Monday mix tape

 

Hey peeps! It started out really cold here in the ATL - fall is definitely here!

Saturday I had a hair appointment at 10 so I had to get my run in SUPER early. I was out the second it was light outside (7:22 in case you were wondering) I was surprised by a light drizzle but it seemed to be going away. Boy was I wrong. Gradually the rain was getting heavier and I was still just pushing on. By the time I stopped to fill my water bottle I was a mile away from home with 4 more to go and I had to give it up. It was pouring at that point and I was freezing! It was still 7 miles, just not the 10 I set out to do. I really didn't think it was worth pneumonia!

Sunday I went to do some cheering at the Breast Cancer 3-Day since I'm not participating this year. It ended up being a gorgeous day and I thrilled that the walkers didn't have to spend another day in the rain.

This morning I got a super fast 3 miles in. I've started running a little faster on shorter runs to try to burn some more calories. I burn about half of what I used to - which I guess makes sense since I'm almost half of what I was!

This cold weather is invigorating to me but I'm struggling with having not a lot of winter clothes - that would be fun problem IF I weren't trying to save every penny for the renovation so right now I'm just getting things I desperately need. I'm even on my second round of all new underwear!

After cleaning out my closet over the weekend I discovered I had one pair of leggings. That's it. No other pants in my entire closet ft. I will someday buy some amazing designer jeans but for now, Old Navy will do.

Shock and awe in the dressing room

Am I really going to be one of THOSE people that are all like "do you have this in a ZERO?!?" This is really weird to me. The other pair of jeans I bought were a six which seems a little more normal but still so so so so weird.

On my run this morning my pants were literally falling down and I decided it was time to give them up. Now that I've gotten used to pockets in my running pants there is no going back. Nothing else but Lulu would do. Shout out to my peeps at Lululemon Howell Mill. They have been so supportive (ha literally with my tata tamer sports bra!) in my journey and treated me just as well when I was a size 12. They've watched me shrink on down through the sizes and they help make it exciting!

Can't Stop Crop

They are more like pants than crops on me but good for winter. No matter how skinny I will get, I'm afraid my legs will never be long!

More shock and awe in the dressing room...and again, don't judge me on the price of my pants.

So that's about it! I won't be weighing in on Friday since I'll be in Florida but I'll check back in after the reunion which I'm really excited for. There are a few great friends I haven't seen since then - I really can't believe it's been 25 years. We're pretty, we're great we're the class of '88! :)

Friday weigh in

Happy Friday y'all! Yes, I know I skipped a whole week of blogging but sometimes, not even I am superwoman.

I've been working really long days to help pay for the renovation - sometimes it seems like we've been at it forever and that it should be almost done but it's really just begun.

before

during

Just since I started writing this post the rest of the windows upstairs have been ripped out. 3 big new ones are going in and that will make for some less expensive bills this winter. After that's done, there's an 18' x 8' addition is going where the 2 doors are on the left. So thankful my brother-in-law is doing this - it's like having my own Mike Holmes "makin' it right".

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In running news, last Saturday I made it through my first double digit run!

I did really well. I took it slow and the only time I struggled was on a huge hill and running directly into the sun at about mile 8. I think it's good for me to face those challenges out there because that's what will happen on race day and it's good to know how to handle it. I had forgotten my energy gummies and I'm thinking that may have had something to do with it too. That won't happen again!

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And now for the weigh in!!
Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237 -13
Feb 8 - 231 -6
Feb 15 - 222 -9
Feb 22 - 220  -2
Mar 1 - 218  -2
Mar 8 - 216  -2
Mar 15 - 213 -3
Mar 22 - 209 -4
Mar 28 - 208 -1
Apr 5 - 206 -2
Apr 12 - 199 -7
Apr 26 - 196 -3
May 3 - 193 -3 
May 10 - 190 -3
May 17 - 187 -3
May 24 - 186 -1
May 31 - 184 -2
June 7 - 177 -7  
June 14 - 177 -0   
June 21 - 175 -2
June 28 - 171 -4
July 5 - 167 -4
July 12 - 167 -0
July 22 - 165 -2
July 26 - 159 -6
Aug 2 - 158 -1
Aug 9  - 157 -1
Aug 23 - 154 -3
Aug 30 - 150 -4
Sep 6 - 149 -1
Sep 13 - 146 -3
Sep 20 - 146 -0
Sep 27 - 144 -2
Oct 4 - 143 -1
Oct 18 - 138 -5

112 pounds total!

Hello 130's! I can't even believe I am 13 pounds from my goal ?!?! I think I'm smaller than I was even in the 6th grade. It never stops being weird but great. I've gotten to the point now where everyone feels comfortable asking about it - people in my neighborhood stop me on the street and the people that work in the grocery story flock around me asking how I did it. Even some guys who you think would never even notice have said something.

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Next weekend is my 25 year (yikes!) high school reunion. I'm SO excited to be getting a trip to the beach and a few days away with my husband. It's also pretty sweet to have more than one dress option AND they are both size small :) 

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Tomorrow I will set out early for another 10 miler. I'm going much earlier and am avoiding that mile 8 hill this time - oh and not forgetting my fuel!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Friday weigh in AND Monday mix tape

Hey all! Friday was impossible and I never got to post my weigh in which is really okay because it's getting less and less dramatic :) I'm truly fine with my weight loss slowing down. It will be nice to be able to wear new clothes more than once

Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237 -13
Feb 8 - 231 -6
Feb 15 - 222 -9
Feb 22 - 220  -2
Mar 1 - 218  -2
Mar 8 - 216  -2
Mar 15 - 213 -3
Mar 22 - 209 -4
Mar 28 - 208 -1
Apr 5 - 206 -2
Apr 12 - 199 -7
Apr 26 - 196 -3
May 3 - 193 -3 
May 10 - 190 -3
May 17 - 187 -3
May 24 - 186 -1
May 31 - 184 -2
June 7 - 177 -7  
June 14 - 177 -0   
June 21 - 175 -2
June 28 - 171 -4
July 5 - 167 -4
July 12 - 167 -0
July 22 - 165 -2
July 26 - 159 -6
Aug 2 - 158 -1
Aug 9  - 157 -1
Aug 23 - 154 -3
Aug 30 - 150 -4
Sep 6 - 149 -1
Sep 13 - 146 -3
Sep 20 - 146 -0
Sep 27 - 144 -2
Oct 4 - 143 -1
107 pounds total!

Saturday the alarm went off at 5am for my 10k in the country! I went with my friends/neighbors and luckily they drove. I was barely awake but I'm always excited for a race.

The course was gorgeous! We were on country roads then on a winding running trail through cotton fields that were covered by the morning mist as the sun was coming up. I hardly ever stop long enough to take pictures but it was too pretty not to!

Because my foot has been forcing me to run slow, I did not set out to break any records but much to my surprise.......

Do you believe that my first ever 10k was 1:49? I've shaved 42 minutes off my 10k. I can't quite believe it myself. I felt great and so did my foot so I just let go and enjoyed it!

Sunday I did a 90 minute Bikram yoga class and today I'm resting while I get caught up on some work - in the middle of my house being torn apart. It's tough and I'm stressed but I'm hanging in there!

Have a happy, healthy week!!!

Monday mix tape

Hey everyone! It's been a pretty good Monday after a very quick weekend. The weather here is amazing - cool in the mornings and sunny and warm in the afternoon. 

Saturday, I took advantage of the temperatures and my pain free foot and did this

It was early and cook and the beltline was almost empty. My foot was feeling great as long as I stayed slow and kept short strides so I left my ego at home and let my body tell me what to do.

I could have gone another 4 miles easily but I'm being careful and working up to my half marathon distance. The plan is to get to 12 a couple weeks before the race. I will wait until the race to do the full 13.1. I can't even begin to describe how good it feels to be able to run for 2 hours.

Sunday was a rest day. My quads were on FIRE but my foot wasn't hurting at all. I took an epsom salt bath and kept icing and stretching. Worked well enough to be back out again this morning!

I'm afraid it's a short and not so interesting mix tape this week. We are laying low during the renovation and trying not to spend a lot of money. Yep, that's pretty boring :)

Have a happy, healthy week everyone!

Friday weigh in - 8 month update!

TGIF!! More gorgeous weather on tap for the weekend and I'm looking forward to running! I've been on the elliptical, doing weights and pilates with my trainer and lots of yoga but I miss running so much! I've been pain free for a few days now so I'm going to attempt a run tomorrow morning. Flat, easy and not too far. I'm hoping for 6 or 7 if my foot stays happy!

I'm thrilled to have lost 2 pounds this week without running. It's getting a lot harder to lose now - I'm only 19 pounds from my doctors goal. I wouldn't mind another 15 after that but we shall see.

Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237 -13
Feb 8 - 231 -6
Feb 15 - 222 -9
Feb 22 - 220  -2
Mar 1 - 218  -2
Mar 8 - 216  -2
Mar 15 - 213 -3
Mar 22 - 209 -4
Mar 28 - 208 -1
Apr 5 - 206 -2
Apr 12 - 199 -7
Apr 26 - 196 -3
May 3 - 193 -3 
May 10 - 190 -3
May 17 - 187 -3
May 24 - 186 -1
May 31 - 184 -2
June 7 - 177 -7  
June 14 - 177 -0   
June 21 - 175 -2
June 28 - 171 -4
July 5 - 167 -4
July 12 - 167 -0
July 22 - 165 -2
July 26 - 159 -6
Aug 2 - 158 -1
Aug 9  - 157 -1
Aug 23 - 154 -3
Aug 30 - 150 -4
Sep 6 - 149 -1
Sep 13 - 146 -3
Sep 20 - 146 -0
Sep 27 - 144 -2
106 pounds total!

Inches for September
Waist: - 1.25"
Chest: - 1"
Hips: - 1.5"
Thigh:  R - 1.5"
Arm: R - .5"
Calf: R - .5"
6.25" for this month

The inches this month really surprised me though I can clearly tell by my size 6 jeans and this months pictures! I had to start wearing a new tank top for the shots - the other one is way too big now. Too bad it was a nice one from Athleta!

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

I thought I'd start putting the first one and the most recent side by side since there are so many of them now!

I still can't remember being the person in the first picture and at the same time, can't believe it's me in the one from today. Sometimes I can't find myself in the mirror at unless I'm right up front. My brain will catch up one day I think?!?

Have a great weekend everyone. Thanks as always for continuing to read and keep up with my progress.

Monday mix tape

Hey all! Welcome to the week! It was over way too quickly as usual.

Saturday was a total washout. The weather was so gross I didn't even use my ticket for the PGA tour. Instead I went to my 90 minute bikram yoga class which ended up being a looooonnnnggg 100 minutes. The teacher was brand new and she went way over time and never used the fans or the dehumidifier. Wowza that was a tough class. Burned almost 600 calories though :)

Sunday was one of those great days where I sprung out of bed at 7:00 so excited to RUN!  I wanted to do my usual golf course route and needed to get through it before the rush of people for the first tee off. The weather was cool, the sun was just coming up and my foot seemed to be in agreement with the rest of my body for once. I managed 5 miles mostly pain free. My plantar fascia was definitely "there" but wasn't screaming at me like last time.

Later on it the day, it was really sore when I went out to do some shopping but I was wearing flip-flops and that was probably not the best idea.

This is what MADE my day.

I knew my 8's were falling off but I just couldn't wrap my head around being a 6 so I had to see for myself. They fit perfect. Just in time for my high school reunion.

I'm really excited to get to the size I'm going to stay and I don't have to buy the cheapest clothes anymore. I was in Nordstrom Rack looking at Joe's jeans and I just can't bring myself to do it when when they will only fit for a month or so.

Now the golfers are gone and it's back to normal - I have my running route back and my new insoles seem to be working. I'm keeping my promise of only running every other day so it's back to yoga tonight to keep it all balanced. Just a little over 9 weeks until Thanksgiving and my half marathon!

Have a happy, healthy week everyone!

Friday weigh in

Friday! Finally! It's been a long week and it's not looking like I'm going to get much of a weekend off but again, happy to be busy with work!

The week was long - mostly because I couldn't run and boy did I miss it. The good news is that I got some "Super Feet" brand insoles from the running store and did 2 miles this morning PAIN FREE! I was about to go spend the money for the custom orthotics ($335!!!)  but I'm hoping these will work - at least for now during the renovation. I won't run again until Sunday because I promised myself I'd stick to running only every other day at least for a while.

My running route is currently overtaken by the PGA Tour of champions. This morning when I was running super slow (on purpose) I kept thinking what if Phil or Tiger see me running like a grandma?!? Regardless, I'm thrilled to be back and feeling better after only 4 days off.

The lack of running did not help with the scale even though I did yoga twice and my trainer twice.

Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237 -13
Feb 8 - 231 -6
Feb 15 - 222 -9
Feb 22 - 220  -2
Mar 1 - 218  -2
Mar 8 - 216  -2
Mar 15 - 213 -3
Mar 22 - 209 -4
Mar 28 - 208 -1
Apr 5 - 206 -2
Apr 12 - 199 -7
Apr 26 - 196 -3
May 3 - 193 -3 
May 10 - 190 -3
May 17 - 187 -3
May 24 - 186 -1
May 31 - 184 -2
June 7 - 177 -7  
June 14 - 177 -0   
June 21 - 175 -2
June 28 - 171 -4
July 5 - 167 -4
July 12 - 167 -0
July 22 - 165 -2
July 26 - 159 -6
Aug 2 - 158 -1
Aug 9  - 157 -1
Aug 23 - 154 -3
Aug 30 - 150 -4
Sep 6 - 149 -1
Sep 13 - 146 -3
Sep 20 - 146 -0
104 pounds total!

I'm not at all unhappy with a zero this week. I might have had a few too many pop chips but no alcohol (until about 2 hours from now!) In fact, I was just out shopping and I tried on a top that was a small and had to go back out to find and XS. Extra small. ME? Ridiculous. I swore I'd never have an X in my size again but I never considered the X in XS.



Have a great weekend everyone!

Monday mix tape

 

Dear lord what a busy Monday! I'm SO happy to be busy - being busy will pay for the giant renovation that's just begun!

Just in time for Halloween, my house looks haunted! This is what's left of the back deck. Lots of rotted wood and structural issues that could have been prevented with about $15 worth of flashing when it was built. Now the whole back of the house is being re-built BUT we are getting the always dreamed of addition off the kitchen and dining room. Every (big, expensive) cloud has a sliver lining right? I was quite sad to see it go. Many good times have been had on that deck! I know the new one will be bigger and better but that will be the last thing done and it will be quite a while until we get to that point!

Despite having no deck, it was a gorgeous weekend in the ATL.

Saturday I got up at 5am to run the Run in Defense of Animals. It was a small race and I love races where ALL of the money goes to the charity - not just part of the proceeds. I'm spoiled now because it was at a fancy country club and the facilities were so nice!

Nicest pre-race pee ever!

There were tons of dogs there so my friend and I represented the cat population :)

It was a crazy-hilly course but I finished it in 35 minutes.  I work really hard on my mental stamina when it comes to big hills because I know I will face a lot of them on the half marathon!

Sunday things fell apart a bit. I was going to run 9 miles and had a nagging feeling that I shouldn't because I got a warning from my husband and my neighbor that I need to be careful not to over-train. Sure enough, 3 miles in, my heal was burning so I stopped to stretch and it just got worse. I KNEW I had to stop right then and there. I limped back to the car in tears and you know what my first reaction was? I wanted a doughnut. Such ridiculous thinking - oh sure a doughnut will show that plantar fasciitis.... That is proof that I'm not "cured". I will never be. It is, was and will always be hard. Sure I could have had half a Krispy Kreme and it wouldn't have killed me but that's the kind of thinking that made me 250 pounds and I'm too much of a reasonable person to listen to that sh*t :) Instead I went to 90 minutes of Bikram yoga. I saw my instructor and we talked about balance and not overdoing it and how running is hard on the body and I need to keep practicing yoga to even things out. She's totally right and that made me cry a little more. I limped over to my mat and had one of the best classes of my life. I posted about it on Facebook because I want people to know it's not all rainbows and unicorns over here. This is hard and work it's certainly not going to get easier but I'm convinced I can make the right choice 99% of the time. The other 1% really will not kill me.

I'm nursing my foot. It's all I can do. I just got a cortisone shot 3 months ago and it will be a while before I can get another one - if ever! I have a prescription for orthotics and I'm going to KT tape in the meantime but I probably won't run much this week. I can train with my trainer and do yoga which will keep me going but It's only my first day off and I'm already jealous of people running! I know I will be fine if I can just sit still for a minute! :)

Have a happy, healthy week everyone!


  

Friday weigh in!

Happy Friday blog peeps! It's supposed to be a spectacular weekend here in the ATL and I can't wait to finish all this work so that I can go out and enjoy it!

As usual, I have an early race on Saturday so I'm getting up at 5am. This one is 'just' a 5k but I chose it because every penny goes to the Defense of Animals Fund. I'm going to take it easy on that one because I'm going to attempt 9 miles on Sunday. 9 miles isn't on my training plan for another few weeks but I think I'm ready. I've done two 8 milers already and did not die!

On to the weigh in!

Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237 -13
Feb 8 - 231 -6
Feb 15 - 222 -9
Feb 22 - 220  -2
Mar 1 - 218  -2
Mar 8 - 216  -2
Mar 15 - 213 -3
Mar 22 - 209 -4
Mar 28 - 208 -1
Apr 5 - 206 -2
Apr 12 - 199 -7
Apr 26 - 196 -3
May 3 - 193 -3 
May 10 - 190 -3
May 17 - 187 -3
May 24 - 186 -1
May 31 - 184 -2
June 7 - 177 -7  
June 14 - 177 -0   
June 21 - 175 -2
June 28 - 171 -4
July 5 - 167 -4
July 12 - 167 -0
July 22 - 165 -2
July 26 - 159 -6
Aug 2 - 158 -1
Aug 9  - 157 -1
Aug 23 - 154 -3
Aug 30 - 150 -4
Sep 6 - 149 -1
Sep 13 - 146 -3
104 pounds total!
 
Great week on the scale. I worked out like crazy (as usual!) and ate really well- at home- with no booze :) I've been really busy with work and I think that also helps me from getting snacky. Even though I can only eat little amounts, I can still eat small amounts all day long if I'm not careful. That's where MyFitnessPal comes in so handy (tinaatl if you want to friend me). I can look and see where I am for the day and get a handle on if that hunger is real or in my head. I may have said this before but it's kind of like how I use my heart rate monitor. I can be running and think I'm dying but look down at my heart rate and know that I'm not dying and push through it!

Last night I went out with my besties to see Depeche Mode (one of my 3 favorite bands from the 80s) It was a great show though our $85 seats were so far back but it was my first concert as a normal size person and that was incredible. I got to wear a cute outfit, not sweat (outdoor venue), not spill over to the seat next to me, not dread the walk etc. etc. By the time I got home, I was smiling from ear to ear - not just from Dave Gahan's sexiness, but from the overwhelming gratitude for this second chance I've been given.

I'm so glad I was not one of those girls at the show who still wear pleather and blue hair waaaaaaay too late into their 40s

I'm going to shut up now and get to work. I got these action shots from last Sunday's relay that I love and wanted to share. Imagine that - loving pictures of myself. That's a whole blog post in itself!!

This was about 3 minutes from the finish line. I love the early morning light in the park!

The handoff!

Done and majorly sweaty!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Monday mix tape

Another weekend gone in flash but it was more than fun - it was RIDICULOUS fun!

Saturday was nothing special really - I went to my support group and then shopping! I did find a contender for my high school reunion dress which I will not be showing until the event :) It's SO amazing to be able to try just about anything on and even more amazing when it looks great!

Sunday, I was up at 5:30 for another early race! This one was a relay and I went first - we had a slap bracelet we had to hand off to the next person which I thought was a great way of doing it.

 There were five of us and each leg was about 3.4 miles.  I was filling in for someone that couldn't make it and I was worried about being slow so I ran my little heart out! It was hilly but I was determined I was going to haul ass. After all it was a much shorter distance than I've been doing. I FLEW through the gate to hand of my bracelet to the next runner and I couldn't even believe my pace. 10:30 minute miles. I'm normally at 12:30. So. Freaking. Proud!

I was so honored to be a part of this team. Turns out one of the runners was in my dorm my first year of college (small world) and they are all so sweet and TOTALLY inspiring. I hope to run many more races with them even though I'm so dang short!!! :)

The "Fast and Furious Five!" click to enlarge

When I got home, I was still flying high from such a fun morning that we decided to head out and make it a fun afternoon! For me, nothing says fun like ditching the car and heading out on foot and on train!

 

We headed downtown to check out "Streets Alive" which is something the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition has been doing twice a year. They shut down 4 miles of Peachtree Street (one of the busiest in the city) and opened it to bikers, walkers, skateboarders, dogs, etc. I think this is one of the coolest things our city has ever done. All the shops were open, there was music and all sorts of fitness activities for kids. There also was a bike parade and a station to "pimp your bike" with all sorts of decorations. We were on foot but next time we will try the bikes!

Oh, and you can drink beer in the middle of the road.

 

and eat real fish and chips from a food truck
(2 chips and one bite of fish is all my stomach could handle!)

  

I had quite a few adult beverages along the way - why not when you're on foot and car-less!

 Can you believe this is what my "rear view" looks like these days?!? I knew my yoga butt was lookin' good and this was photographic evidence! :)

 

We finally headed home after 6 miles of walking and I may or may not be a little tipsy at this point.

It's impossible to describe how I felt all day. I was almost in tears I was so happy. I'm a 43 year old toddler starting a brand new life. No kind of food (not even doughnuts or pizza) or amount of food could ever be better that feeling. That is my mantra these days for getting through the tough times when I think I miss the food I used to eat. 

Have a happy, healthy week everyone! I will be back on Friday!