C25K W6D3 & Weekend

Hi, everyone. Well, first of all, I picked my daughter up from camp on Saturday morning. Yes, I cried when I saw her! She looked great and happy and I hadn't talked to her since the Sunday before! And, she's an only child and I homeschool her, so we are together a LOT. I missed her so much, but was thrilled she had such a wonderful time. I got to meet some of her new friends and she's spent at least an hour telling me about all that she did. She/I can't wait for next year's camp!

This weekend, we went back to our new lake house. I actually didn't realize that having a lake house would be this much fun. One thing that is really nice is that we are sharing it with some friends. They have two children - a boy that is almost 7 (my dd is 9) and a baby who is 3.5 months. Well, my dd and the older boy played for hours in their room. It is so nice! As an 'only', I am often my dd's playmate... or she is 'bored.' So, just to have her enjoy that time and to not have to entertain her was wonderful! I had plenty of time to read.

We also take turns with the kids. The other dad took the two older kids fishing on our dock while I took a nap. Then, I watched all 3 while the other couple went out on the jet skis. (My dh was in town running errands.) I'm enjoying getting to hold the baby, too!

Yesterday, I ran C25K W6D3 by the lake. First of all, it was so quiet there! I only saw 3 other people between 6:30 and 7:10. Also, I need mace! There were 5 big dogs on my path... 4 of which were not chained or penned in! I was a little scared when they barked at me, but none of them chased me.

Anyway, for week 6 day 3, you are supposed to run 25 minutes. Well, I was running on our hilly land (at home it is totally flat) and I STILL had extra energy. I ended up going 30 minutes straight! I was thrilled! That is the end goal (for time - distance is another story) for C25K.

So, I've decided to work on distance now (and some speed). I'll start week 7 by checking out the distances and trying to meet those.

Lastly, we do not eat healthy foods out at the lake! The first night we had leftover pizza. I did good - only had one piece and some yogurt. (We had only bananas - I'll start brining veggies and fruit!) For two other meals, we grilled out steak and high-fat hamburgers and sausage. I told my dh that we'll have to start bringing chicken they can gril me. Or I'll be eating PB&J or something! I can't keep eating like this. I did have oatmeal & water when we went out to breakfast Sunday. But, I reverted to my old habits and had a chocolate bar on the way home. I get so sleepy and I want chocolate!

But, I'm back on track this morning and plan on doing zumba with my dd this afternoon. Have a happy, healthy day!

Rough Day Turned GREAT!

I have ended up having a wonderful day after the rough start. (See post this morning.) I got my physical. I was feeling pretty nauseous by the time it was over - I didn't get to eat until 10:20. But, I'm so glad to have that over with!

After my appointment, I went to Target and got some major shopping done. Then, off to the mall! (If you remember, my daughter is at camp so it was a rare opportunity to shop by myself.)

Well, I tried on a size smaller clothes - and EVERYTHING I tried on FIT!! It was so nice! And, I thought I looked really nice and could live without losing another pound! But, I still plan on losing more. It was just fun to keep trying on clothes and they looked nice and fit!

Then, I got a spur of the moment hair cut! (I'll try to post a photo tomorrow.) I just went and let the hairstylist do what she wanted. It turned out really cute!

After the mall, I went home and laid on the couch and read awhile. Then, my hubby called and said he was coming home to take me out to dinner to celebrate what happened at work today. It was a "big thing" that's been in the works for months, and it became official today! So, we went out to a fancy place - me with my new clothes and haircut - and had a wonderful dinner. I did really good, except I had a soda. It's my first in 2 months (I think) and it just wasn't worth it. I wish I wouldn't have, ordered it, but I did! (The water didn't have ice in it and wasn't refreshing.)

So, that's how my day turned around! Now I have one more busy day before I pick my daughter up from camp. I can't wait to see her!

Trigger Foods

I guess I've always known that there are some foods that make me want MORE instead of leaving me feeling satisfied. Potato chips are like that. You know, "you can't eat just one!" Cheetos, too. My mom and I were in college together and she could go through half a bag studying the night before the test.

But, tonight I realized there must be other foods besides chips that leave me wanting more instead of satisfying me.

I had bought a box of 100 calorie treats - a mix of Reeses wafers and Hershey's chocolate covered pretzels. I haven't really been eating many sweets the past 7 weeks, but the past few nights I've been having a Reeses wafer. Chocolate is something I often crave and this 100 calorie 'dessert' has been satisfying me.

Tonight I thought I'd try the pretzel. It really didn't sound that tempting, but I thought I'd give it a try. One little nibble and my body started shouting "more!" I thought I should eat something healthier, but my body shouted "more!" So, I thought I'd go ahead and eat it and have a half glass of milk. Well, after I was done, my body was still shouting "more!" It was really an odd feeling. I knew I "had to" give my body more chocolate!

I actually had over 200 calories that I could eat for the day, so I ended up grabbing a 100 calorie Reeses wafer. Even with the first bite, I felt myself calm down and knew that I'd be OK. This was satisfying me and not making me want more.

So, I will not be touching those pretzels again. And, I'm going to try to pay attention to my body and watch for other 'trigger foods' that leave me wanting more, instead of satisfying me.

What about you... do you have trigger foods? If so, what are they? And, how do you handle them?

The Weekend

I've had a pretty good weekend. It started with my early morning run on Saturday when I surprised myself by running two 4 minute runs... without passing out! No, really... they were much easier than I expected.

Later that morning, my dd9 and I went to the Y. We did 10 minutes on an elliptical and then went to the Expresso bikes where you can view the virtual trail you are riding on. I rode 18 minutes to complete a 3 mile trail. We then went to something similar to an elliptical - I'll have to get its name next time. You can either use it like an elliptical or kind of jog on it. Anyway, I just cooled down on it for 5 minutes.

After that, we had a snack (fiber bar!) and went to the outdoor pool. We spent some time on the waterslides.

We've eaten out 3 times this week. We eat out a lot on the weekends, and I need to work on that. Anyway, I've been doing really good when we go out, but this time I didn't do as well. I even had blueberry pancakes for dinner tonight! But, I stayed well within my range today! (I was really near the top yesterday, but still was in range!)

I'm ready for my early morning run tomorrow as I move on to week 4 and some 5 minute runs! On Tuesday, I will try to swim 100 yards in the pool - by switching strokes. So, I hope to meet two of my posted goals in the next 2 days. We'll see!

Rocket Fuel & Positive Bedtimes

Yesterday I went to the bookstore to look for an exercise journal (bought one!) and books about 5Ks and triathlons. I ended up getting a beginners book for triathlons. (Oh, and do you have a favorite book about 5Ks? triathlons? eating/living healthy &/or exercise? I'd love some recommendations.)

Anyway, I read portions of several (my daughter was at camp) and I came away with 2 major thoughts:

"Food is my rocket fuel." It really is! And, I've been thinking about food differently. With my tracking, when I get to my last snack of the night I look and ask myself "What else does my body need today?" Maybe some fiber? or calcium? or even fat? (Yes, I often need more fat.) When I'm tempted, I'm going to try and remember that fact... "Food is Rocket Fuel."

The other thought was that, when you are lying in bed at night, you should tell yourself what "positives" happend that day. For example, yesterday I did C25K W1D5... and I made it! I wanted to quit, but I didn't! And, I've been "running" for 5 days now!!! That has never happened. Also, I swam 250 yards. That's a LOT for me. And, I did my longest stretch without stopping ever... 125 yards! (It wasn't pretty, but I tried to do it and I did it!) I'm also working on the goal of 200 crunches & 100 pushups... well, yesterday I did 80 crunches & 19 modified pushups. That's big for me!

Maybe these 2 thoughts will help you:
Food is your rocket fuel.
End your day by reviewing what went right.

Happy Thursday! I hope you fuel up and do some things you can be proud of tonight!

Day 11: Need More Fiber & Calcium

I just completed Day 11 and am doing really well staying within my ranges on calories, protein, carbs & fat. So, yesterday I decided to start tracking fiber & calcium, too. Yikes! I am NOT doing well on those two categories and really need to figure out how to get a better balance. I know both of them are important!


I also started tracking sodium today and I did really well with that!

Day 10: Nothing But Hot Dogs

I took my daughter to Watermelon Camp today. It's our church's version of VBS and it only lasts a day. The moms stay and it lasts about 5 hours out in the heat. The kids have a lesson, do crafts, go on a nature walk, and swim. And, we have lunch.

I knew that lunch would be hot dogs & watermelon, so I brought a bag of nuts. My plan was to just eat watermeon and nuts. Bad idea! It was hot and we were there a LONG time. By 12:30, when lunch was served (and they didn't bring the watermelon out until later), I knew I HAD to eat a hot dog or my body would protest. So, I ate a hot dog... and it didn't blow my diet!

I was proud of myself for passing up the chips and cookies - they didn't even tempt me! And, I ate 4 slices of watermelon and drank five 8 oz glasses of water during the day! I felt great!

I just love how I'm craving healthy foods and that my body isn't even wanting junk food. I can't believe it has happened so fast! (I'm only on Day 10!)

Day 8... Only 1 Pound in 1 Week :-(

I was disappointed this morning when I weighed in that I'd lost only 1 pound during my first week. I've been doing SO good! I've exercised 6 of the 7 days. I've been within my calorie, fat, carbs & protein range every day. I've even eaten extra every night because I've been short most days and I didn't want my body to think I was starving it. So, I'm disappointed and trying to get my enthusiasm back up.


It seems that last time I dieted I lost weight a lot quicker at the start. I'm hoping to see several pounds drop by next Tuesday, but it is hard sitting here on this number.

Day 6

Today is Sunday and yet I couldn't sleep in. I woke up at 6:30 and was ready to exercise!

I dug through the garage for some of my old exercise videos and put one in. I did 20 minutes plus a 3 minute cool down. And, I've already drank 2 glasses of water and it is only 7:10 on the weekend. (I never do sleep in much, but usually sleep until 7 or so on Sundays.)

Even with the swim meet and going out to eat yesterday, I stayed within all of my goals. I'm feeling great about that!

The only frustration right now is the scales. On Day 2, it showed I dropped 2 pounds. Today and yesterday, it showed I had gained back 1.5 pounds. I really need to not weigh so often... AND not let it get me down. (I'm not really down - just felt a moment of disappointment.) My "official" days are Tuesdays and Fridays, so I need to try to avoid the scales except on those 2 days. It's not all about the scale, right?

At the end of the day I ate cereal (at 7 pm) & fruit (8 pm), I am still not getting enough carbs. It's been a struggle every day - which is funny since I struggled with getting FEWER carbs last time I did this.


Anyone have some good ideas of what carbs I should be adding? I really haven't been eating any bread or "whole grains", so I guess I need to add some.

Day 5

Today my daughter had a swim meet. I was a little concerned as I usually eat pretty bad there... I usually have a doughnut and a hot dog and maybe some chips. Well, I packed 2 Lean Body drinks, nuts, cherries, Gatorade and water and did really well. I got home so tired (7+ hours in the heat!) and had a 100 calorie snack.


It's 4 pm and I wish I had more calories left over. We're going out to eat (we eat out a lot on the weekends), though I'm not sure where. I'll try to be good!

Oh! And, I walked to the meet, so that was one mile total. I guess that's my exercise for the day as I'm pretty wiped out.

The other "positive" for the day is that I usually "quit" my diet on the weekends, but I'm still going!

Day 4

Today was a little harder. I was SO hungry all day long. But, I ended up sticking to the mid-range of my calories, doing great on carbs & protein, and just 1 gram too high on fat.


We went out to eat and I ordered lasagne... I love lasagne! I usually eat half to 2/3rds of it, and ate only half. I ordered water. The big thing, though, was that I usually eat 3 breadsticks... they are SO delicious! Well, I waited until the food came to start eating one (well, almost) and then I ate only 1! That's big for me!

I didn't get any exercise in, but I hadn't planned to so that is OK.

I weighed (will weigh on Tuesdays & Fridays) & was down 2 pounds. Yeah! It's a start!

Day 3

I had a great day. I had lots of energy and woke up at 5:30 (usually wake up at 6:15) and worked on bills & reconciling our bank account for 1.5 hours. I was HUNGRY and had breakfast at 6:15. We finished up school & I cleaned out both freezers and we cleaned out 3 of my daughter's toy drawers. So, besides taking better care of my body, I'm trying to get my house "in order", too.


As far as my health - I drank 10 glasses of water (this seems easy right now, though it used to "kill me") and stayed at the low end of my range for carbs, fat & calories. And, a lower protein total of 80 this time.

I realized something funny. Last time I started this diet, I realized I was a carb-o-holic. It was EXTREMELY hard for me to stay within the carb range. Between breads & fruits, I just kept going over... way over! Well, the past 2 nights I had to eat additional food just to get ENOUGH carbs! (I had half an apple yesterday to finish that off). So, I have really changed my mindset! I also used to really STRUGGLE to get enough protein, but I'm not finding that hard. I've been eating Bumble Bee tuna or chicken packets for lunch - I love them! And, they are a great source of protein.

Oh, and I made a healthy dinner last night. A new recipe - a type of chicken & noodle soup that everyone liked, though I'll make a few changes next time. Cooking is not something I do nearly enough of, so I'm giving myself a pat on the back for this one. And, I cooked Tuesday night, too.

I did work out with the Wii, but I wasn't feeling up to the cardio and mainly did yoga... which felt really good! I ended with 10 minutes of cardio. Oh, and I did some lower body work in the morning. Great day!!!

Day 2

FITNESS: I worked out for 30 minutes with Wii Fit again. I burned 133 calories.

NUTRITION: I did really good again today. I ended up with under 1400 calories, 183 carbs, 40 grams of fat, and 69 grams of protein. There was a birthday at my house and I made a cake... and ate a slice without frosting. I realized that cake wasn't worth it... it took up over 20% of my calories for the day! I guess I should have had half a slice, but I'm still proud of what I did.

Day 1... Round 2

I stayed within my goals for carbs, fat, calories & protein (110!) yesterday. In fact, I was low and had to have a snack late last night. (I was getting hungry and just had 8 almonds.)

I hadn't planned on exercising this week, but ended up doing WiiFit for 30 mins while my daughter was at swim practice. So, my goal is to do 30 mins tonight & tomorrow while she's there. (No practice Friday.) For now, I'll just set a goal of 30 mins 3x/week.

Feels like a great start to my diet!