I've sure come a long way since I began running in January. At 4.5 miles, yesterday was my longest run yet. I decreased my usual pace for most of the run (down to a 4.0 from a 4.5) and kicked it up just a bit for the last half mile or so. I felt good during most of the run, but the last quarter of a mile was really tough. It didn't help, either, that I didn't get started until after 8pm and therefore didn't finish my run, cool-down walk, and stretching until after 9:30. And then of course I had to eat to refuel, so I battled my body's No, don't eat, you're about to go to bed against its opposing Oh god, need food, gonna die.
I am immensely proud of the progress I've made thus far. My small group training sessions at the gym have gotten a lot easier, too. Definitely felt like I was going to die after the first one, with it being my first intense strength training in a few years and having probably the hardest trainer at the gym work with me. But luckily my post-workout soreness now only lasts for a day and is quite mild most of the time, unlike the week-long pain I felt after the first go, so bad it hurt to walk. Although I disagree with the statement "no pain, no gain", I do like feeling some mild soreness to know I've been working hard.
I bought a Groupon today, too--$29 for a 20-class fitness pass, 1 personal training session, and a couple fitness and nutrition pamphlets or books or something. At a $350 value, this is not something I'll be continuing after I use all components of the deal, but it'll be great to explore different types of fitness activities, including kickboxing, yoga, dance, self defense, and more.
Healthy lifestyle, here I come.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
The Bigger Picture
This post is not exactly about my running, but the running is definitely related. No need to provide a lengthy intro, so I'll just start by showing you some pictures/a picture, depending how you look at it:
Yep, I'm writing about my journey toward increased health and specifically weight loss. I really don't remember ever being as big as the left 2 pictures show, but clearly I was. I didn't realize it until just a few days ago when I put together this collage, after May (my brother's girlfriend) showed me some before and after pictures of her own (so proud of her, by the way). So the pictures and captions pretty much sum it up--today I weigh about 25 pounds less than I did about 4-1/2 years ago. The running has certainly helped, as has the strength training I recently started (see my previous post). And I've gotten a lot better about what I eat. I still have a bit to go, but I'm so proud of myself for having gotten this far.
Yeah, it's taken some time, and my weight has certainly fluctuated over the past few years, but I think I'm finally at a point where I'm really committed to being healthy and taking good care of myself. I look at the workouts and weight loss as symptoms of my increased health. And best of all, I feel great! I used to hate working out, and now it's such a big part of my lifestyle, and I look forward to it every week. It totally helps that I can fit into adorable dresses now, and I may even be able to pull off a bikini this summer (fingers crossed). I've come a long way, and my new lifestyle is here to stay, so I'll only get healthier as time goes on.
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Yep, I'm writing about my journey toward increased health and specifically weight loss. I really don't remember ever being as big as the left 2 pictures show, but clearly I was. I didn't realize it until just a few days ago when I put together this collage, after May (my brother's girlfriend) showed me some before and after pictures of her own (so proud of her, by the way). So the pictures and captions pretty much sum it up--today I weigh about 25 pounds less than I did about 4-1/2 years ago. The running has certainly helped, as has the strength training I recently started (see my previous post). And I've gotten a lot better about what I eat. I still have a bit to go, but I'm so proud of myself for having gotten this far.
Yeah, it's taken some time, and my weight has certainly fluctuated over the past few years, but I think I'm finally at a point where I'm really committed to being healthy and taking good care of myself. I look at the workouts and weight loss as symptoms of my increased health. And best of all, I feel great! I used to hate working out, and now it's such a big part of my lifestyle, and I look forward to it every week. It totally helps that I can fit into adorable dresses now, and I may even be able to pull off a bikini this summer (fingers crossed). I've come a long way, and my new lifestyle is here to stay, so I'll only get healthier as time goes on.
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