Got a New Toy...

Got my new Garmin 305 a couple of days ago and last night was the first night I wore it on one of my runs. For those who are interested in seeing some of the results you get, here's a screen shot of my run results from last night...

Today is a day off running, but tomorrow I'll be running 3K - I can't wait to see how the two runs will compare to each other. I'm really loving this new toy!

Today's Eating Plan (29 pts):

Breakfast (5.5 pts) -> Weight Watchers Bagel w PB (4), Coffee\Milk (0.5), FF/SF Yogurt (1), 1/8 C Fibre Cereal (0)

Lunch (4.5 pts) -> Sliced Corned Beef (1), 3 Wasa Light Rye Crispbreads (1), 1 T Dijonnaise (0), All-Bran Bites (1), Asian Pear (0), FF/SF Yogurt (1), 1/8 C Fibre Cereal (0), Coffee (0)

Dinner (15 pts) -> 3/4 Baked Potato (2.5), 2 Small Chicken Fingers (3), Ciabatta Bread (3), Mayo (3), Sour Cream (1.5), Cheese (2), Diet Coke (0)

Snack (4.5 pts) -> Banana Bran Choc Chip Muffin (1), FF Cool Whip (0.5), Tortilla Chips (3)

Today's Exercise Plan:

Driving Range -> 45 Minutes (0)

Mini Golf (0)

The Last Day of a Quiet Long Weekend

It's Monday again, but at least today isn't a workday... Instead it's a cold rainy end to the long weekend. Blah.

Yesterday morning I decided I'd be brave enough to join our Running Room's practice run. Sunday morning at 8.30am. I figured it was the only way I'd get my run in yesterday - it's been a miserable weekend here weather-wise, and I just didn't think I'd go out on my own.

Anyway, it turned out to be great fun. We had lots of discussion about running, etc. I even met a new runner there who was talking about needing a partner to run with - I might just take her up on it! The more I run with other people, the more I love running!

Jenn called this morning to let me know she went out running on her own this morning - I'm so proud of her! I'm really glad she's trying to get into it. She also told me that today is her first day of her free 2-week trial of Weight Watchers online. I now love the online system, and I'm going to stick with it. This is the end of my free 2-week trial of the system, and I was down 2.2 lbs this morning, so I'd say it has given me some more motivation again. It sucks I only get 19 points a day though - that's tough.

I'm still trying to lose a few more pounds before my 10-year high school reunion next month. I now weigh about 50 lbs less than I ever did in high school. That feels great. I'm smaller now than I ever was...

Today's Eating Plan:

Breakfast (3.5 pts) -> Banana Bran Choc Chip Muffin (1), 2 FF/SF Yogurts (2), Coffee\Milk (0.5)

Lunch (4.5 pts) -> Homemade Vegetable Soup (0), Can of Cloverleaf Flavoured Tuna (2), 3/4 Tbsp Light Mayo (0.5), Ben's Smart Hamburger Bun (2)

Dinner (9.5 pts)-> Lean Beef Burger (4), Ben's Smart Hamburger Bun (2), LF French Fries (3), Mustard\Steak Sauce\Tomato\Pickle\Onion\Lettuce (0), Chili Sauce (0), 1/2 Tbsp Light Mayo (0.5)

Snack -> ?

Today's Exercise Plan:

?

It's Freeeeezzzing in Here!

Brrr! Our office is freezing today! I have enough problems staying warm as it is after having lost my weight, but this is nuts!

Went for a nice little training run last night with Steve, Jenn, and Cory. They all want to start running and I said I'd go with them - that way I can get in some short, easy runs on my off-days if I want to. It went really well... I just hope they'll keep up with it.

I have a training run tonight for myself. I am running 3K - just a nice LSD run. I'll be doing it indoors on the treadmill if I do it at all. I'm not feeling up to it at the moment, but I'm sure I'll change my mind when I get home - I really want to stick to this training schedule. And besides, it should only take me about 20 minutes or so to finish it (tops). It'll be over before I know it! And I'll earn 2 activity points to boot!


Today's Eating Plan:

Breakfast (4.5 pts) -> WW Bagel with Cinnamon Raisin Swirl PB (4), Coffee\Milk (0.5)

Lunch (2 pts) -> Salad with Hellmann's Asian Silk Salad Spritzer (0), Banana Bran Choc Chip Muffin (1), All-Bran Bites (1), Asian Pear (0)

Dinner (8.5 pts) -> LF French Fries (2), Lean Burger (4), Smart Hamburger Bun (2), Tomato\Pickle\Onion\Lettuce\Mustard\Hot Sauce\Chili Sauce (0), 3/4 Tbsp Hickory BBQ Sauce (0.5)

Snack (3 pts) -> Banana Bran Choc Chip Muffin (1), 2 Bodywise Bread (1), LF Cheese Slice (1), Pam Spray (0)


Today's Exercise Plan:

Running -> 20 Minutes on Treadmill (-2)

Taking the Afternoon Off Today

I think I've decided to take the afternoon off today. Stephen and I don't have the same days off, and since he's off today and bored at home, I thought I'd sneak out of work and spend the afternoon with him.

Anyway, tonight we have a run planned (Steve wants to start running now too!). One of his friends and my sister have also thought they might want to start running, so maybe they'll come along too.


Today's Eating Plan:

Breakfast (1.5 pts) -> Banana Bran Choc Chip Muffin (1), Asian Pear (0), Coffee\Milk (0.5)

Lunch (8 pts) -> Harvey's Veggie Burger w BBQ Sce & Mayo (7), Side Salad (0), FF Honey Dijon Dressing (1)

Dinner (10 pts) -> Chicken Souvlaki Skewer (2), Quinoa w Spinach & Mushrooms (4), Spinach & Feta Pie (3), Tzatziki (1)

Snack (3.5 pts) -> Asian Pear (0), All-Bran Snack Bites (1), Smart Pop Popcorn (1), Popcorn Seasoning (0.5), Banana Bran Choc Chip Muffin (1)


Today's Exercise Plan:

Jogging -> 20 mins (-2)

First 5K Race Completed - Can't Wait for the Next One!

Wow! What a great experience!

Ran my first 5K race on Sunday with my friend Alexa. It was definitely one of the best experiences I've ever had. There were so many people there, all different shapes and sizes, with so many people out to support us!

My goal for the race was to finish in under 30:00, but once we got there I realized how much that my time really didn't matter at all. Alexa was hoping to finish in under 35:00, so I decided we'd stick together and finish together, which we did. We crossed the finish line together (I'm on the right in the picture), with my finishing time being 34:39. Although I usually run a 5K in about 30 minutes on my own, I was really happy to cross the line with Alexa.

Our families and friends were right there at the finish line to greet us when we crossed. I have to admit that I got a bit emotional, even though it was just a short race. It was just so overwhelming to see Mom and Dad there, with Jennifer and Stephen right there with them. And it felt like such a huge accomplishment for me - going from where I was a couple of years ago to running a road race! I never imagined that I would ever be a runner, let alone race! It was just a very overwhelming experience.

For anyone who has ever had doubts that they could do what I've done - trust me, you can do it! And you should! My entire life has changed, completely turned around. I feel more confident and better with every day that passes. I've also realized that although the physical challenges often feel the most difficult to overcome, it is the mental challenges that really hold us back. If you believe you can do something, you will...

First 5K Race Countdown: 5 Days Left!

One day closer to race day! Gaah!

It's a beautiful day here today - I actually got to wear a skirt and cute little strappy sandals to work! Since losing my weight, I LOVE wearing dresses and skirts. They are just so comfy and so girly! It just makes me feel confident to wear them.

I have a run scheduled for tonight - 34 minutes of walking 1 min, running 10 (x3), plus one last minute of walking at the end. I'm hoping to get it in, but I'm not so sure that I will (I also just don't really feel like it today). If I do it as soon as I get home from work, that might work out. Or maybe I'll talk Stephen into going with me, although I don't think he'll want to. He just wants to go out for a drive tonight I think and probably just get a coffee - that sounds pretty good to me...


Today's Eating Plan:

Breakfast (5 pts) -> WW Bagel (2), 1.25 Tbsp Light Peanut Butter (2.5), Coffee with Milk (0.5)

Lunch (3 pts) -> Giant Salad (0), Salad Spritzer (0), 3 Wasa Light Rye Crispbreads (1), 1 Tbsp Dijonnaise (0), 2 Slices Chicken Luncheon Meat (1), FF/SF Yogurt (1)

Dinner -> ?

Snack (1 pt) -> Caramel Corn Rice Cake (1)


Today's Exercise Plan:

Running -> 34 mins

First 5K Race Countdown: 6 Days Left!

After a couple of weeks of cool weather, it looks like it's finally going to start getting warmer here in the Maritimes. Yay for that!

Only 6 more days until my first road race... 5K. I'm so scared! I know I'll finish without any major problems (unless something completely unexpected happens, eek!), but I really would like to finish it in under 30 minutes. I've been following the last couple of weeks on the Running Room's 5K conditioning schedule lately, to make sure I'm ready. I'm really excited, but I just wish I wasn't so freakin' nervous about it!

Today's Eating Plan: (23.5 pts/20 pts)

Breakfast (4.5 pts) -> WW Bagel (2), 1 Tbsp Light Peanut Butter (2), Coffee with 2% Milk (0)

Lunch (5 pts) -> 3 Wasa Light Rye Bread (1), 1 Tbsp Dijonnaise (0), 2 Slices Chicken Luncheon Meat (1), 2 C Romaine (0), 1T Light Caesar Dressing (1), Banana (2)

Dinner (8.5 pts) -> Lean Beef Burger (4), Ben's Smart Bun (2), Cheese Slice (1), Mayo (0.5), BBQ Sauce (0.5), Dill Pickles (0), Dill Pickle Relish (0.5), Tomato Slice (0), Onion (0), Arugula (0)

Snack (5.5 pts) -> 1/2 Cup Light Ice Cream (3), 100 Cal Pack PB Cookies (2), 3 Tbsp FF Cool-Whip (0.5), Asian Pear (0)


Today's Exercise Plan: (-2 pts)

Walk -> 4.1K in 35:00 (-2pts)

Day 1 of My Free 2-Week Trial of WW Online - Love it!

I've always been a meetings member of WW, ever since I joined in October of 2005. I have only used the WW site for the use of the message boards, looking at daily featured recipes, etc. - all free services of the site.

Last weekend when I went to my weigh in, there were cards available to meetings members to try a free 2-week trial of WW online. I was pumped and grabbed one up so that I could try it out. I signed up for the trial this morning...

I love WW online! So many very cool and useful tools, and I love the recipes! There are so many of them! And I also love how I have to be completely accountable for everything I eat - even those little bits of food that I probably would have neglected to count before (oh for shame!).

Before I reached my lifetime status, I said that I would probably join WW online when I made it to goal because I wouldn't have to spend as much to weigh in at meetings anymore, but I always just made excuses not go sign up online. Now that I've tried this trial period, I don't know what I'll do without it! I'm really glad that I was a meetings member - it allowed me to get my head around how the program works with the help of my other meetings members, but this WW online site rocks!

I have been a lifetime member for almost a year now, but have wanted to lose a few more pounds. I am now so motivated to get back on the losing wagon because of this site!

I'm going to make the most of it while I'm an online member - I'll be posting lots of my recipes and more pictures when I can (I'll also post them here, or on an attached blog) to share with everyone.

That WW marketing board sure is clever! They'll end up getting another regular payment from me again!

Weight Watchers vs. SparkPeople

For the past couple of months I've been using Sparkpeople (www.sparkpeople.com) to track my food, etc. and I have let counting points go during this time. I just wanted to compare the two plans for a while to see which I liked the best.

For those of you who don't know what Sparkpeople is, I'll give you the general overview:

• When you start sparkpeople, you set up a personal profile with basic personal information (weight, height, age, gender, etc) along with a goal weight and a desired timeframe in which you would like to reach your goal weight (within reason). Based on what you enter, sparkpeople calculates your daily calorie allowance and a weekly amount of calories you must burn. If you follow the guidelines the site sets for you, you will achieve your desired goal.
• You track every calorie you eat and all of the exercise you online through the sparkpeople site.
• Sparkpeople also has message boards, articles, recipes, calculators, etc. posted online for you to use, much like the weightwatchers website.
• Sparkpeople is a completely free program to use online.

I had quite a bit of success using sparkpeople and I did like it quite a bit, although I found I didn't use many of the extras on the site like the message boards, etc. I basically ate the food I was used to eating while following the WW plan. I found out that you end up eating about the same amount of food you would eat per week using sparkpeople as you would counting points.

The big difference for me was this: sparkpeople limited your caloric intake to the same amount every single day, with no room for flexibility by banking calories I earned doing exercise or eating extra calories on a given day. Generally I have to say that I like WW much more for this reason, as well as many other reasons.

One more thing I'd like to mention is that it sure is nice to be able to eat as many vegetables as I'd like without having to worry about using some of my daily calories to eat them!

Just wanted to let anyone who was interested know what sparkpeople was all about. I have rededicated myself to using the WW program as of this morning, happy to be counting points again and not worrying about counting calories. So much easier!

What a Good Day!

So happy about the daily GDT Runners thread on the WW boards now. I've already learned all kinds of interesting things in two days! It just makes me excited to go running. Just finished a pretty good treadmill run. I'm finally starting to feel at home with my 5K distance. I'm ready to increase my distance now, so I'm going to start the 10K conditioning program the Running Room uses after my race.

Eating well was so easy today (as we all know there are good days and there are bad days). I bought a couple of things I haven't had in a long time last night because I've gotten bored of my regular lunch choices. Bought some 1% light cottage cheese and some rice cakes (tomato & basil and caramel corn). I had a couple of the tomato ones today for lunch with 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and I wasn't hungry this afternoon at all - yay for lean protein! Tonight at dinner I had a ton of mixed veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, onions, mushrooms, green beans), got in an oil serving, and had some lean pork for a change. It made for a great dinner, and I was stuffed.

Now I'm off to the shower and to make some more banana bran muffins for my breakfasts. I'm going to start posting some of my own recipes soon too and I'll alert the WW message board when I do...


Today's Eating Plan: (24 pts)

Breakfast -> 2 Banana Bran Choc Chip Muffins, Coffee (2pts)
Lunch -> 2 Tomato & Basil Rice Cakes, 1/2 C 1% Cottage Cheese, 2 C Romaine, 1T Light Caesar Dressing, Popsicle (6pts)
Dinner -> Mixed Veggies & Pork, Oil, Peanut Sauce, 3/4 C WW Spaghetti (11pts)
Snack -> Caramel Corn Rice Cake, Hungry Girl Jalapeno Poppers (5pts)


Today's Exercise Plan:

Running -> 4K in 25:00 (-2pts)