Love, Fate & Weight

A journey from FAT to FIT

[lovefateweight-blog]

I completed my first 10K obstacle mud run today and it was a BLAST! I honestly wasn't too pumped to go this morning. I've been under a lot of stress at work and school. My mind has been a jumbled mess of anxiety and overwhelming priorities.  I didn't even have time to review the welcome packet. I reluctantly got dressed and made it to the event. Good friends and support makes all the difference. We teamed up with my CKO members, did some warm-ups and took off from the start line. My previous (and only) mud run was a 5K and it was really challenging. My body gave up the last 20 minutes and I missed the greatest obstacle they had, a giant water slide. I was worried I would struggle this run, but I pushed through and finished with ease. I CRUSHED that slide today!!!! I love the support and team spirit at these runs. Everyone helps and cheers each other, whether you came together or have never met. I spent the afternoon with a great group of ladies. We proved our dedication and completed every obstacle as a team. Our bodies can do amazing things when we disregard the limits our minds set and with the support of others we are limitless.

[lovefateweight-blog]

Softball for Dummy

My company started a coed softball league and my overzealous self signed up without hesitation. I’ve never played a game in my life, completely lack hand-eye coordination, and have no concept of the rules, but dammit I’m going to play and I’m going to be good. Really, how hard could a slow pitch recreational softball league be? The answer, ridiculously hard! My teammates are good. They’ve played in high school or college and they react naturally. I react like a slow motion spaz diving and rolling on the ground, only to realize the ball has whizzed passed me and is already at the base it was intended to go. Yep, I’m that chick you don’t want on your team.

We haven’t even started the season and I’ve broken my nose on a pop up, blew my knee sliding, and rolled my ankle in the dirt before a play even started. I could quit now and say it’s not for me, but I won’t. I’m just too stubborn and self competitive. If I put my mind to something I CAN and WILL do it.

I am, however, much better in just a short time. I practice every day. I watch YouTube videos on plays and drills. I broke in my glove like a champ. I can catch and I can hit…sometimes. If there’s a grade for effort then I’ve earned an A. I’ve had good days and terrible ones like today. I’m really looking forward to more good and less embarrassing. We will see what the season holds. When it’s all said and done, I’ll know that I did my very best, putting in a decent amount of blood, lots of sweat, and a few tears!! Thanks to my teammates for  encouraging, guiding and most importantly, tolerating me. GAME ON!!

[lovefateweight-blog]

dlssg77 said: Tomorrow is a new day! I have some weight loss/fitness goals too that have alluded me. Time to kick it in gear.

Yes! Goals in sight. Mind focused 😃

[lovefateweight-blog]

Winter Just Wasn't My Season

So, it turns out this winter was anything but productive in terms of workouts and weight loss. I went into full hibernation mode. I gained back 12lbs after coming off my 10 week challenge in November. I knew exactly what I should have been doing, but completely lacked the desire to do it. Instead of beating myself up over it, I'm accepting it, learning from it and moving on. Finally, spring is here and my motivation is back!! Getting back into my routine is proving to be difficult, but my endurance is already improving. I pushed hard this week and will push harder next week. This is running and hiking season for me, and I am determined to be stronger, faster and better at everything I do. It's good to be back!!

[eseltz-blog]

[lovefateweight-blog]

My bestie is MOTIVATED!!!! 

I decided yesterday that after a year of eating anything and everything I wanted no matter how sick it made me that I have to change. My weight started creeping back up slowly and then it just jumped....

[lovefateweight-blog]

runningandfunning said: This is so neat! Way to go! It’s things like this that motivate me to keep running. Make that slide your bitch this year. LOL I'm going down that sucker face first!!

[lovefateweight-blog]

Runs For Fun

So, for Transformation Tuesday I decided to put together a photo from each of my event runs last season.  Each one was a 5K and each one had their own difficulties for me as a newbie runner. 

The mud run was by far the most challenging. I started off really strong, but towards the end of the course I was severely dehydrated. I couldn't stop yawning, which I later realized (when I got my thoughts together) was an involuntary response to get more oxygen. The race was in July and it was hot! It was also my first physically challenging race. I made it to the top of the last obstacle, a half pipe, because I desperately wanted to go down the giant mud slide, but my body had other plans. Once I got up there the noise of the crowd turned into a mumbled "womp, womp" which was the first sign I was about to pass out. I became really dizzy and knew I had to get on the ground or I'd finish my first mud run with a few broken bones. I was really embarrassed to climb back down, but I had come farther than I thought possible and I had a really great time. I did skip the beer tent. It took me a full hour to recuperate, but we ended the day with a good meal at the diner. This year I WILL make it down that slide.

My most recent 5K was in December and as you can see from my jumps, my agility has increased significantly with every race.

[lovefateweight-blog]

longruns-shortlifts said: I love this! Sounds very similar to my own running story. It took time, but I went from 1km to 5km to 10km, then last year I finished a half marathon. It’s amazing what you can achieve when you don’t let your failures deter you. Great work! X

Awesome! I would love to work my way up to a half marathon!! One day 

[lovefateweight-blog]

The Workout That Changed My Life

A year ago next month marks the anniversary of my first kickboxing class. For months I would drive by the gym at night on my way to Zumba and wonder what a class was like. I could see people through the steamy windows kicking, punching, jumping, spinning and flying into heavy bags. It looked exciting and badass. I really wanted to try it, but I was so intimidated. I had heard that kickboxing is really intense and I didn't think I had the endurance to make it through a class. I stumbled upon a Groupon for 3 classes and somehow talked myself into going one Saturday morning. I showed up anxious, picked a bag in the farthest corner of the gym, and got a tutorial on the kicks and punches we'd be doing. I was really nervous at this point. The class was packed with super fit people who were all stretching and jump roping like they were going in the ring for the most important fight of their lives. The music was pumping some intense house beat and I was thinking, "what did I get myself into?" 9:30 am and class begins. The trainer puts on his headset and comes out on the floor "alright ninja's, let's get this Saturday morning beat down started, jumping jacks let's go." Okay, I can do jumping jacks. Then high knees, butt kickers, mountain climbers and push-ups. Only 3 minutes in. I just might die during the warm up. I pushed as hard as I could. We started hitting the bag. Jab, cross, jab-cross, right hook, left hook, uppercut, and a freestyle attack round.  It was so much fun!! The intensity of the trainer and every person in that room is so motivating. I struggled for sure. There were plenty of things I could not do, but I was hooked. Right hooked. I bought a year membership that morning.

From March to November, I lost 50 more lbs with the support of CKO. I participated in a 10 week challenge where I lost 31 lbs!! All of those really fit people that had intimidated me on my first day became my fitfam and inspiration. The trainers became my motivators, pushing me to new limits every class. Most importantly, there is an incredible sense of belonging. We are a "team." We are every bit as badass that I imagined. We support and motivate each other every day and that's the real reason I fell in love with the gym. There are still exercises I have to modify. There are still days I struggle in the class, but there's never a workout I regret. I never would have believed I could take back-to-back classes, do handstands, or throw a roundhouse so hard the bag sounds like it's going to pop, but I CAN and so can you! If you live near one, I highly suggest you try a class. http://www.ckokickboxing.com/

[lovefateweight-blog]

Oh my gosh! That looks crazy! I’m glad you didn’t hurt yourself on the ice. Great job getting out there and getting it done!

fatgirlgetsfitatlast thanks! It was actually a lot of fun. Definitely more challenging than a sunny day hike in June 😄

[lovefateweight-blog]

Took a snow hike today which turned out to be more ice than snow. I fell twice, but I just laughed it off and kept going. I love being out on a trail with just my thoughts and the tick tick of Teddy's little feet.

[lovefateweight-blog]

Happy Valentine's Day

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honestandraw30 said: That’s amazing! I’ve struggled with running too. What types of stretches do you do before and any after?

I focus on calf and quad stretches.  I definitely find it helps to do them before and after. http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/running/tips/race-warm-up-drills/?page=2

[lovefateweight-blog]

Delusions of Becoming A Runner

So, after a few months of Zumba, I got the brilliant idea that I was going to be a runner. I had dropped about 20lbs, gained a bit of endurance, and what I now realize was too much confidence. I thought, I'm going to join a gym and start with a mile. That was a ridiculous assumption. I didn't know the first thing about running as a sport, but I had my couch to 5K app, a fresh pair of Asics, and a fancy treadmill at my new gym. I hopped on that sucker, earphones on full blast, and let loose...for about 20 dreadful seconds. Okay, maybe walk a little more, jog 30 seconds, walk more, jog 30 seconds -and I'm done. My calfs felt like pretzels, I needed a few puffs on my trusty 'ol inhaler and shamelessly limped out of the gym. There certainly was no victory lap.

I was really disappointed, but also determined. I went to the gym and jogged 3x a week following the couch to 5K program. Some days were better than others, and some days I had to repeat or regress. I suffered with calf pain and I can remember thinking I might never get past it. Weeks had gone by and I was struggling. I talked to some friends who ran regularly in hopes they had a solution, researched the crap out of cramping while running, proper running form, and incorporated stretching (duh running 101). Then, one day, the pain just stopped. I don't know exactly what changed. I think my legs just realized, alright this stubborn girl isn't giving up and adjusted. Thank you legs. I really do appreciate that.

Running (jogging) is still tough for me. I jog super slow (sometimes the power walkers are on a higher mph speed than I am). I didn't actually begin to enjoy it until I quit being so hard on myself. I'm not on anyone else's journey. I'm on my own. Running is a new game for me, and competing against anyone else isn't fair to myself. Baby steps. Very slow and calculated baby steps. Once I accepted that fact, I realized I was doing great! The only person I care to beat is myself, and it feels amazing every time. 

I started a weight loss bucket list, and completing a 5K was right on top. I did finish my first 5K shortly after, in April, and 4 more after that. Looking forward to more this year.

My First 5K

[lovefateweight-blog]

Teddy ate my first Fitbit 😳 It fell off my wrist while getting dressed for work one morning. Apparently, took about 50 steps with it before he decided it would be more fun to eat.

[lovefateweight-blog]

Fitbit Got Me Fired Up

I am obsessed with my Fitbit! I bought my first Fitbit Flex in early 2014 when I first started exercising. It was my first real investment in fitness. For me, accountability is a big part of my success. I can cheat myself, but I can’t cheat the electronic chip on my wrist. I also learned very early on that I am extremely competitive against myself. I would sync my Fitbit before bed and realize I was short of my step goal. This meant laps around the coffee table until I hit 10K. My dogs would just watch me pace back and forth and around, most likely thinking “she’s going nuts again.” I set my wristband to vibrate when I hit my calorie goal for the day, and I did a celebration dance every time it happened. It’s still exciting everyday, but I haven’t done a dance in awhile-note to self, dance more. I also joined the forums the Fitbit website has to offer. I added tons of friends and send cheers, taunts, and inspirational messages. It doesn’t matter to me if I know these people or not. We’re all here for the same goal and we’re all here to support each other. I linked Fitbit to the app myfitnesspal. There, you can track all your calories for free. I logged my exercise through Fitbit and all food through MFP. I finally had a better understanding of what I was putting in my body, and how much energy I was exerting on a daily basis. It really put things into perspective considering I could easily eat 3500 calories in a day which is equivalent to 1lb. On average I was burning 2500 calories a day. That = a problem. So, I made a conscious effort to significantly change my eating habits. Recently, Fitbit added “challenges” to the app. You can invite friends for daily, weekly, or weekend challenges. A little competition goes a long way and while you won’t actually win anything, the satisfaction of 1st place is good enough for me. http://www.fitbit.com/flex http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

[lovefateweight-blog]

Dance Like No One is Watching

I love Zumba for a number of reasons. #1-it's so much fun!! My classes were packed with women ages 20-70 and everyone was grooving at their own pace. My biggest worry as an unfit newbie was, would anyone judge me? Nope! Everyone was friendly and encouraging. They were too involved in getting the moves right themselves to notice how many times I had tripped over my own feet. Dancing just feels good. Dancing in sync with others feels even better. The music is hip and current, the moves are sometimes scandalous and it just feels damn good to let loose. Looking back, I'm really glad this was my first workout. It wasn't nearly as intimidating as I had anticipated and it showed me that a workout can be fun and exciting. Find a class near you here http://www.zumba.com/en-US/party