Couch-to-5K

I have made a new goal for myself.
Complete "Couch to 5K".
I'm inspiration to do this comes from THIS BLOG.  I think I've mentioned her blog before.
She dropped 30 pounds in 9 weeks with the help of Couch-to-5K!
If that's not inspiring I don't know what is!
You can find the Couch-to-5K program HERE.
I also found an app on my iPhone called C25K.
It's not the actual app that Couch-to-5K recommends.
The one I got is free.  Yes, I'm a cheap ass.
It appears to be very similar to the other one though.
I'll see how it works tonight!

James and I have talked about running a 5K.  I think this is the perfect aid.
I'm a horrible runner.  I've never liked it, not even when I was skinny.
I'd much rather place my chunky butt on the elliptical and plug away.
I actually find myself somewhat scared to run on the treadmill.
I'm afraid of what others will think as I'm attempting to run.
I WILL overcome these insecurities and I WILL become a runner.

The plan seems relatively easy.  I'm sure I'm underestimating it.
I'm sure I will be dripping in sweat, out of breath and want to die.
There's something about dripping in sweat that makes me feel great about my workout though.
I'm motivated and actually excited to start this tonight!
I want it to be 5:00 already.  Sore muscles await me.  HA!

I ordered an armband for my iPhone and it should be here tonight.
I'm very excited for that too.
I will be able to run with my music playing and not have to worry about my phone.
I hope to soon be able to run outside too.  :)

I will take more measurements and pics tonight.
Measurements have been great motivation for me lately.
I can't wait to see my body changing - just in time for summer and shorts!
I will keep updating my blog regularly with my progress!

A Hearty Dose of Motivation!

I've been slacking at my blog posts.  I've had such great motivation outside of the internet world that I forget to share with you!  So let me share!

My last post I said that I was changing things up and oh boy, has it helped!  I've gone back to eating dinner before the gym.  I haven't necessarily been eating more though.  My calorie intake changes from day to day.  I try to stay right around 1100 calories but sometimes jump to 1300 too.  I'm pretty safe between those numbers I believe... and the scales shows it too!

In the past week I've dropped 3 pounds.  I took my measurements two weeks ago, Monday too.  I decided to take them again this past Monday and to my surprise, I had lost a total of 4 inches!  I'm incredibly proud of myself.  Seeing the numbers gives such great motivation.

James and I have been trying to go to the gym every day.  That doesn't always work but on average we're getting there at least 4 times a week.  4 days out of 7 isn't too shabby.  The past couple weeks I did strictly cardio.  30 minutes on the elliptical and 30 on the treadmill.  I'd go probably an average of 4-5 miles in the hour at the gym.

This week I've switched back to doing weights with James and holy crap!  I feel it!  I love feeling my muscles though.  It shows me that I'm actually doing something!  On top of the weights that we've been doing, we've also been throwing in some cardio time.  Usually about 30 minutes.  I stick to the elliptical for my cardio now.  I try to keep my pace up too.  Around a 6 or so for as long as I can manage.  I feel I'm getting stronger and have more endurance.  I did a mile in just over 9 minutes the past two days.  Not to shabby for someone who started this weight loss journey just over 2 months ago (not to mention having a starting weight of 190...).

Wow!  I think that's the first time I've admitted my weight in my blog!  (I will post my measurements in the near future too).  A starting weight of 190.  Today I'm weighing in at 177.    For those of you that don't like math, that's 13 pounds lost!  Yeah, 13 pounds in a 2 and a half month time frame may not seem that great but I will take what I can get!  I'm proud of every pound I've lost and I will continue working hard to see more results! 

 

 I have been ashamed of the number on the scale for so long.  It feels FANTASTIC to finally be in control of that number and to see the number continue to decrease.  I'm not saying that I'm totally confident again because I can assure you, I'm a ways from feeling completely confident about myself but I'm definitely getting there.  When I'm at the gym I find myself thinking about what others think of me.  In my head it's one of two way.  They either think "what is this fatty doing here... she look ridiculous... she isn't doing anything right..." or "good for her.... it's nice to see that she's working on her... more people should be like her..."  I would hope that people choose the latter of the two!  I know that I will always praise those that are overweight for being at the gym!

Here's my challenge for you... If you want to feel better and grow your confidence and belief in yourself... GET OFF THE COUCH AND GO TO THE GYM (or go for a run outside)!  One things that's great to always remember...

Changing things up!

The past week has been somewhat shitty, yet again.  I didn't see a change on the scale even after starting the Jillian Michael 30 Day Shred.  I think the problem could be one of two things.  1 - I'm not eating enough food or 2 - I was eating too late.

That being said, I've changed things up a bit this week in hopes that things will go in my favor.  Last week I was eating dinner after we got home from the gym at 7:00-7:30 (which meant that dinner wasn't done until 8:00-8:30).  This week I've switched back to eating dinner before we hit the gym.  It seems to be working so far.  I've dropped another pound already!

Along with eating dinner before the gym, I'm trying to up my calorie intake a bit.  My BodyMedia program shows that I should be eating 1500 calories a day.  I had been consuming right between 1100-1200 calories.  1500 has seemed a bit high for me but I'm going to try my hardest to hit that.  I'm going to start eating snacks between meals too.  That should easily give me the extra few hundred calories I need to be eating.  I have done snacks in the past but I always feel like I'm continually eating.  It'll be worth it though if I can start seeing some more results!  

Check out this YUMMY recipe I found and made for dinner last night.  I had the veggies along with some with some salmon.  The veggies and a 6oz piece of salmon were only 435 calories!  Low calorie and delicious!

 


1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion 
1 tsp minced garlic 
1 medium zucchini 
1 medium yellow squash
1 medium potato (I used a sweet potato in place of a regular potato)
1 medium tomato
1 tsp dried thyme 
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup shredded Italian cheese

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. Saute both
in a skillet with olive oil until softened (about five minutes).
STEP 2: While the onion and garlic are sauteing, thinly slice the rest of the vegetables.
STEP 3: Spray the inside of an 8x8 square or round baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread the
softened onion and garlic in the bottom of the dish. Place the thinly sliced vegetables in the baking
dish vertically, in an alternating pattern. Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and thyme.
STEP 4: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, top with cheese and
bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.