Thursday, November 26, 2015

Turkey Trot 5K


I finished my second 5K for Thanksgiving today.  I finished in under 45 minutes!  That's over 6 minutes faster than my first 5K in October!  I jogged and walked it, about half and half.  Okay, maybe a little less than half of it was jogging, but pretty thrilled I can jog at all now.  Below is the official bib time.




I was super happy with how I have improved in the past month and excited to have my family there to support me on Thanksgiving day.  It was a nice flat race around the Indiana State University Campus.


I had to take my shirt off under my sweatshirt during the race and my headband.  I just got too hot which was amazing because it was far from warm.  Here I am at the end, happy and proud :)


Wednesday, November 18, 2015

What's your WHY?


I joined an online support group and today we were asked to answer the following.  "Finding your Motivation, WHY you will actually follow through".

The short answer is for my daughter.  I want to be there for her when she grows up.  I want to be there for her now.  I want to be a good role model for her.  I want to be an inspiration for her.  I want to be in pictures with her.  I want to be able to run and play with her and keep up with her for years to come.

I will also do this for me.  I want to have my confidence back.  I want to be able to do what I want without a fear of if I physically can.  I want to be able to buy whatever clothes I want and for them to have my size in them.  I want to be healthy and live a long life so that not only can I see my daughter grow up but I get to meet all my grandchildren, nieces and nephews one day.

I will do this for my future.

I will do this because going back is not an option.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

First Day at the Gym

A couple weeks ago I signed up for a $10 gym trial online for the local gym.  I get nervous going into a gym because honestly I feel too fat to be at the gym, like all eyes are on me.  I know logically that everyone is more concerned with themselves than anything, but I still feel like I stick out as this humongous obese girl that has no right to walk through the door.  So, it took me a couple weeks to get up the courage to use this trial membership.

Yesterday evening it was cold and raining so I figured if I was ever going to make myself walk through those doors this was it.  After talking myself into it I got dressed and headed to the gym.  Since I signed up online I went to the lady at the front when I got there to see if I needed to do anything(turns out I needed to sign a couple papers) and there was a muscly guy standing next to her when I was finding out what was needed.  He looked me over from head to toe, literally moving his head up and down, looks straight at me and says, "Well it looks like you haven't done a thing" and sneered.

At first I didn't know if I heard him right.  It took several more minutes for it to sink in because who says something like that?  I am a good person, so I was in disbelief someone could be so mean.  Once it sunk in I was pissed, but a little late to retort at that point.  How can someone be so cruel to another human being with their words?  It took all my courage to walk through those doors and that in itself is an accomplishment.  He didn't know that I've been working my butt off for nearly 6 months to loose 70 pounds so far.  Maybe if people worked a little harder to be kind to one another and not judge people by their outward appearance this world would be a little better.  I want to learn how to start strength training and that is the main reason I joined the gym, second being the snow that will soon appear.  If that guy had approached me with kindness instead then he likely could of helped me learn since he obviously knows about strength training.  Instead he approached me with cruel judgement and made my journey to fitness just a little more challenging.

I continued on into the gym to do 10 minutes on the elliptical then I did 50 minutes on the treadmill.  Another time in my life I would of left the building crying, however I didn't let what was said deter me from my goals.  I am determined to reach my target.  I am determined to live a healthier lifestyle and be the best version of myself I can be.  I just wish that the world understood it isn't easy. I wish those that have never struggled with weight understood that it is a daily struggle for others.  Be grateful for your body, but don't put others down because they aren't like you.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can


I have been working hard on the Couch to 5K program.  It took me months to be able to finish the first day of it which alternated 60 seconds of jogging with 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes.  I just could not make it though the whole 60 seconds of jogging for the longest time and then one day I was finally able to!  Today I am on week 4 of the program which consists of 3 minutes of jogging, followed by 90 seconds of walking, followed by 5 minutes of jogging, followed by 2.5 minutes of walking and then repeat.  I am happy to announce that I am fully able to do that!  I may jog slower than some walk, but I am able to keep jogging now and that's what's important to me :)

I don't listen to music while I walk/jog.  I used to always listen to music years ago while exercising, but I've found I enjoy the quiet time now.  I was laughing to myself when I thought how hilarious it would be if people could hear the thoughts in my head as I am working my way through this Couch to 5K program.  As I jog I find that when I want to quit going and don't know how I'm going to make it to the end of that 5 minutes(or whatever it is that day) I chant in my head encouragements.  "You can do this"  "Mind over matter"  "Just keep moving"  "Almost there" or a number of other things.  I end up sounding like The Little Engine that Could more often than not.  This little engine is pretty determined!

Friday, November 13, 2015

Halfway there!

I have lost a total of 70 pounds so far!  That means I am halfway to my goal weight now.  Progress pictures of before and now after 70 lost.

I have gone from a size 24 to a size 16 pant and a 5X shirt to a 3X, although some 2X work now.  It's pretty exciting how far I have come along in a little less than six months and I can't wait to see where I am six months from now!