fat lady runs …

I am not a natural born runner. Nor have I ever had any formal training. And I’m slow. Er, than molasses. I’ve run a 5k, a 10k, and a half marathon, and I love races. They’re fun. And although I read a lot of running blogs and I have a subscription to Runner’s World, I don’t really know that much about running. I hear things like splits, negative splits, tempo runs, race pace, etc. and I’m still a little confused. But I’m learning. Just yesterday I was reading about Emily’s (at Sweat Once A Day) goals for an upcoming race and so I did some investigating into what a tempo run was. Again, I’m a newb. But apparently, I’m not the only one. I found this article that explained it quite nicely.

For today’s workout, I thought I’d try to do a “tempo” run at the gym. At first I thought, I’ll do three 10-minute miles. Yes, 10 minutes would be tempo for me right now. Then, I knocked the crazy out of my head and went for doing two 10-minute miles. Still tough, for me, but definitely more realistic.

So, I channeled my inner pirate, and off I went to the gym …

AARRGH!!

AND I DID IT!!! I ran without stopping for a WHOLE mile at a 10-minute pace. I took a one-minute walk break, and then I did ANOTHER mile at a 10-minute pace. I thought I might just need to quit after that but I still felt good so I ran another mile at an 11:000-minute pace.

Bettawatchout, next race I may just have to get in this line …

My husband replaced the battery on my scale for me, so I finally weighed myself this morning. And low and behold, I did just as well on The Harcombe Diet this time as I did before, which I am happy about. By no means am I drinking any Hater-ade or anything and I feel better already, but I’m not getting overly excited about it either. Yet. Why? Because I’ve been here before …

Beginning of Day 8.

The problem last time when I tried THD was that I initially lost 10 pounds, but then I failed on phase 2. Phase 2 gives you more freedom than phase 1, but you aren’t really supposed to start cheating until phase 3. I cheated early. (We went on vacation. Bad timing!) Right now, I’m on Day 3 of phase 2 and so far, so good. I’m enjoying the flexibility and being able to add things like cheese and fruit.

One egg, two egg whites with feta cheese scrambled and two pieces of ham.

Today for lunch I baked a potato and made some vegetarian chili to put over it with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt. YUM!

I was craving something a little sweet after so I had a bowl of fresh strawberries topped with a little more Greek yogurt. This diet is really lovely in terms of eating good food and not feeling hungry at all. There’s a little cooking involved, which isn’t bad, especially if you have someone to help you do the dishes.

One of the things I really, REALLY dig about THD is the fact that I’m not having to count anything, points, calories, anything. I’m following the diet’s basic guidelines and eating good, healthy food and the weight is coming off. This is basically what I’ve been doing. First thing in the morning I drink a cup of hot water with a tablespoon of Lakewood Organic Fresh Pressed Lemon Juice. While I’m drinking that, I make some bacon in my toaster oven. I never use my microwave to cook bacon anymore. It’s so easy in the toaster oven, comes out perfectly, and is better for you. While the bacon’s cooking, I make myself an omelette, 1-2 eggs and a few egg whites. And I make a cup of Kaffree Roma Roasted Grain Beverage to kinda make like I’m having a cup of coffee. But for the first seven days on this diet, I had bacon and eggs for breakfast and I STILL lost 10 pounds. I won’t do that every morning from now on, but still.

LOVE my toaster oven!!

Lunch has varied between soup and salad or a grilled chicken breast with some roasted veggies. Simple. Same thing with dinner. I’ve had shrimp salad, or steak and veggies. On Saturday for lunch I had some brown rice pasta and Brussels sprouts since I was doing my long run that evening. That was the best long run I’ve had so far by the way! My legs are still a little sore so today I did a yoga class at the gym. Nice stretch.

Overall, I’m real happy with what’s going on with this diet. We’ll work on hair and makeup later!

And we’ll see how the next seven days go …

I started on Monday, yet another attempt to shed 40+ pounds I’ve been carrying around for … WAY to long. But what have I been doing all week? Well, first, some before pictures.

So this ⇓ weight … looks like that –> ➘.   Lovely, I know.  But, hey, at least I’m a PROUD American!

First, let me say, I have a lot of books in general, but diet and cook books in particular. Following are just a few. So, I decided to try something that I had relative success with last summer.

So, not kidding about the number of books I own.

The one diet that has worked fairly well for me once and the one I’ve been following all week is The Harcombe Diet. It appeals to me on several levels. And not on other levels. But I AM shedding a few pounds. Not sure exactly how many because today, after following the diet for five days (the first phase of the diet), my scale went all this on me …

Seriously?!

But on Thursday (day 4), just for kicks, I stepped on the scale fully clothed in the a.m. and it did read 159. I had kinda wanted to see if another day was gonna be worth it and when I saw that … done deal. So the battery thing didn’t really bother me too badly.

Because 159ish is looking like this …

Tiny bit better!

I’ve also been doing my running and working out at the gym. So far it’s just been treadmill and elliptical machine at the gym and my neighborhood outdoor runs. Boor-ing! I really need a strength training program, but baby steps!! At least I’m running!

And my diet has looked pretty much like this all week!

Breakfast

Crispy bacon and 1 egg, 2 egg whites omelette with some kind of veggies; oh, and a little hot sauce.

Lunch

Broiled Turkey Breast, Red Pepper Soup with a dollop of Greek yogurt, and Broccoli

Dinner

Seared Chicken Breast with Roasted Zucchini and Squash with a dollop of Greek Yogurt.

So, shabang … not a bad week. And you know what … I’m actually enjoying it! Because, this just feels right. It’s a “diet,” per se. But I’m not depriving myself. At all. I’m eating healthy foods and I feel good!! Today I did my long run (training for my first marathon), 10 miles, and it was awesome! Totally awesome! I am sore so good!!

If you happen to pass across my internet space, join me. Either follow me and watch my transformation or, if you are in need of shedding some pounds too, chime in. I’d love to meet you.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

So, today I begin. I mean really, really begin. I started taking running seriously, well kinda seriously, last summer when my friend encouraged me to take it up as a means to lose weight. I am STILL trying to shed 40 pounds.

Yes, my runner/coach/friend is the really tiny one in the middle.

 ”Sign up for some races,” said she.  So I did.

S.A.V.E. Family Fun Run 5k July 30, 2011. Dress like your favorite super hero. Wonder Woman, Thor (not his favorite, only thing we could find), The Hulk, and What was my husband? White T-shirt guy?

AN.Y.WAY …

Run Chikin Run 10k September 3, 2011

Racing is a little bit fun. And addicting …

St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon December 3, 2011

HEY, you just raised over $500 and ran 13.1 miles for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, what are you gonna do NOW? I’m going to Disney World. I’m going to try to choke myself with my medal. Yea, I was a lil’ bit excited about my first half marathon and that really cool medal. What can I say? I’m a dork.

And here’s the deal. Please don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean any offense to anybody by the term “fat lady.” I realize fat is relative. Seriously, I totally know I’m not this lady.

But when you look like this …

And you used to look like this …

It’s hard (for ME at least) not to be just a tad discouraged. Especially when weight has NEVER been an issue. Ever.

I suppose having all these children …

could have had something to do with it.

Kidding. Those kids aren’t ALL mine. C’mon …

Just these. I especially claim the one that would NOT look into the camera.

Soooo, this blog that I started LAST June, and have been writing (in my head), is going to help keep me accountable, in theory anyway. I’m finally ready to get super serious, which is why I’m FINALLY putting it out there. I sure hope to meet some new friends along the way who will help encourage, motivate, yell at me, whatever. Yelling only if necessary. Please.

In one of my favorite songs, a wise, wise man once said, “Life’s a journey, not a destination. And I just can’t tell just what tomorrow brings.” I hope you’ll join me here on my journey. It starts NOW. Yea, it Feels Like Today. <— Another one of my favorites!