Fitness Friday: Half Marathon Countdown

Only a week left until Sarah and I head to Virginia for the Run Like a Diva half marathon in DC wine country. Now, if we could only keep ourselves together until then...

Between my ankle and cardiologist appointment and Sarah trying to figure out pain in her foot, we are a sight to see. We may be hobbling across that finish line, but damn it - I'm crossing it!! Truth be told, my ankle is feeling much better than it was. A brace, rest, and ice has been doing wonders, but I know I could be wearing much more supportive shoes during the day. Going from expensive running shoes to crappy flip flops isn't doing me any favors. But where to find supportive work shoes that aren't completely fugly?

So here is my plan for this last week before the big day...

• Step 1: Don't eff up my ankle anymore than I already have. 
• Step 2: Try a short run this weekend (4-5 miles). 
• Step 3: Put on my pretty sparkly pink Jamberry nails to celebrate my inner running diva.
• Step 4: Walk a few times next week.
• Step 5: Go to my cardiologist appointment on Wednesday and PRAY that I'm allowed to run on Saturday. 

I'm not going to lie; I'm nervous. If the doctor says I can't run, I'm going to be crushed. It's totally a first world problem, but I've been working hard on this. I can't lose it at zero hour. Will their be other races? Of course, but THIS was going to be my first half. Hopefully, first of many. 

Aside from running, I'm still trying to figure out this whole weight loss thing. ::sigh:: I know I'm getting in shape, heck - I ran 10 miles the other day! But I'm not really losing any weight. My diet is so, so (I honestly don't think I eat *enough* for what I'm doing), but not so bad that I should be teetering at the same 2-3 lbs for months. Since I know it's not all about the scale, I've been keeping track of my measurements.

Back in May, I shared my stats...

Weight: 160 lbs.
Bust: 42"
Waist: 39"
Hips: 42"
Thigh: 23.5"
Arm: 13"

And now, 3 1/2 months later, this is what I'm working with...

Weight: 156.8  (-3.2 lbs)
Bust: 42"  (0)
Waist: 38"  (-1")
Hips: 41"  (-1")
Thigh: 21"  (-2.5")
Arm: 12"  (-1")

I know there is a difference and I can feel the difference (especially in my legs!) but damn. I thought the scale would be moving a bit more than that. "Oh, but muscle weighs more than fat..." That's not technically true. A pound is a pound is a pound. Sure, I've lost inches, but I still weigh and look nearly the same. It's okay, I can take it - I still have a good 20 lbs to lose. It's fine. I'll get there!

Weight Watchers

This leafy green lunch is brought to you by the fact that I'm back on Weight Watchers. Well, sort of. Enough.

Pre-children I was on Weight Watchers for about 4 years and lost about 30 pounds that were generously donated to my ass by graduate school. Then I had Charlie, got a new job, moved, yadda yadda life got crazy. Well, another kid later and I'm about 20 lbs above my "happy weight" and rather...squishy. This has less to do with a New Year's resolution and more to do with the fact that I'm sick of having to do this to my jeans.

So, here I am with my spinach salad lunch. Honestly, its not too bad - especially since fruits and veggies are 0 points on the current WW plan. This whole lunch is 6 points and actually very filling.

2 cups spinach - 0 points (2 servings of veggies)
2 tbsp chopped walnuts - 3 points (but so, so worth it)
1/4 cup mandarin oranges - 1 point (they'd be 0 points if I wasn't using canned)
2 tbsp Ken's Lite raspberry vinaigrette dressing - 2 points
1 banana - 0 points
Water

I get a total of 26 points a day, so 6 points for lunch while hitting a few of the daily "health checks" isn't too bad. Granted, I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to have for dinner and could blow the remaining 10 points I have and then some, but let's hope for the best.

Over my few years of doing Weight Watchers, I've picked up a lot of different tips and tricks (and cheats). When someone asks me for WW tips, this is what I tell them...

• Take a black sharpie and mark point values on your food packages. It makes it easier when you're going to grab a snack to see 5 pt pretzels vs. 2 pt popcorn vs. 0 pt clementines.
• Invest in a food scale. It is much easier to measure difficult things like cereal, chips, peanut butter, and lunch meat that way. Plus, you get more by weight than by counting out 15 chips. This video, albeit a bit dramatic, gives you an idea how much more accurate weighting food is vs. measuring cups and spoons.

• Don't immediately reach for the sugar substitutes - they can have some seriously negative effects in mass quantity (migraines, tummy issues, etc.) Cutting the sugar and learning moderation is a more important lesson than stocking up on sugar free stuff (which is often more expensive anyway).
• In addition to the weight goal they give you, make another goal that isn't on the scale. Do you want to fit in a certain pair of jeans? Want to be able to run a mile without stopping? Shop at a certain store? Focus on that. It's easy to get wrapped up in a number and STILL be disappointed with yourself if you're a pound over it.
• Take measurements of your upper arms, waist, and thighs. You will see big changes in these numbers over time, sometimes even when the scale isn't budging.
• Get into a work out routine as you're adjusting your diet. It's possible to lose weight without the activity part, but it doesn't help your overall health - just the number on the scale. You can be thin and still unhealthy and out of shape. 

You know you're a beater licker. Don't lie.

•  Keep the "BLTs" in check. That's the bites, licks, and tastes - especially when you're cooking or baking. A nibble here and there and the next thing you know, the cheese you were grating for dinner adds up to a 3 point, 1/4 cup serving.
• CHEAT. Yes, cheat. Seriously - you're human. One "bad" meal didn't get you where you are and it won't derail you. Knowing it's cheating is the important part - it means you realize what you should be doing and that cookies, cheeseburgers, ice cream aren't the norm for you anymore. 
• Celebrate your smallest successes! Getting healthy (notice I didn't say "losing weight?") is a long term goal. It doesn't happen over night.
• Keep healthy snacks in the house. If you go scavenging for something, make sure you can easily find a healthy solution or you WILL find something chocolate. 

Are you on a weight loss journey? What is the hardest part for you? How do you over come it?