Thursday, March 29, 2012

Adventure in trying to become a runner.....


      In 2010 my ex and I split ( amicably) and I moved out. All the sudden I had this desire to challenge myself into doing something that I never thought I could ever do.......RUNNING!! I jumped right into and signed up for a half marathon months down the road knowing that I would only keep up with the challenge that I had created if I had spent the money on the race. So the training began. I used Hal Higdon's half marathon training schedule and I stuck with it. October of 2010 I ran my first half ( I injured my knee at mile 6 and had to walk the remainder of the race) and I finished it. With the injury I was soooo frustrated that I could not "run" across the finish line so I was determined to run the half again the next year. It took months of me not running to let my knee heal completely before I could run again so I joined the gym that they had just opened in town so that I could work on strengthening my knee...... I was determined to complete my goal of running across the finish line at my next half. I never thought that I would enjoy being active. I always HATED the gym.....the idea of running.....etc. Now I was starting to really enjoy it. I wasn't really going at it hard core, just keeping my body active. I decided to attempt to run and signed up for my first 10k in July 2011. I was so excited when I crossed the finish line and had NO problems with my knee! I completed a few more little races and then in Oct 2011 I completed my goal and RAN across the finish line of my 2nd Half marathon.


Now I am not a fast runner at all!!! And even though I have completed those few races I still have a hard time considering me a runner at all!! But now that is one of my next goals...... to shorten my time and not feel like I am going to die when I do.... : )

Few pictures from some of my other races......



The Weight Loss Journey......

         As much people can relate......I have been on this wonderful journey called weight loss since I became a adult. The easy days of eating fast food every day and junk food for breakfast were gone!! Then when I started having kids getting the weight off became a challenge that I was always struggling to beat.  I had the three boys pretty much back to back. Tyler was born when Zach was 2.5 and then 16 months later Cody was born. I had pretty much just decided that I was not going to be a thin girl and just accepted it!

        When Cody was about 2 I decided that I wanted to become a surrogate mom ( save that adventure for another post  :)) I had a set of twin girls and I had actually lost a little weight after they were born and thought hmm...... maybe it is possible to lose more and actually be happy with how I look. Shortly after they were born I decided to do a 2nd surrogacy and had another little girl. After she was born I decided that I was really going to make the attempt to lose weight and joined Weight Watchers. I LOVED it!! I had found something that totally worked and ended up losing about 30 lbs and was at my lowest weight that I could remember. 151 lbs and a size 8. I decided after I lost all that weight that I was going to take the surrogate journey one more time and I had twin boys. After they were born I hit weight watchers again and got down to about 161 and then got lazy. I wasn't completely unhappy with myself but I did not have the drive to get much further. Year passed and slowly my weight crept back up to 175. I was starting to feel that insecure down feeling again but I just could not find the drive to take that adventure again. Life was just crazy and kept making the excuse that I didn't have time to really focus on it.

        After a few years of just "settling" on how I look and a lot of changes in my life I have finally found that drive and motivation that I need........( especially thanks to a few blogs that I have come across in the last few months www.mamalaughlin.com ) I am on this weight loss journey....AKA change of lifestyle!! The jump start for me was the day I walked into my gym and they were starting a 10 week weight loss/ biggest loser challenge. I immediately signed up and hit it full force!! I made a goal for myself... I want to be 135!!! Don't ever remember being that low. But with the right mind set I know that I can do it!!

      Challenge started February 15th ( day after Valentines day for one last splurge)Thursdays are weigh in day. First weight in was at the gym and I weighed in at 174.6. I HATE weighing in at night! I am one of those girls that has to strip down to nothing on my scale in first thing in the morning ( I know I am not the only one!!!) Lucky for me, after that initial weigh in they will allow us to weigh in on our scale and send her a picture with my cell :)) That makes me a happy girl!! So 6 weeks into the challenge this was my weigh in this  morning........was hoping to have more weight loss by this point but at least its something and I am determined to meet my goal of 135!! I'll get there!!


Sorry for the crappy cell phone no light 4:15am picture!!
                                                            9 lbs lost at this point. YEA!!


    
   
      


Monday, March 26, 2012

Lucky 7 St Patricks Day Run

I know I'm a little behind posting about this race but with crazy life and weekend in San Diego with my surrogate boys I figured blogging while waiting at the airport is the best time!!

St Patrick's day was probably one of the funnest races to date. The hype of everyone dressed in green, my specially made tshirt ( thanks Betsy!!) and getting to run with my best friends daughter on her birthday and her mom( my 2nd family) was the best!! Alyvia was so excited to get to experience her first race! The shamrock antennas and all!! Grammy even wrote " it's my birthday" on the back of her shirt and everyone running by would wish her happy birthday. The entire race she kept saying how exciting it was! Every time I see her now she says she can't wait to race with me again. Love my new running partner!!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Guess I should start off by introducing myself.......

         Gosh where do I start..... I am a mom of three busy boys.  Z ( the oldest) just turn 16, T ( middle) 13 and C ( youngest) is 12.  Yes, the youngest two are 16 months apart...... and even crazier we planned it that way :)  I decided to join this exciting world of blogging ( after reading many that have been such a huge inspiration) to keep in better touch with family and friends but also for some accountability in this weight loss journey and to maybe one day become an inspiration to others!

Little about me......

~ I was blessed to be a surrogate mom to 5 wonderful babies. Twin girls ( M & S born in 2002) A single girl ( N born 2003) and Twin Boys (J & C born 2005) and I am lucky enough to still have a close relationship with both of the sets of twins
~ I work full time in the exciting world of the mortgage industry while going to school part time at night  to fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a nurse
~ I love being crafty (get that crafty side from my momma!)...pinterest has become one of my new favorite things!!
~ I love to bake, cook, try out new recipes. ( yet another trait of my mom : )
~ I have an amazing group of friends that I could not imagine life without!!
~ I have recently joined the exciting world of weight loss and being more active
~ I have been divorced almost two years (mutual decision)
~ I NEVER was an athlete growing up but I have recently found joy in the gym, running ( some days) and trying out new activities to be more active in my life!


~ Some of my favorite things is a glass of wine (or two) after a long day, weekends hanging out with friends, camping trips full of laughter, sonic ice ( sounds silly I know but if you are an ice lover you know exactly what I mean!)......

Guess that's enough for now :)