Five on Friday

I’m linking up today with the good life blog and about a zillion other bloggers for 5 on Friday!  It’s my favorite linkup!

One

                I got off my butt this week and did Days 1 & 2 of Couch to 5k.  I started on Wednesday and I plan to do these runs on Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays through next week, then hopefully kick it up a notch and just go every other day.  I need to complete the training by November 2^nd, which will be my first official race.  My husband and two neighbor friends and I are all doing the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon’s 5k.  Someday maybe I’ll do that half marathon, but for now, just focusing on the 5k. 

Two

                Sleep has improved since Tuesday night.  THANK GOODNESS!  Cooper is still waking up in the middle of the night, I cannot figure out why and what to do about it, so I suppose we’ll just continue doing what we’re doing.  Katy has been sleeping much better also, so that’s a blessing!

Three

                My best friend Erica and her partner and my good friend Mel, completed their cross country journey on their bicycles!  Click here to read their day by day journey!  Tonight is the Raise the Roof fundraiser for the Looking Out Foundation.  This is who Erica and Mel were raising money for on their journey.  They are going to be speaking about their journey and their fundraising efforts tonight.  I cannot attend in person, but I did donate enough money to be able to stream the event live tonight!  I’m looking forward to hearing what these awesome ladies have to say!  I am SO PROUD OF THEM!!!

Four

                This weekend should be fairly low key and that is exciting!  I’m taking my kiddos to the children’s museum with my friend Shannon and her kids, and Tim is umpiring a couple of games on Sunday.  Other than that, we’ve got zero plans, woo hoo!

Five

                Katy.  She is so happy, and she brings me such great joy!  I’m so blessed and I thank God each and every day for her and her brother.  But look at this face!  Isn’t she just precious?!?

Happy Weekend Everyone!!!

Back on the Wagon

I am officially back on the “lose weight” wagon. 

Yesterday, I joined weight watchers again.  Since I am breastfeeding, I get a crazy amount of points.  I honestly do not know how in the world I’ll lose weight eating that many points.  I get 46.  Yes, that’s right I said FORTY SIX!   I honestly cannot believe that I get that many.  So now, I get to eat more food than I was anticipating, which isn’t a bad thing considering I love food, however….. I’m honestly not sure that I want to eat that many points on a daily basis.  We’ll see how it goes, I know they give me the number of points that I need based upon the information that I gave them, so as long as that is accurate (which it is) – this should be what I eat.   Does anyone have any experience with weight watchers to tell me if I’m crazy about thinking 46 points is an awful lot?!?

Moving on…. I started walking yesterday also – I walked a mile during the workday, and I am hoping to walk two miles today.  I plan to start the couch to 5k program next week, as my doctor officially gave me the go ahead as of next Tuesday to start that.  She said my foot is healing nicely, but that I needed to take it easy until then – so a bit of running starting next week should be okay.   I loved the couch to 5k the last time I did it, so I am hoping to like it again. 

Tim and I signed up for a 5k that is in November, so I want to get started training – so that I can do the 3.1 miles in 40 minutes or so.  I’d love to make it in 30, but I’m not in the best shape after not having done any running in a year.  Anything is possible though, and I will give it my best shot, like just about everything that I do. 

I am soon going to start going back on the hunt for some creative healthy dinner options.  And I know my grocery list will be longer than I want it to be from now on – just to keep me satisfied on the good for me food train.  I am hoping to stay with “whole” foods and skip out on most things processed, but I know that this will be more difficult, I love my crunchy snacks.  I have seen people make chips out of turkey pepperonis so I need to look that up.  Now, I’m just rambling, so I’m going to wrap this short post up. 

Have a wonderful hump day!

Running Shoes Link-up!

Hey ya’ll, I’m blogging again today….  This time to link up with Mel & Laura for the Favorite Running Shoes linky party.

I couldn’t help but to share my favorite running shoes, because it took me MONTHS to find a pair that fit my foot well and that were comfortable to me.  I pronate a bit, so these shoes have extra support in that area, and they are awesome.  I’m definitely a Brooks girl from now on because of these shoes!

My favorite running shoes are the Brooks Addiction.  Since I started running last year, I have had two pairs of these Brooks Addition 10s.  I would be on my third pair by now if my silly foot wasn’t so hurt and if I was allowed to run – but I’ve had complications with my prior pregnancy, so I’m taking things pretty easy and just walking for exercise during this pregnancy.

These shoes are awesome though, so please, if you have any pronation issues, check them out!

Thanks to Mel and Laura for hosting this link-up!

Running in the Dark

I've been rather afraid of it. 

Not because I'm scared of my neighborhood, but because just the thought of going out and running when I have nothing to look at nothing to keep me going scares me. 

Until yesterday. 

My neighbor went running and was finished by the time I had hauled myself out of bed.  I asked her about it and she told me that heck yeah, she's runs in the dark.  I said, OK.  I can do this too.  You see, the entire time I've been running outside it has been summertime, and at 5:45 it was almost light out when I'd head out.  Since it's been getting light much later now, I've been LAZY.  I mean I still work out a few times a week, but not 5-6 like I had been.  I've been doing Jillian, or treadmill workouts, but that just doesn't satisfy me like a morning run.  So, when my neighbor bit the bullet, I decided I would too.

So this morning, I woke up, looked at the clock and it was 5:48.  I decided to go for it.  A slllllllooooooooowwwwww 2.4 miles and 30 minutes later, I was back in my driveway and it was still dark outside.  And guess what?  I made it, AND it wasn't bad at all.  I actually liked it.  Our neighborhood has lots of street lights, and many people leave their coach lights and patio lights on at night, which makes it even lighter out than I could have imagined. 

I hope I can keep this motivation that my neighbor has given me, she started doing the couch to 5k just after I finished it, and she's doing a great job!  I took almost 3 weeks off from a serious (for me) run, and I've got some catching back up to do.  It's crazy how much endurance you can lose in such a short period of time.  Just makes me realize how much I need to keep going and not let myself stop anymore!

So, that's my running in the dark story.  Nothing major, but still an accomplishment that I'm glad I achieved.

Now, can someone tell me why short work weeks feel so dreadfully LONG?

Have a GREAT DAY!

Running Challenges

The other day, I was was on Pinterest, as I usually am several times throughout the day, and I found this treadmill running challenge.  It was something that I said I would do someday.  Well, that day was sooner than I had expected.  Tim decided to hit the gym early last Friday, and I wanted to go too, since I couldn’t run at home with no one home to watch Cooper while I ran.  So, treadmill here I came.

I did the beginner’s running interval treadmill workout, or I should say, I tried to complete it.  I made a couple of minor changes due to the fact that I am not quite up to this workout even after the couch to 5k and the beginnings of bridge to 10k. 

Here is the original workout:	Here is what I did:
Minutes Speed 1-3 3 3-5 3.5 5-7 5.5 7-8 3.5 8-10 6 10-11 3.5 11-13 6.5 13-14 3.5 14-16 6 16-17 6.5 17-20 3.5	Minutes Speed 1-5 4 5-7 5.5 7-8 3.5 8-10 6 10-11 3.5 11-13 6.5 13-14 3.5 14-15:30 6 15:30-17 4 17-18:30 5.5 18:30-20 4

I got to the last bit of running and I just couldn’t catch my breath, so while I didn’t run as fast as she suggested in her challenge, I did run the same number of minutes.  I was satisfied with that.  And, I’ll tell you, I believe that that was pretty good for a short legged chubby girl.  What say you?

I am not a fan of running on a treadmill, so for those of you who also despise treadmill running, both of the above were a great workout for me, a beginning runner.  There is an intermediate workout as well as a challenge workout.  I’m sure for those more experienced runners these would be awesome!

What is your go to treadmill workout?  What do you do for a workout if you only have 20-30 minutes?  I’ve defaulted to walking/30 day shred/strength training.  I was pretty glad when Pinterest showed me a new way to workout!

Have a great day!

Randoms with Running

I'm a new "runner" and I don't really know that much about the sport as of yet.  I never ran in my previous life.  I remember running in high school, we had to run 20 continuous minutes for physical education class and I remember it being tough.  Now that I've done the couch to 5k program and am working on albeit slowly the bridge to 10k, I feel like I have discovered a few things.

1) The importance of good shoes. This realization has just come to my attention this week actually.  I was running on Sunday morning and my shins were killing me.  Shin splints.  Though I didn't know that that is what it was for a few days.  You see, the last time I had shin splints they were on the front of my legs, and now my legs are killing me on the sides.  Posterior shin splints as the picture notates below.  As I discussed this with the trainer at the gym she told me to use a foam roller to stretch them or to use a tennis ball and roll along the area that is in pain.  She told me this is probably due to my shoes!  She asked when I'd last gotten new shoes (January!) and she told me that with all of the miles I've been putting in, its definitely time for new ones.  I said "ok" and walked out the door determined not to go and spend another $100+ on shoes that day.  I went running that night and now am bound and determined that I do indeed new shoes because even with the stretching, my legs are killing me.  So the shoes are on order.....

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2)  Hydration is important.  I need to figure out how to keep hydrated while running.  What do I need?  Are there belts that can be worn that have containers for water?  Do they make some other kind of hydration packs?  I've been out doing these bridge to 10k trainings and running for over 45 minutes and since I'm a mouth breather while running, I really get thirsty.  Please tell me, how do you keep yourself hydrated?  How do you keep from keeping over from thirst!

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3) Bugs are not my friend. I wish they would all go away while I'm running.  I am sick of them finding warmth inside my mouth and I am sick of choking on them whilst running because I'm already thirsty (as noted above) and could really do without more things making me thirsty!

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4) Running playlist.  I need more songs.  I have several pins that give me lots of ideas, I just really need to go through and scrub these for some upbeat songs.  I've been listening to the same songs since I started doing my daily workouts and they're getting boring  I believe it's time for some new ones.  Any ideas for me?

5)  Motivation. I have become a major motivator to several people in my life in this last year.  I'm proud of that.  But I also want to make sure people know that I'm not perfect, that I have been eating poorly and skipping workouts too often in the past month.  My motivation has been low.  Why?  I have no idea.  But, I really want to get back with it.  Back to the 30 day shred with my co-workers, back to running 3+ days per week, and back to eating healthy.  I tend to do great Monday - Thursday, then am terrible on the weekends.  This too shall pass, right?  Let's hope!

I'm sure there are more, but that's all I can think of at the moment.  I hope I get motivated to post another

Mouth Breather & Bridge to 10k

Weird topic today right?  Well, that's because I cannot seem to figure this mouth breathing while exercising thing out. 

Normally, I breath through my nose.  When I run though, I tend to breath only through my mouth.  Does this happen for anyone else?  Do you even notice?  I noticed because I am bothered (though only slightly) by mouth breathers in general.  I think it's because mouth breathers seem to be LOUD breathers (at least around me).  My husband is a mouth breather and several co-workers in the past have been mouth breathers, and it annoys me. (I don't love you any less honey!!!)  So for me to breath through my mouth makes me mad.  But.... I've tried to make myself breath through my nose when running and I just cannot seem to make it happen. 

I've done some research on this topic (not much) but a little, and thought I'd post what I've found.  In a Livestrong.com article the writer says that we should strive to breath through our noses during running and here's why:

Exercise

Nasal breathing is more efficient than mouth breathing in terms of supplying oxygen to the body. When performing cardiovascular exercise, it is therefore preferable to inhale and exhale through the nose. If you are exercising and become out of breath, it is faster to exhale through the mouth than the nose, but this will reduce the amount of oxygen extracted from each exhalation. Additionally, the nostrils and sinuses play a part in filtering and warming the air that is inhaled into the lungs. This filtering effect is helpful in keeping bacteria and particles out of your body. When exercising in chilly weather, breathing through the nose prevents cold air from going straight to your lungs and causing chest and throat pain.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/255298-mouth-breathing-vs-nasal-breathing/#ixzz22IaZ9kog"

So why can't I make myself do it???  It will be better for me if I do, My goal on my next run is to make this happen.  I do it during strength training, the 30 day shred and during my days when I just walk, so I'm bound and determined to make myself do it while running.

Speaking of Running.  Yesterday I completed day 2 of the Bridge to 10k and I've gotta say, the first two days haven't been bad.  Now, let me also say that I am a SLOW runner.  Both days, I've only completed just over 3.5 miles during the program.  The program consisted of this:

5 min warm up walk
10 min run
1 min walk
10 min run
1 min walk
10 min run
1 min walk
10 min run
5 min cool down walk

If I were doing what I should be doing, I should have well over 4 miles in during this time.  I would LOVE to get a 10 min running mile in at some point in my life.  But I've gotta say.  I am proud that I can even do 40 minutes of running.  I am proud that I push myself to get up at 5:45 to go out in the dark and run.  I am proud that I did the 3.1 miles (5k) in the first 46 minutes this morning.  (My original goal for the 5k running was to do it in 45 minutes, so I'm nearly there!) 

My goals aren't HUGE to an experience runner.  But for this Mama who has been out of shape for the last 10+ years of my life, these goals have been tough, and yet, I'm doing it!  I'm proud of myself.  I'm also proud of myself for sticking to my plan and doing the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred at least 3 days per week!

What exercise routines are you doing?  Are you proud of your accomplishments?  (YOU SHOULD BE!)

Happy Thursday Ladies!

Welcome New Followers and Q&A

Hello new people!  I’m pretty sure you’ve all found my blog because of my good friend Holly, who guest posted over at Mama Laughlin last week… Am I right?

Well, I’m so happy to have you here at my little piece of the world wide web, LOL. 

I’m not nearly as snarky as those ladies, and I like to tell stories about my little boy too often.  I started this blog for me, to keep memories precious and to share stories of our lives with family who doesn’t live as close as we’d like them to. 

I’m pretty happy that you’re here visiting me and I’d love to answer any questions you have for me about me, my family, my weight watchers journey, my weight loss, my exercise or anything else.

I’ll give you just a short preview into all of these things:

Me & my family: I am 31, I am married to Tim (46), have a son Cooper (2.5), two step kids, Andrew (20) and Stephanie (22).  Grandma to Kampbell (3 weeks) and MIL to Ryan (23).  I have one brother, a mom and dad who are divorced and mom’s remarried (Shawn); dad has a lady friend (Gwen) who lives with him.  I am all about my family.  I work in the finance field.  Budgets and spreadsheets are my work life.

My weight watchers/weight loss journey started in January 2012, after being diagnosed with PCOS.  We had been trying for baby #2 for over a year and finally wanted to know why I wasn’t pregnant.  Since then I’ve lost around 35 pounds (I keep going back and forth between 33 and 35) and I have quite a bit more to go.  But…. I am really focusing on how I feel and my exercise.

My exercise: I’ve been doing JIllian Michael’s 30 day shred for just over a week now (not daily, doing it 3 days/week working my way up)  I’ve done the couch to 5k in about 6 weeks and I’ve started day 1 of the Bridge to 10k.  I’m not expecting to complete the Bridge to 10k in 8 weeks like the program states, but I’ll do my best. Otherwise, my goal is to walk as many steps as possible each day, at least 10k steps per day, usually more.

What questions do you have for me?  If you don’t have any, that’s ok too, I just want to be as open as I can with you.  Please introduce yourself to me also!  I’d love to meet you!

Have a great Wednesday!

 

 

back on the bandwagon

This post is for accountability purposes only.  I need it.  I'm starting to count my WW points today for the first time since the end of May.  I took a month and a half off and now it's time to get back on it.  I have pretty much maintained my weight, but I don't want to go up, and I want to start eating healthier again.  Not that I was doing terrible, because I wasn't, I just want to get back to where I was January - May as far as eating goes.

 Last week I took the ENTIRE week off from exercise.  I ran last Sunday evening after a spur of the moment trip to Cincinnati to IKEA, then I didn't run again until yesterday morning.  It was a mixture of spending the good part of 2 days and 3 evenings at the hospital waiting on and visiting Miss Kampbell, and being struck with some awful food poisoning.  ARGH!   Because of the week long hiatus, running was hard yesterday.  But, I did it, and that's what counts. 

Today, I've packed my breakfast and lunch, and I've got the meals all planned out for the week.  Tonight we'll be having pork stir fry.  I'm looking forward to all of the vegetables.  Yummo.

If I get inspired today, I might just post a meal plan Monday, but for now, adios, I've got some major work today!