Category Archives: Weight Loss

From Couch to 5K

First RunI played Rugby all through high school and soccer all through University. The last time I played soccer was when Capri was a few months old. I have tried random workouts in the last 4 years but have never stuck to anything, which made me hesitant to blog about my running. So at the start of April I decided that I was going to start running and this time I would get further than a few days into the couch to 5k program (c25k). So on April 2nd I went to an old abandoned school and ran the loop that goes around all of the buildings. It was painful, and I wanted to throw up. It was more walking than running and it took me 30 minutes to go about 2.85 km.

Three times a week I ran. When life got in the way of my run day I didn’t quit like I would have before. I made sure to get out the next day that I could and catch up to the c25k plan I was doing. And then I decided that I needed a bigger goal, so I signed up for a 5K race that would take place just as I was suppose to finish the 8 week program.

BrooksI knew I needed some better shoes so I went and paid more money than I have ever spent on shoes on a pair of Brooks at The Running Room. It was a big commitment to buy expensive shoes, so I knew I had to keep with the running.

I became annoying I am sure to my friends as I posted after each run that I went on. I did this because I wanted to keep myself accountable, and it was nice hearing feedback from friends and family.

timesSlowly I got faster, and was able to get a little farther. I started using the app My RunKeeper in addition to my c25k app just so I could see my pace and keep track of how far I was running. I was so neat to see myself improve. There are times I do not think that I am getting any faster or going any further but then I can look back and see how much I am improving (and for my fellow Canadian’s I keep track in miles instead of km because most of my running friends are American so it helps me realize how fast/slow I am going).

On the Tuesday before my first race I finally ran 5k. It was hard and long but I did it, and I felt prepared for my race. We drove up Race Dayto Halifax on the Friday and I picked up my race packet and got everything ready to go for the next day. On Saturday morning we drove over to the race where I quickly realized I had forgotten my socks which meant I ran without (so I have some wicked blisters). The race was half trail which was new to me and a more difficult course than I have run in my training. I ended with a finishing time of 40 minutes 53 seconds and 48 milliseconds. Which I thought was pretty good since I had only been running for 8.5 weeks.

I had my amazing husband there with our three girls cheering me on. I love how supportive my family is, and they made me run faster and not stop.

family runI don’t know what my new goal is yet, but I am not going to quit running. Though currently I cannot run long because my blister from my lack of socks is huge and open and shoes scare me. So this week I have run our steps, and I took my girls out for a short run around the high school track.

A New Approach

teaThe last 2 weeks have kind of sucked for my weight loss journey. We all caught this awful cold, and I was dealing with 2 little ones with fevers and stuffy noses on top of a sick husband and a sick me. I tried to do a few workouts during those 2 weeks that didn’t involve a lot, so I worked with weights to try and tone up my arms mainly. So when it came my 2 week weigh in and measurements I was surprised that I had lost 2lbs, but I had gained 1 inch (1/2 inch on two different areas).

So for the last 6 weeks I have been very consistent in loosing 1lb a week, which is great, but I know that if I step it up I can do better.

shredWhich brings me to the workout I have been dreading…The 30 Day Shred. I attempted The Shred just before Capri’s first birthday which was almost 2 years ago. I made it to day 8 and got super busy with birthday stuff and I quit. But during those 8 days I lost 10lbs and toned up a lot. So I am sucking it up and trying it again. I started last night, and I used my 5lb weights during it which was brutal but good. So we will see how long I do it – hopefully for the full 30 days this time. I took some before photos just to see how well I do.

So I am now down 6lbs, and have lost 28 inches. Let The Shred begin.

Weights and Flexibility

weights

I love using weights, they make me feel like I am actually doing something with my muscles. I did a bit of weight training in High School with my rugby team and I really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed that I could leg press 200lbs 20 times when the boys in my health class could not. Now that was 7 years ago and I am not all muscle anymore, but I am working on it.

So I have 2lb ankle weights and 5lb free weights. I really like adding weights into my workout because it helps me build on current work outs I have especially for my legs.

stretch Flexibility has a couple of meanings for me. First I need to become more flexible, I am far from a Yoga master. But for me getting my workout times in means being super flexible. I have 2 little kids that I am home with all day (who refuse to nap at the same time) and I work 40 hours a week. My schedule differs from day to day so I don’t have a set workout time, so I have to force myself to fit it in at some point during the day. One thing I have found helpful is doing little workouts throughout the day. If I am brushing my teeth I can do calf lifts or squats, if I am making a meal I can do a few squats while waiting for my water to boil. It doesn’t seem like a lot but it adds up.

I try not to make myself feel bad if I have a bad workout day. I do try to do something every day however, even if it is just a few minutes lifting weights.

So I have been on this journey for 4 weeks now. In the last 2 weeks I have lost another 2lbs (4lbs total) and I lost 10 inches (with a total loss of 29 inches). Again let me remind you how important measurements are. When you only lose 1lb a week it can seem kind of frustrating but when you realize that all your clothes are fitting a lot better or even starting to be too big you realize you are actually making a difference.

So drink some water, lift some weights and don’t put yourself down.

Water and Measurements

water I started my weight loss journey 2 weeks ago and I don’t know what has been harder, working out or drinking more water. I am not a huge fan of water but I knew I had to increase my intake. I keep track of my water intake in my FitBit app and I am suppose to drink 48oz a day. I pretty much always hit this mark now and usually go far beyond. The thing that has helped me with this is having a good water bottle that I like. My Aunt-in-Law sent me this Life Factory bottle, it is glass with a silicone sleeve and I can get 16oz of water into it. At first it took a lot of work to get those 48oz down, but the more I drink it the more I actually LIKE the water.

So if you are trying to lose weight get yourself a good water bottle so you can keep track and just keep refilling it. If you have a hard time drinking it try adding some lemon or berries to your water to give it a bit of a flavour.

 

The second thing that I find very important in a weight loss journey is taking your measurements. You might be losing inches even when the pounds are not going down as fast as you would like. For me personally I am built to gain muscle fairly fast, so the scale is not always my friend. In the last two weeks I have fluctuated between 2-4lbs lost, as of today it is only 2lbs. BUT I have lost 19.4 Inches. I take measurements from the following parts of my body:

  • Upper Arm
  • lower arm
  • bust (this one probably is not super true because it depends on if I have just nursed or need to nurse)
  • waist
  • around belly button area of stomach
  • love handles
  • hips/butt
  • thigh
  • calf

workoutSome of my measurements were as small as .5 of an inch, but I lost ELEVEN (11) inches off my waist in the last 2 weeks. So it is very important to take your measurements.

So to keep you up to date. I have lost 2lbs and 19.4 inches in 2 weeks. I have been drinking a minimum of 48oz of water a day and I work out everyday. My workouts vary but usually include 10-30 minutes on the stationary bike, different abdominal workouts, weights, leg workouts and stretches. And yes I like to workout while watching old seasons of the Biggest Loser. I just pretend Jillian is yelling at me.

A Healthier Me

old

This photo is one of my favourites. Not only because I am slapping Wyatt in the face (he is now my brother-in-law), but because I look friggen amazing in that dress. This was during my second year in University and I was at one of my lowest weights. I could wear my favourite pair of American Eagle jeans and I had a nice little waist. I know that I have had two kids so my body shape has changed, but I know for a fact that I could be a little less on the round and doughy side.

So for this coming year I am going to take a better look at what I am eating and will drink more water (I hate water). And I will try and do some more exercise. I would like to go down a few pant sizes, as much as my new hips will allow, and I would like to have a flatter and more toned stomach. Since I am breastfeeding I have to make sure I keep my calories up a bit and not exercise super crazy hard (which really will not be an issue). I am going to take my inches as well so I can keep track of those. So here is to a new year in a couple of days and to a healthier me.

Goals:

  • To lose 40lbs
  • To drop down to single digits in pant sizes
  • To drink a lot more water
  • To eat healthier meals and snacks
  • To workout more
  • To be healthier
  • To wear skinny jeans and not look horrid (yes this is a goal)

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