Made my 1 mile goal!

I made it!
Yesterday, I told myself I was going to run a mile - without stopping. I have never done that in my whole life - ever!
So, I started in Cherokee with a warm up of .2 miles, then walked .4, then ran some, walked some. Got to the crest of a hill by the bball courts and started running - knew it would have be a long time. I kept going with fast songs on the ipod.
I finally had to stop. I could see the turn off point to go back to my car, but I just needed to stop.
Got back to my car and drove the Cherokee Scenic loop. I noticed what I ran was exactly 1 mile. it was so exciting!
I just wanted to speed home to get my cell phone and change my fb status!
Next time there I must finish it (from the point I started running). I can do it. Next week I need to get in some Seneca time (its a shorter loop) b/c I'm housesitting and will be able to take the dog for a walk in the evening.
Tonight is cardio class...

Weight and Exercise: More than just a # issue

I love reading blogs. I read several where I don't even know the person who is writing it - but somewhere along the line someone I did know put something they wrote on their blog - and I linked to it as well.
This is one. I finally read it (its been in my starred items for a while now). Love it.
Exactly what I've said for a long time. That being overweight or never exercising is not just a number or food issue. It is a spiritual issue.
One book I love on this topic is Love to Eat, Hate to Eat by Elyse Fitzpatric. Good stuff.
Living life everyday in light of the gospel.

Help! Spring is Here!

Ah, spring - how I love thee. Longer hours to exercise outside, dark mornings (don't know how productive those are, but I like lighter evenings), fresh fruits, more produce stands, green veggies, budding flowers, travel.
All that to say...it seems like I've been snacking. In the winter I can easily dish out soups and chilis that are healthy and filling. But, cooking for one in the spring and summer and not eating salads every day is a bit challenging. So my weight is stagnant even with all this exercising because I'm more tempted to nibble.
I need some ideas for healthy eating for one, or just what to do to jump start the weight loss again!
Thanks!

Missed Running

This week I've been run down with a cold (no pun intended). So, my last 2 mile run was Tuesday. I've been so missing it.
Yesterday I was going to do a long run but it decided to rain - all day.
So, today - I went to Cherokee and went for a 2.6 mile run - 35 minutes. Definitely not great, but it felt great to be out there.
So, this week - pilates and running, pilates, running, running, running, running, day off.
My new priority and goal - UNC Wellness Sprint Triathlon - August 9. Everything is better in Carolina. But, first...a mini, 5k, and 2 10ks. Good things to do with some of my Uncle Sam comeback!

Goals...How to Set Them

On December 30, 2008 I decided I needed a goal for physical activity in 2009. Mine was to run a 5k. Great, I did that. It was so much fun. I had a blast, it was invigorating, I finished it under my time of 40 minutes (finished at 39 flat).
Now - what are my next goals?
This week...to run a mile without stopping. The farthest I've done is 5/6 of a mile. I'm not going to die if I run the last 2 laps around the gym. Then hopefully if the weather is nice to run 12.2 this weekend either Sat or Sunday - whichever day the weather is nicer.
April 25 - Derby Half Marathon - I just want to finish it under 3 hours. I would also like to be at my Pre-FL/Leaving NC weight - that means I have 4 lbs to go!
May 9 - I just found out about the ThrootheZoo 5k. I've never been to the Ville Zoo - I've heard its great. You get to run through the Zoo then stay for the zoo itself. That will be a fun thing to do. And I would have to finish that one under 39 minutes. Every 5k now has to be faster.
June 13 - there is a Hubers Park Race - that would be a lot of fun too - especially if I'm going to be up there anyway picking summer fruits!
July 4 - Don't know if I'm going to do the Bluegrass 10 miler or run one in IN with a friend. I don't know if I can make my goal weight by then - but I can push for it - from right now it would be 11 lbs.

So, those are my goals. Hopefully the weather this weekend will be nice

My First 5k! New Personal Record

It's done! My first 5k. The Anthem was a blast this morning. I was nervous, dreamed all night about different people I would see, what would go wrong, etc. Everything went great.
We got a great parking spot, getting through some of the course before they blocked off the roads, headed up and waited for a while. The weather was perfect - 55 at starting time. There was between 9-10k people.
All of us were jabbering and all of a sudden it got real quiet. Everyone started turning toward the stadium and heard the Star Spangled Banner being sung. Amazing how so many people complain about America, but they were still quiet when that song is sung - and clapped.
Sarah and I finally got to the starting line and crossed at about 8.07 and change. We ran about the first 8 minutes, then started out intervals. The first mile marker was great to see and spurred us on.
I have 2 Brooklyn Tab songs on my playlist that are about 5 minutes each - we pushed it and ran both of those. Finally the 2nd mile showed up - and we were so stoked about our time - about 23 for 2 miles - amazing. The last 1.1 was hard, slight incline, tired, getting much warmer (temperature and sweating) - but we pushed it.
We both finished a little under 39 we think. The exact time hasn't been posted yet to the website - so we are waiting. But, I still had music on my playlist and it is in the 39 minute range.
Racing is very addicting. I would love to go run another one. My next one is the Half Derby on April 25. The mini-marathon - 13.1 miles. I got new running shoes today - white and pink - to start training!

Good Housekeeping "Make Over Your Diet"

Right now I am working in the housing office, t-14 hours from my first 5k - the Anthem here in Louisville - the beginning race of the Triple Crown. I'll only be able to do 2 legs of the Triple crown this year because I'll be in B'ham for the Papa Johns 10 Miler.
Today I got to flip through some magazines my Mom brought up and I thought I would comment on this list found in a Good Housekeeping one.
Its called "Make Over Your Diet".
1. Transform breakfast. People always say eat breakfast. I have always been a breakfast eater. In K-12 it was usually Life cereal or Wheaties. My senior year it was a bowl of cereal and a 20 oz Mountain Dew from the Circle K down the street. College it was a bagel and a doughnut - no wonder I put on 20 lbs my freshman year. Post college it was a banana - not eating enough but losing weight. Then it got to be cereal again, this time Kashi, mini wheats, O's, something at least healthy with skim milk. I've experiemented with different things. Now, I eat a whole grain bagel (240 cal, 1 fat, 5 protein, 7 fiber) or something like that with natural peanut butter on it - and sometimes skim milk. Very tasty. And filling. The protein and grain carbs and fat from the peanut butter keep me full till lunch - although I usually snag a banana mid-morning. Eat breakfast. Find something that will keep you full. My Mom eats very little for breakfast and my Dad usually has a bowl of oatmeal.
2. Go for an oil change. The last time I had my oil changed at Wal-mart - it was 30$. Back in high school and college it was 15$. Good gracious! But, even with walmarts rising prices, I have to almost buy a more expensive oil for it to better for me. I have many oils in my house at the moment. I have vegetable oil - only for frying my chicken wings that I have a couple of times a year. I have canola oil - for baking mostly and homemade popcorn. I have EVOO for everything else. I have some specialty oils in my fridge especially for Asian cooking. Healthy fats can be found in olive oil and walnut oil - but they just may not be as inexpensive as generic vegetable oil.
3. Nibble a few nuts. I really do love nuts. I was down in Alabama this weekend and my cousin had a bag of fresh shelled pecans (I pronounce it puhkahns). They were so yummy - fresh is much better than frozen! I had some in my oatmeal. She gave me the whole bag - what a great gift. I have a bag of natural almonds in my car that I have in case I get hungry when traveling - or right after church when I know it will be a while till I eat lunch. They curb my appetite and are a great source of protein and other nutrients and healthy fats.
4. Add a fruit or vegetable to each meal. I am so excited that it is spring. I love fresh vegetables. My favorite fruit/veggie market reopens next Saturday and I have already made plans to go. They are cheaper and fresher than any grocery store around. There is also a neighborhood market that opens in May just down the street. Organic and local growers - its packed every Saturday. There is a huge family farm in Southern Indiana where I will go with a friend many times this summer and fall to get in on their goods.
5. Once this week - try fish. I love fish - I just don't try it once a week. I'm just lazy. I want fresh fish - because I am from FL. I want good fish - I don't want it fried and rubbery all the time. I love seared ahi tuna, sushi, shrimp (as long as it is not overcooked), salmon, canned tuna, etc. Mahi mahi is amazing, I love alligator tail. Fish is excellent for you for so many reasons.

So - this list is all about choices and little baby steps. Losing weight - I have found - is about choices and making wise ones most of the time. I won't say all the time because never having 2 thin mints when you aren't even hungry is that a good wise thing. But, I am not perfect. But, I don't make that a habit - because I want to continue to feel good about myself, fit into my small clothes and therefore expand my wardrobe, be able to run farther and faster, hold my pilates plank and side planks, and treat my body with the respect that God wants me to as He made it to glorify Himself.
What wise food or diet choices are you making this week (whether you need to lose weight or not)?