"I don't run unless something's chasing me"

[Guest Melissa]

Yup. For 37 years that has been my response to friends who have suggested I try running. But it's not that I finally have something behind me that has inspired me to finally give this a shot, but what is in front of me that has me terrified and rethinking things.

 

I just turned 37 in August and am the biggest I've ever been in my life which is daunting and terrifying since my dad died at 46 of a heart attack and I know heart problems run in my family. I just moved to California a year ago and, up until then I'd gained weight slowly, but had never gotten a bad bill of health from the doctor. Now- all of the sudden I have crazy high blood pressure and am worried about needing to go on medication for it if I don't get it under control.

 

I'm 5'3 and 162 and, while I carry my weight "well" and have curves that make me feel like pretty badass in the right outfit- I know I can't keep waiting for the fit fairy to wave a magic wand for me so I'm trying to psyche myself up to do this for real this time.

 

I never had to worry about weight growing up. I was always the scrawny, skinny kid who could eat anything and not gain a pound, but 15 years, two marriages and two kids later that reality is long gone and I'm not sure what to do with this new body and new metabolism that I now have to think about every day- multiple times a day.

 

I don't have the kind of support at home that I wish I had and so maybe this forum will be a good way to keep me focused and motivated and feeling a lot less isolated in this endeavor. I don't want to die before my kids become adults like my dad did, but fuck I hate feeling so incredibly alone on this journey. I've got my alarm set for tomorrow morning to do day 1. I've got to get started on this journey no matter how anxiety inducing it feels right now....

[KellyAnn 281]

HI MELISSA, WELCOME HERE. You got this... Do not let anyone stand in your way at all.. We weigh about the same and I am 5'2". I have been busting my butt working out am and pm, eating healthy, etc.. and it is barely budging, but I am doing it. Hoping it will fall off one day. I used to be so little, thinking it is my thyroid.

 

So, how come no support at home? is it your spouse? Make the time for yourself, you are so important. I follow the Paleo way of lifestyle. I cheat on Saturdays, by SUnday I am ready for real foo again. Processed foods make me sick,

 

You got this girl, we are all here to support you. I am definitely here for you. Proud of you. Since we are the same weight and size, we can buddy up. I love these apps so much. I look forward to my wokouts everyday. Good luck to you can you can do anything you set your mind to. I remmeber trying to gain weight, sheesh...

 

Keep me posted. and Hugs!

[farmgirl 13]

Melissa I used to say the same thing until I realized that my butt is the big thing that's chasing me and I NEED to run from it!  I'm not sure what kind of lack of support that you get at home, but I may have a similar situation.  My husband and I don't have children and my cooking is something that he really loves and I cook like a southern woman should and I love it too LOL!  He has never been wild about the idea of going on a "diet" and neither am I really.  He doesn't really need to lose weight so if I go on a diet, he does too.  With only the two of us it would be very difficult for just one of us to be on a diet.  So my solution has been to keep on cooking the way I always have but I have started cutting my portions.  I am eating the same yummy foods but cutting out seconds and I'm using a smaller plate to fool my eyes and brain.  I can imagine that if you're cooking for a husband and children it would be nearly impossible for you to go on a traditional "diet" by yourself so this may work for you as it has for me.  Any way that you do it though, just do it!  Don't give up and do this for yourself

[Guest GoddessLissa]

My lack of support is aggravating because my husband is far more overweight than I am. - But it's easier for him to nag me about how bad it is that I drink diet soda (because he doesn't and according to him that's the root of my health/weight problems) than it is for him to support me in doing something healthy because (at least subconsciously) i'm pretty sure he knows he should be doing the same things.

 

I used to go to the gym three days a week years ago and would try to get him to come with me, but that was a joke. I was hoping we could be healthier together, but he has no interest in taking that goal on (let alone doing it together). It is what it is... After 12 years I don't expect his support or encouragement for stuff like this. Heck, I didn't even tell him I was going to give C25K another try (I tried it years ago pre-app days when it was just a podcast!)

 

So today I tried Week One- Day One and made it 12 minutes in when I remembered I have, on occasion, needed to use an inhaler to breath and this is going to be one of those occasions!! Will have to use it before I head out next time and see if that works better.

 

I walked the rest of the way home and decided to relax on my deck to cool down (and chug a HIGE bottle of water!) and looked up to see Orion in the early morning sky which was awesome! I've never known much about stars, but that one is easy to spot so I decided my post C25K routine is going to include using the super awesome Star Gazer app to learn what stars are above my house in the morning. It was a tough morning, but a good one.

 

Tired and sweaty, but glad I've got my first 3,000 steps for the day out of the way! Going to walk on my lunch breaks on days I can't finish the full C25K day to try to get there faster!

 

I can't post to the C25K forum. I could as a guest, but ever since I registered I am not able to post or respond to comments. I messaged the administrators twice yesterday about it and never heard back.

[KellyAnn 281]

Hey Lisa,  You are doing amazing.  SOOO proud of you.

 

DO NOT LET ANYONE STOP YOU from doing what you want to do.  If after you start getting into shape and he doesn't want to , then so be it.  His choice.  I have worked out for years while the hubby never ever works out. Give that 20 years later, he does now for health.  We are both eating healthy and when we do cheat, we get ill, so those cheat days are disappearing.  I am proud of him, while i know he won't work out like I do I am happy he is doing something.  I am sad that if your husband is overweight that he wouldn;t want to lose weight too.

 

I am hoping you can post soon.   They should respond to you.  

 

Keep it up Girl and be proud of yourself and make healthier choices.   Give up the soda and use it as treat once in awhile.  I do.  

 

Check in so we can cheer you on!   Congrats!  and Hugs!

[GoddessLissa 5]

Thanks!!

 

Heh. A diet cherry coke a day is my ONE crutch/guilty pleasure. I was vegan for years and still don't really eat red meat (I've never cared for the taste of it) but eat chicken and fish regularly now. I don't drink (ever) or smoke and I have a HUGE aversion to salty food (same deal as with red meat- it just tastes awful to me) so I'm not feeling a huge push to give up the only real "treat" I consume. My biggest challenge is to get more active which is what I'm most focused on at the moment. I know when I exercise more I tend to default to water to rehydrate so my soda consumption decreases so I'm expecting that to help me organically cut back on it.

 

I am soooooo tired this afternoon. It's taking everything I have not to fall asleep at my desk (which is REALLY bad when the owner of the company sits next to you!) I was hoping that I'd gain some energy instead of losing it! I need a nap! I was just thinking this morning to post and see if others had noticed an increase in their energy levels and if they knew about when they noticed it happening.

 

I think the admins finally got my account working! Fingers crossed that when I hit "post" this really posts!

[GoddessLissa 5]

My boss raves about being Paleo and he's ridiculously fit. I'm starting to look at alternatives to some of the carbs/processed stuff our family consumes. I need to pick your brain sometime for awesome family friendly stuff that even my picky eater 8 year old will love!

[KellyAnn 281]

You Bet Lisa,

 

Pick my brain.  There are great books out there about Paleo.  I have a website with a few recipes called www.cavegirlcancook.com  I think there are some paleo books on there with links to amazon, but you can go to Amazon.com too and type in Paleo.   I am not ridiculously Fit as I love my cocktails (which I havent drank in weeks), as I really want to lose weight.   I am having a blooddraw this week as I am not losing like I should be and am very tired too.  I have been working out hard and not dropping fast.

 

Once you and your family eat healthy, the less they will want processed foods.   We used to cheat on Saturdays , but dang, it takes days to recover from the junk food, so maybe not anymore.  

 

1 Diet Dr Pepper a day?, that is not bad at all.  Sounds ok to me.  There are studies out there that say people gain weight from it, but I never have.  When I go to town here and there I will stop for a diet soda, usually do not keep them at home, and it is my treat when I go shopping.  We live in the country so going to town is a big treat once a week or every 2 weeks.  Looks like your account is working.  Yay.

 

Oh yeah, you will gain more energy as the days go on.  Start to feel better.

 

Good luck to you!   Hugs

[GoddessLissa 5]

I hope so I finally perked up a little while after I posted that and am feeling really good now (considering it's 8 o'clock in San Francisco and I am usually dragging at this point of my night!) I'm not sure if it is from my early-morning C25K efforts or from an exceptionally good day at work but I am tempted to give day one another try tomorrow morning.

 

And I definitely increased my water consumption today LOL! I have logged 96 ounces of water for today and only 12 ounces of Diet Coke!

 

Can you tell me where C25K is supposed to show up on MFP? I connected to after my workout this morning but I never really saw anything on my MFP account.

[GoddessLissa 5]

Do you have any awesome recipes for the holidays on your website? I would love to make some really cool Paleo Halloween treats to bring in for my boss and his two. Incredibly adorable little girls.

[KellyAnn 281]

Hey Lisa,

 

You should see it at the bottom of your diary when you are done.   Halloween treats sound yummy.   Search online for some yummy treats the Paleo way.   Primal Palate might have some.  Let me know what you find.  Good Luck!

[GoddessLissa 5]

Thanks! I'll see what I can find and let you know if we try any of the recipes! I'm a terrible cook, but an amaaaazing baker so making Paleo anything seems daunting! LOL

 

I have a friend that made dark chocolate coconut cups (like PB cups, but more awesome!) and Paleo chocolate chip cookies for his family last Christmas so I might have her join me in the kitchen for cooking support!

[GoddessLissa 5]

Thanks! I'll see what I can find and let you know if we try any of the recipes! I'm a terrible cook, but an amaaaazing baker so making Paleo anything seems daunting! LOL

 

I have a friend that made dark chocolate coconut cups (like PB cups, but more awesome!) and Paleo chocolate chip cookies for his family last Christmas so I might have her join me in the kitchen for cooking support!

[GoddessLissa 5]

Thanks! I'll see what I can find and let you know if we try any of the recipes! I'm a terrible cook, but an amaaaazing baker so making Paleo anything seems daunting! LOL

 

I have a friend that made dark chocolate coconut cups (like PB cups, but more awesome!) and Paleo chocolate chip cookies for his family last Christmas so I might have her join me in the kitchen for cooking support!

[GoddessLissa 5]

ARGH!!! I hate when the app lags and I double/triple post! Is there any way to delete a post? (I usually post from my iphone)

[GoddessLissa 5]

Just "completed" Week 1 Day 1 for the second time. Used 2 inhalers before heading out this time, but still had to walk a good bit of it. I made (what is probably the very rookie) mistake of not setting my water bottle down before I left the house which I realized quickly was awkward to carry with me.

 

So my new goal is to make it through the week one day one routine from start to finish even if it takes me 3 to 5 tries. I have also decided that my reward for accomplishing this is going to be stopping at the Starbucks I pass by on my cool down walk. I usually get Starbucks at some point during the day and realized the last time I was out that it would be really awesome to get it early and be able to enjoy it while I'm getting ready for work in the morning, but I think I am going to save that for days when I accomplish the full routine that I set out to do that day!

[KellyAnn 281]

Hi Lisa.

 

I have a waist pack that holds my phone, water, etc. I love it. I can even run with it. You are doing amazing. And you definitely need rewards. Hugs to you.

[GoddessLissa 5]

Hmmm. That might be worth picking up! It was really awkward to run with it! I could have made an amazing milkshake while running though!

[Guest Guest]

Good for you! Get out and move. I am 4 weeks into it and I am 160 pounds over weight. If you want this, nothing will stop you. Take it easy and don't rush it. Give your body a chance to adapt to the pounding on the pavement. You will get there and some take longer than others, but you know what, that's okay. You have the courage to step out of your front door and take the first step in this journey. Stick with it and you will make it the the end. Remember that the mind will give up before the body will. Be strong!

[KellyAnn 281]

Ha Lisa, funny.  I will not ever run without a waist pack, I love my water.   I have had the same one for years.  It is great.  I also like the ones that have 3-4 little bottles aroundit, might buy that one , one day.  I have a CameBak too, but that dang thing you suck on for water makes me gag, lol.  I hate it...  IDK it does, but it does.

 

Thanks fr your encouraging words Guest (whoever you are).....     HUGS

[Guest]

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