Uh Oh

Technically my training schedule doesn't have me starting until Wednesday, but I'm feeling a little antsy and wanted to break in my new kicks.  So I laced up my shoes and headed out for a jog around 5:00pm.  It wasn't nearly as hot as it has been and I had my new shoes so I naturally assumed things would be all sunshine and roses as I trotted along the sidewalk.  Boy was I ever wrong.  It was hard. Way hard.  I struggled to get 2 simple miles in and my time was just as slow as when it was 100 degrees out.  My body felt stiff and heavy and I couldn't get my breathing in a good rhythm.  If I wasn't freaking out about my decision to do a half before, I am now! Eeek and I already paid all that money for registration, new neon running clothes, and shoes? I really really hope things improve fast.

I will need all the cheerleaders I can get along this journey and donations in the form of new running playlists would be GREATLY appreciated! :)

Shoe Shopping

If I'm going to train for 12 weeks and run 13.1 miles, you best believe I'm going to treat myself to a new pair of shoes.  Not only do I want the shoes for motivation, but I need them.  My other cheap pair are no longer supportive and I'm not about to blow out my knees or back and miss the finish line.  So off I went to Bob Ronker's to get fitted for a fancy pair of sneaks.  My cousin, Courtney, came along and we bounced into the store ready to grab a the cutest pair available.  In my mind I had this awesome bright neon obnoxious color already on my little feet.  The brighter the better. I wanted to be pumped with I lace up every morning for my run.  

Sadly I learned right away that this was not meant to be.  Sure they had cool colored shoes on display, but apparently those glass slippers were not meant for my foot.  Turns out I'm no cinderella after all (even though I have super small feet...).  The lady watched me walk and told me that I have a wide foot (seriously even my feet are wide? Here I thought it was my hips I had to worry about...) and I also over pronate.  She went to the back to retrieve shoes that fit that criteria and when she returned there was no highlighter yellow shoe tucked in the tissue paper.  Le sigh.  I decided on a pair of Nike 15+ that have stability and motion control and are wide.  While I wasn't jumping for joy on their fashion points, I did feel pretty comfy when I jumped...which I suppose is really the point here.  And they aren't too shabby on the eyes...but you don't need sunglasses to look at them either (-50 points).

After our shoe shopping experience we meandered over to TJMaxx to treat ourselves to running gear.  It was a consolation prize to buy a few neon colored sports bras and tanks.  At least I'll have fun colors on my body somewhere!  So watch out Cinci when you see that bright yellow dot in the distance, that's just me coming around the corner....slowly.

Half

I did it.  I officially registered for the Columbus Nationwide Half Marathon on October 21st.  I have three months to teach myself to enjoy running and to convince my body it can run for 13.1 miles.  You know that saying "Do one thing every day that scares you?".  Well this will fill my quota for a year.  I'm terrified.  But that's part of the challenge. I will have to stay strong and work hard, but if I make it to the finish line, I can't imagine how I'll react.  I can imagine all the carbs I will be eating on the other hand...and that my friends is what will keep me going!

So you can expect annoying updates on my running progress, but I'm sure it will be entertaining along the way ;)

Reckless Behavior

I have a goal. I did my research. I just took the first step....Many Many more to go....

I clicked on a very special button online.  And now I'm thinking "oh crap, this just got real".  I think I just did something very reckless!

Pause

So apparently I have a hard time keeping this blog going consistently throughout the year.  I keep taking these hiatuses from writing.  I have so much respect for people who are good at staying on top of blogging. Jordan, I'm looking at you kid! (Check out her amazing blog!) I have no clue how you do it.
I figure no one really notices anyways, but then I miss it and come crawling back, begging for readers.  It seems that I only can keep writing when I have a goal and I feel you need to be kept abreast of my progress. Maybe since I live alone I try to force you all to be my confidants at the end of the day.

However, it is true that it is easier for me to write when I have a topic, a goal, a theme.  Luckily for all you loyal fans (cricket cricket...) I have a new goal.  This one is big.  This one is aggressive.  This one scares the crapola out of me.  Stay tuned for the big announcement!

the Results are in...

I know it's been a little while since my last post on the final day of my 40-day challenge.  Please excuse my absence but I've been busy stuffing my face with all the things I shouldn't be eating. Sheesh, I'm gonna need to go on another intense challenge if I keep this up!  While I was very slothish for awhile, I'm tired of it and ready to start eating clean again and taking my vitamins regularly.  While I can't physically fit in enough workouts due to my crazy work/school schedule, I need to learn to at least curb the stress/anxiety induced binge eating.  So after this week, I'm going to try and be a good girl again!

Now for the Results - 

And the Winner is...not me! But I saw this coming and braced myself for the loss of the coveted grand prize.  I did get a nice little consolation award though as I won the triple-threat challenge.  Out of the people that completed the triple-threat challenge I did the most frog-leaps, sit-ups, and push-ups (boy style) in a minute (for each).  I'm pretty proud to report that I did 40 boy style push-ups. Who would have thunk it? I mean this girl couldn't do 5 a year ago.  My oh my how far I've come. My sit-ups weren't anything super impressive with somewhere around 40 (I forget exactly), but my frog-leaps were what sealed my victory. 53 baby!!!! I'm going to go ahead and thank my cardio attack class for that.  As much as I hate to admit it, it's a good class and I need to keep it up.

While I was away for Easter weekend, Bella Forza decided to announce my win by posting this goofy picture I took during my "After" photo shoot.  Now I'm the tool flexing. Here is what is posted for all to see, sheesh.

Warning: Stomach does not stay that flat after you eat cake and easter candy for 2 weeks. (The cruelty!)

For the 40-Day challenge :

Total Inches Lost: 3.125

Difference in Hips: .625"

Difference in Arms: Same

Difference in Thighs: .375"

Difference in Waist: 1.625"

Difference in Chest: .5"

While I'm not thrilled with these results, I have to remind myself to look at the bigger picture.  So if I take my measurements from the beginning of the challenge I did starting the day after Thanksgiving, here are my results.

Since Thanksgiving :

Total Inches Lost: 12.275"

Difference in Hips: 2.75"

Difference in Arms: .25"

Difference in Thighs: 2.25"

Difference in Waist: 4.625"

Difference in Chest: 2.25"

While I am pretty proud of how far I've come (this isn't even considering measurements when I first started working out ...dummy forgot to measure), I look at the above picture and realize how much hard work it is going to take to maintain and or improve.  Time to put the cake down and get back on track.

Transformation Challenge: Day 40 - The End

Well I made it. Today was the final day of the challenge!  40 days of constantly tracking my food, working my tail off in workouts, turning down drinks and treats (well most of the time), lots of vitamins, 10 day cleanse, minimal coffee, and lots of really healthy foods without the extra fun foods.

We had one last Survivor Sunday class at BFF, which turned out to be a really nice yoga class which I greatly appreciated.  It made me realize that maybe I should get certified some day down the road (after I'm done with school of course).  Over the course of the morning, we took our turn going in for measurements and "After" pictures.  I wish I could describe the camaraderie and support that goes on in that building.  Everyone sat around talking about how everyone else looked and how impressed everyone was with each other's dedication while they waited.  Difficulties were discussed, cheats admitted, and lots of smiles and laughter were shared.  I'm so proud of every single transformer.  We were a diverse group, but all with the same goal.  The fact that we were in a competition didn't mean anything because we were all each other's cheerleaders.  Some admitted that they were going to rush out and get their missed item that they gave up for the challenge and others said they were going to keep staying strong and not make any changes.  But while everyone chatted to each other individually or in little groups, there was the reoccurring sense that this gym has created such an amazing environment.  It is an environment that invites women of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, ethnicities, and personal styles to come together, work hard towards healthy lifestyles, lean and toned bodies, and most importantly good self-esteem.

I am so blessed to be a part of this place and even luckier to be an employee.  I honestly don't know what I would do without it.  While I've been very happy since my move from AZ, it's been hard in a lot of ways.  Luckily, Bella Forza Fitness has made up for those times when I feel alone, for the times when I don't like my program at school, and for the times when I'm not really happy with myself.  BFF has more than filled that void.  I know I'm getting really mushy and sappy, but I just wish that all the women in my life had a BFF.  I want everyone to move to Cincinnati so they can experience the strength that comes from this place.

Ok off my mushy soap box.

All that sentimental stuff aside....I've decided I'm not going to talk to the winner for a week.  It will be my way of protesting that I didn't win.  I suppose that wouldn't be very fair of me, so I'll pretend to give them the stink eye in my mind but smile and congratulate them for real.  Apparently this challenge has brought out the poor loser in me, because I honestly am going to pout when I find out I didn't win the cash and bike.  While I want everyone to lose weight and look hot, I just don't want them to lose more than me.  I think that's very fair of me anyways.  I don't have my final results yet, but from what I figured out quickly, I only lost a couple inches.  I was really expecting to lose 5-6 inches so that was kind of a let down, I'm not going to lie. BUT keeping my last post in mind, my body looks way better. It's more toned and fits in smaller jeans.  So that will be my prize from the challenge.  Maybe I should just go buy myself  a bike and pretend I won...now there is an idea, except let's be honest I probably wouldn't really ever ride it.  Maybe a new purse would be more useful.  I'm really liking this idea, yes, I shall go shopping.

Workout:
yoga - 1 hour

Treats:
I decided tonight I could eat whatever I wanted. I could go out to eat and be social and not feel an ounce of guilt.  While I had a little trouble finding a date for tonight (I almost ended up going out to eat a dinner by myself - lonely, table of one?), Kristen saved the day and joined me for a feast of Pad Thai and wine.  It was so good getting out, being social, and not caring how many calories were in my meal...well I might have googled it, but I didn't let it stop me from eating it.

And if you know me at all, you can guess where I went after dinner.  I'll give you a second to think about it. ... If you guessed McDonald's to check to see if by some miracle they still had shamrock shakes on tap, then you would be absolutely correct! And it was amazing because they actually did! At first I thought the girl was lying to me.  How could this be?! So I did my little happy dance and promptly placed my order. I only got a small so I thought that was very responsible of me.   I swear in AZ last year they were out the week after St. Patrick's day.  I think the big guy was looking out for me this year and I greatly greatly appreciated it :)

P.S. Final Results and Pictures to follow at a later date. (well depending on how good they are...)