It's been way too long!

I haven't written in a LONG time!  Sorry.  :(

Well, I am working on Turbo Fire right now by itself.  I am almost done with week 7.  I haven't had many results, but my eating hasn't been that great either.  I guess that goes to show you that diet really is 80-90% of weight loss/maintenance.  I go through spurts where I am like "I'm going to do well," then I think, "What's it matter?"  I need to be more like the former all the time!  Weekends have been difficult the last few years.  I need the structure of my regular work week to keep me in check.  I've been doing a better job of writing down my food before eating it.  I find that has been helping me stay on track.

On another note, several weeks ago (or maybe months by now) I was able to speak to the high school where I teach.  I told them how heart disease has affected my life.  I shared about the loss of my mom due to a heart attack, how you shouldn't smoke, how I lost my weight, some about my dad, and I have them some tips they could use.  I received many compliments about my speech, so that made me feel good.  I even heard about myself a few weeks later when I was at the hair dresser's.  Awesome!  I was nervous beforehand, but as I started talking and sharing, it was so much easier.  I enjoyed talking about my experiences, and I wouldn't mind doing motivational speaking.  I have no idea how one gets into that, but...

My goal is to get to my final goal weight of 140 by my brother's wedding at the end of March 2012.  I have 15 more pounds.  I think if I have more of the right mindset, I can definitely do it!  I think I will continue to count calories again, although I didn't do that my first 100 pounds lost.  The trouble is figuring out exactly how many I should eat and if I should "eat back" my exercise calories (quite the debate on My Fitness Pal).  Anyway, I'll figure it out.

I don't have a lot more to say except I wish I had more time and motivation to run again.  Maybe I'll get in a nice run tomorrow.  Maybe I'll sign up for a half in April to get me back in the groove.  :)


Later...

What's up next?

Long time no blog.  Haha!  I had sinus surgery on July 8.  I haven't really been able to exercise normally since then.  I had one good workout in there, then after that, I had trouble breathing.  I also have been really busy working on house stuff.  We've been putting a few things off, and I really wanted to do those things this summer.

Anyway, we go on vacation soon, and when we get back, I will start a straight up round of Turbo Fire.  I am pretty excited about it!  I have several friends (online) who have done it and lost quite a bit.  I have already completed a hybrid of TF and ChaLean Extreme, but I am excited to do just TF.  I LOVE IT!  I recommend it to anyone who has some stamina and who has the money.

I will probably post measurements and what not after vacation (and before photos) so I can do a comparison as I go.

That's about all.  Later...

First half marathon and decisions, decisions, decisions...

Well, I did it on June 4, 2011.  I ran my first half marathon.  It was hot, humid, and not really fun.  My time was a lot worse than I wanted, and the double hill on mile 11 forced me to stop and walk.  I was disappointed, but I physically could not run up them.  I ran after that until about mile 12, where I had to walk for just a short stint.  What made it all worthwhile was seeing Notre Dame Stadium, running through the tunnel, and the most awesome part of all...hearing the Victory March.  As a lifelong ND fan, knowing I was running through the same tunnel so many of those football players and coaches I had seen on TV have run through, was an almost magicial feeling!  I ran across the finish line, grabbed a wet towel to wipe all over my head, and got in line to get concessions.  I stopped my heartrate monitor, and noticed I burned 1700+ calories.  Wow!!!

A couple of physical things I noticed about this run that were kind of odd...I was okay with not having to go to the bathroom during the whole race, something I was worried about.  When I finished, I had an incredible urge to tinkle; however, once I was in the bathroom, nothing much came out.  I also got cold chills at mile 12.  Keep in mind, it was a humid 85 degree day.  More or less, I was dehydrated.  One man in the Chicago 13.1 on the same day as our race (not too much later in the day) ended up dying.  Chicago black flagged/called the race off.  Our race was called maybe an hour after we finished (my friend Jess and I).  It was red flagged from the halfway point.  So, I know if I run in that kind of heat again, I shouldn't worry about having to go to the bathroom during the race.  I need to drink up!
Here's a picture I took of myself after the race...

loving the medal!

On a different note, I am not sure what I want to do with my body right now.  I have been stuck around 150 for 1.5 YEARS.  I am pretty happy with my body, and I definitely like what I'm physically able to do.  I get lots of compliments and called "skinny" a lot.  However, I always saw myself weighing 135-140 pounds and being a size 6, not a size 8-10 like I am now.  My husband thinks I look good now and not quite as good even five pounds ago when I was 145.  So, I think I might (not 100% sure yet) go to maintenance mode and work on firming things up and just other physical feats.  Bring on a more consistent strength program!  (I have done ChaLean Extreme 2x now, and while I loved my results, I think I'll go in a different direction for right now.  I'm just not sure exactly what that'll be.  I need to figure it out though.)

That's enough for now.  Later...

2 weeks until my half

Oh my goodness!  Only two weeks from today, I will have finished my first half marathon!  I am pretty excited about it.  I know I can do it.  I didn't think I could after I ran 7 miles a few weekends ago, but after I ran 8 miles last Sunday, I know I can go the whole 13 miles.  I am not looking at a specific time, although I'd love to be under 2:10. 

On another note, I haven't been doing that great with food lately or exercise other than my long runs.  I am still having sinus issues, which should be resolved in early July when I have surgery.  It's been affecting my exercising since I haven't been feeling that well.  The only time I really have "emotional"-type eating issues is when I don't feel well. So...that leads to a not very nice scale.  In fact, I am up about 8 pounds from my lowest, which was only 2 or so months ago.  Grrrr!  I figured I will figure this out more after my half.  I need to concentrate more on getting that done.

After my half, I am not sure exactly what I want to do as far as exercise goes.  I think I will run more often than before I started training.  I really loved Turbo Fire, but I see that as something I might do more when it's not as nice outside to run.  I think I will do a full round in the fall/winter of TF.  Maybe I'll make a workout schedule with videos I have along with more running.

As for more racing, I may only do 1-2 more races this summer, which would only be 3-5 races this year.  Frankly, I want to run to just have fun with it after this half, and it ends up costing quite a bit to race so much. 

I was thinking the other day of dedicating (in my mind) certain miles to certain people during my race.  I am not sure if I will exactly remember this during the run, but here's who I came up with and why...
Miles 1-2: My husband for always supporting me on my workouts and weight loss and for loving me no matter my body size/weight.
Miles 3-4: Aiden...the one who made me a mother.  He is truly one of my prides and joys.  I am so incredibly proud of the little man he is becoming.  I will make sure he is healthy as well.
Miles 5-6: Ava...my little girl.  She definitely can aggravate me, but I still love her to pieces.  I am taking her for a girls' day in a few weeks, and I am sure there will be plenty more throughout our lives.  It will remind me of the days out with my mom.
Miles 7-8: Gabe...my adorable little boy.  He is so full of life and energy.  He makes me laugh and smile every single day.  I will forever think of him as my baby. 
Miles 9-10: My mom...the reason I started losing weight to begin with.  I miss her all the time, and I frequently look at my kids and think of how much love and joy they would have brought her and vice versa.  I will not let myself become the unhealthy person she was.  I want to see my kids, grandkids, great grandkids, etc. grow up.
Miles 11-12: My dad...I hope he can get his health figured out and live many more years.  I know he loves us and all of his grandkids greatly, and I want him to see them  have their own kids. 
Mile 13: Me.   How far I've come.  How healthy I will be for the rest of my life.  How I will never ever weigh as much as 260 pounds again.  How I am strong and can do anything I put my mind too.

I need to get resting soon so I can head out early for 9 miles tomorrow.  I'm excited! 

Later...

Half Marathon Training Starts Today!

I have been sick for pretty much a month straight.  Although I am not feeling 100% yet, I need to start training for the Sunburst Half Marathon, which is June 4.  I am running it with one of my friends, the one I ran the 10K with last year. 

I am also running my first 5K of the season in two weeks.  I am running this one with another friend, the one who got me started running races.  I plan on running another 5K in May as well, another one I ran last year.

I will continue on with my TF/CLX hybrid, but I will be doing more running and less Turbo Fire cardio.  I LOVE TF, but I need to set other fitness goals as well.

Speaking of goals, I made my new goal weight 140 pounds.  I have been getting comments about "if I get any smaller, I will disappear" and what not.  Plus, that is in the healthy range for my height, and I want to add more muscle anyway.  That means I only have 7 more pounds to go.  Wow!  It's been a LONG journey, but I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel.  It might actually happen before summer too. Awesome!!  After that, I plan to focus more on fitness goals and toning up.  I will have to figure out how to maintain my weight then.  Kind of scary. 

Anyway, going to rest up before my run tonight.  Also, since it's spring break, I want to spend some quality time with my kiddos (but I do have some grading to do as well...no more than 2 hours/day though). 

Later...

Just a life update...

I haven't posted in a while.  I have been sick on and off for over a month.  It stinks!  Just when I start planning and working out all my exercise plans, I get sick.  Grrr!  Stupid bronchitis/colds/sinus infections/whatevers.

Anyway, I plan on running a 5K in about a month.  I should probably start running sometime soon.  ;)  Once again, stupid illness.  I also am almost 100% positive I will be running a half marathon in early June.  I plan to start training this coming Monday. 

I am still working on Turbo Fire (and ChaLean Extreme).  I LOVE Turbo Fire!  It's not easy, but it's so much fun!  I think sometime in the next year I might get certified to teach Turbo Kick.  That would be so cool!

I'll just keep plugging away as long as I feel okay...

(Oh, I think I will wait a week or so before I do measurements so I can get back into the groove again...for month two that is.)

Results from First Month of CLX/TF Hybrid

I have now finished four weeks of the ChaLean Extreme/Turbo Fire hybrid.  Here are my results.

1/3 Weight: 154.4


Waist: 32

Hips: 39

Thighs: 21.5

Arms: 10.5

Chest: 35.25

Calves: 14
 
-------------
 
2/6 Weight: 150.2 (-4.2)


Waist: 32 (0)

Hips: 39 (0)

Thighs: 21.5 (0)

Arms: 10.5 (0)

Chest: 34 (-1.25)

Calves: 14 (0)
 
 
Not really sure where I lost it from, but I'll take the poundage gone.  :) 
 
Onto month 2!

February...here I come!

My main goal in February...get into the 140s.  I was 152 something this morning.  As long as I don't get sick again, I envision this happening.  I have my workout plan in place.  I will be adding in more HIIT workouts after next week, and my friend said that's when she really started losing more with Turbo Fire.  I sure hope it works for me too!

On another note, I got Just Dance 2 for the Wii for my birthday, and my mother-in-law ordered me Zumba for the Wii as well...extra workouts should mean more pounds gone. 

Otherwise, I am still plugging away.  Short and sweet post, but just wanted to announce my goals.  As my fitness hero (Chalene Johnson) says...you're more likely to accomplish your goals if you write them down.  And in my case, share them with the cyberworld.  ;)


Later...

Onto Week 3

Well, honestly, I only worked out twice this past week due to this cold or whatever I had.  But I am feeling somewhat better now and ready to kick butt, so I plan on following my plan this next week.  I found that it'll be easier to just pick up on week three even though I didn't really do week two because I already have my planner all the way filled out through March.  I could always add some extra workouts at the end. 

Speaking of March, I think I will start training for races again then or when it's a bit warmer outside.  I have run a tiny bit on the treadmill, but that is just not fun at all.  Speaking of treadmill, I am trying to use that or do another cardio most of the days that my hybrid schedule has weights on it. 

An another note, I have been doing really well with counting calories lately, something I never really did to lose the first 90 pounds. However, after being on a plateau for a year, I am trying something new.  ;)  I have lost a tiny bit of weight despite being ill, but that is because I have always been within my calorie range this past week.  If I have gone over at all, it was not by more than 50-75 calories.  Not too shabby.  I haven't even had a "cheat" (or "treat") at all since January 3.  Of course, I will have something next weekend when my baby turns two and probably the week after when I turn 30.  BUT I plan to not completely overdo it.  Plus, I will make sure to exercise in there also.

So, to promote a little bit here...if anyone is feeling like you're in a rut and can't find a workout that you love doing (outside of the gym), I highly recommend anything by Chalene Johnson.  I started with her Turbo Jam when I weighed about 220 pounds, and I've made my way through several of those DVDs.  I have progressed (as you can see from previous posts) to ChaLean Extreme (kind of like P90X but I imagine it to be more fun with less time) and now to the hybrid of Turbo Fire (Turbo Jam on steroids, similar to Insanity) and CLX.  I am almost positive that with this hybrid, I will get pretty darn close to where I want to be. 

Just a bit more to say.  I LOVE my arms and shoulders.  Frankly, they look pretty darn good (at least in comparison to what they used to look like).  I like to say that I do have some "guns."  I do admit to checking them out usually a few times a day.  ;)  Now, if only my stomach would shrink even more...

I think I've rambled enough.  Later...

Single digit size pants!

I bought a couple of pair of size 8 pants online the other day, thinking maybe I'd be able to wear them in a couple of weeks or months.  Nope...they fit already!  I haven't been in this size since I was probably a freshman in high school. YEAH!!!  Only one more size to get to my goal size...6.

On another note, I have completed the first week of my ChaLean Extreme/Turbo Fire hybrid.  I was sore most of the week.  I haven't seen much change on the scale, but I'm sure I will soon.  I've been right on with my calories, and I burned 2068 calories this week.  I exercised for 321 minutes.  Today's (Sunday) is my rest day.  I might walk on the treadmill or something, but there's no pressure.

Well, tomorrow starts out with my favorite workout so far with Turbo Fire...Fire 45.  I'm ready!

Later...