly, but apparently I have a bit slower curve…ha!!

One thing that I have found is that I MUST have protein for breakfast.  While a nice slab of bacon would fit that bill, it wouldn’t be too accommodating of this new lifestyle.

Here’s what does:

That’s right….some yummy greek yogurt is a fabulous way for me to start my day.  Now, I do have to get the kind with fruit in it.   The plain greek yogurts are just a bit of an acquired taste for me.

Another thing that I ADORE for breakfast is a green smoothie, but that is an entire post all to itself!!

Getting back in the running groove…

…is harder than it seems!!  This winter has been unseasonably warm, and that is NOT GOOD for those of us with allergies and asthma.  I have had the hardest time shaking this flare up that started the day before the 5K.  I’ve just been running as much as my lungs can handle…however, that has translated into a LOT of walking.  I guess the main thing is that I’m still moving.  It’s just frustrating to have the desire but not the ability for a time. 

On a brighter note…I am making strides in figuring out what my body needs nutritionally.  It is definitely about finding the right balance for you.  I’ll be sharing more about my findings in posts to come.

The Reason…

Back from Disney…

We had a fabulous time, and I loved spending time with all of my boys (grown up and otherwise!).   I actually ended up losing a pound while we were there…so let’s call it a WIN!!  I totally chalk it up to my increased water intake while we were there.  You would think I could take a hint and drink more water all of the time.  UGH…Diet Coke is my vice for sure!!  I guess admitting it is the first step. 

I did have one particularly special treat while we were there.  It was a Belgian waffle sandwich with Nutella and fresh fruit.  OH MY YUMMINESS!!!!!!!!!  I may have to recreate something of the sort for an at home yummy treat. 

Headed to Disney…

Well, this mom is headed to Disney with all of my very most favorite people!  I am going to do my best with food options.  I’m taking some pre-portioned bags of almonds to try and help with snack options.  I’m also going to try and limit my caffeine intake and drink PLENTY of water!!  I’m not planning on running while I am there because I know I will be getting tons of walking in…not to mention pushing a stoller with a 45 pound kiddo in it!!  I’ll check in when we get back. 

The First 5K…

Good news…I survived!!!!  It was really a lot of fun thanks to my girls that ran with me.  It was really quite surreal we were almost halfway through the race before it hit me that I was actually running a race.

Here’s a pic of us before the race.  They all had duct tape on them that said Team Emily.  Now that’s love!!!

The race went well, I ran the first mile, walked the second, and ran the third.  On of my sweet friends even carried my inhaler in her pocket.  Wouldn’t you know that my sinus infection would move into my lungs the night before the race…good times!!

Here we come…

Sweet B ran the whole way with me…I’m sure she was ready to take off and leave me in the dust, but a buddy was nice for the first run. 

KT came and gave me that “final push” I needed for the finish line…

It was a really great experience, and we are already picking out which race we want to do next!

First 5K Eve…

I just wanted to get some thoughts down tonight as I anticipate tomorrow’s race.  I’m not “nervous” per say.  I’m not worried about how much I will run, how much I will walk, how fast I will finish, etc.

I’m just ready for the first race to come and go.

I’m looking forward to it.  All of the clothes are laid out for the morning.  My number is ready to be pinned on my shirt.  Fresh socks are on top of my running shoes.  It’s more of an anticipated excitement that I’m experiencing.

I may have to walk more than I originally planned because of some cramping I’ve had in my right calf.  It’s really quite strange.  It happens about a mile in to my run, and I would say it’s a strip of my calf about an inch wide on the outside of my leg from my knee to my ankle.  It doesn’t hurt so bad that I can’t run through it, but it causes my ankle to roll to the outside.  I start walking when it happens because I don’t want it to make me fall and further roll my ankle.  It’s frustrating, but OK.  I would much rather avoid an injury and be able to continue running after the race than push it and become unable to continue running.

Well, it’s off for a good night’s sleep for tomorrow is race day!!!

The 5K Approaches…

My first 5k is only a few short days away, and I have mixed feelings about it.  On the one hand, I will be happy for it to come and go so I can have this first race “under my belt.”  On the other hand, there is this anticipation of the first race that will never be recaptured.  By nature, I am not a competitive person AT ALL, so I merely want to finish (and I’m not just saying that to sound humble). Here are my specific race goals:

1.  Don’t die.

2.  Finish.

3.  Run at least 2 miles of the race.

4.  Finish in under an hour.

Here’s my philosophy.  This is my first race, so I will be setting my official time to beat.  I am not a fast runner.  By not fast runner, I mean that your grandma probably walks faster than I run, and I am OK with that!  This is my starting point, and there is no where to go but up from here.  It is an exciting place to be!  This morning I ran 2 miles with no problem.  Tuesday I will run 3 miles, Thursday I will go back to 2, and the race is on Saturday.  Hopefully I will have some pics to post.  One of my friends who is running will be finished and have been to get a mani/pedi by the time I finish, so I know I will have support with cell phone cameras at the end!  I am running the race with 3 very dear friends.  2 of them I have been friends with since elementary school!!  One of the girls and I were laughing last night that we can run longer and faster now than we could in elementary school.  She was my fierce competition for last place in the yearly “fun run.”  My how times change (and yet stay strangely the same.)

Here’s to hoping that my final week of training goes without a hitch!  5K here I come. 

Before Pictures…

I feel weird posting these and calling them “before” pictures.  Right now, they are more like “current pictures.”  (Minus 20 pounds or so). 

So without further ado…here we go!

Sometimes when I look at these, I just can’t wait to see the “after pictures.”  One day at a time.  One choice at a time.

Updates for the new year...

I have made a few changes in my journey...
-I am using MyFitnessPal.com instead of Weight Watchers. It is just better for me and my schedule.
-I have signed up for my first 5k!! It's coming on January 28th. YIKES!!!

Things are going well. I maintained my weight over the holidays, which I think is a great thing. I am running 3 mornings a week. Once I get that "down pat," I think I am going to add in some strength training on the non-run days.

Blogger's not being very nice to me right now, so I'll try and upload some "before pics" a little later.