November December January
November December January
Not sure what these pictures prove except that I need to wash my hair. It looks like I’m a little blurrier round the post-Christmas edges but not by too much.
Well, last month was a DISASTER.
I got sick with the mother of all colds and felt absolutely dreadful in the run-up to Christmas and couldn’t move without exploding into a hacking heap of mucus. And what with mirrormirror busyness in the run up to Christmas and the Minx and the Husband being sick and getting under my feet, I think I’ve managed about five days of exercise in the past month.
And of course on top of that was all the Christmas food and alcohol and candy and parties and chocolate and entertaining and comfort eating because I was miserable with my cold and PORK PIE from the British shop in Vancouver etc. etc. And yes, I do know these are all excuses.
So I was absolutely terrified to step on the scale this morning, and seriously considered skipping a month. Instead, knowing how heartbroken you would all be if I did, I took my courage in both hands.
And the scales said 172 pounds (12 stone 4lbs) AGAIN. Which makes this the first Christmas since I was about three I think that I haven’t put on a ton of weight. Which I actually consider to be a bit of a result, as I was convinced I had put on around 5lbs.
Anyway, this unexpected semi-good news has boosted my morale enormously and I’ve managed to get back into my exercise regime as of Monday. As well as Wii-based strength training and Cardio Coach rowing I did my first ‘Couch to 5k’ Podcast this morning. These podcasts are designed to be used with Cool Running.com’s Couch to 5k regime, which if you do it 3 times a week over a period of 9 weeks, gently eases you, through a combination of walking and jogging, into being able to run a 5k.
Just think, by mid-March I should be able to run 5k in 30 minutes, which, if you saw me creeping along the Burke-Gilman trail like a geriatric buffalo this morning, is a little hard to believe. I like the podcasts as they eliminate all need to time yourself with a stop watch or anything – you just follow the recorded instructions -and I like bouncy the techno-dance music which keeps me motivated. I started using them last summer but had to give up after two weeks because of crippling plantar fasciitis. My foot is feeling a lot better now, but I’ll be doing lots of my plantar fasciitis stretches (pulling my toes up and back towards my shins) to make sure.
Does anyone else what to ‘Couch to 5k’ Along with me? I promise you couldn’t be a worse runner than me IF YOU TRIED.
Well, I’ve not tried the program, but I have been running daily since Nov 22 and I am starting to see a difference in my strength, a huge boost in energy and I’ve lost seven pounds…while eating cookies like a crazy holiday person. Just keep too it-and if your want a running partner here in Seattle, shoot me an email! This is how I run: Run. WALK. Run. PANT PANT PANT. Run. WALK. Walk. . .
By the way, there is a HUGE change in the photos. You’re looking much slimmer!
I decided to run to nursery earlier in the week (before the snow came) all of a five-minute walk. Well, I was puffed out half way, so thank you for the introduction to the podcasts. Great idea. And best of luck with your regime.
I’ve been using the couch to 5k program as a way to get my baby weight off (baby born in October). You know what would be fun? To train, train, train and then meet up and run a 5k race together with other bloggers. Perhaps the St. Paddy’s race in Seattle? We can then eat a fantastic breakfast and toast our success. 🙂
Good luck to you! You’re looking great and are serving as some great inspiration!!
i’ve been meaning to thank you for the tip about Cardio Coach, i gave volume 1 a go and once i got over his accent (giggled everytime he said ‘overload’) it was good. you do feel like you are making the most of the time you spend on your machine.
as for slipping, ain’t we all? this cold weather is driving me to comfort food, and i’m trying very hard to fight it. i will probably give the couch to 5k a go when we move into our new home in the next few weeks.
HAFoT- Wow! That’s inspirational… I’d highly recommend the podcasts (though maybe you’re a bit beyond the first few now) and yes, would love a running partner when I can actually RUN (as opposed to lumbering for 60 secs). Let’s see where I am next month.
aaub – the podcasts do make it seem MUCH easier and the combination of walking and jogging is so much more achievable
D – St Paddy’s Day is mid-March yes? Let’s see where I am next month (am very worried about the dreaded plantar fasciitis), but in theory that sounds like a great idea (especially the breakfast part…)
Ok, so I got all inspired after reading about this on your blog today. Downloaded the first podcast, and took it for a spin tonight. Verdict? I am entirely the worst runner ever. I was able to run for only 2.5 minutes – couldn’t even manage to lumber. BUT it’s been a long hard journey to even get that far, so even though I had to walk the rest, I consider it a success. Small steps. Very small. But better than nothing. Anyways, thanks for pointing out the podcasts. Maybe next time I’ll make it to 3 minutes.
Jess, I’ve been on some C25K forums and a lot of people just keep repeating sessions until they are ready to move on to the next week. I’m sure that’ll be me very soon. And I bet you do 5 minutes next time 🙂
(Have been wanting to do run number 2 all day, but has been pouring here in Seattle).
You have inspired me to get back out to the treadmill in the side alley/storage room. *gets shovel out to dig through snow*
I did really well with weightloss last year spring and summer but then I fell into the trap of thinking ooh look I can eat biscuits and cream and cake and pasta and stay the same weight…but that lasted all of a couple of weeks and then the weight crept back on and I get the “oh sod it” mentality.
I shall use this blog as inspiration to do better.
have to say along with exercise the best weight loss tip I have is to write down EVERYTHING you eat and assign the correct calories to it – WW came into its own here because they had a “points” system and published booklets showing you how many points something you ate had and calcualting too how many ponts you were allowed daily. Quite eye opening I have to say…
Off to treadmill…
C, I know WW works – or it’s worked for me in the past – but I’m trying to find a way to lose weight WITHOUT tracking calories/points etc. I can always do it for a bit but then for me it all goes haywire as you describe.
Instead I’m trying to train myself naturally to eat smaller portions, avoid highly addictive white “drug” carbohydrates, and crave exercise ie. become a naturally thin person. Not entirely sure it’s working yet though…:)