I don't walk outside during the colder fall and winter months. Yeah, I know, I'm a big sissy! LOL! I did continue to do the Walk Away the Pounds workouts though and I added some Billy Blanks' Tae Bo workouts too. I haven't done Tae Bo in a while though because I truly love the Walk Away the Pounds workouts, but Tae Bo is good for days when I just feel like switching things up a little and doing something different.
In January, I decided to increase the amount of time I was working out in order to try and hit my goal of losing 100 lbs by birthday, which happens to be in April. For about 2 months, I worked out for at least 90 min. six days a week. Some days I did closer to 2 hours. I increased my calories as needed as well and for a little while I was having success, but then I hit another dang plateau. I have not been able to break this plateau, so I decided I could go back to doing a 5 mile WATP workout which is usually just over 60 min. a day, though I do have one workout that is closer to 90 min. and I do still enjoy doing that workout. Since the weather got warmer a week ago, I haven't been doing those WATP workouts though. I've been able to start going out to take my walks....which have turned into jogs most of the time now!
There have been a few times when my workouts were under 45 min., but I have decided that I am perfectly happy with that since I can now jog for 3 miles straight (no walking!!) in less than 45 min. I believe I mentioned that I participated in my first 5K (3.1 miles) last May and finished in 43 minutes. I walked and jogged during that race. This year, my goal is to jog/run the entire thing. I set a goal of finishing in 30 min., but I'm not sure if that is going to happen. I do know that I have improved and that is all that truly matters! About a week and a half ago, I decided to do the 5K route just to see how fast I could do it in. This was the FIRST day I was able to go outside and run in over 5 months, but I gave it all I had. I finished in 34:25 and was THRILLED that I was that much faster than I was last year! I believe sometime this year, I will be able to run 3.1 miles in 30 min.; so I'm ok if I can't do it on May 10th when I participate in my second 5K. I am not giving up my goal though of running the entire 5K on May 10th in 30 min.!
I was extremely sore the day after I ran the 5K route, so I was glad it was Sunday, my rest day! On Monday, I wound up hurting my hip during my workout and needed to take it easy for a few days. The weather was warmer the next few days so I walked SLOWLY with my two kids on Tuesday and just went a little over a mile. On Wed., I walked and did over 3 miles. On Thursday, I tried slow jogging and finished 3.26 miles in just over 40 min. On Saturday, I decided to do 5 miles. Last year, I had a goal of being able to finish 5 miles in under an hour. I was never able to meet that goal. The closest I came was finishing in 61 min. I began with slow jogging and just tried to go as far as I could. I jogged for over 3 miles and thought of quitting, until I saw my time. I realized IF I could continue the pace I was on, I should be able to finish in under an hour. I honestly wasn't sure if I could continue to jog at the pace I was on, but I knew I had to try! I jogged the entire 5 miles (I avoided hills on this 5 mile route since I wasn't sure my hip could handle them) and refused to allow any walking. I was SO excited when I saw the time I finished in was 56 min. 14 sec.!! I blew away my goal! Yesterday I decided my hip was feeling well enough to try jogging up some hills. I plotted out a 3.26 mile course that had hills near the end, like the 5K route has. I jogged the entire time and finished in 37:54 min.
What an amazing feeling to realize that I can jog 3-5 miles without stopping now!! I have NEVER been a runner in my entire life! For over 10 years, I could only walk slowly and would get winded/out of breath just walking up a hill. Now, I'm able to jog up those hills! I'll be turning 45 years old next week, and I can confidently say I am in better shape now than I have ever been in my life! I LOVE the fact that I have currently lost 95 lbs without any diet aids (like pills), surgery, or crash diets. I may not have lost 100 lbs by my birthday, but I am content in knowing I have a healthier, stronger body that I can be proud of!
As of today, I weigh 145 lbs and have accepted the fact that it may take a really long time to get to 140 lbs, but I will not stop trying. I don't need to get down to 120 lbs like I originally thought would be neat. I am at peace even if I can't get below 145 lbs. I am more than the number on the scale. What matters the most is that I've reached a healthy weight for someone my size and I did it the right way! I've learned how to eat so that I can keep this weight off for the rest of my life. I know the importance of exercise and I enjoy taking walks or jogs! I've also taught my kids the importance of daily exercise and eating right because they have seen the transformation that occurred in me as a result of them being applied to my life.
If you need to lose weight, set goals! Make them attainable. Don't say "I'll lose 100 lbs in a month!" Make it 5-10 lbs. Set additional goals that will help you reach that main goal. Exercise and eating right (cutting your caloric intake by just 500 calories a day will help you lose weight!) need to be a part of your life. Drinking more water and less soda will also help a lot! I now go 3 months before I allow myself one glass of soda. That is a HUGE accomplishment considering I use to drink 2-3 cans of soda A DAY! I use to drink barely any water. I now drink 80-100 oz a day. You don't need to deprive yourself in order to lose weight. I still eat candy or go to McDonald's, but I've learned "everything in moderation" is the key to success. I can choose healthier options at McDonald's: like ordering a yogurt parfait instead of fries with my meal and grilled chicken instead of crispy (fried). You can do this too! If you want/need help, feel free to ask me! I'm always willing to help in any way that I can. Strive to reach your goals and NEVER give up!
