Been gone so looong!!

It has been such a long time since I have wrote anything. I blame this on allergy season. I hate pollen!! Pollen sucks the very life out of you.

I still been trying to keep up with my running. Last week, the hero in blue had to take some classes for some re-certification, and the power lifting champion had to rest up for his competition last week. So I had no training partners. I basically, just walked and took it easy. I found out that I can walk at a speed of 4.5 mph. I was really excited about that because I used to run at that speed a few months ago. I did run Friday, I really felt good for that run. But Monday, I ran again and once again I was disappointed with myself. I feel like I should be running a lot faster at this point. I started running in Feb. at a 4.5 mph speed and now I can run at between a 5.0 mph and 5.3 mph. I think I just am afraid of going any faster. I still have trouble with my breathing and around mile 2 I start feeling tired. The hero in blue and I have been trying to do some of our running outside. I really struggle with that. I think it is because I try to keep up with him, and he can run at a 6.0 speed. I still am determined to be a runner. I love reading running blogs and seeing all the races. It looks challenging but also like a lot of fun. I would like to be comfortable at a 6.0 speed before I try to do a race. Today, is another run day so I will let you know how it goes!!

Happy Belated Easter!!!

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter!! We had a pretty good Easter!! Here are some photos of the kids.

The computer genius doing his favorite thing!!

The champion muscle man in a rare photo op!!

My gorgeous diva in her Easter dress

My beautiful princess also in her Easter dress!!

The princess, the diva and Mr. Buddy Bigglesworth

     Okay now I am done bragging :)!! Our Easter was pretty good. Actually, we celebrated our Easter early since my hard working hero in blue had to back at work on Easter. No rest for the men in blue. Anyway, our Easter weekend was full of exercise and over-indulging. Friday, since our gym was closed for the Easter weekend; we decided to go hiking. This is the place we chose:

This is a picture from the bottom

And a picture from the top!! (Not my pictures)

The name of this gorgeous place is Hanging Rock National Park. And we (the whole family) hiked all the way to the top. It is only about 3.5 miles, but this included a lot of steps. I told the hero in blue that I felt like I had done at least a  thousand,  hundred squats going up. It was gorgeous though once we got to the top. We actually we went back down, and went back up with the kids. Since, the hero in blue was seeing how fast we could do it. On our real   way back down, we passed a man and woman running the whole thing. I know 3.5 doesn't seem hard, but you should have seen the hills and steps. I was in awe and dumbstruck by their dedication. 

     Saturday, we decided to go to a park close by our house and play some softball and putt putt. This day I really started the indulging of the Easter treats!!:) Our first stop before the park was at Mickey D's (otherwise known as McDonalds). The computer genius wanted to share a 20 piece Mcnugget and fry. So, being the loving mother that I am, I quickly agreed. We didn't finish it, so we shared with the muscleman. We get to the park and my loving mother-in-law brought a coconut cream pie. Let me tell you I am a pie fanatic. I love it!! So, of course being the loving daughter-in-law that I am, I had to have a piece. I didn't play softball, but I knew the park had a walking trail that was a mile. So, the hero in blue and I did it twice. He wanted to do it one more time but my legs were killing me from the hike the day before.

     Sunday, we had Lasagna and Chicken Alfredo. I ate the Chicken Alfredo for lunch and supper. I went on a short walk with the diva and princess. I really wanted to do a longer walk but we all got really sleepy, possibly from all the carbs?

     Today, the hero in blue and I went on a run. More on the later since this is a really long blog.

My embarrassing and annoying problem

     Today, I just wanted to vent about my annoying and embarrassing problem. My spare tire or as a I like to call it a menopot.

This is not me but this is how I feel.

Apparently, around age 40 this lovely phenomenon starts showing up. Ok, so let me get this straight not only do I have to deal with sagging skin but also a lovely thing called a menopot. Oh, the joys of aging.

I guess this is how I am starting to look to people (LOL).

I'm so happy to be droopy with a menopot.

So I figured ok, I can once again start self-hating, or I can do something about it. 

So I can go from this 

To this.

    I started doing a little research and found out some interesting things that I need to improve on to help  myself.  First of course, you have to change the way your eating. You should get plenty of healthy fats, such as Olive, Canola, Peanut oils and Avocados. You should also increase your Calcium intake. Also, eat as much whole foods as possible. This would mean increasing the fruits and vegetables you eat. Increasing how much water you drink, and decreasing the amount of soda intake. Secondly, doing a combination of  Cardio, Weights, and Core training, such as Pilates or Yoga. Adding some good AB exercises, such as bicycles, good old fashioned crunches, and if you have a exercise ball using that. The research I did suggested laying with the middle part of your back on the ball and pulling your hips up toward the ceiling. And, lastly getting between 7-8 hours of sleep a night. 

    After, researching I realized that there are a lot of things I am doing right, but there also a lot things I need to improve on. I am following the right path by doing a combo of Cardio and Weights. But I do need to add some more Core training. Also, I need to add some more healthy fats to my diet. Well, I am off to try some of these suggestions. If anybody out there has some suggestions for me, feel free to comment. I would really appreciate it!!

   

    

   

     

Life Changes and Murphy's Law

I am sorry it has been so long since I've blogged. But my life is a-changing(not a real word one of my own :) ) !!! I have now officially become a taxi driving mom.

 My record holding power-lifter has gotten a job!!! It is his first job and I have to admit I have been impressed with his work ethic. He will be working at a frozen yogurt shop (hmmm I wonder if they give discounts to taxi driving mom's?). It is a brand new shop, so the owner has been using his (Luke's not the owner's) big muscles to set the shop up. I am so prooud of him!! The diva has been working for a-while now as an after-school teacher for the YMCA. She is also really good at her job, and she works hard with the kids she watches. She also has taken up running, her goal is to run the Disney princess half-marathon. I am proud of her commitment.And then the princess has started playing softball. So I have been pretty much living in my car, and trying to juggle this new crazy schedule.

     Despite these new changes, I still have been working out and running. My running has been going okay. I am not pleased with the way my endurance has been. It seems like I am not improving. The hubby said that it probably is because I am over-thinking it. I believe it, because there is a lot of thinking going on when you are running. And I have a tendency to really doubt myself. But still I like to remind myself that at least I am running and working on improving. Which brings me to another subject. Lately, I have noticed a change in the way I think about exercising. Before all I thought about was how many calories do I have to burn today to lose this amount of weight? Instead my focus has changed to how far can I run today? or How much time can I finish a 3 mile run in? I love this change in thinking because no longer is it about the weight but it is more about how much stronger I feel after each workout. It is incredible!!! 

     Lastly, I wanted to share this funny tidbit I found on one of the blogs I read. I thought it was hilarious and so fitting for a new runner like me.

  

St.Patty's Day, Green Ketchup, and Luke

First off let me say Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! 

 

  Today, I celebrated St. Patty's Day with a handsome red head and FREE FRIES WITH GREEN KETCHUP!!! I took the computer genius out to Burger King because it was free fries all day !!! He had been waiting and talking about it for a week.  The green ketchup looked gross, but tasted just like ketchup. The bad thing was it dyed anything it touched green, I wondered what it did to our insides? Oh, well I think it will be okay for one day.

      In running news, my runs keep getting stronger and faster. Yesterday, I dreaded it all day to the point that I told the hubby, "forget it I'm just not going today!!" Wonderful, encouraging husband, that he is, he ended up talking me into it. I got on the treadmill and once I started going I felt great!!! I felt one with the run (so to speak). 

I really am starting to feel like this after a run!!

     I also have had a good week with strength training. When, I first started squats, I could not learn the proper form. I thought I knew how to do squats, but let's just say I didn't know squat about squats (no pun intended :)) But lately, I have been getting stronger in that area too. I think I have said in the past that my strength trainer, is a world record holding power lifter AKA my son Luke. 

Yep, folks he can really lift this much!!!

But there is another reason this mom is so proud of him. He recently lost almost 30 pounds and he has joined his mom and dad running!!! He is a natural athlete, so running is coming easy to him. As I said in my previous post, it is so important as well as fun to make your children part of your fitness program. As many of you have read in recent reports, so many children and teens are overweight,  becoming diabetics, have high blood pressure, and many other health issues. When kids see their parents enjoying a healthy lifestyle,they want to do it too!! We never pressured Luke in anything he chose to do. My husband has been power-lifting since he was a teenager. And he gradually helped Luke along. We are very proud of the things Luke has accomplished, but if he decided he didn't want to do this anymore, that would be okay too. He is very good at training me as well. He loves to switch up my strength training. It is never boring when I train with Luke.

     Well, I hope everyone enjoys their St. Patrick's Day!! And if you get a chance go by Burger King, and get some free fries and green ketchup!! You won't be sorry.

The blog post I needed!! And a great giveaway you need to know about!!!

I know, I know I already posted today. But when I came across this blog post by Too Tall Fritz: I just had to post it. I fell in love with it!!! It was brilliant!! Here is the link: http://tootallfritz.com/2012/03/08/dont-count-yourself-out/.There are a lot of my friends, and other people out there who are struggling with their weight loss and fitness journey. I should know, I have been struggling quite awhile with this myself. But if anybody read some of my past post recently. You can see how great a challenge it is just to overcome the voices in your own head. She covers this and so much more in this post. So I would like to say Thank You Too Tall Fritz for writing this wonderful post. And just when I needed it the most too!!! Also Too Tall Fritz is giving everyone a chance to win a great pair of Aspaeirs Compression Shorts. Here is the link if you are interested in entering: http://tootallfritz.com/2012/03/13/i-won-heres-a-giveaway-aspaeris-pivot-shorts/

"Running on Sunshine"

If anyone out in blogland has been reading my blog, you know that the last few running days I've had ended up miserably. But yesterday was a totally different day. It was a lot better. I was able to run longer and even beat my time. 

I still have a lot more in common with this guy

Than with this guy!!!

 

But hey, I feel like I am making progress!!! In fact yesterday, I felt so good, I literally felt like I was "running on sunshine". I also felt a lot of improvement on my squats and dead-lifts. Each time I feel like I am stronger. It still a struggle, but in the end it feels great. 

     In other news, I have been enjoying the beautiful weather we have here. I have been doing a lot of my walking days outside. Sunday, I took Jessi and Sammy with me. I wanted to share some of the pictures we took.

Me and the famous Mr. Buddy!! 

Miss Sammy Waffles

My gorgeous diva girl Jessi!!

My two bookends!!

We had so much fun walking and enjoying the gorgeous day. My advice for anyone with teenagers or really any age, if at all possible include them in your exercise plans. It not only benefits everyone's health, it is also a fantastic time to spend quality time with them. Trust me they grow up way to fast!! It is so much fun to enjoy exercising while finding out what is going on in their lives. These are some of the best memories for me and hopefully them as well. Then today I walked my 3.1 miles with my hubby!! Another great bonding day. Well, I hope tomorrows run will go just as well as yesterdays. I will keep you posted!!

Running Blahs!!

Yesterday, was another running day for me. I was hoping it would be better going. Sad to say, not even close. I started out strong again. I decided to start at a lower speed, so that it wouldn't be so discouraging. Sad to say, it just kept getting harder. I think the problem may be in the fact that I am trying to push it too hard, and also this keeps getting in the way.

Yep, my brain!!!! I just start thinking such negative thoughts. It goes somthing like this: "Man, I am having such a hard time breathing, I just can't finish this mile!!" or "I knew I wasn't a runner, why am I even doing this? I will never be able to run a 5k or any kind of race. Why don't you just go back to walking?" See what I mean? It's just awful. But, I will tell you this, I am determined to get over this negativity. I WANT to be a runner. I want this more than anything, I want to have medals, and wear cute running skirts. I want to become faster, and be able to run without feeling like I panting for every breath. And I know that the only way to achieve this is by giving it time.

I did pick a hard age to start running. But, I did say hard not impossible!!! I am just going to try to keep focused on my goals. And just keep working at it until it does get easier. So this is focused me signing off. Hopefully, Monday I will have a much better report to give.

Slow Going

A few days ago, I said that I would be running again Monday. I also said I would post how it went. Well, it went  HORRIBLE!!! I thought since I had taken a week off, I would be back to my old self. Well, it hasn't turned out that way. When I started my run, I felt great I ran quicker than I ever had for the first mile. Then, I slowly started to become wore down. I had to walk/ run the rest of the workout. I felt so frustrated. I wanted to scream !!!

Then today, I went back to try again. Same thing!!! I started out strong, then gradually became weaker. By the time I was finished I was exhausted. I feel like I am starting all over. I have read a lot of blogs about running and working out, and they have said that this could happen. So, I guess I will start from this point, and gradually build up again. I guess I will just listen to my body, and take the good as well as the bad. I am just thankful, I am able to run and strength train at all. I am going to work on taking this negative and turning it into a positive.

I'm Baaaaack!!!!

I know it's been forever since I last posted. But there is a very good reason. Last Sunday, the hubby, Wesley and me caught a very nasty stomach virus. I have never been so sick in my life.

I am pretty sure this is the bug that attacked me!!! :)

Let's just say that I have whip-lash from all the volatile vomiting I did. Anyway, there was a plus side to it, I ended up losing about 3 pounds. I am just now finally feeling better. I guess I could look at it as a violent form of cleansing?? LOL. I really wanted to hold on to those 3 pounds I have lost, I decided since I "cleansed" my body of all bad toxins; I tried and  managed to stay away from sweets and have cut my intake of coffee down to 1/2 a cup a day. And the best news of all I am down another pound!!!  I am excited because I thought the scale would never budge. I love the following 2 cartoons, because most days this is how I feel.

I haven't really been exercising at all since I became sick. I thought I would give myself a week to recover. I did go to the gym, Friday and did a little weight training with Luke. But other than that, I have not been running. I think when you have been really sick, you should give yourself time to recover. Then, jump back in. I plan on going back Monday, and adding my running back in. I will let you know how it goes. Last Friday, I did my last run. I was so excited because I was really trying to up my PR.As I neared the end, I covered up the time, so that I would not get discouraged and slow down. When I reached my goal of 3.1 miles, I went to take off the towel and my treadmill cut off. I felt like Charlie Brown when the football is pulled out from under him.

As you all know (if you have checked out my blog list), I love to read blogs!! I just found a new one that I just love. http://www.runsforcookies.com She has a great story to tell. She lost over 125 pounds in 16 months. Her eating and exercise plan is very simple and straightforward. She is inspiration to anyone who is on the weight-loss journey.  Well, I hope everyone has a good Sunday afternoon. 

Welcome Wednesday

Welcome to the "Welcome Wednesday" blog hop, hosted by Take It From Me, Happy Hour Projects, and Let's Move It Mommas! Welcome Wednesday is a great way to meet new people and learn new things as well as increase your blog followers! So let's have some fun!!

If you want to be a part of Welcome Wednesday, just follow these 5 simple steps:

1. Follow us via Google Friend Connect, Google+, Facebook or Twitter, as well as the Spotlighted Blog of the Week! 
2. Link up your blog name and URL with our Linky. (You only need to add your info once for it will be seen on all the blog hops) 

3. Grab our Welcome Wednesday button and include it in a post about the event on your blog.

4. Go to as many blogs on the MckLinky as you want and Follow them. Be sure to tell them you are from Welcome Wednesday!
5. Be sure to Follow back any followers you have gained from our Welcome Wednesdayevent!  

COOKIES!!

Today's post is about everybody's favorite thing COOKIES!!! I hate to disappoint you, but it is not about any regular cookies. These are actually healthy cookies. Yesterday I was in Walmart, and I seen free samples!! I don't know about you but I love free samples, especially anything sweet. :) Well this is what was being handed out.

They are called Praventia. At first after the lady told me all about how healthy they were and all the good things that were in them, I was a little afraid of what they would taste like. They come in two flavors Chocolate Chip and Ginger. Although I do love all things Chocolate, I really liked the Ginger the best. Here is a little information about these cookies that I copied from their website:

Praeventia products are made from carefully chosen ingredients. What sets Praeventia products apart is that they contain inulin (a prebioticdietary fibre coming from chicoree roots) and Wellmune WGP^®.

What’s more, these products contain no trans fat and some of them are low in saturated fats. It is widely acknowledged that a balanced diet that is low is saturated and trans fats can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular (heart) disease. These products also contain a high proportion of whole grain oats, which are a soluble fiber that helps lower blood cholesterol—and keep heart healthy. Seventy percent cocoa dark chocolate has also been added to some varieties. It contains polyphenols (antioxydants), the health benefits of which are now obvious.

One pouch of Praeventia products provides 3 to 4 g of fiber, making it a source of dietary fiber that not only offers health benefits, but also helps you feel full when it is eaten as a snack (helping control your urges between meal times).

Suggestions from a nutritionist

Praeventia products go great with yogurt or probiotic juice. Prebiotics inulin and probiotics work together, which makes Praeventia products containing prebiotics dietary fibre accompanied by the likes of a probiotic yogurt the perfect combination!

Trans fat free and low in saturated fats

Praeventia products are the right choice
for anyone looking for a healthy snack
or dessert.

Individual servings of Praeventia products are perfect for your lunch box or sporting activities. They’re ideal for active people in a hurry!

It also goes without saying that these products are great desserts for anyone with an interest in their health.

Anick Jean, 
Dt.P. Nutritionist/Dietitian.

They come in a box and have 7 packages in them. There is a 140 calories, and 5g of fat in a pouch.They use Agave Sweetner, which I am loving because lately I have been hearing bad things about other low-cal sweetners. I love the fact that it has a natural probiotic in it. And they do taste great!! I couldn't stop my kids from eating them. Especially Wesley and he is my picky eater. So if you get a chance I would highly recommend trying these out. You can find them in the cookie aisle at Walmart. I think you will like them as much as I did!! 

Disclaimer: I was not paid by the company to review these I just thought they were so good and healthy. That anyone wanting to eat healthier would like to try these out.

Before and Halfway

For today's blog I thought I would show some before and half-way pictures. I say half-way because I am not finished losing the weight I would like to lose. I started this weight journey at almost 200 pounds. I do not have any pictures of myself at that weight because, frankly I wasn't exactly proud of who I was. Content? yes, proud? no.  I was at times content with the way I was, but overall I wanted to be strong and healthy. So, around 2009 I started on my journey. I was 40 years old and I made up the mantra losing 40 pounds at 40. I think I even wrote a post about it in one of my older ones from 2009. Anyway, I thought that if I worked out hard enough I could lose the weight within the year. Well, it hasn't exactly gone the way I planned. I have been at it going on three years. There are some positive things, such as, I have been exercising fairly consistently so I do have a habit of exercising. However, I did struggle with my eating for a long, long, time. I was under the misconception that as long as you exercised hard enough, well, the weight would just pour off. WRONG!!! If you ever have read any of Tosca Reno's articles, she says "that exercising is only 20% part of losing weight, the other 80% is eating." That's right 80%. I was shocked, in fact shocked into reality. She also has said that cardio is important, but if you really want to transform your body you must strength train. Well, let me tell you that was another thing I was doing wrong. All I did was treadmill. And all I did was walk on the treadmill, I really never wanted to challenge myself. I did do quite a bit of incline walking, but never wanted to run. And yes, that got quite a bit of weight off. But I stalled last winter and started gaining. I was gaining because I was discouraged and told myself it wasn't working anyway. Luckily, I only gained back 15 pounds. But, still it is 15 more I had to lose plus what I hadn't lost yet. Okay, so what I am doing different now is, I am running and yes, this cardio only girl has started strength training as well. Also, I have increased the amount of fruits and vegetables I have been eating. Also cutting back the sugar. That was another thing I was addicted to sugar, really, really bad. I thought I had to have something sweet every time I finished eating, if I was reading a book, or whenever I had coffee. The picture that is by itself was taken last winter, the before picture in the collage was taken this past September, and the other halfway ones were taken today. By the way did I mention, I really, really, hate to take pictures? :)

THE BIG BANG AND EXTREME DIETING

Yesterday started off with a big bang!!! I fell down my stairs on my booty.

I was so mad!!! My kids all came running, wanting to know if I was ok. I got up went in the kitchen and started crying. My son Luke wanted to know how I fell down the steps in running shoes. Well, I will tell you how that happened. I decided last week that I was not losing weight quickly enough. So I decided to change things up. My plan was a protein shake in the morning, a protein shake in the afternoon, and a sensible supper. My shake included fruit, protein mix, fiber and that was it. I could have a snack 2 hrs after drinking this shake, something like a protein bar or yogurt. The first week I did fine. I took Saturday and Sunday off. Then Monday I went back to my plan. Well, Monday at my workout I noticed I was feeling a little off during my run. But I figured that was because I did strength training first. WRONG!!! I woke up yesterday sore and in a fog. I waited way too long to drink my shake. Let me just say something right here, I agree with all the experts out there, You should eat breakfast within an hour of waking up. So, back to my story I was already nervous, shaking, and hungry. I went upstairs to get the kids up for school, argued with Samantha for a minute about her cleaning her room, came down angry and BOOM slipped and fell right on my booty.

I was in such a fog, I couldn't even stop myself. Thank goodness I wasn't hurt worse than I was. I only have a bruise the size of Montana on my butt. A lesson to everyone out there if you are thinking about extreme diet measures, and adding working out to it. DON'T!!!! You just might end up at the bottom of your stairs!!! And by the way I had a sensible breakfast today: Oatmeal with peanut butter powder and cocoa, a chobani yogurt with pineapple. Off to do my run!!! Have a fall-free day!!! LOL 

Feeling like I ran into a wall.

Do you ever have days when you feel like the above image?? Well I did yesterday. It just seems like the more I run, the more I feel like I am running right into a wall :)!! I know this is normal and maybe I am just trying to reach my goals too fast. Like I said in the other post, I do try to keep up with Anthony but it just seems like I can't . You know the whole testosterone vs. estrogen thing. I know in my head that he has been working out a whole lot longer than me and therefore is more physically fit, but I feel like after working out for 3 years I should be further along physically. But I have to tell myself that I HAVE been only running for 2 months and I am doing pretty good. Also I got on the scale this morning and I had gained a pound!! This image shows how I felt.

 

But once I again I have to tell myself it could be because I am lifting weights and my muscles are getting bigger?

I don't know about how anyone else feels but I feel like this journey of becoming healthy and fit is one of the hardest I have ever been on. But all I can do is take each day as it comes and when I feel like I hit a wall. Just get up and climb over it as fast as I can!!!!

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

I woke up this morning to take the kids to church and I heard a strange noise outside..... SLEET!! I couldn't believe it. Yesterday it was pretty warm, around 59 degrees. Then later after I took the kids to church, I looked outside to an unbelievable sight... SNOW!!! I have been praying for snow all winter. I love a gorgeous snow fall. In other news (LOL) I had a fairly great week of running and weight lifting. Luke had me do all kinds of different workouts with the weights. He is very good at changing things up!! I told him he will be one of the trainers on the Biggest Loser Someday. He may be only seventeen (and a mama does like to brag) but man oh man ( as my dad would say) that boy knows how to train somebody. He has a God given talent, not only with training but also with his power-lifting. After all he does hold several APF titles. But I can tell you with Luke training, I never am bored. Running is coming along very well. I can now run 1.20 miles without stopping. I can actually feel myself getting stronger every time I run. I usually run on the treadmill since it has been so cold. But Friday it was very pretty outside. So I asked Anthony if he would like to run outside instead. He wanted to walk but I kept nagging and he ended up running. He let me start the pace at first but then he took over. And he KICKED my butt. The above image shows how I looked after we were done. But I do have to give him credit because I would have never ran if it wasn't for him. He challenges me everytime to do the best. I feel so good now from running and weight training. I feel like this mama can do anything!! So besides being thankful for the beautiful snow God sent, I am thankful for Luke and Anthony.

"Me and running don't always see eye to eye. Some days it hurts more than others. But it doesn't mean I don't do it. I deal with it and I keep running because not everything that is good for you always feels good for you."

New Fitness Challenges for 2012

For the past three years, I have been trying to get to my goal weight. I started out with the goal of losing 40 pounds at 40. Well, here I am at 43 still trying to meet that goal. When I started I thought if I walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes, and tried to watch what I ate it would be simple and I would be at my goal weight in a few months. Boy, was I in for a surprise. First, I found out that it wasn't as easy as when I was in my 20's. I found out that it took me longer to recover. Second, I didn't realized how bad I was addicted to sugar. I just didn't want to give it up. I tried Weight Watchers for about a year and lost around 15 pounds. But, I am bad about keeping up with points and all that. So, last year I just tried this and that. But, still did not want to give up those sweets. I would make up excuses, like if I go walk on the incline, well I can have that candy bar. I played around with jogging. But never liked it. This past summer I was outside with the hubby but could just never get over the huffing and puffing. That all changed about three months ago, I started walking 2 miles everyday outside with my hubby, and then we built up to a 3 mile course. I then gradually started adding in a little bit of jogging. I can now run a mile comfortably, but not too fast. I have been reading a lot of blogs by runners and love the encouragement. I also started weight training with the hubby and my son ( it helps to have a son who is a power-lifting champion who holds world records.) . I find it to be challenging but I love it!! I also have changed my eating habits. I have begun eating low carb with lots of veggies. I am even enjoying eating eggs which I hated in the past. So far, all of this seems to be working I have dropped 10lbs since Christmas, and my flapping old lady underarms are getting toned. So this is the challenge I have set for my self this year, I want to be able to run a 5k before the year ends. I can't wait to see what this year holds for me and I hope to meet my goal weight this year.

Motivation Tip: The way you think about your run can increase or decrease motivation. If you focus on the good feelings from running before and during, you are more likely to get out and run---and feel good doing it.