RunCinderella

Up, Up 'n Away

Scheduled Run: 0 Minutes
Actual Run: 0 Minutes

Up 2.2 pounds this week. Remember that 1/4 inch increase in my thighs I refused to acknowledge last week? Well, that was 1/2 inch increase today. Had to acknowledge it as a true increase. No ther changes in my measurements this week. There is no way I ate 7,700 more calories than I burned this week. Therefore, it is not fat.

It is getting easier to record weight gains. I am even okay recording an increase in my thighs. I am running and your legs get kinda big when you run. 24" isn't too bad, anyway. I know other people who weigh a lot less than me who have larger thighs than that. I have great legs. :)

I'm beginning to think that my body really likes being in the 270's. It's been there for two months, already. :( No worries. I'll just keep on keeping on.

Soooo, my run yesterday was pretty damned good. Felt like I wanted to keep on running when I was finished. That is the way it is supposed to be. I'm excited about the 8 miles tomorrow. It is supposed to be much cooler and a LOT less humid. My goal is 105 minutes.

Weight training was back up to par last night, too. I even increased the weight on a couple of machines! Love it.

My hubby's trainer told him that all of Olive Garden's food is pre-packaged and just heated up at the restaurant. I believe it. My system isn't used to preservatives and packaged crap, anymore. That would explain why we all felt like a lump of lead was in our tummies several hours later! Definitely no more Olive Garden for us. Except maybe a piece of lemon cream cake-to go. :)

A friend is supposed to come visit us tomorrow from Houston. We are thinking about taking a 75 minute tour of the Natural Bridge Caverns outside Austin on Saturday. I'm a little nervous about this because I will have just finished running 8 miles. I don't know how physically demanding the tour will be. I'm trying to convince her to go on Sunday, instead. I know I'll be fine then. But, we'll see.

Happy Friday!

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 10:13 AM 1 Comments

Doh!

Scheduled Run: 30 Minutes - Tempo
Actual Run: 30 Minutes

Yeah, okay. I'm brilliant...in case you didn't know. After feeling so bad yesterday, I caved to the family wanting Olive Garden last night for dinner. Their food has gotten worse and worse over the last few years. The food I ate is sitting like a ball of lead in my stomach. Doh!

But, the lemon cream cake tasted just as good as ever (since they don't actually make that, they haven't had the opportunity to ruin it). Thanks, Liz, for making me remember how much I love lemon cream cake :evil bitch:. I owe you one. :)

Running is on the treadmill this evening. I don't think intervals will be too hard on me, but I'm just going to pay attention to my body and go from there.

Work is going very well today. I had a client visit with one of the account managers this morning that apparently "just had some questions" about a couple of the modules. I felt like we were targets for the firing squad, at first. We thought it was going to be a two on two, but it ended up five unhappy department managers on two of us newbies. Ouch. You could tell they were very unhappy, but it took a while for someone to actually say it. What is that analogy? The elephant standing in the room, or something? I wasn't surprised when the bullets started to fly.

But, we are good...and we work for an awesome company. We gave great responses, we put a tentative plan in place to get the issues handled, and we told them to hold off on additional purchases of software until I could do a comprehensive needs analysis--on their dime, of course. I love it when you go into a meeting, unaware you are about to be fired, and come out with a blank check. That does something for my ego. Woohoo. Yeah, like I need my ego to be stroked any more. LOL.

Okay, back to work. I love my career. Love it love it love it.

PM Workout
Running: (see above)
Full Body Weights: 50 Minutes
Stationary Bike: 20 Minutes
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 12:48 PM 1 Comments

Not Working

Scheduled Run: 0 Minutes
Actual Run: 0 Minutes

My workout yesterday was horrible. Both the running and the weights. That was my worst workout in recent history. I know to expect these days, but they still aren't any fun when you experience them.

My digestive system feels like there is concrete sitting in it. Blecht! I did it to myself. I've just been kinda cruising along in the food department for several months. I've felt great; I've been performing well; I've been losing weight; I've been shrinking. Then, I stopped losing weight and, based on all of those scientific calorie formulas out there, I decided I wasn't eating enough and tried to up my calories.

I initially tried to up my calories by just eating more of the good stuff I was already eating. That didn't last long because I felt miserably full afterwards. After that failed, I starting replacing my good stuff with higher-calorie, not-so-good stuff. Which brings me to where I found myself yesterday: Miserable and performing poorly.

At this point, I don't care if I don't lose another flipping pound. I don't want to feel miserable and perform poorly. It's so not worth it. I'm going to go back to what I was doing and listen to my body.

Maybe that 7 week plateau had nothing to do with not eating enough. I still shrank, afterall. Maybe that was just my body acclimating itself to my new structure and the new demands I was putting on it. I had just lost 70 pounds and maybe it just needed time to get back into a state of equilibrium. I just don't want to feel like this, again.

And, since I am on the topic of listening to my body, I don't think some of this training I am doing in my running program is very good for me. That hill run last night on the treadmill was VERY unpleasant. I think I spent way too much of that 40 minutes in an anaerobic state.

Question: What type of person would decide to go into marathon training? And, therefore, who is the marathon training program mostly designed for?
Answer: Relatively fit people that have been running for a while and want to take their running to the next level.

Question: If I have under 100 running miles "under my belt," is my body really physically prepared to take on hill runs, tempo runs, fartlecks, spreed drills, etc?
Answer: Um, no. Yes, I am strong. Yes, I am healthy. But strong and healthy does not mean my body is ready to take on the stress of that intense training, especially being as heavy as I am.

Quesion: So, where does this leave me and my training?
Answer: I believe I need to focus more on getting miles under my belt, than getting in the hills and speed training. Running faster will increase my miles, but if most of that speed is done in an anaerobic state, there is no benefit. I can't get 50% (or more) of my weekly miles in on one day. I'm not going to able to run the marathon healthfully like that. Perhaps I should focus more on getting in training miles, than I should on getting in hill or speed time.

If anyone with training experience cares to chime in, please do.

So here goes Cindy back to eating like she did when she felt the best, and walking away from the more intense training runs until I feel physically ready to take that challenge on. Running 20 - 25 miles per week is enough of a challenge all by itself, right now. I'll rise up to that level--then we'll talk about intensity and speed.

If you focus on everything, you focus on nothing.

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 8:26 AM 1 Comments

Blah Blah Blah

Scheduled Run: 40 Minutes - Hills
Actual Run : 40 Minutes - Hills

It was nice out this morning, but not as crisp as yesterday. Hill run will be on the treadmill this evening. That is all I want to say about that, right now. Bummer.

I have a super-busy day ahead of me today, as soon as Arizona opens up for business. LOL. I am going to be spending about three weeks each month in east Texas until the first of the year. I will have to drive my car out there, from here, which is about five hours each way. I'm going to get a ton of money in mileage reimbursements! Cool.

The bad part is that I will be traveling on gym days. Maybe we should change our schedule, some? I'm making great progress on strength training and hate to stop. Yeah, maybe I'll talk to prince charming about changing our gym days.

Not much to say today. I'm hungry, already. How can two cups of Kashi GoLean Crunch with a banana, and a nectarine two hours later, not be enough??? I want to go back to bed. I want an iced cafe mocha and a blueberry scone from Starbucks. Like that'll actually happen. Okay...enough. Arizona will be calling any time now and I need to be here, not at Starbucks, for that call.

PM Workout
Running: (see above)
Full Body Weights: 50 Minutes
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 9:14 AM 0 Comments

Something Better

I love my job. Referring to my occupation as a "job" just sounds wrong--and cheap. I am passionate about my work. I enjoy it. I am REALLY good at it. I want to spend the next several dozen years in this profession. I love that I have a career, finally, and that I can treat it as such. This is not a temporary layover to something better. This is that previously elusive "something better."

This afternoon we had an implementation meeting with that client out in deep-east Texas. I thought it went fine and didn't think much of it as I moved on to the next task of the day. I was blown away when a few minutes later the receptionist announced that the controller of that company was on the phone for me. Huh??? For why?

So he proceeds to apologize for not going through the Project Manager but just wanted to express how impressed he and the CFO, the CEO, the CIO, and the Purchasing Manager were with me and that they feel much better about the project after that meeting. Talk about glowing! I was. This is a $400M company that has been around for a loooong time and has customers all over the world. And I impressed THEM in one little two hour phone conference??? I rock! When the deal was sold, the client thought that they were going to get our senior consultant, but he is booked up for a while.

This is one of our larger projects, and one of the bigger deals that closed this year. It is very important to our company and it looks like we started off on the right foot! This is my first full implementation on my own with my company so there is a lot riding on this project, professionally. I busted through the starting gates with a bang, mezmerizing the crowd--in true Cindy fashion. :)

Still glowing....

posted by Cindy @ 8:36 PM 0 Comments

Beauty-Full

Scheduled Run: 35 Minutes
Actual Run: 32 Minutes

Gorgeous. Simply beautiful out this morning. 62 degrees, 68% humidity, light breeze. Wow! 6 laps, 2.52 Miles, 12:42 pace. Can that be pace right??? Part of me can't believe it. Maybe I mis-counted my laps? Can it be, really?

Nevermind, I just calculated what my pace would have been had I only run 5 laps, and there is no way I was THAT slow. Woooooohooo.

I was completely exhausted this morning and almost slept through my run time, on accident. The first 3 laps were hard and I didn't want to put very much effort into it. It got a little easier, though, as I warmed up and woke up. Rushing out the door half asleep to run is no fun.

After reflecting on how I started running in yesterday's blog, I realized how far I have come in such a short time.

On June 24, I started running--at 3.7 MPH for 10 minutes. I guess I remembered it wrong, yesterday. What is that .61 miles?

In three months I have gone from .61 miles at 16:24 pace to 7 miles at 13:43 pace.

Okay...Wow. That even impresses me and I am pretty freekin' hard to impress. Wow. I amaze myself.

What's even more amazing is that it is lunch time, already.

Oh yeah, no soreness today, at all. I think I may have discovered my magic formula (for now).

Bye!

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 11:29 AM 1 Comments

24 Hours Later

Scheduled Run: 0 Minutes
Actual Run: 0 Minutes

Are my muscles sore? Nope
Does anything hurt? Nope
Is anythig stiff? Yup, just the right knee, and just a little

However, I think I feel some soreness in the shoulder area creeping in. I'll report back tomorrow. So far, so good. I also spent 10 hours in the car today wich will make you stiff just from inactivity!!!

The day trip to Dallas went well. Glad it is over for the month.

The question for today is: How do you start running?

There are lots of different answers to this question. Millions, at least. :)

Before I chronicle the short version of what I did, I would like to refer you to some excellent resources if you are interested in taking up running: www.coolrunning.com and there is a book (I think), called Couch to 5K (or somthing like it) that many, many, many people have been successful with. I say go for those proven, tested methods before trying to replicate my insanity. Because, I am insane.

A brief background:

I love weight training and have been doing it off an on (more on, I'd say) for years. I've been doing it CONSISTENTLY since February of this year. At my strongest, I could leg press 720 pounds (about 10 years ago). The point: my lower body is pretty strong. I suspect this has at least something to do with my running success, so far.

What I did:

I started walking on the treadmill at 3.0 MPH in February for 30 minutes, when I weighed over 300 lbs. I slowly worked that up to 60 minutes and kind of maxed out at 3.6 MPH. I was also doing the stationary bike and the stairmaster, some. I did this religously 3 - 4 times per week until June. I told myself I wouldn't run until I had lost 50 lbs. So when I reached that goal, I started running on the treadmill (along with keeping up my other cardio and weight training).

I started off running 5 minutes, the very first time. I walked about 20 minutes, ran 5, then walked the remaining 35.

I added 5 minutes each time I worked out, which was three times a week at that point, until I could run 15 minutes straight at 4.0 MPH. The next time I upped my time, I ran the 15 minutes, walked for 5 minutes, then added another 5 minutes.

I did that until I could walk 5 (or 10), run 15, walk 5, run 15, walk 10. This is where I kinda "messed up," looking back. Walk breaks, I've come to believe, are more efficient when they are placed every five minutes, or so, when you first start to run so that your body can deal with the lactic acid that builds up.

However, when I got to the 15 - 5 - 15 point, I cut out the 5 miute walk and decided just to run as long as I could without stopping. It started off at 20 minutes the next time and I increased it by five minutes each time I ran. Then I reached 50 minutes and felt super-proud of myself, and like I was going to die all at the same time. :)

I paid attention to my body and when I felt like I needed to stop, I stopped, but not until I pushed just a little-tiny bit more.

After I reached that 50 minute mark, I decided that I wanted to try to run a 5K and began looking into training programs and races in my area. I didn't feel like there was enough of a challenge in a 5K when I found out it was three miles, and I read about my friend Trishie (Hi, Trishie!) finishing her marathon right about the same time, and decided, "What the fuck! I'm going to train for a marathon (I honestly didn't know how many miles a marathon was when I made this decision, oops.). That will be a challenge."

Some of my co-workers run and I had overheard them talking about a really cool marathon training program at a local running store. I researched it, talked it over with my Prince Charming (who thinks I can do anything), and went that same day to sign up for training. Paid my $100 and here I am involved in a 26 week program that all but promises that you will be able to finish the marathon, and without injury, if you follow it. And following it, I am--to the letter 'cause I am scared not to.

And that is the short version. :)

Like I said...I recommend the researched, tested, proven method for the masses over my insanity.

With that said, I completely enjoy running (when it is not nasty-humid out) and I especially love running at 5:00 in the morning when the moon is still out and the stars are twinkling and people are SLEEPING. It is just an amazing feeling and makes me feel good the whole day.

PM Workout
Ummm....my hubby??? LOL.

posted by Cindy @ 7:56 PM 2 Comments

End of Training Week 5

Scheduled Run: 7 Miles
Actual Run: 7 Miles

Whooo, boy! 13:43 Pace. I finished in 96 minutes. Yahoooo. 78 degrees outside, 88% humidity. :(

It won't do me any good to rant and rave and carry on about the sucky weather. So, here is what I am looking forward to: I have lost some extra fat, gained muscle, gained endurance, learned to fuel myself properly for my long runs...I can't wait to see how well I will perform once the weather doesn't suck so effing much. Do I see a 12:something pace in my immediate future??? I think so! I want to be at 12, or better, for the marathon.

I got within a few inches of a young male deer this morning. I wanted to touch him, but I didn't want to stop running, either. I scared him away. I love that neighborhood. I hope we can afford something there when our lease is up here. There was some kind of 5K in that neighborhood that we crossed paths with. That is a wonderful neighborhood to run in, really. Perfect.

I found a running partner who was running out of steam on the last 3 miles. We finished together. She has been running a while and is not overweight. She thought that I was a seasoned runner. :blush: She said that I have great leg muscle definition and thought, based on that and the fact that I was still running merrily along, that I had been running for a long time. I can thank my love of weight lifting and my extra (not loved) testosterone for that muscle, thank you very much.

I told her about my journey and she said that she is training just to keep running, and that she really isn't sure she wants to run a marathon. It made those last three miles go by pretty fast. She is in accounting, too. A like mind, even. :) Maybe next weekend I'll find out what her name is. He he. I'm pathetic, really.

So, the bad news? Johnny Carino's changed their menu and now my most beloved dishes are GONE!!! I was devastated. We went last night. I tried something that was new on the menu and it was sooooo salty. YUCK! I didn't want anything else on their menu so I didn't eat. And, we had the worst waiter in the universe last night. We were going to order my cake but he didn't come back until we had been done for 20 MINUTES!!! By time he came back I was ready to kill my son and my husband was about ready to self destruct. Oy. No Johnny Carino's, anymore. I was very upset. It ruined our normally pleasant family date. Completely.

Ultragen, my recovery drink, was not nasty. Yay! I was very worried, but pleasantly surprised. Both of the 1st Endurance products I have used have been awesome. I will consider myself lucky. No wasted money, yet, on supplements. I also feel really good, even though I haven't eaten, yet. Not hungry, yet. No pukey feeling today during the run, either.

Today's Run Fueling:
6:00 AM - Banana (~130 calories)
6:30 AM - 6 oz. E.F.S. (~70 Calories)
7:00 - 8:40 AM - 30 oz. E.F.S. (~220 Calories)
8:55 AM - Ultragen (~320 Calories)

Note to self: Do not mix the sports drink the night before. It tastes better freshly mixed!

Off to the showers I go. Have an awesome weekend, everyone!

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 10:43 AM 3 Comments

Still a Loser, Baby!

Scheduled Run: 0 Minutes
Actual Run: 0 Minutes

Woohoo. 1.9 pounds and 1/2 inch down this week. My thighs measured in at a whopping 1/2 gain this week. But, I did not record it because I just can't imagine that it is a true gain. That's a lot of muscle to gain in seven days. I really wanted that scale to get to the 260's this week, but it wouldn't cooperate. I even tried the off-on-off-on trick. And, it only made it worse. :( Next week...next week!

I ran hard on the treadmill yesterday and my intervals were 4.7 MPH and 5.2 MPH. I had to start backing the speed down from my last 5.2 interval during the last three minutes. I just ran out of energy to keep it up because I hadn't eaten in 8 hours. Dang it. I know I am supposed to be doing tempo runs, not intervals, but I'm just not ready for the tempo runs because I am still taking one minute walk breaks. Every 5 minutes during the weekday training runs and every 8 minutes during the long Saturday run. Intervals seem to make more sense right now. Hopefully it won't mess up my training program.

I try to have a heavier carb. day on Friday's to prepare myself for Saturday. I'm going to try a recovery drink tomorrow after my 7 miles, which will be about a 100 minute run for me, I think. I wonder about the effectiveness of supplements, but the logic seems sound. I'm tying Ultragen by 1st Endurance. It has a lot of calories, too, which is good (over 300, I think). I already use their sports drink--which is awesome, by the way. So, we'll see.

It looks like my run will burn about 1,600 calories. My sports drinks and recovery drink will replace about 800 of those calories--which is not enough. :( Looks like I have some more work to do there, eh?

There will be NO gym workout tomorrow. Lesson learned last weekend. There may, however, be a family date day lunch at Johnny Carino's. Now there is a great place to get those extra calories. He he he. Oh, oh, I also need extra carbs, too. In the form of their italian chocolate cake. Yeah. That should just about get me caught up (at least) in the calorie department. ;)

PM Workout
Stretches: 10Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 8:28 AM 0 Comments

Life Support

Scheduled Run: 40 Minutes - Tempo
Actual Run: 40 Minutes - Interval

So I wake up to a dead car this morning. Nice. The dumb thing is barely one year old and has been nothing but a humongous piece of shit. '05 Pontiac G6. I've ranted about this POS in other posts, before. "Luckily" the POS is under warranty and all I had to do was call the dealership, then roadside assistance, have someone else get my boy to school and hitch a ride to work.

The size and response of my support network amazed me, after I got to thinking about it. From the time I went to start the POS until the time we were just waiting around for our rides, I think a whole 10 minutes had passed. I am a very friendly and outgoing person, but I don't tend to be close or intimate with anyone outside of my household. The intimacy is apparently not required for people to step up to the plate in your time of need. That is a relief. A nice little life lesson I learned this morning. :)

I also didn't obsess about being an inconvenience to anyone, as I normally have in the past. I asked for help and everyone was more than happy to offer it. Progress.

Providing we have transportation, my tempo run this evening will be on the treadmill. If we have no wheels, I will just get a good hard run in my subdivision. Either way, I will get my run in.

PM Workout
Running: See Above
Full Body Weights: 50 Minutes
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 9:20 AM 0 Comments

Exhaustion

Scheduled Run: 0 Minutes
Actual Run: 0 Minutes

When I arrived home yesterday I was exhausted and didn't know how I was going to make it through my workout. So I thought about why I was so tired while I was changing into my gym clothes. Here is a list of the logical reasons I came up with:

- Sleep Deprivation
- Oncoming Illness
- Overtraining/Burn Out
- Not enough fuel in my body
- Psychological/Lazy/Whiney

I pretty much ruled out the first three as impossible which left the last two. Either one of those two options could be delt with and, therefore, I did not have a good reason to not go to the gym. I ate a chicken breast and a piece of french bread and told myself that if I still felt exhausted that it was all in my head and I was going to work out, anyway. I felt 100% better after I ate. Imagine that!

I am still struggling to keep my calories up consistently, mostly out of irrational fear, I confess. I know what I have to do. My fear of gaining my weight back is going against that. Good thing I put more "stock" in my intellect, than I do my emotions. But, it is still causing turmoil within me--which, itself, is unhealthy. I'd like to blame this new-found irrational fear on CK. I never had it prior to that experience. LOL. But, it is completely within my control how I choose to respond to anything, right? Right!!! :)

I am not a victim; I am a victor.

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 8:47 AM 1 Comments

Clothes

Scheduled Run: 45 Minutes - Hill
Actual Run: 25 Minutes

Absolutely beautiful outside this morning. I landed crooked on an elevated manhole cover and twisted my knee so I had to quit early. It hurts, still. I'm taking it easy and I am hoping it will heal before Thursday.

I took the tags off of one of my new pairs of slacks this morning and had to fight to get them on. This is the same pair I referenced over the weekend as being a regular size 18 that was 2 inches smaller than my plus-size 16's from Lane Bryant. After getting them on and looking in the mirror I decided that they are not suitable for public display so I took them off and decided to look at the inside tag. Guess what? They weren't size 18--they were size 16. I got the tags out of the trash and exchanged them this morning for real size 18's. But hey, I got myself in the regular 16's (even though I probably shouldn't have). :)

So all of my clothes are a little snug on me right now, but not horrible-looking. I have moved all of my plus-size 20's to the "fat" pile to be donated to a women's shelter, threw out all the too big panties and trashed the loose bras. So what does that leave me with? A nice selection of brand new regular size 18 slacks, two pairs of plus-size 16 black slacks from Lane Bryant, about 8 tops size XL and two bras size 42C. I am down from a plus-size 26/28 and a 50DD bra. Woohoo!

I think I need a new pair of dress shoes (I only have one pair of non-sports shoes). I'm thinking my feet aren't as wide as they used to be. But, decent shoes for my sized 13 feet are VERY expensive so I will wait on that purchase.

In case you haven't noticed, I don't have much going on in my mind today except thinking about my clothes. :) That, and going back to bed. Which makes me think about pajamas. LOL.

PM Workout
Stationary Bike: 30 Minutes
Full Body Weights: 50 Minutes
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 12:21 PM 3 Comments

Effects

Scheduled Run: 35 Minutes
Actual Run: 35 Minutes

96% Humidity. 96% humidy, 72 degrees and 71 dew point!!!!! 2.52 miles. That weather just really takes the joy out of my running--completely.

I am miserably sore today. I woke up at 1:42 AM and hardly slept at all after that. So now I am sore, sleepy and my body is completely exhausted. I did not give my self a chance to recover from my Saturday run and with every action there is an equal and opposite rection. So here I am. Dealing with the effects of my excessive intelligence. :(

My weight has been fluctuating wildly over the past two weeks. I'm up four, down five, up three, down two, etc. What gives? My body has never done this prior to starting my training so I am going to go with this weight fluctuation being an effect of my body trying to get the proper glycogen stores, fat stores, and fluid stores in the right levels, in the right places and at the right times. Nothing else makes any sense. Just another reason to quit measuring my susccess by the scale. I've seen very little movement on the scale for the past two months but I have recorded large reductions in my measurements during that time.

It is just so hard to quit judging my success/failure from what that scale displays. So.Very.Hard. I know lots of you who read my blog know this, already. I'm trying to learn it. I know it, intellectually, but I have that emotional connection to that falling number. Y'all know what I am talking about.

I have the stiffest, sorest legs ever.

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 12:51 PM 0 Comments

Stooopid

Scheduled Run: 0 Minutes
Actual Run: 0 Minutes

Talk about being WIPED OUT!!! That was me last night. It seems like I have to be reminded again, and again, and again that I am NOT Super Woman (or in my 20's, anymore). Working out at the gym for two hours, a couple of hours after my long Saturday runs, is not a good idea. We've decided to stop that. Yeah, I know--Duh!

I slept for 11 hours last night. The only time I sleep more than 8 hours is when I am sick. I am not sick. Just Stooopid. But, on the plus side, I don't feel wiped out anymore and I have just a little tiny bit of soreness in my glutes.

My client's computer crashed yesterday so my trip has been rescheduled for next weekend. I think I am going to go in search of those slacks I need to buy today. We are also going to try a new church, I think. We met a family yesterday that we are going to carpool with for my son's school. They go to this church and they think we will like it. I have been pondering going. We actually went one time but...well, it is also a long stooopid story. :)

Sadly, I have a whole storehouse full of long, stooopid stories I could share. And most of them can be at least partially attributed to my anxiety issue--that is triggered by my hypoglycemia, which can be linked to the retarted ovaries. So I can, theorhetically, blame all of my stupidity on being female. Oh man...I can think of a billion men who would love to read that line right about now. LOL.

~

More Stooopid: Okay, so I went shopping for my new slacks. My size 16's from Lane Bryant are fitting now...so I figured I could go get some 16's or 18's from any old store and they should fit, right? Wrong!

I found some 18's at Dillards (in the regular sized section, not "Dillard's Woman" section) that felt tighter than my LB 16's, but I bought them, anyway 'cuz they looked passable and I have been shrinking with a vengence, lately. I get home and compare my new 18's to my LB 16's and the 16's are about 2 inches bigger than my new 18's!!! Wow.

Vanity Super-Sizing. LOL. Who would have thought that a plus-sized store would be that firmly entrenched in vanity sizing? Good grief.

Winter coats are slowly trickling in to the stores. I've always had a problem with woman's coats becuase my arms are always about 3 -4 inches too long. I tried on an XL, which fit comfortably but the arms were too short, of course. Then, I tried on a large. It fit tight, but the damned thing fit (except the short arms)! I've never been able to wear a size large in anything, ever, before. Happy days.

I'm actually gonna be a normal-sized person. I'm gonna make it. I'm almost there! Holy shit, can you believe it? I haven't been normal sized since I was about 3 months old!

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 9:34 AM 0 Comments

Super Saturday

Scheduled Run: 6 Miles
Actual Run 6.24 Miles

Humidity sucks my will to live and my enthusiasm for life out of my body faster than a severed artery! 80 degrees outside (at 7:00 AM), 72% humidity. O.M.G. Halfway through I thought I was gonna puke so I walked for a few minutes to cool myself down.

Overall pace: 14:13 Minute Mile. Not bad, at all! I'll take it. I was the very last runner to make it back today. He he. You know, you gotta save the best for last!

On a happier note, I was all but unaware of my breasts! That is a great bra. Also, no knee pain or tendon issues, so far! Progress.

I spent most of yesterday spending money and running annoying errands. New (smaller) panties, new (smaller) bras, new sports bra, saw some adorable clothes, bras, panties, sleepwear, running gear that I cannot wait to buy. But, for now, I am taking the minimalist approach. Just enough of everything to get me by until I reach my final size--which is about two sizes from here. I'm aiming for a size 12, but we'll see when I get there. I still need to buy a few more pairs of slacks and I will be all set for the next four months, or so.

Yes, after all that running in the yuck, we are going to the gym in just a bit. I really didn't feel like I could go when I first finished my run, but I am fed, cleaned up, fed again, and rehydrated, and I feel ready to take on the world again.

Tomorrow is my monthly day trip to Dallas. Probably won't be blogging. :)

Saturday Workout
Stationary Bike: 25 Minutes
Full Body Weights: 50 Minutes

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 11:38 AM 0 Comments

I've Lost It

Scheduled Run: 0 Minutes
Actual Run: 0 Minutes

Yahooooo. 3.3 pounds and 1.25 inches have made their exit this week from my body!!! It's about damn time.

:happy dance:

Really really busy today on the domestic front, so not much time to blog.

Tomorrow's run is 6 miles with my group. My replacement shoes came in yesterday and I have a new sports bra. The Melborne by Moving Comfort. Can't wait to see how much better my run will be tomorrow!

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 11:31 AM 1 Comments

Squeak Squeak

Scheduled Run: 35 Minutes - Tempo
Actual Run: 35 Minutes - Tempo

That old saying, The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil, is just as true today as it was when it became "an old saying." Sadly.

Why are we prone to laziness and disservice in our culture? Perhaps this is an inherent trait of being human and only our sense of being a part of something greater than ourselves pulls us away from our natural inclination to be selfish? And, if selfishness is, in fact, a natural state (self-preservation and survival of the fittest, anyone?), why do we work so hard to go against that? Wow. Talk about getting side-tracked here. That is a topic I will devote more intellectual time to in the future as it has far-reaching implications on my values.

Anyway, I started being a bit squeaky at work and I got a pretty large implementation assigned to me that was initially assigned to someone who is booked for several months. The down-side? It is in Nacogdoches, Texas. That is in "Deep East Texas." So, I am worried about how I, as an out-spoken and intelligent woman, will be accepted out there. I've worked with clients with those mentalities and in both cases I had problems. I got the implementations done, but it got ugly. They hire you for your expertise and when you show them how to make things right, efficient and more profitable--well, they just don't seem to like that.

I uncovered bank fraud in one case and, when the (seasoned male) controller failed to address the situation, I made the (seasoned male) CEO aware of the problem. I was promptly asked not to come back to the job site by the controller. The other time I was informed that I was "talking down" to some of my trainees and that they didn't appreciate my know-it-all attitude. My internal response: did you really want to spend all this money on someone who doesn't know what they are talking about? Okay. So, I of course asked for specific examples of how I was offending the staff and how I could re-phrase my instructions and non were produced. Hmm.

Oh, I was also informed by one young-ish female CFO in Dallas that I walk into her office like I owned it and that I need to work on my "presence". That was one of my personal favorites. My translation of that gem is that she expected people to crawl in to her office on their hands and knees, to kiss her MBA hanging on the wall (after you dusted off your knees, of course) and to profess how un-fucking-worthy you were of her time and intellect. LOL.

Yes, I conceede that it could be me. :) However, oodles of other clients (that live in more urban areas) absolutely rave about my service and my straight-forwardness. I just can't help but to connect some dots there.

What did I learn from reviewing all this? I am good at what I do. Plain and simple. I have learned some more ego-stroking techniques since the above mentioned experiences. I have learned that I intimidate people who are not confident and I can now read that intimidation and adjust my body language and presentation to make them feel better about themselves. And, you can ask any kind of successful consulting firm about this, a large part of what makes up a good consultant is ego and a healthy dose of self-confidence.

But, for the most part, I realize I have these tools and don't use them. I'm just a fuck-it kinda person, ya know? And no, I have no aspirations to EVER be a manager. Can you imagine how that would end up? LOL.

Running today will be on the treadmill for the speed training. Weight is still moving down. I am taking tomorrow off work, again. It is sunny. Happy days!!!

~

3.22 miles (total, 45 minutes). That was my first speed workout. Here is how it went:

5 minute warm up walk at 3.5 MPH
5 minute run at 4.6 MPH
1 minute walk
5 minutes at 5.0 MPH
1 minute walk
5 minutes at 4.6 MPH
1 minute walk
5 minutes at 5.1 MPH
1 minute walk
5 minutes at 4.6 MPH
1 minute walk
5 minutes at 5.1 MPH
5 minute cool-down walk

Funny, after running at 5 MPH, it made the 4.6 seem sooo easy. Guess that is the whole purpose of this drill! Those last 3 minutes at 5.1 MPH were very difficult.

PM Workout
Running: (see above)
Full Body Weights: 50 Minutes
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 11:04 AM 0 Comments

Doubling?

Scheduled Run: 0 Minutes
Actual Run: 0 Minutes

They call it something different in the fitness world? Huh?

My hubby, his trainer at the gym, and myself were talking at the gym last night and he tells her that I ran yesterday morning for almost an hour. She says, "Oh, your doubling?"

Uh, I was? Is it illegal? Should I be embarassed? Should I stop? I didn't even know there was a word for it. I thought I was just getting my weight-training in while I was at the gym with my family. Is doubling bad? Should I have it medicated? It has a negative connotation. Cuz' I'm not just weight training, I'm "doubling," too. W.H.A.T.E.V.E.R.

A bright, energetic young boy = ADHD
You lift some weights at night after running a little in the morning (13 hours earlier) = Doubling
You decide to eat an entire 1/2 gallon of ice cream (Yummm!) in front of the TV = Eating Disorder

I just can't keep up! And, what is all this talk about burn-out, anyway? I've pretty much had the same activity level (in minutes, anyway) since FEBRUARY and I haven't "burned-out." Wouldn't it be safe to assume that my body has adjusted to this activity level by now? Sure, I kinda screwed things up for a bit by not eating enough, but I got that under control now. Can't I just enjoy where I am without people talking doubling, burn-out, over the top workouts, blah, blah, blah? Seriously, now. Is 6 - 7 hours of exercise in a 168 hour period really going to do anything bad to me? I mean, really?

On a lighter note, it looks like my weight is FINALLY back on the move, again. I just need to remain diligent about eating enough to fuel my activity level. I've been eating a lot more over the last few weeks and it seems to be helping.

Okay, enough ranting. On to my regularly scheduled, non-cyber life.

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 8:49 AM 2 Comments

ChiRunning

Scheduled Run: 45 Minutes - Hills
Actual Run: 42 Minutes - Hills

Yeah, about that hill run this morning. That sucked. 2.52 miles, 6 laps. Don't know how hot it was. Didn't care after that first lap, either!

I believe, however, that I may have had a teeny-tiny bit of a self-defeatist attitude towards the hills in my perceived inability to run them. I thought they were going to have to bring the stretcher for me after that first lap. But, guess what? The rest of them weren't as bad. It's all in my head. Yep. Success and failure are products of your mind.

Which brings me to the ChiRunning book I am reading. Hmm. I have a lot of thoughts about this book all racing through my mind at the same time. The physics behind the method seem sound and make a lot of sense to me. However, the reality of applying those logically-sounding physics to MY running, where my body is TODAY...well, I am suspect.

I don't have the strength in my lower abs to hold my pelvis straight all the time right now, not to mention running like that for hours on end. (Yes, with the melting of my fat I have discovered a posture problem that I need to correct.) And, in all honesty, running with "loose" joints hurts and bounces the rest of me around a lot.

Oh, and not that I want to offend anyone, but the idea of Chi inside my abdomen that I can gather from my surroundings is, well, a little hard to wrap my mind around. I "get" that having a strong core (physically) powers all of your movements, but that is a strong core you develop through exercise, not gathered from happy puppies and tiny earthworms burrowing in the soil??? (dramatized for my own personal amuzement)

I suppose others would have the same opinion about the God I believe in, too. LOL.

So, I am going to finish the book. There were some other tid-bits that sounded interesting. Then, maybe I will shelve it until I lose some more weight and straighten out my posture. The physics seem sound.

I LOVE SUSHI. Have I mentioned that love affair, before? :)

PM Workout
Stationary Bike: 35 Minutes
Full Body Weights: 50 Minutes
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 1:47 PM 0 Comments

Ugh!

Scheduled Run: 30 Minutes
Actual Run: 35 MInutes (oops)

5 Laps, 2.1 Miles. 76 degrees outside (yes, at 5:08 AM) with, I dunno, let's go with 99.9% humidity. Ugh. That was a very difficult run.

This week we are supposed to "start" doing hill runs and tempo runs. I have no choice but to train everyday on the hills. I still can't get up them without stopping. I guess I should just try to force myself up the hills on my hill training days. The tempo runs will be even more interesting to modify to my training environment. Unless, of course, I decide to run back and forth on the same 50 feet of concrete. Now doesn't that sound exciting! Maybe I should do the tempo runs on the treadmill at the gym.

Not whining, just "talking" it through. :)

My calendar this week is next to empty. In our Monday morning meeting, they said that the schedules are getting out of control again and that people are getting double and triple booked. Hello? I have NOTHING! Maybe I need to be a little "louder" at work so that the account managers know I am here??? I tend to keep to myself and just get my work done quietly with no fanfare. I hate being at work with no work to do. It stresses me out in a MAJOR way. Maybe I will take another PTO day if my calendar doesn't fill up.

Okay, off to another meeting I go.

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 9:10 AM 0 Comments

Whole Wheat Flour

Scheduled Run: 0 Minutes
Actual Run: 0 Minutes

I usually make a large breakfast for my family on Sundays. Their favorites are waffles and pancakes. I had fallen out of love with those food items several months ago because they seriously lacked nutritional value. I found myself feeling poorly shortly after eating them, so I quit.

Then, about a month ago, I saw some organic whole wheat flour at the grocery store and decided to give it a try. Each 1/4 cup of the flour has 4 grams of fiber. I thought maybe using that flour in the pancakes and waffles would help with the flavor, too. So I gave it a shot this morning.

Not bad! It actually adds a nice flavor to the pancakes and makes you feel like you have something a little more substantial in your system. Breakfast this morning was three whole wheat pancakes, two eggs over medium, 1/2 cup applesauce (my favorite pancake topping), and a small bowl of fresh strawberries. And, my morning coffee with Prince Charming, of course!

I'm guessing breakfast totalled about 700 - 800 calories with approx. 10 grams of fiber. A little high-caloried for one meal, but it was a late breakfast which means lunch will probably just be a snack.

The only thing I have to get done today is grocery shopping. I should also sweep, mop and vacuum, but I'm just not feeling the love right now. :)

~

Later today I got this in an e-mail from prevention.com (still not sure why I am even getting e-mail from them, anyway--so I unsubscribed after this little gem):

"Suppose, for a moment, that losing weight was as easy as... Taking a few deep breaths...Enjoying a beautiful sunset...Calling an old friend on the phone...Or standing on your tiptoes while you wait to check out at the supermarket...

Well, of course," you might say. "If it were that easy, no one would be overweight. But it's never that easy. Losing weight is just hard work. There's NO way around it."That's the conventional wisdom. Yet this conventional "wisdom" has resulted in a phenomenal failure rate. It's been estimated that more than 9 out of 10 diets FAIL in the long run. And I believe that conventional dieting has failed you for one simple reason...

You're Working Too Hard at Losing Weight!

Maybe, just maybe, there's a simpler, better way to lose ALL the weight you want. The better way I'm referring to is explained in a new blockbuster book FLIP THE SWITCH: Proven Strategies to Fuel Your Metabolism and Burn Fat 24 Hours a Day, by Dr. Robert K. Cooper."

Yeah....And maybe, just maybe, this is just another way to suck money out of some poor sap who doesn't want to admit they eat too damned much and who considers walking down to their mailbox each day "being active."

This kind of shit just Pisses.Me.Off!

You want to lose all the weight you want? It's easy. I'll tell you how FOR FREE. Are you ready??? Okay, here goes:

Consume fewer calories than you burn each day.

Holy shit. I should be a blockbuster book publisher extraordinaire!

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 10:46 AM 5 Comments

End of Training Week 3

Scheduled Run: 5 Miles
Actual Run: 5 Miles

I did it! 70 Minutes, 14 Minute Mile.

The first 2.5 miles sucked soooo hard because it had just finished raining and it was SOOOO humid that I couldn't get cool. But, then the cool breeze kicked up and I felt 10,000% better. My sports drink (see yesterday's entry) was AWESOME! Loved it.

I've got to get new shoes before next weekend's run. My knees started hurting about mile 3 and my knees never hurt. They usually just feel tight afterwards. I hope my replacements make it in this week! I really don't want to drop the money on another pair of shoes. I need to spend money on stuff like a good sports bra and new slacks, instead.

Soooooo. My weight was sky-high this morning (as expected). I recorded my offical check-in at yesterday's 275.2 pounds with 1.75 inches lost. That is just rediculously stupid. That means that in 7 WEEKS I have lost all of 4.4 lbs, but a whopping 7.75 inches. I need my freekin weight to come down! Aren't you listening???? Stupid body.

It is overcast today (again) and I am easily affected by a lack of sunshine. I feel my mood slipping and I am going to hibernate for a while. Finishing my Performance Nutrition book and starting Chi Running sounds like a great plan.

Saturday Workout
Stationary Bike: 25 Minutes
Full Body Weights: 50 Minutes

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 10:03 AM 2 Comments

One LAZY Day

Scheduled Run: 0 Miniutes
Actual Run: 0 Minutes

O.M.G. I haven't eaten like this since February! I don't even want to know how many calories (or how much fat) I consumed throughout the day. I won't be hungry again until October - I swear!

Hubby and I took the kiddo to school this morning. Then came home and just chatted. Then we went exploring a little and sampled some pastries from a bakery that came highly recommended by a co-worker. Then, about an hour later, we found a FANTASTIC mexican restaurant to have lunch that came highly recommended by the health insurance agent. YUM-MY! I couldn't finish my meal. We got the bill and those were lunch portions. Woah! Scared to see what dinner portions would look like! Then we came home and napped (a real nap his time, not a "nap"). LOL. Then, off to the first PTF meeting of the school year. Where I decided to eat some more. :blush:

I found a ports drink to try (from my Perfomance Nutrition book) called E.F.S (formerly called E3) by 1st Endurance and we picked some up today. We'll see how it works out for me tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be my longest run--ever. I will be saying that every week for the next several weeks. LOL. I think it will be about 70 minutes. Go me. I've, uh, definitely done a good job at building up my energy reserves today??? :( NOT.

Okay, so I am not going to eat anything else tonight. We'll do our stretches and go off to dreamland. Tomorrow is my official weigh-in day. I was down 7/10 of a pound this morning. If my weight is really high in the morning because of the food bloat, I will go with that 7/10 lb. loss and whatever the measurements report back. I'm hoping to keep the tendonitis at bay tomorrow. Wish me luck!

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 9:02 PM 0 Comments

Frustration

Scheduled Run: 30 Minutes
Actual Run: 30 Minutes

2.3 Miles on the treadmill at -1.0 incline. Cool.

Woke up at 5:00 this morning for my run. My tendon was still hurting. Went back to sleep. I will run on the treadmill again this evening at the negative incline. I’m going to HAVE to run outside with my group on Saturday, but I will not run uphill—and they usually add hills to the course. I will walk up the hills very carefully. I am expecting another very pleasant long run on Saturday. Although I’m sure I won’t be increasing my time. My focus will be on avoiding further injury.

I am taking a personal day tomorrow and Prince Charming and I will have a date day. Well, as long as the boy is in school, anyway. I am really looking forward to it! We don’t really have any plans except having lunch together, somewhere.

I’m also getting very frustrated with my seeming lack of progress in the weight loss department. My weight has barely moved in SIX WEEKS and it looks like I am going to remain the same this week, as well. Grrrr. Is my training really affecting my body THAT MUCH?

My logical side knows I am still making significant progress in lots of other non-weight related areas. But I should start seeing a move on the scale after six weeks!!! Maybe I just got too used to seeing 2 to 4 pound losses every week? I’ve lost a little over 5 inches in that time, but only 4 measly pounds. Only 4.

Okay, Cindy. It’s not the end of the world. Pull yourself together and stay focused on your training. Everything else will follow. That reminds me of the Bible verse that goes something like “Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, and all shall be added.” Stay focused!

And later that evening...

DAMN IT DAMN IT DAMN IT!!! LifeTime Fitness totally screwed up my beloved Core Class. I'm heartbroken. Really. I'm going to e-mail the instructor and let her know that I am no longer in love with her (class).

PM Workout
Core Class: 10 Minutes
Running: (see above)
Walking: 10 Minutes
Full Body Weights: 50 Minutes
Stationary Bike: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 2:40 PM 0 Comments

Another Day

Scheduled Run: 0 Minutes
Actual Run: 0 Minutes

When I get home from work, I always go directly to the bathroom and change my clothes. I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirrors yesterday on my way to the closet and had to do a double-take. I am looking GOOD! Wow. The new tops I bought are very flattering to my new figure. :)

I am going to purchase a new “boot” for my tendonitis this afternoon and keep the ibuprofen flowing through my body. I am also keeping the ball of my foot propped up on some books under my desk to keep that tendon stretched so it can heal. I will wear the boot while I am sleeping. I used to have one but it got kinda worn out so I threw it away several months ago. I will go to the doctor and get some steroids if I do not see an improvement within a few days. That’ll fix it up!

I’m going to read some more of that performance nutrition book this evening and go in search of some sports drinks to try this Saturday for the 5 Mile run. Looks like Amino Vital is out of the question. LOL (Hi Trish!)

I am very excited about my run this weekend. Who would have thought that I’d EVER be able to run—at all—not to mention 5, 10, 15 or 26.2 miles (or more)!!! Wow. I am in constant amazement of myself. He he. Is that conceited? Oh, it is? Cool! :evil grin:

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 10:00 AM 0 Comments

Tendonitis

Scheduled Run: 35 Minutes
Actual Run: 35 Minutes

2.61 Miles on the TREADMILL this evening at a -1.0 incline because my bleeping tendonitis has flared up. I think it might be related to the shoes. My feet aren't as wide as they used to be and the shoes don't fit as well as they used to. Just a hunch.

"Lucky" me, my shoes are falling apart prematurely. I went a local running store and told the owner what was going on with my shoes, and that I bought them when I lived in Houston, and he said that the manufacturer was aware that there was a problem with the first of this model of shoes manufactured and he is replacing them for free. Woo hoo! That store has my business for life! They should be here this week. The outer heel cushion-thingy is falling off.

I was up and out the door at 5:00AM this morning and was fine until I hit that first hill. The pain was so bad I had to limp home. I was soooo upset. My tendonitis usually takes a week or two to heal. The thought of missing my training for two weeks was devastating. So, I thought about it all day and remembered that it didn't hurt to run DOWNhill, just UPhill. Of course, outside if you run downhill, you must also run up the damned thing. So, I decided to run the treadmill at a negative incline until I am healed (except my Staurday long runs, of course). Just moderate pain on the treadmill. Not bad, at all.

It isn't perfect, but it is a plan--and I will still meet my training goals. I won't fall behind schedule and I am NOT QUITTING! That is not an option.

PM Workout
Stationary Bike: 10 Minutes
Running: (See Above)
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 9:26 PM 0 Comments

Labor(less) Day

Scheduled Run: 30 Minutes
Actual Run: 30 Minutes

Horrible outside. Internally yucked-up. Achillies tendonitis flared up. But, I ran (and walked) through it all.

My coach recommended this book called Chi Running that I think I am going to go out and buy this morning. I'm really not feeling very well (tummy issues) and spending a day reading and relaxing sounds like exactly what I need.

I was thinking about going shoping, again. But not with tummy problems. The family wanted to go to IHOP this morning. I think just walking into that place will make me yack. I promised to make pancakes this morning for them, but I just want to go back to bed.

Scott said he couldn't believe that I got up early on Labor Day to run and that I deserved a day off. Some people just don't get it, you know? Is the marathon going to get pushed back an extra day because there is a holiday? Hell, no! I really get tired of people badgering me about my food and exercise routines. These comments are starting to really piss me off:

"It's ______ Day. You deserve a day off eating right/exercising."
"You have to eat junk/miss your workout every now and then to stay sane."
"Skipping your workout/eating junk won't hurt you, you've been 'so good' lately." (Of course this implies that there is a 'so bad' which is bullshit. There is only how you decide to live your own life.)

I hear at least one of these comments (or any number of different variations) EVERY SINGLE DAY OF MY LIFE from somebody. If I decided that "somebody" was right, I'd be back up to 350 lbs in just a couple of months. Good grief, people! I know what I am doing!!!!! It doesn't affect you if I am eating a salad when you are eating a cheesburger, or if I am out running in the morning while you are sleeping, so leave me the fuck alone!

I guess what is even more annoying is that "somebody" assumes that I don't have dessert, or that I really do have exercise-free days, or that soometimes I will eat 12 ounces of meat in one sitting if my body wants it. If you really thought that I was doing "so good", why would you want to encourage me to stop???

Oy Vey.

I saw someone wearing a really cool shirt at the mall yesterday. It said:

"If you don't like my attitude, then quit talking to me."

Amen!

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 8:29 AM 3 Comments

To Shop, Or Not to Shop?

Scheduled Run: 0 Minutes
Actual Run: 0 Minutes

The clothes are pathetic. I should shop. It is Labor Day weekend and sales abound (as do the crowds, I fear). Summer clearance...new fall merchandise. New body to clothe. A wallet who is dying to bring out her inner whore (Hi Lisie-LOL)!

I am going to commit to buying the Sunday paper, with all the sales advertisements, and drive to the mall. I'll read through the sales ads and decide if I will actually shop, or not, in the parking lot. I am pathetic. An embarassment to women all over the country.

I don't have to commit to a whole new wardrobe. Just a couple of tops that don't resemble a rain poncho when I put them on. This will be easy. I can do this. Slacks that are only six inches too big in the waist can still be fashionable! A particular segment of the American population dresses like that on purpose! I just gotta have the right panties. LOL.

I SHOPPED AND I LOVED IT!

I have ignited a love affair with Macy's. The sales clerk asked me if I wanted to open a Macy's charge account. I was this --> <-- close to doing it. But, had I done that, Scott would be at the Guitar Center opening up an account there tomorrow and that would be the beginning of the end...paying cash for everything is a beautiful thing, except when there are discounts you miss out on by not using the store card. We may have to discuss the benefits of a store card, more. :)

Anyway, I was headed right towards dropping a few hundred bucks, but decided on just two tops. Picked up two more at Dillard's. I now have eight (as in more than four) pretty tops for work. I will no longer have to wear the same top twice in one week to work! That hasn't happened since I undergrew my original fat-clothes wardrobe. Woohoo. Thay are sooo pretty. All of them are a size XL (or 16). I was wearing size 26/28 seven months ago. Go me!!!

I bet you I have 10 or 15 empty hangers for every filled hanger in our closet. What am I at now? 8 tops, 4 t-shirts, 6 pairs of slacks, 3 pairs of workout pants and two sweatshirts? I think our closet echoes more than any other room in the house. He he.

I am thinking that this mini-wardrobe I am creating now will be my last temporary wardrobe. These tops should hold me over until I am done redesigning my body (and my life). I can't imagine myself ever getting any smaller than a size Large, or size 10/12. But, even if I do manage to get down to a Medium, the XL will be acceptable until then.

It makes me feel good knowing that I only have about 2, maybe 3, more sizes to go down. That seems very easy to accomplish--almost tangible. I should be there on Marathon Day. Hell, I even know how many weeks away that is. I will have to plan for a post-marathon shopping extravaganza. That would be a good day to open a Macy's account to get my 20% off new account holder discount! LOL.

PM Workout
Stretches: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 12:53 PM 0 Comments

The MOST Amazing Run

Scheduled Run: 4 Miles
Actual Run: 4.26 Miles

59 Minute run. 13.85 minute mile. Started at 7:00AM. Got to see the deer frolicking in the woods. Squirrels running across the streets and up the old oak trees. The sun rising over the trees and rooftops. I felt AMAZING the whole time. My eight minute running/one minute walking intervals were perfect. Only had a hard time up one really steep hill and it added an extra three or four minutes to my walking time. Ran about 49 minutes, walked about 10. I feel like I could have gone out and done it again when I was done.

:D <<----This is me beeming!!

Perfect. Wonderfuly amazing. Awesome. Fantastically brilliant. What a way to start a long weekend!!!

This body is made for running. Even if it is slow, for now. :)

Don't know what made this so wonderful...Probably the combination of changes I made. Clothing, water, heat, intervals, a little food and water before I left.

Weight was 275.9 this morning with 1.5 inches lost this week. I finally broke my up two-down four cycle. Woohoo. I stayed exactly the same weight this week, but shrank. Lost 2 lbs of fat, added 2 lbs of muscle, maybe?!?! I'll take it. I *think* my thighs may have actually increased in size but I am refusing to acknowledge that right now. I'll see if I am still larger there next week.

So, it is off to the gym we go for our Saturday Session:
Stationary Bike: 10 Minutes
Full Body Weights: 45 Minutes
Stretching: 5 Minutes
Swimming and sunning afterwards

Then, out for our weekly family date day. Johnny Carino's was voted in today. Yummmm. Then to Target to spoil the boy; then groceries; then home for a "nap" with Prince Charming. LOL.

O.M.G. My husband is the hottest man breathing right now. I will never look at the showers in the family locker room at the gym the same--ever. :evil grin:

PM Workout
Stretches: 15 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 9:41 AM 1 Comments

Scheduled Run: 0 Minutes
Actual Run : 0 Minutes

My weight is still at 277 this morning. That is so frustrating. I really do not want to record a gain tomorrow morning! I need to be at least back down to 275.9. Pretty please?

I've decided to buy the matching shorts to the running shirt I bought earlier in the week. I have some spandex-type shorts I can wear underneath of them for my own modesty. The creepy loose skin on my inner thigh is not feeling very sociable.

Tomorrow will complete my first week CK-free. I am feeling a little less anxious and I don't feel compelled to spend so much damned time on the computer on that site, etiher. Funny how a www address can reel you in sooooo easily. I don't get nearly as frustrated in my real life as I do interacting with some people on that site. It's all in your decisions and who you choose to surround yourself with.

Tomorrow is a 4 Mile run with the group. I am going to run 8 minutes and walk 1 minute. I read that giving yourself some recovery time is very important when first starting to run for distance, especially in the first few miles of your long runs. I walked most of the last mile of the 3 Mile run last Saturday. I attributed it to the sucky heat, but it could have been my body.

Here is what I am going to do differently this weekend:

Have a new hydration system (amphipod) - last weekend I went waterless (pre-hydrated)
Have a new running outfit (no cotton) - last weekend I was the cotton queen
Run 8 minutes, walk 1 minute - last weekend I ran almost 2 miles straight, then walked most of the last mile.
Have been stretching every day for the last three days.

I felt miserable afterwards, too, except for the feeling of accomplishment I walked away with.

Here's to a better run tomorrow!

PM Workout
Stretching: 10 Minutes

posted by Cindy @ 9:45 AM 0 Comments