Saturday

Looking forward to our walk/run! Just got back from visiting my brother in Philly, and attending his wedding in D.C. - a fresh new start for him after a painful divorce 7 years ago. I ate fairly reasonably, but will be glad to burn off some calories Saturday morning. I haven't trained at all so will walk and talk, and maybe jog on the really flat stretches!

Today's my divorcery...strange as it may sound, I feel very calm. I'm grateful for the healing and positive changes that have taken place over the past year, and it's no exaggeration that our Go Red journey was a major step in my taking back my life.

I can't think of anyone else I'd rather spend time with, on a crisp fall morning, as I begin my "new year". See you soon!

AHA 5k Run/walk

I was just searching for future 5Ks that were just listed on the site I go to and low and behold I find an AHA event on September 25th. It is a Run/Walk. Is anyone interested in creating a team and either running or walking as a fundraiser for the event. Ron is in charge, or at least that is what the website says. I think it would be a great way to give back to the AHA for our wonderful experience. There is time to start training now to run if you want using the "Couch Potato to 5K" plan or to just walk it which is fine too. Let me know what you all think.

get together

Would like to have everyone over for an evening of catch up. I was thinking next Tuesday or Wednesday. Does that work for everyone? Say 6:30 at my place. Should we do a meal or do all want to come fed. Doesn't matter to me. Does anyone have an email list to pass to all as I am sure several never enter this blog. Let me know your thoughts. Mary

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all who ran/walked/crawled or whatever the marathon. What a tremendous feat! Keep up the great work.

I recently had my blood pressure/glucose and cholesterol checked again. The numbers are even sooo much better than they were at the end of the challenge.

My doctor is amazed every time I see her. She keeps telling me she wants me to speak at some of her diabetes prevention groups.

I have recruited my Dad, who has very high blood pressure due to alcohol drinking, to be part of my exercise regimen. He said he is soo proud of what I have accomplished, I grabbed him by the arm and told him that I needed him around for a couple more years. He is eating a better menu, cut the intake of alcohol and he has even been walking a bit more. He is now gone to North Dakota for work, so I can't keep an eye on him, but I hope he is doing well.

SO HAS ANYONE DECIDED WHEN AND IF WE ARE GOING TO GET TOGETHER FOR A REUNION?

I am attaching a recent photo of Kevin, me and Mason (my grandson, in pic is 3 weeks old)

#5

Well the Irvin 5K was my 5th 5K in the last 7-8 weeks. I thought by now the 5Ks would be getting better, but it seems as though they are getting worse and worse. It was blazing hot and there were no water stations. I am surprised that I made it to the finish line. But when I did I saw Rose there waiting for me to cross. It was so cool. So a cool experience I had was as I was running there was a couple that kept passing me when they would run and we (my ever faithful husband was with me each step of the way) would pass them when they would walk (we ran the whole time). At one point they stayed ahead of us and every time we got close they would start running. It was like the husband was saying "Okay here comes the fat girl. We have to beat the fat girl. Start runnning." So I got tired of that and took off running when they started walking and we got a ways in front of them. That was still with one mile to go though, so I couldn't keep that speed up for very long. We then went neck and neck to the finich line and about 200 feet from the end I just couldn't do it anymore and I stopped to walk. Just then the lady came up behind me and hooked my arm and said "Come on girl, we can do this." I then made it the rest of the way. I guess we all need that person who will grab us and pick us up even if it is at the end of the race. It was a really neat experience. Rose I am glad you can walk around and your back is getting better. Mary, congrats on your boot camp type regimen. Where is everyone else? Hope you are all well. On July 3rd I am doing a 5-miler in Lake Nebagamon. I have all of my races planned for the rest of the year. At least one 5K each month to keep me in shape and getting in better shape.

Go, Jaime, Go!

Best of luck with the Irvin 5K!

I hurt my back on Saturday and am just now able to walk somewhat normally. Weak abs are partially to blame - I didn't heed Susan S.'s wise counsel from the last time I did this in January...and I have finally learned my lesson (the hard way, again).

I will be watching for you at the finish line!

Good to be back!

Many thanks to Tina for re-inviting me to the blog so I can post again!

I haven't officially worked out for a while and can feel the weight creeping back on. I don't know if it's strep throat (but no fever) or allergies that's making it difficult to breathe. (I think this is what smoker's cough must be like, and it feels awful.)

The mental change is incredible: I am bummed that I haven't worked out, when in years past I would do anything to avoid physical exertion! At the same time, I've readjusted my Irvin 5K goal from running the whole thing to treating it as a social event and finishing it however possible (so as not to be removed from the course by ambulance), and I don't feel bad about "downgrading" my goal - another welcome mental change.

Keep up the good work, everybody - key word "good", for our selves.

i'm here

All is well here. Just got back from a long weekend traveling to SD. Wrapping up a 10 week fitness challenge which has left me invigorated but looking forward to having some me time. No big weight loss but inches are coming off. Still going to smdc to see them. They say my fitness is so much better. I will look at my calendar and set a date to get us all together. I miss you all. Hugs to all, Mary

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Anyone there?

Where is everybody? I miss reading all of your posts. Only 2 more weeks until the Irvin 5K. I am really excited for that course since there are no hills. I ran another 5K on Friday night and a trail 5K Saturday morning on the Lester Park trails. That was the hardest most painful run I have ever done. The first half was all uphill and I was thrilled to get to the back half and it was slightly downhill the rest of the way. It was the slowest pace I have ever had, but the back half was the fastest I have ever run. I was averaging 5.5 miles per hr at that point. It was awesome to cross that finish line. I ran into my cardiology NP from St Lukes when we did the challenge and it was so good to see her at a race. I had some lab work done a few weeks ago and my labs are improving so much. It is fun to see that. My total weightloss is at 30 pounds in 2 months today. I am feeling great and people are starting to comment on the changes. One friend hadn't seen me for a while and she said, "Look at you skinny girl." When you are huge "skinny" is relative, but I AM skinnier and loving it. I am able to buy smaller clothes and bend over to tie my shoes. I run 4-5 times a week now. Last week I logged just over 12 miles for the week. My half-marathon training is going well. I wonder how I will ever have the time to do the training once I have to start running more than 4 miles in a row. But I will do it because I need to do this for ME. This is all for me with the added bonus that my whole family is getting healthier and I'm making my mom so proud (and my dad too). I am collecting T-shirts from all of my races and maybe I will have to make a t-shirt quilt. I hope everyone is well. It is June now. When are we getting together?

1/2 Marathon

My husband and I made the decision the other day to start training for a 1/2 marathon. I know it sounds crazy, but I have seen what drive I have had to run this 5k. I need to have something I am working for besides weightloss. I have a doctor's appt on friday to see how my lab results compare to the ones taken at the end of the challenge. When I went to give blood they only had to poke me one time and she found my vein right away. Usually they poke me several times in several different places before they get my vein. She said the weight loss was probably the reason it was so easy. It was so nice to not get poked all over. Now I am excited to see the lab results since I have been running 3-5 (mostly5 days) days per week for 2 months. I gained a little weight while on vacation , but within 4 days of being home I had lost it again plus some. My eating is really changing. I have found food that I love that doesn't make me feel deprived. I feel great. I ran an unofficial 5k on Saturday with a friend. Today I'll do it again with my husband. This is my first week of 1/2 marathon training. I am so thrilled. It just excites me so much. I have no time goal. I just want to finish it. I figure that October is a good time to run a distance race too, not too hot. I hope to hear from you all soon.

Mother's Day

Well on Saturday I ran another 5k. This one was in honor of my mom. I made a t-shirt that says, "In memory of Mom. I run!!" And it has a picture of Mom and I together. The miracle is that after only 6 weeks of training I ran the whole way except 1 minute of it. I had my family at the end cheering me on and that was really exciting. So I am now on Week 7 of training. I exercise 5 days a week without fail. I am doing weight watchers. Yesterday when I weighed in (I missed last week) I was down another 7+ pounds. So I am almost at 25 lbs weight lost after 6 weeks of exercising and 4 weeks of weight watchers. I bought a few shirts yesterday that were a size smaller than I was wearing. I am so thrilled with my progress, but I'm even more thrilled with the mental aspect of things. When I have a "bad" day, which doesn't even touch the bad days of before, I wake up the next morning and I start again. I have been so in control of my eating it is amazing. Even when I am stressed and sad, or bored and mad, or whatever I am feeling I am staying within all the points I have. My Mother's Day was wonderful. It is so different for me than a few years ago. I used to dread the day because it was a painful reminder that I didn't have the very thing I wanted most. Well, I have been blessed and I no longer dread it. Love you guys. See you soon.

Hello Ya'll

Hello everyone who looks here. I hope you all are doing well.
Mary, it is so good to see you here. Im so happy for you. Getting the husband to do it with you is such a great idea. Wish mine would too. I can't wait for us all to get together again. It has been awhile. I did see Marcia at the Huey Lewis concert at Black Bear Casino and she looked wonderful! I have been walking about 5 miles a day now. Kasey, my youngest daughter, has been walking with me at home and sometimes we run, skip, jog and we have even run backwards just to "spice" things up a bit. She is doing great too. Kickboxing is coming to the workout sessions at work, I think I will give it a try. I have talked to some people and they say it is fun and one heck of a workout.

Mason, my new grandson, has also been keeping me busy. I forgot how much work babies are.

Have a great evening everyone!

checking in

Hi everyone, Sound like those who are blogging are doing well. I am still going to the Heart to Heart Program at SMDC and enjoying more than ever. I even have my husband going. I joined an ultimate challenge about 4 weeks ago and am working my behind off. Monday and Wednesday's I do kickboxing for 1 hour. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday I do kickboxing followed by an hour then an hour of bands which is core training. I feel great. The clothes are getting loser and I have shed a few more pounds. Really don't have much more going on. Katie and her husband are coming home for the summer. We will be doing a fair amount of travel with the RV which I am looking forward to. I am really impressed with those who are still blogging. A true inspiration. I am still planning on having everyone here in June. I will try and get down to the William Irving to watch you all. Keep in touch. I sincerely miss you all. Mary

Go, Mama!

Wow - congrats, Jamie! Kudos to your husband as well!

I saw a group of young runners led by several adults yesterday, and everyone was laughing and smiling - I realized that the Irvin 5K will be fun like that, because people will be running together. So far, I'm training on my own (on a track so I can keep count/time better) but the thought of the camaraderie on race day keeps me going.

I am weighing myself more frequently these days and, thankfully, have finally shed that "rut" mindset that Jamie referred to. It used to set me backwards, but now an upward creep of a pound or two is a word to the wise, and nothing more sinister than that. Like Jamie, I'm running for my heart and health...the weight loss is a bonus that makes the running easier, and the running makes the weight loss easier.

Melissa, did you sign up for the race?

I'm helping to distribute flyers for "Sing Your Heart Out", the American Heart Association's fundraiser - an evening of celebrity karaoke night, slated for Thursday the 13th at Grandma's in Canal Park...at $10, this is a fundraiser/social event that I can afford...and I'm going to pin down Ron O. to see if he signed up for the 5K! If he didn't, we should make him watch us from the sidelines, wearing a red minidress - right?!

Mary, how are the newlyweds?

Happy Mothers/Young Women Day to all.

First Official 5K

Well, I did it. I completed my first official 5k in 47:36. I ran the majority of the course. I had my husband with me every step of the way. I went from training on a treadmill to doing a very hilly course AND I dropped 5 minutes off my treadmill 5k time. That was pretty impressive to me. I was soooooooooooo sore for the next few days. Today I only feel a little sore. But despite the soreness I ran yesterday and today. I am running 5 days a week and am so thrilled at the progress I am making. My husband and I made a schedule of all the 5k races we are going to do for the rest of the year. Our goal is to do at least one per month. Eventually I will start training for a 10k then half marathon. I am actually comtemplating triathlon training after that. I know it is crazy, but it excites me about being active and having a goal I am working for other than losing weight. If I focus on just losing weight I get in a rut and self-sabotage, but if I have another goal as well and the weight loss is one of the benefits I am more likely to succeed. I am running this weekend and then no races until our Irvin 5k. Nice job Rose on your 5k training. Is anyone else training? Hope to see you soon.

One foot in front of the other...

Wow, Jamie, that's terrific for you! That's proof that our 12-week challenge wasn't something that began and ended "and that was that"...it certainly was the fresh start I needed in, and for my life! I'm up to walking-jogging-running at a pace of 4 miles per hour...that's a sad 15-minute-mile, but I figure I'm going 0 mph at my desk job.

Jaime, you're very inspiring...if I end up walking the whole 5K, so be it. I'll be in good company!

5K

Well, I am still training. This is the most I have exercised and this intensely for SEVERAL years. This is week five. I am now running 5 days a week at least a half an hour each session. It is actually running and walking intervals, but I can run the majority of the time. Yesterday I did a test 5K. It took me 52 minutes, but I did it. I have lost 16 pounds in the last 5 weeks and I feel terrific. I just woke up one morning after paying for the Irvin 5K for 5 people (4 in my family and 1 friend from out of state) and had this feeling that I wanted to make my boys proud and not look like a fool for either backing out of the race or not being able to finish it. That is now my driving force and it is the oned thing I have to get done in my day. Yay me! I am doing a 5K this Saturday for a fundraiser and then one next weekend in honor of my mom for mother's day. She would be so proud of me for making these steps. It is amazing how much better I feel about life, myself, my future, and everything about life in general just from doing a simple thing like running. I can't believe I have been doing this for 5 weeks. That is huge. I can't wait to go to my cardiology follow-up in August to see where my numbers and everything are then. Who all is running the Irvin 5K? Please let me know.

Checking In

Hello everyone!
I seen Marcia this last weekend, WOW! she looks soo great, even my husband made a comment about how great she looks. WAY TO GO Marcia!

I have met with my dietician again. We are going over my meal plans again. I have not gained any weight, but also have not lost any. I have however lost a few more inches. I am still lifting some weights (trying to tone things up)

Jaime, I saw you are still going to train for the marathon. Good for you! I wish I had that ambition. Keep up the great work. Sorry I haven't had a chance to email you the email addresses. I will do that this week.

I hope we all can get together sometime soon.

New Week

Hello to all who check in! Mary, I have not got a new outfit. I have tried to contact Marti about shopping, but got no response. I have bought my first pair of shorts in years though.
To your comment about looking good....we all looked sooo great at the end. We all had a new outlook on life...just look at the blogs..so uplifting and cheerful now!

Jaime, I will email you the email addresses when I get a chance.

I have been so busy lately since Mason(my grandson) was born. He and Krystal(my daughter) take up so much of my time right now.

I really need to concentrate on me again because I can feel the neglect. I am starting a new challenge as well. "The biggest loser" at my friends bar. She is having a contest, there is a small registration fee, but they pay out is high. She is also offering the tools to use, gyms, equipment, and so on.

I'm here

Hi everyone,

I checked in a couple of times to see if anyone had blogged and didn't see anything so didn't write. Shame on me. LIfe is going well here. I am just starting week 2 of my ultimate personal challenge and really enjoying it. I do kickboxing 5 days a week and band toning three days a week. Very busy program but with just me and the hubby a good time to be doing it. I am sore like you would not believe. I love feeling that way. Eating is going well. The scale is staying close to the same but I know if I stay on track the numbers will start showing. I am eating more protein than ever. I am convinced more than ever that carbs are what has been my downfall all along. My husband is on the bandwagon now which is nice. He just bought a new bike yesterday so you will see us riding the hills of Duluth. Yesterday I just marveled at how alive I feel. Makes me think of all the miserable time I spent on my behind wishing I was doing rather than doing. I agree a get together would be nice. I am still planning on hosting in June at my place. If others want to get together sooner let me know. Tina, have you got your new outfit yet? If so I bet you look stunning darling.

Keep in touch you all. Mary

Yay Rose and Tina are here!

I'm so glad to see you two on here. I hope others will get back on and post how life is. I miss reading about you ladies and all you have going on. It helps me stay on track. Rose, I am training for the 5K because you reminded me about signing up for it and I don't want to talk myself out of it because I am so scared to run publicly. I am feeling so good right now running that today I got on and ran 1 1/2 miles straight. That was awesome. So I read this quote on a forum somewhere, but it didn't have an author, "The difference between try and triumph is a little umph." That is my new mantra. Can't wait to hear from everyone else. I wish I had everyone's email addresses.

Shamed into Blogging!

Hi Ladies,

I plead guilty...I have severe email burnout and haven't blogged for a while. Congratulations, Tina - your handsome little grandpup is just beautiful. I hope baby, mother and mother's mother are all doing well!

Good for you, Jaime, for making a comeback...we all need a vacation of sorts, and resuming your training/personal challenge is proof of positive change. I'm not doing so hot with training for the Irvin 5K but now have extra incentive because my son got a spot in the race, too! He said, "Sorry, Mom, I think I'll be running faster than you and won't be waiting for you" - which is how it should be, anyway.

I'm seriously thinking about buying a treadmill. Although having free use of the CPF was wonderful, I'm just not a gym person. In retrospect, the only way I was able to go as much as I did during the Challenge was that I virtually ignored Christina (albeit with her blessing). Jaime, I don't know how you even have to go to the bathroom by yourself!

I agree, Way too Long!

I agree, it has been way to long. I understand that our lives get in the way of getting on the computer. With everything I have gone through in the last week, I even forgot to do my homework! But here I am, checking on everyone, and I see Jaimie has made comment. Dont get down on yourself, we all fall off once in awhile. It is bound to happen, we are human. I have been off for a couple weeks also, have not gained any, but my eating habits have been horrible!

Maybe we all need a re-group meeting to get back on track!

Let me know your thoughts on this.

Way too long

I hope you ladies are still out there. I haven't visited the site in a while and noticed that Mary's last post was March 25. I fell off the bandwagon the first few weeks after the challenge. I got down on myself for gaining everything back that last week during that time of the month. But I decided that I really owed it to myself and everyone at the challenge to keep going, so...three weeks ago I started training for the 5K we are running. I then joined weight watchers last Tuesday. Today I weighed in for my second time and I have lost 9.5 pounds. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! I have been training 3x per week for the 5K. Today I went to my very first spinning class. I hated it. It was awful and my butt hurts sooooooooooooooooooooo bad, but I will totally do it again because when I walked in with my friend the instructor said, "You ladies know that this is an intense cardio workout, right?" As if to say that I was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to big to be here in this type of class. Of course I am not going to let that stop me and I will be back, but man am I sore. I have been tracking everything I am eating and I am not going over my points for the most part. I feel so great and my body is loving this. I hope you are all doing well. Tina, congrats on the new grandbaby. So cute! I miss you guys. Lets get together. Is anyone else training for the 5K? Mary, what program are you doing? Take care everyone. Please post updates so I can see them.

Grandson, Mason Joseph

new challenge

Tina had asked me about the challenge I am going to start. The website is pmaduluth.com. It is an ultimate challenge that goes for 10 weeks. The fee is a little high but I feel I spent that much, plus more on junk food etc. All is well here. I am struggling with getting the momentum going. Work is busy and I feel restless. Not sure why. Will let the feelings happen and not make a big deal out of them. I am looking forward to a lazy weekend. Saturday Glenn and I are going to hang and then Sunday not much up. Anyone want to get together Sunday afternoon (late) or anytime for that matter? Keep me posted. Hugs to all, Mary

getting back into it

Hi everyone.

I have been rather busy these past couple of weeks. Had my daughter get married. What a wonderful time. Today I met with the heart to heart people and feel like I am back on track. I didn't exercise last week and ate terrible. Didn't gain any weight but felt sluggish and really crabby. Back to work and trying to get back in the old Go Red groove. Tina, you so inspire me. The next three weeks I am going to focus on the tools given to us during our challenge and then April 9th will be starting a 10 week ultimate challenge. I am looking forward to it. The weather sure makes me want to spend more time outside. I am trying to get a Irvin pass from the marketing department so I can run. SMDC gives a few out each year to their employees. Nothing much new. Keep in touch. Hugs to all, Mary

New Measurements and Weigh In

Well, I had my measurements and weigh in for the new program I have started at my clinic. It is a program called "Your Way". It is wonderful, they give you all the tools you need and the support, but also give you the kick in the behind when you need it. My measurements were down another 2 inches off my waist! That is since the last measurement on February 25. The weight is only down 3 pounds, but I have been lifting more weights.

I put on my size 14 pants this morning (they fit 2 weeks ago) and they were tight. ?? This has me a bit puzzled. Is the lady who did the measurements doing it wrong? I do not know, but will not let it get me down. I will work harder to get them back on!

I started today. Walked 1/2 mile before work, walked 1/2 mile at morning break, ate light lunch and walked another mile at afternoon break. I will also be bike riding with Kasey this evening. I made that promise to her and she will not let me off.

Everyone seems to be doing great. Keep up the great work and keep in touch.

Anyone up for another afternoon meeting right after Easter?

Here I Am

Hey ladies! I have really missed you gals lately. Thanks Rose for the reminder email about the 5K. I am signed up. Anyone else? I start training tomorrow doing the "From Couch Potato to 5K". I'm really excited to do it. My husband and two oldest sons are doing it too. I have not been doing the greatest lately, but am starting again. This 5K is exciting to me. I hope everyone is doing well. I can't wait to read more entries from everyone.

New Week, New Outlook

Well tomorrow is another Monday. The beginning of a new week, beginning of a new start (over). Life has been very busy lately and I have had a hard time keeping on track, which I understand. Life will happen and we will stray, but if we can find the will power to get back on track is the big question. I am working on that.

I see some of you have taken to jogging and are going competition with it. That is great. I will follow you from the side lines this year. I have a long time to work before I can do anything like that. Good luck to all.

Please keep me posted on everything that is happening, I am truely interested in what you all are up to.

Still NO baby!

Learning patience while healing from a knee injury

This past month has been pretty tough. With my recent knee injury, I have not been able to go out running or visit the gym. I am very grateful the injury was not more serious. After a visit with my doctor, I received the ok to hit the gym and start very short runs.

After hitting the 5-mile mark in February before the accident, it is difficult to know that I have to start at the beginning again with a 1/4-mile and work up from there. Although when I think back to the first few times I went out, it is amazing how much a person can accomplish when they set their mind to it. I started my training program for a 5K and my first three weeks consisted of running for 1 minute and walking for 2 minutes, repeating that run/walk ratio for 20 minutes. That was really tough!! The day I first did a 2 minute run/2 minute walk ratio was the day I really wondered if I would ever be able to run a full mile.

To the women out there beginning a running training program, keep your head up and will strong. I know how tough it can be and how awesome you will feel when you accomplish your goal. It is an amazing feeling. Running has changed my life and if there is ever anything I can do to help, please let me know.

Hello Everyone - Checking In

Just wanted to say hello to everyone. I have another weight watchers weigh in tomorrow at noon, and measurements! I have still been losing the weight, just not as fast as it was coming off before. I found that I have fallen off the wagon a bit. I really need to get back on it!

more baby steps

Whew...I just signed up for the Irvin 5K...now I need to start training in earnest...I can barely run one city block without stopping for air right now - but I am going to do this! Thanks, Jamie, for the training suggestions you made on our old blog.

Melissa, did you sign up for this race - or is it too soon after your expected recovery period?

Ron - are you in? Running in a cute red minidress?

And I'm in for the September Heart Walk "Community Team" idea.

Wishing all a good weekend,

Rose

Welcome to Northland Go Red Class of 2010

Welcome to all!
I have set this up for the women who participated in the Heart Healthy Challenge to keep each other updated on what's going on.