Goodbye Carbs....

Yesterday I began a 30 day kick start to get me out of the rut and back on the wagon.  I was doing so well with Weight Watchers up until they decided to completely change their points system.  At the point, I lost complete interest, stopped tracking my points and kept yo-yoing back and forth 5 pounds since October 2010.  If I would have kept with the program completely and honestly I would probably have met my goal by now, or at least be a heck of a lot closer than I am right at this moment.  I decided something had to give.  I could go back and learn Weight Watchers all over again – afterall I am still paying for it –

However, I need something in addition to Weight Watchers in order to push me out of the rut and get me back on the losing streak.  That’s when it hit me.  My boss lost a bunch of weight in a short amount of time by cutting out whites.  She cut back on carbohydrates, ate more protein and fiber and it was like the pounds literally just melted right off.  She gave me a plan – no dairy and only 35 grams of net carbs (you take the total carbs and subtract the fiber to get the net).  Sounds doable right?

But… Did you know that an apple has 15 grams of net carbs? Just 1 tiny little apple… and almost ½ your net carbs are done for the day.  This will be difficult.  I’m sure my body will go into shock.  I imagine those cartoons where a character is famished and they look over a tree or something else and see a complete smorgasbord of yummy goodness… There might be times when I will look at something and see mouth watering buttery biscuits, French fries, rice, waffles and pancakes.  I keep telling myself it’s only 30 days. I can do it because my dad has always told me I can do anything I set my mind to do…

So I woke up yesterday (Monday) morning excited to start my 30 day kick start and what happens? Well one of my coworkers decides now would be a good time to bring in this amazingly delicious almond toffee that we only get once a year.  I mean this stuff is absolutely divine and seriously addicting.  But, I was so proud of myself because I did not even have a sliver of it.  I know it will be around for the rest of the week, but hopefully I can continue the will-power.  Also, last night I went to Kiku’s (an hibachi style restaurant) with my roommate and her parents.  My plan was to only get the meat and vegetables and no rice or noodles – and surprisingly enough I DID IT and did not even miss the carbs.

But why is it when you start a new “diet” (I hate that word by the way) there is always tons of temptation lying around?  I just don’t get it.  It’s like the Universe is just trying to sabotage my progress….

On a side note – I woke up the past 2 mornings at 5:30a.m. to run....

#58: Do a 5K

 About 2 months ago I started running.  I started at a mile.  My goal at first was to complete a mile without stopping.  I did it the first time. I did it again the second and third time.  The fourth time I decided to go for a 1.33 miles.  I did it and then the next time said, how about 1.5 miles. Done. NO problem. 

Then about a month ago, my roommate tells me about this inaugural 5k downtown.  I think oh we will definitely be ready for it in a month - lets do it. So we sign up.  We continue running regularly 1.5 miles, then we bump it to 2miles. Never running over 2miles. 

I decided to drive the course one day after work and well, umm since when was FL hilly?  This course is nothing put uphill, downhill, uphill, downhill.  We've only ever ran on flat ground. Not even a gradual incline.  Now I'm starting to freak out.  Will I be able to do this? 

My roommate and I decided we better at least walk the course once before the race, just so we are semi-used to the hills.  Then it starts to rain, and rain, and rain, and rain.  Our plans of walking the course before the race were crushed. I was kind of freaking out.

But... we had a plan of attack.  We'd stay with each other - we'd encourage each other to push it and if we needed a break to walk, we'd break to walk. This was just our first race  - we were just getting our base number our goal to beat next time. And there will be a next time.

Last night we went and picked up our bib number, t'shirts and random other items.  Since we had never ran in a 5k before, I went online and researched proper etiquette (yes I'm that girl).  I found that you shouldn't wear the race t'shirt the day of the race or you look like a rookie.  You should stay towards the back if you don't know your pace so you aren't in the way of the faster runners, and I also learned how to properly take water from a volunteer (though I didn't practice it today). 


We woke up bright and early this morning and set out for the race.  We warmed up by running up the first hill - but the time we reached the top I was done, so we changed our focus and decided to walk the first hill, run, walk the second hill and then run as much as we could the rest of the time. My goal was to just run across the finish line no matter how long it took me to get there.

All in all the experience was amazing. I ran in my first 5k. There is no stopping me now -I'm a runner.  This time last year I couldn't say that.  I am so proud of myself for even trying.  I look forward to the next 5k (which just so happens to be next month) Time to beat 42.44.  Wish me luck!