New Installment of 9 Months Project!!!

I never ended my first 9 months project, but I'm back in action! Today is the start of my new 9 Months Project complete with pictures.  I have kept most of my weight off since a year ago.  But I did gain some back.  Last year I ran and ran and ran... a lot.  I trained and successfully completed my first mini marathon.  But I learned a lot along the way:  1) even though you are running, you still have to eat healthy if you want to lose weight, and 2) you need to incorporate strength training into your weekly routine in order to burn fat.  With this knowledge, I am starting off to a great start!  I have decided to start taking my vitamins again as well as count calories using MyFitnessPal.  I have also been trained at the gym and will incorporate strength training into my weekly routine.  I'm excited to see some results!

Here are some of my goals:

1.  Lose inches in my waist and arms.
2.  Lose 25 pounds.
4.  Don't eat fast food!
5.  No more soda, even diet soda!  Water, water, water.
6.  Look sexy for the two weddings I'll be in this coming summer!

Just like the last time, at the beginning of each month, I will post a current picture of my belly (with hopes that it is getting smaller!), and I will post the results of that month with how many inches and pounds I have lost.  Throughout the month, I will post some tips and things I have learned along the way.

Any encouragement and accountability is much appreciated! :)

Here goes nothing!! My current pictures of my belly...

April Weigh-In

Changes in Weight and Measurement Since Last Month

Weight: -6 lbs

Waist: -0.5 in

Arm: -0.5 in

Bust: -1.5 in

Thigh: -1 in

Hips: -1 in

Total Changes in Weight and Measurement

Weight: -21 lbs

Waist: -4 in

Arm: -2 in

Bust: -3.5 in

Thigh: -2 in

Hips: -2 in

Outside Running

Yesterday I ran outside for the first time. Since I started my running program, C25k, I have been running on the treadmill at my gym. I ran on the treadmill for two reasons: 1) It was too cold to run outside, and 2) Running outside intimidates me. Yesterday was the first "kinda warm" day this season, so I strapped on my tennies and headed outdoors. I downloaded a GPS feature to my C25K app on my phone. This helped a ton! I was able to start the day's run and the app tracked my speed, distance, and calories for me. Someone asked me if running outside was harder or easier than running on the treadmill. I said both. The actual mechanics of running was a little harder because you have to propel yourself forward, instead of the belt on a treadmill doing it for you. But it was easier in the sense that time moved quicker. The scenery gave me something different to look at and allowed me to take my mind off of running and how tired I was becoming. Also, I noticed that I burned the same amount of calories (according to my heart rate monitor) as I do on a treadmill, but I didn't sweat as much. I'm sure it was because it was a little chilly outside. But I loved running in the fresh air; I get so hot at the gym. I'm not sure if I will run outside all the time now, but I will surely switch it up more often. On a side note, with my run yesterday I met my new running record-- 28 minutes without stopping!!! I will do this a couple more times and the next interval up is 30. Pretty soon I'll be ready for my 5k!

What a drag...

(Warning: This post is a rant, and if you don't want to hear me complain, don't read it.)

Today I have just felt EXHAUSTED! Just mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted. It really started yesterday. I drug myself to the gym and ran over 2 consecutive miles yesterday. The running itself was fine, but in my running log, I recorded that I was tired and fatigued. This morning, I was almost late to school. I overslept- yikes! I woke up later that I normally leave the house. Whoops! All day teaching I just felt like I could close my eyes and fall asleep on the spot. I went to a meeting tonight, which wore me out even more, then went to Zumba. It didn't start until 8pm and I was there 20 minutes early. Usually I do some cardio like the stairmaster or bike ahead of time... but not today. I just sat by the door watching the clock tick. I even almost left because I almost fell asleep waiting. During the class I could not give it my all. My body ached and I just was not in the right mindset to work out. I stuck it out and stayed the whole hour, but it was not easy. It's a little discouraging for me because I have been doing so well and working out has been a thrill. But not the last two days. I don't know if it is because I am getting sick (a lot of my students have been passing around a bug), or if it is because my body is tired from working out so much. Whatever it is, I hope I can kick it because I want to workout and feel good again. Well, its about 9:30 pm now and I think I'm gonna go to bed. Hopefully in the morning I wake up refreshed and strong!

My New Toy

Now nothing can stop me! I just got my Timex Digital Heart Rate Monitor in the mail. It is wonderful! After digging up some reviews on the internet and asking some friends, I have found my newest essential work out tool. For those of you who might not be familiar, a heart rate monitor (HRM) is a device that allows you to measure your heart rate in real time. It comes with a strap that you secure around your sternum. That is the part that measures your beats per minute. It then transmits the information to your watch. I can time my workout, see what my highest and lowest heart rates were during the workout, and even how many calories I burned.

With my heart rate monitor I completed a fitness test that showed me what my maximum heart rate is. Then I learned about 5 "zones" in which I can workout. The levels are different percentages of your maximum heart rate. For example the level 1 zone is the least strenuous. Your don't burn as many calories. Zone 5 will push you closer to your maximum heart rate. For the best fitness results, it is best to workout in the different zones throughout the week.

I am really excited about my new "toy". I have been logging calories according to what different websites and fitness programs say. I am always curious as to whether the cardio calories that I'm logging are accurate. Now I don't have to wonder :) This is perfect because myfitnesspal.com, which is the online service I use to log calories, urges users to eat the calories they burn. I don't want to log too many calories because I don't want to eat calories that I didn't burn. I also don't want to log too few calories and not get credit for the hard workout ;)

March Weigh-In

Changes in Weight and Measurement Since Last Month

Weight: -7.4 lbs
Waist: -1 in
Arm: -0.5 in
Bust: -1 in
Thigh: -0.5 in
Hips: -0 in


Total Changes in Weight and Measurement

Weight: -15 lbs
Waist: -3.5 in
Arm: -1.5 in
Bust: -2 in
Thigh: -1 in
Hips: -1 in

March Goals

Since a new month is coming up, I thought I'd take the liberty of setting some goals for myself. Some are fitness related, others are not. If you talk with me or see me throughout the month of March- feel free to ask me about these goals and keep me accountable! :)

1. Do Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred at least 4 times a week.

2. Drink at least 10 cups of water a day.

3. Read my Bible daily.

4. Call and catch up with a friend or family member daily.

5. Be able to run 30 minutes without stopping.