C25k (10k?)

Inspired by the lovely and talented Regina Jenkins (http://www.twobedroomsandababy.com/), I am starting my own Couch-to-5k, which is a 2 month workout program designed to get the beginning runner (me) from couch potato status to running 3 miles.

I, like countless women everywhere, have struggled with my weight for most of my life. Surrounded by images of "perfect" women in magazines, on television, driving down the highway on billboards, my low self-esteem was constantly assaulted.  Now, after my 30th birthday has passed and I am moving happily out of my first life trimester, I am gaining more acceptance for who I am and the body I am experiencing this life in.

With that acceptance comes the reality that I have grossly neglected and abused said bod.  (le sigh)  Although we don't buy many processed foods and tend to cook healthy meals at home, the fast bite on the way home from work has slowly infiltrated our everyday lives.  I have gained over 50 pounds in the 5 years we have been married.  This doesn't mean I have to hate myself (or blame my husband) for letting it get this way.  I just have to embrace the day, this challenge, and see it through.

September 2006: We were married 2 weeks later!

July 2008: Gained and lost 20 pounds since we were married. We used to hike most weekends, which helped keep the weight off.

October 2009: Halloween, obviously, and I have gained at least 10 pounds since previous photo.

May 2010: Memorial Day weekend camping, muffin-top and all.

November 2010: I have gained 20 pounds since the last picture, which makes me look like a tranny.  I am sure that the Peroni in my hand doesn't help, but it was Rome and 80 degrees.

October 2011: Disneyland and another 30 pounds. Just look  at that gut!  No wonder I identify with Heimlich.

I am borrowing another idea/word/choice from Regina: Accountability.  I have to be accountable for the past choices I have made that got me to this point: overweight, unhealthy, unhappy.  And by sharing this journey with the greater online world, I am going to have to be accountable to you, Reader, if I don't do the work. 

So, here we are, at the beginning.

You can start your own C25k at http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

12.26.2011:Planned Start date. Bypassed due to household illness. Ick.

01.02.2011: Downloaded the 10k Runner app, just in case I want to push further than the 5k mark. Completed W1/D1! Hubby joined me, and in the 25 minute walk/run, we covered 1.75 miles. We did our best to complete the pre and post run stretch routines by Karen Dubs found at Flexible Warrior Yoga. Wow, we are not very flexible!

01.03.2012: 20 Minute Pilates video.  Kicks my ass every time!  30 minutes Just Dance 3.  So glad no one sober has seen me do this!

01.04.2012: No exercise

01.05.2012: C210k app W1/D2. 2.13 miles! FW pre- and post-run youtube yoga. Hubby said he felt "stretchier" today compared to Monday.

01.06.2012: C210k app W1/D3. Same pre- and post-run yoga. 2.03 miles, same reps as yesterday, but must have had a slower pace because we went slightly less distance than before. Stopped after 4 repeats to say hello to Ray, our favorite local real estate broker, for about 5 minutes.

The last two days, the 6th repeat has been the hardest; my feet feel like lead!

The best part of today's workout was when the Hubby looked at me after post-run yoga and said, "I love this, this running yoga thing we're doing. I feel good."

01.07.2012: Volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.  Worked up quite the sweat moving in office furniture and fire-safe file cabinets for the new Sacramento headquarters. No further exercise necessary! Phew! Rick injured his back. :(

01.08.2012: More volunteering, and also a full day of painting the dining room. We have heavily textured walls, and both our shoulders and forearms were a burning afterwards!

01.09-12.2012: No running as we prepare for our trip to Poland.

01.13.2012: Brisk walk through freezing temperatures in Old Town Gdansk. About 1 hour total, but all exercise cancelled out by the several beers along the way. :)

On a side note, the increase in exercise and healthier eating has lead to an improved complexion and better sleeping!  Both my Mom and husband have commented that I am looking a little thinner, and I am definitely fitting into clothes a little better.  What encouragement to keep it all up!


01.24.12: Just back from Poland by about 36 hours.  Still fighting jet-lag, but looking forward to getting back to the running and brutal yoga lady tomorrow.  Worried that I may have to "start over" on the running app since it has been about two weeks. 


Weighed myself yesterday (1.23.12) and have lost 16.8 pounds since 1.5.12! I am amazed!  I really wasn't expecting that much, that fast and am really surprised and even more motivated.  That is over 37% of my target weight-loss and I am over a 1/3 of the way to my goal weight!

01.27.12: Finally got back to the task at hand and started the program back up after our trip.  W2/D1 and it kicked my butt pretty hard.  It was also my first time running without my hubby and running during daylight, which I hate because I think I look like a big oaf. I cranked up the music (you can run the C210k app in the foreground and it turns down your music automatically to tell you when to run or walk), ignored the taunting voices in my head, and made it through. 2.09 miles on the pedometer.  Not bad for my first solo venture. Happy to be back in the swing of things! 


01.28.12: Hubs and I went on a morning walk after some Banana-Berry Tofu Smoothies.  We learned that the main walk around our neighborhood is just over 3 miles. It felt really good to have a brisk morning walk.  I am thinking that I would like to do the walk every non-run day, and am looking for YouTube videos for some resistance exercises, and yoga and pilates videos to incorporate on those days, as well.


01.30.12: C210k app, W2/D2.  Received crushing news about my weight-loss (post), but am now even more motivated than before! Forgot the pedometer, but am less concerned with distance at this point than just progressing through the program.


02.02.12: C210k app, W2/D3. Yoga before and after, as always.  2.44 miles!  YAY! Excited to have completed two weeks, even if it has taken 1 month! LOL.  But who cares?  It is more exercise than I had in my life a month ago, and that is what I am focusing on. We are leaving for a weekend in Portland tomorrow, and I even packed my running shoes!

02.10.12: Worst day of running so far! W3/D2, and I CRAMPED in the middle of the run and my shins completely seized.  Couldn't finish the run, could barely walk home! So frustrated! 

06.28.2012: As some of you may now (and now the rest of you do, too!), I was hit by a car in April, leaving me with a permanent injury to my right knee.  It also forced me to have surgery (AGAIN!) on my right knee.  I have been slowly recovering (3 weeks now), and have been advised not to run. Ever. And so ends my C210k hopes and dreams....for now.

We can only see what the future will bring.  Please join me on my new adventure in weight-loss and overall health: the 24 Day Challenge!