progress!

Finally got on the scale today - after a week - and am down a couple of pounds. I know I'm making progress, I can feel it in my muscles, and my ability to work out. Close are looser...and looser. Some I can't even wear. But it's still good to see it on the scale!

Keeping physical!

Walking, jogging, walking, gardening, moving furniture. Oh, it is GOOD to be physical. I am feeling so much stronger, leaner. Starting to see it on my frame. Changes are happening, especially in my upper body.

I was once again reminded today of how I lost all the weight in college. It started with weight lifting. I need to get back to my roots. Building lean muscle burns more calories, gives our bones the support we need, and gives us the core to do all the physical activities that keep our hearts strong!

My biggest loser 3 weeks...

I am notorious for using taking care of others as an excuse to not take care of myself. My husband left this morning for a three week trip, and I've decided it is the chance to jump start my health.

I walked a 2 mile race yesterday, finishing with a pace of 15:49 per mile. But I had something left at the end.... I didn't push myself like I could have. And I've always wanted to run. So I'm taking these three weeks to push myself further.

I started this morning walking/jogging to the highway and back, a 1.5 mile route, in a time of 25:43:82. I mapped out another 1.5 route, and a 2 mile route, so that I can track myself, and see if I can push myself to improve.

I also think I can spend time exercising a couple of times a day during these three weeks. And I'm scheduling a hair cut and color for right before he returns. I'll be a brand new me to welcome him home!

Here's TO ME!

Seeing progress, being inspired.

Tonight was our annual Heart and Sole race, a 2 and 5 mile walk/run to start off the 4th of July celebration. The last time I walked it was 2 years ago, and it about killed me. Last year I was ill with whooping cough, so I did not walk. I was excited to jump in, even though I've fallen short of my goal of training into a 5k.

Started the walk with a solid power walk - for ME. I am overweight, and went at a good pace for my health and size. At the 1 mile, I was at a pace of 16:13, bottom half of the pack, but not last! Kept up my pace through the second half, breaking into zumba moves several times as I passed people cheering me on. (There are over 800 participants, but as many people cheering locals on!)

I felt the urge to run. Ok, JOG. But with all the people watching, did I really want to jog? Probably not. So I continued to powerwalk. My second mile pace was actually BETTER - ending up with a time of 31:37.

I wish I hadn't been too self conscious to jog/run. I didn't push myself. I had something left at the end of that race. But I'm not going to pout about it. I realize that my zumba workouts have been conditioning me. I can do this. And now I have my beginning point - a place to move up from here. And hopefully in the next year, I will continue to train and lose weight, so that next year I'm not ashamed to jog. ;)

Feeling strong

So I am finally starting to settle into a summer routing... Doing zumba 2 days a week. Walking all over town. Gardening up a storm. And I'm really starting to feel strong. I can feel it in my shoulders, my back, my arms, and legs... the feeling of being toned, stronger, and healthier.

It really is all about balance. Not sitting in front of the tv or on the computer all day. But keeping busy. And getting back to basics. Yard work, gardening, walking... GOOD exercise for the heart.

It's a good thing  to feel your body changing in a positive way. A very good thing.

Loving life!

Even though I haven't had more than a few hours of me time since school let out last week, I am loving life.... Making sure to get good physical activity in each day - changing it up! Zumba two times a week, lots of gardening, walking all over town... Feels SO good to be active.

Today I worked a few hours at the store, and had to carry 30 pound roasters up and down the stairs, and I was SHOCKED at how much that weight put strain on my body... and that is LESS than I've lost so far!

I'm really hoping that this summer will see another 30 pounds or so gone... I'm working on it. I'm feeling amazing. Loving life.

A beautiful start to the weekend...

While I've been looking forward to a day when I can sleep in, today wasn't one of them. I needed to be up to make sure my son was off for a day working a charity run/mudder. So I set the alarm, and got up a little early to make him a good breakfast.

The beauty of that is I found my self with a couple of free hours before we're needed at the food pantry. So I dug out my iPod and put on some walking shoes.

I headed out - to enjoy the brisk morning before the humidity sets in. Walked for over an hour, checking out the river, using our city's walking trail, stopping to chat with some friends on the way... just a small town walk.

On the final stretch, I passed the high school, and checked myself out in the windows.... because I'm losing weight slowly (the right way - not complaining, just explaining!), I don't really notice the changes. Oh, my jeans are loose, but in general I don't feel any thinner. So it was nice to see my reflection in the window while walking and actually see that my profile has changed! A wonderful surprise.

It was wonderful to get some great exercise, fresh air and vitamin d, not to mention a little boost for my self esteem. :-)

Last year I lost about 35 pounds. It would be amazing to see that progress again this year. We'll see!