Kathybad

Renewed... I'm in on the ticker update and Monday weigh in. I've been at 196 for a few weeks now, and its just not moving. Frustrating!!! It hasn't gone up, but its not going down either, and I've been running a lot. So I'm in on keeping myself honest, and only weighing 1x per week. On a good note, I have a body comp scale which helps me keep track of my body fat. Just after I started running, my body fat was 47.4% in Aug. On Jan 1 my body fat was 37.5%. That's a 10% loss!!!! I lost a total of 26.5 lbs during that time, but lost 32.0 lbs of fat and gained 5.5 lbs in muscle mass (my Water weight stayed the same). So proof positive that running is helping me, and the weight on the scale doesn't tell the whole story!

Wow... I sense a renewed motivation level!!!! This is great... I love reading all of the posts. I ran 5k on Sat and again on Sun, so now I'm feeling stiff in my thighs. I plan on run/walking later just to losen up a bit, but don't want to overdo it. This should be lots of fun! BTW which one of us is Eclipse??? Whosya... how do you copy the image from Nike+ and paste it here? You know, the one you posted yesterday of you kicking Renewed's butt... LOL!

Sugar... thanks. I don't really have much to do with the website in my new job other than to suggest what I'd like. The last was a big project which was great. I didn't do the techie stuff, just the strategy, ideas and content. As for that 100lb mark, it keeps eluding me! I run, run, run... but it stays stuck at 96lbs. I've been there since early Dec. Oh well, it will happen soon. Looks like you hit both of your goals... 100 off and in Onederland!!! Congrats! It feels great doesn't it!

Ok, this is something from my past life... but back at the beginning of the year I worked for McCormick Canada, which is the Canadian div. of McCormick & Co, the spice co. I left there for another job, which you all know didn't work out... long story and bad experience. Anyways, one of the last major projects that I did while at McCormick was to develop their new website. This was my baby, which was 99% complete when I left, but not launched. Well... they finally launched it!!! This is something I worked for almost 2 years on, and is pretty cool. It's a Canadian site, but thought you might like to see... ClubHouse.ca | Spices, Herbs, Seasonings, Sauces, Marinades & Recipes!

Renewed... hope your run went well! I just finished an outside run! Yeah!!! I ran 3.3 miles and it felt great! I even beat my DH again. The sidewalks were really icy so I ran on the road for the most part, until I got to a busy city street, but that was just a short distance. It was so windy at the start, but then I got used to it and it felt so good. I think I'm going to get the hang on winter running! According to my Nike+ I've run 22.6 km since Dec 26th. I'm pretty happy with that!

I recalibrated my Nike+ tonight and it seems to be more accurate. I had a really great run tonight. I had planned to do only 1 mile, but my DH ran first and he did 2.8 miles in 30 min. So I started and thought, no I'm just going to do my mile. But after the mile I was feeling really good, so I kept going. Then after 2 I still felt good, so I kept going. I ended up doing 2.85 miles (had to beat my DH LOL). It took me longer, but still felt really good! This Nike+ is really helping to motivate me. I also think I'm over my issues with the treadmill. Good thing cause the weather ain't getting any better!

Sugar... keep at it and you will eventually accomplish the distance. I know it took me a really long time to get from 10 to 20 min. I kept getting discouraged and some days just gave up. All I can say is your body does eventually get there. I know for me its not my muscles, its my breathing. I find the first 5-10 min is the absolute hardest. Once I'm through 10 min, I'm generally good to go unless I mess with my speed. If I can talk myself through the breathing in the beginning, then I can usually go the distance I want to. Georgia... Aren't you glad you got back at it! LOL, just to feel the pain! I'm sure your recovery will be quick. Lyn... OMG, what aim! LOL, I think I would have just died if it was me. But if I was there, I probably would have peed myself for laughing so hard!!! Ok I'm all set for our challenge! I'm a competitive person, even when I don't have a hope in hell of winning! LOL. We're all saying we'll each be in last place... so here's a thought... let's compete for last! But the rules are we still have to actually run. We can't be last due to lack of running, we can only be last if we actually try to run our best! What a concept!

Sugar.... 6mph!!!! OMG that's great! Georgia... Jan 2nd and you're on your way to a fit new year! How did you calibrate your Nike+? I think I might have done it wrong because its showing different distances than my treadmill.

WTG everyone on starting the New Year off with fitness! Lyn... I've got the reminder set in my Blackberry to send happy thoughts and prayers at 10:30am on Tuesday!!! This is going to be your job!!! Krtork... that sent an absolutely hillarious image to my mind of you battling the wind! Keep it up, you're amazing! Sugar... great job. You kept at it even though your first interval didn't work out as planned! Good job. I was only able to run 1.2 miles yesterday. I decided to run at a faster pace rather than longer... so did it at 5.0mph.

Happy New Year Everyone!! DH, DS and I rang in the new year together. DD is too young and was in bed! We had lots of nibblies... meatballs, shrimp and a really yummy baked brie. I ate a lot, and enjoyed every bite with no guilt. After all, I ran off all the calories! Today I'm set to run another 3-5 k or so. I'm in a challenge to run a mile today, but I'm going to go longer than that.

krtork... I've been working on the treadmill to increase my speed. Similar to the C25k program, I've been running at a faster pace for a period of time then slowing it down to a lighter jog to recover and then increasing the speed a bit. I concentrate on the first interval and increasing the time I can run at the faster speed. For example, today I ran the first 2 miles at my fast pace, then had to slow it down for .75 miles and then finished the run at my top speed. My goal is to keep shrinking that slow pace time.

Sugar... WTG!!! 10 min is such a huge leap forward! My advice would be to push yourself on the first interval, so keep increasing the time there, then when you just can't run any longer, finish with whatever you can on the intervals, but concentrate on the first interval. MominFL... funny how getting sidetracked probably pushed you to reach a new level. WTG! Leslie... glad you're back on track. Good luck on your run! Georgia... hope your trip was good. Looking forward to your Nike+ runs. Whosya... On Nike+ how do you copy the run analysis and paste it here? I've seen you do this in past posts, but can't figure it out. Ok... I had a GREAT RUN!!! I ran 5k in 37:01 min. That is 7 min faster than the race I ran in Sept!!!!! This was the first time I ran the full 5k on a treadmill. I usually give up around 3.5k or so... but really wanted to do this! I can't believe I did it in 37 min. OMG I love my Nike+. I joined a "Beginners" challenge to run 33 k between Dec 26-Jan 31 and so far I've done 12k and I'm in 12th place out of 27 people! Imagine that!

MominFL... glad to hear from you... your running is great! A Nike+ is short for "Nike+ iPod". Its a sensor and connector piece that is designed to work with the Nano to collect stats about your run. It is supposed to be worn inside the Nike+ running shoe, but for those of us who use other shoes, there is a holder that attaches to your shoelaces so it can work with any shoe. But you still need a Nano for it to work. It provides distance, pace, time, calories of your run, can provide feedback during your run, and also gives you your "powersong" when you want it. Then it sends all of your data to an online website where you can track your results, join a community, create and join challenges, set goals... etc. The best part is its very inexpensive!:party:

NSV moment... I had a massage this morning (my work benefits pay for it!!!!) and when she was massaging my calf muscles and the back of my thighs (whatever they are called), it actually was sore. That's never really happened before. She said it was due to my running, that I'm working those muscles hard right now. You'd think it would have hurt before, but I think since those are my strongest muscles (for me I'm all leg!), all I've really been working so far is my cardio, not necessarily my legs... but now I'm getting to the good stuff! I'm resting today and plan to run the rest of the week. I want this to be a 6 runs out of 7 days week!

Welcome back Leslie! Lets kick 2008 out of our lives (and memories!) and welcome in a much better 2009!

Oh what a rush! I ran outside for the first time since October (I think). I missed it so much! It was really windy, but so refreshing. I really noticed my pace is so much faster than it was before and my stride is longer. I didn't run very long, as the wind was so intense, but went 2 km.

Melody.... Congrats on your 2nd run! Your reason for doing this is perfect, and I hope your friend understands and supports your efforts! MacMadam... I have to admit... it's pretty cool. Georgia... have fun on your trip. Ok, my plan today is to run outside! Its so windy out, but the warm weather has melted most of the snow and ice. I'm just going to go and give it a try. If the roads are too icky (LOL), then I'll just walk, but think I'll give it a try.

Sugar... can I suggest something? Next time, just try running until you can't run anymore, rather than intervals. It may not work, but it worked for me. I find once I start running I get in a groove. The first 5 min is the hardest and if I can get past that, I'm good until I slow down. When I slow down to a walk, I have a really really hard time with the next run. If you run until you have to stop, and you like that time, then just keep adding a minute or two each week until you're at the 5k level. I did 2 miles today, at a slightly faster pace than I've done before. I was really struggling at the end, but did it and felt great! This Nike+ is a real motivator!

Kristen... I'm hoping it warms up a bit here to melt some ice too. It's been in the low teens here the last few days, which came just after a heavy snowfall and so all the sidewalks have frozen rutts in them, which make walking on them impossible, forget running. We took the dog for a walk on Christmas Day, and I was scared one of us with break an ankle or something. Right now its warmed up to 45 and might get as high as 50... so I'm really hopeful I can go outside! I used the Nike+ last night, and it was great. It was fun looking at the analysis afterwards. Renewed or Whosya... how weather proof is the sensor? I have it in the plastic holder which sits on the top of my shoelaces, which looks like it seals it in. I just don't know if its safe to run in the rain or really wet weather? Renewed & Georgia... here's a thought, we could create a team challenge of Girls vs. Boys... so the 3 of us vs. Whosya. We then might have a chance to beat him! LOL, only kidding Whosya...

Merry Christmas Everyone! It has been a truely wonderful day! We did do the 3 gifts thing, and it really helped keep the day manageable. Usually my DS gets way too overstimulated, so this was just the right balance. We've been playing most of the day with the gifts... way fun! I got the Nike+ iPod from my DH!!!! So I'm going to get it all calibrated tonight to see how it works. Georgia... did you get one? I'd love to create some challenges, but I'm no where near Renewed and Whosya's level. But I'll join in your challenges just to keep motivated. Welcome all you newcomers. Running has been the best thing I've done since being banded. BTW... tomorrow is my 18 month bandaversary... and I'm so close to that 100 lbs mark -- won't happen tomorrow, but still very proud of what I've accomplished. What a difference 18 months have made in my life. Love you all! Merry Christmas.

krtork... thanks! I've seen a few different ones, but wasn't sure if they actually worked. I think this winter is going to be horrible, and I don't want to always run inside... so I think I'll look into these! Anna... I wish there was one with current music instead of what's offered. If you're running on a treadmill and can keep track of time, then I'd suggest you just create your own mix of songs. If you're running outside, then it becomes more difficult to know when to walk and when to run. That's why I used the podcasts until about week 8 (3rd try of week 5). Once I was just running without the walk intervals, I started using my own music. Much more motivating. Ok... the stockings are hung by the chimney, the shortbread and gingerbread cookies are done... just doing the date pecan balls now (Santa's favourite), all the gifts are wrapped, the house is as clean as its going to get, DH is out shopping for a few more stocking stuffers (LOL), the kids are napping, and I'm sittin back enjoying a glass of wine and listening to Christmas music. Ok... I'm ready! We got dumped on overnight, had about 1-1/2 ft of very wet, heavy, sticky snow in the driveway this morning. So we bundled up the kids and all headed outside to shovel. After about an hour, with only a small dent in the job... 2 young boys came along and we paid them (happily) to help finish the job! OMG... this was the biggest yet. It was fun though. All the neighbours were out chatting, having fun, and helping our ready to pop very pregnant neighbour across the street - her DH is laid up with a bad back! Nice way to spend the day. Merry Christmas everyone! Have a save and happy holiday!

Whosya... Great Time! OMG that is fast! Krtok... tisk tisk... not listening to your Dr! LOL, glad you feel good, and enjoyed the outdoor run. It feels like a freekin freezer here!!! No way am I running outside right now. What was the things you put on your shoes? Anne... welcome! Your speed if good, don't worry about it. I've been running since the summer, started out at about 4.3 mph, and now I'm up to about 4.7 - 5.0 max. My only advice... follow the c25k schedule (there are podcasts available) for the first 5 weeks or so. Pick your pace and advance to the next week when you feel ready. I repeated weeks. Most important... commit to it and have FUN!

What a beautiful day! It was snowing and blowing and freezing cold today, so we went to the park with the dog! LOL. The park was empty... usually has hundreds of people on any given day (very large park). No one braving the weather. So we let the dog off her leash and we went running through the snow. It was about 1-1/2 ft deep, fluffy and clean! Had a big melt on Thur, just in time for our blizzard on Fri and Sat. It was hillarious. We were all bundled up, and the dog loves the snow. Spent about an hour or more outside playing around. I actually went running with the dog in the deep snow - we did about 1-2 km total. It was hard, but fun. At church today they showed this video, which is very thought provoking... all about setting your priorities in life. If interested, here's the link to the same video on You Tube. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU]YouTube - Advent Conspiracy Promo Video[/ame] I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Lyn... it touches my heart when a young person does something so selfless and giving. If only more adults could do the same, maybe we would solve some of the world's problems that way! Thanks for sharing.

Confused... I don't know what your current physical condition is, but if your back is cramping up while walking, I'd suggest you find out why before starting running. Weight could be the main cause, but is there other issues. Then, make sure your stretch. There are lots of stretching exercises you can do the losen the muscles in your back. Once you're comfortable with that, go for the C25k program! Its amazing. Bethm... good for you! I hated the thought of running, now I love it. Welcome both of you! Renewed... I love the 3 gifts idea! The kids are so into the Christmas Story this year that it would make so much sense! On Tuesday my DD brought home from school the "Joy Bag", which was a way to celebrate Advent. Inside was an Advent wreath, a nativity set, prayers, stories and some homemade cookies. The kids loved it. I think we'll do the 3 gifts too! Today school was cancelled due to snow! I can't remember the last year we actually had a snow day! And its only Dec! Oh well, we had a nice day together baking gingerbread cookies! Yes, I had one!