E2E Challenge update…

So I made a pact with Mike that he not lose any weight while gone and I would lose some. Well he is home 3 days early but he didn’t lose anything and guess what? I did, I am down 2 lbs, 185.4. Now I also did some measuring because my clothes are fitting weird, to big in the butt, legs and waist and my sweatshirts are sorta just hanging. And after all is said and done I have lost 2.5 inches from my waist, and inch from my behinder, an 1” off my thighs and my bust and arms, 1/2” each. So even though that darn scale says I’m fat my clothes are saying something a bit different. In fact Jim can not stand my jeans hanging on me  we went to JCP today and he bought me a new pair of jeans, can you guess the size? Now I have been so happy just being able to go into any store there is and buy a pair of 14’s (instead of the 20’s for so many years). It has been almost 30 years since I could do that. Well today I got a brand new size 12 plain old regular jeans. I am just plain beyond happy. I wore a size 12 when I got married almost 32 years ago. Now I am no where near as fit in my 12 as I was when I was 18 but you know what, it doesn’t matter. Jim is just so amazed, kind and happy I have made it to what I wanted and is loving me just this way. Now that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop, no it means I’m still heading for 175 and then going to live there. It does mean I am going to be able to wear my 12’s and enjoy them and just maybe this summer feel good in nice fitting blouses instead of huge ugly things.

My quote for this challenge is: "If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it." -Priscilla Welch  So that means that is what I am doing. I am running. Sometimes at a jog, sometimes at a trot and sometimes just all out running. Just depends on where I am. On the treadmill I start out with a 5 minute warm up and then just run between 5 and 6mph for 20-25 minutes. If I’m out on the road and there’s no snow I’m not sure how fast I am but I can do my 5K in 33-35 minutes. In the snow, well it can be slow or fast but about 45 minutes for a 5K. So I’m just working on improving my time and being safe because I do not want to hurt my knee and leg again, that really sucked not being able to do anything for those 2 months.

My menu planning has been excellent with the plan I figured out a couple weeks ago. It has made it so much easier for me to plan from day to day. I had $50.00 for groceries this week so was able to buy extra fresh fruit (like papaya I have never bought before) and lots of veggies. I didn’t buy a single thing that wasn’t good for me. I’m trying guys. I did want candy today but I didn’t cave at all, the only thing I got was mint ice cream gum.

My books have been on hold because of the hours I worked last week but since this coming week things will slow down a bit I am going to go back to my running book. My midlife books is getting a bit boring so am going to let it sit and change up to something a bit more for me right now. I do want to really learn to meditate, I just have so much troubles getting my mind to settle. Something I am going to work on again. I keep trying, I’ll learn. And book ideas from anyone? Any ideas that help to quiet the mind?

My buddy and friend Casey is doing awesome. I so love learning from her. And today is her 100th post and she has a give away going on so that means you have got to stop by and visit and tell her just how great she is and how wonderfully she’s doing and also, of course, enter for the give away.

I plan on stopping by every single one of you in this challenge and also my other friends this week. I do enjoy reading what’s up, how you’re doing and learning something new.

For me this week will be easier so I am planning on getting to the gym a bit more often and hoping it’s not packed to the rim but if it is I’ll be out on the trail instead. I know it’s not weight training but I can really do that here at home with my weights and fish flopping exercises so I’m not going to fret to much. I just really need to find the time at the gym where there’s not as many people. Our gym isn’t huge and if there’s 20 people working out it’s filled. Plus with Mike home I’ll have a support person to cheer me on just when I don’t think I have another step left (however I don’t know if he’s home for 1 day or 3 but will enjoy whatever I get) so the trails really work for me.

I think that’s that my friends. I am hoping for another great week but will just do my best and go from there. I am loving feeling like a human again. Life is good. It is what we make of it and I am really trying my best to just deal with all life’s issues as they come my way. Sometimes I handle them well, other times not but with the support system I’ve got with my friends and blogging friends I can handle anything. Thanks you guys.

Take care and have a blessed evening. I’m watching the Super Bowl but mostly for the commercials and half time show but also just to see some of it. I made some pulled pork with a recipe Allan shared with me and think we’ll have a huge salad and a fruit smoothie later on if still hungry. Blessings to you all!!