How far is a 5k?

Good day friends and readers! I went for my workout last night around 9:00 p.m.  My friend and I were walking and she asked just how far is a 5k isn't it 5 miles?  So, we googled it (wouldn't anyone?) and discovered that a 5k is 3.1 miles.  Well, guess who has been walking 3 miles in the evenings, that's right this chica right here! (WAHOO happy dance).

Last night I walked 3.15 miles (a 5k) for 1 hour 12 minutes and burned 604 calories!  Again it was still hot when we went walking but it sure beat doing it during the heat of the day, and I am not to sure just how healthy that would be. 

I tried to take a photo for you but I waited too late and all that took was weird circle things.  Next time I will try to do it sooner on our walk.  The stars however, were breathtaking!  I don't know how someone could gaze up at the stars and not feel and see God. 

I have found that I have been craving water! Lovely iced cold water and did you know that, iced cold water burns more calories than room temperature water?  It's true, your body has to warm it up and that makes your body work harder thus burning more calories! Nice huh?

I had a friend tell me about "muffin top" (ugly belly fatness) (goodness knows I need to work on that)exercises, think I am going to give them a try. 

What are you doing today that is good for your body?  It doesn't take a fancy gym membership or some new fangled equipment just get up and move, walk in place, go around your block, do some jumping jacks.  Even the small things are small victories.   Just take one day at a time! I am praying for you that are struggling, please do not think that it is easy for me I pray everyday that God helps me along this journey.  Last night I was feeling week and then I recieved a text from a friend asking if I wanted to go and walk, what a blessing that was because that helped keep me on track, God knows.  I believe in a positive attitude and try to exude that in my blog.  Pray, pray that God gives you the courage to begin and the motivation to follow through, then celebrate your success and give thanks to our Lord. 

Goal for today: Find someone to walk tonight with me and walk a 5k (love that I know it is 3.1 miles)... and try those new muffin top exercises! Check in tomorrow to read about those muffin top exercises!

Many blessings my friends and readers!

More than a Week

I find it hard to believe that it has already been more than a week since I began this journey.  I look forward to my exercise eventually I will be craving it, I do not think that is long in coming though. 

Last night I walked with a friend at the track again (same time different friend).  We walked 3.09 miles for 1 hour 6 minutes and burned 551 calories! Felt good to catch up with a good friend and as I am becoming accustomed, it also felt good to walk!

I haven't worked out yet today, but I do plan on it this evening, I guess working out in the evening is more convienent for me at this time than trying to get it in, in the morning.  I would love to be able to do it in the morning but God has other plans for me.  

Walking with a friend is so awesome.  You get to catch up and get some adult conversation, and after being home all day with a four year old and a 21 month old, adult conversation is awesome!  We chose to walk at the track again (change of scenery) the night was much cooler than during the day but golly it is still hot! I will welcome fall and the lovely crisp temperatures.  Don't be afraid to start your journey today, just walk, it truly is as simple as that. 

I belong to a Christian Weight Accountablility group thorugh my church and we weigh every other Tuesday, so a week from today is weigh in day, I will be anxoius to see if i have lost any weight.  Sometimes I get impatient and just want to be thinner NOW! but I know that with all good things it just takes time, and God is developing patience and perservernce in me. 

Goal for today: Get out there and jog some tonight during my work out. 

Thank you my friends and readers, your encouragement and support truly helps motivate me! Many blessings!

The Call of the Pavement

Greetings my friends!  I know that I haven't posted in a few days and some of you may be very courious as to how my work outs have been going.  Well up until last night they weren't going anywhere.  I did not work out on Friday or Saturday, I was just worn out, my body hurt and I was tired.  I know those are just excuses but that is the truth. 

Last night (Sunday) my body was craving to work out! So, I called a friend and we decided to meet at the track in town and walk.  I wanted to get in a good deal of running so I went earlier and ran .75 of a mile. (No, I didn't run the WHOLE thing, I walked the corners and ran the straitaways, another good friend tells me that's what I am supposed to do).  I loved that feeling, my legs stretching farther in front of me to pull in yet another length of track, sweat dripping down my face, and knowing how much good this was going to do me! Of course I had my Pandora radio app on and my iRunner app.  According to my iRunner app I burned 734 calories and I walked/jogged 3.01 miles (yeah I am bad like that :-))! WAHOOOO!!

Below is a picture of the view I was blessed to see during my workout.  Beautiful sky and a wonderous tree.

I haven't worked out today yet! But the day is still young! My legs are craving the call of the pavement! (Who would have thought that about ME??). I never would have called myself a "runner" and still do not consider myself so, as while I was younger running was not anywhere on my list of likes, but I guess as we grow older, our likes change. 

 I enjoy stretching too, I am finding myself sitting on the floor and stretching my legs, torso, and arms and enjoying it (oh to be flexible again).  I find myself looking forward to that alone time with God too while I am outside in his glorious world.  I long for the music to curse through my body as it is cranked up and my feet are hitting the pavement, my heart soars and my soul praises our Lord.  When I am finished I feel more rejuvenated, in mind, in body, and in spirit. 

There is a possibility that I will blog twice today, it will depend on when I finish my workout later today.  It has been one week since I began my journey and my new "thing".  Five days out of seven isn't too shabby, eventually I'd like to be able to do it every day, but we make time for things that take prioritiy in our lives, and workouts are creeping up on my list!

Goal for today: Answer the call of the pavement! (try to get in 7 laps around my block if not more). 

Your comments and encouragment help to motivate me, and you help to hold me accountable to my goals! Thank you!  Many blessings my friends and readers!



Jello Arms and Noodle Legs

Whoop Whoop for day 4!

My poor arms! Those push ups I did yesterday are letting the fact that I did them be known today! I giggle at myself because my arms are so week, I didn't realize just how heavy the milk jug really is! Picking up my son made me laugh too because my arms felt shaky! My legs feel like limp noodles, and let me tell you I know I walk funny! Oh, well it's a good feeling, knowing that I am doing something oh so good for my body!

I did make my run today! I think if I could get a really good nights sleep then I would be better at this! No excuses this morning though, once I realized that it was my alarm that was making that strange noise I rolled right out of bed and began getting into my jogging attire! I then turned on my iRunner app, turned on Pandora and hit the pavement! The iRunner app is pretty cool it keeps track of how far I run my pace and even the course I run.  I sometimes lose track of how many laps I've done and this allows me to not even have to worry about it! It even keeps track of how many calories I burn! Today I ran 4 laps (yes that is less than the previous two times I went running) for 1.22 miles.  My hubby had to leave for work so I had to cut my run short sooner than I wanted too.  Jumping jacks are are the agenda for later today!  I did run way more of my workout this morning I am getting closer to being able to actually run a mile! My medium term goal is to do 10 laps (that will be 3 miles) and my long term goal is to run all ten laps!

I know consistency is important when working out but I think that can take many forms, not just working out at the same time each day (I obvisouly need to work on that) but just the fact that each day I am working out is MY consistency at this moment!

I took a photo of the view I get to experience while out in the morning.

I can't help but feel so in awe of our Lord and the beauty He creates each day when seeing this.  Two beautiful stars (or planets but look like stars to me) and the moon all with the first rays of the sun coming up!  I gain motivation while running when I dwell on our Lord and the beauty he has painted for us to see.

Remember I am not some health buff, some exersise-a-holic I am just an over weight wife and mother (with arms that feel like jello and legs that feel like noodles) who wants to be healthier and weigh less.  I do not have a gym membership (any more I used to, but getting there to workout was hard and it was spendy).  I take one day at a time, I hope I can convey to you just how important that is to me.  I am not going to plan weeks and weeks in advance, sometimes that overwhelms me before I even really get started then I feel defeated and give up.  I set my goal for the next day and thats about it. I am also going to celebrate the small things like FOUR DAYS IN A ROW!!! of working out, and having nothing but pounds to lose!  The other thing that is such a tremendous part of this for me is prayer, talking with my Saviour about my whole weight issue, just being real with Him, not hiding or pretending like it's no big deal by ignoring it all together has been amazing.  God loves us so much and if something is really bothering you whether it is your weight or something else, seek counsel with the God of the most high Matthew 11:28-29 Says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  I took my burden of my weight to the Lord and really prayed and gave it too Him, and He alone is who is walking me through this, day by day. What is your burden?

 

Many blessings my readers!

Goal for tomorrow wake up and get my run in trying for seven laps! Check back to see how I did! You are holding me accountable!

Day Three and Guilt Free

Hi! I wonder how many folks out there were wondering if I got up and ran this morning.  My mom even called me to find out! Well here is the scoop.  I slept terribly last night, tossed and turned, fell asleep somewhere around 2:30 (yick I know).  When my alarm went off at 5:00 (all to soon it felt like), I was exhausted, I prayed telling God (who I know knew already) just how exhausted I was, but if He wanted me to get up and go then I would.  Just please, let me know.  The very next moment, my husband leaned over and said, "Honey, I don't think you should go today, let your body rest and I know you didn't sleep well."  So, I rolled over and fell back asleep thanking God for letting me know. 

It crossed my mind to feel guilty this morning when I woke up about not running, but then God reminded me that sleep is JUST as important as excersise.  If you do not get enough sleep then you won't lose the weight you desire too, and studies have been conducted to further prove this.  So, I am NOT going to feel guilty about not getting up this morning to run.  However, later this afternoon....

I did do 50 crunches (believe me it wasn't pretty), 50 pushups (they were not the perfect military style but my arms have a LOT to push up) and 50 leg lifts. Boy did I work up a sweat! I did ten push ups then rolled over and did crunches then continued that, when I was finished I did the leg lifts started with both legs straight together then moved straight up then held then down but not touching floor, ten times then I rested then spread legs wide touched together and then spread again ten times (so 30 straight legs and 20 spread legs) (spread legs sounds naughty but I don't know another word to use).

My thighs or I guess the acurate term is my quauds HURT!! I walk funny and stairs are a PAIN! I know that in time the hurt will go away and it's just my body getting used to working out.  It isn't the kind of pain that is piercing or alarming (if that happens you should probably go and see your doc) it is the kind of muscle stretching getting back into condition pain.  (It hurts so good - now I have that song in my head). 

Well three days in a row, of working out, I think it takes 28 days or 30 in order for something to be formed into a habit.  I will take one day at a time! I hope you weren't too disappointed in not getting to read about my jog, however I did work out! If you find yourself able to relate to my weight loss struggle, do something. Remember you have nothing but pounds to lose.  You don't have to go out and jog (unless you want too), but you could say stand up and do ten jumping jacks, or some crunches or push ups or leg lifts. Then celebrate that tiny victory, and relish the feeling of your body, how it feels when you know you've done something good for yourself then figure out what other things you can do and build on them from there. Most importantly though, PRAY, pray asking God for motivation and strength, He will give it to you, He loves you!

My goal for tomorrow is to go for my morning run (meaning I will need to carry my tired bones to bed pretty early tonight)!  Thank you for tuning in and your encouraging words, it helps hold me accountable Many blessings!

Wahoo for Day Two!

That's righ folks I did it! I'd do a happy dance but my legs feel like jello, maybe later.  I got up at 4:30 (thanks to my wonderful son) decided there would be no real point going back to sleep, so I got out of bed at 4:45 got into my dazzling jogging attire, (ugly old grey shorts and a tank top lovely I know), grabbed my headphones (don't think I could run without my tunes) and headed out the door by 4:59.  I had a terrible time sleeping last night as I didn't want to miss out on the oppurtunity to run this morning (if anyone knows me they know how much I've changed cuz a runner, I am not). 

It was dark, the sun wasn't even rising yet, the moon was out there were even a few lingering stars (or they could have been planets, but they looked like stars to me).  It was beautiful.  I felt so connected to our Lord, and awed by the simple beauty of morning.  I was blessed to see the sun begin to rise and the darkness fade into warm rays of sunshine.  What a way to begin my day!  Then I came inside and felt like I was going to throw up, (I never did, but that feeling is yucky) I guess I am doing some pretty good things for my body, right? Whew I hope so!

So, how far did I run? Well, yesterday I had to go out and about for an errand and decided to figure out just how far a lap was around my block, so I reset my odometer and lapped my block (yeah my neighbors probablly wondered what I was doing).  I am pleased to announce that one lap around my block is .3 of a mile.  Today I jogged/walked 7 laps so thats 2.1 miles! Go me! (Yesterday it was 6 laps for 1.8 miles).

While I was running, I set small goals for myself, like run to the next crack in the road, ok you have done that good job, now keep going to the mailbox, yay you did it now you are almost done with this whole side keep going till the corner.  Ideally I want to be able to run an entire lap, but that will take time.  If you think of a square then it will help you visualize my "laps".  My house is in the middle of a straight side, so I walk (gotta stretch right?) to the corner then run to the next corner, sometimes I am able to get that first side and the next side ran, then I will walk to catch my breath (I'm a panting fool by then). 

My goals tomorrow are to, wake up at 5:00 (I will most definately need a nap today at some point)and go out again and to do at least 7 laps.  Sometimes a great goal is to just repeat what you have done.  Eventually, I would like to be able to do three miles, but I am realistic and know that it will take time for this to happen (10 laps around the block).

Think I will take that nap now!

Check in tomorrow to see if I was able to keep my goal! Many Blessings!
--Nothing but pounds to lose!

Weight Loss the Beginning

Hi everybody! I decided to start a blog about my journey through the trials of weight loss.  I am overweight, as hard and awful as it is to admit that, it is the truth.  I belittle myself in my head, I continually berate myself for my weight, I put on this facade of humor for the outside world and pretend like it doesn't bother me.  But in truth, it does.  Don't get me wrong, this doesn't happen all the time, just some of those quiet reflective moments.  I do however, have a wonderful husband who loves me, and supports me, I have two the the most amazing kids on the planet, and some of the best friends a girl could ever pray for, so why do I worry about what I look like? I have everything already! I have nothing but POUNDS to lose! (Yes that's how I came up with the title for my blog - catchy huh?)

Today I started a new "thing".  This has not been my first start on a new "thing" in order to get my body into shape, be healtheir and weigh less.  It's probably my gazillionth, ok not gazillionth but it has been a lot.

So what's so special about today? Absolutely nothing, it's just a normal summer Monday.  However, there is no time like right "now" to begin right? One can only think about it so long, or plan on doing it and getting started until, you either just do it, or you give up on it and give up on yourself.  I decided this year, my new years resolution, was that I wasn't going to berate myself (you all know that head talk you do with yourself) when things I planned didn't go according to plan.  So, today I put my plan into action!

So what did I do today? Today I put on my tennis shoes, my (new had to have so I could jog) headphones and went for a jog.  Ok, ok it was more of a walk with bouts of jogging but I did it! I did it for 27 minutes and 6 times around my block!

I loved stretching my legs to take in another length of pavement, I even enjoyed the labored breathing, because I KNEW I was doing something good for my body! I rocked out to my christrian music station on Pandora and well I didn't excatly run like the wind but, I did run. 

My PLAN is to try to run/jog/ walk each day.  That can sometimes be hard.  I am the mother of two amazing children.  I have a four year old daughter and a 20 month old son.  My husband leaves really early to go to work and comes home and it't HOT in the afternoons.  I am a teacher so I currently have summers off.  So finding time to walk/jog is hard to do even though I KNOW how beneficial it can be. 

Tomorrow the plan is to get up with my husband at five, yes five in the morning and go for my walk/jog while he is preparing for work.  I want to do this! I need to do this! I can do this! my Lord will provide me the strength to do this! Pray for me!



I am posting my photo, this was today, after my run.  It's not pretty.

Tune in tomorrow to see if I was able to accomplish this small feat! Because after all I have NOTHING but pounds to lose!