5 K

I just got back from my 5K! It was an amazing experience all around. My time was 45:03, which I am very proud of. However, I am even more proud of the awesome group of people that are the West Valley Biggest Losers. Throughout the run, anyone you passed from the group would give a wave, smile, or cheer. As we approached the finish line, there was someone from the group (either a member or a sponsor) to run with you to the finish, where the rest of the group was waiting and cheering. It was an unbelievable feeling.

But more memorable than finishing was watching J finish. He made it through the whole race . . . we all went back to finish with him, as well as a few other people who were not part of our group. As we approached the finish line, the cheerleaders were cheering specifically for him, everyone was cheering and clapping, and he finished strong! I don't think many of us had dry eyes. After he crossed the line, the guy who finished first in the entire race brought J his trophy. It said something along the lines of "Best Male Finisher". The guy told him he couldn't think of anyone who was a better finisher! That made for big old tears!

I am so proud to say that I am a part of the WVBL! I think I've said it before, but it bears repeating: at this point I don't think any of us are in it for the prizes. Everyone encourages and supports each other and it makes this journey just so amazing. Who'd have thought that just 7 weeks ago we would be competing in a 5K or even doing half the things we are now.

Valentine's Day Update

Actually, I have no Valentine news to report . . . there's always next year, right? I get to spend the weekend with some really sweet kids and we're even going to brave going out to dinner. I haven't eaten out since we started the Biggest Loser. But, eventually, I am going have to become part of the real world again. With that in mind, and with the suggestion from one of my BL friends, we're going to go to Chili's and I'll have the grilled buffalo chicken sandwich--just 386 calories. Hopefully Chili's isn't a popular place to go for V-Day or else we are going to have to wait really patiently and that isn't my nephew's best quality (although he more than makes up for it with everything else).
Stephanie has been kicking our butts lately. Not that it ever really got "easy" but we have been doing some more strength training and have even done step classes the past two weeks . . . the stairs were a little painful this week. It is all worth it since I was able to wear a shirt that just a month ago fit me like a sausage casing. Now it even has a little extra room across the middle!
Our 5K is next Saturday. I truly don't know how well I'll do but whatever I do will be my starting point to see improvement for my next race. That's scary . . . my next race!
Have a great day!

Weigh In

We weighed in yesterday morning and I am down 8 pounds in 3 weeks! Actually, in 2 weeks and 5 days. So exciting! We have been doing a lot of training for the 5K . . . still not enjoying the actual act of running. Plus, my "jog" seems to be slower than my walking. I think I am getting a little more endurance, however, since it takes me longer to get out of breath. That's what you call progress!

Just a little update

Well, I can truly say that I have never been more exhausted than I have been these past two weeks. The funny thing is, I also have tons of energy. I know it makes no sense but during the day I am good to go, but come 10:00 or so I am absolutely beat!
We finished up our second week of Biggest Loser by doing the Waterfall Trail at the White Tanks. We met at 7:00--what dedication that I was up and out that early on a Saturday, my only day to sleep in! It was actually a good time and by the time I got back home I wasn't tired anymore.
I am really enjoying our work outs each evening. It is seriously hard work, but I feel like I have accomplished something when I am done.
I am signed up to do the Goodyear Heart and Sole 5K on February 21. Our trainer "surprised" us with the news that we were all going to do our first 5K . . . what?!?!? We have begun our training for it and I think I will be able to do it. I may even be able to jog more than I walk (no promises though).
On the work front, we had our 100th Day celebration this past week. That means we are down to 78 days, not that I'm counting :) It has been a very trying year for me and I am trying to find the joy again but it isn't easy.
Finally, can you believe it? The CARDINALS are going to the SUPER BOWL!!!!! Let me tell you, it was very tense over at my brother's house last weekend watching the game. But when the clock ran out--pandemonium. I can just imagine what it will be like next Sunday when the Cardinals WIN!

One week down, 25 to go!

I survived the first week of WV Biggest Loser. I stuck to the meal plan--even when it felt like I couldn't eat another bite. We are doing what Stephanie calls "clean eating", nothing artificial or "bad" for you. What is amazing is that I haven't felt the need to cheat or had any cravings. There must be something to having lots of whole grains and proteins in your system.

As for the workouts, they are tough but I feel a sense of accomplishment when I finish them. Who would have thought that I would be out there running. However, when she tells us to do 70% of our sprint I have trouble . . . I don't have a "sprint" so I have no idea what 70% would be.

Stephanie told us to get rid of our scales and I was happy to do so. I have what you might call an unhealthy obsession with the scale. As in, "How much do I weigh this morning?" , "How about after I pee?", "What about if I don't breathe?". You get the picture. So, I won't know how I'm doing , weight-wise, until our official weigh-in days.

Here's hoping that week 2 is as good as the first!

I am NOT a runner!

About the only part of my body that is not sore today is my fingers! The workout last night was intense . . . at least for my poor, out-of-shape body. We were supposed to warm up and Stephanie (the trainer) told us to "go ahead and jog the second and third laps". What?!?!?! I am not a runner/jogger/really fast walker. But, I did it and I didn't die. Then we went over to the bridge and did three sets of walk/run over the bridge two times, then sets of squats/side walking with bands around our ankles.

Then, we got to pretend to be football players. We did the drills where you zig-zag through cones and then run back to your mat and do 10 push-ups and repeated the whole thing 5 times! If the Cards need any help this Sunday, they know where to find me!

This morning I was a little stiff but by the end of school it was a chore to get up or down into a chair--let's not even go into walking upstairs!

Now, don't think I'm complaining . . . I am so proud of myself that I made it through the whole work out last night. I'm looking forward to seeing what torture Stephanie will put us through tonight.

Biggest Loser - Day 1

All of us in the group met at a gym in Surprise to get our baseline fitness assessment done . . . in other words, "how out-of-shape are you, exactly?". My scores weren't impressive, but it will only lead to huge improvement! I did the mile in 16:24 and even did a run (actually a jog) at the end. We did the wall sit, which is pure torture on your quads, push-ups, sit ups and lunges. This morning I could definitely tell I had used my muscles but it wasn't bad. I am nervous to see what aches tomorrow morning brings since we have our first "official" workout tonight. I may regret the fact that I live on the 2nd story!
I also have a meal plan that I have to follow. Let me say this: there is no fear of being hungry. By yesterday afternoon I did not want to put another thing in my mouth. I was so sick of chewing. But I never did feel sluggish in the late afternoon like I normally do which is a good thing.
This competition is being sponsored by West Valley Magazine and so far they are doing a great job of documenting it. The photographer was there last night taking tons of pictures of us working out. Just what I need . . . me in all my sweaty glory in a magazine. I wouldn't choose to be in a magazine even on my good day, but in work-out clothes, frizzy, sweaty hair, and bright red cheeks---lovely!
I guess that's all for now . . . I need to go make another "mini-meal".