Plateau...NO!!

So it came...the dreaded plateau!! Even though I ran my 3 times and ate (mostly) what I was supposed to, I have hit a hard spot!  I need to step up my game...I need to work harder to get it going again!  So I have started running a 2.5/3.5 split.  But it was my birthday the other day and I may have indulged in some Birthday apple pie...oh and I made Pumpkin Cupcakes with butter cream icing for the kids' classes and perhaps I ate a couple of those.  So, really, this shouldn't be a surprise.  But really...it always happens to me....right in the 230's I either never quite make it, or I never get too far down from it.  My last one was 237.  I was stuck there and then just gave up!  This time will be different! It's weird because lately I just feel ravenous! I am hungry all the time and never feel sated! Constantly prowling my kitchen and checking my calories to see if I can have just a little something.  It is beyond frustrating since for a month and a half, I've been OK, then this!  I'm also exhausted...I am the mother of 2 kids and have done the sleepless nights and sleepy days, but now I am nodding off all the time.  In the car with my husband when his sudden talking bolts me awake....was I asleep???  I am crashing into bed every night, and falling asleep instantly! Me...who usually tosses and turns for at least an hour.  I'm yawning all day and can't wait to sleep.  If I didn't know better, I'd think I was pregnant but the hubby is neutered so that is not a possibility!  Anyways, that is my dilemma this week.  I am hoping to see something happen next week and refuse to be detoured!  Tomorrow is Halloween and I am a little afraid...all that candy..in convenient little guiltless, just one won't hurt me sizes!! Oh my!  NOOOOOOOO! For my weight and measurements...there is no change!  Nada....zip!

Weight : 240.8
 Waist : 44
 Hips : 56
 Bust : 54

Booooooooo!  It's OK...I knew eventually I would hit this point so I won't give up!  My sister has entered me into a Santa Shuffle 5km run for Dec 1st.  My sister, my niece and I are running together!  I think I will make us candy cane coloured tutu's!! How fun!  But what a bonding experience!  Plus it keeps me accountable! I want to do a good time...my PB is 49 minutes for a 5km! So as I like to say..onwards and downwards!! Ha ha! Here's to the journey!

Brrrrrr...

Another week! They seem to be speeding by so fast for me! Which is good when you are trying to lose weight! Ha Ha! Lets get right down to business

Weight : 240.8
 Waist : 44
 Hips : 56
 Bust : 54

Not bad!  I was really, really wanting to be in the 230's this week, but it's OK.  Lost just about 2 lbs this week.  It's going down at a very healthy rate and that is all I can hope for! OK..so I have been following my regular...calories 1490-1840 as per Sparkpeople's suggested calories. Been running a minimum of 2 times a week...5km at a 2/4 split with a negative split.  I can't always run 3 times as the kids had a Pro-D day (no school) on Friday and I worked so I was not able to get a run in! But I do other things! Mountain climbers, jumping jacks, cleaning, etc.  I stay busy on those days!

So, this week has shown me so much about myself.  With the weather cooling down so fast, doing my runs feels a little like torture.  The biting wind hurts me ears and face, and the roads starting to get icy scares me. But I persevere.  My sister, again the expert, suggested yak tracks??  They go on your feet to keep traction, and definitely need a head band or something to keep my ears warm!!  Plus, the only running pants I have are Capri's! Need some actual pants!! OK, well...I'll put it on the need list, and go from there!  I hate even thinking of buying clothes when I plan on getting smaller, but to get smaller, I have to lose weight! Vicious cycle! It's my birthday on Sunday, and I cannot believe I am turning....36! I don't feel it...well...not all the time! I have my days..lol. Alright..onward and..well not upward..downward?!?! To another great week! 60.8 lbs to go!

Kindness around every corner..

Another week come and gone.  Was it a good week?? For the most part, yes! Did I have any great milestones?? No.  But that's OK.  I have been having severe issues with shin splints and calf cramps.  I had been finding that every run was becoming excruciating.  The pain was almost unbearable and was spending my runs limping.  So I went to my expert on running.....my sister!  She is an accomplished runner and someone I aspire to be. She is presently training for a full marathon...that's 42.2 km!!!! That's unimaginable for me right now!! Anyways, she said I was pushing too hard too fast. That I should stay at my pace I'm at until I don't hurt, till I can run that comfortably, then up my pace!  So I am going with that!  I am doing my negative splits, and keeping my pace to 5km in 55 minutes.  With a 4/2 split!  Usually when running I set my eyes to a focal point to get through the pain...I don't notice what is happening around me, I just try and make it through! But on Monday, after keeping the same pace for a week, the pain had gone down considerably!  I was able to enjoy the run and actually look around more, and what I saw was so inspiring!  When you can look around and not focus on pain you start to look at the vehicles driving by, and what the people driving are doing and I saw so many people giving me thumbs up, fist pumps and other encouraging motions.  Thank-you....thank-you so much!  The first one I saw, I thought I was imagining...but then, so many others.  It brought me to tears, to know that others realised my struggles and were letting me know I was doing good. I was trying and they were encouraging me.  It was so amazing, I can't thank them enough!  That simple act as they drove by meant so much to me!!! So with that inspiration I have set my path for another month, week by week as I work for the ultimate goal!! Here's where I stand!

Weight : 242.4
Waist : 45
Hips : 57
Bust : 54

Where I started 1 month ago!

Weight: 253             Weight: down 11 lbs
waist: 48                   waist: down 3 inches
hips: 57                     Hips: same (just call me a hippy :) )
bust:56                      Bust: down 2 inches

I call that a success!! I am happy with that!! So if you see someone running, walking or generally just out there trying, give them a thumbs up!  You have no idea how much that small act means to that person!! Thank-you to those people who do, and those who have to me!!! My incredible journey continues!

Gobble Gobble...gulp!

Well..Thanksgiving did not take me prisoner! I was not a slave to the Turkey..it did not own me!!  I was able to eat the wonderful Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, glazed carrots, pumpkin pie and ice cream. All of it..in moderation, because I did a run before dinner.  I didn't do a full 5 km, did a 3km, but it was enough so I could eat and oh my...it was so delicious!  Plus I ate a light lunch to save the calories for my dinner!!  We got a local farm raised Turkey and it was worth the extra money!  So delicious and knowing that it was grain fed, and darn happy till it's last moments made it feel good food! I guess you'd like to know the details huh...

Weight: 244.4
Waist: 45
Hips: 57
Bust: 54

It was a good week! I was very happy when I stepped on that scale and still lost weight after Thanksgiving dinner.  Means I am on the right track.  Also, sitting at 9 lbs lost since I started feels even better! That's 9 lbs in 3 weeks!!  So awesome! Plus, I got to take 3 marbles out of my jar! Julie got them and promptly rolled them under the stove..kinda ironic!! Ha ha! I haven't been starving..I haven't been pushed so hard I hurt of feel overworked! I am a little more tired on run days, the yawns start early on those days, but other then that, I am feeling better and better!  I can't wait to hit the 10 lb mark!! That'll feel darn good!  Also, I fit into some jeans I haven't been able to wear for quite a while.  Went from a 22 to a 19 so I am stoked to be heading down!  Now...my workout...still 5km, but I am now doing a 4/2 split (walk 4 minutes and run 2 minutes) also doing negative splits.  I run faster on my last half then my first.  I now do my 5km in 55 minutes.  I have also added sporadic bouts of exercise here and there.  If I feel I have the energy, I will do mountain climbers, push-ups, lunges and squats.  Only if I feel I can, but I figure, even 5 minutes of exercise extra a day, is 5 minutes more burn! 

On a side note...sometimes people can be cruel.  As an overweight individual, we all deal with people who think it's OK to be judge, jury and executioner.  They think they have a right to say and do whatever they feel, even when it is hurtful and unkind!  I was heading to work and passed by a few young boys..around 15years old. As I went by, they started making elephant noises and laughing.  I was humiliated and beyond hurt! After working so hard, you feel like everyone should know you are trying, even though they don't, but in your head, you think they should.  When they do things like that...you feel like all your hard work isn't worth it and you feel like giving up.  I was so sad that day and kept thinking...why?? Why?? Because they are cruel..they are kids...and their parents obviously taught them that it is OK to judge others.  But they don't define me..they don't know who I am and what i have gone through.  Before I would have eaten that pain away, pushed it down in my stomach and smothered it in chocolate!  Not this time...I held it, nurtured it and then I smashed it in the face on my next run!  I was so mad..I ran so hard.  Every step was stomping that pain....every km was cathartic and by the end of my run I felt so much better and I had demolished 2 minutes off my time!  Instead of my usual methods, internalising, I was able to push it from me...much healthier and hey...sure helps my time! Ha ha..so thanks boys...you motivated me and helped me grow emotionally..I hope one day, when you are judged, you can lift above it too!  So here's to another great week!  May we all grow and rise above!! :) 9 down..64 to go!

Give me nuts or give me....

Well it's been another week.  Again..so many ups and downs! The hubby was trying really hard this week not to eat bad stuff in front of me, and only a couple slip ups.  Mainly from eating too many snacks.  Healthy snacks, but too much of a good thing...! I was hoping for a better week, more like last week, but unfortunately, it's slow going.  As long as I'm losing I am happy! Here are the details:

Weight: 247
Waist: 47
Hips:57
Bust: 56

Not much of a change! But hey..at least it went down!!! Found the most AMAZING snacks at Walmart! They are super flavorful, and 200 calories for 1/3 cup.  Doesn't seem like much, but their flavor makes me feel like I really had a good snack! The Almonds with honey, cranberries and sea salt are my favourite.  The mix of sweet and salty kills my cravings for sweets! Love them!! So..my workouts this week were again, running 5 km only 2 times this week, wanted to run yesterday, but was feeling nauseous and my house was in desperate need of TLC, so I stayed home and cleaned the house.  I will try and go week after next as this Monday is........THANKSGIVING!!!! This next week is going to be a test week.  Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing....pumpkin..(drool)...pie!!! Oh my!!! My sister gave me a recipe for Pumpkin Spiced Granola that is to die for...I'll have to try and substitute that in!  Or I'll do my best.  I know I may have a bad week here, but I think we all do.  That is life!!  Anyways...running..I am at 1 1/2 jogging and 4 1/2 walking.  No Fartlet...darn I wish I knew how those were actually spelled...I will attempt to throw some in this week.  We'll see! :) Anyways.. 2 lbs down, 67 to go! I also filled a jar with marbles for the lbs I need to lose.  Every lb..take out a marble.  I may not be able to see these little losses on my body, but I have a visual with the marbles.  Just to remind myself that every lb lost is a lb gone!! Felt great taking those 2 marbles out this morning!!  OK..have a great week all, and if you can kind those nuts..they are a delicious addition!! Yummy!!