Adventures in Weight Loss

For the last 3 1/2 weeks I have been working really hard to get in shape and lose the rest of my baby weight. (Sophie is now 2 .... so maybe saying "toddler weight" would be more accurate???) Anyway, thanks to the encouragement of a dedicated group of really great girls in my ward who run 4 miles, 3 times a week, I am slowly but surely getting into shape!

Slowly I am running farther and farther. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, when the other girls aren't running, I ride my bike. I am up to 8 - 10 miles at a pretty fast pace. On the running days I can keep up with the other girls for the first mile and a half and then take a short break and fast walk. Today I caught them on their way back too and kept up for quite awhile until a quarter sized blister on my foot couldn't be ignored any longer! (I REALLY need better running shoes....!) I am hoping with better shoes and a few more weeks I will be able to keep up the entire time!

I can actually walk up the stairs carrying a load of laundry now without running out of breath!!

You have to understand that NEVER in my 36 years have I been a successful runner. Even as a teenager I was a fast sprinter but any distance and I was out! Endurance has never been a strength! Last year I was seeing a cardiologist for some heart issues and one of the tests required me to run on a treadmill. After a couple of minutes the nurse asked me if I work out. When I told her no... not really... she replied, "Ya.... I can tell...."

All of the excercise has really helped me eat better too. I just make better choices when it comes to what I eat. I don't want to waste all that hard work!! I don't totally deny myself my vices like soda and ice cream I just don't have them very often or I have found good substitutes. Instead of regular ice cream, if I need a sweet treat I am eating Fresh and Easy's lemon sorbet or mango sorbet Popsicles. The Popsicles are only 80 calories and are fat free ... with no artificial sweeteners! Maybe someday I will try to cut sugar out completely.... but that day is not today!!

I am just so happy that I am seeing such great results. I have WAY more energy. I think because I am feeling better about myself that I am happier overall too. Because of both of those I am more productive. Even our morning routine has gotten a lot better organized and runs smoother out of necessity.... because mom is out running or biking every morning until just after 7am! And of course the weight and inches I have lost have been very encouraging too!

(There have been some funny moments.... last week I left too late to go with the others so I ran alone and was chased and almost bitten by a BIG goose. This morning I went to cross Guadalupe and I tripped over a cactus ....it left a nice, big red streak up my shin! OH WELL! )

THANK YOU BEKAH, STACEY, KARA, LENA, MELISSA AND LINDY!!! YOU ARE SUCH AN INSPIRATION FOR ME! YOU ARE AWESOME!!