>1. I found out when I got to the gym tonight that I was a "winner." Of course I am a winner people! :) haha
NO really. Remember that "Maintain Don't Gain" challenge I participated in at my gym over the holidays? Well, I lost 10lbs during that. That alone makes me a winner, in my eyes. :) When I walked onto the fitness floor tonight two of the trainers were standing there, I grabbed my towel and heard, "Here comes one of our big winners now!" What, who me? Yep. Turns out there was a drawing or something for the participants of the challenge (those that lost and met their attendance goal) and my name was drawn. SO, what did I win? An hour personal training session! Woot. Now, I just need to decide which trainer I want to work with and decide when. I am really excited.
2. We've been making a few of the recipes featered on SkinnyTaste. Everything we have tried has been really good. If you haven't checked out that blog you should. The recipes are geared towards someone following Weight Watchers, but you obviously don't have to be following WW to enjoy these recipes. I am not following Weight Watchers but do think that the recipes fit our (relatively) healthy eating habits. I like that the calories and fat and all that jazz are listed for each recipe (based on portion size). We usually have enough left over to make lunch the next day. I like that too!
3. I'm having a Giveaway. Did you know that? I'm giving away the book "Run Like a Mother." You can check out my giveaway HERE. And you can check out more about the book and it's authors HERE. I'd love for you to enter my giveaway or spread the words to your friends so they can enter.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
>Cabin Fever
>After a few days cooped up in the house I finally busted out and came to work today. It is so peaceful and quiet in my office. All I hear is the humming of the heater under my desk and the tap tap tap of my fingers on the keyboard.
I LOVE the snow. I really do. We have had a great time playing in it (and running) but the sitting around inside was beginning to wear on me and I felt as though I was getting a case of the blahs. Yesterday I got to thinking about my half marathon training schedule and Tall Mom's 1000 mile Club realizing that I am way behind on my miles for the year so far. I didn't have a run scheduled as part of my training plan yesterday but on Tues/Thurs I like to go to BodyPump classes at my gym. Because of the weather classes had been cancelled and I also knew I would not be going out to town to the gym anyway. So....
While hubby and the kids were "playing school" and cooking dinner I decided to see what I could find on ExerciseTV to do. I ended up doing 30 minutes or so of some pilates and yoga as well as some arm/shoulder exercises with dumbells. It wasn't the workout I would have liked to have done and it was not the cardio I needed but I did get some activity in to take away the guilt of sitting around so much!
Today is a different story! I busted outta the house leaving my poor hubby alone with my rowdy kiddos and came to work. I packed my healthy snacks and lunch for the day as well as my gym bag. The calendar calls for a 4 mile run today and I am looking forward to that! I have new running shoes to break in and pent up energy to get out. I didn't pack my cold weather running gear so that I could run outside so tonight's run will be on the treadmill but I have a plan (thanks to my friend, Terri for giving me some hints on what she's been doing on the treadmill) and hopefully it will go well for me like it has her!
The only thing I am not fond of with running on the treadmill is not being able to use my Garmin. I love coming in from a run and plugging my Garmin in to see the stats of my run. It is so much more exciting than looking at the stats from the treadmill. But I will make do and I did pack my Garmin just in case because if I feel the need to get outside I can always have my awesome hubby bring some cold weather running attire. We will see.
What are you doing to stay active in this cold weather or to keep cabin fever from getting you down?
I LOVE the snow. I really do. We have had a great time playing in it (and running) but the sitting around inside was beginning to wear on me and I felt as though I was getting a case of the blahs. Yesterday I got to thinking about my half marathon training schedule and Tall Mom's 1000 mile Club realizing that I am way behind on my miles for the year so far. I didn't have a run scheduled as part of my training plan yesterday but on Tues/Thurs I like to go to BodyPump classes at my gym. Because of the weather classes had been cancelled and I also knew I would not be going out to town to the gym anyway. So....
While hubby and the kids were "playing school" and cooking dinner I decided to see what I could find on ExerciseTV to do. I ended up doing 30 minutes or so of some pilates and yoga as well as some arm/shoulder exercises with dumbells. It wasn't the workout I would have liked to have done and it was not the cardio I needed but I did get some activity in to take away the guilt of sitting around so much!
Today is a different story! I busted outta the house leaving my poor hubby alone with my rowdy kiddos and came to work. I packed my healthy snacks and lunch for the day as well as my gym bag. The calendar calls for a 4 mile run today and I am looking forward to that! I have new running shoes to break in and pent up energy to get out. I didn't pack my cold weather running gear so that I could run outside so tonight's run will be on the treadmill but I have a plan (thanks to my friend, Terri for giving me some hints on what she's been doing on the treadmill) and hopefully it will go well for me like it has her!
The only thing I am not fond of with running on the treadmill is not being able to use my Garmin. I love coming in from a run and plugging my Garmin in to see the stats of my run. It is so much more exciting than looking at the stats from the treadmill. But I will make do and I did pack my Garmin just in case because if I feel the need to get outside I can always have my awesome hubby bring some cold weather running attire. We will see.
What are you doing to stay active in this cold weather or to keep cabin fever from getting you down?
Monday, January 10, 2011
>NO EXCUSES!!!
>So, some of you northern gals (and guys...do any guys even read here???) may not think much of it but this morning we woke up to this...
6 inches of the beautiful white stuff!
This was taken around 7:30 am and more snow fell through the day.
We took the kids out to play, built a snowman (thanks hubby) and did some sledding.
Obviously way more fun than going to work and sitting in a stuffy office all day, right!?
And boy did I enjoy myself!! I can't wait to do it again....tomorrow (hopefully!!!).
Anyway, last night hubby and I were talking about how IF it did snow like the weather folks predicted we would possibly both find time today to get out and run...maybe.
It was just a thought. I mean I'm crazy and all but really didn't think it would be something I would actually do.
However, my gym was closed today (I think, I didn't even call to check) and while the sledding and trudging through the snow to play with the kids was fun and probably did burn a calorie or two I knew it wasn't enough of a workout.
So, after we played hubby came in to change. He WAS actually going out to run. Yak tracks attached, cold weather running gear on and the iPhone ready to go.
Crapola...he was serious!
So, this meant *I* should get dressed and prove that I am also a trooper.
And I did.
Please ignore the fact that
1. my shorts are all up in my crack
2. my calves look ginormously huge because of the thick UA socks I had on up to my knees under my tights
and
3. I don't have a teeny tiny backside at all!!
BUT do notice that...
1. there is tons of snow on the ground
2. I AM RUNNING!!!
I took a couple of pics with my phone while I was out running. I actually had to stop twice to adjust the Yak Track on my right foot, so I snapped a pic each time. I cannot for the life of me get my computer to recognize the pics though. Bummer.
Anyway....
today's running stats (according to Garmin)
Miles: 2.17
time: 24:01
pace: 11:04
Not too shabby considering the change of conditions for me. This was a first ever for me. And now that I have had time to sit and relax I realize now that running in snow is hard work. My upper legs are killing me! I am really glad I made the decision to NOT use the weather as an excuse to stay inside and skip running. Even though it was a short run (and I need major miles to meet my 1000 mile goal for this year) it's still another run done with
NO EXCUSES!!!
Now, I'm snuggled warm in my pj's, under my blanket getting ready to sip another cup of coffee. Enjoy your night!
Friday, January 7, 2011
>Run Like a Mother (the book) Giveaway
>Perhaps you have hear of Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea but perhaps you have not. If you have not you should definitely head over to Run Like a Mother (the book) and check out the great RLAM's. I said before and I will say again that I don't even believe you have to be a runner or even a mom to appreciate their blog or them or the book! Sure the book has lots of inspirational stories about running, but it's inspiring too for those of us that are wives, have jobs and the plus is being a mom (and further a running mom). Even if you are NOT a runner or a running mom, maybe you have given thought to running but just don't know where to get started or how you can juggle your family, job and everything else that goes with that....fear not!!! You can read all about how TO juggle it all or how these two mom's juggled it all while training to run a marathon!
Now, I have no desire to run a full marathon but I DO plan to run my first half marathon this year. Training is hard enough of a task but throw in work, kids, house, etc and it becomes even harder. I could just lay the idea of running a half marathon to the side because of everything else in life going on BUT I won't reach my goals that way. IF you are considering even running a 5k or heck even considering joining a gym but have doubts, PLEASE enter my giveaway to win this book! It is well worth the read (even if you don't win). Not only do these two women give their stories about staying motivated, what clothing to wear, music, nutrition, pregnancy and much more but there are also little excerpts from other women like us who have gone through the journey as well.
Like I said in my last giveaway of this book, I read it in just a matter of days from the front cover to the back and have began reading through it a second time. I've never done any other book that way. It's been a huge inspiration to me and I believe it would be to you as well.
I bought this book with my own money and wrote this review on my own. I could go on about what it has meant to me and how it has helped me. I could take whole excerpts from this book and post here for you, but I want you to first check out the RLAM blog and check out these two women and the many more women out there! I want YOU to find inspiration like I did. I want YOU to be encouraged not only in running but in your journey as a mom and wife. :)
So, here is YOUR chance to win this great book.
What do you have to do to win?
First of all, leave me a comment for each entry.
1. follow my blog
2. LIKE Run Like a Mother on Facebook
3. Tell me who inspires you
4. Spread the word (and send me a link to where you did just that).
Entries will be taken from now through Friday, January 28. Winner will be announced on Saturday, January 29th and your book will be in the mail on Monday, January 31st (as long as you email me your info by then.). So, check it out and get entered. Good luck and RUN HAPPY!!! :)
Now, I have no desire to run a full marathon but I DO plan to run my first half marathon this year. Training is hard enough of a task but throw in work, kids, house, etc and it becomes even harder. I could just lay the idea of running a half marathon to the side because of everything else in life going on BUT I won't reach my goals that way. IF you are considering even running a 5k or heck even considering joining a gym but have doubts, PLEASE enter my giveaway to win this book! It is well worth the read (even if you don't win). Not only do these two women give their stories about staying motivated, what clothing to wear, music, nutrition, pregnancy and much more but there are also little excerpts from other women like us who have gone through the journey as well.
Like I said in my last giveaway of this book, I read it in just a matter of days from the front cover to the back and have began reading through it a second time. I've never done any other book that way. It's been a huge inspiration to me and I believe it would be to you as well.
I bought this book with my own money and wrote this review on my own. I could go on about what it has meant to me and how it has helped me. I could take whole excerpts from this book and post here for you, but I want you to first check out the RLAM blog and check out these two women and the many more women out there! I want YOU to find inspiration like I did. I want YOU to be encouraged not only in running but in your journey as a mom and wife. :)
So, here is YOUR chance to win this great book.
What do you have to do to win?
First of all, leave me a comment for each entry.
1. follow my blog
2. LIKE Run Like a Mother on Facebook
3. Tell me who inspires you
4. Spread the word (and send me a link to where you did just that).
Entries will be taken from now through Friday, January 28. Winner will be announced on Saturday, January 29th and your book will be in the mail on Monday, January 31st (as long as you email me your info by then.). So, check it out and get entered. Good luck and RUN HAPPY!!! :)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
>Three Things Thursday
>1. Today was the final weigh in at my gym for the Maintain Don't Gain challenge. I am down a total of 10 lbs since it started on Nov. 1. I had hoped to get off another 2 lbs this week but it just didn't happen. I'm ok with that. 10 lbs since Nov. 1 is not too shabby. It beats the 8-17 lbs the dietitian wanted me to lose in 6 months (as of the end of Oct). So I still have a good bit to lose another 7 lbs (hopefully more!). It just seems like I won't get the next 20-25 lbs off since it seems to be coming off so slow. I do know slow weight loss is best but I think anyone trying to lose weight gets a bit discouraged when a week or so passes without any kind of loss. And of course there are still things I could change to make a loss happen I just need to work harder. I know I am not going to let January pass without seeing a loss. There I said it, you read it and that means it has to happen. ;)
2. Remember when I said I have a secret? Do you also recall that the secret is a giveaway? Are you ready for that giveaway? If the answer to any of these 3 questions is yes, then stay tuned because the details will be posted tomorrow.
3. I have a cold this week. I am trying my best not to let it beat me down. I am not treating it with anything though so I may lose the battle. I have been trying to go to bed earlier and eating as healthy as I can. I also have been keeping up with my workouts. I have ran 3 days this week (per my half marathing training plan) and still have one more run ahead of me for the week. I've taken one BodyPump class as well. What I have not done is any weight training. I should though. I keep saying I am going to step it up in that area. But what I wanted to know is how do you train when not feeling 100% ? Do you do anything different when you're sick or coming down with something?
2. Remember when I said I have a secret? Do you also recall that the secret is a giveaway? Are you ready for that giveaway? If the answer to any of these 3 questions is yes, then stay tuned because the details will be posted tomorrow.
3. I have a cold this week. I am trying my best not to let it beat me down. I am not treating it with anything though so I may lose the battle. I have been trying to go to bed earlier and eating as healthy as I can. I also have been keeping up with my workouts. I have ran 3 days this week (per my half marathing training plan) and still have one more run ahead of me for the week. I've taken one BodyPump class as well. What I have not done is any weight training. I should though. I keep saying I am going to step it up in that area. But what I wanted to know is how do you train when not feeling 100% ? Do you do anything different when you're sick or coming down with something?
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
>Because I needed one more challenge!
>So, if you have been in the running world of blogland long enough I am sure you have heard of Tall Mom and if you haven't then I urge you to click the link and check out her blog. Amazing woman, runner, mom, wife...the list goes on. She held a little challenge of sorts last year and is once again challenging runners (walkers, swimmers, bikers and such) to log 1000 (+++) miles in 2011.
In 2010 I ran a total of 531 miles. A far cry from 1000? Yes. A challenge? Yes. Doable? Yes.
The real question is can *I* do it? I sure hope so. I am definitely going to TRY my best. Tall Mom broke things down here as far as the yearly/monthly/weekly/daily miles to achieve the 1000 goal.
But just in case you decide to not go check it out....
1,000/12 months in a year= 83.33 Miles per month
1,000/52 weeks in a year= 19.23 Miles per week
1,000/365 days in a year= 2.74 Miles per day
So, how am I doing so far?
Well, you know (or you might not) that I have another big (to me) goal for 2011 and that is to run my first half marathon. That being said I do think I will come much closer to making 1000 miles this year than I did last year. :)
This week's schedule
Mon- BodyPump @ 6am and 3 miles ran (outside 6PM) 30:56 at 10:19 min/mile pace
Tues - rest due to 1. being sick and 2. a meeting
Weds - 3 miles ran (treadmill) 29:39 at 9:53 min/mile pace
Thurs - 3 miler plus weights
Fri- cross train/weights
Sat - 4 miles
Now, you can see in looking at this week's schedule I will not make the suggested 19.53 miles for the week, BUT in the coming weeks my milage will be increasing on both my short and long runs. So, I am hoping by mid year I will get a good feel of where I stand with milage. Of course any amount of miles over 531 for 2011 will have me excited because that will be more than I accomplished in 2010. :)
If you are interested in adding miles to your running/biking/swimming this year click the button in my sidebar and join the club. Happy running!!!!
In 2010 I ran a total of 531 miles. A far cry from 1000? Yes. A challenge? Yes. Doable? Yes.
The real question is can *I* do it? I sure hope so. I am definitely going to TRY my best. Tall Mom broke things down here as far as the yearly/monthly/weekly/daily miles to achieve the 1000 goal.
But just in case you decide to not go check it out....
1,000/12 months in a year= 83.33 Miles per month
1,000/52 weeks in a year= 19.23 Miles per week
1,000/365 days in a year= 2.74 Miles per day
So, how am I doing so far?
Well, you know (or you might not) that I have another big (to me) goal for 2011 and that is to run my first half marathon. That being said I do think I will come much closer to making 1000 miles this year than I did last year. :)
This week's schedule
Mon- BodyPump @ 6am and 3 miles ran (outside 6PM) 30:56 at 10:19 min/mile pace
Tues - rest due to 1. being sick and 2. a meeting
Weds - 3 miles ran (treadmill) 29:39 at 9:53 min/mile pace
Thurs - 3 miler plus weights
Fri- cross train/weights
Sat - 4 miles
Now, you can see in looking at this week's schedule I will not make the suggested 19.53 miles for the week, BUT in the coming weeks my milage will be increasing on both my short and long runs. So, I am hoping by mid year I will get a good feel of where I stand with milage. Of course any amount of miles over 531 for 2011 will have me excited because that will be more than I accomplished in 2010. :)
If you are interested in adding miles to your running/biking/swimming this year click the button in my sidebar and join the club. Happy running!!!!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
>2010 Year in Review
>January 2010 -
I weighed in at 198.6. I had completed 4 5k races. I was working out on a sporadic basis. I had just gotten into a snug size 14 jean.
During the year 2010-
I RAN 6 5k races and my first 8k race. I began taking group fitness classes (BodyPump and Zumba). I lost 30 lbs for a total loss of 60lbs since April 2009. I met new running buddies and did a couple of group runs. My husband and I started running regularly together. I never took more than a few days break from the gym and on out of town trips (including vacation) I made time for running and stayed on plan with healthy eating as much as I could. I bought my first ever (in like over a decade) size M shirt and size 12 pants/jeans. I also met with a nutritionist/dietitian and managed to not only maintain through the holidays (beginning Nov. 1) but have lost a total of 10 lbs (the challenge ends this week or next). I gained a lot of confidence in myself and what I am capable of acheiving weight loss wise as well as with my running. I decided to train to run my first half marathon and while I feel like that I have not gotten very far with training it is a start.
January 2011-
I am starting the new year at 170 lbs (up a few ounces from my last weigh in but confident that will be off by the end of my gym's challenge). I will continue with half marathon training. I will add more strength training to my weekly workouts. I continue with my healthy eating and strive to do even better in that aspect of this journey.
During the year 2011-
I plan to run my first half marathon (just need to pick and register!!!). My goal is to lose another 20-25 lbs and reach my weight loss goal. That's as far as I have gotten with my goals for 2011 but I feel like those are great goals that do look tough but I know with determination and drive I can totally reach these goals. I have not set a timeline for 2011 as far as the weight loss goal goes because it has taken me since April 2009 to lose 60 lbs. Slow and steady. I am fine with continuing the slow/steady weight loss because it is easier to keep it off that way. I feel like I have become mindful enough of my eating that even with the occasionl indulgence I am confident I will not revert back to a total crappy way of eating (more on this later). I am determined to make 2011 the best year yet as far as running and weight loss goes!
I weighed in at 198.6. I had completed 4 5k races. I was working out on a sporadic basis. I had just gotten into a snug size 14 jean.
During the year 2010-
I RAN 6 5k races and my first 8k race. I began taking group fitness classes (BodyPump and Zumba). I lost 30 lbs for a total loss of 60lbs since April 2009. I met new running buddies and did a couple of group runs. My husband and I started running regularly together. I never took more than a few days break from the gym and on out of town trips (including vacation) I made time for running and stayed on plan with healthy eating as much as I could. I bought my first ever (in like over a decade) size M shirt and size 12 pants/jeans. I also met with a nutritionist/dietitian and managed to not only maintain through the holidays (beginning Nov. 1) but have lost a total of 10 lbs (the challenge ends this week or next). I gained a lot of confidence in myself and what I am capable of acheiving weight loss wise as well as with my running. I decided to train to run my first half marathon and while I feel like that I have not gotten very far with training it is a start.
January 2011-
I am starting the new year at 170 lbs (up a few ounces from my last weigh in but confident that will be off by the end of my gym's challenge). I will continue with half marathon training. I will add more strength training to my weekly workouts. I continue with my healthy eating and strive to do even better in that aspect of this journey.
During the year 2011-
I plan to run my first half marathon (just need to pick and register!!!). My goal is to lose another 20-25 lbs and reach my weight loss goal. That's as far as I have gotten with my goals for 2011 but I feel like those are great goals that do look tough but I know with determination and drive I can totally reach these goals. I have not set a timeline for 2011 as far as the weight loss goal goes because it has taken me since April 2009 to lose 60 lbs. Slow and steady. I am fine with continuing the slow/steady weight loss because it is easier to keep it off that way. I feel like I have become mindful enough of my eating that even with the occasionl indulgence I am confident I will not revert back to a total crappy way of eating (more on this later). I am determined to make 2011 the best year yet as far as running and weight loss goes!
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