Miracles do happen

I was just a bit anxious about weighing in this week. I've been off of the amoxicillin for 2 weeks now, and it was time to get back in there. I know I was doing better with my weight by the way I felt on Monday, and the two outdoor runs this week really put the nails in the coffin.  This is the jump I needed to get that marathon training underway next week. I'm so excited to start this journey!

All I have to do is survive a few days at my brother-in-laws and his wife's place. It is always an eat and drink fest. But I'm not drinking, and that means I should be able to control my eating.

It will be 30 degrees warmer than it is at home and I'm looking forward to a long, early morning run on Sunday. I'll be on runmeter and dailymile if you want to find me!

Sorry about the low-lighting in the photo. It was 6am. I don't even think I turned the light on. LOL! I had to enhance this just so you could see it!

Did you weigh in today?

Friday Weigh In

I'll be honest. I didn't forget to weigh in last week. I was just afraid to step on the scale. I was actually very good, up until Christmas Day. Just the act of doing almost nothing was enough to send me into 'eat until I barf' mode for an entire 12 hours. And not just eating, but drinking. Since I missed most of the Christmas Eve festivities (because I was cooking, preparing, cleaning, wrapping, last minute stuff), I felt the need to partake in the alcohol as well on Christmas Day. None of this helped the situation. So, I conveniently missed my weigh in.

I was good with my workouts, however. And I did keep up with my runs. I did NOT want to go into that Polar Dash without that backup. But still, I felt a little puffy.

I was even hesitant about getting on the scale today. I think it took me until the 29th to get back on track and clean out all the crap from the kitchen. You know the crap I'm talking about...the crap you pick at every time you pass the kitchen. By Saturday night, it was time to toss it all. And I did! Every last nugget.

So, I was pleasantly surprised to see today's number. It will be easy to get back down within the next few weeks. And since I have now officially signed up for my first marathon, I have a bit of work to do to get that number down and keep it down. I've decided to just use Runmeter's Marathon Training program. It is a 20-week program, so counting back from June 22, means starting day is February 3. I think this will be perfect!

The temperatures are warming this week. I'm excited to get out there! I did P90X Plyometrics yesterday. My calves are screaming. With that and Legs and Back today, it will be interesting to see if I can even walk tomorrow. But I'm hopeful!

Did you weigh in today?

Friday Weigh In

There is nothing quite like a stomach virus to jump start the weight loss program. It is almost an unfair advantage that you paid dearly for. I still feel like crap, pretty much.

Still and all, I managed a 90-minute treadmill walk this morning, and the hubby and I did P90X Legs and Back. I'll find out how hard I worked tomorrow afternoon sometime.

I was hoping to run outdoors tomorrow. It is still a possibility, depending on the temperature. I'm in no hurry, so I could wait it out until the temperature is somewhat respectable. Or, I may wait until Sunday.

Weigh In Day

I'm giddy. Positively giddy!

Everything I did this week must have clicked because as soon as Sunday, I started feeling lighter. It's funny that you can see a pound or two. I just had a feeling I was going to have a good weigh in experience this week.

What did I do differently? Well, P90X started up again. That resistance exercise when combined with a good running program really is a great metabolism booster. I have learned in all my years of so-so exercising that it is the combination of the two that brings results. You can just expect to run, or just lift weights. It has to be a smart combination of both. My husband and I don't follow a strict P90X regimen because he is a bit older than I and he has more physical restrictions for some of the workouts. So, I've learned to work around him, and design my own system, that in the past year, has worked very well.

I also did a few other different things this week. I laid off the alcohol. That doesn't mean I had none, it just means I had just one drink instead of two or three on Friday night, and I didn't have my Wednesday night semi-date night glass of wine. I also doubled my fluid intake this week mainly through hot green tea, and I laid off the after dinner chocolate. My meals were all salad and vegetable based with just a spoonful of protein and my breakfasts were carb loaded.

My running/walking stayed about the same. Although, the temperatures are colder, and I find that my calorie burn is higher when it is colder out.

I think I have hit upon something this week. For now on it is all about defining and refining and finding the prefect prescription to staying right where I am!

Also, I need a pedicure.

Weigh In Day.

Personally, I don't like doing this. But according to the book I'm reading about running nutrition, I should be weighing myself at least once a week. So, I announce Friday to be weigh-in day. It follows Thursday, which I typically try to make my long run day, and it precedes the weekend. Normally, I'd dread Monday and getting on the scale, but now since my eating is under control, and I don't over indulge in the weekend cocktails anymore, it shouldn't scare me that much. Still and all, Friday is a good day because it sets my up for my weekend activities and will dictate what I can and cannot do, or should do, as far as a workout goes.

I also bought an Ormon Body Fat Tester. This the one they recommended in the book I am reading. I have been wanting to get my body fact checked for a few years now. And, I still intend to. But this is good for a rough estimate. If you had asked me cold what my body fat percentage was, I'd have answered 16%. But that is more like a goal percentage. I wish it were that low. According to my Ormon, I'm checking in at 18.5%. It seems that 2 more percentage points shouldn't be too hard to hit.

My weight? 117.8. I'm happy with that number this week. Late last year I contracted an awful stomach virus. Because of it I dropped almost 5 pounds. I was at the lightest weight I had been in years at 114. By the time the New Prague half marathon rolled around in May, I was able to keep my weight between 115 and 116. I truly believe that I ran that race at the pace that I did because of my weight. I have not been able to match it since, and I have gained a solid 2 pounds. Again, I know it doesn't sound like much, but when you are small to begin with, it is quite a significant percentage.

According to Matt Fitzgerald, author of  Runner's World Performance Nutrition for Runners: How to Fuel Your Body for Stronger Workouts, Faster Recovery, and Your Best Race Times Ever "..the addition of 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight was shown to increase the energy cost of running by 3.5 percent. This loss of economy would turn a 40-minute 10k runner into a 41:28 10k runner." Again, doesn't seem like a lot, but double it for a half marathon, and it explains some of the differences I had in the half marathons I ran this year.

Now, perhaps I'm being a bit anal about this. After all, running is about the run. And I do enjoy "the run". But with the run I am achieving peace, serenity and the love of the run. But I like to have something to reach for. Not only do I want to run a marathon in 2013, but I'd love to beat my New Prague half marathon time. This is going to mean better nutrition, fueling, and watching the body weight.

Now you know why I'm weighing myself once a week.

It's also going to mean recording what I eat, so I'll be returning to My Fitness Pal for that, starting tomorrow. I'd like to attempt to get back to 116 and try running a few 10k's this winter, just to see what the difference is between now and being at the lower weight. But, the key will be getting the proper nutrition in and losing that weight at the same time, while allowing myself enough calories to maintain my highly energetic lifestyle.

I'll keep you updated!