Run, run , run!!!

So as I said in a older post, I'm doing half marathon training right now. I am doing this program two times back to back. The main reason I'm doing it twice, is I have never ran long distances before. So I'm using this first time around to see how my body reacts, and to try all the little tricks and tips I'm learning to help keep my stamina going and my body from hurting along the way. So far I love GU!!! It really helps with energy, having a few pretzels along the way helps keep some salt in my system so my hands don't swell, and most of all my Nike socks and shoes are a foots dream.

So today loaded with all my "stuff" in my fanny pack, dressed light and wore my shooter sleeves to keep my arms warm, I took off for the longest run I have ever done in my life. It was windy, cold and raining pretty good. When I got out I started to talk myself out of going (I can really be my worst enemy sometimes). As I got going on my warm up walk I decided to run down the street instead of going to the trail (cause it was really windy) and on the street it didn't seem to bad. So I started my run and just kept pushing telling my self to not stop. Once I finally felt like I couldn't keep my legs going, I started walking. To my surprise I had ran 3 miles with out stopping!! During my 1/2 mile walk I ate a few pretzels, had my second GU pack and a small bit of water. I felt GREAT!!! then I happily ran my last two miles for a total of 5.5 miles!!! My legs felt like jello and once I sat my body began to tighten up. I was soaking wet and started to get really cold. The drive home was not easy.

Once I got in I jumped right in the shower to warm up then had a nice long stretch. I feel so good right now, and so amazing that I ran 5 and 1/2 miles, I didn't let anything (even myself) stop me and I couldn't be more proud. I love running! and after today the Tinkerbell Half marathon doesn't seem like such a unreachable goal :).

Back on track :)

SO after my WI last week I was more then determined to do what I was supposed to, to make sure I dropped some weight.

I tracked EVERYTHING I put in my mouth.
I only got to run 1 day but I made the most of it, and I did have dance class.
I made sure to get all my GHG in. Fruit, water and veggies are key.

Most of all I changed my attitude. Its amazing how much we let things we did in the past reflect what we tell our selves we are capable to do in the future. I have a bad habit of letting things I have done keep me from what I'm capable of doing. A big attitude change can help that, its just finding the courage (yes it takes alot of that), the will power, and the determination to change. Once you can do that (and its not easy and you wont always be able to do it), your attitude will change and so will your desire to do what you need to.

That is what I was able to do this last week and it paid off. I was able to lose 4.6 lbs this week :).
I lost the 2.4 I gained last week and another 2.2 on top of that. I couldn't believe it!!! It felt so good, but best of all it gave me the pus to keep going. I can do this, I have been doing this, and NOTHING can stop me. Not only did I get the joy of seeing the scale go down I also tried on some PJ's mick got me for Christmas, they fit but were a bit tight, today they fit amazing and are even a bit baggy :)

So stay strong, and no matter the draw backs keep pushing cause it will happen.

STATS
Starting weight: 255
Current weight: 211.4
Goal weight:     145 :) 66.4 lbs away
Down 43.6 lbs

You know me I love my little quotes....... (thanks pintrest)

A not so good week....

but I owned it and in the end that's all that matters. This past Friday I had a gain, ok so I have had gains before no big deal but this was my biggest gain to date. I had a gain of 2.4lbs!!! Yeah I gained back half of what I lost last week. Alot of things I'm sure played in to it like.....

1) I have a head cold and didn't work out much this week
2) TOM (time of month) came and was really bad, I even had a few small migraines.
3) just felt yucky and not my self all week long

BUT the main thing 4) I didn't track anything I ate this whole week, because I let the above things be my excuse to not track.

I know just by that I was going to have a gain, but I wasn't expecting the huge gain I had. I didn't stay for my meeting, I was working that afternoon so I wanted time to eat lunch and stuff before, but mainly I just wanted out of the building. When I got to my car I cried :( yep I cried like a baby. Once I got it out of my system, I drove to Trader Joes and did some food shopping for low points things and some dinners. I have been tracking my points like a made women this weekend. Still have a head cold, so the stuffy nose and cough is stopping me from running and doing much working out, but I'll be back in no time.

No matter how I got my gain I still needed to own it and most of all move on. I wont lie it hurt and I felt like I totally failed but I refuse to let that sad-putting-myself-down attitude get in my way of the big picture. I have to remind myself that I am worth this, I'm worth the time and effort it takes to do this. Sometimes I don't want to and that's fine too just as long as I own up to it.

You can really do it if you push it!

Today was one of many long run days to com in this half marathon training I'm doing. Today me and Star had to get 4 miles done. We don't have to run them all but we did want to run most. So at 9:30am we started our run, after a good light breakfast and a pack of Gu. We started out with a awesome attitude of getting this done and doing it smart so we didn't kill ourselves hehe. We ran (and talked, surprisingly) the whole way to the 2 mile mark. I could feel I was faster it was really cool. Then we walked 1/2 mile, during which we had some water a few pretzels (for the salt) and cooled down a bit. Then we ran the last 1.5 miles. All in all we ran a full 3.5 miles and walked 1/2 of mile 4. IT WAS AWESOME!!!! We were both so pumped and had so much energy from doing it we walked the mile loop hehe (so technically we walked/ran 5 miles)

This was the farthest so far I have ever ran, and it felt so good. Best part I also beat my best time :D It felt so good to push myself and accomplish something. Next big run in 2 weeks at 5.5 miles :/ kinda intimidating, but I can do it :)

WOW!!!

I'm so excited right now!!!! Mick can be my biggest temptation, He always finds something yummy to eat and I cant help but want some too. This week Mick as been home on vacation, ALL WEEK LONG! Its been so nice just having him to myself wile the kids are at school, but food wise its been a trial of my straight. I'm very proud cause I have done it. I counted everything that went in to my mouth, I weighed all my food, and made wise choices even when we went to breakfast.

My pay off for all that hard work...... -4.6 lbs!!!!!! O yeah baby I lost 4.6lbs for a total of 41.4lbs!!! I'M so excited and so proud of my self.

Stats...
Starting weight: 255
current weight: 213.6
Goal weight: 145

I running in the rain, O Im running in the rain

What a wonderful feeeeeeling, I'm running in the rain.......With Star and Mick :).

Mick is on vacation this whole week and is the best support I could ask for, he is running and working out with me and our friend Star this whole week. Today for the half marathon training we were supposed to do a 2.5 mile run. To our dismay its supposed to rain (and rain hard) this whole week, of course we woke up to a good amount of rain coming down. We all decided it didn't matter we were going running anyways. It was such a fun run, the rain wasn't too bad but enough for us to be soaked, we had way to much fun splashing each other with puddles, and all enjoyed a huge amount of laughs. It was a blast. Cant wait we run again thur and then sat and sunday :) Thank goodness for cloths dryers :P

Also I'm really pumped I have been so on plan its awesome. I have been counting every little thing that goes in my mouth and have been doing really good. I would love a big loss but will take what I can get. I'm so close to being out of the 200's its crazy, but a bad thing is I am getting really comfy where I'm at. I have to get out of that mind set. I'm not at a healthy weight, and I'm still 78.2 lbs away from my goal but being able to shop at target for cloths and bras now really is boosting my self confidence but making me think "O I'm ok now, I'm not as heavy as I was" BAD CHRISTAL BAD!!! I'm not ok and I need to keep going!

There are different hurdles during a weight loss journey, and each one needs to be tacked even the ones where you feel good but are not where you need to be. I'll get there though I just need to keep going.

Here is a awesome fun quote I found on Pintrest.

Running...

SO have I told you all how much I really LOVE running. I don't think I have ever done any type of physical thing that has ever made me feel so strong. Its hard don't get me wrong I can do 3 miles but its rough, lately 2 miles has felt a bit hard. Even with that in mind its still very empowering, I have crazy stamina and it still amazes me cause not so long ago it seemed so out of reach.

As I'm typing this I'm fighting back tears, I have felt so trapped in my body (and life) for so long. Running gives me a outlet and a way to prove to myself that I'm stronger then I knew and then others give me credit for. Its a very emotional/spiritual thing for me. I love being out doors in all kinds of weather and just being in awe of all that Heavenly Father has created. I have seen some amazing beautiful things on my runs, from animals, to city views, the sky in all colors and it truly takes my breath away. Then I feel so overwhelmed with love and gratitude, I feel so grateful to be able to run and to enjoy every bit. Running in the morning really helps to define my day and attitude. Also getting back in shape physically and mentally makes me feel great, and I feel like I'm not waisting this amazing life I was given.

I started this Half Marathon training program by Jeff Galloway who is RunDisneys official trainer. I love alot of his programs, and his tips have been so helpful too. Anyways if I do the training program I'll be able to do it twice before the Tinkerbell run in Jan 2013. Saturdays are going to be my long run days and next week I have 4 miles. That will be the longest I will have ever ran, its a bit intimidating. Once the miles really start adding up I will run/walk them, but I do want to run as much as I can. I'm so excited to do this though it make the Half Marathon feel that much more really for me...... Now to just be able to pay for the whole trip and registration :/ I want this so bad I will work something out :) hehe.

Here is another little saying I found on pinterest and completely agree with.....

318 days!!!

Till the Tinkerbell Half Marathon! I cant wait I'm so excited for this run. So as far as a update goes I'm well......AWESOME!!! I am now at 218 lbs (yep 37 lbs gone forever). I'm working out like a mad women just because I so love it. My fave thing Running :)

I got my Nike Free Run 2's........

 and I love them they are the BEST running shoes ever. They fit great right out of the box, so comfy and I love how flexible they are. I also got......

A Nike+ sports watch, my fave little gadget for tracking my runs. It came with the chip for my shoe (yep I have a chip in my shoe, man shoes have come a long way LOL) the chip sends my running info to my watch and the watch keeps track of my distance, pace per mile, total run time, and cal's burned. It then gets plugged in to my USB port and uploads all my info on to the Nike+ website. Its so cool to see all my runs and see where and when I slowed down or sped up. I love feed back :)

Running is my fave "exercise" ever and to think how much I hated it when I started a few months ago. Anyways back to the Half Marathon..... I cant wait for registration to go up, I'm so excited I want to just pay for it so I know I'm really going for sure. I got this great training program that's 23 weeks long. I have enough time to do it twice, the second time around it will end on race day (which its supposed to :)). I figured the first time I can really learn how my body (and endurance along with motivation) will do on long runs. Also there are some products I want to try that I have read a lot of runners use. One is this stuff called Gu. Its a energy gel you eat wile running that helps your body to balance out since 13.1 miles is a long way and eating in between isn't really a option, but your body need fuel to keep going.

Another thing is a Fuel belt (a fanny pack with cup holders lol) its flatter then a fanny pack, holds curved water bottles and doesn't really bounce as you run. A few have tabs to hold your bid numbers too.
Also I want to try Arm Sleeves. I'm so not a runner who likes layers, I get hot fast and like being cool during my run. Yes I sweat but I like feeling free moving, so wearing jackets and long sleeves isn't my thing, but some mornings its cold (I have ran in 38 degree weather and yes I took my jacket off half way through). So I want to get arm sleeves that are basically arm warmers, they go from your wrist to your arm pit and if you get hot your just roll them down.

I'm so excited to get training and also excited to kick up my exercise and weight loss. As far as WW's is going it awesome as well. I'm still losing at a awesome rate and I feel so good all the time. I know my body signs, I know when I'm done eating before I even really feel it. Its also crazy how many fruits and veggies I eat now. I crave them like crazy, I'm so excited its almost summer mmmmmm strawberries. I feel so good about myself too. I got some awesome boots and a jacket in a style I have wanted forever but never been able to wear. I also have been getting my nails and a peddie every 3 weeks to make me feel even more girly. One of the best parts of my weight loss, I'm almost to my first big goal!!!! I'm only 18 lbs till I'm out of the 200's and get to go shopping for a Coach purse :). O how I love goal prizes.

On all those awesome notes (you know your going to go look into all the stuff I talked about hehe) I want to leabe you with a grat quote I got off Pinterest .........

Stats
 Starting weight: 255
Current weight: 218
Goal weight: 145 (I lowered it by 5 lbs)