Goodbye October!

October was a horrible month for me. It started with the horrible rash I had and ended with an intense flareup of gout that I am still dealing with. This is day 12 of gout, and I am so over it! Walking is difficult and running is out of the question. My final grand prix run is this Saturday, and right now there is no way I can participate. I am completely bummed out. My weight was up and down all month, but I ended the month a pound up. I am okay with that given the steroids I was on all month and the lack of exercise.

More than anything, I am just feeling discouraged. I am hoping November will be a better month and that I will be up and moving (without pain) soon!

WI 10/4

Starting WW weight- 215
Lowest WW Weight- 182.8
Last Week's Weight-182.8
This week's WI- 180.6
This Week's Change:-2.2
Change from Lowest WW weight-- -2.2
Total Change- - 34.4

This has been a strange week. On Wednesday when I got up, I had three spots on my face. I joked with Tommy that I looked like I a 15 year old with the "pimples" on my face. That afternoon, a coworker asked if I was feeling okay and commented about my face. I went and took a look and had around 20 places on my face, by that evening they were down my neck and on my chest. When I got up the next morning, they were on my arms. I called into work and decided to see the doc in a box near my house because I was sure I couldn't get an appointment with my regular doctor. They told me it looked like an allergic reaction and gave me two steroid shots, a cream, an oral steroid pack, and and oral anti itch. She told me to stay home and rest for a couple of days and if I was not significantly better to stop back in on Saturday. This morning I was back, got another steroid shot and two more prescriptions. UGH.

So the good news is even with all the steroids, and wanting to eat the wallpaper off the walls, I managed to lose 2.2 this week. (I weighed in today after my doctor's appointment, but didn't stay for a meeting since it was with a different leader.)

WI 9/26

I am late getting this info up. I don't know why I didn't take the few minutes to get this posted, but I didn't. And just let the weekend become a free for all.

Starting WW weight- 215
Lowest WW Weight- 182.8
Last Week's Weight-182.8
This week's WI- 182.8
This Week's Change:0
Change from Lowest WW weight-- 0
Total Change- - 32.2

I stayed the same this week. I wish I was posting this on Friday afternoon and knew I had a clean slate for the week to make improvements, but the weekend was a disaster food wise. And it will probably take me the entire week to make up for over indulgent weekend. I am not sure what sparked this, but it happened. I am back on track now and for that I am thankful!

I also haven't posted yet about my 5 mile race I participated in on September 20. I need to get that up and celebrate that accomplishment rather than beating myself up mentally about the weekend.

WI - 9/19

Friday's are my WW WI, so I am going to try to post the WI here to keep me accountable.

Starting WW weight- 215
Lowest WW Weight- 183.4
Last Week's Weight-184
This week's WI- 182.8
This Week's Change:1.2
Change from Lowest WW weight--.6
Total Change- - 32.2

This was a good week in every every except exercise.
I paper tracked all week and this worked for me. I don't have a smart phone, and sometimes it is hard to get on the computer after a meal, so I decided to hit the pen and paper this week. I am following the Simple Filling plan, so I only have to count points on "indulgences." When I had an indulgence, I wrote it down and then went online to track the points at the end of the day and kept a tally of how many "indulgence points" I used on my paper tracker.

Exercise was very lacking this week, and I have to kick it up a gear. Exercise included my trail run on Saturday and then a few laps of walking at work. MUST DO BETTER. At the same time, this is a busy time for me, so I think realistically I can do 4 days of a good workout and use the other three days to really rest (or get all the other things in my life accomplished). So that is what I am going to shoot for this week. Three runs and one additional workout.

10K training

What is your favorite 10K training plan? Thinking about giving it a try!

My First Trail Run

Today I participated in my first trail run. During 2014, I have been participating in a Racing Grand Prix in a small town about an hour from my home. I have enjoyed participating in the Grand Prix because it has taken me out of my 5k comfort zone, and required me to participate in a variety of races. Today the Grand Prix run was Run for Ella 5k Trail Run.

This run was a BEAST!! And I LOVED it. I wouldn't want to run trail runs on a regular basis, because I am just too clumsy for that, but this race was a ton of fun. Because of the stress of the week, and my lack of running during the week (and lack of trail training) my only goal was to finish and have fun. About half way into the run I was praying for some flat trails, the hills were KILLER, but that didn't happen until the last tenth of a mile. I honestly don't know what I was expecting this run to be. I guess I was thinking more of a  scenic little muddy path in the woods, but this BEAST was constant hills, rocks, and roots. At one point, I had to use a tree branch to pull myself up a steep hill. It has been drizzly most of the morning so it was a bit muddy and slippery. We also had a temp drop today of about 20 degrees (so thankful).

The official results haven't been posted yet, but I think it took me about 50 minutes to complete it and I was stoked with that because of the difficulty. Most of all, I am just proud of myself for getting up (at 4:30) and getting this run DONE. I have three more runs left in the Grand Prix including a 5 miler next week. I am ready to knock it out!!

And then Life happened...

I spent last Friday night with my Mom in the ER. Earlier in the week, she thought she had a stomach virus, but had been feeling better. When I saw her earlier in the day on Friday, she said her side was hurting, but assumed that she pulled something from so much heaving. Friday night she called about 10:30 saying she was hurting and needed me to take her to the ER. We arrived at the hospital at 11:15 and had the pleasure of an all-nighter in the ER. And that, my friends, is when all (diet and exercise) went out the window. During our time at the hospital they determined that she had a stone embedded in her kidney and a very severe infection.  She was released at 6:30AM and I took her home with me, but not before stopping at Starbucks for a drink. I was exhausted so I felt I NEEDED this. I did order a small with skim milk and no whip, but with that first sip, it was over. After getting her settled at my house, I went back to  town to the pharmacy where I was supposed to be picking up antibiotic, nausea meds, and pain meds, but the hospital had over sent over the script for antibiotics. I spent two hours on the phone at the pharmacy with the hospital and finally had some pain meds. When I got back to my house, Mom was so very sick. And then I cooked a late lunch/early dinner and ate and ate and ate. Fast forward to Monday when Mom was even worse than Friday night and we called her doctor. He wasn't in the office because of a death in his family and his nurse advised us to head back to the ER. This time she was admitted. After she got settled into her hospital room, my husband got off work and came to the hospital while I went into work. I got home at 9PM that night with take out Mexican. Out other dinners through the week included spaghetti which I cooked using white noodles instead of wheat, Pizza, and some other form of take out that I can't even remember. It has been late when I have came home every night and I threw the idea of any exercise out because I was so tired.

Mom was releases last night, and she is back at my house. I skipped my WI this morning, because I just couldn't face the number that would be staring back at me. But today I am putting an end to this free for all. Back on track!! I am signed up for my very first trail run in the morning (about an hour away), and my Mom and Tommy are telling me to go. It won't be pretty after a week of trash food and no workouts, but I am going.

This week I was full of excuses as to why I wasn't following my plan. But that is what they were excuses. I could have done better. I should have done better. But now I am moving on.

Weigh In 9/5

Friday's are my WW WI, so I am going to try to post the WI here to keep me accountable.

Starting WW weight- 215
Lowest WW Weight- 183.4
Last Week's Weight- (I missed my meeting last week.)
This week's WI- 184
Change from Lowest WW weight- +.6
Total Change- - 31

I missed my WW meeting last week. It was the first one I have missed since joining in March, but I had taken the day off and hated to drive to town for my meeting. I weighed at home last week I weighed 184 on my home scale.  I had a great week, so I can't be upset with this gain. I tracked and worked out. So I am going to just go with it, and hope for next week to be better.

Mid Week Goals Check

This week, I set up a few goals for myself. I thought today would be a perfect time in the week to check in on those goals.

This Week-
Reread my SF paperwork (DONE- Sunday)

Track Daily(Yep!)
One lap around the library every work day (Off Monday because of the holiday, but did 3 laps yesterday!)
Only water and tea (Yep!)
30 minutes of intentional movement daily (Yep! One day on the stationary bike, two days outside hitting the pavement!)


I tell ya, last night I did  not want to go for a run! It has been a wild day at work because it was my first day back to programming (I am a children's librarian in a public library.). And I kicked it off with three programs! I was pooped. And I had to stop at the grocery on the way home! It was 6:30 when I made it home, so I immediately put on my workout clothes. I knew if I sat down, it would all be over with. I thought about just doing the stationary bike, but really, I would much rather be outside. I ran a mile and a quarter, and then walked back :)

So far all of my goals are on track!

Welcome September

Happy September 1!  In Alabama, it is still HOT HOT HOT and HUMID, but with the beginning of September, I know that Fall and cooler temps are just around the corner. I am excited about cooler weather, but sad to see the days get shorter again. It definitely makes it harder for me to get in runs at night. I did purchase a flashing waist light today at Target and an LED bracelet at the dollar store. So I will still be able to get a few runs in during my early evenings home from work which will soon before few and far between.

Tonight's workout was a sweaty two miles. Sweaty and itchy because I forgot to spray down with bug spray!

Goals for the week and month

August was a tough month, and I cut myself some slack. But now it is time to refocus. Work is about to amp up again and I need a few goals to keep myself focused.

September Goals
Lose 5 lbs ( from lowest WW WI)
30 miles run/walk ( I managed 60 miles during the month of July, so 30 should be very doable)
Track Daily

This Week-
Reread my SF paperwork

Track Daily
One lap around the library every work day
Only water and tea
30 minutes of intentional movement daily

Tweet Tweet

I had a twitter back in 2010. I only managed 11 tweets, but today I decided to get back to it. It is very new to me, but I am excited. https://twitter.com/MrsHillRuns

Tweet me :)

Prayers

My Mother in Law passed away on Thursday. She had been battling lung cancer since March. So much of our time during the past 5 months had been spent with her, so please say some extra prayers for us as we make the transition into life without her.

5 Things Friday

1. Tommy and I spent last weekend in the mountains attending a wedding at the Biltmore. His Uncle came in from Chicago so that we could get away for a couple of days. We left after work on Friday and got back on Sunday night. It was a lot of time in the car, but very nice.

2. One of my favorite things about the trip was the dinner and wine after the ceremony. Seriously the best food I have ever put in my mouth! I knew this was a once in a lifetime, and took advantage of all 7 courses and more than my share of wine. I was up .6 this week at my WI, but it was worth every bite, and Monday I was right back on track.

3. I had planned on getting in some extra exercise in the beauty of the Smoky Mountain National Park, but when I got up at 5:30 (4:30 our time) and dressed quietly so I wouldn't wake Tommy, I had no idea there was a flood pouring down outside! Our Friday night hotel didn't offer a fitness room, but I managed 2.25 miles on the treadmill Sunday morning (ugh after the meal the night before it wasn't pretty.)

4. This weekend will be much more low key than last weekend. Tomorrow morning, I am planning to attempt 5.5 miles. I have never done that distance before in one outing. I am excited and nervous.

5. I *believe* a 10k is in my future. But I gotta get that September 5 miler out of the way first.

:) Have a good weekend!

Since I've Been Gone...

Hi Bloggy Friends-

It has been forever since I have posted, but you all know I love reading your blogs. I have been very encouraged by the return of some of my original blog buddies and have recently discovered some awesome new buddies, too! In the last two weeks, I have had multiple friends ask why I haven't blogged, so I wanted to stop in and say "hey!"

I also wanted to catch you up on what has been going on since my last post in January. I have been RUNNING!!! :) Yep, even though I haven't been around here, I have had my most successful year of running so far. In fact, I hit a new PR during my 4th of July race! I was stoked! My Goal at the beginning of the year was to participate in a 5k every month...and I have (except Feb. when my race was cancelled because of icy weather) and even did a 7k during the spring!

This year's Runs :)

January

Run for Cookies Virtual 5k

February-

March-

Circle K March of Dimes 5k w/Kelly

Super Hero Dash 5k- 42:46

Diabetes Dash - First in Age Group! 40:42

April-

Little Red School House 5k w/Kelly-42:07

Kiwanis River Run 7k- 58:55  7k PR

May-

Wise “Yes We Can” 5k- 41:36:53

Jeff Dropo 5k- 41:10:54

June-

Walk for Justice- Not timed

Firecracker Chase 5k-41:11

July-

Sacred Heart Independence Day 5k   -PR 38:52

St. Jude Making Tracks (walk w/Erin)-53:09

I am definitely not a speed demon, but I have learned to really enjoy running and that is what is most important for me right now. 

I also joined Weight Watchers in March. Can you believe I had never been a Weight Watcher?? My friend Kelly had joined last year and had been successful, and the more I talked to her about it the more intrigued I was by the program. I joined the last week in March and so far I have lost 25lbs! This is HUGE for me. I started by following the Simple Start plan and transitioned into Simply Filling. Basically I follow a list of foods to eat by...fruits, veggies, lean meats, Whole wheat pastas,  Fat Free dairy (I honestly don't do much dairy these days) and then I get points for indulgences. Some of my indulgences come in the form of higher calorie meals such as an occasional dinner of pizza once in a blue moon, but usually I use my indulgence points for avocado or PB2. 
This has worked for me, and I am very excited to find something that works for me. I have toyed with the idea of trying the points program, but since SF is working for me, I am going to just stick with it.

So yeah, a ton of great things have happened since my last post, but life hasn't been all rainbows and unicorns. This spring, my Mother In Law was diagnosed with lung cancer. It has been a difficult time in that regards. So if you have any extra prayers, please send them her way.

Well, it was nice touching base, and I will try not to let months pass by without another check in, who knows,you may even see me around here more often :)

January in Review

January was a great month! I ended the month with 20 days of workouts which included runs, walking, Zumba, my recumbent bike, and Leslie Sansone's HIIT DVDs. I have always enjoyed Leslie's Walk Away the Pounds DVDs, and these HIIT workouts are a fun twist to the same old great Leslie!  I also chose to be dairy and grain free during the month of January and kept a record of all my food at Jessica's Plate. There are no pictures or recipes there, but a diary of my food for the day. Keeping this record kept me mindful of what I was eating. As I said in my last post, I have stayed away from the scale, so I don't know if I have lost weight, but I have definitely felt healthier!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Have you lost weight?"

In January I threw out the scale. Well, I didn't throw it out. It is still hanging out in the utility room, but I haven't stepped on it. Actually, I haven't stepped on it since I fractured my foot in the fall. But when I refocused after Christmas, I decided that the scale was not going to be part of my daily life, or even my weekly life. I lose slow. If I lose 4 lbs in a month, it is a small wonder. Watching the scale can be devastating for me mentally. Especially when I am blog hopping and read about others that are upset by 5lb per week losses. I know that everyone's journey is different and I shouldn't compare my losses to others, but that is easier said than done. So, I threw out the scale. And it has been great. That silly number doesn't dictate my mood. That silly number doesn't throw me into a binge. That silly number doesn't effect me because I don't know what it is. I had thought about hopping on the scale tomorrow because it is the first of the month. I thought about it all week. I agonized over that that number might be. And then today I got it. Something that is so much more exciting than losing half a pound in four weeks. My Neene asked me if I had lost weight. And it made my day! So tomorrow, I am not stepping on the scales. Because I don't want that number to change the way I have been feeling. Tomorrow I am going to get up and do the same things I have been doing for the past 5 weeks...I am going to be mindful of what I eat and write it down. I am going to drink my water. I am going to have an awesome workout...and since it is Saturday, I might even have two. And I am going to be proud of what I have accomplished during the past few weeks!

Vote for Pugsley

 Our little Pugsley is competing in a Pet Photo Contest! I would love for you to vote for him.

Just follow this link to vote for him. For the vote to count, they will email you and you then have to click a link to verify the vote. (Too much clicking around!) http://www.pughs.com/contests/Puppylove/photos/index.cfm?entID=39


We rescued Pugsley two years ago after our sweet little Humphrey passed away unexpectedly. He was new to the rescue (we used Russell Rescue our of Columbia, TN.) and absolutely pitiful. He was terrified of everything...especially me, and very underweight. Our original plan was to just foster him and help to socialize him, but we were foster failures with him.  Now he is a sweet, happy (though a bit moody, but who is not) dog :)

In his Christmas PJs

Dressed to the 9s

Runs for Cookies Virtual 5k

Today I participated in Runs for Cookies Virtual 5k to celebrate her birthday! I appreciate you guys telling me about this virtual. It is my official race for the month of January. (I want to run at least one 5k each month.)

I currently don't have access to a treadmill, so I knew I would be running outside. The weather has been super cold this week, especially by Alabama standards. We had two days that started in the single digits, and we haven't been above freezing since Monday. But today was so much better. I headed out at 11 this morning and it was 37 degrees and sunny.

 

 

Right before we headed out.

I decided that I would take Pugsley along for my run and we headed to a local park with a track. I usually don't run on the track, but thought it would be a nice change. My plan was to do quarter-mile intervals and that worked out great. Pugsley was a true sport, too. He accompanies me on walks all the time, but this was the first time he has ran with me. HE LOVED IT! Those little legs can move!
My official time was 37:22, but I almost wonder if the track may be off a bit because that is faster than usual. Of course, the track was flat, I stuck to the middle and inner lanes (sometimes Pugs wanted to trade), and there were no obstacles to swerve.

The run was great. I ran all of my intervals (on the last one I walked about 15 seconds because I wanted to run through the .1 along with the last quarter mile.)  It was windy so I was a mess when I finished..a snotty nose, watery eyes, crazy hair mess, but I felt awesome!

Did anyone else do this virtual? I would love to know how your runs went today!

Virtual 5k??

Does anyone know of a virtual 5k this weekend?

My goal this year is to run an "official" 5k every month in 2014. But I am having a huge problem finding a January race. There is one this weekend, but it is 2 hrs away and it is supposed to be pouring rain. I just can't justify the expense (the race supports the town's rec center, so that is not a charity that excites me) of the race and gas for travel to get soaked and have to drive back wet. And we just don't have the extra money for a hotel this weekend. So, I am broadening my "official 5k" to include virtuals. I don't mind running in the rain near home :)  If you know of one, let me know!

And HAPPY NEW YEAR!