Where have I been? That is a great question. I have been here but I haven't updated in about three weeks. My last update was about losing .6 lbs and how it is better than nothing. Since then I have been on quite the roller coaster.
I weighed in on March 6th and I had lost 1.6 which I was very happy with. My exercise had been moderate for the week. The next weigh in on March 13th was going to be trouble. Big trouble. I was pretty good all week knowing that Friday night was going to be a totally splurge. I met up with a bunch of friends and went to the SIP food and wine classic in McMinnville. I enjoyed lots of wine and all kinds of tasty foods and desserts. The following morning I went out to eat and had a half order of corned beef hash and it was amazing. I knew that the scale was not going to be my friend the following morning. I took a deep breath and stepped on and YIKES I had gained 2.2 pounds. I had expected a gain but not that much. I was really disappointed in myself. After my weigh in I headed to downtown Portland it was time for the Shamrock Run. I ran the 15k with my friend Jen. I was really happy with our time and our pace. The first 4+ miles of the run are at an incline and so I expected our time to be a lot slower than it was. It drizzled the entire race which it better than a downpour but sunshine would have been nice. :-)
Monday, the 14th, I did my kettlebell workout even though I felt like I was getting sick. On Tuesday track started and so I didn't get to work out during the evening. I promised my self that after spring break I would be getting up really early in the mornings to get my workouts over with. By Wednesday my cold had hard. I have been miserable ever since. I had to cancel plans with friends on Saturday night and my 10 miler on Sunday (today). I am hoping to get some exercise later today and then do my long run later this week. My next race is Race for the Roses a half marathon on April 3rd.
So that pretty much bring us up to my my weigh in this morning. I had been weighing myself daily to see how many of my "SIP pounds" I was losing. I had hoped that sticking to my daily points, not drinking, and fighting a cold would help me to shed those extra pounds plus a few. It paid off and then some. I lost 5.2 pounds this week bringing my grand total to 15.4 pounds. I am 2.3 pounds away from losing 10% of my body weight and I am about 12-17 pounds away from my goal. I am feeling pretty great because I am halfway there.
Weight Watchers Quote of the Day: "Your goals, minus your doubts, equals your reality." Ralph Marston
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
.6 is better than nothing...
After running Hagg last weekend I have been a total bum. The only workout that I did this week was a 10 minute long ab video. I am a slacker with a capital S. :-) To makes things worse I went to happy hour twice this week and went to a party last night. My food and beverage choices were not the best. I am also suffering from a case of the slows today. I need to force myself to get some exercise.
Anyways, I was dreading stepping on the scale this morning because I knew I wasn't going to like the number. I had a feeling that I was going to have gained weight from my last weight in. I was shocked to see that I had lost .6 pounds and that brings my grand total to 10.8. I am happy with .6 because it is better than nothing but I should have been more disciplined this week. If I had been more disciplined I would have lost more weight. I had taken a break from wearing my bracelet and this week proves that I am not yet strong enough to stop wearing it. I know that I will get there though. I spent time looking through pictures of myself from a few years ago and I want that body back and I am going to have it.
Weight Watchers posted a great quote today:
"If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning." -Mahatma Gandhi
This quote totally fits my attitude today. :-)
Anyways, I was dreading stepping on the scale this morning because I knew I wasn't going to like the number. I had a feeling that I was going to have gained weight from my last weight in. I was shocked to see that I had lost .6 pounds and that brings my grand total to 10.8. I am happy with .6 because it is better than nothing but I should have been more disciplined this week. If I had been more disciplined I would have lost more weight. I had taken a break from wearing my bracelet and this week proves that I am not yet strong enough to stop wearing it. I know that I will get there though. I spent time looking through pictures of myself from a few years ago and I want that body back and I am going to have it.
Weight Watchers posted a great quote today:
"If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning." -Mahatma Gandhi
This quote totally fits my attitude today. :-)
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Summer Races with Tasha
I am counting down the days until June/summer and it is not just because I need/want a break from work. I get to see my best friend, Tasha, three times. Tasha and I have signed up to run to races and participate in an amazing race type event. I am posting links to the three so that you can check them out and maybe join us in the fun.
CityScape Adventures-Portland on June 4th:
http://www.active.com/more-sports/portland-or/cityscape-adventures-portland-2011
Helvetia Half Marathon on June 11th:
http://www.runwithpaula.com/helvetia-half
Go Girl Trail Run on July 10th:
http://www.runwithpaula.com/go-girl-trail-run
Tasha has always been an inspiration to be because she is an incredibly hard worker and an amazing runner. I can never keep up with her pace but she signs up to run races with me so that we can spend time together before and after. I appreciate her support and encouragement. <3
CityScape Adventures-Portland on June 4th:
http://www.active.com/more-sports/portland-or/cityscape-adventures-portland-2011
Helvetia Half Marathon on June 11th:
http://www.runwithpaula.com/helvetia-half
Go Girl Trail Run on July 10th:
http://www.runwithpaula.com/go-girl-trail-run
Tasha has always been an inspiration to be because she is an incredibly hard worker and an amazing runner. I can never keep up with her pace but she signs up to run races with me so that we can spend time together before and after. I appreciate her support and encouragement. <3
Hagg Lake = Hardest. Race. Ever.
Hagg Lake Ultra is the hardest race that I have ever done and it is the longest race that I have run. I participated in the 25k which is 15.3 miles. The course had been run on twice the day before in the 50k race and my friends and I run slowly so the course had been run on for the third time before us. It was incredibly muddy and some parts were still icy. To say that we ran the course would be a lie....what we really did was a combination of running, jogging, walking, skidding, slipping, jumping and the occasional bounding. I was lucky enough not to slip and fall but my friend, Jen, managed to bite it four times and luckily never get injured.
Our pace was incredibly slow (it took us four hours to finish) and there was nothing we could really do about it. I decided that since we were already going so slow that we might as well take some pictures. :-) Here are some pictures of Jen, Robyn and me during and after the race. I am also posting a picture of the front of the race shirt and the finisher socks.
Our pace was incredibly slow (it took us four hours to finish) and there was nothing we could really do about it. I decided that since we were already going so slow that we might as well take some pictures. :-) Here are some pictures of Jen, Robyn and me during and after the race. I am also posting a picture of the front of the race shirt and the finisher socks.
BTW...we didn't finish last!!!
Snow Day = Catch Up Day
Once again I have been slacking on my blog posting...I promise to do better. I got the day off of work today because of snow and so I figured that this is the perfect opportunity to play a little catch up. The good news is that while blogging hasn't been a priority sticking to my WW plan has. The amount of exercise that I have been getting could improve but dieting...I mean a life style change has been going well.
My last post was almost two weeks ago and I had gone for a 10 mile training run out at Hagg lake...that following week I did a short run or two but nothing to write home about. I have been letting myself use some of my cheat points and have been making sure that I am satisfying crazing that I have. I weighed myself on that morning and I wasn't really expecting much....I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had lost another 1.6 pounds. That put my grand weight loss total at 7.8 pounds. To me that seemed so close and yet so very far from 10 pounds. 10 pounds to me that is a huge number and I wanted it so bad. My good weigh in inspired me to go for a 7 mile training run. the run felt great and I felt like I was running a little faster than my 7 miler two weeks before.
The week before the Hagg Lake run (Feb 20th) I was super busy. I didn't feel like I had time to run and part of me just wanted to rest my legs for the 25k (15.3 miles) that I would be attempting to run in the mud. My diet was pretty much the same as it has been since joining WW. I wanted to hit the 10 pound mark so badly but I knew that I wasn't working hard enough to achieve it. The morning of Hagg I woke up and got on the scale with pretty low expectations...I looked down and did a double take...the scale showed that I had lost 2.4 pounds that week bringing my total loss to 10.2 pounds. I couldn't believe it, lol, and so I weighed myself two more times and luckily the scale stayed the same. I was and still am ecstatic about it. I hoped that was a sign that Hagg was going to go well...
My last post was almost two weeks ago and I had gone for a 10 mile training run out at Hagg lake...that following week I did a short run or two but nothing to write home about. I have been letting myself use some of my cheat points and have been making sure that I am satisfying crazing that I have. I weighed myself on that morning and I wasn't really expecting much....I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had lost another 1.6 pounds. That put my grand weight loss total at 7.8 pounds. To me that seemed so close and yet so very far from 10 pounds. 10 pounds to me that is a huge number and I wanted it so bad. My good weigh in inspired me to go for a 7 mile training run. the run felt great and I felt like I was running a little faster than my 7 miler two weeks before.
The week before the Hagg Lake run (Feb 20th) I was super busy. I didn't feel like I had time to run and part of me just wanted to rest my legs for the 25k (15.3 miles) that I would be attempting to run in the mud. My diet was pretty much the same as it has been since joining WW. I wanted to hit the 10 pound mark so badly but I knew that I wasn't working hard enough to achieve it. The morning of Hagg I woke up and got on the scale with pretty low expectations...I looked down and did a double take...the scale showed that I had lost 2.4 pounds that week bringing my total loss to 10.2 pounds. I couldn't believe it, lol, and so I weighed myself two more times and luckily the scale stayed the same. I was and still am ecstatic about it. I hoped that was a sign that Hagg was going to go well...
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Forgot to post last weekend...
I was a total slacker last weekend...I forgot to update my blog. I know, I know... :-)
Last week was pretty eventful. I went to the Dr. with my dad on Wednesday and after that I bought a new car! Dad's appointment went as expected and he needs to decide if he is going to have surgery or have radiation. Dad and I had lunch after his appointment and then we went to Broadway Toyota. We looked at a Prius, took one for a test drive, and the next thing I new we were purchasing it. It is so awesome. I am in love with my car.
Scott and I had cake and champagne to celebrate that night and I new I had exceeded my points. I only worked out twice that week and so I was very nervous for my weigh in on Sunday. I was hoping I didn't gain weight and I was very pleasantly surprised to see that I lost 1.6 pounds that week.
After I weighted in I met up with Jen and Robyn at Hagg Lake and we went for a 10 mile trail run. it was hard but a lot of fun. I hope that I am ready for the 25k next weekend. That night was the super bowl and Scott and the boys were out of town and I watched the game alone. I think this was a good thing because I wasn't at a party with all kinds of yummy food tempting me to break my diet.
Last week was pretty eventful. I went to the Dr. with my dad on Wednesday and after that I bought a new car! Dad's appointment went as expected and he needs to decide if he is going to have surgery or have radiation. Dad and I had lunch after his appointment and then we went to Broadway Toyota. We looked at a Prius, took one for a test drive, and the next thing I new we were purchasing it. It is so awesome. I am in love with my car.
Scott and I had cake and champagne to celebrate that night and I new I had exceeded my points. I only worked out twice that week and so I was very nervous for my weigh in on Sunday. I was hoping I didn't gain weight and I was very pleasantly surprised to see that I lost 1.6 pounds that week.
After I weighted in I met up with Jen and Robyn at Hagg Lake and we went for a 10 mile trail run. it was hard but a lot of fun. I hope that I am ready for the 25k next weekend. That night was the super bowl and Scott and the boys were out of town and I watched the game alone. I think this was a good thing because I wasn't at a party with all kinds of yummy food tempting me to break my diet.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Celebrating Small Victories
I really should be more positive with this journey and so I a dedicating this post to doing just that...I have a a lot of things in my life to be happy about and I need to focus on those things instead of the negative. Ralph Waldo Emerson said "The first wealth is health" and I am lucky enough to have my health....now I need to work on the wealth. :)
Small Victory #1: I am getting the hang of Weight Watchers; I lost 2.4 pounds this week...making my two week grand total 4.6 pounds. I wanted to hit the five pound make but 4.6 is pretty darn good. I hope to keep losing around two pounds a week, but I know that isn't completely realistic.
Small Victory #2: Trying new things. I went to two strength and cardio classes, two ab labs, and a cycling class. I have never been to any type of class at a gym before and I was pretty nervous about going and making a fool of myself. I enjoyed all of the classes and plan attending more of then. The only bummer is that the strength and cardio class is no longer being offered at a time that I can attend.
Small Victory #3: I went for a long run in the nice weather today. I was hoping to last for 4-5 miles and I made it for 7!!! The 7 miles were very hilly and my legs were pretty tired by the end. I ran very slowly, but it has been a month and a half since my last long run.
I am happy that I am making this life change for myself. The WW point system is working out great for me. I was able to drink red wine, eat Ben and Jerry's ice cream, and half of a slice of greasy Costco pepperoni pizza this weekend and still lose weight. I know that I would probably have lost more weight if I would have skipped those items, but I am so happy that I ate them. :) I now have a scale to weigh my food and this is great because I am terrible at estimating portion sizes.
On a different note my dad was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and on Wednesday we are going to the doctor to find out about different treatment options. Please keep him in your thoughts. To end this post on a more positive note he is very optimistic.
Small Victory #1: I am getting the hang of Weight Watchers; I lost 2.4 pounds this week...making my two week grand total 4.6 pounds. I wanted to hit the five pound make but 4.6 is pretty darn good. I hope to keep losing around two pounds a week, but I know that isn't completely realistic.
Small Victory #2: Trying new things. I went to two strength and cardio classes, two ab labs, and a cycling class. I have never been to any type of class at a gym before and I was pretty nervous about going and making a fool of myself. I enjoyed all of the classes and plan attending more of then. The only bummer is that the strength and cardio class is no longer being offered at a time that I can attend.
Small Victory #3: I went for a long run in the nice weather today. I was hoping to last for 4-5 miles and I made it for 7!!! The 7 miles were very hilly and my legs were pretty tired by the end. I ran very slowly, but it has been a month and a half since my last long run.
I am happy that I am making this life change for myself. The WW point system is working out great for me. I was able to drink red wine, eat Ben and Jerry's ice cream, and half of a slice of greasy Costco pepperoni pizza this weekend and still lose weight. I know that I would probably have lost more weight if I would have skipped those items, but I am so happy that I ate them. :) I now have a scale to weigh my food and this is great because I am terrible at estimating portion sizes.
On a different note my dad was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and on Wednesday we are going to the doctor to find out about different treatment options. Please keep him in your thoughts. To end this post on a more positive note he is very optimistic.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Weight Watchers
After a lot of deliberation on how I wanted to change my diet I decided to join Weight Watchers (WW). The main reason that I decided to give WW a try is because through my insurance I am eligible to get 6 months for free and free is a great price. I signed up on MLK JR day (January 17, 2011). I joined the online version of WW and so I don't go to meetings or public weigh-ins. My first official weigh-in wasn't the happiest moment for me but it was a start.
WW really seems to have a learning curve. I had to get used to checking all of the fat, carbs, protein, and fiber in everything that I eat and then entering the information in the online calculator to determine the items point value. I am "allowed" to eat 30 points worth of food a day. Luckily fruits and most vegetables carry a 0 point value and so I can enjoy as many of those a day as I would like. This is where I see an advantage to counting calories (which I have tried in the past). Fruits can be very high in calories and I love eating fruit.
I am a very routined person. This whole week has been dedicated to figuring out my WW routine and what foods I will eat every day for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is where I mix it up. I found a bread that I love that is only worth two points ( for two slices) and a non fat Greek yogurt worth only one point (six ounces). The more recipes that I discover the more that I feel like this whole WW thing is doable.
My exercise effort this week was acceptable but not fantastic. On Monday I did 30 minutes on the elliptical cross trainer, Tuesday I did a 30ish minute run/walk with Robyn and Veronica, Wednesday I attended a cardio/strength class and an ab lad, Thursday I did another 30 minutes on the elliptical cross trainer, I took Friday and Saturday off, and on Sunday (today) I did 60 minutes of cardio.
My week one weigh-in was today and I lost 2.2lbs. I happy for any loss but I think that I can do better. My plan for this week is to put more time in at the gym/running.
WW really seems to have a learning curve. I had to get used to checking all of the fat, carbs, protein, and fiber in everything that I eat and then entering the information in the online calculator to determine the items point value. I am "allowed" to eat 30 points worth of food a day. Luckily fruits and most vegetables carry a 0 point value and so I can enjoy as many of those a day as I would like. This is where I see an advantage to counting calories (which I have tried in the past). Fruits can be very high in calories and I love eating fruit.
I am a very routined person. This whole week has been dedicated to figuring out my WW routine and what foods I will eat every day for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is where I mix it up. I found a bread that I love that is only worth two points ( for two slices) and a non fat Greek yogurt worth only one point (six ounces). The more recipes that I discover the more that I feel like this whole WW thing is doable.
My exercise effort this week was acceptable but not fantastic. On Monday I did 30 minutes on the elliptical cross trainer, Tuesday I did a 30ish minute run/walk with Robyn and Veronica, Wednesday I attended a cardio/strength class and an ab lad, Thursday I did another 30 minutes on the elliptical cross trainer, I took Friday and Saturday off, and on Sunday (today) I did 60 minutes of cardio.
My week one weigh-in was today and I lost 2.2lbs. I happy for any loss but I think that I can do better. My plan for this week is to put more time in at the gym/running.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The Wristbrand
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
My first post
Welcome to my blog "Self Discipline and Me". This is the first blog that I have ever written and so this is my first of many (hopefully) posts. I am attempting to start holding myself accountable in many aspects of my life, particularly when it comes to diet and exercise. Please forgive any and all typos.
The other night I couldn't sleep. I was in bed and very frustrated that I was wide awake when I should have been getting my beauty sleep. I decided to be productive with my time and brainstorm ideas to help me be successful in my goals and to just be all around happier. I am disappointed in my weight gain and my lack of motivation.
Finally an idea worth mentioning hit me. I would write a blog. I would send the link to my closest friends in hope that they would read it and kick my butt if I was slacking off. My idea was set but I needed a title and direction. I had been reading my backlog of Shape magazines (four months) and a short article in one of them had caught my eye...it was by a trainer who had started a line of rubber bracelets (similar to livestrong) that were black with the words self discipline on them in white. The point behind them is that he couldn't be with his clients at all times but they could wear a bracelet that would remind them to make smart choices.
This is exactly what I needed...self discipline...and accountability. The next day I ordered the bracelet and it should be here soon. I figure writing in a blog and tracking my progress or lack there of will hold me accountable and so will the races that I have registered to run in the months of January* (1/2 marathon), February (15.5 mile mud run), March (9k), April (1/2 marathon), and May (1/2 marathon). * As out now January is out because I hurt my back over winter break and my training hasn't been realistic....excuses, excuses...I know...
I commute over an hour to work each way and I coach for a minimum of two hours after work each day. I have rarely taken the time to workout/run during my coaching seasons this year (September 2010-January 2011). To be honest some days I was too lazy and on others I was/am just too exhausted and I need(ed) sleep. This has led me to be unhappy and when I am unhappy I eat...
My basketball (coaching) season ends on January 13th (Thursday) and starting that weekend I am going to be starting my "Self Discipline and Me" journey. I hope that you will join me in my attempt of training, healthy eating, weight loss and possibly running a full marathon.
The other night I couldn't sleep. I was in bed and very frustrated that I was wide awake when I should have been getting my beauty sleep. I decided to be productive with my time and brainstorm ideas to help me be successful in my goals and to just be all around happier. I am disappointed in my weight gain and my lack of motivation.
Finally an idea worth mentioning hit me. I would write a blog. I would send the link to my closest friends in hope that they would read it and kick my butt if I was slacking off. My idea was set but I needed a title and direction. I had been reading my backlog of Shape magazines (four months) and a short article in one of them had caught my eye...it was by a trainer who had started a line of rubber bracelets (similar to livestrong) that were black with the words self discipline on them in white. The point behind them is that he couldn't be with his clients at all times but they could wear a bracelet that would remind them to make smart choices.
This is exactly what I needed...self discipline...and accountability. The next day I ordered the bracelet and it should be here soon. I figure writing in a blog and tracking my progress or lack there of will hold me accountable and so will the races that I have registered to run in the months of January* (1/2 marathon), February (15.5 mile mud run), March (9k), April (1/2 marathon), and May (1/2 marathon). * As out now January is out because I hurt my back over winter break and my training hasn't been realistic....excuses, excuses...I know...
I commute over an hour to work each way and I coach for a minimum of two hours after work each day. I have rarely taken the time to workout/run during my coaching seasons this year (September 2010-January 2011). To be honest some days I was too lazy and on others I was/am just too exhausted and I need(ed) sleep. This has led me to be unhappy and when I am unhappy I eat...
My basketball (coaching) season ends on January 13th (Thursday) and starting that weekend I am going to be starting my "Self Discipline and Me" journey. I hope that you will join me in my attempt of training, healthy eating, weight loss and possibly running a full marathon.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)