Weekly Weigh-in v2.0

So this is me starting over. We aren't focusing on the past anymore. Sure, it's still part of my story, but it's not going to determine where I go from here.

I've written so many of these "starting over" posts in the last few months, I can no longer promise this won't be another false start. But I can promise I will try.

New Starting Weight (7/1): 282.0

Today's Weight: 276.2

5.8 pounds LOST

So this is where I'm starting from, although I'm trying to not focus on the past, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I thought I'd never see these numbers on the scale again and it's a little majorly disappointing. One thing I took away from Fitbloggin' is that I need to release the hold the scale has on me. Yes, I will continue using it as a tool. But the number on the scale does not determine my success or failure. It does not determine my worth, my strength, or my happiness. All it will be from now is ONE of the tools I use weekly to measure if what I am doing is working to become healthier.

Yesterday was also time for firsts

Yesterday I did something I vowed I would never do - ran over 3 miles in the pouring rain.

It's been raining in Nashville for 3 days - today I finally see the sun! So to say I had a case of cabin fever yesterday - the third day straight of rain - is an understatement.

We did four sets of 90 second run/90 second walk, 3 min run/3 min walk. It was a bit intense on the hills of Nashville, but I survived and ran all the intervals. It's also sort of refreshing and freeing to run in the rain.

No this wasn't me post shower - I was this soaked!

Afterward, I made my traditional post-race breakfast: scrambled eggs and sauteed potatoes. I was out of spinach, so I added grated zucchini to the eggs. It was REALLY good! It will be a new "add veggies to my eggs" rotation for sure!

And iced coffee for sure!

Then yesterday afternoon, I explored a few waterfalls east of Nashville....in the rain. See a theme for yesterday? My quads are killing me this morning, but it feels so good.

When you are training for a race, do you run in the rain if your schedule calls for it?

6th Half Marathon on the horizon

Shnikies! How did THAT happen!?! SIXTH?

It's true, this Saturday I'll be participating in the St. Jude Half Marathon in Memphis, TN making it my SIXTH 13.1 distance event.

You can read about two, three, four, and five on my blog.

(Almost) four years ago, after my first half marathon, I swore I'd never do one of them again. I HATED it and it took me 4 hours and 18 minutes to complete.

This past April, at the same race I did 3 years prior, I PR'd in under 3 hours (2:58).

That, my friends, is progress. And proof that slow and steady wins completes the race.

Hike to Virgin Falls

One of the things I decided after completing my first triathlon this summer was to take a break from endurance racing. This has been a hectic year of several races in a short amount of time and I was beginning to feel like I was jumping from one training program to the next, which in turn meant I was always training for something.

After 3 half marathons and a triathlon in 7 months I was ready to take back my weekends and do physical activity for fun again.

For friend KG's birthday weekend, she chose to celebrate by going on an 8 mile "strenuous" and "rugged" (both adjectives I've read describing this route) hike to Virgin Falls in Sparta, TN.

I don't know if words can describe how much this outing proves how much I've changed my life over the last 2 years. Two years ago I would have scoffed at KG's idea I would go on an 8 mile hike, nevermind the strenuous part.

In fact, 3 years ago KG took this same hike with some friends and I wasn't even invited. Because at that time in my life, I was not physically fit enough to last on this type of hike. Not to mention at my larger size I felt so clumsy and unbalanced that I was irrationally scared of heights. I could never imagine hiking the ledges we did during this hike.

Me on top on a rock mound enjoying the scenery of the first falls.

Virgin Falls

Me and KG on the Trail

Words can't describe how grateful I am that I was able to have the willpower and motivation to make the changes I have to lose over 100 pounds from my highest weight in 2008. I didn't realize at the time how much I was missing out on and I vow to never let myself be that way again. Whether I get to my ultimate goal weight or not, I am pretty darn happy enjoying life, and I'm able to do that whether I lose the last 40 vanity pounds or not.

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.

Weigh in - 3 lbs lost

Last week's weight: 249.6

This week's weight: 246.6

3 lbs LOST

82.8 pounds lost since June 2010

I promise the Warrior Dash recap is coming today, but for our regularly scheduled weigh in post this week I'm happy to report I've lost THREE pounds. This is consistent with where I was Friday morning, so I am happy to report I controlled my eating (for the most part) over the weekend. We did eat at the world's greatest Chinese buffet last night after the race, but I only ate approx 1 plate of food. A few things coming up milestone wise:

• I am 17 pounds from reaching 100 lbs lost since starting my blog.
  

• And I am 10.2 pounds from reaching my Garmin goal.

100 pounds lost will be a big milestone for the blog and myself personally, so I really want to have a party to celebrate. We'll see what I (or party extraordinaire, KG) can come up with.

This week, I did well with nutrition, but only got 2 work outs in (including Warrior Dash). I'm hoping to keep my eye on the prize with nutrition and get back to 3-4 work outs a week.

Happy Sunday!

Weigh in - 4.8 lbs lost and a #5Kin100days update

Last Week's Weight - 259.8

This Week's Weight - 255.0

4.8 pounds LOST

74.4 pounds lost since June 2010

I'm very content in being back to my pre-vacation weight (less 0.8 lbs). It only took me a week and while I haven't been tracking my food, and a few unsavory things slipped in this week, I have been eating consciously though not totally on plan.

I had 5 days of great workouts this week. I did all my 5Kin100days runs and 2 days of bootcamp. Now that bootcamp is over, I have to find a way to recreate the burn I got from that class at least once a week.

I had two milestones during my runs this week. 1) I ran for 10 minutes straight during a my second session. And 2) I was able to complete all SIX of my 5 minute intervals yesterday on a hillier than normal course (hello, Mt. Crumpet), officially completing a "more running than walking" session. I can't believe we're on week 10 already!

Happy Sunday!

Reflections and Reaching for the Sky

Taking a page out of Skinny Emmie's book. I am taking a look back on the last 6.5 months and reflect on all I've accomplished and the things I've experienced.

I've lost 36.2 pounds since January, but I've done so much more than chip away at my extra weight.

10 things I'm really proud of from the first half of 2011:

1. Attended my first spin class

2. Finished my 2nd half-marathon and improved my time by 43 minutes from my 1st half in 2009.

3. I have learned to not make excuses.

4. Signed up for my 3rd half-marathon.

5. Earned a new position within my organization.

6. Went fast food free for 90 days.

7. Began jogging.

8. Re-purposed my old too-big-for-me favorite dress.

9. Rode a bike for the first time since childhood.

10. Faced my fears and went outside of my comfort zone.

Of course there have been some not-so-great things about the first half of 2011 too: not reaching my July goal and realizing the end of a relationship. But, all-in-all if only 2 sucky things happened in the first half of 2011 and 10 awesome things happened, how can I complain? All I can do is move on and make the rest of 2011 even better.

Some things I want to do in the 2nd half of 2011:

1. Run a 5K (Aiming for Oct. 8, 2011)

2. Complete Warrior Dash (September 17, 2011)

3. Lose 30 lbs - I'm throwing this one in there because I'd really like to be down to the 220s for my next half in January; hoping to improve my speed to complete the race within the 3 hour time limit.

I'm so thankful my body is strong and I can condition it to do these amazing things. Not to mention being beyond grateful for the support of all of my friends, family and fellow bloggers!

Modesty

Sometimes I am guilty of being too modest about my weight loss. I focus too much on where I "need" to be (70 more lbs) or "want" to be (healthier, stronger) to enjoy how far I've come.

In 13 months I've lost 22% of my body weight. That's 70 pounds.

I need to remember that next time I don't feel like I am making progress or I am too modest to tell someone the *real* amount of weight I've lost.

Weigh in - officially in 250s

Last Week's Weight - 260.0

This Week's Weight - 259.2

0.8 pounds LOST

70.2 pounds lost since June 2010

Perhaps there is something to be said about dancing and jumping around at a concert because my weigh in was better than expected this morning.

Another not so perfect week, but the scale is still moving in the right direction. Although they have been small losses each week, this is my 6th straight weekly loss. In my book I would rather have it this way instead of losing big one week then gaining the next.

My slow losses are adding up to multiple pounds lost and I am OK with that.

If I can get my rear in gear I could go back to 1-2 lbs losses, I know I can. I just seem to like french fries and doughnuts a lot lately.

Also, a 70 lb loss milestone was hit today and that feels pretty good.

Yesterday was Fitbloggin' Nashville. It was awesome to hang out with several inspiring peeps and it reset my focus a bit. I'll do a recap tonight.

I also put a link at the top of my blog with a schedule of races I intend on participating in during the next 6 months.

Happy Sunday!

Riding a bike after 15 years

Yesterday I did something I never would have done 67 lbs ago. I rode a bike! I have wanted to ride a bike since hitting my first milestone on the scale (under 300 lbs) back in November and I just haven't gotten around to it despite Nashville's free bike share program.

Yesterday though I got on a bike for the first time in about 15 years. We rode 8 miles on a mountainside trail. You know what a mountainside trail means?

HILLS.

I mean really, this looks like a background someone created for a Hollwood movie set.

The weather was perfect with clear, blue, sunny skies and just the right mix of physical challenges and reassurances that I am in shape or at least getting there. On the way out we were apparently going downhill with a few rolling hills in the mix. We made it to Lake Dillon before having to turn around (we are here to work afterall). I felt great on the way out. Coasting on the flat surfaces, riding the hardest-to-pedal gear.

Stopping to pose by Lake Dillon.

After reaching the lake we headed back. Unbeknownst to us, it was all uphill on the way back. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't huffing and puffing. It felt like a much slower return, but as it turned out we arrived back at the bike shop in the same amount of time ending up riding for an hour and a half.

I felt so accomplished before 9 in the morning. Accomplished in a way that walking a marathon or learning to run hasn't afforded me. It was a whole new sort of accomplishment. There were, however, challenges. Like the moment I practically stopped on a rather large hill due to a gear shift issue and had to get off my bike and walk it to the top. Or towards the end of the bike feeling like I wouldn't be able to do anything else for the rest of the day.

Of course, after a 20 minute rest in my hotel room and a shower I had great energy for the rest of the day. I attended the rest of the conference, sipped some fine local microbrews and soaked in my last Colorado evening at the resort stables for the "Barn Dance."

My only regret is that I have to leave Colorado today. I can't wait to start planning my next trip back. Hopefully, it will be to complete one of my 101 in 1001 items - to go snow skiing.

Weigh in - maintaining during a crisis

5/29/11 weight - 263.0

This week's weight - 262.2

0.8 pounds LOST

67.2 pounds lost since June 2010

I haven't weighed in officially in a couple weeks because on June 3rd my mom had brain surgery to fix a ruptured brain aneurysm. I spent several days watching my mom in intensive care wondering if she was going to survive this, much less ever be herself again.

She goes home tomorrow. And she is so lucky to be back to her normal self with only an excruciating amount of pain left as a reminder. So, so, so lucky.

The last 10 days has been filled with food choices based on what my sister had on hand in the house (lots of processed food), fast food and hospital meals. Not to mention the bag of chips, muffins, candy and cookies kept in my mom's hospital room for visitors. I had some meals made of good choices and some not so good. I am bloated and feel like crap.

How I lost a fraction of a pound over the last 2 weeks, I have no idea. I'll take it as a gift that has been given to me and all I can do is go back to my normal way of eating and regular exercise routine.

I've missed so much these last 10 days - one of them being my blogaversary on June 6th. Hopefully I'll find the time to devote a whole post to this milestone, but I thought it was worth mentioning in passing anyway.

Where I've been - a new life adventure

In two weeks, I will start a new job.

I interviewed for, and received, a promotion in my previous department (which I left for my current position). Sometimes you aren't looking for something, but life presents you with an opportunity and you have to take a chance on life.

When I accepted the position, I immediately had thoughts about how it may inhibit my weight loss journey. With this new position, comes a lot of responsibility and the chance of stress and long hours is guaranteed.

Since I am a stress eater, I tend to eat out more and lean towards unhealthy choices and portions when I am stressed. I also tend to eat 2-3 large meals versus 3 small meals and 2 snacks when I'm busy. I have to make sure I am using my weekends to get organized in the food department (go to the grocery store, which I loathe and avoid) and do at least some pre-thought, pre-planning for my meals each week.

Also, since long hours are inevitable, I need to have a plan for the gym in place and not let "I'm too tired" or "It's too late" be an excuse. I know I can lose weight without exercise. But I feel better, eat better and feel less stressed when I get my exercise in.

So, that's what I've been up to these last 2 weeks. Life is an adventure, hang on for the ride!

Then and now photos

Over the weekend I went to a couple stores to play dress up. I can tell the pants I bought in December are beginning to get too big. With the change in season fast approaching and lack of funds, I wasn't ready to buy more clothes just yet. However, I was curious as to what size I could actually fit into. So I went to go find out.

I was able to button and zip a pair of size 18 dress pants!

This is huge to me! I started this blog in a size 28 - the biggest size you could find in most "plus size" stores. I don't even remember the last time there was a "1" in the first digit of my pant size. Honestly, I was probably in middle school - age 13 or 14.

Today, I started thinking about where I started. I started this journey well before I started writing about it on the internet. My highest weight was 355 in February 2008. It was a about a year after I graduated college during which I was in a toxic work environment causing me to sometimes eat fast food 3 times a day. After being unemployed for 6+ months, I lost about 15-20 lbs when I went back to work. And then I lost another 30 lbs in late 2008 after enrolling in a weight management class. I hovered around 320 most of 2009 before gaining 10 lbs back and starting this blog in early 2010 at 330.

For visual effect, I wanted to share a photo history of myself from the last few years.

Me in 2005 - no recollection of my weight.

May 2007
Probably around the 340-350 mark. The whole family was on vacation in Destin.
I remember feeling uncomfortable in everything I wore on that trip.
This photo makes me say, "wow" out loud.

September 2008 @ 325ish. My first "real" weight loss attempt in progress.

April 2009 - around 320. My first half marathon attempt.
Don't mind the hideous hat. I just don't look good in them!

May 2009

July 2009

August 2009 at my sister's wedding.

April 2010 - mere hours after I got the Biggest Loser rejection.

August 2010 @ 322. This was shortly after beginning the blog,

before I started to have much success.

So that was then. But now. This is now. This is where I am at today.

And Sunday, when I put on the only pair of shorts I have from last summer, this is what I was greeted with. Can't say I'm sad about it.

Weigh in - 50 lbs gone!

Last week's weight - 284.0

This week's weight - 278.6

5.4 pounds LOST

50.8 pounds lost since June 2010

HUZZAH!!!

I am thrilled to see a new second digit number on the scale. My goal was to be in the 270's by the end of February, and a whole week early - I'M THERE!

This also marks 50 lbs gone since I started the blog. 50 lbs I will never see on my body again - EVER!

Weigh in - Week 14

Last week's weight 316.4
This week's weight 311.6

4.8 pounds LOST this week

17.8 pounds lost since June 2010

Wow, I am just speechless about the weigh in this week! Almost 5 pounds - seriously!?!?! I haven't had a number this high since I was recovering from vacation.

Sorry for the flash...

I haven't exercised in 8 days due to my back pain. And I'm still losing weight....

I feel better when I exercise, of course, but this has also made me realize how important food choices are for a healthy lifestyle. My food choices have been on point for the most part, and more importantly I have watched portion sizes. Also, when I've known that a higher calorie meal is coming up, I modify my other meals of the day to be lower calorie, but still filling.

I keep saying my scale is broken. I stepped on the scale this morning about 7 times and got the same number each and every time. I even reset the scale and then tried again....still 311.6.

I know I feel this way because I've rarely been this successful and consistent losing weight. I also have never weighed myself this regularly. The only other time I did and was successful was when I lost about 35 pounds after I enrolled into a 4 month adult weight management class. But there, I wasn't on my own. I had a weekly meeting to be accountable to and a team of 3 professionals - a dietitian, psychologist and an exercise therapist - for support.

Milestones

There are two milestones this weigh in is responsible for.

> I am officially more than half way to my 30 pound weight loss by the end of 2010 goal. Only 12.2 pounds to reach that goal.

> I am at the lowest weight of my adult life (highest being 355 in 2008). When I reach my 2010 goal, I will be under 300 pounds.

I hope to keep this momentum going and to slowly reintroduce low impact exercise this week.

A very happy Sunday to you all!