I didn't run this week!

Really I didn’t. I didn’t run at all this week. Why? Because my knees are killing me. I suspect it’s because I’ve been lugging this 9 month old baby around on my back and I don’t use the best form when he’s in the backpack. I usually use my wrap, but didn’t have it with me. So I decided not to run.

But that doesn’t mean I didn’t exercise. Remember…I was carrying around a 20lb 9 month old on my back for extended periods of time. According to my little calorie counter app, I burn 70 calories for every 20 minutes I carry around a 15lb load. So…I figured I burned 630 calories 2 days in a row last week. (We walked around a street fair for 3 hours 2 days in a row). Yes!

I also spent a fair amount of time cleaning, and I mean really scrubbing, someone’s house (unfortunately it wasn’t mine). All with Mr. T man on my back, so I figure I burned a fair amount of calories there. I have lost 3 pounds since I last posted. Victory! But I need to keep working on my cardiovascular health and not just dropping weight. And I don’t want to huff and puff my way through a 5K in a few months. So back to running I go. It’s getting hotter outside so I’m gonna either have to start getting up earlier or running later. I enjoy running outside so much more, but I’m kind of a wuss when it comes to heat.

Oh yeah! And I’ve done push ups and sit ups each day. Woot woot! I also have a new motivation to get my behind moving…my class decided to have another reunion this year and if I’m back for it I don’t want to be so fluffly looking!

Keep going…We can do it!

PS. I’m working on my leave and cleave post for tomorrow. I took a day off yesterday!

Cool Running

It’s been a week since I laid it out there and committed to running a 5K on my birthday this year. I promised a check in so here it is…
It didn’t start off well this week. Right after I posted about starting the couch to 5K, things got busy and I didn’t make running a priority. I had a week full of meetings and sitting on my bum…which should have been even more motivation to run. But I never made it a priority and I made excuses…I was too tired, I didn’t have the right shoes, I didn’t have the right shorts, I’d just eaten, I was hungry. You name it I made the excuse not to get off my behind and do it.
I didn’t start running until Saturday night this week. But I’ve done my couch to 5K workout every night since then. I have new running shoes and have found a time during the day that works the best for me to workout. I feel much better than I thought I would. I full expected to die, but I survived. I’m nowhere close to the point where I can say I enjoy it yet, but I’m hopeful that I will.
I’ve burned over 500 calories and ran 7 miles. It certainly makes me view food differently. I know just how hard I have to work to burn off that candy bar, soda, handful of crackers or late evening snack. I have to tell you that most of the time I decide it’s just not worth it to eat.
In searching for some tips and tools to help me get started and keep me going,  I came across this video. It’s great motivation…
There’s something to that NIKE slogan…Just do it…no excuses.

Feet to the fire

Just after the first of the year I posted about wanting to lose weight this year. Well…I’ve lost about 8 pounds or so. Not near enough if I want to be at my goal weight by the end of year.
One of the things I struggle with the most in regards to health and weight loss is my exercise. I can portion control pretty well, working on the emotional/stress eating, but I am the most undisciplined person when it comes to exercise.
I’ve decided to set a goal…a serious one…and take Kerry with me.

I am going to run a 5K by my birthday (August 13). That’s about 13 1/2 weeks from today. I don’t have a time goal, my goal at this point is to 1. run and 2. finish. There’s a race in Colorado Springs that day. This is the one I plan on running.

So here’s where you come in…each week on Tuesday I’m going to post my exercise log, weight lost and my overall “how I did”. I also plan on posting some health recipes and other gems I find along the way.
Ask me how I did, make sure I’m doing it, make sure I’m posting and if I don’t…ask. Hold my feet to the fire.
Of course, you’re welcome to join this challenge with me too. I plan on working the C25K plan to get me there.
In the mean time…I think I should start looking for some new running tunes for my ipod…Happy Running.