Running.

I'm not a runner. At all. I used to run outside during the summer and would run a mile and time it. I never did distance, just timed runs. I made a promise in honor my friend/brother, Mamoru to run at least 5- 5K's within a year, because he was my biggest supporter. I'm going to run in the name of depression and suicide. 

I met a new friend, Krystal and she is way more of a runner than I am so, I found someone I can participate in 5K's with! YAY! I'm taking this year seriously when it comes to running. I'm battling with myself mentally, because I love weights, I LOVE lifting! Will all the running ruin muscle gain or progress? I've done research and there's conflicting information...just like everything else out there! 

I've decided that I will run strictly 3xs a week and lift with light cardio 3xs a week and hope that I find a balance. I did my first long distance run today with intervals of speeds and a couple of inclines to strengthen my endurance. Of course, this schedule won't be every single week because I plan to add in boxing again and other workouts, but I'm hoping to really stick to this in order to run 5k's and of course BLOOMSDAY!!!! 

Today was the first day of longer distance. Tomorrow, I plan on getting to 2.5 miles within or just shortly longer than today's time! 

 I'm also LOVING my Spark energy mix! Talk about awesome stuff. I know it was a big reason why I actually ran for 30 minutes instead of just walking.

First 5K & HUGE Milestone!

I'm not a runner. I don't like running, actually. I never ran when I was heavier because I simply couldn't. Now that I can, it's not one of those things I love to, but I will do it. One of my 3 goals for losing weight and becoming fit was to run...not walk for cancer and other issues close to my heart. I told myself that one day I would run a half marathon or maybe a full marathon for raising money for cancer, PCOS, suicide etc. I shared my goals and hope to run a 5k this year with my dear friend, Mamoru, and just days before he left this earth he said, "why just run one 5k? Run 5!" I laughed. I told him I would try. Since he left, I wanted to honor his name and memory in a positive, clean, healthy way. After all, he was one of my biggest supporters. I decided that for the next year I would run as many 5K's as possible. 

I have a t-shirt that his mom, Julie gave me when I was at their home. It has a picture of him and a beautiful writing piece on the back about family. Mamoru was the closest thing to a brother I had, so I thought it was only fitting that with each race I do, I will wear the shirt, write the date, race name, and time on the shirt. After a year, I will frame the shirt and put it on my wall. I didn't realize how emotional participating a 5K would be for me. Yes, I was emotional because I was remembering my friend, but also the simple fact I would have never signed up at 250 lbs...even to walk it. My confidence and self worth has increased beyond belief. 

I spent most of the 5k walking with a friend because of how cold it was! I definately did not train for a 5k in the cold. My lungs were freaking out, even walking. I'm excited though, I plan to actually train for a 5k at least a couple times a week. I think I'll practice running outside during the weekend, so my lungs have some idea as to what to expect. :) 

I did this for you, Mamoru.

I'm noticing strength and endurance in my body that I didn't know existed. I was just telling a friend last week, I feel like I'm in this awkward stage because I know my body can do so much more than what it looks like I'm capable of doing. Yes, I don't look 250 lbs anymore, but I don't look like a body builder either. However, when I see women and men benching weights or doing machines at the gym, and I'm able to keep up, they are shocked. That to me, proves that any number on a scale is crap!! 

I've said this soooo many times before, and I probably will continue to say it until the end of time. It's something I'm extrmeley passionate about and I truly believe nothing (body size, weight, etc) will change unless it place....


LOVE YOURSELF!!! YOUR BODY IS CHANGING,

I had to tell myself that I was worth fighting for. Once I did that, everything fell into place. No, it didn't happen over night and I still had to work very hard and remind myself often of my purpose and love for my body. Once I did though, I felt unstoppable. Be realistic. Stare at yourself in the mirror often. Look at what you're working with. Picture the slightest changes and soon it won't be a picture, it will be reality. The hardest part of this journey is the mental struggles that come with food, body image, and self worth. 

Something this weekend happened that really gave me a new rush of motivation. Last October 13, 2012, I was at a football game and a picture was taken of me. You've probably seen it posted it quit a bit, it's a picture of my heaviest weight 253 lbs. I untagged myself on facebook, deleted it off my facebook, etc when it first was posted. Now, it's a favorite photo to reference because I've come so far!! Anyway, a whole year has passed since that photo, and I decided to wear the same top and the same size jeans as the picture to share a little comparison. :) 

I am wearing a size 18/20 (stretch) American Eagle pants and a XXL stretch sweater.on the picture on the Left. Currently I'm in a size L/M in shirt (depending on the style) & a 12/13 pair of pants.There is a total of 72+ lbs difference between then & now.

Non Scale Victories...ALLLLL week long! :)

Thursday, I started my day off by putting on a pair of jeans and had to do a double take to realize what I was seeing in the mirror! 

 Everyone who knows me, knows that I've never had a butt. EVER. So, you'll understand my surprise when I looked in the mirror and was able to see a butt! I wish I had taken a pictures months ago to compare, but I'm so excited by this small progress already!  :) Confidence, it's nice to meet you! :)

So, for my workout I waited until around 9 pm because it had been raining ALL night. I don't have room in my house to workout, but I have a nice yard that I can workout in :) I did a couple circuit workout and had a great evening working out in the fresh air! 

Yesterday, after work, I went to a friends house for her birthday BBQ. I ate pretty well, chose not to have alcohol and drank my water. However, I did have a small piece of cake and didn't feel horrible at all! I told myself that if I ate the cake I would POWER through my workout and make sure I gave it my all. So, I did the following as my working :) 

15 min on a stationary bike
Then I did this:

I ended with Jillian Michael's Standing Ab Workout

Each exercise 3xs

It was a great 60 minute workout! :) 

I usually take Saturday's off, but because I didn't workout last Sunday or Monday, I decided I wanted to run. :) I guess I should explain what crazy idea I had this week. 

It seems like with new found confidence and changing body, I'm finding myself wanting to do more. I want to accomplish more and reach more goals. I don't know if I'm impatient or eager...but I randomly saw that there is a 5k on July 13 in Missoula and I had a wild idea...

Maybe I could run in it? Not focusing on time, but just finishing. It starts at 8 am and awards are at 9:30 am. I don't know...I have a feeling that this crazy idea will have positive and negative responses from people I know. I feel that if I work hard up until the run, I could do it. I probably wouldn't do it in a fantastic time like most, but hey for still being over 200 lbs, running in a 5k is an accomplishment in its self, right?

I'm not sure. I'm going to run one more time and make up my mind by Wed. :) 

So, to focus on today's workout, I wanted to see if I could 1. beat my mile time 2. go further than a mile. 

My last miles have been 12:36 and then my next best one was 12:11 and this was tonights!

That's right, I got it under 12 minutes!!! I couldn't believe it! Cried a little bit :) 

So, I decided to push myself and keep going. During the last mile, I walked a couple times because I felt a bit tired in the legs and shins. When I hit the couple of hills going up, I would run and push through. It felt great! When I finished, I felt sooooo awesome! :) Here are some pictures! Here is the entire workout for the night. :) I feel pretty good about it. Especially walking a few times and this is the first time I've gone further than a one mile run. :) 

Now, I'm lounging on my couch and enjoying some t.v. Tomorrow, I plan on cleaning house and re-arranging my house. I think tomorrow I'll do a couple new workout videos from Fit Sugar. If I do some, I'll post about them then. :) 

XOXO.