Rock in Roll Comparison

I didn't meet my weight loss goals. I am not super thrilled with the fact that I am back up 8lbs since my sisters wedding. But I did run my second half marathon and I did do much better then last year. In fact I feel like a 19 minute difference was CRUSHING to my finish last year and I am super pumped to run again with my sister in February and really hoping I am down at least another 20lbs (Plus the 8 I am currently up). I'd love to come in under 2:30:00.  So below are a BUNCH of pictures to compare from my changes over the last year. I felt just as "fat" that morning. And although I think race photos are bad of pretty much everyone (my running buddy is a 4 and even she looks much larger in her pics then she really is), but I still look better then last year.

I also want to add, even if you can't run you should do one of these! Lots of people straight up walk them! And it really is a lot of fun and you feel like you have really accomplished something. If I could find a marathon with an 8 hr time limit I would do it.
Ok now to figure out how to post these pictures lol

Rocked it Out Again! 13.1 miles take 2

Well, I ran the rock in roll half marathon for the 2nd time in my life for the 2nd year in a row. I ran the one in Virginia Beach. Lived there for 4 years and never did it, moved 7 hrs south and have driven back 2 years in a row just to torture myself and do it again lol. I am not sure that is a very good strategy!
Weight is up a little still from this weekend, but I haven't changed my fitpal because I think it will slide back down in a few days, if not I will have to bump it up, but ugh! I don't even want to go to my PCM because I know he will say something about the gain even though it is only around 4 lbs since he last saw me, but still it is so frustrating. It basically means I am at the same weight I was at in Feb of this year.

Ok anyway I am exhausted and need to get some sleep. I ran the race in 2:49:15 =) I whopping 19 minutes faster then last year!!! Which was 3:08:23! SO I was pretty pumped, I still look at the pictures and hate how big I look in workout clothes and when I was looking at this years photos I didn't think it looked as though I had lost weight at all, but then I pulled up last years photos, and um yea totally did. I also ran a minute fast per lb (if you go by the weight I was this day vs that day) well maybe not a whole minute faster but 45 sec's or so.

The race was HOT and HUMID seriously worst race weather ever. I was grabbing 2-3 waters at every station, downed 2 bags of sports beans while I ran, and still after crossing the finish like downed 2 bottled waters and a 36 oz G2. Before the race even started I was socked with sweat. It was all anyone was talking about at the finish line was how hot & humid it was. When the race started I thought the weather was going to kill me. Since the longest training runs I had done was 6.2 (10k) I told myself I would run to the 10 k mark and then I would walk it out. And when I say run I mean interval, I run for 3 minutes then I walk 1 minute. My friend Amy was running with me again this year, and she didn't think she was nearly as ready for it so she decided she would run with me. She did great! She actually beat me by 2 minutes. But she loved the intervals and is starting to do that now to. Anyway, we made it to the 10k and decided we would run to the 8 mile marker which is right outside of the Coast Guard base which is the worst part of the race because it is so boring, no spectators or bands. Just kind of stunk. Anyway, we made it to 8 and looking back on it I wonder if I shouldn't have kept running, but we didn't we walked it out. Once we hit mile 10 we intervalled again. I made it to about 12.25 when I had to stop. I had to pee and then I felt like I needed to throw up...not a good combo. SO Amy ran on. I got my bladder to calm down (after 12 miles you don't want to stop to pee lol) and ran about 2 minutes, then I could see the 13 marker. I walked till I hit the 13 and ran in the last 10th of a mile. Which you would think would be fast but feels like FOREVER! Now I am planning on running the Savannah one in 2 months! I must still be on my runner high, which is a real thing =)

Well I will post pics tomorrow.

Well, things have been CRAZY!

Ok so here we go, I am going to bullet it because I write enough papers for Grad School so thinking and processing for my blog just isn't going to happen tonight. However I am going to go from bad to good =) because all things should end on the good when you can find it!

1- Ugh the scale how I loath you. Since I stoped taking my deit supplement I have gained anywhere form 7-10! 10 OMG! 10!!! That is HUGE! OK anyway, so I stopped taking them because theygave me the jump start I needed and I need to do it myself. I have no medical reason why that I am not lossing weight other then I am not eating right. But dang it is driving me nuts. I was at 200! Saw 199 flash on the scale a few times, and now I am seeling 206, 207, 209, =/ its so hard! 10lbs is HUGE in 6weeks!!

2-I thought after a year I would have been closer to my weight loss goals. Overall I would like to lose 94 lbs from my orginal weight of 234 down to 140. But I am only 27 lbs closer! Would be at 34 lbs but still I thought I would be closer to 60! So I am trying to become ok with that, and more inportant I am desperately trying to stop the slide on the scale.

3-I have started using My Fitness Pal again. It really is the most practical way to keep track of what I ear. However, I need to stop eating my excersies calories everyday and try to stick to there suggestion. I need to get some more fruits and veggies in the house that I really like. I am thinking of making my own Smoothie diet lol. I like smnoothies with Almond milk they are only about 100 calories and if I add some protein powder it may be a great meal replacmemt. But so far I have not seen a loss even though it tells me when I complete my log ins that I should loss about 12 lbs in the next 5 weeks but I am seeing nothing =/

4-My foot is doing better. I got a second shot in my foot today. Dang those things  hurt like hell and I am not really sure how they help. I mean the pain goes away, but I worry if I am doing further damage. I go back in a month and figure I will talk to the dr then and see if there is something else I should be doing.

5-The past 2 weeks I have been game on at working out. I haven't made it to the gym everyday. But I have run outside several times, cut the grass, even gone ahead to the gym late because I felt lazy if I didn't so hopefully bringing that consistence back into my life will help with the weight loss.

6-I still feel like my running is behind where it was a few weeks back when I ran the beach run. I don't know why. I need to push harder. I am planning to run with the mom's on the run at the Y outside and I really hope that the difficulty that will be and the push I will get from not wanting to be the worst will not only help me get better at running but also also help boost some weight loss.

7-I run the Rock in Roll Half for the 2nd time in 2 weeks..well 1 week 6 days lol. I am so nervous that my run  time will not be as good as next year. I really wanted to be back down to 200 or to 199 but right now I would take 205. It should be  more then doable. So I need to focus more on what I am eating and try to cut my calories. And try not to eat more then half of my calorie burn.

8. I made Skinny Soup! Its really good, filling and only 60 calories per 1 cup. I need to be eating it more and stop burning my calories on JUNk!

9. I found this amazing web site/blog.  www.skinnytaste.com  if you have never been there go! The food is amazing even my family LOVES it! SO far I have made banging shrimp (which was totally banging), Zucchini Tots..AMAZING!!! and chicken enchilada boats TO DIE FOR! I am trying to use up what I have in the house and cook from her page so I am sure I will have more reviews for her food soon! But I need to empty out and then try new =)

10. Well!!!!! I have started my 2nd semester of grad school. Started on the 1st so far I have passed one full class! Half done with another! And I am rolling right along. I do my first PCE placement this semester, which I am super excited and super nervous about all at the same time! I am in a 3rd grade class and should have my schedule soon!

11. THE BIG NEWS!!! We have accepted a JOB OFFER!!!! After almost 10 years in the Navy, 8 of them with me =) we get out out of the military in 90 days!!! The only life we have known together or as a family, and although there are so many things I will miss about it, I am very excited for the things we will gain, like getting to be together =) We will be making out new home in the foothills of the Ozark mountains in Arkansas! It is not somewhere we had ever considered, and the job will be a HUGE paycut for about a year because the pay is almost the same as the military but we will now pay for health insurance and taxes on all of our income instead of just half (the military deserves those breaks trust me, there is no family life what so ever). I am so nervous about the move but super excited to!

Ok well I have to go...hopefully I will update again b4 the half but if not hopefully you can check my fit pal and hopefully it will be better! If anyone else uses my fit pal let me know your name and I will add you and we can cheer each other on!

~Till Later

Feeling Fat

Yes, yes I know I hate  that word to, but I can hate it all I want, it is still how I feel.
My weight of course jumped right back up to 208 after eating the pizza =/ I feel these extra lbs. I am not sure if I have ever felt the weight change especially when it has been under 10, but I do. I took my measurements for the 1st time since May, some change but it places I could really care less about, and I actually came out with numbers a little higher in some places. Which I usually account for me not really knowing how to take them and not always taking them in the exact same place.

Oh well, back to low carb tomorrow. 5 weeks till race day. I am going to add in some stomach and arm workouts I pinned on pintrest starting tomorrow so we shall find out how it goes.

~Till Later

Beach Run 2012

Well, FYI running in the sand is not as much fun as it sounds. Oh sure the ocean is beautiful, the sun is great, and don't forget that fantastic breeze you will have during the whole race!

=p I stick my tongue out at the above statement! Today's IOP (Isle of Palms) Beach Run 10k had all of those things but this is what it was really like. Don't forget the sand, that although is  hard due to low tide, will soften as the race goes on, so the slower you are the softer the sand will be on your way to the finish line. The sun will beat down on your face as you start running towards the East in the beginning of the race. You will pray for a breeze as the sweat rolls into your eyes. As you make the turn to loop back to the finish line (side note:I hate loop races) you will finally find that breeze you wanted. It will be a heavy wind that you will run against all the way to the finish line.

=/ so needless to say I did not have the run I had hoped for today. It wasn't bad. I finished in 1:17:02. Which is 10min faster then the last time I ran a 10k in March 2011. But I was hoping for a finish at 1:10:00 or below.  I have been running nothing but 10k's at the gym, every other day for the last several weeks and gotten my pace and finish down below 1:05:00, so I was pretty hopeful. But given the 90 degree heat, the beating sun, the wind, and the all important to note SAND I will take what I got.

I have decided not to run a race in August =/ its just too hot. Not to mention the Half Marathon is 5 weeks away and I just don't want to risk getting hurt, or stressing myself to much. I am starting to freak out about it though. Today would have been close to one half of a half marathon (lol that is confusing). I was really hoping for a 2:30:00 or less finish this year. I finished last year at 3:06:?? not really sure. but I know the hr and minute. I really wanted to finish under 3 and came so close. I really want to finish under 2:30 this year, but I am starting to realize that I should just go for what I can do and not get upset with myself if I don't hit that goal. It is so hard for me though. I am such a competitive person that I feel like I am pushing and pushing and pushing and just not gaining much ground. Oh well, at least I am doing it right?

LOL well, I am back down to 204. I am probably UP 2 or 3 since I weighed in this am (that was after the race but I had also downed 2 powerades so who knows) anyway I then was too tired to care what I ate and we had pizza for lunch =/ I am doing my best to stay low carb but it is hard considering I desperately need to go to the grocery store. But I am not going to let having pizza for lunch get me un focused. I am determined to get some weight off and go to the half marathon weighing in at 195 or less. That would be 41 lbs less then last year.

So this next week I am picking it up. No more "off" days from the gym. I will run/elliptical train 5-6 days a week. (I've been just running most of the summer every other day and not going to the gym in between).

Ok well, I think that is enough of a book for tonight. Here is a pic in one of my new "shirts" I wrote about a few weeks ago, I seriously LOVE them =)

~Till Later

Frustration

Frustration= my current state of mind! I feel like I am going to be FAT forever!

Oh I am so frustrated right now. I am not Budging on my weight. I got back down to 203, then my family came back in now I am back up to 207 and I just want to SCREAM! 5 weeks ago I was a solid 200, and even saw 199 flash up a few times. I can feel it, I can see it. It is real weight. Ugh I am just dying inside. I have so much farther to go. Tear...ok well I am back on with the no carb as of yesterday, and it seems to be going well, except the last time I dropped several lbs in a few days and this time not so much. I am going to get more strict. I also caved and bought some SENSA lol. I doubt it does everything but I am starting to feel very desperate. Over a year of these and at this moment I am only down 20lbs. I need to be down another 17 in just 5 weeks! I feel pretty certain that will not be happening. Stay focused stay focused.

The running is going well. I bought new shoes and have had no shin pain. YAY! for that. I have been running a min of 6.2 at the gym. I walk some of that, well I walk about 17 min of it...at least I did today. I warm up with a .25 mile walk at 3.8 then run a mile at 6.5 then at the end of each mile I walk for 2 min at 3.8 so it takes me almost right at 1:05 to get in a 10k which isn't too bad. I have an actual 10k race on Saturday. I am pretty doubtful that I will have a finish of anywhere near that time. Given the heat, the humidity, and the fact that this race is on sand I am just hoping I can finish it!

Well, school is back in session for me, so I am hoping I can blog at least once a week is my goal. Of course if things are going well it will be easier.

~Till Later

Dress up for the Gym

That's right! Look cute =) It really is so much easier to go to the gym and workout when you like what you are wearing. As a runner workout gear gets INSANELY expensive. But it is one of the ways I "reward" myself new workout clothes.
Anyway, for mothers day I got a fab workout shirt that my hubby bought from Dick's Sporting Goods. It is lime green with hot pink and white strips down the sides and the back.
Here is the link: http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11889189

I just bought 2 more of these tops. I LOVE THEM! They fit loss, but not so loss that you have zero shape and look worse then you actually do, or in my case, fatter then you actually are.  They come in fun funky cute colors! It is light and airy and fresh and fun! And you know what I feel cute in them =) and I get compliments all the time. I actually got one in it today. I am seriously thinking about ordering another one in the exact same colors since I have kind of beat this one up over the last 2 months because I love it so much.

But the guest is, spend a little money and buy some good, cute, comfy workout clothes that you feel good in! You will be more likely to go to the gym that way!

On a side note. Day 2 of induction and down 6lbs. I am still refusing to change myfitnesspal lol. But i am only 3 lbs from where I was the last time I weighed in on it. Those skinny margaritas might not be as skinny as you think, seeing as I am doubt I lost 6 actual lbs, nor do I doubt I gained 9 in a week. But only time will tell. Sitting her now all I can think about is food. So I think instead of eating I will go to bed which is where I should be anyway!

~Till Later!

1/2 year Resolutions!

I mean why the heck not. I was doing so great! Now over the past week things are not going so great. So Tomorrow is Day 1! I will forget the back track I have allowed over the past 2 weeks and I will push forward. After all I can not get into 1derland without re-losing these3-6 lbs that the scale keeps saying I have gained =/

Ok so I am going to do my best to post as much as I can as I kick off the induction phase of Atkins tomorrow am!
~Till Later

DO NOT GET TOO COMFFY!

Ok Earth to BRITT! You still need to lose weight!
Yes you are looking way better.
Yes people are telling you on FB & when you see them how great you look.
Yes you are in a size 12 capri.
Yes you purchased SHORTS and are wearing them IN PUBLIC!!!
NO YOU ARE NOT DONE!!!

I must remember this! I am refusing to update my fitness pal. I am bouncing around again. From 203-207 =/ I haven't seen a number over 204 since March. I have GOT TO GET FOCUSED!!!

I know what the biggest problem is, it is my old friend Alcohol. I hardly had any while I was out of town for my sisters wedding for 10 days and came back only gaining 1 lb! I even did great the 1st week we got back! Then I started having wine every night, now some margaritas with my friend who is in town. Ugh I can not get comfy!

It is amazing how much better I feel about myself. But I have also been eating way to much carbs which need to find a new home tomorrow! and that would not be finding a home on my left ass cheek!

Ok, nothing I can do about the last two weeks! But I need to get my ass in gear! Get back to the gym (which has also been wayyyyy to slack for the last 3 weeks eek!) I did go once this week CRAP! OMG! I have got to get back to it! Ok tomorrow is a new day. Plus I hurt my foot =/ and ordered new shoes which haven't arrived yet.

Well, anywho...hopefully i can get it back to the 200 by cutting the carbs, and alcohol back out along with all the salt (yes I've been eating a bunch of chips and stuff too) b4 my daughters birthday party which is kind of the bench mark for my weight loss. Then that will make the "official" 2nd year.

Till Later

Goals for Year 2~!

Well, I made it a year, and year in the bogging world, granted I have disappeared and reappeared several times over =)
And so I am starting my 2nd year on this journey so I am going to post my 2nd year goals.

~Lose 40lbs this year, ending at 160
~Run a Race every month for a year (I started this in March)
~Run 2 half's in one year
~Register for a FULL Marathon
~Take a picture in my Wedding Dress again
~Throw away all clothing larger then a size 12 (hopefully larger then a 10)
~Complete a 5k (Virtual or actual) less then 28:00 (current best time 31:55)
~When School starts back, spin at least once a week, and hopefully twice

SO, I have stopped the medical dieting. I have wavered a little since doing so 2 weeks ago, but I am hopefully making a comeback. I am going back on Atkins. Which works best for me =) I am hoping to actually drop some weight quick and get BELOW 200! I have been bouncing between 200 and 204 since March and that is just ridiculousness!

My running has really picked up, and I mean for real. Interval is working out well. I am pushing myself harder and harder at the gym everyday when it comes to running and I am sure that will start to show soon. Monday I ran my full work out at 7.5 speeds at least. Wednesday I ran a pace run at 6.5. Ran the full mile at 6.5 the walked a quarter of mile and was right back at it for 3 run miles.  Starting next week I am upping the mileage in preparation for the half in September. I will be doing 8,5,3,3. 8 mi Mondays, 5 wed, 3 Fri & Sat. The 2nd 3 may have to hold off we will see how my shins play it out. I have run a race every month since March. My 1st race this year I have a 34:something min race time, 2 weeks ago I ran an ULTRA hilly race course for the best time every of 31:55.

Ok so y9\ear 2 here we go!!!

Till Later

Refind the Motivation!

I am up 2 to 202 =( but in all fairness I have had all kids of bad bad bad food. I have been stressed about my test (which I just took and passed so yay!). My husband has been suffering from a goat flare up which is just awful, so between me being stressed and him being in constant pain we have been getting on each others nerves. I will say I was glade tonight when he said that he would be glad when my test was over and when he felt better so we could get back to being us. I was starting to feel like I was the only one feeling so disconnected. But needless to say I feel like I actually FEEL my thighs expanding again! I know that is so not true, but still feels that way. I am getting ready to head to Memphis for my sisters wedding on Friday and I MUST find the motivation to keep losing! After my last weight in at the Dr's office last month I am thinking about stopping the program =/ and taking the medication. I am not sure if it is really helping me at all to begin with. I guess I will make that decision when I get back in 10 days as I don't weight in for another week. I wanted to go in before we left but that would be tomorrow, and I would show no weight lose for 3 weeks so I am think that will be a no go. I am just worried now that if I go out of town without weighing in that I will come back and weigh even more, exp with the wedding being the Sunday before we come back =/ ugh I just HAVE GOT TO start making better food choices that is what it boils down to.

Ok well I am off to bed.

Till later

200 to 204

I refuse to change the weight in my My Fitness Pal. I Hit 200 =) about 3 days after my last 5k, then I haven't seen it since. I have been up and down and up and down.  Never getting above 205, starting a day at 204, finishing at 202. Ugh.  I was going strong on Atkins, then had my monthly weighing and for whatever reason weighed heavy at the Dr office. My Dr then told me I needed to be eating 650-800 calories a day...Um WTF! I will die! I mean I get what he is saying I still have work to do, but still, I am burning that in one workout, I have grad school, 2 kids, and a husband in the Military 800 cal a day ain't gonna cut it.

Anyway, I am hitting Atkins hard again tomorrow. I've got to lose 6lbs or more before my next weight in...or I might be too embarrassed to even go in and weigh in. I work out a lot, so it is obviously in the food. This is so frustrating. Seriously the most frustrating thing ever. I should be able to lose at least 2lbs a week. I am taking a medication that keeps you from wanting to eat! I cut out carbs! I run my ass off! WTH is wrong!

Ugh ok so enough bitching today. I will just do better tomorrow. I will I will Will WILL WILL lose more weight!

Till Later
ME

A new Low!! 201

OK so just a quick update as I would LOVE To get to bed before 1 am for a change.

But i hit a new low on Saturday! 201! I also ran my 3rd 5k in 10 weeks and again beat my time. I intervalled it this time with that ap the Ultra, Timer I talked about last week. I still had to walk a little longer in between then I had planned one, but I made it in 32:28!!! Almost to my 32 min goal! I run another one June 10th so fingers crossed.
Sisters wedding is right around the corner and I really want to come in at 195. I've got 5 weeks. I should be able to do this!

Till Later!

4 lbs, I just want 4 MORE lbs!!!

I just want to have a 1 and then some numbers!!

Summer starts again next week =/ I thought the kids had school for at least another 2 weeks. Its amazing how depressing and stressful it can be to find out that you are about to have both kids home all day every day for the next 60 days! To some it may sound like a fruitless complaint. But I've done both. I worked full time & had kids, and now for just a little over a year I have been a stay at home mom (SAHM for those who don't know the abbreviation) and let me tell you I am ready to go back to work. I am not saying I don't love the opportunity to be home, but it really is easier to go to work then it is to be home IMO. My house was cleaner, my laundry actually made it to the drawer, and I had adult conversations on a regular basis. Anyway, all of the is beside the point with losing weight. School seems to be going well. I didn't have a single re-write in my 1st class. I took the Praxis last weekend and aced the Reading and Math sections, I am not so sure about the writing section because you have to wait for your scores to come in, but I am not sure I feel that great about the essay. I didn't really practice for that since I write all of the time. But I probably should have seeing as you only had 30 min and I don't really write that fast lol.

Ok on the weight lose and workout front. I've been running A LOT. Still having issues with my legs. I am icing 3-4 times a day for 20 minutes. I bought new shoes, but I am thinking it may be the style of shoes I am in even though I was fitted at a fancy running specialty store (insert me blowing hair out of my face because I am annoyed). Anyho, races are going well. The last 2 I have improved my time. Finished the last one in 33:28. To finish in under 32 has always been my goal, but I am feeling that even when I did I probably would start shooting for 29.  I have started interval training. I am hoping that helps me speed up. I am following the Galloway method and running a 4:1 interval. Found a great ap for my phone called the Ultra Timer that allows you to run concurrent timers with each other which is amazing for cross training, circuit training, and interval running for me =). Anyway, I usually run the 5k on the treadmill at a 5.7, but now I can up my running to 6.0 to 6.2 and I am doing great with that 1 minute walk. I am interested to see how it plays out this coming Saturday as I know I run races faster then I run on the treadmill because I am averaging a 10:50 min at the race, and I am walking several time throughout and probably for longer then I should so I am little excited! But I am also trying not to be too hard on myself because it will be really hot and they say you should add time to your run if it is over 70 so we shall see.

Anyway, joined Atkins online. I was going strong and doing great with no carbs till last night. Had a friend make some amazing cookies and I ate 3 =/ had a hamburger w/ the bun and mac n cheese. I have GOT to stay focused! My sister gets married in 6 weeks and I would really like to have another 15 lbs which is just crazy to think. I know it is possible. I know my issue is food and not monitoring it. Lo Carb would work better if I cut my peanut butter....I don't eat a lot but I do have a spoon full or 2 if I need a something sweet.

Ok well it is almost 1 am...just wanted to give my monthly update lol.

Nothing New Here

Not a whole lot going on here. Grad school is intense. I am studying for the 1st half of the praxis that I take on the 28th of this month. I am still holding at 205 which is frustrating, but at the same time I have had A LOT of travel over the past 6 wks so for me being able to hold is a new things. I am hopefully to get to 185 by my sisters wedding on the 16th. Not quite the 145 I set forth as my goal almost a year ago, but hey I am still down 22lbs from the start of this blog, and 35 since my 29th bday so I am going to try not to beat myself up about it.

I have 2 races on the books. I am running a 5k on April 21st and hoping to beat the time of the 5k from last month. I really would love to make one in 32 min. But I will be good either way. I am trying to LOVE running...I am not sure I am getting there after almost 3 years of running, and 1 year of die hard dedication to the sport. But I will continue to run because the fact of the mater is, it gets results. I am also running the Run like a Mom race on May 12th. After the my next races will probably not be till the fall given the insane heat here in Charleston. I have plans to run the Rock in Roll half in Va Beach again in September with my friend Amy and fingers crossed my new running friend Teresa, and will be running another half 2 short months later =/ (yes I am on crack now) the rock in roll in Savannah with my baby sister.  My son is really into the running which is super cute. I have been signing him up for the one mile fun runs at the races, and my husband who hates to run and always boast that he runs 3 miles a year (military PFA requirements) has been running with him. He finished his last race in 9:31, have I mentioned he is barley 5? We just got him new running shoes for the race on the 21st and he is psyched. He is working on building his miles for the kids marathon associated with the Rock n Roll in Va Beach =) This next race he can actually place and receive a trophy so I hope it goes well for him. I mainly do it just to keep giving myself incentive to run. LOL

I ran outside twice last week! I felt like I was really moving and had a pretty fast pace, but I have no idea how far I really went or any of that. We were down in Dauphin Island (great vaca place if you ever want to go to a NON crowded beach and just chill somewhere). My in laws live there and although it was not conducive for studying, it was great for running. Its much closer to the beach then where we are in SC. The island has a fantastic bike trail that runs from the East End all the way to the West End, although it was hot, the breezy night time runs were great. I will say that although I hated my run today, I felt a little empowered by the runs on the island and so I kept pushing it out.

I ran a 10k on the mill today. Walked the 1st mile in 15, then ran 2, walked a half, ran 1.5, walked .2, ran the last mile. I felt good. Heart rate got up to the 180's for a bit but for the most part it is starting to pull back. I am still not sure I could carry on a conversation when I run, but I also do not feel like I am gasping or struggling. It felt good. I am staying focused on running 3-4 runs a week NO MORE! But hopefully over the next 10 weeks since there is no more traveling I can get to the gym 6 days a week...=/ we will see. But 3-4 days running, the others cross training.

OK well back to the hubby. Hopefully i will have WEIGHT LOSS to post soon.

Oh right quick...weight may not be down. But over the Month of March I did loss several inches! Since I started tracking mid Jan I am down 2 inches in my thighs, over an inch in my calf's, half an inch in biceps, 2 inches in my butt!!!! 1.5 inches in my stomach, an 1.5 inches in my waist, bust still the same. I have also recently bought several Large size NOT XL, but plain L sundresses, put on several and by several I mean A LOT of sundresses I haven't worn in almost 3 years, and a pair of size 12 capri pants. I am not in any of my own 12's, but I am in all of my 14's and they are getting looser, as well as I wore a smocking hot dress to my sister in laws wedding =)

Night Y'all
Till Later
Britt

205 still...

Yep pretty much all I have to say =/ ughghghghghghghg

Well, I'm 30

Well, the clock struck 12 on the 17th and I am now officially 30....

I am not really sad about it. I have enjoyed each stage of life, some more then others. Getting older has never been really something I feared. Maybe because everyone I associate with has always been older and therefor I usually just feel like I am following along if that makes sense.

I only gained a lb at my sisters baccalaureate party weekend =0) . I was pretty much shocked at that given I drank "skinny" margaritas, mic ultra, and ate cupcakes for pretty much 3 days. However, I have since come home and gained 3 lbs? How the H does that happen? Well, I was back down one this am, and another before I showered this evening but still up 2 over where I was last week. I am really regretting not weighing in last week. I have to weigh in tomorrow or at the latest Friday...I really wanted to boasts that 6lbs weight loss. Losing the 3 I had gained the previous month, plus an additional 3 but we shall see.
I am not quite "thin" but I am definitely much closer then I have been over the last 2 birthdays. Granted when I turned 28 I was 7 months pregnant =). The weight is moving, not so much the lbs again. I feel like I take several leaps forward then a couple back and it is a massive give and take. I just want to see a 1 flash up on the screen. I have 2  1/2 months left before my baby sisters wedding and am praying to hit 190. I really wanted to hit 180, but I am keeping it real (lol sorry so can not believe I just wrote that line). Anyway, I hit 30 at 205. Hopefully the 100's are right around the corner. Hopefully stepping up my game on the running will start to show results quickly. It usually does.

In other news. Ran the Flowertown Run a few weeks back. I ran the 10k last year as the kick off to my half marathon training and finished in 1:27:26 and considering I had been working out, but not running I was thrilled with that. I am def getting stronger as a runner and I have started to push myself harder. I ran the 5k this year because I don't like to start races alone. LOL yes I realize this makes no sense. Anyway, ran the 5k in 34:26! I really wanted to finish in 32, but hey I will take it. That is a 10:40 pace. 14 seconds a mile faster then I am currently training on the treadmill and the fastest I have ever run a race. I am running another 5k on April 21, and another on Mother's day. I really wish I could find some longer races close to home, but non of the dates work out =/ I am planning to run the Rock 'n Roll half marathon's in both Virgina Beach again this September, and Savannah in November. Should be an intense 2 months.
I've stepped up my running A LOT to say the least. However, I am more focused on short runs right now. I figure I will pick up the distance closer to the BIg races in the fall. I am still spending a hour on the mill. I am running a 5k 3 days a week and working on increasing speed. It is picking up. Due to my past shin injuries I am taking it slow and making sure to push, but not too hard. M/F I do a .80 mile warm up walking starting at a 3.5 pace and working up to a 4.2 then jogging the full 3.2 miles. 1st mile at 5.6, 2nd at 5.7, and 3rd and 5.8. The last .2 I sprint it out bumping the mill up to 7.0 for one tenth of a mile then up to 9 for the last 10th. Actually threw up at the gym for the 1st time in a year Monday after the sprint. On Wednesdays I am running an interval at the 5.6 pace. T/Thurs I walk, but not a normal walk, a OMG my ass is killing me walk. I set the mill to a interval hill that goes up and down in increments of 1. Every mile I bump up the pace .2 starting at a 4 mile an hour pace and ending at 4.6. I also set the min hill level to 1 and the top peek is a 4, but each time i reach the bottom of the hill I up the hill by .5.  With all 3 workouts I am burning close to 750 calories in a hour and 5 min.

Ok it is late, I am rambling. Going to bed.

Oh, Graduate school is going pretty good. Stressful but good. Completed my 1st class in 6 weeks =) on to the 2nd which is suppose to be pretty tough but I am hoping to finish it in 12 and give myself 6 weeks to hopefully finish another short course so we shall see. I also registered for the PraxisI so I need to get studying for that as well.

Ok for real good night =)

205....come on body I just need 6 more....

Well more like 60 more lol. But I am weighing in today at 205. Its the lowest point I have seen on the scales since we moved to South Carolina, so July 2009! WOW! Ok so it's been a while. The lowest I have been since I was married was April 19, 2009 when my husband came back from his 2nd deployment I weighed in at 189 that morning and never saw it again. When I walked down the aisle I weighed 165, and the best I have ever felt about the way I looked and never referred to myself as "fat" or "on a diet" was my Junior yr of college when I weighed between 140-150.  I would love to see a size 8 again, no matter what the weight. I refuse to stop focusing until at least a solid 10 (meaning any size 10 I can put on). Right now I can wear anything from a 12-16...feels like such a HUGE spread! I did buy some size 12 capri jeans the other day. They are straight leg, but hey I'll take it! I know it is crazy, but I so wish I could somehow drop another 6 lbs in the nest 7 days lol. At least I shouldn't get yelled at when I weigh in this month. I was up 3 at my weigh in last month, and from my weigh in morning I am down 6, I just hope I can keep it down between now and my weigh in Tuesday.

I will try my best to post from the Beach Party on my 30th to see how well I did. Either way I guess is better then where I am!

20 lbs and only 18 days to Go

SO the 30th is RIGHT around the corner. I will be spending it where everyone really wants to spend their 30th birthday, at a Bachelorette party for my sister with 10 other 23 yr olds..... I know, I know I am sure it will be fun, my baby sister is getting married and I am throwing the party and I know I do that super well! But, I really, really, really want to start my 30s not in the 200s....I know 8 lbs in the next 18 days is a reach, especially considering it took me the past 7 months to lose 20, but Here's Hoping!

Humm...

Well, I guess I am not doing much better at this blogging thing. I guess I am down about 20 since starting this blog, closer to 30 since my birthday last year. I am really hoping to be under 200 by 30. If I can just reach that goal, that is 8 lbs in the nest 4 weeks. I am feeling lots of frustration. I feel like I am killing it at the gym 5-6 days a week, eating in my carb counts, just all kinds of things. I have switched up my workouts and am trying some new things. I also picked up the running BIG time. This season's biggest looser theme, is No Excuses, and I shouldn't have any either. Last year I kicked off my training for the Rock in Roll half marathon at the the Flowertown 10k. This years Flowertown 10k is getting close, so I am back up to running 45 min at 5.6 on the treadmill so I am getting there. I run a little farther then 4.5 miles and do a 10 min warm up and 10 min cool down so by the time I get off I do close to 5.5 miles. It feels good. It seems to be just about the only thing that makes me even the least bit sore at the gym anymore. I have tried upping the amount of weight I lift, adding more reps, you name it and I just don't get very sore anymore.

Ok this is a random blog. Grad School is going well so far. It is difficult to be in a self pace program, but it is the 1st time I have had to take out student loans in my life, and considering we just finished paying off my husbands loans, I am motivated =) I am hoping to get through the program w/in a year and a half. Needless to say that is what is taking up all my time. I am still following you guys! And I promise I will write when I can.

Is anyone on myfitness pal? Let me know and maybe we can friend and support each other there!

Have a great weekend Everyone!

Wrap up Wednesday

1~Officially received my acceptance to Graduate School!!! Should be starting February 1st, just waiting on Loan information
Yep that's pretty much all I got today! LOL

Till Later

Hello everyone!

Well, no telling how many of you are still out there, or how many just decided I disappeared from the blogging world like so many of us seem to do. But nope, right here. I have been keeping up with you! I just haven't been commenting much. Things are going well. I am down close to 20 (only one more lb to go). I am starting to see it in my face and my legs. Down from a size 16/18-to a solid 14. Its still going slow and I am far from where I hope to be. But I should at least be below 200 before my 30th birthday, and heck if I keep up this past I still be another 20lbs thinner by my sisters wedding and 40lbs close is a whole lot better then where I started.
Things have been going great actually. Not only did I pass my Biology class I got an A! When I figured the points I should have had a B but it was close so either the professor liked me or there was a little curve either way I am thrilled. I was officially accepted to Grad school last week and have my intake interview tomorrow. I am still waiting on news of a loan though so that has me on pins and needle's. Unfortunately we can not pay out of pocket for anymore school. The 4 pre reqs almost broke the bank so I am pretty nervous. I know it will all work out it always does, but still can't help but to worry a little.

Random Statement:
I was so proud of myself this year. Without even thinking about it I made a New Years resolution that was not about weight and more about committing to my faith in Christ more. I have been a Christian my whole life but the past few years my focus has not been where it should be and I want  to be setting the right example for my children.

Ok, well I hope everyone is doing great! Lots of you post are looking good! I hope I can post more regular, but am going to try not to be too rigid on myself so I don't get burnt out.

Happy 2012 everyone!

~Till Later