Friday, June 12, 2009

In case you were wondering...

I've written a lot about my running: about the program I'm following, the progress I'm making, the 5K I signed up for and just generally the way I feel about it all. What I haven't really talked about is that along with a new exercising plan, I've also been trying to watch what I eat and yes, hoping to lose weight. I decided to write about it today because I was thinking this morning about WHY I hadn't written anything yet, and I realized a few things.

First, I'm not actually making stellar progress with the scale. Right now I weigh 149.8 pounds according to my scale. I figure this is about 10 pounds less than I weighed around my birthday, March 4. That was just a week after we had moved to Florida. I'm not sure exactly because I started eating better and getting active right around then (exploring the neighborhood walking Skelly and stocking up the fridge/pantry with fruits, veggies and whole grains), but I didn't hit the scale for a few weeks. The first time I did I was 156, so I estimate my starting point was around 160.

While I definitely recognize that 10 pounds is significant, after three months it's not exactly Oprah-worthy results. Especially since I lost the first five in March and for the eight weeks or so that I've been running I've only lost another five. That's more than fine with me, but it's not very exciting. I guess it's a stretch to say that I only blog about exciting things, but I haven't really considered it worth mentioning.

Which brings me to the second thing I realized this morning. Running, and reaching my running goals is a lot more important to me than seeing a certain number on the scale. That's the other part of the reason I haven't considered it worth mentioning. I don't want to make it seem like I'm running just to lose weight. I'm running because I want to do something that I've never done before. I'm running because I want to be able to keep up (relatively) with my husband and my friends and join in their interests. I'm running because it's making my body healthier and stronger.

I think the strongest proof that running is what's most important to me right now is the fact that I still am trying to watch what I eat and lose maybe another 10 pounds. Ok, I know that doesn't make sense. But in the past, there's no way that after losing "just" five pounds in eight weeks I would still be at it. If that was the only thing keeping me going, the lack of progress would be really depressing. I would give up and start an unhealthy cycle all over again, convinced that I'm just not meant to be any thinner. Every day I go out running I am blown away by the difference that I've made. Today I woke up at 7am so I could run for 28 minutes before it got too hot. (side note: There's no such thing as "before it gets too hot" here in Florida. It was blazing at 8am.) It was a tough workout, but that's what makes finishing it so satisfying. THAT's what keeps me going. I want to lose weight so I can be faster and run longer (and run in shorts without my legs rubbing together painfully). My first 5K is in just three weeks. I'm pretty sure it won't be my last.

Switching gears...

More pages to share! I'm working today and tomorrow (and maybe Sunday) so I might not have as much time to post this weekend, so I need to upload these pages while I remember.


This one kind of goes with the "3-way Dog Fight" page I posted yesterday. They both turned out just a little too "busy" looking for my taste. Can't complain about the picture, though, I think it's totally adorable.


This one I love, love, love. Maybe just because it's pretty much the opposite from the last one in terms of lots of busy patterns. I cut the word "fur" with my Slice. Other than that, all I used was the patterned paper background, an alphabet sticker set and blue cardstock (and a pen to write the date). Yay for simplicity! This was my inspiration.

1 comment:

  1. Remember that you are replacing fat with muscle, which is denser and heavier. You will eventually become lighter, but you are already leaner and stronger. Now if only your determination were contagious, I sure could use some. Keep up the good work!

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