Danielle you are AMAZING!!! Keep up the good work!
Awww, thanks, that's so sweet of you to say!
As a former runner my best advice for you would be to pay really close attention to your body. Running is amazing exercise, but it's really hard on your lower half. The reason I can no longer run is (back in high school) I was so focused on my goals that I ignored the constant pain in my knees and shins. By the time I graduated from high school, I'd run through the pain for so long that I'd essentially run my arches flat, acquired shin splints, and run the cartilage right out of both of my knees. Even surgery can't repair the damage. So, the moral of the story is this: while I'm not suggesting that you stop every time it hurts, I am saying that you should listen to your legs. Especially your knees and feet. I would invest in some decent arch support inserts (they'll feel uncomfortable at first) and buy new shoes at the first sign of wear.
I actually used to be a dancer (ballet, jazz, contemporary, etc.) so one thing I'm good at is paying attention to my body and knowing when something's not right. I do already have minor knee problems from former dance injuries, so I'm very careful with that stuff. I'm always paying attention for the good pain and bad pain. It's really great advice, thank! I'll also look for the arch support inserts too.
I am NOT saying that you should stop working out if one of those things happen, but if you start feeling discomfort take a few days off from running. Instead do some laps in the pool -- it's an excellent low impact cardio workout.
An app that I love is the FREE Nike fitness app. It's great for days that you can't get to the gym, or for days that you really want to change up your routine a little. It has videos of how to properly do each exercise, and lots of different types of workouts depending on your goals.
Keep up the great work Danielle, and please continue to share you progress with us.
YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
I will definitely at the Nike fitness app for additional stuff.
For sure I will keep everyone updated on my progress, because I really want to be at or near my goal by my July trip.
So glad you've decided to share your C25K journey with us
You're doing awesomely so far! You look like a whole new person, and I bet you feel like it too
It was so apparent to me how different I looked when I started going through my old photos. I was amazed! You don't notice it daily because you look at yourself in the mirror every day, but the pictures really did it. I do feel great too, so I'm riding that high of how I've been feeling to help me continue in my progress.
Personally I first felt that high when I completed the 20 minute run. I just felt invincible! Too bad my body didn't agree and I'm now out of training with bad ankles
So yes, definitely listen to your body. There's a difference between the good 'I've worked' pain and the bad 'I'm injured' pain. Listen to your body when you get the bad pain and repeat a week if you have to. I didn't even though I could feel the bad pain building up, and now I'm paying for it
Compression tights are awesome. I would wear mine all the time if I could. Seriously. Mum sent me some calf compression socks and I wear them under my work pants after my runs.
I'm sorry that you're out of training right now. I've had that happen before when I was a dancer, and it was devastating to be out of something for a period of time due to various injuries.
That is so awesome!!!!!! You look amazing!!! Keep up the great work!
Thanks! I feel amazing.
I started jogging in college along with eating better and ended up losing about 40 pounds. I also hit a period of knee pain and decided to focus on walking for a while. When I had it checked out I had a touch of tendinitis (sp?). It got better and I switched to walking a few days a week and running the others. Now I mostly walk (I am almost 5 months pregnant) along with doing yoga 2-3 days a week and I LOVE it!! Of course I am a yoga instructor so I might be a little bias.
So if ever you're looking for another great physical activity let me know!
Back in my dancing days, I was crazy about yoga! I was doing it before it was a huge trend, and I still have my videos and such from it, so I keep those on reserve for when I need them! But I'll let you know also, I love getting tips.
I'm super excited for you and your mom to take your trip soon! You girls are gonna have such a blast! My goal is buy into DVC so we can go at least once a year or even a few times a year and have more relaxed trips (not so commando like we've done in the past).
Your TRs and PTRs are so much fun! Looking forward to reading more!
DVC has been great for us. It's really the only way that we're able to do so much and be able to just enjoy. When I was a kid, we went crazy commando, because we went very infrequently. Now, we can do different things and we're okay with it.
Wow, only 30 pounds??? Sure looks like you lost alot more than that... You look great!!!
And I just sent my daughter an email to download the myfitnesspal app on her iPad... I get weighted next week at my annual physical... So not looking forward to that...
I know, it does look like a lot more! I am extremely evenly distributed in the weight department though, so I think it comes off all over and looks more drastic than it is.
Ugh, I know! I have to get my wellness exam on Friday for work so we can get our discount on our insurance premiums. I'm not looking forward to it, because I know even though I've made a ton of progress, there's still a ways to go.
You will not regret the app. I'm not kidding, it's amazing! You just have to have the determination to do it and follow it.
How strange that our Epcot plans always end up being so similar! Who ever would have figured that out?? Ha!!
MK day looks great! Honestly, you don't always have to do the mountains! I'm just not that impressed by BTMRR (DLR's is better in my opinion) I only went on space this last trip, and we only did splash like, 3 times, it was just too wet the rest of the weeks hahah. UGH, AS IF Be Our Guest!! Thats too awesome, I'm so pumped for everything in the expansion. Truth, I've ridden LM already, but the cue looks about a million times cooler in WDW, and hey, it's Ariel. The only thing that the expansion is doing that I'm not excited for is getting rid of pretty much all the princes except for Aladdin....sad face.... bahaha!! The castle is like, a million times prettier at Christmas, I don't know how I even stand it!
I haven't been to DLR for about 5 years, so I don't remember BTMRR, but I LOVE Space Mountain there! It is so much better. I miss it.
I agree, what they done with the queue at WDW's version of LM is amazing. I can't wait to see all of it. And the castle during the holidays is the best. I wish they would do it like that all the time.
[I also just started using myfitnesspal!! It's a great app!! I like that you can put your own food it, put in brand names, and the fact that it always tells you how much your eating, how much is left, ugh, great app!!
I absolutely love that app. It's been such a lifesaver for me, and now I'm addicted to it, like "OMG, I forgot to put my stuff in!"
[I did really want to start the couch 2 5K, I really want to run in a Disney race, but the whole Canadian cold outdoors kinda won over getting up early to run haha! However I have been running more on the treadmill (and by that I mean,, 5 min jog, 5 min walk) at the gym, and I used to be killer scared of treadmills! So who knows, maybe I'll see ya at the Princess!! Also, major congrats on your weight loss journey so far, you look great girl!! I know you can do it!
Maybe we will see each other at Princess! I was also thinking of the Wine and Dine 1/2 as an alternative too.
Congrats, Danielle! You're doing so great!
Thanks! It feels great.
Maybe I should though, after seeing your success, I really need to do something drastic, I lose like 10 pounds, then I hit a stupid plateau, get frustrated and gain it all back! 
I have to do it this year though, because I'm running that Royal Family 5K in Disney in February! I'm thinking of attempting the Princess half in 2014 too! 
I was thinking that I could take a peek and see all the different rooms at lunch too, but alas they will not be open, only one of the rooms. The Rose room? 
