DivaStyleCoach

Hi Everyone! I'm happy to report that I started and finished the Couch-to-5k running program, and on Saturday, October 17th, I ran my first 5k race! It was called the Penguin 5k, and raises funds for the Penguins at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Since I'd completed the Couch-to-5k program - a 9 week program that takes you from walking and no running to running 3 miles - I figured I was ready for a race. I took longer than 9 weeks to complete the program because I repeated some weeks when I felt I wasn't ready. That was one of the smartest things I've ever done - it let me complete the program injury-free. The race was fun - a bright, clear day, lots of other runners around. The course went from asphalt (roads) through a field (plowed / cleared but still bumpy and a bit muddy from recent rains) and then up a hill (tree roots, rocks, and more soft dirt - oh my!), through a subdivision (killer hill there) and into a cul-de-sac, where we turned around and ran back. When the race started, I kinda figured I'd be at the back of the pack, so to speak, and I was right! :eek: The "rabbits" took off in a bunch - they were really fast compared to me. There were some people who walked the course, and there was me and a couple of others, running slowly and chugging along. I finished the race in 45:10 - slower than I'd thought I would, but I was happy to finish! I was second-to-last, but the cheers from my fellow racers along the way and the thumbs-up I got from the volunteers along the route helped me to feel great about finishing. :wub: I'm going to continue to run, and while I may not do another race before Winter sets in, I'm already thinking about next spring and what races I'd like to do. I have a goal to reduce my time by 10% for the next 5k. My weight is pretty stable at 191 lbs, and I'm okay with that. My size keeps dropping, though - I am now fitting into size 14's (depending on label) and some size L clothes from Target. I'm so excited I can barely stand it - these are wonderful NSV's! I think my body has to have time to adjust to what I've done to it :huh2: I'm able to control the hunger so far - though I know that's as much a function of my band, "Jillian" as it is of my "willpower". I'm eating more protein and trying to balance the carbohydrates. I'm close to getting off my diabetes meds and I'm hoping November will be not only my 1 year Bandiversary, but also the month I leave the meds behind. I'm also adjusting my "head" - occasionally I am still surprised when I walk past a mirror and see the new, thinner me. I still think of myself as "plus-sized", though I really don't fit that designation any more. I've been a Big Girl for so long that when someone refers to me as "skinny", I often don't know who they are talking about! The head journey is going to be the longest part of this - while my body is adjusting, my head also needs to adjust, and so far, my head is lagging behind... Right now I am nursing a sore right hip - think I overdid it a bit on the race but that's not going to stop me from continuing to run and continuing to run this race to fitness and health. If you are not yet banded, I encourage you to do your research and determine if this is right for you. If you are banded and struggling, talk to your doctor, your nutritionist or a counselor, and get yourself back on track - you CAN succeed at this! If you are loving your banded life as I am, and making progress toward your ultimate goal of health and well-being, then GOOD FOR YOU and keep up the good work! Till next time...:wub:

Hi arkansasbandster, Thank you so much for the compliment! I was a little leery of trying to run as well - I started the c25k at over 200 lbs - but by taking it slow, I was able to do it just fine. Don't be afraid to repeat a week if you need to, and make sure to get fitted for GOOD running shoes. Since you've said your joints do hurt, definately take it easy - I'd hate for an injury to sideline you for a while and slow down your progress. @jollygreen thank you! I was (and am) really excited that I finished the race. Think I'll try a 10k next spring, depending on how my training goes this winter...yep, I'm a little bit crazy! LOL

Hi Everyone! I'm happy to report that I started and finished the Couch-to-5k running program, and on Saturday, October 17th, I ran my first 5k race! It was called the Penguin 5k, and raises funds for the Penguins at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Since I'd completed the Couch-to-5k program - a 9 week program that takes you from walking and no running to running 3 miles - I figured I was ready for a race. I took longer than 9 weeks to complete the program because I repeated some weeks when I felt I wasn't ready. That was one of the smartest things I've ever done - it let me complete the program injury-free. The race was fun - a bright, clear day, lots of other runners around. The course went from asphalt (roads) through a field (plowed / cleared but still bumpy and a bit muddy from recent rains) and then up a hill (tree roots, rocks, and more soft dirt - oh my!), through a subdivision (killer hill there) and into a cul-de-sac, where we turned around and ran back. When the race started, I kinda figured I'd be at the back of the pack, so to speak, and I was right! :eek: The "rabbits" took off in a bunch - they were really fast compared to me. There were some people who walked the course, and there was me and a couple of others, running slowly and chugging along. I finished the race in 45:10 - slower than I'd thought I would, but I was happy to finish! I was second-to-last, but the cheers from my fellow racers along the way and the thumbs-up I got from the volunteers along the route helped me to feel great about finishing. :wub: I'm going to continue to run, and while I may not do another race before Winter sets in, I'm already thinking about next spring and what races I'd like to do. I have a goal to reduce my time by 10% for the next 5k. My weight is pretty stable at 191 lbs, and I'm okay with that. My size keeps dropping, though - I am now fitting into size 14's (depending on label) and some size L clothes from Target. I'm so excited I can barely stand it - these are wonderful NSV's! I think my body has to have time to adjust to what I've done to it :huh2: I'm able to control the hunger so far - though I know that's as much a function of my band, "Jillian" as it is of my "willpower". I'm eating more protein and trying to balance the carbohydrates. I'm close to getting off my diabetes meds and I'm hoping November will be not only my 1 year Bandiversary, but also the month I leave the meds behind. I'm also adjusting my "head" - occasionally I am still surprised when I walk past a mirror and see the new, thinner me. I still think of myself as "plus-sized", though I really don't fit that designation any more. I've been a Big Girl for so long that when someone refers to me as "skinny", I often don't know who they are talking about! The head journey is going to be the longest part of this - while my body is adjusting, my head also needs to adjust, and so far, my head is lagging behind... Right now I am nursing a sore right hip - think I overdid it a bit on the race but that's not going to stop me from continuing to run and continuing to run this race to fitness and health. If you are not yet banded, I encourage you to do your research and determine if this is right for you. If you are banded and struggling, talk to your doctor, your nutritionist or a counselor, and get yourself back on track - you CAN succeed at this! If you are loving your banded life as I am, and making progress toward your ultimate goal of health and well-being, then GOOD FOR YOU and keep up the good work! Till next time...:wub:

Hi Tina! :thumbup: I dunno, Tina - it seems that he couldn't face his feelings about you until you were happy with someone else. This is a distraction - a last-ditch attempt to make something happen. He wasn't sure of his own feelings, yet now he is? Unfortunately, you may not be able to save the friendship - if he has these feelings for you and previously said he didn't tell you because he didn't want to cause "trouble" in your new relationship, then why did he say ANYTHING? I think perhaps something has changed with him, and he's now thinking that he let someone wonderful go (YOU!) and he's regretting the original altruistic stance he took. It's also a funny sort of reality that people often don't know what they've got until someone else is interested...as long as you were "available" to him, he could take his time and sort through his feelings. You are no longer "available" so now it's come to a crisis point. Let it be...don't entertain his conversation in that area, because it can only lead to trouble. If he really feels that way about you, it might be kinder to keep your distance for a while so he can sort through what he's feeling without the wonderful distraction of your physical presence. It's too bad he couldn't have come to this realization before you met your current guy! Hopefully he'll work through his feelings and you'll be able to be friends at some point in the future, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that... Would love to know what others are thinking as well...

Welcome, BethL! That's the way I started - I was a pretty regular walker and felt I needed to step up my training to burn more calories. Doing the c25k has definately helped in that area - and also with toning. My legs are getting stronger and leaner as I continue, and I know my tummy is smaller and flatter than before I started running. While I haven't dropped a LOT of weight in the past 2 weeks, I have dropped another clothing size - and I attribute that to the running I've been doing. Congrats on starting the c25k, and on scheduling your first 5k! I just did my first - and I'm very happy I did. Keep up the good work! :thumbup:

Awww...Taps! :scared2: I was studying...I have two classes this term that are promising to cut WAY down on my free time...the first is called "Big Ideas in Science" and our professor seems to think that two hours a day is okay study / review time! :huh2::eek: Hello - some of us have FULL-TIME JOBS! The other class is Organizational Behavior - again, heavy reading and lots of interactive stuff I have to do for class. **heavy sigh** On top of that, I've got laundry to fold, I need to wash and set my hair, and I've still got clothes to wash... Looks like I'll be up for a while yet, but probably not on the computer...sorry I missed ya, girlfriend! :cursing:

Hi Bill! I definately FEEL you on the cold running thing...I know I need to keep going...since I run at 5 am, it's been getting colder and colder, and I want to go out there less. This is a weird week - my DH is working midnights, so he's not able to go with me until later this week. I plan to run tomorrow, as long as it stays dry. Going to invest in some winter gear, though - I do miss it when I don't get out there...hopefully that will carry me through the winter! :thumbup:

PJTP...Good morning PJTP'ers! :sneaky: Tap - take good care of yourself. Maybe a day off is in order...I had a brief bout with a flu-like illness a couple of weeks ago. Stayed home one day, took my meds, and have been fine since. Watched 60 Minutes last night with DH and got such a scare - they talked about the H1N1 virus and how tough it can be on some people. They profiled a young man - high school athlete, in great shape, who came down with it and had to be put on a respirator at one point. Don't let your resistance and your strength get too low, Taps - take a day now and regain your strength! Heartfire - that goes for you too! Maybe its just a temporary case of the 'blues' but in any case, pamper yourself a bit and I hope you feel better very soon! :thumbup: Bristlecone - Hi! I love your dog's name (Truffles) and a hike in the mountains sounds beautiful this time of year. Welcome to PJTP - come back often! NSV - currently wearing a size 14W dress I bought from Spiegel - it's part of their "Shape FX" line and helps smooth me out...it's the smallest size I've worn in quite a while. :scared2: A friend referred to me as "melting" - funny visual for me, but partially the truth! I am enjoying getting smaller - and even dealing with the different 'figure problems' is not so bad. Me and spanx are getting to be good friends...:eek: I had thought this year would be the time for me to look into plastic surgery, but the money just isn't there...especially with DD going out-of-state to school next fall, I've got to save everything I can. I'm going to keep up my workouts, eat right, take my vitamins and see what happens. My DH was a little worried about me - thinking that having the surgery so soon after my weight loss might have proven to be too much for me. I'm not so sure - I guess I'm feeling like I want it all NOW, but waiting is what I have to do, so I'm going to do it with a smile! :w00t: Everyone have a wonderful day - it's chilly here, but the sun is shining brightly and I feel great! :thumbup:

PJTP...Hi Everybody! :thumbup: Yay for you on the size 8's!:thumbup: Don't feel bad - you hauled enough wood to burn those calories off! Stand your ground, Slim - don't let her manipulate you and politely tell DH he is off his rocker if he thinks you are going to rearrange your life for HER. Sending G4E a virtual hug... (((((HUGS))))) Gumdrop cake? That sounds really good right now...had a busy weekend - after I ran my first-ever 5k, I was whooped! I don't think I posted my "race report" here on PJTP...forgive me if this is duplicative! Came in second-to-last, but I finished it! Took me just over 45 min. Why? Because it was a combination course (I think). We started on asphalt, then into a field, then through the woods and up a hill (dodging tree roots and soft soil from the previous day's rains), then back onto asphalt, up a hill that rivals the "killer hill" that I walk during my work week, then into a cul-de-sac where we turned around. Then reverse all that stuff... :ohmy::eek: I was tired by the end, but very happy. I only walked about 50 steps at the top of the "killer hill" - I ran most of it, but just couldn't make those final few steps. I'm proud of myself for finishing! :thumbup: Going back to my homework - have some reading to finish...TTYL!

...party food no longer terrifies you, because you know you're only going to eat a couple of bites of something instead of the entire tray / dish / bowl / container. ...the 'Clearance' rack with the smaller sizes becomes your go-to place for impulse shopping. ...you don't mind paying the drycleaner / seamstress / tailor to TAKE IN your clothes so that you can get a few more weeks / months out of them before replacing them. ...your local consignment shop loves to see you coming because you always drop off wonderful clothes in larger sizes, which they desperately need but can't always find. ...you are able to run without worrying about having a heart attack or spraining something because you're so much lighter! ...the elders at your church tell you that you're getting too skinny rather than praising your 'great personality' and 'willingness to serve' for a change. It's nice to be known as 'the skinny one' once in a while! Keep 'em coming! I love this thread! :confused:

Hi Bill! WTG on the half marathon! That's fantastic...you continue to inspire...:confused: I did okay on my first 5k - came in second-to-last, but I finished it! Took me just over 45 min. Why? Because it was a combination course (At least I think that was why...LOL). We started on asphalt, then into a field, then through the woods and up a hill (dodging tree roots and soft soil from the previous day's rains), then back onto asphalt, up a hill that rivals the "killer hill" that I walk during my work week, then into a cul-de-sac where we turned around. Then reverse all that stuff...I was tired by the end, but very happy. :thumbup: I only walked about 50 steps at the top of the "killer hill" - I ran most of it, but just couldn't make those final few steps. I'm proud of myself for finishing!

PJTP... Glad you're back posting on PJTP...we missed ya!

PJTP - back again! :scared2: HI SLIM! :eek::w00t::wink2: *waving wildly, grinning like a nut* What Tap said! :w00t: I actually am really looking forward to it...haven't seen most of these folks for quite a while and I do miss them. We've had our ups and downs (the organization and I) but for the most part, I do like them. Hoping for a wonderful event - side benefit - the keynote speaker is from my hometown of Detroit! I get to hear something more about "home"...though I understand it's really tough there now with the state of the auto industry...:w00t:

Hi Tina, Good for you for doing the walk! And even better that you're thinking about preparing early for the 2010 walk - you go girl! Read about your drama with the ex and the divorce settlement / paperwork. What a jerk! :eek: But then, I guess we shouldn't be surprised...:w00t::scared2: Check with the local Women's centers - they may have either advocates or be able to refer you to someone who can handle the divorce for you at no or low cost. Because of his infidelity, I don't think many courts would award him ANYTHING...in fact, because YOU are the injured spouse, YOU should recover - but that's just my heart talking, I have no legal training for that. You might also google do-it-yourself divorce - there may be some checklists or resources you can find to help you prepare for a meeting with an attorney. I would also check with any single parent's groups in the area - many of them know of divorce lawyers. You want a real bulldog - someone who will fight for YOU and for your children. :wink2: Let us know how you're doing! :w00t:

PJTP...Happy Friday, everyone! I saw snow last night too, Tap - and I agree, I am SO not ready! :w00t::eek::eek: "Jillian" and I are still feuding - dinner last night was an exercise in patience, praying and PB'ing...on liquids today... It's cold, windy and RAW outside...my office buildings' heat isn't working to capacity, and I'm freezing. :wink2: It's gotta get better, right? At least tonight will be fun - my local NAACP branch is having their Freedom Fund dinner tonight at Foxwoods Casino - should be fun to see everyone. I don't get to attend meetings much anymore because of my work schedule, and most of them don't know I was banded and have lost all this weight. Will be interesting... One or two people know - most notably, the family of my daughter's best friend. The mom and one of the daughters have had bypasses, and they've seen me out and about, but unless my "adopted" daughter told them about my band, they don't know what I did to lose the weight. And I've thought about it - if they ask, I'll tell 'em. It might help someone who feels as I once did that they can't find any other way to lose the weight. Maybe I can give someone hope... One side benefit of Jillian and I not playing well together is that I've lost 3 pounds this week...not exactly the way I wanted to lose it, but I'll take it! Closing in on leaving the 190's behind...yay! :scared2:

PJTP... I agree...missing everyone not here at the moment...:w00t:

DD - you looked marvelous! Congrats!:thumbup:

PJTP... Quiet but busy day at work...lots of stuff going on. So far, no permanent fallout from the mistake I made, but I have no illusions about whether or not there WILL be fallout, just WHEN it will occur. We're at a busy time right now, so it's just wait and see. My band is tight today - probably due to stress. Though I can't say I FEEL really stressed, "Jillian" is telling me different. Even my Protein drink won't stay down right now. ***This just in*** This isn't going to help my stress level one bit...got a form letter from the local place where I interviewed and where my DH works. They are "continuing the process" with another applicant. I wasn't chosen for either position. :crying::eek::crying: I'm so disheartened right now...:thumbup:

Hi Bill and fellow Runners / Woggers / Walkers / Joggers (think I got everyone!) :eek: Still on track for my 5k this weekend...ran this morning and am feeling strong. Very few aches and pains now...just the occasional twinge in my left knee. It's been chilly out - 36 -38 degrees when I go out in the morning. Normally that would be enough to keep me from going, but I'm a RUNNER now, and I've got the race on Saturday, so my training is important to me. I never thought when I started this about 11 weeks ago that I'd be looking at doing a race! Thanks for all the encouragement - I know I've said it before, but I don't think you can thank people too much. :thumbup: Bill - the C25K folks do have a program to ramp up to an 8k (strange number) but not to a 10k. I may use their program to get me started and then just continue from there. Do you know of any conversion-type programs that will translate time on an elliptical trainer into similar time running? I know the impact will be different, because the elliptical takes the bodyweight off my feet more than street work does, but I'm hoping to continue building aerobic capacity and strength once it gets nasty underfoot. With my current work schedule, getting to a gym is next to impossible, hence my acquisition of an elliptical trainer. Suggestions?

PJTP... Absolutely rotten sort of a day...started off with a email from my supervisor - something I did honestly mess up, so of course now I'm feeling stressed about that... Follow up from the big boss regarding a change made to our merchant account, which I asked him about, he said go ahead, then said he didn't give me the approval. It's all about semantics - he said "take care of it" but did not explicitly say "change the information". Go figure...I thought "Take care of it" was approval - evidently I am mistaken. Band is tight - took me all morning to get down and Isopure protein drink, at lunch late (leftover risotto and tomato parmesan soup) and that nearly got stuck! I am SO ready for this day to be over...I can't even explain it...be glad to go home, curl up in front of the fireplace and forget all about this day... At least until the inevitable "performance" meeting gets scheduled at which time they will either give me another unpaid vacation or fire me. Still no word on the other job I had the informational meeting about last week, but yesterday was a holiday for them, so they were closed. Bright spot - tried on a wrap dress that I wore last year, and it wrapped WAY around me...still works, but it's kinda funny that it wraps so far I have no worries about a gust of wind blowing my dress open too far :biggrin: BBL...I hope! :thumbup:

Hi Notorious Novembers! Please update me - I'm now at 194 lbs!:sad:

Hi CC! *waving* Ya know, I just clean forgot your daughter was here, too...would you send me her id again, so I can point my daughter in her direction? They may have already connected, but I would love for her to have another banded friend online - especially one where I know what good people she comes from! :sad:

PJTP...Good morning (nearly afternoon) all! :sad: Busy morning at work...lots going on, which is why it's taken me until after 11 am to get in my first post of the day!:scared2: Yikes! :thumbup:

Hi Notorious Novembers! What wonderful news! A band baby among the Notorious Novembers! :thumbup: You might not see this message for a while, Anne, but I wish you all the best with your pregnancy and best wishes for a happy, healthy, bouncing band baby! There are many members who have had babies while banded - you might consider checking in with them to see what tips, tricks or inside info they might be able to offer. Is there a forum for pregnant bandsters? I'm so excited for you - ya would think it was ME having the baby! :tt1: Good luck and many blessings with everything!:tt2:

PJTP...Hi Everyone! *waving cheerfully* Having a terrific day! :thumbup: Went out with DH last night to a neighborhood bar / watering hole. Last time we went, there was a great DJ - lots of dancing and fun. This time, there was a local band - a little too "headbanger" for me, but okay...not much "dancing" music. ****** NSV Alert ****** Best part? Wore a purple knit mini-dress that I bought weeks ago at a size LARGE and had never worn. I've lost enough and reshaped my body enough that with the right shaper (I have a tummy fold with the loss of volume LOL) it looked really cute. Pair that with a pair of high heels (which I love) and I was ready to go! Funny enough, I was one of the few women in a dress! Everyone else had on jeans and nice tops...oh well - DH appreciated the dress VERY much...made for a nice night. Got in at 1 am, so no run this morning, but I did take DDog for an early walk, did some errands, and took him for another long walk just now with DD. My DD is in the preliminary process of getting a band - she's now on LBT as arianad09 - Y'all be nice to her! :tt1: She's already posting in the Teen forum, and has made some online buddies. We're going to an info session this upcoming week, and I'll be trying to get her in to see my doctor as soon as it can be arranged. We're trying to work around her school schedule, and getting TO the appointments is a hassle because of the distance from my home to my doc's office, but we'll make it work. I think she's ready to do this...and even if she's not, I'll be there to help her with information-gathering, etc and with making the right decision. Of course, it's not entirely up to me, and I know it's not, but I can help her whereever possible. Hope everyone is having a great weekend - no news yet on the job front, but I'm hopeful that I'll hear something next week. My DH told me that another employee's son has applied for the lower-level position, so there are two of us with the "inside track" looking for the jobs. There are two openings - a higher-level one, which I think I'm more qualified for, and a lower-level one, which I would certainly take if asked, but might be better suited for the young man mentioned earlier. Keep praying / wishing / sending good thoughts my way - I can use all the positive help I can get! :tt2: