Midnight Run

I'm sure you've guessed that I have been busy given the time since my last post! With work, school, and life things get busy occasionally making it difficult to find time to write. So I shall begin by updating you all on my weight. Last time I wrote 6/11 I was at 239. Then last week I weighed in at 237.2 so I had lost 1.8 pounds. This week I weighed in at 235 so minus 2.2 pounds. I feel like I'm finally making progress again after being stuck in the 240's for what felt like forever. I realized how much progress I'm making when I went shopping with my little sister, Abbie, at Old Navy. I decided I would just try on pants to see what size I would fit into...anticipating only fitting into size 20. For those of you who have never been plus size may not realize that there's a huge difference between 20 regular and 20 plus and 18 regular and 18 plus. The difference is that plus size "makes room" for larger hips and bigger calves, of which I have excess in both areas ;)...so I knew I would be happy if I could get into the size 'regular' 18...well to my surprise when I put on the size 18 they were baggy..so I went and grabbed a size 16 and was beyond ecstatic to see this:

16 regular

In addition to fitting into size 16 pants their XXL tops were too large! XL was a little big but the L's were a bit too small..

It's so nice to be able to see these changes happening. I know I've mentioned it before but there are times when even though my clothes are baggy I will look into the mirror and see the same me at 320 pounds...that's when I'm thankful for pictures to prove that is not the case. 

Aside from fitting into 'regular' pants I've been getting my runs in. I've decided that I really enjoy running with someone, and outside as opposed to by myself and on the treadmill! Last night when I got home from work I knew that I had to go run...the sun had already set so I was just going to go run on the treadmill. I asked Abbie to come with me, to which she said, "okay!" As we stepped outside I said, "we're running outside tonight!" so we quickly ran back inside, I grabbed by hydration belt and my armband that flashes a red light for night time running and we set out for a 4 miler. It was so quiet, calm, and peaceful. I don't think I'd ever feel comfortable running at night by myself but with someone else I would absolutely love to do more nighttime running. We ran up Osuna and got drenched by some sprinklers, enjoyed the sound of the crickets chirping, it was cool and I didn't start sweating until I was at mile 3! 

A picture of me and Abbie from a week ago!

 

Every day it's a challenge to keep the fire burning. No one does it for me; it's a choice each and every day to make decisions that will either be beneficial for me or harmful. It's exhausting but each step I take in the right directions takes me towards where I want to be. I realize that the more weight I lose the less calories I can consume and the more I need to workout harder to burn more calories. I just remind myself that I can either throw in the towel or use it to wipe the sweat off of my brow (and neck, and arms, and armpits)!

Slow and Steady

This past week I have finally been able to start running again after being sidelined for 3 weeks! Unfortunately that means I have catching up to do...but it feels great to be able to move my body again! I know I didn't post a weigh-in this week...I started the school semester and that has been keeping me busy. I weighed in at 239 so that put me down another pound! I am hoping for 2 pounds this week since I've been back on track with my eating and exercising. 

Today I had my hill run. So I had 10 minute warm-up, then I ran for 1-minute uphill and walked downhill for 1-minute 6 times. Then I ran down after I made it to the top of the hill for a total of 3.14 miles! On top of the run I did 90 minutes of Zumba today with my sister Abbie. I'm really happy with the way that today went! If only every day I had the time to dedicate to working out this much! Tomorrow is cross training so once I get off work I will come home and workout on the elliptical and then lift weights! Here's my incline map from my run today!

I wish I had more time to write but it's off to bed I must go...I will write again as soon as I have the time!

Weigh In...almost a week late

Wednesday I weighed in at 240...I lost 1 pound this week and that one pound put me at a total of 80 pounds lost so far! Woot! I think this is the happiest I've ever been to see -1 on the scale. Slow motion is better than no motion which beats moving backwards...which trumps quitting! 

I'm starting to feel better now, thankfully! I haven't started running yet but I have taken a couple of "leisurely" walks this week and once I'm not coughing up crud I will start running. I just want to make sure that I don't pull everything further down into my chest making it last so much longer than it already will. Believe it or not I have actually missed my runs and cross-training days. I just want to be back to 100% and kick this bronchitis to the curb! :D I went swimming today and felt pretty good throughout the entire swim...so I'm hoping that means I'm close to being able to run! Plus I was even able to get dressed up for my sister's graduation party...so I would say I'm almost healed...

I am extremely excited that extreme makeover weight loss edition is back on TV...I'm out of date and have no DVR or TiVo so I have to wait until this weeks episode is posted online, which won't be until Tuesday I believe. Not only is the show motivating but I love watching the way that Chris Powell so lovingly and passionately cares for each and every individual. He truly desires for them to succeed and cares deeply about them and it is very touching for me to see that! More than that I love to watch the transformation that occurs within each person...their self-esteem increase, they start to love themselves, they set boundaries that were never in place before...the list goes on and on and I learn something new every show! Needless to say...I'm excited!

I found a wonderful quote this week that sums up how I have been feeling lately..so I will leave you all with it..."My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." - Maya Angelou