A light at the end of the tunnel

My mother-in-law got a hoodie for herself....it is a size XL.  Too big for her, but she knows I love hoodies so she gave it to me!  Normally an XL would be snug fitting and just slightly uncomfortable.

BAM Here it is folks!  BIG!  An XL is BIG!

That is really all I wanted to post.  It made me smile and keeps me motivated to maintain until spring time when I can get back out and run!

~ <3 ~
Me

Seduced By Fitness

I told them that I wouldn't forget them.  I told them that "One day when the mood strikes....I WILL have my way with you".  Today....was....that....day....

It was a decent day.  The sun was shining and it was finally warmer than 38*F.  I got out of work; ran an errand; came home.  The whole way home, the sun was teasing me with it's warm caress.  The wind died down almost begging me to enjoy it. 

I couldn't see them at first, but when I got home I heard them calling my name.

I walked over and gently touched the laces....they giggled a bit.  I said "Today I am in the mood and I hope you are ready".  They were aroused at the thought of what we would do and where we would go.  I left them panting while I changed.  I got my coat on.  I put my ear warmers on (which I got for christmas and also double as headphones!  THANKS MOM AND DAD!!).  I slipped my coat on and got my GPS and music ready.

They were last.  They knew they would be.  I loosed the laces and slowly slipped into them.  It was a snug fit, but it felt amazing.  I tightened up the laces and took a quick walk around the house.  I missed that feeling.  I was awakened by it and felt my inner need to start what I had set out to do.


RUN!

Yeah, I am the next E.L. James right???  BAHAHAHAHAHA

So, off I went.  I was so nervous to run since I haven't gone since what, before Thanksgiving!?  So as I am running I almost talk myself out of it.  "It's too cold" "My feet feel funny" "My legs are already sore" "My arms feel awkward".  However, as quickly as I thought those things, they drifted away while I listened to my playlist, kept my head up, hands relaxed and started to run.

I hit the first mile and started to slow down.  I was used to running 3+ days a week and I haven't ran in 2 months!  I kept pushing and at one point I was running at 13:02 and got pissed.  I picked up the pace and made it back home at 2.10 miles.   I knew I had to start off slow, so I stopped and walked another mile.  I could have ran, but I knew not to push it.  I ran a mile at work Tuesday and was a little sore Wednesday.  I don't even want to know how I will feel tomorrow :)

So I came home, put my shoes away again.  I looked back and reassured them that I would be more

gentle next time, but they needed to be prepared to go a little longer.  It may be months before I run outside again, but it felt amazing and I FEEL AMAZING!  It was what I needed to get back into it!

Tomorrow is 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels and I KNOW she is going to work me hard ;)

~ <3 ~
Me

Dusting Off and Starting Fresh!

Wow.....has it really been THAT long since my last blog post?  Has it really been THAT long since I have gone running?

YUP!!!

We have had some random nice days, but nothing consistent.  We had a CRAZY deep freeze last week and, well, that wasn't going to allow me any outdoor time.  SO, today the sun was shining and the wind was decent.  I ate my lunch at work and decided to do a quick run before my afternoon began.

I ran 0.8 miles and it felt AMAZING!  I think it was just what I needed.  I plan on going to the gym after work tomorrow and running 2 or 3 miles then hitting up the elliptical for the final few to get 5 miles.  I miss it.

My heart is aching from not running.  When I have a moment to sprint across a parking lot, it is the

most amazing feeling ever.  It brings back all that enjoyment and feeling of success and victory.

Surprisingly enough, I have maintained my weight since the whole "knee issue" before Thanksgiving.  I actually lost 0.8lbs which shocked me.  I start back at karate group class tomorrow night which I am super excited about.  I miss it.  The last class I went to my Dad KILLED us!  I literally couldn't sit down on the toilet without using my arms to brace myself for 3 days!  Lunges but they make your butt look nice and perky LOL

Another lady at work got herself a Fitbit and ALL HELL has broken loose! She is the ultimate competitor and has put my fitness friend Eva and I to the test.  Because I have basically given up on my lifestyle lately, I have been able to watch those two go at it!  It is awesome to have competition though because it makes you become more active and strive to be better every day.

Now THIS poor little guy right here represents my eating in every way possible.  I guess I feel like I am eating everything in site with no control at all like I was doing before.  Before my sabbatical I would have a HARD time hitting my calorie goal.  These days I just eat, and eat, and eat, and eat, and.....well, you get the point.

I don't know why, but I am a snacker.  If I can just find something to eat I will eat it and still feel hungry.  UUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH it is so frustrating!  I seriously may go insane, but I am hoping my burst of healthy energy starts my life back up because I wanted to be at my goal weight within a year.  I know that that is a pretty high goal, but it was what I thought was possible.

Maybe it still is, but I have one heck of a long road to travel before I reach the end and begin my maintenance journey.  I am sorry to you all that I haven't been around, and I really should get back with it. 

I feel it already.  I am starting to feel more tired.  I am not as energetic and happy.  I am feeling a little depression coming on.  I NEED THIS!  I need my exercise and running as my prescription for a happy life.  Fitness is my antidepressant and I miss my natural drug so much! 

I AM getting back in the swing of it.  I WILL continue to my goal.  I WILL DO IT!  Plus, all of you are watching me and if I don't do it......boy will I feel silly right????

I hope some of you stuck around to read this, and I am sorry, but this goes to show how easy it is to fall off the wagon, and how hard it is to get back on!  We can do this!!!

~ <3 ~
Me