Week 5 Day 1

What a way to start the week. Good thing I didn't look at the program for the whole week or I may not have made it through today's workout. I have to say it was hard getting up when the kids didn't have to get up and go to school. But I dragged my butt out of bed and did it. The 5 min runs were not bad at all. I'm not sure if it was because I finally brought the fan up and put it by the treadmill or not,but it felt great to not be all sweaty. This weeks programs will either make me or break me as a runner as by Day 3 this week I will be running for 20 mins. Not looking forward to that at all!! On a positive note, while I have not seemed to have lost any weight, my clothes seem to be looser and my husband told me I feel smaller when he put his arms around me this weekend. All inspiration to continue running. Another good thing was how much energy I had this weekend while cleaning and helping my husband out in the yard. I didn't need to stop once for a breather while moving the shed and reassembling it, granted he did most of the work, but before I would have had to stop a second. Yea me!!

I have been having some problems with my left foot recently. I'm concerned about stress fractures. I broke my L foot 2 years ago. It took over 3 months (because I continued to complain of pain) before they confirmed, with a MRI, it was broke. I haven't had any real problems with it. Sometimes it aches in the winter when it's cold, but nothing serious. But lately I have been having some pain in that foot when I walk. Sometimes now my whole L leg hurts, not sure if related to my foot or not. So for now I will continue to take it easy on my days off from running and hopefully will be able to get some real running shoes soon. That may help.

Accountability

Even though I know no one reads this blog, I still feel that by writing here helps to keep me running. I feel like I have to put something here, like it's expected. There are mornings that I really don't want to get up and run, but knowing that I have to write about it here keeps me going. Why is that when no one reads it. Am I lacking that much inside of me that I need to "make up" a reason to do it. You would think just getting healthy would be enough. But if this is what it takes, then that's OK with me, as long as I can get it done. I guess another thought is that maybe one day in the future there will be someone looking for encouragement and that they will find this blog with my journey. After reading maybe they will realize that they can do it too.

Week 4 Day 3

The 4th week is complete!!! I love this exercise/running program. It really does what it says it will do (so far). I am amazed each week when I am able to complete a week and the 3rd day is easier then the 2nd and certainly the 1st day. I never believed when I started this 4 weeks ago that I would actually be able to run. I hope that I would, but never really expected it. What is a surprise today is that I was able to get my run in. Last night was a bad night. I was up for a while not feeling well, having abd pains and nausea. My alarm went off this morning @6am to run, but I just turned it off and rolled back over. I barely made it to work this morning, but by the end of the day I was feeling better. When I got home I got my run in be fore dinner. I felt great. I was even able to increase my speed a bit tonight. I went almost 2mi in the 30 mins. That was the furthest yet!!

Week 4 Day 2

I can hardly believe that I am writing about Week 4!!! I did do my runs on the treadmill yesterday. It is still a struggle to get up at 6am to run, but I do. It was easier then Monday. I can make it through almost the whole 5 mins before I really start dreading the running. That last 1 min or so are really a struggle. But I push myself and I get through it. I really do not enjoy running, it's just not fun. What I do like is the increased stamina that I have. I love that I am able to do things for extended periods without getting out of breath. Even carrying the vacuum up the stairs is easier. I love it!! Another thing that I am not liking is the achyness that I have been feeling in my left leg. It doesn't feel like muscle aches, so I'm not really sure what it is from. But I will try again Friday. Hopefully this won't stop me from running. Besides I want to be able to say that I did it!!

Week 4 Day 1

It's a good thing there are 2 rest days before I start a new week. Today's runs were particularly hard. I mean, 5mins. I have never run 5 mins before in my life. And to think i did twice today. I really had to push myself the last 1-2 mins of each 5 min run. But I did it. I was exhausted today when I was done. But I love the face that I am sticking to it and pushing myself. I still think I should take some measurements. Better late then never, I guess. I still need to get new shoes too, but money prevails on that one and they will have to wait.

Week 3 Day 3

Whoo Hoo!!!! I am done week 3. It feels great. Today's run were so doable for me. I didn't get nearly as out of breath as Wednesday. I also considered doing an extra 90 sec run on the end. But due to the time I decided not to push it. Besides, since Wednesday my left upper leg/hip has been hurting. Actually it's the leg that I commonly refer to as my "achy leg", it's not new for it to ache. It's just I'm not sure if it was from my running that day or if it's more arthritis like and was responding to the change in the weather. I know sounds stupid for a 35 yo to be c/o arthritis type pain, but this has been going on for years with this leg and I don't know why or what sets it off. But I was able to run today with out it bothering me and it still feels OK now. I have been feeling great lately and feel like I have more energy. I love this feeling. I guess this is the "healthy body, healthy mind" thing my Psychologist always referred to. Now I get it. Tomorrow we are taking the kids to an amusement park with their friends. Lots of walking tomorrow, but I'm looking forward to it. Well since I have off, I need to get to cleaning since the man to do the final inspection for our house is coming today. (After 2 yrs, it's about time!!)

Week 3 Day 2

I can't believe I forgot to write about this yesterday. Well, I did get up and run yesterday morning. This week has been easier then I had anticipated. I feel great when I'm all done. Not just from my workout but from my feeling of accomplishment. I still have not seemed to have lost any weight when I step on the scale, but my clothes tell a different story. My "fat" jeans no longer fit at all without a belt. My upper arms don't look as far as they did. I kinda wish I had taken measurements when I started, but that's OK. My watch can almost spin around my wrist by itself, so I will have to make it smaller soon too. With all these changes I am really looking forward to Friday's workout and continuing on to next week.

Shoes

Well my shoes are definitely in need of an upgrade. I was hesitant to buy new shoes since I didn't know how long I would actually stick with this, but everything seems to be going well so I think it's time to invest in some decent shoes. These are what I am trying to run in now. They prob look OK, just a little old and worn. When actually it is probably more of a work out just trying to keep them on my feet. That's right, there are no backs on these "running" shoes of mine. I have been making out OK, but maybe "OK" is just not good at anymore. So maybe this weekend I will be heading to a shoe store to be fitted for running shoes. This is a big step for me and a huge commitment. But I am ready!!!

Week 3 Day 1

All I can say is, I DID IT !!! I was nervous for really no reason. I'm not saying it wasn't hard, but it was doable. I was so worried about the 3 min run, that I didn't fully look at the running schedule. I thought that I was doing 2 90 sec runs followed by 2 3 min runs, when actually it was a 90 sec run followed by a 3 min run. I was almost done the 3 mins when I realized that I had been running that long. The second 3 min run was a little harder, but only because I knew it was coming. The mind is a powerful enemy. I am actually looking forward to Wednesday's run. I can barely believe that I just said that, but I am. I am even seriously considering buying some good running shoes. I'll have to post a pic of the shoes I run in now. It's hard to believe that I am even able to run with them on. Didn't do so good on the eating part today, but tomorrow is another day.

Nervous

That's an understatement. I just don't know how I am going to run for that length of time tomorrow. I know I shouldn't be worrying about it, but I am. Even though I am nervous about it, I am still going to try an attempt the runs. I will do the best I can, besides that all I can do. I feel like this has been looming over me all day. I have tried to keep busy to distract myself from thinking about it. We had everyone over today for a small party for my daughter's dad's birthday, and to watch the football game. S was really surprised everyone was here to celebrate his birthday. He's been feeling kinda down lately, even though he should be rejoicing that he is alive to celebrate his birthday this year. I mean, it's only been a little over 2 months since his near fatal accident. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Everything is all cleaned up and now I'm getting ready for bed and can't stop thinking about what lays ahead of me for the morning.

Week 2 Day 3

Another week down. I was really tired this morning but I got up and did it anyway. The runs were definitely easier then they were on Monday. I am really surprised about that. At work I have been taking the stairs (3 flights) for over a year now and this week is the first time I noticed not being winded after I ran (hurried) up the stairs. It felt good. I'm a little concerned about being able to do week 3. Even though the runs seemed easier then Monday, they were not a piece of cake. I didn't feel like I could have run longer. But I will try on Monday because I really want to succeed. I have two trips planned that I will be in bathing suits a lot and I want to feel comfortable in a bathing suit. What I am a little surprised about, is that I have not seemed to loose any weight. I have been dieting for 3 weeks and running now for 2, but my weight seems to stay the same. I guess I should just be pleased that I have not gained any weight. Like I've said before, I really don't care about how much I way as long as I feel good about myself. I still feel the same, not any smaller :(

Excited

I have not been this excited for a while. We (mostly me) have been busy looking up information to get away and go on a vacation. We have a small trip planned in Oct to go to Great Wolf Lodge with my sister and her family. I am only minimally excited about that trip. The kids are pretty excited though. My hope is that I will be in better shape by then and will be able to enjoy going to a waterpark. The bigger excitement goes along with the trip I am planning for Jan. We will be going on a cruise. Not just any cruise but a Disney cruise. It will be for 4 nights. The kids are not excited about going on a cruise at all. The younger one is a bit nervous I think because she doesn't know what to expect. The older one is afraid the the boat will sink like the Titanic or that pirates will hijack the boat. I have been reassuring her constantly that the chances of the those things happening are slim to none, since there are no icebergs in the Caribbean. She seems to be coming around. I am so excited!!!!! I also plan on being in better shape and actually being able to enjoy myself on this trip. No more sitting out or having to push myself because I don't feel good. I already am feeling less short a breath when I do things now, so I can't wait to be able to just enjoy myself and my kids. Disney cruise here we come!!!!!!!

Week 2 Day 2

Is complete, but barely!! This morning did not start out so smoothly and I almost didn't workout. I'm thinking now, I just should have stayed in bed. I had asked my husband to wake me up today @ 6am, since the kids were going in late to school today (had dentist appts). He woke me up at 6:20am, which didn't leave me enough time to be done before the kids had to get up and get ready. After waking fully, I decided I had time to workout and could shower while they ate breakfast. Seemed like a good plan, right? So I change to workout and as I am doing my warmup walk (1 min 30 sec into the warm up), I closed my eyes for a minute to re-think how I should best plan my time for the morning. I was just thinking I should probably hold on while walking with my eyes closed, when my left foot stepped of the treadmill and my right foot shot out behind me and got stuck under the plastic edging on the treadmill, but I was able to catch myself with the hand rails. So no real harm was done it seemed. I retrieved my iPhone from across the room (I may need a new one by the time I get done with this program), and restarted my walk. All seemed to be going well, except the one time had to stop and let the dogs out, be/c they would wait. When I got to the cooldown walk, then started to notice my right foot and ankle were beginning to hurt. By the time I was all done and showered, I realized that almost all the muscles in my body hurt from the fall. I have been so sore most of the day, I have just been taking it easy. I will do the same for tomorrow as well, since Friday is another work out day.

Fell of the wagon

The diet wagon that is. Today has not been a healthy eating day at all for me. The morning started out good. I even though today is a rest day from running, I got up and did my 10 total body workout dvd. Had my usual cereal for breakfast, showered and headed off to my doctors appt. But since I've been home, I think I've eaten everything I see. Not good, not good. The only half gone, so there is still time to turn this wagon around for me to hop back on.

Wish me luck!!!

Week 2 Day 1

It really feels good to be able to say that!!! I was a little skeptical about today's workout, with today being a holiday and all. But I did it anyway. It was easier then I though it would be, but also hard at the same time. The first week really did prepare me for the one min runs and then some. It was the last 20 secs of each run that I would sorta struggle with in my breathing and feeling it in my legs. But I persevered through it and I now feel great that I did it. I'm actually looking forward to Wednesday's run!!!

I didn't weigh myself today, because I'm afraid of what I might see. While I have been OK on my diet up until Saturday, it was really bad Saturday and Sunday. But it is a holiday weekend, so I know it won't be like this every weekend.

As for the rest of my family, they all say they want to work out too, but I have yet to see any of them actually do it. So for now it is just me and I will continue to jog along by myself!!

Stats:
Time - 30 mins
Distance - 1.68
Walking Spd - 3.0
Running Spd - 4.3

Week 1 Day 3

WOW!!! Feels so good to complete week 1. I am nervous about week 2 but I have faith in myself that I can do it, or at least attempt it.

This morning started out a little rough. I forgot to set my alarm, so I got up about 10 mins later then usual, so I felt like I had to rush to get going on the treadmill ( I like to be done by the time my daughter leaves for school). The running went great. I seem to have found a good pace. All was going well until about a minute and a half left in the cool down and i reached up to wipe my face and pulled my iPhone out of the cup holder and the plugged yanked out of the phone ( believe it or not but the ear buds stayed in my ears) as well and it went shooting off the back of the treadmill. So i stopped the treadmill and got off and tried to find it under the machine. Luckily it was ok. But I decided that I was done with the cool down. I still felt great that I had actually completed 1 whole week. I still can't believe it.

Unfortunately I didn't feel as good as I usually do during the day. While running I noticed a slight twinge in my left side, where I normally have some discomfort, but I continued to run anyway. Not sure if that had anything to with it, but my side as been hurting more then usual today. So I plan on just taking it easy tomorrow

Week 1 Day 2

Sure does feel good to be another day closer to my goal!!! It is still a struggle to get up and get going but I am determined to do this. This mornings run started out a little rough, despite the fact I had on my old tennis shoes and a new sports bra this time, because I forgot to get my water bottle before I started. So about halfway through I was so thirsty I could barely swallow, so I jumped off and got a sip out of an old bottle of water that was next to the bed. Not refreshing but it got me through the workout. This morning was certainly easier then Mondays run. I hope this trend continues, b/c I don't want to be the only one in history that has to repeat week 1.

As for my husband joining me on this journey, it has yet to happen. He says he wants to do it too but that his hip is really bothering him from bowling on Sunday. So I'll just keep encouraging him to join me.

I have also decided that I am only going to weigh myself once a week. I like to see big results, little aren't enough to keep me going. So today's stats don't look much different then Mon.

Stats:
Time - 30min
Distance - 1.6 mi
Running Speed - 4.2-4.3
Walking Speed - 3

Day of rest

Boy that is what I needed this morning. Running yesterday was great and I felt good energy wise all day. I was really surprised about that, I heard it could happen, I just never believed it was true. But what I didn't really care for yesterday was how bad my muscles hurt. I didn't realize I had muscles in some of those places. But I took an ibuprofen at lunch and felt much better. I'm not sure what I plan on doing on my off days yet. I'm thinking maybe my 10 min yoga DVD might be good. Staying stretched out seems like a good idea to me!!!
As for hubby, he said he was going to start with me yesterday after dinner, but when I got home form work he said he just could, his hip was bothering him still from bowling the day before. So hopefully today he will, he says he wants to do this with me. It will be nice to have something in common like this!!