A New Venture!

Ok, so yeah, I know, I don't post nearly as often as I should.  LOL!  Do I start every post like that, or what?  I am still running, I am still working on being a better me.  I am working full time as an ad rep for the local newspaper/magazine and I am in the process of training for a my first half marathon.  Since we (my husband, friends and I) completed that first 5K at the Mankato Marathon last fall, we''ve completed 3 more 5ks, a 7k and are now just 2 weeks away from our first half marathon.  

On June 1st, we will be running our very first half marathon at the Minneapolis Marathon.  I never could have accomplished something like this without the support of my friends and my family, and especially my husband. I cannot begin to tell you how impossible this all would have been without him.  He's my rock, my inspiration, my everything!  He runs faster than I do, and I don't care.  He's always there to catch me at the end, and that's all that matters.

24 Day Challenge Kit

My kids have been amazingly supportive too, but that's nothing new, they always have been.  They are such awesome people!  My newest inspiration comes from middle child, Conor.  He introduced me to Advocare products over the last couple of years, and I have fallen in love and finally decided to take the plunge and become a distributor!  I am very excited about it.  They make amazing sports nutrition products and I am so excited to have joined the company.  

My daughter, Cassidy, and I are going to be doing the 24 day challenge starting on June 2nd.  I am VERY excited to get another jumpstart on this healthy lifestyle and cleanse my body!  Want to know more?  Or join us?  Contact me for more info!  Here's some basic info on what the 24 day challenge is all about!  Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have too.  

Couch to 5k - Week 4

Haven't posted an update for awhile.  Just wanted to share some thoughts with you on this whole process.

1.  The correct shoes are important.
2.  Good friends to support you are even more important.
3.  Finding a good place to run is a big factor.
4.  I am much stronger mentally than thought I was.
5.  Running is a perfect hobby for a control freak.

Let me elaborate!  I have plantar fasciitis and my feet always hurt.  Finding a good running shoe that fit me well, gave me arch support and wearing orthotics are extremely important.  Walking around in flip flops for a day can undo all your progress!  I am a big fan of  Zappos.com for finding shoes.  Free shipping both ways, return anything that doesn't fit right.  No having to go to the mall!

I have always had a big hang up about exercising around other women, especially running.  I haven't ran in front of another girl since high school, and only then because I had to do it for gym class.  I've always HATED running, but had this cool fantasy about being a runner!  In my head, I look great.  In reality, I know better.  HAHA.  I finally got brave enough this week to run with a friend and I am so glad I did it.  She pushed me harder than I ever thought I could go.  I just had this thought in my head that I couldn't stop unless she did, and she didn't.  I am so lucky to have a friend that won't judge me and will support me.

Finding a great place to run is key.  There's a big difference between running on a treadmill and staring at the wall in front of you and a lumpy gravel road that had no shade and too many hills, or a nice shady sidewalk or winding path through town.  I am blessed to live in a town that has an amazing system of trails!  I have a about a mile or so stretch that is fairly flat (I'll get to hills eventually, but right now I am just focused on building up to running a whole 5k) and nice and shady so it really is cooler!  It's also very pretty just to look at, and oh so peaceful.

On my run the other day, I realized that when things got hard in the past, I gave in way too easily because in my heart, I knew I couldn't do it, that I wasn't good enough, whatever.  I was wrong.  I am much tougher and stronger than I ever thought.  Now that I have fully committed to doing this, stopped worrying about what people think of me and just said "I am doing this" I've found that on a run, just take each second.  You can do anything for one more second.

And lastly, I am a HUGE control freak.  Anyone that knows me just snickers.  I am having some issues in my life right now that are completely out of my control.  For a control freak that is the worst feeling ever.  Stressful.  Nightmares.  Blah.  Just awful.  But running helps me feel grounded.  Makes me feel like I've accomplished something.  Makes me feel very much in control.

No matter what you do or why you choose to run, walk or any activity, just get out there and do it!  I'm a little scared for week 5, because the couch to 5k program takes a big leap up this week, but I am going into it with a positive attitude and just going to take it one second at a time!  Praying my feet don't fail me like they have in the past.  *fingers crossed*

On the Third day of P90X Tony Horton Gave to Me...

On the third day of P90X Tony Horton gave to me...

Arms made of jello...
Shoulders made with noodles...
Triceps made of rubber...
and abs that are, hmmm, well, just sore!

I figured I better write about day three right away because it's hard to type even now and it's going to be worse later. My arms are just limp. I am sure they will be sore tomorrow, so if you don't hear from me for a few days, it's just because I can't type with my nose very well.

In all seriousness, it was an amazing workout. Not too much, not too little, intense, hell yes!!! Again, they show many variations and ways to do everything.

One thing I also like abut each DVD (I can't remember if I already mentioned this, so if I already did, too bad :p) is that you have several options on how to watch it. Normal, with some music in the background and Tony talking. Normal with no music. Music with minimal talking. Music only or silent. Very cool. If you get sick of his voice, which I haven't yet, he's very funny and motivational, you could change it up. I like having options!

So, day three and I can't say I've lost weight yet, but I am feeling really great about this and about the fact that I am doing something to change my condition.

The opening episode of The Biggest Loser really helped get me motivated. If they can do it, so can I. I am already partial to teams pink and green, but we will see where the season goes!

I can't wait to get back below 200. (Yikes, did I mention I'd crept back up there?) Ya. Barf. 9 pounds to get back to Onderland, folks. I need a mini goal. Hmmmm, I think when I get back down there, I will go get my nails done! They are really bad so I hope it doesn't take long :)

Have a great day! Check my blog tomorrow for my review of P90X Yoga!!!

I Lived Through the Second P90X Workout!

They call it "Cardio-X" I think the X is latin for the 10th stage of hell. WOW! The workout is 43 minutes and 18 seconds long. According to my heart rate monitor, is took me about 50 minutes because I had to keep pausing to remember how to breathe, take water, and pray my heart didn't explode! Man, I am sooooooooooooo out of shape.

Al of that aside, I loved every second of it. I was sweating so bad I had to towel off several times. Tony Horton is AWESOME! He is so real. I know that sounds lame, but he is just so ordinary. He was doing a move, and lost his balance. He laughed and said something like "It happens to everyone, you don't need to look pretty, just keep moving". He does stress proper form, but he also "keeps it real" by not being perfect. I love that! Most fancy videos would totally take it out and redo it when the trainer fell over or screwed up, and this one doesn't, and I like that. It gives me hope that although I am not perfect I will get better.

I also like that along with Tony, there are three other people doing the workout. 3 different from yesterday's, so I am guessing each one has new people. That's good because I would get sick of looking at the same people every single day.

The four people, including Tony Horton, show different angles and modifications. He also says that maybe you won't even be able to do what those four are doing, but stresses to do the best you can, and keep moving.

I really am liking this system so far!!! I am learning to "bring it" in my own way...one day at a time!!!

Working With Friends and Weekly Check Ins

Can you believe we've already been in this challenge 5 weeks? Are you ready for weigh ins tomorrow? What are you doing for a last chance workout? Is your eating in check today?

If you are wondering what I am talking about, I took the advice of nearly every single expert out there, and decided to work out with friends. But, we took it a step father. Me and 33 of my online friends each threw $25 in a pile, and teamed up with partners to try to win it all. We spend the week motivating each other on ChildFun's Diet and Exercise Motivation Boards, we email each other, we connect on Facebook, we send encouragements by text, and telephone. We overloaded ourselves with support and it's paying off! In the first four weeks of our challenge, the 34 of us have lost a total of 183.4 pounds. We've lost an overweight woman! We've lost 2.85% of our weight. To figure your percentage of body weight lost, use this formula:

((IW-AW)/IW) * 100= weight loss percentage

IW=Initial Weight - AW=Actual Weight

We weigh in once a week and keep track of our pounds and percentage of weight lost. It's been a real eye opener. We did this for 10 weeks before Christmas, and I lost 25 pounds! It's so exciting to work with others and to have them support you. This challenge started right after New Year's and goes until March 30th.

We all have different goals and different diets and different exercise habits, but we all support each other. Some weeks some lose, some weeks some gain, some weeks some stay the same. But, it's the thirteen week period that counts. From week one to week thirteen, that's where you see the big changes. In the last challenge, I had weeks where I gained or stayed the same, but over the 10 weeks, I lost 25 pounds, and that is amazing!

As for me, I am excited for weigh ins tomorrow. I worked super hard this week and I think it will show on the scale tomorrow. My scale has only moved up in three weeks and it's been very frustrating. This week I rededicated myself to measuring my food, to journaling it very carefully, and to really taking a good look at my protein intake. According to my guru, Tosca Reno, you shouldn't eat more than 25 grams of protein at a time as any more than that turns to fat. So, I really paid close attention to this too. And of course, worked out. I went to spinning twice and my fitness class twice, and lifted twice, and when I get done with this blog I will be running on my treadmill and then lifting again.

So, what can you take from my rambling? Support, support, support! Talk to your friends, family, coworkers, online friends, schoolmates, anyone, and get a group or challenge of your own going! It is the ultimate motivation. Having someone to be responsible to is a really useful tool!

Anyway, off to my "last chance workout" and the rest of my day. I hope you had a great weekend!

Love, laughter and light,

Mrs. ChildFun