Day 44: New Personal Best!

Hello one and all! Today, I decided to go back and do one of the runs that bested me before. I started with the two mile run for obvious reasons. And guess what? I made it. 24 minutes of nonstop running. A new personal best! And I learned something new as well, after realizing that my wind wasn't so terrible I was going to die and that my legs were not jelly. It was all in my head! Even though I've been trying to work on the way I think, I had myself convinced that I couldn't run two miles. But obviously, I could. I hit the wall about ten minutes in. I had covered the time and the distance display on the treadmill to allow myself to really hone in on how I was feeling. And once I had to look, I hit the wall. I was telling myself that if I just ran 20 minutes instead of two miles, that was still good. But you know what? It wouldn't have been good enough, because I ran 21 minutes on Saturday. So I had to dig deep. There was a lot of mental recitation of my favorite inspirational quotes that I posted by my mirror.

Dig deep. Push harder. You're stronger than you know. Remember why you started. Your only limits are self-imposed. Quitting is not an option.

It really helped me out. I was pep talking myself like you wouldn't believe, but I made it. And I'm damn proud! Have a great day, everybody!

Day 42: Going Back with my Runs & Weights

Hello one and all! Today I did a split workout. I don't mean I'm the typical sense. I just worked my legs this morning, then my arms and abs tonight after work. I feel a bit better today. Still a big headache. But tomorrow is results day! I'm really excited to see how things have continued to change. On a bit of a "bummer" note, I sought advice about my running times (not being able to run the full amount I'm supposed to) from a runners forum, and it looks like I'll be repeating Saturday's run until I can do it before moving on. While it sucks, I'm okay with that. I would repeat the run before, but the fact that I ran twenty minutes Saturday makes me think it's unnecessary. It's lame though! I've been working so hard, this kind of feels like a step back. I feel like it'll be better in the long run though. If I'm going to continue with running, I need to get serious. And even though while I'm running sometimes, I'm totally miserable, running makes me feel awesome. I get this sense of accomplishment when I make it through a tough run! I don't get that with weights as much. So I'm going to definitely try to stick with it. Also running related, my dad thinks I should up my speed. I researched and asked again online, and the overwhelming response was to keep it slow until I have built up endurance. So I think I'm going to hit the point where I can run 3 miles (36 minutes) and work on my speed from there. If I do it at all. For me, distance and endurance are more important than speed. But maybe I'll reach a point where I want to race. Then speeds will be most important! All for tonight, folks. Stay tuned for results tomorrow!

Day 41: Exhausted Run and a New Personal Best

Hello one and all! Today was running again. I still feel sick. My stomach is still upset, my head still hurts, I'm still congested and exhausted. I worked 7-4 today, which the majority of my shift happening on the self checkouts, so lots of walking around and being busy. I was so exhausted when I got home, I caught myself trying to convince... Myself that missing one day of running was no big deal. Obviously, it didn't fly! So today's goal was to run 2 1/4 miles (or 22 minutes) without stopping. I think these run bits are incredibly unrealistic, so I set a personal goal to run longer than I did last time (15 minutes). How long was that? I ran for 21 minutes today! Was I exhausted and out of breath and sweaty while I did it? You bet your ass I was! Did I still adjust the time and run for my full 2 1/4 mile distance? You bet your ass I did! I did 21 minutes, walked for 3, ran for 4, then walked for two, then ran the last two to to make up the whole 27 minutes to get the mileage right. I'm wiped, but proud. I know it's not much for fit people, or even people who are moderately fit, but this was a huge accomplishment! Is, I mean. I feel great. And I couldn't have done it without my cheerleader, so a big thank you to Dan again! Happy Saturday, folks. Be safe tonight!

Day 39: Exciting News and Personal Victory

Hello one and all! Today was a running day, and I did something I've never done before! Today, I ran two miles! I had to stop between miles for a pee break, but that was the only break I took, and it was short. But I ran two miles! So excited, and hormonal, that I cried after. I'm getting teary again thinking about it!

Some more exciting news! I realized that my favourite bras were too big, and hanging away from my body near the top of the cup, so I tried on a cup size smaller (from a DD to a D) and they fit! So I'm no longer a DD. I'm back to being a single D! My goal (no time limit) is to be back in a C cup. My boobs were so perky then. Plus, you get much cuter bras in a C than you do in anything bigger. I'm just overall really excited, I apologize for harping on about my boobs. But this is a definite victory! 

In other news, my Momba commented last night that my back is much less... back fatty. Yay! Now, hopefully my thighs and hips take the hint and start their vanishing act!

I have also noticed a definite improvement in my KP since I stopped using coconut oil. It made my skin soft, but I think it was just too heavy for my skin. My skin is dry, but it really doesn't absorb too much in the way of moisture. I switched to using Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash (in pink grapefruit, because it doesn't smell like medicine) every other day, and Dove Cream Oil Body Wash every day. I'm thrilled with the results! I still have bumps, but they're much better.

But I did notice another annoyance last night-stretch marks! I was trying to take a picture of my calf "muscles" to show you that I almost have muscles in my calves, and when I was looking at the pictures, I noticed stretch marks on the backs of my calves. Such a bummer. I couldn't post the pictures, because the flash made me just... Glow. I'm so insanely pale. Also pale-related, running on the treadmill this morning, there was a bit of sun hitting the treadmill, and every time it hit my leg I was blinded. Oh well, at least I won't get cancer and sun damage and wrinkles!

All for today, folks. OH! Wait, it's not! Instead of doing a results post on Sunday, which is the last day of my cycle (read: I'll still be bloated and retaining water weight) I'm going to post results on Monday. They'll be more accurate this way, since now that my period is in full swing, I've "gained" four pounds. Irritating, my friends. Very irritating. I'm also taking a day off Monday because this week's desired cheat meal is Lord Chumley's fish & chips. Oooh yeah. I'm drooling thinking about it! So I'll do weights on Sunday, take Monday off, and be back to running on Tuesday. So, bit of a change, but it's explained!

Anyways, happy Thursday!

Day Twenty: Looking Forward to Tomorrow's Cheat

Hello one and all! I just dragged my sweaty butt off the treadmill and out of our "exercise room" post ab workout and stretch. And today was crazy hard. I'm exhausted, I got up at 4 AM for work. Then I came home, and ran around town for a few hours with my parents. I can say completely honestly that I was seriously considering skipping this workout. After all, I kept telling myself, one day is one day, right? Well, for some people I'm sure that is a workable mentality. I really don't think it would be for me though. I mean, I've been there before. I think I just need a day off, then one day becomes two, then three, then a week, and then that's it for my diet and exercise. I don't want to do that to myself again. So I pushed through anyways.

And I feel better now! I think I'll have enough energy to last me until an early bedtime. So it's worth it there, right?

So tomorrow... I will be posting my three week results! Crazy, right? Can't believe it's been three weeks already, even blogging every day it just flew by. Also, I don't want to make you jealous, but I'm having flippin prime rib for dinner tomorrow. Aww yeah. We shopped for most of the 17 Day Diet stuff we need too. Chicken, egg whites, Greek yogurt, tons of vegetables, a bit of fruit... It really doesn't seem so bad. And if it gets my blood sugar under control, I'm all over it.

That's all for today, happy Saturday, kids!