Week 1

First entry.  Like my title?  But it is true--I am tired of it.  Here is why I chose that title.  Last May I ran a half marathon.  It was painful.  Being at my heaviest weight made this race super hard--painful in every way.  My hip hurt, and while training for this, I chaffed in places I didn't even know was possible!  I am grateful for Body Glide and vaseline.  It was my lifesaver.  The chaffing continues with anything over a 3 mile run and it is most uncomfortable.

For a little humor, I wrote this following my race:  It is called "What I learned from my worst race ever!"

I just completed my some-teenth half marathon.  The last one I did prior to this was two years ago.

I have been exercising since January but my running was hit and miss.  I wasn't very consistent in my training.  I could still run 6-8 miles comfortably and without pain.  I knew I hadn't trained for the recommended "four months" in preparation for this race.  It was more like one--despite all my intentions to train.

First off:  Pre-race preparation is very important.  Vaseline or Glide are musts for all those chafing areas.  You know what I'm talking about:  under arms, between legs, butt crack, under the bra.  Last week I made the rookie mistake and forgot under the bra.  I paid for it.

Secondly, it is easier to run 20 pounds lighter.  Seriously it is.  I have never run a race before at this weight and it definitely affected my running.

Third:  Core strength is very important--along with stretching.

Fourth:  Even if you have nobody to run with or waiting for you at the finish line (my family had other obligations in the morning so they couldn't make the two hour commute to see me finish), there are always amazing people with amazing stories.  For example, I met 67 year old twin sisters who had lost 40 pounds each training for their first half marathon.  If you get nervous to talk with someone, a good first question is 'have you run this are before?'  Everyone has a running story.

5th:  Chocolate milk is an awesome recovery drink--especially an ice cold one.

6th:  Oranges are awesome too.  When I ran my one and only marathon somebody handed me an orange at mile 22. I never tasted anything so good in my life.

7th:  Ice baths are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!!  Sure, the first minute and sitting down into ice is uncomfortable for about a minute.  But ice has a few stages:  cold, burning, numb.  And it doesn't take long to go from one stage to the other.

Lastly:  running is fun.  And if you crossed the finish line, you succeeded--no matter how slow.  Until my next half--I hear redemption calling my name.

With that being said, now I am accountable.

Goal:  1 year do a pull up

This has been hard for me.  I would get 3/4 of the way there and then get pregnant.  I have repeated that cycle three times now.  When I was at my lowest weight after my daughter's birth, I completed a Tough Mudder.  It required a lot of upper body strength--stuff I did not have.

A little about me:
I am at my heaviest weight since I had my fourth child (four years ago).  I got down pretty small (to about 165 pounds).  But holidays came, I started a side business making cookies (iced crystals.blogspot.com) and I had to try one (or two) from every batch I made.  That also included cookie dough!  Gotta love cookie dough!

Anyways, my current stats from 08/02/2015 are 192.4 pounds.  My measurements are: bust 37; waist 35; hips 42; arms 13.5; thigh 25.

My nutrition goals are to follow Chris Powell's nutrition program from the book Choose More, Lose More for Life.  I am following the turbo program.  For more information about their nutrition plan go to heidipowell.net.

My specific goals are as follows:
1.  I will weigh 150 pounds by  November 11, 2015 (race day)
2.  I will only eat junk food once a week, on my reward day.
3.  I will follow my 1/2 marathon training program and run 4x a week.
4.  I will strength train 2-3x a week.
5.  I will spin 2x a week.

I am currently on my fourth week of this program.  I have lost five pounds.  Note:  I did go on a vacation my third week and enjoyed the food and desserts.

My exercises include T-25, gym workouts, and I just started training for a half marathon scheduled for November.  I haven't decided which one I am doing yet.  I am either traveling to Santa Barbara or I am doing one more local.  But the dates are the same.  My running partner and I need to make a decision.

I do not have a problem exercising.  I have been exercising 30 minutes to two hours a day.  But my nutrition is not matching my hard work.  I have put in the time, but I like to put more in my mouth.  I have finally decided I am in charge of me. I cannot blame anyone for my mistakes.  And I need to make the decision to eat something or not eat something.  My downfall is baking.  I LOVE to bake.  I am scheduling my day of baking for my free day.  I am keeping it to Sunday's--unless I have a cookie order.  But if it isn't here, I can't sabotage myself.

My accountability is with my running partner (who we have weekly weigh ins before our long run) and two fitness groups I am a part of via Facebook--and now this.

Here is my current picture:

This will be a weekly blog.  I am going to update with my progress, successes, and failures.  So Saturday, hopefully that weight will be less than 190!  That is the goal.  I am so close!