If You're Going to Dream, Dream Big

I have dreams.  Big dreams. 

Dreams so big that I usually don't realize that they're kind of ridiculous.  But I like to think that my flamboyant dreams are what make me so darn lovable.

I grew up with my dad constantly telling me, "Moderation in all things."  "Moderation, do you know what that means?"  "Use moderation, Shelly." 

But my ideas are so overwhelmingly amazing! .... I think.

I've begun clipping coupons.  I get 3 Sunday papers so I can have multiple coupons.  That in and of itself may sound stupid.  But our cupboards have never been so full.  We haven't been able to have much of a food storage.  In fact, we've lived pay check to pay check for years.  But I don't realize it's the week of payday based on the pantry.  It's like a Christmas miracle.  Or a Coupon miracle as it were. 

But as wonderful as our beginning food storage is, I want more from the program.  I'd love to be an extreme couponer.



I actually watched this entire show on TLC several weeks ago.  I sat there watching it in awe, mouth agape.  Then I realized that the show was in the line up of shows highlighting bizarre human behavior, including the woman who eats couch cushions. 

But saving money is not crazy or psychotic.  It's helped our family a lot over the last few months.  Oh, but how I wish I could save more than my record 54% at the check out register.

Another of my big dreams....

I want to run around the block.  It's a big, big block.  2 miles on each leg of the block, an 8 mile perimeter.  I think there are about four or so LDS wards in that area.  I said to Josh the other day, "Wouldn't it be cool to run that far?" 

He looked at me like I'm a freaking idiot.  Or maybe just a freak.  I'm still not sure about that one.

But I'll forever stick to what I know.  Dreaming big is my forte.  And sometimes I achieve those dreams. 

However, I can't even tell you how many times I've died trying. 

Running the Extra Mile

I've had a rough few days.  So to find some humor in my frustrations is a good sign, I think.  Maybe I'm not as stressed out today, which is a good thing.

I began running again last week.  It was good to do.  I've run with Millie a few times and by myself a few times.  I love how good I feel afterward.  In fact, I've been feeling so good afterward that I went for more of a challenge today.

I've been running two miles over the last week and a half.  But it hasn't been quite enough to really push me.  Plus, I don't have music on my mp-3 that coordinates with a 23 minute run.  It's all on there from the end of my Couch to 5k program and set up for 35 to 45 minute runs.  Problem is, my favorite songs are the last songs on my playlists and I keep missing them because I finish my run before I reach that point in my playlist.

Today I thought I'd challenge myself with running 3 miles and playing my 5k playlist.  I knew my favorite song would be the last song I'd hear while running and then some of my other favorite songs as I walked the remainder of the way home.

I was nearly done with my running and the song before my favorite came on.  I was so excited because it's been so long since I've run to my favorite song.  The last chord played and I prepared myself to straighten my shoulders as my favorite gave me that last bit of umph I needed to finish my 3 miles....... Silence.

I haven't charged my mp-3 player since before Thanksgiving.  And it died. 

I still haven't run to my favorite song.  Despite my literal extra mile, I didn't get to hear my song. 

My mp-3 player is currently charging.

#20 I'm Thankful For.....

Today was the 5k for Chloe's Sunshine Playground.  It was my first actual race.

My friend Cindy and I had agreed to participate together.  As I was talking to my brother Peter about it, he thought it would be a cause worth joining in as well.

So at 7:00 this morning we loaded Emma and Abby into the van and the four of us (we met Pete at the race) took off.  Cindy's husband was kind enough to keep Matt and Millie with him and their boys.  We got our snazzy t-shirts and race numbers and timing chips.  We stretched and got ready to run.

There were some major concerns I had coming into this:

1.  The elements.  It was a bit windy this morning and it was about 50 degrees.  That doesn't sound too bad, but it was cloudy.  And I'm ashamed to admit how cold I actually was. 

2.  The altitude.  There's an elevation difference of 2855 feet between my home and Syracuse, UT.  It's not much of a difference, but it's enough of one that I knew it could really hinder me.

3.  Out of shape.  I haven't done very much running in the last several weeks.  I completed the c25k program with perfect attendance.  I didn't miss a day.  As soon as that tenth week came, I was lucky to run two days a week.  That went on for a several weeks and then when I miscarried I took an several days off from running.  This week I ran/walked 2 miles on Monday and ran 2.6 miles on Wednesday.  I wasn't sure how I'd do today.

4.  Headache.  I suddenly found myself with a major headache around the 2k mark, despite my efforts to drink lots of water yesterday.

But I am absolutely thankful for my goals and my ability to accomplish them.  A couple of times I actually considered suggesting that Pete and I stop and walk.  But I didn't want to.  I wanted to run.  I had things to prove to myself.  We were some of the slower starters.  Lots of people ran quickly ahead of us.  But we stayed steady and around the 4k mark we picked up the pace. 

When we saw the stop light next to the finish line we picked it up even more.

We rounded the corner to the last several yards to the finish line and picked it up again.  Then Pete and I began sprinting.  At least I did.  Pete was very chivalrous and allowed me to pull ahead of him.  I barely made it over the finish line before him.  But the main point is.....

I made it.

Pardon the blurriness.  Abby was our photographer! :)

I ran the entire 5k.  33.55 minutes.  Despite the elements, the altitude, the headache, and the near depression of the last two weeks I accomplished my goal. 

Crossing the finish line was like crossing a line in my life.  The line indicating my first step to move on.  I ran a 5k on sheer will power.  And now life has affirmed that I can use that will power for anything.  And becoming a stronger person is Step 1. 

I'm thankful for my first 5k race today.

(I'm also thankful for my friends that stopped by and said hi this afternoon.  I loved seeing you and can't wait to do it again sometime.)

And So It Goes.... Again

Well, the Bloggest Loser is done. Fess Up Fridays ended about four months ago. And I gained weight over the summer.

It's time to start things up again.

This week I made a few goals and have actually stuck by them.

1. I've walked around our neighborhood every morning, despite the 100* heat that makes me sweat like a one-legged man in a butt kicking contest. Especially when that contest is in August in Arizona.

2. I cut out refined sugar this week. No chocolate, candy, cupcakes, brownies, ice cream, all the things I crave. But I've stuck to it. It's just as hard today as it was Sunday when I began. I'm hoping it gets easier, but until it does I'm very conscious of this goal. Very. Next week's focus is simple carbs. Heaven help me and every person I come in contact with. We're all in for a bumpy ride.

I'm thinking of starting up The Bloggest Loser again on September 5, when every kid going back to school should be there and there will be no excuses. Let me know if you want in. Any preferences this time? I'll consider everyone and everything.

Oh, and I'm planning to run in a race in January. It's called London's Run. It was established for a girl here in Queen Creek named London who passed away in 2005 from leukemia. The run was set up to help her family after her death. Every year they do the race again and donate proceeds to local children's charities. When I read that and saw the amount of the entrance fees I decided it would be worth doing. I'm not sure if I'm going to go for the 10k or the 1/2 marathon. Early entrance fees are due by December, so I'll train for a few months and decide at that time. If I weren't typing, I'd be rubbing my hands together in anticipation. I'm gonna do this, dang it.

We Can Do It!

Yes, friends. It's that time again. How'd you do this week? I SUCKED!!!

I'm so mad at myself. It's the dang food. I always complain about it and it's always my weakness and I always give in to it. I suck. That's all I got to say about that.

In good news, I did my Fit Test for the Insanity program on Monday. I totally rocked it. I can't believe how much I improved in just two weeks. Then I sabotaged it all with missing two days of workout (one of those days was spent walking around the zoo and temple grounds, so I justified that). And my stupid eating. Stupid.

I watched a show about a woman who put her scale in the kitchen to remind her why she doesn't want to eat badly. If I didn't think my scale would be ruined by children, I'd do it.

I was also inspired early in the week by my cousin. I need to remember that. Anyway, he ran a half marathon in just about two hours. Yeah, 13.1 miles in 2 hours. Uh, hello? Can we say, "Holy heck!"? I'd love to run this race with him next year. He already plans on coming back down here from Oregon next year. Can I do this? I don't know. I need about an entire year to train. But first I need to be able to afford running shoes. Right now the choice is, "Buy a new house or buy running shoes?" I know shoes are cheaper than a house, but every penny counts when you're trying to come up with down payment money. Any independently wealthy people out there that need a charity write-off? I'll accept it. If you'll take care of my down payment, I'll buy my own shoes. That's being self-sufficient, isn't it? I've also heard of the book "Running for Dummies." That's my kind of training manual.

I really loved everyone's comments last week. You all help me so much. I hope you're all keeping up with your goals and I'm so grateful to have the chance to vent my frustrations to you!

We can do it!

'Fess Up Friday

I'm down. I've been working really hard, but I'm seeing no difference on the scale or in my measurements. I've run three times this week. It would've been more, but my knees need a little break. The only hope I seem to have is that the look of my body is shifting.

At the beginning of the week I was thinking about how I needed to stick with the workouts because doing them a second time helped me feel more comfortable with them. So, I figured my motivational-issue was all in my attitude. And it probably still is. I'm just upset that I'm working so hard and seeing no written results. Ugh!

My weightloss stymie might also be due to the fact that I've rearranged my eating habits. I was doing small meals through the day and getting my allotted calories, so that meant that I was eating more at night than during the day. Now, I eat more calories during the day. It's really boosted my energy, which is the good thing. But I'm fighting so many cravings at night that that might be why I'm not losing as much weight. The frustration of getting yourself healthy after years of letting yourself go to pot!!!

My cousin Jon introduced me to mapmyrun.com. I'm using it for my running and it's a pretty cool website. If you're interested in running, I suggest using it to help you get started. You can send me a friend request. I don't know the benefit of that yet, but it's an option. I did learn that my run this morning burned about 200 calories. I think it's kinda cool.

Enough about me...how'd you do? Any suggestions or inspirational stories? I could use them about now.