2.6 Mile "Run"

Check.  I always put "run" in quotes because at my pace, it's not really running...hardly jogging really.  Anyway...last night, after dinner, I put on my work out clothes and headed out the door.  I did 2.6 miles in 36 minutes.  Not too shabby for my first time out in FOREVER.  After my run, my legs still felt OK but seriously need to work on the cardio aspect of it.  I could barely breathe.  Today, my legs hurt.  So, a couple lessons learned.  #1:  Run BEFORE I eat.  I seriously thought I was going to puke.  #2: Suck it up and bring the runners pack.  Holding on to the water bottle sucked.  I admit I felt a bit like a cliche.  Here it is, January 4th and I'm running.  I passed (and got passed) by all kinds of people who are still grasping to New Year's resolutions.  How many times have we done this in January?  I tried to remind myself that it's different this time because I'm not doing it because it's the new year.  I'm doing it because I just had a month long vacay from fitness and health.  If May was preceded by a month of cookies, cakes, pies, parties, booze and culinary delights, May 1st would be my "back on the wagon" day, right?  Right.  So I got over that feeling and just felt proud that I got out there and did it.

More check ins:
No soda:  Check
Vitamin: No check (think I need to buy more)
No Fast Food: Check
Calorie Deficit:  Check

And how can I be sure I had a calorie deficit yesterday, you ask?  Because yesterday I signed up for myfitnesspal.  *sigh*  I am not a tracker.  We've been through my little tirade about hating having to track food before.  However, when I'm struggling, it's an excellent way for me to get focused.  I did it in December 2010 and actually lost weight that holiday season (probably should've reverted back last month but I digress...).  So I'm tracking.  I probably took in a little less yesterday than it logged but when it comes to tracking homemade stuff, serving sizes and nutritional value is harder to figure out.  So I overestimate on stuff just to be safe.  Yesterday looked good.  I would've gone over my allotment if not for the exercise but that's what exercise is all about right?  Right.

So overall, feeling good so far this year.  Feeling more focused and ready.  I came up with a team name for my Color Run (I still need one more person to make a team so if any of you are in the Phoenix area and want to join me, just ping me).  I picked "Roy G Biv for President."  It's a goofy name, I know...what can I say?  I'm kind of a dork.  ROYGBIV is the acronym kids use to remember the colors of the rainbow so I thought this was cute for a Color Run where you get doused with paint every 1k.

Oh! Oh! Oh!  I almost forgot.  So the fabulous Fluffy had a giveaway where you could win Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD.  I won!!!  It came in the mail yesterday.  I've decided that February will be my Jillian Michaels month (I know February only has 29 days but I think it's OK) as I need to focus on my 5k training for January.  I, of course, will track my workouts here.  Special thanks to Fluffy for the DVD...you're the best!!!  By the way, if any of you are NOT following Fluffy, what's the matter with you??  She's such an inspiration, especially on the fitness front!

So I snapped a quick picture of myself in one of my new outfits this morning.  It's really the same outfit I've had in like 5 variations since I was 18 but it's a good business casual look for work.  Shopping is kind of boring in transitional sizes because it's always stuff for work and it's always like a pair of black pants, brown pants, gray pants, etc.  But anyway, some of you asked to see some of the other stuff I bought so...ask and ye shall receive:

If I don't look thrilled, please keep in mind that it's 4:45 a.m...also, I know the top is a bit see through, I AM wearing a cami underneath so I don't get fired.  LOL

OK...so that's it for today, I think.  Tomorrow is Friday, thank goodness.  I DO plan on running/walking again tonight.  With these legs, I expect a slightly slower time as they're sore but that's alright.  The point is just get out there and do it.  Happy Thursday!

So How's It Goin'?

Eh.  Not a great start to the New Year with all my blabbering about motivation.

Foodwise...pretty good actually.  I have cut out the soda and ice cream (oh yes...I was on an ice cream roll over the holidays) since Monday.  Carbs aren't too bad.  Protein is still a little low.  Calories - well, we'll just say it's an improvement but not optimal yet.

Exercise - nonexistent.  This one's honestly not my fault though.  So Sunday, we went out to lunch.  I ate.  I ate too much too fast.  I got that old reliable pain in my left shoulder.  I haven't felt that pain in quite some time and I thought to myself "Guess that fill kicked in."  By Sunday night, I couldn't MOVE.  This pain started at my neck, through my shoulder blade and down my left side.  It hurt to turn.  It hurt to move.  It hurt to LAY DOWN.  I even called in to work on Monday because I slept like crap on Sunday and still hurt Monday morning.  Side note: I told my boss I pinched a nerve or pulled a muscle or something in my neck.  This new boss doesn't know about the band and she's kind of a judgey person...doesn't mean to be.  I think she does it with good intentions but she's a health freak (and I don't agree with her on all of it anyway) and teaches spinning and kick boxing and stuff.  But anyway...what am I going to do?  "Hey boss!  I can't come in today.  I hurt my shoulder while I was eating."???  Ummm...I don't think so.  Anyway, I digress...  Anyway, I'm FINALLY feeling normal this morning.  Still a little tender but I'm starting my 5k training today come hell or high water.  I've noticed a lot of people starting up the C25K program right now.  That's great!  But no, that's not my program.  I couldn't stick with it.  I do my own thing.  I've already run a 5k (hehe...it's fun to say that) so I don't feel like I'm starting from scratch.  I'm sure about a mile into my run tonight, I'll be singing a different tune but we've all got to start somewhere.

And starting I am.  I'm revisiting some of my early changes I was going to focus on...back when I was first banded.  I've lost sight of them.  Not anymore.  No more soda or fast food for me.  I've started taking the stairs back at work and I'm getting back to my daily vitamin.  This is basic stuff but after reading Nora's post here about starting from scratch, I feel that's how I have to approach this year.  I need to lose 3 lbs a month to reach my goal by the end of 2012.  I can do this if I just get my butt in gear.  And so I will...starting right now.  I brought my lunch today and plan on getting all my water in and a run.  Sounds like a plan to me.

New Year - New Goals - New Word

So as always...a year in review...I set 7 goals for 2011.  They are as follows with updates:

1. Run a 5k
2. Run a 10k - After running a 5k, I decided I don't like running THAT much so I just didn't pursue this one.  So sue me.  Same with #3.
3. Train for the PF Chang's Half marathon to be completed in January 2012 (this is my new big challenge - more to come) - Ahem, see #2
4. Make a weekly budget (sound familiar?)
5. Stick to said budget (since now I know where I went wrong) - Well now...this one is kind of tough.  I did MUCH better but also spent MORE.  But I spent more on things I needed to...clothes for my girls, clothes for me, etc.  All the bills got paid on time and I even have like $30 in savings so I'm calling this one a win.
6. Try my hardest to be a better wife, mother, sister and daughter...remembering how precious this time with my family is.  Even if they don't make the effort, it doesn't give me an excuse not to.  FAIL - lost sight of this one with day to day life.
7. Try to stick to the 80/20 rule.  (My hubby and I are both trying to eliminate processed and unnatural foods from our diets.  I think if I can do this 80% of the time, I'll be in really good shape.  More to come on this also) - I feel pretty good about this one - probably more like 60/40 but it's definitely an improvement.  We embraced primal eating but look to do so even more in the coming year.

Not great, I know.  But a couple of these were deliberate choices not to pursue, not that I didn't think I could do it so I'm alright with most of it.  I think I'm going to post 2012's goals as a permanent fixture on my blog so that they stay fresh in my mind and I don't forget what I'm supposed to be doing.  From a weight loss perspective - I was 199 on 1/1/11.  I'm 160.  That's 39 lbs gone this year.  Not too shabby...is it record breaking weight loss?  No but I'm on the downward trend and that's the important thing.  

So what are my goals for 2012?  Here we go...

1. Run 5 5k's.
2. Get my girls involved in one activity each and have the money to pay for it.
3. Stealing one from 2011 - Try my hardest to be a better wife, mother, sister and daughter...remembering how precious this time with my family is. Yell less, laugh more.
4. Be able to do 100 push ups in a row.
5. Be able to do 100 sit ups in a row.
6. Be able to do a pull up.  (I've never been able to do even one).
7. Find a hobby...any hobby...even if finding a hobby IS my hobby this year.
8. Warrior Dash.
9. Say something nice to myself every day, whether I believe it or not.
10. Hit GOAL - 35 lbs to go. 

So a popular idea around Blogland the last couple years has been assigning (if you will) a word to describe what that year is going to be like for you.  Forgive me for not remembering who came up with these but among them have been "believe", "moderate" and "choice".  I have not participated in past years...not for any real reason, just didn't.  But this year I am.  My word will be...

CONTENT

Adjective:  In a state of peaceful happiness

Verb: Satisfy

Synonyms: contented, pleased, satisfied, glad, happy, satisfy, gratify, indulge, suffice

OK...so why "content?"  A la Ronnie, I believe that happiness is a feeling that comes and goes, along with sadness.  One does not linger long in either.  What do I long to be?  Content...that's it.  Not one extreme or the other.  Just content with who I am, where I am and what I'm doing at that moment.  I want to be content with my job...I don't have to love it...just have to not dread it.  I want to be content with my weight...not complacent, not giving up on goals but not negative about where I may land.  I want to be content with my life...as a whole...I'm a wife, mother, sister, and friend and that should be good enough.  So what if I can't afford to go to Paris or buy my kids a bunch of new stuff all the time?  I should be content with the blessings I do have...I have my health (yay!), my hubby, my kids and my family who are great...most of the time.  

So there you have it friends.  If I can do half of what I set out to do, I think 2012 is going to shape up to be a pretty good year.  Honestly, 2011 sucked on all fronts other than weight loss.  On a personal note, it was really quite miserable.  I'm thinking 2012 has GOT to be better!  

Happy New Year everybody!  I hope 2012 is the best for you as well!