They say an effective way of reaching your goal is to tell someone about it. So I'm telling the blogging world. My goal is to run 1000 miles in the year 2012. Kind of a lofty goal for a girl that can't truly run 3.2 miles without walking some. Ha ha ha! For the past two years, I have not done steady running. I do intervals, I do HIIT, I do running, walking, jogging, elliptical, rowing, etc. I hate stagnant cardio. Well, I HATED it. It has certainly grown on me and I've learned that running is a huge stress reliever for me.
It started with this Nike Challenge I have going on with my husband. I started doing more and more miles at a time to keep up with Mr. I think I'm Going to Run a 10k Today, yeah...he just popped out 6 miles without any training or building up to it...he just DID it. Blah!
So I found myself adding more and more miles to keep up. We're just 3 days shy of the end of our challenge and we are neck to neck! This is going to be a close one! Last week I did almost 20 miles! Now, I have this crazy idea that I can do 20 miles every week from here on out and get my 1000 miles in before the New Year 2013. Of course, I'm starting a few weeks late, so I'll need to add a few miles to several weeks to catch up.
Here I go...
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Week 3 of the Challenge
We are in week 3 of the challenge and it all seems to be going really well. I am personally down a few lbs since the start of the challenge, and I can already feel a difference in my clothing! Wahoo! I've run over 25 miles in the last week and my goal is to hit 1000 in the year 2012! I can do it!
Yesterday, I ran for a solid hour with a friend of mine. We did roughly a little over 6 miles. It was 28 degrees outside, snowing, and the ground was icy in some spots. We ran from the city dock down to Spa Rd. I must confess, I never felt better after a run. She had me run/walk 3/1 intervals. It really made a difference to be able to take a break every 3 minutes and just walk fast. I certainly felt less tired and I got to go a lot longer than I can normally go. Running outside, time also goes by much faster. The run was over much sooner than I had thought it would be!
As for my fellow challengers, everyone seems to be doing really well. For the most part, everyone (with the exception of 2-3) has lost weight. I'm really excited to see how this goes for 9 more weeks and to see if we have anyone that really loses a lot! What is inspiring is to see the people that have lost a lot and have kept it OFF! You know that this isn't easy...so seeing them make the lifestyle change is just really exciting and motivating!
For this week's challenge, I have the group doing interval training either through walking/jogging or on the treadmill at varying speeds/inclines. I think everyone will admit that it is really hard! For me, I think we have to jumpstart our bodies and really force a change. Also, just getting in the habit of getting things done will get them one step closer to getting active!
So we'll see how weigh-in goes on Friday! I am feeling pretty optimistic!
Yesterday, I ran for a solid hour with a friend of mine. We did roughly a little over 6 miles. It was 28 degrees outside, snowing, and the ground was icy in some spots. We ran from the city dock down to Spa Rd. I must confess, I never felt better after a run. She had me run/walk 3/1 intervals. It really made a difference to be able to take a break every 3 minutes and just walk fast. I certainly felt less tired and I got to go a lot longer than I can normally go. Running outside, time also goes by much faster. The run was over much sooner than I had thought it would be!
As for my fellow challengers, everyone seems to be doing really well. For the most part, everyone (with the exception of 2-3) has lost weight. I'm really excited to see how this goes for 9 more weeks and to see if we have anyone that really loses a lot! What is inspiring is to see the people that have lost a lot and have kept it OFF! You know that this isn't easy...so seeing them make the lifestyle change is just really exciting and motivating!
For this week's challenge, I have the group doing interval training either through walking/jogging or on the treadmill at varying speeds/inclines. I think everyone will admit that it is really hard! For me, I think we have to jumpstart our bodies and really force a change. Also, just getting in the habit of getting things done will get them one step closer to getting active!
So we'll see how weigh-in goes on Friday! I am feeling pretty optimistic!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Nike+
I LOVE THIS APP on my Iphone! My husband and I just started using this app and tracking our runs and we even have a challenge with each other to see who can run the most miles in the next 15 days. It is INTENSE! I never knew how competitive I could be...when it comes to him though I'M TOUGH! Ha ha ha!
I've done 7 miles in the last 3 days, and I know that's not much to serious runners, but that's a HUGE victory for me. There's no way this girl is losing to a boy, so wish me luck!
I've done 7 miles in the last 3 days, and I know that's not much to serious runners, but that's a HUGE victory for me. There's no way this girl is losing to a boy, so wish me luck!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Biggest Losers
I recently started the 4th Biggest Losers Challenge, I've been organizing these challenges for the past year. This is our largest challenge yet! We have 43 members, over 7900lbs and over $1100 in the cash pot for the prize. To say that this challenge is intense is an understatement. Today was our first weigh in and as a group, we lost a little over 150lbs, about 2% of our total body weight.
Our biggest losers lost 5% their body weight! I was so proud of our group and really impressed with the fact that just about everyone had lost weight in the first week. I think something that's made this challenge really motivating is that we have weekly "mini-challenges". I've been trying really hard to come up with both fun challenges as well as things that really push everyone to be stronger and work harder. So far for week #1 we had a 100 Push-Ups a Day; it didn't matter how you did the push-ups, 10 sets of ten or however they needed to be broken down, bent knees, wall presses, incline, staggered, etc. Everyone just had to get their 100 in. The challenge was AWESOME! I think everyone really worked hard and could feel the burn.
For week #2, I paired them up in partners based on their similarities, weight range and also based in that I thought they could inspire each other or give support when needed. At the end of the week, the team of partners with the highest % lost will win a special prize! Everyone seemed to respond so well to this challenge! I think that the partner support and need for accountability is really going to take the group far!
I've also encouraged everyone to keep up with their 100 push-ups and I've added a daily Ab routine. I can't wait to see what our next weigh in brings! I'm really hoping that everyone sees the results they want and that we can all continue this challenge motivated!
Our biggest losers lost 5% their body weight! I was so proud of our group and really impressed with the fact that just about everyone had lost weight in the first week. I think something that's made this challenge really motivating is that we have weekly "mini-challenges". I've been trying really hard to come up with both fun challenges as well as things that really push everyone to be stronger and work harder. So far for week #1 we had a 100 Push-Ups a Day; it didn't matter how you did the push-ups, 10 sets of ten or however they needed to be broken down, bent knees, wall presses, incline, staggered, etc. Everyone just had to get their 100 in. The challenge was AWESOME! I think everyone really worked hard and could feel the burn.
For week #2, I paired them up in partners based on their similarities, weight range and also based in that I thought they could inspire each other or give support when needed. At the end of the week, the team of partners with the highest % lost will win a special prize! Everyone seemed to respond so well to this challenge! I think that the partner support and need for accountability is really going to take the group far!
I've also encouraged everyone to keep up with their 100 push-ups and I've added a daily Ab routine. I can't wait to see what our next weigh in brings! I'm really hoping that everyone sees the results they want and that we can all continue this challenge motivated!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Grab-N-Go Breakfast
Egg "Muffins"
Ingredients
16 oz egg whites
5 eggs
Mrs. Dash seasoning
Lean Turkey Breast diced
Chopped mushrooms
blanched broccoli
Shredded Cheese
Sauteed Onions
Procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Spray silicone muffin cups with cooking spray
3. Layer a tsp of meat, veggies and cheese, top with a little onion
4. Mix egg whites and eggs and season with Mrs. Dash (I used original blend)
5. Fill muffin cups about 3/4 full
6. Bake for 35 minutes until golden brown and set
Let cool completely, about 20 minutes, then separate muffins into small ziploc bags. 1 serving = 2 muffins. Store in fridge for up one week.
When ready to eat, grab one ziploc bag, pop in the microwave for 2 minutes and voila! Breakfast is served!
Ingredients
16 oz egg whites
5 eggs
Mrs. Dash seasoning
Lean Turkey Breast diced
Chopped mushrooms
blanched broccoli
Shredded Cheese
Sauteed Onions
Procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Spray silicone muffin cups with cooking spray
3. Layer a tsp of meat, veggies and cheese, top with a little onion
4. Mix egg whites and eggs and season with Mrs. Dash (I used original blend)
5. Fill muffin cups about 3/4 full
6. Bake for 35 minutes until golden brown and set
Let cool completely, about 20 minutes, then separate muffins into small ziploc bags. 1 serving = 2 muffins. Store in fridge for up one week.
When ready to eat, grab one ziploc bag, pop in the microwave for 2 minutes and voila! Breakfast is served!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Wow! Back to Work!
I am embarrassed that it has been so long since my last blog entry! The end of 2011 was hectic and filled with a lot of turmoil. Well, hasta la vista, 2011! I'm ready for a new year and I've already jumped feet first into a healthy routine!
Looking back at 2009-2011, I see that I underwent some serious fitness lifestyle changes. I wish I could say that I've maintained my weight at 125lb, but alas, life got away from me and I lost track of my fitness goals and lifestyle! My father died in November 2011, and since then I've gained 10lbs. Blech! I'm definitely a stress gainer! Well, 2012 is a fresh start and with it, I've got some friends that are ready to reclaim their bodies, minds and lives!
On Jan. 6th, I started a new Biggest Loser Challenge via Facebook. I have 43 members, 7900lbs and $1075 dollars all mixed in a friendly contest to see who can lose the most body % in the next 12 weeks! I'm super proud of the group/team and I know that together we're really going to shed some unwanted "stress, fat, excuses, etc" We are READY!
I'd like to lose 10-15lbs and be back in my size 2 clothes comfortably. 10lbs on me doesn't look like much, but it certainly feels like a lot! Thankfully, I've managed to not go up in pant sizes too much, I'm still a size 4, but I'm not feeling very comfortable in my own skin...God I hate that feeling!
So here we go! This week, our mini challenge is to complete 100 push ups a day. I've been feeling under the weather, but I've done my best to stay on track! It doesn't matter how you do the push ups (knees bent, incline, decline, on the wall, on your head...) JUST DO THEM!
I can't wait to see how my team progresses this week and I'm hoping to see some big losses!
Stay tuned...
Looking back at 2009-2011, I see that I underwent some serious fitness lifestyle changes. I wish I could say that I've maintained my weight at 125lb, but alas, life got away from me and I lost track of my fitness goals and lifestyle! My father died in November 2011, and since then I've gained 10lbs. Blech! I'm definitely a stress gainer! Well, 2012 is a fresh start and with it, I've got some friends that are ready to reclaim their bodies, minds and lives!
On Jan. 6th, I started a new Biggest Loser Challenge via Facebook. I have 43 members, 7900lbs and $1075 dollars all mixed in a friendly contest to see who can lose the most body % in the next 12 weeks! I'm super proud of the group/team and I know that together we're really going to shed some unwanted "stress, fat, excuses, etc" We are READY!
I'd like to lose 10-15lbs and be back in my size 2 clothes comfortably. 10lbs on me doesn't look like much, but it certainly feels like a lot! Thankfully, I've managed to not go up in pant sizes too much, I'm still a size 4, but I'm not feeling very comfortable in my own skin...God I hate that feeling!
So here we go! This week, our mini challenge is to complete 100 push ups a day. I've been feeling under the weather, but I've done my best to stay on track! It doesn't matter how you do the push ups (knees bent, incline, decline, on the wall, on your head...) JUST DO THEM!
I can't wait to see how my team progresses this week and I'm hoping to see some big losses!
Stay tuned...
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