Day 21

Ok... I have to admit. I almost didn't post today because I was so embarrassed. I have not exercised at all for a whole week. That's not to say I was a lazy bum this past weekend. But my plans to run and ride my bike went down the drain pretty fast. I don't remember the excuse I was going to use for Friday. But I didn't do anything then. And on Saturday it was storming right up until I had to start getting ready for my birthday party. I played a pretty intense game of badminton though. No big deal. And on Sunday I did A LOT of walking. I know- it's not the same.

It was seriously the best birthday celebration ever. Starting on Thursday, ending on Sunday. A couple spurts of work in between, but that didn't get me down. I can't believe how great my friends are! I loved spending time with them. This birthday might have topped my birthday in Colorado. I'll reevaluate in a month or so. ;)

Anyway, I'm working late tonight, so I won't be getting home until about 8:30. I'm gonna be tired, but I really need to run! Curse this stupid blog for helping me stay accountable!!

Day 18

Hi friends! (all three of you...) Haven't updated this since Tuesday for a couple reasons. Tuesday night I went back to camp and spent the night. I didn't have to work on Wednesday (oh...Happy Independence Day!), so I was able to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. I went home during the morning and slept (cuz I could) and got ready for the day, then went back to camp until after midnight. It's such a special place, and I didn't realize how much I missed it until just recently. Love it there.

Yesterday, July 5, was my 22nd birthday. :) I didn't do anything too special. I had to work, and then I just spent the evening with my parents. But it was such a great birthday. My mom got me a Pandora bracelet, and my dad got me a pink ukulele! Even though the celebration was pretty low key, it was definitely my second favorite birthday of all time. (First favorite was my 20th birthday in Colorado. My friends that I worked with at another camp tried so hard to make it super special for me, and I just remember laughing all day.) Pizza for dinner- yum!!!! My mom also made me rainbow cupcakes!!

It was such a great day! I got a call from my oldest brother and I got to talk to my little nieces! And tomorrow night I'm having a bunch of friends over for a bbq. Then after that, my friend, Steven, says he has a surprise for me! Pretty excitied!!

Oh right. This blog is about running and being healthy and stuff. Hmm. About that.....this week has not been so great on the exercise front. I ran Monday, and that's it. While I was at camp I walked ALL over and up and down hills and was sweating like crazy, but no running. I know! So bad! But not only was it a holiday week, it was also my birthday. So, I'm not beating myself up over it. I've eaten a lot more than I normally do...and not healthy stuff. But again, not beating myself up. It happens. Life happens. But I won't let that define how this adventure is going to turn out. My mom also got me biking pants, workout shorts, and another workout shirt. So I really have no excuses to get back into it. I don't know if I'll run tonight, but I will at least ride my bike. Either way tomorrow I will definitely run.

Day 15

Last night I ran more than I've run in a long time! Still did the two-mile route, but I actually ran almost all of it (about 1 1/2 miles). I couldn't believe it. I've never stuck with a running program long enough for it to become easier. I mean, I knew that's just how it works. I've just never personally experienced it. This is definitely enough motivation to stick with it!

However talking with my mom last night, I came to the realization that a two-mile run is less than a 5k. I honestly already did know that, but I understood it in a different way last night. I knew I couldn't just jump into something like a 5k after doing nothing. My goal is to go around the big block twice (four miles), running the majority of the way, by the middle of August. I can do it. I know I can. This is more exciting than I thought it would be. Go me!

Day 14

Another full weekend! Friday was pretty low key, but I was sooooo tired when I got home. I had pretty much decided that I wasn't going to run that night. It was hot; I was tired; Our town was having their 4th of July celebrations so there was a ton of traffice (well....for a small town); It was getting dark. I had a million excuses reasons. So I was watching tv with my dad, and he switched it to the track and field qualification races for the Olympics. Five minutes. That's all it took of watching the race for me to realize I was being a lazy bum. I sucked it up and I went running. I'm so glad I did it. It. Felt. AWESOME. When I got back my dog was being all whiney cuz I didn't take her with me, so I took her over to a field (same field where my parents' picnic was) and let her run. While she was running I did yoga. *deep sigh* It was a great night.

Saturday....I didn't ride my bike. I know. I know. I'm really slacking on the bike-riding. I did yoga, but no cardio. I helped decorate my church's float for the parade, then I went to see a play (Lend Me a Tenor) with my friend, Emily. It was cute, but I was expecting more music.

Sunday is my day of rest anyway, so I never plan to exercise. I tried to take a nap in the sun, but it was too hot. So I just tanned. Mmmmm. It was nice. Pretty good weekend, and I'm looking forward to a break half-way through the week. :)

Day 11

Yesterday I was so determined to ride my bike and sweat it up! Well... my friend, Emily, texted me at around 2:00 in the afternoon and asked me if I wanted to go up to the best place in the world and visit our other friend, Steven. We all became friends at Camp Bayouca, but we never really get to hang out anywhere else. Steven is back this summer to help out, so naturally we would have to visit him! The only thing is I didn't have time to ride my bike last night. I'm not going to beat myself up over it though. The program I'm using to train advises to run three times a week. I'm still doing that, and I just chose to do something else on the off days. No biggie if I miss something. Plus we walked ALL over camp, so it's not like was just sitting there. And I was super careful about what I ate after I realized I wouldn't get to exercise. Back to it tonight!

Day 10

Yesterday was awesome! I did the Color Run training program, and I was able to run a lot more than I was expecting. My friend and I were planning on skyping, but I forgot about the time difference between New York and Iowa he was still in church. So while I was waiting for him to get back, I figured I'd exercise a little bit more. Thank you, Pinterest, for making it so much easier to find cardio exercises. I repinned an exercise for each day.
This is the one I did last night:

For the rest of the days of the week, along with lots of other tips and motivation, click here.

Tonight is bike night, and my hiney is NOT looking forward to it. I put socks on the seat to cushion the bumps. Doesn't help that much. I might actually have to break down and buy a pair of biking shorts.
Pretty good-looking, no?

Day 9

Feeling the burn!! Guys! The weather has been so awesome for exercising!! Last night I did my four mile bike ride (twice around the block). My butt is pretty sore from the seat, but my legs are sore from the work- AND ITS GREAT!

Tonight is a running night, and I'm still training myself to think positively about runnig. But for now I'm pumped! Also, I found ANOTHER plan. But this one is actually for the Color Run! And with the way I was tweaking the plan I started, it's pretty similar anyway. I keep changing what I'm doing. Oh well. I'm still doing something. Yeah man!

Day 8

What a weekend! I was busy planning a "surprise" anniversary picnic for my parents. (I told them about it like a month ago...I was really hoping they had forgotten. But alas. My mother has an excellent memory. Ugh.) Friday night I went shopping with my fitness motivation, Brianna. We picked up the last few things I needed for Saturday. I made my parents french onion soup and served it with garlic knots and a salad. For dessert I cup up two pieces of cheesecake (one plain, one chocolate) and served the cubes in special dessert glasses. I served them citrus water in pewter mugs. It took several weeks to plan, four hours to prepare and set up, and about 5 minutes to take down. But they loved it. :) I set it up in a field near our house and tried to make it look country and simple. Here's the finished product:

The weather was absolutely perfect! It all came together so nicely!

Well, because of this...I did not exercise all weekend! Oh no! AND on Sunday I went to a graduation party and ate crap. Oops....

However yesterday I got right back into it. I forgot my water bottle when I went to work, so I didn't drink as much water and I normally like to. But I was super careful with what I ate. And last night I took my dog for a run. Well that was frustrating. She's not very good at running with someone. I don't think I'll be able to take her with me when I train. I'll just take her for walks later. She loves them!

Tonight I'm planning on doing my bike ride...I might even do four miles instead of just two. We'll see though. ;) I also have to prepare for teaching a kids' class for church tomorrow night, and I am going to skype my best friend in Iowa!! Yay! Life is so exciting. :)

Day 4

HOT HOT HOT again today. We're supposed to get rain tomorrow though, so it should cool down. Went for my bike ride tonight. My goal was to not stand up on my bike a single time to rest my legs and to stay continually peddling...even downhill!!! It burned, but I did it! WOO! I felt so great when I was done.

I have to admit, I didn't eat the best today. Pizza for lunch. And dinner. :/ But tomorrow is another day to eat yummy Chobani and grapes!! Mmm! I am totally taking advantage of summer produce. Can't wait to sink my teeth into watermelon again! I'm finally starting to appreciate different kinds of nuts too. I used to hate pistachios, but I kinda like them now!

Tomorrow is my last day to only walk. Next week starts the running portion. Hmm. I'll be praying for a lot of grace and determination next week. :)

Day 3

Today was SO. HOT. This morning as I was leaving for work at 7:30, my car thermostat said 80, and this afternoon it got up to 101. However I stuck with my plan and went on my walk. I went at about 8:00 tonight hoping it would be cooler. Actually it wasn't even the heat that bothered me. It's so unbelievably muggy. Uck. Still felt good though!

Also, I realized tonight that I've been following the wrong plan. It's okay though. They both work. I just didn't realize I had printed off two plans. The program I'm following is just called Running for Beginners. It's not quite as intense, which I like right now. But later on I'll probably wish I had done the other one. I'm planning on just combining the two and making my own plan. I have 15 1/2 weeks before the race, so I actually almost have time to do both. Pretty sure I'll be leaning more towards the Couch to 5k one. Still excited!! Hope this keeps up!

(If you're wondering about my fishing excursion from last night with my father, the only thing I caught was 13 crazy itchy bug bites. Dad caught a large mouth bass on his second cast.... Yeah the bugs were so bad we only lasted about 15 minutes.)

Day 2

Well, day one was a success. Took my crazy hyper dog, Sheba, for a 30 minute walk. That's what is awesome about this Couch to 5k plan: you start off slow. Very slow. Perfect! Still on track, too! I just got back from my two-mile bike ride. It is extremely muggy here today, and the thermostat said 89F before I left. It was yucky! But that burn on the inside sure felt good! My legs are wobbly and I love it!

Heading out to go fishing with my dad soon! I love summertime!

Day 1

Today is day one of a 109 day journey. I'm beginning to train for my first 5k. I'm so excited! I'm doing the Color Run with some friends from college, and it will be so much fun! Except... I hate running. I hate it. Let me say that again. I HATE RUNNING. I always have. I played soccer and basketball in high school, but that was 5 years ago, and quite frankly I hated it then too. A couple months ago I started running in the morning...but let's be honest. I gave up after two mornings. To make matters worse, all my friends that are doing this run with me are runners. The two other girls just did a 20k together. This was my idea, and I would look like a fool if I walked this whole thing.

Perhaps I should give you a little background. I've always been curvy. I've never had a problem with it. Still don't. I love it. However, I know I need to get in shape and be healthier. I didn't gain my "freshman 15" until my junior year of college. But it actually ended up being my "junior 30." Yeah. It was pretty bad. I was at my heaviest on my birthday, July 5, 2011. (Because I still consider myself to be in the "before" stage, I'll give my starting weight when I get closer to the "after" stage.) That August, my mom and I started Weight Watchers. I didn't follow it quite how they wanted, but I was still losing. Because of some schedule conflicts and the distance to the meetings (I live in the middle of no where. My town has more cows than people. Seriously.), we had to take a break from that. We've still followed it on our own though. Since I started WW 10 months ago, I've lost 38 pounds. I was hoping to have lost more by now, but I'm not complaining! Losing weight is hard! I rarely do cardio, which is most likely the reason why it's been such a slow process. I do yoga every day though, and I love it! A couple weeks ago I got my bike fixed, so when the weather's nice I try to do a quick ride around the block (about 2 miles). If I'm feeling up to it, I'll take a longer ride that's about 8 miles and VERY hilly. Yeah...I've only felt up to that once.

I found a 10-week "Couch to 5k" plan on pinterest that looks pretty straight-forward. I'm planning on following that on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I'm planning on doing the 2 mile bike ride. And on Saturdays I'll do the 8 mile bike ride. If you're wondering, yes. I do think that I've bitten off more than I can chew. But my pride will win. (I can't imagine having to walk this 5k while my friends run ahead! Or worse- slow down and walk with me out of pity!)

For the most part I'm very careful about what I eat. Once in a while I slip up, but hey-that's life. I'm a vegetarian, so that helps with a lot of unhealthy meals. I never drink soda. I don't have a sweet tooth, but once in a while I do like ice cream. My weakness is pretty much anything salty. Especially pizza. If I could only eat one food for the rest of my life, it would be pizza. It's my absolute favorite. That's going to be the toughest thing for me. Once in a while is fine, but I want it all the time!!

So, if anyone out there is actually still reading this, here I go.


(As stated before, I'll provide before and after info-including pictures-when I get closer to my after.)