Before & After as of 3-4-09

Ok, here we go . . . I am officially down 32 lbs. as of last night's weigh in. Woohoo!! In honor of that accomplishment, I have posted the original "before" picture taken before my surgery and a picture I took today with my camera phone. I went to put on my favorite shirt this morning and it just hung on me - so I went into the closest and pulled out a shirt just like it in a different color that I had picked up on clearance last fall. Even when I bought it, I was still reluctant thinking I could actually get into it one day. It's been a long time. I have gone from a 3X to a 1X!!! I just can't get over it.

I also started exercising yesterday. I even made it up the YMCA stairs without getting winded. It's just awesome. Now my goal this week is to make it back there again. I figure it's a good start and will be easier now that I'm down some weight. I did go rollerskating last weekend with the kiddos. So that counts too:)

My Adventure Revealed

Well, if you know me, you know I'm really bad at keeping secrets. Especially ones about myself. And even more so about things I'm excited to share (Christmas is a mighty tough time for me to live through!)

So - since I've told my family AND gotten the go-ahead from the hubby AND my kids are pushing me out the door pretty much every day to do this AND I've already "let it slip" to a lot of people at my job, I guess there's not a lot of reason to keep it a secret anymore. Besides, you all can encourage me in my journey as is the point of this blog. :-)

I'm training to run a marathon!

There's several reasons why I've decided to do this (some more personal and abstract then others) but regardless it's a huge thing for me to say I'm going to do. I was a sprinter in high school track (not a GOOD sprinter, but definitely not a long-distance runner) and I played tennis and soccer. So - lots of up-on-the-toes running and not really long stamina needed. Basically the COMPLETE OPPOSITE of a marathon runner.

I have a 31-week training grid that started tonight. Just a 20-minute walk to start with, but it was surprising how tight my legs were and how hard it was for me to breath. All those years as a smoker are doing me in a little I think. But, the grid is very gradual and I don't even get to tracking distance versus time until week 12 or so - until then it's just building up walk/run time until I can get to 30-minutes of solid running only. (I've modified the 26-week grid from http://www.marathonrookie.com/)

I've probably also gone a little over the top in getting "ready" for this. Like new running clothes. And a sports watch (cheap and pink, but still, did I really need one?). An armband for my iPod. And of course the Nike+ sensor for my iPod (I don't have Nike+ shoes, but the sensor behaves just fine in my free New Balance shoes).

The Nike+ is probably my favorite little gadget EVER. I don't have to look at my new sports watch to track my time or calculate my speed - it does it for me! During my 20-minute walk today, the guy told me when I had gone 5, 10, 15,16,17,18,19 and 20 minutes. At any time I could push my button and find out how far I'd gone (and OK - it took me the full 20 minutes to go 1 mile. Realizing it takes me longer to do a mile outside than on my treadmill. For the record though, I went up a REALLY STEEP hill beside my house - like the first 10 minutes were uphill and the second half was back DOWN the hill).

Anyway...

The marathon I'm aiming for right now is the Olathe Marathon on March 29, 2009. Yes, exciting I know. But, if I survive that then I'll probably do the Kansas City Marathon in October 2009. Before the marathon I'm hoping to get in a few 5k and 10k, but because of when I'm starting training there won't be a lot of races to pick in the winter. If you know of any in the greater KC area between October and February, please pass them on.

But, let's just do this one step at a time... :-)

New Adventure

I'm embarking on a new healthy venture but I'm electing NOT to talk about it just yet. Just know that I've got a very INTENSE goal in mind that should culminate at the end of March next year. Yeah - about 32 weeks from now. And no, I'm not pregnant before anyone gets THAT bright idea in their head! :P

Don't worry - I WILL be sharing and soon - probably sometime within the next two weeks. I just need to do a little more research and be sure I'm truly up for the task - mentally more than physically. Physically I know I can make myself do darn near anything - mentally I have to make sure I'm not taking on too much and going to drive myself a little crazy in the process. But, I think it will be good.

Right now, the only person who knows is the hubby. And he actually said he'd support me in this endeavor. I don't know if he realizes that means there are days he's going to have to watch the kids for a few hours or that some days I may be more crabby than normal.

Anyway - know that there's stuff going on over here but I'm just not ready to share (or be held accountable for it!) Love to you all!

Good Husband

OK - so I haven't written in a LONG time again - that's just adhering to the old "No News is Good News" - right? Well, it's not all good of course, but there's nothing overly WRONG right now and nothing for which I need accounting. I'm doing the right things (more water, less soda, 1 coffee per day, working out - especially the karate) and very few of the bad (very little sweets or high carb foods) and the results are (s...l...o...w...l...y...) appearing.

Case in point...

This morning before I got completely dressed, my hubby looked me over and said "Are you losing weight?"

I thought 'Really? Cool!'

I told him "No, not losing per se, but I'm definitely toning up more and looking slimmer in my waist."

And he said - "Definitely. IT SHOWS."

Whoo hoo!

Good husband!

Exercise Games

It's been over two months since my last post... Wow - did that sound like the start of a Catholic confession or what??

Anyway, I really don't have much to say about the goal tending. I'm sucking on it big time! But, I am doing the karate every week, which is why I'm finally writing. I feel so much better every Wednesday morning than I do any other morning (except Sundays when I actually drag my butt to church and get my infusion of God!)

Anyway, with the Karate, I'm not only learning the self-defense moves and having fun with my kids, but I've also learned two cool "warm-up" routines (they call them GAMES at the dojo - HA!) that I wanted to share with you all!

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RUNNING THROUGH THE WOODS
Essentially, you are simply running in place. Mostly. With some twists. Every once in awhile, the leader will yell out "bird", "rock", "river", "hill", "bear", etc. and you have to do the required action to avoid the obstacle. Here's the list of actions:

1. Bird: squat down, then get up and start jogging again
2. Rock: jump up, then resume jogging
3. Bear: run in place fast, like you're being chased by a bear! When leader says you're safe, resume jogging
4. Hill: "surf" (one arm in front and one arm over your head, one foot in front, and the other back) down the hill. Once you're 'at the bottom' resume regular jogging again
5. River: Swim across the river then resume jogging "on the other side"
6. Tree: Side steps to get around tree. Resume jogging "on the other side"
7. Fallen Tree: hold arms out like you're on a balance beam and walk slowly "across" the log. Resume jogging "on the other side"
8. Mountain: "Climb" using arms and legs. For the "down part of the mountain", sit on your butt and bounce like you're sliding down. Resume jogging "at the bottom"

You can do these with your kids, with you acting as the part of the leader, calling out the obstacles and showing them what to do. Once they get the hang of it, let THEM be the leader (then it becomes a serious workout, cuz you never know what kids will do!). It's even more fun to combine them - say bird AND a rock at the same time or in quick sequence. Or, run into birds, rocks and trees while running from the bear. Or have a river on the mountain. You can just have all sorts of fun with this one!

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BALANCING ACT

This is more of a cool down, but it definitely strengthens your legs AND FEET!

Simply stand on one leg for as long as possible, then hop-switch to the other one (only one foot can ever be touching!) and stand on that as long as possible.

As a competition, you sit down when you stand with both feet until the last person is standing. If no one seems to be falling, make it harder!

1. Start with the 'up' foot parked on the down leg (resting against it)
2. Change it up so the up foot isn't parked.
3. Change again so the up leg has to be high-bent - thigh parallel to the ground.
4. If you need one still harder, have the up leg be STRAIGHT out (entire leg parallel to the ground).

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Hope you all enjoy these. Let me know if you try them out with or without your kids - would love to know what they think too!

I did it! How about you?. . .

Ok, it may have taken me 7 months, but I finally met with the gal at the YMCA Friday and she walked me through an hour + workout including cardio and muscle building (toning). I was so sore yesterday, but today I'm moving pretty good:) I am going back today to do it for the first time on my own. (Say a prayer I don't croak!) My goal is to do this every M-W-F and walk the off days.

What are you gals doing?????

Weigh-In Update

Ok, I went and weighed in yesterday. I lost .6 lbs - yep, that's about 1/2 a pound - but I'll take it!! A small loss is better than a small gain:) I have one more weigh-in next month and then they will resubmit my information to my insurance company and, hopefully, then I'll be scheduled for my surgery.

I have been doing a lot better on the exercise part. I walked with the kids Wednesday night and then last night after supper Chely wanted to know if "we walk?" So I walked while her, Ginger and Jackson rode their bikes. I'd say we got a good 30 minutes in.

So how are all of you doing on your goals? Updates, girls, updates! :)

P.S. Thanks for any all all encouragement and prayers.

A second start . . .

Ok, this has been a difficult couple of months for me. I'm so afraid I'm going to go for my weigh in this Thursday and she's going to tell me again that I've gained weight again. So I got my butt up out of my chair and went walking today at lunch. I was able to do it a few times last week to, but I just feel like I'm back where I started. I guess that's why I think I need this surgery, because this is how it always ends up. I lose 15 - 20 pounds and then gain it back and more. I don't know what they'll say if I go in there and I've gained again. I thought about cancelling and skipping this month, but then I realized that my insurance said I have to be in the program for 6 CONSECUTIVE months.

Then, like I don't feel bad enough already, I took my son to his first ever petland birthday party and he started taking pictures with my camera. He just had to take one of Mommy holding the beared dragon lizard. OMG! what an awful picture - and no, I'm not posting it - I already deleted it;)

So my goals for this week - not month - but week, is to walk every day at lunch and drink an instant breakfast shake with 1/2 a banana. Plus I'm tossing around the idea of calling the YMCA (which I have had a membership at for 2+ years and don't use) and seeing what I have to do to get an exercise routine. I noticed on their webpage they do it for free. Maybe that will get me motivated and my butt in gear!

Getting back on track...

Okay, so I don't have the excuse of breaking my @ss to not be doing so hot with my goals. But whatever.
It's over with, I'm going to do the best I can from here forward.

I took Nathaniel and worked out on Saturday, it was SO fun!
He had a kids class at the church from 9 am - 11 am and after it was over, I planned to take him with me to the local Y and have him hang out there for a bit. I guess that their childcare on Saturdays runs from 9 - 11, so I missed the boat. However, the gym is really small and not widely attended so the employee said that as long as he stayed with me he would be fine.

He by me on the eliptical and the treadmill, and I officially have my own 4 year old trainer! "You aren't going fast enough, Mommy." "Run for me, Mommy, faster!!!"
So I beat myself up on both machines, not for long because it's been too long since I worked out.
Then we head into the track room. We both shot baskets, which was great. They have a few hoops inside for the grown-up types and a basketball game over by the child care room.
THEN... we raced. :) They have a 1/8 mile track, complete with lanes, so we raced two or three times.
THEN... I did some leg weights which happened to be where all of their gymnastic stuff is, so while I lifted, he flipped and flopped around.
Then we headed out. He LOVED it. I think it's really cool and he told me on the way out he loved exercising so we make that a regular thing on the weekend.

I am also thinking about ordering this:

This guy is a saint with a web group I frequent and I think his stuff is worth a shot. My neuropsych really wanted me to start fitting in exercise whenever I can and I think this is what I need to help me get a little more motivated.

I am doing okay on taking my meds as well, finally got out the ol' nursing home day of the week pill dispenser, I think that will help me to stay on track. I want to make sure that it's not that I *THINK* that I'm doing a good job and skipping a few days of the week.

The break in the weather has really helped to improve my mood. Our forecast is fab for the whole week, so I'm hoping that will help me stay on an upward swing...

Okay, my ladies... how are YOU doing???