Third times the charm

So I took a break from the Couch to 5k as anyone might notice. I still lost 15 pounds doing exercise on the Wii but life kept happening and my weight got stuck at 153.

Now I am restarting the C25K hoping that third times the charm. My motivation comes from both within and without. My within motivation is this lifelong dream of mine to be able to wear a bikini and Be HOT! A silly dream in the grand scheme of things but I have never been in good enough shape to even imagine putting a bikini on and going into public. I also want to be healthy...so far I have lost two uncles in the last 6 months one to a heart attack and another to cancer. With so many health problems and risks already, I want to give my body every chance to be able to fight for itself. My without motivation came from watching the Biggest Loser. Watching 450 pound people exercise and losing hundreds of pounds of weight really puts my own excuses to shame. If someone that large can do jumping jacks and run on the treadmill and lift weights, then what is my excuse.

So before I began this restart, I spent a week just walking the dog everyday. This is going to be the one exercise I get up and do everyday no matter what. It makes the dog happy and gives me a good start to my day. In addition, I have been doing some OnDemand workouts with Jillian Michaels one of the trainers from BL. Today was my first day of week 1 on C25k. Wait til I give you the run down on it.

The story begins with a snappy 28 degrees of weather and a slightly frigid breeze. Brr...that is cold. I started out by walking the dog around the neighborhood takes 20-30 minutes to get all the way around without backtracking. I made sure to be nice and bundled up for the walk, but by the time we got back I was toasty under my three layers of tops, scarf, toboggan, and armwarmers (I hate gloves/mittens so I buy these instead...I may look like a hobo but I love them.). I dropped the dog off at the house and fed him, before taking off for W1D1. I left the scarf and armwarmers at the house since I was already hot from the dog walk. 8 out of 8 sprints!!! On the first day! I was so proud of myself.

My goal is to keep with this so that by the end of February I will have completed all 12 weeks and be in top running form. I plan to weigh in on Sundays so I'll update my blog with my new weight on those days. Say goodbye body fat...I will defeat you!

When Getting Healthy Becomes Imperative...

Over the last moth or so I have been waiting on test results from my bloodwork. The first round indicated that I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). I will post a link about this later. I was called back in to do some fasting bloodwork. I have been waiting on these test for about two weeks. The ob/gyn office called to let me know that I am insulin resistant.

Now this wasn't a huge surprise for me since I've been doing my homework on PCOS and found this is a common symptom of that syndrome. Basically, I am at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes due to insulin resistance. I am suppose to start taking glucophage as a way of helping to regulate my blood sugar. Side effects may include loosing some weight and increasing fertility. Both of which are important to me. The first because that's the whole reason for this blog and the second because my husband and I are trying to have a baby.

In addition to the glucophage, I now have this highly motivating reason to get healthy, because if I don't I could face long term problems that would simply not be cool. Time to really buckle down and make those life changes that are necessary! So I've developed a little action plan for this life change.

Step 1: Exercise daily regardless of what's going on in my life.

Step 2: Educate myself on diets/eating habits that will help me with controlling blood sugar.

Step 3: Make changes in my diet/eating habits.

Step 4: Enjoy my new healthier lifestyle. :)) (& maybe get pregnant!!)

So I have this new found motivation to improve my health and I am going to do it this time. :))

Polycystic Ovary Disease | LIVESTRONG.COM

Polycystic Ovary Disease | LIVESTRONG.COM

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Coach to 5k-Restart

So after my not exercising for most of last week...I am trying the running thing again. I've made myself a schedule and I am trying to get up early in the morning to go running.

Day 1 was today. I got up around 6:45, got dressed, stretched my muscles, and started out. My left knee and leg was a little stiff. I thought I would be fine once I got to moving....uh...wrong answer. I apparently did something to my leg- a twinge when I walk on the inner thigh just above the knee. 

I guess the dog wrenching me every so often has taken its toll on my leg. I did make it half way through 6.5 sprints before the ache in my ankles and leg was too much. I walked the last of program.  Probably not smart to do that when it was hurting, but it didn't really hurt until I was already a good piece from the house. 

I put a cold pack on it after church, but it doesn't really hurt unless I walk and put a lot of weight on it. 

I'm going to give it a couple of days rest. Stick to some ab, chest, and arm exercise plus a little easy yoga until it quits hurting when I walk.

Stupid dog, stupid knock knees...

Lack of Motivation or Just Plain Lazy

So for no apparent reason....

I have not done any exercising since Monday.

Is this a lack of motivation? Matt, Heidi, and Melinda are all out of town and I do tend to loose my motivation for life (not killing myself, just doing stuff in general) the longer Matt is out of town.

Or am I just plain lazy?

I have been busy this week. I have done my Bible study everyday except Wednesday. I went to Camp meeting on Tuesday. I went to the High School Ministry on Wednesday. I went to Heidi's house and took care of her animals and plants several times this week.  I went to the movies with Desiree. I washed some clothes and did the dishes. I did not kill the dog (this is monumental for me!). 

I think I am going to go with Option 1. Lack of Motivation. Fortunately, Heidi returns to town today. I've talked to both Matt and Melinda this week.  So hopefully I will re-energize for next week and get things back on track.

So starting next week I'm going to buckle down and exercise everyday even if it kills me!

Week 1.5 of Couch to 5k

So as I had already decided last week, I am going to do one more week of week one of  the C25k program.

By the way, here is a website that started it all- http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml (don't click any of the links just scroll to the bottom for the program. Additionally, you can check out this website that has links to different podcasts and other information about the program. http://www.c25k.com/

So on to my description of Day 1 Week 1.5, I almost made it through all 8 60s sprints!!! A car came by at during the last one and I had to step into a driveway since there are no sidewalks in my neighborhood. So 7 2/3 of 8 is not to0 shabby considering last Wednesday it took everything I had to get through 5 sprints. The last two though I had to keep repeating as I ran "I CAN DO IT! I CAN DO IT! I CAN DO IT!"  My ode to the little engine that could. Positive thinking was all that kept me motivated when my legs were dragging like lead weights, sweat was pouring from orifices that I did not need to know I had, and I felt like I was running through sludge. It was like those dreams where you are running and running with all you have, but you don't seem to be getting anywhere. Then, again I may be the only one who had those dreams :P. 

I also wanted to include a few websites that might be helpful if you are interested in getting healthier which I strongly encourage everyone to do. One you can get to from the BetterU (red thing at the top of left of the blog). For those teachers out in Rutherford County it will contain something familiar-SMART goals! Basically each week you do a little course to learn more about getting healthy took me like 5 minutes, set a SMART Goal (Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and in a time frame for those non-RCS employees). Then you set a reward for attaining that goal. My goal this week is to do 30 minutes of physical activity everyday this week (since I got close last week I feel this is possible). My reward which is specific to me is that I will go and buy myself a new book at Barnes and Noble (I have a coupon, Matt!).

This program is sponsored by the American Heart Association. Since heart disease and stroke are the No 1 cause of death in women, you might want to think about getting heart healthy. 

Also livestrong.com has a ton of resources to help you out. I use the daily plate to keep up with my calories, track my weight, and body measurements, and I took the running dare which I  use to track my running goals. Lots of articles and information there to help you out.

Remember the power of positive thinking is what got me through today's runs so if you think you can't do it I challenge you to go read The Little Engine that Could. Then set your self a SMART goal and a reward and get cracking.

Falling off the Wagon

So Friday morning I went and gave blood for the first time ever (I've had it taken before). I almost passed out afterwards when they told me to hold my arm up in the air.  I felt like I had been breathing laughing gas at the dentist. 

Unfortunately, it also sapped all of my energy for the day. I could not get up the energy to do anything. Besides the admonition not to engage in heavy exercise for at least 5 hours, I simply didn't have the energy to engage in my run for the day. I could not find the energy to do it on Saturday either.

I did do some Yoga on Friday morning so I don't feel to terrible about it. However, I do feel bad that Friday I consumed at least 200+ calories over what I want to eat to lose weight. I was down to 161.6 now I'm up to 162.2 not too bad. 

The good news that made me feel like I was accomplishing something hasn't been my weight loss, but the inches I have lost. I have lost an inch in the hips, an inch and 1/2 at the waist, and 1/2 inch at the chest (measured right under the breasts! Go me. My clothes are starting to feel a little better. 

Hopefully this coming up week I will do better about exercising everyday and sticking with my calorie goals. I looking to lose another pound and 1/2 this week to meet my WiiFit goal and hopefully another 1/2 inch at the hips, waist, and chest. If I don't meet those well I will try for the next week. 

To my followers...even when you fall off the band wagon, just run a little harder to catch back up and hop back on!

Couch to 5k Day 2

So yesterday I did my second day of the Couch to 5k program. I made one more 60s sprint than on Monday before I was so physically exhausted that I could not do it anymore.

So Day 2 stats... 5 of 8 60s sprints, but finished the time by walking the rest of the way. Not losing any weight yet but I have been somewhat yo-you eating. Did a good job on Monday, on Tuesday was 700 calories over my goal, on Wednesday I hardly ate any calories at all. So going to have to work on that.

Matt's going out of town for the next 2 1/2 weeks. It would be pretty awesome if when he came back I was in noticeably better shape. :))

Goal today: Exercise on the WiiFit and Try to eat at least 3 meals today but still stay with in my calorie goals for loosing weight.

Day One

Today I started the Couch Potato to 5k journey....I am using "Podcasts for Running." I made it around the block (1.3miles) by halfway through the program, but could not do the last four 60s sprints. I was out of breath, my calves were burning, I was dripping in sweat, and I felt like I was moving in slowmo. 

Agh...I'm 26 and I'm in the worst shape of my life. I am 5'4" and I weigh 165 lbs. For those of you who say oh that's not so bad...my BMI is 28.7....normal is 22. So I am very close to becoming obese. I feel fat when I barely fit into my size 12 jeans.

My husband and I want to try to have kids but between the weight and stress, my cycles have become increasingly irregular. Day 80 of my cycle right now and despite 2 PT's I am just not pregnant. So I am trying to get healthy before I have a baby or to have a baby I guess.

Along with the running, I plan on walking the same block every evening with the dog and my husband. I also work out on my WiiFit everyday. In addition I am going to start watching what I eat. I don't eat terribly unhealthy. I like chocolate and sweets but I would rather have some fruit or berries. I don't drink soft drinks because of IBS. No my problem with food is portion control. Learning to eat one serving instead of three is my goal.

So you can take this journey with me or just read my regales of attempting to get healthy.