Welcome Back, Kotter (or anyone reading)

So, it's definitely been a few weeks since posting.  I hadn't planned to let it go this long, but things have been kinda crazy for me lately.  

Well, I'll set your fears to rest right away.  Just because I haven't posted recently doesn't mean I haven't been working out.  I've actually kept up with the routine very well.  Sometimes I go to the gym, but I mostly enjoy the good weather we've been having here in the Philly area.

I've been running/walking all over this county and there are some really nice trails here.  I think my favorite is Valley Green in and around the chestnut hill area.  There are a ton of trails as well as a main trail marked with mile markers.  Having mile markers makes things really easy, because I can't find a good iphone app that allows me to track my mileage as I walk/run.  FYI what we've always known as Valley Green is technically now called the Wissahickon Valley.  If you'd like to check it here's the website: http://www.fow.org/map.php.  You can rent bikes there, run, walk trails, and if you own a horse, you can walk it on the trail.  I definitely recommend it.  I've also been to the famous Horsham Powerline Trail.  Now this trail is really "electrifying".  It's actually a pretty nice trail.  The road is paved and there are definitely mile markings, 1/4 mile markings to be exact.  My biggest complaint about the Powerline Trail (spoiler alert) is the fact that a power line runs through the entire trail.  You can hear the buzzing from the power lines as you walk.  However, to be fair it's really well maintained and there are some really nice parks along the way.

I've definitely developed a really good support group during this whole thing.  I don't walk alone very often and I've had people push me to walk when I haven't been very into walking that day.  Yes, I've had days where it's been difficult to walk/run.  They are a little more occurrent than when I first started, but I still enjoy this very much.

On to the actual running/walking.  I'm definitely comfortable walking 5 miles.  Of the five miles I can run about 3/4's of a mile at the moment which is not that great, but from what I understand it's not too bad either.  The longer I do this, the better I feel, obviously.  When I do walk though, I walk at a pretty good pace, I'm not just walking lethargically down the path.  

I've also discovered other forms of exercise that have helped raise my endurance.  I've been playing a little bit of tennis which is a ton of fun.  I forgot how much fun tennis is.  I started off a little rocky (that's boxing, I know) but it's come back to me pretty quickly.  I think I even served the ball like 80 mph for three or four serves in a row, acing my opponent all three/four times.  However, I then lost it again.  If anyone's interested in playing, let me know!!

In regards to my last post, I have not bought a pair of shoes yet, but I think I found a pair I like.  It's by Adidas, it's called the Ozweego.  If you've heard of it, let me know what you think, but I've read some reviews and they were mainly positive.  Here is a link if you're interested in taking a look:  http://www.shopadidas.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10954267&page=2&v2=y&cp=3748174.3748186.3748266.3778628.2012801&cid=G22829&shopGroup=R.

Well thanks again for joining me on this crazy trip.  It definitely won't be as long for my next update.  As usual any and all suggestions are much appreciated.  

Next topic of discussion, run mix (what songs do you listen to while running), so think about it.

Until next time, 

Big D

It's been, one week!! (BNL style)

Welcome back!

It's been a productive week.  I walked everyday this week except for two days.  I've realized that I like walking outside more than inside, but considering that we can't control the weather yet, I'll have to deal with it.

Wednesday I did my four miles again but I decided this time I was going to run a little bit.  I ran for half a mile.  I was pretty proud of myself.  I realize that to some people that's nothing, but to me that's somewhat of an accomplishment.  I'm not ready to pat myself on the back yet, but I was proud of myself for putting in the extra effort and running.

The other days I did more power walking than running but I still walked 4 miles.  Today however, was a little different.  Today I walked less than my normal 4 miles, but I included some hills and I walked a pretty steady pace.  I broke a sweat and could definitely feel the burn in my muscles which I believe is a good sign.

Speaking of muscle burn on Thursday I was in some major major pain.  After pushing myself on Wednesday I could definitely feel it.  My whole lower body was aching, especially my gluteus maximus.    I could barely even sit on it and was oohing and ahhing all day.  I think I said "my butt hurts" 100 times that day.  I do realize that my body is probably going to feel like that for a while, but I definitely wasn't used to.  However, when I woke up on Friday I was already feeling a lot better.

I've also realized that I'm going to sleep a little earlier than usual because my body is so drained.  The last benefit that I can tell has kicked in right away is that I'm in a better mood.  You always hear people say "if you exercise it puts you in a good mood" and then I always think to myself, I'm pretty sure sitting on my couch and watching the office will leave me in a good enough mood.  I hate to admit it, but those people are right!  I've been in a a much better mood everyday.

For the most part I've also made healthier eating choices this week.  Which that part has been tough for me in the past, but I feel like eating healthier now.  For example, I went to Starbucks earlier this week, and instead of buying a cookie or cake product, I bought a cup of fruit.  I've had yogurt with fruit a few times this week and as I'm writing this, I'm drinking a coffee with soy milk.....soy milk...!!  (who would've thought)

One major discovery I made this week, I need new clothes!!  As I was running on the treadmill on Wednesday my shorts kept falling down.  I had to hike them all the way up.  I was like the Steve Urkell of the Gym and the fact that I snort when I laugh sometimes doesn't help.  I must have looked like an idiot when I was running and pulling up my shorts at the same time.  So I think sometime soon I will have to get some new workout clothes and definitely some new sneakers.  The support in these sneaks are shot!!  If anyone has any recommendations on running sneakers, please feel free to let me know.

So that's it, one week down, 24 more to go!  Of course I'm feeling good about this right.  It seems really easy, but I know it's going to get harder.  I know that at a certain point I'm going to hit a wall, but I'm going to have to push through.  Thanks for reading and I'll see you guys in a few days!!!

So it Begins

So, you clicked on the link.  It had you curious, didn't it?  Kinda like a cat.

Welcome to my humble abode.  Let me give you the tour.  Please keep all arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.  If you look to your left you'll see the background of how this all began.  I've had my ups and downs with weight for most of my life.  I was actually a pretty thin child.  Around the age of 11 is when I started putting on some weight.  Once I started gaining weight, it was hard to stop.  I never reached the point of Gilbert Grape's mother or anything but let's just say I have not been in peak physical condition or really, any physical condition for some time.  In college I saw the light and did the Atkins challenge.  I lost about 60 pounds but as I think most people realized the Atkins diet was only the answer for people who completely and utterly hated carbohydrates.  Therefore, I gained all my weight back and more within months.  

This past summer I was possibly the heaviest I'd ever been.  I realized it was time for a change and started losing weight, but again, not the healthy way.  I stopped eating more than one meal a day.  This time I lost a little over 40 pounds and I've kept most of it off, but I want to lose more.

Now, if you look to your right, you'll see how this whole thing got started.  Sometimes you wake up and you realize something needs to change.  Not that, I should switch to Cheerios from Wheaties type of change.  Something that would actually make a difference in my life type of change.  I decided I want to keep the 40 pounds off and continue to lose more weight in a positive and healthy way.  

I've spend some time walking lately and as I was walking this afternoon, a lightbulb went off in my head.  I needed a goal, something that was attainable and not a long distance goal.  I wanted to be able to set an end date and be able to keep myself accountable.  Then it all came together.  I was going to run a half marathon.  I would find an appropriate half marathon that would give me an appropriate amount of time to train, yet I'd be able to see an end date.  

The Rock 'n' Roll half marathon (http://philadelphia.competitor.com/register/) will be that challenge.  The date is September 18, 2011 a little over 6 months from today.  With hard work and discipline this goal is very attainable.

Now, why start a blog say you?!  This blog is to help keep me stay accountable.  I plan on updating this blog a couple of days a week with my progress and my learnings.  I'm eager to hear ideas of how other people have accomplished this task, so please feel free to send over your suggestions!

Thanks for coming on this ride with me and I look forward to September 18th when I accomplish this goal.  Remember to stay seated until the ride comes to a complete stop!!