Fat Girl Running #2 - So Far So Good!

I have officially completed my first week of my walk/jog program. Yay me! Honestly, jogging has not been as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, I'm actually enjoying it! I think this is a positive habit in the making and I'm really excited about the progress to come.

On my first day of jogging (Tuesday) I could only run 30 seconds without feeling like I was going to pass out. By Thursday, I was able to run all the 1-minute segments in the workout. This morning, I was able to jog all segments and the actual action of running is beginning to feel somewhat normal and less awkward.

In order to prevent injury and minimize soreness, I stretch for 5 minutes before and after each workout. And this has really helped. I thought I would wake up the next day crazy sore but I felt fine. Don't get me wrong, there was soreness in muscles that have not been worked but it was not interfere with anything I wanted to do.

Couch to 5K has also made me want an iPod Touch. There is an application available that allows you to listen to your own music but gives cues as to when it's time to walk and when to run. I'm currently using the stopwatch on my Nano to keep track of my segment times but it would be so convenient to have an automated voice direct me through my workout. I already have two iPods, so to purchase another one just seems impulsive and unnecessary. I was in Best Buy for an hour today and left the store with my money...still not feeling completely sure I wanted to buy one. So I'm still thinking about it...if anyone would like to bless me with one, I receive! Kidding but not kidding...lol.

Well I hope you all are having a great weekend. I didn't report on any Friday Faves yesterday but will definitely make up with FOUR picks this week!

ABC, Easy As 1, 2, 3

Monday has been a great day!

The three things I am focusing on this week are:

1. Being consistent in my food diary. I am keeping record that includes what I eat, when I eat, how hungry I was when I ate, what I was feeling when I ate. I am also tracking how much water I drink a day.

2. Being consistent in my workouts. This week I am focusing on Couch to 5K, Jillian Michaels's 30-Day Shred, and Body Jam at Gold's Gym.

3. Stick to my caloric intake. At this point in time, it is set to 1600 to 1700 calories. This may adjust as the weeks progress depending on how active I stay and how the pounds come off. If I don't see the scale changing, I may have to adust that number. Starving yourself is NOT how you healthfully lose weight!

So today, I grabbed a couple post-its at work and recorded everything I stuck in my mouth. The thing that works for me is planning meals IN ADVANCE so that I don't find myself grabbing McDonald's because I needed something quick and fast (which I would never do anyway).

In a post to come THIS WEEK, I will combo a blog entry and video on how to pack your food for the day. This is fool proof and you will have all the food you need to sustain yourself all day without going hungry and in turn, have food in your possession if you ever have a craving. This battle is offensive as much as it is defensive.

Today was the first day of Couch to 5K for me. I headed to the park straight after work. It was crazy HOT ... after all this is Texas. And here I am walking and jogging in 100 degree weather. Nevertheless, it helped to release the stresses of the day, get a good sweat and burn some calories. I am using Robert Ulrrey's Podcasts for Running from iTunes. For more information on the program see: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml The podcast feature cues when to warm up, walk briskly, start running intervals and cool down. It is quite helpful.

These are my goals for this week! It is late here and I am pooped. I will talk to you all later!