ChubbyButt Did It!!

Again, let me be clear, I am not, nor have I ever been a runner...but I dream to become a runner someday. So I am beginning slowly.

Today during my one mile treadmill session, I jogged 3 minutes. IN A GYM PEOPLE!! And yes there were people there. CAN YOU IMAGINE? Embarrassing. But I DID IT!! I know, 3 minutes isn't much, but it's a start. I had convinced myself that I'd try jogging 30 seconds of every minute tomorrow, when I won't be in the gym...in front of people. But I just couldn't help myself. I had to see if I could jog one minute. And I just kept going. I'm on a high.

Anyway, I found another website I wanted to share http://www.c25k.com/.  And there are podcasts to help you. Playlists with voice overs that tell you when to run, speed walk etc. :) yay!

So I just wanted to put it out there that if you don't think you can jog because you are overweight - you'd be wrong - if I can do it you can too!

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Second Thoughts...

Perhaps that last post should have read ChubbyButt is going to attempt to run....now I'm stressing myself out.

No. I'm going to stay strong and I'm going to do it.

ChubbyButt is going to run

As much as this pains me, I'm going to put it out there for the world to see/judge/mock.

Let the training begin.

Now that I am another year older and I am looking toward 5K weather in the Midwest, I find myself wanting to train to be able to "handle" it. With my first 5K of the year in 5 1/2 weeks (38 days), I need to get on the ball.


I participate in a yearly 5K called VisionWalk. It is a fundraising event for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. This cause is near and dear to my heart. I've never ran the event, just walked it. It is not clocked, it is an at your own pace, fun event. This year I will be participating in the Kansas City Walk.


Now I will begin by saying - I AM NOT A RUNNER. Never have been. I am also overweight. But I want to change all that. And here is my plan.


Motivation.
Inspiration.
Guidance.
Support.


Runners World has alot of great articles and tools that I plan on using. 


Blogs, I have recently found several runner/dieter blogs that I have been following and they are motivating the pants off of me.


My aunt. She is 6 years older than I am, so we're close. And I recently cheered her on as she ran her first half marathon. So proud of her!! 


There's my plan, now who's with me? hello? anybody? :) kidding. This is my journey. But I'm dragging you along if you're interested. 

UPDATES

I have updated the TZ Critics page at the top.  I have listed a 6 month update since so much has changed specifically in the last couple of months.  I think those of you that are struggling to keep your family happy while making healthy changes will like what you read!  Stay Strong and Drink More Water!!

I walked and partially jogged in a 5K this weekend.  As I have stated before, I am obese, so this was no small challenge. 

I was the largest participant. 
I did not finish last, but it was close. 
I did finish in under an hour. 

I have mixed feelings about this race.  I am NOT sorry I did it!  I WILL do another one! I loved the feeling it gave me, empowerment, that is how I would describe it.  I thought of quitting, taking a shortcut a couple of times but I pushed through it.  I thought about my tshirt, it said "Empowered by God" and I prayed.  I prayed for strength, endurance and a decent song in my head to keep me going.  I prayed for shade at one point and breeze at another.  I praised that I was even able to participate, that I was doing it, and that He is my strength. 

I was embarrassed.  Embarrassed that I had let myself get so out of control.  Embrassed that I could not walk as fast as I thought I could.  Embarrassed that I was so far behind the crowd.  Embarrassed everytime a well doer that I didn't know cheered me on.  I look back on that particular embarrassment and I am thankful that they did.  I wanted to be the typical heavy girl hiding from everyone.  I wanted to do this for me, not in front of them.

I regret I didn't take my iPod.  I realized how much the music distracts me and keeps me going.  So if you are thinking of participating in a 5K, take your earphones and some music!  Also, participate with friends. I am so glad I did. I had the support of friends cheering me on, and two even came back when they were finished and walked the rest of my walk with me.  I love my friends! 

This 5K also pushed me off a stale weightloss wagon and pushed me into gear again.  I have had stale moments in this journey, but I keep changing it up and so far so good.  I can't wait to see where it will take me.  Are you on this journey too? Leave me a comment and I'll cheer you on too!

Habit vs. Variety

I am a creature of habit.  I have eaten a bagel and cream cheese for breakfast (pretty much daily) for the last 10 years.  With the exception of the fast food phase I had gotten myself into where I'd stop by McDonald's on my way to work (Thank you for the extra 20 pounds around my mid section McD's).  Let's just say that phase lasted alot longer than I care to admit. 

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE breakfast food.  But bagels are so easy, I keep a package (whole wheat) at work and a container of whipped cream cheese in the fridge.  My point is, every diet plan I have ever followed has always made a point to say mix it up.  Recently I've added Mug Scrambles to my week - and I LOVE them, but bagels are so quick and easy - no mixing and packing daily, so it is a fail-safe.

Here is what I like about habitual meal planning.  I know what I am eating. I know the calories, I love it enough to eat it daily, and it's safe.  By safe, I mean, I feel full and satisfied, it's quick and easy and I don't find my self at the vending machines.

With this said, I have found two lunches that I like equally as well.  Before food journaling, I would eat left overs from the night before.  Tasty and quick and easy lunch packing - but also packed with calories and fat and my nemesis - sodium. 

If I don't get bored with my breakfast and lunch, and they are packed with raw fruits, veggies and healthy options - what am I hurting?  What do you think? Are you a habitual eater?

Now that I've fixed Monday - Friday (so I also know how many calories my dinner meals need to stick to) ...now to tackle those dreaded weekends.

15 pound weight loss

I have officially lost my first 15 pounds. YAY!

- Hit my first goal - which was 15 pounds within 12 weeks.

10 pound weightloss

It's official - over 10 pounds lost.

-My clothes feel better and I already have pants that aren't fitting anymore - Goodwill here they come! 
Rule: Get rid of fat clothes - I'm not going back.

I lost over 5 pounds!

I have officially lost over 5 pounds!

In the beginning...

Hello TasteZoners - In the about me section of my blog, I touch a little on my struggles with my weight.  I've added this section to my blog to delve more into that subject, and added a label special for this - if anyone is interested.

On this date, I started the First Place 4 Health plan at my church.