Virtual 5K

Way back in November I decided to begin the Couch to 5K program along with the sisterhood of the shrinking Jeans in preparation for the Sisterhood Virtual 5K.

Well, today is the race-day for the Virtual 5K!

Up until right before the holidays, I was doing really well with my training regime. I was going to the gym 3-4 days a week and was following the C25K program on my iPod. My husband was cheering me on, and I loved being able to come home and give him a report as to how many minutes I ran. Christmas proved to be such a busy time. I didn't get to the gym for a few weeks and I knew it was going to screw me up, but there wasn't a whole lot I could do, there just wasn't the time.

So, just before New Years, I got back on the treadmill and started running again. over the past week and a half, I have progressed back to where I was when I stopped! However, I'm still not able to run a 5K without walking at this point. But, I still did my 5K today for the virtual 5K and am pretty pleased with my results!

10 minutes of walking (warm-up & cool down)
28 minutes of running (between 5.5 and 5.0 mph)

38 minutes for my first 5K!

Not too bad!

Dear me

As part of the Sisterhood's Power of
One Challenge, we have been asked to write a letter to our 2011 selves, written
by our 2012 self. Confusing? Just a little, but not really. Basically I need to
pretend to jump ahead a year and write a letter to myself as I am now.
that clears it up, right? Oh well, I get it and maybe you will
too...

Dear 2011 Sue,

I am writing this letter to you and looking back on all that you have accomplished over the past year. I know that while you are reading this you are probably not thinking that these accomplishments can happen, but I am here to tell you that they can!

Over this past year, you have become a runner. You have had your ups and downs, but you DID run that 5K with Pat and went on to do even more.

You also rang in your 40th birthday like a champ. It was all you had hoped it would be. You were the healthiest you have been in years on that day and met your goal! Way to go, girl!

On the non-fitness side of things, you and Pat had a great chance to reconnect, finally following through on your plans to take a weekend away together. It was hard to coordinate, but you did it and it was just what your marriage needed. You both were then able to refocus on what is truly important in life.

By getting yourself together, you were more available to the girls. your patience grew and the whole family benefited from it. They still fight and get on your nerves, but the house is happier!

In order to make all of this actually happen, you need to keep doing what you are doing. Don't give up when things get difficult. Push through the hard times, keep running, keep moving and get your head in the right place. Don't give up when things get to be too hard, and be sure to lean on Pat when you need to. That is what he is there for!

I love you and by 2012 you will love me back!

Love always,

2012 Sue

The Power of One Challenge Weigh-in #1

Once again I am participating in a Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans weight loss challenge. This one is called The Power of One. The challenge actually started last week with our starting weight weigh-in, but I didn't do a blog post about it because we were out of town at my in-laws. I did weigh in though and got my starting weight, which wasn't actually that bad considering how many holiday goodies I had consumed!

There wasn't a whole lot of change with this weigh-in since I was really still in holiday mode until Jan 3 when I returned to work. but I am raring to go for the remainder of this challenge. with 2011 already started, it made me realize that my goal of being "Fit by Forty" is more important than ever. On November 10, 2011, I will turn 40 years old. I am more determined than ever to reach this milestone as a healthier, trimmer, fitter me!!

My New Year's Resolutions (with regard to fitness and weight loss) are as follows:

Workout AT LEAST 3 times a week
Run in a 5K this spring with my husband
Lose 20 (or more) pounds

Here are the numbers:

Starting weight.........................187.2

Challenge starting weight......183.0

This week..................................182.8

Challenge loss..............................0.2

Total loss.......................................4.4

I am just thrilled that I didn't gain a ridiculous amount during the holiday's. I went to the gym and got back on track with my exercise yesterday. I lost some progress on the C25k, but I'm back running!! And so is my husband!!!

Holiday Hoedown Weigh-In

This was a horrible week for me. All of a sudden the holidays are here and I am behind schedule. I am not sure how it happened, but I feel like I'm running on stress and caffeine. And Christmas cookies. And the cashew brittle someone gave my office.



AARRGGHH!



I haven't worked out all week. Unless you count hours of upper body workout with a rolling pin! Aside from sneaking a few cookies here or there, I actually haven't been eating that badly though.

Starting weight.........................187.2
Challenge starting weight......183.0
Today's weight..........................180.6
Challenge loss...............................2.4
Total Loss......................................6.6

not looking forward to what the next week will bring. I definitely won't have time to work-out over the holiday AND we will be traveling to my in-laws where the food is always plentiful.

Help me now!!!

Holiday Hoedown Weigh-in Wednesday

This week, I felt like I rocked my workouts. the weight loss didn't show it, but I really felt great after all of my runs. The C25K pushed me to do a 20 min run on Friday. I was terrified of it, but I did it without stopping or lowering my mph on the treadmill. I felt AWESOME!!! Thursday night I did my first exercise class at the gym-a 60 min Zumba class. I felt like an idiot, completely screwing up half of the routines, but it was SO MUCH FUN! I will definitely do it again.

So, there was no change from last week, which totally sucks, but at least I didn't gain anything!

Start weight....................................187.2

Challenge start weight ..................183.0

Today's weight................................181.8

Challenge loss .....................................1.2

Total Loss ...........................................5.4

Weigh-In Wednesday

Well, it's another wednesday and another weigh-in. Not too bad, but could have been better. I've been doing the Couch to 5K program (though I seem to be a week behind the other sisters who are training for a virtual 5K in January) and it was a big week for me. I was able to do all the runs without dropping my speed down and felt GREAT! There hasn't been a great weight loss(I'm still not back to my pre-Thanksgiving weight), but I feel great and my clothes are fitting better and people are noticing change... it feels so good!

Here are the numbers

Start weight.............................187.2

Challenge start weight ..................183.0

Today's weight...........................181.8

Challenge loss ............................1.2

Total Loss ................................5.4

Holiday Hoedown Weigh-in Day

I was right, not a great weigh in today. could have been worse, I guess.

Start weight.............................187.2

Challenge start weight ..................183.0

Today's weight...........................182.8

Challenge loss ............................0.2

Total Loss ................................4.4