Before Photo

A new year and a new me.  I just complete 50 minutes on the treadmill, nice and slow.  As I walked, I listened to a Jillian Michaels podcast.  I also began visualized myself running.  I have decided to do my best to take a photo each month.  I was doing a great job taking monthly photos in 2014.  I just wasn’t uploading them.  Unfortunately, my old phone completely died, without any backup or way to retrieve them, I lost all those photos.

I took a photo today and really looked at myself.  I now have this yucky spare tire.  This time last year I was at least 25 pounds lighter.  I am not going to beat up myself about it.  I know my journey and success to fat loss and a healthy weight is not going to be linear. I’ve been experimenting here and there with my eating habits.  My last experiment resulted in a weight gain.

 

Now, I’m back to a semi-vegetarian eating plan.  I have to admit that now that I have been lifting on a regular basis I am worried about not getting enough protein.  However, my body responds much better when I eliminate red meat and poultry from my diet.  I feel more energetic.  The podcast I listened to today was about the spirituality of food.  I am already one of those people who says grace before I eat.  I made a mental note to pay better attention to how I prepare and eat my food.  Am I truly grateful for the food I receive?  Do I understand how the  food I eat sustains me and gives me energy?  Which foods are good for me and the environment from a spiritual perspective?

I am looking forward to another year on this journey.  I can’t wait to see more muscle and less fat!

Peachtree Countdown

I went for a walk today and ended up running a little. I decided to run up the little hills for about a 1/4 miles. I did this three times during a four-mile walk. While out out my walk, I saw another person wearing his Peachtree training tee. I felt so grate ful for his smile and encouragement.

I also decided to keep a food journal and begin measuring my food again. This will really help me stay on track until the race. If I can stay healthy and injury-free, I'll give myself a great chance to have a really fun time during the race. I have no time goal (I did but I have been reading that it's a huge mistake to do so for my first 10k). I also read that I shouldn't expect that I will finish is double the time it takes for a 5k. I will finish when I finish. I just want to have the strength and endurance. I just want to cross that finish line with a big smile on my face.

I'm still here!

I haven't been blogging, but I have been working out! Today I finished Week 7, Day 1. Week 6 was a bit rough so I completed Day 2 a few times before moving on. Today I felt strong. I am also proud of myself for running outside, even though it had been raining all day.

I have this fear of falling and was worrying about slipping and falling. Although it had stopped raining by the time I went out, the greenway was still wet. In fact, there weren't many people out on the path. Mostly people on bikes. I could how slippery things were as I ran on the little overpasses, but I took my time and it was fine.

My trip to Michigan was okay. My Dad is in better spirits than I expected. In fact, I use him from inspiration and motivation. I think of how he is going to radiation and chemo fighting for his life. I listen to my breath and think about the cancer that was in his lungs. I am humbled. I am grateful.

On a bright note, today is my 5k anniversary. Five years ago today I completed the Publix 5k. I think about how nervous I was. In hindsight I was so naïve. I picked one of the hilly courses for my first 5k! I am very grateful that I am here and still plugging away at my fitness goals.

Sweat Saturday

Today was a very challenging day. All I wanted to do was stay in bed feeling sorry for myself. The sun was out. I had no excuse not to go outside and work on my running. I found myself in a very ugly place mentally. Why, oh, why did I talk myself into this? I am not going to have enough time to train? It's going to be hot, etc., etc., etc. It took me about two hours to get out of my head and out of the door. I was totally convinced it was going to suck! Guess what? It didn't! I complete eat run with no problem. It felt great! I was shocked!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am very grateful that I completed my workout. I was going to repeat the last day of Week Four, but decided to press forward and try to complete Week Five, Day 1. Even though I had to reduce the incline for my last two runs, I completed the workout. Again, using mind over matter is going to be the key to my successful. It does not matter how fast or slow I am moving, I just need to keep moving!

The Orb

It’s the first day of November. I have another month to make things happen. I have a new toy -- The Orb. I purchased it to work on the kinks and tightness on my left side.

I love this thing! It is working out much better than the foam roller. I was looking on YouTube for some techniques to use with a tennis ball and stumbled upon this. I went on Ebay and order one. Ahhh! I’m planning to go back to the chiropractor in a few weeks. Hopefully with regular massage and adjustments I can gain greater flexibility.

I am not happy right now. After working really hard to stretch out and loosen up my tight glutes and hamstrings, I wake up this morning with a HUGE kink on the right side of my neck! It’s also raining like crazy. I was planning to run today. I was supposed to run yesterday. However, I had a massive headache. I still have it. We will see what the day brings. I may have to switch to a long walk or do weights and cardio in the gym. I have 27 days until my next 5K. I need to make the best of each day.

Speaking of making the best of each day, I have decided to join Mindful Peace Om in her 30 Days of Thank challenge. Over the years I have learned that expressing gratitude is a key part of wholeness. It's a great healthy habit to cultivate.

Motivational Monday

I do not even know how to explain how I feel right now. Accomplished? Inspired? Motivated? Excited? I did not do anything spectacular. I ran for 30 minutes…again. I was starting to doubt because I struggled on Saturday. I had to talk more walks than I would have liked. I attribute it to running too fast, well, at least for me. I was not running with music which helps me pace myself and drown out my heavy breathing.

Anyhow, after about four hours of going back and forth about whether to go to the greenway, I decided to try. I was so worried that it was not going to be good for me mentality if I wasn’t about to complete my workout. I prayed, grabbed my water and iPod, and headed out the door. The mind wanted to stop so many times! I was aware that it was just my mind and that my body was fine. Even when I noticed myself spending up a bit, I intentionally went back to my “normal” pace.

I am currently reading John Bingham’s No Need for Speed and it has really helped me get over being so self-conscious about my pace. I proudly post my workouts, along with my pace, on Facebook and Twitter. I remind myself that I am going faster than anyone sitting on their sofa. I am going faster than I was when I was sitting on that sofa.

I am not sure what compels me to keep getting out there putting one foot in front of the other. I do even know why I started with this crazy dream and goal. I do know that, for today, I felt like a runner.

Couch to 5k: Week Seven, Day 3

I did it! It took me a while but I did it! I was so worried that I wasn't going to be able to complete the 27-minute run because I'd taken so many days off. Yesterday, I got up, told myself I wasn't going to let the rain stop me, got dressed, walked out of the door, and froze. I took one look at that wet payment and panicked! I have this overwhelming fear that I am going to slip and fall.

Anyhow, I am grateful I made it. Just think about fourteen minutes into it I thought about quitting. I'm not sure why. I really wasn't that tired or out of breath. My legs felt fine. I keep repeating, it's your mind that wants to quit, not your body!

Weekly Weigh In

No weight loss this week.

I started Week Four of the Couch to 5K. It’s weird because this week was a breeze. Not that I have been running consistently, my body feels better. I am not as drained before. I do need to work on more stretching. I’m still training on the treadmill. Hopefully I will be able to start running outside soon.

I dropped out of the 100 Day Burpee Challenge. I just couldn’t do more than 30. I am proud of myself for making it that far.

Week One - Couch to 5K

I did it! Week One of my Couch to 5K training is done. I really did not feel like running today. My stomach had been upset all day. I felt a bit better around 5:30 so I headed to the gym. I hate running on the treadmill but I needed to be close to a bathroom. It was the longest 30 minutes I’ve spent in a while! I am so grateful to God I was able to stick with my plan. I think I’m going to repeat Week One just to get my body used to running again. I’m working on building my endurance and strengthening my core. My goal is to run my next race nonstop – no walking. If I stick to my plan and work diligently, I’m sure I can meet my goal.

Week Eight, Day Three: Graduation Day!

What’s my name?!? What’s my name?!? What’s my name?!? Today I completed the Couch to 5K program.  I think this is my third attempt.  I DID IT! Today, I ran for 30 minutes.  My name is Sheila and I am a runner!  I’m a slow runner but a runner nonetheless! Hmm...I wonder if I should change the name of my blog to "Run With Me"?

Week Seven, Day 1

I don't even know what to say.  It is beyond me how I made it this far.  I give all the credit to my amazing God who has been with me every step of the way.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I am going to finish the Couch to 5K program!  Yay!

C25K Training: Week Four, Day Three: Push It

Oops! I forgot to blog about my training yesterday.  I guess I was so happy and excited I completed Week Four that writing about it escaped me.  So yesterday morning I was anxious to get Week Four, Day 3 over and done with.  I was feeling very confident about the workout so I decided I’d push myself a bit during the runs.  Lol!  Big mistake!  After my first run, I was so winded I could barely breathe.  I was so worried I would have the stamina to complete the 6-min run but I was able to get it done.  I was still feeling a bit good when I heard my 2-min prompt that I pushed it a little bit.  I did the same during my last run.

Well, today my legs are a little sore.  I’m stretching, icing, and hydrating.  I’m so happy that I’ve made it this far and looking forward to Week Five!  I’m doing my best to prepare myself mentally because I’m learning that as long as I eat right, stretch, ice my knee, and get some rest, I am able to complete the runs.  I am very grateful to Spirit for this!

C25K Training: Week Four, Day 1

For the past two days I have been mentally preparing for a 4 min. run, 2 min. walk, 3 min run, 4 min. run, 2 min walk.  Imagine my surprise this morning when I realize Week Four, Day 1, is really two 4 min runs and a 6 min run! WTH!?! The couch potato Sheila wanted to go back to bed but the 5K Sheila said, “Let’s do this!” 

I’m so happy to say, “I did it!”  My legs are still burning! I did alter my route a bit so I wasn’t going up this little incline during my 6 min run.  I saved it for my last 4 min run and it was fine.  In fact, I think I had another minute left in me.  I am very grateful to God to have made it this far.  I am going to continue to trust the process and Spirit to help me through this journey. 

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Now that my neck and back are feeling better.  I'm going to add weights back into my training.

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I have my first swim lesson today.  I'm sooooooo nervous!

C25K: Week Three, Day One

I did it! I’ve been so nervous about today’s workout.  Thursday and Friday I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that I was going to have to run for three minutes today – twice! I prayed.  I meditated.  I did some visualization.  I whined to my friends Bianca and DJ.  They both truly understand what I’m going through.  They each have lost over 100 pounds and are now runners.  It’s always comforting to hear their words of assurance.

Today my mantra was:  My mind will quit before my body does.

This morning I got up scared out of my mind.  I prayed and did some positive self-talk.  I told myself that if others could do it I could too… all I have to do is trust the process and my God.  Well, here I am all sweaty, proud, and grateful!  Truthfully, I think I had another three minute run in me.  It wasn’t as bad as I imagined.

C25K - Week One, Day Three

Week One – Day Three


I did it! So very grateful! I definitely need to tackle this on the treadmill for a while. Last night I spent some time viewing some YouTube videos about running form and stretching for runners. Having the correct form and avoiding injury is very important. I just remembered while I was reading about stretches for runners that I had Osgood Schlatters Disease when I was younger. I totally forgot about it. I don’t have any problems with it now but I do see how I’ve probably always had problems with my quads and hamstrings…which manifest as pain in my knees.

I’ve been very conscious about doing squats and lunges. I’m doing my best to keep my quads and hamstrings loose.

Today I slowed down my walking pace to 2.5 mph instead of 3.0 mph and kept my “running” pace at 4.0 mph. Based on most of the things I read last night, the most important things to focus on right now are proper stretching, correct form, and sticking with the routine. I was able to apply some of the techniques I learned last night to my session today and I felt pretty good. So, I plan to move forward to Week Two on Monday.

Here are the stretches are worked on this week.

How to stretch before and after a run

Avoiding shin splints

Test Results

I'm pretty pleased with my quarterly test results.  Everything is within the normal ranges.  I'm still working on lowering my A1c.  Right now it's at 6.1.  Even though my doctor's goal for me is 6.5, I'm determined to get it below 6.  I want off this medication!

My total cholesterol went from 123 to 100.  It appears eating oatmeal is paying off. 
Triglycerides: 93
HDL: 51

Attitude of Gratitude

Very grateful today.  I've been walking on a regular basis for the past week.  Yay!  My knee is much better.  I'm doing my best to be consistent about the stretches the doctor gave me.  I haven't done more than a mile because I don't want to push it. 

I'm also very grateful that I have been following my OA food plan for 54 days now!  While it's not about weight loss with OA, I am at the lowest weight I've been in about five years. 

I am so grateful for all the friends I've made while blogging and tweeting.  Thank you all for your encouragement.  Thank you for sharing your stories.  I am blessed to be on this incredile journey with such incredible people.  Thank you!

It Feels Good!

I was feeling pretty good today so I decided to give a walk a try. It felt good to be out there. I was able to do a half a mile. It took me 12 mins. I know I shouldn't concern myself with the time but that's just the type of person I am. I was so happy to be out there sweating and breath heavily.

Just for today, I am grateful to Spirit to be able to enjoy a nice, brisk, prayful walk.

Gratefulness

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thinking about all that I am grateful for this year brings tears to my eyes. I've always been one for expressing gratitude to God and all that is for the many blessings in my life. This is different. I'm healthy, well, healthier.

I am at a loss for the words to express how happy I am to be where I am. I am in a space where I feel, for the first time, I can have all my heart's desire. It's no longer a concept, it's reality. Each step I take, each breath I take, each heart beat I take, each drop of sweat reminds me of the gratitude I feel (literally) for being here. I had been sick and tired for so long. Now, I am alive and enjoying life more abundantly.

This year has been amazing. I am so proud of myself for getting off the sofa and making my dreams come true. I am so grateful for the courage to turn my life around. I am grateful for another chance. I thank God for grace and mercy.

I'll end with the lyrics to "Grateful" by Hezekiah Walker:

I am grateful for the things that You have done
I am grateful for the victories we've won
I could go on and on about your works
Because I'm grateful, grateful so grateful just to praise You Lord
Flowing from my heart are the issues of my heart, is gratefulness

Grateful, grateful, grateful, grateful
Grateful, grateful, grateful, grateful
Grateful, grateful, grateful
Gratefulness is flowing from my heart

Flowing from my heart
Are the issues of my heart,
is gratefulness