Lisa's Running Away from Excuses Journey....Please Comment

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Hmm, I guess an introduction would be good here- I have always been a dreamer, but not so much of a "follow-througher." Motivation has never been a problem, but keeping that motivation always has.

I turned 30 in August, and I guess when you hit a milestone like that, it sort of forces you to re-evaluate where you are in your life. I have a job that I love, have a ds who is my life, and my dh who is my best friend. Great life, right? Well, I then realized that I am currently weighing in at my highest pregnancy weight- eek! My exercise regime has gone downhill to the point that I find myself not being able to keep up with my 3 yo sometimes, which is an awful feeling. Not only that, but I have a family history of heart disease, and diabetes. I had gd with my pregnancy, but was on insulin, and the thought of doing that forever terrifies me.

So, I should have had all the motivation right there, but it just doesn't seem to stick- I realized that I just don't have any accountability, so I am hoping to find that here in this journal. My dh, god love him, isn't the most supportive in this journey- he knows that I fizzle out quickly, so I can't blame him for thinking that this is just another short term project.

So my goals are this- I want to run a 5K next summer. If all goes well, I would really love to plan for a 1/2 marathon at Disney- talk about the ultimate reward for your effort- a trip to Disney to run!!

Also for goals, I would like to keep a food journal for a week or two and see what can be "tweaked"- I am a huge snacker, and chocolate is my downfall. I work 2 jobs for now, and I find myself grabbing junk food en route from one job to the next. I don't get home some nights until around 10pm, so I then make dinner, and go to bed- definitely need some changes there.

I need to find some alternative snacks- I am terrible about snacking all the way through making dinner, so by the time dinner is on the table, I am full, but still eat more just to eat with my family!

So, I guess that is my introduction to my journey- my main goals for the next week or two is not to make any huge changes. We will be traveling for the holidays, and I know it will be hard to do anything drastic- mainly I want to make healthier food choices, and begin a daily walk/run program so I can see what my starting points are, and take a good look at things after New Years.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Well, I started last night with a run around 10 pm when I got home from work. I covered a total of about 1.5 miles (actually just a little more), in a time of 30 minutes. I did a walk first, then I timed myself for a mile- I ran the first 1/2 mile without stopping, then I had to alternate run/walk for the second half. I covered the full mile in 15:47. Not very good, but I am proud of myself for actually jogging as far as I did without stopping. Nowhere to go from here but up, right? I finished the last 10 minutes with a cool down.

Well, I guess this was a real eye opener for me- I am in worse shape than I even thought, but I am ok with this, because at least I know now, and I can work to improve it!

I didn't keep track of yesterdays food journal, but I am going to do that today.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Well, here goes for today; first the food:

Breakfast: 1 cup raisin bran- 200
1 cup skim milk- 90

Snack: 1 caramel corn rice cake with peanut butter- 100
1 orange- 60

Lunch: Cup of noodles soup, shrimp flavor- 296


Dinner: EEk! 2 hot dogs with cheese and ketchup!- about 650

Snack: 5 cups micro popcorn- 150
2 chocolate rice cakes- 120
2 cups chocolate milk- 230

Approx 1900 cal. Not the best; I had a game tonight, so it was eating on the run, and lunch was at a weird time because work was hectic and I didn't have time to stop to eat. Feel ok about my late night snacks- I really wanted chips and some Christmas cookies, so this was better than that at least!

Ok, so for a workout: I did a 5 minute brisk walk (uphill), then timed myself to cover 1 mile- I didn't take the dog this time, and without having to stop to sniff every telephone pole, I did it in 13:37! That is about a 2 minute drop from yesterday. Then I walked another 1/2 mile or so as a cool down. Total time: 25 minutes.

** I think I may need to check out some Lean Cuisine or WW meals to pack for lunches- I need something easy to grab for work, so I don't end up eating junk.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Today's food journal:

B: Raisin Bran- 200
1 cup milk- 90

Snack: 2 caramel corn ricecakes- 100

Lunch: 1 Pepperoni Hot Pocket- 360
1 orange- 60

Snack: 1 pretzel log dipped in chocolate- 100? (no idea how many cals)

Dinner: Out to eat for Christmas Party- I had a personal pizza; I ate 3 of the four pieces, and left the crust. I got a "margherita pizza"- it had olive oil, basil, chopped tomatoes and onions on it with fresh mozzerella. I am just taking a wild guess at 600 calories?

Snack: 1 cup of skim milk- 90
2 Christmas cookies (can't help myself!)


As for a workout, I am taking today off- I have tons of cleaning to do tonight before we travel this weekend, not to mention packing, laundry, etc....that is all a workout in itself! Before I go to bed, I plan to do 50 crunches, and call it a day.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

For 12/22:
The food journal:

Breakfast- none (I know, I know; was running way late!)

Snack- rice cake (60)

Lunch- Healthy Choice turkey meal- (270)
Z-Bar, choc chip- (130)

Dinner- 6" Subway turkey on wheat- approx 400
Baked Lays- 140

Before workout- Powerbar- (230)

Snack- Chips- 140
Christmas candy- ??

Workout- It was pouring, but I still went for my run tonight, and it went great! I marked off a mile long loop, so I can time myself and keep track of the times. I walk about a 1/2 mile for the warmup, and another 1/2 for the cooldown. For the actual mile, my run was 13:25. Down 22 seconds from Wed night, and even in the rain! I was happy with that! Total time, 25 minutes; 2 miles.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

For 12/23:

Food journal: we were out of town, so I didn't keep too much track, but I must say it was pretty easy to keep things under control; I just ate what I wanted, but kept the portions lighter. It's funny, but now with running the past week, and seeing gains there, I just really don't WANT to eat junk as much as before.

Breakfast: Powerbar on the road- 230

Lunch: Christmas Dinner: turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, and 1 roll.

Snack: 2 cookies

Dinner: Ham sandwich
1 piece cherry pie


I skipped working out, because I didn't know the area to go for a run, and it is not in a very good neighborhood- course, chasing around ds and his cousins was exhausting enough!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

For 12/24:

Traveling again, but here goes:

Breakfast: z-Bar, 130

Lunch: Turkey Sandwich on wheat from Sheetz
3 mini Hershey bars

Snack: Orange

Dinner: Soup (110)
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Chips (140)
Green tea

Snack: Chocolate covered pretzel log
1 pc Christmas candy

Workout: Today I did my mile loop timed again- it was windy here, and I felt awful! I pushed through it though, and managed to drop my time a lot! Today I did a mile in 12:30, a 55 second drop from Friday! My legs cramped up from the start, and it was hard to stay loose, but I think I was just sore from sleeping on a different bed last night, and all the traveling in the car today.

WEIGH IN- Last week: 170
This week: 166.5!

DOWN 3.5 POUNDS!!!! YEAH!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Today's Food:

Breakfast: PowerBar (230)

Lunch: 1 Hamburg BBQ sandwich
Chips (140)
2 carrots with ranch dressing
1 small brownie

Snack: chocolate rice cake

Dinner: 9 crackers with shrimp dip
orange
1 small brownie

Snack: 3 pieces Christmas candy
small bowl of oatmeal with raisins
1 cup milk

Workout: completed 2 miles on the track in the wind and sleet. Not very good time on running my mile- 13:13, up from yesterday, but the weather was terrible, and my legs were a little sore. I walked the second mile, and finished 2 miles in 29:29.

Today was a difficult day; I found myself looking for food out of boredom, which is dangerous for me- it is days like this that are the worst- when the weather is bad, and I am cooped up inside with nothing to do, I just start eating. I was able to avoid it most of the day, with only a couple slipups, so I am proud for that.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Today isn't such a great food day; I am busy trying to get things done at work, and get the house cleaned and bags packed before we leave to go visit my parents tomorrow for a few days. Stress eating is a terrible thing!

Breakfast: PowerBar- 230
Snack: Choc rice cake with Peanut Butter- 100
Lunch: Michelinas shrimp, veggies and pasta meal- 260
Orange: 60
Snack: 3 small pieces chocolate candy (mini Goodbar, 2 Hershey kisses)
Dinner: BBQ (no roll)
2 carrots with ranch
chips
Snack: 2 Cookies and milk

Workout: Off today; my SI joints are killing me today, so I want to take a break before I have to sit in a car for a few hours after work tomorrow! Maybe I will try and do an ab workout before bed tonight though.

PS- Is anyone actually reading this journal? I see everyone posting on each others journals, and I am wondering if I joined to late to get to know everyone. I just feel like I need some encouragement- dh has told me that "this running thing" will never last, and he pretty much laughed himself silly when I told him I wanted to run a 5K this summer. It just makes things more difficult when you feel like you have to go it alone, kwim?

 

[DisDee]

Hi Lisa, Welcome to the WISH boards! You'll find some great people here with lots of motivational stories. Keep posting thru this busy time of the year and when January comes, you can hit the ground running. You're off to a great start, just by journaling. I WISH you the best!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Thanks DisDee for the welcome to the journals!

I am at my parents house visiting for a couple days, and they have dial-up, so I may be MIA for a couple days if I can't get on the internet.

For 12/27:
B: orange
Snack: choc rice cake with pb
L: Scrimp scampi Lean Cuisine meal (270)
S: Clif bar (250)
D: Wendy's Jr Bacon Cheeseburger, Baked potato with butter/sour cream
S: 2 Hershey kisses

Workout: I went to work early and ran on the treadmill- felt pretty good, did a mile in about 13:00- I ran out of time before I had to work, so I felt rushed, but glad that I did anything at all! My legs felt great on the treadmill, but it was sort of boring- nothing to look at!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

I have MIA for a couple days; we are still visiting my parents, and I have been sick with a nasty strain of the flu for the past couple days. Eating has been so-so; I haven't gone totally overboard, but yet I am pretty much eating what I want, when I want it! We will see the damage I guess tomorrow when I do my weigh-in. If I didn't gain anything, I am doing ok I think!

As for running, I am very proud in that department! On Thursday, I ran 1.1 miles without stopping for the first time! My time wasn't great (15:43), but I was so proud for not stopping! My legs felt great, too. Then Friday I bought myself an MP3 players as a gift to myself, and I ran with that. Not only did I run 1.1 miles without stopping, but I did it in 14:24!!! I was really happy about that.

I took today off because I have been feeling terrible today with a lot of congestion, but I hope to feel well enough tomorrow to get back out there and run!

Hope everyone has a happy New Year!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Hi there, Lisa!! How's it going??

By the way, if you ever need a buddy, I'm here

 

[goldcupmom]

Welcome to WISH, Lisa! You're certainly off to a good start!

Have a Healthy, Happy New Year!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Thanks to everyone saying "hi"- it means a lot to know that I have support. It seems no one in my family believes that I can keep up the running program except me. I asked my sister if she would consider doing the Minnie Marathon with me in May, and she told me no, because doesn't want to spend the money to go if I won't keep up the running.

I am seriously considering going by myself. How nice would it be to come home with a medal around my neck to show off to all the doubters?!?! The hardest part for me is trying to come up with the money; we have been pinching pennies to do some work around the house, and I don't know if a Disney trip will fit into that budget, even if it is just me.

Ok, well, I weighed in today, and I am up a pound, at 167.5. Ok, I was a little disappointed, but I guess I shouldn't be too hard on myself from over the holidays. I am trying to focus on the good things, in that there were many times this weekend that I passed on cookies, candy, etc, and opted for a piece of fruit or a salad instead. So, baby steps.

I did make it for my run today, but I felt horrible! I have terrible chest and sinus congestion from this flu bug, and it makes for a miserable run. I did finish my run though, and did 1.1 miles in 14:01. I couldn't believe I still bettered my time even with feeling yucky. Something to be proud of!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

For 1/1:

I have decided to do a handwritten food journal that I can carry around with me, so rather than take up room here writing it all out, I will instead write the total calories for the day (at least estimated) to make myself accountable for that much anyway:

Today: 1600 cal

Workout: Ran with my MP3 player, and kept a good pace- did a new route at home. It was warm out today- in the 60's - what month is this?!?! I felt pretty good, but this stupid congestion I have is keeping me back. I did my best time ever for a mile run- 11:56!!! Then I walked for about 5 minutes, then ran again for 0.1 mile, for a total run time of 13:26.

Tomorrow I want to start doing a "pat on the back" section in my journal- something that I did that day that I am proud of myself for doing- whether it is not taking an extra helping of dessert, or running longer, I want to focus on the positives during this journey.

 

[zigzagzerr]

Lisa,

Congratulations on making this commitment to yourself!

Don't worry about the people who think you won't follow through -- I always figure that those people are there just to provide additional motivation. Don't you love proving them wrong?

Keep up the good work!!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

For 1/2:

Food, just so-so. I have so much trouble with late-night eating. I worked a 12 hour shift, so when I got home I was so hungry! I did eat some peanut brittle, but I was able to curb my hunger a little bit with a tall glass of chocolate skim milk.

Workout: I was really happy with my run tonight! I decided to do a new route, and just take things slow and easy, and basically run for time. I didn't care how far I got necessarily, but I wanted to see how long I could run without stopping. I made it for 22 minutes! Coming from a self-proclaimed couch potato, I was extremely happy with myself! Then I measured my distance, and I was shocked to see that I had run 1.6 miles, at a pace of 13:45 mi/min! I was really proud of myself, and I felt pretty good about the pace, since the new route had some hills in it.

Pat on the back for today: Keeping my motivation. I worked a long day, came home about 9:30 pm, and went out for a run after all of that.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

For 1/3:

Food, not so good today. I did pretty well at first, but I was hungry all day long, lol. I did a run right after work, and when I got home at 9:00 pm, I was starving!! I was just going to eat a little snack, but ended up eating a sandwich, chips and cheese cubes!

I don't know what is going on with my weight right now; I keep weighing myself everyday (I know, you aren't supposed to do that!), but my weight is going UP instead of DOWN!! I don't know what is going on; I have been making better eating choices, and I have been doing the workouts, but just not seeing any changes. I am just having a frustrating day I think.

As far as a workout, I was a little sore today, so I ran on the treadmill at work when I was done. I have decided I don't like running on a treadmill at all- my legs get sore, and I get too bored. With cold weather coming, though, I may have to get used to it. I did ok on the run; I did 1.36 miles in 17 minutes, which came out to a pace of 12:30 min/mile.

Pat on the back for today: Running even though my legs and back were sore from yesterday. Also for telling a friend yesterday that I want to run the 5K during the Minnie Marathon weekend- I figured that I need that accountability to make myself go. Now if I could raise the money to be able to actually get there, I will be all set.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

For 1/4:

Eating was ok today, nothing too special. I did make a couple of good choices, and was able to eat more sporadically through the day, rather than binge at night when I got home.

Workout: on the treadmill again- I did a run/walk combination of 5' run, 3' walk, 8' run, 3' walk, 5' run. In the 24 minutes it took to complete this, I made it 1.73 miles. I then walked to complete 2.0 miles in 29 minutes.

Pat on the back- reading up on some motivational DIS'ers stories! This keeps me ready to keep pushing on!