Heather

I’ve been thinking a lot about exercise lately. How much I do, or don’t do. How I feel guilty if I give myself a day off. How I used to give myself weeks…no MONTHS…off.

Last week I gained weight, a total slap in the face considering I was shredding and doing the 1/2 marathon training. Yeah, the scale really hurt my feelings. Seriously.

This week has been a struggle. Against injuries, the blahs, and a hectic schedule. I confess, I had to quit shredding, cause it was messing with my feet/shins/ankles something fierce. I’m bummed, cause I want the results.

So this week, I just stuck to my half training. I took a couple of days off. Like yesterday. I had to – not only was my body literally screaming at me to take a break, I actually was out all day visiting my new niece (I kind of love that excuse).

I wasn’t sure what taking a day off, especially the day before weigh in, would do to my results. But, thankfully, the scale went the right way. Just a smidge.

I’m down .7. I am still disappointed, but at least we’re heading the right way and I’m back to a normal BMI. I keep bouncing back and forth.

For some reason I thought doing such hard training, running especially, would cause the weight to fall off. And it’s not. I’m not sure if this is something I need to come to terms with, for the time being. For now, I’ll keep adjusting and hopefully find something that works!

I mentioned in my before/after photo post that I couldn’t take my measurements because all I had was a toy tape measure.

Well, today,  I picked up measuring tape (AND IT’S PINK!). And I took my measurements. I’m hoping this will give me a little boost – after my scale boo boo this week, I’m hoping my body is changing shape – even if the number one the scale doesn’t reflect it.

So, here are my ’starting’ measurements for the 30 Day Shred Challenge:

Bust: 38″

Waist: 31 1/2″

Hips: 38″

Upper Arm (aka ‘the guns’): 13″

Upper Thigh: 23″

In the past, I’ve not been great about taking my measurements. But, I’m stashing my measuring tape in a safe place to I can follow through.

Also, I found an old post from my personal blog that has my measurements from last summer.

At the beginning of the last Sisterhood Challenge, my waist was 35″ and my hips were 42″. At the end? 33″ and 41″. And I was not talking about my bust at the time because it was absolutely ridiculously inflated with breastfeeding. Since then, I’ve weaned and my chest has gone buh-bye, so I will now discuss it again.

So everyone, if you’re doing the Shred or the Spring Fling, I really encourage you to take your measurements! It’s pretty fantastic to be able to see the inches disappear!

Today, I got up and was very positive about weighing in. Cocky, almost. I mean, I am so sore from shredding that I think I heard my body creak as I got out of bed this morning.

I think I had a right to be positive. I’ve run 15 (FIFTEEN) miles since last weigh in. I shredded. I yoga-ed (once). I ate within reason.

So my body must be setting me up for a colossal loss next week, cause this week I’m UP 1.5 pounds. So frustrating.

This coming week, I need to concentrate on keeping the momentum I had last week, despite of the scale going the wrong way. That’s where I run into problems. If I work hard and it doesn’t pan out, I just want to throw my hands up. But I won’t do that this time.

My plan is, I’ll keep up with the exercise, but I’ll be more strict with my calorie counting (hello, Weight Watchers online, it’s been a while). I am SO bad at counting my points.  Something in my head keeps saying that if I work out religiously, the pounds will come off. That I can be a bit looser with my eating. But I’m not 20 anymore. So here I sheepishly go to start logging my points!

The good news is, my girls on Team C are kicking butt and taking names. And next week, well I’d better make a huge dent in pushing our weight loss percentage in the correct direction!

I’m going to do it. I can’t believe I’m going to do it, but I’m going to do it.

Before pictures. I’m being brave. I may regret this in the morning. But it is important to document my journey. Good, bad, ugly.

I present to you, me, before. Day one of the Thirty Day Shred. (Please excuse the sweat. It didn’t occur to me to take photos till after I shredded and ran).

(I love that my dog had to get in the picture)

I am not horrified, much to my surprise. I’ve made a huge amount of progress over the last six months. Running is doing amazing things for my body. I’m no where near perfect, or done. I’ve got some flab to lose, and would like to be down at least 15 pounds more – or 20. I’m excited to tone up and shrink even more with this round of shredding!

I would love to post measurements, but the only tape I can locate at the moment is my son’s toy measuring tape. And it only goes to 12 inches.

Yeah, that’s not going to work.

So, sisters (and brothers), let’s get our shred on!

Spring has sprung, or at least that’s what we’ve decided at the Sisterhood. Forget Puxatawney Phil. We make the rules.

Even though as I look outside, the rain has returned, and it’s gray and dreary…I have Spring in my heart! Take that Seasonal Affective Disorder!

Today, is a great day to start a new challenge. I need a kick in the pants. And a little competition. I am a part of Team C (official name pending). And we’re ready to BRING IT. Consider it brung. Broughten? Brought. Whatever.

This morning I weighed in with an astonishing 3.1 pound loss from last Wednesday. Of course, it doesn’t count towards the challenge, but wheeee! I’m back in the normal BMI range. Now, I’m just shooting for my goal weight. And…and…and… I’m a mere .8 pounds from earning my 20 pound Sisterhood badge!  It’s taken nearly a year, but it’s been an amazing year for me as far as self discovery and working on my fitness! For reals!

So, clearly I’m overcaffeinated and ready and raring to go.

I start this challenge at 163.8.

My goals:

1) Continue with my 1/2 marathon training – consistency is key.

2) Focus on eating as little processed food as possible.

3) No fast food.

4) Complete the 30 Day Shred Challenge.

5) Weight loss goal for this challenge? 8.8 pounds. I want to hit 155. Ultimately, I’d like to be down to 150 by San Diego Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon on June 6. The less weight to run around with, the better! So, I think being at 155 in eight weeks should set me right on track.

My incentive? If I reach my goal weight, I’m going to invest in a fabulous Jillian Michaels-esque ensemble…skinny jeans, knee high boots – to rock when we take on San Diego AFTER the race!

So, Spring Fling, your ass is mine! Team C, let’s rock this joint!

Okay, checking in. I weighed in this morning and I’ve gained 2.4 pounds.

Ugh.

Here’s my hypothesis…

No yoga + Marshmallow Valentine’s hearts from See’s Candy = 2.4 pounds.

I can’t wait for our next challenge to start. I need some ooomph!

And, I’m loving the Sistherood Olympics! How about you?

I can’t believe Rethink Your Shrink is over! (Okay, especially since we here at the Sisterhood rushed it a bit. Whoops! Ha ha. All this running has us all speedy-like). But, really, it’s NOT over anyway. Not for me. I’m still rethinking and reassessing and reworking.

Because getting to a good place, for both mind and body, is an ongoing process. It’s a commitment. A lifestyle.  This challenge, for me, had been about realizing that I will never be done with improvements. And though that sounds arduous – it’s actually a good thing.

It’s not just about what size I wear or whether I’m retaining water. It’s not just about how far I can run or how many girly push ups I can do.

While all those things are important, they’re all part of the bigger picture. How I feel about myself as a WHOLE. Am I  respecting my body?  Am I making a conscious effort to exercise ALL of me – my mind and spirit, along with my physical self? Am I accepting what I don’t know, yet fighting every day to learn and grow?

This challenge has been – well – cleansing. I feel refreshed, I have more purpose.  The Shrunk has been Rethunk…um, no, that doesn’t work, does it?

I have dug deep, embarrassed myself ohmyvlog!, bared my soul and tried new things. I’ve stumbled, but I’ve picked myself back up and kept going.

I truly hope that no matter what the scale says, you all have discovered something about yourself during this journey…

And the journey is not over. Not by a long shot. The good news? We’re all in this together.

So, without further ado, my final numbers for this challenge:

Starting Weight: 169.5

Loss this Week: 2

Today’s Weight: 164.5

Total Loss: 5

FIVE! You know, I was thinking for some reason I had only lost about three pounds total. But five? FIVE? Squee!

Even better…wait for it…

Behold:

Ladies and gent, I am a NORMAL BMI barely! WOOT!

So, with that, we move on to our next mini-challenge. Are you ready to get your Olympics on?

WE ARE. Stay tuned!

I can’t say I’m thrilled with my results this week – I’m up .9. Which baffles me, to be quite honest. I know if I ruminate too long on my gain, I’m going to get irritated.  So all I’m going to say is, I worked out (HARD), I ate right, and I gained.  Lame.

Okay, done with that. I need to move on.

Team Shrinking Jean’s Virtual Team in Training program started this week. So far, so good. I spoke with Coach Joe and I decided I will scale back my weekly long distance runs so I can concentrate on speed.  Honestly, the thought of running shorter distances kind of freaks me out, because I’m worried it will have an effect on how much weight I lose.  But then again, if this last week is any indicator, maybe I have been over training

I have to warn you, I’m going to get SUPER obnoxious with the fund raising. I think my Facebook friends are ready to unfriend me. For reals.

But, if you’re so inclined, I am doing a giveaway over on my personal blog – any donation made in the month of February will be entered into a drawing  for either an Amazon gift card or a coffee gift pack designed by yours truly. So…um…go here if you want to check it out!

That’s me for this week. I’m going to keep my chin up and even though the scale doesn’t reflect it, I have worked hard, and for that I can be proud.

January 1, 2011

Dear Heather,

You probably think it’s weird I’m writing you a letter. You may think you’re going crazy (okay, that might be partially true). But I really need to tell you some things.

Grab a cup of coffee (I see you looking at that pastry, hooker – hands off). Have a seat. Listen up.

First off, I just want to say that where you are right now? I’m so proud of you. Six months ago, I bet if someone told you you’d be able to run six miles straight, you would have laughed.

You would have laughed even harder if they’d told you that’s you’d complete a half marathon. But you will! Not only that, you will run the entire time. You will finish, with your Sisters, and it will be one of the most amazing experiences of your life. You will also have a great time after the race…just try to stay cool. I know, it’s hard. Make an effort, ok?

In May, you’re going to run your first 12 K, the Bloomsday race in Spokane. It will be a great barometer for how you’ll feel during the 1/2 marathon. And your family will be there cheering as you cross the finish line.

What else? Hmmm. This year, you will figure out your relationship with food. Or at least make a huge leap in understanding what makes you overeat, what influences your choices, good and bad. You’ll do much better at eating whole, healthy foods.

Oh yeah, by the way, and you’ll like this: you’ll reach your goal weight this year. And forget getting back into your prepregnancy jeans – you’re going a size smaller.

I want to you really listen here:  this year is going to be fantastic, but not without it’s challenges. Things are going to happen that you aren’t going to like. Remember this – you are in charge of yourself and your family.  Poor decisions made by others are out of your control.  You can accept them and move on, or you can get bitter.

You should move on. Being angry will only hold you back. Let it go, let it go, let it go. That is ONE of your mantras this year.

The other? Love yourself, treat your body and mind right, and you can do ANYTHING.

So, why are you still sitting there. Get up, throw on your shoes, and hit the road. You’re not going to get a 10 minute split by sitting on your tush!

xoxo,

Heather

P.S.  You really need to go out and buy better running pants, now. The whole yanking up the pants while running thing? Stupid. And really, really not cute. Get on that.

Here it is! Don’t laugh