New Week and New Diet

Well, it's technically Tuesday, but I still a start of a new week. This week starts two new chapters in my life. First, I start my new role as Josh's marathon trainer/motivator as he prepares for his 3rd Chicago Marathon this year. I will help him to stick to his 90% vegetarian diet and training. I will tag along his long runs and accompany him to our new gym for our workouts. I am happy to take on this role.

Second, I am also make some positive changes in my life too. I am starting to make more healthy choices by beginning a new vegetarian verson of a low-carb diet. Lo-carbs means more, more veggies/fruit and no white sugar/flour in my diet. I have a history of gestational diabetes and recently tested in a pre-diabetes/insulin resistant level.

I have a huge challenge because I am a huge sugar addict. I am addicted to sugar. I love my desserts and chocolate. This love that had hindered my weight and life. I have had to work hard to keep my weight off. As part of the life change, I saw an acupuncturist to help deal with my sugar addiction. So far it has helped, but I still have three more visits to see it works.

This body is not yours, nor does it belong to others. It should be seen as the product of the whole of history. In regard to it the wise person will reflect on the nature of conditioning, saying: If this comes into being, that will arise; if this does not come into being, that will not arise.
-Samyutta Nikaya

Running does not just need motivation

It's my dieting that A LOT of motivation too. In fact, since I have not running (and moved in with Josh too), I have gained (GULP!) UGLY, NASTY 15 lbs. I have ballooned to 159 lbs. I had to go to my "fat work pants" on Friday - as pair of size 14 pants (normally 10-12 size). I fought myself to get out of it, but I had to. I could not take the pain and discomfort anymore. (I am known as the "lightweight" at work.) It has been YEARS since I have been this heavy. In fact, I lost 50 lbs over 4 1/2 years ago when I was on Weight Watchers after the birth of my daughter (and diabetes threatening me too!)

I used to look like this! (SO sorry for the poor photo quality!)

I know look like this. I can totally see the weight in my face.

I am determined more than ever to get rid of this weight once and for all. After my mom's wedding, I will be going back on Weight Watchers with Josh. We have to motivate ourselves together. My goal weight is 140 lbs - the weight I was in the first picture, but I will hopefully have more muscle tone since I am a runner. I need the speed as well. I know that I am an emotional/boredom eater. I need to find something else to take that time to prevent me from making the same mistakes again.

I feel great after being in the gym 5 days this past week. I am determined to do that again this week too. I am happy with how the running is going. My legs feel great afterwards. My feet still need to slightly adjust to the orthodics, but I know I am feeling the results to effort. I just wish it would COOL DOWN so I can run outside safety without overheating or having to run BEFORE work (4 am - HELL NO!).

My goal is to take the weight off (or most of it) before my 33rd birthday on November 8th. I want to make it happen!

Good luck all of the CDC runners tomorrow. I will be out there with a BIG sign cheering you on....somewhere!