Still Running...

What seems like eons ago, I started the Couch to 5k program because I always hated running. To me, the program was the ultimate challenge both mentally and physically. I told msyelf that once I got through the program, I would never have to run again if I didn't want to.

A strange thing happened. I finished the program. I'll admit, it took me much longer than nine weeks because some workouts took a few attempts to complete, then I'd take breaks from running. I always came back, though, which surprised even me. I figured I'd surely give up before completing the entire program; that's what I always did with weight loss or exercise programs. Why was this time going to be any different?

Thanks to my "weight loss sisters," many of whom also completed or are currently doing the program, I stuck with it because I held myself accountable. Whenever I'd be doing one of the workouts, I'd tell myself I HAD to finish because I didn't want to let them down. Granted, they would have been supportive regardless of what I did with the C25k program, but I told myself I needed to do it for them. Suddenly, this made it easier.

I officially finished the last Couch to 5k workout the first week of June, yet I continue to run at least one day per week. I don't have a gym membership and have found it's a great way to burn a lot of calories in a short time. I've learned that for me, running is more mental than anything else. I'm now capable of running 30-45 minutes without stopping as long as my thoughts stay positive. It still amazes me that the "chubby girl" actually passes other joggers occasionally! I've learned that the "runners high" exists and for me, it's the pride I feel toward myself when I've finished a run.

Women Don't Hike?

It absolutely amazes me than many of the places that carry inexpensive hiking boots do not carry them for women. Walmart and Target, for example, carry hiking boots for men but do not have a single pair for women. It makes me wonder if there is really such a small number of women who hike and spend time outdoors that these stores can't justify carrying these items.

I was lucky enough to find a sale on an inexpensive pair of waterproof hiking boots at a sporting goods store, but they cost double what my boyfriend's waterproof hiking boots cost at Walmart.

Not only are so many stores not carrying hiking boots, but many of them do not carry various other outdoor apparel for women that they do carry for men. It sounds to me like more women need to get out and enjoy the outdoors or need to let these stores know that we'd like outdoor gear, too!

Retiring

I've come to the conclusion that I need to officially retire my size 14 jeans. They've been big for a while, but comfortable and familiar. Afterall, I've been this size for quite a while now. I own a few pairs of size 12 jeans that fit better, but the 14s have been hard to give up.

This morning, I've realized that the size 14s no longer look good on me. They sag in the butt, hang off my thighs and are practically falling off even with a belt. The size 12s are here to stay and even those are loose now and will soon need to be replaced with size 10 jeans. The size 10s at the store fit, but I'm more like a size 10.5 and I'm not allowing myself to actually spend the money on the 10s until they look good. Just a few more pounds...

Another realization hit me this morning. I'm wearing a size large tshirt that was much too tight when it was given to me two years ago. I've been wearing it off and on for the past few months and didn't give it much thought other than the fact that it was no longer tight. This morning, though, I am wearing a long-sleeved tshirt under my size large tshirt and *gasp* it's loose. Could it be? Can I really start wearing size medium tshirts?

Now, I've always been a window shopper but never got too excited about shopping unless it was for shoes, horse equipment or I got a heck of a deal on something necessary. However, this weight loss is turning me into someone who enjoys and looks forward to going shopping. Who knew that being able to fit into things at the store and feel confident in them would change one's outlook so much? I'm thinking I need to do some shopping this weekend!

Month Four Sabotage

After being inactive in the exercise department for several weeks (other than a few snowshoeing adventures) and eating consistently over my calories, it dawned on me that I tend to sabotage my weight loss at month four.
 Last year when I starting working out and eating better for my New Year's resolution, I lost 20 lbs. and was able to run three miles. Then, at month four (April), I slacked off and gained everything back.

This time around, I re-started my weight loss journey in November and am starting to see symptoms of sabotage. I've been eating nonstop, not exercisig and not drinking my water. I have gained two pounds in the past week and need to put a stop to my behavior right now!

If admitting that you have a problem is the first step, then I'm considering this as my first step to fixing the problem.

A New Size Already?

Since November, I have been on a renewed mission to lose weight, eat better and get healthier. I've lost 27 lbs. so far and dropped from a size 14 jean to a size 12 jean.

Last night, as I was getting ready for bed, I was able to pull my size 12 jeans off without unbuttoning or unzipping them. This means...drum roll, please...that I might be ready to move into a size 10!

It has officially been ten years since I've been able to fit into a size 10, which is when I graduated from high school. At that time, I weighed about 150 lbs. Now, I'm trying to figure out how my body shape has changed so much that I can fit into a size 10 at 192 lbs. Not that I'm complaining, because I'm happy to be down another size.

Now, I'm wondering just how long it will be before I can fit into a size 8. I can't remember the last time I could fit into a single digit size. The even crazier thought is that with approximately 40 more pounds to lose, is it possible that I could end up in a size 6? I don't want to jump ahead of myself with these thoughts, but it's motivational to think that it COULD actually happen!

Vanity in the Making?

Lately I've noticed that I have been looking in the mirror and "checking myself out" more than I have in, perhaps, my entire life. Why? As I've lost weight, I love seeing the progress I've made and being able to pinpoint exactly where the inches and flab has come off. My comments to myself are no longer along the lines of "Oh, look at that fat stomach" or "Those dimply thighs are hideous." Instead, those comments have changed into "Wow, my stomach doesn't hang over the top of my jeans as far" and "I can run two miles without stopping thanks to those strong thighs." It's absolutely amazing how one's perspective can change thanks to a mere 20 lbs. of weight disappearing.

I just hope that when I reach my goal weight, I will always be able to remind myself about the progress and what I looked like at my heaviest instead of looking for the flaws. In all honesty, I love my body now because it can do things that it couldn't before and it can do some things that "skinny" people can't do. I've realized that just because someone is skinny, they aren't necessarily healthy or in shape. I now have friends who are smaller than me who cannot run two miles, cannot lift a 50 lb. bale of hay and cannot snowshoe for over an hour without being absolutely exhausted. But guess what? I can do all of those things.

So, if looking in the mirror and admiring myself frequently is considered vanity, I can accept that because I'm not looking for flyaway hairs or to negatively critique myself. I'm looking to see how my glutes are becoming defined and how flat my stomach is becoming. I can only hope that others who are on their weight loss journey can appreciate their bodies as I appreciate mine. Remember your progress and what you CAN do now that you couldn't do before!

Snowshoeing for the First Time

Yesterday, I went snowshoeing for the first time ever! I rented snowshoes at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park and snowshoed a one-mile loop to Hidden Falls, a waterfall located in the park. It was an absolute blast and wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. The snowshoes were "Alaskan style," so they were the really long wooden ones that were a bit difficult to maneuver, especially when turning. After a conversation with the Park Ranger, I'm looking forward to trying some more modern ones and may even buy a pair. It was a wonderful exercise where I got to burn approximately 700 calories AND enjoy the beautiful outdoors!