Couch to 5k take two!

So this week I restarted my couch to 5k journey. I haven't ran in a long time, well really since the weather turned to really hot in August. So 6 months. Now I own a treadmill and really have zero excuses. Even getting hit by a car in January isn't enough to stop me. This time I am really evaluating my running as well as the reasons why I sabotage myself and which excuses I make and why. I make a ton of them! This season of biggest loser is no excuses and I am trying to focus on that as well. A lot has changed for me this year. I was officially diagnosed with a thyroi issue as well as a syndrome called PCOS. Both medical reasons that contribute to weight gain and make it difficult to lose weight. I am seeing a doctor that specializes in weight loss here in Ottawa and he has really helped me begin to see the emotional issues that back the weight gain and for the most part I have seen some positive changes. I am also on a carb free 'diet' because of the PCOS. The PCOS makes me insulin resistant which means I am not diabetic but show a lot of symptoms like a diabetic especially when it comes to weight. I carry 90% of my weight in my stomach area which is not good at all!

Anyways with these new diagnosis I have had to think about food in a whole other way. Y eating no carbs at Christmas. It's hard, especially when you have a mother in law who makes shortbreads like mine. But I did really well over Christmas, so well I lost almost 5lbs over the Christmas break. Still did well into the new year, and then wham January 19 I get hit by a car while walking into work. Next thing you know Im on the couch doped on pain killers eating the worst foods possible. Why? Because eating makes me feel better. I have no idea why I turn to food, I just know I do/did. I am an emotional eater and I had no problem making rationalizations to why I was eating like crap. Next came two deaths, two funerals. A hard month overall. Again excuses. I discovered I had no issue at Christmas time because I could plan. I knew what was coming and I thought about how I could handle it. The accident and deaths were unexpected and I didn't know how to handle it. I couldn't preplan, I couldn't think through scenarios. Instead I took a crappy time and temporarily made myself feel better.

I haven't figured out how I am supposed to fix this except jump on where I was and keep pushing. I do know I need to start thinking now while I am feeling okay things that I do that make me feel better that don't involve food. And this is why I turned to running again as last year it made me feel absolutely amazing and empowered me to do better.

S today I completed week 1 over again. And after reading my first week from last year on this blog I have discovered a very great thing. I am better that what I was, I have improved! I easily completed this week, without any issues. Running 60 seconds at 4.0 is easy! Last year I couldn't make 60 seconds. Now I breezed through it. I cannot wait to start week two and complete this couch to 5k once and for all!

Another week done!

It's been a while since I have updated, with being gone to Nova Scotia and then Blogger being down everytime I have a moment to write,  its been hard to update!

I have now completed week two of the Couch 25K! I completed my last run last night, in the stinking heat!  It was absolutely thrilling to finish the run even though every breath I took was like breathing through a heavy blanket!

I am scared to start week three, its a big jump from 90 seconds jogging to 3 minutes, but I will try my best! It may take me a few weeks here as well, and I am okay with that. This is the longest time I have ever committed to an exercise routine of some kind and its been fabulous! I can keep going at this! I know I can! 

Week 2 


Today I ran with Erin. We took the kids to the park, let them play and ran the path that goes right around the park.  It felt great to be able to run the 90 seconds with ease, but also to run more "in public" and not feel so self-conscious. The confidence I am building is showing in so many ways. Running has done so much more for me then just increase my exercise. Even my shins didn't hurt as much as last time. WE also ran in the morning, which I have yet to experience. I quite enjoy running in the morning. Much more than the evening. If James wasn't out delivering the newspapers every morning I would be out running before work.  Soon summer is coming though and my work schedule is changing so I should be able to run in the morning.

Tonight I became adventurous and made home made pizza.  This is the first time I have ever really made anything from scratch! With the helpful advice from my parents friends and my step-mom's epicure spices and pans I made some delicious healthy pizzas!! Before I would order pizzas that had three kinds of meat, extra cheese and thick crust. Today I made a thinner crust pizza (as much as I had control over this as a newbie!) with broccoli, tomatos and chicken. And low fat cheese. On a personal sized pan. It was delicious, and filling. I have never felt so satisfied!!!

Will continue this week with week two- and off to Nova Scotia. I hope to get some runs done when I am down that, however I know I will be doing a lot more exercising and walking! We are visiting farms, climbing through coves and going for long sightseeing walks!

Baby steps to Big Change :)

Week 2!!!!!!

Well last night I started my first day of the "week 2" sound track!  It entailed running 90 seconds walking 2 min.  It was so hard! I missed about 10 seconds on set number 5 where I just couldn't run anymore but I blasted through the rest of them- not too bad for a girl who couldn't run 60 seconds 3 weeks ago!!! It was SO windy last night! Every time I turned the corner I would get blasted with a wall of wind that I had to run through, it was so tough! Eventually I just stopped turning corners and turned around and ran back and forth in the non-windy spots.

I am on the lookout for a nice pair of running shoes. They need to be fairly cheap but I would like a pair that is set for running on hard surfaces. Every time I run I end up laying on the couch with frozen peas on my shins to stop the swelling. I am looking at a pair of Acsis that are on sale- anyone have any reveiws?

In 6 days I am off to Nova Scotia for a high school exchange! I am a chaperone and assistant for one of my classroom kids and although I am excited to go I am nervous about my WW and running being in jeopardy! Although we are doing a lot of hiking and a lot of outside exercising so hopefully that will help.

This is it for me today, I am very tired!  Good luck with your adventures! If you haven't started yet- stop reading and go make a small change in your life! Its baby steps- to big change!

I am starting to get frustrated. My WI this week showed me down 2 lbs, to 25lbs lost. Today my scale is showing me back at what I was. I have been perfectly on plan this week and have continued to run.  I don't know what else I can do to break  this plateau! This week I will increase my running to 90 seconds so hopefully that will help.

I am really in need of an actual running outfit.  On Tuesday I ran in my dress pants as the only "workout" pants I have have developed a hole. And my shoes are really worn out.  It does show you can do anything with a limited income, you can't use that as a barrier.  That being said, hopefully soon I can treat myself to a more comfortable pair of shoes!

On Tuesday I took my wonderful dog Mango out with me for my run. Talk about a new experience, for both of us!  Running with the resistance of his leash really put pressure on my shins! I was essentially running angled backwards.  Also getting twisted in his leash wasn't much fun either.  Eventually though we got into  a rhythm and were able to follow each others lead.  And then he walked through a burr bush.  When we got home I had to sit there and cut all the burrs out of his crazy fur and then bathe him. What work!

I am off for a run again tonight after work. I am going to try the new track, for week 2. Wish me luck for pushing  myself harder tonight!

Week 1, day 4 &5


I am still calling this week 1 because I have chosen to re-do the podcast for week one until I feel comfortable completely.  I decided to run on Monday- it was such a beautiful evening and I really just felt like doing it!! What a strange difference in my attitude to activity. It's really remarkable. From the girl that just didn't care, didn't know how, didn't feel good- to wanting to do it daily. I finished the intervals on Monday again- and had my mini high! I think it's that feeling that really motivates me. I haven't felt so accomplished in a long time!

I went again last night, and Hannah decided she really wanted to come too. I was a little unsure on how that would work- but decided to try. I did make James come with us, just in case.  She was really motivated and really tried her best to run lots! For little 4 year old feet she sure can move, and did really well.  Towards the end of the podcast she was getting tired so she stopped and sat with Daddy.  They then saw some ducks go by, and a blue jay! She took on the job of passing me my water bottle every time I passed them, and cheering me on (Go Mommy Go!)  It was really great.   On the plus side, we went home and it was bed time, she didn't even get through a story before passing out. May just take her out everynight with me so she sleeps well! Haha.

I am really starting to feel major differences in my body. Sometimes the scale doesn't like to show me them but I notice as clothes fit differently and I have much more energy- and for the most part my attitude is more positive and cheerful.  If these are the only changes I get then I will be extremely happy with the entire thing!

This week it's Hannah's dance recital- excited to see my baby on stage. encouraging activity in my family has become almost our motto.  I really hope she is able to live a happy and healthy childhood, and that I instill the ability to learn healthy habits and fully understand the effects of unhealthy choices.

Week 1 Day #3


So today I ran with Erin, my besstie. I RAN THE WHOLE SET!!!!! EVERY INTERVAL!!! I am on such a high right now I can't even explain it.  Running with her was great motivation and it kept me going. After a couple full sets I realized "Hey, I don't need her to push me! I can do this!" Once I hit "Single Ladies" the track that I always quit on, a huge smile came across my face. I wasn't feeling any pain, and I was feeling pretty good. I knew right then I could finish it, and finish it strong.  As soon as I finished the last run (Thanks Carli for that last bit of motivation!) I jumped into the air and yelled!  It was friggen amazing.  I can't believe that after 3 days of running intervals I was able to do it without dying.  I will do week one again next week just so I can continue feeling confident for a week. Also I have Erin starting the program now, and we will run together on Saturdays, since she essentially lives at my house on weekends anyways!

Tomorrow morning is Weigh In day. My scale at home isn't showing a loss, and its making me nervous. James and Erin both keep telling me that the first week after working out and picking up activity will be the hardest on my weight loss as my body adjusts.  I am going to try and not let the scale tomorrow discourage me at all. I am feeling healthier-- just being able  to finish today confirms that I am.  Physics states that I will have to start losing the pound- calories in vs calories out, Right?

The goal for the next 12 weeks is to lose 20 more lbs and to be able to run 20 minutes consecutive.  :)

For those following my journey I challenge you to find one habit that you want to change and keep putting it off and just do it! Make that one little change, and keep your head up high.

If I can do it, you can too!!!!!