13.1

Today I ran 13.1 miles! I was supposed to run 12 but my running partner and I decided to just add another 1.1 miles and see if we could do the whole thing! I felt GREAT!!! At Mile 11, I was so excited that we were actually doing it that I had goose bumps all over my body. I think I was on that "runners high" because I felt like I could just go and go forever! We finished strong and now I know we are definitely ready for June 12!

10 Miles in 95 Minutes

My training is going well for the Half Marathon. This morning I woke up at 4:40am to run my 10-miler this week. It was actually not as bad as I thought it would be to wake up that early. It actually felt more like I was waking up in the middle of the night. When we started our run it was pitch black and foggy on the trail we ran along the river. Kind of cool, kind of scary. But at least by the time we saw the homeless man sleeping on the trail under the bridge it was light. I was glad I was running with a buddy, although 2 women maybe isn't that much safer. I don't think running on trails in the dark will be a habit. We did make great time though. :)

8 miles in 75 minutes!

Weigh In

Today I weighed in at Weight Watchers. It wasn't a full week, but I'm down 1.6 lbs! I was thrilled! I also ran 6 miles this morning and it was awesome how easy it was compared to the 10 miler on Saturday! Now I just have to be consistent!

10 Miles!

This morning I ran 10 miles! I ran it by myself because my training buddy has bursitis in her knee and it is not quite as easy when you're by yourself. Not as much to distract you. But I RAN the entire way, I never walked or stopped. I was really proud of myself. A few months ago I was proud of myself for running 2 miles without stopping. I feel like I've come a long way. (For the record, I did throw up a little after the run but I feel fine now. I think running that far on an empty stomach and then downing 80 oz. of water right after wasn't the best idea. I think it's also nice to have a physical goal for myself that is not just weight loss.

PS - I started weight watchers this week. I have plateaued for long enough. I am really ready to lose that last 15 pounds! The leader said something that really hit home with me. She said "The bottom line is: If you track, you will lose. If you don't, you won't." That is absolutely true with me.

8 miles!

I feel so great! I just ran 8 miles this morning and I feel fantastic! My right knee is a little sore but other than that, I'm good. I am training for the UV Half Marathon June 12th. I'm training with a friend and that makes it SOOO much more enjoyable. The time actually flies when we are running and I have somebody to help me stay motivated.

New High

Running that is. I have completely plateaued in my weight, which is frustrating. But, I am doing well with my running. This morning I ran 6 miles! There are 11 weeks left until the half marathon and now the training schedule starts to ramp up a bit. I've been trucking along at 2-4 miles, 3 x/week but now it's time to push it a little. I actually felt GREAT this morning during the run and even after. Aside from needing new shoes, I'm not terribly sore. I guess that's good since I'm running 4 miles tomorrow and 6 again on Saturday. *sigh* At least it always feels good when I'm done. :)

4.6 in 45 minutes

I Love Running!

I am LOVING running! I started training for my half marathon 2 weeks ago and I have run 6 times and cross-trained 4 times in the last two weeks. It feels so good to move and even be sore because it's the pain of accomplishment. I think it's easier for me to exercise when I have a clear, concrete goal of the half marathon. I don't care so much about calories burned or weight lost from exercising as I do about being able to finish the half marathon without walking. (Oh, I forgot to weigh in, but I just stayed the same this month. I'm a little bummed but I guess it's better than gaining).

2 miles down. . . . ??? more to go

Today I started my training for the Half Marathon I signed up for on June 12th. I have been working out since Jan. 1 but not running since it is FREEEEZING! But despite the temperature in the teens, I ran. I ran two miles without stopping. I know it's not a lot, but it's a start. I've got to start somewhere, right? I have 15 weeks until the half marathon. I'm REALLY excited!!!

PS - We just got back from 8 days in sunny, beautiful, warm (can you tell I'm jealous) San Diego where I packed on 5 pounds in one week. Scary. A hotel with no kitchen and a McDonald's in the parking lot and toting around 5 kids did not help the diet. But I'm back down 5 so it's all good. I think if you gain it that fast, you can lose it that fast if you do it right away. I'm hoping I can keep the downward trend!

Honesty

I am already frustrated again. I am pretty up and down huh? So I have done PERFECT since Sunday. Not just thought I've done perfect, I REALLY have done perfect. I even went out to dinner last night at Olive Garden and had minestrone soup (100 calories), salad w/ their lite dressing (120 calories) and 1/2 breadstick (75 calories). Then we went to a Jazz game and I didn't have any game food. I had a 90 calorie Red Mango frozen yogurt (SOOO good by the way). I stepped on the scale this morning and I'm up 2 pounds from Wednesday (when I was down 2 pounds). So now after 7 days I have not lost ANYTHING! AAAHHH! I'm not sure what is happening. :(

Results!

I'm finally seeing results! I have been doing perfect (eat clean diet) since Sunday and have lost 2 pounds since then! I wasn't supposed to weigh in until 2/5 but I just couldn't stand it any longer. I feel WAY better too! Success brings success so here we go! Only 8 days left and I want to be down 2 more pounds. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. :)

I'm Finally Getting It.

I've been on again, off again for the first two weeks of the competition. Now I feel like it's finally "clicked" and I'm ready to be ON! I've done perfect (eat clean diet) for 3 days in a row and I'm actually enjoying the food!

Apparently I'm Not Working Out Hard Enough

So this morning I went to my trainer. I was so excited to tell her that I'd ridden 12 miles on the bike. She was clearly not impressed. She said I'm obviously not working hard enough if I could go 12 miles. So she decided to show me exactly how I should be working out on her treadmill. YIKES! I was more tired in 10 minutes on the tread with her than in 50 minutes on the bike on my own. I really was sweating and working on the bike, just not like that! I felt like I was going to collapse at points! So, back to the drawing board. Well at least I don't have to dedicate an hour to working out, just 20-30 minutes if I do it hard enough.

12 Miles on the Bike!

Okay, I know...2 posts in one day is a little much. But I just did 12 miles on the bike so I have to share my excitement! Yay me! (I just wish I hadn't nibbled on that chocolate cake or it would have meant a little more). :)

Great Job Everyone!

I've just been reading through your blogs and everyone is doing so well. It's so inspiring! I don't think I'm doing that well (no big losses to report yet and I'm staying off the scale until 2/5). But I am feeling much more fit! Yesterday my husband and I went skiing again with our oldest two kids and I even hit a few jumps which really impressed my 7 year old son ;) I just can't say enough how glad I am to NOT be pregnant! I have been pregnant for 50 months of my life. That's over FOUR YEARS! I know I don't look my best but it is SOOO great to have some agility and stamina back after all of those years of ups and downs with my pregnancies. It is so great to be active again. I can't wait to start running outside!

Yikes! I Kind of Blew It.

So here's my usual pattern: do well for a week or two. See little results. Get frustrated & have a terrible day. Then the cycle starts all over. Yikes! Well, today I have done pretty terrible, but not as terrible as I could have. But this time I'm just going to get over the scale and get back on track. I don't care what the number is, if I stick to the plan (the eat clean diet) then I'll see results eventually. I'm not going to weigh myself again until February 5th. Is that a good or bad idea? I'm not sure.

I'm Not a Patient Person

I hate that I have been doing well for a week and keep stepping on the scale hoping to see a change and it stays the same or even goes up a tiny bit! I have been exercising like crazy (for me) and eating well (I think) but I just want to see that number go down! :( My husband keeps telling me I look skinnier but I think he's just being nice.

Stronger!

I did tricep dips on the first day with my trainer and fatigued at 8. Today I did 19!

My new daily goal is to eat 5 FIVE 5 fruits and veggies each day.

I've already turned a good snack into a bad snack. NUTS. Yes, nuts. They're healthy, portable and full of protein, right? Well, not when you eat 2 cups of them! I find that I can pop a handful of almonds into my mouth about 10 times a day thinking I'm being "healthy." So now all of my nuts are in the freezer. Out of sight, out of mind. :)

I Hurt All Over

Yesterday I worked out REALLY hard with the help of a trainer who is all business. She will not let me slack at all! Then I went skiing for 4 hours. Today I hurt all over so I put off exercising as long as I could. But I still rode my bike tonight for 6 miles! Yay! I still REALLY hurt all over and I have to go back to the trainer tomorrow first thing in the morning. It's worth it, right? (Tell me it is cause I'm not always sure). :) I do sleep better when I've worked out but I also seem to have a MUCH bigger appetite. Is that all in my head or is that real?

PS - Week 1 weigh in 142.8 (-1.4 lbs) :)
8 days without sugar or white flour. Does it ever get easier?

Okay, I'm in love.

I found a new meal that is to DIE for! Morningstar Black Bean burger (210 calories), 1/4 avocado (40 calories), sliced tomatoes wrapped up in romaine lettuce. uh_MAAAY_zing!

I said NO!!

Today I said "NO Thanks!" to homemade brownies (my 9 yr old daughter loves to bake), mango & sticky rice (my favorite thai dessert), and spaghetti noodles at dinner! Not much, but I'm feeling quite proud of myself. I won't lie, the brownies are still in the kitchen and it is still a temptation, but every time I say no, it gets easier the next time. I'm off to ride my bike and burn a few calories while I watch reruns of "The Office."

I might have to send these to work with my husband tomorrow, or just throw them away. Better to waste, than to be on my waist, right?

Why do I always want to eat after I work out?

I just did an hour of Strength Training. It was killer but I feel great (and really sore)! After my workout I wanted a treat (why does it work that way?) but I made the yummiest, HEALTHY treat! I used a cup of ice, an orange, 2 packets of stevia and a 1/4 milk and blended it all up in the magic bullet. It was the most deliciously refreshing 100 calories I've had in a long time!

A Little About Me

So I named my blog "Just Do It." Cliche? Yes, I know. But I'm tired of making excuses and always "trying" and talking about it...I'm ready to just DO it!

So I guess I should post a little about myself for my fellow competitors. It's probably a pretty typical story, but oh well. This is probably more for me than anyone else. But read on if you're interested. I'll try not to be too boring.

In High School I weighed 115 lbs. and thought I was fat. I wore my older brother's baggy sweatshirts and always wore a t-shirt over my swimsuit. (Ridiculous! I would kill to be 115 again)!

After my freshman year of college I weighed 140 lbs. I made WAY TOO MANY trips to the BYU Creamery and ate way too much greasy food and probably wore sweat pants way too often because I was too poor to buy bigger clothes (but my roommates and I did have lots of fun).

I stayed that weight for about a year then decided to do something drastic about it. I went home for the summer and trained for and rode the STP (a 196 mile bike ride from Seattle to Portland) training with my Grandpa of all people! I had not regularly exercised in a long time so it was a long uphill battle. But I did it! And after a summer of training I went back to school at 120 lbs. I stayed that weight and started running 3 miles a day for several years until I started having babies.

2000 (24 yrs. old) Baby #1: Gained 30 lbs. I lost it all afterward without too much effort.

2002 (26 yrs. old) Baby #2: Gained 35 lbs. Lost most with little effort. Kept about 5 lbs.

2004 (28 yrs. old) Baby #3: Gained 50 lbs. Lost about 20 just after the pregnancy. Got stuck there for several months. Joined WW and lost 20 more. (Down to 130 lbs.)

2006 (30 yrs. old) Baby #4: Gained 50 lbs. Lost about 20 just after the pregnancy. Lost about 10 more. (Down to 150 lbs.)

2008 (32 yrs. old) Baby #5: Gained 60 lbs. Lost about 15 after the pregnancy. I was stuck at 174.4 (and maternity clothes) for a long time. Then I decided to start tracking my food and joined WW online. From November 2008 to now I've lost 30.2 lbs. It's been a little slow because I haven't been very consistent with my efforts and I have not exercised at all, but I guess at least it's in the right direction.

So now I'm at 144.2 and I want to lose 25 more by June. My husband and I are taking the entire family to Hawaii in July and I want to wear my swimsuit WITHOUT a t-shirt! :) I also want to run the Utah Valley Half Marathon in June. I haven't exercised regularly since I got pregnant with my first baby in 1999! I guess there's no better time to start than NOW, right?

2010: So 5 kids, starting a business, the usual crazy busy life and my 34th birthday coming up I am ready to be 119 lbs. by June! (I say 119 because I think it would be pretty amazing to be less than I was when I got married, even if it's just one pound)! I'm so excited to do this with all of you because I really need the accountability and support!

Before Pictures and Official Weigh In

Here we go!

Day One

Today I officially start my "diet" or rather my permanent change in lifestyle. As of today I am off sugar and white flour. Here are my 2010 goals:

Run the Utah Valley Half Marathon on June 12th
Lose 25 lbs. by June 12th

It doesn't look so scary when you write it like that.

So this is how I'm going to get there:

Weight Training 2x per week
Ride the bike 10 miles per week
Run 4 days per week (3-5 miles each day) starting March 1st (when it warms up a bit outside)
Eat 5 small meals of 200-300 calories each per day
NO sugar
NO white flour

I'm taking some "before" pictures soon even though it's totally embarrassing.

Here are my January 4, 2010 stats:
5'2"
145.6 lbs.
? % body fat
? measurements

6:51pm - So far, so good! :)