Colleen the Chocolate Fiend's Disney Life (comments welcome)

[C_leen]

Good day!

DH out of town, so I was up late Friday loading pics on the web & trying to conquer the nano. Something is wrong of course & the i tunes program is doing a number on my Dell. I loaded some music on it at work though. I have enough to run C25K 4A today with my own music! Took DS to McDonalds for dinner. I stuck to the Asian Salad though I had the crispy chicken. Then took DS to pool. I swam around a little in a bathing suit I haven't worn since pre-child! Did not sleep well so I am dragging this am. I've been focusing on hitting #155 for so long that I finally did it! So my reward is my massage during my girl friend weekend. Just 2 weeks away. I've been on a spending spree this month (bad me!), so I'll just have to be happy strutting about in all of the clothes from my closet that did not fit before & my new exercise outfits. As it is, I know I'll need new running shoes shortly, so that is going to be another big gift to myself.

Weight: #155.0
Loss this week: 1.6 pounds!!
Loss to date: 14 pounds!
New BMI: 26.6

I looked at the calendar, and I am on target to be at my goal of #145 by 9/21if I lose an average of 1 pound a week. Since #145 is the highest 'normal' BMI, I am mulling over a second weight loss goal. I would not start this until after our WDW trip. I will just have to see how my body responds to the marathon training regimen. I am so proud of myself! When I loaded some pics of me with all the other photos last night, I saw a work in progress & I was much more forgiving of myself. I am so thankful I am healthy enough to commit to all of this exercise & that my body can take it! I am so pleased that I'm trying to handle stress in a more healthful way. The stress is going to get much worse as DH pursues a new job, so I need to stay vigilant!

 

[C_leen]

Hello-

Saturday I ran C25K 4A on the TM @ the gym, then did some weight machines (60 min). Rested yesterday. Today I ran C25K 4B outside with a timer as I slept in and didn't have time to head off to the gym. It was hot & miserable already at 6:30 am. I had to break once running one of the 5 minutes intervals as it fell uphill on my route. But when I got home, I had shaved 3 minutes off my usual time on my 2.1 mi route (28 min). So although I felt it was a pretty yucky outing, I was moving faster than I have been. This morning marked my half marathon first work out for my 12 week regimen. It was not easy between moving thru the humid air and the hills. I am half finished picking out a 3 & 4 mi routes for the next few weeks, but they have hills that I guess I am just going to have to suck wind and get over it - literally. There is at least one hill on the marathon route & I think it is a long one (coming up to the MO Discovery Bridge and running over it) - so I guess I'll be ready.

June Exercise Total: 1138/1000

Weight: New scale not working. I am going to try to resurrect it tonight.

Exercise Plan:
Tues: Walk 2 mi/ Pilates
Wed: C25K 4C
Thurs.: Run/Walk interval (2 mi) (interval 3:2)
Fri: Rest
Sat: C25K 5A (3 mi distance)/ Body Pump
Sun: Rest

I ate badly yesterday afternoon as I had 2 separate parties. So, back in action today! I did have a slice of blueberry muffin bread as it was muffins with mom today at school, but I think I should be able to reset now.

 

[C_leen]

Hi-

I fell apart last night & ate many chocolate chip cookies. My Weight Loss Challenge crew decided to weigh out last night. Since I weigh in the am with few clothes & I hop off & on the scale all of the time, I know at night I can weigh up to 5 pounds more at night. So I weighed out at 158.6 last night! I work out harder than any of these women and I didn't even lose a whole pound according to our challenge. So then I hung out with them drinking wine & eating cookies & although I KNOW I weigh about #155 I was TICKED OFF!

But today is another day. Shake it off. Take my Type A and shove it. This is way more than a game, I am training to survive a 13.1 mi trek. Today I ran at the gym. I forgot the nano & I got seriously bored running the last 5 min. But I made it & I notice come Saturday I'll be running about half of my 3 mile 'long run'. That is excellent progress. I found out my dentist is training with his wife for the same half marathon & they are running a route parallel to mine. Perhaps I'll spot them as our mileage ramps up.

Tuesday: Peanut Suburbia Stroll - 2 mi (38 min)/ Pilates (60 min)
Wednesday: C25K 4C (30 min) + Weight Machines & stretching (10 min)
New June Total: 1276/1000
Weight this am: #156.4

 

[C_leen]

Hola-

Well I was in a snit all day yesterday. Weight still 156.4 today. Last night I could not get enough chicken egg salad. I wonder if I am not getting enough protein?

Ran for the marathon training today so I did not follow C25K. I tried a 3 run/7 walk minute interval as I didn't want to push it hard today as Saturday is a 3 mi 'long run' & I want to push myself then for C25K 5A. It was 87% humidity. It looked like it was about to storm any minute so I sort of kept a good pace fearing I was about to get soaked. Peanut stuck right with me & we had a nice outing. Took us about 30 minutes. I accidentally stopped the timer but I caught it pretty quickly.

I'm definitely getting new shoes in the next 2 weeks. I have 2 pair of New Balance & both have been occasionally rubbing in the toe box. This time I am going to a running store & getting fit.

New June Total: 1306/1000

I had no idea I was exercising this much!

 

[C_leen]

Hello-

Well I was not surprised this am to see my Saturday weigh out at #156.4
So this is the first time I have gone up in weight in 10 weeks. The weird thing is my body has nearly reshaped itself in the last 10 weeks, so how can I get too upset about the scale? Instead I sort of wonder, what will another 4 weeks do?

So onward. Yesterday I did nothing. Rest day. Volunteered at school, hair cut, ran errands, etc.

Saturday am I rolled out of bed @ 5:30 am & hit the TM at the gym for C25K 5A. I also had to do 3 miles distance as I am doubling up for the half marathon training. Well, I had to run about 4-5 minutes more than required by C25K 5A as I wanted to get the 3 miles in before Body Pump. I was able to walk today pretty comfortably at 4.2 mph. So, I did a 37 minute 3 mile work out, then did 60 minutes of weight lifting! I did lower my weights today almost across the board.

So to wrap up the June Exercise Challenge: 1403/1000.
I exercise an average of 47 minutes qd. Well I'd like to lose 4 pounds next month & just continue hauling on the half marathon training. I'll be getting new running shoes this month & paying off our WDW trip...

 

[C_leen]

Hello-

Period week again. Craving sweets & weight bouncing around. Crabby too.

Got fit for running shoes on Saturday. The fellow was good! The first pair he put me into were just peachy. I could not believe I said, "I'll take 2 pair!" I ran in them today (well one pair) & it did feel a little better. I got some gel action and stability. I guess I overpronate.

Sunday was a rest day but I strolled 2 mi with Peanut. Can I tell you how tired I was?! I took naps on Saturday & Sunday. DH tired too though so I am not sure if it was all the Saturday work out or a response to the weather. We had clouds and drizzle more than not the past few days.

This morning I ran in my new shoes for C25K 5B. My dog hung in with me & we ran/walked over 2 mi today. It was not humid and we were zippin' despite the hills. I wrote down the intervals on my hand & then kept the time with songs on the nano.

I'm into a solid size 10 or medium. I'm going to try to focus on my eating these next 4 weeks as I know I've been cheating on some snacks bc I could get away with it. Peanut, my dog, is looking great too! I'm not sure she can take more than 2 mi in the summer, but she seems to really enjoy our outings. I'm planning to walk her on my rest days as it is the least I can do to repay her for running with me. Lots of sniffing on the walk days for her.

Tomorrow is a rest day, so I'll walk Peanut 2 mi and do Pilates. Wed. is C25K 5C. Thursday will be I think running intervals and weight lifting at the gym. Friday - walk Peanut 2 mi. Saturday-Body Pump. Sunday 4 mi 'long run'. I'll be on a girl's weekend, & I'm looking forward to running there as it is FLAT! I've thought about running on Saturday, but I think running Sunday will keep my mind focused on eating right...

Onward!

 

[C_leen]

So DH perhaps having a nervous break down over his job. Between his issues, PMS, and all of the extra work with an imminent houseguest and a neighborhood party... well I've not been eating well. I did buy some cherries & watermelon to try to offset some of the sweet cravings. I missed dinner last night, and I've been snacking more than I usually do. I think some of it may be the heat. We aren't eating large meals, and I just might need to snack a bit more thru the summer. I did have a Hershey bar yesterday & I have to admit I felt so soothed eating it. It has been about a month since my last chocolate & cherry garcia, so I see a pattern here.

I did not walk yesterday but I did make myself go to Pilates. I had a different instructor & she was a nice change of pace. I let my mind just let go and I concentrated on the movements and it was a peaceful hour. I ran C25K 5C today. 20 minutes running at one time! Peanut & I inadvertently did a 3 mile route on a 2 mile day. It just felt so good to be out from under the stress. I weighed myself after my shower, just as a reminder to myself today not to eat too crazy, and I lost some weight! I couldn't believe it. My body is looking really great & I am so proud of my accomplishments & continued excitement about the marathon - but the scale has been perhaps reflecting muscle gain more than weight loss as of late. So today I will have to be extra careful & just enjoy everyone more than the plethora of food that will be out!

#154.2! BMI: 26.5

 

[C_leen]

Hi-

DH was in tears over his job Thursday night - unconsolable. Truly depressed & unable to pull himself out of the situation. So I went to his job Friday morning & actually asked him to quit. He did! I drove him straight to the ER and we spent the day there to access some mental health care. Hopefully he'll really work on himself the next month or so before embarking on a new job. He is starting an outpatient depression/alcohol program on Monday, so I pray he can learn from this program and that this is his window to make himself a stronger & more confident person.

Anyway, I missed lunch yesterday as I didn't dare leave him anywhere in the hospital. He did sneak out to smoke in the parking lot & I had him dig my apple out of my briefcase. We went out last night to Macaroni Grill with our houseguest & I had a salad, one serving of chicken, & some pasta. I ate some bread and drank tons of iced tea. BUT I did not overeat, as I woke up hungry this am. Amazingly, I am not craving sweets with all of the stress. Instead, I moved up my 4 mile walk/run training session one day to fight the stress.

I did C25K 6A on Thursday on the TM. It felt OK. I was really pushing speed & I got tired. I went to the middle school track for a new venue & knocked out C25K 6B this morning. I really like running a mile and then walking a 1/4 mi interval. It was hot and the track is asphalt. So after C25K 6B, I still had 1.5 mi to knock out for my 4 mile long run. So I worked on speed walking and ran 2 more 1/4 miles. I did the 4 miles in 51 minutes. I could feel the heat and humidity coming on with every lap, so I was pleased with that time. Next week I will definitely need to do my 5 mi at the crack of dawn.

So lots of change heading my way. But I am going to just follow my training calendar. I missed Body Pump today, but I was in the mood for solitude today. Well I need to do some errands. I'll be resting the rest of this weekend.

No weight due to period week.

 

[C_leen]

Hello-

Well I did pretty good this weekend. I kind of missed lunch on Saturday & breakfast on Sunday. But I ate well other meals & my stomach was knotted up anyway from the stress. My buddy & I shared appetizers and one dessert for our two big dinners, so although we ate well, I did not feel like I overdid it.

I walked around New Harmony each day we were there but I was just strolling. I also swam a bit. On Monday I worked out for almost 2 hours in the hotel gym. It was early & I had the place to myself so I just kept going bc it felt great. I got confused and missed a 2 mile training segment on Monday. I made it up this morning. I ran C25K 6C on the TM. I ran 2.25 mi & walked .75 mi in 34 minutes. I also have Pilates tonight, so I have had some great work outs in. I did OK on the 2.25 together. I bumped the speed in the second mile just to knock it out! I think the rest of this week will be interval training & I'll start C25K Week 7 on Saturday with my long run.

DH doing better. He is attending the program reluctantly. He is very relieved to be away from his former job! We have no idea what will happen next, and I am nervous. I hope something wonderful comes his way.

Period resolving, so no weight today...

 

[C_leen]

Hi there!

Well DH is doing better than me it would appear at all of this uncertainty. I did go back to work yesterday & managed a bit of concentration, but my mind is just whirling. I might set up some counseling thru my work.

On 7/11 I just walked the library route with Peanut & tried to walk fast though I didn't time myself. Today I warmed up for 5 min on the TM then did 6 r/4 w intervals for 2 mi. It took me 25 minutes flat, so then I did some machines. I think my long run is slated for Saturday where I plan to start week 7 of C25K. DH plans to go to an AA meeting, so I might take DS to KTY trail & practice running on that since the trail is part of the marathon. DS can ride his bike.

I am not eating too great. I overate last night at Bunco. Yesterday I also tucked into Chinese food for lunch at work. I ate a small breakfast, and I just had some canned yams for lunch. I've been craving them for days! We need groceries, but I am nervous to go spend money so I've been pantry digging.

Someone told me last night that I was starting to look too thin. This was quite humorous to me as my BMI is still in the overweight range. I still have 10 pounds to go just to hit 24.9! Anyway I laughed but seriously my body is getting tone right now even if I am not losing weight. Hopefully once I get my stress and emotions on an even keel, I'll be able to lose again. As it is, I might hit a size 8 just from the muscle change in my body. I am close.

 

[C_leen]

Hola!

Weight today: #153.8/ BMI: 26.4!

Can I say how pleased I am to have lost some more weight?! Every ounce I lose makes me happier out running as it is less to haul along come September!

This week I am going to keep a food diary as I need a little tweaking on my snacks. If I can elimate or improve them, I think I can drop a bit more weight with all of the exercising I am doing.

Yesterday I ran my C25K 7A (2.5 mi) during my 5 mi long 'run'. I had to run much later in the morning than I wanted as I had to take DS along. We went to the high school track this week. He did OK, & even flipped his way around the track 3 times himself. I felt OK during the 7A portion, but it was HOT! I did stop for water several times & to check in with DS. When I finished 7A, I still had 9 laps to go. I gutted it out, & interspersed another 3 laps of running for intervals. I did the whole thing in 72 min & 30 sec. I think if it is hot & humid in September, this is what it will feel like - slogging at nearly 15 min miles. Next week I think I am going to run my 3 mile route 2 times so I can circle back to my house for a bathroom break. Also I can work hills & possibly take the dog on my second circuit when I'll be walking much more.

I took my neighbor to the running store so she could get fit for some athletic walking shoes. I picked up Body Glide & several sorts of athletic energy formulas to try. Now that I am up to an hour of training, I need to experiment. I also bought a book for women runners of which I read at least half of yesterday afternoon. The plan in this book for preparing for a 5K is only 6 weeks, so I am not too worried about my extra running beyond the C25K. In fact, I've noticed that I'll be extending a few of the training runs here & there to complete the C25K in the next 2 weeks. Once I finish C25K, I'll start concentrating on my marathon pace & intervals.

Sun- rest
Mon - C25K 7B (2.5 mi)
Tues - Spin & Pilates
Wed- C25k 7C (3 mi)
Thurs- 2 mi interval training
Fri- Rest
Sat - Body Pump maybe
Sun - 6 mi (C25A 8A)

With all of the turmoil at home, I am very thankful I have this little project for myself. I deserve a little stress break, and the exercise is mostly tolerated by DH & DS now.

 

[mabenoab]

C leen, you are doing so great! The exercise and good health focus you're giving yourself is such a great release for all the stress you're experiencing right now. Good for you, and good for your dh quitting his job too. I hope that leaving that stressful position is a positive step for him and that he feels both healthier & happier very soon.

Good luck to you both! and Congrats on your weight loss!
Beth

 

[C_leen]

Hi-

Thanks for checking in on me Beth!

I am hanging in there with all of the stress and changes at home. My boss very kindly gave me a week off comp. I wound up having to spend a fair amount of my time dealing with some breast pain. I had a mammogram & ultrasound. I am OK, so I plan to just keep running! The pain is from cysts and not muscle pain from running...

It has been very humid & hot. I took Sunday off, & Monday I ran C25K 7B. On Tuesday I was not up for SPIN & ironically I went drinking during Pilates. The very thought of doing Pilates with a sore breast did not make it a hard decision to slack off one night. Wednesday was all of the testing, and I could not imagine running after a mammogram. Thursday I ran C25K 7C on the track. I did 3 miles in 38 minutes and 24 secs. Not bad since I walked a half mile, did some running drills just to change up my pace, and even stopped to drink several times. I am considering running week 7 again. I don't feel very comfy with the 2.5 miles at once although it could just be dealing with the heat more than anything. It is cool here this weekend (80's) so I might push to 8A and then back down if it doesn't go well.

I have been eating terribly. But I am aware of it, so today I am doing much better working to curb my emotional food response.

I guess I need to focus on the fact that no matter what, I am going to WDW on 9/21 - so I need to lose that next 10 pounds!

 

[C_leen]

Duplicate

 

[C_leen]

Hello!

So my half marathon training is going well. I ran/walked my 6 mile Long Run on 7/21. I spent the morning downloading some new music, and I did a 'new' route. Although it was nearly 10 am, the weather was great & a fair amount of my route was in the shade. I did not time myself at all. I just enjoyed the sensation of running as much as I could in the first 4.4 mi. Then I took a bathroom break & got a new water. I walked for speed with my dog on the last 2 miles. I was a little self conscious as I wore the marathon skirt with a dark bra, but once I got moving, I forgot I was basically half naked.

Sunday I rested. Today I ran C25K 8A. Still the gift of low humidity, so I pushed 8A. I did 3 miles in 33 minutes! This counts walking the first quarter mile, so I think that is a pretty good time. I am also incorporating running drills into my runs to help build strength and dissuade myself from becoming a shuffler. Truly the humidity is my greatest downfall. I hope to get my 8B session in before the heat fully returns...

I missed the food diary last week, so I am going to do that this week. My weight is up a bit as I snacked a ton last week. #156.8 I am so proud of what my legs and body can do now, that I am pretty pleased with myself. My thighs are reshaping themselves, and when I am running, I am amazed at the muscle that I can see moving beneath the skin. I am never going to be a stick, but I can be one powerful little hour glass.

 

[C_leen]

Hello!

I did do Pilates last night. Very good work out.

Weight: #155.2 so I am sort of floating back down.

Ran C25K 8B today. I totally lost count in my lap running & I felt like I was running slow and miserably the entire morning. The humidity wasn't bad as I ran between 6:45 and 7:45 am, but my time was a little over 37 minutes. I did my running drills well today but running felt yucky. I am wondering if I ran an extra lap but I see I ran 3 miles in 38 minutes recently, so I probably did piece together where I was correctly. Oh well. I think tomorrow is just 2 miles. Ha ha. That used to be a work out, and now I'll just be like 'a quick little jaunt!'

Food Diary:

Mon: breakfast ok, lunch one big snack fest, dinner ate too many breadsticks - ate too many snacks in afternoon & eve. Reading Harry Potter!
Tues: breakfast OK, lunch half veggie sandwich and yummy homeade chips, cafe aulait and diet coke, dinner salad & spaghetti. Dessert: sparkling water and ww sundae.
Wed: breakfast OK, lunch - half apple, amy's veggie sandwich, sparkling water, 6 oz juice, too much chex mix!

 

[mabenoab]

Colleen: you are amazing to get up and work out at 6:45 in the morning! And, I will tell you that even being able to think of a 2 mile run as a "jaunt" shows how amazing you are!

After I read your journal, I started to feel a little confident so I ran my dog back up the 1/4 mile hill to our house this afternoon. I was more than a little winded!! So kudos to you, keep up the great work!

Beth

 

[C_leen]

Hi!

Well I am doing OK. I have entirely lost track of what I've been eating but yesterday I weighed #153.8.

On Thursday my 2 mi jaunt was rather a comedy. I went to the gym during my lunch break & it was humid in the gym. On cue, bathroom distress signals everytime I really got running. Then it dawned on me that I really didn't need to run Thursday - it was just a mileage day for my half marathon training. So I slowed down and just walked. Whenever I felt better, I ran. Then I went and did a few weight machines and stretched in between.

Since I am concentrating on finishing C25K, I sort of worry I am not doing enough walking for the half marathon - but then I did my 7 miler on Saturday...

Friday: rest day.

Saturday: Well I sort of missed a 2.75 mi work out in week 8 of C25K. Since I had 7 miles to do Saturday, I went for the enchilada & did it! I did 3 miles in 34 min & 24 sec. I ran 3 eleven and a half minute miles, so I was pacing like a champ. Of course a soccer team showed up and did 6-7 minute miles making me absolutely feel like a snail. I did the whole 7 miles in about an hour and forty minutes. I was at the hs track. Here are the things that saved me: The sprinklers came on and I got a mist now and again! Rain clouds moved in blocking the sun, but it never rained!

Here's my breakout of what I did:

2L walk warm up
12 L running
2 L walk
8 L walk/run interval with running drills
4 L walk with running drills

I tried a GU Energy Gel after my 3 miles. Vanilla Bean flavor OK. My legs held up until mile 7, then I felt pretty weak. When I got home, I did an epsom salt soak & laid on the bed quite a bit. In the afternoon, I went to the pool and swam a little & then baked them in the sun. Today I feel OK.

Although I shouldn't be out shopping, I bought a running cap, running shorts, and a new running bra on clearance at Marshalls yesterday. The hat says Life is Good, and that pleases me to no end.

I am seriously worried about my eight miler next weekend while I am in Michigan. It's time to call my parents and have them scout out a place for me to run.

Onward!

 

[C_leen]

Hi there!

Well my focus is coming back which is good for my job. I'm eating a bit better this week. I've been trying to dance around DH's crabbiness. He expects a job ASAP. He's doing the usual "I don't want to move. Oh, I applied for a job in whatever great state..." I really don't CARE! Ironically, he just had a phone interview for a job in our hometown in MI. Maybe God is speaking to him and acting in his life and he is just to shell shocked to see it. Well we shall see what happens. DH is also meeting informally with a local education firm next week.

Anyway, since the 29th:

Monday I ran 3 mi on the hs track. I ran with a frog which was something to look forward to each lap. On my last lap I tried to urge him off the track (so he doesn't cook or get stepped on) and he jumped into the fence and got knocked over. It was funny & I think he managed to make it back to the grassy knoll. I think I ran it in 34 and a half minutes. Snail, but I did my drills too.

Tuesday was Pilates.

Wednesday I ran 3 mi on the hs track. It was humid even at 6:15 am! I had sweat running off of me like rain. I think I ran it in 35 min and 16 seconds. I did my drills like a trooper.

Today I ran/walked 2 miles on my 'old' library route. Very humid. Again I had rivulets of sweat coming off of me. I feel awesome but I am a little stiff in my left hip & feel the shin splint early warning. I am concerned about this weekend 8 miler. I guess I am just going to do it Sat. am early early. I'll ask my Dad to ride his bike or something. I think there is a bike path he can zip around on as I plod along... I'll be wiped for the wedding, but it is not like it is my wedding. Anyway, once I crest 8 miles, I'll be working seriously on intervals for the half marathon. Only 5 more weeks of serious training. Then I can slack off and do some 5Ks for fun!

Friday is a rest day. I am seriously going to rest too. We are driving up to MI for the wedding so I can laze in the car all day. I think DH crabby to deal with his family. Ha. As if I am not.

Be well! I refuse to succumb to a bad mood!

 

[C_leen]

Good morning!

Well aren't I just my mother?! Can't sleep and up packing at 2 am. I am really worried about my 8 mile run this weekend.

Just for the record, it is period week here & I did weigh in today at #155. Pretty low weight for having the usual symptoms of a period, so I wonder if I've lost a bit? Anyway, I'll have to watch my eating as being with the family is just an invitation for my emotional reaction to snarf food...

Out Pursuing Happiness... Be Back Monday eve or Tuesday

Colleen