New Goals Set and Progress of Last Months Goals

It's that time again! 

Is it just me or are these months just flying by! 

RECAP OF AUGUST GOALS/CHALLENGES

😊 Completed C25K & Loved It!

☺️ Walked 100+ miles- 119.4 to be exact! 

😊 Increased veggie, fruit & water intake!

☺️ Lost 2.3lbs!

    ❌ I wasn't consistent on adding 30-60 minutes on the weekends, had a couple but not all. 

    ❌ The AB challenged fizzled out- as much as I want a more appealing stomached I think I just got bored with it. 

What I didn't plan for this month was my thyroid levels changing. I've had a great streak and so far I haven't gone into a full autoimmune flare up and if I can help it I don't.  I have an appointment already scheduled to discuss further labs to see if there is other things I can include (such as vitamins/mineral) that I also may be deficient in. 

What happens when my levels are off? 

1. My energy plummets fast! In the past week I've had to nap or rest for a couple hrs or so after my workouts. I hate that but I must listen to my body. 

2. My joints start to ache.  So far it's minimal.  

3. I easily get out of breath. My running non stop has been interrupted with a few walking intervals.  

4. Heart palpitations! These can be a bit unsettling. They are not constant but I try to stay rested and calm so they pass rather quickly 

5. My mood & motivation starts to dip low. Depression is a big symptom of Hashimoto and can come on quickly. I've been in some pretty dark places in the past but as of now I'm doing ok.  

The key to all of these is recognizing the symptoms as soon as possible so you can address what may be causing the sudden changes.  It could be food, environmental, stressers, medication and or deficiency related.  

SEPTEMBER please be good to me!

MY SEPTEMBER GOALS 

As you can see I kept it simple but added the gym. It's been forever since I've font to the gym regularly, I'm looking forward to something new.  

Why simple? Well with going into  this month with my thyroid levels off its important that I don't stress too much on certain things. As much as I would love to lose weight I chose not to add it as a goal this way I won't stress and focus on the wrong thing this month- the scale. As I've said before MY journey is more than just about losing weight, that's the little bonus I get along the way~Optimal Health is the real goal for me.  

A couple of things I've learned about me this month. 

1. I can run a 5K! And without stopping! 

2. I can stay accountable to myself even when my accountability partner is on vacation. 

Well Wishes, ((Hugs)) & Prayers,

Janine 

In a SLUMP but NOT for Long!

 

*pic from one of my walks this week

 I know I've been a little quieter lately with my posts but know Im still plugging along doing my thing. I'm in a slight slump with my mood but getting things under control. 

Here's  a recap of my activity this week.  

   3 days of running 5K : my times were not terrible but I've had better.  The last 2 runs I was feeling a little off and had
a few walking moments which is ok.  I know I'll have better runs coming.  

   2 days of walking the beach : an 8 miler and a 6 miler. The 8 miler was a bit brutal for one reason, by the time we turn back after 4 miles the sun is really beating down on the last 2 miles.  

   My meal plan has been off some but already working on a strategy to get things right again.  Why I get into a slump I don't know but it can be a real struggle.  I'm glad I can catch it quickly before things get out of control. 

Getting my goals/challenges lined up for September. Will post them in a few days.  

I plan to hit the gym in the morning! It's been forever since I've gone to the gym, looking forward to it. 

Well Wishes, ((Hugs)) & Prayers,

Janine

I Did It!

A lot has been going on lately but wanted to post my latest from last week.  

I did it!! 

8 weeks of C25K training and I can officially run 3 miles non stop.  

Bring on the 5K events!!

Im so excited and proud of all my accomplishments. 

I set a goal and conquered it!  

No excuses!

No putting it off!

I stayed consistent and followed the program to the T.  

I still have plenty of room to improve and plan to do so. I'm looking forward to the next stage and see where it leads me. I'm eager to run my first 5K event in September.  

Oh and  I already downloaded the next app. Couch to 10k.  I won't start it for a while but its all ready for when I am.  

What have I gotten myself into! 

Some beautiful masterpiece on some of my morning runs

What a way to start my mornings. 

 More up dates to come soon.

Well wishes, ((Hugs)) & Prayers,

Janine

Running & Feeling Great

I just returned from my run. 

May I say I'm pretty proud of myself on today's run.  

I did not meet anyone this morning so it would have been easy to ignore the alarm and convince myself to take another day of rest and sleep in.  I'm So glad I didn't!! Today's run felt great!!! With the app you start off with a 5 min brisk warm up walk and then start running.  When I started running right off I felt it was going to be good.  My body felt awake and my breathing stayed pretty steady the entire way.  Through the entire run I never felt like I needed to stop.  I continued to run 3 minutes  longer than the scheduled 22 minutes for today's program.  

I ran 25 minutes NON STOP!! Wow! The girl who never thought she could, CAN! 

I can't believe the difference just 7 weeks makes. Why I never started this before I don't know but I'm sure glad I have now.  

Everything is Falling Into Place

One of the BEST decision I've made for me was making myself a priority. 

I've never felt more well and in control of my health.  I wake up each day ready to get my sweat on and push myself further than I possible think I can. Life is about making choices!  Really thinking of how to fuel my body with good food, how not to let negative thoughts clutter my mind to discourage me, and to invest in time for me whether is to exercise, relax or research healthy options for the future.  

I never imagined I could feel good, have energy, desire to push myself and love me.  

Life is interesting and you never know what will be next. With all my health issues (PCOS, bulged discs, Gastroparesis, Hashimoto & RA) I thought life was going to be a downward spiral into a very dark & miserable place.  Thankfully that thought only lasted but a bit and the pity party was over.  I had a choice to continue to let life take over me or to take control of my life.  

It's my life and I choose to be in control of it. 

Today I can say:

I'm a walker of many miles

Im a newbie runner 

I'm healthier than I have been in years

I'm losing weight 

I have energy to do things

I eat clean healthy foods that nourish my body

I am pain & symptom free

I'm not depressed or sad

We all make choices every single day, make sure the choices you make are the healthiest and best ones for you. 

Well Wishes, ((Hugs)) & Prayers,

Janine

New Month, New Goals and Recap

 

 I've never been so excited for a new month to start. I have been on a great roll the last two months (June & July). Not only are results happening on the scale finally 2 months in a row, WooHoooo, but I see actual changes in the mirror and my endurance has improved some too, especially with my running. 

First off, before I share my new goals here's a recap of the last 31 days and my accountability report of how I did. 

JULY TOTALS

137 Miles walked/run

5 weeks of C25K completed 

37.4 Active hours

22 Total walking/running session 

5.8 Pounds lost WooHooo! 

JULY RECAP 

of Goals I had set and how I did.  

✔️ Start Couch to 5K- 5⃣ weeks completed

✔️ Walk 6 miles M-F (100+) 1⃣3⃣7⃣ DONE!

❌ T & Th upper body w/wghts. 70% effort

✔️ Complete 13.1 mile walk. COMPLETED!

✔️ Lots of Veggies    💯

✔️ Hydrate more   💯

❌  Complete a Whole30 - did 2 weeks then felt best to transition into using GF shakes & bars for more of an on the go reasons. 

Now on to my new goals I've set for August. You will see some are the same and some are new ones I've added.  

AUGUST GOALS/CHALLENGES

I chose this pic for my goal pic because in September I'm off to that very place for a girls weekend away with my sisters/cousin/friends. I Can't wait!! 

NSV (Non Scale Victories) 

One big NSV was I tried on 2 dresses recently I've had for a while hanging up. One was a silk printed dress that is a 14. In the way past I've tried it on and it wasn't just too small, I honesty couldn't get into it to even try it on. I had a purple one just like it once, HAD is the operative word here.  Over a year ago I was determined to see how much I'd really have to lose to fit into them both. Well I'm embarrassed to say, actually I can't believe I'm even going to say it... I literally got stuck in that purple dress and had to cut it off.  Yup, cut it off!! Who was I kidding thinking I'd even be able to squeeze into a size 14 anyways.  

Well the up side to this story is that I pulled that very dress in the printed pattern on and it slid on with ease.  I have room up top and the girls are not suffocating, and the bottom skirt area was roomy and... It came off without cutting it off. It's not as perfect as I like so I want to wait to get a better pic of me in it- the pockets pucker a little. 

Oh, and as for the second dress that I tried on its not an everyday kind, it's more on the sexy side black dinner dress that I picked out a long while back in hopes to wear it out one night with my hubby. ❤️ Back then it was WAY TOO TIGHT. Although it was an 18 my frame/figure was just too big in every way to wear it. Well when I tried it on just the other day it is starting to fit great in the fitted body area, however hence why I've added the AB CHALLENGE this month.  One surprising thing about the top part is I will need to have it altered in the straps & bust area.  The girls are shrinking!!

There was a time I was ready to give up on those dresses and me but that's not who I am.  If I need to work harder than some then that's what I will do. 

 I CAN DO THIS!

Here are a few pics from my month. 

Sunrises!

Embracing Me & My Accomplishments!

Lessons Learned:

🔸Don't listen to doubting thoughts!

🔸You are much more capable thank       you think. 

🔸If you stick with it result do finally happen

❤️Live❤️Love❤️Laugh❤️

~Embrace the Journey~

Well Wishes, (((Hugs))) & Prayers,

Janine

I ❤️ Running... NO I Don't... at least not yet.

  

I hope one day I can truly say I ❤️ Running but as for now I'm just glad it hasn't killed me yet.  This C25K (couch to 5K) app is kicking my butt.  

👟 At what point will I not feel like my calves won't split apart?

👟 At what point will I not feel like I'm going to die? 

👟 At what point will I get to run a full mile without needing or wanting to walk some to catch my breath? 

I'm enjoying the challenge and the process but it's not easy. I made a commitment to myself a while back and chose this to be my "hard" at this point in my journey.  We all have obstacles to face and this one I chose as mine. It's proven to be tough but Im determined to overcome it and reach my goal.  

When I was a kid I didn't have any athletic abilities what's so ever.  I wanted to be that girl who could play softball, basketball & soccer well but it just never happened, probably due to lack of exposure but never the less I never became that girl. After years of growing and desiring a healthier life I've hoped to one day learn to become a runner. I don't care how fast I can go, I just desire to be able to go.  Now is my time, no more waiting & wishing, it's all about doing.

 I started week 4 today so I'm well into my commitment. 

 Go Me!! 👟👟

Well wishes, ((hugs)) & prayers

Janine