C25K Week 1 Complete--Calming down a bit...

C25K Week 1 complete.  Definitely out of practice, but I survived, and enjoyed it because I did 2 of the 3 days' runs with my husband.  It was a pleasant surprise, and probably a fleeting one as summer winds down and we're not yet pulled in so many directions with sports and scouts and church stuff and Back to School Nights and meetings and....(breathe).

I bought a student planner for me--as a teacher, I thought it might help me set weekly goals and keep track of daily before/after school stuff.  I'm visual, so I need to see it on a calendar for me to realize when things are.  I also put important appointments into the calendar on my phone so it will beep a reminder at me.  I also need lots of reminders.  I'm pretty sure I have undiagnosed ADD, but I just try to set up my environment with reminders and mneumonics to work with it.  My BFF colleague always says that she, too, has ADD, so we work well together:)

Next up, one final getaway with the family and then BAM! the routines start up again right after Labor Day.

Finished a complete Whole 30 a few weeks ago!  Dropped 10 lbs in the process and showed myself I can stick to a goal if I work hard enough for it.  A great thing about it was I chose to complete this while I was completely out of my normal routine--off from work and doing a play at night (so my habits were out of whack anyway, a great time to start some new, better habits).

I had my depression meds increased a bit.  I'm anxious about my child switching to a new school and about increasing demands at my job--I will need to keep a lot of plates spinning in the air, like most moms, right?  So after moping around for a day or two as I get ready to return to work, I laced up my sneakers and went out to do Couch to 5K, Week 1, Day 1.  I just decided I must take control of my mood.

Off to run Week 1, Day 2 now.

Whole 26 update

I am leaner & meaner.  I did a Whole 26 without gluten, alcohol, grains, soy, legumes, sugar, or dairy.  And I dropped 10 lbs.!  

Am I going to dietary h-e-double-hockeystick for making it a Whioe 26 instead if Whole 30?  I hope not, because a lot of good came of this month-long whole food fest:

1. Il dont need wine/pasta/bread daily to get through busy weeks.

2. Spaghetti squash is awesome!  Coffee is still awesome!

3.  Processed food and grains bring me down in every way--mood-wise, bloat-wise.

My pot belly is closer to gone, my pants fit more closer to fine...

Ok I feel a twinge of guilt for not pushing through it for 4 more days, but I never, ever thought I could eat clean for this long.  

My happiness project.  January was about food, real food.  In terms of taking over my happiness and well-being, what will February be about?  Music?  Exercise?  Reading?  Stay tuned...

Whole 30, Update Day 16

Just passed the halfway point of my first Whole 30.  I'm enjoying cooking on the weekends to stock up for the week.  January is a great month for this because things are a little slower (read: no soccer or baseball season) around here.  Some great resources are getting me through.  Well Fed w has been indispensable, as has It Starts with Food? And he website clothesmakethegirl. 

Here is what HAS passed my lips in the last two plus weeks:

Salad

Veggies

Meat

Nuts

Fruit

Eggs

Water

Black coffee

Selzer water

Herbal tea

Here is what has NOT passed my lips (as far as I know!):

Processed food

Soy

Dairy

Gluten

Added sugar

Grains

Legumes

Peanuts

I'm in a groove now.  The first week+ my brain was I a fog! it felt like I was a little tipsy!  But the fog cleared after Day 10.  We had an early dismissal here today due to the snow, and I was going to run up and take a cat nap, it was such a cozy, cold, gloomy day for it.  But when I came I to my bedroom to catch some zzzzz's, I looked around and realized the I wasn't tired.  This is new!  I've bee up for a good nap as much as anyone in the last few years...

So yes, 2 weeks to go from today.  The thing I miss most is ice cream, but I'm doing ok, not having crazy bad reams about ice cream that I can recall. This process is a healing if my body and my heart, I truly. believe that.  So I'll stick it out for two more weeks, since my husband is supportivea and since, as a nice side-effect my pants are getting looser!

See you on the other side.

New Year, Whole 30?

Can I do it?

I'm bloaty.  Tired.  Rushed.  Overstimulated and overtired from December.  Something has to give.

I did 10 days of Paleo last summer when I was not working FT.    My major concern (besides no grains or gluten) is my realistic ability to shop frequently, plan and prepare real food each day while working FT and running a Cub Scout den, starting to perform in a folk duo, and perform my daily minivan route to and from kid activities. I won't be able to just open a box of Hamburger Helper if I get short on time.   My Paleo trial last summer yielded some benefits, the biggest of which is that I still to this day drink my coffee black.  But it was a lot of food prep work as well.

So today, the first day I've had all December to finally reflect, I've just about decided to try it.  I'll want to set myself up for success from the get-go, so I'll need to precook things on the weekend so I can just grab & whip up during the week.  Sounds so doable now that I'm off for a week, but I'm nervous about getting it done when life returns to normal next week.  

I'd like to give it a try starting January 2, I'm about 95% decided to do it...

Paleo! Day 9

A series of fortunate events...

A few months ago, saw a post on FB asking, "So who's in for the Whole 9 30 Day Challenge?"  I checked it out, and when I saw everything that you couldn't eat, I chalked it up to a crackpot diet.  Who wants to eat like a caveman, he's extinct, give me more pasta!

But it got me thinking...

So at the tender age of 40-something, I've decided that I'm tired of:

-being tired all the time

-aches and pains--I actually have a sore hip, I feel like I'm twice my age

-higher-than-usual bp (still normal, but not my usual low-end-of-normal normal)

-muffin top.  It just appeared!  I never knew quite what that was then I saw it in my mirror a few months ago and then I understood what muffin top was:(

-this nagging, stubborn extra 15 lbs

-etc., etc.

I've toyed with the idea of reducing/eliminating gluten from my kids' diets for years because they are, um, exceptionally energetic.  They are addicted, I'm sure.  Then I started developing all these little nagging problems and it hit me perhaps I should eliminate it from MY diet first (physician heal thyself)!

Read the book Wheat Belly (http://www.amazon.com/Wheat-Belly-Lose-Weight-Health/dp/1609611543/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373388149&sr=8-1&keywords=Wheat+belly) and things started to click.

Then came across the word "paleo" and was intrigued.  Stumbled upon http://www.marksdailyapple.com and paleo/primal seemed like a good idea but I didn't know how to start.

Fortuitously, I then received an email from http://www.savingdinner.com (a meal planning site) about their 30 Day Paleo Challenge, complete with 5 wks of menus, shopping lists.  In short I plunked down the US$15 to save myself some thinking--and so far so good!

I had a brief tummy ache and cold sweat experience on Day 4, but I chalked that up to eliminating all the processed stuff from my system.  

On Day 8 left for a quick getaway with the family and totally fell off the wagon few days.  But I'm back!

So I'm trying to make it all the way through one of my wacky challenges without bailing a week into it.  Since I paid US$15 for this one, I would really like to ride this out and see if eliminating ALL grains, soy, processed sugar and dairy makes a difference in how I feel.  

End of summer update

Here's the update.  Been a long time.

Had a horrendous end of the school year.  Terrible friction with higher ups, that is all I am brave enough to say.   Lost 5lbs from not eating (and I NEVER don't eat). 

But then yay, went to Hawaii with family, all on frequent flyer miles from a credit card deal (sign up for an airline card, get like 100,000 miles kind of deal).  

July - Came back from vacation, ran regularly for a solid month while working each day trying to reclaim our two "hoarders rooms" that have become the catch alls for my parents' house stuff (sold that three years ago), unopened birthday toys for kids, the land of misfit furniture, etc.  I managed to reclaim one room, a partial victory!  Got it painted and ready for one kid to move into!  Progress.

Had another significant disagreement with higher ups, faced it head on and went to them to talk about it, and this issue solved.  I think...  Optimism.

Decided not to try local tri.  And stopped running end of July once that decision was made.  And haven't really exercised since.  Went for a checkup and was also diagnosed with depression--started taking Zoloft in July as well.  Not sure if it's working/helping yet, but I'm willing to give it a go.   Husband has been very understanding through it all, I am blessed.

August - Went to Haiti on a mission trip to an orphanage.  Witnessed life changing poverty coupled with a mind-blowing faith in God.  It was hot as all get-out, but I have a feeling I will be going back, kids at the orphanage were orphaned by their terrible earthquake 2 1/2 years ago, and they are incredible kids.  Hurricane Isaac hit less than a week later and severely damaged the orphanage we stayed at.  Haiti cannot catch a break.  Really puts life in perspective.

Getting ready to head back to work.  Doing a play.  Getting kids on track, getting me on track.  Peace.

Spring...successes....failures....choices

I trained for a HM...and made it to 9.5 miles, then decided I was bailing on the HM.  Too many tummy troubles while running over 3 or 4 miles.

It's a bittersweet thing, to drop out a month before the HM.  On the one hand, I feel like a quitter, of course.  But on the other hand, a few positives emerged...
1.  I made working out a priority 3x/week for 3 solid months.  Didn't miss one run.  Cut one or two short due to having to pick up or drive a kid somewhere, but it just became understood that Tues & Thurs were "gym days" and that was going to happen.  I am grateful to my kids & husband for supporting me getting healthier, HM or not!
2.  I proved to myself that I can jog for a couple of miles non stop--I am a proud (and uninjured) Gallowalker, I practice running with scheduled walk breaks of a minute (proposed and taught by Olympic marathoner Jeff Galloway).  So I had sort of brainwashed myself that I could not even make it more than 5 or so minutes without a walk break.  Well, mind over matter--blew myself away in February when I ran for 30 minutes straight on a whim, just to see if I could do it.  So you know what?  This Gallowalking actually did build up my endurance!  30 min!  Learned something new and amazing about my what my tired, 40-something body can accomplish and how my mind affects it!
3.  I realized I don't have to prove anything to anyone but me.  A HM is not in my tummy's cards right now, ok.  Now I can seek out shorter races, maybe that local Tri a little voice in my head has whispered about each year when it said, "You should be doing this..."  Maybe a Muddy Buddy...  So new, shorter distance, more diverse opportunities are out there. 

I also entered a 30 Day Shred Challenge on FB.  Yes, again.   I can tolerate Jillian and her torturous ways for about 2 weeks then my ADD kicks in and I can't do it any more!  So I'll try that again.  As long as I am doing SOMETHING to exercise, that is a positive too, right?

Spring has sprung, optimism abounds.  I am blessed to have choices.

Day 9 of my 30 Day Challenge

This is where my brain is, now that winter has arrived...

Goals:

• Exercise:  NOT YET...  But I have done it every day for 8 days (30 Day Shred 7 days and gym for treadmill the other day).
• 7 hrs minimum of sleep:  NO.  6 1/2.  Getting better, but still gotta work on this.
• Eating "cleaner":  Yes, all week.  For example, definitely 5 fruits/veggies.
• Track my food:  Have done it every single day.  Woo hoo.

Grateful:

• My son just brought me coffee before work:)

Day 6 of my 30 Day Challenge

Goals: 

• Exercise:  YES.  Got up & did L1D6 of 30 Day Shred.   I am now 20% DONE with it!
• 7 hrs minimum of sleep:  NO.  Only 6.  Gotta work on this.
• Eating "cleaner":  WILL UPDATE LATER, TBD!
• Track my food:  WILL UPDATE LATER, TBD!

Grateful:

• For time off, very much
• For returning to routines

Off to work, first day back for me & kiddos.  Yay!

Gratitude:That my oldest son's eyes are just like mine, and when he locks into my eyes, I am so proud:-)
That my husband is a good man, loyal and true...
That my youngest son love hugs:-)

I 30 Day Shredded again today, Level 1, Day 4 (L1D4).  So I feel like I'm on my way:-)

Goals for 2012:

• Complete (without dying) the training plan and the actual Half Marathon May 6, 2012.
• Log my food at myfitnesspal.com
• read at least a few articles a week at Sparkpeople.com
• Drop a few pounds (10ish would be great)

I'm off to a great start, have done Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred for four days in a row now...my personal goal is to do it for 30 days in January (but I got a 3 day head start to allow for those days I can't work it in).

Am worried for when work starts back in two days, am hoping I can get out of bed a half hour early...wish me luck!

Best of luck to us all in our 2012 goals!

Day 2 of my 30 Day Challenge

JM 30DS
L1D2 Done.  It was harder than yesterday.  The real test, again, is when I go back to work Tues...

Off to New York City to see a bowl game:-)

30 Day Challenge & LT Goal: Happy 2012

It is crazy how the approaching New Year inspires me to cleanse, to revisit old habits, to continue to  make my life better.  Am I better off than last year?  YES:  better work situation, my son has a much better school situation.  I am part of a vibrant faith community, and I am blessed and love my husband with all my heart.
So, on an additional positive note, I completed a 5k this year, woo hoo.  And somehow signed up for a half marathon in May 2012.  Stupid mid-life crisis.  Some (younger, fitter) folks at church are doing it and encouraged me--who am I to say no? 

FYI, I completed a half marathon way way back in 2008.  In 3:02 (learned a tough lesson about dehydration that day).  I am 3.5 years older, now in my 40's, slower, a few pounds heavier--perfect scenario for a HM, no?  Major lol...

What I love about the long run is that it is ok to be slow.  I've been jogging (r/w to be honest a la Galloway) about 13 minute mile, on good days.  SO that is ok with me, really.  I am COOL with being in the back.  It's all good!  I work full time, am active in my church & its ministries, I am THE caregiver for my dear father with dementia, have two high-energy children with activities, and a hard-working husband.  I am cool with just finishing.

So I've eaten salad today, first time in too long.  And exercised.  And I aim to keep that going, here's how:

1. Joined my favorite internet community's "challenge" to lose weight and simply be healthier;
2. Joined a 30 Day Shred challenge on www.myfitnesspal.com.  I curse Jillian Michaels, don't know what I was thinking, ha!

I need accountability.  I had a great network of fellow runners when I was just starting running 5 years ago in my late 30's with a 1 and 4 year old--had never run in my LIFE!  I  checked in on a few of their blogs today--a few are off the map like I've been, but some are STILL GOING!  So exciting!  They inspire me.

Biggest reason to keep going--my kids.   I'll figure out how to get to the gym to run in the winter.  The kids want me to be healthy, we talked about it. 

Running 13.1 in <5 months. 

School's in

I've been working on C25K...interspersed with vacation, Hurricane Irene (which really hit our area badly), and school starting up again, I finished Week 3 of C25K.  It was not as hard as I thought running for 3 minutes straight would be for me:)  Since school & Irene, it has been a week since I've run, so I will get back to it.  I am registering for a 5K at the end of October, that is still my goal race.


I've begun to track my food intake in earnest again now that routine is more regular.  My checkup this summer was great, clean bill of health, doc said "Keep doing what you're doing" :)  I was 9lbs less at this checkup than the last time I went for a cold about 6 mos ago. 

I am keeping my mood/reaction to setbacks at work positive and in check.  In the interest of maintaining a positive attitude for the fantastic kids I work with, I am working personally/professionally on a great initiative  called the #30 Goals Challenge--it's for teachers and motivates them essentially to be a positive influence, acquire and share knowledge with students and other teachers.  It's a perfect tool in my personal happiness project.

 

Shredded AND C25K'd Today

A Happiness Project is not easy, lol.

Here is the tally today:
30 Day Shred, Day 9, complete.

AND...

C25K - W1D2
Run 1 min, walk 1.5 min x 11
Distance:  probably slightly over 2 miles

Cool thing is I was starting to feel a little rhythm, a little more comfortable shuffling for the 1 minute "run" portion of this alternating run & walk.  And then the rain started dropping.  It felt good, but I started worrying about my precious, moisture sensitive iPhone...so I tucked it in my waistband and covered it with a hand.  Then my husband called and offered to pick me up, but I declined, said it wasn't raining too badly and by golly, I had a run to finish.

And then the heavens opened up!  He showed up a few minutes later, a site for wet eyes.  I loved running in the rain, it had been so hot today.  I need to rethink running with tunes & podcasts on my phone, though.

But I was starting to get a rhythm, despite the difficulty of hauling myself along the streets of my town.  And fit a little picnic lunch with my little one, after we had some reading time.  Good day.

C25K is back...

I just found out there will be a Half Marathon in my town in October!  I've been seeing some friends on the internet find success with C25K (Couch to 5K running plan).  I've been Shredding for a week+.

All that combined has made me start C25K again today.  Week 1, Day 1.  I completed C25K about 4 yrs ago, and about a year later ran a half marathon.  It was a high point for me!  I floundered with running after that, for years, for a number of reasons (lost my mom, Dad got sick & I am the health/financial caregiver, kids needs changed, job got emotionally draining, etc., etc., in a word LIFE happened, big time). 

It has been harder to get back into running now that my kids have hit the age of after-school activities, but as a teacher, I feel summer is my only shot to start--if I can't get it going now, I can't get it going anytime.  So wow, after W1D1 (Week 1, Day 1) I realize I have my work cut out for me.

C25K - W1D1 
Run 1, Walk 1.5 min
Time: approx. 40:00
Distance: 2.46 miles

It may not be an HM in October (big goal), but I'd love to complete the 5K they are having alongside the HM.  Either way, I hope to run more, while continuing to Shred!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

The clutter reduction and reclamation of our home has begun.
And Day 6 of 30 Day Shred is complete.  Feeling good:)

School's out, Shredding it, Summer Goals

School is finally out, recovered from a minor surgery, all is well.

On July 1 I began 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels.  Did 3 days (they did get progressively easier, mercifully) but went away for a week.  So I got back in the saddle today, Day 4.  Am also tracking my food on a website.

I do not want to waste this gift of a summer.  My summer goals are:

1. Spending quality time with my kids (priority #1)
2. Getting my house into a bit more order & reconcile with FlyLady:-)
1. Clear out two rooms that have been taken over by "stuff"
2. Move kids'/our bedrooms around--this will involve painting some rooms (GIANT project, not sure this will happen)
3. Continuing to work to make exercise a priority.
4. Continue reading for pleasure
1. Have completed The Help, am now reading The Book Thief, next up, Hunger Game
5. Continue preparing for the school year:
1. Attended a 3 day conference and am nightly working on new initiatives for my classroom

Off to declutter for at least 15 minutes!

Happiness Project: Day 103

Am down about 5 lbs now.   WW is good:-)

AND went for a 3 mile walk night before last, bliss.  This is the key to WL for me, finding the time to get out there & move.

Work still demoralizing.  Husband and I had frank talk me "being home" next year, about all we would have to give up (there is much), but about all we could gain, too.  Still talking...  But it's amazing how just talking about it, seeing how supportive he is of me seems to have lifted the weight on my shoulders a little.  How life is about choices, and I am grateful to have one here.

My Happiness Project Day 88

Well that was a quick month and a half...

I joined Weight Watchers yesterday.  Didn't plan on it when I got up yesterday morning, but something tugged at me all day...then a co-worker mentioned she was going back in a few days (that put the bee in my bonnet)...  When I picked up kids & got home I realized we had a day off from sports or karate or scouts, and I hopped on the computer to see if a meeting was happening that night, and there was one in 45 minutes!  So I packed up kids, grabbed some books & coloring for them, and off we went.

After upping and downing a bit with the same 4 pounds during my 90 day happiness challenge, I decided to take the plunge, get some parameters & limits (I am not so self-motivated) and some accountability.

As for excuses, does a crummy (not the word I really wanted to type, but this is a family blog, lol) February and March at work pass the muster for a good excuse?  No, didn't think so.  Work is incredibly dysfunctional at the moment, I feel like I work in Wonderland--down is up and up is down.  Has sent me into kind of a funk--shouldn't let it bother me, but of course it does.

But yesterday something spoke to me, perhaps it was the sun still shining at 6 pm (thank you, daylight savings time), the co-worker mentioning WW, or just buttoning up my too-snug pants, but I am off and running:-)  Now to get back out there and get running again for real!