Budget Weight Loss

Often I see people that use particular products to help them in their weight loss - 100 cal packs, frozen meals, reduced calorie products ....  While these are very helpful products, it's something that at the moment I can't make part of my life.  Pretty much everything in my house is bought with cost in mind.  It's either on sale or bought in bulk, etc. 
One of my biggest savings lately has been on bread.  I have a rather large husband and two teens (one of which could easily eat me out of house & home on cereal, milk and peanut butter sandwiches).  We go through a TON of bread.  Recently my Dad was visiting and as I was making lunches in the morning he said "What is this?  Subway??".

Not long ago I was introduced to a discount bread store in town.  They have a rack there for stuff that is nearing it's best before date (usually about 2 days before).  And if you've seen what's in the grocery stores, you know this isn't actually that bad.  I usually buy 10 packs at a time and put them straight in the freezer.  Not only is there bread, but there is usually pitas, wraps, flat breads, hot dog/hamburger buns, hoagie rolls...

If you buy in groups of 5, they are 99 cents each.  And it's good bread.  You'd pay at least $3 - $5 a loaf for this in the stores.  With the volume we go through I estimate we will save about $450 or more in a year, possibly quite a lot more.  That's a lot of runners & clothes!!!  Just in bread savings alone.

This is my haul from yesterday:

So what does this mean for me in regards to weight loss? 

It means that I can't rely on a particular product.  If Squirrley Bread is my go to product and they don't have it one week, I have to make adjustments and use another product.  Luckily there is lots to choose from.  Quite often they have a variety of rye breads which run at about 120 calories for two slices and have a great taste.

Isn't that what weight loss/management is all about?  You have to constantly make adjustments.  And you can't let the unexpected affect the goals you've set for yourself.  If you go to a party and the food options are not what you have available then you need to make the best choices you can.  Portion control, healthier options.....  it's a lifestyle!

RUNNING SCHEDULE


Running schedule this week:

Monday - Rest after the race
Tuesday - 60 min @ about 6.0mph
Wednesday - 8 x 400M fast lap sets
Thursday - 10.5 Km @ about 6.0 mph
Friday - 5 Km - fast (practice road run for the Santa Shuffle)
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - 14-16 Km @ about 6.5mph

I was amazed after Sunday's race that I was actually a bit stiff yesterday. On weekends we usually run similar terrain with the hills and such, though a much longer distance. But I think the faster pace and the weather conditions must have been what made the difference. So, I made yesterday my rest day instead of today.

I think I needed it to because I was asleep in bed at 8:30 and didn't get up until 6:15 (and I was still tired).

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Superior Scribbler Award

Thanks to Marcelle and Syl for giving me the Superior Scribbler Award.  This is actually my first award (I think - heehee).  Marcelle - sorry I missed this the other day.  I read your blog all the time, but sometimes on weekends I just do scim-overs.

Your comments are so sweet.  I'm so glad that I can motivate Marcelle with her running.  I once hated to run, but the passion has certainly grown into something I now love.  To read that Syl aspires to be just like me makes me feel all warm & fuzzy inside. 

First ... these are the rules:

• Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass the award on to five most deserving bloggers.
• Each Superior Scribbler must line to the author and the name of the blog from whom s/he has received the award.
• Each Superior Scribbler must display on his/her blog, and link to the Scholastic Scribe, which explains the award.
• Each blogger who wins the Superior Scribbler award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. linky list. That way, they'll be able to keep up to date on everyone who receives this prestigious honour.
• Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

Second ... there are so many I could pass this on to, and I think a bunch of you have already gotten this.  But for the sake of limiting to 5 people ... I pass this along to:

Missy - You always make me smile.  You just seem perpetually happy and it's contagious.  I see you struggle with trying to balance the lifestyle of a young, fun woman hanging out with her friends, but mostly I see how strong you are and I know in the long run you will be so grateful that you are fighting this battle now.  You are learning so much and it will stick with you for life.

Kerry - Here's another blogger who almost always has her positive hat on.  Your blog is always fun to read and full of straight out honestly.  Plus, you've got the most amazing smile!  And, aside from weight loss, I gotta say that you have really give me a different perspective on a teacher's life that I never had before.  It's been an eye-opening experience.

Susan - You should have your picture posted in the dictionary next to the word "dedicated", oh and also "moderation".  Hmmm, maybe "organized" too.  I think I'd be afraid to follow your workouts because I'm sure you'd kick my butt.

Tamara - You are the straight goods!  You are open and honest and a huge dose of reality.  Weight loss is tough and dirty.  I get sick of reading certain blogs that are all full of sunshine and perfection.  You've faced alot of struggles but I know there is determination in you and you are in this for the long haul.  I know you'll never give up.  You are one STRONG woman!

Syl - I know you've already got this tons so don't feel inclined to do it again, but I couldn't make this list without including you.  Someone once said before that you are like every bloggers online BFF and I feel the same way.  You don't know how often I think of you when I just feel like shoving this whole business in the corner for a while.  I see how hard you work and it keeps me going.  You are the first blog I go to every morning.  And I too can't wait until we meet!

Geee ... I can never be short-winded can I - hahahhaa.

So many great bloggers out there.  You guys all make my day!!!!!

7.7 Km Cross Country Race Recap

Yesterday my husband and I participated in a 7.7Km Cross Country Race.  It was one of an 8 part series put on through local running clubs. 

This was us at home after the race.  Soaking wet, clod to the bone, muddy - but very proud of ourselves!

To say it was gross is an understatement.  Apparently this is what cross country running is all about.

It had been raining non-stop for the previous 36 hours (and alot in the 2 weeks prior).  We've been experiencing a Pineapple Express here and the amount of rain has been unbelievable.

All morning it POURED, and it was cold.  I had NO desire to go out in it, but I couldn't yak on here about doing this run and then just not do it. 

We got there and there were more people than I'd expected would show up.  Apparently these people are die-hards.  I knew beforehand that most people who run this race are associated with clubs and are accumulating points towards the whole series. 

Knowing this, when we lined up to start, I just positioned myself near the back to let the faster people go ahead without me in their way. 

This was a 4 loops course of 1.9Km per loop. 

We started off across this field and within seconds were drenched!  The water in the field was up over our ankles and I'll I could do is shake my head and question my sanity in even entering this race.

Through the water logged field (about 400M), then around a bend that was muddy and boggy in many spots.  The "the hill" ... it was fairly long and quite steep at the top.  On it's own it wasn't so bad, but as we were doing 4 loops, I knew I'd face this thing time and time again.

Once at the top we followed a gravel trail that was pretty good, except the one area where there was a deep puddle over the whole trail and we all resorted to running through the muddy grass (which just got worse loop after loop).  On my 3rd loop I went into a mud hole over the top of my shoe - it was gross!

After that was the gradual descent which consisted of a number of up and down hills - you never really did feel like you were going downhill because every time you went down you'd just recovered from going up.  Along this route was numerous puddles to jump (or run through) and a downed tree to jump over.

My goal going into this race was an un-optimistic 44 minutes.  I had hopes of finishing in that time, but in my heart I really didn't actually think I would.  And once I got a taste of the course I pretty much erased that thought from my head. 

At the 1Km mark my time was 5:32.  I knew to finish in 44 minutes I had to do each loop in 11 minutes or less.  Considering that was my first Km and it was nearly halfway through the loop I figured there was no way I'd reach my goal.  So I was shocked to see my time at the end of the first loop was 10:29.

But, even knowing that I still thought ... no way I'll keep it up for the whole thing. 

End of the 2nd loop my time was 21:20 ... hmmm I'm still on target.  On the 3rd loop this woman came running up beside me and the two of us ran neck and neck for most of the lap, until just near the end she passed me.  Funny how that gives the passer a boost and the passee a feeling of defeat - which I tried to swallow.  At the end of that loop my time was about 33:30, so I was still on target - but quickly running out of gas.

Going up that big hill for the last loop took alot of grit.  But that woman who passed me seemed to be slowing down so I gave it all I could.  I knew I had just over 1 Km to go and I could push hard through that.  With about 1/2 a Km to go I was right on her tail but I couldn't quite manage to catch her. 

At the finish my husband came back and met up with me.  He said he was surprised at how fast I was running and when I took off for my final sprint he couldn't believe how fast I was going.  At the finish line I almost caught that woman again.  She ended up finishing 3 seconds in front of me.

The final result .... I finished in 43:10!  Almost a minute faster than I didn't think I could finish it in.  WAHOO!  My husband finished in 37:10.  In February we both ran an 8Km trail race (though not nearly as grueling) and my time was 49:04 (or :54 - I'm not sure which) and my husband's time was 42:40.  So we both made huge improvements in the last 9 months.

I was suprised how even each of my loops were.  I guess I've learned how to pace well.  My loops were 10:29, 10:51, 11:00, and 10:50.  I'm pretty happy with that.

After talking to some seasoned cross country runners they said this was comparable to (at minimum) 8.5Km, or maybe even 9Km road race, given the conditions.  I can't wait to test that theory on my next 10Km race!

Here's an idea of what we endured through all that mud & water....

And my lovely brand new socks .....

these ended up going straight into the woodstove!

And ..... as a pure bonus .......

I won my age category and got a $25 gift certificate to a local running store!!!!! 

I was surprised to say the least.  I even asked the presenter if I was the only one in the category - hhahaha.  Though, as it turns out there were only 4 women age 20-39, so it's not exactly a huge field. 

Honestly I'm more proud of my personal achievement and the gift certificate was just an unexpected bonus.  If I'd been over 40 I would have been almost last in my group - hahhaa.  Guess I shouldn't admit to that ;)

 .

A New Day

Today is definitely a new day!  I'm feeling so much better.  Yesterday I thought I was going to collapse from tiredness and just exhaustion.

After dinner I literally FORCED myself downstairs to exercise.  I was so tired and really didn't want to, still felt stuffed from a light dinner.  But I knew that if I just laid down for the night I'd continue to feel like crap.  I knew that exercise was going to be the answer ... and I was right!  Also, I gave myself an extra hour sleep this morning and that has helped too.

I didn't run Monday (per my training schedule) so last night I ran on the treadmill.  I was going to just do an easy 30 minutes. But I've got this bug in my head about the race this weekend.  I just HAD to see how fast I could do it in.

I ran 7.7 km (4.85miles) in 41:47 - that's average 6.8 mph.  Though, I couldn't really call it a true success because I stopped twice to stretch (my shins/calves felt tight) and I stopped one other time to pee (hey, some things CAN'T wait).

I'm not sure how that will translate out onto the trails with hills and all, but it gives me a good feeling and makes me feel positive going in.  My aim is to finish in under 44 minutes.

Tonight I'm doing intervals at the track.  We're supposed to have ANOTHER nasty rainstorm blowing in today.  My bet is it will hit just as I get there.

I just wanted to say thanks everyone for your kind comments yesterday.

I just loved this comment from Tiffany...

Someone once told me that all the worry in the world will not change the outcome. And while it sucks to feel helpless, it's the truth. Keep the faith. That's one thing that no one can take away.

So true!

Controlling What I Can Control

Sometimes I wonder how much I can take.  Some of the crap I have going on in my life right now is of my own doing, the big stuff though is out of my control.  It just really sucks that these have to come about at the same time in my life.

As I've previously mentioned I have let myself get horribly behind in bookkeeping, both at home with my husband's business and at my work.  The home stuff I put off because I didn't know where to get started and I felt overwhelmed.  However leaving it didn't really fix that problem, because now it's so big I am overwhelmed.  Though I will say that it did help to give me some direction to figure out where we are headed ... but I shouldn't have left it so long.

And at work I sort of had a reason to put it off.  The company I work for has been in such a bad financial state for some time that we were so far behind in paying the accountant that they wouldn't even touch our books for the last few years.  But we've been chipping away at paying them and now I've left it too long and suddenly have a ton of work to do and looming deadlines ... which (surprise) I'm finding overwhelming.

Then there's the things I can't control, but that worry me more. 

A while ago I mentioned some serious health issues going on with a family member.  Early in September I got a call from my Mom that something was wrong.  Before long we got the diagnosis that she had uterine cancer.  This was a real blow, something you think just happens to other people, until you ARE the 'other' people. 

What I have learned is that there really is no routine screening for uterine cancer.  Your annual PAP tests do not detect it.  Typically it occurs after menopause and is more common in women who are obese or who have taken hormone replacement therapy (neither of which describes my Mom).

I found this online which I think woman should take great note of:

Obesity is another significant risk factor; the risk of endometrial cancer triples for a woman who is 30 pounds overweight and increases five times for a woman who is 50 pounds overweight. “Of all cancers, endometrial cancer is most strongly linked to obesity,” said Karen Lu, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology. “Any obese woman who has irregular periods should have an endometrial biopsy.”

http://www2.mdanderson.org/depts/oncolog/articles/04/10-oct/10-04-2.html

My Mom never took hormone replacement drugs and while she was slightly overweight years ago, she lost (I think) about 20 lbs and has kept it off for quite some time now.

Anyhow, a few weeks ago she had to have a full hysterectomy to remove the uterus and lymphnodes.  They did a very minimal incision and I was surprised at how well she recovered.  After the hysterectomy they ran tests to determine if they did in fact remove all the cancer. 

The reports came back that they thought they had got it all (they couldn't confirm 100%) but that the cancer was very deep in her uterus (though not in any lymphnodes) and they felt that she should follow through with chemotherapy and radiation as a precaution.

Yesterday was her first of three chemo sessions.  Again, she's doing alot better than we had expected and as of today hasn't felt sick (though they do expect that will come).  I'm just hoping that it isn't too bad for her. 

So all of this is weighing heavily on my mind as well.  My parents live about 4 hrs away from me, and at the moment there is a potentially snowy pass between us. 

Then yesterday afternoon, my husband had an accident with his excavator that easily could have killed him (involving downed power lines).  He was told that approx. 20% of the people in this situation get killed and that he's very lucky, which we are very thankful for.  However, this is a financial hit that our company really doesn't need.  I'm sick just thinking of what the total bill will come to.

Ya know ... I've never thought of myself as an emotional eater, but with all this going on it certainly seems to match up with the extra eating I've been doing lately.  Though yesterday I did track everything and stayed in my calorie range (though a bit higher than I would have liked).

I'm having such a hard time lately even determining hunger.  Last night I had a fairly light dinner and some pumpkin bread I made (sooo good) and then I felt sickenly full all night.  For the amount I ate I shouldn't have felt that full.  I even woke up this morning feeling like I'd just eaten 4000+ calories in a buffet.  There was no way I could eat breakfast.

I figured I would wait until I actually got hungry to eat ... but by 12:00 I still couldn't really detect hunger.  I ate anyway, a sub sandwich, because I didn't want to be ravenous late this afternoon.

Now I sit here feeling gross again.  My stomach feels all bloated.

I suppose the only thing I can do is take control of what I can control.  I CAN control what I eat.  I CAN control how much I exercise.  I CAN catch up on my bookkeeping to reduce my stress levels.  The rest I just have to have faith in....

Running Schedule - Week 2

Last week I posted the first week of my self-made running schedule. However, life got in the way and I didn't quite accomplish what I'd planned. I'm a bit overwhelmed lately with all the paperwork I'm doing and it's wearing me out. Plus, my eating has been pretty horrendous for the last week. I definitely see a direct correlation between the two.

This is how it went:

Monday - 35 min @ about 6.0mph - DONE!
Tuesday - 30 min elliptical & weights - Missed :(
Wednesday - 4 x 400M lap sets (aiming at under 2:00 per fast lap) & core - DONE! at 1:38 per lap
Thursday - 9.5 Km @ about 6.0mph - Missed :(
Friday - 30 min @ 7.5mph * & weights - Missed :(
Saturday - Rest - DONE (like that was so hard - haha)
Sunday - 12 Km @ about 6.5mph - DONE (plus)! Actually did 16.5 Km

Total 22 Km (13.8 miles) for the week, however most of that in one day.

This week I have planned:

Monday - 35 min @ about 6.0mph
Tuesday - 30 min elliptical & weights
Wednesday - 6 x 400M lap sets & core
Thursday - 9.5 Km @ about 6.0mph
Friday - 30 min @ 7.5mph & weights
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - 8 Km Cross Country Race @ about 6.5mph (would love to do 7.0)

RESET

Today I am also hitting my reset button! (thanks Syl)

This past week has been one of the worst eating weeks I've had in a LONG time.  I really just stopped paying any attention at all and found myself eating even when I was full.  More than a few nights I went to bed feeling that gross stuffed feeling - ugh!

I haven't tracked anything!

No more ... I have to put my foot down!  I've worked way too darn hard to just let it all unravel because of a little stress.  Today, I am tracking it all.  I know this works, so it is what I must do.

CROSS COUNTRY RACE

This weekend my husband and I are entering a 7.7 Km Cross Country race.  It's a 4 loop race of a small track.  I think there will be one moderate hill per loop.  The weather is supposed to be horrendous, but that's normal for this time of year.

My plan is to do a nice long warm-up because I find in cold weather my legs just freeze up and take a while to get loose.  I really want to have a good time for this race.  I definitely want to do it in 44 minutes or less (6.5 mph).  I will be happy with that.  I will be ecstatic if I can do it under 42 minutes - 6.8mph (which is what my husband is guessing). 

Last year I did an 8K (just slightly longer) on a different course, but at the same location, in 49 minutes.  However, it seems most people who have previously run both those races run this one at a faster pace.  So I'm really hoping for some big improvement this year.

Procrastination Sucks!

I'm about to crash for the night but thought I'd put in a little post.

I did the 400M intervals last night, and WOW ... they were TOUGH!  I've done intervals before, but I don't think quite that long or intense.  Normally at the track I do 100M sprints.  I found it very hard to pace myself over 400M.  I'd sprint the first 150M, then keep a good speed for the next 50M.  Then the next 100M I'd be sucking wind, then give it a final push over the last 50M.

My time was alot better than I'd expected.  I was hoping to do each lap under 2 minutes.  I ended up doing the 1st, 2nd and 4th laps in exactly 1:38 and the 3rd lap I managed to squeeze out a little more and did it in 1:35.  That's over 9mph average!!!  I'm pretty impressed with that.

So now I have a time to work with!  I wonder how fast I can get with them.

I was feeling pretty tired last night, and had a slight cough.  We'll have to see how things progressed.

I did end up having to skip today's scheduled run.  I just have WAY too much on my plate right now and I couldn't fit it in today.  I'm having to work slightly longer days at work lately.  Then when I get home I've got a ton of paperwork to do for our own company.  Tonight though I had to clean my barn, which took me about 2 1/2 hours off sweaty, heavy work.  It hadn't been done in a LONG time and I had to move about 50 hay bales.  That's tough work!  I would much rather have gone running, that's for sure.

What am I learning from all this (or .. what SHOULD I be learning)?  Procrastination sucks!  I'm the type that hates to do little bits of something all the time.  I'd much rather let it build up then tackle it all at once.  The problem though is when you let it go on too long AND you let too many things go on too long and they all come to bite you in the ass at the same time.  That's exactly where I'm at right now.  Every corner I turn there's something else that I really should have done a long time ago.  Grrr!