Skinny Saturday

Starting Weight: 223
Current Weight: 146

It's been a while since I got to run consistantly, so I decided to hit the restart button on my C25K program. I got a good session in on Wednesday. I could tell it had beed awhile, but it felt great to get out. My hubby went out with the pup before me AND was home, so I didn't have to take the kids or the pup. It was nice to have the time to myself.

I even managed to get out with the boys on Tuesday for a nice walk. Hopefully I won't be AS busy next week and we can go out for a few more next week and get back into some sort of routine.

My sisters bachelorette party weekend is next week...followed by her wedding the week after. There will be lots of eating and lots of drinking...Thankfully, I'm not that much of a drinker anymore. However, the eating worries me slightly.

Note: OOPS...totally typed this Friday and didn't get it published. Went for a great run this morning. It was pretty windy, which is always welcome. I really hope next week I'm slightly more organized.

Skinny Saturday

Starting Weight: 223

Current Weight: 143

Total Lost: 80

Ugh. This past week or so has been kinda rough. I'm having some major problems coming up with any kind of motivation. I actually started writing this post yesterday and never got past the first sentence.

I bought new fancy sneaks last Friday...went for a run and by 1.5 miles, my feet were completely numb and in pain. I ran/hobbled my way home. Sunday I returned the shoes and bought new ones, that aren't as narrow. They are still in a box :o/

I was doing good with hydration...until Thursday, when I kinda just gave up...

NOT GOOD. NEED to work on motivating myself.

Need to get back on the right track....and MOVE.



via K12EduBuzz

I need to NOT give up.



via pinterest - uploaded by user

I need to remember why this is important....why I am doing it.

via pinterest - uploaded by user

Today: Hydration. Tomorrow: Get out and test those new sneaks!!

How do you find motivation?



Fitness Friday: Week 11

Starting Weight: 223

Current Weight: 143

Total Pounds Lost: 80

I have been an awful blogger lately. I feel like it's because I've been really busy, but if I think about it I really haven't been THAT busy. I do have a LOT to do, but I've been dragging my feet a little more than I should.

I basically restarted C25K this week. I haven't been getting out as much as I should, because of the weather...and when the weather is nice I'm in the garden working. I need to get back in gear though. Hence starting fresh. It actually feels really good.

I also need to start fitting yoga back in to my day. I miss it so much. My time management lately has been AWFUL.

So far today has been pretty good. My sister came by and took the boys to the park so I could have some time to myself. I took care of some of the ivy growing in my front flower beds and worked on a large super special order for my sister's wedding. :o)

In other slightly fitness related news: My hubby bought me this adorable running charm from James Avery:

Super sweet, cause he didn't even know it was on my list!

He also bought me a subscription to Runner's World, which I've wanted for awhile. The articles are really great and reading it usually gives me a boost in motivation.

Hope everyone has a happy and healthy week!

Fitness Friday - Week 10

Original Starting Weight: 223

Last Weigh In: 143

Current Weight: 143

Pounds lost since last weight in: 0

 Total Pounds Lost: 80

So, I have a confession, I didn't actually weigh myself this week. It was my birthday yesterday and I believe that calories don't count and pounds don't even exist on birthdays. So I'm putting them up there, but ignoring them.

The weather is crap here...so I did not do the run/walk/jog of the green belt by our house. As soon as I get a nice day that my hubby is home, I'm doing it and I'll take lots of pictures. :o)

On Sunday I took a hike with my little sister. We talked about my weight and I mentioned how I am so proud of how far I have come. I also talked about how I wouldn't cry if I lost more weight, but I was happy where I was. I love walking into a store and knowing that a size 8 is going to fit. I love that I'm usually a size medium on top, but sometimes I get the thrill of finding a nice size small.

The days of hunting for decent looking size 22 are over. I will NEVER again be a size XXL. I won't EVER again tear apart my closet in tears because NOTHING fits.

I talk about weight and sizes but that really isn't what it's about. I really believe that as long as you are healthy and comfortable with the person in the mirror, then you go girl! It shows. Healthy and happy people have a glow to them. I was NOT happy OR healthy. Eighty pounds ago, I hated even passing a mirror. I felt like EVERYTHING I put on was tight, even if it wasn't. My feet and back hurt all the time. My real moment of realization was when Munch started to crawl and REALLY become mobile. I got so tired and out of breath chasing him around. It had to stop.

This week I needed to clear out some storage on my computer and was going through photos. I was shocked at some of the pictures I found. I guess I had just blocked the girl I was out of my head. I didn't want to remember, even though it's important to remember. So, I decided to put together some before and after pictures.

Eighty pounds later....

... my feet don't hurt all the time and my back has stopped aching...

...I don't always love the girl in the mirror, but I'm usually at least okay with her...

...I not only feel younger, I like to think I look it...

...I still can't completely keep up with my kiddos, but I don't give up after the first five minutes...sometimes, I even manage to wear THEM out too.

Have a happy and healthy week!!

Fitness Friday - Week 9

Original Starting Weight: 223

Last Weigh In: 143

Current Weight: 143

Pounds lost since last weight in: 0

Total Pounds Lost: 80

Holding steady.

Another glorious week here. Got a couple walks in and a run. Mostly, I've been in the garden. There seems to be more work to do every time I go out there. My muscles are sore from pulling ivy and ground cover roots. The mulch was packed down about a foot thick so I've been trying to clear that out too. I am pretty sure the previous owners were trying to breed rocks.

For some reason I really enjoy it though. Soon I should have enough cleared to plant flowers.

Hopefully next week I'll have something more interesting to report!

If you are having the weather we are in Texas, ENJOY IT!! Have a happy and healthy week.

Fitness Friday: Week 8

Original Starting Weight: 223

Last Weigh In: 143

Current Weight: 143

Pounds lost since last weight in: 0

Total Pounds Lost: 80

I'm really amazed that I didn't gain anything. My appetite came back in full force and I've been wanting to eat almost everything in site. The weather has been really glorious this week, so I've been able to get out with the boys a few times for a nice walk.

The Color Run on Sunday was amazing.

(before)

If there was any run to do after being sick this one was it.

(running...slowly)

It was super relaxed. I think there were some people that walked a majority of the way and just enjoyed the fun.

(purple insanity)

John and I ran the kilometers in between stations and caught our breath while walking through clouds of color and throwing colored powder at each other and everyone else.

(John thinks this picture looks like we survived some sort of rainbow zombie apocalypse)

The race ended with a Color Festival at the end. Every 15 minutes there was a great explosion of color.

(color festival. the little boy next to me was celebrating his birthday. how cool is that?)

I really don't think I've ever seen so many happy people in one place.

(thousands of happy colorful people)
We cannot wait to do it again next year!!

(after)

Have a happy and healthy week!!

Fitness Friday - Week 7

Original Starting Weight: 223

Last Weigh In: 144

Current Weight: 143

Pounds lost since last weight in: 1

Total Pounds Lost: 80

Yesterday I weighed in at 142 and then I had a great day of being able to eat 3 WHOLE meals. They weren't anything to write home about, but they were meals and I didn't have any nasty side effects! I hope I can keep my lost pounds off, but as long as I can eat and work out again I don't care.

It's supposed to be rainy the next couple days so there may not be much of a chance to squeeze in any kind of training for The Color Run on Saturday. I'm going to try and do a couple Walk Away the Pound sessions and then Sunday I'll just run what a can.

We have to pick up our packets on Saturday and I need to make sure we have white shirts. I bought a white t-shirt but now it's supposed to be cold, so I'm thinking I might need to hunt down a long sleeve shirt. Other than that and packing a camera, towels and a change of clothes, I think we are as set as we are going to get.

I am still super excited. It won't be as I imagined, but it will still be amazing and fun. Can't wait to share next week.

In other news:

Kaiser is back home from doggy boarding school. We had an hour with the trainer on Wednesday and I have high hopes that everything will be so much better now. When we were leaving he actually met 3 large dogs in the lobby. I could tell he was DYING to play, but he obeyed the trainer and sat nicely while he was waiting for us to finish up. Our homework is to do a lot of training walks with him around the house. We need to focus on heel, sit and stay. I've also learned the magic of "leave it". We have four classes with a trainer coming up. We totally have to retrain ourselves, which will be lots of work, but we can do it. I'm so happy to have my sweet boy back.

Looks like starting Saturday we'll have mostly sunny days! Which means getting back to walks and runs. Would be nice to get back on track finally!

Hoping everyone has a happy and healthy week!! 

Fitness Friday - Week 6

Original Starting Weight: 223

Last Weigh In: 146

Current Weight: 144

Pounds lost since last weight in: 2

Total Pounds Lost: 79

The upside to being sick is losing weight...and it doesn't even really have to be me...This week we have been taking turns. Me, then Munch, then Hubby, now me again. The only one that seems to have escaped whatever the heck we have, is Nox. Although, Wednesday Nox did seem to be hell bent on breaking the females only policy for banshees. Seriously. That boy can SCREAM.

I did get a run in on Sunday, before the Superbowl and got some gardening in on Tuesday. Yes, gardening totally counts as a workout. The previous owners of my house planted this vile ground cover that spread it's roots all over the place. So I've been playing a LOT of tug o' war with the damn stuff. They also decided that using MILLIONS of rocks/stones/pebbles were a FANTASTIC thing to put EVERYWHERE....so we've been working on trying to clear some of that too. Hopefully we'll be able to plant some stuff this year.

Kaiser gets out of boarding school on Wednesday. I've talked to his trainer a few times and he tells me that Kaiser is doing fantastic. Taking commands really well, working on his anxiety and starting to ignore other dogs. We'll see how he does when he gets home, but I have high hopes.

Alright, off to try and make myself better. Taking dayquil, drinking OJ...eating fruit. Have to be feeling well for the Color Run next week and I really would love to get at least one more good run in before then. Cannot wait!

Have a happy and healthy week!

Fitness Friday - Week 5

Original Starting Weight: 223

Last Weigh In: 147

Current Weight: 146

Pounds lost since last weight in: 1

Total Pounds Lost: 77

Only 16 days left till The Color Run. I am super excited, but also really nervous. I missed pretty much a whole week of running due to my stupid injury. (See last weeks post.)

Monday I got in an easy 2 mile jog/run with the pup.

Wednesday we dropped Kaiser off at doggy boarding school. I miss him terribly. Even with 2 kids and 3 cats the house seems terribly quiet and not quite as cozy without him here. After we dropped him off we went to the nature reserve by our house for a 2 mile walk.

During nap time I was able to get a run in while the hubby stayed home with the kiddos. I went to the green belt by our house and did a total of 3.76 miles, most of which was an attempt at day 3 of week 6 on C25K. I made it 9 minutes without having to walk...which annoyed me at the time, but looking back the terrain is really all over the place so it really was a good run. I was super sore afterwards, but the weather was so perfect and I really needed it to clear my head.

Yesterday, I got in a good 2.4 mile walk with the boys. It was a lot easier without the pup in tow, but goodness it's getting harder to push them. They need to stop growing for just a second so I can build up some upper body strength!

Today it's rainy and sad outside, but I'm hoping to get in some much needed yoga. I don't think I'm ready for Jillian yet. Hopefully next week my finger will be healed enough that I can put more of my body weight on it. Until then I'll just be doing a relaxing yoga session. The rain is supposed to stop tomorrow, so I'm hoping to get a morning run in and then I have a day date with the hubby :o)

I don't have a page for it (yet) but I do have a new recipe for you! We tried this Tuna Noodle Casserole a couple weeks ago and it was delicious!

We added an extra can of tuna, a small can of mushrooms and half a can of peas to "beef" up the meal a little and it was PERFECT. We actually made it again this week and I'm having left overs for lunch. YUM.

I hope everyone has a happy and healthy week!

Fitness Friday - Week 4

Original Starting Weight: 223

Last Weigh In: 144

Current Weight: 147

Pounds GAINED since last weight in: 3

Total Pounds Lost: 76

Saturday I got in my week 6, 20 minute run. It was wonderful.

Sunday and Monday I got some gardening in...

Tuesday I took the boys and the pup for a walk...and my whole week took a really bad turn.

Kaiser is a sweet dog. He LOVES people. He adores playing and going for walks and runs. And he is fantastic at cuddling. However, he is NOT a huge fan of other dogs. Especially ones that are running loose.

I made the a turn down the WRONG street. There were two dogs that we saw running around free. No owner in site. I crossed the street and they were fine staying on the opposite side from us, although they did follow us...putting Kaiser on to FULL alert. We were passing a driveway when a corgi came running out and Kaiser just reacted. Badly. Then I reacted STUPIDLY. I tried to break things up and got bit. Not sure by which dog, but I'm almost positive it wasn't Kaiser. Cause Kaiser got a vice like grip on the corgi and would NOT let go. It took two guys (including the corgi's owner) to pull Kaiser off. Thankfully, the corgi was fine. I don't know how, but Kaiser didn't hurt her.

One of my biggest pet peeves is people completely ignoring leash laws. Even worse if you just let your dog out your front door cause they need to potty and then forget all about them. I don't care how tame or friendly you think they are. Stuff happens. If you care about your pup you would have them on a leash or let them out into a fenced area. My control is limited to my strength and the length of Kaiser's leash. Ugh...nightmare. Kaiser will be going to training for his dog related aggression issues. I wish the other owner could go to training on how to be a better owner.

Anyway...my finger is okay. Hurts like hell, but it's still there, even though Munch will tell you "A dog ate it." I had to have a tetanus shot...which still feels awful. The Dr. wouldn't give me stitches on Tuesday, but I go back today to see if it's healing the way it should. If not, then stitches it is. It looks like it's doing okay though.

Badly injured finger means no yoga, heavy rain means no running. Badly injured finger also means medication..which means I can't drink. And after the pain and stress of getting bitten while breaking up a dog fight I feel like I deserve a few drinks. I drowned my misery in junk food instead. I know, I know, AWFUL. If the weather were better and the meds didn't make me dizzy I may have gone for a run to clear my head and de-stress. Alas that was not meant to be.

It looks like we will be rain free next week, so I hope to get some outdoor workouts in soon. Even if they are just some good walks.

At least I had an adventure! I'm looking forward to a MUCH happier and healthier week.

Fitness Friday - Week 3

Original Starting Weight: 223

Last Weigh In: 146

Current Weight: 144

Pounds lost since last weight in: 2

Total Pounds Lost: 79

The weather has been awesome this week for getting runs and walks in. I haven't gotten up to jogging the whole time again, but I did find a great 5k route. I'm going to work on that a couple times a week and then do an easier jog once a week. The easy jog will be with my sister, although she is catching me up quickly on c25k so it won't be easy for long! She is in NYC this weekend, so I don't have a jogging buddy. :o(

On Wednesday I was going through my closet and I found an old dress I stole out of my sister's donate pile. Honestly I NEVER EVER thought this dress would fit. I was so excited that it did, even if I don't have anywhere to wear it and it has a coffee stain down the front of it.

Our new recipe this week is for a turkey mushroom swiss burger. Super yummy.

 credits: National Scrapbook Day
Templates from Sweet Shoppe Design and Autumn Potpourri by Mscraps

For the original recipe w/nutritional facts please visit SparkPeople: HERE.

Have a happy and healthy week!

Fitness Friday - Week 2

Original Starting Weight: 223

Last Weigh In: 147

Current Weight: 146

Pounds lost since last weight in: 1

Total Pounds Lost: 77

Despite losing a pound I've actually had a rough week eating. It's like my body was desperate to reject all things healthy. Tuesday I just gave up completely and spent all my time (that wasn't spent parenting) on the couch curled into a tight ball and wishing my stomach would just die and leave me alone.

However if we pretend Tuesday didn't happen this week has been great as far as workouts are concerned.

• Saturday I went on an early morning jog. I started C25K again(ish) and decided I could handle Week 5 Day 1.
• Sunday my sister and I went for a jog at a local nature reserve. It was awesome having a jogging buddy and even better that we were able to talk a majority of the time. We ended our workout with brunch, which just made the morning even more perfect. When I got home I decided to go crazy and rake our front yard. Our neighbors cedar lost all it's needles all over our yard. Between the front and back we filled almost 6 bags. Ridiculous.
• Monday, I was SO sore. I did yoga, but not my usual video because that woman was just too happy for me to deal with...and I was already feeling kinda crap.
• Wednesdays John is home so I got to take an awesome jog and pretty much found my new 5k route. Just need to add a street somewhere.
• Thursday, John worked from home so when the boys went down for their naps I went out with the pup for a nice long walk.

In other news. My sister won't be joining me for The Color Run. Somehow she forgot that she was going to be in New Orleans. Punk. I wish I was going with her. John is really excited about joining me though and my sister and I are going to find another 5k to do together.

Last week I tried a Broccoli and Cheese Soup. It was really easy and tasted really good. Wonderful for a cold day. I didn't think it reheated very well, but John did. I'm thinking it may have tasted fine and it was just my quirky stomach overworking my imagination. Here is the recipe!

Created using - Hootin' Annie by Raspberry Road Designs

(Nutritional info can be found on Spark People.)

Have a happy and healthy week!!

Fitness Friday - Week 1

Original Starting Weight: 223

Last Weigh In: 142

Starting Weight for 2012: 147

Pounds GAINED since last weight in: 5

Total Pounds Lost: 76

I lost a total of 53 pounds in 2011!! I really and truly can't believe it. I did gain a little weight over the holidays but it's NOTHING compared with what is gone and I know I can lose those 5 pounds again. I am just so proud of how far I have come. 76 pounds just amazes me.

Here are my goals for 2012:

1. Run The Color Run with my little sister in February. I haven't run a 5k in a while, but I'm really going to work at being ready for this. It looks like SUCH a fun run for my first race. 

2. Drink my 8 glasses EVERY DAY.  (So far so good)
3. Try a new healthy recipe once a week. I've been wanting to do this for a while and there are certainly enough of them on my list to try.  (Broccoli Cheese Soup is in the crock pot for tonight! I'll be sure to share it next week!)

4. A minimum of 10 fitness per day. Ideally these would be running, but I need to be realistic. I won't run if the weather is horrible and I know it.  (check)

5. Reach my goal weight of 135 before my sister's wedding on April 28th.

Easy peasy. There is NO reason I cannot reach these goals.

I was a slacker during November and December, but I'm back to being really active on Spark People. Feel free to friend me if you are chillin' there too! My user name is Rencherry! 

As always I'm linking up with Brandy!