Has it really been two weeks?

Wow--I've not updated in a while, and I have a lot to catch this blog up on!

First, my dad is doing much better! They have to keep monitoring the levels of his blood to ensure his blood is just thin enough, which means he gets blood drawn a couple of times a week. He had a post-op appointment yesterday and was down 37 pounds!! He lost 19 pounds before surgery, so he's losing 6 pounds a week right now (he's three weeks out). I can't believe how good he's doing right now--it's awesome. He'll be to goal by MY birthday, I swear (and I STILL won't be, but that's ok! :P )

After about a month of hovering, the scale finally moved today, which is awesome. I've been doing strength training for a month or so now, and my clothes have definitely been fitting different, so I know that some of my non-weight loss is due to muscle gain and just general shifting around of things, which is good. I'm trying not to be OBSESSED by the numbers on the scale, but, but, butt. Ya know? It's hard, it what I'm saying.

When I look like this, then I'll shut up, ok? :)


I've hit a couple of pretty amazing workout milestones. First, on Saturday, I went run/walking for the first time OUTSIDE of the gym. I walked from my apartment to the zoo, ran ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE ZOO, and then walked home. I ran continuously for .75 of a mile, which is just AMAZING to me. In all, I went about 4.5 miles in 90 minutes.

Yesterday at the gym, I ran for an entire half hour on the treadmill--2.5 miles at 4.7/4.8 speed. I'm flabbergasted that I could do this, which also makes me wonder if I am pushing myself enough in the gym. I mean, last week I didn't think I could run more than a few minutes at a time on the treadmill (well, I was trying to run at a 5-5.5 pace, which is just too much), but if I could step it down just a few notches and run SIX TIMES as long, I bet I could actually run a little more than I give myself credit for.

I read somewhere recently that the first two minutes of aerobic exercise are the worst--you are working so hard and you feel like quitting. But, if you can get past those two minutes, your body sorta shifts in for the long haul and it actually gets easier. Since I've read that, I can't believe how true it is. When I was running through the zoo, I almost immediately wanted to stop and start walking again. I just kept pointing out buildings to myself a little further down the path and saying just get to that building, just get to that building...then I started measuring using song s on my ipod--just get through this song. By the time the first song had finished and the second one had started, I really felt like I would be able to run through the entire zoo and I did!! I just need to remind myself to PUSH a little harder than I think I can, and I'll usually be surprised at what I can actually do! And, as my brother told me a few weeks ago, "Pain is just weakness leaving the body."

In a surprise fit club upset, Lynn (my best friend) overtook Becca (my sister in law) by chalking up 34 workouts in a week (5 workouts a day for 7 days, with 1 miss). This is week 7 of the challenge, so there is no way for me to make up for the points I'm now behind (about 12+++ at last count), so I've "given up." Working out in 1/2 hour intervals was driving me crazy, and I've had a lot of fun the last few days getting into a "normal" workout routine--walking to work and then a hour+ of cardio/strength in the gym at night. My original goal when I started fit club was to energize me to fit more exercise into my busy schedule, and I have to say that was a smashing success! I exercise every day now, and look forward to doing it. I'm still in the money (3rd place, which is a measly $4.50, but better than paying, I guess!), so that's good too.

On Sunday, I went shopping and found the most fabulous dress ever. And it was 40% off! And it was a size 14! And it looks so amazing on me!!! Take a look!


I think that's all I have for right now!