Improvement is Inspiring

This week I decided to train to run a 5K.  I thought Thanksgiving morning would be adequate enough target.  Still looking for a race, though.  I narrowed it down from three to two...

Three running work outs, and I am already seeing improvements.
Week 1 Day 1:













Week 1 Day 2:


Week 1 Day 3:


It really helps me stay inspired to see how my results are improving.  Keep in mind this includes warm up and cool down.  The walk/run ratio is 1.5:1.   I am doing it on the treadmill, so I can control my speed.  I try to go up .1 from the previous training. 

My running partner is getting old, so I don't want to tax her too much.  I can tell she is starting to get stiff in her back hips, but she does not let on that it is bothering her.  She recently turned 10 and refuses to act her age.  She is hyper and anxious, and usually happy to be on a leash next to me...except when she sees a rabbit or another dog...

Recap Update Repeat

Recap: 5/23/2013 - I hit a major milestone in my adult life.  I hit my goal weight.  This is the smallest I have been in my adult life.  I weighed in at 150.

Update: Fast forward to now.  I have gained 10 pounds.  Life threw me for a loop in the past 4ish months.  So many things changed for me in the past three and a half months. I thought it would be easier at my "goal weight" to navigate through all the changes - a move, a new job (longer commute, different hours), and other major life changes. What I really learned, is you need to keep with it.  You can't abandon what is working for you and expect nothing to change.  You don't suddenly become an expert or resilient to weight gain, because you have reached your goal weight.  You still have to work your new lifestyle.  You still have to plan in your new lifestyle.  You still have to accept failure in your new lifestyle.

So here I am, standing up, and brushing myself off.  Here is me putting one foot in front of the other and changing the way I have lived for the past 3 months.  Here is me getting back in-touch with good habits I abandoned.

Today, I tracked food and exercise for the first time in a long time ( I would say a coon's age, but I don't know if everyone knows what that means...or I could say since way back in the day...but it really hasn't been that long).
Today, I exercised for the first time in 4 months.
Today, I set goals for myself.

1. I will run a 5K around Thanksgiving.  (Readers, any suggestions on how to pick a race?  There are three in the running.  They are all at the same time, so it is not like I can say...I am going to do all three.)
2. I will lose 20 pounds by 1/1/2014. (Thanks to a dear friend for thinking and encouraging me to try to lose 10 more beyond my original goal).
3.  I will track my food and exercise everyday this week.
4. Weekly, I will plan my meals. (No more using convenience as a reason to not pack a lunch or cook dinner at home!)

I will do my best to keep you updated and me accountable.