It Has Been A Few Days (or weeks!)

I kind of dropped off the face of the earth there for a bit. No real excuse besides the fact I haven't felt too motivated as of late and also a small issue of a hacker. No biggie... I am back!

Biggest thing that has happened in the past few weeks has been the training and then completing the 10 mile Monster Dash in St. Paul. It was the biggest run I have ever done (over 16,00 people) and it was (wait for it...) AMAZING. I finished in 2 hours and 10 minutes, which was 5 minutes faster than I had anticipated. It just felt good. Plain and simple.
My aunt was there supporting me 100%. I didn't have anyone else at the run, but felt the support from miles away!



Fun side note: I did not get sick! :)



Another factor of this run: It was the 3rd one I did in 3 weeks!!! :) I have had a blast running 5k and 5 mile runs with my friends. It is such a great way for us to get together and have fun running... and a chance to go out for breakfast!

A little motivation I created recently:



What do you think??! It turned out pretty great and I can't wait to fill those squares up. Every number has the date and time. It is something I can look at with pride and be inspired to add another one.


So there it is. Those are pretty much the biggest adventures I have had in the past weeks.

Update on total weight loss goal: Still no lbs. lost, which is frustrating to be so close, yet so far away. I am back more so at the gym, but still keeping my running up. I am exercising and eating right. Still not sure what I am doing wrong at this point.

On a positive note, I fit even better into my size 10's. I have to take what I can at this point. New scale or not, those numbers are just not what I want. Especially with the holidays coming. I am so ready to be at the finally goal and get on with the new adventures... but it is a process I need to take it stride unfortunately.


Here is to another week and hopefully more blogging!

May My Scale R.I.P.

So it has finally happened. THE scale has died. The scale that  I have looked at almost every day for 2.5 years... is gone. I am making myself wait until this weekend to buy a new one.

SO! That means this girl is going almost a week without weighing herself. I know I have tried before and only lasted a few days. I am nervous and I obviously have some control issues over this. I have this "need to know" when it comes to my weight. After having a weekend of indulgence, I feel it is the worst week to test my ability to stay off the scale.

Well... here is to my next adventure I guess.

Big Thoughts on the Wog...

Haven't heard the word "wog" in a while have you?!

I have had an upper respiratory infection for a about a week. I got it right after the big Applefest 5k run on the Saturday before. Thank goodness it was AFTER!

The run was amazing. As you knew it would be of course. When have I not expressed how "amazing" my big runs are? I had a bunch of friends run and a bunch walk their first 5k. So happy to get everyone together for a fun fitness time! The whole time I kept thinking of the year before... the things I said, where I ran and the sign Nate wanted me to run to! It was an awesome experience. 1 year later and I shaved about 2 1/2 minutes off of my original time. (Forgot home many hills there were!)

So here we are, getting over a uri and having to run a 10 mile run in 3 weeks. Not the best time to be down and out. I am starting back up with things and that was with a wog tonight. It seems that I have learned a thing or two. It is okay to walk and start off slow again. I wasn't upset that I walked most, but I can tell you I was damn happy when I was running. I did a little over 4.5 miles in over an hour.

I know more than a few people who would be shocked I wasn't upset. I have always been pretty hard and whined a little when I couldn't do what I expected of myself. I am not going to get anywhere though if I push too hard before I am 100%... slowly learning.

While out and about tonight I thought about the "goal" that I set for myself. The goal of losing the rest of this weight by the end of the year. Goals are great and everything, but sometimes they can be a little unreal or put way too much pressure on a person. I have been pretty frustrated with  my weight loss and I think that is where the goal came from... not with health in mind. It would be great yes... but is it the end all, be all? No.

 I will continue learning, growing and living healthy. I will get there. That is the biggest thing to keep in mind... I WILL GET THERE.


Always remember to ... Keep your head up.

One Year Later

It is such a different feeling tonight. One year ago I was a nervous wreck about to take on a challenge I wasn't sure I could complete. I was about to run my first 5k.

My love of running all started with a book. My friend Justin and his lovely wife Cindy were a great inspiration to get me into running. They loaned me the book "Born to Run" and my adventure started. Justin suggested that I sign up for a run right away. So I did, not realizing it was one of the hardest courses in the area. (Thanks guys! haha)

 I got great advice, support and motivation from so many of my friends, co-workers and family.
I trained and pushed myself to get ready and before I knew it the day was here.

The day couldn't have been more perfect. I was so nervous I wouldn't be able to finish, but my friends and family had enough confidence for me. My uncle John, aunt Julie and my sister Alisha came up super early to run and walk with me. My friend Nate (who was a new friend at the time) up and decided he was going to run too. He stuck with me the entire time and I couldn't have asked for a better running partner. He kept me motivated to keep going and has continued to do so since that day.

Then there was the crowd at the finish line. Justin, Cindy and their adorable little ones were there with signs and cheers. My fabulous friends Jamie, Erin and Beth were there as they said they would be. No hesitation, they all were all going to be there.

I finished with a smile and have been addicted since that day. It was the start of a grand adventure that won't really have an end.

I still remember running across the finish line and I can't wait to do so once again tomorrow. Cindy and Jamie will be there to run. I have also sweet talked a group of friends into walking their first 5k event. I am so excited and proud of them! It is going to be an amazing day.

Here is to a new year! A little lighter, a little faster and a whole lot more confident.

Can't Seem to Get It...

I know what I need to do. I know life gets busy. I know it isn't going to be easy. I know. I know. I know.

I am trying so hard to get back into that routine. I lost my rhythm it seems. I have that motivation one second and then the next it is gone. Life has changed and I am getting a little too cozy... aka settling. I feel like I have been settling with my work outs. Settling with my food choices, my activity and just going through the motions.

I am hoping that committing to the race and getting my focus back will jump start my motivation once again. I am not failing...just coasting. That isn't me. That wasn't the me that got myself through a half marathon and that has lost over 130 lbs.. I also know that I am focusing on that number too much, but right now it seems like I have to.

Not only do I put pressure on myself, but I feel the pressure of others when they ask "So now how much have you lost?". I know it is curiosity and not meant to put pressure on me. I just hate giving the same number that I have given for the last how many other times they have asked. It is stressing me out a little each time that it happens. I was happy to talk about it when I was losing consistently... I just haven't had anything to celebrate lately and that isn't helping the motivation.

So. Trying to stay positive. Trying to get back. Trying not to pressure myself. The one thing that I need to remember...

 I. Do. Not. Settle. For. Anything.

The Next Chapter...

Feeling good and feeling the thrill of a new challenge. 10 mile run at the end of October... 2013!

I have been almost lost since the 1/2 marathon ended. I was going to focus solely on losing the rest of this weight, but I felt like something was missing.

I am still working at my weight goal and still want to lose the rest of it by the end of the year. I want to start 2014 a new healthy person!

Keeping my head up and moving forward.

Am I Going To Make It?

Am I going to lose the rest of this weight by the end of the year? That is the question I keep asking myself. I do not want to go into year 4 with my weight loss goal not met. I just can't do it. I have over 4.5 months to lose... 45 lbs.

I have been at such a stand still that I ask myself again... Can I do it by the end of the year?

Determination will hopefully get me through it...

I am supposed to be Focusing on the Fitness... but all I am Focusing on right now is the Fat.