Progress... or not?

I am still taking it SLOW. However, with that said today I did the longest "running" spurt I've done so far - 8 minutes! I felt awesome about it, since the longest I did at one time yesterday was 5 minutes. When my 30 minutes + 5 minute cool down was done though I had ended up going the exact same distance as yesterday (2.54 miles). I think the longest I jogged at once after the 8 minutes was 3 minutes, and most times it was 2. I'm wondering if I should start a C25K program to get more structure... I just worry because last year I attempted it (see old entries) and did not finish. I want to stick with running. I have the Zombies 5K app but haven't tried it... I have been running on the treadmill this time and I know those kind of apps don't really work right on a treadmill. I could and should start running outside now that it is FINALLY warming up, but I don't really want my ridiculous running attempts to be seen by the public yet and I'm just a scaredy cat making excuses, I know. I just like the treadmill... I feel like I get more of a push seeing that clock and saying "Oh, I can do another minute". I just don't know how to proceed. Help?

Two days in a row of eating well and staying within my calories... I am not eating my exercise calories, just sticking to the recommended amount of calories on MFP. The scale is already moving a little (thank you jeebus) but I need to pick a certain morning and start weighing myself once a week so I don't get all scale obsessed. I'm trying to eat every four hours or so... breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and sticking to this has made me realize just how drastically I was overeating. Like whoa.

In a moment of weakness I ordered a sweet pair of ProCompression marathon socks. I know, I'm currently jobless so the last thing I should be doing is ordering a pair of expensive socks when I will probably never run an actual marathon in my life. I've just read so many things about how good compressions socks are for post-run recovery and I don't want anything hindering my running progress. So these will be for when I get farther in my "training". I also used a 40% off coupon code (found on Retail Me Not) and got free shipping so you really can't beat that. Also, they will look awesome with my running shoes. I will totally look the part, at least. Heh.

I have the above picture taped to my treadmill, along with a few other motivational sayings. Come hell or high water though, I will stick to this. It makes me feel good about myself, and I want to get better and better at it. I have never been athletic in my entire life and the fact that I get winded so quickly and that my heart rate gets high so fast proves that I need to make some changes before I just become that obese old lady that sits in her favorite chair watching her shows and eating Cheetos.

Feeling Good

Yesterday I started logging my food again. I have been terrible at this - I will log breakfast, but by lunch I say "oh forget it" or start eating so much I'm afraid to log... but yesterday I logged everything I put in my mouth and did really well. I'm hoping if I continue to do so I can break my habit of overeating and get my rapid weight gain moving in the OTHER direction.

I have been doing pretty well at doing some form of exercise every day. Taking a walk, a bike ride (which hurt my backside like you would NOT believe), 30 Day Shred with Brady - but today was the first day in a while that I got back on the treadmill. Here are the results:

How's that for a decent burn? I feel really good about it. For some people it would be nothing, but for me it was a lot. I kept hearing people say that if you're struggling with running go slower, so I went with that. I walked at 4 and "ran" at 5, with an incline of 2.0. I really need to work on getting my breathing under control (any tips with that are appreciated). My first running portion lasted 5 minutes, and every one after that was at least 2-3 minutes. I tried not to walk for longer than 90 seconds at a time. Baby steps, right? I feel good about it though and that's what matters the most.

If it isn't raining I plan on getting a walk in with Brady today too, if he's up for it. I can't tell you how much I love having more time to spend with him... it's awesome.

Jess from Run With Jess posted a picture on Facebook today and I really liked it so I'm going to end today's entry with it. We're all Wonder Women!

Music is a MOTIVATOR

Why do I constantly make the same dumb mistakes? At least every third workout I eat too much before I get on the treadmill and then I struggle throughout the whole thing. UGH. I am much better when I just have a small bite of something or just some water and then eat a bit afterwards. But at least I still put the time in! Focus on the positive.

Wearing my Brooks running shirt today - it's moisture wicking and generally awesome. If you like the shirt (the picture on there is a cupcake, sorry I cut it off but I'm all about the saying) you can find it on sale here - don't forget to also check around online for coupons/promo codes!

When we got our treadmill I imagined using it while watching my tv shows. I don't know how some people can do it, but I can NOT watch TV while running. If I'm just doing a brisk walk then it's fine, but the minute I start jogging I can't concentrate on what I'm watching. Music is my motivator, I work out much better when I've got some motivational tunes going. Here are some of the highlights from today:

Paul Oakenfold ft. Brittany Murphy - Faster Kill Pussycat
Skrillex - Bangarang
Technotronic - Pump Up The Jam (everyone should have this. seriously.)
Breathe Carolina - Blackout

My musical tastes are all over the place, so don't expect me to stick to any certain genre with my musical highlights. I also love being introduced to new music, so if there is a favorite of yours that you'd like to share I'm all ears!

I tried Greek Gods Vanilla Cinnamon Orange greek yogurt today and loved it... which is strange because I don't care much for most greek yogurt. The fruit on the bottom stuff makes me wanna hork, honestly. But this stuff is delicious. Doubt I'll be getting it often since it's kinda pricy at my local store but for an occasional treat it's great. Maybe I could take some vanilla greek yogurt and put some cinnamon in it... but how to get the orange flavor in there? Any tips, aside from putting orange slices in it?

Found this on Pinterest today and I love the saying, so I'm going to end with it:

I don't think I've hit habit status yet, but I'll get there!

So here I go again...

What I want more than almost anything in the world is to be healthy and fit. I'm tired of being skinny fat. The only reason why I'm not obese is because I have a good metabolism. I've never been an active and athletic person and I want that to change, but I have trouble finding the motivation to actually DO it.

I'm really good at shopping for fitness items. I have cute running shorts and tanks, a new Polar FT7 that I haven't taken out of the package yet (on sale at Best Buy, $55!) and a wishlist of things to buy "when I actually start getting fit". I'm awesome at following fitness people on twitter and instagram, and I recently started following a bunch of running blogs as well.

So isn't it ridiculous that I don't actually do anything to be fit? I know the season has a lot to do with motivation - I have no desire to be outside in the winter. Snow, ice, slush? No thanks. With that attitude I probably shouldn't live in Wisconsin, but this is my home and despite my dislike for winter weather conditions, I do love it here. The tiny town I live in has no gym, my boyfriend works second shift and I hate dumping my kid off with a sitter - so as you can see, I make a lot of excuses.

It is time to change that. I need to stop setting my expectations so high and take one day at a time. This won't happen overnight. I need to have this be my mantra:

I'm making a decent start. I've given up my precious Mountain Dew, AGAIN. All soda really, except Sprite if we go to a restaurant or something. I've drastically upped my water intake. I was never a big water drinker, and now I try to drink 100 oz. a day. It's easier for me to do this at work for some reason, but I've been doing okay at home, too. I have tried so many fancy water bottles and hated them all, but then I found these:

The Rubbermaid Chug bottles are awesome. Easy to clean and they don't leak. I love them. No, I'm not getting paid to say that. Maybe one day I'll have a fancy blog where they'll see me talking about their product and offer one for giveaway or something. But it's doubtful, so don't get too excited.

I don't deny myself treats, but I no longer buy them either. If a drug rep brings cookies to work, I'll eat one. But just one. With the exception of Subway and Cousins, I've been avoiding fast food restaurants. It's all baby steps but I'm hoping it will add up. I know that I overeat so something I *really* need to work on is portion control. If anyone has any tips on that I'd really appreciate it!

I've also started eating breakfast. I know, I just said I overeat and in the next paragraph I talk about eating more. But I get up early for work and I hate eating so early, so I usually skip breakfast (or grab cookies or something unhealthy from the gas station). Now I'm forcing myself to eat SOMETHING. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it jump starts your metabolism so I need to remember that. Oatmeal, a "healthy" cereal choice (I like gluten free Corn Chex) with unsweetened almond milk, a banana, just something. Let's see if it makes a difference.

So how am I going to be active with no gym nearby and frigid weather outside? Well, I have some Jillian Michaels dvds that definitely do not suck - but they aren't doing me a whole lot of good just sitting around. I need to USE them. We have a Kinect for Xbox and I love Dance Central games and Your Shape: Fitness Evolved. They make me sweat, which is good, so I need to start using those again.

Best of all? Pete (the boyfriend) finally got on board about us getting a treadmill, and we ordered one. He's even looking forward to using it! We would be using it already but it arrived on Valentine's Day totally damaged. Talk about disappointment. Here's a picture of the box:

Sure enough, when we opened the box there was broken plastic and the whole base of it was bent. So we called, and luckily Best Buy was really nice about it and re-shipped a new one right away. They are also sending a return label so we can have someone pick up the damaged one. Whew. Also, the darn treadmill went on sale for $100 cheaper (no joke) right after we ordered it so they did a price adjustment for us too. That's called good customer service, people.

I'm beyond excited for the treadmill. This will not be something to throw clothes on. I can't promise that I'm going to be able to run on it right away, but it will definitely get me moving. I can see me power walking/jogging while listening to some tunes or watching Grey's Anatomy. I recently got myself a FitBit and it has been totally eye opening. On the days I work (as a receptionist), I'm lucky if I walk 5,000 steps a day. On my days off? Even less. It's horrifying. So I want to make sure I'm walking at least 10,000 steps/day, and start doing jogging spurts as I can handle it until eventually being able to jog a full 30 minutes.

I want to run (well, jog) a 5K. Start to finish. This is incredibly easy for lots of people but it seems like a dream for me. 

I should also confess something. I've gained a lot of weight this winter. We are doing a "Biggest Loser" contest at work so I weighed myself on their scale and it says I am four pounds heavier than my home scale. Oh home scale, how I love thee. The work scale says I weigh 169 lbs 4 oz. I got down to my pre-pregnancy weight of 145 pounds in 2009/2010 and I want to get there again. But in a healthy way this time, not just in a "I'm stressed and don't eat" way like last time.

So I have about 25 pounds to lose. I can do this, right? My tax return gift to myself is going to be an awesome pair of running shoes (like I said, I'm good at shopping for fitness stuff). I'm going to go to a running shoe store to get fitted for them and everything. I don't want crappy shoes or injuries getting in the way of me getting off my ass.

If anyone is actually reading this, welcome. This is a judgement free zone and if you comment, let's try to be encouraging. I need all the help I can get, and I know I'm more likely to stick to it if I have a good support system!