Author: Jenna

I decided to participate in the Wego Health Activists Writers Month Challenge (HAWMC) this year. I had never heard of it when I signed up on a whim. When I got the prompts by email it became obvious that this was geared toward people with a chronic condition, not those trying to lose weight and become healthy. Although I have asthma, I don’t want to focus on that. I am not going to be able to do all the days, as some do not apply but I will do my best and forget the rest! (A little P90X humor there).

Today’s prompt is getting started (hence the clever title post) and we were asked two questions. One I answered above and the other is why do you write?

I write because I enjoy the outlet. Writing helps me see where I’ve been, where I want to go and what I need to do to succeed. I specifically write about my weight loss and fitness journey because I am hoping to connect with others on the same path, learn something new about myself or inspire just one person to make the change for the better.

I gained a lot of weight and reached my highest weight after getting into a long-term relationship. I stopped going to the gym because mine closed. I started eating out more often. One day I realized I was bursting out of my bigger size 12 clothes and knew I had to make the change. I didn’t want to buy larger clothing. I wanted to take up running again. So I did.

I joined my fitness pal and started tracking my food. I bought a scale and tape measure. I started running. I have since added P90X and body weight exercises to my running. I have run many 5 and 8 Ks. I feel stranger and have had to add many of those clothes I was bursting out of to the donation pile. I still have a way to go with my weight loss and fitness goals.

I am currently training for a 10K and after that will be a half marathon. I also want to work on my speed. I run but I’m slow. I am starting to get a workout schedule established and working towards eating more whole foods.

Tell Me: Do you blog about your weight loss, health and fitness goals? If so, why? What health related goal do you want to reach this year? What are you must interested in learning about in relation to weight loss, health and/or fitness?

Who knew that March was National Nutrition Month? I didn’t, until this week.

If you aren’t aware of America’s food insecurity issue, I suggest you check out the documentary A Place at the Table. It does a great job explaining how/why so many Americans do not know where their next meal is coming from. A Place at the Table IMDB page and website. Overall it is a nice little documentary. If you are already aware of these issues it is kind of repeat of facts. Although the personal stories are incredibly moving. Jeff Bridges and celebrity chef Tom Colicchio are featured prominently. Colicchio is also a producer.

This month I started making recipes from my Practical Paleo cookbook. It’s been an experiment and I think overall successful. The recipes themselves are easy and fairly tasty. I have been making notes on what needs to be adjusted. For instance the pesto called for too much olive oil. I also think that some of the dishes need more flavor. I am not looking to become 100% paleo. I like fast food and ice cream and cheese too much! But it is nice to make dinners without grains and dairy. My IBS seems to be much more at bay since I’ve de-stressed and switched to some paleo meals.

Here is a picture of the beef stir fry from the book:

I made this on Friday night. It was really simple. 1 pound beef stir fry meat, 4 cups assorted veggies (I used fresh onion, red pepper, green beans and broccoli) and topped with water chestnuts, green onions and sesame seeds. Oh and there was a really basic sauce with soy sauce (Fry’s didn’t have coconut aminos so this wasn’t 100% paleo), water, ginger and garlic. The sauce was strong but it got lost in the stir fry. I would definitely make more of the sauce next time.

Tell Me: What are you doing for National Nutrition Month? Do you plan to make changes to your diet? If so, what?

Looking back I wish I had kept a spreadsheet with my weigh-ins/measurements. I track it on My Fitness Pal but there is no easy way to look back and see how far you’ve come. I might make this a little project and try to determine my weight/measurements from the beginning and input them in a spreadsheet. I feel I could see progress and patterns better. If someone asked me for advice, I would tell them to do this.

I have been busy in the running world. On March 2nd, I got a new 5K PR. I participates in the Run for Ryan House and am considering doing it again next year. I wasn’t 100% satisfied with the race (parking was a HUGE issue – I walked 2 miles to the race & back) but the cause is such a great one. Only by a second but I will take it. I honestly thought I’d have a much worse time. I walked a bit, there were hills and I had to stop at water stations. There were also no corrals and at the start I got stuck behind many walkers who did not practice good race etiquette  They walked 3-4 abroad and did not stay, or even move, to the right. I take this as an even bigger victory than a one second better time because I was slowed down throughout the course just means I ran faster overall!

On Saturday I participated in the Kiss Me I’m Irish 8K and I plan to do this one next year but aim for the 17K. I liked the course. I liked that it was close to me so I got to sleep in a tad. I liked that I got a new PR. I liked that my friend participated and I had someone to talk to before and after instead of wandering aimless and entertaining myself.

Annnnd… I finally got some good pics of me running! Here is the ones from Saturday (by Zazoosh Photography)

In the second pic you can tell I am really moving… Look at that pony tail fly!

Up next on the run front is another 8K on 4/13. It is the K’s for Kids then I have a 4.2 mile race on 4/20 (Pat’s Run). And I don’t know what else. I want to keep building my miles. I have a half planned for November!

In other fitness related news: I walked a 3K on Sunday for Make a Wish and then climbed 3/4 of Camelback. I say 3/4 because we were forced to turn around before we got to the more “rock climbing” up the last hump. I learned an important lesson. Always check your gear, especially if you haven’t used it in a while. You see, my hiking boots fell apart. Literally  The bottom rubber came off. I got the minimalist experience without really wanting it. 😉 There was enough cushion to get down without the bottom of the soles but I felt like the biggest idiot. We are going to attempt in 2 weeks and so I need to find some new shoes in that time.

Also planning to do another short walk on 3/23. This one for MDA. I am all for working out and supporting a good cause!

Tell Me: What have you done lately to stay active? Do, or would, you do walks and runs just to support the cause? Have you ever had a gear issue that has impacted your workout or made you feel like a dumbass? If so, tell me about it. We can all commiserate together. 

I know.. I have been missing in action for quite sometime. I have abandoned all my challenges. I am trying to be as stress free as possible and somethings have just had to go by the wayside.

I am focusing on eating better and working out more, rather than some arbitrary challenge. I bought the book “Practical Paleo” and although I do not agree with everything the author says, I plan to incorporate many of the meals/meal plans into my life. I just cannot give up cheese. I don’t care that I am lactose intolerant. I love my cheese. 😉 I will try to write a more in-depth review of this book and posts recipes as I go.

I have started up P90X, again. I am on week 2. This time I am going all the way through. And I am running regularly again, about 3 times per week. I got a new PR at Saturdays 5k (by one second lol). I already feel so much better than I was last month. Plus I broke past the 2-3 pound gain/lose cycle I was going through. It was getting frustrating but I have moved past it. If I am brave enough, maybe I will post my starting pictures and my (almost) half way pictures. I am still not 100% happy with my body yet.

I am seeing our health coach at work. It is nice to chat with someone about all the stress and stomach issues, someone who isn’t my boyfriend. She has really helped me. She did suggest yoga so I am waiting for a good groupon at a studio near me. I will not go if it is out of my way. I have yet to find any yoga I like; I’ve tried so many dvds and classes in the past and not one has stuck. In the meantime, a friend recommended doyogawithme.com. I have yet to do any of the videos but was looking around it the other day. There is so many videos on there that hopefully I can find a few yoga routines I actually like.

Life has just been hectic. The shortened NHL season has really messed with my schedule. My parents decided to pay a week visit, giving me about a weeks notice that they were coming. But I am working on staying calm, not letting things I can’t control bother me and not stressing.

My company has two jobs open. I am thinking of applying but I need to tell myself that I may not make the short list and I may not get an interview. Every time I apply, I get excited and start planning that I already have the job only to be disappointed when I don’t even get an interview. Both jobs would be an incredible boost in salary as well. I still make the same as I did in 2007. It gets frustrating at times.

I have signed up to participate in the WEGO Health 30 Days, 30 Posts writers challenge. I may not do all 30 days. I should get the prompts sometime this month and can start planning which ones mean the most to me. Look for these posts in April.

I will try to post more here. I have so much going on. I need to clean out my closet, but this time get rid of clothes that are too big (instead of small). And I need to buy a belt. I am not a fan of belts but it is cheaper than replacing all of my jeans now and again when I reach my goal weight. I need to start training for longer runs. I need to find some good 10Ks/15Ks to get my miles up for the two halfs I want to do. I want to get back to doing my hair, makeup, wearing my cute clothes, shoes and accessories. I feel so stuck in a rut! LOL

Here is February’s challenge: Work that Core!

As a runner it is important to have a strong core. I noticed when I was working on my core, I was running faster and feeling better. I got off track around the holidays and now is the time to re-introduce that core work!

Also, I am including push-ups because I have no upper body strength and suck at them. I do the knee push-ups and will probably never graduate to full push-ups.

Here is my plan for February:

Feel free to join me again!

If you are already doing a good base of these moves, why not up your numbers? The purpose is to build each time you do the moves. I am doing these moves every other day, as you don’t need to work abs every day. If you don’t follow my exact days, that’s ok, do them on days convenient for you.

When you get to about mid-month and are doing more sit ups, I suggest doing different versions. Crunches, ones to work your love handles, some to work your lower abs. Mix it up! You can do the same with the push ups. I will most likely be doing all knee-style push ups since I am a wimp. 😉

For the planks, it is an increasing number of seconds. You will notice that I started writing less on the calendar so 40 sec side is hold a side plank for 40 seconds. You can do each side for 40 seconds or each side for 20 for 40 total.

You are always welcome to do more one day but then make sure you build upon that number next time!

PS I know this is a day late. Do some today or extra on Sunday to make up. Or just start tomorrow!

My challenge for January was to run more. Simple, basic and easy to do right? Wrong.

I ran. But not as much as I would have liked. I had a few setbacks including being sick a few times. No excuses though. I should have done better. There is always next month.

I will classify this month as:

Image borrowed from here.

Sunday the 20th I participated in my first Rock and Roll Marathon. Granted I only did the mini marathon (5.4 miles) but it is something I’ve wanted to do since I moved here. Although my first, it was the 10th anniversary. I felt like it was a great time to join in a tradition. Next year I plan to do the half marathon. If I fill out a survey I get $10 off my registration!

I am also planning a half in November. It is quite exciting and scary to think about. 13.1 seems like so much more than 5 or 6 miles. I really hope I am able to complete it!

Here are two pictures I borrowed from MarathonFoto. I have been encouraged by several people to purchase at least one photo, just trying to decide which and what size (probably the least expensive size, lol)

There were so many people at this race. There was something like 20-some start corrals. I finished in 58:41 and 10:52 pace. Overall I was 472 out of 1366. 60 out of 157 in my division (age group I think) and 285 out of 962 females. I didn’t do terrible but I know I could have done better.

I struggled late. I realized I hadn’t eaten enough to fuel the 5.4 miles. I started feeling hungry about mile 4 and was feeling my energy go down. Although once I saw the finish line I wanted take off. Unfortunately that was not really an option as they kept telling the mini marathon racers to move as far right as possible. I passed one couple because they were running slower than I walk. But I was unable to pass anymore because I kept getting told to move to the right.

Oh and trying to look “normal” for the camera also backfires. It’s either me with mouth gaping open or with mouth tightly shut to avoid looking silly. These pictures will never be great but you looks good while running??

Tell me: Have you had any races you just were dying to do? What distance do you want to reach? What are your thoughts on race photos?

I had taken a three-week break from running. That was a mistake but I started running again on 12/30 because I had to get the lungs ready for my race on Sunday the 6th.

I got in a few 5Ks and two 1.5 mile runs before the Resolution Run. I was feeling ok but not great heading into Sunday.

The race was the smallest I had attended. Even though I didn’t really talk to anyone (except someone I already knew), it felt like a community. Everyone stayed after for the raffle and medal portion. There were people of all ages. I enjoyed it so much I am thinking of doing their Chinese New Years Run & “Wok”. hehe

The course was not flat, surprising in Phoenix. I was glad that I do the small inclines in my neighborhood parks. Of course they put the hills at the end of the course but I just kept pushing.

This was my worse race time. I guess you can’t PR them all. 😉 I finished in a little over 34 minutes with about an 11 minute pace. I actually am not sure how accurate it was as I did not see a timing mat at the start, just the end. If they did it by start gun time then I would actually be under 34 because I didn’t get across the start line for a few seconds. Also, because there were no corrals, I didn’t even get to start running right away. I spent probably the first half mile weaving around walkers. It was kind of out and back course so the drink stand was set up between mile 1 & 2 but it was on the out and back, almost right at the start. So I also had to battle people stopping for a drink after, maybe, a half mile. Even I didn’t need a drink that early!

Small and locally organized so I won’t fault them too much.

BUT.. the really exciting part! I was 4th in my age group! That means if one of the three people in from of me hadn’t run, I would have gotten a medal! I am really excited and proud of this. This will probably be the closest I ever get. I was still 10 minutes behind 3rd place and there were only 10 people in my age group but still! Let me have my small victories.

Here is to 2013 and running. Victories small and large. There really is no place to go but up from here!

What achievement are you are proud of? What are you looking forward to in 2013?

I have decided that each month I am going to challenge myself to something new, to do along with my running. Anyone is welcome to join me in these challenges. There really isn’t anything to hold you accountable, just you. 🙂 Of course you can always leave comments and let me know how you’re doing.

This months challenge is simple. Since January has already started I decided to make it easy on me. The other months I will put more thought into it.

January Challenge: Run More.

I got off track in December and have set myself back in my running. So my goal for January is to simple run more in order to get back on track.

My plan for the month is as follows:
Basic:
I want to run more days than I don’t. I want to build up my mileage.
Specific:
Currently I have myself scheduled for two races, 17 scheduled runs, 2 possible runs and 10 days off.

My rest days are based on days my BF has off or gets done at 5. I’ve come to learn that I have a harder time working out when he is here. Probably because we get so little time together so I value what time I do get.

As far as mileage I currently do a little over 3 miles. I want to build on that.

Below is my training calendar. The two * denote that I have completed that day.

If you wish to join me, you can run with me. Or if you aren’t a runner, vow to do more of what you do. Do you walk? Zumba? Kick butt with the weights? Whatever you do, do more! If you aren’t active, why not get out and do something? Even a 10 minute walk each day is a good start.

Tell me readers: What do you do to stay healthy? What are your plans/goals for the new year? What workouts interest you but you haven’t tried? What challenges would you want to participate in?