In Search of My Body vol.9 - I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

[Ronda93]

Rob - A great place to look when you want to start running is Couch to 5K (C25K). There is a podcast/download of the interval available. Google Robert Ullery. The music is awful, but what you get are the intervals. If you are geeky you can get some apps or iTunes thingys that will put intervals into a playlist. I never ran. I was an "I can't run" person. Two years ago DGF said "let's run to the corner" while we were walking the dogs. I told her no. She persisted and we started running a ways and walking a ways. Found C25K and picked a local spring race.

I decided to run the WDW half the following year. Total prep time was almost one year (Jan '09 to Jan '10). I then ran a half in St Louis (April) and Kansas City (October - that one sncked). I need to put my money down for the St Louis full in April 2011. I am jealous of Kat's Galloway group. I want one. It's a great activity for me. There are loads of gadgets and accessories that, while not necessary, feed my habits for tracking and making check marks. I think WDW half in 2012 would be a great goal!

I've lost about 35 pounds over the last two years. About 100 pounds over the last ten years. There have been plateaus, for sure. It took me a long time to add those pounds and they have come off slowly, too. Other changes in my life have brought me closer to the kitchen and that has been a huge help. You cannot outrun a bad diet. Ever. I'll run five miles before lunch and burn 500 calories. I can make that up, and then some, in a quick cookie dive. I'm better about controlling the inputs, but don't deny myself some indulgence either. The feeling of restriciton and denial will sabotage me every time.

Okay speaking of running I'm going out later this morning. Seems minor, but packing everything for running later in the day is stressful. Kind of like packing for an out of town race?

My dad just turned 70. Has smoked since he was 15. Stents in some places and more needed. DGF's dad died of a heart attack as he was starting treatment for lung cancer.

Ronda

 

[robmck3898]

Thank you all for sharing your advice and experiences, it is quite inspirational. I took a break this morning from work (I've been writing this post for about an hour) and looked at the couch to 5K program and it looks like a lot of fun, I will start it tonight and report back to you all.

As for shoes, we do have a running store that just opened here, so I think I will go visit them this weekend and make sure I am getting the foot support that I need.

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Hi friends!

Ronda - Love your check in! And I have to say, I really like how you talk about Sue. It's so loving and it's something I see missing from a lot of relationships. Also, I find your weight loss and exercise journey very inspirational. Nothing is immediate, and sometimes I forget that.

Cathie - It will be hell, but you can do it!

Rob - When Kat tells you to go the the fancy foot people, listen.

Soooo. I had a bit of an upset last night. On the good, I cooked dinner. On the bad, I ate some crackers and butter. Sigh. Back to tracking!!!

 

[HockeyKat]

Hi friends!

Ronda - Love your check in! And I have to say, I really like how you talk about Sue. It's so loving and it's something I see missing from a lot of relationships. Also, I find your weight loss and exercise journey very inspirational. Nothing is immediate, and sometimes I forget that.

...

Rob - When Kat tells you to go the the fancy foot people, listen.

Soooo. I had a bit of an upset last night. On the good, I cooked dinner. On the bad, I ate some crackers and butter. Sigh. Back to tracking!!!

I agree with Liz. Love the stories about you and DGF, Ronda! You two seem so close. I wish that I had a partner that was interested in running, but at least he lets me be nuts, I guess.

Rob, I am notoriously cheap, and stubborn as heck. So yeah, if I am a proponent of the fancy shoe store, it's definitely against type!


Sorry about the crackers and butter. I am not divulging my eating habits at the moment! Let's just say I completely echo Ronda's can't out-train a bad diet comment.

 

[cathie1327]

I....

am completely proud of myself today. I brought my lunch. And all my snacks. And I left any money I could spend at the vending machine at home. All I have is parking money for class.

boiled eggs and organic lowfat yogurt for breakfast...a banana, apple, tuna salad with low fat miracle whip with whole wheat bread for lunch, and a natural soda. i know the soda's STILL bad...but I feel alot better knowing that the ingrediant list is limited to 5 or 6 items, and I can pronounce all of them haha. Plus it's about 150 calories less than the soda I used to drink. So it's a way to cure that fix without overdoing it. AND...no caffiene

Smoking---wow. Thanks so much for being so encouraging ladies. The phone call with my mom last night really set me off and this morning I woke up REALLY wanting one. So I went on break with the girls at work. And almost asked for one. And I didn't. I just vented about my phone call. And I felt so much better.

Today is a positive day for me

I hope everyone else is having a fantastic day.

 

[Ronda93]

Liz/Kat - thanks. That's sweet. We have the advantage of meeting in our 40s. A lot of learning in our 30s prepped us for some really happy times ; )

OMG! I ran at 10:00 this morning. I felt winded and understood why when the first mile was 10:30! Previous fastest mile was 10:5X! I couldn't maintain that and ended up averaging 11:02, but WOW!

I don't usually listen to anything on Tuesday and Thursday. It's dark, I'm in the city, yada, yada. But today I listened to some podcasts adn caught recent eposide of This American Life... Petty Tyrant. It's about the now convicted jerk who presided over the Schenectady school maintenance department for decades. Tyranny writ small as they put it. I wonder if Paula is familiar with the story. It sounded like a huge local scandal.

back to work...

Ronda

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Great pace Ronda.

Great job Cathie half the day down. Keep it up. U can do this.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Whats the Wish code for runningwearhouse ???
Thanks

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Meg, Paula, are you two out there? Hope you are ok?

Kat, how are you doing with the air cast, just a few more weeks.


Nancy, EE, hope you are both having a blast on vacation,

Kelly, Lisa, Liz, Ronda, Cathie, Rob.. Happy Tuesday!!


So I RAN today 3 miles on the treadmill, 45 mins flat. I was wearing my new Nike's. THEY SUCK.. My toes were falling asleep, I could not wait to get them off, it was hard to stay on the TM the whole time. I called the run store and they said I can bring them back, I am sure they think I am going to exchange them..

I know many of you have purchased for running warehouse. Anything thing I should know?? How are the shoes so cheap, they ones I had are $108 at the store, but $76 on the website. Any advise would be great.
Thanks

p/s I feel so good getting run in!!!

 

[Ronda93]

Jo - great job on the run! Way to bounce back. The WISH discount code is WISHD. It doesn't work on the checkout page - I kept putting it in there as coupon or another field name. At the top of their site look for team discounts and enter wishd there. It will take the 15% later.

As for how they sell shoes so cheap? There's tremendous margin in shoes. I feel sympathy for the running store and buy some shoes there, but they need to add value to the transaction. If they act disinterested in my running and why I'm in their store considering changing shoes they lose me. The best part about running warehouse is the free return shipping. Shopping on-line is great for things I KNOW I want. When I can order three pairs of shorts (in three sizes), two different shoes and a box of Gu and return two shorts and a pair of shoes with no hassle, I'm sold. I got a pair of Brooks Defyance (let's try a neutral shoe) in the mail yesterday and tried them today. I feel like Kat, they were on clearance and I got the 15% - running shoes for $60.

Kelly - how are you getting around in the snow? melting?

Ronda

 

[goofyfan-12]

I don't usually listen to anything on Tuesday and Thursday. It's dark, I'm in the city, yada, yada. But today I listened to some podcasts adn caught recent eposide of This American Life... Petty Tyrant. It's about the now convicted jerk who presided over the Schenectady school maintenance department for decades. Tyranny writ small as they put it. I wonder if Paula is familiar with the story. It sounded like a huge local scandal.

back to work...

Ronda

Hi Ronda - yup... I know all about this story. It was a huge scandal and the guy was just plain nuts. The school superintendant left his job and a few others lost theirs as a result. The nut case is in jail for a long, long time.

Hi everyone! I have been baking like a fiend and I think I am done until I bake up some of Nancy's sugar cookies the weekend before Christams. Whew - I am tired.

Today was pretty uneventful. Work, Tuesday Night Dinner with the family and then baking. Food was pretty decent today with the exception of a few cookies after dinner. Bringing my breakfast, lunch and snacks to work with me are key. Now I just need to keep this momentum going over the weekend when the structure of the workday is gone.

Rob - good luck with the running. Good fitting shoes are so important as are the right socks when you get to the longer distances. My feet were very happy last year when I was training for the princess.

Cathy - I think you know how most of us feel about smoking. Quit Now! That is all I can really say as there are no positives to that. It will be hard, but well worth it in the end.

Jo - let us know how you make out with the shoe exchange. Sounds like you are just not in the right shoe.

Liz - I don't know what to tell you about weigh in days. I have gone on Saturdays which motivated me for the weekend and I have gone on Mondays right after the weekend was over. I look at it as just part of the week at this point. If you consistantly take a day off on the weekends then your results on Monday will be consistant. You just need to prepare for it and know going in it is going to be what it is going to be. As I have told Lisa in the past, it is only a number telling you what you weigh at that particular point in time and space. Weigh yourself a few hours later and it is likely to be different.

Kat - there are so many memories in your running post. Thanks for sharing that.

Hi to everyone else! I am off to bed.

 

[cathie1327]

Hi everyone! I have been baking like a fiend and I think I am done until I bake up some of Nancy's sugar cookies the weekend before Christams. Whew - I am tired.

I really need to get on the ball with my baking-I'm way behind. Just have been lacking the time and motivation

Cathy - I think you know how most of us feel about smoking. Quit Now! That is all I can really say as there are no positives to that. It will be hard, but well worth it in the end.

Yup-and that's why I came here, because I knew you ladies would keep me in check and hold me accountable for it.


Hi to everyone else! I am off to bed.

I am REALLY struggling today. The upside to my morning is that I was good and brought food again-a banana and yogurt for breakfast, apple for snack, and smart ones frozen meal for lunch (I'm REALLY not a fan of these, but was in a hurry) and boiled eggs for another snack.

The last couple of days have been HELL. At this point, the fact that I'm quitting smoking has been the last thing I've had to stress about. The past few weeks my pain had been lessening, and not coming on as strong as often. Then Monday night-bam. It hit. It was bad. All day yesterday and into last night it wouldn't go away. Last night was pretty bad. I was seriously considering going to the ER....but honestly, what would they really be able to do for me? If in 2 months the doctor hasn't been able to find anything, I don't think the ER would in one night. The thought of waiting 3 more weeks for the endoscopy and colonoscopy is so very daunting to me. Unfortunately, even if THEY could move it up, I can't, since I have to wait that long to accrue enough sick time at work I've really exhausted all the time I had leaving early on days that were really bad, and now I have very little left.
I can't wait until this is over.

I'm done whining now. I hope everyone's having a good day-thanks for the push on quitting smoking from everyone. I needed it.

 

[poppinspal]

I was going to sneak on her while the kids were asleep but of course time got away from me and now they're up. I'll be back later tonight but I hope you're all doing well.

 

[DisneyGalUK]

Hi Everyone!

ROB - Welcome! I think you'll fit in here just great The major change I made was packing my own lunch for work - one, I always knew the WW points value of what I was eating and two, I saved a fortune! I couldn't believe how much it added up to when I worked out what I spent on buying lunch out!

Kelly - how are you getting around in the snow? melting?

Ronda

Grrrr the snow! The snow has now melted, but the temperatures haven't risen above freezing for a week so you know what that means...thick ICE! My nemesis! Ive been on my bummocks more times than I care to remember, its just crazy
The next few days are forecast to rise to about 6c so hopefully that will get rid of a bit of the ice but next week its forecast snow again! I see myself having a very bruised Christmas!

Oh Ronda, I agree with Kat and Liz - I love to read your posts about you and Sue

Cathie - Everyone here has given you great advice, so I will just give and lots of luck. I KNOW how hard it is to stop smoking, but you CAN do it.

Kat - How are you getting on with the cast?

Meg, Jo, Paula, Nancy, Liz, E, EE, LisaV - Hi!

It was WW weigh in tonight - down 1lb for a total of 12.5lbs. That puts me closer to goal than I have been for so long - just 3lbs!!
My next major goal is EXERCISE - I need to tone up. Losing the weight is all well and good but I really need to tone the bits up!

Hope everyone is having a great day

 

[poppinspal]

So ladies my mom and I were looking at pictures today and I was blown away by what I did to my body and how much better I am now. I wish I had pictures on my computer of before I met my ex and gained all the weight I gained so you could see how I was for the majority of my life. But I thought I'd share. I went from 125(post college) to 170 (in 2006) down to 158 in 2009 and as of right now I hover around 133. And I swear I'll never let a guy change my eating habits again.

November 2006, February 2007 and October 2009 (down in WDW for the ToT 13k) And the last two are from late 2010

But I'm glad I always get one photo of me at my races, it's helped me to see the weight I've lost just this year. Me at a race February 2010, June 2010 and November 2010(in which my face looks a little chubby but the rest of me thankfully does not.)

Sorry to take up room with all these pictures but I needed the reminder of how much work I did to get closer to how I was before. I'll take the pictures down tomorrow.

 

[cathie1327]

Meg-----you look AH-MAZING. Thank you so much for sharing the pictures

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Wow Meg, you look great, lots of hard work sure paid off!

 

[robmck3898]

Morning everybody. Well I had to start off a little slower than I thought I could. Jogging when you're down 4 pints of blood isn't that great of an idea apparently lol. I did find I could walk at a steady pace, so I settled into that for three miles each of the last couple nights and will probably up it over the weekend. I checked with my doc and she thinks I can probably start jogging in January, so for now, I'm doing what I can.

 

[cathie1327]

Good morning everyone!

After being in a bit of a funk for a while yesterday due to the loss of a friendship, I'm back in a positive mood today. Still in quite a bit of pain, but feeling pretty proud of myself, nonetheless.

I finished up my 5th and final project last night for my 2d design class, and I am so proud of it. An enourmous amount of work has gone into this project, and I'm absolutey in love with it. Tonight is our last critique, my process folio (a "journal" of types, showing all the work we've done for all of our projects) is due tonight, and then next week I have my final. And then I'm DONE!!!!! I'm so proud that I made it through this semester. Even if I did have to drop my other classes, just making it through this one is a battle scar I'd gladly have lol.

Oh----and I have a question for everyone. I joined sparkpeople a while back and have really been using it the last week or so....does anyone on here use it? How do you like it? What do you use the most or find the most helpful?

 

[Ronda93]

Another great run. Five miles using 3:1 run:walk. Average pace was 11:03. The cooler weather is wonderful. More blood gets to the muscles as less is needed at the skin for cooling. Biophysics rule!

Rob - glad your doctor is on board for January. The bloodletting might slow things down, but you can gain a LOT of fitness with a consistent walking program. Start slow.

Cathie - glad the end is in sight!

Ronda