What's Changed?

I don't know what's changed...the scale has been the same for a long time now, but for whatever reason, everyone's asking if I've lost weight. Wha????

Yes, my pants are baggy in the butt, but they've been that way for awhile. I'm still wearing the same clothes, but the scale has remained rock solid - almost as if it is a rock and the number will never change.

I'm glad for people noticing. It's a bit discouraging when you feel like you work hard and give it all you got, but there's nothing to show for it. Now that I'm in plateau-mode, everyone's noticing...interesting.

I'M NOT COMPLAINING - REALLY I'M NOT!

The encouraging words are nice. They're...encouraging.

This whole weightloss thing has been a mental struggle for me for awhile. I don't just eat a salad a few times and boom - 5 lbs lost. I have to eat less than 1600 calories and workout at the gym religiously - for months - FOR MONTHS - to see any weightloss. So to have someone notice the hard-work - it's nice.

Now, don't get all concerned that I'm going to breakout in the belly shirts and low-risers anytime soon. I still have some modesty about me. And plus, that would still be plain ol' gross to look at!

I don't know what's changed - but I'll TAKE IT!

Diagnosis - I don't know!

Here's the deal...I went out running on Saturday to "test out" my leg. 5-miles later, both legs felt sore, but not any worse for the use.

I don't think it's anything major, just some soreness that I need to work through. I soaked in an epsom salt bath almost immediately following the 5-miler. My legs seemed to like it. I was sore the remainder of the day (like walking funny sore) and I was sore on Sunday, but I didn't walk funny. Today, if I flex or move the right way, I can feel them, but otherwise, I feel good.

I feel good.

I am not feeling as discouraged as I was on Friday (or even Saturday morning). I am just feeling cautious. I will treat my legs well for the next few days and see how they fare.

Saturday is the 10k race I signed-up for. (That's 6.2 miles for the layman). I have 2 runs scheduled this week: 4 miles on Tuesday, 3 miles on Thursday. I will take it easy and see how it goes.

I'll keep you posted!

Why me?!?!

It seems that just when I start getting into a routine or in the midst of training, I get injured. I must attract the injury. I do all the right things. I stretch. I warm-up. I follow the training schedules. I don't know what it is.

Now, I'm not sure how bad it is, but I have the ache in my calf that seems to worsen when I run. It's fine otherwise, but after I run, it really hurts. At first, I thought it was just a tight muscle that wouldn't relax. I used Icy Hot and rubbed it down pretty good. It seemed to get better. I took a day off of running. But today, I thought I'd hit the treadmill and see how it feels. It started to ache.

I have a 5-mile training run tomorrow. I'm going to try and see how it goes. If it continues to persist, I guess it's safe to say that it's something more than a sore muscle (which I am praying against). The "something more" is more likely to be a muscle tear - which won't heal for a few weeks - so pray with me for a sore muscle that will be healed quickly!

I'll give an update later in the weekend to let you know how it's going!

A Little Update...

To enliven the pupils of my meager following, I am working on updating my blog - visually.

Since I feel like there's not much to blog about lately, I thought I'd make some changes to the blog-site instead.

Don't get too worried, I am still hitting the gym and I'm on Week 4 of an 8-week training plan to run 10-miles (The Philadelphia Broad Street Run). I am sore and tired - there's not much more to say at this time.

So, for now, check-out my new Nike+ Mini-me to the left...it will update everytime I update my runs!

What the $%^&*!

Starting Weight - 209.2 on 2/6
Week 1 Weight - Unknown
Week 2 Weight - 210.8 lbs. (2/27)
Week 3 Weight - 212.8 lbs. (3/6)
Week 4 Weight - 210.6 lbs (3/12)
Week 5 Weight - 212 lbs (3/20)

Maybe NEXT week - maybe we'll see a negative overall!!!

I registered for my first 10k

This morning, I registered for my first 10k (6.2 miles). I have never raced that specific distance. I know it's completely doable. It's also placed perfectly on my training schedule. That Saturday, I have to run a 10k for training, so why not pay to run and get a free long-sleeve T-Shirt?!!!

I was watching THE BIGGEST LOSER last night. I love that show! And last night was the perfect reason why I love watching it. The challenge - run a half marathon (13.1 miles) with friends and family watching on. I loved it. There was so much inspiration and determination in that 2-hour program. I even shed a tear or two while watching.

I know the feeling and the pain and the pride and the frustration of running a 13.1 mile race. There's so much that you deal with. It was amazing to see illustrated in video and in their own words the struggles that they were dealing with.

I feel a resurgence of running power and adrenaline or maybe it's the decaf I drank this morning...

I have been on track with my running schedule, though I will be honest, I have had a few days that I didn't want to go out. Yesterday was one of them - yet, once I went out, I ran one of the fastest times I've ran in awhile. And my goal was just to put in the mileage - not speed. Who knew!!!

So, today is a cross-training day at the gym. Gonna just have some fun. Maybe, I'll sweat a little bit. Maybe I won't. I just need to burn enough calories to burn off the donut I just consumed.

Yep. I said it - I ate a donut. Not just any donut - a powdered Jelly donut. I know, I know. I'm supposed to be watching my calories and dieting and exercising and all that. But here's what I know about me (no excuses - just fact). If I deny...deny...deny...then I'll binge...binge...binge. I don't mean an all out food-fest, but I'll go days eating all these things that I shouldn't be eating.

There you go. The BIG LOSER truth.

Don't worry - I run 2-3 miles every other day. That's a 350-450 calorie burn for me. Saturdays - I burn over 1000 calories on my long runs. I think a mere donut (1 - 2-3 mile run) won't hurt or harm me !

4 miles down...

Yesterday, I ran 4 miles.

Today, I feel like I ran 4 miles yesterday.

Tomorrow, I run another 4 miles.

Today's results...(week 4)

woohoo!

I lost 2 lbs. exactly from last week's weigh-in.

Woohoo!

Maybe next week - I'll actually get a % of weight loss from the starting point.

Starting Weight - 209.2 on 2/6
Week 1 Weight - Unknown
Week 2 Weight - 210.8 lbs. (2/27) +0.76%
Week 3 Weight - 212.8 lbs. (3/6) +0.95% / +1.72%
Week 4 Weight - 210.6 lbs (3/12) - 1% / +0.67%

Next week - maybe we'll see a negative overall!!!

A Downward Fall...(on the scale that is).

I am finally seeing the numbers on that blasted scale head in the right direction - downward. After the struggles I went through for the past 2 weeks with diet and a lack of desire to care, I've finally found myself where I need to be and feel good about it. It's nice when the scale reflects that hardwork.

I have been in training now for a 10-mile run that will happen on May 3rd. I did my first 3 miles the other day - no real soreness later (yeah!). Today, I will put in 2-miles with some strength training. I am looking forward to that run-time.

There's just something about being outside, running, alone...there's think-time. I imagine myself a racing machine - pressing on towards the finish-line. I feel strong. I feel powerful. I feel....ow, what the...my little toe is going numb. Maybe my sock is bunching...My lungs are screaming - I forgot my inhaler (again)...wait, this is all in my head - just keep running. Breath...Left foot. Right foot. Left...hey, look at that squirrel over there...he's racing me - i'll show hi...ooh, pretty butterfly. Focus.

I am weighing in today for the Biggest Loser Contest at the gym. I feel pretty good about the fact that I will finally see the number go down from last week - it would be great if it went down from day one. It would be a nice reward for the hard-work and diligence (and those daily 1500-calories).

I'll send an update after my visit at noon!

I'm "officially" IN-TRAINING!

I am "officially" in-training for the Broad Street Run.

I have ran a few times over the past few weeks to start building up some of the endurance I need and tonight - I ran my first official 3 miles. I was very surprised at how well I did. I had run in a 5k in November that I tore my arch tendon just yards from the finish line (I tried to "kick-it" those last few yards and it popped).

I've basically just done a lot of cross-training since. No real running - until tonight.

And it feels great!

I don't know what it is about running, but I feel like a machine when I run. My whole body in tune with the motion forward. My core feels really strong. My legs were kicking - even my lungs were participating actively. I'm happy to be running again.

Maybe this is what I need. Maybe this is the kick in the rear that I need. Maybe the Endorphins will make a difference! Maybe just maybe!

Today's results...

I logged in at 209.2 on 2/6.

My first weigh-in - 210.8 lbs. (2/27) +0.01%

Today's weigh-in - 212.8 lbs. (3/6) +0.02%

Hmmmm....I think I'm going the wrong way!

Time for A Change

I guess it's time for a change!

After yesterday's blog entry - I got some challenging words "DO NOT QUIT!" Well, I don't plan on it. I was just having a moment - just keeping it real. I appreciate the encouragement.

I skipped out of work early yesterday for an evening of "full-contact" snowboarding (that's what it's called when I do it) and skiing (which is what I do when I've had enough getting my butt kicked by a wooden plank!). I spent almost 4 hours going up the lift, down the hill. Up the lift, down the hill. It was a well-needed break from "running in place" on the treadmill or "climbing" imaginary steps on the stairmaster. I guess I needed that.

Now I need to focus on getting my diet back in shape. That's an area that has slipped down a slippery slope throughout this whole week. I can use Jedi mind tricks to force myself to the gym, but I have been overdoing it on the 1500-calorie diet. Let's just be honest, there are times when a girl is just hungry and feels the need to eat. I've probably averaged 2000 calories over the past week. Not bad - except, I don't lose weight on a Normal calorie load and going to the gym. I only lose weight on a lower calorie diet and excessive exercise. If only 15 lbs over the period of 1-year isn't proof - I don't know what is.

So, I'll be doing a little "changing up" of the diet in order to get back on track. I'm definitely going to take the advice of one commenter and add some extra fiber into my diet. Hopefully, that will take care of the satiation issues I've been wrestling with over the past few days.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Tomorrow is weigh-in day for the Biggest Loser contest at the gym. Keep your fingers crossed that I actually lost weight this week instead of gaining it...

Can I Quit Yet?

I have had a couple of days where I just want to quit. I realize much of it has to do with "being a female", but it has been very difficult.

I have been ravenous! I just want to eat. I am eating all the right foods and drinking lots of water, but I feel hungry ALL THE TIME.

I have been hitting the gym, but I'm tired and don't want to go. But, I do it anyway.

My sleep patterns have been irregular. I'm constantly tired.

I guess I just need to stop fighting the current and let it carry me for a moment...or two! Fighting it seems too difficult. Giving in is so much easier.

What to do? What to DO!???!

Well, I keep doing what I know is the right thing. I had a few bad days. I pick myself up and keep going. I didn't get overweight from a few bad days - it was a lifetime of decision. So, I guess I need to remind myself that I won't be thin and healthy overnight either.

So I had a bad day...I'm not a quitter.

I will rise from the remnants of these past few days and continue the journey laid out before me. I will continue to go forth - I WILL NOT QUIT!

(At least, that's what I'm telling myself). I'll let you know how it goes...