Weigh-in Wednesday - The Yo-Yo edition

Its weigh in time again!

Okay so maybe I'm not that excited about it.  I did lapse this weekend into some dessert medication for my cranky, moody soul. 

I also had a race this weekend - if you haven't read all about it check out the full race report here (with pictures)!

Now on to the nitty gritty.

Challenge starting weight: 125.4
Goal weight: 120
Last week: 123.6
This week: 125.0
 
Sorry to the Weight Loss Warriors, I'm logging a gain of 1.4 pounds this week :( Although I promise (as I do every week I gain) to make it up next week.  I've even got an Easter-proof plan in place.
 
At this point I'm just frustrated with the constant yo-yo.  As you can see from my numbers I've been all over the place this challenge.  I've been as high was 127 (two weeks ago) and as low as 123 (last week).  I need to step back and really evaluate what's going on.
 
Am I just sick of working at losing?  Is my body happy with where it is?  Am I sabatoging myself - when I finally have a loss allowing myself to fall back into old behaviors?
 
As far as my body reaching its happy point, I'm not sure.  I still have plenty of fat left to lose on my legs, but certainly not on my upper body.  During our last marathon training walk, my friend/coworker/training partner said that how much I have to lose depends on where my body wants to take it.  If its done taking from up top then I could still stand to lose a little, but if it still insists on taking off the top then I run the risk of looking too skinny (from the waist up at least).
 
We've got a few more weeks left on the challenge I need to try to keep my focus until then.  After that, I might need to re-evaluate where I am and where I want to be.  For now I've made a commitment and need to do all I can to make sure that the Weight Loss Warriors keep the top spot!!
 
Since these first few weeks of triathlon training actually have me doing less activity then I'm use to, I think I'm going to adjust my calories down to try and compensate.  Then as the program gets more intense I'll add calories back. 
 
Hopefully you did better this week than I did.  If not, we'll both make it up next week.  So go weigh in already and then post your results over at the Sisterhood.

Confessions of a Girl Who Totally Rocks & Inspires

I've kicked Debbie Downer to the curb and decided to make today's Confessions all positive things about my week.  Before I go on, thanks guys, for finding something positive to say yesterday when I was wallowing in self pity.  I figured I'd scare everyone away - I mean how do you comment on a post like that.  You all are the best!!



Now on with the program!

• I made the paper!  The K-town paper - for my 5K time!  The race this weekend was one of the biggest of the year and they post the top 50 in each age/sex category.  Since I was 50th I just barely made it, but I made it none the less!
• My parents finished the race, and within their goal time.  I think my didn't enjoy it as much as he could have, because he remembers the glory days of when his body allowed him to run the races.  These days with two bum knees he had to train just to walk the 5K.
• My mom has actually said she would consider doing another race in the future!  She loves walking and if she trained on her own without having to compensate for someone who desperately needs total knee replacement but refuses to have the surgery I think she could seriously improve her time.  How cool would it be for my mom to get bitten by the race bug??
• I got a text from my sister last night "Per Tasha - answer her facebook message asap."  Tasha is her next door neighbor.  Borrowing the hubs computer, I logged on to see that she was asking me about my upcoming marathon.  She was looking for motivation to get back into exercise and fitness, and though having the goal of a race would help her out.  I love that she emailed me of all people to ask.  When her neighbor (my BIL) is a PE teacher and Mr. I've Ran Up the Empire State Building.
• There was no bloodshed when Jay said before the race on Sunday "You know, you actually look like a runner?"  Well no sh*t Sherlock, that's because I am a runner!  Of course he meant it as a compliment, so we'll say how sweet (yet stupid naive) of him to make a comment like that.
• There was no bloodshed when the girl downstairs who is a twig thanks to mother nature bragged that the work scale said she weighed 99 pounds - then asked me what I weighed.

What?  Those last two are positive!

Now on to the race day pictures.  My sister was there when Jay & I crossed the finish line, but she didn't see us.  Somehow my description of Jay and I ("we're wearing white tees and black shorts) didn't help her out any. 

The big appeal of the race for my dad and Jay was the finish line.

For those of you who are like me who don't give two craps about college football, this is Neyland Stadium.  Home of the mediocre mighty University of Tennessee Volunteers.  The finish line is smack dab on the 50 yard line.

This race gave 5K, half marathon, relay, and marathon options.  At the 26 mile marker I started sprinting, knowing I was almost inside the stadium.  As I crossed the finish line, I was too busy trying not to vomit to notice myself on the jumbotron.  Hopefully the race photographer caught the moment.

Replaying the race in my head (other than that last 0.2 miles) I'm pretty sure I didn't give the race my all.  I could have probably shaved a bit of time off had I behaved only slightly differently.  On the down hill to the turn around, instead of giving it my all, building momentum - I kept close to the edge looking for Jay.  I knew the uphill after the turn around would be killer for him (due to lack of training) and I wanted to encourage him.

"Great job Jason (Mothersmaiden) (Mymaiden) (Last)!!!!"

Just a side note - he didn't actually take my maiden name as a middle name, but I keep telling him that if I had to take his name, and his mama's maiden name was good enough for a middle name he should take mine too!

Then after I reached the turn around, I kept an eye out for my parents.  This actually probably helped me, since I wasn't stressing about the killer long uphill I was doing.  I caught a glimpse of them as we both neared the water station (in opposite directions).

Pumping my fist in the air I yelled "Team Justus Represent!" a little louder and with more force that someone on mile 2 of a difficult 5K course should have been able to.

I was incredibly proud of all their hard work and wanted them to know it.  The picture above is after they had crossed the finish line.  Even though they said they wouldn't - they jogged the last 0.1.  Most of it was the grass of the field, which is easier on my dad's knees.

After all was said and done, we got some post race pictures.  I promise, Jay and I didn't try to match like that, it just happened.

Then it was off to Thompson Boiling Area (where the UT Men & Lady Vols play basketball) for the post race party.  I think Jay wanted the score board in the picture, but he's not good at being bossy so this is what we got.  (Is it really all that surprising that he married me?  He needed someone to be bossy for him!)

Then it was time for some stretching.

I'm not a big fan of me in this picture - but I wanted to post this because I was so proud that the Princess and the Little Man wanted to get in on the action. 

So while my attitude sucked, you can see that the race, in fact, did not.

Monday Musings - Choose your own adventure

Hey guys - I was out and about on Friday so sorry if I didn't make it to your blog.  I'm going to try and catch up today. 

Had another craptastic weekend, but instead of bitching about it I thought I'd do another choose your own adventure blog.

Either...

I took off work on Friday to hike with my husband, only to have him bail 30 minutes in (or less than a 1/4 of the way to the top).

or

Jay allowed me to come home, take a nap, then woke me when he got a gorgeous fire built.  I spent the rest of the day (minus the run to Krystal for dinner and the gas station for beer) curled up in front of the fire reading my fluffy romance novel.

Saturday either...

I caught my husband starring at a couple of much younger, thinner, taller, blonder girls walking into the restaurant before us.

or...

I enjoyed splitting a piece of Jack Daniels Pecan Pie with my father.

Then there was Sunday...

Jay, who hasn't trained a moment - who hasn't done any sort of physical activity since the guys called him to play basketball 2 months ago - beat my 5K time by 6 minutes.

or

I got the opportunity to race with my husband and my parents yesterday and encourage them along the way.

I just felt like this weekend was one big example of how no matter what I do, I'll never be good enough.  I'll never hike fast enough for him.  I'll never been skinny/tall/blonde enough.  I'll never run fast enough. 

All of that - plus the fact that the conference simulcast is in April, means I desperately need to get started reading Beth Moore's So Long Insecurities - You've been a bad friend to us.

And thanks to every one who encouraged me on daily mile, facebook, and twitter even though I was being a Debbie Downer.

Hope you had a more exciting weekend!

PS - I am excited that this week starts my first official week of triathalon training!  I looked over the last few weeks of the plan and its a little scary, but totally doable.

Monday Project - I run because...

I'm going to cheat a little this week.  I completed this Monday project months ago, so when I dug it out Tuesday I felt like I was cheating.  Until I read it again and it brought me to tears.  I'm seriously considering a break from The Daily Mile.  I love the site, but it causes me to compare myself to others too much, then get down on myself for not being as fast as everyone.  I'm not enjoying running any more because I push myself then get frustrated because it wasn't enough.

The Triathalon training program I'm starting next week is more about training in your target heart rate zones, and focuses more on time then distance.  Actually it never specifics distances.  Maybe this will be the break I need.  I'm good at being mediocre.  I'm good at "to finish" challenges.  Maybe I'll start enjoying it again.

Without further ado...



It started out as a whim. A friend of mine and I had started counting calories earlier in the year, we took spin classes and weight classes together. Then out of the blue she called and said “I think we should train for a 5K, I’ve just found this program online.”


It was, of course, the Couch to 5K program. We signed up for our first race, but part of the way through the training she was sidelined and couldn’t compete with me.  I remembered being nervous and excited – my only goal was to run the entire 5K, no walking in between. I had run 3 miles in training, but always on a track. The course was hilly, but I managed to meet my goal.

After my first race – I was hooked. It was probably the rush of setting a goal then pushing myself to meet it. I finished 11th out of 16 in my age group, but I’d never felt more like a winner in my life.

Why do I run?

I run for me.

I run for weight loss/maintenance.

I run for health.

I run for the high.

I run for the sense of accomplishment.

I run for my niece and nephew.

My niece, who’s 5, has already said she wants to run races like her Aunt Boo.

My nephew, who’s 16 months, was unofficially diagnosed with asthma this week. Instead of getting upset about it, my sister told my mom “If Brooke can have it, and go on to run a half marathon, its not gonna hold him back.”

That makes me incredibly proud. So I guess it all comes back to…

I run for me.

What about you?

The one about submission...

I referrence the Easter delima in my confessions post on Tuesday - but here's the whole scoop.  We alternate Thanksgiving and Christmas every year, in theory at least.   We've only had to married holidays together, but he asked for Thanksgiving again this year with his family so that he could attend a Ohio University football game the day after.

For whatever reason, other holidays just haven't been discussed.  So when Jay called me at work and said he wanted to go visit his family for Easter this year I was surprised.  And sad.

We discussed it, and he said he wanted to see his Pawpaw who isn't in good health and all the family would be in.  I reminded him that he was the only person that lived out of town so whenever he came to visit "all the family" was in. 

That's when I might have got a little harsh.  You know the whole "speak the truth in love" verse?  I'm better at the first part than the 2nd.

I told him that Easter was for Christians celebrating the rescurrection and for children hunting eggs - since he is neither Christian nor a child, I should get Easter my way.

I know what you're thinking - what a great spirit for a Christian to have.

Anyway he didn't seem to see it the same way and we were at an impass.  I spoke to my mother for advice and she had none.  None immediately any way.  The next morning I had a voicemail on my work phone that James 1:5 was her only bit of wisdom.

It was a relief because I know James.  This isn't the scripture on the wife of noble character, nor is it the scripture on being a submissive wife.  Like any good Christian - I googled it to see what the verse says.

James 1:5 (New International Version)



5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Ask God.  Not your mom.  Not your friends in Bible Study.  Or your bloggy friends.  But God.

Most of the time I ask everyone but Him their opinions.

Spin class at lunch was my first real opportunity to pray about it, an I wondered if the entire class would be spent in prayer.  Sure, my instructor my think I'm weird sitting on my bike with my eyes closed, but if I pedal hard enough she'll just think I'm really focusing and giving the class my all.

The conversation went something like this.  Okay so I'm adding the words from God, when mostly it was just an impression.  But totally what He would have said outloud if that was the way He still talked to us.

Me: Dear God, please give me wisdom in this situation.  I want to spend Easter here, celebrating your death and ressurection.  I want to spend it watching the Princess and Little Man hunting Easter eggs.

You're asking for wisdom?  I gave you a whole book, what more do you want?

Me: Yeah but...

Read the book - submit to your husband.  Its his call.

Me: Yeah but...

What happaned last time you didn't follow the book?
Me: I married and unbeliever, which landed me here - begging for permission to worship you on a Holy holiday.

You chose this.  So deal with it.

Me: Yeah but...

Talk to the hand.

Okay so that last part wasn't really there.  But it was like a brick wall all of a sudden went up.  I prayed for wisdom.  He gave it to me, reminding me of the heirachy He has established for us.  What more was there to say.

Here's the thing that I never understood about submission as an immature believer, as a single woman.  Its not about the man being better than me.  Its not about him being smarter, more knowledgeable, or more capable at decision making. 

Someone has to make the final call in situations like this, and God gave us an easy default.  If we don't like the decision our husband has made?  Tough luck - shoulda thought about that before you married him.

In our conversation, God never once said "go to West Virginia and spend Easter with Pawpaw".  He just said Jay got the final call.

So Monday night over dinner - I pleaded my case one more time.  Reminding him that we can go up to WV later in the month.  That we could help the Princess and LM hide Easter eggs.  He restated his case, then changed the subject. 

I didn't want to push a decision because what if I pushed and didn't get the response I wanted?  I also didn't tell him that he got the final call.  I just resolved in my heart that if he was insistant we'd go.

Then last night he got a phone call from a buddy wanting to go fishing this weekend and I wanted to do a happy dance listening in.  He was basically telling this buddy that he would be here for Easter but would be gone to West Virginia the next weekend.

Me: I couldn't help but over hear you tell Mike that you'd be going to WV on the weekend of the 10th?

Jay: Yeah, that's what we decided upon right?

Me: I just wanted to make sure before I cancel with the girls.

(I had a girls night at my house scheduled for the 10th - totally worth moving to get Easter.)

While I would love to say that my husband did this for me because he wants to make me happy.  Or because he adores my niece and nephew and wants to hunt eggs with us.  I suspect it has more to do with Easter weekend working best for Mike and Jay wanting to go fishing.

Either way I don't mind - I was obedient AND got my way.  And as Miley Cyrus would say - that's the best of both worlds!

Weigh-in Wednesday - Spring Fling Week 4

Good morning!  I was nervous going into today's weigh-in.  I busted my hump this past week - burning over 4,000 calories and sticking with eating only 1650 calories per day.  Add to that the bloat gain from Aunt Flow last week, and I was bound to lose.  Right?

Right?

Right??

What could it mean if I didn't lose this week?

I held my breath and stepped up on the scale.

Challenge starting weight: 125.4
Goal weight: 120
Last week: 127.0
This week: 123.6

I lost almost 3 1/2 pounds!!!  Are you freaking kidding me?

That means I lost all of my bloat and then some.  Which means my exercise is burning the fat off, and 1650 is just about right where my calories should be.  Woot!  Woot!!!

I really needed this victory.  Yesterday I got really down on myself because my running hasn't been improving the way I would like it to.  I ask my husband last night why I can't just be good at something.  Not the best in the world, but better than mediocre. 

Hell I swear I don't think I even rate mediocre when it comes to running. 

Being the sweet, thoughtful husband he is, he hugged me and told me that in his eyes, I was the best penny pincher in the world - and that was something to be proud.  Then he pulled out the cheese card and told me I was the best in the world at loving him.

*Begins passing out air sick bags.*

Then I have the loss this morning - at this stage in the game 3 1/2 pounds is certainly not a mediocre loss!!

In fact its enough to earn me this shiney thing...



I wiped the slate clean and decided I'd only post a button if the weight loss was for the year - so here I am 3 months after the year began finally earning my 5# button.  My next stop will probably be stealing Thea's "I lost it all" button, because somehow I'm not sure 119 (what it would take to earn the 10# button) would look healthy on me.

Another victory for me is that I now have not one, but 2 pair of pants that I can take on and off without unbuttoning them.  For a girl with a booty like mine, that's sure saying something!

Time for me to report in to the Weight Loss Warriors and let them know how I did - no feeling like I let them down this week.  Time for you to hit the scale and report in to the Sisterhood.

My confessions...

For the most part I was great this week - burned 4,200 calories, stayed with in my alloted calorie intake (didn't even use the extra 400 I spoted my self for the 20 miles on Saturday).  I got some "me" time in - I'm half way through a fluffy novel.  Jay and I spent some quality time together - okay it was watching a stupid movie but it was funny and we both enjoyed it.

Not much left to confess right?  Besides the fact that I didn't last an entire week giving up coffee.

Wrong - today I confess the following:

• I want Easter my way.  With my family.  I figure since Easter is about celebrating the resurection and hunting eggs (he doesn't believe in the resurection and there are no kids on his side to hunt eggs) that I should be given my way.  That we should go to sunrise service at our church, then head to my grandmother to watch the princess and the little man hunt eggs.

• We're over budget on just about every catagory we made envelopes for now.  Except dip - the one thing I lectured Jay about making sure he didn't go over on.

• I was quite prideful when my mother told me my grandmother's reaction to seeing our house for the first time.  She said it was really nice - could we afford it.  Of course this wasn't to me, so I couldn't brag about what a great deal we got on the place.  But I certainly puffed up a bit that my house is so nice my grandmother didn't have a clue how little we paid.

• I'm going to be glad very very glad when I start focusing on training for the triathalon next week.  I'm sick of worrying about pace and beating myself up for not being fast enough.

• I'm worried that Jay will beat me in the 5K this weekend.  The dude that hasn't exercised in over a month (playing basketball with the guys) and who knows how long before that.  The dude that thinks 3 miles is a long run.  But I know he's going to - because he's naturally athletic like that.

• I'm worried that I won't reach my 31 minute 5K goal.  I've said I'll be happy with any new PR (32:08 or less) but that's just not true.  I want to race a 10 minute mile.  Period. 

• I'm worried that after all my hard work this week, I still won't lose weight - meaning this is the weight loss end for me.  I have nothing left to give.  If I don't lose this week I'll be seriously upset.

Monday Musings

Good morning all!  I hope everyone had a great weekend - I would describe mine as unproductive, but very enjoyable.

Unproductive, but certainly not boring.  Saturday morning I met some friends at a benefit pancake breakfast for their church's youth group, carb loaded, then joined some others from their church for an 8 mile hike to Ramsay Cascade. 

I still haven't purchased a camera, so I didn't get any pictures Saturday.  Jay and I had done the hike previously so I figured I'd share pictures of that hike.  Please don't judge - it was December of 2006.  We'd been dating 2 months or so.  And those pants don't fit me any more.

The hike is 4 miles to the falls, making it 8 miles round trip. The first 2 miles or so are an easy hike, but we had a couple people bail on us before we ever made it here, to the 1.5 mile marker. 

The last mile or so of the hike is very difficult.  The steep incline (some of which required using rocks as steps) paired with leftover snow from who knows when (it was 70 degrees on Friday) made for some slow going.  It was, of course, all worth it when we got to the top.

For some perspective here are Jay and I in front of part of the falls.

Notice that stick to his right?  Now look at it again in this picture of the full falls.

Its as tall as us yet looks like a twig in comparison to the falls.

Once we got past the snow the hike down was a breeze - we stopped for some pictures by some of the biggest trees the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer.  There was logging in the park in the early 1900s, but this is one area that remained untouched.

Not quite the Giant Sequoia, but huge for around here.

I said don't judge - I've gained and lost since then and I don't own those pants any more.

Our marathon training schedule called for a 20 mile walk this past weekend, so my training partner and I decided to do the group hike for 8 miles of that, then hit the road to log our other 12.  The road followed the river in several parts and was a refreshing change of pace to the same ole route we've been doing since we started the training.

I'm not sure if it was because of a different route, or the stretching we each did while the other was taking potty breaks, but we both felt stronger at the end of this walk than we did after the 3 mile run/14 mile walk combo. 

After dinner, I headed home with a can of dip & a redbox movie in hand.  Jay had also requested 3 bean burritos from taco bell but for whatever reason I just drove right by.  I blame exhaustion.  He forgave me, since I remembered the 2 most important requests he had.

It was up bright and early Sunday morning for Sunday school and church, then the whole family met at Cracker Barrel for lunch.  Most of the family had never seen our house before, so they followed us back to get the grand tour.  Apparently my house is cozy, because they settled in for the afternoon and didn't leave until my mother mentioned needing to get to church.

I spent the remainder of the evening on the couch either sleeping or reading my book - it felt incredible.  I typically don't like to work on Sunday, but for the past month or so have been rationalizing that I've been getting my ox out of a ditch. 

At this point I don't think that argument flies any more - if have plenty of time to exercise, I have plenty of time to clean.  I'm going to arrange my schedule so I'm able to get home early enough to clean, and I also have a fairly clear schedule on Saturday.  I'm hoping by this time next week I'll have my house in order.

For those who just can't hack it for 40 days...

Time for another Monday Project!

This week's asked us to give up something for an entire week - kinda like a mini-lent without the religious application. 

The only "diet" I can sustain is one that allows me to eat whatever I want. Sure I try to make the most healthy choices available to me, but occasionally I'll work a piece of pizza or two into my day and just make sure I cut calories elsewhere.  So the concept of restricting myself from anything isn't something I'm use to.

I chose coffee randomly.  I don't really have any one thing that I crave on a regular basis or feel like I have to have.  I don't always eat dessert, don't always have bread with my meal, or always eat a certain kind of meat. 

Both of my daily routines involve beverages - I drink coffee all day and I chomp on ice.  The ice thing is something new I've picked up and we'll see what the dentist has to say about it at the end of the month.  Hopefully I'm not hurting my teeth or anything.

I was the classic addict in denial about coffee.  Sure I can quit anytime I want - I didn't use to have a cup every day.  I could easily go back.  I even thought that since I mostly drink decaf then I would have caffeine withdrawl.

I was ready to give up and change what I was going to abstain from by noon on Wednesday (the day I started).  I work in an office that's constantly cold.  I keep the space heater under my desk running, but it can only do so much especially when I'm munching on ice.  A hot beverage is welcome - and coffee is my only no calorie choice.  (I don't like tea.)

I should say low calorie I've gotta have my creamer.  But I can slowly sip on my 35 calories of half and half (2 tbsps) over the course of the workday.  Day 1 I tried to replace coffee with no sugar added hot chocolate (50 calories) but then ended up adding 100 calories of marshmallows to the drink.  Day 2 I tried to replace it with hot water.  Yep, I put a splash of almond milk and a packet of splenda in my coffee cup and added hot water. 

Genius idea, so so drink.

Today is day 3.  I'm hoping that I don't have the same headache that I had for days 1&2.   Yes decaf coffee does have some caffeine in it, and I guess I was adding some regular coffee into my cup more than I realized.  I think today I'm going to try and stretch a packet of apple cider throughout the course of the day.

The headaches and my need to replace coffee tells me that I was definitely too dependant on it and this detox was a great idea.  I'm just not sure if I'll go back to drinking it on a regular basis come next Wednesday.

Did you give something up this week?  Head over to the Sisterhood and link up so we can read all about it!

Our first fire! (and other random pictures)

Knowing I was in a crappy mood yesterday, Jay asked what he could do around the house to help me not be so stressed. I really didn't have an answer for him, but when I got home I saw that he had figured it out all on his own!

Okay so maybe it didn't look like that by the time I got home, but it was still nice to eat dinner in front of the fire.  (Our table is to the left of the fireplace, just out of the picture.)  It was also nice for the house to be 70 degrees for a change!  Scared of the electric bills, we've been keeping it on 60. 

 
Besides the new baseboards, the only change we made to this room was the yellow on the wall.  It connects to the kitchen and when I think of a farmhouse kitchen I think yellow.  Please excuse the mess just beyond the french doors.  That's our soon to be mud room.  Right now its the pile o'crap room.
 
That's all the new photos I have to share with you today of our house, but remember I said we hung out at a cabin this weekend with our Sunday school class? Lest ye picture it to be some rustic hunting lodge, when we say "cabin" around here this is what we mean:
 
 

A master bedroom on every floor, a theater room in the basement, and fireplaces in the commons areas. 

Okay that does nothing to show you the cabin, but I thought it was a cute picture of us so I wanted to share it.  Check out this bathroom - nothing rustic here.  It certainly puts my master bath at home to shame.  Mine is a two by two shower with claustrophobic glass doors.

Thou shalt not covet.

Thou shalt not covet.

Thou shalt not covet.

Thou shalt not covet.

Thou shalt not covet.

Thou shalt not covet.

Jay fell in love with the theater room, so I'm not sure why I don't have any pictures of it.  If we build a farm house later down the road Jay has already said he wants a theater room.  I'm not sure what kind of farm house has a $6K flat screen television and theater style seating, but if we build a house its because he's done very well in real estate and deserves whatever kind of room he wants!

Today is a short day for me.  I'm going to try and get around to everyone's blogs today but if I don't I'll get to you tomorrow I promise! (Lord willin and the creek don't rise.)

Weigh-in Wednesday - Spring Fling Week 3

Its weigh in day ladies!

Don't let the exclaimation point fool you - I'm tired.  I sucked last week.  And I'm cramping like a mo fo.  I can fake perkiness with exclaimation points all day long but the truth is I just want to crawl in bed and go to sleep.

Only if I went home I'd feel obligated to work on the house.

Then I'd want to beat the snot out of Jay for assuming I have time to do his laundry on top of everything else on my list.  You see we've kinda got household policy where we each are responsible for our own clothing.  We each have far too much enough clothing that I can fill a load with my clothing alone.

Actually, let me clarify.  I've said that we should each do our own.  He thinks that since I have the female parts and he has the male parts I should do his.  So I do my own.  He lets his pile up until his mother comes to visit then they commiserate about what a shitty wife I am while she does his laundry for him.

Sorry folks, I warned ya it wasn't a perky, delightful day.

You guys know how overwhelmed I am with the house.  I mean I've only mentioned it on just about every post since before the move.  Jay is either oblivous or doesn't care because last night he just set his laundry basket in the kitchen for me to take care of for him. 

Okay so this blog is going down hill fast...let's just get to the point.

Goal weight: 120
Last week's weight: 124.8
This week: 127.0

I suck.

There now that we're all in agreement I'll defend myself by saying I have PMS.  Aunt Flow is due to arrive tomorrow morning and I'm fairly certain this gain is competely due to bloat.

I looked at my initial Spring Fling weigh in post and I had lost 3 1/2 pounds that week.  Unheard of for me.  BUT it was the week after Flow packed up and left, so I'm wondering if this monster bloat is just the way things are going to be.  Which is totally fine if I always follow up with a good loss.

Also, a friend of mine and I have a new plan to help stay on track with calories.  I'd tell you all about it but since I'm such a bitch today you've probably already stopped reading.  I'll explain it next week and let you know how it went.

True Confessions - Diversifing my guilt

Good Morning!  (I actually am that cheerful this morning - probably because I slept in until 6:50 this morning.)  Its Tuesday which means...

HAPPY LOST DAY!!!!!!!!

Okay so it also means its confession time.  Grab a cup of coffee its gonna be a long one!

• I talked April into running this weekend on the guise that she would be my running buddy in spirit...only I slept in and didn't run. 
• I didn't exercise at all this weekend.
• I had 2 sausage biscuits at the babyshower on Saturday.
• I had 4 pieces of pizza at the cabin Saturday night.
• I had a sausage omlet and pancakes at IHOP Sunday morning.
• I had a plateful of crap at the babyshower on Sunday afternoon.
• I had hibachi last night and cleaned my plate.

Not to be one accused of only talking about fitness weight loss...

• I didn't do a blasted thing to my house on Saturday.
• I got very little moving related done to my house on Sunday*
• My version of cleaning the bathroom this morning?  Wiping the sink and toilet down with a clorox wipe and spraying down the shower with daily shower spray.  I'll sweep and do the bowl tonight but beyond that's all it'll get for the next week.  Or two.  Or three.  Or until Jay dips on the toilet again without a spitter.
• Other than voting in a business meeting, I have no clue what the point of joining a Baptist church is.  (my denomonation)
• I've planned so poorly that we've ran out of ground turkey - which means I'll have to be creative until it goes on sale again.  Jay only tolerates chicken, so I'll have to dig out the other meats in the freezer (like the smoked sausage, pot roast, some deer link thingy) to keep from having chicken every night.
• Jay and I did budget envelopes this month, and only half way through the month we're already over budget on 3 of the 7 catagories.

*The only thing house related I took care of was putting the dust ruffle on the master bed as I was changing the sheets.  Which means I'm officially She-ra (but only if she's more powerful than Super Boo.  I wanted to get it done and Jay wasn't at home.  I had to move the king sized mattress off the box springs by my self then put it back.  Reason #108 that I totally rock!

Okay now that I'm finally done (and I'll probably be begging the Weight Loss Warriors not to kick me off the team tomorrow) I'll let you get down to business.  What are your confessions - the Sisterhood is dying to hear all about them!

Monday Musings

Happy Monday to you all!!!  Please read that far more perkily (is that a word) than I actually typed it.  Couldn't fall asleep until about an hour past my bedtime - thank you time change.  Then I woke up at 2 or so - thank you Jay and the stupid violent movie you were watching - and couldn't go back to sleep until 3:30ish.  I'm dragging today!

As suspected this weekend was crazy busy.  Friday night we ate dinner with the Sunday School class and got to meet a lot of new couples.  Due to lack of attendance (both theirs and ours) Jay and I hadn't had an opportunity to meet everyone.  Also, its nice to met everyone in a non-church environment.  I was a little worried about conversation topics of interest, as I am one of only 2 non mommy/pregnant women in the class.

Everything went okay (Jay said I talked a little too much about running, but I think they talked a little too much about Johnny's spit up so I guess we're even) until I got my salad.  I had to send the dressing back because they brought me ranch instead of the oil and vinegar I had requested.  Then I had to scrape off the cheese, crutons, and bacon bits.  It all went down hill from there.

"What you don't like bacon and crutons?"

Not wanting to draw attention to my calorie counting ways, I simply responded "I like them just fine."  Hoping that it would be dropped at that.

"What you're afraid it'll make you fat or something?"

Then someone else - "Oh, you're counting calories.  I use to do weight watchers but then once the kids came along it just takes too much time to plan..."

Which is exactly why I wasn't going to mention it.  I know how sensitive my sister is about stuff like that, and I didn't want to draw attention to my neurosis or make them think I am judging them.

Then it was on to Saturday and my cousin's baby shower - more people attended than my mother had planned for.  While there was plenty of food, seating was at a premium.  I was glad to hang out in the kitchen away from the crowd.

Saturday night we headed to the rental cabin that the Sunday school class had gotten for the weekend.  There were only a few couples left: the girls were upstairs scrapbooking while the guys played video games downstairs.  Since I'm not a scrapper, I just hung out and chatted with the girls until the pizza arrived.  Jay & I and another couple ended up being the only ones staying the night, but it was nice just to get away.

Sunday brought another baby shower and a few hours to work on the house.  Unfortunately I didn't get any moving stuff done because I was busy doing standard household cleaning (laundry, unloading the dishwasher, etc).  I'm not a fan of working on Sunday, but here lately it seems like that's the only time I get a moment.

Hope you guys had a great weekend - whatever that might mean for you!

The Weekend is here!!

Almost.

Today I'll be taking a break from the Monday Project festivities.  Its a catchup day, where we are supposed to go back and do one of the project we've skipped from the past two months.   I've been a good girl and only skipped two.  I made up for one by posting Super Boo on Monday.

I still have to blog about skiing for the first time, but my darling craphead hasn't gotten me those pictures yet.  Don't worry, it doesn't matter if its June when he gets them to me, I'm blogging it.  Cause I was "hot as balls" in my ski bunny outfit.  Or not.

Yesterday I vowed on Twitter to commit 30 minutes to working on the house every day until we're competely moved in.  My work has stalled and I'm starting to get overwhelmed.  I'm not even finished with all my move in work and already its time to start on the general household maintenance.

Who the beep convinced me to buy a 2500 square foot house?  Do you know how much house that is to clean?  Wah, wah.  Boohoo.  Poor me, I know.

I wasn't sure why I hadn't finished up my work on the house, and I was guessing that my mother-in-law was right and it was pure laziness.  I committed to my tweeps that I would do 30 minutes of work on the house and 30 minutes I would do.

After work I got in my 40 minute slow tempo run, then headed to the grocery store.  You see Brandi's leaving us to day, moving on fulfulling her calling into the ministry.  So we decided to do what any government employee should do when someone leaves - have a potluck.  I had to stop at the store to get the fresh ingredients needed for my pasta salad.

So by the time I got home last night it was 7 PM.  I put dinner on and started washing and chopping veggies.  Dinner was at 7:30, and I started on the dishes at 8.  After dishes came the rest of the pasta salad prep. 

Why am I giving you the mundane details of my evening?  Because I figured out why I don't work on the house at night.  My bedtime is around 9:30 and by 8:30 I was just then getting an opportunity to do some work.  That's not including time needed to do laundry or pack my workout bag for today.

I ended up crawling into bed around 10:30 last night.  So my 30 minutes a day plan sucks.  Then again so does living in a house that's not quite home yet.  This morning I spent 5 minutes putting empty boxes into my car.  You'd better believe I'm going to count every minute that I spend breaking them down and putting them into the recycling bin as part of my 30 minutes of work today.

This is just the way its gotta be because my weekends are full from now until the end of the year it feels like.  This weekend I have two baby showers and dinner with friends two nights, plus my sister and the kids are coming in.  Next weekend I have 5 hours of walking/training for my marathon, and the next weekend is the big 5K.  The fitness expo and registration packet pickup is Saturday and the race is Sunday. 

The first weekend of April is Easter weekend, plus a 22 mile walk, then the weekend to follow I'm having friends over to see my house for the first time.  So getting it ready a little at a time is a must!

Just because I know you're curious the weekend after that is the marathon walk, and the weekend after that is the Beth More "Dealing with Insecurities" simulcast.  So I really am booked up through April.  How the beep did that happen?

So what does your weekend look like?

Finally a non fitness/house post!

Good morning all!!

Erm...

Okay yeah its still morning.  I got so caught up in budgeting and reading your blogs that I forgot I hadn't posted one of my own.

So besides my binging and (unintentional) purging what have I been up to lately?

Finally something not house/weight loss/fitness related to talk about!!!

Monday and Tuesday I had the pleasure of babysitting my nephew.  The little man will be 22 months old at the end of March.  His baby sitter was out of town and my sister needed someone to watch him for a couple of days.  Thankfully my job provides me with a flexible schedule and more vacation hours than I could ever dream of using!

I figured this would be the perfect set up.  LM and I haven't been able to bond like the Princess and I because...well the Princess gets in the way.  She loves her Auntie Boo, and doesn't want to have to share her.  LM has grandparents and an Uncle Jay usually around the same time as me.  Why bother fighting Sissy for me when he can just move on to the next adoring family member?

With the Princess away at school (I can't believe she's going to be 6 in a couple of months!) watching him for 2 days was the perfect scenario.  I play with him all day, then get to hang out with her when she gets home from school.  Win-win!

She's addicted to Target shopping (heaven help my sister and BIL when she gets old enough to take herself) and we had some baby shower stuff to purchase, so we all met up after school on Monday.  Being the generous, kind soul that she is, the Princess insisted on getting the baby a gift on her own.  My sister and I decided to join forces & pocket books to get our cousin a joint gift.

Monday was perfect.  LM was full of energy as was I.  We did little man weight lifting - he especially enjoyed being my barbell for chest presses and the lower ab leg raises.  He sat on my thighs and enjoyed riding up and down.  Squats, not so much.  Then after stopping for a water break, he ran back into the living room, layed down on the carpet and stuck his legs in the air, trying to do the leg raises himself.

Tuesday, on the other hand, was horrible.  He didn't sleep well the night before and was grouchy all morning.  I must not have slept well either, because I was exhausted too.  When he went down for his nap at 11:30, so did I.  Unforunately his nap lasted the rest of the afternoon so he and I didn't get to hang out that much.

I'm very much looking forward to hanging out with them again this weekend at the shower.  My sister mentioned me coming up more often.  I really did use to before Jay and I started dating.  Its definitely something that needs to be put on my calendar more.

So how's that for a weekend wrap up a day before its the weekend again?

Weigh-in Wednesday - It ain't pretty

Its weigh in time and as predicted, I had a rough week.

I'm up this week, and its completely my fault.  No need to beat me up, I paid dearly for it last night.  I can honestly say I don't think I'll want near a buffalo wing for a long time to come...

Now for the full report.

I went into this week knowing I was going to be bad, but figured it'd be worth it.  I ended up burning 1400 calories on Saturday with my walk/run combo of 17 miles.  So even though I didn't have to feel guilty about the Mellow Mushroom pizza, it honestly wasn't that good. 

Sunday was okay, nothing crazy, nothing great.  It just was.  Then came Monday - its difficult to find something to eat in someone else's house, especially when they have different cooking/food prep habits than you.  The big oops, however, was completely my choice.

My sister, the princess and I went baby shower shopping then met up with my BIL and the little man at Outback afterward.  I deliberated back and forth what I was going to get, and settled for the bacon cheeseburger.

I've said before, I don't count calories in front of the princess.  I truly stand by that because I want to be a good example.  Not sure what kind of example I was covering my bacon cheeseburger in ranch dressing.  Definitely went with the wrong choice there.

The princess, on the other hand, ordered chicken tenders and veggies for her meal and ended up eating more veggies than chicken.  Although she is the first child I've ever seen dip cooked veggies into ranch dressing.

Then there was yesterday.  As the LM was grunting for his spaghetti o's (so hungry he got upset with me for wanting to heat them first), Jay called me and told me that I needed to get home in time to meet Stan, a client of Jay's, at the brewery. 

Over a month ago, Stan had challenged me to drink a tall boy.  He didn't think I could do it.  Never one to back down from a challenge (remember that stubborn streak that made me start my weight loss journey?  it gets me to do some not so smart things too) I agreed.  Because I'm that Junior High.

Meet the tall boy - 33 oz of microbrew beer.

I just didn't know it would be the night before a weigh in.  To end a week I've been craptastic with my eating.

I can make all the excuses I want about how I have to act/eat/behave a certain way around Jay's clients, but when it comes to meeting up with them for dinner, like in this situation with Stan - its gone beyond the client/realtor relationship.  Stan met up with his friends Jay & Brooke for beers last night.  He's meeting his realtor Jay this morning to take care of business.

Meet Stan.

For those of you dying to know, yes I rose to the challenge.

And, yes, that is a stack of chicken wing carcass on my plate in front of me.  I had 2 pieces of pizza, too many wings to count.  1 tall boy and 1 glass of water.

I asked Jay what his thoughts were about me eating like crap the night before a way in.  "You're hot as balls any way, what does it matter."  Well then, not sure my teammates would accept it, but it was good enough for me.

Then around 1:30 last night - I paid for it.  Jay made fun of me this morning (apparently sleeping so deeply he didn't hear his wife wreching last night) because he though it was the beer that made me sick.  I'm ashamed to admit that I know what drunk/hangover sick feels like.  This wasn't it.

First off, I wasn't drunk.  I won't claim the tall boy didn't have any affect on me, but I certainly wasn't wasted.

Secondly, my tummy isn't use to being fed crap. Who knew?  After 4 days of being fed crap, it had finally had enough.  The good news is that I'm fairly certain those calories don't count.  The bad news (or potentially good news I suppose) is that after seeing them the 2nd time around I don't plan on consuming wings in the near future. 

So, that's my week.  Told ya it wasn't pretty. 

Now for the weigh in...

Goal weight - 120
Last week - 124.4

This week - 124.8

I am going to kick it up this week to make it up to my team.  I feel really bad that I let them down and promise to do everything within my control to be down to 123 next week.  Everything except have a repeat of last night.  I really don't know how those ED girls do it all the time.  While this should go without saying, I'm going to say it any way - its totally not worth it.

So how did you do this week?  Well I hope, just not too well to push the Weight Loss Warriors too far down the leader board.  Weigh in, blog it, then post your link over at the Sisterhood.

True Confessions - Boy I know my weakness

Time for another edition of True Confessions.  Grab a glass of water, pull up a chair and hear what bad things I've been up to recently.

• I was bad Saturday.  I logged 16 miles on my feet (walk/run combo - mostly walking) burning over 1,400 calories.  So you can sympathize why I didn't fret over that extra slice of cheese right?
• Sunday, I headed to my sister's for a couple days to babysit the little man. I have a strict no calorie counting rule in front of the Princess.  We certainly don't want her turning out mental like her Aunt Boo.  I tried to keep it to 1,000 calories during the day while she was at school and not go crazy at dinner, but apparently I didn't try hard enough.

My final and worst confession?

• I'm still at my sister's - I wrote this post on Friday knowing full well all my tempations and exactly when I would give in to each one of them.

I'm coming back tonight and will be here bright and early tomorrow for the weigh in.  So how'd you do this week?

The Super Hero in Me

A few weeks ago Christie O. challenged us to explore who we would be if we were a superhero.  What powers would you have?  Costume would you wear?

Only being the genius that I am I completely understood the challenge wrong.  I thought she wanted us to located the super hero within...what my super powers really are.  at this moment.

So as I was participating in the Sisterhood Olympics Mini-Triathalon, I composed the blog.  Funny where your mind goes when you have 2 hours to do nothing but exercise and talk to yourself.  I had in mind the pictures for the blog and everything.

Then Friday rolled around and I re-read what the challenge consisted of.  Oops.

And my craphead husband Jay still hadn't emailed me the pictures.

So the idea got shelved for a while, but now she's back.  Finally the moment you've all been waiting for...introducing 

SUPER BOO!!

Her super power starts with her name - she's able to inspire young girls with a single race + a lifetime of love and adoration. 

You see my niece calls me Boo. It started when she was too young to say "Brooke" so I took what I could get. "Boo - yeah she's talking about me!" She's now 6, and has asked me before why Jay calls me Brooke and not Boo.

 

 

 
That's us after my half marathon with my sister standing behind me.
 
Super power - Empowering the women of tomorrow!

How does Super Boo manifest this power?

She runs!

It doesn't matter what the temperature as long as its above 25F she is happy to done her fleece ear band and gloves and brave Mother Nature all in the name of logging a few more miles.

She bikes!

Armed with only the Huffy her parents bought her in the early 90s - she isn't afraid to ride into the face of danger as long as there are no pitbulls around in the name of justus.  Even if that's not her name any more.*

*Sorry inside joke.  If the suspence is killing you, and I know you, email me.

Maybe one day the Super Craphead will let her spend several thousand dollars on a real road bike.  Doubtful, but maybe.  (& especially not if she keeps calling him a craphead)

She swims!

Or at least tries. Every super hero has a weakness right??

Super Power - the Will to Never Give Up, Never Surrender

Because even though Super Boo wasn't a runner, she applied her self to the Couch to 5K program and eventually fell in love with it. 

Because even though her super power isn't super speed, she pushed herself (through illness no less) to set a personal record at her last 5K and its training to break that PR at her very next race.

Because even though she hadn't yet been running a year, she trained for a completed her first half marathon.

Because even though she can swim worth a darn, she's working on getting better so that she can particpate in her first triathalon just a week before her 30th birthday.

Super Power - Loving What You're Given

While you or I might see the severe carnival freak show pear shaped that Super Boo has going on - when Super Boo looks in the mirror, she doesn't see her saddle bags.  No, she sees the abs that nature has given her and that her hard work has improved.

Finally, what would a Superhero be without a secret identity?

Tempermental Mild mannered office specialist by day, hard hitting Superhero before work, at lunch, and sometimes even at night.

Dig deep - you know she's in there.  Who's the super hero in you?

Monday Project - What if...

As in weeks past, Christie isn't holding anything back for this week's Monday Project.



What would it be like if I just started this journey two years from now?

First off, I'd like to say that I'm not quite sure that the journey would have ever started if I had waited two years.  When I first started trying to lose weight and get healthy, I wasn't all that large to begin with.  My starting weight was 138.  I didn't have an "aha" moment, I wasn't disgusted by the size of my jeans, and I didn't even see that picture that spurred me to action.

Why did I start?  Because I don't like other people dictating my future.  I got married in November and by January I was sick of people telling me that I would gain weight once I settled into married life.  I know I scored some serious bling, but I don't think it weights that much.

I got so irritated, in fact, that I decided that not only would I not gain weight, I'd lose it.  After I started down the calorie counting road, then I started exercising, then the next thing I know a friend is suggesting we train for a 5K.

How would it be different if all of this would have happened in 2011 instead of 2009?  First off carving the time for exercise would have been more difficult.  Jay and I hadn't settled into any routines when I started my journey, so it wasn't like I was upsetting any apple carts adding in extra activity.

Also, the friend who I started running with is trying to get pregnant.  I'm sure her schedule will be much different next year - certainly in no position to suggest the C25K program.  I promise, without her suggestion and motivation, I wouldn't be a runner today.

Here's where it gets deep.

What would be different if I had waited two years to start my journey?
I have no doubt that I'd be medicated by now. 

Don't get me wrong, I am madly in love with my husband.  I have a Savior worthy of all worship and praise, a great family, good job and an over all wonderful life. 

But I was unhappy. 

Jay was already conditioned to be ready for the Sunday night ritual of me sitting on the couch and out of the blue whining "I'm sad."  You can't depend on someone else entirely for your happiness and self worth.  I have no doubt it would have been difficult on our marriage.

I was considering going to a doctor to get medication for it.

While I understand and appreciate that there are some people out there that need such medication, I don't want to take it unless there are no other alternatives.  For me, it would have been a cop out.  It would have been the equivilant of someone going to the doctor to get cholestoral medication all the while still munch down on bacon every morning.

Emotionally I am in such a better place now.  I know I've said this before, but give me back my 13 pounds and I would still go through this journey.

Because I'm happy.

Sure I still have rough days, days I'm overwhelmed, sad, or upset, but those days are the exception not the norm.  I have a sense of self worth because I've proved that I'm made of some pretty fierce stuff.  When I question my emotional/mental strength, I pull from my half marathon bank.  I promise just as much of a half is mental as it is physical.

I've challenged myself and never let myself down.

Jay doesn't have the exhausting chore of a wife dependant on him for her happiness.

God has one less stagnant, unmotivated follower.

My niece sees a vibrant aunt who's full of energy that she wants to be like when she grows up.

Honestly, I really don't want to think about where I would be come January 2011 if I hadn't already started this journey.  I just want to take this moment to thank God that He used my stubborn nature, a wonderful friend, and a group of incredible women to bring me where I am today.

So what's your story?  How would it be different if you delayed it a bit?  Those same incredible women are waiting to read all about it and encourage you to push yourself even further!

The Oops I Haven't Blogged Today Blog

So you know its gonna be really interesting!!  or not.

Let's see besides weight loss, exercise, and house stuff what have I been up to lately.

Um.

Um.

Um.

Um.

My parents are going to come visit mine and Jay's new church this weekend.  We're having a fundraising lunch after service to raise money for the pastor's trip to Africa.

Um.

I'm babysitting my nephew Monday & Tuesday.  His babysitter is unabailble (as my niece says) so I was nominated to take a few days off and watch him.  Its hard for he and I to spend much time together because the Princess gets jealous.  She'll share anything but her Aunt Boo!  The little man & I will hang out together (alone) all day while the Princess is at school, then she and I can play after school.  Perfect situation!

Um.

The In-laws are stopping by tonight to see the new house.  They came into town on Monday, but have been taking care of some business while they were in town.  We're all hopeful that the ladies they talked to this week will want to rent out the old house.

I'm not sure how I feel about people stopping by to see my house.  I mean we've made tremendous progress on it, but we're very much still working on it and I want people to see it when its perfect.  Only I know that it probably won't ever be.

Crap, I'm talking about the house again.

Did I mention my grandparents are anxious to see it too?  & Jay is pouting because he won't be home when they drop by! I love that he loves my family that much.

Okay back to non diet, exercise, and house related topics...

Um.

I'm starting to suck at the coupon game.  I'm just not as attentive to it as I use to be (for the 3 reasons that will not be mentioned).  I have a $5/$30 purchase coupon that runs out this week and I forgot to use it at the store Monday.  I'm running back tonight to pick up staples.  Its not the most idea way to do things, but its better than letting it go to waste.

*raises right hand* I promise I will not impulse buy just to get my total to $30.

Um.

Um.

I'm really loving LOST this season!  I have no clue where there are going with it but I'm certainly enjoying the ride.  A bunch of my LOST message board buddies are already in the planning stages of a finale party.  I've met a couple of the girls, but I'll be meeting a few of them in real life for the first time.

Um.

I haven't read a book in over a month and I miss it.  (I haven't had time for the 3 reasons that shall not be mentioned.)

I really do worry that some of my long time readers will get sick of all my health/fitness related posts.  If you do, I'm sorry.  I just tend to blog about whatever strikes me at the moment. 

So...what new and exciting things do you have going on right now? (aka a plea to help me become more diverse)

WIW - Let's Go Weight Loss Warriors!

This is our first team weigh in.  I was a little hesitant about joining a team this go round; since I was on the last 5 pounds I knew it would be difficult to post consistant numbers every week.  I definitely wasn't counting on anything more than 0.5 at a time.

Challenge start: 125.4
Goal weight: 120

Guess what???

This week: 124.4!!!

I'm thrilled with it.  1 pound may not be a lot for you guys, but at this point in my journey its a big deal.  Especially considering I didn't track anything this weekend and ate like crap.  As per my usual, I did work my heinie off though.

Beyond just the loss?  I'm thrilled that last week's 3# loss wasn't a total fluke.  It was just me finally getting rid of crap my body had been hanging on to for too long.

It also means that I'm 0.4 pounds away from my new 5# button!  I cleared off my buttons at the first of the year to start off with a clean slate.  Hopefully by next week I'll have earned my new one!

Last week I logged 6 1/2 hours of exercise (2 of that was skiing so that might or might not actually count.  I'm counting it. :P) and burned 2,441 calories.

What's on tap for this week? This will be my 2nd week of adding a spin class and a swim to my weights and running schedule.  Also on tap for this weekend is a 16 mile training walk.  I missed the last walk, so I'm hoping that this one doesn't kick my butt.  "Just" walking sounds easy enough until you figure at 4 MPH (which for you nonwalkers is a pretty brisk speed) it will take over 4 hours to complete the walk! 

Due to schedule conflicts the entire group isn't able to meet, so it'll just be my running buddy and me.  We've talked about it and will probably add in a few brief jogs just to give our walking muscles a break.  Running is allowed in the Mountain Man March, so we're hoping to convince our teammates of jogging breaks during the actual event.  Since its a military style event, each member of the team must cross within 20 seconds of each other, or the whole team is disqualified. 

Basically if they don't run, the only place we can run is to get ahead of them for a porta-potty stop.

Sorry to end on a crappy note (teehee I couldn't resist), but how did you do this week?  Head on over to the Sisterhood and let us know!