Ringing in 2012 without the bells, whistles & shenanigans

Greetings blog readers!

I left you in December with six month before and after shots. I wanted to end 2011 on a very inspirational and motivational note. Perhaps my words helped you make better decisions over the holidays? Either way, I took a month off of writing. Also, due to a pulled back muscle in the beginning of January, I had to take a couple weeks off from working out. I know, I know...excuses, right? Yep. I'm calling myself out here. Reader: I have failed you this month and it won't happen again. I promised honesty about the ups and downs of this journey and here is my first, and determined to be last, real mess up on my path. I wouldn't blame the holidays, I was actually quite good throughout them. But getting back into a routine upon our return was hectic. We had to replace all our pipes and then put hardwood flooring throughout the house. Money spending in abundance ALWAYS stresses me out and instead of using my new go-to of the gym, I excused myself from it, likely because my emotions and mind felt like I was lifting weights allllllllllllllllllll day. Although everything is looking spic and span...I am not. I 'allowed' myself to not hit the gym because I was doing so much 'work' at home. I know we've all been there....but really, one hour away from the house to be at the gym would not have killed me. One hour at the gym vs. 24 hours of being (and feeling) fat and lazy. Hmmmm, what wins???

While this break comes intense anxiety, guilt and an overall feeling of laziness, I was overall glad to have a break to see just how easy it is to fall back into this 'comfort zone' and how desperately difficult it is to pull yourself out of it. I recall my infamous 'should-ers' who think to themselves "I've wasted my breakfast, so I might as well go all out on a feeding frenzy for the rest of the day because the healthiness of the day is already shot" and I empathize the thought process. Yes, it's easy to fall back and I imagine it's that much more difficult to come back to the healthy path if you have no recent achievements to draw upon for motivation. For me, one look at my 'before' picture and I want to put gym clothes on or thinking back to my 15K and feeling a need to go out there and do a run. Summer will be here sooner than I realize and I'l be DAMNED if I don't look hot and fit for it.

Everyone comes up with New Year's resolutions that, to me, become synonymous with dreams unrealized, immeasurable, or too mighty to conquer without the correct mindset. It was hilarious to me to return to the gym to find it empty...it only took 2 weeks for those "I'm going to lose 15 lbs this year" resolutions to fall flat. For those that feel the need to have a fresh start...come up with a plan that is measurable and achievable. Don't just will away weight, grab a gym membership and then try to think of what you want to do while at the gym. Instead, make progress goals. I've done a list for myself so you can see what I mean:

Overall goal: I want to run a half-marathon this year
January: 
-Research half marathons during the year and pick one
-Register for it
-Sign up for 10-15Ks along the route towards the half to ensure motivation
-Research a training routine and begin it
-Start running a few miles at a time

Goal: Run 5 miles regularly during the week
February/March:
-take a few weeks running 3 miles at a time and increase to 4 and 5 over a two week period

March:
-maintain workouts even when in San Francisco for work

April:
-begin training for the half marathon


Making a plan & writing it down will not only help you map out the course to success on your goal but also motivate you to follow through with it. Now, in my head, I have the desire to run a full marathon and although it's great to shoot for the stars, I know it's not it my deck of cards right now. I will, however, visit the possibility for the latter portion of the year (depending on when I register for a half).

Most importantly, it does not have to be New Years to make a choice to change your routine or your life. I started my journey in June because for me, the timing was right and I had taken time to plot out what I wanted and how I wanted to achieve my goals. It's also perfectly normal for those goals to change and mold into something else along the way...as long as you are still working to achieve something, you can't go wrong.

Alrighty, so onto my weigh in for this week. After almost a month off, I was scared as hell to step on the scale. I thought it might read "DAMN GYRL?!" instead of numbers.

Here's my last weigh-in in December vs. today:

Weight December: 167.8

Percent of Body Fat: 35.6%

BMI: 27.6

Water Weight: 47%

Weeks to Meet Goal: 33

Weight Today: 173.4

Percent Body Fat: 37.4%

BMI: 28.5

Water Weight: 45.6%

Week til goal: 38

A slap on the wrist is warranted, but although I have failed in some capacity, this time off also allowed my body to rest and heal and I am very thankful for that. I was actually surprised that I hadn't gained more because I know what I put into my body the last 2 weeks. 5.6 lbs is looking pretty good considering that in June, a month off would have meant 10 lbs on top of my already obese situation. 

The weight gain is also an affirmation that what I am doing does, in fact, work because staying motivated and accountable is the best thing to help you stay on track. Another great feeling was getting 2 instances from readers asking where my weekly blogs were. THANK YOU. The whole point about this blog, aside from giving my tidbits, is to make myself accountable to YOU readers. It makes a difference to know you were 'looking' for my blog and was disappointed to see you haven't gotten it. My gratitude to you both.

Onto the next week, you will be hearing more from me and I plan to divulge more personals that led me to work out, enabled me to gain the weight originally, and much more. Stay tuned!

p.s. for anyone that wants a goal from me: I plan to go full exposure once I have reached 50 lbs weight loss. I will post on Facebook and start to market myself and my journey more. I plan to do this by starting on my personal facebook but am also considering starting a page just for Bum>Heart.

Love w/ all my bum,

CH

28 Weeks. Picture Day!

If pictures could say a thousand words, than my before pictures are screaming and begging for help. It actually saddens me to see how I truly let myself go. I thought that taking the updated pictures would not show that much of a difference. I mean, I still feel vulnerable taking them, I still am self-conscious about my weight, but good Lord am I in such a different place mentally and physically taking them. If my pictures today could speak, they would let out one huge hell of a sigh of relief. My bones are thanking me, my joints are squeaky clean, and my skin is trying to do me a favor and tighten up as much as possible. This week, although I did weigh myself, I am going to let the pictures speak for me about my weigh in. I think about the rough month on October, when I felt nothing was really changing. And then I look to the huge month I had in November, where my body finally caught up to the weight loss in a good way. I still feel a little awkward about people asking me about my progress, like a microscope is being put on various parts of my body, but then I realized, these people are asking ME for ADVICE on how to do it! WOW. I am now recommending to them to read my blog. :) The 1st question is always 'what's your diet' and my response is 'living a healthy lifestyle without dieting.' 

Anyways, there's my little tidbit...now onto the main event for the week...PICTURES (not w/ santa haha). And, as promised, sans makeup and sans sucking in!

Before:

6 months later (front):

Well, the front shots are definitely a slimmer version of me. I couldn't decide which picture showed best, so you get both.

Side shot before:

 6 months later (side):

Ok, in my opinion, this side shot shows the most progress. I actually want to cry when I look at the before shot, but truth hurts. And look how far I've come with that truth. Now my truth is so much better.

Back shot before: 

Back shot 6 months later:

Look at my arms-mucho bettero. And a few rolls are missing. I won't be missing those!

Overall, I am happy and pleased going into Christmas. I'll be snowboarding, hiking, and sledding over the holidays in the Rockies so I'm hoping to not gain anything over the break and at least stay where I'm currently at. Sound good? Yep!

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone. And please stay fit & stay healthy over the holidays. It's not worth the guilt afterwards!

Love w/ ALLLLL of my bum,

CH

p.s. weigh-in: what do you think of my 6 month pictures compared to my 1st day? What do you notice that I might not?

Week 27-Holidays are almost here

With the holidays just around the corner, I thought I'd use this post to talk about ways to trick yourself into not eating EVERY option placed before you at holiday parties. With all the smells and bells, it's probably the most difficult time of the year to not snack. On average, Americans gain 1-2 pounds over the holidays. The problem is that many people never work it off but simply add to their weight. Let's work on preventing that.

Alcohol: Limit yourself. Try drinking a glass of water before you consume any beverage and have another glass of water afterwards. This will make your stomach feel full faster as well as balance out the dehydration properties of alcohol. Also, try grabbing a glass of wine and enjoying the flavor by nursing it for awhile instead of taking shots or drinking fruity cocktails that taste so good, it's like drinking flavored water. 

Working out: Try to get in a workout a few hours before the party. That way, health is already on your mind and you will be less likely to blow the popsicle stand when you just spent all this effort trying to shed calories. Also, make a plan for your workout the next day in the morning. This will help aid in you not going to sleep too late and staying out later to drink.

Nibbles: You know I advocate bringing your own snacks and having that while others gorge on cheeseballs, fried finger foods, fudge, etc. I also advocate bringing a healthy option hor d'ouerve. With so many healthier options out there, make one less temptation for yourself and others by bringing something guilt-free. Trust me, people will honestly appreciate having a healthy choice. 

The meal: If your meal is buffet style, start 1st with veggies & salads. Make it almost uncomfortably tight for your mac & cheese to sneak it's way all over your tray. Limit yourself to one plate and allow yourself 2nds only in the healthy options. Try to sit far away form the buffet line and also try to sit with people you know are either picky eaters or working on a healthier lifestyle too. It helps when you aren't sitting next to people that go back for 3rds. If there is a kid's size plate-try that 1st. Planning on having dessert too? Eat slower and cut that pie slice at least in half. Trust me, you'll thank me later. Don't forget that just with the alcohol, drink as much water as possible in between food types and you'll feel fuller faster and will eat less. Served dinners are usually easy to monitor, so just take your time and you should be fine.

So onto the weigh-in this week:

Weight Day One: 207.8

Percent of Body Fat: 44.3%

BMI: 34.2

Water Weight: 40.6%

Weeks to Meet Goal: 73

Weight Today: 167.8

Percent of Body Fat: 35.6%

BMI: 27.6

Water Weight: 47%

Weeks to Meet Goal: 33

I gained a pound this week but I am actually ok with that. I busted my bum in the gym right after weighing in this morning and I felt like I pushed it extra hard so as to start this next week out better. As the holidays near, I am also going to try to get in as much extra gym time as possible so that I won't guilt myself on days that too many functions prevent me from getting in a run or gym.

And, as promised, a few shots of my facial weight loss progress!

June 2011

December 2011

Holy Crapola! Do you see how HUGE and PLUMPY my face was?! WHOA WHOA WHOA. It's crazy to see them next to each other. Well, there is progress if I ever saw it :) And look, I have chin curves as in, you can see my chin and it's bone structure. I seriously cannot believe I was such a jiggly-puff. It's one thing when you avoid mirrors and you get this 'vision' of how you think you look (it's all in perspective) but seeing the change point blank is eye opening. I'm so proud of how far I've come but I am also embarrassed that I let myself get like that to begin with. Ahh, how nice it is to say goodbye to that person I no longer recognize or identify with.


Feel free to post some before/after shots in the comments-or email them to me-I would LOVE to highlight you and your successes!!

Have a wonderful & healthy week!

Love w/ all my bum,
CH

1/2 a year later, the glass is half full. 6 months

Can you believe that it's been SIX whole months already?! Amazing. In six months I feel like I have endured and accomplished so much. I never would've guessed in June that by December I'd be running a 15K, will have gained warrior status and be 40ish pounds lighter. Incredible.

This week, I had to face the music that not everyone would be happy for me. I never thought that this transformation would affect anyone else in a negative way, but I guess they don't call it drama for no reason. Some of you may already know that my beloved running buddy and I (my neighbor of whom I have spoken about on here) have called it quits on one another. I finally had to break ties and depend on myself to accomplish my goals. I think this is for the best because now no one can pass my victories off as their own personal accomplishments. Aside from that, I no longer have to hear horrible, hurtful comments throughout this process from her.

For example:
1. "I can't run your pace anymore because it's too slow that it hurts my knees"
2. "Running with you always feels like an accomplishment to me because I know that you are struggling and I could do circles around you in the same run"
3. "You do not acknowledge the fact that I took time and effort out of my day to make you run harder, faster and longer. You wouldn't have been able to do it without me"

If you EVER EVER run across someone who will put doubt in your head about yourself while you are working towards something healthy and positive---RUN away as fast as you can. Although I am deeply hurt by these comments, they also give me fuel. This horrible experience has given me a great lesson about setting goals and doing them solo as well as helping me recognize that it's not just the "shoulder's" that can guilt you about being healthy. There will always be someone who will talk negatively about your progress-especially if they are not accomplishing anything on their end. This situation will be an overall healing process but I think any decent person will end up on the right side of things eventually. Overall, I am ready to come up for air with the clean break.

So onto the Hot Chocolate 15K. What an experience. I had the greatest support system yet at this run and I was pretty emotional while running the second half of the run.

My supporters decorated my home and car "Run like you stole something!" haha

I just couldn't believe I got up at 5 am and was running 9.3 miles. Cold weather, long waits, narrow path, etc. just didn't seem to matter as I ran because the bigger picture was that I had signed up for something I didn't personally believe I could do 2 months ago, trained for it and yet, there I was running it with ease.

Half way point

I think the best part was that I didn't feel tired while running and I barely felt sore. It was as if I was MEANT to be running it.

My bum running!

 I may not have been the fastest person there...but I laced up, showed up, and finished strong.

Emotional Finish!

The best part was finishing, the second best part was pacing an 11 minute mile the entire time. In my long distance runs while training, I never did better than a 12 min mile and some change. And yet, race day comes and I run a minute per mile faster?!

Heck yea, I did it!

And then we had some chocolate fondue!

Who wouldn't be excited about chocolate fondue afterwards?! But for the record, it's much better to run for beer!

WOW! Another cool thing was that I already feel ready to look to the next step: a whopping half marathon. That's some serious business. 13.1 miles my friends. I'm thinking late Spring, early Summer with a few smaller races in between to keep me focused.

And now for the main event. Drum roll please: Week 26 breakdown!

Weight 6 months ago
Weight Day One: 207.8

Percent of Body Fat: 44.3%

BMI: 34.2

Water Weight: 40.6%

Weeks to Meet Goal: 73

Weight Week 26: 166.8 (down 41 lbs)

Percent of Body Fat: 36.5% (down 7.8%)

BMI: 27.4 (down 6.8 pts)

Water Weight: 46.3% (up 1.3%)

Weeks to Meet Goal: 36

I've surpassed the big 4-0! This feels great! I am so happy for this next mini goal being reached. And for November's goal to lose 10 lbs. I was so very close to making it...but missed the mark by a pound. Pooey. Close enough for grenades in my book.

As I look to the next six months, it would be great to accomplish the half-marathon, be almost bikini ready, and feeling more full of energy and positivity than I have the first 6 months. Also I very much want my BMI in NORMAL range (under 25 points). As I look back on the past six months, it has been a rollercoaster of getting used to the newness in my life. I hope that my hubby will now climb on board the healthy lifestyle train along with me as that will make eating around the house that much easier. I also intend to cook more homemade meals and eat more veggies. 

On the road to success

Next week, I'll post some updated bikini pictures (woof) so you can see the difference over the past 3 months. I'll also show you a picture of me and my starting out pair of jeans. Speaking of jeans-I now fit in a size 10 (started at a tight 16) and I even have a pair of size 8 jeans that I can zip! Oh yea!

 

I sympathize with the hippo but cannot wait to NOT be a hippo anymore!

I cannot thank you all enough for offering me real support, being real friends, and being genuinely proud of my accomplishments. 

Here's to the next 6 months bum followers!

Love w/ all my bum

CH

Goodbye November and 25 @ 25 weeks

As 25 closed to an end, so did my age of 25. This week I not only celebrated Thanksgiving, but also celebrated my birthday. I was actually pretty decent in my eating habits over the events and felt great to not be amongst the average American who consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day. It's difficult to imagine stuffing all that food down my throat and even more horrific to think that the average American DOES. Wow...this, my friends, is the society we live in. Fact.

Let's hop right into the weigh-in:

Weight Day One: 207.8

Percent of Body Fat: 44.3%

BMI: 34.2

Water Weight: 40.6%

Weeks to Meet Goal: 73

Weight Week 25: 170.6 (down 37.2 lbs)

Percent of Body Fat: 36.8% (down 7.5%)

BMI: 28 (down 6.2 pts)

Water Weight: 46.1% (up 1.1%)

Weeks to Meet Goal: 36

My overall analysis for a little bit of weight gain this week is taking a break from strength training for a week as well as having 4 days off from cardio. But, I will say that I am pumped in the sense that I did not eat terribly and have affirmation in that what I do to get fit works. 

Looking forward to my 26th year, it would be great to be in a place that has me fit in all aspects of my life. And there really is no better time than the present. After I complete the Hot Chocolate 15K this weekend, I'm likely going to start looking for a half-marathon to register for the late-spring/early summer. For those non-runners, a half-marathon is 13.1 miles while a full-marathon is 26.2 miles and pretty much everything else aside from Iron mans, triathlons, etc. is always a numbered K (for kilometers ran) like 5K, 8K, 10K, and 15K. It would be cool to do a destination run (maybe somewhere by the beach) but doing something around the DC monuments would also be a great experience. I think it's funny that I am already looking for the next distance goal-we'll see how I feel after this 15K! And I would be proud to say I ran a half...not everyone does that and it seems like there is a large step between 15K and 13.1 miles, even though it's 4ish miles more. I running circles and chat, I have felt like a non-runner because "anyone can train and do a 5K in a month" and "it only takes a little training to do a 15K." To the non-runner, that totally sounds like crap but for some reason, in a runner's world, a 9 miler is clearly a warm up. This is not to discount my achievement when I finish on Saturday, but it does give a glimpse of what it means to be a 'runner' and in most cases I have found the group to be somewhat snobby. "Oh yes, I did that half awhile ago and it was a decent run" -they say. Haha. If any sport could be pompous, I'd never say running would be my 1st pick, but it is slowly changing! I cannot help but feel there is always this looming judgement placed on you by your pace, tempo, overall time, and personal record (PR). Well, I'll tell you what-THAT part of running is not for me. But I do respect this hidden sense of competition between everyone. Say I ran 5 miles today, a runner would tell me they did a 6 miler on Tuesday. It's the land of one-uppers and it's a combination of frustration and amusement to 'get it.' And then I realized that dedicated runners do it solo. No one makes you pound the pavement across the finish line  at the end of the day except for yourself. You can run with groups, etc. to help motivate you but all in all-running is about the personal experience. This is such a foreign concept for me because I have always played team sports. In team sports, everything I did was to benefit the whole. My personal accomplishments were for everyone. Hit a grand slam and 4 people get home and your entire team gets points. Slam dunk-a great shot by me and 2 points on the board for my teammates. PR on a race and I feel great-no one else. This sport is a completely different mindset and learning it's jargon, etc. is interesting. This sport is also challenging in that it's truly the first sport I've ever had to work at to be good at. I thrived inn team sports back in the day and this new challenge is really motivating me to master it. The best part is is that over the course of the next year, I will get better and better...but eventually everyone in running hits their peak. For example, as time goes on, you don't take minutes off your run to where you started at 10 minute mile and over 10 years eventually get to a 1 minute mile. There is a ceiling for everyone and knowing that makes me feel less overwhelmed by this new community of 'snobby' runners. I can see a runner and know that no matter how hard they try, it's natural ability and talent that makes someone a star athlete. And that's where my most profound respect comes for runners: to know that after a certain point, you cannot do any better and yet they still go at it, still try, still run. That is incredible. 

Anyways, I cannot wait for my run this weekend as you can tell from my entire dialogue previously about the sport! I am blessed that this time around I will have some of the greatest support I have ever had from a group of people. 

As for next week-I'll let you all know how the race went (even though I could care less about my time but more about me doing the run without walking at all!). I'm also do for some picture updates so I'll either get those to you next week or the following. 

Love w/ all my bum,

CH

I had a ball at the ball...23 weeks

What a week it has been! I ran 7.22 miles last week, attended a ball, and am starting to solidify a concrete group of gal pals. Kind of amazing!

My girl, Sarah, is amazing and has been on a healthy lifestyle journey as well. She looks INCREDIBLE!

So let's get to the nitty gritty of the ball. Mr. Sexy Back was definitely there, but let's just say that I can only thank him for making my theme song and not being a wonderful human being outside of it. Although he was disinterested to be there (and later said they night changed his life forever because of it's 'meaningful impact'), I've taken away that others may be inspired by his words, regardless of how fake they are in actuality. There's something to be said about a man that lives by the words he says (ex: Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela to name a few), but there is also something to be said about the quotes that inspire us on a personal level when we have no idea who the person was behind the quote (ex: The woman came from a man’s rib. Not from his feet to be walked on. Not from his head to be superior, but from his side to be equal, under his arm to be protected, and next to his heart to be loved.)

All in all, I'd say to each their own. But overall, I took away a wonderful evening. I started the event by fitting in a dress size smaller than anticipated a few days prior to the Ball...always a plus. Then we took pictures and started the night with a great ceremony and touching film about the contrast and comparison of the Pearl Harbor attack and September 11th. It was pretty moving and there were definitely some dampened eyes as the film closed. And then, my friends, in 4 inch heels that I ADORE, I danced the night away. 

A group of friends is solidified over dance moves :)

Last week I discussed not wanting to have alcohol get in the way of my progress. It was nice to rise up to the occasion. While many drank, I sipped water, nursed a glass of wine, and punch danced my rage out on the dance floor. LOL! And let's not forget the whole reason of being here-my hubby. He gives me strength in a unique way and I am ever so proud of him and his selfless service for our country. Plus, he's so tall I can wear whatever shoes I want! How can you not love that?!

And so I land this week, a bit nervous for my weigh-in because I was not as easily able to monitor my meals while I was on this mini trip down to Richmond and a few days off from working out. However, I am EXTREMELY happy with this weeks report card. Check it out:

Week 23 weight in

Weight: 169.4

Percent of Body Fat: 37.4%

BMI: 27.8

Water Weight: 45.6%

Weeks to Meet Goal: 34

Comparison to Day 1

Weight Day One: -38.4 lbs

Percent of Body Fat: -6.9%

BMI: -6.4 pts

Water Weight: +5%

Weeks to Meet Goal: -39 weeks (16 weeks ahead of schedule)

Allow me to point out that I am less than 2 lbs away from 40 lost. WOW. That is amazing. Even more amazing is that I have surpassed my half way point to my realistic goal of 135 lbs! WOOT! Heck yea! I am incredibly motivated today and I can only hope I continue to be this motivated over the next few months to really push it out over the holidays and tempting 'stay in' weather. I've GOT to work on getting my beach body! Getting half way makes me think of all those motivation, inspiration, perseverance quotes! I thought they were so corny, but hey, today I am loving it!

 

What I hope this blog does is not only give me accountability to my readers to keep working out, living healthy and growing mentally, but to also motivate everyone to do the same. It's easy to read about this and see the transformation over time, but it's difficult to make it personal until it is personally YOU doing it. Just like the Biggest Loser, it's so easy to say "I want that" "Look what they are accomplishing" and then 'should'in' and making excuses for why YOU aren't in the same position (i.e. "Oh well they are on a show and have trainers I can't afford and strict diets, etc."). I am here to prove that all you need is to your will power to stop excusing yourself and making it easy on yourself for being lazy. That will power will help you to just start doing something, ANYTHING to get you out there and changing your life. No more yo-yo diets, no more guilt, no more. You've got to wake up and just tell yourself "Enough is enough." But I can only tell you about how I went form being insecure and shy, which is 100% not me, to finally feeling I have that old pep in my step, energy, and self confidence growing daily. Telling you can only go so far-it's up to you to start this process.  Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be interviewing some of my friends that have risen to the challenge to change their life. I hope that seeing that others have made drastic changes will help in allowing you to join the community of healthy lifestyles-I am here to support you and so are they. We are all struggling to be fit, but this community is making progress and following through on their goals. So that's my spiel for this week. Stay tuned for more :)

Looking to next week, it will be my 26th birthday-what a good time to get fit :) and Thanksgiving will be upon us as well. Obviously the holiday is centered around eating and I'll do my best to keep the focus on family over food. I've got some big training runs to do in preparation of my 15K and I am hoping to get through them with ease and strength to finish strong. 

I hope this week has motivated you as much as it has me. If I can do it, so can you!

Love w/ all my shrinking bum,

CH

5 Months

High five everybody! 5 months have gone by and it's incredible how fast time flies. I want to 1st jump into the weigh in this week and then tell you all about what's coming up and on my mind. Let's do it!

Week 22 Weigh in

Weight Day One: 174.2

Percent of Body Fat: 37.5%

BMI: 28.6

Water Weight: 45.6%

Weeks to Meet Goal: 39

Initial Comparison

Weight Day One: -33.6 lbs

Percent of Body Fat: -6.8%

BMI: -5.6 pts

Water Weight: +5%

Weeks to Meet Goal: -34 weeks (12 weeks ahead of schedule)

I'm on my way to 40 lbs and quite frankly, I cannot wait for my BMI to go down and for my figure to tighten up. After 5 months, you'd think that I'd have a rockin' body already, right?! It is definitely a long process to tone up. I joke with my husband that all my muscle is hiding from me because it doesn't want me to stop working out when I reach my goal or at least look as if I've reached my goal! Push through it!

I know I always talk about how I am accomplishing all these things related to running (i.e. in October I was at a 5K, November I started running 10K and in December I'll do a 15K), but I have yet to touch base with my strength training. To give you a glimpse of my progress, I started out on a seated row and a pull down barely able to lift 30 lbs. I could barely do any push-ups let alone hold a plank for more than 10 seconds. Pull ups were a dream never to be had. My body felt as if it was always giving in. But my determination and drive (that boiling pot I talked about last week) has led me into some fantastic breakthroughs. For example, on Tuesday, I rowed 130 lbs and did 100 lbs on my pull downs. That is incredible! Weight training is CRUCIAL for weight loss and toning. Muscle strength enables me to burn calories faster and have more endurance for those long runs AND I rarely get sore from runs, etc. because my muscles have been properly prepared. I've witnessed more people having injuries and trouble running and losing weight because they do not strength train. It's a simple addition to a workout and only doing so 2-3 times a week will have a SIGNIFICANT impact on the rest of your lifestyle change.

This week, I am one busy panda. I finally get to go to the Marine Corps Ball and say thank you to Mr. Sexy Back for making a song that has become my anthem for this lifestyle transition. I am hoping to get a few decent shots from the event with Justin Timberlake, but who knows!? Either way, you'll get to see some shots of me in my 'little black dress' from the ball (I didn't reach my goal of being in the size I wanted, but I feel great in my dress and that's all that matters-right?!). In December, I promise to blog some more update photos in my bathing suit so you can view my progress and we can analyze what 6 months has done for me :) I'm thoroughly excited to be part of this great traditional event, and the hopes of meeting JT adds a little pizzazz to the whole night. But we all know who the real heroes are that night: those men in their dress blues who have and will sacrifice everything for us. Happy birthday USMC!

I'll also be up to 7 miles this week and a mere three weeks away from the Hot Chocolate 15K (9.32 miles people!). I am nervous, as I always am, leading up to the run, but what a milestone that will be for me...and that makes me excited! 

I'll report back next week-cannot wait for this ball and to share the experience with you all.

Love w/ all my bum,

CH