Today Might Just Be the Day...

What happens in the daily life of the family.. the drama of foster care, the adventures of parenting, & pictures to share with everyone!

It’s Hard!

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One of my favorite little weight loss sayings..

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And it is true!

What they left out in there is that maintenance is nearly impossible! I googled a couple years back and the fact is that the deck is stacked against me. Keeping weight off is virtually impossible. A quick search popped up…

I am one of the ones who has failed. I have failed over and over and over again.

But, I also am one of the success stories. I am not at my lowest weight right now. But, I am also not at my highest. A few years back I dropped over 50 pounds. I have kept at least 25 of that off ever since. Right now I am 46 pounds lighter than my heaviest. I am still obese and I am still fighting the battle. But, I have won. And here is a little photographic proof…

I am going to put this up here and leave it for those days that I need a reminder that I am a loser 😉

Before...

Before…

January of this year.

January of this year.

I think/hope that it’s pretty obvious in just my face.

Blood, Sweat & Tears

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You all know that I run. And, if you have met me in real life, or seen me run, you know that I am s-l-o-w. There were a few brief moments over the past few years that I wasn’t so slow, but then I have promptly returned to my turtle pace.

I love half marathons… They’re far enough to be a real challenge, but short enough that training doesn’t have to take over my entire life. And I can usually walk the next day 🙂

But, at my speed, half marathons are a grind. They just take a long time. And it’s tough.

In a couple of weeks I will run my next half. I anticipate a time around 3 hours. Yep, 3 hours. Three hours of moving my body, pushing it, grinding out 13.1 miles. Today I was given the gift of a day off. The little dude I watch didn’t need me so I decided to sneak in my long run for the week. I did a 10 mile run. It took me about 2.5 hours.

Historically, if I run over 10 miles there are tears involved… Sometimes there’s a full-on mental breakdown and sobbing even (darn the 26.2 distance!). Usually, they’re happy tears. Almost always they come from thinking about my life. I am a very lucky girl. I start thinking about how amazing it is that this chunky middle-aged mom of 4 can accomplish pushing herself this far.. I think about how often I have doubted myself and cry because there was no need.

But, what really gets the tears flowing is my husband.

During my training, he puts up with me talking non-stop about training.

He does give me a hard time about the race fees, but he is the one earning the money that pays for the races.

He, thankfully, seems to turn a blind eye to the stacks of running clothes and new shoes that magically appear.

He doesn’t get disgusted by my missing toe nails or the weird chaffing issues–at least if he does he hides it well.

And, more importantly, he believes in me. Many times I have sent a text message to him during those long miles. I tell him the truth about how I feel and share my doubt. He never flinches. He always has an encouraging word. He has my back. Today, at mile 8, I was fairly certain I couldn’t run anymore. I decided I would walk and I would complete the distance, but I wouldn’t speed up. I sent him a text. He responded with encouragement and the idea of changing up my music. And it was just what I needed. I think that those last 2 miles were faster than the 2 before. I cranked up some rap and sang along (you can be glad you didn’t have to bear witness to this sight!). And I could almost feel him here with me.

And, yes, I did cry.

I have a wonderful husband.

 

Ouch!

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I just started a new fitness routine. A neighbor mom invited me to try a bootcamp with her, and I loved it. I have been going a couple of weeks now. But, as of yesterday, that routine is cancelled. I don’t think anything traumatic happened, but I am injured. I did something to my Achilles’ tendon. I went to urgent care today & they really didn’t have much as far as info & it doesn’t appear that I can really do much for it other than rest.

I am frustrated and annoyed and in pain. No bueno!

And, on top of that, I rely on my workouts for the mood boosts.

So, I apologize in advance. I will do my best to hop along and keep up and whatnot, but I am pretty sure I will be a grouch for the foreseeable future.

New Year

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So, we made it!

Last year was so very fast.

But, here we are in 2013.

Life is o.k. I am struggling with my diet. I can’t decide what direction I want to go… And I don’t know I this is where I want my weight to be. I am very comfortable with my size, but I still haven’t made it to a healthy BMI.

The kids are alright, too. We will get grades when they go back to school. I am hoping for the best, but expecting that they will show that they need to work a little harder.

It is so nice to have B living here full time–last year at this time he was only home on the weekends. But, he is still working a lot. Today will be another 12+ hour day for him. And him being at work that long means the kids & I missing him that many hours.

So, here we go…

I don’t feel ready for another year to speed by, but I don’t see anything slowing down anytime soon.

Hope you and yours are having a great start to the year.

Runner!

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Half marathon #4 is in the record book!

I dropped my time 40 minutes from what it was last year at the same race.

I am sore today (could barely so stairs yesterday!), but am still very proud of myself 🙂

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Keep on Moving

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I struggle with depression. Some people don’t know this about me. I am on medication. I work really hard to be as healthy mentally as possible. But, it is a struggle. No doubt about it, it can wear me down.

However, I have to say that the past year or so has been a lot better. There have been fewer really bad days. And that is a good thing. And I think that there is one thing that I am sure that has helped me and that is running. I can’t say that I wake up and itch to jog or anything crazy like that. But, I do feel better after a jog. It gives me time alone. It pumps the endorphins. And, I hear it’s good for weight loss (although, you really can’t tell by looking at me).

One of the things that I *need* if I want to keep going as far as running is a goal. Last year, it was my first half marathon. After that one, I signed up for a couple more so I couldn’t slack on the training. Now, I’m working towards being able to jog all 13.1 miles next November without doing intervals (for the ones I’ve run so far I’ve done 8 minutes of jogging, 2 of walking throughout the whole course).

And I am very excited that the husband has now signed up for his first half early next year!!!

While I’m working away, my mom actually asked me about training, too. She’s considering doing her first half 🙂

So, I wanted to share a few links that I use.

First, to find a run near you check out www.active.com

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Ack!

I just re-read this post and saw that half of what I’d typed is missing. I am guessing I was a victim of myself–not saving my changes.

Anyhow, there are a few things that were left out!

If you’re just starting to jog/run, I highly reccomend a program called “Couch to 5k”. If you google, you’ll find a bunch of hits and sites that talk about this program. It’s 9 weeks long and uses intervals to build up to being able to run 30 minutes straight. If you jog with a ipod or MP3 player, search for podcasts and you’ll find a bunch that will guide you through each workout. Now, I know I *just* said that it’s 9 weeks long, but I encourage you to make it your own. Personally, I’ve always been able to skip the first couple of weeks–even though I’ve not always been a runner, I’ve always done some cardio so I was able to skip ahead. Also, you may find that some weeks are just too tough. It’s just fine to repeat a week. I fall back on the intervals for nearly all of my long runs and used intervals for all of my half marathons (I’ve jogged 8 minutes walked 2 for the whole 13.1 miles!). So, go take a look–http://www.c25k.com/

After you’ve mastered the 5k you can move onto a 10k or start your marathon training 🙂

For marathons I’ve always been told that Hal Higdon is “the man”. Don’t ask me his story or anything like that (I don’t research these things, I just go for it! Ha!).. But, he has some awesome training plans. Check out his site (http://www.halhigdon.com/) for his training plans.

Now, as I built up my distances I needed more info.. I’ve turned to a few running magazines and blogs.. I don’t think it really matters where you look as long as you trust the source and make sure that you’re not taking on more than your body can handle.

I would love to hear if you are doing any races or runs or resources that you use for your training!

 

 

 

 

I was Running, Jenny

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O.K. I swear, I have been trying and trying and trying to post…
Right now I have my fingers crossed that I’m not typing this all just to perfect my mad skills… rather, I’m hoping that I’ll actually get a whole darn blog post out of it!
As promised, I wanted to share a little about my running (or jogging, but I feel better if I call it running… ). A couple months ago I started a program called Couch to 5k. Basically, it is a plan to take a couch potato (like myself) and get them in good enough shape to jog for 30 minutes straight or a 5k in theory. Now, maybe other beginning runners can run a 5k in 30 minutes, but I cannot. And I’m not sure I will ever be able to . But, I’m o.k. with that.
Anyhow, I started the program, but then I was really unfaithful to it. So, I kind of started skipping around. But, I kept the key concept of using intervals to build up. And I built up to the point that I can now jog over 30 minutes straight and in that time I make it about 2.75 miles (a 5k is 3.12 miles). Way back when I’d started couch to 5k, I’d had it in mind that I’d do a local run in April.
For the past 7 years, there’s been a 4.2 mile run held on and around ASU’s campus to support the Pat Tillman foundation. And that was the goal that I had in the back of my mind. But, I didn’t sign up right away… In fact, I waited until only a couple weeks before the run to sign up. But, I did it. And that’s the key for me. I actually went through and did it.
So on 4/16, I got up at the crack of dawn and Brian got the kids up at o’dark 30 as well and we were off. They dropped me off at 6:30, then headed to the Grandparent’s house where they left the little ones.. then the big boys and Brian headed back.
Being a beginning runner, I had made it a goal to finish the 4.2 miles in under an hour. So, out of 28 corrals, I was in corral 21. It was insane! The first runners left the gate at 7:00, my corral started right around 7:35 or so. Next year I *need* a buddy to do this run for me because an hour was a really long time to sit around and wait and wonder if I’d really make it! Anyhow… I started out at a jog and I made it a little over a mile before I walked.. And I was frustrated with myself. I know/knew that I should/could have run farther before stopping to walk. But, I never jog outside. All of my training had been on a treadmill at the gym. And I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that many people in one place, let alone jogged with that many people! It was sort of like doing a slalom course.. there were people all over the place who were walking or jogging at varrying paces and there were just so *many* people! Also, there was that whole hill factor. Ugh! Around mile 2 I was wondering what in the heck I was thinking.
I also was wondering about pace.
When we’d gone through the start, I hadn’t paid any attention, so I had no clue how long my first mile took. I was able to figure out the time on my second and third miles based on when I’d finished the first, but I was doubting myself the whole way. Even as I finished, I was beating myself up over the fact that I didn’t train enough before and I didn’t push msyelf hard enough that day.
But, needless to say, I did finish.
And, I beat my goal.
I finished in a little under 55 minutes.. that’s a 13 minute mile, or jogging right around 4.6 miles an hour.
That day I wasn’t happy with that time. But, then a couple days later I tried to replicate it on the treadmill and I couldn’t. So, now I’m pretty darn happy with that time. And I’m ready to take on the next challenge. I’ve started shopping for a half marathon or a 10k that sound like fun. I just wish I hadn’t started this all as we went into the beginning of summer as we’ll be in the 100’s here very shortly.
I will also add that my big boys came along that morning because they ran, too. There was a kids’ run that was .42 miles and ended the same place the adult event did–on the 42 yard like of Sun Devil Stadium. They did really well. And I was and am proud of them! We’ve been doing a weekly circuit class together since January and I love the fact that my boys are willing to go sweat with me!
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Well, it looks like this post might actually be a success–just like my run! Although, I don’t want to jinx myself…
Should this really be working, look for more blogging very soon! I have a girl friend who’s doing a give away on here very soon!
Oh, and in addition to those other things that I said I’d be blogging about, I’ll also be begging to you all soon too! In addition to all of the jogging, we’re getting ready for a 5k walk that will take place this Fall, but we’ve already started to raise funds. Our team has a goal of $2k & I hope that you’ll help us get there!
Happy Easter-Eve!

I’m still running…

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So, here we are. Twenty-five days into the new year (if my math is correct). Are you where you thought you’d be? Have you kept up with all of those “goals”?

I’ve been struggling personally with depression–without the distraction of lots of little people, it becomes a bigger problem. And I was chatting with a friend about it. I was saying that the good news is that tomorrow is a new day.. so, I can always just start over again on whatever journey or plan or goal that I have each new day if one day is ruined for whatever reason. And she reminded me that our days can start whenever we’d like–how cool is that?!? So, if the morning is bad, you can start again that next hour.. lunch or dinner or whenever you like.

You’re the boss applesauce.

I love that!

So, I have to brag on myself a bit.. I have been sticking to my goal of a mile a day. I’ve actually been whooping up on that goal! I’ve already gone 35 miles! This would take me?? I need to get out a map and figure it out. Maybe next month I’ll track my journey on streets and see where I could have gone while I’ve been running on the hamster wheel.

I can’t say that I’ve lost any weight. Well, I guess I could… but that would be a total lie.

But, it is getting easier to do the workout. And I’m moving faster. And I enjoy it. Well, I don’t know if I enjoy the actual time on the treadmill, but I love having done it. I love the sense of accomplishment that I get from that time on the machine. One of my biggest gripes about my “job” is that I never get anything done, there’s always more laundry or another meal… I can finish a workout. And I can be proud of it being done.

I wish I could say that I’m energize for the day ahead afterwards, but that’s not true at this point.

Actually, the last couple days I’ve been really nauseous in the mornings. Yesterday it hit me after the kids finished breakfast. Today I nearly fell over in the shower. Any clue what’s up with that? I’m thinking that it might be the new vitamin that I’ve been taking. Ugh.

Anyhow, I have a feeling that in time, the workouts will give me more than just the fact that I did something. But, I’ll take what I can get for now.