Leaving my comfort zone… one mile at a time.
Leaving my comfort zone ... one mile at a time.
I love running. I love raising money and awareness for charities. I love virtual races. Therefore I am all about the Virtual 5k for 5p-.
Now when I was first asked to participate in the race I didn't know what "5p-" was. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Well blog reader and race director Stacey was happy to provide me with some more information.
Read MoreOn this episode of Dani Dishes, I'm sharing "why" I started my weight-loss/healthy living/running journey... Please feel free to share your "why" with me!
Wait you mean I had a weekend without a marathon to prep for or run? No long run to be had. Whatever will I do with myself? I'll do all the things and none of the things at the same time.
Does that even make sense to anyone? It made perfect sense in my head.
Let's see what the weekend held for me:
Read MoreNow if we all look at the calendar, we can see that today is in fact Monday and not Friday. Welll I am a tad behind, mmkkay? It's not okay. I wanted to get this post out on Friday following my weigh-in, but life got in the way. I am happy to have a job and see the people I did on Friday, but I didn't have a moment of free "me" time.
Which impacted this post and future postings.
Let's rewind...
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I was really nervous that I wouldn't complete the 30 days since Day 1 took me a good 30 minutes to think up 3 good things about myself. Now it didn't get easier over the 30 days, but it did make me more thankful and was a great way to end the day.
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I decided to keep all the positives in one place so when I am having a bad day in the future - I can look back and know I am more than those emotions!
Enjoy...
Read MoreOn this episode of Dani Dishes, I attempt to put into words the thousands of thoughts running through my head post marathon!
Hey All! Unfortunately I do not have time to grace you all with one of my long-winded stream of conscious posts today. Why you may ask?
Well I had a great morning of personal coaching calls, BUT it is finally Boston Marathon weekend so I need to prep for the afternoon. The fun fun fun starts at 2pm and shockingly I have a lot to do before then including lead one final Weight Watchers meeting during lunch.
Soooo let's get right to it. Shall we? Oh and I am already doing a horrible job about NOT being long-winded. :P
I actually weighed myself at home on Thursday before leaving for work because I wasn't sure I would make it to weigh-in today. Yesterday I was up 1.8 lbs and I let it get to my head. I was angry and hurt. I wanted to see a loss or at least a gain of less than 1 lb. BUT I had committed to tracking everything through that day before taking the tracking pressure off of myself over the weekend.
As a result, I decided that no matter what I would weigh in today as well because well I was curious to see the difference a day could make.
So I had my alarm set - "You are more than a number" - and faced the scale.
Yup up 0.8 - 1 less than yesterday.
Hello fluctuation and whatever else mother nature wants to throw at us.
Now I wanted a loss, but again I was still in the negative. So a gain wasn't totally on my radar. Plus I had been losing for the past few weeks when I didn't expect it.
The -/+ represents how over I was on my points for the week. So being down 0.8 over the past 4 weeks when each was in the negative - I'll take that.
Oh hi perspective I needed you to show up.
I also needed to remind myself that I am a good 20 pounds less than last year's Boston Marathon, I didn't emotionally eat this week on the anniversary of the bombing and I am still down during the entire marathon training cycle.
Proud of my progress this marathon training cycle - Not only on the scale, but also in terms of my cross training and my core/strength work!!
12/5/14 - 159.8 1/2/15 - 160.8 4/17/15 - 151.2
I will take all of it!
Plus I rocked some pretty amazing streaks this year as well.
So overall I am accepting of the gain - not totally shocked - and ready to turn my attention to a fun weekend with friends and running. Now I am not making myself track or beating myself up if I don't, but I still will be aware. I mean once you know the Points of stuff you can't UNknow it, which leads to some subconscious tracking all the time.
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So I will walk away from the training cycle with less weight (about 8 lbs), a stronger core, some baby arm muscles and a great mental attitude!!
Thank you all for sticking with me and tuning in to my Face It Friday posts/rambles. I will be weighing in next Friday and will as always take whatever the scale gives me.
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How has your mental/emotional state about weight loss changed during your journey?
I've raced in 5 out of the 6 New England States. I easily checked off Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island (neither a rhode nor and island - discuss), Connecticut and Maine. But that darn state of Vermont has been alluding me for years.
Well that will all end in 2015!
For I have FINALLY found a race to run in the great state of Vermont.
Do you want to know what it is?
Are you on the edge of your seat?
Are you holding your breath until I reveal it?
Well don't do that that's not safe! C'mon people breathing is #1 to live!
Okay okay... so both the wife and I will be taking part in...
The Biggest Loser RunWalk Half Marathon in Killington, Vermont on July 26!
I want to thank the people at Biggest Loser Race Series for wanting to partner with Weight Off My Shoulders for this event and sponsoring my wife and I.
SO why this race?
First off, it offers a 5k and a Half Marathon option.
Second off, the swag!!
Each registered participant and finisher will receive the following:
I mean you had me at medal and FREE race photos!! Am I right?
Additionally the courses at this race have a twist:
Participants run/walk down the mountain, then take the ski lift back up and continue along with breathtaking views of Killington Peak, the second highest peak in Vermont. The 5K course goes through beautiful downtown Killington while the half marathon route, great for someone's first half marathon, travels along rustic wooded roads with stunning views of the Green Mountains.
So can this make up for me missing riding Expedition Everest during the Disney Marathon last year?
The course definitely sounds/looks challenging, but who isn't up for a challenge. The wife and I are ready to tackle this bad boy.
And we want you to join us!! Both the 5k and Half Marathon kick off at 8:30am on July 26.
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Use code WEIGHTOFFMS to get 20% off registration!! For more fun, join our team Weight Off My Shoulders! We would get a sweet group photo!! Just sayin'! :)
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I'm psyched to cross off the 6th and final New England state off my race bucket list. Will I see you there????
Since recommitting to my weight loss journey in June 2014, I've been doing my best to weigh-in weekly and share my tracker numbers. Not so much for others, but to hold myself accountable. The past few weeks have been the worst numbers I've tracked since joining Weight Watchers. Now I'm not saying they have been my worst weeks since joining WW since there have been MANY a time where I wouldn't track the really really really ugly!
But in 2015 I vowed to reclaim the consistency I lacked in 2014 so that means honest tracking! I mean if I track the 29 pts of Peanut M&Ms I had as 9 - that may look better, but the lying harms no one but myself. I might as well track honestly, own the slip-up/indulgence/treat and move on!
As we have talked about chain reactions, slip-ups and attitude adjustments over the past few weeks in WW meetings, honest tracking has impacted my relationship in all three of those areas... for the better!
So this past week was no different. Well, it was. For the past few weeks I had been sharing my tracker throughout the week on Twitter or Facebook for extra accountability. To try and help myself crawl back out of the negative. Now I was too far gone to actually get out of the negative, but I could chip away at it.
But this week I didn't. I stopped sharing it in some of the group texts I was in too. Why? Judgement. I try to create a judgement free zone on my social media channels, but it still exists. Some of the comments I got in response to my trackers were hurtful. So I thought I would save myself those comments and pain. I know some of the people are projecting their feelings about their own journeys on to me and I understand that... it just doesn't make it any less painful.
This week was a step back. I still shared with a couple of people, but for the most part I used the tracker as my own feedback.
The feedback? It was the ugliest I had ever tracked. BUT I tracked it all. Every delicious cookie and splurge were tracked, owned and accounted for.
While I am not happy to see such a negative number, I am proud of recording it.
For the third week in a row, I prepped my mind for a gain. I used the same alarm label as the week before: "You are more than a number." I didn't want to weigh-in. I wanted to hide from the scale, but I am more than a number. I needed to face the scale for feedback and to be able to once again attempt to start the week on a fresh clean page.
So Friday I got on the scale and for the third week I was shocked...
... another loss!
I again thanked the scale gods and ran away as quickly as possible. :P I cannot explain why I am so in the negative and still losing. Maybe my body needed the change? I don't really know. But as soon as the loss happened I didn't want to share. Those same people who judged me for a negative tracker also had seemed wicked annoyed that I was losing while it was happening. #Ouch
Now while training I have been trying to lose so my tracker was set for a 29 DPT (Daily Points Target). Maybe that was low? Maybe my body wanted more? I am not sure.
But I know it will be an adjustment after the marathon --- which is just a week away!
This week I am focusing on fueling for the marathon. Adding in some healthy carbs and trying to keep the snackey foods at bay. Marathon weekend will be filled with social engagements and running. Shocking I know! ;)
I made a rule with myself. If I tracked every day from the return from Disney (Feb 25) to the Thursday of marathon weekend (April 16), I wouldn't make myself track Marathon weekend (Friday-Tuesday). Again this doesn't mean all food habits are thrown out the window, it just means I won't have to worry about tracking them all during this stressful/fun weekend.
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Food Find Of The Week: Bolthouse Farms Miso Ginger Vinaigrette!
Absolutely delicious and my new obsession. 45g of dressing = 1PPV!
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I've never had a particularly good relationship with my body. I've never been one of those people with a positive body image. I'm the master of picking myself apart. Instead of improving as I lost weight, I've found it has gotten worse. I can now see more of the imperfections that were hidden behind/around/under layers of fat.
But when I share on social media or with friends about my excess skin, I normally get a confused look. Many folks think that I have none after losing over 85 lbs. I mean you are seeing me in compression pants or running shorts - those things can sometimes suck in all the imperfections we want to hide.
Folks don't see what I see when I look in the mirror - which I try to avoid. Folks don't see what I see when I bend over after getting out of the shower. Folks don't see what I see when I do my planks in just a sports bra and pants.
So I thought it was time I shared what I see... or at least attempt to.
We can start with the standing and side view.
We could debate all day and night what I see compared to what others see. But I know that I am lucky to not have as much skin hanging down as others do. But the skin is still there and it still hangs.
So I now share with you what I see when I look down during planks.
Note: I almost didn't write/share these thoughts because I knew there would be people saying that my thoughts on my amount of excess skin wouldn't be valid since it isn't as extreme as other weight-loss stories. But then I remembered that my blog is a place for me to share my feelings. So I gave myself a butt kicking and here it is. :)
It was scary to have my wife snap these pics as I had a picture in my mind of what the skin looked like, but this was actual documentation. Does that make sense?
Now I am not ashamed or embarrassed by these pics. I know it is a result of changing my life and deciding one day that I was worth a healthier lifestyle.
Do I wish I could just cut it off and have it gone? Sure.
But for now I will hold on to it as a reminder of the struggles I have gone through, the amazing changes I have made and the past that I refuse to go back to.
While my excess skin may not be as much or as loose as others, it is still a part of my journey that I felt I needed to share.
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How do you deal with the judge-y people in your life?
Happy Thirsty Thursday!!! Oh wait... wrong post!! ;) Haha. Oh I slay me.
Well with a weigh-in tomorrow morning and a night of personal coaching calls for Weight Watchers I will not be taking part in an adult Thirsty Thursday. So pass me the Dunks and water! :)
Let's get to the fun...
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1) Here a few discount codes for some of the races I love the most!
Save $12 on registration for the two triathlons that I will be participating in!!
Distance: 1/3 Mile Swim, 10 Mile Bike, 3.1 Mile Run
Use code: WOMSESCAPE15 (expires May 2)
Distance: 1/4 Mile Swim, 10 Mile Bike, 3.1 Mile Run Use code: WOMST915 (expires June 1)
Race has a Half Marathon and 10k option and takes place September 26.
Use my discount code DANI15 for 10% off.
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2) Have you taken part in the #RunningMakesMeFEEL campaign yet?
Newton Running is partnering with Timex to ask runners nationwide to express how running makes them feel by spelling out words with their run routes, launching a first-ever initiative on this scale.
Inspired by Newton’s new feel Campaign and an emerging trend among runners, The Run It, FEEL It, Spell It Challenge will encourage runners to track their run routes using GPS devices.
I finally tested out my new Timex watch yesterday! Can you tell what #RunningMakesMeFEEL? ;)
Runners will then submit GPS map screen grabs – and the words therein – through Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #RunningMakesMeFeel and #promo to win prizes including:
The Run It, FEEL It, Spell It Challenge runs through May 1. The challenge is open to all runners and running enthusiasts in the U.S. To learn more about The Run It, FEEL It, Spell It Challenge visit Newton Running. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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3) Have you heard about the latest partnership?? Sparkly Soul will now be sold at Athleta stores and online (12 specific colors)! Woo! Two of my favorite brands partnering together.
To celebrate this sparkly union, Sparkly Soul is celebrating with 12 days of giveaways - #12DaysOfAthleta - and today is Day 2! Head over to twitter, follow Sparkly Soul, use hashtag #SparklyAthleta and get in on the fun.
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Have a happy Friday Eve! ;0)
My name is Dani and I am blogging out of the Boston Area. I started this blog in May of 2011 after suffering a back injury and subsequent back surgery in December 2011-January 2011. This space was to serve as a way for me to release the inner feelings I was carrying around and maybe help some other people going through similar situations: eating disorders, depression, weight loss and more.
