August 27, 2010

7.2 Pounds Down

Tomorrow I begin Week 4 of the Couch to 5K program. I am absolutely in love with running. OK, what I mean to say is that I HATE, loathe, DESPISE the actual running part. I do. I hate it. Hate it in a good way. Because when I finish “running” I feel so flipping amazing. I feel so good about myself.

Two weeks ago I returned to Weight Watchers as well. I wasn’t going to go back because I’ve joined and quit so many times — but something about this time felt different. If I could commit to a running program, then I could commit to eating healthier, too.

I started the program at 243 pounds. Two. Four. Three. I want to vomit just reading that number, but I won’t because I love food too much to succumb to bulimia. I can’t believe I’m putting that number out there for all to read. However, I think admitting the whole truth is the first step to recovery. Recovery from the self-loathing, horrible eating habits, lack of adequate exercise. I’m ready to get down to true and healthy weight loss.

As a PCOS sufferer, my weight has long since been an issue. Since that first diagnosis in 1998 I’ve had to endure the constant weight gains and struggles, the thinning hairline, the unexpected facial hair, the infertility troubles, the irregular menstruation and painful cysts and fibroids, the feeling of being robbed of my femininity.

When I weighed in last Wednesday I was 236.8 pounds.  I lost 6.2 pounds in one week.  Most of that loss was water, but my pants fit better and I felt better.

Yesterday I lost an additional pound.  I had hoped for a 2-pound loss, but all the running and exercise brought back my period and I know I was bloated and crampy for a few days.

Tonight I went to a kindergarten orientation at Dawson’s school.  Roosevelt Elementary is the same school I attend from kindergarten through 6th grade.  Doug had worked late and met me there later and when he walked into the gymnasium he took a long look at me and said, “I can tell you’re losing weight.  Your jeans are baggy in the butt.”

I laughed and blushed and realized I am doing this.  I am going to get this damn weight off.  I’m ready.  I AM READY.

Now, if only I were brave enough to post pictures…

August 10, 2010

Run, Dana, Run

I’ve completed the first week of C25K.  I started weeks ago, but after the first two runs I came down with bronchitis and had to postpone the running for awhile.  The virus was floating around work and I always get everything.  Here’s hoping that my new and improved attitude and healthier lifestyle will boost my immune system and prevent any more sickness.

Tomorrow I begin week 2 of the C25K program.  I’m excited, but super nervous.  But mostly…REALLY excited.  I hate running, but the way I feel when it’s all over is so amazing I now find that I crave that runner’s high more than anything.  I’m not too fond of the minor aches and pains, but with practice I’ll tone up and feel better.

I’ve also taken advantage of the free training sessions I get at the YMCA.  As a member we receive 5 sessions a year, and I’m going to work with a trainer on resistance and flexibility.  I need to tone my muscles as well as improve my cardiovascular health.  I have this irrational fear that running will shed pounds and I’ll have skin hanging off my body.  I need to tone and shape those muscles.

So far I’m down 10 pounds and several inches in the waist and hips.  I’ve dropped a pants size.  I love how amazing I feel both physically and emotionally.  My mental clarity has improved dramatically.  I’m so proud of myself for committing to the program and sticking to it.  Even when I feel like I could give up, I remember how damn good I feel and continue on.

I’m looking forward to that 5K run I’m doing in March!

——————————————

What are you training for?  I’d love to hear about it!

July 20, 2010

Taking It On the Run

Since I’ve started my new job I’ve been coming home exhausted nearly every day.  Training takes a lot more energy than I remembered, especially when it comes to learning the ropes and all the policies and procedures that go along with my position.  I even realized I nodded off a couple times.  This is not good.

It’s hard to go back to work full time.  With two kids to raise and a house to clean, adding a job to the mix can wear a person out.  I often wonder how the heck I did this for so many years before I took a stab at the WAHM thing.

I truly believe I have suffered from foggy brain, and so I’ve decided to do something about it.  I’ve decided to get my ass off the couch and start shaping up.  It’s easier said than done, let me tell you, but I’ve already put in three days of effort and I’ve got tons more energy.

Thanks to the inspirational Christina of A Mommy Story, I’ve begun the Couch-to-5K program.  She posted her results and a link to the iPhone (and iPod Touch) app that can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store and I knew immediately I wanted to do it, too.

That first day was crazy.  I thought it would be easy to run 60 seconds followed by 90 seconds of walking alternately for a total of 30 minutes of exercise.  I as so optimistic about it that I pushed Owen along in the jogger, too.  My legs were burning after 5 minutes.  It was…CRAZY.  But darn if I didn’t feel like a million bucks when it was over!

I completed Day 2 this morning and that familiar burn in the thighs and buttocks was a little stronger.  Thank God I was smart enough to skip a day in between to recover.  I hated the actual running part of this day, but again I felt awesome when it was over.  I notice my energy levels have increased, my appetite isn’t as ravenous, either.  Although that may have more to do with me drive to overcome cravings; I’m always hungry for steak after cardio, and that fact hasn’t changed.

I’ve given up soda, too.  I think the caffeine had a negative affect on my health and my mental clarity.  I’ve stopped buying chocolate.  I haven’t had fast food in two weeks.  The headache I had yesterday was my body reacting to the withdrawal symptoms.

Instead of the crappy food choice I used to make, I’ve incorporated more fruits, veggies and whole grains.  And I’m drinking so much water I may explode.

But all the self-discipline is paying off.  My pants fit better.  They feel somewhat loose.  I haven’t weight myself yet because I don’t want the number to sabotage my progress.  I don’t want to hold myself to a number like I did in the past.  That number will not take me down.

On we go.  I’m going to be fit if it’s the last thing I do.  (Let’s hope it isn’t.  I don’t want to have the big one while running!  That would totally suck!)

July 30, 2009

Eat Fresh

Today was the longest, busiest day of my week.

After working my shifts I quickly gave Dawson a shower, then showered myself, and we got dressed to head out to do the errands.  I had my 28-week doctor’s appointment this afternoon (more on that later), and we had some things to accomplish in addition to that.

Just as we were heading out the door at (it was around noon), Doug called to ask if we could drop off his knee brace.  Somehow he forgot to put it on before he left for work.  For those that don’t know, he manages the frozen department of our local Copps grocery store.  He does a lot of manual labor, and he’s suffering knee trouble due to the last 20 years of managing stock rooms and store shelves.

After saving my husband some pain, we went to the bank to make a deposit and to get a cashier’s check to pay our property taxes at the county treasurer’s office.  Fifteen hundred dollars needed to be paid before tomorrow’s installment deadline.  I hate giving money to people I don’t really like.

Next we went to the doctor’s office.  I had to repeat the glucose testing and have blood drawn, as well as pee in a cup to detect protein in the urine.  Dawson was so well behaved.  I was very impressed.  After an hour of waiting for the disgusting glucose cocktail to do it’s thang, I had my blood drawn and we went on our merry way.

We went to the pharmacy to pick up two new prescriptions, one for baby aspirin (it’s supposed to help lower my blood pressure in addition to the methyldopa I already take) and one for an iron supplement because I’m deficient.  Again.

Dawson was a very good boy in the store.  I couldn’t believe it.  Usually he begs for things.  Today, he happily sat in the cart and asked questions about why there are so many drugs in the “farm-you-see”.  To reward him for good behavior, I bought him a Transformers story book from K-mart (we use their pharmacy since it’s down the street from the clinic).  He’s obsessed with that movie lately.

Post pharmacy we went to the post office, then to the library to return our books. Dawson played in the children’s department for a little while, picked out a movie and then we headed to the gas station.   My “empty” light was on and I didn’t know if I’d make it home if I didn’t fill up.

After paying for my gas, we climbed back into the car and Dawson told me he was very hungry.  It was then that I realized we didn’t eat lunch.  I had forgotten to feed my kid.  I felt like a bad mom.  And he was so well-behaved!

“Do you want to hit McDonald’s?” I asked.

“Noooo, Mom,” he replied. “I’m sick of Donald’s.  Can we go to eat at Subway?  I want to eat good today.”

I started laughing.  My child wanted to eat Subway instead of greasy french fries.  He never ceases to amaze me.

Luckily, Subway was just down the road from the gas station so we went inside and ordered our sandwiches.  Dawson ordered a ham sub (the kid’s version) with tomato, cucumber and black olives.  I had the veggie since I can’t eat cold cuts or deli meats.

My little munchkin wanted potato chips instead of apples and I couldn’t say no.  When we were finally at our table and ready to eat, I opened his chips and ate one.

“Mooooom,” he said.  “Those are NOT good for you.  They can make you fat!”

I was stunned.  My little dietician was telling me what I should and shouldn’t eat.

“Well,” I started. “Why did you pick these instead of apples?”

“‘Cuz, mom.  I’m just a little boy.  I don’t have a big belly yet.”

“I’ll have you know, young man, that my belly is big because your brother is in there!”

“I know mom.  But I don’t think he likes ‘tato chips.”

“How do you know?” I asked.

“‘Cuz babies only like good food.  You gotta eat fresh, Mom!”

I think this child has watched one too many Subway commercials.