beyond 12 weeks down, -4 DAYS LEFT!!

I dont even know what to say, or how to start this.  My blog of 12 weeks at a time was meant to help inspire me as well as keep me accountable for my actions.  Writing it weekly helps me assess where I am, while tracking where I was, and  helps me consider where I may want to go.  ---  This is it, the final week, actually 4 days left until the 5k goal! -- I thought the Carmel Valley 5k was my goal, and it was my intended goal.  It now seems so trivial.  I ran the 5k Rum Run 2 weeks ago, and it was fun!  Simply put fun!  The best part was passing people, I actually passed people!  and I did finish before my son, despite my son passing me four different times! Also the looks on the  faces of the officers running security on the course, they were all smiles --like I could almost hear them saying "good for you" -- cause yeah I don't look like the average runner but yet there I was, a 5k runner, running.

Smiles before and after!

           Bo asked me if  I blogged about the 5k and I said I had been too busy.  As great an accomplishment it was, it was an expected accomplishment.  I did text him right after with my time just short of 42 mins which is not by any means a stellar time but it was all running time!  (and a good 15+mins better than the CV5k last year!). What started off as a possibility but highly unlikely, that is my running the 5k in its entirety, (no walk/runs, just run!) turned into a reality while training with Bo. It no longer seemed unlikely it seemed definite.  And it feels like riding a bike, once you master how on your own, you don't forget.  Knowing I can run a 5k takes less pressure off  me and that pressure can be applied to improving my 5k time.  I'm really not to concerned with my time, I know it will improve as I continue to improve. I just registered for the Mermaid Half Marathon San Diego, I am doing the 5k.  I have no interest in doing a half ever, a 10k probably. Bo tells me I will be doing 10ks and I will move into half marathons eventually.  He could be right- its just not an impulse I have. As for now, I'm having fun running the 5ks!
     
        People run for lots of reasons. I like to be athletic although since motherhood took over seems like all I am is mothered! I wanted to run the CV5k last year, because my kids said they could, and my son did. My daughter did not and so I did not. But if my daughter were able to run the 5k I still was not able to.  As a parent I ask myself how can I expect my kids to do what I cannot do myself? We definitely lead by example and children are more likely to do as you do not as you say. Overall my ultimate goal in this venture was to be fit for them to follow.  I'm not there yet-but the beautiful thing is  that there really is no end point! Its not like if I accomplish running a marathon in  4 hours and 45 mins. I can then declare I am now "fit". Being fit is much more than body weight and fat percentage. Its all inclusive- physically, emotionally, financially and with so many obstacles along any given course the starting line rotates its waves and the finishing line is no where in sight! --- Up next CV5k!

CHEERS!

15 weeks down-3 remain -my life will never be the same...

3 weeks until the targeted goal!  I have some doubt -not that I can't succeed with my goal but that my kids, or at least one of them will not be able to keep up with me:(  This child of mine says she can but I don't think she can. My other child can go the distance and if his performance during our mile competitions this week is any indicator of how he will do come 5k time he also will not keep up with me.

"Anyway also along with todays self discovery I was enlightened by another  thought that said I must be fit in order for my kids to follow.---  The kids and I are planning on running a 5k in January and I dont want to be the one following! I must be leading my littles--- I must be fit to follow!"

That quote is mine from November 5, 2013. That was the beginning of my 12 weeks at a time blog. We all wanted to participate in the Carmel Valley 5k (January 2014), a fundraising event for the Del Mar Union school district. I also knew at that time that I couldn't run 3 miles. I knew I couldn't run 1 mile. I knew I could walk and even walk/run a 5k. I thought I could outrun my kids-or at least keep up with them (I was wrong).  I had decided that it was time for me to get fit enough so that running a 5k would never even be considered a challenge- just a fun time!  I failed my first attempt.-- And that failure is one step closer to achievement!  When at first you don't succeed you can seriously try and try again. Coming up short is just that-coming up short, keep at it!  winners never quit....  

My original intention with this blog and its continuation was to assist me with my goal of  (again) running the CV 5k.   Since my blogging wasn't enough to hold me accountable, deciding to get a personal trainer, Bo, was the wisest investment I made. Realizing I needed help was the wisest decision I made. Getting personal with a stranger isnt easy. Getting personal with yourself is even harder. 

15 weeks and so many changes later. For every pound lost and for every mile minute cut I have added and gained so much more. I cant explain the health oriented change in my attitude- I told my BFF that I think I'm addicted to sweat!-- (gross I know!).  It isnt the sweat but what the sweat represents, which is hard work. I have always been a believer in work hard and play harder. The way Bo changes my work outs make it seem more like play (hard play!).   

15 weeks ago I began working out 2-3 days a week I now work out 6-8 times a week.  I began eliminating processed foods from my kitchen and buying healthier foods to cook (rather than the crap foods I "fixed" before). I make sure we are all drinking enough water and getting adequate sleep (as well as physical activity). These changes are here to stay, they aren't something I do it is now the way I am.  Right now I can out run all (4) of my kids! (I know that will change again). But the best change so far is the fact that I know I am running the Rum Run 5k this weekend, and not for the challenge it will be but just for fun!  (62 weeks later but hey better late then never!)

Juice Interrupted

When I think of juicing I think of  Melky Cabrera. A total disappointment. Especially after the huge hit Barry Bonds took. But-- I know some juicers, of the other variety. My daughter has been juicing for 3 years or so.  I have been a skeptic for as long. We have had many discussions about this practice and while I just began making  (healthy) smoothies during week 3 of this 12 weeks at a time  I certainly didn't expect to report in week 13 that I began juicing! -- But I did! I did a 3 day juice cleanse and the results were so worth it!---- 

 

I was worried about feeling hungry so to help me through this task and stay on focus I kept notes:)

Day 1, drink 1.  I was excited to start my juice cleanse when my order arrived. The juices were frozen so I had to wait a day. Then today I was a little nervous. Not so much about the taste of the juice but more about the refraining from eating part. I can eat raw veggies so I will have to buy some. Also, I was thinking about my sessions with Bo and having enough energy etc. Sometimes you can get tired, fatigued, light-headed from the juice- only cleanse (I read it on their website). Often I eat nothing or less than 200 (healthy) calories before a work out so I wasn't too worried about today's work out. The remainder of the cleanse is a different story. It's only a 3 day cleanse, I think I can do this for 3 days. The key is to be mindful. Just as I prepared lunch for my kids I mindlessly thought about grabbing a few chips to eat them myself!--Fortunately the thought came first therefore I had time to process and then refrain -preventing an impulsive act! I had Juice 1 at about 10:15a the first few sips were a pleasant surprise. It tasted good, rather had a sweet bite and you can taste the freshness. But by the end of the 16oz the sweet taste gave way to a more bitter bite. And when it was done I was relieved. And I was burping. And I was on my way to train with Bo. When I was with Bo he reiterated the importance of having enough energy in to perform the workouts I do. --today's training session was fine other than when Bo gave me complex steps to perform. And when I say complex I mean more than 1 step to follow!:)  It's about 12:30. And I'm ready for #2'- The first sip always tastes good:) And I am happy to report the last sip tasted just as good:)  #3 was on the go-- I went shopping and lost track of time and was not hungry at all! #3 was another green and it hit the spot!
#4 late again. This bottle is 100 cals. I have now had 4 of 6 and am way off schedule as originally my last one was schedule for 8 ish. I have 2 left and its 7p this would be how things go awry for me and if poor choices are made this be why. Right now Jake has brownies in the oven for their ice cream sundaes later and they smell so good!!--but I do not want to make it this far with the cleanse and toss it away even for a brownie!--so, right now I have a slight headache and I'm very cold but I am not hungry. I have 4 blankets and a sweatshirt as well as the heater on 72! And I'm still cold I don't know if this is from the juice cleanse or not.  The other day Jake was chilly like this when no one else was but it only lasted an afternoon and evening. I have been nodding off too. I could sleep now I have felt this way several times today and I did get adequate sleep last night. I'm ready for #5 actually just ready for this night, this year to be over! #5 kids get their ice cream sundaes, it's actually frozen yogurt but just as treaty! Chocolate and vanilla whipped cream, magic shell, toppings, brownie bits, oreo  bits ummmmm. And I get 180 cals of root vegies!:) the first sip was ok ..I'm drinking it slowly. This is Def not on my top 5 list! 1 left to go, and ohh I can't wait to see how I feel in the morning.
#6. Ummm let's hope it hits all the right spots!! And I would so be going to bed afterward ....but it's NYE and kids want to watch the ball drop. Omg this is horrible I don't even know if I can finish it:( like a shot of tequila I dare myself to do it and hope I can hold it in!) Agh this is by far the worse juice!! I guess the best for last isn't the case after all:(
Well there's a first - I chucked it!! I didn't even drink 1/2 of it. I tried, sipped long and slow...I think if  I went fast and deep I would probably up chuck it! I don't know if tomorrow #6 which is just coconut water and coconut flesh will be tolerated any better. But I will try:)


Day 2 cleans memo deleted:*)( Agh:( anyway redo now I didn't save my posts so I lost them:( Not much to report 2day other than I did wake up feeling slightly hungover, and I did not drink yesterday, I was surprised to wake up and not feel hungry. I was afraid I would feel hungry. I did start my day as usual with about 32oz of water and shortly after I had green tea (allowed) and ate a banana (not sure if allowed) but the juices for today were somewhat frozen yet so I had to wait and didn't even begin juice 1 until after 11 almost 12. Since I lost my note I lost track also. But right now I'm on juice #4 and about to hit the gym. I did some kettle bell work and though it felt great, I could just as easily take a nap! I probably did not have as much water as I usually would by now today.  I have been chomping on carrots too! (Allowed) the feeling of depriving myself  of food is absent. Even again today as I made mac and cheese for my kids it looked so yummy and warm and cheesy. I would normally steal a bite from the pot and even though I think my mouth did begin to water a little bit I was able to not indulge. I looked at the mac and cheese and just knowing the crap that it is and my point for doing this cleanse is to rid the craps! I don't want to diminish the purpose of the juice only cleanse not even for 1 crumb. And honestly it's not even about being tempted, my daughter finished her ice cream sundae from last night and then ate a pop tart right next to me, even offering me some! I looked at those foods and the bells and whistles did light up in my brain but fortunately my mind was clear enough to put it all in perspective and now I was cleansing that's all. This day is coming to a wind down and it's an odd one since we were all up so late then the kids took long naps today too. I'm going to try to get them back on their typical bed times, which is good for them as well as me. I too need some kid free time and look forward to that. Also one of the things that I can't stress enough even though I have much improvement in the area myself -is sleep. Especially if your regularly exercising and or restricting  calories. Healthy sleep is so important. Ok off to the gym now....
Afterwards I tried to drink #6 I opened it, took 2 sips and then threw it out!-- NO COCONUT WATER! blah

Day 3 Final day and thankfully so Juices overall are fine and good and Def worth the food exchange. This 3 day cleanse tho isn't specific to my likes so once again juice #6 was thrown away! I took 1 sipped thought about if it were worth it to continue to try to drink or not and since it was already almost 10p I decided to drink simple plain refreshing water instead! -- Today woke better than yesterday a little light headed borderline headache but it didn't last long. I woke began my morning routine to again discover the juices  1/2 frozen!! So I drank water and had a cup of green tea and I am hoping that the juice #1 will be drinkable as I head to my session with out Bo shortly. Ok so ran 2 miles as part of work out session with Bo - so despite the 40 mins on the treadmill yest today was the hardest work out for me this week. But I succeeded. Since juice #1 was frozen I drank it right after my w/o and now I'm off track again, have been all day and I am pretty tired and hungry. I have been chomping on carrots thru out the day which has helped  and my water intake has decreased. I don't know if it's because of the juices or if it's just the result of the colder temperatures. It's about 6p and I'm on juice 4 now which is fine because I prob won't drink juice 6 so this would leave juice 5 around 8p. I'm very much looking forward to finishing the night off so I can sleep. I am tired...and I seriously can not wait to eat eggs and spinach in the morning!! A great thing from this cleanse aside from the detox is proof that I can survive off of  less then 1200 cals and be ok. The juice cleanse plan says it's about 1200 cals but when I add the cals up its less then 1000!  I will follow the "about every 2 hours" to eat or drink schedule.  I definitely think a Jamba juice is in order tomorrow too!

In conclusion.  I definitely recommend juicing for everyone!  It can taste very good and it is very satisfying as well as incredibly healthy!  You will definitely loose weight by doing only juices, I lost 7 pounds.  which was mind-blowing to me, my average weight loss has been 2 pounds a week, that's with cal counting, working with Bo, and working out on my own.  I prefer to eat and I enjoy working out. But since this cleanse I am that much more mindful about what I put in my mouth.  I have always hated that saying "you are what you eat", but its true.  For me eating crap makes me feel like crap. Eating healthy makes me feel healthy.  Sugar clouds my mind and sucks my energy away.

I am looking forward to purchasing a juicer and becoming a regular juicer! 
as well as getting my kids turned onto them too, just like their big sister!