The 5k

Good morning friends!  This weeks McFatty Monday will be a bit different because again I am at the plateau that I can't get off of!  It is ok because it has been a stressful few weeks and I think I need to focus on something else and then the scale will move!  So because I did my first 5k on Saturday we will focus on that!

Saturday morning started off pretty chaotic.  I could not find anything I needed and was a hot mess!  I had to take a few minutes to remind myself I have run plenty of 5k races...just by myself!  I was not in it to win it, just in it to finish. 

Dave and I got to the race and prepped ourselves for the start.  We pinned on our numbers, put on our shoe sensors so they can track us and got lined up.  We showed up a the start about 5 minutes before race time so there was little waiting thank goodness!  I think the next race I do I will show up the same time!  It was a corral start so they line us up by mile times.  Dave and I lined up between the 9 to 10 minute mile group and the 12 and under/stroller group!  I did not want to get run over!

I realized as I lined up that this was awesome people watching. You had a person from every walk of life...old, young, baby, large, small, beginner, advanced, etc.  On that day we all joined together to be runners!

They played the National Anthem and then set off the siren and off we went!  The run was beautiful.  The weather was perfect and the neighborhood we went through was so pretty!  The only problems were the damn hills!  There were a ton on this run! 

I was making good time, at one mile I was at 11:30 and at two miles 22:30.  I thought I was on track to finish the 5k at 34:30 but then came those last few hills.  I tried my hardest but at around 2.5 miles I had to walk it off for a minute.  After 60 seconds I went back to jogging and pushed to the finish.  As I came up to the finish line I could see my David waiting for me!  I told him at the start that if he wanted to he could go ahead because he is faster.  I am happy I said this because he was front and center as I crossed the finish! 

As I came in the official clock said 35:30.  So like I figured a minute later then expected because of having to walk the hills.  But for a first time runner and racer I like to think this was a strong showing!  This was a great first race to show me what I need to improve on and that is my hill work!

I loved this race, everyone was so supportive.  The people that live in the neighborhood stood outside their homes and cheered as you ran by...it was so much fun!  And everyone cheered as you crossed the finish line.  It felt great!  And if you want to see a shot of me crossing the finish and looking good doing it check out the picture by Jennifer Romanowski! 

When I signed up for the race I set three goals.  They were:

1. Finish
2. Jog the entire time
3. Finish in under 40 minutes

Well, two out of three I will take!  Next time I will still have goal 1 and 2, but will change number 3 to come in under 35 minutes.  I will jog the entire time next time!

We already found a race for next time.  On July 9th there is a race near us we are going to do!  So this begins my training again!  Happy McFatty Monday and here's to hoping I see a loss next week!

I am having a McFatty kind of day

I think this morning I woke upon the wrong side of the bed...the fat side.  This will not be the normal McFatty Monday type of post.  I am not going to list my weekly progress or goals.  I just kind of want to crap out this week!

I am in a funk today.  Not about weight loss...about nothing in general.  I woke up on a plateau this morning...the same weight as last week...and I didn't really care.  I said FU to the scale and hopped in the shower.  I went on to have a pretty crappy day.  It was just that kind of a day.

I know all I really need is to go to sleep and have a relaxing evening.  So that is what I plan on doing.  I have a big week coming up so I am only allowing myself one crappy day, which was today.  Tomorrow I am back on track and pushing through this bad day funk!  I have my 5k on Saturday and I want to enjoy it.  So that is what I am going to do.

I hope everyone had a better Monday. 

Baby kisses and hugs

It is amazing how Nathan has the ability to make me want to send him away with the mailman one minute, but then the next minute he makes me want to cry.

This weekend was tough.  Nate put me through the ringer running me ragged.  He tore apart every nook of the first floor, threw tantrums, threw food, and made me want to pull my hair out.  By the time Dave came home from work this evening I told him to take the child away from me because I needed space.

And then he did two things that melted my heart.  The first happened when I lied down on the couch next to Dave when he sat down.  Nate walked up to me, bent over, and gave me a wet kiss on the lips while saying ahhh!  It was probably the sweetest thing I have ever experienced.  I didn't even ask for the kiss...he chose to do it because HE wanted to. 

Then an hour later...after some more throwing of food and tantrums I sat down on the couch to finally do some school work.  Nate walked up to me and wrapped his arms around me and gave me a big hug.

I always need to remember that when days get tough and I want to crawl in a hole and scream, that Nathan is my sweet and innocent baby that will always give me kisses and hugs.  No matter how hard of a day we have as long as he gives me those kisses and hugs my heart will be strong.  And as long as he keeps doing it I promise to not send him off with the mailman.

One Week

One week until race day!  I can't believe it is almost here.  When I started Couch to 5k 12 weeks ago I really wasn't sure if I would actually do a race.  I wanted to, and a few people didn't think I would follow through with it.  I love that I going to prove them wrong!  I am surprised I am not nervous.  I am also surprised that Dave is nervous!  The reason why I am surprised is because Dave runs.  He never had a problem with it.  Now he has in his mind that I am going to go too fast for him!  I find this to be really funny.  He has never seen me run so I don't think he realizes how pathetic I am and how fine he will be!

The plan this week is to run twice and cross train twice leaving Friday as a rest day.  I feel like I am ready though.  I am super excited and just want to do it.  The only thing I am really worried about is the crowd.  Hopefully I don't fall!  My plan is to start 3/4 of the way back and let the rush go so I can move at a good pace for me.

My goals for this race are:

1. Finish
2. Jog the entire 3.1 miles
3. Come in under 40 minutes

The last one I am pretty sure I can do even if I walk a bit.  On my Friday run I had to walk 2 of the 5 km because my allergies were so bad it messed with my breathing and I still came in right at 40 minutes.  So I am fairly certain number 1 and 3 are in the bag, but I don't want to get ahead of myself because who knows what the pollen will do to me that day!

On a side note I started using the new OTC Allegra 24 hours and I have to say within 20 minutes of taking it I felt awesome!  When I woke up this morning I felt like crap from allergies, but after taking the medicine it was a major difference!

So on that note it is time to relax and prepare myself!  I can't wait to update everyone on what happens!  I will be sure to get some pictures for you all to see!

I think I need a big hat and some tea

Unfortunately I don't have either.  But I need them because I have Royal wedding fever!  Am I the only one?  I read somewhere recently that the majority of the US population does not care about the royal wedding.  I find that hard to believe because TLC has been running royal wedding shows for weeks now!

But to be honest...I don't care what everyone else thinks because I love it!  I have my DVR pre-set to 5 am on Friday to catch every bit of it.  I asked the ladies at work if they wanted to wear hats that day to get into the spirit...they laughed.  I don't know if it was with me or at me...

I have decided I can't get enough and will be sad when it is over.  I guess I will just have to relive it by watching the wedding over and over, and watching the William & Kate movie on Lifetime that I have saved on my DVR!

I can't help this obsession I have.  I can remember being 15 with my best friend cutting pictures of William out of teeny bopper magazines because of how cute he was.  I still think he is super adorable and so is Kate.  I can't wait to see them get married! 

Bring it on royal wedding week!

Whatever happens is ok!

Wow...this has been a busy week.  I wanted to post more but just did not have enough time!  I hope to be on a bit more soon but with the holiday this week and daycare being closed a couple days I was working an odd schedule giving me little time do do even my schoolwork!  Hopefully things will calm down now and I can do some posting about stuff besides my weight loss!  But because today is McFatty Monday, and I made a promise to myself to keep posting until I reach my goal, you can be sure I will keep up with this!

Just as it was hard this week to keep up with everything else in my life, it was just as hard to keep up with my plan.  I made sure to run every other day to keep up with my 5k training, and I did well for most meals, but some days I just did what I wanted.  This is what happened yesterday!

At one point this week I was down to 174.8 and I was so excited, but knew it would not last to today.  And I was right!  I am ok with it because I had a great Easter meal that was totally worth it!  We went to an Easter barbecue that had steamed crabs, burgers, hot dogs, and all the good sides.  Like I said I was mostly good all week, and I ran 3.34 miles yesterday morning so I felt ok about it!  But because of it I had to accept a way lower weight loss number this week.  It is ok because I will come back strong next week!

Starting weight: 200.8 lbs
Last week: 176.0 lbs
This week: 175.4 lbs
Loss (gain) this week: -0.6 lbs
Total loss: 25.2 lbs

I will take 0.6!  I think we all have to realize that not every week is going to be a big one and that is ok!  I think I am starting to see an ok theme today!

On a side but completely related note I am only 12 days away from my first 5k!  I have been training hard and I am feeling really great.  I have increased my speed and distance since completing the Couch to 5k so I really think I am going to do well!  Yesterday I did my own 5k around my town and managed to finish in 34 1/2 minutes!  My goal for the race was under 40 minutes and to run the whole time and I am fairly certain that will happen.  I have about 5 more runs to get in before the race so I can get my endurance up.  I am so excited to race and plan on signing up for many more after this one!

If you are looking for a plan to help you jump start your exercise I feel that the c25k is the plan.  I was not a runner at all, but after I started week 1 day 1 I needed to keep going.  Now I love to run (maybe not the last 1 km) and get angry if I can't find time to do it.  I am seriously considering picking up one of those jogging strollers so I can get out on the weekends with Nate.  I think he would love it!

I hope everyone is doing well on their journeys!  I love to read them each week!  Have a great McFatty Monday!

McFatty Monday-Three months down!

Another week another McFatty Monday.  This weekend was a great one with activities and eating and I enjoyed every minute of it.  And in the end when I weighed myself this morning I somehow managed to come in with a loss!

I did this weekend the only way I knew how, I ate out with my family, went to Pork in the Park, but I also stayed active by walking 5 miles on Sunday, and by walking a lot the rest of the weekend. 

The proof is in the numbers!
Starting weight: 200.8 lbs
Last week: 177.6 lbs
This week: 176.0 lbs
Loss (gain) this week: -1.6 lbs
Total loss: 24.8 lbs!!

I am feeling really great.  This time last year I tried  to avoid the pictures at all costs.  I compare last year's March for Babies to this year and it is an amazing change that I needed to make!  Take a look!

I can't wait to see what I will look like next year!  Oh and I totally have to shout out to my husband who has also lost an amazing 24 lbs!  He looks great!  Happy McFatty Monday!