Okay, so I’m literally bursting out of my clothes. I remember a while back my pants wouldn’t button and I freaked out. But, I have to be honest, I kept stress eating whatever I wanted and I moved on to the next size in my closet, and now I’m bursting out of them. My muffin top stomach and the double boob effect is definitely not a good look, and neither is the joint pain. But, I told myself, I will NOT buy a size 22 pants again ever. I gave away all of my fat girl clothes to the Haiti victims. I think subconsciously if I buy some new pants in that size I will be telling myself that it’s okay to gain weight. I got on the scale this morning and I realized that I had gradually almost gained all of the weight back. (Note to self: avoiding the scale does not mean you didn’t gain weight…)
I guess this is what hitting rock bottom is like? What a wake-up call. I’ve tried every fad diet including the lemonade diet despite my knowledge that they don’t work. Well, actually, they do work great for a week or two and then you gain it back plus more. I guess I needed a reminder. I’m such a big picture person, I want a best-selling novel, I want 4,000 hits a day on my blog, I want to be a real estate tycoon, I want to lose 100 pounds, I want to retire at 40, I want world peace (LOL)….
But, I have to take it one day at time, despite the fact that that goes against my core personality. So, TODAY, I’m avoiding office treats in the kitchen and TODAY I’m tracking my food. Even Roni, my blogging/weight loss role model has to track sometimes, and she’s maintained her 70 pound loss for years. I hate tracking my food, but it works. I hate feeling like I need weekly support meetings but I do. I hate that have to eat veggies and fruit with every meal but I do. But…I really love that I was brave enough to write this post and hopefully inspire someone in a similar situation to take it one day at a time. “I only feel failure when I stop trying.”
What Did Carli Eat Today?
B- Slim Fast with almond milk
L- Santa Fe Grilled Salad with a handful of tortilla chips
D- Healthy Choice Frozen Entree and a side of Brocolli and cheese
S- Bowl of Cereal
Activity – Christmas Shopping for 3 hours lol
The Team in Training Kick-Off meeting was Thursday. I was surprised, there were way less participants than last year. Only about half as many runners showed up. Some of the staff from last year were excited to see me back and greeted me with hugs. I met a few nice ladies, who thought I was an expert because I knew what to wear for training, and actually finished a half marathon last year. It’s a little weird to be the biggest person in the room and yet the fitness “expert.” We got our training schedule, I think I forgot how intense the schedule really is. 5 days a week, with 2 rest or cross training days. I signed away my first born child on the fundraising contracts and medical waivers. At the end they had a raffle for a TNT Hat, TNT duffle bag, and a Bottle of Moscato Wine. I casually, told the ladies at my table that Moscato was my favorite wine. And what do you know? They called my ticket number! I won the pretty blue bottle of wine. This year they actually had a training shirt that fit, so I was super happy about that too. Looks like things are getting off to a great start.
Here is a Dropbox Link to my Half Marathon training schedule. I’ve never used Dropbox for my blog, but we use it all the time to share documents at work. Let me know if it works (or doesn’t work). Tip: You might have to set up a free dropbox account to get access to the training schedule.
Copy and Paste into your browser: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/49568332/ST_LOUIS_HALF_MARATHON%5B1%5D.pdf
Lately, I look and feel like a popped can of biscuits. Just spilling out through my clothes. So, I decided something had to be done. I want to get back to basics. Of course you know I struggle with food regardless of what plan I’m on, but I’ve had great success with running and training for endurance events. After all, my site is about running and inspiring others to do so. 5K’s are kind of like “been there done that”… it’s really not exciting enough to motivate me anymore. So….guess what?? I signed up for the GO St. Louis Half Marathon in April 2012. 13.1 Miles!
And, because I know myself well enough to know that I would train for a month and get lazy, I planned ahead and signed up for Team in Training again. Team in Training is part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma society and they raise money to assist blood cancer patients, and raise funds to find cures for all forms of cancer. When I sign my name on the dotted line, I get to train with the team for the next 5 months and raise at least $1,000 for the cause. The fundraising contract I signed and the quest to cure cancer is certainly enough to light my fire! I’m excited. I had such a great experience last time. I’m not sure what goals I want to set, because I’ve gained weight, and I need to see what my body will physically allow me to do first. But, I need you to help me get a head start. Please help me and help TNT by donating to the cause! Here We go Again!!
My Official Plea: Running Into Shape Fundraising Page
I am raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as a participant in their Team In Training program and I’m asking you to help by making a donation to my fundraising campaign. http://pages.teamintraining.org/gat/spirit12/finishthisrace
Please use the link in this email to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation. You can also send a donation through mail to my PO Box,
Running Into Shape, PO Box 77126, St. Louis, MO 63177
Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Nearly 958,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support.
On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.
Thank you!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/gat/spirit12/finishthisrace
New Research published in the online journal Obesity suggests that drinking green tea may help prevent weight gain. EGCG
is a compound found in most green teas. In the test participants (overweight mice), both groups were fed high fat diets, but only one group also ate EGCG. When the 2 groups were compared, the mice consuming the EGCG gained weight 45% (percent) more slowly, and absorbed less fat. This sounds almost too good to be true. 45 percent is pretty significant if you ask me. However, it should be noted that both groups still ate the same amount of high fat food, indicating that Green tea does not help suppress your appetite. But, here is the tricky part, a human would have to drink 10 cups of green tea a day to get the equivalent amount of EGCG that the study mice were consuming. Fortunately though, other studies have been conducted to indicate that two cups of green tea per day, may be enough to have a positive effect on weight management. I drink green tea occasionally, but I might just start adding it to my daily routine. Do you drink green tea to help with weight loss? Have you had positive results?
Yesterday, was a great day. My Special friend had the weekend off and spent the day with me. He went with me to a Breast Cancer awareness fashion show at my friend’s job, and then we had lunch at Blueberry Hill, a local eatery in the U-City Loop. After lunch, we went to my Grandfather’s 80th birthday party. Since we’ve only been dating for a month, it might seem a little soon to meet the family. But, if you know me, and how much time I spend with my family, you might as well meet them and see what we’re all about. To spend time with me, usually means spending time with my family. My Mama and my sisters thought he was really nice. My Dad said he needs to really talk to him to see if he “has any sense.” LOL! Anyway, everything went well, my Aunts, Uncles and all of us grandchildren were there. Good food, family and line dancing always makes for a fun time.
Last night after the dinner party, my friend from college was in town, and spent the night at my house. I cooked breakfast for us this morning before watching Joel Osteen and heading to the park. It was such a beautiful day. I can’t believe we’re getting weather like this in October. It was a sunny 72 degrees. I couldn’t paint a prettier day if I tried. I walked 2 miles with Nyah, and did a few jogging spurts to spice things up. I’m so out of shape, I really need to get back to a more consistent workout routine. I keep “forgetting” to sign up for boot camp class. Maybe I’ll do that this week.
