(An Early) Happy Easter to You

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding
Today is Good Friday, and a gray wet day here. It kind of reminds me of what the day may have been like back on the first Easter weekend. Our forecast shows this storm blowing through and sunshine coming back for the weekend. Again, just like the first Easter…
Easter is one of my favorite holidays because it represents the hope that is ours through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his life willingly to pay the price for our sins; and his resurrection proved the power of God over hell and the grave.
I gave my life to Jesus as a young girl and it’s a decision I never regret making. I pray each of you can experience the joy and peace that comes from accepting the free gift of salvation through acceptance of what He did on the cross.
Happy Easter!

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Weigh-In … Bump in the Plan

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Today’s Weight: 175.0

Loss/Gain: +1.0 lb
Well, considering TOM arrived a couple of days ago I am not surprised at all by this gain. The combination of bloating and chocolate usually does lead me to a small gain or maintain the week I start. Unfortunately, I don’t always take control when it comes to overriding the “I-don’t-care” attitude during PMS days.
But..it is what it is. Could be much worse.
On a good note, I did maintain my exercise all week and when I was out shopping with my mom I bought two blouses both in a size large. 🙂 I almost bought some pants in a large, but they were more snug than I care to wear them.
So, it’s a good week with a not-so-good edge of a small gain. I’m choosing to be okay with it and go on.
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Better

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Okay, I’m feeling better this morning. I thought after the negative post yesterday I should tell you that I’m better now. 🙂

I will say that my run today was so hard and frustrating. I only completed the C25K run today and didn’t run the extra 10 minutes for race training. It was the first “mind over matter” type of hard run I’ve ever had to do I think. Usually I only get like that the last couple of minutes..this time it was most of the run. But…I stuck with it and I finished what I set out to do.
Now we’re going to go out for lunch and shopping before getting the kids. Whee! 🙂
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Unwelcomed Visitor

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Well, my mom and I are having a great time. but… TOM arrived and that is an unwelcomed visitor this week. *sigh* oh well…life goes on, but you know how the worst day is…Yes, I’ll take carbs and diet soda – LOTS!

I just had to get that off my chest. I feel better now. At I least I will choose to feel better, considering my emotions are not cooperating correctly at the moment. 🙂
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A Race

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Hello! Happy Monday everyone. Yes, it’s happy over here. My mom is visiting for two weeks. Yay!! But, more about that later…today I have some news to share.

If you look over to the right at my Daily Mile widget you’ll notice that I’ve been running a lot lately – including longer runs the past two Saturdays. Well….it’s because I am training for my first 10K.

Yes, my husband and I signed up for the Run for the Warriors race here in Jacksonville on Saturday, May 19th.
My husband challenged me to give the 10K a try, even though my original easy plan was to PR the 5K. I was pretty nervous about that because I had never run farther than 3 miles before.
Until now. 🙂
Thankfully, the progress I have made so far from the Couch to 5K program I started back in February already had me well on my way to preparing for this race. I found a 10K training plan on JeffGalloway.com and counted back from the race day to where I needed to start training. I only “missed” the first 4 weeks of this training program when I started, but since I was over halfway through the C25K I noticed I was running the same amount as the “missed” weeks suggested. Which basically means I’m fine. (sorry for confusion).
I’ve printed out the 10K training plan, marked where I started and am marking off each day as I finish the suggested training. I’m using the two mid-week runs to finish up my C25K program and then doing the long runs suggested on Saturdays. It’s working out quite nicely.
So, I am completing my second ever race and I have a plan. I look forward to good things!
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Weigh-In … The Plan Works

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding
It is with much joy I share with you…… [insert trumpets – dah -da-da-daaaaa]

Today’s Weight: 174.0

Loss/Gain: – 3.5 lbs
That is an all-time low for me in this journey. I texted my husband this morning, “It’s amazing how when you stick to the plan it works!”
In fact, I’m so happy with how the winds of changing kept blowing here that I made an 8×8 scrapbook page for my personal album (Yes, I have one that is mine – my successes, my friends, my moments I want to cherish that may not all be things for the family album…ahem..back to the regular programming…)

I’ve actually used these tools before, and I know they work. In fact, I know pretty much exactly what’s needed for weight loss; what’s healthy, how to listen to my body’s natural signals for hunger, the need for discipline in both food and exercise and over the last year or so I’ve learned a lot more about what works best for me. Someday I’ll share about what I eat and why it works for me.
In the meantime, I glory today in the fact that there is hope for me yet in my weight loss journey, and I promise you that I will continue pressing on towards victory.
Have a great weekend and, as always, thanks for checking in! 🙂
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Funny Diet Story

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding

I just have to post this little conversation I had last night with a friend of mine. Every time I think about it I giggle…

Friend is younger than me and thin. No real weight issues, just body changes since having a couple of kids. You’ve never met her on my blog before…in case you’re trying to figure it out. lol
In as few words as possible our conversation went like this:
Friend: So, did I tell you about my new diet? It only lasted about 2 days though…
Me: No. What’s up?
Friend: Yea..I started a new diet last week because I just need to get this weight off. It’s been driving me nuts! I got this app for my phone and you just enter in your current weight, your goal weight and when you want to lose the weight by and it sets you up with a plan to reach that goal. I have no idea how much I weigh, so I guess somewhere around 140. (I take this in, glance at her from head to toe and think…really?? I’ll be tiny then when I’m 140!!*giggle*) So, I put in my current weight and put that I’d like to be 125.
[skipping over where she exclaims on how many calories are in various foods, etc. etc. and I smile knowing all of this because it’ s been on my mind for more years than not. lol]
Friend: ….so Saturday while we were out I told my husband we should buy a scale so I could track my weight. Well, I quit my diet that day!
Me: Oh?
Friend: Yep. When we got home and took the scale out of the package I weighed myself and…I was 127.
We both started laughing at this point.
Me: You’re the first person I know who quit their diet because they were already their goal weight!!!! And I could’ve told you you didn’t need to lose weight…silly girl!
She grinned and shared a few woes about baby belly, which I can imagine is frustrating if you’ve never had a tummy before. I can’t relate, only giggle at her little story.
It was too cute.
Note: Commenting has been turned off on purpose for this story. 🙂
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Weekend Reveling

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding

rev·el

  [rev–uhlShow IPA verb, -eled, -el·ing , -el·ling, noun

verb (used without object)

1.

to take great pleasure or delight (usually followed by in ):

Saturday I had a great reason to revel, to bask in the sweaty glow of a victorious moment.

Short Story: I ran 4 miles! And I wasn’t dying when I finished!! I also ran the first 3.1 miles in the fastest time for me thus far.
Long Story: I headed out for a planned 4-mile long run in our neighborhood Saturday morning and told myself I wanted to run the first 3.1 (5K) straight through to see what my time would be.
Well, I did. I had to pace myself because I wanted to be able to run as much of the four miles as possible. My body wanted to push ahead to a faster pace, but I was able to settle in to a comfortable pace of about 11:30-11:45. I wouldn’t allow myself to slow down to any slower than a 12:00 minute mile.
It worked out fine.
My 5K was done in 36:20. A personal best for me!!! Woo Hoo!!
After hitting 3.1 miles I allowed myself to walk for just under two minutes and then I finished the four miles running. I was pleased to finish my four miles in 47:16, and like I said to finish it without feeling like I was dying. 🙂
When I realized I ran 4 miles in only about 3.5 minutes faster than my first 5K two years ago I was elated! It was a wonderful moment that turned into a wonderful day. Confidence in my running abilities was boosted to greater heights and I know that I will be able to accomplish my goals if I continue to work hard.
Glory!
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Weigh-In … Winds of Change

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Today’s Weight: 177.5

Loss/Gain: – 0.5 lb
Well…I’m glad it’s down and not up. The past few days I have felt the winds of change coming to my life with regards to my weight loss journey. Change for the better. It’s a little nerve wracking to actually admit that on this blog, because admitting means I’ll be held accountable later.
But that’s okay.
I can’t explain why now something is changing when I wouldn’t get with the program in the past. I only know that as I’ve gotten back into running it has been hard for me to keep my calories down and that’s been frustrating for me, because then I’m hovering in my weight instead of losing it.
That was one of my fears of getting back into any type of more intense exercise – I wouldn’t lose weight. I knew I would tone up and get stronger, but I seem to have a problem staying within a calorie budget that allows me to lose weight for more than, oh..a couple days.
However, since the beginning of this year I keep feeling this urgency to get it done. Finish what I’ve started. “More doing and less talking about doing.“, is what I told my friend the other day.
And the past couple of days it feels like it’s clicking. I feel ready to do what it’s going to take to reach a healthy weight of 140 (I’m 5′ 4″). It’s not going to be easy, but it’s like I’m finally listening to those little voices saying, “Do you really need that?” and deciding… No, I don’t.
So, there.
As we enter into a beautiful spring weekend I submit to you with much trepidation resolve that I, Leah, am going to finish what I have started. I will become a better runner and I will lose the rest of this weight in the process.
I will no longer dream of success. I will reach success.
Happy Friday and thanks for checking in!
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Branching Out

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Today I tried something new at the gym. In my effort to cross train and not pound on my knees I decided to give the rowing machine a try.

While I felt a little foolish, I humbled myself and asked an employee if she’d show me the proper technique, and she kindly did so. I felt foolish because what she showed me was basically what I’ve seen other people do. However, I wanted to make sure of proper posture and form. She basically said, “Sit up straight, pull your arms back or to the sides and stay on the seat.” Stay on the seat…LOL…great…I don’t want to fall off the thing…
At first it felt kind of easy and I wondered if it was really doing anything for me. The resistance seemed to be up there, so I just kept going. I figured this was a first rowing workout and I would adjust in the future as needed.
About 20 minutes into it I felt sweat dripping down my back. Woo Hoo! That means it was working me out. Yay! My arms and back were feeling it too.
When I finished and got up..my legs were shaky and I giggled to myself. Yes, apparently rowing does work the whole body like the lady told me it would. She said I’ll be sore tomorrow. Good thing Friday’s are becoming my rest days. 🙂
Anyone ever tried the rowing machine? I’d love to hear any hints you have.
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