Fitness Update

I figured it was about time for a weight-loss/fitness update.

High weight: 164 (October 2010)
Start weight: 153.6 (August 14, 2011)
Current weight: 144.6 (October 5, 2011)
Goal weight: 130



Since I started the couch-to-5k program on August 14, 7 1/2 weeks ago, I've lost a total of 8.5 inches (arms, legs, stomach) and 9 pounds. Today I did Week 9, Day 2 of the C2-5K program which means I only have one day left. I really didn't think I'd be able to work my way towards running 3 miles all at once in less than two months. But surprisingly, I can. My first 5K time was 39:30, not bad I say, not bad. So proud of myself for actually doing it, and seeing it through, start to finish! I actually have improved a TON on my mile time as well. Last summer when I first started running, my first mile time was over 16 minutes; last night, my new mile time was 9:40. Yay! Now I need to scour the internet (aka Pinterest) to find a new workout routine ;) Ideas??


Chicken, avocado, and tomato salad with Ranch & Franks Red Hot

Up until now I have pretty much just been watching calories and trying to eat more fruits and vegetables and less sugary stuff. On Monday I bought the 17-Day Diet book and started the diet yesterday. I'm not following it absolutely to a tee (I cannot STAND green tea), but using the menu plans provided for the most part. Can't say how well it's working since it hasn't even been 48 hours but I plan to do a review post at the end of the first 17 day cycle.


Everything thin bagel with turkey, cucumber, and roasted red pepper hummus


Cherry tomatoes + agua


Hard boiled eggs = love :)

Accountability Needed...

I was browsing the good ol' interweb the other night (a hobby I indulge in far too often) when I came across a quote that said "People's unhappiness is caused by sacrificing what we want most for what we want right now". How flippin' true is that?! I'd say it's pretty close to 100% accurate in my life. Our society has taught us to want what we want, and want it right now. Everything is about instant gratification. Much to our dismay, good things take time. Anything worth having is worth waiting for.





My problem is that I get "too busy". I put other things higher on my priority list. I don't work out unless I can dedicate a good chunk of time to it. If I break down and eat something unhealthy, my day is "wasted" anyway so I continue to eat unhealthy, or choose not to work out. I make promises to myself that I know I can't keep, but still feel disappointed when I have failed to keep my promise. Change is gradual. How can I (or you) expect to go from not working out, to working out every day? Or from not caring about what you eat, to eating a strict diet? This time around (I feel like a broken record), I am making a commitment to ACT HEALTHIER. To LIVE healthier. To THINK healthier. To make healthy CHOICES. I am not going to punish myself for slipping up now and again. I am not going to view myself as a failure if I go to bed without working out. I am simply going to work towards becoming healthier, a little bit at a time.

I have heard a lot on other blogs about The Couch-to-5k Running program. I finally decided to check it out and it really doesn't seem too difficult. It works to build endurance, slowly. I am thinking about giving it a go, but I am so incredibly OCD that I'm afraid if I miss a day, or don't follow the program to a tee, my mind will go crazy over it. I can commit to the program three times a week, but I'd like to try to be working out more than that, so I'm considering following the program, and if I choose to work out on a "rest" day, I will either do a P90X video, or the 30 day shred video.

I am going to try to post one or two times a week about my progress as far as when I have worked out and what I have been changing in my diet. My ultimate goal is to lose about 20 pounds, but mostly I want to be back to the weight I was at pre-pregnancy. Currently I'm +11. Anyone else making commitments to work out more? Eat healthier? Let's be accountability partners!



[Note: Images are not mine, both were found on Pinterest, and I just noticed the 2nd one has a typo but I like the quote so I'm leaving it!]

The Cost of Being Healthy

So today was the day. The day I decided I was going to stop complaining about all the negative in my life and actually do something about them. It's time for change. Okay, so actually it was yesterday, but today was when it all started. In this lame town, there is one; exactly ONE fitness center that offers childcare. ONE! That is it. My choices of which fitness center to join were gone, it didn't matter how much the joining fee was, how much the monthly fee was, because this was the only way I was going to be able to work out.



I made an appointment to tour the facility and discuss membership fees (how fancy). The facility is nice. I mean, its big, has lots of stuff. But really it's a building, with work out equipment, a basketball court, a locker room, and a lot of sweaty people... basically the same as any other fitness facility. Finally, the "monthly fee discussion"... I was not really thrilled about this and was planning on my stomach dropping when I heard the numbers. Joining fee: $50. Monthly fee: $50. WHAT! There goes my fitness goals, flying out the window. Oh but wait! You're a student? YES! You're between the ages of 18 and 29? YES! And we are doing a 50% off joining fee special this month. YES! All in all, it came down to $24.50 prorated for this month, and $30/month for the next year. Not too shabby. Definitely will be worth it when I start pumping out results. :) Oh, but one last thing... this whole daycare situation. Not only am I paying $30 a month to leave my sweat on these people's equipment, I'm paying an extra $4/hour for my son to crawl around in "Kyd's Court". Yeah... they can't even spell Kids. (haha) I guess that's the price you pay to be fit