What? I have a blog?

Wow have I totally neglected this blog or what! Maybe it's because I haven't felt like anything I have been doing was worth posting about. I do need to get back on the ol blogger and keep my progress up to date. It's been a busy couple of months with family, school, and other things happening. Though I haven't been blogging but I still work out. My half marathon is creeping up in just over a month and I'm really hoping that I will be ready. I have been following a plan I found online and I'm trusting in the process. Somedays are really good runs and others I feel like I can barely lift my feet. I was hoping that all this running will help me lose weight, but I haven't had much success in that area yet. I lived in denial about why I am not losing pounds because come on I am training for a half marathon that should work. After watching the premier of Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition and the girl on the show during the third part of her plan only lost 3 pounds in three months, it caught my eye. Here she was working out hours and hours each day and only lost 3 pounds, what it came down to was her eating -- and that is what it comes down to with me as well. I am hoping to figure out my nutrition and change that part of my lifestyle. A big help that I have found to help calorie count and track food is http://www.myfitnesspal.com



I have been a member on this site for quite some time now but haven't fully utilized the program. It's time for me to take charge of what I am eating, take responsibility for what I am putting in my body. I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to some of my favorite foods and snacks, but if I want to make this work I'm going to need to let go.

Waiting, Wishing, and Hoping

I get these days when I wonder why am I really doing this. I get frustrated when I don't see results that I think I should be getting. Why else would I put myself through an hour long workout 6 times a week? Why then am I giving up some of my favorite foods in exchange for celery and salads? I do love how I feel after a workout and I do love giving my body the nutrients it needs, but I need to lose weight and it is just not coming off. I know that my size does not define me and I know what I can do, but I would love to have my outside appearance match all the hard work I am putting in.

So today I find myself WAITING for the results to come, WISHING to have the body I want, and HOPING that what I am doing is working.

It happens . . .

It is that time of year, the time of sharing and giving. Too bad it is sick germs that are being shared. Yep, some sick bug made it's way into my home and has infested us. I've been fighting it for four days now, and my kids have also been battling it. It's nothing more than a head cold with a cough and running nose, but is sure has taken its tole on me and my family. For me, I feel like I need to let my body do it's thing and get rid of the bug so I choose to rest and not workout until I feel better. Maybe I'm wrong and I should keep with my workout plan, but really I already feel crapy and who wants to add to that.

So when you get sick, do you workout through the sickness or let your body rest and recover?

Convenience

It is really nice to have the convenience of a treadmill. I'm not one to go running out in the bitter cold first thing in the morning. I think about taking the two younger kids in the double jogging stroller while the older two are at school, but that makes it harder to push the 60+ pounds. So that leaves me to my treadmill, I like having my time and distance displayed right in front of me. I'm hoping to get a garmin forerunner training watch that will tell me my distance, speed, time, and even my heart rate as I run outside. Today I gave it a valiant 4 miles, it took me longer than I wanted but I got it done!

Pushing it

Do you ever feel like pushing yourself to see how hard you can work? Well, today was one of those workouts for me. I did a dvd that I have done lots before but I added more intensity and more weight. What a difference that made. I felt stronger as I powered through the moves and proud of myself for pushing through the hard parts when I wanted to quit. Plus it helps to have a workout buddy like I talked about below, this time it was my four year old son, he sure made sure I was doing it right!

Missed the weekend ...

So here it is Monday again and I have to report that I didn't do what I was supposed to -- I didn't post my activity! I don't know if it really matters to whoever reads this what I am doing for my workouts, but it really helps me to record it. In fact knowing that I'm doing this blog helps me make sure I get my workouts done! Friday was a P90x morning workout with my husband. It is a challenge for me to wake up early, really who wants to wake up early - let alone waking up early to exercise?! One thing that I have discovered is that I am enjoying this extra time with my husband, something that I had not planned on! We did arms and back, it's fun to tease back and forth and challenge each other to work harder. As we are getting stronger we need to buy new weights!

I was very excited to head outside for my run on Saturday, my plan was to go at least 4 miles. I even had the best running partner to go with me, my 9 year old son Kyler. He has been fun having him come with me the last couple of saturdays. We headed out with much excitement, it didn't take even 10 seconds before we turned around and went home to get hats and warm gear. It was cold and rainy, but we still went. I was feeling great with the energy I needed for a really good run, and I was so excited to run farther than before. Well, Kyler soon lost his excitment, after about 5 min he was cold and tired. On our past runs, Kyler was always ahead of me and motivating me to keep going and run faster, we even have mini races while we run (great for a 9 year old huh). This run was a different story, it was me who was helping him to finish what we started. He was cold and tired and didn't want to run anymore. It ended up being an okay outing, walking more than I wanted, and we went 3 miles. When we had our final race home, he had plenty of energy left to beat me, but only because he cut across the neighbors yard!

Do you have a workout buddy, or do you like going it alone?

I have found I love my morning workouts with Nick, and I like running with Kyler, but there are times I like it to be just myself.

Where I run!

I thought I would post a picture of the view when I run:




Notice my running schedule right where I need it and of course the t.v so I'm not so totally bored looking at the wall.
Great isn't it?! For now while the weather is cold and snowy this is my place to go. Luckily on saturdays I can get outside for my long run while my husband watches the kids (as long as the weather permits).