Tuesday, October 5, 2010

First 5K Completed

I completed my first 5K earlier in September. I was able to jog the whole way and finish in under my goal. I finished 43:38. It was a great feeling to cross the finish line! I have several more on my calendar that I want to run in. I'm not fast, I'm not entering the 5K's to earn medals, I'm doing it to loose weight and become healthy.
I'm currently just under 40 pounds down.
Many have asked how I've lost.
I started my journey earlier this year. A journey I've wanted to begin for some time. This road had to be started with more than want or desire. I had to care and be driven and determined to succeed.
In late May I began an attempt to loos weight. I've been down that road before a few times in my life. I've spent a majority of my life overweight. It never mattered my size, I was always comfortable in my own skin.
This time I had the want. I began to care and I knew I deserved to be healthier. So the journey began.
I told myself I'd start with diet. I found an avenue to help myself and help my church at the same time. A member sells Herbalife and she was starting a weight loss challenge to help fund a new building.
I went into the deal cautiously optimistic. I told myself if I lost 20 pounds, I'd see about some sort of exercise plan. Many of my friends and photography networking buddies were working a couch to 5K (C25K) program. I kept thinking it's free and seemed simple enough but it was running, and I didn't much care for running.
July came and I had shed those 20 pounds and then some, so I bit the bullet and started running. My phone and had an app that would tell me when to walk and when to jog and when the workout was over, all while listening to music I had chosen. This allowed me to walk/run without thinking much about it.
I started during the hottest part of the year. In the beginning I could barely jog for 60 seconds. I played games with my mind and pushed through and kept going with the program. I've worked hard since then.
I haven't lost as much as I've liked but it's still coming off. I'm VERY close to 40 pounds. Weigh in is today and I really hope that middle number moves down again. I've lost two (nearly 3) pant sizes and two shirt sizes.
My first 5K was at the beginning of September. I told myself I'd be happy to finish without walking more than 1/2 mile and complete the 3.1 miles in under 45 minutes. I jogged the entire way and finished in 43:38! My pace is slow, but its a pace I can do! My next is this Saturday.
Currently my biggest struggle is food intake and making sure I'm eating ENOUGH on the days I run. Over the last few months I've adjusted to a diet within my calorie range to loose. However, with increased exercise, I have to increase calorie intake as well so my body doesn't go into starvation mode. I never thought I'd have the challenge of not eating enough. I've had to return to a detailed food journal to make sure I'm eating enough of what I should.
Herbalife got me started and is helping me continue to loose. I'm working to be able to sell as well, so if you're interested, I can help!

No comments:

Post a Comment