Losing weight can be easy

I was starting to cut back on the amount of carbs that I was taking in. This all started by a post on an internal work website where the man suggested having a sugar free day. All you would eat would be seasoned meat and veggies. No fruit, no bread and nothing in between. I liked the challenge since I had started going to the gym a month prior to add to my half-marathon training. B was on board and we were all set to go. I was planning on making Thursdays my sugar free day since I wouldn't have to run until Sunday and I could eat the carbs I needed by then.

I have heard so many success stories about the South Beach Diet that I figured this would be what I needed to finally shed the pounds. With working out at the gym and running for my training, I'm still at a solid 149 pounds. I haven't budged yet. That in itself is frustrating. The good side is that I am noticing a little more definition and my tummy is starting to trim down just a little bit. This was the perfect motivation I needed to continue and keep pushing. The best part about it is that I have felt absolutely amazing and full of energy.

Then I lost my job. A job that I took for a better opportunity has laid me off and thrown a huge wrench into my well-being and savings account. Unemployment isn't even going to cover what my mortgage is and the savings that I've worked so hard to build is going to pay for my car and utilities. B and I have gone over many options on what we can do, but right now we are limited due to some other issues that have been ongoing.

The point to this story is that now it's an even bigger motivator to continue on this low carb thing because it's so much cheaper. We bought 2 dozen eggs, cheese, almonds, veggies and a ton of other stuff to get us through the week. We have some meat left and will cook that as we see fit. We are going to stick to salads with egg and cheese and fruits and veggies for snacks. We spent 52 dollars yesterday at the store because we didn't buy chips, cereal or bread. B wanted bread, but I looked at him and explained that the last loaf is in the fridge because we didn't use it at all until the date on the bag.

I'm going to keep my eye on this as the weeks go by. I have noticed that I don't crave much food now. It's enough to keep me full and going all day long. I'm hoping that this is the key to finally get rid of that belly that I've always managed to carry around. I do know that with the beginnings of the healthier eating, I haven't been knocked down once this winter with an illness. I'm hoping I didn't just jinx myself because my insurance ends on Wednesday.

Who ever is reading this, please cross your fingers for my job interview on Monday. I'm hoping that the fact they called me with in an hour of submitting my resume is a very good sign. I'm moving my long run to tomorrow so I'm not so sore and hobbling around like an idiot during my interview. I'm making sure every base is covered!

Not quite halfway

It's been an interesting week this last week. I've managed to do my best to stick to my half marathon training schedule. Last night I took on my Wii Active again for the first time in a month or two. I forgot just how much that kicks my butt! I've been going to the gym for almost a month now and there just aren't words for what I want to do to that trainer! All in all, it's a good thing. I've started to cut back the amount of sugar that I take in daily. I'm even doing a full on sugar free day one day a week. That day is Thursday since I don't have any runs scheduled for Fridays or Saturdays and need the carbs for the long run on Sunday. I've actually noticed a little bit of a difference. Here, for the past 2-3 years and all of the running I've done, I haven't moved anywhere weight wise because I kept replacing it all with ice cream!

I'm looking forward to the next coming weeks for B and I to get back out on the bikes and go for some nice long rides. We did break them out one day two weeks ago when we had some super warm weather. My pants kept getting caught in the chain and I thought I was going to make someones day when they ripped right off. I was so glad it was a quick ride!

That's about all for now from my end of things. I've gotta run 3 miles tonight (I think... I can't find my schedule). I really need to come up with my own version of a schedule to fit around my work schedule and the "every other weekend" thing. Once I throw B's schedule in there too, it's quite confusing. In fact, my head is spinning as I type!

Blowing the dust off

There is so much to say and so little time to say it. I finally got out there today and did my 5 mile run. The only problem is that I didn't quite make it 5 miles. I was at 4.60, but who is counting? I'm two weeks behind in my half marathon training, and I do another 5 mile run next Sunday. Justified! I thought Thursdays run was hard because it was 70 degrees, and the Sunday before I had run 2.8 miles in 38 degrees. The temperature jumps is hard on my lungs and my body, but I'll get over it.

This half-marthon training is going to be different. I've been going to Fitworks for about 3-4 weeks now thanks to my health insurance. They have a new program that gives you free membership to a few area gyms. Think about it, a lot of people don't go to the gym because of the fees and contracts. Others don't go to the gym because there isn't the motivation. I have the best of both worlds. Not only is it free for me, but for $9.99 a month I have an unlimited guest pass. B comes with me each and every time. If it weren't for him, I would leave with in 10-15 minutes because I'm bored. He likes the movie-cardio room. When he is on the bike, I'm bouncing around from the incumbent bike to the regular bike to the treadmill then eventually out to the rowing machine. I need something more intriguing to keep me going.

To me, it's a lot easier to run as far as you can, then turn around and go home. You've gotta get home somehow, and when you don't bring your phone, there is no one to come get you! In the summer time I have B come and check on me through out the pre-planned route. Last week he picked me up in downtown then we got coffee. The good part about that is that I got to strip off a layer of pants in the parking lot at the Y and pass them off to him when he was on his way to meet me. Now that is a Kodak moment!

Well. That's it from me for now. 5 miles down. Tomorrows plan is stretch and strength train. I think it's about time I veg out for the rest of the night on that couch. It is SCREAMING my name!

I'm back!

I didn't go anywhere really. I've been here, but I just got away from blogging.

I've made quite a few changes in my life and I'm ready to come back to the blogging world after having the itch to do it for a little while. I guess what really got me thinking about it again was the fact that I have actually registered (YES....paid the money!) for the Cleveland Marathon Half Marathon. There is no going back now.

It's going to take me a little while to get used to doing this again, so bear with me. Unfortunately, this is all that I am going to write for now because it has finally stopped raining and I have 5 miles to run. I'm hoping I survive since I'm already behind in my training thanks to rain/snow/cold.

Hopefully, there will be more to come once I am home!