Back to the Basics

Okay, I had a bad week.  I'm not sure what happened but I pretty much broke down.  Emotionally not a good week.  But I am ready to move on.  So here we are back to the basics.

I am up back into the 170s but barely so that's good.  I hate going backwards though!  Feels like the work was for nothing when I go backwards but just have to start over and keep going.

Back to the basics, what does that mean?  I am not exactly sure but here is my plan.
1. Water- 80 oz a day
2. Exercise- everyday can be big or small just have to move!
3. Plan meals!  Unplanned=bad decisions
4. Understanding my thoughts

The last one is what I have been struggling with for the last week.  I started a new kind of weight loss challenge last week and it has daily readings and webinars and all kinds of great stuff to support weight loss!  Not only the eating part but the emotional part.  I want to share with you what I am going to be focusing this week.  "Thoughts come first then emotions which then drive our actions which leads us to our results"  My thoughts control my emotions not my the other way around.  I need to be more aware of what my thoughts are and why they make me feel the way that I do.  I'll have to get back to you on this...

I am still training for my half marathon and I have officially registered!  So now I am committed!  I did 8 miles this week but not very fast.  The heat was back on and I am looking forward to the cool weather!  Only 6 miles to do this weekend so that will be a piece of cake! (probably not the best choice of words) The hard part isn't the long runs any more its sticking to my training plan during the week.  I now dread short runs more than long runs.  Hoping that waking up early this week and getting them over with in the cooler mornings will help but that means getting my butt out of bed....wish me luck.

6 month dietbet:  I squeaked by to win round 2 which was a goal of 6% and I won $25.16!  Next goal is 8 % and currently I am up from the 6% goal so I have work to do!  Speaking of work to do, I am in another dietbet and I have 9 days to lose 6 lbs...ugh oh.  Yeah I have been slacking!  Well I am kicking it into gear!  I don't know if 6 lbs is do able but I am going to try!  I hate to lose!  Started out this weekend by doing some meal planning for the week!  I am set this week with cooked chicken breasts, egg salad, spaghetti squash with broccoli and cheese, and pumpkin bread pudding!

So like I said early, I started a new challenge called the Meltdown challenge called Thin it to win it-Team Rex and I am on a team with my old medifast coach.  I love this challenge so far!  Not only do I have to lose 6%  in 6 weeks but I have to earn so many participation points as well.  The points are easy to earn and I am actually learning some great stuff!  I listened to the healthy webinar this morning and it brought up some great questions.  What do you want?  What is your goal?  Why do you want it?  Why now?  Do you want to feel better or stop feeling bad?  What matters most?  These are all questions we have to ask ourselves to find our motivation.  Our motivation is what keeps up on track.  What is your motivation?  I am still learning what my true motivation is.  At first it was to fit into that wedding dress and look great in pictures but now I want to improve my quality of life.  Not that my quality of life is poor now but it could be better!  I want to be able to do anything I want to do.  I want to do a handstand, a cartwheel, a pull up, bow pose.  What is your motivation?

Just want I needed to hear this morning: Inspiration (Youtube)

I look Svelte?

So today I was told that "I looked Svelte."

If you are like me then you had no idea if it was a compliment or criticism.  They then told that it meant that I looked fit.  Oh how nice! So I googled it because now it's my favorite word!  

Svelte (according to Merriam-Webster)

  :thin in an attractive or graceful way

Wow, that IS a compliment!  I always have a hard time accepting or reacting to compliments so I brushed it off and said thank you and went on with my work.  As I kept thinking about this word, I love it more and more!  I appreciate this comment so much and it will definitely fuel me through my trip to Indy this weekend as I try to keep on track!  

So, I weighted myself this morning and remember one of my goals?  160s before Indy?  Yep, done.  169.8 When I get back the scale better still in the 160s!  After all I only have 10 days before my next weight-in for my 6 month Dietbet!  

In other news, Map my fitness sent me my August Workout Summary and guess what?  I ran/walked over 100 miles last month!  I don't really know how that compares to anything but I just thought it was cool.  Along with exercise, I went to 6 am row class again Tuesday and I am starting to like it!  Once you get past the whole actually having to get up it isn't so bad.  It also helps that all the people are regulars and are extremely welcoming!  I enjoy being a part of this early morning community!

Lately, there has been a lot of bad news in my family about health and it really makes you grateful for what you have.  It's a reminder to enjoy the time you have, don't take it for granted.  What you do today, decides how you do tomorrow!  Some health problems, you can't prevent or change and it's hard to accept.  But some you can!  This completely goes along with weight loss.  So many diseases and health problems are related to being over weight and these are preventable!  Before I started losing, I was so big that doctors would test me over and over again for diabetes.  They were sure with my height and weight that I was doomed for this disease.  This was a scary time.  Everyday I am thankful that my parents gave me pretty great genes and that I can make healthy changes that can reduced my health risks.  I am so grateful for fiance, my dog, my family, my friends, and especially my health.  

Well things got a little deep but I hope this helps someone.  Thank you for reading!

First day of September, New Month, New Goals

Today is September 1st and its a Monday! This is the perfect day to start some new goals!  There is a always the excuse, oh i'll start monday or I'll start next month.  Today is that day!  Do you have any goals for this month?  I am going to make a goal of signing up for the Harbor Half Marathon, finishing 9 miles where I run the whole time, and 10lbs!  What do you think?  Do able?

Last weekend I completed my 7 mile run and I actually went into it thinking I had to do 8 miles.  I had planned a route for 8 miles and had already psyched myself up to get it down.  Then when I was running I realized that I hadn't done a 7 mile run yet.  So I shorted up my route a little and did my 7 miles finishing strong!  This weekend was not as strong.  Yesterday, I did not plan my route as well and changed it up as I was running.  I ended up doing 9 miles although I walked a lot of the last 2 miles because I was really starting to feel it in my hips and knee.  I always run in a large circle cause if I run laps then I know I'll try to talk myself into stopping early.  So as I was trying to get back home I could feel a large blister on my pinky toe.  This was just adding to my pain.  I eventually made it home but at a much slower pace.  I am taking a rest day today to try to let my leg muscles heal but I'll probably do some arm, back, and glute work today.

Along with my September goals I am joining the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans for their Back to the Basics Weightloss challenge and their Buns and Guns challenge!

http://shrinkingjeans.net/2014/08/back-basics-weight-loss-challenge-dietbet/

http://shrinkingjeans.net/2014/08/buns-guns-challenge/

Who wants to join me?

I am excited about improving my plank time!  Also I have noticed that after losing weight, I no longer have a butt.  I guess my body decided that's where I needed to lose most of my weight.  Thanks body, couldn't take it from my thighs?  It's okay though, I'll just have to build it back up with muscle!  

Okay, on to some bad news.  I did not stick to my training schedule this week.  I worked out Tuesday and that was pretty much it.  This may have attributed to my rough run yesterday.  Well this is a new month, a new week and I am committed to sticking to the plan this week!  My schedule is a little off since I ran yesterday instead of rainy Saturday but I may double up a run and cross training day to make up for it.  Along with not working out, i did not eat my best.  I didn't binge or go too crazy, I just indulged probably a little too much.  Yesterday was pretty bad too.  It started out great but by the end of the day I was still hungry and kept munching.  I've heard of the long run hunger but hadn't experienced it really until yesterday.  I'll have to come up with some ways to curb this so that it doesn't cancel out all the work that I am putting in.

Today is a new week and a new month so I am starting out this morning on the right track and going to track everything that I eat and stick to my workout plan.  This weekend will be a challenge because my fiance and I are traveling back to our homeland, Indiana.  I have some bridesmaids dress shopping and he has his own things with his family.  Traveling is always tough but I feel good about this trip.  I plan on doing my long run Saturday (only 5 miles according to the training plan since I did 8 this weekend) then I'll have some calories to play with when I'm out with everyone.  Maybe I'll even get a yoga session in with my mom and grandma.  #fitfam

I had a goal of getting into the 160s by this Indiana trip and I'm going to try my hardest to make that happen this week.  Let's take September by the horns and make it our month!  Setting goals isn't the hard part it's sticking to them! 

I'm a loser! All I do is Win Win Win!

Its may be Tuesday but the second worst day of the week next to Monday but I am all smiles!

I am a loser!  I have scale and non-scale victories today!

Round 1 of the 6 month Dietbet was a success!  I won $16.21!  I knew I was going to win that one and next was the 4% in 28 days.  I had to be at 170.7 lbs to win.  I ran 6 miles during my long run Saturday and took a rest day Sunday.  The scale Monday morning read 173.6lbs. WHAT? UGH!  I was so sad.  My dietbet was ending and I wasn't going to make it!  How could I be up!  I was under on my calories!  I read up on long runs and how your muscles will swell as they repair themselves causing you to retain water but it should dissipate a couple days after.  So I crossed my fingers and drank a lot of water yesterday and very closely watched my eating and sodium intake.  This morning I stepped on the scale with all my fingers and toes crossed and it said 170.6 lbs!  Thank you! Yes, Please!  So I quickly snapped my pictures for my official weigh-in and it has been verified that I won!  by 0.1lbs but I'll take it!  I'll find out how much I won Thursday morning and hoping to get some new running shoes this weekend to celebrate!

Half Marathon Training is going!  I did 6 miles this weekend!  New personal best distance!  I really pushed myself and am proud of this run!  I did walk a couple of times but for good reasons such as my ankle or shins started to hurt.  I walked for a little bit and then picked it back up.  Looking forward to 7 miles this weekend!  During my Monday Easy Runs I've decided to start working the hills workout on my apartment treadmill to start building some different muscles so I can beat the Harbor bridge in November!  Hopefully this will make the bridge a little less intimidating.  

At the office today I was asked if I've lost weight!  Yes, almost 50 lbs!  It feels good that people can say they have to take a second look to make sure it's me!  Yes it's me,  I've always been this person on the inside, you just couldn't see it because there was some extra baggage I was carrying.  Do me a favor and compliment a person today!  Sometimes we are so obsessed with ourselves and what we are doing and just saying a kind word or catching up with a friend and asking about their day can make all the difference and make their day great!  Even if it is a Tuesday!

Finally,  would you be interested in some of my favorite recipes?  Need some help planning ahead for the week to help you make good decisions?  I'm thinking about sharing what I make every weekend for the week so help me keep on track.  Tell me if this sounds like a good idea.  Would you like it different posts?  Maybe I'll make a page with my favorite go to recipes.  Thinking out loud here

Well quick and dirty post today.  Just wanted to share some victories that made my Tuesday!  Thanks for reading!

Week 4 of Hot Half Marathon Training and My first Runner's Block

Another week is gone and I am one step closer to my goal!

I won $52.21 in my dietbet!  It was a buy in of $35 so I actually won $17.21.  Either way I ordered my new Toms and should be getting them today!  Pictures will be instagrammed later today :D

Here is sneak peak: New Work Toms!

I am due to weigh in for round 1 of the 6 month game today and will probably weight in either tonight or early tomorrow morning.  I am well with in my 3% that I had to lose so I am feeling strong and ready to tackle the next round.  My other dietbet I am not feeling as strong about.  There are only 4 days left and I am still 0.9 lbs away from the 4%!  If I win this dietbet, I am going to get a new pair of running shoes so there is a lot on the line here.  I am very worried that I won't make it or my body will do something funky....going to keep on tracking, eating right, and cross my fingers that my body is happy.  I will say that I have been bad with not getting all my veggies in and probably eating too much cheese.  May be time to reevaluate my habits so that I don't fall back into old ones.  

Even though I have not been eating my best, I have been making some good decisions.  My fiance and I recently walked to a new burger place and I chose the portobello mushroom veggie burger with no bun or mayo.  The burger was delicious!  I had a beer and couple of steak fries and called it a night.  I was happy with my decision and how I spent my calories.  With the good decisions that I made while my fiance was home this was one of the first times that I didn't gain while he was home!  I did splurge on sushi but I only had one roll and had a protein shake for dinner to compensate.  Hopefully, I can keep up this mind set and its a start of a new way of thinking!  

Another victory this week was my non-stop 5k on Wednesday.  I have really been struggling lately with my running.  I wasn't sure if it was my body or my mind that was blocking me from running more than a mile without walking.  I was starting to question, "Can I really run a half marathon?"  After reading this article by Runner's World I was able to push through this Runner's Block.  It was me blocking myself all in all.  I wanted to blame it on the heat or dehydration but I knew it was me deciding not to get my butt out of bed earlier to avoid the heat.  I was creating excuses for myself and had to remind myself that I'm stronger than I was before and a 5k is just 3 miles.  Wednesday I pushed through the run and thankfully it was a beautiful cloudy day that cooled down considerably after work and I pushed through to do a non-stop 5k!  This is just what I needed as I finish week 4 of my half marathon training with 6 miles tomorrow.  6 miles is just two 5ks.  I can at least run a non-stop 5k and I am going to try to push myself and run the whole thing but if I need a break it has to be after the first 3 miles.

Last weekend, I made dinner and lunches for the week and it worked great!  I am trying to not go out to eat other than when the fiance is home and even then once or twice and not twice in one day.  Coming up is another weekend planned with running, projects, and cooking for the week.  I will probably even try this crazy bullet proof coffee this weekend after my run.  I've heard good things and I've heard bad things.  I'll share with you my feelings on this #Eatthetrend in my next post.  

"I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday" 

Finally, it's important to look at how far you have come so that you can see where you are going.  I am almost 1 year into this journey and I have decided to set a goal of 155 lbs.  That will mean that I have lost 70 lbs from my highest weight and about 66 lbs since November.  I am 15 lbs away and I still have two months so lets get this done!  Pictures speak more than works so here is a look at how far I've come.  Excuse my white belly. It does not see the light of day or at least it won't until I'm down another 20 lbs.    

Spaghetti and Winning

Hello!  Great mood today because of a lot of things!  First and foremost, I won my dietbet!

I had to get below 173.8 lbs and I did it!  Can't wait to order my new shoes!  I'll share a picture when I get them!  This feels amazing after losing the last three dietbets that I signed up for!  I believe the break from dietbets let me reevaluate why I was doing them in the first place.  I am still enrolled in two other dietbets and hope to keep the momentum going. I have been hovering around the same couple pound for the last week due to my own choices.  I know why I made the choices and it is an old habit that I need to kick.  I need to remember how I felt after that splurge and ask myself was it worth it?  Did I get what I wanted out of it?  Is this choice today, worth ruining all the work I did yesterday?

Okay new thing for me.  I have been feeling overwhelmed lately and I know it is all the pressure that I put on myself.  I want to keep the apartment clean, I want to workout, I want to create healthy and delicious food, I want to spend time with Rosalie, I want to watch my shows, I want to finish that book, I want to start that project, etc.  I want to do all these things but I feel like I never have enough time.  I get home, I work out, I walk the dog, I cook, I eat and watch a show, and it is time for bed.  What?  Ugh.  So how can I create more time for myself?  Morning Workouts,  Yeah I know those are some dirty words...I have to admit I have already skipped more than I've done.  It is so easy to hit the snooze but on the days I have workout in the morning, I feel amazing!  I feel weird knowing I've already got my 45 min done for the day but I like it.  So far I have run in the morning twice and went to a row class once.  I want to make it a regular thing especially since its so much cooler in the morning down here but I'm slowly convincing my body its a good idea to get up that early.  Have you tried morning workouts?  Would you be willing to try it for some extra time in the evening?

I am still training for my first half marathon and completed a new record long run of 5 miles!  I was dreading that run.  4 miles were okay because i reasoned that its just .9 more than a 5k which I've done many of now.  But 5 miles?  Ugh.  I used the Map my fitness app's route genius and found a route that felt doable and with some new scenes so I wouldn't get bored.  My goal was under and hour and fifteen minutes and I did it in under an hour and seven minutes!  I did get very dehydrated during the run though and have started to look into a small water bottle with a strap to take with me to stay hydrated.  I have another 5 miles to do this weekend and I plan to do about the same route and see if I can improve my route a little.  Doing 13.1 or even 6 miles still seems daunting to me but I'm taking it one week at a time.

As I've said before Spaghetti is one of my favorite meals.  It's one of those meals that makes me feel all comfy and cozy (in my mind) and yet bloated and uncomfortable (bodily).  It probably reminds me of family or my childhood or something deep like that but either way it isn't very good for me health wise.  Spaghetti probably made me fat (along with taco bell and many other bad choices).  Now, how can I make one of my favorite meals better for me? Enter the Veggetti!  Oh yes I bought this As seen on TV gadget.  $15 bucks at BB&Beyond and totally worth it just after one use.  This thing makes vegetable noodles AND they are delicious!  What a great way to get those vegetable in!  Also, I hate giant one-use kitchen tools since I don't have a lot of extra kitchen storage and this thing is the size of a tall coffee cup!  I am already making plans for every noodle dish I can think of.  Macaroni and cheese meet Butternut squash and cheese or sweet potato and cheese!  Fettuccine Alfredo meet squash Alfredo!  Ribbon fries meet sweet potato ribbon fries(baked of course)!  It is dishwasher safe but I found that there was still food stuck in the cutting space so I suggest using a brush or other tool to clean it before putting it in the wash.  Do you have any ideas for some noodle meals that could use a veggetti?  I would love to hear them!

TGIF!  I have a busy weekend planned with getting some project supplies, starting those projects, 5 miles, Farmer's market, and cooking for the week!  My weekends used to be sitting and bingeing on food and TV but now I'd rather turn on some jamming music and dance around while cooking or working on a project.  I feel much more accomplished and it keeps me active to burn those extra little calories because it all adds up!  I'll have to find some time to relax because after all, that is what weekends are for, right? Thankfully there is a beach just down the road that can wash away my troubles.  I hope you have a productive and relaxing weekend and thanks for reading!

5k, another 5k, and a .......Half marathon?

Good news everybody!  (its okay if you read that like Professor Farnsworth, that was my intent)
I was not  avoiding this post because I have no good news.....I was been avoiding this post because there is so much good news to write about and I wanted to find a time that I could write (type) it all down!  And then more and more stuff kept happening!

Now, where did I leave off?

I believe last time I was telling you about an impromptu 5k.  The run was called the Hottest 5k hill run and I think it lived up to its name.  Thankfully it was at 7:30 am but that is still pretty warm for July in south Texas.  Next, Who knew there were so many hills down here?!?  Worse, they saved the biggest hill for last.  I could see the finish line but this giant hill was in my way.  I made it and with a new PR!  I tried to not walk a lot of it but some of the hills were brutal especially that last one.  My buns were killing me the next day.  All in all though I was happy to explore a new park that has some new running challenges and conquer it!

Then I did another 5k this time with one of my besties AND it had obstacles.  This meant trenches, monkey bars, trench crawl, walk climbing, and rough terrain.  Monkey bars were not a success (curse you high bars, short stature, and fear of heights!) but I did every thing else!  My proudest moment was being able to pull myself out of trench with the ropes!  I have some upper body strength now!  Woot!  This was the Light 'em up 5k Glow run so it was at 9pm and headlamps were required.  (Bug spray should have been on the required list as well)  After the race we splurged on some mini blizzards and they were well deserved.  We didn't set any records but we had a Great time and I am still hearing the "light 'em up" song in my dreams...

So after these two runs I was thinking...I want another running challenge.  After some research I found a half marathon in November in town!  More motivation?  I haven't signed up yet but the cost won't go up until September which is when I will decide if I feel strong enough after a couple weeks of training.  (my mantra for the next couple weeks as I get started: no injuries, no injuries)

I found a training plan that works with my cross-training schedule.

Here is the basics:
Monday: Easy Run
Tuesday: Cross Train
Wednesday: Moderate/Tempo Run
Thursday: Cross Train
Friday: Easy Run/Rest Day
Saturday: Long Run
Sunday: Rest Day

I'll be really happy when this weather starts cooling down and no making my runs so miserable as I steer to routes with as much shade as possible.  Starting to think about a water belt but I'll try to stick it out.  My goal isn't to run the fastest but to give me a goal to work towards while on my weight loss journey and why not mark off a bucket list item while I'm at it? (8 months till the wedding!)

After that what is next?  Triathlon!?!?  Not a full one but a sprint.  I may be getting ahead of myself but that is definitely a goal.  First I need a bike and to really learn how to swim....but for now I have 13.1 miles to focus and train for.

Weight update!  My weight as of this morning is 173.3 lbs.  Feeling good!  I've switched up how I'm eating again...especially since I am training now.  I am trying to focus on clean eating and getting lots of protein in.  We'll see how it goes but so far I am liking the results!

Dietbet update:  I am now enrolled in 3 dietbets.  Yep 3....Did I say I needed motivation?

Dietbet #1:  Ends in 9 days and I am already at goal as of this morning which was 173.8 lbs

Dietbet #2: This one is a transformation one so it lasts 6 months and you have to lose 10% but they have rounds and the first round ends in 18 days.  The first round goal is only 3%  or 174.6 lbs which I also met today.

Dietbet #3: I am doing this one with some friends. Some are veterans and the other a newcomer.  This is only a month long so I have to lose 4 % which means 170.7 lbs in 21 days.  oh boy.  This one is also special because I have done a dietbet with these hosts before but lost miserably....This is more than a dietbet...this is payback.  Literally. I wanna win my money back.

So you ask, "Gretchen what are you going to do with all those winnings?"

My answer, SHOES!  I could use some new running shoes...I am killing the tread on all my current ones.  Also I am in love with Toms.  They are the comfiest!  I wear mine to work EVERY day and they are starting to get worn too.  After these purchases its time to save up for a bike!

Finally, Non scale victory!  I purchased some new work clothes because all my clothes are so big!  I had some a Kohl's gift card from Christmas that I decided it was time to be put to use.  So shopping I went!  I challenged myself to try on some medium shirts.  THEY FIT! What?  oh yeah. This may seem silly so some but for a big girl this feels real good!  I ended up buying all medium shirts!  Feels great to wear clothes that actually fit my body.

This has been a great couple weeks for me and I hope it continues.  Thanks for reading!