Looking Better

So today things have been looking a little better. The past 2 weeks have been rough. I had an awesome first weigh-in by losing over 6 lbs and then of course, my body freaked out and stopped. I expected this but I did not expect the next week of hard work and watching what I ate to turn into a 1 lb gain.

Added to that was a hiccup with my running. Things had been going really well and then all of a sudden, I was experiencing a lot of pain and it kept me from training like I wanted to. It wasn't an injury from running, it was simply my craptastic body rebelling. Several things in my past accompanied by my current weight have taken a pretty big toll on my joints. I experience some early onset arthritis symptoms in one knee and both ankles as well as the occasional back spasm. Also, thanks to my knee surgery, I experience pain in my good knee every time there is a drastic change in atmospheric pressure. I had to stop in the middle of my run one day last week and again on Tuesday because the pain was just too much. I kept worrying that I was going to fall behind in the program and not be able to reach my birthday goal.

Even though last night(Wednesday) was supposed to be a rest night, I decided to try my run again since all of the storms had finally left the area and my knee was feeling better. I'm glad I did because even though I was slow, I completed the workout and ran a total of a mile and a half. Tonight the run time increased again and though I was nervous, I pushed through and completed it. Tomorrow night is the same timing with only 2 reps so I know I can do it.

I'm gaining more confidence with my running. I am slow, there is no getting around that but that's fine, I am forcing my self to take it easy right now. Tonight I decided to just run in my neighborhood which I haven't really done since last near. I almost couldn't believe it when I ran 1 1/4 laps tonight. Last year I was struggling to run one side of the block and here I am running the entire thing plus a little. I know I still have a long way to go to hit 5K but I'm getting there. I'm really not focusing on speed right now, just doing it. Once I run the 5K, I will redo a little bit of the program to work on picking up my pace some before I move on to the half marathon training. I have until Oct before pace is really an sort of issue and if I'm still slower, that's ok. (If I get a certain time on the Army 10 miler shadow, I can submit it to get a better starting position at the Tinkerbell Half marathon, if I don't it really isn't that big of a deal.)

Oh yeah! I never told you about Disney's big announcement. It is a new women's half in California called the Tinkerbell Half Marathon. It is basically the sister race to the Princess in Florida. I am so excited and I have already registered for it. I think I have lost my mind since it is on Jan 29 and I am also planning to run the Princess in Florida on Feb 26 but I figured if I'm going to do this I am really going for it. It will of course be bitter sweet since Mac won't be here for either of them. Fortunately I have a great group of friends going to Florida with me. Unfortunately, I am flying solo to California. I am planning to meet a few girls there but they are bringing husbands and family so that leaves me high and dry for a roommate or two. We will get to hang out during the day but going back to an empty hotel is going to suck a little. Oh well, it will still be a blast.

Anyway, back today's events. I had another weigh-in and I am down another 1.8 lbs. Now I have lost a total of 8 pounds. I just hate that I gained last time. At least I am moving in the right direction again. I'm still trying to figure it all out and make better choices. I know I'll get there it just feels like I have such a long way to go.

I've had trouble with comparing myself to others lately. These are really unfair comparisons because these people either only have about half the weight to lose I do or they have ran before so the are speeding through these programs much faster than I am. It is really hard not to compare yourself though. I try, I really do but it's hard. It just sucks because as much as they may love me, they do not understand. I was trying to explain to my husband the other day the simple fact of the pain associated with being at my weight and I'm no where near morbidly obese. I can't imagine how people that weigh 300+ pounds deal with it. Some days, you just hurt, plain and simple. I'm really looking forward to the day when my body doesn't feel so broken.

Here's to another good week, I hope.

I just love this image so I wanted to share. Can't wait!

Silence

I don't really have anything good to say at the moment so I'm keeping quiet.

Hopefully things change soon.

Rough Week

I am not looking forward to my weigh-in in the morning. I am pretty sure I have gained or stayed the same. I think my body freaked out when I lost 6lbs last time and started holding on to everything. I know that I have not over done it and I have still been running but it just hasn't been a good week. I pretty much knew this was coming but it still sucks.

Weekend Review

So I did my second 5K on post this past weekend, the Bunny Hop 5K. I shaved 2 minutes off of my time and my pace was good enough for the half next year even though I walked most of it. It gives me hope that even if I can't run the entire half, I can still finish because I know the walk to run ratio that works out to the right pace now. I am planning on being able to run most of it of course but I am still a long way from that.

The new program is working out great. It's tough but I am doing it and I am feeling stronger. Last night was a tough run but I made it through. this morning was the first time I have woken up sore but I feel good now and I am looking forward to tomorrow night's run.

I can't believe that I am running. I can't believe that my calendar for the next year is quickly filling with races that I want to do, most of which are half marathons. Disney is announcing a new race today and I am actually getting up early just to see what it is and find out when I can register if the rumors are true. I really hope things continue to go as well as they have the last 2 weeks because if they do, my dream may actually become a reality.

Couch to 5K vs Weight Watchers Run a 5K plan

I just wanted to let everyone know that I love both of these programs and what the main differences really are. They are both great for working up to running a 5K.

I recently switched to the WW plan because it was given out at a meeting and the time used to complete it fits perfectly with my current goal. I needed a change due to frustrations that had nothing to do with C25K but with myself. I felt stuck on week 2(thanks to travel and a few pain issues) and doing the exact same run over and over was starting to wear on me. I knew I needed a change if I was going to stick with it.

I want to show you both plans so if there is anyone out there looking for one, you can compare and decide if either of these is right for you.

So here they are.

Couch to 5k
and

Weight Watchers

 

WOW! What a day!

So today was kind of a big day. It was my first weigh-in at a WW meeting. Last week was my first meeting so they took my starting weight and said good luck. I tried really hard to stick to my points and make sure I wasn't over eating. You are allowed a49 extra points per week that can be used all at once or a few at a time. I have been trying really hard not to use them at all. You can also track your exercise and that is given a point equivalent that is added to your day and you can use them to indulge a little too. I also refrain from uses those either(I don't even track them so that I am not tempted.) Well apparently it paid off because I lost 6.2 lbs in one week!! I was very excited about that. I know that I will probably have a much lower number next week but I am still very excited to get off to a great start.

I have been using the WW run training as well. As you know I started C25K but I was frustrated with a few things and decided to try the WW plan since it was different and I wanted different. So far, I really love it. It is a 6 week plan rather than 9 like C25K. But I feel like the intervals are increased a little slower. You run 4 times a week and only spend 2 workouts on the same time intervals before they change. I am very hopefully about this plan. I know I could have done C25K but I was looking for something that was a little shorter to help me reach a personal goal that I have set. There is a 5K on post on my 28th birthday, May 21. I want to run it. The entire thing, no walking. I had set a different goal for my birthday at the beginning of the year but I realistically know that it is no longer possible. But running the Blue Bonnet 5K is. So that is what I am working for. Tonight was the first increased interval of the WW plan and it had me running 2 min. intervals. I was a little nervous because I struggled some with the 90 sec intervals of C25K but I had no problem at all. It was tough, but doable. I think the new location is also helping. It is completely flat, slightly cushioned and protected from the wind. As my runs get longer, I am sure I will want to find somewhere else to run but while I am still starting out, I think it is a great place to go.

So there you go, I had a great day. Hopefully, I can keep it up.

Tools of the Trade

So i am learning what it is going to take to really do this. In case anyone out there(if there is anyone out there reading) needs a few ideas, I thought I would make a list of what is helping me so far.
First we have Weight Watchers. I have done the program before several years ago. I had some success with the old program but I have never actually done it by going to meetings. I started it online a while back but I didn't really stick to it as much as I should. I am hoping that the weekly weigh-in at the meetings will hold me accountable and help me do better. I really like the new program. It handles food very differently than it has in the past


I hate water but I'm supposed to drink it. A while back I tried several different things. I picked up a bottle of propel one day and actually enjoyed it. Then I found out they made a powder and that made it much easier. I love this stuff. Unfortunately they recently changed it so that it has no calories(because apparently 10 was too many... stupid people) So now it doesn't taste as good. But it is still better than plain water. (And I bought the last case of the regular kind at walmart so for now I still have the good stuff.)


This is a new found love for the same reason as the propel. In the past I have been trying to drink more water but still drinking coke a lot too. I am trying to cut back on the coke because it racks up a lot of points per day. This stuff is great because it is a liquid and it is easy to add to a glass of water that you don't know how many ounces it holds. you just squirt it, taste it and add more if it needs it. It offers a lot more flavor and no calories.


Now for running tools. This is a screen shot for the handy runner app on my droid. It is the app that links to runningahead.com. Both services are free and it is a very easy way to track workouts. It uses my phones gps feature to track my course and pace. Once I am done, it automatically uploads to the RA website where you can see your course on a map and view a graph of your pace. It is just a really good way to look at your progress.

Click picture for vibram's website

Now for my running shoes. I talked about shoes a while back and my struggle to find some that worked. I also said that I already had the right shoes I just didn't realize it. Well, here they are. Mac and I purchased a pair of vibrams for each of us last year. He got a pair that is an all around model, great for hiking, running, or whatever you want to do. Mine are specifically made for running. Vibrams take a little while to get used to since they stretch your toes out and don't have as much padding as regular shoes. They are designed to be as minimal as possible to allow your foot to be in a more natural, barefoot position yet protected from the elements. I hate shoes. I wear them as little as possible so I thought these would be great. But I was scared. I know that if I am standing on hard surfaces for long periods my feet hurt simply because of my weight. I was afraid to actually run in these shoes for that reason too. I then had so many issues with the wrong shoes that I decided to try my vibrams out. I was happy and a little shocked when they worked out great. I had no pain and they felt great. I know they aren't for everyone but i love them.

Click picture for tech4o's site

This is the tech4o accelerator. It is a pedometer that tracks distance, speed, calories burned and steps taken. It also has timer, stopwatch and a lot of other cool features.

So that is my list so far. I'm sure there will be so many other tips and tricks I learn along the way.