Weigh-in - Final 2011 Weigh-in

Last Week's weight - 245.2

This Week weight - 243.0

2.2 lbs lost

I haven't weighed-in in 2 weeks since my mom doesn't own a scale. And considering all the cookies, bagels and cheese, chips, ice cream, cake, Christmas dinners (3), birthday dinners and alcohol I consumed I'm surprised I lost anything.

For the last two days, I've had controlled eating and it's amazing how much I noticed how much better I felt on my run this morning!

For tonight, I'm going to worry about having a blast for NYE and then mentally preparing for the half marathon next weekend.

I know I owe my obligatory 2011 recap and 2012 goals blog posts. I may get to them before I leave for Orlando or I may not, but eventually I'll do them!

Happy New Year to everyone!

A Happy Birthday Indeed!

For my birthday, my lovely mother gave me something I've been coveting for awhile now...

A Garmin Forerunner!

I selected the Forerunner 405 back when Amazon had it on super sale. There are some bad reviews out on this particular model because of the bezzle feature; however, I figured I'd get used to it and figure it out.

Of course it motivated me to get off my rump and take it for a spin this afternoon. I was able to set run/walk intervals for it to beep every 1/2 mile / 1/4 mile.

It snowed last night so it was a chilly/windy run, but I loved running with my Garmin and I was pretty happy with where my pace was:

I feel blessed that I have a parent that is not only supportive of my hobby, but she is willing to buy me gadgets that she doesn't understand. I feel like this could be a new turning point in how I track future training. Happy Birthday to me!

Houndstooth Coat Winner - Marisol

I fell down on the job announcing the winner for the last item since I wasn't online much the last two days.

So, I did the random generator this morning and Marisol is the winner!


Congrats Marisol, you'll look great in this coat!

Send me your address to emtucky[at]gmail[dot]com and I'll ship out your item Friday!

Thanks to everyone who looked at the items, commented and won the giveaways - if you haven't gotten your item yet, they will all be shipped on Friday.

What will you remember about this Christmas?

I've been "home" in St. Louis for the last 36 hours and I'm not going to pretend I've been eating super healthy. But I'm having a great time so far spending time with my family, especially my 4 year old niece. Here are a few gems from our cookie making session on Wednesday night:

First, I gave her the job of unwrapping all the Hershey Kisses for the peanut butter blossoms I was making. I strongly warned her not to eat them since we had not had dinner yet. Every time I looked over at her, it looked like she was eating something. "Madelynnn," I'd say, "are you eating those? Open your mouth and show Auntie Em." And nothing would be in her mouth. After about 3 rounds of this, I saw her put her little fingers out to her mouth - she was eating the little "tips" off the Hershey Kisses! I know I shouldn't, but I couldn't help but laugh.

Then, after an expired peanut butter mishap (seriously, you find the weirdest expired crap in my mom's pantry) I was going to scoop some peanut butter in the trash can and "PLOP!" - a whole scoopful landed on my mom's just cleaned kitchen floor. My niece chimed in, "your mom is going to KILL you!"

I may feel a little guilty about wasting calories on vodka last night and eating too much at dinner, but in 10 years those moments above are what I'll remember from this Christmas. Not how I drank and ate too much or that I gained 5 pounds.

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Beautiful Houndstooth Winter Coat

The winner of this coat is going to be the most stylish girl on the block! Seriously, this is the best piece of clothing I've ever owned and I still love, love, love it. I even tried to make it work for me again this winter, but it clearly wasn't working on me anymore.

This is a Lane Bryant size 26/28 houndstooth, 3/4 sleeve cape-style winter coat. It has a red lining and big black buttons making for beautiful accents. It hit me (I'm 6'0") just past my knees. Since it has wide, 3/4 sleeves I wore it with long black gloves (which I incidentally lost a few years ago), but I also wore it with no gloves and it was perfectly warm. I used to get SO MANY compliments on this coat.

This beauty can now be yours. Just leave a comment by midnight tonight and I will choose a winner by Random.org. I will ship this to the winner on 12/30.

Winners of black and gray sweater & winter coat - Debby and Amber!

I got a little behind yesterday so I have two winners to announce this morning!

First, the winner of the black & gray striped sweater is Debby!


Congrats Debby! Please email me your mailing address at etucky[at]gmail[dot]com.

Now, for yesterday's giveaway of the black winter coat....


Congrats Amber, you're the winner!! Please email me your mailing address to emtucky[at]gmail[dot]com.

I will mail both items out next week when I return home from my holiday travel.

Don't forget to check out today's giveaway! It is the last day of my 12 days of Christmas giveaways and I have saved the best for last!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Black Forcaster Sport Winter Coat

This was my standby winter coat. It is a size 3X Forcaster Sport brand and is black fleece. I actually had to take this out of the dry clean bag to photograph it as I haven't worn it since I had it dry cleaned at the end of winter last year.

It offers a fleece-lined hood and the cuffs can either be worn rolled up or down (I always wore them rolled down because I have freakishly long arms). The lining of one of the pockets does have a hole in it, but you can easily fix it with some simply sewing, so it's not a big deal.

To win this winter coat, leave a comment on this post by midnight tonight. I will choose a winner by Random.org. I will ship it to the winner on 12/30.

Winner of Apt 9 Belted Dress - Christie!

Sorry I didn't get this posted earlier this morning! I am leaving town today for 7 days and was doing last minute packing early this morning while finishing last minute tasks for work.

Today's winner of the Apt 9 pink, white and black belted dress is Christie!



Congrats Christie! I will ship your item on 12/30 and feel free to comment for a chance to win any of the last three items being posted this week.

Don't forget today's giveaway - a black and gray lightweight sweater! Coming up Thursday and Friday I'll have two size 3x/26/28 WINTER COATS!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Gray and Black Sweater

This lightweight sweater is a 26/28 from Lane Bryant and is seriously so comfy. Although, I'm normally not a fan of horizontal stripes, this sweater never made me feel like I looked bigger with it on. It has very forgiving material. The color on it is a light heather gray and a darker gray/almost black (looks black in picture). The V-neck is flattering and is deep enough you will probably want to layer a tank underneath it.

To win, comment on this post by midnight tonight. Winner will be choosen by Random.org. I will ship to winner on 12/30.

Winner of the Dark Wash Jeans

The winner of the dark wash Lane Bryant straight leg jeans is Sarah!


Congrats Sarah! I will ship them out with your other items you've won (don't shoot me, I haven't gotten to the post office in a couple days....oh, holidays!)

Have a good Tuesday everyone! And don't forget to take a gander at today's giveaway - a multi-colored belted dress!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Belted Pink, White, and Black Dress

This dress has been a staple in my wardrobe! I'm finally admitting it's just way too big. It is Apt 9 brand from Kohls, size 3X (24/26). It comes with a wide, elastic belt that cinches at your natural waist, leaving a nice A-line. On me (I'm 6'0") it hit at knee length.

I always got a ton of compliments on this one. I would wear it with tights and mid-calf black boots or sometimes just the boots sans tights if it was on the warmer side out. I always wore it with something covering my ankles since I have tattoos to cover at work, but I'm sure it would look darling with flats or some booties.

Comment by midnight tonight and I will pick a winner via Random.org. I will ship this item to the winner on 12/30.

I Can't Stop Eating Holiday Treats!

What is wrong with me? I turn down a Krispy Kreme this morning only to shove two cookies in my mouth at lunch. I don't eat my carrots at lunch only to unwrap a Ghiradelli peppermint square in my mouth 2 hours later.

Immediately after dinner I gobble down 4 cookies before throwing them in the trash.

What is wrong with me and why can't I resist holiday treats?! 

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Dark Wash Jeans

Sorry for the little break over the weekend. I just figured that most people would be busy out and about the weekend before Christmas and not at home commenting on blogs :) But here we are with 5 more days of giveaways this week. Everything posted this week will be mailed on 12/30 when I return home from my holiday travel. Sorry for the delay, but I hope you all understand!

Today's item is a pair of dark wash Lane Bryant straight leg jeans. Size 26 (fit more like a 24 on me b/c of the slim fit). I seriously loved these jeans I got last year. So much so in fact when the 28s got to big I ended up searching high and low for the next size down. The 28s are long gone, off to Goodwill, but here I have the second pair I owned for you.

The look a bit more forgiving in the photo, but I assure you these are straight leg / slim fit. They were a bit short on me (I'm 6'0") so I wore them like cropped jeans (or just ignored they were too short). I hope the new owner will love these jeans as much as I did!

Comment by midnight tonight for a chance to win them. Again, they will be shipped on 12/30.

Diary of an overweight runner - 3 weeks till Disney!

The Disney Half Marathon is now less than 3 weeks away (20 days to be exact) and I realized I haven't talked about my training much since this post almost a month ago. Since then I have done a 10 miler and as of today a 12 miler with a few 8 milers thrown in. A few notes on the last few week's worth of runs.

10 miles
Two weeks ago I set out for 10 miles. Honestly, it wasn't the worst. I was familiar with the trail and a pre-mappped my route, which was out and back, so I knew exactly where I was going. I had a little mental self-concious thing with this speed walker who I would pass when I jogged and then she would pass me when I walked and when she was in front of me she KEPT LOOKING BACK AT ME. C'mon trail etiquette police, isn't that totally rude to keep looking back at someone?! So I hit about 2-3 miles in the middle of my run a little too hard trying to pass her a few times, which is my own damn fault, but it also caused me to need to walk the last mile or so. I still finished 10 miles in approximately 2:34 - well within the time limit for Disney.

However, about an hour after my 10 mile run I got what I can only assume was a migraine. We're talking laid out on the couch, can't move, nausea inducing migraine. I often get headaches after I run, but I've never in my life (even outside of running) had a migraine like that before. It was so bad I got physically sick. All I could do for 4 hours is lay in the dark with the TV on mute and a cold wash cloth on my face and neck.

I'm pretty confident it wasn't a hydration issue since the week leading up to the run I was nailing hydration with 130 ounces the Friday before the run. I also carried about 25 ounces with me and drank 80 ounces in the hours after the run. I did decide to try a new routine the next long run.

8 miles
This was a good run. I was able to pretty much keep my 1/2 mile run, 1/4 mile walk intervals up and averaged approximately a 15 minute mile. I also had no headache after this run! I changed my routine and I hope this solves the issue going forward. Normally, I would just get up, get dressed, grab a peanut butter sandwich and immediately go out the door the mornings of my run. Last week; however, I got up about 30 minutes before I wanted to get dressed, had a cup of coffee, a glass of water and "woke up" before getting ready and having breakfast before leaving. It seemed to help because no headache last week or this week.

12 miles
Today was 12 miles and let me tell you I was NOT looking forward to it. Earlier this week I had an allergic reaction to amoxicillin and my run schedule got off pushing this run to Sun instead of Sat. Even though I got to sleep in yesterday, something about doing a very long run on a Sunday is not fun. I think my mental attitude really threw me off. I could not keep up with my 0.5/0.25 intervals even a few miles in, so I went to 0.25. Around mile 6 I hit a wall and was just kind of done. 6 miles into a 12 mile run is really early to hit a wall! I walked a lot between miles 6 & 7, ran normally miles 8 & 9 and probably less than mile 10. Then I straight up walked the last two miles. My time still came in at approximately 3:01 - hallelujah that is still 15 min per mile and way under the Disney time cap, but part of me still felt defeated. Sometimes, I feel I can just walk faster than my tired jogging shuffle where my feet are barely leaving the ground takes me. My feet hurt the last 5+ miles, I have blisters and my water bottle leaked all down my back. But it's done and now it's onto taper...oh taper how I love thee.

Fastest 5K time
So y'all don't think I just complain all the time, I'm gonna tell you about my fastest 5K time, which was an unexpected surprise since I haven't really cared about my overall speed this training cycle. Last Tuesday I worked from home because I had a terrible cough and was sick of hacking all over my co-workers. So, I took the opportunity to do my run on my lunch break. The weather was perfect - chilly and just rained. The stars aligned and I was able to run over a mile straight TWICE during my run around the neighborhood. Once I realized I was kicking major ass, I decided to make that run my fastest 5K time. I ended up doing 3.1 in 41.47, which beat my August 5K time of 44.29, and walked very little of the run. Success!

So, 20 days and I'll be a 3X half-marathoner. I want a 13.1 sticker with Mickey Mouse ears around it. Surely they make those, right?

Weigh in - Wordless (nearly) edition

Last Week's weight: 239.4
This Weeks weight: 245.2

5.8 pounds GAINED

I have no words.....

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Sequence tank and Peacock shirt

If you want more background on the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway series I am running, please see this post.

I missed yesterday's giveaway so today the giveaway gets double fun! I'm posting two items that today's winner will receive. So let's get to it.

First I have a Lane Bryant 3/4 sleeve graphic cotton shirt. It's a true purple with a peacock on it - this shirt is comfy and fun! I've worn it as a casual top and dressed it up a little and worn it out. The first photo does not show the accurate color, but the close up does show the true purple color of the shirt. This is size 26/28.



Second, I have a white sequence tank top that I've only worn a few times. I bought this after I started losing weight and I should have bought a size down, but alas my brain wasn't there yet so I ended up with a super cute basic piece that I only wore 4-5 times. It is not missing any sequence and is in great shape. This also is a size 26/28 from Lane Bryant.




So comment once and be entered to win both tops! Entries will be accepted through midnight tonight and the winner will be posted Saturday morning.

Black cowl neck dress winner!

I've had a very weird 24 hours, which involved an allergic reaction to amoxicillin, so I apologize for not getting the winner of the black, cowl neck dress until now. But I'm back and here it is! I'll return tomorrow with a new doubled up giveaway since I got behind today.

So the winner is.......Joanna! Congrats Joanna! Email me at emtucky [at] gmail [dot] com or DM me on Twitter @emtucky.

Blog on Fire Award - 7 things you may not know about me

This is a post I've needed to do for almost 2 weeks now. I feel bad. But here it is. Better late, then never they say, right?

A few weeks ago Marisol gave me a super sweet, awesome award and shout out on her blog. She gave me The Blog on Fire award.


The rules of this award are to pass this on to someone who has been doing incredibly well and then write 7 things about myself that you may not know.

1. My younger brother died in 2006 when he was 18. The official cause of death was from alcohol poisoning even though his BAC was tested at a 0.08 - just at the legal limit.

2. In college, my friends and I would take epic road trips across the country to go to concerts and see our favorite bands. I've lost count how many times I've seen my favorite band, but I'd estimate it is in the 100s.

3. I am a grade-A people pleaser. I will make myself miserable to ensure others are happy.

4. I was kicked out of Girl Scouts in 7th grade.

5. I've been to Australia and New Zealand, but I've never been to Europe.

6. I hate running in the rain and refuse to do it, but I love going for runs just after it rains when it is cloudy and damp outside.

7. I hate when people don't follow the rules or adhere to a set policy, yet sometimes I am not the best rule follower.

BONUS: I hardly ever follow a recipe to a T - I often "eyeball" measurements and add or substitute ingredients on a whim. Sometimes, this does not work out well....

I'm passing this onto my girl, Cyndi at RunRollRepeat. If you don't follow her, you should know she's had quite a year which included an accident on the job, a career change from trucker to nanny, and her husband having 2 surgeries from said accident. Through it all, she's kept up on her Weight Watchers meetings, and blogging. She tells it how it is and doesn't take any excuses!

I have to say a huge THANKS to Marisol - I really appreciate the love and I enjoyed sharing these things with everyone!

Oh, really Groupon? 64% Off Weight-loss Hot Pants

The first thing I do when my eyes open in the morning is to check my phone. You know, get the low down on what I missed while I (and everyone else) was sleeping for the last 7 hours.

Imagine my confusion (I thought I was dreaming a hilarious satirical, SNL inspired, dream) when I read this subject line: 64% Off Pair of Weight-Loss Hot Pants from Zaggora

Orly, Groupon?

The email:

Click for larger image

When you view the deal, it gets better. In short, it claims that these pants will bless the wearer with dropping 2 dress sizes JUST BY WEARING THE PANTS. Oh, if it was only that easy....

An excerpt:

Zaggora's hip-hugging HotPants slim bodies by up to two jeans sizes in two weeks using a comfortable bioceramic material that emits infrared rays to help wearers naturally and efficiently amp up weight-loss regimens. The shorts' Celu-Lite technology smoothes thighs and other dimple-prone areas by galvanizing the skin's internal zamboni to promote a deep warming of body tissues and promote lymphatic drainage. This process boosts sweating by up to 80% and aids in eliminating the toxins responsible for cellulite.

So in summary...these shorts are going to emit infrared rays into my body, promote drainage from my lymph-nodes and make me sweat 80% more?! NO THANK YOU!

I can't believe ANYONE would ever fall for these outlandish claims that by simply wearing a pair of shorts you can lose 2 dress sizes. The only thing I've come across to do this is eat less, move more. Simple science.

Have you seen any too-good-to-be-true diet or weight-loss products lately? Please share so we can all chuckle at ridiculousness.

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - My Favorite Black Dress

If you want more background on the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway series I am running, please see this post.

What a winner this dress is! I bought it for a job interview two years ago .By the way, I aced and scored the job.

It is a cotton cowl neck 3/4 sleeve, knee length, black dress. Beside the job interview, I think I wore it once or twice before it was too big - what a disappointment because this dress is simple, but fashionable.

It is a Laney Bryant 26/28 with a belt to match. I always thought of swapping out the black belt for a red or even leopard print belt, which you could totally do!

To win, leave a comment on this post by midnight tonight! Don't let this one get passed up!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Sparkly Red Dress

If you want more background on the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway series I am running, please see this post.

The 3rd item is a festive red sparkle 3/4 sleeve dress made by ellos (a Woman Within brand). The color in the first picture is off and it is genuinely "red" and not the burnt orange shown in the photos. The second photo is a bit better show of actual color. The dress is made out of Acrylic, Nylon and Metallic. It is a soft, light sweater material.

This dress is seriously so comfy! And versatile! I wore it to work, to parties and to holidays with the fam. It is a size 2X, which is a 26/28 in ellos sizing. The V-neck and detailing at the waist made this dress very flattering on me (I am pear shaped). Paired with some black tights and mid-calf boots, this used to be a staple in my winter wardrobe.

And now it can be yours! Comment on this post by midnight tonight for your chance to win!

Winners for boots and jean jacket!

Let's get to the first two winners of the 12 Days of Giveaways! The winner of the wide calf boots is Elisha!
The winner of the jean jacket is Holly G!

Congrats ladies! Please email me at emtucky at gmail dot com to give me your address!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Lane Bryant Jean Jacket

If you want more background on the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway series I am running, please see this post.

Today's giveaway item is a button up jean jacket from Lane Bryant, size 26/28. It gives the wearer a good, flattering shape (flares out at the hemline a bit) and has brass color buttons. The jacket is several years old, but I actually barely wore this as I have abnormally long arms and the sleeves were always too short on me. It is a good quality jean jacket and earlier this fall I actually wore it as an outerwear jacket for a few weeks before I found a new jacket.

If you want to win this item, leave a comment by midnight tonight and I will choose a winner via Random.org.

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Wide Calf Knee High Boots

Although I've given away several items and taken loads upon loads of clothes to Goodwill, I still have a few items hanging around my closet from my largest size - mostly 3X and 26/28. We're talking winter coats, dresses, boots, jeans - all just hanging around my closet with no one to wear them.

Since it's a great time of year to gift someone a gently used winter coat or pair of boots (read: it's downright COLD), I figured why not make it fun and give away each item still lingering in my closet one by one on my blog in a holiday giveaway of sorts I'm very originally titling "12 Days of Christmas Giveaway." Much more interesting than taking another load to Goodwill, yes?

So for the next 12 days I will post an item from my closet that no longer fits. Each day I will accept comments from readers interested in winning the item either for themselves or feel free to pick stuff up for your mom, sister, aunt, cousin, friend (just as long as it goes to someone you know for free).

If there are multiple comments, I will use a random number generator (like random.org) to choose the winner. I'll ship it out to you the next day and wa-lah you have a new gently used, new to you item to wear!

To kick it off, my first item is actually a pair of boots that were gifted to me last year by fellow kick-ass Fitblogger, Cyndi.

They are gray suede material that hit me (I'm 6'0") just a few inches below my knee. They are a flat, size 11, wide calf boot (21" when measured on the outside of the boot), with elastic at the shaft. Best of all, they practically look new. Not to mention, they are super cute (if you haven't noticed, Cyndi is quite fashion conscious).

The goods:



Leave a comment by midnight TOMORROW, Dec. 12th (Ok, I guess technically it would be midnight on Tuesday) to be entered in winning these! And check back at 8 am tomorrow for the next item in the series!

Weigh-in - back in the 230s

Last Week's weight: 241.2
This Weeks weight: 239.4

1.8 pounds LOST

I'm not sure how I did it with all these cookies in my life at the moment. I seriously ate about 4 cookies for breakfast on Friday, and last night at a cookie swap party I ate probably a dozen cookies for dinner.

Perhaps I have discovered a new cookie meal replacement diet plan! I could make millions!

Seriously though, I ate pretty sensibly otherwise and got 14 miles of training in this week. Next week is the big 12 mile run and the race is now less than 4 weeks away! EEK!

One things for sure, I'm determined to never see the 240s again. I have no excuses now that work is slowed down, and I only have 9 work days left in 2011. I should be able to focus on eating right and doing Every. Single. Training. Run. now until the race.

Let's do this!

Best photo of the year - #resound11 - Day 9

As normal, I dropped off the #resound11 wagon after two posts. I stare at a computer all day, so when I get home I rarely want to be on the computer. Hopefully since the next 3 weeks will be slower at work, I'll feel less stressed when I get home. When I received today's prompt, I immediately wanted to share some photos I took at the gym yesterday. Feel free to check out the project here.

Prompt #9: Today, please post your best photo of the year. It doesn't have to be the best technically, it doesn't have to be the best visually, but it should be a photo that you consider the best. Does it have special meaning? Is it of a significant event or moment? Share it with us!

In a rare moment of emptiness in the gym locker room last night, I borrowed the full length mirror for a little vanity:



For comparison, a photo taken in February 2011 after the Mercedes Half Marathon:


I consider the photos from the gym last night my "best" because it really shows my progress from even 10 months ago. Looking back at December 2010 to today, I've lost about 55 lbs. Even though I always feel like I could have done better and even though I've struggled over the last 10 weeks, I've made progress. I may have lost and gained the same 5 lbs a few times this year, but I haven't moved backwards in any way. I know I will get to a healthy weight, it may just take me longer than I would have expected.

I've been working on battling my obesity for almost 4 years now. I haven't done any crash or fad diets, eaten only 1200 calories a day, or exercised for 3 hours a day. I've done this at my pace. I've taken baby steps to improve my life and my health. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Weigh in - a step in the right direction

Last week's weight - 243.8

This week's weight - 241.2

2.6 lbs LOST

88.2 total lost since June 2010

Honestly, I didn't try too hard this week so this loss is fine with me. I mean I didn't go crazy, but I finished off the Thanksgiving leftovers (including two pieces of pie and some bread pudding) and I skipped my run on Thursday because I got to the gym and didn't have any socks.

I did my 10 miler yesterday, it went ok but I had a major migraine (which I've never had before) all afternoon. I'm going to try and do a separate blog post on that.

Tonight, is a cookie swap party. And I have a 2nd one next week. If I can just sneak into the 230s this month, I'll be happy. I know it's not feasible for myself to set some huge goal of 10 or 15 pounds for the month of December. So my goal is to simply get in the 230s and stay there this time.

Vices - #resound11 - Day 2

I'm going to attempt to participate in a project this month hosted by @Jaemie, called #resound11. Each day there will be a prompt to reflect on 2011 and anticipate 2012. Feel free to check out the project here.

Prompt #2: Did you slip back into any old habits that you wish you hadn't? Did you gain any new habits that you wish you would have walked away from? Did you discover the evils of Nutella? 'Fess up ... we won't tell.

Let's face it, I have a food addiction. I love cooking and baking. I enjoy celebrating with food. I eat when I'm bored. I eat when I'm upset or stressed.

Up until recently, I've been able to control this addiction for the last year and a half. It took me awhile to get the hang of it, but I managed my addiction enough to lose over 80 lbs in the last 18 months.

However, there is one food that controls me more than any other food. It's hard to release it's control over me, and when I'm under it's control I am hopeless.

Sugar.

I will eat sweets until I get sick. I never used to get sick. So I would just eat a dozen chocolate chip cookies without thinking. I'd finish off a pint of Ben and Jerry's in less than 30 minutes. Now if I did that, I'm pretty sure I'd be sick.

For the last 8-10 weeks, I've been skating on thin ice with sugar and sweets. Let's use tonight as an example.

After work, I decided I wanted to make something sweet. Something with chocolate. Now, I don't keep sweets in the house for the reason that I would eat the whole package in just a few days so in scouring the cabinets I find a fudge recipe on the back of the baking cocoa package. Perfect!

I remember why I've never made any sort of candy or fudge from scratch.

For the life of me I could not get the mixture to heat to the right temperature. I let it boil for a good 20 minutes, at least, and I gave up right around 210 degrees. I know, I know - I'm impatient. But I was tasting along the way and the mixture started to taste burnt, so I thought maybe just the thermometer was broken.

Now I have a 9 x 9 pan of hot fudge syrup.

Even though it turned out nothing like fudge, I still ate about a pound of the result - a hot fudge syrup of sorts. By the tablespoonful. By dips and licks with my finger. With a spoonful of peanut butter (twice). By freezing it in a cupcake liner with a dollop of peanut butter.

I basically ate hot fudge syrup straight from the jar (pan). This is what a sugar addiction (vice) does to a person.

When I started really loosing a lot of weight I was more conscious about my white refined sugar intake. No, I wasn't perfect. I had an occasional cupcake. But I ate plain greek yogurt instead of the flavored kind. I substituted fruit for baked goods. I didn't bring pie or bread pudding home from Thanksgiving dinner.

Lately though, I've started to slide back into my old habits. The worst part is I don't want to do much about it right now. I have two holiday cookie swaps coming up and I'm planning to fully participate. But at some point, if I want to lose these last few pounds I'm going to have to break my sugar addiction again.

I'll let you know when that happens, because you probably won't want to be around me when I go through detox.

One word - #resound11 Day 1

I'm going to attempt to participate in a project this month hosted by @Jaemie, called #resound11. Each day there will be a prompt to reflect on 2011 and anticipate 2012. Feel free to check out the project here.

Prompt # 1: What is one word to describe your 2011? Why does that word sum up your year?

I'm going to have to throw out the word "restless" to describe my year. As I was thinking back on my year, I realized how much has happened in 2011. I walked my 2nd half marathon, I started a new job, my mom suffered a brain aneurysm - and survived, my sister had her second child, I've been working increasingly long hours at work, I began running, and now I am training for my 3rd half marathon.

It seems like no matter what changes life throws at me, I am always looking towards the next big event - never living in the moment.

Definition of restless from the dictionary:

1: lacking or denying rest

2: continuously moving

3: characterized by or manifesting unrest especially of mind

This definitely spoke to me: "2: continuously moving"

I very rarely stop and focus on what is actually happening, right then at that one moment in my life. Even right now as I train for my next half marathon, I am already thinking about what big events I will do next year. Will I dive into the triathlon world? Will I do another half marathon? What about Bay to Breakers? My mind is always in planning mode.

I think living in the moment can be hard for a lot of us. We make plans, set expectations and can oftentimes be let down when something doesn't work out in our favor. Living in the moment is definitely something to think about and actively try to master for myself.

Weigh in - Thanksgiving Gain

Apparently, I'm addicted to Thanksgiving. After two separate turkey dinners (one Thursday, one Friday), I brought home leftovers from my mom's and made more mashed potatoes and gravy (from Mama Pea) tonight to round out my leftovers of turkey, dressing and desserts.

Oy vey the Thanksgiving weigh-in!

Last week's weight - 240.8

This week's weight - 243.8

3 lbs GAINED

85.6 total lost since June 2010

Let's not act surprised. I ate way more than just two Thanksgiving dinners. There were cookies, pizza, ice cream, burgers and fries and did I mention left over dessert?

I am on the fast track to gaining weight. The good news is, I haven't gained anything in my last 8 weeks of eat-whatever-you-damn-well-please phase. The bad news is I weigh the same as I did eight weeks ago.

The worst news is I'm trying to get back on track during the worst time of year to try to eat and live healthy. I want to give up until 2012, but that's no solution.

I don't have an answer for myself right now. I am perfectly capable of calling myself out, but I can't seem to find what I need to stop stuffing my face.

Maybe I'll come up with something after the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone?

Diary of an overweight runner - Disney half marathon training check in

After having a little nervous break down a few weeks ago over my half marathon training, things have been going better on the training front. I have missed one mid-week run because I had to go buy new tires two Friday nights ago and thus I did not go to the gym.

After writing that post, I did 7, then 8 miles and this week I did 9. And I have survived!

The 7 and 8 milers were pretty nondescript. I did them within my 15 min per mile training goal and I didn't collapse after either of them.

The 9 miler on Saturday wasn't bad either but trying out a new unfamiliar (unmarked) trail combined with the Garmin Fit app on my phone freezing at 2.5 miles, I had that horrible sinking feeling of having no idea whether I was actually completing 9 miles since I just did it by time; figuring I run about 15 min mile. I also turned around a little earlier b/c I didn't want to cross a 4 lane busy road towards the end and I ran out of trail. I mapped part of my run afterwards (it was too tedius to do the whole thing) and I at least came within .2 of 9 miles. If I can do 8.8, I can do 10, right???

I did like the trail, so I would use it again if I pre-mapped my run and knew where I was going.

A couple good things did come out of Saturday's run. 1) I was definitely running more than walking, I would run approximately a 1/2 mile and then run a 1/4 mile. (Or run 2 songs and walk 1). Also, after my Garmin app froze, I ran for 15 minutes straight or 1 mile without stopping.

I've always ran intervals with the longest run interval being 8 minutes when I did the 5K in August. So this left me feeling accomplished.

10 miles is up next. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but I know I can do it. It may happen this weekend, but with being in St. Louis for the holiday I may only do 6 or 8 and do 10 the next weekend.

The race is less than 7 weeks away!

Weigh in

Last week's weight - 241.4

This week's weight - 240.8

0.6 lbs LOST

88.6 total lost since June 2010

Any loss I'll take at this point. If you saw this post you know I've been struggling with my food choices and Friday and yesterday were not better. I need to go back to sticking to a healthy plan when eating out.

I don't really have much else to say about this weigh in. I hope to blog later about my run yesterday, which was 9 miles!

Owning up to it

So THIS happened yesterday:

Click to see larger version

In case you are too lazy to click or need me to spell it out for you: that's yesterday's calorie total ~1,000 calories over my normal limit. Let's discuss what happened...

A slice of cheese and mushroom pizza at 3pm - approx 285 calories
2 packets of Nestle hot chocolate at 4pm - 160 calories
1 black and white cookie at dinner - 130 calories
Baked Potato with cheese and sour cream at 9pm - approx 440 calories

This was all eaten over and beyond my 3 meals and 2 snacks for the day. What is wrong with me!?!

And I ate half a homemade pizza for dinner (570 calories). But even with that, had I not eaten the above my day would have been fine.

WTF?!

Clearly it's come to my attention that my demons of overeating have reared their ugly heads. This is how I used to eat. All. the. time. I would eat Oreos by the sleeve full and not even think twice about eating half a pepperoni pizza. It appears I've been too confident about overcoming these demons over the last year and a half and deep down inside they are still there ready to take me down.

This has to end now. I've come too far and I'm way too close to what I think to be a comfortable weight for me to let those demons win this time around.

Midweek Ramblings

So, I may have given up daily posting of my food log (to protect you from boredom, dear readers), but I am still tracking over at Sparkpeople.

I'm still struggling with my food choices. Yesterday I was really snacky, so I ended up at Starbucks at 3 pm for a Peppermint Mocha. I got the skinny version, but that was still 290 calories un-needed.

Sometimes it's just easier to go back to basics and with the holidays coming up, that's where I'm going to head. Back to eating my staples: whole grains, complex carbs, tons of fruits/veggies, low fat dairy and lean meats. This basically means I eat a variety of whole wheat bread, potatoes (white & sweet), whole wheat pastas, brown rice, lentils, Oats, beans, eggs, 2% cheese, 1% milk, shrimp, fish and chicken, apple, bananas, berries, brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach and carrots. Oh, and the occasional nut butter!

It's boring, but this worked for me for the first 88 pounds, so why steer away from it?

Weigh in - what happens after you gain 7 lbs in a week

Last week's weight - 246.2

This week's weight - 241.4

4.8 lbs LOST

88 total lost since June 2010

I have been putting of posting today's weigh in subconsciously, I think. Because I don't see it as good enough.

Sure, 4.8 pounds in a normal week would be great. But I had a 7 lb gain to deal with from last week and I ALMOST was back to 239 as that is what I weighed in at yesterday morning; however, I ate too much last night knowing it would affect the weigh in and I didn't care.

Food log from Saturday:

Egg and cheese sandwich & banana (breakfast); a few samples at Christmas Village (not a lot since sharing a bowl of cheese dip with 10,000 other people's dirty hands wasn't too appealing to me); 1/3 of 12" pizza and salad with balsamic vinaigrette (late lunch); Apple dumpling with ice cream (snack); Another slice of pizza, romaine salad with blue cheese and 2.5 cups of popcorn (dinner); 3-4 pumpkin molasses cookies

Total calories: No idea, way too many (2,100+)

Food log for today (so far):

Peanut butter sandwich (breakfast); 3 pumpkin molasses cookies (after run); slice of leftover pizza; 1/2 order of General Tso's Chicken, egg roll and 4 crab rangoons; Ice cream sandwich

Yeah, so today isn't much better.

My long run today was 8 miles. I started 2 hours later than I originally planned. I REALLY didn't want to do it. But once I was out there it went great. The weather was perfect (a little sunny the 2nd half), and I was able to stay within my 15 min per mile goal.

Hoping to try and figure out how to stay on track this week (with a better weekend next weekend) to lose another 5 lbs next week.

Food log 11/11/11

I'm posting this now because then maybe I won't eat anything else tonight ;)

Banana and fiber one bar (breakfast); 1/4 cup 4% cottage cheese w/4 ak-mak sesame crackers (snack); Homemade Potato soup and an apple (lunch); 6" Subway turkey breast on wheat with 2 slices pepper jack cheese, all veggies and spicy mustard with 14 tortilla chips and salsa (dinner); three Mama Pea's Pumpkin Molasses Dough Balls (dessert)

I also had 2 lifesaver mints & 1 jolly rancher throughout the day at work.

Edited to add: Another pumpkin molasses cookie and 2 cups of popcorn

Total Calories: 1,440 1,594

One thing I've learned over this week is that 1 jolly rancher has 25 calories! I don't know why I didn't think about this when I popped 4 into my mouth yesterday and wasted 100 calories, but it just goes to show you how many un-needed calories we could potentially eat in a day.

Also those white lifesaver mints? Those are 15 calories each and the ingredients list (in this order) is: sugar, corn syrup, artificial flavors.

Goal next week? Stay away from the candy jar!

Food log 11/10/11

I'm in a grumpy mood. Trying to figure out what the best decision is on a tire is exhausting.

Thursday:

Egg and cheese sandwich (breakfast); banana (snack); Trader Joe's chicken pot stickers, edamame and an apple (lunch); 1 snack bag of Chex Mix (snack) 4 jolly ranchers (snack); Carrots & hummus with baked potato soup (dinner); Fit and Active mint ice cream sandwich (dessert)

Total calories: 1,993

Ate too much yesterday. Didn't need the ice cream sandwich. Stressful day today. Will probably miss run due to car issues.

Over it.

Food log 11/9/11

Is this getting boring for everyone yet? Truthfully, it's been a good exercise. I haven't been tracking for several months and although there are pros and cons to tracking, it definitely yields results.

Wednesday:

Grande Soy Latte from Starbucks (breakfast); Keebler Jumbo Peanut Butter Stick & half a small can of OJ (post-blood draw snack); banana (snack); 3 fish tacos & 1/2 cup black beans (lunch); Apple & 1 snack size bag of Chex Mix (snack); Veggie Corn Dog, Sweet Potato Fries and Salad (Dinner); Fit and Active mint ice cream sandwich (dessert)

Total Calories: 1,979

A bit higher than the rest of the week, but still under 2,000 which is the bottom line goal. The snack after my blood giving threw me off then while I was waiting at Firestone for my car I was starving and scarfed down the Chex Mix. I'm actually proud I didn't eat anything after the ice cream sandwich last night because I so wanted to. I just wanted to eat, eat, eat last night. Instead I made some warm water with a slice of lemon. That seems to knock the cravings out a bit at night.

I rearranged my workouts for the rest of the week. I'm doing Friday/Sunday again because I have to go buy new tires on Saturday morning and I have to be somewhere else by 9:30 so I just didn't have time to get tires, run AND make it to a friend's house by 9:30.

My main focus now is getting through the weekend with no slip-ups (and maybe lose 2 more lbs before Sunday). Gah, wish me luck!

Food log 11/8/11

The scale said 240.6 this morning. I know I shouldn't weigh myself every day, but I do and it works for me. Although losing almost 6 lbs in 3 days teaches me nothing about gaining 7 lbs in a week. Hopefully remembering I really want that 100 lbs lost milestone will keep me in check.

Tuesday:

Kashi Pumpkin Pecan bar and banana (breakfast); Trader Joe's Chicken Pot Stickers and steamed veggies with an apple and chocolate chip cookie (lunch); 6 oz Fage 0% and 3 chocolate malt ball whoppers (snack); 3 tilapia fish tacos with salsa and a cole slaw on top with a Fit and Active mint ice cream sandwich (dinner)

Total Calories: 1,504

The candy dish got me again yesterday, but I'd rather have 1 piece and be over it than pine over it all day. The dinner I made is an old standby favorite. It's very quick and filling and 3 fish tacos using 1 filet is about 440 calories. LOVE IT!

Also ran 3 miles and did my weight circuit yesterday. I feel back on track and I am loving it.

Food log 11/7/11

Monday:

Pumpkin Cream Pie Oat Bran with Trader Joe's pumpkin butter (breakfast); Kashi pumpkin pecan bar (snack); Trader Joe's Black Bean enchiladas w/ apple and a couple bites of 4% cottage cheese (lunch); 1 tootsie roll; Blueberry Chobani (snack); 1 snack bag of Chex Mix (snack); 2 oz whole wheat linguine w/sauteed bok choy and steamed edamame tossed in Trader Joe's peanut satay sauce, Fit and Active mint ice cream sandwich (dinner)

Total calories: 1,733

The Chex Mix and Tootsie Roll were not planned. I grabbed the Tootsie Roll without even thinking (mindless eating) and caved into the Chex Mix b/c I was at work later than I thought I would be and was starving. But I tracked every bite, lick and taste (as Cyndi ala Weight Watchers would say) and was still under 1,800 calories. Yesterday was a war won.

I did not go do weights at the gym (see being at work too late). I do have a cardio + strength date with the gym tonight.

Mending the aftermath and a new exercise

This morning the scale said 243.6.

That's more like it.

That's the gain I expected this week, not the 7 lbs that was shown. I'm confident with actually eating within my calorie goal and plan, I will be back in the 230s on Sunday.

Challenge extended.

As an exercise this week I'm going to post what I'm eating each day. When I posted my bad days last week it was really cathartic. I know posting food logs can get boring so I'm only going to do it this week and not make it a continuing thing, but it should be a good exercise.

Sunday:

2 slices sprouted bread with 2 T peanut butter and 1 banana (pre-run); Bowl of Mama Pea's Pumpkin Cream Pie Oat Bran with a spoonful of pumpkin butter added (after run breakfast); 1/2 cup 4% cottage cheese and 3 sesame crackers (snack); 1 bowl French Onion Soup w/2 oz Swiss Cheese (lunch); 3 steak tacos, chips & salsa, guacamole, cheese dip and beans (dinner); 1 fun size snickers

Definitely not a menu of healthful choices, but I'm getting there with better portions (sans chips at dinner).

I am headed to the gym tonight just to get some weight lifting in. I'm hoping adding weight training will help with building muscle in my legs for my runs. My aerobic endurance is fine on long runs, but for example yesterday around 5.5 miles my legs hurt so very bad. Either way weight training makes me feel good and hopefully it will provide toning where I need it.

Weigh in - The most epic gain EVER

Last week's weight - 239.0

This week's weight - 246.2

7.2 lbs GAINED

83.2 total lost since June 2010

Yep, you read that right (and no it's not a typo). I had an epic gain of 7.2 lbs this week. Am I surprised? A little. I knew I would gain because of everything I've eaten this week, but 7 pounds? Yeah...wasn't prepared for that.

As Maren pointed out, "What's done is done and what's eaten is eaten." So time to move on. I plan to track my food this week and get back on the horse and hope for a big ass loss next week.

On the plus side I did my first long run in 3 weeks today and I didn't die. 7 miles done! It was rough since I haven't been eating right lately and there was too much alcohol and not enough hydration going on yesterday, but surprisingly it went well despite my gut rot and dehydration.

Given my huge gain this week, I am back to 9.8 pounds from my Garmin Goal. And 16.8 pounds from 100 lbs lost. Talk about two steps backwards!?

My goal is to have the Garmin by Thanksgiving and the 100 pound party is tentatively scheduled for January. We'll see how close I get in the next 4 weeks.

Back to square one!

The story of the 3-day binge

I'm fully expecting a 3-4 lb gain tomorrow.

Sigh, I just had to put that out there. I've done 2 of my 3 training runs (3rd is scheduled for Sunday) and I even did weights last night after my run. I'm trying to incorporate weight training 2x a week.

But my food choices, oh boy my food choices are horrendous. Coming off the flu last weekend, I was craving white, processed carbs. So that's what I ate. And now, even though my body is back to normal, I haven't gone back to healthy eating. Here's just a selection of what I've eaten over the last few days - and I'm sure I'm forgetting some of it!

Today: 2 pumpkin pancakes with a banana and butter and syrup (unmeasured)

Friday: Banana; 4 mini quiches. 2 mini cinnamon rolls, 1 mini muffin and fruit salad; Green salad with ranch dressing, yeast roll with butter, smashed potatoes, 1/2 pan fried chicken breast, 2 bites of turkey with gravy, brownie and peach cobbler; 1 snack bag chex mix, tootsie roll and another mini cinnamon roll; 2 bowls french onion soup with Swiss cheese and croutons, veggie corn dog, 2 mini chocolate candies; 1 snack bag chex mix

Thursday: Peanut butter and pumpkin butter sandwich; banana; cup of clam chowder and half turkey brie cranberry sandwich; black cherry Chobani; 4% cottage cheese with Triscuts; 2 bowls french onion soup with Swiss cheese and croutons; 1 oreo ball; 2 slices bread with pumpkin butter

Wednesday: Peanut butter and pumpkin butter sandwich; banana; cup of french onion soup with half a baguet and Swiss cheese, slice of cheese pizza with black olives; Honeycrisp apple; 4% cottage cheese with Triscuits; 2 veggie corn dogs and sweet potato fries; 1/2 cup chocolate chip ice cream in "waning" peanut butter jar (1T peanut butter?)

If you want to play Where's Waldo, try to find any veggies in my list up there. Although Wed and Thurs are bad, but Friday is by far the worst. We had an event at work and I pretty much put whatever was in front of me in my mouth.

I know I shouldn't do this, but I've already written today off. I'm heading to a Beer, Bourbon and BBQ fest downtown and I fully intend to enjoy it.

Next week. I am back on it and I am committing for the next 4 weeks to be as close to perfect as possible with both food and exercise. By committing to 4 weeks, it breaks what can be big and overwhelming into a small, manageable thing.

I don't want to do this anymore

I am really doubting this whole half marathon training thing. We are now just 9 short weeks from race day and I haven't done more than 6 miles. The last two weekends I haven't done a long run. Furthermore, the last four weeks during the week I've missed runs like crazy. I have plenty of excuses, just pick one - working 50-60 hours a week, illness, traveling to Atlanta two weeks in a row. But when it comes down to it, my heart just hasn't been in it. When I have had the time to do the training, I just don't want to. I'd rather lay around all day and watch 5 episodes of Dexter (I may or may not have done this while I was sick last weekend....ok I did).

Thankfully I have 3 friends counting on me to show up on race day so I won't give up, but what the hell am I going to do to turn this around? I don't want to be one of "those people" who don't train for a race, show up on race day, have a miserable 13.1 miles and hate every moment of something that should be rewarding.

I feel more discouraged than ever because I feel like I've lost ground over the last 2.5 months. I was so good about working out over the summer. But lately? Not so much. I know 90% of the problem is work, but that's not changing any time soon so I can only figure out a way to deal with it.

I'll let you know when I figure it out.

All I can do is get through this week. This week, despite not setting a toe in the gym yet, I WILL do all 3 training runs. Tomorrow 3 miles, Friday 3 miles and Sunday 7 miles.

Even though I don't really want to.

Weigh in - flu edition

Last week's weight - 239.6

This week's weight - 239.0

0.6 lbs LOST

90.4 total lost since June 2010

Not much of a loss, but at least I know this isn't just the flu talking. I ate normally and re-hydrated yesterday.

But LOOK 90 lbs lost!! Wow!

I really don't want to go run 7 miles today. I plan to write about it later, but mainly It's currently 35 degrees outside and my bed is warm. Plus who wants to run 7 miles after they just spend the last 2.5 days in bed? Not to mention I haven't been feeling training AT ALL. ugh.

There's only one way to 100% ensure you don't overeat

The flu.

Yep, I have it. Well, I guess I am feeling a bit more upright today so I feel like it's passed, but I am still in recovery mode.

Thursday afternoon I started to feel a little sick to my stomach. Honestly, I thought it was just stress at work combined with lack of sleep that was making me feel queasy. The roommate and I were scheduled to go to Sugar Rush - an event that boasted over 20 local sweets makers for an all-you-care-to-indulge-in evening of cupcakes, cheesecake, candies, chocolate and more. And I wasn't planning on holding back.

I should have listened to my body.

As soon as I got there and saw what should have been deliciously beautiful food - it was over. After a restroom break I came back and tried a mini cupcake. "I can shake this off," I thought to myself. I was fine for about 5 minutes after consuming what is my favorite food group, but it just wasn't happening. I had to leave.

I don't even remember the drive home Thursday night. All I know is I was praying I made it with no incident.

I fell into my bed Thursday night (fully clothed) and didn't wake up until the sickness hit later that night. I won't go into details, but you GET what I mean...

Besides having to run something up to work in the wee hours of the morning yesterday, I stayed in bed about 23.5 of the last 24 hours. I can't remember the last time I slept SO. MUCH.

So the flu saved me from throwing my weigh in on sugar. Though, I don't thank it, I do appreciate its sentiment.

Weigh in - early edition and hanging with Cyndi

Last week's weight - 241.2

This week's weight - 239.6

1.6 lbs LOST

89.8 total lost since June 2010

Atlantapocolypse with Cyndi nd Emily has commenced, so I weighed in early today before I left Nashville.

So far we've hit 2 cupcake places, Cyndi's 'special' store where we cleaned up on argins and Tin Lizzy's for great tacos. We're regrouping at the apt now before decding what movie to see at the fancy theater then hitting the bar later.

Needless to say I'm having a blast.

Weigh in - 2.2 lbs lost

Last week's weight: 243.4

This week's weight: 241.2

2.2 pounds LOST

88.2 pounds lost since June 2010

I ate well, exercised and stayed focused. Even through a road trip (no fast food eaten). I hope I can carry it on through my upcoming week from hell.

Just to keep track....

• 4.8 pounds to my Garmin Goal.

• 11.8 pounds until 100 blog pounds lost.

Wish me luck this week. I know I'll need it to get all my workouts in and stay focused on eating right during a busy week.

Happy Sunday!

Road Trip NSV

Last night I was in Atlanta to see New Found Glory. I kind of love this shot below I snapped at the end of their set on my phone.


Cyndi was sweet enough to let me crash on her couch last night. Although from reading her blog and all our conversations on Twitter I feel like I know her just as well as any of my friends in Nashville, it was nice to finally "meet" in person. We had already planned for me to come take over Atlanta with her next weekend, so I'll get another dose of her sweet, but straight talking self.

On my way home this morning, I realized I had a NSV on my hands (lap?). Due to my size and the amount of space I used to take up in a seat, I could never put a cup or drink between my legs. I remember as a kid (you know before cup holders), my mom would always do this. Even though I don't really have a NEED to do it (because you know my car has a bagillion cup holders), it's nice to know I CAN do it.

Measuring Up

What I really want to tell you about is my Fitness Evaluation at my gym this morning. It was awesome; however, I don't have the brain capacity to write in detail what I want to write about it. So it will have to wait for the weekend.

Never fear, I do have goodies for you today.

I haven't taken my measurements since the beginning of July. I'm never consistent on the frequency of when I take my measurements. I pretty much do it just when I feel like I haven't done it in awhile. So here we go.

July's results

When I began posting my measurements, I never posted what the measurement was exactly, just how many inches lost. I did this because although I had no qualms about sharing my weight with the world as someone who was over 330 lbs, for some reason admitting I had a 58" hip measurement when I first walked into the Dayani Center Weight Management program at Vanderbilt Med Center in 2008 was scary.

For consistency (and vanity, maybe), I'm still not sharing what my measurements are, but below is the change since July.

Hips: -1
Neck: no change
Arms: no change
Waist: -2
Underbust: -1.5
Natural Waist: -1.5
Thighs: no change

Total inches lost in 3 months: 6 inches

I'm not really surprised about my arms (lots of loose skin) or neck as I'm getting pretty small on top. But my thighs frustrated me since my legs LOOK smaller to me. I only regret not keeping track of my wrist, ankle and calves.

Since I haven't taken my measurements regularly, I don't know how to compare this. Honestly though? I've felt pretty fluffy lately. Like I have no tone at all. Yes, I am losing weight, but I don't feel like I am getting leaner.

This was #1 reason why I scheduled my Fitness Evaluation this morning. I am going to track my progress in 30 days and hopefully not only will I feel leaner, but I'll be leaner!

Cinderella's Castle!

Tuesday I when I got done running 3.3 miles, I picked up my phone and had a text from my friend that we were booked to eat dinner IN Cinderella's Castle at Disney World during our half marathon stay. So excited. This tweet pretty much sums it up:


I then proceeded to spend way too much time looking at restaurants on property at Disney World. There. Are. So. Many.

I haven't been to Disney World since I was 5 and I barely remember it. No that's a lie. I remember screaming my head off on Space Mountain and trying to climb out of the ride while it was moving. Um yes, at 5 years old my parents let me ride Space Mountain. I was a tall kid.

In short, I'm getting super excited about spending 5 nights at Disney World in January. You know, except for that whole running 13.1 miles thing.

There are good runs and bad runs

Aside from weigh in posts, I've been pretty absent from blogging lately. It's not that I don't have anything to say, it's just after 8-10 hours a day in a stressful work environment, starring at a computer screen I don't really feel like blogging much in the evenings. After work I'm usually good to barely get my workout in and get a healthy dinner eaten before zoning out in front of the time waster aka the TV. I know I should watch less TV, but most days I don't feel like it.

Let's pick our battles here, and I'd rather battle my impressive sweets addiction I've let back into my life.

As I mentioned in my weigh in post earlier, I did get all 3 of my training runs in last week. Oh yeah. If you haven't followed amongst the long gap of updates, training has officially started for the Disney World Half Marathon I am doing in January.

After 2 weeks of skipping workouts, I finally completed a full schedule last week. And I realized you truly have good runs and bad runs. Thursday was a bad run. I just felt really off. I was at the gym on the treadmill. I felt overheated and I finally gave up around mile 2.5. I was so focused on my pace and how it wasn't good enough (15 min miles), I frustrated myself and talked myself into quitting.

I decided late Friday not to do the Germantown Bier Fest 5K as planned. I love this event so it was a hard decision to make, but doing 3.1 miles when I needed to be doing 5.5 as I outlined on my training schedule wasn't going to cut it. And I'm still not sure about running two days in a row. Plus, I needed to save the $35 I would of had to pay day of the race since I have a lot of travel coming up (Atlanta, holidays, Orlando)

I was so glad I decided to focus on my long run instead.

I woke up at 4:30 AM on Saturday morning (not on purpose) and laid in bed until my alarm went off at 6:15. Surprisingly, the too early wake up call didn't phase me and I was at the greenway by 6:40. It was a beautiful morning and I ran by 2 deer (twice) literally inches from the trail.

I decided to do something different and leave the phone (stopwatch and music) in the car. All I carried with me was my car key and water (I forgot the Shot Bloks at home, but I ended up not needing them) and off I went. When I was warming up I thought, "Crap, how am I going to do my intervals without a stopwatch." Silly me quickly realized the trail is pretty much marked every quarter mile, so I decided to take it easy and run a quarter mile, walk a quarter mile; out and back.

It worked like a charm.

I had been doing 5 minutes running and 1 or 2 minutes walking, but I was finding myself nosediving halfway through my runs. True, a quarter mile recovery walk is probably a bit too much recovery time, but it was easy for me to keep track of with no watch.

I finished 5.8 miles in my fastest time.

5.8 miles in 84 minutes. Of course that time is approximate since that includes walking to/from the car to look at the time. But by all conservative estimates, that is a 14:29 minute mile!

Timing my intervals by distance and allowing myself more "recovery time" WORKED!

Also, I got my head out of the clouds from Thursday's run and realized my pace is JUST FINE where it is for right now. I don't HAVE to be any faster for the race in January. I ONLY have to be able to do 13.1 miles in 3 hours and 30 minutes. And even if I take every last second of 3 hours and 30 minutes to finish, that will still be my fastest Half Marathon time, and an accomplishment.

So no more worrying about "going faster." My natural running pace right now is 15 minute miles and I am finally OK with that.

Weigh in - a gain

Last week's weight: 242.6

This week's weight: 243.4

0.8 lbs GAINED

86 pounds lost since June 2010

Honestly, I knew a gain was coming and I'm only surprised it wasn't 3 lbs instead of the 1 I gained. I've been having a really hard time staying in check Friday and Saturday. It's a mental thing I just need to get over. I think planning for Friday dinner and all meals Saturday needs to be established.

I'm so close to my Garmin Goal and my 100 lb lost milestones that I need to stop the gain/lose thing pattern. I really want to have a 100 lb party, so it's time to get that last 14 lbs off in order to plan the party :)

Exercise was good this week. Probably the only thing that saved me. I was able to run approximately 11.5 miles cumulatively this week. My run yesterday was REALLY, REALLY good. I plan to do a separate post about that tomorrow.

I'm going to make some lentil burgers for dinner tonight and finish up getting organized for the week. Happy Sunday!

Weigh in - 8 lbs lost, highest weekly loss to date!

Last week's weight: 250.6

This week's weight: 242.6

8 lbs LOST

86.8 pounds lost since June 2010

No, 8 lbs is not a typo! After a crazy gain last week I had a secret goal in mind. A goal I only told KG because there's no way I would tell the public and then not be able to achieve it. A goal to lose 7 lbs this week.

It's something I've done before, but only once or twice. It was something I knew I had to work at. So, I watched what I ate got all 3 of my runs in and did an extra 9 mile bike ride yesterday. And I surpassed my goal.

If you're keeping score, I have 6 lbs until my Garmin Goal and 13 lbs until 100 lbs lost since starting my blog.

Weigh in - 4 lb gain

Last week's weight: 246.6

This week's weight: 250.6

4 lbs GAINED

78.8 pounds lost since June 2010

Yep, it's totally possible to gain 4 lbs in a week. Want to know how I did it? Mexican food at 8:30 pm on a weeknight, 3 cookies and a bag of chips for lunch on Friday, noshing on french fries 3 days in a row with several beers thrown in.

Out. of. control.

All I can do now is get back on the wagon. I'm trying to remember to drink lots of water. I'm on my 3rd piece of fruit today and I had a veggie sub for lunch (with a banana instead of chips. Why doesn't Subway carry fresh fruit???)

When it comes down to it, I've let my busy work life catapult the rest of my life out of control. Now, I've gone taken 4 steps back and I have to re-lose 4 more pounds to get to my next goal.

Inexcusable.

All I can do is focus on how far I've come from a year ago. As I joined my sister's family on their annual vacation to the Smoky Mountains, I was able to do more with my 3 1/2 year old niece. We ran around a mountain top amusement park and rode water slides, the scenic skylift and jetted down the alpine slide together. There's no way I would have been able to comfortably ride those slides at 330 lbs.

Also, I was able to ride the swings with my niece, which she later told me was her favorite ride, and I KNOW at 330 lbs the belt on the ride wouldn't have fit.

So although I have not been very diligent the last few months on the weight loss front, I am now at a size where I feel comfortable doing normal everyday activities. And that isn't something I'll let 4 lbs ruin.