Just keep running...

So I promised that I would keep everyone posted on my journey to becoming a runner...but you should know by now that my promises to blog can be pretty fickle.  But I'm here now and that's what matters!

Lots has happened since I took those first steps back in May.  Probably the biggest thing is that I actually stuck with the program!  I started the Couch 2 5K program that next week and have kept it up.  It means that I'm actually out running 3-4 times per week...yeah that's right - me who was sure that it would never happen, that I couldn't do it, that my knees would be sore, blah blah blah.  I am actually out there doing it.

And here is the best part - I actually look forward to getting out there with my running shoes and iPod on.  When I'm stressed or feel overwhelmed instead of crawling into bed my first thought now is "I need to go for a run".  I've gone out in sweltering heat, in the rain, at night - I've hit all the conditions that I used to use as an excuse.  I've even been pretty sick this week with a cold and still went out once (figured breathing was a requirement to run so haven't been out since but am on the mend and will get back out this week).  It's really weird to feel this passionate about something I've always wanted to do but waited a long time to tray...good but definitely weird.

So where am I at now?  I'm up to running a 6 minute interval - it's still a little hard so I think I'll do this week over again until I feel comfortable with it.  All to say I'm on track to do that run in the fall and I may actually be able to keep up LOL

Also really cool that since I started talking about this program, a few friends have also started.  In fact a colleague at work came to tell me that I inspired her to start it - she was cursing my name after day one cause she was not used to running, but she started and is still doing it :-)

One last note - you can find inspiration everywhere and from anyone.  I am a believer in Social Media, and its power is obvious.  This past week I drew inspiration from someone I follow on Twitter.  She was blogging and tweeting her journey to doing her first triathlon (uh yeah...pretty damn cool in my opinion).  As I was running my first 6 minute interval I actually found myself thinking "If she can do a triathlon I can freaking run for 6 minutes!"...and it worked.  I pushed myself because of what she accomplished.  Have never met her IRL, but I owe a huge thank you to @SharonDV (if you don't already, you should totally follow her on Twitter - she is funny on top of inspiring!!) for keeping me going when I wanted to fall over.

One last benefit from sticking with it - running has helped me stick to my weight loss goals in this season of white wine and BBQs.  Definitely an added bonus!

Am headed on holidays for a few weeks, so no posts from me - and I won't promise one as soon as I'm back cause, well I'm not good at keeping those promises :-)

In the words of Nike...

So I've heard myself often say "I think I would really like running".  I like the idea of putting on the tunes, feet hitting pavement, and the feeling of satisfaction when you make that final loop back home.  Don't get me wrong - I really like going to the gym for classes too when I can get there.  And there it is - that sentence that seems to undo every motivating thought I have.  There is always something else to do.  Homework to help with, dishes to wash, meals to make, laundry to get through.  So I focus on getting those things done and, after working a full day on top of that, I truly just want to collapse at the end of the day.

But here is what I've realized.  I can ask for help with all that other stuff - but I'm the only one who can make myself a runner.  I'm the only one who can get my ass to the gym.  I have also come to realize that when I say it out loud, or commit to it in writing, it tends to get done.

After the Ottawa Race weekend two years ago, I thought to myself "I really want to do that.  Next year I will be in the race".  I didn't say it to anyone else and, next thing I knew Race weekend had arrived and I had not done anything to prepare.

So Ottawa Race weekend 2013 was this weekend - I truly wish I could say that I participated but I didn't.  But here is what I did do...I called on "journey buddies" - that's what I've taken to calling them here - and I said out loud that I wanted to do a 5K.  I wanted that to be a goal...so we made it a goal.  In fact, one of them suggested we not wait until next year, but that we should find one in the fall to do.  My response - I'm in.  So even if I have to walk some of it, I will do it this time.  I will not be the one who says I'm not ready.

And its as simple as that to get your mo-jo back.  Say it out loud, commit, grab a couple of friends who don't mind hearing you whine every now and then, and Just Do It.

Step one - I walked 4 kms this afternoon...and it felt fantastic.
Will keep you posted on our journey to get there...

The usual...

So just a quick update...life feels crazy these days (is there ever a time when it won't feel crazy??).  Being "on the run" has meant that any sort of work out routine has flown out the window.  Having said that, I have been more conscious of what I'm eating so I'm still feeling pretty good about things.  I'm down a few more pounds since the last post, and definitely am feeling more energetic.

What I have been missing, though, is Weight Watcher meetings.  I really believe in the power they have to keep you on track, and I haven't been to one in a little while.  Mine and my buddies' new plan is to try to catch a meeting one day during lunch.  They offer meetings downtown not far from where we work, and I think that might work better than trying to fit in an evening.

For now, we "just keep swimming..."

Can I get a Woo Hoo?!

So after hearing of my buddy's success last week, I decided to venture into my closet and pull out some clothes from last year to see if they are any looser.  By the end of last summer, my capris were getting a little snug - I had just gotten back from vacation and was moving into the season of flannel and big sweaters so I didn't feel overly concerned.

When the weather started to get nicer this year, however, my panic started to rise a little bit.  I decided to bite the bullet and try on a few pairs and guess what - I've had 3 pairs on this week and they are all hanging off me. *insert happy dance here*

It's always an accomplishment when I get through the winter and my spring/summer clothes still fit - but to have them feel big on me instantly lifted my mood.

So now I'm back to being motivated...by the time we hit the fall I want to need a whole new wardrobe :-)  Dying to buy some cute fall stuff LOL

This week...

So after my a-ha moment last week, I set out this week to just go with the flow.  I didn't get to work out at all, but did manage to take the stairs a few extra times at work instead of the elevator.  And how did it pan out?  I'm down another 1.4 pounds.  So it seems that I can just "live life" - as long as I make good choices (which for sanity's sake includes a glass of wine or a few chips every now and then), I will be able to stay on track.

The more exciting news this week came from my WW buddy.  She pulled on clothes this week that she hasn't been able to wear in a couple of years.  To say I am over the moon excited for her is an understatement.  That is THE BEST feeling in the world when you're on a journey like this - especially when it seems the number on the scale is not cooperating!

And here's the important lesson about having someone to do this with - when you start to feel blasé or like it's just not worth it, something way cool happens to your buddy and you get motivated all over again.

Congrats to you my friend - and here's to staying on track together!!

A-ha moment

So I've been beating myself up about feeling so blasé about my weight loss for the past few weeks.  I couldn't seem to figure out why I no longer felt that I was "trying" to stick to the program.  And I was struggling to figure out why the scale wasn't moving as fast as I wanted it to.  I've been the same number for the last 2 weeks - even though I've been to the gym and my eating habits are staying under control.

Then it happened.  I had a bit of an "a-ha" moment.  I wish I could take credit for feeling enlightened, but it was actually after reading a friend's blog that it hit me (here is where I give due credit to Sonia for giving me perspective...if you don't read her stuff you should - http://soniasscrappingworld.blogspot.ca/2013/04/some-exciting-news.html).

The reason for the blasé attitude is that I had managed to incorporate the stuff into my daily life, and I no longer felt that I had to try to follow the WW program...I was just doing it.  I didn't have to convince myself the bowl of ice cream wasn't a good idea...I just didn't want it anymore.  And the stuff I did want (like a glass of my favourite wine), I could do cause I was making good choices everywhere else.

As for the number on the scale, I realized this week that my clothes were looking a little saggier on me.  What I decided was to make that my gauge.  I still like to watch the numbers fall, but it is a true sense of accomplishment to have my clothes feeling big.  And I put on a pair of freshly washed jeans that usually were initially hard to button up - and I had no issues!  YES!!!

I've always been a firm believer that you just have to live the change and stop thinking of it as a "plan" or a "program".  No one wants to feel like they're on a plan for the rest of their life.  We just want to live our lives to the best we can.  It just took me a little while - and some help from my friends - to figure out that was the point I was at.

Can't shake it...

So I truly can't  seem to shake myself out of this blah mood I've been in...and usually when I get blah I get even more blase about the WW program.  I find myself making excuses (I'm really tired, it's Easter so I have to eat the chocolate - you know the drill).  Usually at this point on my WW journey, I tend to give up.  I just quit and think "I'll start again when things get less crazy".

Here's the thing...it never gets less crazy.  There is always a thousand other things that need my attention, and a hundred reasons why it is easier to grab whatever is handy to eat instead of planning and making good choices.

This is where I really appreciate my WW buddy.  Knowing she keeps going, and has just as crazy a life as me, keeps me at least on the program.  It keeps me going to the meetings, and thinking even a little bit about what I put in my mouth.

Truth be told I skipped weigh-in last week - mostly cause I just didn't have it in me to face the scale knowing it would not be a good number.  This week I'm going back to the meeting and will face the music...and I will do it with my support system in tow.  Here's to keeping the truck moving forward!