A Runner

It's no secret that I am obsessed with Disney. Co-workers don't ask me what I'm doing for the weekend, they ask me which Disney park will I be going to this week. It's a good obsession to have, so I'm not complaining.

I have always wanted to participate in a Run Disney event. Originally I wanted to do the Epcot's Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon, but it sold out quicker than I was able to register. My next option was the Princess 1/2 Marathon, but from what I have heard, it is wicked crowded so for a first race, may not the best option.

Early this year I had put all the pre-register dates on my calendar - just in case. I had completely forgotten that today was the beginning of preregistration for the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend for Passholders (one of the many perks), until my calendar alert notified me on my phone.

Naturally, I was working while registration opened so I decided to wait until I got home. I made a deal with myself that if the price was under a certain dollar amount and if it hadn't sold out in the time it opened until the time I got home from work, then I was going to do it.

Well, I got home, walked my dogs, emptied my snack bag and washed my snack containers and then my reminder to check the registration went off on my phone. I checked, it was still open and the price was within the range I preset, so I registered.

I'm an extravert and thrive on being around people. I usually don't do something on my own unless I know someone is going to be there, so this is completely out of my comfort zone. I'm 32 years old. I can do this.

The race isn't until January, so I have plenty of time to train. I realize that the time is going to go by so fast and there will come a point when I will be like "Oh crap! the race is this weekend" but my goal and hope is that when that time comes, I will be prepared and will be able to say, "I got this!"

I have only ever ran 3 miles without stopping. I have a long way to go to get to 13.1, but I can do it! It won't be easy, but the achievement and the accomplishment will be well worth it in the end.

So here it goes. I'm doing a half marathon. I'm slightly freaking out, but I am determined to run across that finish line. Whether or not I run the entire 13.1 doesn't matter. What matters is I am doing this for me and no one else.

 "Strength doesn't come from what you can do.

It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't.

21 Day fix Day one

Back in November I ordered Piyo online through the Beachbody brand. I absolutely loved the workouts and ended up doing the entire 60 day challenge without quitting. Chalene Johnson was just the right about of energy that I needed at the time to kick start my fitness regime.

After Piyo, though I got bored. I ordered Focus T25. The draw for that was every single work out was only 25 minutes. Who doesn't have 25 minutes! The only problem though, is the majority of the workouts have pivot moves which are near impossible on carpeted floor. If anyone has suggestions, please feel free to let m know. I live in an apartment so changing the flooring is not an option. My legs would catch and my knees would buckle and sometimes pop. Not ideal at all.

Then I started hearing about the 21 Day Fix. I wasn't sure about it and did a lot of research before I finally decided to order the program. Coincidentally, one of my friends from college became a Beachbody Coach, so I added her as my coach and ordered the program from her so that she would get some credit. I'm all about helping my friends. She's been great so far and sends encouraging texts and/or Facebook messages. She started a 63 day Facebook Challenge using the program. But it's not technically a "challenge." It is a place where a group of people going through the program are able to encourage each other and keep each other accountable. And that, my friends, is just what I need. Accountability.

The idea of the 21 Day Fix is to designed to teach you portion control and to eat real foods. Depending on your calorie needs you get a allotment of how many colored containers you are allowed to eat each day. Each color corresponds with a food group. That was another exciting factor for me. It seams fail proof right? 


My package arrived after the "challenge" started, so I decided to wait until today to dive in. Well, technically I "started' the program on Saturday by planning out my meals and grocery list. I don't know about you, but I have the hardest time coming up with an idea of what to make for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is so easy. I could eat Breakfast for lunch and dinner and sometimes do just that.

Anyway, it took me a long time (read: hours) to finally come up with a plan that would work for me, and not break my bank account in the process. I am single. I am only responsible for myself, and while sometimes that is great, other times I find is so hard to cook for one. I always end up over spending, and wasting foods. Someone in the challenge group suggested i keep it simple. Stick with one meal and a few vegetables and fruits and then switch it out the next month, or shop mid week for things as well.

After completing my first full day, I have to say - the hardest part for me is figuring out how to get all the colors I need in for the day, and planning the week in advance. Since this is my first week, I decided to keep things super simple. I am eating the same things for breakfast, snack, lunch & dinner throughout the week. Not a lot of variety, but my goal this week is to learn the program and scour Pinterest for ideas.

I found colored pens at Target and a couple of notebooks to help me keep track of my meals. Fitness and nutrition shouldn't be complicated and I feel like sometimes we all tend to complicate things.
 
When I sat down and really focused on my meal planning, I realized that I already had a freezer full of some baked chicken - definitely enough for a week of lunches. So that eliminated the need for having to buy another meat product.

Here is my meal plan for week 1 of the 21 day fix:

 The recipe for the Turkey and Lettuce Wrap was found on Pinterest. Click here for the recipe. it is DELICIOUS!!!

All in all, I think I am going to enjoy this program, once I get a handle on the prep.

"If you fail to prepare, be prepared to fail"

It's just like riding a bike

Why is it that whenever I decide to once again take control of my eating habits, we have a birthday celebration at work. Complete with a smorgasbord of delectable goodness, including CAKE!

We all gathered on the first floor around 8:30a.m. to sing the traditional happy birthday song, and then the buffet line began. I didn't eat breakfast, and was actually quite hungry. I brought oatmeal to make, but decided to skip the oatmeal and see what goodies were a part of the birthday celebration.

Luckily, I work with some fairly health conscience people. There was a vegetable tray with Broccoli, celery, and olives. There was some fruit and  there was a variety of crackers and some cranberry cheese spread that is AMAZING!!! And of course there was the CAKE. The chocolatey, multi-layered, peanut butter filled melt in your mouth delicious cake.

I had a choice to make. I could decide to "start my lifestyle change" tomorrow and go ahead and partake of the cake, or I could take a small plate of vegetables and some crackers and head on back up to my desk and start my day.

You know what, I chose the latter. I'm quite proud of myself. If I would have given in to the cake (and oh it was hard to bypass), I would have started a vicious cycle and put off getting healthy yet again. And let's be real, my health is way more important than a sugar rush, no matter how tasty it is.

I did have 3 cups of coffee though, but after work I went to Wal-mart and bought myself a bicycle. I made Pork Chops, green beans and salad for dinner and afterward my roommate and I went for a casual stroll to the other side of the neighborhood and back. (probably 2 miles). I haven't ridden a bike in over 15 years and quite honestly thought I would fall on my face, but you know what - it was easy. just like riding a bike. And the Orange Blossom's are so fragrant which makes my heart super happy!

Needless to say, small changes during the day can make or break how you feel and how proud you become of yourself. I know if i would have given in to the cake, I would have felt guilty. I also believe that you can't completely deprive yourself of food because that food will become the one thing you can't stop thinking about. So, I'm about to eat a brownie. It's not cake, but it is chocolate and sometimes a girl just needs  chocolate!

Here we go again....

Back in 2010 I started blogging about my weight loss journey. I did it for me. To keep be accountable and to keep me honest. I lost fifty pounds that year and felt the best I have ever felt in my entire life. It wasn't easy, but I did it!

Fast forward five years and in that time, I moved, dealt with family health problems, been stressed at work, had fights with friends, dated jerks, and basically let my health suffer.

At first I didn't notice how much I had gained back. I was running and even participated in a couple of 5k races. I joined the Y for about a month or 2 and went maybe 3 times. Then I got lazy and complacent and tired, quit the gym and the pounds just came back.

It wasn't until I went shopping and realized I had gone up to a size I had never been before. I officially gained back all my weight and surpassed my heaviest point.

The good thing in all this is I know I can lose it again. I have it in me, buried under layers of fat, but it's there. I've done it before. I can do it again.

It won't be easy and I fully anticipate some failure along the way, but ultimately I am the one in control.

So here I go again. 5 years later, back in the same place I was when I first started this blog. I'm going to try really hard to keep myself accountable and update weekly.

Operation Karen gets healthy and stays healthy has begun!