We've come to the end of another awesome Shrinkingjeans challenge. This has been an absolutely crazy week at work. We haven't had internet access for 2 days and between gymnastics meets and swim meets, the evenings and weekends have been a bit packed as well. Here it is 9:30 at night and I'm finally doing my weigh-in post. GAH. Anyhoo, let's take a look back at the goals I set in week 1 and see how I did.
Drink at minimum 64 oz of water 6/7 days a week. - I'd say I met this goal, at least 80% of the time.
Run 2-3 times a week - met! Last weekend I finally got outside for a 7 mile "long run", but it is looking like this weekend's 8-miler will be on the treadmill. Gotta love Michigan winter - NOT.
Sign up for my 25k race - YEP! Signed up for this one, and a 10 miler for 2 weeks later. With the Fitbloggin 5k the weekend in between. I'm clearly mental.
Do the Shred DVD, EA Sports Active, or some other strength/crosstraining 2-3 times a week. - I've been very inconsistent with this one. I need to be better with the cross and strength work.
25 push-ups and 25 sit-ups after each run. - I started good with this, but then ended up with major shoulder problems. The push-ups went by the wayside, and so did the sit-ups. Fail.
Log my food on Daily Plate at least 4/7 days a week. - I did this for the first couple weeks, but then decided my focus needed to be on overall health and eating a well-rounded diet. I'm trying to maintain, not really lose, so I'm trying to do so without active tracking.
Lose at least 3 pounds to get back to 135.8 or less. - Nope (well, last week I was there). About 1/2 way thru the challenge, I decided I needed to focus on staying within a range. 135-138. I've managed to do this, so I'm going to call this a modified goal and a win.
Now let's take a look at the numbers:
Weight on June 23, 2009: 165.8
Challenge Starting Weight: 138.8
Last Week's Weight: 135.8
This Week's Weight: 137.8
Change: Up 2.0 (crud - not unexpected though)
Challenge Change: down 1.0
So, I did manage to stay within my range during the challenge. I would have liked to have been closer to the 135 side, but I'll take this. I really didn't participate in the "mental" aspects of this challenge. Sadly, I feel like I didn't really give the challenge my all. Next time will be better.
I'm confessing before I head into school, so you get bullet points (my apologies).
My first confession should be that I haven't confessed in a while.
After a great week on the scale last week, I've been in a bit of a feeding frenzy this week.
Girl's night on Friday night with the most amazing tempura shrimp sushi.
Cheesecake for dessert (I did run 7 miles that morning, so I didn't feel guilty about this transgression).
Several helpings of beef stew on Saturday.
Jimmy John's with mayo AND avocado spread for lunch one day.
Lured in by the $5 footlong at Subway during K's gymnastics meet on Sunday (really-only 50 cents more for a footlong instead of 6"???). I did skip the chips.
Celebrated K's awesome meet (she took a 1st, 2nd & 3rd!) with a trip to Red Robin after our white-knuckled drive home thru rain, ice and then snow. Guacamole Bacon Burger (minus the cheese-I'm not completely crazy) and tons of fries dunked in ranch. *hangs head in shame*
So there you have it folks. How NOT to eat after losing almost 3 pounds, since they will all be back tomorrow. They've probably even brought along some friends.
I can't believe we only have 1 week left in the Power of One challenge. Wow, time really flies, huh? Last week I had a rough weigh-in on the scale but wasn't really beating myself up. At this point, it is really about maintenance and finding that healthy balance between calories in and calories out. I think I did a bit better this week, although life is really getting in the way and I haven't been completing all my training. (I only missed 1 scheduled run, but have really slacked on the cross and strength training. This must improve.)
Hi everyone! I saw this on a few blogs this past week or so and thought it would be fun to participate. Basically, we are reading a list of words and answering questions to compare dialects/accents and vocabulary around the country (and also because it's fun getting a chance to hear what our favorite bloggers actually sound like). If you want to participate, the word list and questions follow the video. Also, I would encourage you to go check out Mel, Melissa, Brooke and Tiffany on their accent vlogs!
Here we go:
Here are the words and questions for you to participate!
•What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
•What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
•What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
•What do you call gym shoes?
•What do you say to address a group of people?
•What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
•What do you call your grandparents?
•What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
•What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
•What is the thing you change the TV channel with?
I'm disappointed. I clearly overate this week, plus had too much salt. I skipped a training run this week because my son had his 1st swim meet and I've been having issues with my hip. Tried to get in to my chiro & he's leaving the country for 2 weeks (he's the team doc for the USA Bobsled Team and they are competing at Worlds in Germany). Needless to say, my weighin pretty much SUCKED OUT LOUD.
After having a mini-meltdown last night because I was disgusted by how my stomach skin sagged while doing planks (you're welcome) and because my shoulder still isn't better, I'm feeling more up today. I've accepted that my body is going to want to reside in the 135-138 range, but I still hate that it will never be "perfect" in my eyes. It is impossible to lose the amount of weight I have (30 pounds this time around and close to 80 pounds if you count baby weight) without having some extra skin. I need to get over it and I'm trying. I can't say I wouldn't turn down a free tummy tuck, though, if anyone is offering.
In any case, I'm working on it. As for the weekly projects this week, I've completely failed, but I'm ok with that. Right now, I have 2 main goals: get through Marathon May with my 25k, 5k, and 10 mile races within 3 weeks (squeee - I'm going to cross a finish line on the 50 yard line of Soldier Field!!!) and then maintain my weight in the 135-138 range. I had a couple of great, non-scale victories this week, too! I ran 5 miles on Sunday in 49 minutes (9:55 pace) and 4 miles on Monday in 39 minutes (9:45 pace). I have finally broken the 10 minute mile even if they were treadmill runs and I doubt I could duplicate them on land yet. I also had to borrow my son's child-sized large snowpants to go shovel today. They were big on me. Squee - I'm the size of a small 13 year old boy :)
Here are my stats for the week:
Weight on June 23, 2009: 165.8
Challenge Starting Weight: 138.8
Last Week's Weight: 137.0
This Week's Weight: 135.4
Change: down 1.6 (I have no idea how that happened)
Challenge Change: down 3.6
I'll leave you all today with a few shots of Snowmageddon 2011 :) For those of you living in the warmer areas of our country, this is what you are missing! Stay warm everyone!
Measuring up from the sidewalk - 19 inches
We used to have 2 steps leading to our porch
Standing in almost 2 feet of snow on the sidewalk & wearing my son's snowpants :)
This week's true confessions are going to take a different turn. Stay with me.
I don't typically discuss my faith on my blog. You know, that whole concept that religion and politics are off-limits. I don't know why. Maybe out of fear of offending someone, because I have my own questions, not really knowing what to say in the first place. I know that I believe in God and I know that he is watching over me, but what do I REALLY believe? What is FAITH? How do I KNOW? Do I really understand the awesome power He has? The amazing love He has for us?
In any case, I rarely discuss my relationship with God in this forum; however, He really hit me over the head on Sunday. I belong to a LCMS (Lutheran) church and about 4 months ago, our church started a second, contemporary service. Hubs attends both services (he's the chair of lay ministry, so he has to, but would choose the traditional if given the option) while the kids and I have been attending the contemporary service. I have been moved to tears in many of these services. Honestly, it is usually the music that does it. However, this Sunday was different. The sermon was about sharing our walk with God and how it isn't just the pastor's job to teach others about God. Scripture tells us in 1 Peter 3:15 to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Huh. Gotta think about that one. What would I say if someone asked me why I have hope? If someone asked me about my personal relationship with God, what would I say?
Later that evening, the family went to a church potluck, had some yummy grub (some of it decidedly non-Lutheran even!), and we watched the most eye-opening video. I was moved to tears (which I tried my best to hide so as to not look like a crazy person). This video made me realize that even in the vastness of God's creation, he knows me and he's always know me. He loves me. He is going to hold me together. I just have to trust him. I am not in control. Like the Psalmist said, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14.
The lecture went on, discussing the enormity of the universe that God created (you can watch the rest of it on YouTube and I encourage you to watch when you have the time). I sat in my seat dumbfounded. How could I question God? How could I advise God? How can I doubt? If God can create the Heavens and the Earth, I should trust that he did a pretty good job with little, insignificant, me. He has created stars that are enormous. Heck, I don't think there is an adjective to accurately describe them! But not only has he created the Heavens and the Earth. He created me. He created every molecule in my body. Every fiber of my being. He will hold me together. I just need to trust.
