Meatless Mondays??

I know a couple of you follow a vegetarian lifestyle, but since a two-year stint in high school, I have been a pretty dedicated carnivore.

Back in my vegetarian days, I did it all wrong. I was terrible at getting the right amount of protein and tended to use it as an excuse for "extra cheese."

Nowadays, I am much more educated about nutrition and still think that vegetarianism just isn't for me. But then I read about Meatless Mondays and got to thinking about lessening the amount of meat I eat. Sure, I'm not big on the red meats (though I did have steak for dinner last night) and rarely have more than 4 ounces of meat a day anyway, but I've been interested in beans and other forms of protein so much, that the idea of Meatless Monday intrigues me.

From MeatlessMonday.com:

Meatless Monday is a non-profit initiative of The Monday Campaigns, in association with the Johns Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of Public Health. We provide the information and recipes you need to start each week with healthy, environmentally friendly meat-free alternatives. Our goal is to help you reduce your meat consumption by 15% in order to improve your personal health and the health of the planet.

Presidents Wilson, Truman and Roosevelt galvanized the nation with voluntary meatless days during both world wars. Our intention is to revitalize this American tradition. We’re spearheading a broad-based, grassroots movement that spans all borders and demographic groups. By cutting out meat once a week, we can improve our health, reduce our carbon footprint and lead the world in the race to reduce climate change.

Since Kevin had to work late today, I decided today would be the day I started. I was sitting on a bench during lunch this afternoon planning the food I would cook tonight (Spinach Dal with lentils and Brussel sprouts!), when I realized I was stabbing a piece of leftover steak onto my fork. Oops. So, next Monday will be the day ...

I made the spinach dal and sprouts anyway, and will plan much better next Monday, but until then I'm obsessed with this idea: Grilled avocado with salsa. YUM! How beautiful is that??? And MeatlessMonday.com has many more equally appetizing recipes.

Hooray for Monday!

Back to School: Updated

Best first day of school EVER!!!

So many compliments about my new hairstyle and my weightloss.

I haven't stopped smiling all day!

Part of what makes me excited to go back to school, is the fact that I had an amazing summer. I don't have a single regret.

Some years, summer is a time of To-Do lists that never get done. But not this summer. It was jam packed and I still managed to finish 90% of my To-Do list. All that's left are a few little things like "wash car" and "close high school bank account."

This summer I worked a great internship, finished 7.5 hours of extra classes, walked 60 miles in 3 days AND lost 15 pounds. Oh, and I spent the past week organizing my house, scrubbing my basement, and finally getting to a few decorative things that were in the corners waiting for me to get "around to it." Stuff like "hand new curtain rod" and "put away gadgets" and "clear work bench."

That's part of why starting school is nice this year. There isn't a long list of things I should have been doing the past three months. Instead, I did it all and more. I can only give credit to the new-found energy of being healthier. I don't just sit around anymore feeling sorry for myself. I look at a curtain rod leaning in the corner and say, "That will take 15 minutes - let's do it!" And I grab my drill and am off.

I don't feel my usual end of summer regrets and I love it. I am excited to move into fall organized, healthy and happy.

Still making adjustments

1200 calories a day just isn't cutting it.

I didn't think it would be that big of a deal - but it totally is. I just can't seem to get full. Sigh. By the end of the day, I just want to eat and eat and eat. While it could be PMS, I'm pretty sure I'm just hungry.

I lowered my calorie intake because my activity level is considerably less nowadays. You know, since I'm not walking 30+ miles a week anymore. The training regimen for Couch to 5k doesn't even have me burning 200 calories ye (the equivalent of walking 2.25 miles).

It looks, however, like I should increase my calories back to 1300 a day and augment the training to include more walking and calorie-burning activities besides the runs. 

A girl's gotta eat, right?

Makeover Montage

A new workout perspective

You know the biggest thing I've discovered since I started this new running regimen? It's practically nothing!

Seriously, after a program involving mid-week trainings that took 90 minutes (on a Tuesday or Thursday evening, people!), getting out and run/walking 25 minutes is nada.

But, for some reason, it takes the same amount of energy to motivate me to actually start the workout each day as it did when the workouts were a scheduled 5 hours (that's a 15-mile walk). Go figure.

Once I'm in it, it's practically over and I feel wonderful. But getting my butt off the computer, away from the coffee and into my workout clothes in the morning before the heat of the day strikes - well, that can be tough. Especially since I tell myself, "Eh, it's only 30 minutes. You can handle the heat for 30 minutes. Just go later."

And it's true. I can handle the heat so I happily go later. Sure, the workout is a bit rougher, but at least I'm still getting it done. And it's all because I say "If you can walk 20 miles in 90 degree temps, you can run/walk 30 mins in 95 degrees."

Perspective is a funny thing. Following the 3-Day, I honestly feel like I can do anything.

Makeover Week!!!

So, it's the week before school starts and I officially dub it "Makeover Week."

This is like the episode on The Biggest Loser where they give the contestants $1000, an appointment with a celebrity hair stylist and teach them a myriad of make up tricks.

I don't have $1000, don't have access to a celebrity anything and rarely use make up beyond my eyeliner, I'm thrilled!

A couple of months ago, I bought a $100 gift certificate to an area salon for a mere $40 (Thank you, Groupon). Since the entire thing must be used in one visit, I signed up for a hair cut, style and pedicure next Tuesday. Following that, I may head over to Sephora and have them give me a make up session.

I have enlisted my gays to assist in my clothing. Nothing fits me anymore, so it's time to hit the racks. The sales racks of course! I hope to receive the rest of my student loans in the next few days and am allowing myself about $200 to get some stylish basics for the new school year. It's like back-to-school shopping!

I'm lunching with one of my gays today and we will be flipping through mags and looking for clothes and hairstyles for me. If you have any opinions, I'm all ears!!!

So far, I thinking about both of these hair styles ... Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

LEFT: Short and flouncy? ABOVE: Long and flowy?

Too much of a good thing?

I lost 4 pounds this week. And I'm not entirely happy about it.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm happy to read 150.6 on the scale, but that's twice the amount I should have lost! Will is stay off? That is tbd.

This could be my body finally recovering from the 3-Day. Or the fact that I lowered my calorie allowance by 100 this past week (I went from 1300 a day to 1200 a day).

Since I'm not burning thousands of calories on training walks now, I posed that "Are you going to eat less or work out more" question to myself and decided on "eat less."

This could also be one of those weeks when I have a big loss before biology attacks me and I gain or don't lose because I'm a woman. (I can talk in euphemism!)

I'll take the number of course - happily. I would just wish I could feel like it was more permanent. So much of a good thing rarely is, after all.

But maybe it will be! That would be AWESOME!

My Measurements:
Waist: 29 ... overall decrease of 11 inches :-D
Hips: 39 ... overall decrease of 7.5
Thigh: 21 ... overall decrease of 7.5 - no change, though, from last month
Calves: 15 ... overall decrease of 2.25 inches, no change from last month
Upper Arm: 12 ... overall decrease of 3.5 inches
Sadly, didn't have time to test my push ups or crunches this morning.

Last Month's Measurements
Waist: 29.5
Hips: 39.75
Thigh: 21
Calves: 15
Upper Arm: 12.5
Push ups: 20 (Though Kevin says they don't count since I didn't go down "far enough" hmph)
Sit ups: 27 (I did full sit-ups rather than crunches)

Starting Points:
Weight: 195 lbs
Waist: 40 inches
Hips: 47.25 inches
Thigh: 28.5 inches
Upper Arm: 15.5 inches
Calf: 17.25 inches
Push ups: 4
Crunches: 15

Now what?

Following the 3-Day, I hit a tiny "Now what?" wall.

I love walking, don't get me wrong, but I just don't want to keep dedicating entire days to it. So, how am I going to burn calories so that I can reach my weight-loss goals?

A little nugget of thought started growing in my mind a few weeks ago, and I've decide to give it free reign. I'm going to start running.

I know it sounds like the logical progression from all of the walking, but for me there are a few unusual factors to apply.

1. I was diagnosed with arthritis in both knees when I was 11. Seriously. They are great weather vanes and I can always tell when a good storm is brewing. In junior high, I wasn't allowed to run because of my knees. Also, I had numerous physical therapy sessions geared at straightening my knee caps - they are on a crooked track! The therapy hurt my knees so much I never really finished.

2. I don't know how to run. Again, I'm serious. Since I was not allowed to run as a kid, I never learned the proper running form. A couple of weeks ago I was walking with Sadie and Kevin and decided to jog a little. When I finished, Kevin said "Do you know you run bow-legged?" Um, what?

3. I tried becoming a runner about 3 years ago - and I got myself up to running a mile without stopping. But then, I was attacked by a German shepherd.

So, those are my reasons for NOT running. Here are my reasons for wanting to do it anyway.

1. I am super jealous of people who can run. I've seen a lot of them during my 3-Day training and I envy them all. They are just so pretty and physically fit! I keep a copy of Runner's World on my magazine rack just to ogle the girl on the cover. I want to have her body! I am jealous of her calves, her butt and her abs. I am jealous of the fact that she can, presumably, run without getting winded in 30 seconds.

2. Running is a great cardio workout that works every part of your body. A 155 lb. woman burns 182 calories while walking 19 mph for 45 mins. That same woman burns 412 calories running 12 mph for 45 minutes. Seriously, to burn 400 calories, I have to walk about 5 miles - and that takes about an hour and 40 minutes! The efficiency alone is enough to excite this busy girl!

3. Kevin is a runner and I would really like to share this hobby with him. I proudly tell anyone who will listen that Kevin has run 4 marathons. He tells a story about our first meeting. Apparently he mentioned being a runner and I said, "Well, there's your problem." It was a defensive statement made totally out of jealousy and awe. I swear.

So, Friday morning found me starting a new training regimen: Couch to 5k. The original regimen is available at CoolRunning.com, but there are also lots of smartphone apps available.

I used Couch to 5k (c25k) for my running adventure 3 years ago and saw great success. It is an interval training program that can be used by serious, experienced runners to improve their pace or by newbs like me. I wouldn't exactly say I'm coming off the couch, but running involves working a different muscle group than walking and I need to get them in shape. Plus, it can only help my pace, right?

Here is something I wrote in a blog then first time I did C25K:

So, I guess this is it. No more excuses. I expected to suck some serious ass today. I thought that today would prove to me that I am not cut out to be a runner. Damn, looks like I get to do this again Wednesday. And don't tell anyone, but I am kinda proud of myself and looking forward to the next workout. I'm sore already and every muscle is protesting my very existence, but I feel good.

No soreness following Friday's run - and it really was easy, breezy. Guess that means I get to do it again today. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Kansas City was last Sunday. However, the Wichita Race for the Cure is September 25 - six weeks from now.

C25K is a 9-week program, but after the ease of Friday's run, and because I'm not officially at "couch" status, I am jumping to week 2 today. I plan to run 2 of the 3 runs for week 2 and then follow the program from there. It's still about a week short, but I REALLY want to run the Race for the Cure in Wichita.

Looming deadline

The deadline looms -- only three weeks until the endpoint of me 50n50 journey -- and I still need to lose 10 pounds to reach my goal. Is it feasible for me to lose the 10 pounds in those 3 weeks?

In all honesty, I'm not completely certain it's advisable!

The point of 50n50 has been slow weight loss at a pound a week. Doctors and experts say that healthy weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week. Expecting myself to lose ten pounds in 3 weeks is not conducive to long-term success - and is the complete antithesis of what this has all been about.  Doing the math and applying all of the information I have absorbed since starting this journey, I think it's best to keep working towards that goal of 145, but extend the deadline.

This really bums me out.
1. I've never missed a deadline, and as a former journalist, that means something to me.
2. I've never started something I didn't successfully complete. Even my attempts at law school - the biggest gamble of my life at the time - ended in successful admittance. And the 3-Day training ended in success too!
3. I hate admitting I was wrong about something! That includes admitting I can't do something I said I could do. 

ARGH! I am so upset with myself. I can pinpoint the exact time I got in this mess: Last winter. From Thanksgiving through Christmas I didn't lose a single pound. Holiday foods, finals stress, visits home - I did the best I could, but it wasn't enough. I didn't gain any weight during the holidays, thankfully, but I got 5 pounds behind and I've never been able to catch back up.

Perhaps part of the mistake was in the design of the "program." Should I have allowed a couple of weeks extra? Should it have been 50n52? If I add two more weeks to my goal, and shoot for losing 2 pounds a week until then, then I can still proudly announce losing 50 pounds in a year, right?

Isn't this set-back part of the journey? The holiday season is something we each have to face year after year. Learning how to handle it without gaining weight is important! I proved during the finals session this spring (and summer) that I can attack that stress while still losing weight. So, I count that as a lesson officially learned!

There is no shame in how far I've come! I've lost 40 pounds, for goodness sake. And I just walked 60 miles in 3 days! I'm healthier than I've ever been and I feel better than I've ever felt. Sure, maybe I'm not 100% on track to weight 145 by Sept. 2, but damnit, I'm proud of myself!

I DID IT!!!

In case you missed it - last weekend I walked 60 miles in 3 days.  Can you believe it? I hardly can!!!

Honestly, I have never dedicated myself to a physical activity like I did with the 3-Day.  Besides raising the required $2300 (thank you for all of your help, ladies!!!!), I had to train for months in order to get my body prepared for the endurance it would need to succeed. 

My training started exactly 6 months ago, on February 15. I walked 3.2 miles that day - which seemed so long at the time! Overall, I walked 276 miles in my training - and the hardest weekend was the weekend I walked 18 miles on Saturday and 15 miles Sunday.  I burned calories like crazy, altered my eating to fuel my walks and learned a lot about long-term workouts and nutrition.

There were 1600 walkers in Chicago with me last weekend. Many, however, weren't as dedicated to walking every step as I was.  They were cool taking what's called a Sweeper Van to camp once they got time.  For me, however,  it was about proving something to myself. 

And I did :-)

I officially believe I have what it takes to be an athlete. No one up there knew I used to weigh 195 pounds. For them, this is who I am and they saw me as fit enough to finish the course. Whenever I attempted physical activity in the past, particularly in the heat, people constantly came up to me asking if I was ok (heavy breathing tends to be a sign of issues, I guess). But it wasn't until I was limping on Day Three that someone felt the need to ask me. I guess, I really have come a long way.

When I arrived in Chicago, I was shocked to hear that I would probably GAIN weight from the walk. I was even more shocked when I got home the following Tuesday and realized that they were right - I'd gained a pound!

Weird, right? I didn't believe them when they told me. I figured I knew enough about the right foods to eat to fuel my body correctly without gaining weight. I tracked the foods I was eating at each pit stop along the 22+mile route we walked on Day One. When I found myself with blurry vision and cold in 88-degree weather, I realized I was wrong.

The more I thought about it, however, it more sense it made.

1. I was drinking at least 200 ounces of water each day.
2. I was eating something salty and sweet at every pit stop to fuel my body (though I skipped the potato chips and opted for the pretzels).
3. I ate carb-heavy meals all three days.
4. I didn't have a bm (ahem) after the morning of the first day until Tuesday of this week.
5. My muscles were freaking out by Day 3 - and barely holding me up - I know they were sucking up water faster than Sadie after a 5-mile walk.

Looking at the pictures from each day, I can definitely see my face getting puffier and puffier as the days progressed.  So, it makes sense. I'm just hoping things work themselves out by next Weigh Day.

In the mean time, any cardio activity I've wanted to do this week was put on hold by a slight injury from the 3-Day. My nail beds were extremely sensitive after all that walking. When my friend's dog jumped on my foot, I nearly lost my toenail! As it is, the nail bed is very bruised and I am only just now able to walk on it without limping.

Proof is in the picture

As strange as it may seem, I have had a hard time realizing that I've lost 40 pounds. Sure, I see the number on the scale each (day) week, but I honestly haven't seen it in the mirror. When people tell me I look different, I wonder to myself how that's possible. But, that all changed today - it's finally beginning to sink in!

Losing weight slowly has made it hard for me to fully grasp how different I look because I see myself everyday. Sometimes, I'll walk past a mirror and catch a glimpse of a girl who looks like a smaller version of me, but when I turn to look closer, all I see is the same face that greeted me over the sink earlier in the day when I was brushing my teeth. This surprises those who don't see me everyday - to them, the change is drastic - but it's been so gradual that it's snuck up on me.

But, it turns out that I really, truly look different.

It finally sank in this afternoon when I was getting ready for Boobs Rock - my big breast cancer awareness festival. As a joke, I "slutted" up my t-shirt by tying it tightly around my waist and rolling it up a bit. But when Kevin showed me a picture of myself I was shocked. I expected to be ashamed by my usual rolls, but - um - they weren't there.

I first passed it off as a trick of the camera angle, but when I saw other photos from Boobs Rock - and I still looked half decent - things started shifting in my mind.

So, as an experiment, I went through all of the photos I've taken over the past year and pulled one from each month into a folder. It wasn't the best experiment because there were many different angles - and I really avoid full-body photos anyway.

It was when I accidentally went from a photo taken today to one taken a year ago, however, that I finally saw what everyone has been trying to tell me. And, um, wow. Can I say that? I look A LOT different!

I'm saving the before/after photo for the finale blog in September - but I needed this realization now. I needed to see how far I've come in order to head into the last lap of this journey. The next ten pounds may not make much of a difference visually, but seeing just how much I've changed has me pretty jazzed.