a healthier me

i have been working out for eight weeks now.  it feels good to know that i have stayed with it for this long and hope to continue on with this lifestyle change.  i set goals for myself and am achieving those goals.  it's exciting to have more energy and see the numbers on the scale go down.

a few years ago, (wow, has it really been a few years?) i ran a half marathon.  i trained hard and ran four or five times a week.  i was so frustrated because the scale didn't move much.  i set out this time determined to get the scale to move.  i realized that the entire time i trained for the half marathon i did not maximize my workouts by working in my target heart range.  don't get me wrong, it was hard to run, but i was more concerned about distance than getting my heart rate up.  so this time, i have been going about it totally different and am seeing results! :)
for christmas we purchased an elliptical.  i LOVE it.  i can use it for 30 minutes and burn over 300 calories. when i'm finished, i feel good.  this is my primary source of exercise since i do it in the morning before work.  i sometimes throw in jillian michaels 30 day shred.  last weekend, i also decided to run on the dreadmill...aka treadmill.  i don't really enjoy running.  however, i've signed up for a 5k so i know i need to start up again.  i decided to go about training differently this go around.  i am going for speed and then will increase my distance as i am able.  i set the speed for a ten minute mile...this is fast for ME.  i usually run a 12 minute mile.  the first few steps and lap was the hardest.  however, i pushed through it and ran 1 1/2 miles at a 10 minute/mile pace.  i was so excited!!! i then walked some and started running (at a slower pace) towards the end of my 30 minute workout. this weekend i ran again and only told myself i had to run farther than i did last weekend, even if it was just a few tenths of a mile.  i surprised myself and ran 1.75 miles at a ten minute mile pace.  i think i'm going to be ready in june for the big race!

i have been keeping track of the food i eat each day (the old fashioned way...paper and pencil), the time i spent exercising, and each monday i weigh and measure myself. i decided i wanted to measure myself in case the scale didn't move.    i  purchased an advanced scale that has some awesome features...it tells you your body fat percentage, water weight, and bone density to name a few.  i love it! it was worth the money.  i have lost 8 lbs and inches all over.  losing weight is hard, but i know i need to.  so this time i'm determined.  and it's working.  yay!