Couch to 5k: DOMINATED

Yes, that's right folks, today I completed C25k week 9, day three.

C25k....completed....BOO YAH!

Here I am after today's run:
Yes, I get REALLY pink when I work out!

And my trusty running buddy:She's been sleeping ever since :)

Oh man, you don't even know how excited I am that I finished the program. I am now running a STRONG 30 minutes straight (the program is based on time, not distance) But mainly I think this is because they assume you will complete 5 kilometers in 30 minutes...well... I'm not quite there yet!

But here's the thing....THAT'S OK! You know why? Because I now know that I CAN and WILL complete 5 kilometers, no matter the time it takes me. How do I know this? Because I've finally come to realize that running is SO much more a mental game than a physical one.

I'm not suggesting anyone starting out just go out there and try to run 3 miles all by their will power. Of course you need to ease your body into it one run at a time. However, I AM suggesting that once you learn to say no to that little voice in your head that keeps saying things like:

"You can't do this."
"You're too out of shape, give it up."
"You can only make it a couple more seconds, don't try any more."

Whatever that voice may say to you, you CAN learn to control and overcome it. Once you do, each time you run you will know that you can push yourself one more step or one more minute than before.

To celebrate my accomplishment today, I have registered for my first 5k race. It's the St. Patty's Day Dash in Seattle on March 14th. This will hold a special place in my heart, since it just so happens that my birthday is on St. Patty's :) What a great gift to myself, huh?
I have never liked running. And to be completely honest, I don't wake up on my run mornings and think "OH, GOODY! I get to run today!"....I just don't think I will ever be there. But I do know that running has changed my entire life.

There is such joy in being proud of what you have accomplished. I hope and pray that you ALL can feel that joy in yourself, whether it be through running, or just choosing to take a step forward today and do something to better yourself.

H2-O-o-O-o

I took that picture at an antique store I visited last weekend. Oh the 70's decor...how I so wish it was still in style!

Today I did my C25k 9.2 Almost done! I actually pushed myself to run a bit farther than 30 minutes this morning and wound up running 36 straight minutes. In that time, I ran a distance of 2 3/4 miles. I'm feeling better about running and getting really nervous for my first 5k next month- the St. Patty's Day Dash!

What a miracle water is. It's amazing how many times we hear that water is nature's MIRACLE drug but we still don't take advantage of it! Why is it so hard to get in enough water during a day?!

I usually drink less than 30 ounces of water a day. I've always been the person that can never finish a drink! I do, however, drink a lot of tea and sugar free hot coco- do you think this counts?!

Yesterday I made it my goal to drink at least 40 oz of water (I know, it doesn't sound like a lot, but it really is for me!). Well guess what....I woke up one pound lighter this morning! Now, how much that has to do with water retention I'm not sure...but I'll take it!

Thanks so much to all my new blog followers! You all majorly rock!!

Weigh In Week 14: Superbowl Munchies Got the Best of Me

Guten Morgen everyone! (Had to throw some German out to ya!)

This morning my weigh in was as follows:
-.5

That is basically the littlest amount I've lost thus far (other than gaining after Christmas). But, I'm not really surprised. For one, I've been doing this long enough now to notice that the weigh loss right before I start my period is always pretty small. Also, I kind of cheated this week...A LOT. including superbowl....it was sort of my demise.

I started the day off good with my favorite breakfast of lowfat waffles, banana, and PB. YUM.

Then for lunch I made mini pizzas:I sort of left these bad boys under the broiler a little to long...they were a little crispy...and just ok. (Made on an arnold's sandwhich thin)

The rest of the...yes, well, we will not speak of it. Let's just say there were chocolate chip cookies, tortilla chips, and hot wings involved. YIKES!

HOWEVER, good news is that I got my hair cut this weekend, FOR FREE! My friend Olivia did it! And she even dyed it (brown) and gave me bangs. I look smokin'! (humble, aye?)
Next week I'm looking for a better loss- at least one pound will make me happy. I am starting off the morning with c25K 9.1. We will see how 30 straight minutes running goes....

Weigh In Week 13: Oh Monday's, How I Have Come to Love Thee!

February 1st. Today is my third month anniversary on this health journey and I am SO excited. Slow and steady wins the race, right? I lost another 2 pounds this week....bringing my grand total to 22 pounds lost.

January 2010 is behind us. I learned a lot this month and experienced new and exciting moments on this journey.
-I started to FEEL like my body was different
-People began noticing and commenting on my weight loss
-I ran a total of 28 minutes- the longest amount I've ever run consecutively before
-I started my food journal
-I weighed in LESS than my husband AND I finally admitted my weight to him (I was nervous to do this previously)

In February my goals will be:
- Make it back to my high school weight by Feb. 28th
-Finish my c25k program
-Run 3.1 miles 5 times
-Journal ALL month

Before I go let me share with you all the DELICOUS dinner we had last night. My goal lately has been to find dinners that are few ingredients, cheap, healthy and delicious. This one definitely fits in that category:

Thin Tuna Casserole:

This pretty little dish has the following:
-1 can of tuna (packed in water, drained)
-1 can "fat free" cream of chicken soup
-1/2 cup frozen peas
-1/2 cup frozen broccoli
-3 cups cooked whole wheat pasta
-1/2 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese (shredded)

Mix all ingredients except cheese, place in baking dish. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top, bake for 5 more minutes.
350 Calories per serving (give or take a few calories)
Makes four servings...but be prepared! Hubby just may eat TWO!
(Caught red handed eating his second serving)

Let's rock this month bloggers!

I am the Tortoise.

This post will definitely not be as interesting as some of my last couple posts, but it's needed.

I'm kind of worried. On Saturday I ran 28 minutes for my C25k program. I was really proud of myself for making it that far...until I measured my distance. I ran only 2 miles in 28 minutes! That is 14 minutes miles! AHHHH

I'm kind of embarrassed to even admit that. At that rate, my MINIMUM time at the 5k I am doing in March will be 42 minutes. I was shooting for anything below 40, but 42 would be kind of embarrassing. I feel like most people walk faster than I "run"

Not really sure what to do about this, as I have TRIED to run faster, but I just can't last that long going at a faster speed. I should be finishing my c25k program within the next two weeks, and then I will focus on speed I think.

In other news, I drank an "ogre" or "green monster" for breakfast this morning:
This one was inspired my Kristen @ Change of Pace
It had peanut butter, banana, soy milk and spinach. Sounds gross but you can't even taste the spinach- its like a peanut butter milkshake! I didn't use any protein because I don't have any, but I might pick some up from the grocery store this weekend.

I don't feel like moving this morning at all. I woke up way too late and am just feeling lazy. GRR!

My Weekend with the Hubs and the Cone Head

Well this weekend has been pretty fun! I've been starting out my mornings with a cup of coconut tea. Since I don't have an infuser, my lovely husband helped me invent something in it's place--its a coffee filter held in place by a refrigerator clip! Genius! This was made using my adorable tea kettle from Target that I received from my wedding. Between hot coco and tea, it gets a lot of use around here:

As for my exciting Friday night, it started off with a pampered chef party at my friend Hollie's house. I asked Kellen to take a picture of me before I left, and apparently the cone head (aka Chloe) wanted in on it as well!I decided to make the best of it...for her sake!
I had to jet right when I got home so kellen had to make dinner for himself...*dun dun dun* (que horror music now!)
Here is a pic of his spicy pork and rice creation:
And the verdict is.....
Sexy and delicious, apparently! Haha

It was mine and kellen's "dating anniversary" on friday. Who says you have to only celebrate wedding anniversaries when you get married? We've been together for 5 years!!
This is us four years ago. I love him!!

In health news...I am excited for my weigh in tomorrow. I went running on Saturday and set a new running record: 28 minutes straight. I'll be updating later this week on my running. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Goin' Bananas!

This will be a short post today since I am at my grandparents house visiting.

Yesterday I finally got over my fear and hesitation and completed c25k 6.3. It was 25 minutes of straight running. It was hard but... I did it!! It has definately become more of a mental thing than anything else. I know that my body is in shape and ready for it!

Tonight my grandma let me make dessert from my HG book, no splenda complaints were heard! :) I made banana cream pie. It was supposed to be crustless, but we used a crust. I figured that it wouldn't add TOO many calories! Anyway, it was SO good! I got a lot of compliments.

No workout today which was a little disapointing. My grandparents have wiifit so I thought maybe I would be able to try it out, but grandpa was intent on watching football all day. Haha. Oh well.

Well, I really appreciate all my wonderful followers. You guys are all so encouraging. I seriously don't think I could do this without you!!

Just plugging along!!

Ok, this is crazy. I just logged on to blogger and the first three new blogs to read were all about wii! Two were even titled the exact same thing (wii) lol. I feel like I am really missing out on something!

Today I did c25k 6.2. That's 10 minutes of running, 3 of walking, and then another ten minutes of running. It was hard!! The last 5 minutes kicked my butt. 6.3 is around 25 minutes of straight running. I think I am going to stick with 6.2 a couple more times before I move on, no need to rush.

Getting excited for Mondays weigh in. It will be my two month mark on this journey. Plus i'm hoping to see a loss after the holiday gain!

It's easy as ABC...

Well, not quite, apparently. The last two days have been a struggle for me. A HUGE one. It all started out when we went to the in-laws for dinner on Christmas Eve. They were eating hotdogs and tater tots....not even kidding you! I was SO hungry by this point and was really hoping that my Mother in law would be cooking something decently healthy (she usually does). But unfortunately, my husband has a lot (and I mean A LOT) of little siblings, and they were pressed on time because we were going to church. So you'd think I would just pass on the unhealthy meal huh? NOPE! I was starved, and I ate. Yuck.

Then Christmas. It was an entire day (starting at 7 am, remember the husband has little siblings so we had to make it to the house early). From 7am forward, we were running around all day and gorging on goodies. Cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning is a tradition in his family, and of course I couldn't say no to that either! (in fact I don't think the word "no" even came out of my mouth yesterday!!). From there on it went wayyyyy downhill!

Today is a new day. I ran my C25k 6.1. I may have gained some weight from the last two days, but I am not letting that stop me on this mission to be fit!!

I got a Canon I got a Canon Rebel XSI for Christmas. (the shot above is one of the first ones I took). I started a photography blog. If you are interested, my photo blog link is: http://photorebellove.blogspot.com. Please come stop by!