A week and a half in

Well as of last weekend I was 135.6! And this morning I took a sneak peek at the scale and I was down to 133.6, so that freakin rocks! 13.6 pounds until goal! Which means I only need to lose 1.43 pounds per week now. Awesome news!

I forgot to take my tape-measure measurements. Gotta do that soon. Cause I can see improvements in my thighs and hips.
I know a big reason I dropped weight, even with a hectic weekend where I ate a little too much, is that I did alot of lifting on Saturday. I did a ton of ab work, did my pushup sets, did arms, shoulders and legs. Normally I wouldn't train that many body parts in one workout, but it was my only day that week that I could workout. So I had to kill it!

Monday morning I had the stomach flu. Normally I'd attribute some weight loss to that, but I made sure and ate about 1000 really healthy extra calories that day. By Tuesday morning, I knocked out a 4 mile run with Hailie in the stroller, between work shifts. My quads burned so so bad. My hamstrings and glutes were still really sore from Saturday's squats and deadlifts. So it was a kinda crappy run, speed-wise. Today I did 7.5 miles at a 9:47 min/mile pace with the stroller, which is really good for stroller pace! Its usually just a goal of mine to be under 10 minutes per mile haha. Some of my splits were under 8:30 min/miles! So that was inspiring! I felt great today. Alot of energy. This was my pre-run breakfast smoothie (about 350 calories):

8oz organic coconut water (normally I like to use Almond Milk - original unsweetened, but I opted for the potassium-rich coconut water. That, and it has been in the fridge for awhile and I wanted it gone haha) to that, I added:

1 banana

4 strawberries

8 blackberries

4 ice cubes

1 scoop MP Combat Cookies 'n Cream protein powder
And about 1.5 cups of organic baby spinach

Blended that up real goooood and it served me well on my run! Perfect fuel for a run.

So there we go, that's my weekly update! Good progress, good results, feeling great! Its like I almost forgot how easy it honestly is to lose weight. Eat really healthy foods (doesn't cost an arm and a leg... honestly), watch your portions, and workout like crazy! I even did an in-home workout last week because it was raining and I couldn't run or go to the gym. It isn't brain surgery. Its all totally do-able. Good stuff!

Just An Update

I haven't written in a super long time, so I thought I would. Its good for me to write.

Okay so... since I last wrote, I have moved (just to Rohnert Park, only 10 mins or so from previous residence), I did "The Master Cleanse" (ugh), aaaand I have gained 20 pounds from my all time lowest weight, which was 121 exactly on the last day of the cleanse on February 10th. Granted, my new heavy weigh-in was after dinner in the evening (which is the worst TOD to weigh oneself, in my oppinion) but 140.6 was the number on the scale.
Some of my clothes are too small. I don't have as much energy. I just don't feel as good or as happy with how I look. So I have to stop kidding myself and get back to it. I will always have my old habits. It requires a daily commitment to prevent overeating, sticking to my planned meals and making healthy choices in order to hit goals and maintain my weight and health. Moving was hard... I honestly lost count of how many doughnuts I ate that day. (It was over 10 though... ssshhh...)
And then, once we settled in, I HAVE MY OWN FREAKING KITCHEN OMG!! Pink Cinnamon Rolls, a Double Chocolate Cake, Garlic Rosemary Bread, grilled chicken thighs with Raspberry Chipotle Sauce, White Rice etc etc are some of the things to come out of said kitchen, so far. And moving out, OF COURSE we had to celebrate! A few bottles of wine and a few packs of beers have been consumed in the (just over a) month that we've been there. (Not just by me, but even when you share, this lifestyle is fattening)

Well I ain't ever going back to where I used to be. 140 pounds isn't bad, still considered a "normal" weight for a chica my hight, but I don't feel happy, free or healthy at this weight. I estimate it should take about 12 weeks to get down to goal, when done healthily (2lbs per week average) so I'm making my Husband Daniel's birthday (June 21st) my goal day. Its almost 13 weeks away, but a great day to pick. I started yesterday. Goal weight: 120lbs. I know how my body looks at that weight, and I think if I put on enough muscle, I could have a 6-pack around that number. Granted, it IS NOT all about a number on the scale... but since I have been so involved with all of this for almost 2 years now, I know my body really well, and know what numbers correspond to what I see in the mirror.

Speaking of the whole "number on the scale doesn't matter" I'm taking a break from doing dietbets for a while. I got too obsessed. I'm in 3 6-month games I have to finish (they end in June) but after that, I need to stop. Dietbet is a great weight loss tool, but *for me* it got to be too much.

Now about that Master Cleanse... I lost 14 pounds in 10 days. (Not healthy unless you are class 2 obese). I think it is a good jumpstart weightloss program and it works wonders for almost everyone who completes it, but I think for me, it just isn't the best. Yes I lost weight. But I was so weak for weeks after. It was a HUGE setback in my fitness, ultimately. I couldn't run. I could hardly bend down and pick something up without feeling like I was going to pass out (yes I should have drank more of the "lemonade" the day before, but that is easier said than done!!) If you don't know what I'm talking about, google it. Basically, for 10 days you drink 10-18 cups of this lemonade you make with 1 oz of fresh squeezed lemon juice, 2 tbsp grade B or C organic maple syrup and about 1/10th of a tsp of cayenne pepper (or as much as you can stand). You add all that to 8oz pure water and there's one drink. 10 days. Of that. You also have to do some "fun" salt water flush thingies and/or take a laxative. Because as you can imagine... not eating any solid food would cause things to um... "slow down" a bit, and you can get very ill from toxins building up in your body. Anywhooooo... my personal theory is that since I was already pretty small, and my body had kinda been in "weight loss" mode for so long, I didn't bounce back well. I felt ravenous for week. That fabled "starvation mode"... it does exist. Let me tell you... man. The good: skin was clearer. Oh and now, I can't eat too much junk food without feeling very sick to my stomach. But all in all... I don't think I'll ever do it again ahahahahaha.

Running has slowed down. I want to do the same 10k's and half marathons as last year. But I don't have as much time to train. The past 2 weeks now I've worked over 50 hrs each. Try and balance moving, toddler, needing of sleep and wanting to hangout with your hubby and you don't run that much haaaa. But I'm not stopping. Just might not bring home any 1st, 2nd or 3rd places this year haha. That's ok though. I just like running, and races are a blasty blast.

Weigh-ins will be done Saturday mornings. I'm considering writing weekly and posting results. I want to track my measurements again too. I'll take 'em soon. So there we go. I'm back in the game. Not really "the fat girl working out" again but I don't feel like the Tigress Athlete I had going for awhile there. Suuuucks. Ugh. Gotta get up, dust myself off and try again
Its only 12 weeks! First day of summer, hubbie's birthday, its gonna be awesome!

Its been awhile!

Life has just been "Go, Go, Go!" Lately. I have been blessed with another nanny job. I watch 5-year-old twin boys in Cotati. Their mom is a single mom, San Rafael Police Officer (she commutes)
Mon-Wed I have to wake up at 4AM, put my stuff in the car, turn it on to warm it up and then go get precious sleeping Hailie and buckle her in. By 4:15 we are off to work. We get to sleep in a spare bedroom, so that's awesome. By 7:15 I am up again, getting the boys up and ready for kindergarten. Since the boys are in school, I work a split shift. I'm off until its time to go pick them up! Their mom works a 14 hr day, 3 days/week so that she can be with them as much as possible. Sometimes she'll sign up for overtime and we both get an extra day of work. And sometimes she gets subpoenaed for court cases and there's another extra day of work. So its good, steady, reliable work for me and its awesome! My husband Daniel and I both have good reliable jobs and have finally been able to be saving alot of money. Awesome blessing!
Its funny, my work days have become my "relax" days and my weekends are the days I get tired out! I love it though. Work hard, play harder! We were just saying, a few weeks ago on a Saturday at the river that that's how we want it. You only get one life, one shot. Gotta seize every day! Make differences in people's lives. Spend time with family. I'm gonna make it a goal for everyday, do at least 1 nice thing for at least 1 person.

So there's a life update. As for fitness, I've been maintaining my weight alright. I've pretty well recovered from my strained tendon in my knee, though it occasionally gives me trouble still, like if I'm really tired and my running form is poor. I ran the Santa Rosa Marathon and the Healdsburg Half since I last wrote. My times were 4:26:05.780 for the marathon (that was 22nd place for my division). I was 2 weeks off my tendon and was thrilled just to finish my first full marathon. Tears filled my eyes once I came to the finish, which I totally did not expect. My muscles felt like they were pulling off from my bones. Definitely not a Boston qualifying time, but I did it.

As for the Healdsburg half, I came in 6th place for my division with a time of 1:53:58 which winds up being an 8:41/min/mile average. That was 6th place for my division (out of 22.) I was dissapointed. I took it too slow in the beginning. Some of my splits were 10min/miles! I could have easily held a 8:30 for the first 6 miles, then a 7:30 or raster for the rest. But Rebecca and I had alot of fun. We REALLY enjoyed the course!! It was one of the most beautiful races I have ever ran. I think the Half Marathon is my favorite race distance. I like 10k's alot too though, so its hard to say.
A few days ago, I was 130 lbs. Still 5 pounds under last year's christmas eve goal, but up 7 pounds from 4th of July. I want to blame my injury because it stopped me from running, but I know there's no excuse. Its time to crack the whip again. My mom and I did 5 miles this morning at an 8:32 average (that included a little warmup walking... alot of the time we were under 8min/miles.)
I want to do nice runs like that maybe 3 or 4 times a week (or more, if I can) and I want to do alooot more weight training. I know that will really up my speed. And if I stop eating too much. Its just hard cause that means gym which equals more time that I'm gone cause I have to drive there and back. Which sucks for my babysitters. Part of me is reluctant to commit to that goal. Its frustrating but fitness is alot of time and work. See, here I am with all these excuses. Thats what has got me to gain 7 pounds in a few months. It may not seem like alot to some, but I'm scared to try on my skinny jeans right now. I just started a new round of dietbets, so that should help my motivation. Its hard to have a job and a child and still reach fitness goals but I know it is possible. I know it as well as anyone can. Here we go... ok guys, I'm gonna commit again to my ultimate weight loss goal again. by Christmas eve *2014* I will weigh 115 pounds (still 7 pounds above minimum "healthy" weight for my height, so no freakouts!). It will be pure muscle on my 5'3" frame. I'll take pics later today so I can do progress pics again. I'll need to lose about 1.6 pounds of fat per week. That's EASY in my book!!! I can still have fun on the weekends - without over endulging. I don't need a mimosa in order to be having a good time. Here I go again!!

Oh, and I wrote this at my 1 year mark but never wound up posting it. Here's a bonus blog entry:  :)

"Its been one year today, July 26th, 2014 since I started my journey! I started out at 172 lbs and met my goal with two weeks to spare, of weighing 135lbs by Christmas Eve 2013. I have since surpassed that goal and my new lowest weight is 123 lbs! I have been counting calories, making sure the calories I eat are from healthy, balanced, nutritious sources. I have also been running as most of you know. I have taken it above and beyond my greatest expectations! I have placed 1st and 2nd (in my age group) in two 10k races this year, placed 2nd in a half marathon, August 10th I will be running my second half marathon and then on the 24th, I will run my first full marathon. Hoping to finish in under 3:30 (about 8 minute miles) in order to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I will be thrilled just to finish but it would be really cool to be able to run Boston. My current favorite distance is a 10k (6.2 miles), but to conquer the marathon once or twice will be awesome :)
I need to drop about another 10 pounds so I can be fast enough in my next races. I'm not stressed about it at all though.

I have been thoroughly enjoying my first summer being fit! I'm no longer stressed out about going to the beach or what i'll wear or how my legs will look in shorts or anything! There is so much freedom!! I now realize why gluttony is a sin (lots to say on that subject). You eat a ton, you feel rotten, very likely will treat others rotten, hold yourself back out of shame or embarrassement, and the world misses out on YOU. You don't know what giving 110% of yourself is, until you are literally physically able to do it!
Put the fork down when you have had enough and you will feel much better and you will start to shine! That being said, I eat pizza still. I have birthday cake. I'm not a perfect health freak but i'm all for little treats in moderation. Unless its after a 14 mile run and you desperately need that slice of mint chocolate chip cake that your mom made for your sister's birthday... it was worth it! ;)

I have definitely noticed I instantly want to eat when I am stressed or sad or hurt or just bored. I have had to retrain myself to go do something productive when I want to eat, but am not really hungry. Usually that means cleaning something.

I have definitely had my share of stress and heartache this year. Life has been life. But you know what? That's NO excuse to give up. Life hasn't gotten easier, but it has been easier to handle it all, now that I'm in shape. Its weird how health and fitness permeates into most every aspect of your life. But it does and when i'm depressed, at least now I can't add "and I look like a fat cow!!!" To my list of woes. Energy is endless. Confidence is up. I can think clearer. Shopping is FUN again!! (I'm still all about thrift stores!) Its so exciting to see something super cute, know your size (I'm a size *0-2* now in pants... used to be like a 16!!! Mind=blown) and know you won't look fat in it. For someone who was obese, this is HUGE. I haven't forgotten what it was like. Walking across a parking lot paranoid about the lumps sticking out. Seeing a crush and wishing you weren't hideous. (Well, I wasn't... I was and am and always will be God's princess but "hideous is how I thought of myself).
What you eat in private, you will wear in public. I have learned SO much this past year. I might have stretch marks and my lower stomach is still a little squishy but I'll sport my bikini anyway because I have worked too darn hard not to!
Oh... and I did this without a gym membership. No special pills, teas, program, dvd's... I laced up some running shoes, ventured out into the neighborhoods and trails around me, SWEATED, didn't eat away all my progress, and got healthy. I even have big cavities in my teeth that are healing and repairing now! (I'm not kidding... its possible... google it!)

So here's to one year of losing even more than my previous lofty goal. Maintaining my weight, finding a new zest for life, new hobbies and interests, being closer to God than ever, being the mom and wife I wanted to be, no excuses, taking control of my life, going all out and running the race to win!!"

Back In The Saddle

I've been doing better with eating after last week's mess ups which, combined with my lack of running, landed me in 130lbs-land. After the half marathon race, I was beyond drained and tired. Didn't eat enough post-workout food for recovery. And NOT have the energy to run at all. Body was screaming "take a breaaaak!!" So I did. Last Wednesday was my first real run. I did 4 miles at a 7:30 min/mile pace, which I was pretty pleased with. I've been taking 65mg of iron daily since the race. I don't think I was eating enough of it even though myfitnesspal said I was. I read that endurance runners need alot more and last time I tried to give blood, I came up as anemic so I wasn't able to donate. So iron pills it is! And I really think its helping alot. That 4 mile run felt effortless at that pace, where before my legs would be burning and feel really tight. It may also be because I had over a week of rest but I've done that in the past and didn't feel as great coming back.

Sunday (yesterday) my mom and I decided last minute to do a 10k race in Sonoma called "Hit The Road Jack". She took first in class and I got 2nd! We had alot of fun and I beat my human race time! I put up 51:26 with an 8:17 pace. The first half was hard, my legs burned and felt heavy (not much sleep the last few nights may have been a contributing factor) but once I took my "2nd surge" Accel Gel I took off. I reallyyyy want to be able to do a 10k in 45 minutes or less. That is my goal. I'm sure if I had a better start in that race I could have made that goal. First half of the race I was doing between 9:30 and 8:48 min/miles. Sloooowwww for me, for a race.

I will probably be doing the Kenwood Footrace on the morning of July 4th, so maybe THEN I will meet my goal!! I'm starting to expect to place now in races ha... realizing I am more than capable. It would be REALLYYYY cool to take first place of all the women. THAT would be sooo cool!
Oh! And June 14th i'm doing a fun 5k relay race at Riverfront Regional Park in Windsor with my friend Danneca Skandera so that will be suuuuper fun!! Lots to look forward to!!

I forgot to weigh myself over the weekend. My pants are looser again though, so I know I'm losing but i'll just wait till Saturday to weigh in. Welp, until next time!

First Half Marathon Race: Complete!

Wow guys... this race tested every ounce of me. At mile 11 I didnt know if I could finish without walking. I pushed as hard as I could and the official results are in:

TIME: 1:53:12.83
PACE: 8:38/mile
AGE PLACE (20-24 yr old females): 2ND!!!
PLACE OVERALL: 142!!!

The first place girl for my age group's time was 1:49/something. So about 4 minutes faster and 1st place could have been mine! I'm more than thrilled to take home 2nd, especially since this was another TOTALLY UNEXPECTED WIN! I just gave it my all the whole way and I guess it was good enough! I had a rough start, was in line for the bathroom and barely made it to the start as the gun went off. Then my phone couldnt get a gps signal for the first 5 minutes so I was trying to keep up with my cousins as I waited for the signal cause of course I want to track a run like this for calories burned etc!
Finally got a signal, got my belt on and around mile 2 ate a banana. Right before the start, I drank 4 oz water with preworkout in it. And I ran with 3 energy gel shots (Accel Gel) in my running belt, plus a water bottle. Finally around mile 3 I got a good speed going and started passing people. At mile 7 I ate an energy gel. I drank sips of water throughout the race. Oh this morning I ate oatmeal and 12oz pure coconut water. I pushed past people as the miles flew by. Its really weird and I almost feel guilty passing men. Its that same old "don't want to offend anyone/make them feel awkward" thing I always have going on in my head. I passed them strong though of course :)

By mile 11 I was just hitting a wall so bad. Legs felt like lead, but I pushed through it and got my *fourth* wind lol. The course had hills throughout so I was REALLY REALLY glad that I trained on Petaluma Hill Road, which lives up to its name. Doesn't seem like much when you drive but when you are running it... you feel it alot!!!

The last half mile I was neck and neck with this other girl. It was a race between us for the finish. We cane around that last turn and I got the inside. I could hear her gasping and I gave it every last ounce of strength I had and sprinted for that finish line!! I finished 0.23 seconds ahead of her! I dont think she was in my age group so I doubt it effected my place but she was FAST, TALL and had rippling muscles all over her legs... it was definitely a challenge!!!
They handed me a finisher medal, a cup of gatorade and a protein bar and I went to go cheer on other runners and wait for my cousins. Finally about 45 minutes I found out I placed second :) I got a bottle of wine in a wooden box with a little plaque that says my place and everything. (Pics below hehe)
Crazy beautiful day for a race, STUNNING COURSE and God carried us through, injury-free :) fantastic race day! My next Half is August 10th and my goal will be to beat 1:45:00 and hopefully catch a first place. Training starts tomorrow! (Or tuesday if I'm still too gassed out :)).

Ok, here's our before and after the race pics, official time posting and other fun stuff :) 

First 10k race under my belt!

Well guys, I did it!

Ran my first 10k race and i can't flipping believe it, but I got first place for my age group and 46th place overall! out of over 8000 people! My time was 50:18.5 so that puts my pace at 8:11 per mile! Which I'm pretty surprised about cause I haven't been working on my speed lately. Its a great win but still, in my head there were 45 other people who trained harder than I did, who ate better and slept better. Not sure what the #1 time was, I'll have to look online. This is crazy, I was FLOORED when I found out! Couldn't believe it, had to do a few double takes. I almost didnt even register as a timed runner either!! Only decided to do that yesterday! I did NOT think even for a second that I had a shot at even the top 10 in my age group!

 This is right after I found out I got first place :)

my goal for my next 10k (no idea when that will be, haha) is gonna be to beat 45 minutes.

 

I'll be working on speed for the rest of this week until Friday (at which point I will rest until the race), in preparation for our half marathon on Sunday May 18th. 

Crazy to think only 9 months ago, I was obese and couldn't even run a mile! Now I just got first place in a 6.2 mile race?! Its nuts!

I haven't been doing well with my eating. I keep eating wayyyy too much at "second dinnertime" (I really only need one dinner) and I've jumped back up to 129 pounds just within 2 weeks. 2 saturdays ago, I was 125.6. Granted, some of that is water weight but man. If I had been on track, I'm sure I would have beaten my 50 minute goal and who knows, maybe could have made the top 25 overall in the race.

Welp, that's my race results! I'll write next week after the half marathon!

Long Time, No Write... I Know.

Jeez I haven't written in a month or more. Life has been absolutely crazy. I started working full time on the 31st of March. I have kept up running and my eating is usually on track... for the first part of the day... lol. By dinner, I don't know what it is, but I keep eating way too much. Like everyday. My theory is that now that I'm working and being a lot more physically active, I need a lot more calories vs. when I was just at home everyday. So I think I need to just bite the bullet and raise my calories. Maybe then I'd actually start losing again. I havent been gaining but I havent been losing either. Last I checked I was 126.4. But that wasn't first thing in the morning so I don't know. Thank GOD I haven't gained. I'm really shocked about that... I seriously eat like over 2000 calories a day lately and am not gaining weight.
As you may recall from previous posts, I had a goal to be 120 by my mom's birthday. I definitely wasn't 120. So that sucks pretty bad. I am trying to figure out where my commitment went. I mean what the heck man, I was doing so well for so long! I don't know how I did it! How did I say "no" to all the cravings and stuff?
Its really interesting and I think there's something psychological to it. I keep letting myself "cheat". And have been craving sweets like crazy! Mainly chocolate or ice cream or anything with peanut butter.

So besides my eating being off track, at least my running is going strong! Later today my cousin Rebecca and I are gonna run 9 miles. That will be a new personal Record for my distance! I am registered for the Windsor Half-Marathon on May 18th. Gonna run the Human Race (10k) on May 10th and then another Half-Marathon on August 10th before the Santa Rosa Marathon on the 24th of August. Call me crazy but then in October I'm planning to run a 3rd Half. The three of them are a series where if you finish all 3 you get a custom label bottle of wine from I-forget-which-winery. Hahaha. I'm not a huge wine person but I like it alright and a custom bottle sounds pretty cool :)

Soooooooo anyways that's pretty much it lately. I need to recommit to my goals. Ok so here it is... by July 1st, I will be 115 pounds *or* have a 6-pack. Whichever comes first. That's 2 and a half months to lose like 12 pounds. SO do-able!