corinnak
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- Joined
- Jan 25, 2006
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Hi Losers! I spent the holiday weekend dredging through my piles of paper clutter. Oh, the shame.
I also ran a 5K on Monday and did fine, but not better than my previous time on that course this past March. It's my second best time ever, though, so I am not complaining one bit. I have to say, I'd rather run at a half marathon pace for 2+ hours than a 5K pace for around half an hour. Which is good, because next weekend is the Minneapolis Half Marathon! I hope the weather will not be too warm.
Unfortunately, I think my focus on reclaiming my house has distracted me a bit from my focus on maintaining my weight - I am still in "range" but it's getting close and I'm starting to get concerned. This end of school year business is not that easy either, I must say. Crazy schedule, lots of parties. And we had my kids birthday and half birthday parties the past couple of weekends as well. Fun, but also challenging. I think that is the theme of this whole entire summer for me, so I'd better get a grip or I'll be back on the Losers Team and paying for (or skipping) WW meetings...
A very few quick, quick shout-outs, as I need to get the show on the road before scouts tonight!
Linda - My deepest condolences on your recent losses - how painful to have so much grief at one time. I hope you find comfort in your friends and family at this difficult time.
Cam - It sure sounds like you're having more than your share of challenges currently. I know it's a matter of time before you overcome every last one of them, but for now,
Hope you feel better soon and I'm so glad you're here for this challenge!
Connie - I don't have the same time constraints as you, but I read you loud and clear on the concerns about running in the dark and even moreso on the challenges and pain of running in the heat of the day. I don't have a schedule fix for you, but I do have a few tips/suggestion about running in the heat (you may know all of these but better to share redundant info than not to share much needed info, I figure):
1. I always carry water when I'm running in the heat - one time I thought I'd be able to use a drinking fountain and in fact, it was turned off that day. Ugh. Unpleasant and dangerous to be out there without hydration in the heat. Either a belt pack or a bottle with a strap for your hand can work.
2. Electrolytes - depending on how long you are out there and how much you sweat, this CAN become a potentially deadly issue - Hyponaetremia has gotten a lot of press lately - and is basically having too much water, not enough electrolytes. Drink to thirst only and if you are out there for more than an hour, consider adding some electrolytes as well.
3. Realize that the heat does slow you down considerably. Don't even worry about your pace when it is hot out - your body is putting in lots of energy cooling you down and can't devote it to speed. If you need to, cut back your miles/ take more walk breaks when it's hot/sunny.
4. Sunblock: I burn really easily. My favorite sunblocks for running are the Coppertone Sport (blue spray bottle) in SPF 30 or 50. The 90 is gross. For my face, I like Hawaiian Tropic SPF 50 Ozone Ultimate .5 oz stick (I usually find it at wal-mart - unfortunately, Target here does not carry it. Bah.)
Charity and all the recent joiners: Welcome! It's great you're here and I hope you find the information and support here that I've found. It's helped so much to have company for the journey. It's great to have you here!
And now for some QOTD!!
5/30 Sunday QOTD: If you were at Disneyland or WDW right now what would you be doing?
That depends - is it raining there like it is here? We would probably be getting some dinner right about now. Could be at Boma...
5/31 Monday QOTD: What is your best tip to avoid temptation?
My mantra has often been "It's easier if I just don't start!" I need to remember that..... Once I get started, it is hard to stop, but if I tell myself "no" right away and move on to the next thing, I have a much easier time than if I have just a small portion that makes me want to keep on eating more.
Also "Out of sight, out of mind." If I put something in the downstairs freezer, I am much less likely to go and nibble on it.
Another one: if I find myself feeling "snacky" it may actually be time for a meal. Better to make up something substantial to eat than to much on...you know...dry cereal, chocolate chips, graham crackers.
The other thing I thought of for this QOTD, I am not proud of, but here is the situation: My SIL is obese and seemingly not at all interested in losing weight to perserve her health, which so far as I know has been OK, though she is at higher risk for diabetes and cancer due to family history. She always has tempting foods in her kitchen and offers them frequently - bakery donuts for breakfast and snacks, gourmet pies, ice cream at all times, cake sometimes. Which are always hard foods for me to consistently say "no thank-you" to. However, it is easy to see the impact that her nutritional choices and inactivity have had on her body - not dissimilar to the impact I experienced myself in years past. I feel guilty for mustering willpower to say no based on my SIL's situation - I would much rather see her making wise choices as well, of course, but she has always expressed the most vehement disinterest, so I do not even bring it up at this point.
6/1 Tuesday QOTD: Do you have other ways to measure your progress besides the scale?
Clothes for me as well. Pants, for sure. In fact, I even have a "Pants Challenge" clippie that I made up a long time ago. I have to tell a funny story about this - I spent all this time wanting to get into those pants and when they finally fit, I realzed they were petites and I have long legs so they were not everything I had hoped, after all!
Those pants would be huge on me today, incidentally, and have long since been donated, thank goodness!
There are also a few dresses - I can now zip the dress I wore to my rehearsal dinner 14 years ago, though the very fitted wedding dress is still too snug (which makes sense as I was about 7 pounds lighter on my wedding day than I am now!)
There is also an old Talbots' size 8 dress that a friend got from ebay and decided she did not have the bust to fill. She said I could have it if it fit me, so I tried it on several times over the past year and finally two weeks ago we were about to leave and I said "Oh, can I have that dress now?" (there was no time left to try it on) She ran and got it - I tried it when I got home and voila! It fits. It would be nice to wear to my cousin's wedding in July...if I can just avoid those pies, donuts, cakes and ice cream in the meantime.....

Unfortunately, I think my focus on reclaiming my house has distracted me a bit from my focus on maintaining my weight - I am still in "range" but it's getting close and I'm starting to get concerned. This end of school year business is not that easy either, I must say. Crazy schedule, lots of parties. And we had my kids birthday and half birthday parties the past couple of weekends as well. Fun, but also challenging. I think that is the theme of this whole entire summer for me, so I'd better get a grip or I'll be back on the Losers Team and paying for (or skipping) WW meetings...
A very few quick, quick shout-outs, as I need to get the show on the road before scouts tonight!
Linda - My deepest condolences on your recent losses - how painful to have so much grief at one time. I hope you find comfort in your friends and family at this difficult time.
Cam - It sure sounds like you're having more than your share of challenges currently. I know it's a matter of time before you overcome every last one of them, but for now,

Connie - I don't have the same time constraints as you, but I read you loud and clear on the concerns about running in the dark and even moreso on the challenges and pain of running in the heat of the day. I don't have a schedule fix for you, but I do have a few tips/suggestion about running in the heat (you may know all of these but better to share redundant info than not to share much needed info, I figure):
1. I always carry water when I'm running in the heat - one time I thought I'd be able to use a drinking fountain and in fact, it was turned off that day. Ugh. Unpleasant and dangerous to be out there without hydration in the heat. Either a belt pack or a bottle with a strap for your hand can work.
2. Electrolytes - depending on how long you are out there and how much you sweat, this CAN become a potentially deadly issue - Hyponaetremia has gotten a lot of press lately - and is basically having too much water, not enough electrolytes. Drink to thirst only and if you are out there for more than an hour, consider adding some electrolytes as well.
3. Realize that the heat does slow you down considerably. Don't even worry about your pace when it is hot out - your body is putting in lots of energy cooling you down and can't devote it to speed. If you need to, cut back your miles/ take more walk breaks when it's hot/sunny.
4. Sunblock: I burn really easily. My favorite sunblocks for running are the Coppertone Sport (blue spray bottle) in SPF 30 or 50. The 90 is gross. For my face, I like Hawaiian Tropic SPF 50 Ozone Ultimate .5 oz stick (I usually find it at wal-mart - unfortunately, Target here does not carry it. Bah.)
Charity and all the recent joiners: Welcome! It's great you're here and I hope you find the information and support here that I've found. It's helped so much to have company for the journey. It's great to have you here!
And now for some QOTD!!
5/30 Sunday QOTD: If you were at Disneyland or WDW right now what would you be doing?
That depends - is it raining there like it is here? We would probably be getting some dinner right about now. Could be at Boma...
5/31 Monday QOTD: What is your best tip to avoid temptation?
My mantra has often been "It's easier if I just don't start!" I need to remember that..... Once I get started, it is hard to stop, but if I tell myself "no" right away and move on to the next thing, I have a much easier time than if I have just a small portion that makes me want to keep on eating more.
Also "Out of sight, out of mind." If I put something in the downstairs freezer, I am much less likely to go and nibble on it.
Another one: if I find myself feeling "snacky" it may actually be time for a meal. Better to make up something substantial to eat than to much on...you know...dry cereal, chocolate chips, graham crackers.
The other thing I thought of for this QOTD, I am not proud of, but here is the situation: My SIL is obese and seemingly not at all interested in losing weight to perserve her health, which so far as I know has been OK, though she is at higher risk for diabetes and cancer due to family history. She always has tempting foods in her kitchen and offers them frequently - bakery donuts for breakfast and snacks, gourmet pies, ice cream at all times, cake sometimes. Which are always hard foods for me to consistently say "no thank-you" to. However, it is easy to see the impact that her nutritional choices and inactivity have had on her body - not dissimilar to the impact I experienced myself in years past. I feel guilty for mustering willpower to say no based on my SIL's situation - I would much rather see her making wise choices as well, of course, but she has always expressed the most vehement disinterest, so I do not even bring it up at this point.
6/1 Tuesday QOTD: Do you have other ways to measure your progress besides the scale?
Clothes for me as well. Pants, for sure. In fact, I even have a "Pants Challenge" clippie that I made up a long time ago. I have to tell a funny story about this - I spent all this time wanting to get into those pants and when they finally fit, I realzed they were petites and I have long legs so they were not everything I had hoped, after all!

There are also a few dresses - I can now zip the dress I wore to my rehearsal dinner 14 years ago, though the very fitted wedding dress is still too snug (which makes sense as I was about 7 pounds lighter on my wedding day than I am now!)
There is also an old Talbots' size 8 dress that a friend got from ebay and decided she did not have the bust to fill. She said I could have it if it fit me, so I tried it on several times over the past year and finally two weeks ago we were about to leave and I said "Oh, can I have that dress now?" (there was no time left to try it on) She ran and got it - I tried it when I got home and voila! It fits. It would be nice to wear to my cousin's wedding in July...if I can just avoid those pies, donuts, cakes and ice cream in the meantime.....
