running
WW Weigh-In #20
12 days ago
Twenty weeks! This is the second longest time I’ve stayed with WW and there is no doubt it was a great decision to go back on January 1 and start 2013 off right. No. Doubt.
This week’s weigh-in….
Twenty weeks has brought me an average of a pound a week! Some weeks have been up, some have been down but it’s a pretty good pace to lose weight and keep it off. I ‘m not in this to lose it fast. I want to lose it slow so it doesn’t come back. That’s the plan – keep it off.
Things I did right this week are:
- Ran my butt off. I am in the midst of week 3 of the #mayruneveryday challenge and I’ve been doing 2 miles daily.
- Eat a healthy snack before and after a run. Bananas are my friend!
- Took my lunch 4 of 5 days as planned.
- Tracked everything, even the splurges last weekend. It’s important to track everything. Here’s a good one to remember…. Only track on the days you want to lose weight.
- I’ve been drinking Smart Water after my runs for the electrolytes.
What I will focus on this week:
- Running!
- Time to stock up on fruits and veggies again. This week, I’m going to freeze some grapes for a great post-run snack.
- I have a new chicken recipe to try thanks to our friend Ashley. It sounds amazing!
- Will finish typing up my recipes to share with all those who have asked about them. I’ve taken forever to do it (sorry!!!) and it will be a great reminder for myself.
I finally hit 50 activity points for the week…. 53 to be exact! Running every day has obviously played a big part in that.
I also received the report for the end of my first 12-week challenge. It’s mind boggling to think about how I’ve earned 396 activity points in those 12 weeks.
And because non-scale victories are just as important as what the scale says, I had a HUGE one yesterday. Since summer is here (groan), I had to buy a pair of running shorts that I could actually run in. The pair I have constantly ride up and it’s not comfortable. They’re good for just wearing, but not running in. I went to Sports Authority with a $7 rewards certificate and a 20% off coupon and decided to splurge on myself. Shorts were a priority but I also found a cute top. It was worth every penny… Never underestimate the power of nice running clothes that fit well. Thank you New Balance! I love my capris and I’m sure I will wear them again, but the shorts I bought are amazing. They didn’t ride up once during my run this morning and they are slimming. As for the top, it has a built-in sports bra which means I’m not constantly adjusting my tank top. It is so important to be comfortable while running. There’s even a little zipper pocket on the shirt for my key. Love! And most exciting of all, I feel amazing wearing it.
I’ve already done my morning run and had my coffee and a yummy egg and salsa breakfast. Next up is an afternoon with my fabulous sister-in-law Jenna, for lunch and a book event at Inkwood Books in Tampa. It’s always fun to spend time together!
Have a great weekend!
Two weeks down, two (and a half) to go!
86 days ago
by Nanci
in #irunbecause, #mayruneveryday, #sweatpink, challenge, I <3 to run, miles, run, running, treadmill
Yesterday completed my second full week of the #mayruneveryday challenge. I can’t believe I’ve run every single day for 2 weeks now. This second week brought my fastest pace EVER, with a 9:48 minute mile, which will be hard to beat. Since then I have been very consistent with about a 10:40ish average. Really not bad at all since I was running a 12:45 / 13:00 mile before.
The day before I started this challenge, I thought about it and just didn’t know if I could commit to run every single day for 31 days. That is a a lot, I would be sore, and it just seemed overwhelming. I decided that was the whole point of a challenge. The first week went well and now, two weeks into it, I can tell you that I look forward to my run every single day and it has become a necessity.
I am amazed that I am not sore from it. The best part? I feel STRONG when I’m done. Each run is not always easy but I push through it and know that I can do it for however long I have set out. I really like the 2 mile route around my neighborhood and I’ve been doing that a lot lately. Thankfully, I only did the treadmill once during this second week. I really do not like the treadmill. I crave the sunshine and fresh air. Soon it will be five hundred degrees outside, so I’m going to enjoy it before then.
And an amazing little tidbit? I am still running every one of these miles – no walking. Further proof that the comfort zone is a made-up place.
Total mileage for week 2 is 12.59 miles so I am on track to hit 50 miles for the month if I keep it up. I am determined to hit that! I am ready to start week 3!
What is the most mileage you’ve ever run in a month? What is your longest running streak?
Tuesday Tunes {Best of You}
71 week ago
If any of you are anything like me, music plays a huge part in your fitness routine. It’s just recently that I started running without music, something I never thought I’d be able to do. I am surprised at how much I enjoy it, especially when I am running near the water. But, back to music…
I am have quite a random music selection on my iPhone because my moods are all over the place with what I want to listen to on any given day. One day it might be rock, the next day country, maybe pop music another day. I don’t know what kind of music mood I’m in until I walk out the door and push play. One look at my half marathon playlist is proof of how I love an assortment of music.
One song in particular I have loved for years and it has become a bit of a running anthem for me. Because running is such a mental release for me, this song plays well into that. It’s a reminder that even when things aren’t going right or something is bothering me, not to let it get me down. This song is Best of You by the Foo Fighters. I absolutely love this song. Sometimes the person that’s getting the best of me, is ME.
One of my Tuesday Tunes
What is one song that keeps you going? Share!
WW Weigh-In #19
51 week ago
Good morning! It has already been a productive morning for me…. After my WW meeting, hubby and I went for a 2 mile run, completing day 11 of the #mayruneveryday challenge we are participating in. Holy humidity! And then we went to Starbucks with a very excited Blue and Ozzie. They got their treats and I got my coffee. It’s a good day already!
I had a small loss this week, 0.2 lbs., which is always to be expected after a big week like I had last week. I’ll take it. With all the running I’m doing, I’m drinking more water and eating more. However, I am noticing things like my running capris being loose and I’m feeling tall and strong!
Things I did right this week are:
- I ran every day and on my best day, I ran a 9:48 mile. What a confidence booster that was! It’s always a great feeling when hard work pays off and improvements are made.
- Changed it up a little for dinner twice this week. One night I had a pork chop, sliced, over broccoli slaw. It was very light and delicious. Another night I browned some lean ground beef in olive oil with squash. I have not been eating a lot of red meat so this was a yummy change!
- Tracked everything I ate this week.
- Water, dear water. It’s a good thing I love water.
What I will focus on this week:
- Keep up with the running challenge, almost halfway through the month!
- Take my lunch 4 of 5 days this week. This is probably one of the best things I do to help keep on track and I can enjoy a “bigger” meal for dinner which is the meal I enjoy most.
- Stock up on fruits… I enjoyed pineapple last week, which I had not had in awhile. I’ve also been eyeing the fresh raspberries at the store.
- Try one new recipe this week. It’s important to change it up.
Another stellar week on my ActiveLink… I didn’t make it to my goal of 50 for the week, but 44 is nothing to sneeze at!
Our excitement for the weekend includes the Rays game tonight and Kenny Loggins post-game concert (and meet and greet!). Yes, I am such an 80’s girl. Grocery shopping, cleaning (if I have to), reading, another run tomorrow morning, and then Mother’s Day lunch. I hope the weekend doesn’t pass too quickly…
Have a fabulous weekend!
What is your favorite go-to meal during the week? How often do you take your lunch?
Finding my inner #fitfemale
11 week ago
by Nanci
in #fitfemale, #sweatpink, 5K, 8K, fitness, half-marathon, inspiration, mental health, race, run, running, stress relief, strong, WomenRaces.com
Five half-marathons, two 8Ks, and five 5Ks later, I have found my inner #fitfemale. I have challenged myself in ways I never thought possible. I didn’t start running until I was 36 and that was only for a bit. I played tennis and softball when I was very young, but I never ran in school. I was in band which meant I didn’t have to take PE, which thankfully meant no running. I used to joke that I would only run if being chased and I bet even that would not have been very fast.
That crazy idea I had at the end of 2011 to run a half marathon changed me. I thought I was crazy for wanting to do it, it would be a one-time thing and that would be it. Running my first half marathon at age 40 in February 2012 just seemed like a fun thing to try. I never imagined it would be the experience that it was and that of all things, I would go and run for fun. Every race since then has been just as rewarding.
Running has become a necessity. Of course there are days where it’s the last thing I want to do. But I know that it’s exactly what I need to do. As much for my well-being and my sanity as my waistline and health. It has made me stronger in so many ways. It has become a huge part of my most recent Weight Watchers journey.
When you run a half marathon, or challenge yourself to run every day of the month, or do bridge training week after week, you realize how strong you really are and how bright that fire is inside of you. You realize that anything is possible. In a world that is full of drama, chaos, and uncertainty, it is one of a handful of things I can control.
I take away something good from every single run, even the hard ones. It’s an instant mood lifter, a huge boost of confidence, and it has the ability to calm my anxiety and nerves. If something is bothering me and has me feeling overwhelmed, a good run will suddenly make anything seem possible and manageable. I wish my inner #ftifemale was around several years ago when I had to take an anti-depressant, but that was another time.
Yesterday, I had a first. I went for my afternoon run, 2.06 miles. And this happened… I ran a 9:48 mile. I have never run that fast. I may not run that fast again tomorrow or the next day, but it’s just another reminder that anything is possible.
If you think you can’t run, you are wrong. I am proof of that. Throw on those shoes and go for a run and see how it changes your life. It has changed mine.
Have you celebrated your inner #fitfemale? Or is there an inspirational #fitfemale you’d like to share with me? Also, be sure to visit the Fit Female Campaign over at WomenRaces.com to read posts and share your own!
