Showing posts with label Project RACE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Project RACE. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
project race monthly update
Still runnin'. I've been getting into the good habit of waking early during the work week to take the Woof for our 6.5K runs. It's a harder run; there is no time to let my oatmeal digest before embarking - so I don't eat anything at all, for fear of the stitches - meaning that after about 4Ks in I have to pull out everything I got that the previous night's sleep didn't completely deplete within me. These morning runs are a good four to five minutes longer than when I do them any other time of the day. But I can't wait until the sun rises earlier and I can watch the warm glow of the world open the door to another day. Photosynthesis for my soul.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
project RACE monthly update: better late than never
I wish I could say, If only I knew what a difference it makes, I would have started long ago. It would be nice to think I’m that rational, but, as Adoring and Wonderful Husband can attest, my cognitive functions often focus on, Wow! That shirt is sure pretty! and, Mmm! That cake on TV looks sooooo yummy! instead of, Huh, so output greater than input = size 10 (and sometimes even Size 8, when the Goddess is feeling particularly generous).
But now, officially six months into running, all I can say is: Ho. La. Shat. Why didn’t I start this long ago? This is not meant to be a sermon, because running isn’t necessarily easy (but it does get easier over time). And running isn’t necessarily for everyone (even if it’s working for me). I often have people say to me, Isn’t it amazing how different you look? Yes, I’ll agree, but what’s even more amazing to me is how I didn’t realize what I looked like before. I chalk it up to the Nicole Richie frame of mind, in reverse: like a super skinny celebrity who looks at her 85-pound frame and still sees rolls, I used to look in the mirror and see someone who looked just fine, thank you very much (though I did concede a bit of puff). And now, exactly 45 pounds later, I look at pictures of myself from not too long ago and I can finally see how I actually looked. (Which was just fine, thank you very much, but A LOT puffier than I had previously estimated. Ho. La. Puff.) I don’t know what to make of this. Do I have abnormally healthy self-esteem? (And if so, is that a good thing if it means overlooking indicators of health?) Was I in complete denial? (Perhaps, but what to make of committing to change? Surely that shows I knew something needed fixing?) Actually, I think it was this: I’ve come to love life more than ever before, and I now realize how important biology is. How fragile the balance of healthy equilibrium is. And so for all those things I have control over, I want to get control of. Chalk it up to the end of my teenage trust in invincibility, a decade late.
(And stay tuned for my New Year's Resolutions to help me keep it up. I thought starting running was hard? I think I have no idea the challenge that lays before me to stay running, in winter no less, after a ten-hour work day. The thought of it makes me want to poop. Or maybe that's just the ass-end of the Christmas bug I caught that helped keep me from gaining any turkey weight. As Lainey would say, Praise Goddess.)
But now, officially six months into running, all I can say is: Ho. La. Shat. Why didn’t I start this long ago? This is not meant to be a sermon, because running isn’t necessarily easy (but it does get easier over time). And running isn’t necessarily for everyone (even if it’s working for me). I often have people say to me, Isn’t it amazing how different you look? Yes, I’ll agree, but what’s even more amazing to me is how I didn’t realize what I looked like before. I chalk it up to the Nicole Richie frame of mind, in reverse: like a super skinny celebrity who looks at her 85-pound frame and still sees rolls, I used to look in the mirror and see someone who looked just fine, thank you very much (though I did concede a bit of puff). And now, exactly 45 pounds later, I look at pictures of myself from not too long ago and I can finally see how I actually looked. (Which was just fine, thank you very much, but A LOT puffier than I had previously estimated. Ho. La. Puff.) I don’t know what to make of this. Do I have abnormally healthy self-esteem? (And if so, is that a good thing if it means overlooking indicators of health?) Was I in complete denial? (Perhaps, but what to make of committing to change? Surely that shows I knew something needed fixing?) Actually, I think it was this: I’ve come to love life more than ever before, and I now realize how important biology is. How fragile the balance of healthy equilibrium is. And so for all those things I have control over, I want to get control of. Chalk it up to the end of my teenage trust in invincibility, a decade late.
(And stay tuned for my New Year's Resolutions to help me keep it up. I thought starting running was hard? I think I have no idea the challenge that lays before me to stay running, in winter no less, after a ten-hour work day. The thought of it makes me want to poop. Or maybe that's just the ass-end of the Christmas bug I caught that helped keep me from gaining any turkey weight. As Lainey would say, Praise Goddess.)
Monday, November 27, 2006
project RACE monthly update
I wish I had one or two more days before I had to write this post. I almost convinced myself to just skip it for the month, or at least postpone my accounting until a time I would be much happier to fill in the ledger. Not that things are going badly - they're not; it's just that this is a bit of a transitioning period for me, and I need to figure out a way to make the adjustment work. (Also, I didn't go for a run yesterday, and my weigh-in for the record this morning wasn't after a good sweaty workout as I usually like to make it. It was all me this time, baby. All me.)
This month's less than overwhelming weight loss can be attributed to a number of factors, all of which are instructive and offer insight into what I need to do to continue to make being healthy a part of my life. First up on the list: my trip early this month with the Babe to visit Grandma and Gido and their Big Drawer Full of Tempting, Luscious Chocolate and Irregular Eating Patterns Writ Large. Lesson #1: Simple avoidance is easier than will power. I personally cannot have a Big Drawer Full of Tempting, Luscious Chocolate in my house. I can have a couple reasonably portioned chocolate treats, but nothing that would easily let me over-indulge, such as the gluttony six extra large Hershey's chocolate almond bars inspire in me. Lesson #2: For me, eating healthily is all about routine. I don't know how their blood sugar levels do it, but my parents can eat supper at totally different hours one night to the next, and even skip a meal now and then. I cannot do this lest I become a ravenous lunatic who greedily eyes the Big Drawer Full of Tempting, Luscious Chocolate and snaps like a timber wolf at anyone who comes between it and my chops. I need structure, in terms of both what I eat and when I eat it. This helps me control my desire to binge on less than healthy food choices, and keeps my portions at reasonable sizes.
A second reason to account for my slowing weight loss is that I am no longer breastfeeding the Babe. He is weaned, which means all his calories come from formula and the goopy mess-in-a-jars the Heinz people like to call "solids", and not the fat stores off my rather rotund arse. Which sucks. I don't want to sound all preachy on the Boob Juice, because to each Mamasita her own, but breastfeeding was good for at least 15 pounds, I'm sure. It accelerated my early weight loss, making it easier to keep up with my running, and seeing such big changes early on kept me motivated. Lesson #3: I can't get complacent. I need to constantly reevaluate my strategy to stay successful.
Finally, a third excuse I'm going to use to explain why I only lost one pound this last month is because it's Christmas. How can I expect to report another five pound loss or something crazy like that when yesterday's menu consisted of six small gingerbread cookies complete with neon icing on top, two pan-fried blueberry perogies, and one rather large piece of H.'s to-die-for chocolate ice cream cake, consumed while doing a little holiday baking with the girls? I guess the question is, would I want to? Lesson #4: Sometimes living life is worth the pound or two you gain doing it.
All in all, I'm happy with the course Project RACE is running. I've kept up with my exercise, and Adoring and Wonderful Husband and I generally continue to eat well. And, hey, a one pound weight LOSS is better than a one pound weight GAIN, right? Still, the coming snow is sure to let my running slip if I don't do anything to ensure I maintain my output levels. And just because it's Christmas doesn't mean I can throw all caution to the wind and eat and drink like a 230 pound man. And nor do I want to, really. Fitting into a size 10 for the first time since high school is much, much sweeter.
This month's less than overwhelming weight loss can be attributed to a number of factors, all of which are instructive and offer insight into what I need to do to continue to make being healthy a part of my life. First up on the list: my trip early this month with the Babe to visit Grandma and Gido and their Big Drawer Full of Tempting, Luscious Chocolate and Irregular Eating Patterns Writ Large. Lesson #1: Simple avoidance is easier than will power. I personally cannot have a Big Drawer Full of Tempting, Luscious Chocolate in my house. I can have a couple reasonably portioned chocolate treats, but nothing that would easily let me over-indulge, such as the gluttony six extra large Hershey's chocolate almond bars inspire in me. Lesson #2: For me, eating healthily is all about routine. I don't know how their blood sugar levels do it, but my parents can eat supper at totally different hours one night to the next, and even skip a meal now and then. I cannot do this lest I become a ravenous lunatic who greedily eyes the Big Drawer Full of Tempting, Luscious Chocolate and snaps like a timber wolf at anyone who comes between it and my chops. I need structure, in terms of both what I eat and when I eat it. This helps me control my desire to binge on less than healthy food choices, and keeps my portions at reasonable sizes.
A second reason to account for my slowing weight loss is that I am no longer breastfeeding the Babe. He is weaned, which means all his calories come from formula and the goopy mess-in-a-jars the Heinz people like to call "solids", and not the fat stores off my rather rotund arse. Which sucks. I don't want to sound all preachy on the Boob Juice, because to each Mamasita her own, but breastfeeding was good for at least 15 pounds, I'm sure. It accelerated my early weight loss, making it easier to keep up with my running, and seeing such big changes early on kept me motivated. Lesson #3: I can't get complacent. I need to constantly reevaluate my strategy to stay successful.
Finally, a third excuse I'm going to use to explain why I only lost one pound this last month is because it's Christmas. How can I expect to report another five pound loss or something crazy like that when yesterday's menu consisted of six small gingerbread cookies complete with neon icing on top, two pan-fried blueberry perogies, and one rather large piece of H.'s to-die-for chocolate ice cream cake, consumed while doing a little holiday baking with the girls? I guess the question is, would I want to? Lesson #4: Sometimes living life is worth the pound or two you gain doing it.
All in all, I'm happy with the course Project RACE is running. I've kept up with my exercise, and Adoring and Wonderful Husband and I generally continue to eat well. And, hey, a one pound weight LOSS is better than a one pound weight GAIN, right? Still, the coming snow is sure to let my running slip if I don't do anything to ensure I maintain my output levels. And just because it's Christmas doesn't mean I can throw all caution to the wind and eat and drink like a 230 pound man. And nor do I want to, really. Fitting into a size 10 for the first time since high school is much, much sweeter.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Project RACE monthly update
Q: What's this post for? I thought you were done with that race. If you keep posting under something called "Project RACE", does that mean I still have to keep giving you money? Because I'm toe-tally broke my friend. And Christmas is coming up. And while it was for a good cause and everything, I just can't give you any more of my money. Those United Way people at work have been driving me up the wall, and now I have to spend my lunch breaks (which is the ONLY time I ever surf the net at work, right?) dealing with THIS?
A: Relax. Have an enima, or some BEERS, and chill. I'm not asking for money. I just think that if I keep posting a monthly progress report on how my running/weight loss/a life that's a lot less fun, or at least not as tasty, is going, then I'll do better staying on track.
Q: Oh, really. So that means we have to sit here and let you gloat about how healthy you're becoming, and brag about how well your running's going, and BLAH BLAH BLAH. Because you know what? WE DON'T CARE. You were fat, and now you're getting less fat. BIG BULL CRAPPY WHOOP.
A: Hold it there, Miss Hostility. I know how you feel. No one likes hearing about self-improvement, unless it's them. It makes them feel guilty every time they eat a chocolate bar, or breathe. Let me be clear (à la Paul Martin): I'm not doing this to crow about how awesome I am. I'm doing this to help me help myself. Example: this morning I really, really felt like staying in bed for as long as possible, but because I knew I had this post today, I got out of bed and got ready for the gym. At the gym, I gave my bootie three extra shakes, just because I knew I had to weigh myself and write it down for you all to see. And I'm glad I did, because the end result was nothing short of spectacular. It helped me break the 40 pound mark. That's right. I've lost exactly 4o FREAKING POUNDS since I started this thing. So, Judgy Judgerson, Mr. I Like To Rain On Peoples' Parades: put that in your pipe and smoke it. If you don't like these posts, you can bite my increasingly toned bum.
Q: -----
A: Ummm, Q? You still there?
Q: -----
A: Oh. I guess you left, eh? Whatever, Q. You're just jealous.
A: Relax. Have an enima, or some BEERS, and chill. I'm not asking for money. I just think that if I keep posting a monthly progress report on how my running/weight loss/a life that's a lot less fun, or at least not as tasty, is going, then I'll do better staying on track.
Q: Oh, really. So that means we have to sit here and let you gloat about how healthy you're becoming, and brag about how well your running's going, and BLAH BLAH BLAH. Because you know what? WE DON'T CARE. You were fat, and now you're getting less fat. BIG BULL CRAPPY WHOOP.
A: Hold it there, Miss Hostility. I know how you feel. No one likes hearing about self-improvement, unless it's them. It makes them feel guilty every time they eat a chocolate bar, or breathe. Let me be clear (à la Paul Martin): I'm not doing this to crow about how awesome I am. I'm doing this to help me help myself. Example: this morning I really, really felt like staying in bed for as long as possible, but because I knew I had this post today, I got out of bed and got ready for the gym. At the gym, I gave my bootie three extra shakes, just because I knew I had to weigh myself and write it down for you all to see. And I'm glad I did, because the end result was nothing short of spectacular. It helped me break the 40 pound mark. That's right. I've lost exactly 4o FREAKING POUNDS since I started this thing. So, Judgy Judgerson, Mr. I Like To Rain On Peoples' Parades: put that in your pipe and smoke it. If you don't like these posts, you can bite my increasingly toned bum.
Q: -----
A: Ummm, Q? You still there?
Q: -----
A: Oh. I guess you left, eh? Whatever, Q. You're just jealous.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Project RACE, the conclusion?
So that's it. It's done. Months of training for a measly 30:22 (!) 5k run looping the Parliament Buildings and Museum of Civilization. It was a nice morning for a run...after the cold, cold rain stopped viscously spitting on me, just minutes before the horn blew. The blustery weather prevented the Babe and Adoring and Wonderful Husband from seeing me off, or digitally recording my departure from and arrival at the finish line for posterity, and this blog. The urge to pee the minute we pulled out of the driveway wasn't quelled by the prospect of toilets at the run site, toilets of the Porta variety. I held it as I stood alone in the chilly wetness and vainly searched for H. or B., feeling sorry for myself just long enough to remember I still had boobies, and my mom, and less fat on my bum than I had just a few short months ago when I nervously filled in the on-line registration form, thinking "What am I DOING this for? What if I FAIL?" The same feeling I just had as I filled out the form for the 10k Resolution Run on New Year's Eve (but don't worry; this one won't cost you anything. It's just for me.)So in the end you all contributed a total of $390.00. Thank-you so, so much! And I would be remiss if I didn't give extra special thanks to the following two extra special people who helped me reach my goals: H., for cracking the whip as I huffed and puffed my way during the early days at Strollercizing (and also her words of encouragement when I wheezed to her "I don't think I can do this!"), and Adoring and Wonderful Husband, for standing on the front step with the Babe in arm, waiting to cheer me on as I come around the corner.
While it may be true that the important things in life are more about the journey than the destination, it's still pretty cool to get to where you're going (especially if there's a warm and clean toilet at the end of the line). See you next year.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Project RACE monthly update
Okay Gido, by my calculations you owe me (or rather, you've agreed to donate to my fundraising efforts for the CIBC's Run for the Cure coming up this Sunday) $120.00. Yes. $120.00. If you're having problems with the math, Mr. Iron Ring, it equals out to 31.5 pounds of sweat money. Pretty awesome, eh? I think I will take your advice more often by putting my goals in writing. It seems to work.
In case anybody else is interested in ensuring booby goodness is here to stay, you can click here. Or here. Or here. All these links go to the same place, but I wanted to make absolutely sure you have no excuse not to click, because, uhh, it's crunch time folks, and so it's TIME FOR YOU TO PONY UP. COUGH UP THE CASH. SAVE THE TATAS, AS IT WERE. SO CLICK HERE...NOW!
Final update Sunday after the race, and all the honey garlic wings and nachos I plan to ingest by way of the glorious gluttonous celebration I've dreamed of during each and every one of my runs since I started this thing, or maybe Monday, in case those wings and nachos don't sit right, and I spend all Sunday night in the baño, ruing the run(s). This includes a total of all fundraising. So CLICK HERE NOW!
In case anybody else is interested in ensuring booby goodness is here to stay, you can click here. Or here. Or here. All these links go to the same place, but I wanted to make absolutely sure you have no excuse not to click, because, uhh, it's crunch time folks, and so it's TIME FOR YOU TO PONY UP. COUGH UP THE CASH. SAVE THE TATAS, AS IT WERE. SO CLICK HERE...NOW!
Final update Sunday after the race, and all the honey garlic wings and nachos I plan to ingest by way of the glorious gluttonous celebration I've dreamed of during each and every one of my runs since I started this thing, or maybe Monday, in case those wings and nachos don't sit right, and I spend all Sunday night in the baño, ruing the run(s). This includes a total of all fundraising. So CLICK HERE NOW!
Sunday, September 10, 2006
philanthropists
Just three more weeks to go until the CIBC's Run for the Cure. A big thank-you to the following people who have donated so far:- S.
- Grandma
- Grandma
- K.
- C.
Please click HERE to support those of us who are running that day to raise money to find a cure for breast cancer and add your initial to this list!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Project RACE monthly update
I was VERY concerned about writing this post given the month I've had - a trip to the Holy Land, a visit from Grandma A - all things that threw me off my regular routine, but only just by a bit. While I have been quite lax keeping my food journal updated, I've done pretty well with the running, and it looks like I will have no problem being able to complete the 5K at the CIBC Run For The Cure in a little over a month (oh. my. God! Is October really only little over a month away?? **weep, sob, sob**) In fact, it's going so well that I am considering signing up for a 10K race to take place on New Year's Eve (called the Resolution Run). Anyone interested?
But now it's time to really start focusing on the other aspect of my goal: raising three hundred bones to go towards finding a cure for breast cancer - the whole reason for the run in the first place. At the time of writing I am only at 8% of that target. (Thanks S.!) So click here and GIVE UP YOUR MONEY, PUNK! The harassment will only get worse, so you might as well save yourself some trouble and just do it now...NOW!
But now it's time to really start focusing on the other aspect of my goal: raising three hundred bones to go towards finding a cure for breast cancer - the whole reason for the run in the first place. At the time of writing I am only at 8% of that target. (Thanks S.!) So click here and GIVE UP YOUR MONEY, PUNK! The harassment will only get worse, so you might as well save yourself some trouble and just do it now...NOW!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Project RACE monthly update
It’s been exactly one month since I committed to running 5 kms at the CIBC’s Run for the Cure on October 1st. At that time, I also promised periodic updates on the progress of what I’ve termed “Project RACE” (which stands for Reece, Avery, Cha! Cha! Cha! and Emma). So here it is folks:
I’m. Kicking. Ass.
My running improves every week. H. and I usually make it to at least two episodes of Stollercizing per week, and I’ve been running on my own once or twice a week to supplement my training as well. The result so far? Last Monday I ran 5 kms! Granted, it took me a good 45 minutes to do it, but I’ve never ran that long without stopping in my life. Never. And I’m even more impressed with myself when I think I did it all while pushing a 26-pound stroller (and the 17-pound baby that was inside of it)!
I’ve been losing weight and inches. My life-long allergy to scales eased a bit over the last four weeks since I’ve tried to get it in my head that ignorance is NOT bliss. I used to tell myself that as long as my clothes fit properly it didn’t matter how much I tipped the scales at, but that theory only works when you don’t have to go out and buy new clothes every time you’ve outgrown your old ones. Last month was the first time in recent memory when I weighed myself BY CHOICE (all other times in the not-so-distant past were at the doctor’s office when I was preggers with the Babe), and today I did it again. You know what? There was a 13 pound difference! While I’m sure much of that was water weight, and also just the natural shedding of poundage that happens to all new moms, I’m still estatic, especially since my measurements have been shrinking right along with the numbers on the scale (I’ve lost 1 ¾ inches off my bust, 2 ½ off my waist and 2 ¼ off my hips). I think I am now officially down to my pre-baby weight (though that’s not a weight to go and get a parade permit for!)
I have one word for all of this: sweet. Even sweeter than the five cupcakes I ate this past weekend in celebration of Adoring and Wonderful Husband’s 30th birthday. And that’s what I have to keep telling myself, because my middle name is Sabotage. I can’t start thinking that I can ease up just because I’ve dropped a few pounds, which is something I seem to do every time I get myself on the right track. So that’s my goal for the next month. To keep it up. I’ll report back again and let you know how I’m doing.
(PS. Oh ya, and I've already registered for the race. Just thought I'd tell ya in case, you know, you want to pledge early or something.)
I’m. Kicking. Ass.
My running improves every week. H. and I usually make it to at least two episodes of Stollercizing per week, and I’ve been running on my own once or twice a week to supplement my training as well. The result so far? Last Monday I ran 5 kms! Granted, it took me a good 45 minutes to do it, but I’ve never ran that long without stopping in my life. Never. And I’m even more impressed with myself when I think I did it all while pushing a 26-pound stroller (and the 17-pound baby that was inside of it)!
I’ve been losing weight and inches. My life-long allergy to scales eased a bit over the last four weeks since I’ve tried to get it in my head that ignorance is NOT bliss. I used to tell myself that as long as my clothes fit properly it didn’t matter how much I tipped the scales at, but that theory only works when you don’t have to go out and buy new clothes every time you’ve outgrown your old ones. Last month was the first time in recent memory when I weighed myself BY CHOICE (all other times in the not-so-distant past were at the doctor’s office when I was preggers with the Babe), and today I did it again. You know what? There was a 13 pound difference! While I’m sure much of that was water weight, and also just the natural shedding of poundage that happens to all new moms, I’m still estatic, especially since my measurements have been shrinking right along with the numbers on the scale (I’ve lost 1 ¾ inches off my bust, 2 ½ off my waist and 2 ¼ off my hips). I think I am now officially down to my pre-baby weight (though that’s not a weight to go and get a parade permit for!)
I have one word for all of this: sweet. Even sweeter than the five cupcakes I ate this past weekend in celebration of Adoring and Wonderful Husband’s 30th birthday. And that’s what I have to keep telling myself, because my middle name is Sabotage. I can’t start thinking that I can ease up just because I’ve dropped a few pounds, which is something I seem to do every time I get myself on the right track. So that’s my goal for the next month. To keep it up. I’ll report back again and let you know how I’m doing.
(PS. Oh ya, and I've already registered for the race. Just thought I'd tell ya in case, you know, you want to pledge early or something.)
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