The “Going Big or Going Home” Edition
Prologue: Last night, I determined a hot bath was in order. Leaving the toddler in the capable hands of his oldest sister, (aka my 13-year-old daughter), I retreated behind my locked bathroom door with a copy of Jane Eyre and bubbles.
Lots and lots and lots of bubbles.
I had gotten, perhaps, five minutes of reading when…is that ABBA? It was indeed ABBA, a tinny rendition of “Dancing Queen” that I recognized as my iPod.
Bang! Bang! Bang! The rap at the door was insistent and sharp—the sound of my iPod being used as a battering ram.
“Who’s there?” I called out, understandably annoyed. “Who’s banging on the door with Mommy’s iPod?”
“Da!” yelled the toddler, as in, “I escaped my sister!”
“Da!” yelled the toddler. “Aren’t I smart?”
Obviously I’m a mom with limited free time. That means picking and choosing carefully. What is the best way to spend my day?
How about reading Jane Eyre and eating truffles?
How about reading Jane Eyre and eating truffles and maybe…just maybe…running a 5K this summer?
Are you sure? You’re sure?
Can I maybe just go for two out of three?
NO. Half measures are not how I want to live, and so when I say “Going Big or Going Home,” I mean it. It’s not that I’m “just” 15 pounds overweight (click here to see my scale this morning), it’s that I’ve been trying for years to lose that weight!
It’s not falling off on its own, believe me. I need two things (at least) to make it happen: Accountability and Consistency.
And so I’ve enlisted the help of my beloved husband (aka the cutest trainer this side of Wisconsin) who told me, “Just get on the treadmill and run one mile.” I can do that…and I did. This morning!
(It was a 12-minute mile but still. I did it.)
Second, I have registered {gulp!} for a 5K this summer: the Bacon Chase on July 19th. I chose this race because HELLO? Are you kidding? You get unlimited bacon and a Bloody Mary at the end! Note: I’m told you need to be, like, actually alive to eat that bacon. So I’d best get crackin’ on that treadmill!
(As opposed to just eating lots of bacon.)
And finally, I’m jump-starting this dusty ol’ Weigh-In Wednesday series and what’s more, I’m turning it into a link-up! Because I know you know the world really needs another link-up and there you go and here we go. I don’t know what I’m doing but then, I rarely do.
Won’t you please please join me in living more healthfully? Will you join me in being more accountable and consistent? Just write up a post with some goals and link it!
Okay. I'm in. I have no idea what kind of post this is going to be….I figured it out last night (right after getting off the scale — and eating one last Solemnity brownie) that I am 50!! pounds overweight. Fifty freakin' pounds. I have this neighbor. Her name is Kelly, too. She was leaving her house yesterday afternoon (a gorgeous 64 degree Colorado day) to take her two wee kiddos for a walk. One on a scooter and the other being pushed in a stroller. She was wearing tight, unforgiving, form-fitting leggings and exercise tank. She had her lovely, long blonde hair in a ponytail. She looked like Barbie. Really. I actually did a double take and she looked just like a living Barbie. She is tall and thin and blonde. She's everything I'm not and I felt like crap. Her baby is not even a year old. What?! How?! Doesn't she know by leaving the house looking like that that she is making all the other moms want to throw themselves in front of a bus?! I'm rambling now, but I think you get me, right? Please, just say that you get me.
Yeah. So, anyway, I'm in.
Kelly, I know that "feeling like crap" feeling. There's really no other way to put it. It's a yucky word for a yucky feeling! For me, it's so much more than a number on the scale. It's living more fully and having more energy as a result. It's being mindful; it's feeling good.
I'm so happy you're in. 🙂
Well, your actual weight is my ideal weight. 🙂
I don't have a scale right now, but I used the one at the extension office yesterday. 152 at 4 weeks postpartum, which is 15 pounds more than pre-pregnancy, and also coming off a long winter of relative inactivity. Here's hoping the high-gear spring and summer work do the trick, because I am so not going to just "work out"!
It's all relative, Jennie! If I lived on a farm, I doubt that I'd be on the treadmill! And you know that you're like, WAY taller than me, right? So your numbers will be higher. : )
Yeah, but, sadly, I've noticed that, being middle-aged and all, the weight doesn't come off quite as quickly as it used to. I was 110 pounds when I got married! Sure, that was 19 years and eight babies ago, but still! Also, I was pretty skinny. Now, I'm happy at 130-135ish. Anything under 140, actually. I can live with that. The good news is that we're both getting soft, gray and wrinkly together, Davey and I, which is oddly endearing. 🙂
I am cheering for you every step of the way! I have made my own over the top running goal this year, so if you need a change of scenery, drive on up and we will run next to Minnesota's 13th largest lake!
We are so going running this summer, Marylisa. It's not just a change of scenery; it's meeting a blog friend for the first time!
I can't wait!
I'll be cheering from my recumbent bike because, though it gets my blood pumping, actually produces no weight loss. Between that and my age (menopausal) I think I would have to go through a radical medical procedure to lose more than a dozen pounds or so. At least that's how it seems. Praying for a miracle so I can get back in walking shoes.
Tell me about being menopausal, Barbara! I'm hot…then I'm freezing…than I'm HOT…and then…
(Not to mention, the weight's just not budging the way it used to.)
You have health issues that I don't, however, so baby steps! And I, in turn, will try to keep up with you spiritually because that's one area where you inspire me SO much.
You can SO do this, Margaret!! How do I know? I just trained for and ran a 5K last weekend, and I hate running and I am at least 40 pounds overweight. It took me 2 months to be able to run enough to do a 5K, so you can definitely do it by the summer. And don't knock the 12 minute mile – that's my pace! 🙂 Remember this – no matter how slow you are going, you are still lapping everyone still on the couch!
I recommend the couch to 5K app. It's free and it starts you out so slowly (like 30 second running intervals!). In 8 weeks, you'll be running a 5K.
I've set myself a new running goal, so I'll be right there training along with you. 🙂
I saw that on Facebook, Aimee. I was so proud of you!
I have only run ONE 5K in my lifetime–over 20 years ago in my "prime"–and my time was comparable to yours. I'm not knocking the 12-minute mile; just hoping that I can do three of 'em in a row!
u can do it mom!
ur daughter,
angela
My favorite comment, ever. 🙂
Oh so sweet. <3
I started my journey at 394#s and never looked back (well maybe a few times but who's counting). I have run several races, and this January I ran "Goofy's Challenge" a Half Marathon followed by a marathon the next day. I am 38, a mom, a full time worker bee and a cancer patient. Now if someone would have told me there was a bacon race I MAY have trained harder. You can totally do this. You have the backing of a wonderful family and amazing strength!!
You remind me of my friend, also a cancer survivor, who lost a ton of weight and is going to run her first mini marathon next month. She's 65! I'm so proud of her, and you, too!
I'm proud of you too! You've got big BIG things on your plate; big things for His greater glory. ♥
Good for you! That sounds like a fun 5k.
Join me?
Great! I was once going to push myself to do a 5k and a friend of mine laughed and said, "How,' you're always pregnant." That was the end. SOOOOOO GO FOR IT! Don't let anything stand in your way!
…and if you bring your cell phone in the bathroom you can call the babysitter….just sayin' 🙂
I *did* think, what if I get pregnant before then? Sufficient this day, tho, is the weight gain (or loss) thereof…
Hey, I'd happily lose out on that registration money if a new little sweetie was involved.
Good for you, Margaret! I am SO proud of you!! You know my journey with running, so I am cheering you on for sure … Maybe we can go running together sometime when the weather finally decides to warm up! (And then get a skim latte at Caribou 🙂 I highly recommend doing interval training, like Aimee suggested. You will be ready by July, and even if you have to run in intervals in the 5K, that is more than OK! I am doing my second 5K in April, and it is called the Hot Chocolate 5K … Guess what we get at the end?! 😉
You are definitely an inspiration, Sarah!
PS. We missed you last night!! 🙁
🙁 I missed being there, too. SO much going on … It is stressful and anxiety creeps in … I am ordering "The Long Loneliness" today, so I can be ready for April! xoxo
I would totally run a race with bacon waiting at the finish line and I do not run unless there is a very good reason. Like, say, a toddler hanging on the edge of the table because he just kicked the chair over.
Personally, I just want to strengthen my core.
Oh, and I love Jane Eyre!
Jenny, that line about the toddler hanging on the edge of the table has endeared you to me FOREVER. Much love, my friend!
I am running a 10k next month, so I will join you. 🙂 That being said, I have found, after running for the last five years, is that running doesn't "always" help with weight loss. When I was training for a half marathon, I actually gained a few pounds. So, track your food. Not for obsessive stuff, but accountability. I have only lost 11 pounds since having the baby…and have 40 to go. I'm upset, to be honest. I've been working out since she was 8 weeks old. I'm hoping it's my thyroid…I see my endocronologist on Monday. Still…being almost 39 aint' like being 25 🙁 It came off so much easier then
Oh, and my friend with six kiddos like me…we run this 10k every year (unless we've had a baby) because it's sponsored by a local restaurant…and there is food at the end of the race. LOL
Love it! (And you!!) A 10K, huh? That's kinda scary… : )
It's actually a nice distance. not too short, not too long. I hate the first three miles of any run, so i would just be crabby during a 5k. LOL. Unless, of course, there was bacon.
How did I miss this post?
This is awesome Maggie!! I'd love to link up when I get my stuff together…
I said this on Kelly's post too…what the heck is it about 5K's? What is the big deal? I feel like I don't need to do a 5K to prove anything to anyone even myself. (and these boobs do not run)
Way to go Maggie!! I'm in. Somehow.