Alysa's Post Baby 2006 Marathon Journal (Comments welcome)

[Alysa]

Okay, So here I am 25 pounds heavier than before my DD was born TWO YEARS AGO! Time to lose the baby fat. I am going to exercise a little every day on my ellipse and cut down on my carbohydrates. (As a vegatarian, I can't cut them out altogether - sort of going to do an altered Atkins I guess.) My goal is to lose 25 by December 14th - our trip to Disney!Are there any vegetarians out there with any advice? Or any new mums? I look forward to posting again soon with my first five pounds lost (and with the Valentines Day challenge met!)

[kayeandjim00]

Hi Alysa! Just wanted to welcome you to the WISH Journal Board! :wave2: Your plan sounds great and very attainable. I'm not a vegetarian or a new mom but hopefully someone else will be by soon who can give you some help on that end!

[Princess Michelle]

Hi Alysa! I'm not a new mom or a vegetarian but I wanted to welcome you and wish you all the best in reaching your goal! :sunny:

[Alysa]

Thanks to both of you! Does it seem like whenever you start watching what you eat that you start to feel like you are starving?! I am afraid I am off to a poor start. Last night I got up at 2am and ate a piece of 12 grain bread (so much for not eating at bedtime!) and then today at my morning meeting (don't worry - I own my own business so I am on my own clock right now - GET BACK TO WORK ALYSA!) they had SCONES! Can you believe it?! With blueberries in them - blueberries are healthy, right? Right? So I am off now to give my dog a quick run before my next meeting at 10:30 - one step at a time right? And it gets easier, right? Right?

Thanks!

[Alysa]

So I used the ellipse on the highest setting for twenty minutes and gained a pound. But tomorrow will be better! I think it was because I ate a bit too much cheese, yogurt and peanut butter so that I wouldn't eat bread and pasta and scones. I'll get used to it though. I also took a photo of me - front side and close up so that when I get to my goal I can take a look! One last exciting development - I am going to do the marathon and DH is doing it with me!!!!! I am so excited. I bought a pedometer which doesn't work at all - I will exchange it tomorrow - but it said I did .7 km for 20 minutes - not bad - I only have almost an hour a mile to shave off my time. :sad2: :eek: :crazy2: :scared: :p
(It's inaccurate I swear - I know I did much better than that!!!)
Anyway - goodnight!

[Alysa]

Well,
I have been reading Marathoning for Mortals tonight. It was strangely hard but I did what he suggested and took a day off of exercise to just rest. It says in his books that to do a full you should have been active for a year but I am still going to perservere and see how I do. He gives 5 months of training for the Run/Walk marathon so I still have 6 months to get into better shape (20 miles a week). Must get a heart monitor though. After three days of no loss I am afraid to look at the scale. I want to give myself a few more days to let things take effect. I already feel better and am really enjoying the running so that must count for something! Oh yes, I also ate a SMALL piece of brownie at coffee out with friends tonight. Dime sized. Does anyone know if peanut butter is bad for a low carb diet? Pretty sure about the brownie! How about ketchup? I know, I know, my DH thinks ketchup on any food is gross - I can't help it - I really do like it...
Thanks!

[Alysa]

This posting every day is strangely theraputic and I swear it keeps me honest! Today I was so amazed to find that John Birmingham was actually right - after a day of rest I went double the distance I did Wednesday in the same amount of time! And I lost 5 pounds - 6 if you count the one I gained!! (I was also bad and ate two bowls of low-fat, sugar-free chocolate pudding - just because it's low fat doesn't mean I should eat like a pig! Oi!) Couple lessons learned:
1. Don't go on the scales every day.
2. Rest after every few days for the body to heal and adjust.
3. Don't eat ANYTHING in front of the computer!
One final thing, I signed up with the Arthritis Society and am going to run the marathon in memory of my Grandmother and if I complete a lot of fundraising they will sponsor me in the run! She was so dear to me and she was crazy about Disney. She was one of the most enthusiastic people I have ever known and even today when it was cold as anything I thought of her and how proud she would be of me and it was easy to "get my skates on" and get out that door for my run. I can just see her at the side of the road, cheering me on in her Tigger sweater and her mouse ears from our last trip together.
"Thanks Grandma - I miss you so."

[sarahsmom73]

Hey Alysa! Sorry I haven't been here to welcome you sooner.. I think I have had a touch of the flu this week! SO..... :wave2: WELCOME!!!

My dd is 3 1/2 and when she turned 2 I decided I need to get it in gear and lose the baby fat! I did and then some!!!I actually managed to lose 74 pounds from my last pregnancy check up before birth... Granted I started out 30 lbs heavier than I am now and then gained 38lbs with the pregnancy...

Now, when I look back at pictures I can see how heavy I was and it really does keep me motivated!

You've taken a great step! The journals are life savers! Cna't wait to get to know you! :teeth:

[Alysa]

Hi Jen, thanks very much! 74 pounds - that's wonderful!! Thanks for the kind words! I think when DD turned two a light came on and I had to stop kidding myself. I can't wait until the photo I just took becomes a before picture!

As for me, today was a not so great day - I had to rush out the door this morning at 7:30 to take care of my aunts 2 boys last moment and they unfortunately have no Atkins friendly food in the house. I had a few bites of applesauce for breakfast (not good - I like my oatmeal in the morning to wake up my metabolism and as my only real carbohydrate) and then some baby carrots and an egg for lunch - snack was an apple and then dinner it all fell apart and I had two slices of pizza - I couldn't help myself - I was STARVING!! I also just got home and put my bunny to bed so as soon as I have written this it is off to the ellipse because I promised you all I would. I am not really in the mood (You know when you mess up you just want to give up on the day all together? Not good!) but it is okay beacause I borrowed "Fun and Fancy Free" from my aunt "for DD - oh yeah, right! - and I haven't seen it since I was little so that will be my treat will I work. Anyway, goodnight!

Just quickly checking back in! Did it!

[myhandd]

Hey Alysa,

You can have some peanut butter on Atkins. I often have a spoonful when my mouth craves something non meat!lol

If you have any Atkins questions, let me know, I've lost 55+ lbs. in the last year (probably close to 100 if you count the weight I've gained and relost!lol)

Glad to meet you, come see me sometime! :wave:

The incredible shrinking one!

Dax

[Alysa]

Thanks for the info about the peanut butter Dax!

Don't think it will help me today though. Had another bad evening - went to my grandfathers for dinner, he served pancakes with syrup and cappuccino gelato. How the man is not a diabetic I have no idea. That is not a dinner, it is not even a food group - it is just sugar! Ugghhh! I feel like all my hard work has gone to waste. I can't figure out how to avoid this in future. I almost want to skip visiting family for a bit... any suggestions?
I did swim for twenty minutes but I just have this awful lump in my stomach, I feel like it was all for nothing. Oh well, tomorrow is running (yeah!) and another day and then Tuesday is the start of a new week...
:(

[sarahsmom73]

Hey! Don't beat yourself up! You ate it, it's done and today is a new day! You are doing great!!! Keep your eyes forward! :cheer2:

[Alysa]

Guess I'll have to post twice today - I missed yesterday as I feel asleep in my clothes with DD when I put her to bed and next thing I knew it was 5:30 am - ugh!
Went much better yesterday - everything is good as long as I am not eating at my family's ;) - I ran for 1/2 hour and ate very well - no cheating.

Can anyone tell me - when you started running, how were you doing in miles per minute and did it take long to improve? I feel so slow knowing where I need to be this time next year! I am too embarrased to tell you how slow I am - I know I'll get better, I just need patience which I do not possess in abundance - I just would love to hear from others who have been there (ie: slow like me!).

Thanks!

[Alysa]

Today was better but I gained two pounds! That's it - no more scale for a while - at least a week! I swam and used the ellipse and had 1/2 an oatmeal cookie (I swear I was just testing it for DD to make sure it was not too hot! :duck: ) The old me would have eaten 6 by now! The new me has now had 2 yogurts and a banana :banana: (neat I finally get to use this!) and waaaayyyyy to many cashews but hey - they will be out of the house to daycare and DH's work by tomorrow morning - only 8 hours to go!
BUT I REALLY WANT ONE NOW!!!!! :rolleyes:

I think I am addicted to smilies... :o

[geetey]

Alysa, Don't worry about your time right now. Slowly, as you train, you will get faster and faster. What plan are you following?

When I started training, I was doing a 22 minute mile, and I worked up to a 16 minute mile. (I could do a 15 minute mile for 6+ miles.) Be sure to do the speed drills included in your training plan. They make a huge difference! If you don't have speed training included, just post and I will post the plan I used. :)

[Alysa]

Oh dear! I am so good at home - guess what I ate yesterday?
Lunch: Cheese sandwich and a cookie – where? Friends house.
Dinner: Chinese food and a handfull of cheddar cheese rice cakes – where? Sister's house.
I clearly have issues and need help. The only thing I can think of to do is up my exercise per night considerably to blast those days out of the water. Can anyone give me some suggestions? I did do the ellipse for 25 minutes becuase it was too late to run when I got back but I know it wasn't enough.

Geetey, I am adding 5 minutes of exercise to my time every week and I am running one day, cross training with the ellipse or swimming the next on and off for 6 days with a rest on the 7th...I am just trying to get my numbers up enough to be able to follow the run/walk plan in the marathoning for mortals in 5 months. I have five months to be doing 15 to 20 miles a week and right now I am doing 6 (1 mile in 22 minutes). Thanks for the encouragement. I would love to see your plan as I don't really have one right now except for getting up to 6 miles per run as quickly as possible.

When I was so discouraged the other day I told my DH and he went out and re-measured the route and I had been doing 4.4 km not 2.2 like I had thought! I was sooo depressed before he did that and I was soooo happy afterwards! :)

[Alysa]

I haven't posted in two days but I have been good:
Thursday: ellipse and only a couple of spoonfuls of my DD's macaroni (I am addicted to the real stuff - naughty - why did I even make it?)
Friday: running - seemed easier somehow and nothing naughty at all! As long as peanut butter on two apples is okay?

DH still says he is going to do this with me but has yet to exercise for a minute. I know he will though - and it gives me a chance to get my time up - I know if he started today I would be lagging way behind him if we ran together...

Have a great weekend everyone!

[toystoryduo]

Hi Alysa,

It sounds like you are doing a great job with your exercise! Keep up the good work!

I know what you mean about not staying OP when at someone else's house. That is a challenge for me sometimes too. Maybe, just eating the food in moderation is the key. Maybe you could fill up on a salad before going to your friend's or sister's house and then eat a small portion of what they offer you to eat.

Have a great day today! :sunny:

[sarahsmom73]

Happy Sunday! Hope you have a great day! :flower:

[Alysa]

Thanks Sarahsmom (Jen)! That is especially nice of you - it is my birthday today! Yesterday was quite bad (worst day yet as I had only lost 4 pounds after almost 2 weeks so I ate 5 small birthday cookies that were sent to me). I also had to work so I wouldn't have to today and so I didn't work out either. Today does not promise to be a great exercise/good eating day either (I still have lots of work to do, then I am going to see La Boheme and then a birthday dinner at my parents) but I will try to keep it in line and at least do some ellipse work when I get home tonight.

:cake:

[lizdotcom99]

Happy Birthday Alysa!!!!

Enjoy your day!!! Hope you find something special and fun to do today!! I personally beleive that birthdays make great cheat days.....just be sure to get back OP tomorrow!!

Have a great day!!

[sarahsmom73]

:flower: :flower: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :flower: :flower:

I love La Boehme!!! What a great opera! I see you live in Ontario! We travel to Ottawa several times a year to get away from it all! Is that close to you?

[Alysa]

Hi Jen -
La Boheme was BEAUTIFUL! Made me ball as usual - bought the CD and now am welling up over it still. Had half a cookie at the intermission (my ultimate weekness) and a cracker that DD offered me at the dinner before I knew what I was doing and rice and a piece of cake. Mum gave the cake to me because she is a diabetic and wanted it out of the house but I hope DH finishes it soon. It was soo good and I don't think I can hold out much longer. I had to do a lot of work last night (until 8 am this morning) and all day I have been feeling very flu-y so I had a piece of cinnamon toast for dinner. No exercising all weekend - I wanted to run today but It was raining and now I havn't the heart. Tomorrow is a new start though - can't wait!

[lizdotcom99]

Feel better Alysa!!

I would have to make the cake go buh bye if it were me!! Tooo much of a temptation!! Tell your hubby to eat faster!!! :rotfl:

Have a great day!!

:cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

[sarahsmom73]

I'm glad you enjoyed La Boheme!! It is an amazing oprea... I think it's my favorite!

It's ok to special things on your birthday!!! You are right!! today is a new day so make it great! :cool1:

[Alysa]

Liz - you were right - I did eat a piece. On Monday. And Tuesday. And it rained and snowed here a lot . And I was super busy at work and super lazy. And I didn't do anything for 4 days. :sad2:

But on the upside - I was really good today and worked out and added another 5 minutes to my workout time and if I wasn't doing this journal to stay accountable and planning to do the marathon I would have chucked it by now. You guys are all awsome. And tomorrow will be even better because I will be able to run again once they shovel and I am going swimming with DD.

[sarahsmom73]

5 extra minutes is great! They really start to add up! :cool1:

[Alysa]

Okay - I went swimming today so far but am still going to either do ellipse again or my sister leant me a Pilates tape to try. I will edit this message tonight but I just wanted to say that I really hate how it feels when all the fat on my butt jiggles when I run. Thank goodness for WISH - otherwise I would have been quite happy to ignore it forever, or until I couldn't fit it into a chair - one or the other ;)

Back - I did it - ellipse again - having a blue evening - not enough hours in my day. Found out I don't qualify for a mat leave anymore (not that I need to right now) as I run my own firm. The government has said that they think letting self-employed women borrow from their RRSPs and paying it back with no penalty would be a great idea. That's it, a great idea, they aren't actually doing that though. Useless! My sister gets a year at 95/75% and I get zip beacause I have the initiative to take a chance and run my own company and help build the economy and spend more time with my daughter. Makes sense to me! :crazy:
Sorry - rant over - going to bed.

[toystoryduo]

Hi Alysa!

Way to go getting your exercise in! With all of the exercise you are doing, those "jiggles" will be gone in no time at all! :cool1:

Have a great evening!

[sarahsmom73]

:grouphug: I'm sorry things are stressful for you! I wish we could do something for you! :grouphug: You can rant anytime you want!!!

I hope today is a better day for you! :sunny:

[Alysa]

Got some bad news Friday and afraid it has really affected my attitude. Didn't exercise Friday or yesterday. Stayed good though and didn't eat badly. Today I am going to go back to it and get in some running - want to do a 5K St. Patricks day run so I just want to be able to do the whole thing without stopping. Amazing how attitude is everything when running and working out, eh? I refuse to give up though - I won't let me down - I won't!
I will edit to say I did it! I find checking in in the morning makes me more accountable during the day. Thanks everyone!

[sarahsmom73]

Hope everything is ok! Please know we are here for you! :grouphug:

[toystoryduo]

Hi Alysa!

How are you doing today? I hope today is a much better day filled with :sunny: and God's :love: for you. Take good care of you! :grouphug:

[Alysa]

Thanks guys - you're the best!
I really do want to run today but it is still pouring rain!!!! Might have to use the ellipse again after all - if I ever get done!!! I didn't end up exercising after all yesterday but rather working through the night and today doesn't look like it will be any different. Oh well, I have to take the work as it comes. No one said it would be easy, right? (I am a freelance art director). I also have only lost one pound in three weeks. On the up side, there is a whole mess of heart shaped shortbread cookies here for DH and I have not cheated once today! I'll just keep on doing my best and bit by bit, I'll get there.

Inspirational quote of the day.
"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my toubles and obstacles have strenghtened me."
* --- Walt Disney*

Happy valentines day to everyone! :lovestruc

[Tasha+Scott]

Hi, Alysa! I just read your journal and wanted to tell you that you are doing great so far! I am currently preg. so I know how you feel about wanting to lose weight post baby. I was WISHing for 2 months before I found out I was preg. and I can't wait to get back on track after she is born. Good luck with your goals. Like I said, you are doing great so far! :sunny:

[sarahsmom73]

Love your quote!

The weather has been really yucky, I know! Just remember that some exercize is better than none! :cool1:

Have a great day! :banana:

[Alysa]

Okay - in the last 5 days I have had about 18 hours sleep, I cheated on valentines with chocolate and cookies, I was good Tuesday but on Wednesday DH brought home a bag of cracker jack and I ate about 1/4 of the bag!!! I am cranky and exhausted, I will have to work late into the night again tonight, I have not had two minutes to exercise (heck I'm delighted when I get to brush my teeth.) I am soo blue and am yearning for my run but instead I have to go and get DD from daycare. I WANT to train for this marathon but I am so exhausted I feel sick to my stomach. I am praying that next week will be more managable. Please someone make me feel better! Tell me that I can still do this even though I have had an awful week. When I started freelancing I was told to NEVER turn work away and I haven't but this week has been quite the disaster personally. Goodness, got to run. Thanks for letting me be blue! :guilty:

[toystoryduo]

Oh Alysa,

I am sending :grouphug: and prayers for a better day tomorrow! Take good care of you! :grouphug:

[sarahsmom73]

:grouphug: I know exactly how you are feeling... If you can try to take a few minutes for yourself... You are no good to anybody if you are this down... Please know I am here for whatever you need! :grouphug:

[Alysa]

Thanks for the hugs guys - I needed that! Things are better today - ran for half an hour, ellipsed for half an hour, work has eased up a bit - have some work stuff to do tomorrow before DD's birthday on Sunday but it is much more manageable. Also DH's talk at work went well so we can spend some time together tonight after I get back from the movies with my DSis. I've really missed him. I have to tell you - I love this journal. It really has helped me stick with it when I jsut wanted to throw my hands up in dispair. Oh, yeah, anyone know a good site for finding out how to do exercise in water while holding a toddler? Tried to swim yesterday but was a bit of a write-off thanks to my baby girl - who won't be a baby anymore on Sunday! :sad:

[sarahsmom73]

Glad we can help! :flower:

[toystoryduo]

Hi Alysa!

I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better! Woohoo! :Pinkbounc Have a great week! :flower:

[Alysa]

Seems that my bad cold turned into pnumonia. Waiting to run again until this horrible cough goes away. No shortage of work until I do but I miss it and I feel the worry of not being able to train enough in time. Sorry to have been so whiney in this jornal lately. It will all be better soon! Thanks to everyone for your support. :hug: