My weight loss journey

I've lost weight. 15-20 pounds maybe. Doesn't seem like much; but it is. Here's my take on it.
 Starting last June, we decided no more fast food. We've stuck to that rule. I can't wait to celebrate the 1 year mark next month!
 In January, we decided we were going to exercise more and move towards cleaner eating. It has been a challenge at times. I've tested myself more than once. Even caved a time or two. I am happy to say that 4 months later I feel like I have control.
 One of the things to cut was coffee creamer. I was a sucker for loading my coffee with that stuff. I wouldn't add sugar, just a ton of creamer. I slowly started cutting back the amount. Fireman cut it cold turkey and never looked back.  One morning I woke and said when I run out of this creamer, that's it. No more. It was hard drinking coffee black that first week. I survived. Now it's not bad at all. Even when I hit up Starbucks, I get a black ice coffee. I do ask for sugar, as a treat to myself that I don't need a whipped cream latte.
 The next thing to go was soda. I'll admit. I loved my Pepsi. LOVED. We have never stocked soda in the home. We would get at a restaurant or while out and about. Regardless, it was still soda, still very bad for one's self.  February was the last time I had a soda. I've craved it and when I was having a stressful day I really wanted it because sugar and junk fixes everything. Right? Now that it has been a few months I am okay and Pepsi doesn't come to my mind. Truth is, I don't miss it at all. I am so happy I gave it up.
 The next thing we've pretty much cut out all together is processed foods. We still have a little ways to go with it, but a chunk is gone. I read all labels on the things we buy now. I only buy my fruit / veggies from the local produce stand. We eat so much better.

 With doing those few things, along with of course running. I have lost weight. I didn't even realize until my clothes were practically falling off and my belts were to big to help. I was a 7/9 and now I am a size 2/3.  Unreal! I have never been that small. Not even in high school. My wedding rings are huge on me. It's amazing what a healthy diet and some running will do.
 Since I was only running, I do have some flab and I have started back at the gym to tone some of this; (I hope).  I rather run then weight train, I have to remind myself that cross training is good. The end results will so be worth it. I can do this!
 Last, I am still unsure of how to respond to people who comment on my weight loss. Some just say nice things. But there is always that person or two, that make odd comments, Like "don't lose to much weight" or "you're going to waste away". I have been just smiling and laughing, but really I want to tell them to fly a kite or this is what being healthy is. How do you handle weight loss questions and comments?
Bottom line is I am healthy, happy and proud of myself!

Zumba say what? And the Gym!

I had a run plan for yesterday (Wednesday), but good ol' Florida weather had other plans. It started to down pour as I was headed out the door with my sis-n-law.  Sis-n-law decided to drag to me to zumba on a whim! Why? Because she knows I don't zumba. I'm a little clumsy. Okay maybe more than a little. I've never tried it and was freaking out. The class was small; (thank goodness).  I was lost and all sorts of backwards most of the time. I did it though! I didn't quit. I stuck it through. One full hour of arms flapping everywhere and feet going every which way. The music was great so maybe, just  maybe I'll attempt it again.
Here is our after zumba picture.

Tonight, the weather was bad. Lots of lightning so it forced Fabulous and I back to the gym. I haven't used my membership in almost a year. Before I got my mojo for running back, I grew to hate the gym and avoided it. However, that is behind me! Fabulous only wanted to run, I said nope lets do this! We biked, used weights, had a few laughs and then hoped on the dreaded treadmill. I am an outdoor runner. The treadmill bores me!! But I did my mile and got it done. That's what matters. I am already feeling the burn in my legs! How I have missed it!! Plus I weighed myself and dropped a few more pounds. 

While I can ramble on, I won't. My story tonight is one of which reminds me that I can do this. I can try new types of workouts and not be afraid of going to the gym. I can push myself to do what I haven't done before. I am determined. I am motivated. Most of all, I am happy. 

Short Runs count..right?

I ran today. One mile. That so counts. Right?
 Fireman has been working double and I have had lots going on, trying to fit a run in has been challenging. Not today. This morning my son had a baseball game. He had to be there 30 minutes prior to game for warm-up. I took advantage of this and decided to run during this time. I loaded up the baby in the jogger and had my older daughter run with me. It was a quick little run.
Although, I was a little upset that I couldn't keep going. Is that wrong? I can't be the only mom wanting to keep running in sunny Florida with temps hitting the 80's right??
I guess that what determination is all about. Getting a run in, no matter what.

Run Down

This fire wife here hasn't ran this week. BOO! Between his schedule and me getting a stomach bug I haven't done much of anything. The house is a mess. I just want to run, but don't want to over do it. I need to get better and to feel better. I can't stand being ill, it throws my running off.  I finally feel like running 3 to 4 miles is easy peasy, then get sick, it knocks me back down. Very frustrating!
I have a color run 5k on Saturday with my sisnlaw and her bridal party.  I am very excited for a fun run! (Fingers crossed that I am 100% better). Sisnlaw made shirts and all! She's crafty like that! Me, not so much. I can't wait to rock these shirts.  How many of you prefer making outfits for runs?

Super cute shirts huh?! I think so!! I'll be sure to post more pictures after Saturday's race. Stay tuned! 

Another Transformation Tuesday

Today's Transformation is on my sisnlaw. We run together often and I am very proud of how far she has come. Here is her story.

Had my daughter in 2007 via Emergency c-section. Had a hard time getting into the work out groove.....that recovery was no fun!!! Pic was Halloween 2008, I was back to pre-pregnancy weight 136 but did not have any motivation for any exercise. In 2010, I started doing Zumba classes (which I love) and joined a "C25k group at my school. I could not run, the first 30 seconds just about killed me........ With motivation, determination and a wonderful support group, I finished the 8 week training course and finished my first 5k without "walking"!!!! I was extremely proud.... I had lost 10 lbs and felt great!!! I continued to complete different 5k's in our area. Late 2011 found out I was pregnant and decided to take a break from "running" to be on the safe side but continued Zumba classes up until 37 weeks..... After my daughter was born I had the desire to run but couldn't find the time or motivation to follow through.. After many failed attempts the future hubby....... Proposed!!!!! Yes after 8 years we are now planning a wedding!! So You know what that means----- workout time!!! Since January I will say I have devoted my "free time" to trying to run... This last month I completed my first 10k (bottom picture 120 lbs) with great time and have signed up for my first half marathon at Disney!!! I'm proud to say we are now eating healthy, passing the love for running on to family and friends and we will have a pretty smoking hot bridal party!!!! I love the journey I'm on and I'm extremely excited for what the future holds.

She looks amazing!! I love seeing how just a change in eating habits and exercising can transform someone. No diet pills needed here!! 

Running Fire Wife Problems

Today was a run day. A crappy run day. But a run day.

My fireman came home from the station this morning. Yesterday he had a day of training in full on bunker gear. While drinking my coffee, I assumed that he is not going to be up for a run and that I'll be on my own. YES!!! Except fireman tells me he wants to go for a run. (wishful thinking gone right out the window).

We get to the high school track and my fireman decides he is going to push the jogger so I can get some running in without the extra baggage. How thoughtful, until the wind hit me like a ton of bricks! I felt like I was running in slow motion going nowhere. After 2 laps in my calves were on fire and I still felt like I was making zero progress. Just when I thought this run couldn't get any worse, Fireman passes me up with the jogger. What?! How?! I silently cursed myself. How is it that he can work a 24 hour shift; complete a training exercise and still run with the jogging stroller and pass me?!? Not cool. Not at all.  Running fire wife problem #1

We switched off for a few laps; I felt like quitting. The wind was not kind to me or my calves that were still screaming as I pushed through mile 2. Fireman decided to take the jogger back and do a cool down. Must be nice to finish a run in amazing time and not look like he was dying. Running fire wife problem #2

Working on mile 3 I started to feel much better. Good song came on I got my vibe back. I needed it. Thank goodness for music. Good music. Calves stopped aching so bad and I pushed through the wind. Just as I was finishing my last lap I assumed this was going to be my worst timing ever; The little Nike guy comes through my headphones to tell me I did 3 miles in 36:13 minutes with a pace of 11:58 per mile! I broke my record! I DID IT!!! Best time ever!

I nearly gave up this run. It was not a happy run, not with my fireman running past me like it was nothing. I did it. I finished it.

This crappy run taught me 2 things.

Not all runs are good runs.

Suck it up and run on.

Right Here, Right Now.

I am determined to do a half marathon. I want to love running. I have started back up and to date my distance is up to about 4.5 miles. Go me. I'll get there. I know it. While some days it is still a challenge with the fire schedule, I am determined to work out the kinks and get this running thing down! No more excuses! I bought a jogging stroller from the local consignment store. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or expensive. I am still adjusting to the extra weight of it and I enjoy running with a fixed wheel. (now to remind myself to lock it before I start my run). I drag all 3 kids along. My 2 older children run with me. No excuses! The jogger is a must have! I do still enjoy my alone runs, which I get when the hubs is home; however, I need to be able to go anytime. 

I ran yesterday. Today is a rest day. Tomorrow is a run day and I am happy to say I can't wait to get out and run. 

The Wall I Hit

In my last blog, I gave you a little background on my start in running. It hasn't been easy over the past few years. In 2012 I got pregnant (and still ran a 5K)! Not long after that 5K I gave up running for the rest of my pregnancy. I still have mixed feelings about giving it up. I had terrible morning sickness and zero energy; still sometimes I wish I had pushed myself to do a little running. My daughter arrived and I was excited to get back into running and working out. I rejoined my gym and sadly to date have only been maybe 5 times. I didn't have to drive to work out or go for a run. I went here and there with my friends. But not regularly like I had before my pregnancy. My fabulous girlfriend (yup same one who talked me into my first 5K), talked me into doing a 5K color run. I said sure it'll be fun. It was a lot of fun, but again I did lots of walking. I was very out of shape. After that race, I didn't keep up with my running. I found myself making excuses not to go. It was like I hit a wall full speed and had no drive to fix it. Then my husband signed us up for an obstacle 5K full of mud and military type challenges. Again, my girlfriend was doing it as well. I was in panic mode! My baby was only 6 months old, I hadn't worked out or ran or trained for anything other than becoming a pro at nursing my baby! So many times I begged to back out. To find someone to take my spot. Nope. Not one person wanted my spot. The day came, I was sick to my stomach but held a poker face. Yup I'm good like that, show no fear!! We started off and I must say I laughed the entire way through the mud pits. It was challenging and I ended up in mud pits more than I was on track. However, I finished! I did it! I was so proud of myself. But like all good things, I stopped running again. Another block in the road to running.

I had pretty much given up on running. I had no desire and while Fabulous went on the run a 10K and half marathons, I sat there okay with not running. What on earth was wrong with me?! I would tell myself I love running, but had grown to hate it. Being a fire wife, I am without my soul mate often. I found juggling 3 kids was tricky and that there was no time to run. When he was home, I was to exhausted to want to go run. Excuse after excuse. Then that all changed.

Jan. 12, 2014. I arrived at Magic Kingdom at 4:30 am. Stood in the cold with other spectators waiting for fabulous and another friend to run through in the following hours. It was  Walt Disney World's Marathon Weekend. My best friend, Fabulous was going to run 26 point freaking 2 miles!! I was so anxious to see her run by. While waiting I saw the first wheelchair contestants come through, I shed tears for them. It was such an experience to see such a thing! Then the runners began to filter through. It was surreal. An awaking that I needed. Then, there she was running, my  Fabulous!  Tears of joy instantly fell. I cried like a baby seeing her. No joke. Not even going to try to lie; (the photos hold the proof).  I cried. I was so excited and happy for her! She kept on and I bounced on the monorail to go to the finish line. A few hours later she came through (thank goodness for sunglasses) I'm just saying! She did it! 26.2 miles! It was an amazing thing to witness. Unbelievable. It was just what I needed to knock that block over. 

I told her I was making it a goal to do a half marathon. I  needed to start training. It wasn't an easy start back up, having to go around my husband's fire schedule. I could only go certain days and not having a jogging stroller to throw my now 1 year old in was keeping me back.  I was determined. I am determined.