IT WAS MY FIRST TIME!

I met with Trainer Sue for the first time yesterday. I did a basic set of tests for her to evaluate my current status and to give us a benchmark to work off of.

I weighed in - Ok, so I updated my weight on my main page - it was 226 lbs.

My blood pressure was excellent (can't remember the numbers, but she said it was excellent.)

I took a general strength test and ranked average.

I did a flexibility test, and, well, uh,....she decided not to record the results until later (yeah, it was that bad). She said my hammies must be TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT!

And get this, the half-marathon I'm supposedly training for - she's training for it too! It's her first! Hah, small world. We at least have the running thing in common, though she's not a big fan of running.

My first training session is on Tuesday at 5:00 AM. Yep, I said 5:00 AM. It will be an early morning. Pray for me!

Have a great Easter!

I JOINED THE GYM - HIRED A TRAINER!

Alright, so the new treadmill is in my bedroom. I picked it up last week and got it set-up. I walked on it Thursday. Ignored it Friday. Walked on it on Saturday. Ran on it on Sunday. The floor in my room is not all that sturdy and the goldfish in the living room was swimming in a whirlpool! All the stuff on my desk was falling off and books were falling off the shelf and CD's were falling out of their piles...it was not pretty. I tried a few spots and found the safest spot for the goldfish and have a spot for the treadmill that is probably the most sturdy.

OK. that's good, but then there's this new issue --- I hate running on the treadmill! I didn't think I'd hate it this much, but I guess I do. So, I will use it, but it's not all the fun that I thought it would be. Oh my.

I have a co-worker that just joined the gym down the road. I thought, let me check it out. I walked in, got a tour, got a membership, hired a trainer and walked out with an empty wallet! I had been thinking about it and for whatever reason, just stayed away from the gym. I need the help and know it - so I got it!

I will post some gym pictures soon...

So, I bought a treadmill!

It hasn't made it home from the store yet - sorta need a strong man and a truck to do that. Hopefully, I can find one next week! (Any offers???)

I was able to run 3 times last week and went out last night to the track. It was like a bazillion below zero, but I was running! I managed 12 total laps. My foot is killing me and I got my first charlie horse/cramp in my leg in almost 3 years! You ever hear of plantar fascitis? Neither did I, but I have it in my left foot. It feels fine when I'm running or continually walking, but ooooh buddy, when you sit down or sleep for awhile. I can't walk at all!

Alright. So this is a short update, but I am running!

Run baby, run!

March is just around the corner...

I haven't posted an update in almost a month!

There's a good reason for that - there's nothing to update you on.

I'm stuck in the middle of the winter blahs with no end in sight. I go to work in the dark, I leave in the dark, there's no ray of sunshine in my life...except if I take that elusive lunch hour out of the building.

I did just that this week and discovered a park just down the road from work. It has a ton of walk/run paths. I took a long walk on Tuesday in an attempt to "scout" the paths. It was nice. I decided to pack up my gym bag and go running on my lunch break. That's just what I did. Since the facilities at work just happen to include a shower, I have no excuse. I have found my time to run - lunchtime!

It's still cold outside, but I can get that time in running. The "official" training calendar starts this weekend for the half-marathon. The first few runs include 3-4 miles. Heck - I've run 3-4 miles TOTAL since Christmas! I might be in for a little trouble!

On top of the lack of preparation, I seemed to have bruised my left heel. It feels fine when I'm on it for longer periods of time, even when running. But, to sit down for awhile and then try to walk - ooooh doggie! I definitely have some work ahead of me here! Lots of icing and stretching and new gel inserts - I'm definitely gel-ing!

OK. As far as the weight loss - let's not go there right now. I'll get back on the wagon, I need to get over this winter blah thing and start a routine of running, the rest will easily follow.

Thanks for listening to my rambling on about myself today...Hope to have something interesting for you next time.

BTW - totally off the subject, I'm a proud aunt of a new nephew. His name is Jonas Eli. He was born yesterday. Check out his first video at http://project-thirty.blogspot.com.

I'm on my way...

I'm on the way...

It's been awhile, but I have not been absent from the goal. I weighed in today at 217 lbs. That means,

I've lost 5 lbs!

I have been in a period of fasting with my church and that has definitely made a difference. My church is in a 14-day period of fasting and prayer. I am participating through the Daniel fast (cutting out all meat, dairy and sugar). It's been good. Not that my goal was to lose weight, but that has been an added plus.

I plan on beginning the actual training for the half marathon this weekend. I need to get going. It's been hard motivating myself to get out and run in the cold / dark evenings. But, I just need to make the plan and go for it.

I've been hoping my old company would send out my W-2 so I can get my taxes done. Why? Because I plan on using my refund to purchase a treadmill (that will solve the motivation problem of the cold / dark evenings). I've already been looking and have a few models in mind. I just need to see how much I'm going to get so I know how much treadmill I can purchase.

Well, work is calling. Have a great day!

...to lose weight in 2008!

Good Intentions...

WE all have them. We set our goals, we set off to accomplish something great, but then we find ourself not exactly going in the direction we want.

Anyone who has struggled with their weight knows what I'm talking about. I've set the goal, I go after it. After 1-2 days, I fall. I have a free lunch. I see my "favorite". Then, it becomes a few days when I've eaten outside the plan.

Before you know it, I'm right back where I started!

OK. Now what?!?!

I start over. I begin again. That's it.

I have good intentions...I have a goal, a plan.

I've started running again. Good. I've got that going for me. Now, I just need to get the calorie counting thing going for me. I've cut the Coke from my diet, but then again, I drank a lot of sprite this week. Hmmmm??? What's the difference (minus the caffeine)?

It's a new week. Time to get serious - AGAIN!

I checked in at 222 lbs this morning. That's OK. We're going to make it.

Setting Goals...

I love to set goals. I can't help it. There's just something about setting a goal with action steps that you can measure and ultimately, achieve your goal.

With that in mind, I have signed up for the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon on April 26th. I started my 16 weeks of training tonight. I have a whole chart with when to run and how fast and when to rest and do nothing (my favorite days). In the meanwhile, I just might see some pounds fade away into the past to never return again!

I started counting the calories that I am consuming - watching carefully to balance my diet. I won't starve myself, but I WILL make good choices. As I'm typing this blog, I am eating a healthy grilled chicken salad with walnuts and green apples while smelling the wonderful aroma of pancakes that my roommate is making. She is so mean!

But that's ok.

I'm a big loser!

Speaking of Big Loser, my favorite show is on in a few minutes, "The Biggest Loser". It makes for a great reality show, as long as all the whiners get voted off in the first few weeks.

Back to goals. I ran 2 miles tonight. I squeezed into my spandex and went to the Middle School track to put in my mileage. I ran it under the suggested time by the "chart". I did my lap warm-up - 2 miles of running - lap cool down. It felt great. No aches or pains to complain about, at least not yet.

I checked in on the scale this morning - lost 1.4 lbs! We're on the way to 5 lbs in January!