With the daylight hours shrinking and my daughter's activities increasing, I'm feeling anxious about how I will get my workouts in without impacting my children too much. For this reason, I don't have any half marathons planned until at least April. Instead I'm sticking with 10Ks. I've done 2 10Ks, and my times have been 1:05:55 and 1:05.30. Both had hills, and the 10K I'm doing at the end of October also has hills, so my goal is to finish under 1:05. So I must continue finding time to work out.
A year ago, I still owned a treadmill, so I would just go out to the man cave/rec room/what-ever-you-want-to-call-it room and I'd walk. I also had and still have an elliptical, so when the walking would get boring, I'd use that instead. I remember my goal being to walk 2.5 miles, and later it was 2.85 miles, and I know it took me almost 50 minutes to do that. That's where I was at physically, and it was all I could do. And I did it, 3 times a week plus at least 1x on the elliptical. But in early November the treadmill died, and plus I sprained my toe--bad--so bad I could hardly walk. After taking a week off and contemplating just giving up, again (I hurt my back in October), I decided to just see if I could do the elliptical, and by golly, I could! So I spent two months on it, 4 nights a week. It was parked in my living room at the time because my husband was working odd hours and I needed to be near the kids (the man cave is detached from the house).
So two nights ago, I came home from work, and I was STARVING. Therefore, I ate dinner without getting my running in. That meant that at 8:15 pm, I had choices.
A. Do nothing.
B. Run in the dark.
C. Elliptical, which is now in the man cave.
Husband was home, Ty was in bed, so I opted for C. It's been a LONG time since I went out there to work out, other than a few times with weights. But I turned on X-Factor on our old TV, and I started my cardio. Suddenly, the last year came flooding back. I haven't watched TV and worked out since I first started exercising over a year ago, whether it was in the house or in the man cave, whether it was treadmill or elliptical. And my show of choice was Biggest Loser! If Biggest Loser was on, I was on the elliptical. I'd also watch the Voice or X-Factor...that must be what triggered these reflections.
I remembered how I'd get on the elliptical at a level 2, and if I was really pushing it, I'd move up to a level 3 resistance. Now I start at level 5 and move up to 6. I remembered walking those 2.85 flat miles on the treadmill in about 50 minutes. Last night after school I ran 5 miles in 54 minutes, with hills. I thought about the sizes of clothes I've gotten rid of, and how soon I'll be buying more pants so I'd better wear the ones I have now while they fit!
And I thought about what it will be like to say, "I've lost 50 lbs." Now last night, I blew it. I was starving and ate later than I should have. These last 3 are going to be a fight, and sadly, running 20+ miles a week just doesn't do it for me anymore. Although I've changed my diet, I've done nothing drastic, which I'm also proud of. I haven't done any weird diet, shots, pills, or anything. I know some people have health issues as to why they must change their diet, and I totally respect that! So don't think I'm saying that you shouldn't try different things. I just had NO EXCUSE! My body was and is fine. I've had little injuries along the way, and a few bigger ones, but I've worked hard and kept at it. I still drink coffee, but I also eat breakfast everyday. I pack a lunch to school everyday rather than eating fattening cafeteria food or running to Safeway for greasy sandwiches. I keep a protein bar in my desk for after school to get me through to dinner. And I TRY not to eat late at night. One thing I can improve on is portion control, so that's my focus. But tonight is pizza night...and I'll have my thin-crust pizza, with a side salad. It's the choices I make, and if I continue to make good choices, those last 3 pounds will come off.
So I have 3 pounds to go. I've lost 47 pounds...I'll get those last three. When? Maybe by the end of October, or November...I have no time line. I've never rushed this weightloss. It will come off, with God's help, it will happen!
No races this weekend, just planning a flat 7-9 miles in the morning to enjoy this beautiful fall weather. So I leave you with this saying, and if you like it, check out Slow is the New Fast on Facebook. I love her posts!
Enjoy this beautiful weekend!
Jolene
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