My very first 5K (Nov 2013)... coming into the finish area. Just got this pic today. I'm on the right with my C25K race running buddy, Beth. Love it!
My very first 5K (Nov 2013)... coming into the finish area. Just got this pic today. I'm on the right with my C25K race running buddy, Beth. Love it!
0 Comments
Weight goal continues to be mid BMI range: 128. Currently at 131. Want the size 6 to be comfortable - right now it’s still snug ... although most 8’s are a bit roomy .. and I need to put away the 10s. I’m sure it’s my imagination, but the weight loss seems to be really slowing down. One month ago I was at 139... so still progress, and I do believe the closer you get to where you want to be, the more difficult it can be. The other thing is that I seem to have so many more social opportunities that interfere. This is not a bad thing, just something that is delaying this final hurdle.... And I’m not kidding myself that fluctuation will not happen... just want to accomplish it already!
But once that accomplishment happens -- then what? How do I stop? How do I maintain? Do I eat more? Do I exercise less? I still want to tone arms and still have a spare tire. I know there is still a lot of room in my diet to eat healthier. I want to add seafood twice a week. Brian is on board - but kids are roadblocks. Going to the outlets in NY in 2 weeks... Want to get started on a new spring wardrobe -- nothing fits from last year Brian’s Mom asked me something about the weight loss and what the family thought... and I said something like ... “well they notice but then I think they forget about it”... and her response was “oh, I don’t think they forget about it."
Katie went shopping with Nicole. They went shopping for clothes but also for .... me! Would your mom like this? This? This? Katie said that Nicole said she isn’t even a size 6. Kinda cool, that you find out that you kid thinks enough about what you’re doing to share with her friends and then have them help her go shopping for you! With Spring and the fleeting glimpses of promised warmer weather, many more folks seem to be interested in running. Folks at work, folks at home, folks on FB. At work Connie joined us for the running club; Olga walked and ran and Joanne walked. Angela wants to join us as well. FB friends Holly and Tiffany may do a 5K with me in May. My sister Sue asked if I’d guide her through a C25K program (via FB). Carol H saw this and also wants to join. Leah P now wants to join on weekends; and today Katie, Marc, Sue and I did their very first C25K day. It was tough on Sue, but she wants to do it again.
Can’t help but wonder... if my own running journey could be helping inspire others? I don’t want to sound boastful, but I’m very excited about what I’ve been able to accomplish and even more so excited if I that might be encouraging others to even think about embarking on a similar journey. Feeling so honored, if that is the case.. Simply amazing to think of it almost as a snowball effect, where so many other folks helped me and now that help may even continue on through me to help others... and should they achieve similar success then they will go on and help others and so on... Sooo cool Just had to capture this.... This is me in a size 14 jeans... the size I was wearing back in September 2013. Today I wore a size 6. Soooo, that is what I wore from 40+ pounds and 4 sizes ago! Whoo Hoo... I'm feeling, living with and seeing the differences daily. But a photo like this really captures the entire journey to date.... a pretty powerful statement of where I started, what I've been doing and even where I'm going. Ran 2.75 miles today... Had some new folks join us. Have other folks interested. Feeling satisfied! UPDATE: Check out photos in May and June at final goal of 50 pounds loss. Happy Saint Patricks Day. Just looking at the weight loss history and wondering about plateauing:
The weight loss in the last month has been only 6 pounds! Seems like things might be slowing down. Remembering over Christmas goal was just to maintain... and for about 2 weeks was pretty stagnant. Should be happy with where I am and don’t get me wrong I’m very, very pleased with all of it... but figure that I’m on a roll why not just finish it. However, There seems to have been lots of recent social activity which I believe makes it more difficult to lose. Throughout this entire journey, I have not counted calories... I’ve just counted portions and tried to be good about snacks and healthy eating. I don’t want to change this way of doing things at this point... I know about plateaus, I know about mixing it up. I know about gaining muscle could actually cause a weight increase.... and still, I can't help but be a little disappointed. I also think that due to the increased social activity... family parties; going out with friends, etc.... that has hindered the weight loss, because although I have absolutely modified portions... going out for weekly Ladies night, for example, does add unnecessary (don't drink them) calories! I also think that I'm slacking off a bit and cheating a bit more.. I mean I've come so far, can't I have 5 MNMs? I'm not worried about this, but maybe I need to re-focus a bit and remember the goal a bit more. I've really slacked off on P90X3. Maybe get that going in earnest again. Or... if I don't change a thing... I have lost 6 pounds in the last month which is still (although slower than I'm used to) progress. Katie and I are going outlet shopping in 2 weeks. I would like to be comfortable in a size 6 by that time. I figure 5 more pounds (a.k.a. my goal) should do it. Or... more running, weight training, toning could also do just the trick. I don't know if that's possible in that time frame, but something to shoot for. So.... some folks in the the neighborhood decided to do a Pub Crawl... Shrewsbury St in Worcester. Wasn’t in on the initial planning, but the goal was to take Christian’s brother (visiting from England) out on the town. I was doing something with kids so needed to meet them there; Brandon was surprised at our plans telling me that that’s something he should be doing ... not us. Too funny! Got Katie to drop me off --- what a hoot having your kid drop you off at a bar --- and took a cab home... so the whole “drink and don’t drive” thing was covered.... But, but, but - this was a Pub Crawl -- walking from one bar to another - taking in the ambience and having a drink at each. They started at 5PM. I met them at 6:30, and they were already lit. None of them had eaten yet, and they were on the third bar when I arrived. I mentioned eating and they all thought it was a good idea.
So then the big question for me became --- how much is too much? I know weight plays a factor in alcohol consumption and after losing 40+ pounds (i.e. ~ 25%) how do I know what I can handle? Especially since I’ve always been pretty much a cheap drunk anyway! And I had absolutely no desire to feel the effects the next day. I think I did good... Had 3 moderate drinks the entire night and tempered with water and ginger ale. Calorie counts for the day were a bust --- but hey gotta show the Brit a good time.... right! Really did have a good time; It was a good group. Although I did feel it a bit the next day (a risk for anyone) physically I handled it very well. Although I can’t say the same for everyone else -- haha -- I played nursemaid to Brian the entire next day. For me, I was so glad I had run before going out that night as that next day became a total rest day not doing any exercise routine at all.... and the great thing about that is that I didn’t feel guilty (not that I should); I didn’t feel lost because I didn’t do anything. I was perfectly on board with not doing anything fitness wise --- other than doing nothing... which if you actually think [very hard] about it doing nothing is doing something fitness-wise -- it’s allowing for rest and recovery! Maybe I’m actually learning how it all fits together. Happy Pi Day. Thinking more on the subject .... Joined the Clean It UP program at work and this week focuses on exercise and states 5 hours is average. Leah mentioned that some folks are overtraining back when she was doing Power Yoga and some folks were not happy with it....
So after taking stock in how much time I’m actually spending exercising lately (especially with the addition of P90X3), I gotta wonder if I’m really doing too much. So I googled it and came up with the following top signs of overtraining:
I know I’m doing a lot. Don’t know if I want to forever maintain this level. But for now, even with all that I’m doing, I really, really don’t think I’m doing too much. It occurred to me that I may not be fully capturing the workout details that have become my daily life -- so want to dedicate some words to that. My daily workouts are such an integral part of my life right now that if I miss a class, I feel kinda lost. Sometimes it’s inevitable, whether due to a work commitment (earlier this week when I missed the new class), or kid commitment (today I need to miss running because Nick gets braces --- eeek for him), or a class being cancelled, or just not feeling up to it.
It’s almost an obsession. Is it a good obsession or not???? Hmmm need to think on that. Getting into a committed routine is probably more of a mindset challenge than a physical one. I gotta believe that all those New Year Resolutions sound really good and are made in complete earnest, but then the commitment wanes and they are forgotten 2 months later. Or someone who really wants to start.. but never quite ever does. But for me right now it’s almost the opposite -- if for some reason (like a bothersome hip) that I should take some time off, it’s just as much of a mental challenge not to do something. Thinking about all of this as a lifestyle change and not just a means to an end (of losing weight -- or getting fit) I guess that’s a good thing, but I’m wondering if it’s too much. I know I’m coming to the end of the rollercoaster of a journey from a weight loss perspective, but the ride never ends from a fitness perspective. So what exactly am I doing -- a lot!!! too much?? maybe. Is it sustainable? I don’t know. Do I want it to be? I don’t know. Prior to C25K program (6 months ago and before)
For my first 20 pounds I was doing the following: (2-6 months ago)
For my second 20 +? pounds, I stepped it up (because my Thyroid was decreased) (now - 2 months ago)... Below would be the schedule if I did everything every day - which I do not.
So... the P90X3 is a 30 minute supposedly intense workout. I *always* modify and I don’t always do.... this is day 75 of a 90 day challenge -- and I’m on day 35 --- so doing it about half time. P90X3, Instructors Choice and Zumba usually have some kind of weight component.. Brenda says that most P90X3 folks are using it as a supplement for cross training purposes. The Martial Arts with Matt is about 30 minutes and some stretching, some kicking / hitting and some theory but not too intense Some have remarked that they’ve seen a difference in me since the beginning of the year.. maybe due to P90X3 which is the main addition (not counting Martial Arts with Matt and Pilates both of which I consider pretty low intensity) I can see and feel a difference. Although I’m not sure if it’s from the beginning of the year or just overall. When I run, I feel stronger. Even simple things like going up the stairs, I feel stronger. I can feel muscles in my legs and arms that were not there before. I can feel them from the outside (more defined, more solid) **and** from the inside (when I use them) I can do things that I couldn’t do (or do well) before like roll ups and squats and lunges. I can even do more pushups than I used to. Yoga today some of my poses were as deep as they’ve ever been. I do get tired in the workouts but that is the intention... Today’s P90X3 was Incinerator where the goal is failure. I do feel the burn the next day, but not as much as I used to and not as much as others do. I am more tired than I used to be and getting more sleep than I used to but considering what I’m doing, I expect that. I also seem to be more hungry lately. I genuinely feel really, really good. I do not feel run down. I’m not getting sick. I do modify as needed or if in pain. So am I overtraining? I googled it and although the above schedule seems kinda sadistic, I really don’t think so. Yoga, Pilates and even Zumba could be considered recovery exercises. The P90X3 spaces out their intense workouts with recovery as well and it’s only 30 minutes of modified (by me) exercising. I’m only running 2 - 3 times a week and having plenty of recovery in between. The Yoga is especially helpful with stretching all those muscles and I don’t think I’ve lost any flexibility due to overuse with running -- except maybe in my right hip which I’m watching very closely. Everything I do seems easier because of everything I do. Today in yoga we were doing something with wide legs and bending down and resting elbows on the floor. She said if you don’t feel this, widen your stance. Well I didn’t feel it (hip openers) so widened and still felt very little. So back to the questions of a good obsession or not.. I really love that I really like to do all this. If I could go back in time to even just a year ago and show myself the above schedule, I’d truly think that it was crazy. I absolutely love what it’s all done for me. I love my new size, my new energy levels, my greatly improved cholesterol levels. I wonder if I had not had the Thyroid Med Decrease to worry about, would I have increased my activity levels - probably not - but the Thyroid is a part of the entire picture and this is all something that has worked for me.... And it’s very important to point out.. The above schedule was an evolutionary one. I did not wake up one day and go from zero to 60. I gradually increased to the point where I am now. I’m really, really happy with the P90X3 program and if for some reason (like today) I can’t do anything else, I can at least do that. Over Christmas break, I felt kinda lost with no group exercise classes ... and that was before P90X3... so all I did was run. But now even if I couldn’t go to any group exercise classes, I could still do running and P90X3. Probably over-analyzing to the max [[ hey it’s what I do ]] but wanted to capture my current activity level and my current thinking towards it all. Thinking again - second guessing - doubting. I get it, I think too much. I analyze everything (did I say I’m a Software engineer - go figure) and I know that my over-active mind can be my own worst enemy
Today I actually had a debate with myself if I’d reached the point that I could wear things tucked in. I decided that I could... Untucked has been one of my styles as weight increased .. as it hides well.... or at least more than tucked in. But, now I think I could go either way. So how do you decide when to tuck and when not to? I’m sure it depends on the style, but gotta explore new comfort levels. Just an example of analyzing, analyzing, etc. Anyway... on the whole raw exposure thing... More compliments, more comments, more questions. Seems every time I have a new size in clothes (which is like every other month) I get a whole new slew of it all. At first people were very cautious with their questions... prefacing them with things like “if you don’t mind me asking -- how much have you lost?” Now, probably because they’ve asked before (and I’ve never been private about it when asked) they just come right out with the question... or another kinda bold question I’ve gotten recently is “What size are you now?” Don’t get me wrong, this is all great and I absolutely don’t mind at all..... but, but I now have some new concerns. Once I hit the 30 pound mark, I wasn’t as exact when telling how much I lost --- I’d always round down to the nearest 5. So anywhere from 30-34 was 30 and 35-39 was 35. Well to be exact I’m at 42 today. I don’t know why I started doing this... but think it might have to do with really admitting where I came from and the 1-4 pounds seeming inconsequential until the next 5 pound milestone was achieved. Now since I’ve hit the 40 pound mark, and I still want to go further -- my goal is still BMI midpoint -- but 40+ seems kinda huge; and do I really want to admit where I came from. Sure I admit it to myself and to those around me, but to people I don’t know? It’s total raw exposure! I could simply choose to let it fade; letting time put distance between then and now and like strangers who never knew and thought I was always this normal size person. I look around at my [four] sisters, and I was always one of ... or ... the smallest, even at my biggest. So what does that say about them. Knowing where I came from, means they weigh more. That’s exposure too --- but not theirs, it’s mine. Ok, so this sharing thing... and potentially helping others. I really, really will be forever in the debt of all those who helped, advised, challenged or complimented me (see Acknowledgements for some). I can’t say enough about them, and they are mentioned throughout these posts. I guess it comes down to, could this all help someone else? By the amount and frequency of questions I get, I do believe it could. So although, I’m still not 100% sure I feel comfortable with the raw exposure, my logical mind ... which may be a good thing ... is saying that the benefits that this exposure could help others (like so many have helped me) are all worth it. Thyroid Doctor's appointment today ... to follow up on December's adjustment due to first 20 pound weight loss.... so since then I've lost another 20 (YUP 40 as of this week) ... so was fearing that she'd want to adjust again.
Back in December, I decided to increase activity (hence P90X3) to help balance out the lower thyroid dosage.... well P90X3 has kinda slacked off lately due to focusing on increased endurance on hills in prep for Stu's ... and I don't really want to do any more, so was thinking if she adjusts again then that's what I'll live with. Well, well, well, levels were still a little (just over the line) on the over-active side, but much, much better so she said because of the additional weight loss and because it was so close that she would work with me on it and keep it at the same level but check again in 2 months. I'm great with that! We also decided to cut the Cholesterol Medicine in half and see what happens in 2 months on that one.... She was asking me what I was doing... how much exercising; told her basically every day but tempered with Pilates, Yoga and Weights; she knew about Yoga but was unsure about Pilates; she cautioned about the dangers of running outside in the winter; told her the tread on the running sneakers was better than on my boots; told her where I got the running shoes and about getting fit for pronation. She then said something about learning from her patients. Pretty neat! Another totally cool thing was... as with every doctors visit, they weigh you... but with other doctors visits, where they take one look at you and immediately slide the main scale weight up to the 150 pound mark and then adjust the smaller weight upwards to get the exact weight... today (and I believe last visit) they started at the 100 pound mark --- let me say that again to stress the significance of it --- they took one look at me and started at the 100 pound mark! Whoo Hoo; a significant day! And today, unlike other days, I didn't pick out the lightest clothes or shoes to wear thinking that it might make a difference on the scale. I just wore what I had planned and didn't give a second thought to how it would affect the scale! So...... we'll see were we are in 2 months and for today, I'm very happy with the same Thyroid level and the lower Cholesterol adjustment! So there was a couple of HIIT(High Intensity Interval Training) classes that I was always afraid to go to. Word in the gym was that they were very intense and there was no down time... so I never went. Well she left, and we now have new instructor. Last week was her first week, and I heard rave reviews about her... so wanted to give it a try. Since I wasn’t going to run on Monday (day after Stu’s) I went then... and it was a total blast. What a personality! I was laughing so much attempting to do pushups that I couldn’t do them... which is a good thing .. because I can’t do them well anyway. She told us about her push-up challenge with an 84 year old, and assured us that if we keep it up, that we can also come to her classes when we are 80!
Ha... my goal would be to dance until the day I die! Not like my Mom who with approx. 30% lung capacity had to count each step and plan out resting spots (approx. every 5 steps) along the way ... for probably the last 6 years of her life. Obviously no one knows what will happen tomorrow let alone years or decades in the future... but the point was/is if you establish and (the key) maintain a healthy lifestyle, you can hopefully dance until the day you die... So... one day after Stu’s, Tony’s talking about half marathons... Harriet’s talking about half marathons. Leah’s talking about a 10k in 3 weeks! ok, ok, they keep saying the same things But I keep thinking this was only ... (did I just say only... haha) 4.5 miles -- a stretch for me up from 3 -- and today, I'm happy I can still walk - LOL - seriously, actually feel very good. Will need to think about what's next.
I think .. or know... that I think too much... my mind hasn’t caught up to what my body can do, and so is it holding me back??? So, ok if it were someone else, would I be saying the same things to them? Yup, I’m sure I would. I absolutely appreciate all the encouragement, and thinking about it.... half of what I’ve been doing these last 6 months has come from suggestions from other people. Had they not been so positive, welcoming and encouraging, I would probably not be here today. I’ve been pretty focused on weight and exercising to accomplish weight loss that I haven’t really thought about exercising for physical accomplishment... I mean, I’ve been noticing abilities that I haven’t had before, but it’s more of a wow factor instead of a fitness goal. I had a weight loss goal and I’m just about there. I guess it’s time to maybe think more about what are my fitness goals. Before Stu’s I was happy with my 2.75 ~ 3 mile running range. But then again no one (including myself) had challenged me to do more. Michelle does 3+ miles 3 times a week and that’s sufficient for her to maintain the physical fitness she desires. Harriett, on the other hand, started like me and kept going. Her current goal is to do 2 half-marathons a year. So different physical accomplishments that these folks have set for themselves -- both perfectly fine. I can’t wait to go running on Thursday... I’ve decided to wait til then and not do too much in between - since I’m sore from who know’s what (new Monday class; hula-hoop; and probably Stu’s) .... so I really want to see how I do on the same hills that I’ve been training on and how they seem after Stu’s. Should I do more? How much commitment would it be? I hear about long runs and short runs.. but don’t really know what it all means. I’ve briefly looked at 5K to 10K transition plans, and they seem as difficult and grueling as it was for C25K. But Stu’s 4.5 mile accomplishment is even more astounding to me 2 days later than it was yesterday. And as Leah has already pointed out 10K is only 1.5 miles more than I did at Stu’s. There’s so much I don’t know.. The other day Brenda posted about marathon “Throw-away clothes”. I had absolutely no idea what that meant.... so I Googled it. So what do I want? What’s next for me? I have absolutely no idea. I don’t think I’ve ever thought this way about physical accomplishments.... stupid brain holding me back -- NOPE don’t think so ... uneducated brain not even aware -- YUP, I'm going with that for now. I’ve kinda fell into all this. It’s all pretty surreal. So glad I did... but I think it’s time to take more active control and definition of how I want to challenge myself physically going forward - especially from a running perspective. Awwwww - come on. Doesn’t seem fair. I’m used to 2-3 pounds a week. Just getting down to almost where I want to be; Ran the most I’ve ever run... and I’m down a measly pound. What gives? I’ve read all the cautions about plateaus, and building muscle actually gaining weight and mixing up routines. So I logically know that it’s fine.... and I’m absolutely still in a good place, but this is such a mental, emotional challenge in addition to being a physical one -- and so today I get to say Crap, crap crap.
DID IT!!! My leg was 4.5 miles done in about 48 minutes. I'm happy with that... The team came in 12th (so if you do the math the others picked up my pace -- but who wants to do Math on Sunday??) One Medal per team and, and, and they gave it to me! Thanks guys Actually forgot to take pictures during the event (amazing me *without* a camera) so here's an after-shot which proves I'm still standing. Thanks to all the amazing people who encouraged me to do this! I'm so glad I did!!! Brenda, was soooo good to see you. You'll do great in Boston! Leah, thanks for being the first person to ask about even doing this! Tony, thanks for the persistent encouragement and finding me a team. Anita and Michelle who helped me so much with hills. Craig, Don, Bill, it was a privilege to be part of your team. |
AuthorI’m a completely ordinary person going through a completely
extraordinary transformation! Archives
September 2022
Categories
All
|