My New Sunday Committment - A Small Giveaway

Anyone that has been a frequent flyer on my blog knows that I have found a passion with running.  Well, the idea of running.  Becoming a runner.  Right now, I'm a jogger - and proud of that - but my ultimate goal is to be able to run a full marathon.  That's on the very top of my goal list - right next to getting down to my goal weight.  Yes, being able to run a marathon is just as important to me as losing weight.

I can't tell you the exact moment in which I decided I wanted to do it - it just came to me.

Maybe it was the graduation from not being able to walk for more than 15 minutes without becoming extremely winded and needing to sit down to being able to walk for a full mile.  Maybe it was the push of making myself jog for 30 seconds at a time - and being able to do it.  Maybe it's a combination of everything that I have achieved thus far - and finishing a marathon simbolizes the marathon I've been running every single day to lose the weight.

Whatever it is, I'm committed to being a runner.

I've been doing the Couch to 5K program since January.  Technically I should be finishing that up soon, but due to snow and school - I've had to repeat a few weeks.  I'm OK with that...I would rather be able to finish each week strong than moving through the program too fast and not being able to finish it. 

Last week, I shared my excitement of running a 5K while doing 8 minute jogging/ 2 minute walking intervals.  I finished the 5K, I didn't have to walk at all during the 8 minute jogs - and for that I was very proud.

I could have probably benefited from repeating the 8 minute week over again - being that I only did it that one day - but Friday evening, I wanted to try to push myself a little more. 

I decided to be brave and try the 12 minute jog/ 3 minute walking interval.  I'm not going to lie, it was tough...really tough.  My calves were screaming at me during my first running interval.  Once I reached the 8 minute mark, I really didn't know if I'd be able to finish the first jogging session....but I didn't want to quit.  I wanted to keep pushing myself...and I did.

I finished the first 12 minute jog and felt a rush of exhiliration.  I literally laughed out loud.  I was so proud.  The three minute walking interval went by fast - and I was extremely nervous about starting the second interval.  Once again, things got really tough when I reached the 8 minute mark.  I almost stopped.  Then, at 9 minutes I felt a burst of energy...and my pace started increasing.  By 10 minutes I was actually running.  Once my podcast said "one minute left, you can do it" I pushed myself harder than I've ever before....and finished the 12 minutes with an almost sprint. 

I completed two 12 minute jogging intervals with 3 minutes of walking in between and had ran 2 miles.  I finished with a pace time of 15:41 per mile - but that included the 5 minute warm up I did.

Still on the high from the night before, I decided to run again yesterday.  Just a short run.  I didn't want to use my C25K program...I just wanted to run.  So, that's what I did.  I ran a complete mile - without walking AT ALL - in 14:39.

Today, I'm going back to run another 5K.  This is where my blog title comes into play. 

I'm making a committment to myself to run a 5K each and every week between now and my first 5K race on April 30th.  The committment also includes upping my running intervals each week between now and then - and hopefully being able to run the entire time on the day I'm scheduled to compete.

The 5K I'm running in April is important to me.  I've plugged it a couple of times - and you can see my nice button at the top of my page.  It's for Breast Cancer - a cause I really want to support.

No, I don't have a story to share of how breast cancer has affected me or someone close to me.  I could tell you countless stories of how it's affected people I care about...and that's good enough for me.  My passion for this cause truly emerged when I ran last year's Susan G. Koman's Race for the Cure last year.  Seeing those men and women who had faught - or were still fighting - the disease make their way through the course with a smile on their face made me realize that I wanted to help any way I can.

Yes, training for and running in these races benefit me - I'm losing weight while pushing myself to reach my running goals.  But having the opportunity to do it for a cause I truly love makes it that much more important.  It makes it that much more imperitive that I give everything I can to do my best.

That is why, once again, I come to you with the plea of helping me out.  Last week, I was able to reach my half way point of my donation goal within a few minutes of posting my plea.  Today, I'm still in the exact same spot.  My goal is to raise $100.  That doesn't sound like much - but I would love to be able to reach that goal...and maybe even go higher. 

If you can, please help me out by making a small donation to this wonderful cause.  There is no amount that is too little - every little bit helps.

I've decided to host a little giveaway.  It's not a competition.  It's not a "chance" to win something.  I want to thank everyone that helps me.  So, I will be purchasing Susan G. Koman wristbands to send to everyone that makes a donation.

It's not much - but I want to show that I appreciate the support that I'm receiving.  This is my way to thank you AND support this cause.

To help me out, please click on my Participant button located on the top right of the page. :)

Till next time. ;)

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Half Off Everything!!

Happy Saturday, everyone!!

If you're interested in hearing about my interviews I had yesterday, I wrote a post about that on my other blog:  Traveling My Mind

Today is a great day.

It's the first Saturday in a very long time that I'm not worried about how much homework I have.  I'm not worried about what I need to get done.  I'm not worried about deadlines or due dates...or any of it.  I can relax...well, relax from homework anyway.

Today is the day for finally getting to some of the things that have been on my "to-do" list that were given a back burner during the weeks of CRAZY.

First, it's time for some spring cleaning.  Time to get rid of the piles of boxes and winter clothes and toys that I'm sick of stepping over and on.  My dear little Jelly owns her own toy store - that just happens to be located in the back half of my living room. Jelly is in for a little shock today - when half of her store is going on CLEARANCE and being shipped off to a better home....the Goodwill store.

Then there are the boxes of clothes....what toy store would be complete without a selection of apparel from all seasons? Yeah, she's a diva.  Yeah she has tons of clothes...but it's time to get with the season - so it's half off with the clothes today.  Some are staying, some are going out to the storage building, some are going to Goodwill.

The original plans for my the back half of my living room - once hubby took over half of my office - was to transform it into a home gym...and a SMALL play area for Jelly.  Well, it became a LARGE play area for Jelly and something that could be depicted from a scene from Hoarders: Buried Alive.  There's no gym aspect involved - unless you count that the gym equipment makes a great clothes hanger or storage bench for even more junk.

It's adios to all of that crap today.

I'm not sure that I want the home gym, anymore - being that I have a membership to a gym and using it (somewhat).  I want Jelly to have a little play area.  It would be nice to just have a little extra room...some open space.  Is there anything wrong with just having an "open room"?

After cleaning, it's time to get my meal planning done for the week and head off for my weekly trip to the grocery store.  Lots of fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, fish and dairy making a comeback this week.  Now that the weather is getting nicer, it's time to start focusing on some lighter meals....maybe even brushing the dust off of the grill!!

After getting home from what is sure to be an adventure (I'm taking the kids...always much more interesting when they're with me) it will FINALLY be time to get some working-out done.  My original plan was to go to the gym today.  I wanted to take my brother and sister with me - who both decided to come and help me out this weekend.  That was until I found out that there's a $20 guest fee.  Yeah - I'm an unpaid intern...pretty sure I can get creative without using the gym this weekend.

We've decided that a trip to the park to play some soccer, another 2 mile run, and some weight work at home will be just as good.  They're going to be standing by helping me out and pushing me...which they've decided is worth a small fee IF I win the Biggest Loser competition.  That's pure family love and support right there!!

So, it's still a pretty busy day - but fun busy. 

That's what I've got going on - but what about you guys?  How are you?  How you doin'?  What's the weather like where you are right now?  Are things getting a little warmer, or are you still battling some pretty chilly temps?  What's on your to-do list for today??

SHARE PEOPLE!!  I LOVE hearing about what's going on with you.  ;)

K - time to get my day started...

Till next time. ;)

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Last Chance Workout Weekend

I love the Biggest Loser....it's probably one of my favorite shows on TV right now.

I don't get a lot of time to watch TV - but I figure if I'm going to watch any TV...it should be a show that's going to motivate me to not sit in front of it too long...that make sense?  Good.

This weekend, I've decided that I'm going to use my Biggest Loser motivation....and go into Last Chance Workout mode.  All weekend.

If for some reason you don't watch the show - well then you are missing out!! Wait, that's not where I was going...  IF for some reason you don't watch the show, the contestants perform a Last Chance Workout right before their weigh-in.

It's a grueling, intense, sweat pouring, last chance opportunity to burn as many calories possible - right before stepping on the scale for the weekly weigh in.

Being that my final weigh in for my Biggest Loser competition is Tuesday... I have 4 days to put in as many grueling, intense, sweat pouring work-outs I can....and I'm going to.

Just in case, for some strange reason, I don't give it my all...I've called in the big dogs.  Well, dog.  Well, that's not exactly a nice way to describe her.  My lil sister is coming to spend the weekend with me.  My little sister, who is 15 years old and an athlete.  She's not a natural athlete - she's a self made athlete.  A year ago, my sister was a little on the "heavy" side.  In no way would I have described her as fat or obese - just a little "cuddly".  In just a few months she went from being cuddly to crazy combat mode.

She plays basketball.  She runs - and when I say run... I mean run...like a 5K in about 26 minutes run.  She's now a lean, mean, athletic machine...and I know that she will push me as hard as I need to be pushed this weekend.

This morning, I have 6 ten minute interviews with principals.  That in it self brings on some sweat - but after? That's when I'm hitting the gym.  I'm going for an hour to get in some strength training.  Later this afternoon, I'm going to pick up my sister - and then we're heading to the track for a short run. 

Tomorrow, we're both going to the gym.  For an intense work-out.  Cardio, weights...sweat, endurance.  Then we're going to come home and clean my house - well, rearrange my house.  I'm finally going to do the Spring cleaning I've been meaning to do for the past several weeks.  Load and carry boxes out to the storage building, clean carpets...that kind of stuff.  If the weather is nice tomorrow, the day may end with a few games of tag and frizbee in the yard with the kiddos.

Sunday, I'm back out to run another 5K.  This time, I'm upping my running intervals to twelve minutes.  Yes, you heard me.... TWELVE MINUTES running.  In the same time it will take me to run a 5K, no doubt my sister will have ran a 10K - but it's OK...just having her out there gives me motivation.

I have to take her home Sunday - but Monday?  That's my final day.  The day I can go to the gym and really pound out as much as I can before my big weigh-in Tuesday.

My diet this weekend is really important, also.  This past week has been anything but perfect.  I haven't drank much water.  I haven't eaten what I planned - or should have.  My whole body has been out of whack.  The lack of planning and structure and increase in stress have had serious effects on me.  So, for the next three days at least, it's nothing but water, wholesome grains, lots of veggies, lean meats - and planning!!  I'm bringing my calorie intake down - just a notch - and focusing on 1500 calories instead of my 1700 calories.

It's not a long term change - just a short term.  It's not that huge of a change - but every bit helps.  Conserving 200 calories a day between now and Tuesday saves me 800 calories...which can mean the differenence in losing one more pound.  It means I'm shooting for a calorie deficit of at least 1200 calories for the next 4 days...which equals 4800 calores...which could mean 1.4lb weight loss in just those 4 days.  If I work out harder - I could push that number up to 1500 calorie deficit each day giving me 6000 calories burned - almost 2lb loss.

Now I'm getting a head of myself.  If you haven't noticed, I'm pumped, I'm psyched. 

Competition hasn't really been a huge deal to me in a weight loss situation before.  I've always had the mentality to "do what I can"....well, that was true for a few weeks - and then I started slacking off.  Now "do what I can" has been transformed to "do more than I've ever done before".  I like that better.  It's all about the determination - and I'm rocking it at this very moment.

So, here I go.  Interview in 2 hours...and then the weekend full of working out BEGINS!

Till next time. ;)

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Time to Get Back on Track

I did it!!

I'm finished!!

Senior project is done, finished, finito!!

I did my presentation yesterday - very well, I might add - and only went over my 12 minutes by 45 seconds.  I stood in front of my peers, my teachers, and my assistant principal with confidence and shared about all of the hard work I had done over the past six months.

The past two days have been a challenge.  Having to sit for 7 hours both days, surrounded by a plethora of junk food was hard.  Very hard.  I'm not going to sit here and say I didn't eat any of it - I did.  I didn't think of it as cheating or temptation or failing....I thought of it as just being a part of life.

I had a couple of cookies.  I ate breakfast casserole without asking how many calories were in it.  Yes, I even had a couple of oatmeal brownies.  For lunch I dashed for a salad...I really wanted a salad...I could have stayed in the room and eaten the from the junk buffet - but I didn't. 

Yesterday wasn't about thinking about how many calories I was eating.  It was about coming together with my peers and celebrating our accomplishments.  I didn't celebrate with the food - but I didn't feel guilty about eating it, either.  I knew that it was the end of something big - and once it was over I could get back to my "normal" life.

So, that's what happens today.  Life resumes....and so does getting back to my meal plans and exercise.

Today, I go back to the gym after being gone for more than a week.  I'm ready.  So ready. 

My body has not liked this hiatus one little bit.  I can feel it.  I feel sluggish, my energy is lacking...I need to be woken up by the refreshing feeling of sweat and hard work.

For the days between now and next Tuesday - I want to go into crazy catch-up mode.  I want to get into Biggest Loser Mode - because that's the competition I now have exactly 5 days to focus on.  Winning that competition would mean the world to me - because I have worked hard....the past couple of weeks has been a bit of a setback and I don't want to flush away the hard work I did before that.  I think it's time for some Last Chance Workouts....for the next 5 days.

I know, realistically, I'm not going to be able to pull the numbers I would like.  I honestly don't think that I'm even going to be able to pull the numbers I need to win - but I'm not going to give up.  I have to try.  I have to say that despite what I dealt with - I still finished strong.

So, here I am, basically saying I'M BACK!! 

That also means I'm getting back to reading AND commenting on blogs.  I've missed hearing from you all - and hopefully that will resume, too.

I need your support.  I need your encouragement.  I hope you haven't given up on me - because I haven't given up or disappeared or stopped caring about any of you.  You are what drives me each day...knowing that you're hear, reading about my successes..and sometimes lack of successes.

I also want to take this opportunity to give a little shout out to my Sisterhood challenge partner, Adah.  She has been so much more than a partner these past couple of weeks - she has been a true friend.  She has taken the time to send me emails of encouragement many times - and those emails have really helped get me through these past couple of weeks.  Thank you, Adah.  You have no idea how your kind words have helped me - and I'm going to give everything I can to be the best partner I can be.

Everyone have a great Thursday!!! 

Till next time.  ;)

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Weigh to Go Wednesday: What a Week!!



My goodness what a week it has been...and it's only Wednesday!!

Today is a HUGE day for me....the day I've been waiting for since August.

Today is the day I FINALLY present my senior project to my peers, university liaisons, and school principal.  The day that has kept me away from my exercising, has completely messed with my schedule, stressed me out, and has kept me away from all of you.  Today is the day.

Am I nervous? A little.  I've worked very hard the past six months, and today I have exactly twelve minutes in which to explain six months of work.

I'm a talker.  I like to talk.  I'm worried I'll get up there and start talking - and before I know it, my time is up and I'm only on slide 5 of my 27 slide PowerPoint.

It also means that after today, I can have my life back.  The life of working out 7 days a week - and wanting to.  The life of having time to schedule my meal plans - and wanting to.  The life of being in control, working hard to lose weight, and being a good partner to my team mate - and wanting to.

Today is also weigh-in day. 

Last week wasn't great.  I gained 0.6lbs.  I was scared that this week would be even worse...but it's not, thankfully.  So, let's get to some results.

Challenge Start Weight:  214.6lbs
Weight Last Week:  215.2lbs
Weight This Week:  214lbs

I lost 1.2lbs - and I'm very happy with that.  Especially with how much stress I've been dealing with.

I guess my scale is finally taking a little pity on me.  The 5K I ran on Saturday might have helped a little, too.

I haven't gotten in any exercise this week - unless you count spending the day in Kindergarten on Monday.  I know that sounds funny - but I walk over 8,000 steps while I'm at work.  Kindergartners definitely keep you on your feet all day.

Yesterday was brutal.  For seven hours, I sat.  Just sat.  Getting up every couple of hours to stretch my legs.  I wanted to move - I hated being still.  Today I have to do it all over again - UGH!

I'm so ready to get back in to the gym AND get back outside and run....that's coming this weekend.  Oh yes it is!! The weather is supposed to be nice - which means I'm a running.

OK, time to get ready for the biggest day of my college career....until graduation, anyway.

Till next time. ;)

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Mini Goal Monday: Digging Down for Determination



This week is going to be tough.  Really tough.

It's a week of parent-teacher conferences, senior presentations, and interviews.  That means very little time to work-out....actually, more like NO time.

I'm a week away from the final weigh in for the Biggest Loser competition at work - and I have some pretty tough competition.  I started out doing great....but now that I've plateaued the past couple of weeks, I'm worried that I'm not going to do as great as I thought I would.

My scale and I are still not on the best of terms.  I did not hear what I wanted to hear this morning - but it also didn't increase the insults....so I guess I'm going to hold off until Wednesday to see what it has to say for it's self then.

I know that my current stress level isn't helping my weight level any.  I watch Biggest Loser contestants (TV show not work competition)  have bad weeks because of stress.  I now know how they can work their butts off for an entire week and lose maybe a pound or two...some even gain.  It's not because they're eating too much - it's because of the stress.  I think that I'm in that situation this very second.

On top of everything that I'm stressing about - the next two days are going to be BRUTAL!  I have to spend the days watching presentations made by my peers...that's not the brutal part.  The fact that there's going to be a snack buffet both days?  That's going to be brutal.  For a total of 7 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday, I'm going to be stuck in a room with a coral of snacks, desserts, sweets, and salty goods....or should I say BADS.

So, I have only two items for my to-do list this week:

• Take my own snacks and resist the temptations awaiting me this week
• Find some way to get in some exercise - any exercise is better than none

That's it.  It's all about will power this week.  Finding the strength inside to push through the barriers that await.  Really holding on to my mantra of Determination.  AND remembering that I have a partner that's counting on me for the Spring into Action challenge.

I know once I get through this week, the worst is over.  My senior project will finally be laid to rest.  My focus will be able to shift to finding a job.  I will be able to get back into my "groove" of going to the gym 4 days a week and running 3 days a week...something I have not done for the past 2 weeks.

I know all too well that getting one great work-out in each week just isn't enough.  Yeah, I ran a 5K on Saturday - just to get in a great work-out....but what did I do for the rest of the week?  I ran a mile the night before and had one trip to the gym.  Definitely not enough.

I think one of my biggest problems is that I expect too much a little too late.  Here I am a week away from the chance of winning a nice big cash prize - and I'm starting to think that I'm not going to do it.  I've lost 10lbs since the start of the Biggest Loser competition...which is good...but good enough?  My competition falls on two men that are on the verge of being athletes, a slender teacher that has managed to lose 6lbs in the past couple of weeks, and several other teachers that have been using Weight Watchers.  This was mine to win - but I think I let it slip from my fingers. 

Oh well - enough of this Negative Nancy stuff. 

Even if I don't win - that doesn't define who I am.  I have come such a long way - and have a long way to go.  Yeah, sure, the money would be great...but I have to let that go.  This isn't about the material prizes, it's about the physical prizes.  Getting down to a size 14 before summer?  That's a prize I'm fighting for.  Running a 5K on April 30th in less than 40 minutes?  Would be a huge win for me.  Just getting back to my schedule, my routine, and my comfort zone?  Ultimate prize package right there. 

Changing the subject just a little - but I can't help but notice some serious cricket chirping coming from my blog the past couple of weeks.  I know it probably has a lot to do with my being gone from my social networks.  I want you to know that I miss you all - I hate not hearing from you - and I'm going to try my best to get back to connecting with you all as soon as I can.  I want you to know that I am reading your blogs - every chance I get.  I haven't been very comment happy, but that's only due to my lack of time.  You'll be hearing from me soon, I promise.

Lastly, a huge shout-out to my friend, Cathy.  Thank you for the wonderful donation to Race for the Cure.  I am now half way to my fundraising goal - in a matter of one day!!

I hope to make it to my fund raising goal - and would love your support.  If you can, please click on the Susan G. Koman logo on the sidebar and help any way you can.

Till next time. ;)

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5K for Fun - Now I Need Your Help

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day here in Northwest Arkansas.  The sun was shining, the birds were singing, there was a slight breeze - and the temperature was in the upper 60s....BEAUTIFUL!!
This time yesterday morning, I was having an internal conflict.  Saturday is usually the day I go to the gym.  I go to the gym on Saturday and run on Sunday.  Looking out my window told me that I didn't think that was going to happen.

All I could think about while looking out of my window was going for a run.  I wanted to run - BAD.  It was the first day of the year that was nice AND wasn't extremely windy.  I don't mind the wind - I like to use it for resistance - but it was nice thinking about going for a run just to enjoy the weather.  So that's exactly what I decided to do.

Before I left, I made another decision - I was going to run my first 5K of the year....just for the fun of it.  It was more to see how I would do...could I do a whole 5K, what kind of time I could do it in...that sort of stuff.

In case I got there and chickened out - I decided to make a public announcement on Facebook.  I wanted to hold myself accountable - so that I didn't get half way through, realize it was a little too hard, and give up.

Well, I got to the track and started my 5 minute warm-up.  I decided to stick with the 8 min jog/ 2 min walk intervals that I started last weekend.  Last weekend was the first and ONLY time I have ever been able to run that long - and that was for 2.2 miles.  It was difficult, but I really pushed myself to finish.  This time, I was going to have to push myself for an extra mile.

I started strong.  I could feel that my pace had increased since starting the C25K back in January.  Back then, I used the term "wog" as what I was doing for my jogging intervals.  It was more of a walk/jog combination.  I was convinced that I actually walked faster during my walking intervals than I did when I was supposed to be jogging....but not anymore.  My legs are coming much further off the ground, my strides are getting bigger....and I'm getting very close to moving up from jogging to actual running.

I completed the first mile and felt some tightness in my calf muscles.  Not pain - not uncomfortable...just tightness.  By the second end of the second 8 min jog interval I didn't want to walk....my jogging had become comfortable and I didn't want to mess it up by slowing down - but I did.  I just walked FAST. 

Getting through the first two miles was almost easy.  My legs were warm and enjoying the push.  Once I got past 2 miles...things started getting a little more difficult.  My legs were like jello for the walk interval after the third 8 minute jog.  Then I had to restart my podcast over because week 5 only has me running for 30 minutes.  I decided to "wog" through the warm-up portion of the repeated podcast.  I didn't want to lose momentum, but I could feel that my legs were really having a hard time.  The fourth 8 minute jog approached and I picked up speed again.  I completed over 1/2 a mile in the 8 minutes and I finished the 5K.
I finished the 5K in 44:59....a second shy of 45 minutes.  That puts my pace a little less than 15 minutes per mile - 14:42 per mile to be exact.  The fact that the time also includes the 5 minute warm up walk and a 5 min "wog" in the middle gives me a little hope that I can do much better by the time my first competitive race comes up in April. 

Last year, I ran my first 5K race EVER in April.  It was the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure...the same race I will be doing April 30th of this year.  It was probably one of the worst days of my life - I finished in severe pain and spent two days after recovering due to a nasty knee that DID NOT appreciate what I had put it through.

I have come a long way in a year - and I'm not there yet.  My goal is to finish the race in less than 40 minutes.  I think I can do it. 

Before I go, I want to send out a plea for your help.  Last year, I did not promote my participation.  I did not raise any money for Susan G. Koman - except for my race entry fee.  I'd like to really make a difference this year.

If you can, please help me raise some money for this great cause.  I've worked very hard - and plan on working very hard to do the best I can this year.  I'd like to do that physically - and monetarily.

So, if you can - please make a small donation and help me raise my goal of $100.  I've already got it started...and now I need you to help me get there.

Please visit my donation page and donate what you can.
Till next time.  ;)

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