Stacie's Journey for Weight Loss and the 1/2 Marathon Jan 09!

[toystoryduo]

That's great that you're going to do the 15K, Stacie! Your plan looks good! You CAN do it!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

 

[momof2minnies]

Stacie,
It sounds like it was a great time.You sound focused and ready for your next challenge.Way to go!!!!!!!

Linda

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Stacie!!!!! I am so psyched that you decided to go for the Minnie
15k!!! You can sooooooooooooooo do it! I have no doubt in my mine that you can train and get this thing done!

I can so relate to how you were feeling over the weekend. On Sunday/Monday when we were walking around and I saw so many people with Goofy medals on, and I kept saying to myself...'I want one of those'...and low and behold I am thinking about the Goofy! That is the competitive part of us I guess.

As for the training plan, I have used the Hal Higdon plans for both my Half marathon and Full, and I loved them. I felt great during both races, and didn't feel undertrained. I mean I felt that way before the race, but during/after the race, I felt great. Also, I actually usually do my LR on saturdays, so I had to adjust it a little bit as well. My advice would be to find something that works with you and go with it!

I hope you have an awesome weekend!

 

[smileyk8]

yay another 15km running buddy!!!!!
I'm so thrilled you are setting yourself this great challenge and i'm absolutely certain you'll do brilliantly from the journey you've been through so far. I'm watching keenly to see what training is suggested for you- i'm still trying to follow hal higdon's but am struggling to fit in cross training too!
You did so fantastically at the 5km, but i totally understand you're feelings of wanting more. I arrived back at work after my 5km feeling thrilled, but my colleague had just done a marathon so i felt a bit silly
Can't wait to follow your progress

 

[postesf]

Hi guys. So I'm still thinking about this whole training plan thing... But exercise aside for second.

I just want apologize for my journal entries being "all over the place" Sometimes I feel like they are just kinda crazy and not organized really well. Thanks for continuing to follow along!

I did just want to mention on a personal note that I now I have an IPOD--thanks to my DH, Matt. That was his gift to me for losing 20lbs! I also opted for a new hair cut this week. I decided it was time for a change. It's now a bit shorter.

As I sit here typing, it's snowing outside. I think we will only get a dusting, but it's a nice change. My poor inlaws though...they left for Disney today. It's my nephew's first time. They have had such huge problems w/ their flights continuting to be changed and finally they left today and had a layover in Atlanta. They finally got to WDW about 3-4 hr late. Not a great start to their trip, but I do hope they have a fantastic time.

I really don't have much to say, but feel the need to type something. Weird I know. I guess I'm just having such mixed feelings about the 5K, my future events, weight loss...

I do want to Thank you all for your continued support in my journal and fanfare of my 5K.

I really wish I had something profound to say, but in lou of that, I'll just say: After completing this 5K I am a firm believer that if "keep pushing" you can do it. Test your limits, exceed them. It can be done. We need to have limitless expectations of ourselves. We all have so much potential. Exercising is not only physical, but mental. Having that positive attitude is key. If I can do it, anyone can. If I can go from being completely sedative, to losing 20lbs and doing something I never though possible--running the 5K, any one of you can do whatever it is you set your mind to. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Exercise, running or just your goals in general, in life. You CAN do it.


Stacie

 

[momof2minnies]

Stacie,
As I sat here reading your journal I was smiling and saying Yay way to go Stacie!!!!!!!!!! If I had pompoms I probably would have been doing a cheer.(Not really- kill that visual OK)

I love your positivism at the end of your post- I agree! CONGRATS on 20 lbs.

Have a good one,
Linda

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Stacie! You are so right with what you said in your post...we can all do anything if we put our mind to it! I love your positive attitude! Whatever training plan you decide to follow, you are going to do so awesome! I wish I could be there with you guys, but I am going to be running a marathon back here in NJ that same day!

WTG on getting the ipod...I love my ipod and it helps me a lot on those training runs!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Stacie,

I love what you said in your post! Your words are so inspiring!

Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

 

[tinkerbell of winter]

Hey there! I saw you at the 5K! I was the one with the minature pirate by my side and bum knee but we did it in about 48 minutes, I walked more than usual because of the knee, I didn't want to push it too hard. Are you doing the Minnie 15K? I am also thinking about doing that, i'll have to see what the trip will cost me first. Great job!! I'm getting back to workout mode tomorrow, the knee is better and it's time to go!

 

[postesf]

Thanks guys! Tinkbell of Winter... Congrats on finishing the 5k! Maybe I'll get to meet you this time in May.

So...Today is back to the workouts. I plan to aquacise and do the 30 min Step Class tonight.

I have not officially registered yet... But, after some thought, and some encouragment, I've decided I want to try for the Minnie 15K. Matt agreed to do it too, thought he doesn't seem quite so excited...

So, I'll be registering here this afternoon or tomorrow.

Tuesdays are Weigh-in days for BL4. I was down 1.6 lbs this morning, but after a gain last week (which was expected) I am still at 21.2 loss. I am back on track though and back to exercising, so hopefully it will continue to slowly come off.

That's all for now... I hope to add a few pictures soon of our 5K weekend. Stay tuned!

Stacie

 

[postesf]

As promised... Here are a few more pics from our 5K trip... Sorry they are so huge!

At It's a Bug's Life Show...

Me in my special t-shirt I made... Nothing like roller coaster hair!!! I have cut it now though!

Me pretending to be Minnie...

 

[ScoJo15]

Great pics! Thanks for posting....

Love the new avatar too :

 

[AmyBeth68]

THANKS for the Pics Stacie. YOU are the cutest thing ever!!!! Those are awesome picures. Tell Matt I said "HI!". We really look forward to meeting up with you guys in May!!! And we get to meet Susan too!!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Great pictures, Stacie!

Congratulations on this week's weight loss! Keep up the good work!

Have a great day!

 

[postesf]

Yes, this will be the 3rd post today... I think this must be "random thought day." lol!

1) I was looking at pics last night from last April when we went to visit my brother in Oaxaca, Mexico. There were pics from Huatulco, Mexico--where I got the worst blistering (yes, blisters on my face and yes a major freakout!) sunburn on my face. I will probably have major damage from this later on. Anyway...Looking at those pics just totally disgusted me. I looked horrible! The big, red, fat, face. I had on those big flowy gauchos, which totally did not help! I looked as big as the side of my brother's jeep! I was the largest I'm sure in these pictures that I have ever been. It was great remembering what a good time we had (aside from the blisters...), and the things we got to see and experience, but it totally irritated me. It made me wonder...How did I let myself get so big? LAZINESS is the key factor. Yes, I do have a few medical issues, but my goodness, that is no excuse.

2) Relentless Execution... Amy's " Relentless Forward Motion" reminded me of something our divisonal VP used to say. "Relentless Execution" I guess in some ways they could be used interchangeably. To have execution, you must move forward. He used the word relentless a lot! For me to reach my goals of the Minnie 15K and to continue to lose weight, I cannot be lazy. Rest, yes. Rest is needed. But not lazy. I must relentlessly execute my training plan. I must have my base built up and be ready to increase my mileage. No one can do that for me. I must do it myself.

3) I am now on the path of getting healthy and losing weight. Yay me! But I have to wonder...Exactly WHY did it take me soooo long to do this? Since I was a teenager it's been an up hill battle. I did Weight Watchers, lost 10lbs and that was it. Did Atkins, lost 30 lbs and gained it back plus more. I've always had the desire to lose weight and yet it has always seemed impossible. I know now it's not impossible, just very difficult. You have to be disciplined and up until I just couldn't do that. I'm not sure why it's different now, but it is. I'm short. I will never have that long, lean look and that's ok. I'd like to, but I will settle for less flab! For those of you that follow along in Kim's journal, she posted on the Events board a before and after pic of her. WOW! I hope to have a transformation like that too! Way to go Kim!

Oh, I get my "preliminary" test results back today on my Celiac Testing... So, there very well could be a 4th posting..

So..these were just some thoughts I have been having today and wanted to record them...

 

[keenercam]

Stacie – I can’t believe I haven’t posted in your journal before! I am so sorry! I have definitely been reading, though, and celebrating all of your awesome success, and I feel like we know each other from other threads and your wonderful support in my journal (thank you! )!

Congratulations on your 5k! How GREAT does it feel to have that medal? You will only get faster and more endurance from here, especially with all the pounds you aren’t carrying anymore! Can you imagine toting around 4+ five pound bags of sugar on the race course? Because that is how much progress you’d made by the time you went off to do your 5k.

I did want to comment on your post about your achievement compared to others walking around with a lot of “bling” around their necks. I can tell you it took me almost exactly a year to prepare for my first half marathon and in that one year, I did a bunch of 5ks to start to build speed and to keep me motivated. I think my time on the first one was about 55 minutes. I had a LONG way to go. But every single training session I finished was a personal achievement for me! Some of us have never stuck to a regimented exercise schedule before. Just getting into an exercise routine is a HUGE accomplishment for which you should be giving yourself major KUDOS, kiddo! And like Scott said, everyone starts somewhere. Many of the runners you saw at that 5k will keep that type of race as their preferred distance, always working to improve their time, by even a minute (that’s almost 20 seconds improvement to pace per mile!). Others will do that 5k as their last short training run before the longer distance races that weekend. The reality is that whether you are a distance athlete or a 5k athlete, you are an ATHLETE!!! Do not discount your achievement, girl! YOU ROCK!!!!

I am so happy for you, my WISH friend. I can’t wait to get to know you better over the coming months and to see you at Minnie weekend! Congratulations on deciding to do the Minnie 15k. It will be a blast and the medal is awesome!

Reading your most recent post reminds me that I wanted to remind YOU of how far you have come. You look great already and you are so much more fit than you were when you started this journal!

Looking forward to sharing the Road to Minnie with you! Just remember -- "Relentless Execution" or as my mantra is "Relentless Forward Motion"!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Stacie---I have to agree with everything Cam said!! You have already come so far and you are doing so great! Just think not too long ago you didn't think you would ever be able to do a 5k and look what you did last week, you finished and you did AWESOME!!! Now you are setting your goals higher and you are going to do the 15k and do AWESOME!!! It doesn't matter how far or how fast you are running, you are getting out there and you are doing it, and that is a whole lot more than a lot of people in this world do. You should be so proud of yourself and how far you have come over these last few months!!

I think that you are going to have an awesome year and the changes that you will see are going to be GREAT! I really wish I could be there with you guys in May and in January, but that isn't looking so good! So, I will be following along here on your journal!!

Hope all is well with the test results from today.

 

[kimwim8]

For those of you that follow along in Kim's journal, she posted on the Events board a before and after pic of her. WOW! I hope to have a transformation like that too! Way to go Kim!

awwwwwwwwwwww, thanks!

You are completely on the right track, girl! I agree, it takes ALL of us a while to get there, but you are certainly there. Having concrete goals and plans helps SO much! This board helps SO much! And having support at home is the most important thing. And you have all of those things! I love the pics you've posted - and I agree...you're looking GREAT!

Keep it up, lady!! I'm so glad to be along for your journey.

 

[postesf]

Good Morning! Linda, Thanks for the pom-poms! Laurie and Kim...Thanks so much for your encouragment and Cam...yay -- your first post in my journal and how nice and sweet! Amy, Scott and Tracy, thanks for the pic compliments. The support you guys offer is just awesome! I cannot thank you enough!!!

So...got my test results back--only preliminary. They lost the cotton swabs for the gene test so I have do that over. They did send over the preliminary results though for the Gluten Sensitivity. My levels were elelvated and they are suggesting that with any level of gluten sensitivity that you cut gluten completely out of your diet. Until I get the gene test back I will not know if I only have the gluten sensitivity gene or the full-blown celiac gene. Regardless, it looks like I will need try to start cutting gluten out of my diet as much as possible if not completely. This seems totally overwhelming right now and I may opt to not deal with it until I have more information. It will be a few weeks before the gene test results are back. I will definately need to do some research and try to get my heard around this whole gluten free thing. But, did want to put it out there since the result are in. Honestly, this just stinks! Oh, and looks like I'm allergic to cow's milk too. Great! No more dairy stuff. That stinks too. I really like ice cream!

But, I will deal with all this food related mess later. Right now I plan to focus on my workouts, feel good with that and then try to make those small changes in my diet gradually. I don't think that is something I can jump into both feet first.

So...Onto something more positive. I know a lot of you guys workout w/ ipods, mp3s... You may have already found these sites, but I came across a few site where you can buy CDs or download in MP3 format, workout/gym type music. It gives you the BPM (Beats per minute), which I read in a related article, should/could coinside w/ you heartrate. They have Yoga/Pilates Music around 90 beats per minute and then ranging up to the 140s/150s BPM for jogging/running... They play continuously without breaks between songs (I think--at least I read they do on IPODs) and the beat is consistent which will definately help me keep my pace when running. I've found this to be difficult when I create my own playlists.

Here are the two sites...
workoutmusic.com
powermusic.com

I found it interstering and will probably order/download a few for myself. I'll let you know it works if/when I do.

I did do the 30 min step class last night and I did 30 min of aquacise. Today is my scheduled run day. So...I will run tonight. It will be an easy run or run/walk most likely since I haven't done any since the 5K. Well, not easy as in "Wow. That was so easy..." More like, I will not push myself to go faster or longer type easy. It will still be hard!

I guess that is about all for now. Hope everyone has a great day!

Stacie

 

[kimwim8]

Hey girl.

Sorry about the test results. I know that's not what you wanted to hear. But I think you're doing the right thing. Focus on your workouts and do some research on the gluten free diet.

Great job getting back in the running game. You're an inspiration, lady! And thanks for the links! I'm definitely gonna check them out!