Weigh In Day Arrived

Well Thursday was the test for me. Did I work hard enough to loose any weight this week? Did I watch close enough to my food intake and calories to stay on target for it to make a difference?

I got up Thursday morning and weighed myself before I did anything. Then I got dressed and weighed myself again to see how much I would weigh fully clothed. I felt that if I had done anything positive I would have to see how much I weighed fully dressed. When we have weigh in for the health challenge we weigh in at night. WELL that is when I weigh the most! I knew this was going to be my biggest challenge. I also chose to fast the day of weigh in. I ate a minimal calorie breakfast and lunch, but made sure I took in my water. I also had one more chance for a workout before the weigh in. Last chance workout you might say...


We actually had some of the worst weather come rolling into central Texas on Thursday. It was suppose to snow...and that meant I was going to have to figure a way to do a simple 30 minute, strong workout indoors. Since it's so hard to come home and leave again from my house at rush hour. I chose to hang out at my elementary school and wait for the meeting time. I really had planned to used the big open hallways to walk...when I remembered that we have a so call, "workout room" our P.E. teacher had put together for our staff to use. I went to check it out.

There were 2 old treadmills and a stationary bike for equipment. I stepped up on one of the treadmills to check it out. This was a very old machine...it was me doing all the work...not setting the machine to a pace and keeping up. I tried to run and realized...it was going to be just what I needed for a quick, strong workout. After 20 minutes on the machine...I went to the floor to do some basic floor exercises...crunches, push-ups, leg lifts, and lunges. I used some simple hand weights that were available...really not much weight but I felt I could do more reps with them to make it worth it. IT DID! Overall I got in a 45 minute workout before the weigh in and it felt good.

Doing all this and preparing my mind for a chance that it wouldn't be a big number...6:30pm came and it was time head to the meeting. I arrived to much excitement going on at the meeting. The weather, the chance for snow meant we were not going to have a full meeting...we needed to get weighed in, then we would have a very brief discussion as a group. I got in line for the weigh in.

I brought a very lightweight pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt to wear for my weigh in clothing. I stepped on the scale and could see that I had lost weight...but how much was the question? When I asked what my starting weight was they told me and I knew then, I had lost 5 new pounds for week one! That is 2.9% for me. All the work I had put in for week one brought me positive results.

I listen briefly to the group discussion on motivation. They reminded me that motivation in the scheme of things is going to depend on me. No one else is going to do the work for me! I have to motivate myself to work hard and get results. Whatever that looks like for me...that is what will be my mantra.

Well I left the meeting thinking, "I have fasted all day...and now my reward is to eat!" When I got home I was fully prepared to enjoy a plate of my leftover pasta and meat sauce. I even got out the container and was almost ready to put some on a plate. When I stopped...I put the lid back on and put it back in the fridge. I got out a Larabar and filled up a big glass of water instead. I did my calorie update on myfitnesspal.com. I quickly realized I did need to eat more...or I would suffer in the long run from not taking in enough to eat. I made a bowl of cereal with dried blueberries and So Delicious coconut milk. (this milk is very low fat, low calorie) The bowl of cereal finally took me to a comfortable full feeling so I knew, now it's OK.

Bottom line...working and planning the days for worked outs, making a menu that was calorie safe, is how I will win this final battle to reach my goal weight. I have 21 lbs. to go.

I want you to know I walk this journey with God on my side. I can't do this on my own. As I stood at the counter last night getting prepared to fill up my plate. I stopped just long enough to hear Him say..."What about the victory? Don't you want to win?" I could see all the times I have won a battle against a sin in my life and then...turn my back on God and jumped right back in to my flesh. That is when I could put down the plate. Seeing a visual of myself overweight, frustrated, never making it to the finish line. I don't want to do that anymore, I want to think about winning the victory and how it will feel when I reach my goal weight finally! How it really feels to complete a race...to know that with God - I CAN DO IT! No one else runs 13.1 miles for me! I run those races with God. He moves me through every phase. The highs and the lows...He brings me to the finish line where I get to enjoy the victory in Him.

Another week of training has begun...no turning back! My victory is in Him.

"For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.(Deuteronomy 20:4)”

Mama Barb

13.2 Long Run

This was a tough run today. I over dressed for the weather...So about mile 3 I had to start unzipping the jacket...and the by mile 5, I tied it around my waist. Then my IPod started acting up...and I started working on it as it as I was running...trying to figure out what was happening. So, I'm running and working on my IPod and headset...and figure out it's my little Belkin adapter that had gone out. I switched everything over to my IPhone and got my music up and running again. This all took about a 1.5 miles out of my focus. When I looked down at my Garmin finally, I had dropped my pace way down and my stats were not going to be good now.

I tried to refocus and get moving again. I was about 20 minutes off my pace for finishing already.

I picked this route today for the hills. I want to be ready for the hilly route I will be running in Austin for the half marathon. The Austin course is very hilly. So, I was about to reach Double Creek (a big hill) when I saw Michael's car come around the corner. He came out to do some banking errands for our daughter, Cara Jane and he came looking for me on the route. This helped to encourage me as I approached the DC hill.

By the time I got to my turn at Rusk Rd...I my right heel was hurting pretty good. I was on now 9.1 miles into the run...and the pain in my foot won me over. I stopped running and started walking. I was so close to my car...I was so tempted to cut through the back of the middle school and call it quits. BUT, I kept walking down Rusk.

I told myself, you only have 3 miles left...you can do this. KMF! So, I started running again, then I would walk some. The last 3 miles were done run/walking. I hit Collingwood and I ran up that big hill...and then I had to walk again. When I finally got back to my car at the school...I was just glad it was over.

It was hard to be excited about my accomplishment because I want to finish strong...and I didn't feel this is what I had done. I let my fatigue win over in my mind and felt I gave up. That is not like me...I've had one other long run like this...it was last summer when I got over heated. I had to stop and walk, then when I tried to run again my legs started cramping and said, "No your not!"

I went back out the next week and ran the same route again and finished strong. I plan on doing this very same route again next weekend. I am going to finish this one strong too.

I really only have one more long run that counts toward the training for Austin. So, I'm good for running this same route again next weekend. Then I can start my taper and rest my body for race day.

Running can really be a mental battle. You have stay focused and get it done. Not mess with IPods and headsets, jackets and really just stuff. Same lesson with my walk with God. When I'm focused on Him, I reach the goal. BOOM! Lesson LEARNED!

Mama Barb

Dress Rehearsal Time

Tomorrow morning is my dress rehearsal long run. I'm set to run 13.2 getting me set for the Austin Half. I'm pretty excited about the route I have picked out. It has a good set of hills that will mimic the Austin race coming on the 20th. I'll be running it alone and that can be tough at times. When I get to the last 3 miles of the route is when I struggle the most mentally. I'm feeling good...no aches or pains tonight. I'm headed to bed early to get plenty of rest for the morning run. Gonna be a good day for a run!

Running the Hood

4.5 miles
I needed to get in my run tonight and so it was from my front door or nothing. This has been a very busy week and getting my weekly runs in have been hard for me. So I worked up a new route from my front door to get in my 4 miles. It was a good route overall, just flat.

I'm trying to get in as many hills runs as I can before Austin. But, if it's to hard to drive to the Creek to run...I have to settle for running through my own neighborhood, even if it's flat.

My right foot is hurting some but nothing I can't focus out. I always feel better when I get it done, that's what counts.

This weekend is the dress rehearsal for the big dance...so, I'm hoping the weather will hold until I can get it in.

Austin Half Marathon - February 20, 2011

It's getting closer everyday...I missed this race in 2010 due to a stress fracture in my hip. After healing from the fracture, training hard all summer...I made it to the San Antonio Rock & Roll Half last November. Now it's time for my favorite race, the Austin Marathon Half Marathon. I have 2 really long run weekends left and then I can taper to the finish.

My goal this year with my running is to run stronger and injury free. I actually put in 657 miles running in 2010. But overall, I never lost a pound from it! For some reason...all that activity never reduced my weight one pound! That was eye opening for me. I really feel I should be seeing weight reduction along the journey of running. At least that is why I started running.

I'm definitely stronger than I have ever been. I have lost 75 lbs. in 2 years...and have maintained my weight for the past 2 years. So if you have done the math...I have been working on my physical self for the past 4 years now. BUT, I have wanted to loose at least 20 more pounds to reach my goal weight. My goal is 20 pounds away. Only with God can I do this!