Practically a Runner
This morning I ran 20 minutes straight when six weeks ago I could barely finish one minute.
Today should have been the first day of week 6, but I was sick last week and got one day behind. So this morning was the third day of week five: the first unbroken run. And I did it! Woo! I plan on doing an extra day this week to stay on track and finish it up before my sister’s wedding. I am still thinking about what I will do after I finish the nine-week plan.
To date I have only lost 3-4 pounds, but now I have no doubt that is because I am gaining muscle. I have lost one dress size with one to two left to drop. I do have more energy throughout the day and I do think my mood and ability to handle stress has improved also, even though my sleep has not. I am looking forward to seeing how it will all come together once I am able to sleep through the night and wean the baby (my body is stubborn with the weight while I am nursing).
With two weeks left before I go dress shopping, I am thinking I should make more of an effort to eat well and cut back even more on the sugar. But I am inclined to justify a treat because, hey, I ran this morning! In June and July I had been quite good about having a vegetable-heavy lunch and large portion of vegetable and a small portion of starch at dinner and that diet change did initiate the beginning of baby-weight loss. I started running and started school more in earnest and preparing enough veggies to get me through the week fell through the cracks. I am in the process of tweaking the food plan, and I’m pretty excited about how it’s coming together. In the mean-time, though, I think even if I just get back to eating a mostly-vegetable lunch and including a salad with dinner I’ll see even more improvement. I am already a firm believer in the solid, protein-heavy breakfast. That is a non-negotiable for me; it makes a huge difference to my day.
Back to running. When I was sick last week I skipped a day. The next day my legs ached. But it was not the soreness that I am growing accustomed to. No, they were aching to move, to be used, to run. I couldn’t hardly believe it, but I was wanting to do my run. Weird. Not only that, but all day long, I just feel more alive in my body. I am quicker to move, more prone to dash up the stairs, give Matt a little saucy hip and shoulder wiggle when he teases me.
Even despite the lack of sleep I am currently still laboring under, I am feeling more and more good every day. I am so glad I took this on and it is giving more back to me in benefits than I have devoted to it in time and energy and willpower. It is totally worth it.
I have been wanting to call you and see how the program has been going. I am so glad to hear that you are succeeding!! I (still skeptical that I will ever be able to run for 20 minutes straight) started the program last week, so today I was on week 2, day 1. Still easy stuff. I love the ap I downloaded too, so I don’t even have to worry about what minute to start running and how long to walk. The program tells me what to do. So far my back it holding up okay, but my legs have been SORE from the running (but I also have a day dedicated to weight lifting for my legs). I hope to be able to say that I can run for 20 minutes without stopping. I am walking in faith right now! Good job, Mystie!
Since school started I’ve been driving Kyle to his zero hour class then stopping at the Court Club on the way home to work out for an hour. I worked up to an hour the first week and have been faithful to it, so far. :D On the Saturdays I skipped the gym in favor of brisk walking by the river after taking K&K to xc practice and of course last Sat. was the xc meet in Spokane where I ran and walked quickly around that park for four races and was surprised at how far I could run! Yay! Of course, I’m not at your 20 minutes, but I am at 30 minutes straight on the elliptical then I switch to the bike with weightlifting MwF. :) I think I’ve lost a couple of pounds, and like you am feeling a bit more energy throughout the day. I’ve also found that it’s easier to respond to the full feeling when I’ve had enough to eat.