Ugh!

I'm already behind on my running schedule! I got my "week 1, day 2" run done on Thursday. It went really well. But then I was supposed to do "week 1, day 3" on Saturday. But I was basically out of the house all day and couldn't squeeze it in anywhere. Boo! On the upside, I got to go to a stained glass store to buy some new glass :), see a movie with some girlfriends and go out to dinner. So, I had a lot of fun, but ate way too much, and didn't exercise at all yesterday! Here's hoping this week goes better. I guess I can still do my "day 3" run tomorrow? Then I'll start the new week on Wednesday. I just remembered, Thanksgiving is this week...this could get ugly...

Sore knees

I had planned on walking/jogging for 20 minutes on my treadmill, but my knees are sore.  I hope that I'm not going to have to just walk forever.  I really would like to get into running seriously.  I will need to take it a lot slower than I would like, I think, and hopefully my knees will become accustomed to this whole process again.

It rains here, too...

It seems my mom and I were both rained out the last couple of days. Yesterday (Wednesday) was supposed to be my second run for the first week of C25K. Unfortunately, it poured all day, and there was a tornado warning in effect for most of the afternoon. I don't have a treadmill as a backup, so I'm out of luck if the weather is bad...unless I want to run circles around my living room. Nah. I decided it was better not to run yesterday anyway, because I did Zumba on Tuesday night, and it was really intense. My legs were sore and really needed the break. So, my plan is to run this afternoon, seeing as the rain finally stopped. It's a little cooler outside than it has been, so I'll bundle Miss Alivia up and take her in the stroller. Maybe my boys will even want to ride along on their bikes. It's always fun exercising with my family. So this will be my Week One, Day Two. I'll try to squeeze in my third run on Saturday. I can do it!

Rainy day, no surprise there!

It's raining today and we're expecting high winds and snow levels are dropping to 900 feet.  Our home is at 440 feet above sea level, so I don't expect we'll get any snow here.

Well, it was back to the treadmill today. It is a manual one and I set the incline at about a 5% grade. I walked for 30 min. at about 3.0 mph. I also did my 15 minute morning Yoga routine and a beginners Pilates program for 30 minutes.  I've been keeping track of WW Points Plus for 3 weeks now, but seem to be stuck in my weight loss.  I'll keep it up though, the weight is bound to shake loose soon.  Maybe exercising has something to do with the scale not moving.  I'll have to keep track of inches lost too.

Neat website

Hi Beck, and all,
I've discovered a neat little website that has a weight chart, diary, tips, and other little things to help with weight loss.  Here is the link.

Actually going outside to run

Well, after complaining about the rainy weather and using that as an excuse to use my treadmill, I actually went outside to run today.  It wasn't raining but it was only 45 degrees.  I warmed up enough as I had a couple of layers on.  I walked briskly for 5 minutes and then I alternated jogging for 90 seconds and running for about 2 minutes.  I did 4 reps of that.  I fizzled out at about 70 seconds running the last time, as I was going up a slight hill. I finished by just walking to cool down before coming in. But I feel great and will take a day off too of running, though I might walk.  I also did some easy toning exercises from one of my old WW DVDs.  It is designed for everyone, which means its really easy.  I think I'll increase the hand weights next time I do it.  Probably not for a few weeks, as I have a lot of DVDs and exercise videos to cycle through.  It's good to mix it up and not do the same things over and over again.

Becky: Day One Report

Yesterday Alivia and I went out for our first run of C25K (aka Couch to 5K). It sounded easy on paper... Basically, it started with a brisk 5 minute walk followed by stretching. Then, for 20 minutes I alternated between 1 minute of jogging and 1.5 minutes walking. That was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Sixty seconds doesn't sound like very much (until you are jogging uphill pushing a stroller). Nevertheless, I did it! And I felt really great afterward.

Two lessons learned yesterday: First, I need to wear my knee brace. I have patella femoral syndrome that acts up when I exercise a lot. Also, I need to stretch my shins more before and after running. I've been getting shin splints. Boo!

So, today is my day off from running, but I plan on going to Zumba tonight! A little aerobic dancing never hurts! Unless I forget to wear my knee brace...

Sandy: Week One, Day One

Thanks to Becky's invitation, I will join with her in this journey.  We both, I believe, have already started on our journeys, but it will be great to blog about it.
I have exercised and walked off and on for over 30 years.  I'm sure that Becky remembers me sweating away with Jane Fonda and getting out and walking in our neighborhood while she was growing up.  Walking for exercise was a novelty back then.  I remember one of my neighbors driving by as I was walking and asking me if I wanted a ride home!
Things have really changed, haven't they?  Lots has changed with me.  For one thing I'm 30 years older.  I had bunion surgery on my right foot 2 1/2 years ago and have limited mobility in my big toe on that foot, plus I experience pain with each step as it tries to overcome the scar tissue that is restricting movement.  I have a bit of arthritis in my lower back.  But basically, I can still exercise and run.  I just need to warm up really well before I begin my routine.  I have a 15 minute A.M. Yoga routine that I do most mornings that really helps loosen me up.
I was turned on to the Couch to 5K routine by my son, Brian.  He is an inspiration to the whole family as far as his determination to get and keep in shape.  I had never heard of it before he mentioned it.  I got on the Internet and searched  "Couch to 5K" and was amazed at what popped up.  I printed out the suggested routine, and am on the 2nd weeks suggested jog/walk schedule.  I've been using my treadmill.  I haven't gone outside, but I will need to.  These darn rainy, drizzly, Northwest winters do not lend themselves to running outside.  The natives don't seem to mind the weather, I see people out running in the winter in all sorts of bad weather.  Unfortunately (or fortunately), I'm not a native and don't have webbed feet! (A little Washington humor.)
Ken and I are members of a fitness club but I haven't been faithful in going.  I want to make more trips there also.
I'm a Life Time member of Weight Watchers and attend weekly meetings.  What with surgeries and some other health issues, my weight had crept up and I returned to my meetings in May of 2010.  I have a few more pounds to lose, but my main issue is toning.  As we age, we lose muscle mass and I want to recover what I can.  So those are my goals, lose about 10 pounds and gain lean muscle.  I have some exercise tapes and DVDs that I plan on using in an alternating schedule, along with running on my treadmill.  Wish me  luck and persistence!

Becky: Week One, Day One

I'm opening a new chapter in my life: running! For many years I claimed that I couldn't run because my knees are weak and my legs get itchy. But over the past several weeks, I have been walking/jogging on and off with my 2-year-old in tow (read: pushing her in a stroller in front of me). I discovered that the itchy leg thing goes away after a few days, and my knees have slowly become stronger by adding some yoga and strength training in between runs. I have also been inspired by several friends and family members this last year who have successfully started running on a regular basis. They have lost weight and even participated in 5K's and 1/2 marathons. And most of them did it by using the Couch to 5K program. So, I am going to give it a try. I have an excellent neighborhood to run in, and mild southern weather to enjoy (hopefully) all winter long. And, my mom will be participating in this program with me from rainy Washington state. You'll hear more from her very soon. I am so excited to begin this journey with her, even if we are on opposite ends of the country. This blog will help us keep track of our training schedule and keep each other motivated.

So, I've printed out my running schedule, as found on Cool Running. As it suggests, I plan on jogging/walking three days a week. It says to rest in between, but I plan on incorporating some aerobic activity and yoga on the off days. If all goes well, I'll be running a 30 minute 5K by the end of nine weeks! I might have to modify a little bit since I will be pushing my daughter in a non-jogging stroller, AND my neighborhood is very hilly...but I figure all of those extra challenges will only make me stronger!

Here's my current weight: 145 lbs.
Goal weight: 115 lbs

I'm not sure how long it will take me to lose 30 lbs, but there's only one way to find out: Ready. Set. Run!