Damn you weekends!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  Mine was super busy and I couldn't wait to sleep last night.  I didn't make proper food choices all weekend.  It's amazing how much your body feels like crap from eating crap!  I will have to spend the rest of this week just trying to put my digestive system back on track.  There is the school of thought out there that shaking up your caloric intake will throw off your metabolism.  Well then mine should be shocked and awed!  

The weekend is over.  I made the choices.  Time to pull up the big girl panties and move forward.  I plan to stick to my calories and piss off the part of my brain that loved this weekend.  Those neurons can shove it.  

I did get my exercise in.  But with all the activities that required sitting meeting my step goal was a challenge.  Too bad you can't use cell phones during trivia or I could have walked laps around the building, lol!  This would have kept me away from the food too!  

Yesterday was a cold, wet miserable kind of day.  I couldn't go for my long run until evening and thankfully the wet stuff cleared out but it was nippy!   It felt great to be outside running in the cool evening air.  The only drawback was I had to pace myself more.  I ran 6.33 miles in 69 min.  Apparently, my pacing didn't translate from my brain to my feet!  Oh well.  It felt good anyway.  One month to the 10k!  I am so ready to hit this race!!  

Hot 100 Challenge

I've decided to join my fellow bloggers in making the best of the final 100 days of 2010!  South Beach Steve over at Log My Loss is hosting a 100 Days Challenge.  You still have time to get involved so come join us!  

I need to pick at least 3 goals that I would like to achieve before the end of the year!  Can you believe there are only 100 days left?  

1. Get more sleep each night.  I am horrible about staying up much too late and then spending the rest of the week exhausted.  
2. Drop 20 lbs and be at 200 lbs!  I will totally buy a hot dress and spend NYE out on the town when this happens!!
3. Continue my monthly meal planning even with all the holiday activities looming.  I want to be prepared even if things have to change at least there is a plan in place. 
4. Work on my balance.  I need to spend time practicing when I'm not with Ms. All-star!  I am good while standing still but add movement and I'm guaranteed to fall. 

I want to make the next 100 days work for me and not against me!  I don't want to fear the holidays and then give up because caving in seems easier.  I don't want to spend the first 3 months of 2011 fixing my mistakes!  

So here's to finishing 2010 strong and ringing in an awesome 2011!  

Sources of Inspiration

For the last few seasons of The Biggest Loser, I've taped them and waited until the season was over to watch the whole thing at one time.  I did this because I found myself unmotivated in my own weight loss and not interested in watching someone else have success.  Plus, it gave me something to watch over the summer!  Truth be told, I was scared that the show wouldn't hold the same meaning, that the motivation and inspiration wouldn't be there because I wasn't mentally ready to receive it.  I had failed on my own journey and needed to find my way back to the road. 

I've decided to watch this season in real time (well DVRed real time).  I have found my path once again which provides all the motivation I need to succeed.  The show will always provide inspiration to keep going but now it is no longer a catalyst for my own success.  So much of this journey is mental.  It's something I struggle with every day.  One day at a time; striving so that each one builds on the last. 

Anyway, musings about the show.  I always cry because I understand where the contestants are coming from.  The back stories are almost more interesting than the weight loss and challenges.  The point that struck me the most was when the potential contestants run 1 mile.  Bob says something like, everyone can run a mile, right?  Wrong.  I remember the first time I ever tried to run at all.  I thought my legs were going to fall off.  The first time I ran a mile I thought my lungs were going to rip out of my body.   I look back and realize how far I've come.  I can run 6 miles now.  That is 6 miles without walking.  I'm pretty sure the Brigitte at 1 mile would have laughed if told one day you'll run 6 miles without stopping.   I am so proud of what I can push my body to do and accomplish.  I've come a long way mentally, physically and spiritually.  Just think the journey still has miles to go and I look forward to every bit of it! 

Cupcake of Happiness Blog Award

I am always honored to receive blog awards!  I got this one from Dr. Fat to Fit!  The requirements are as follows:

1. Post who gave you this award

Thank you Dr. F from Dr. Fatty Finds Fitness!

2. State 10 things you like:

1. Spending time with my niece and nephew.  They are so much fun to hang out with.
   
2. Tennis shoes.  I probably own 15 pairs.  I love shoes in general but I own way too many athletic shoes.  Seriously, I only need 1 pair! 
   
3. My iphone.  I don't remember life before I got it!
   
4. Pumpkin.  I bought a bunch of cans and can't wait to start making things! 
   
5. Halloween.  I can't wait to decorate.  Is it too soon?
   
6. Reading.  I like to hold real books but I am intrigued by the electronic readers. 
   
7. Office supplies.  There is nothing like new pens or pencils, post-its and the smell of tape!  I always carry post-its!  You never know when you need one! 
   
8. Mizzou football.  Go ZOU! 
   
9. Candles.  I buy way too many.  I love this time of year when the pumpkin spices are coming out.  The Christmas scents are also a fave. 
10. Flowers.  It is always nice to get them but even more fun to pick some up just because! 
    

3. Give this award to 10 other bloggers and notify them with a comment.

1.  This is when I realize I need to read more blogs.  I give this award to all those wonderful blogs out there that haven't had it yet!  Claim away kids!! (I know this is the cop-out answer...I suck)
   

Weigh and Measure Day - Month 3

Yesterday was W & M day with the trainer!  Ms. All-star and I have been putting up with each other for almost three months (surprisingly neither of us has killed the other, YET)!  It's amazing how different I feel by doing more than just cardio at the gym.  The other day she was whining about having to do so much cardio and not having enough time for all the "fun" stuff.  I would much rather do cardio and pretend the "fun" stuff doesn't exist.  However, I will be the first to admit before her my idea of strength training was lifting the kitty liter carton (it does weigh 25lbs) once a month!  I am really glad I have her around to make me do all the "fun" stuff!  Heck, I can even sort of balance now and that blows my mind, well until I trip over the flat floor. 

So without further ado....
I weighed in at 226 pounds!  That is a lose of 6 lbs for the month and 1% body fat!  It is also 3, count 'em, 3 lbs from 100 total.  Woo hoo!  Something to strive for next week or realistically the following week!  I lost almost an inch around the middle and various fractions of an inch in other places.  I am pretty happy with my progress.  The results have slowed down but I notice my clothes fitting better or in the case of my pants this morning not at all!  Suckers fell right to the floor!!!  I also love that despite the bat wings my arms have some definition.  I can actually see a muscle there, who knew?  My calves are also pretty hot, lol!  It's so much fun to see other people's reactions and hear all the praise.  I can soak it up for days!  :P 

My wish for everyone struggling with their weight is that they reach the point where they feel good about their bodies.   It doesn't matter what size you are at that point, just that what you see in the mirror no longer makes you cry and instead puts that smile on your face! 

Allergies suck and it's W & M day

My Fall allergies are worse than the Spring/Summer and I don't like it.  I've had a sinus headache for a couple days.  Last night, I came home from work, took some sudafed and passed out for a 2-hour nap!  It was great!  I was able to function better and even had more energy for the gym.   Luckily, dinner was salmon and quickly broiled in the oven.  Apparently, my meal planning in advance was a lifesaver last night!  The headache is still there but it's not nearly as annoying.

Today is weigh and measure day.  I already know that I haven't lost much this month and can only hope that muscle is compensating.  I have to be more diligent in my food tracking and stop the weekend binges.  Stupid weekends.  This happened the last time I made it to this weight (before all the sickness drama).  My body clung to the fat like glue.  I'll have to work harder.   Wish me luck tonight!! 

Runner High

I received a new blog award and will post all about it later!  I am excited!  Thanks to Dr. F!

I've been running for a few years now and have never experienced that "runner's high" that other people report.  I am always happy when the run is over but that's because it is over and not some endorphin rush.   I am usually dragging my ass home and whining about how hard it was to complete.   I love to run and get really bored walking, so that is what motivates me to do it over and over again.  This all changed last night!  

I waited to run until late evening and had to finish in the dark.  It was a bit spooky; I ran faster!  I started out at a pretty good pace and wasn't laboring.  Wow, that is something I am pretty sure I would never say or put into writing.  I finished the first 5k in 34 min.  In the back of my mind I was thinking, maybe I can do all 6.2 miles tonight.  I kept going and was still doing pretty well (minor almost asthma attack from the wood burning smoke near the trail).  I finished 5.5 miles and was starting to feel jelly legs coming on but I persevered and finished 6.22 miles in 70 min!  There was some happy dancing and fist pumping smack dab in the middle of the trail.  Thankfully, it was dark and no one saw it, LOL!  I couldn't wait to get home and tell my mommy!  I was bouncing off the walls and that folks was my first ever "runner's high"!   

I also felt some validation into the running world!  Not that I need acceptance but it was kind of nice to feel the support from a total stranger.   I passed a few runners on the other side of the trail and always take stock of who is around me.  On the way back, a guy that I passed earlier gave me a thumbs up and a smile of encouragement!  He was obviously a big time runner, you know the ones with the lanky build and the ability to run without an ipod marathoner-types.  It was a super cool move and he has no idea how much the support meant!  So I think I am a real runner now...  :P Well at least in my head!