Day #22

Yeah! I got back to the gym today & it was a great workout. I was a little sluggish thanks to a week of sleeping in & having to get up early this morning to get the kids off to school! I lifted & ran a mile (intervals). Looking back on the last couple of days & not being able to get into the gym I was feeling really discouraged, but I had to remind myself that this is a lifelong process! Even if you miss a few days of working out you can always get back in to it. If you haven't worked out in a month, months, or even years you have to start somewhere! We all have to start somewhere...& even when we take a few days off we start back up where we left off...no biggy...just don't ever quit! When I take a few days off I usually convince myself that I really don't need to exercise anymore & how nice it would be to never step food in a gym again...but this time around I have made a commitment & I am sticking to it the best I can!

Well the past 2 days have been great...but as far as working out not so great :(. I took a walk on Sat, but didn't get in to do anything today. I'm ok with this though. It's kind of a weird feeling, but I feel like I am dropping weight since I haven't been working out at the gym...not sure why, but my clothes are looser. I guess sometimes your body needs a break :) But break time is over & I will be getting back to the gym tomorrow for a long workout! Will report how it goes!

Day # 19

Well it feels great to be back & updating the blog. Skiing was a blast. The kids had a great time & I just love watching them. They are both getting so good! They had a blast skiing through the trees with their dad...& one time Alyssa even took the lead & pretty much hit a tree...we are even more thankful for helmets! It was a small tree & thankfully she was not going top speed, but I think it really made an impression on her to be more careful while skiing the trees. Skiing is so much fun & such a great leg workout!
Now back to the grind...it's been a nice couple of days off, but I must say I miss going to the gym. We had a huge blizzard come through the last 2 days & the gym was actually closed down. It is supposed to be back open tomorrow & I will for sure be there!
Good news...I took some measurements during the first week & just recently measured again. I am proud to say I have lost 1 inch in my thighs! Not bad for 2.5 weeks eh? :)

Day #16 Skate City

Spring Break has to be one of the hardest times to exercise! Every day is a lazy day, the kids sleep in & so do I. I guess what I am trying to say is the motivation to exercise is really not there :) But today I go to the gym. I am using a lifting program that Mitch's cousin introduced us to in Jan. I think I need to start lifting more often so I am going to try & designate Tues/Thurs. as my lifting days & do cardio on the other days. It is a great workout. When I was done I was huffing & puffing a little, which kind of surprised me that I was a little winded. I thought if I can run 3 miles why am I winded? I guess it's just a different type of workout...which is good. At the end of the workout the program has me running intervals for 8-10 min. This is probably the toughest part. My legs are so tired from the lifting but I run my intervals & realize I ran 1 mile in 11 minutes. It feels good to be done with the workout...lifting has sure taken a lot out of me.
Tonight we took the kids to the skating rink! I got on my Rollerblades from high school on & took a few turns around the rink with the kids...just a few more calories burned :)
Tomorrow & Thursday we will be skiing. Taking advantage of all the new snow they have gotten up in the Rockies. I probably won't be able to blog...but will let you know how it goes when we arrive back home!

Day #15 "Runners High"

Well as I stated in my last post I knew today needed to be a really good day. I am pleased to announce that as of 7pm I am having a fantastic day! I just wish everyday could be as good. Waking up this morning I knew I would have to get in some really good cardio since the past 2 days were not great cardio days. I arrived at the gym in the early afternoon & got right on the treadmill. Like I said before running is the best for me when it comes to burning calories. I think this is why I choose it so often...it gets my heart rate up & allows me to burn some great calories. Although it is probably not the easiest thing to do especially when I am carrying around some extra baggage (weight)! It does seem to be getting easier all the time. Today I have a goal...run 3 miles. I am really trying to get my speed going a little faster...for one that helps with the overall stamina & weight loss, but it also gets me off the treadmill a little faster :) Today I start at a really good pace (for my short legs) I run the 1st mile with no problem...I jump right on & get going. I take a 1 minute walk when I finish the first mile. The 2nd mile I seem to be doing ok at first then all of a sudden at 2.25 miles I start getting those really bad hunger pains!?! I can't be hungry now! The hunger pains last about .25 of a mile but I keep running through them...by 2.5 miles they are gone & I am able to finish the 2nd mile strong. I take my 1 min. break & head into the 3rd mile. By this time my legs are getting a little tired & I am so ready to be done! The third mile all I could think of was getting off & eating something! It seems like I have been running forever when I look down & see that I only have .25 miles to go!! I turn my Ipod to a song I know will get me through this last .25 mile quickly...Not Ashamed by Newsboys!! Boy did it ever get me through that last stretch...all of a sudden I feel a rush of endorphins or as some people call it a "runners high" or "second wind" Here is a little explanation: "Endorphins can also contribute to what some athletes call a "second wind." Rather than feeling pain and exhaustion while running, endorphins may help us actually feel limber and energized towards the end of a race. According to William Straw, M.D., a team physician for the San Jose Sharks, "at some point you may feel a little more energetic and you can kick-in when you did not feel like you could kick-in before." This was so true of my run today. I felt this sudden urge to speed up! At 2.75 miles I put my speed up a lot higher than I ever would & just ran all out...I felt like I could go forever...I was happy, I was thinking of a friend who just told me she is expecting a baby after trying for many years...I was emotional...I was energized. I realize when I look down that I am already past 3 miles....woohoo!!! I cool down with a 1/2 mile walk with a little incline. So my goal today was to run 3 miles...that I accomplished & also a little more! Altogether 3.5 miles!
I really focused on my food intake today. I did not want to sabotage my great workout. I feel I had a great day...I tried to eat low calorie, but high protein. Overall I believe it was a fantastic day!

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Day #14

Once again it was another crazy, busy day. I won't go in to detail this time :) I was able to get in a nice walk, & I tried to watch my food intake. Tomorrow is a new week & it needs to be a good one!

Day # 13

Ok. so today was a wash. I'm ok with this since my goal was to excersise 5 days a week & that I have done! My day today just got away from me. This morning I had to run to the store to buy a baby shower gift, ran (well not literally, but that would of been a good idea) home, picked my family up, drove to our friends house, dropped Mitch & the kids off, picked up my friend Becky & headed across town to a baby shower for another friend! We got back to Becky's house to pick up the kids stayed for about 45 in. Left there, ran to Costco...got home around 3:45. Ipicked up the house, got ready for dinner (we were having company) I had to make a quick trip to Target (again :) ), got home got the food ready & did some last minute things & at 5:35 the door bell rings & our company arrives!!! What a day :) I really enjoy days like these. To be able to spend time with friends, to attend a baby shower...I get such joy doing little things like that. To be honest, i'm ok not working out today...I feel like the time I spent with my family & friends is so much more important to me. Of course I will need to make it up tomorrow, but for now I'm totally ok with that :)

Day #12 Tired legs

There isn't a whole lot to report today. I woke up feeling a little stiff & sore in my legs from yesterday. I guess this should be a good feeling. To be honest, today I had NO desire to exercise. I waited till 4pm to go! If it wasn't for the blog I would not have gone. I'm so glad that I have you all to keep me accountable...this has been so good for me...just knowing I have you all encouraging me through this!
4pm rolls around & I start thinking if I don't go to the gym now I will not go at all. I really don't want to go. I finally get myself together & head out the door. I get to the gym & decide to do something a little different. I get on a machine the makes your legs burn as you push them side to side (kind of a weird feeling) but it hurts! I stay on that machine only 15 min. By the time I get off my legs are burning. I decide I should get on the treadmill to do a little running. To be honest the running feels much better than the burn from the other machine! I do intervals for the first 1.5 miles. The last 1/2 mile I do a combination of fast walking with an incline & walking backwards incline.
My legs are extremely tired tonight. I hope I get a good nights sleep! Nite...

Day #11

I think I am realizing I am no good for workouts in the morning. This past week I have mostly gone to the gym in the mornings & my workouts have been so sluggish..I get them done, but it's really tough to get through them. Today I get to the gym around 2:30. I feel great...I have a few nuts before coming so I am hoping those will last me through my workout. After throwing my stuff in the locker I head over to the weights. I really think that incorporating lifting into my exercise routine is so good for my body. I have neglected my lifting over the past few days so I was itching to lift. Today I tried to focus on my lower half. So I did some squats, lunges, waist thrusts (not sure what they are called, but they hurt), & some leg work on the ball. I also did a few abs & plank for a few sets. I really want to be done after the lifting, but I know it would be best if I walk upstairs & get some cardio in. The running is getting easier & today I was able to run at a faster pace! I run 2 solid miles & I am feeling really well when I am done. I wore my shorts today & I was able to get a good look at my legs...I'm feeling very encouraged...I just wish my upper legs would get as lean as my lower legs...i know it will come...patience & perseverance right!

Day #10

For some reason this week has been tougher mentally & physically. I can't figure out why. I think I'm starting to realize it's just not worth it to eat poorly & this is so troubling. I love my sweets, my churro at Costco, my brownies...you know all those foods that are so yummy, yet so terrible for you. I'm actually starting to miss them. Today I bought some sweets for a school play tonight. It's been the hardest thing for me to not eat one! I am learning more & more everyday about will power & self control.
At the gym today I was so hot...it's time to give up these sweats & start wearing my shorts! I think I have made a decision that I feel ok about wearing my shorts to the gym now...I just can't worry about it. The first machine I get on is the step machine I talked about a few days ago...uhg...what a killer machine. I only spend 15 min. on it today...for some reason my right foot keeps falling asleep...weird huh? As I step off the machine my legs are already feeling like jello, but I decide 15 min. just isn't enough, especially since I skipped out on yesterdays workout. I hop on the treadmill...my legs are thanking me :) For the first mile I run...it's getting easier every time. For the 2nd mile I walk at an incline forwards & backwards & sprint the last .25 mile to finish it up. After the run I work on my abs & finally stretch. I am seeing results all around my body, but mostly my legs & stomach...this is encouraging & gets me excited about tomorrows work out!

Day #9

Well today there was so much to do. I made no time to get to the gym or walk outside. I'm ok with this, but I am realizing I just used my free pass for the week :( . Tomorrow is a new day & I look forward to getting some cardio in! Nite ~

Ipod List

Ok...here are my fav songs on my ipod right now!

Keys to the Kingdom - Croup 1 Crew
In the Hands of God - Newsboys
Shattered - O.A.R
1234 - Plain White T's
Made to Love - Toby Mac
More Than a Feeling - Boston
I'm for You - Toby Mac
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Wherever we go - Newsboys
Something Beautiful - Newsboys
I Fought the LaLa - Newsboys
1234 - Plain White T's
I'm not Ashamed - Newsboys
Joy - Newsboys
Taking Chances - Celine Dion
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
No Ordinary Love - Toby Mac
Stop & Stare - One Republic
Ignition - Toby Mac
You Might Think - The Cars
Sunshine & Summertime - Faith Hill
Shine On - Need to Breath
Up - Shania Twain
Life is Beautiful - Vega4

Day #8 "The Little Engine That Could"

Today was a little different than most. Mitch & I helped a friend unpack her moving truck in Denver. I knew we would be leaving soon after 9 this morning so I had to get to the gym early. I made it in, but was extremely tired. I didn't have much time so I decided to run a few miles on the treadmill...figured that would burn the most calories in the small amount of time I had. I hop on the treadmill and start running right away. No time to warm up today I just go all out. The first mile was good. Between the 1st & 2nd mile I walk for 1 minute. I read once that if you walk a minute between each mile you will finish stronger. I've found this to be true after running 2 - 1/2 marathons. When I start the 2nd mile my legs are not moving...I can't decide if they are gonna fall off or if I might fall off the treadmill :) By 1.5 miles I am feeling so done & can't seem to get through the last 1/2 mile. I quickly jump to the side of the treadmill (legs straddling the treadmill) & have to give myself a pep talk. After a few seconds my pep talk has pushed me to finish the last 1/2 mile. It was so mentally hard to get through that last 1/2 mile, but I make it. Not sure if it was just the lack of sleep I've had over the last couple nights (Mitch has been out of town), but my body was just not moving. I really hope tomorrow is an easier day. It's amazing how some days my body feels so good & other days my body feels like it's 90 yrs old! I think when my body is feeling 90 yrs old is the times I want to quit. Although, this is the way I felt today I kept telling myself I could do it (kinda like the story "The Little Engine That Could". If you ever have those days when you just don't want to keep going with the exercise keep telling yourself you can do it & once you have done it, you will have such a great sense of accomplishment!

Day #7 The end of the first week

Well I officially took the day off! It was really nice to not worry about getting some exercise. I did however watch carefully what I put in my mouth! Today for lunch I had a spinach salad with a little bit of chicken ( a friend once told me that spinach is a "power food")!For a snack in the afternoon I ate a Lara bar. My friend Holly introduced them to me & I just love them. It was a very filling snack that held me over until dinner. For dinner I had another salad with some beef strips. I was able to pass on the cornbread muffins....yay! I say this with much excitement because I usually never have enough will power to overcome bread!
Just a quick update on my progress...since I am not weighing myself for another 3 weeks the best way for me to gauge my weight loss is how my clothes are fitting. Today I wore some nice slacks to church. Last Sunday these slacks were a little tight...not uncomfortable, but I was sucking it in to button them up :) Today I slip on the same pair...I believe my belly is starting to shrink. I put the slacks on & feel a bit of relief...they are more loose fitting then they were last Sunday! I'm very excited to start a new week tomorrow. I hope to get to the gym first thing in the morning. I will be helping a friend unpack her moving trailer in Denver the rest of the day.
Thank you all again for your encouragement this past week. It was hard, but you all made it so much easier! Lots of love...

Day #6 Feeling refreshed

I decided to take it easy today. A 2 mile walk, it was great. My body feels really refreshed. I also went to Chick-fil-A for lunch & looked online before I went to see their nutrition information. It is amazing that most restaurants these days have their nutritional info online. I find out that the Grilled Chicken Sandwich has only 260 calories & if you order a meal ask for fruit in place of the fries...the fruit cup is only 100 calories compared to a small fry which is 280 calories.

Day #5 It's Friday!!!

Wow, this week has been extremely eye opening for me. Not only am I realizing how often I over eat, but how getting your body back in shape takes a lot of hard work & commitment. You all have been SO amazing this past week. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your emails & little notes that let me know that you are following the blog & want to see me succeed! It sounds like some of you are in the same situation & are striving along with me to become healthy & fit! :)
Today my in-laws took us out to breakfast. We ate at The Egg & I. A very nice little place that we love to eat at. It wasn't a difficult decision when it came to ordering. I ordered a meal that was all egg whites with veges & fruit! It was very tasty & satisfying. There are many things you can do when you order out at restaurants for breakfast but I think the 2 big things for me is ordering egg whites, or egg substitutes & if I am craving sausage I'll ask for turkey sausage. I try to order fruit instead of any bread, potatoes or side that wouldn't be so healthy for me.
My workout today was good. I didn't get to it until late this evening. I prefer going in the morning, but there are some days that it just doesn't work out that way, but I am learning to be flexible! Today the weather here was cold. We actually got snow late last night and woke up to snow outside. The day didn't get any warmer so I ditched the cold & went to the gym. To be honest my abs are hurting today. It looks like the exercises I did on them yesterday worked! I decide not to do any lifting or ab work. Today turns in to a cardio day. I jump on the treadmill (can you tell I like the treadmill) and start warming up. My body is extremely tired, but I keep pushing. I can feel the soreness in my legs getting worked out. I always think it feels so good to walk out sore legs! The treadmill was pretty uneventful today. I walked & ran. The running was good...I can tell my lungs are getting stronger. This time I ran for 1 Mile without stopping. I felt like I could of gone a little further, but I didn't want to overload my legs. Once again I pump the incline up to 8 & walk backwards. This never seems to get easier. For the last mile I run again....with the help of some new songs on my ipod I endure 3.5 miles on the treadmill today. It feels so great to get off & stretch. I'm thankful it's Friday!!!
At this moment my body is shot. Not sure if I overdid it this week or if my body just needs to adjust to life on the move again. I hope to get a good nights rest & see what tomorrow brings me...I'm thinking it might just be a nice little walk :)
I've updated my ipod music & plan on getting my list of favorite songs up soon! Thanks to all who have asked for it!

Churro...

These are a few things I forgot to mention about Day #4... So we all take a nice little trip to Costco...or as my kids call it "the churro store"! You can imagine why they call it that...mostly because every time we go to Costco we always get a churro or two! For only $1, it's a great little treat! Today Isaac really wanted a churro so I stand in line & grab a churro for him. Thinking I could & would eat one I decide to only buy one. The one lonely churro is set before me on the table...I keep thinking...well if I only have one bite that will totally be enough & I won't need anymore. We all know that when you take one bite of something very yummy you're going to want another. I literally have to remove myself a few times from the table (I go fill up the drink). The desire to eat this little, yummy churro is just too much. Finally, after a little time the churro is gone & I never put a piece in my mouth!! I walk out relieved I made it through the churro desires!

Day #4 I'm Tired

Today was a little harder to get motivated...probably because I was extremely tired thanks to yesterday's workout. I was dressed in my workout clothes since I got up (thinking I would go this morning). Well I thought about what to do all day (I think this was just an excuse to keep putting it off since I knew exactly what I wanted to do). Around 3pm I take myself to the gym. Once again I am faced with the decision to get on the treadmill or do something else. Well, after some tips from some of you I have decided to do some lifting today, nothing too serious, but something to get my muscles working. I spend about 30 minutes lifting & working on my abs. I do have sore abs after yesterday :) Today it feels good to work on them a little more. After my lifting & ab exercises I walk upstairs...as I walk up the stairs I can feel the burn in my legs. I start thinking to myself...uh oh...this is gonna hurt tomorrow! So here I am standing at the top of the stairs looking at all the cardio equipment...I have lots of choices...I decide to get on something other than the treadmill! I find myself on a particular piece of equipment (not sure of the name). Let me try & explain what it feels like. It feels like I am running up hill, but I never have to lift up my feet...kind of like an elliptical, but different. Maybe some of you know what I am talking about. Within the first 5 minutes I am winded...this is HARD! I keep telling myself to push...As I endure the pain I look out this huge window in front of me and see a beautiful sight...I have this enormous mountain range (the rockies) right in front of me...covered in snow, with a huge storm cloud covering it...there's a storm moving in. This sight reminded me of God's creation & how He has created such beauty. I try to stay focused on watching the storm & end up pushing for 30 minutes! This was harder than I thought it would be going into it, but I'm proud that I made it 30 minutes on that machine! Once I step off I head over to stretch...this feels so good today! I would like to leave you all with something I read today, it is really interesting when you actually stop & think about it..."Sticking to a healthful portion size is one of the keys to weight control. People tend to finish what's on their plate regardless of the amount (studies show). But smaller portions can leave you feeling just as satisfied as larger ones" Hmmm...something to think about the next time you sit down for dinner!

Italian Night!

So tonight was the big Italian Night at Alyssa's school. It was so fun to go eat & meet some really nice people. So the big question is...Was I able to have self control & watch my portions? I am happy to report that I did very well! I only ate half of the scoop of spaghetti & asked for no meatballs, I was given a bread stick...took 2 bites of it & decided that was enough, had a salad with no dressing & picked up the smallest piece of lemon bar (it was tiny..I was a little sad about that). Not bad eh? Tonight my in-laws arrived & brought with them avocados from their farm! This is such a treat...I made guacamole & watched everyone else enjoy while I picked on some pineapple. I was totally ok with this...not sure why, since I usually get out a big bowl, scoop the guacamole in & lots of chips...yum! But tonight I had to let my taste buds go elsewhere...to the pineapple! Now I am off to bed...nite!
p.s I have to admit I was beat after my workout today at the gym. Around 3 I took a little snooze on the coach...I felt much better after that but am happy to say it's bedtime!

Day # 3 The Treadmill Calls My Name

Day #3: For some reason today has been the easiest so far to get motivated. I think part of the reason is my body knows what to expect, the other part is i've been SO encouraged by all of you who have written me notes to let me know you are rooting for me. It's been such a great encouragement today.
So for day 3 I wanted to switch it up a little so I dragged myself to the gym.The first thing I do is weigh myself...ahhh...SO discouraging...it's worse than I thought! In some ways this news pushes me to work harder during today's workout. I will not weigh myself for another month...I don't like getting on the scale every day...it's just not worth it to me. So my goal is to weigh again in 1 month from now.
I wasn't too sure what I was going to do when I got to the gym, but all I knew was I needed a change. I think when my body gets too much of one exercise it starts to get too used to it & doesn't respond the way it should. I thought I would start early & switch it up, but when I walked into the gym the treadmills where staring me right in the eye...almost like they were calling my name "angela, angela come closer & stomp all over me"! I give in to the call & find myself on the treadmill. My first thought is to go for 2 miles...I start walking at in incline ( a friend once told me that if you want to loose the backside walk at an incline)...so i'm off...swinging arms & all! I get done with 1/2 a mile & start running at a good pace especially for my short stubby legs! I start feeling it in my lungs again, but this time not as much...I can actually breath. I hit the 1 Mile mark & slow the pace, walk at an incline for another 1/2 mile...by this time my legs are getting tired & i'm starting to get hot (thanks goodness for those fans). It doesn't help that I am wearing sweats (not comfortable in my shorts yet...but that will come) . I'm thinking to myself just 1/2 mile left & I can get off this thing...so my legs start running again for the last 1/2 mile. I don't know about you, but looking down at the miles does not help the process seem any quicker!! I keep telling myself to not look down...ahhh...I look down..still .25 miles to go..what? I thought I was so much closer to being done! Finally I hit the 2Mile mark! I slow it down to cool off, but realize I can go further...my legs start walking the incline again...this is funny...my body was telling me to stop because I was tired, but my mind was telling me to keep going. Today I listened to my mind...I kept going! I tried to mix it up by walking backwards on the treadmill for 1/2Mile...if you have never done this try it...I put the incline up to an 8 & the speed at 2.5...it's such a great burn on your legs and backside! The last 1/2 Mile I mix up some incline walking & running...45 minutes & 3 Miles later I push the stop button!!! I have this sense of relief & victory! It's such a great feeling to get done with any workout & feel that sense of accomplishment. As I walk away from the treadmill I make my way over to the mats...ab time. I didn't want to push to hard with the abs since it is my first day in awhile doing any ab work. I grab a 10 lb weight sit on the floor...feet in front of me while I lean back just a little. I hold the weight in both hands out in front of me and move from side to side...ahhh...i'm feeling the burn with just the first rep! (This is something you can easily do at home even if you don't have a weight find an object that weighs a few lbs). I do 2 more reps & call it a day & stretch. Stretching is such a good release at the end of your workouts...I don't stretch enough, but i'm working on that.
So far today has been a great day...I ate a good breakfast & had turkey roll-ups for lunch with some Kashi crackers. Tonight is Italian night at school...this will be a great time to practice self control & watch my portion control. I will be sure to report how I did :)

Day #2

Day #2 : So this morning I felt good. My goal today was to think about what I am eating. For breakfast I have cereal & coffee. At Bible study I pass on the chocolate goodies that were set before me the first time. The second time I take a very small piece (probably a size of a Hershey kiss). I felt like my self control was pretty good, considering I wanted a full piece! For lunch I have half a turkey sandwich & a handful of baked chips :) String cheese is a great afternoon snack that I eat often. At dinner I realize I have spinach & make a spinach, strawberry, chicken salad...it was very filling and I was completely satisfied (which usually isn't the case).
I wasn't able to run this morning because of the study, but once I got home I changed my clothes & walked out the door with the dog & of course my ipod! I have always been motivated by music when I exercise. Something about beautiful music (well it's usually something with a beat that I can really get moving with). I plan on getting new music on my ipod & putting my list of songs on here.
So as I walk out the door all I feel is bitter cold. It's SO windy out today. I try to ignore the fact that I am not dressed for the occasion. I should be wearing earmuffs & gloves! The first half of the walk we are walking into the wind (not a good thing when your body is not warmed up at all). The dog is even having a hard time with the wind...she keeps turning he face away from it which doesn't help her out since when she does her hair is all over her face & she can't see. She doesn't seem to be bothered by it though. My first mile is cold. My hands are freezing & I can't feel my ears. I hit the top of the hill & start running. This time a little faster than yesterday. As I see the bottom of the hill I start playing mental games with myself...do I stop or do I keep going like I said I would? During those final steps I came to a decision...keep going until I hit the stop sign about 50 ft ahead. Here we go again...we are back in the wind. I'm fighting it & feel this constant drag that is keeping me from going anywhere. Finally I reach the stop sign...I keep going...i'm determined at this point to make it home without stopping. Still fighting the wind I come up to my street and feel this sudden urge of adrenaline...my feet start moving faster, & faster & faster...i'm sprinting to my house...is this really happening? Just yesterday I stopped because mentally I was done, today I keep going because mentally I am making it home without stopping! As I reach my house I run up to the front door & think to myself....wow, I just ran & didn't stop today! Bittersweetness runs through my mind...I just did what I set out to do...does that mean tomorrow I have to do it again?

Day #1

Ok, so day #1 was yesterday, Monday March 9th. I woke up feeling like I needed to conquer the world. After all this time I know this is not possible :) So I decide to set some goals. #1. Do some kind of exercise at least once a day. Whether it's a quick walk, run, going to the gym, whatever it is I need to do something. Goal #2. Eat better...more greens, water, veges, you know all the good things that you are supposed to put in your body. Eat less junk...chips, chips & more chips. To be honest I can go a day without sweets, but when it comes to chips...YUM!!! I do get the baked kind though (that always makes me feel not so guilty) :). Goal #3 Stick with goals #1 & #2 for a month & reaccess after that.
DAY #1
Here I go. As I walk out my front door I realize it's a lot warmer than I thought it was when I decided to wear my sweater. I decide to keep it on. For this first jog I bring along my hubby & my dog Raina (you'll be hearing about Raina alot since she is my faithful companion on my jogs). As we get to the sidewalk i'm thinking to myself "do I really want to do this?" Well I can't turn back now! We start walking. It's been awhile since i've done any type of cardio so right away I feel my lungs tightening up & my legs are incredibly stiff. What is wrong with me? I've run two 1/2 marathons before, this should be easy! Noooo...this was not easy, it was rather upsetting to think that my short chubby legs are no longer in the shape they were in a year ago! As we walk my pace keeps getting faster as I huff & puff my way up the hill. For most of the first mile I walk uphill & get my legs warmed up. Once we hit the top of the hill I feel this sudden urge to start jogging. Here I go, me & my short chubby legs have lift off! For the next mile it is a slight downhill (my favorite type of running), I keep running while Raina & Mitch keep walking. I keep a slow steady pace since I wasn't sure if my body could take this pounding on the pavement. M & R are never far behind me. Once I hit the bottom of the hill I stop. Not sure why I stopped, my body was warmed up & I probably could of gone a little longer. It was mostly mental...me telling myself that I should just stop at the bottom of the hill & walk. So, that is what I did. I stopped, waited for mitch & the dog and walked the last 1/2 mile or so home. I was a little discouraged that I stopped, but told myself tomorrow I would go just a little longer. As we turn down our street I feel a sense of relief. I did it...it's no 1/2 marathon, but it's something that I can be proud of :) The only thing on my mind now is how sore I am going to be in the morning!

Intro To AngelaOnTheRun!

Hi Everyone! Thanks for taking an interest in my blog AngelaOnTheRun! So as most of you know I have always struggled with my weight, ever since I can remember I have never been skinny & i've always been ok with that. I excelled in sports in high school & never really worried about my weight because I could at least jump & spike a volleyball or hit a softball & run the bases :) Now that I have turned 30 my story is a little different. I am married to the most amazing man ever & I have 2 precious kids, ages 6 & 4. They mean the world to me & I feel incredibly blessed to have them.
I'll give you a little background of my life as it pertains to exercise. After children I really had & still have one of those bellies that doesn't seem to ever get any smaller no matter what I do (maybe some of you have that same experience ) :) Maybe not? In 2007 I set out a goal and trained for my 1st half marathon. It was an amazing experience & I lost about 30 lbs in one year. I have never felt better. In 2008 I trained once again for my 2nd half marathon. This time around it was a little easier...I weighed 25 lbs less and my body could definitely feel the difference. I finished 10 minutes earlier than my 1st half marathon. It was such a relief to be done with training, although I love the hype of the actual half marathon day! I believe right after this is when I started to loose any motivation for working out. I was done, my body had been hammered by the pavement & treadmil for 2 years & I wasn't feeling the need to do anything in regards to exercise. I gave myself about a month off then tried to get back into it. By that time we were in the process of moving our family from Flagstaff to Colorado Springs. Let's just say...lots of going out to eat for many months = putting back on the lbs. Not all the lbs thankfully, but enough to be a big discouragement. It's always felt like a vicious cycle. I exercise for a few weeks & then something comes up or I just get lazy & don't exercise & in the meantime I am not eating healthy. So that brings us up to today. It is March 10, 2009 & I am no longer getting sucked into my vicious cycle of weight loss. This is where you all, my dear friends & family come in to play...I need accountability. The whole reason for me to blog is so you can read about my daily exercise. I hope that this will be an encouragement to me & that this would in some way be an encouragement to you. Please feel free to harass me if I have failed to neglect my exercise. My goal is to exercise 5 days out of the week. I truly hope to do more like 6 or 7 times a week. Also, if you have any tips or any healthy meal ideas or websites please share. I would like this to be a place where we can all share healthy living ideas! Stay tuned for my first blog on the first 2 days of exercising! Love to all...Angela