Nope - haven't walked this week. Started the new job - love it. Love being to close to home. Love saving gas. Love making more money. Don't like the later hours, just because I'm not used to it - but I'll be fine. Even like the folks I work with, with one exception. Why do people feel the need to lie about their experience or their past. Don't they know that someone who has really done those things will know the difference? Really? My saving grace is that this guy will only be working through Labor Day.
Let me explain a bit - I've worked at a package store, for years. I opened, closed, cleaned, stocked, knew my products, never sampled the wares with compensating the owner, did payroll, balanced the books, did the register, never stole anything. I've lived in one place fairly regularly, and was only homeless when I was a teenager. I know the signs of a drifter, I know the signs of someone who doesn't have a "trade." I've been around those people. I can tell. I can also tell (not always, but there are some signs) someone who did military service. I can tell educated people. Of course, if you only did one semester it's not so easy, but someone who is TRULY educated, it isn't hard, even if that education isn't from a college. Someone who makes an effort for their own lives, it's just obvious. Equally obvious to spot someone who just floats, and/or takes advantage of every situation, and not in the good way.
This guy - rough around the edges. Not just rough, jagged. I've known guys like that, too, and some are just diamonds who have never seen a file. Some are vicious, just waiting for a chance. Or, victims. Or, bullies. "I'm better than you." "You aren't as smart as I am." "I've done....." Honestly. You don't know me, but I apparently know that you didn't do half of what you say you've done, because I have, and what you say smells worse than the diaper of a baby who just started solid food. I don't appreciate being threatened by someone. I don't have the patience for someone who is full of themselves and wants to intimidate me into whatever they want. DON'T EVER PUT YOUR HANDS ON ME - you will lose them.
I hope, with all my heart, that I'm teaching my children that to be yourself, in any situation, is imperative. Honesty is of the highest priority. What someone else thinks of you isn't as important as what you think of yourself. Especially when it comes to how little some people will be in your life - you're always there, will you be able to live with yourself? I can.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
If it isn't my husband...
it's my son. "Mom, you didn't do your blog thing." Yes, Joshua, I know - but I've been walking with you and Michael, so really, do I need to? Sure. Actually, I'm glad that they are out walking with me. Not so much for me, but for them - to show them that they can do it, too. Michael is slower, has more things to look at and do than Joshua does. And, Joshua has the added advantage of being almost my height, so his strides match mine pretty well. He doesn't go as fast as I want to, but with practice he'll get there.
Yesterday, we did two a half miles. I so could have used more, but they were there. It was good. Actually, the boys did a little less than two miles, because they stopped to pick the wild blueberries. Then, I ran. Yup - ran almost a quarter mile, and then part of the way back. Sometimes, you have to run away from them, so you can come back to them a better person. Those few minutes I was away, I worried. They're my boys, and they were on the road, and cars were passing. True - we're out here, and no one would do anything, but that isn't how I grew up. So, I worried. I still let them do it. I still didn't rush back to hover over them. I still didn't make them come with me. It's part of growing up, and watching mom leave, and knowing that you're safe, even without her. It's knowing that she's coming back, and that time away did you both good. It's finding out that Mom is more than a "mom". See, what 7 minutes and a half mile can teach you.
My Droid is coming. I've been told that, but won't believe it until it's in my little hands. I'm very excited about it. AND, I got the job at the Canyon Store in Wolf Creek - I'm VERY excited about that, too. Meeting all the people in town, being EVER so much closer. Tomorrow is the last day that I'm going into Wholesale Sports to work. I'm supposed to go on Saturday, too, but really? My husband is going to be home, and leaving again on Sunday. I start the new job on Monday - yeah, I'm not going in on Saturday. Mark and I are going to walk, instead.
Yesterday, we did two a half miles. I so could have used more, but they were there. It was good. Actually, the boys did a little less than two miles, because they stopped to pick the wild blueberries. Then, I ran. Yup - ran almost a quarter mile, and then part of the way back. Sometimes, you have to run away from them, so you can come back to them a better person. Those few minutes I was away, I worried. They're my boys, and they were on the road, and cars were passing. True - we're out here, and no one would do anything, but that isn't how I grew up. So, I worried. I still let them do it. I still didn't rush back to hover over them. I still didn't make them come with me. It's part of growing up, and watching mom leave, and knowing that you're safe, even without her. It's knowing that she's coming back, and that time away did you both good. It's finding out that Mom is more than a "mom". See, what 7 minutes and a half mile can teach you.
My Droid is coming. I've been told that, but won't believe it until it's in my little hands. I'm very excited about it. AND, I got the job at the Canyon Store in Wolf Creek - I'm VERY excited about that, too. Meeting all the people in town, being EVER so much closer. Tomorrow is the last day that I'm going into Wholesale Sports to work. I'm supposed to go on Saturday, too, but really? My husband is going to be home, and leaving again on Sunday. I start the new job on Monday - yeah, I'm not going in on Saturday. Mark and I are going to walk, instead.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Gravity is OverRated
Mark and I set out for a walk last Monday, set to do six miles. The dogs were with us, and I was excited. Six was a new milestone. But, when we got to the three mile mark, and had to turn around, I found a penny, heads up. That was it - we were doing the eight! We weren't doing it for time, just for mileage, so off we went. My work schedule for the rest of the week wouldn't allow me to do the eight before his birthday, if we didn't do it that day. We did it - got all the way to the 7R Guest Ranch. One the way back, we were doing an average of 19 miles an hour, so faster than my regular walk. Nice! Mark did say that his butt was sufficiently kicked. I could have gone more - thought about going all the way to the paved road! LOL! The puppies were tired, we hadn't told them what we were doing. Isis even made it, four month old that she is. They slept well for the rest of the day. That lucky penny did me good - I even got a job interview when I got home. Now, my next goal is to "run" two miles at a shot. I have to practice that. I can only run for two minutes at a time, right now - if my husband is tellin' me true (he lied when I was in labor - so, who really knows...). I kinda figure he is.
Now, about the gravity - Mark and I were laying in bed (not what you think - well, maybe...), and I was noticing that there were flatter spots on my body. I can't pull as much from around my back to my front. Mark was feeling the spots that I was directing him to, when I mentioned that I thought that all of the fat fell to the back. He told me that gravity was over rated. I loved that! So, while my weight is going down past 178 - on the odd day - my body shape is changing nicely. I would appreciate it if the weight started dropping off - really, I would - but, I know it'll come.
Bob! I love that you're reading this! I love that Olivia is doing the treadmill! I know I have nothing to do with it, but I so excited for her! She will kick yer butt - you'd better do what she says. (Do you hear me, Love.... it goes for you, too)
This would so much easier to update, if I had a Droid....
Now, about the gravity - Mark and I were laying in bed (not what you think - well, maybe...), and I was noticing that there were flatter spots on my body. I can't pull as much from around my back to my front. Mark was feeling the spots that I was directing him to, when I mentioned that I thought that all of the fat fell to the back. He told me that gravity was over rated. I loved that! So, while my weight is going down past 178 - on the odd day - my body shape is changing nicely. I would appreciate it if the weight started dropping off - really, I would - but, I know it'll come.
Bob! I love that you're reading this! I love that Olivia is doing the treadmill! I know I have nothing to do with it, but I so excited for her! She will kick yer butt - you'd better do what she says. (Do you hear me, Love.... it goes for you, too)
This would so much easier to update, if I had a Droid....
Sunday, July 25, 2010
I'm back....
So, I haven't written anything in a while, and my loving husband has been harping on me. I've been working, six days in a row. That wouldn't really be bad, but I work nights - 12 to 8 - with 9 to 5 on Saturday, and 10 to 6 on Sunday. And, I'm on my feet, on concrete, all day. It's a menial, mindless job, and I'm looking for a new one.
Mark left Sunday, from the water park. We took the kids to Great Falls, after we walked three miles. Monday, I walked four miles with the puppies, and didn't work. Wednesday, Joshua wanted to come with me. That's tough. I told him he could come, as long as he could keep up. We did barely more than two miles. I had a goal that I wanted to do no less than three miles at a time. I know I have to adjust it all when the kids want to get involved. I didn't do any additional walking on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or today - Sunday. I do manage to get all my steps in - but I really need to start running.
You know, I always have these really interesting things to write about when I am walking, but it never makes it here, or onto paper. I can't even remember the stuff I was going to write about - I guess I need a Droid - that way I can do it right when I'm thinking about it. I really am funny. Well, I amuse myself, anyway. There are times when I literally make myself laugh.
Mark set a goal for me - to do eight (8) miles at one shot by his birthday - which is Friday. I believe I can do it - not worried about that at all - it's just gonna take me some time. Time - I hear people at the store all the time, saying that they're just killing time. That's horrible - I want to enjoy my time, not kill it. Even with five minutes, I could do something constructive.
Hey - here's one of those things that I thought about the other night, and didn't have a Droid to share with you. My butt muscles are sore!!! There's two things about that statement that are important. Really, you ask, how? First - I HAVE BUTT MUSCLES! That's too freakin cool to me. Second - they're sore - which only tells me that they are "aching" for me to do more. LOL See how I can amuse myself. Kris (from work) told me that what they were really saying is, "Stop it, you idiot." He might be right, but it doesn't further my goal, so I choose to believe my theory.
Oh, here's another one - I really need a Droid - I could have done this one from the pool. I'm losing butt and boobs. How's that for a title. It's really nice that I put on my bathing suit and it's loose on the top and bottom. I couldn't believe it! It hasn't been that long - longer than most people actually training for a marathon, but not long, and my body shape has changed. I've noticed, just recently, that my thighs are better, too. I still have "saddlebags," but I also have some nice muscle. I could stand for my boobs to stay the same size, or even grow - I would love it if I could just squeeze the bottom up to the top, but it ain't gonna happen. I think most guys feel the same way. Mark and I talked about a boob job later, but I think what we came up with as a cost effective solution was nipple rings and suspenders. I think I'll pass.
I'm going to try to walk tomorrow - I'm hoping for six miles. Isis was spayed today, so she can't go, and she'll be devastated. I don't want the kids to go, and I don't want it to be hot. So, I get up and walk first thing. Mark goes to a class tomorrow night for his birthday. We got him the Utah concealed carry class. He should be good almost anywhere he goes.
So, until next time - I'll be out there - work Tuesday through Friday, walking at least three miles at a shot in the morning, for at least three of those days. If I think of anything cool, I'll try to remember it. I'd love to know what you're doing. Beginning or experienced. Light and easy, or hardcore. Let me know!
Mark left Sunday, from the water park. We took the kids to Great Falls, after we walked three miles. Monday, I walked four miles with the puppies, and didn't work. Wednesday, Joshua wanted to come with me. That's tough. I told him he could come, as long as he could keep up. We did barely more than two miles. I had a goal that I wanted to do no less than three miles at a time. I know I have to adjust it all when the kids want to get involved. I didn't do any additional walking on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or today - Sunday. I do manage to get all my steps in - but I really need to start running.
You know, I always have these really interesting things to write about when I am walking, but it never makes it here, or onto paper. I can't even remember the stuff I was going to write about - I guess I need a Droid - that way I can do it right when I'm thinking about it. I really am funny. Well, I amuse myself, anyway. There are times when I literally make myself laugh.
Mark set a goal for me - to do eight (8) miles at one shot by his birthday - which is Friday. I believe I can do it - not worried about that at all - it's just gonna take me some time. Time - I hear people at the store all the time, saying that they're just killing time. That's horrible - I want to enjoy my time, not kill it. Even with five minutes, I could do something constructive.
Hey - here's one of those things that I thought about the other night, and didn't have a Droid to share with you. My butt muscles are sore!!! There's two things about that statement that are important. Really, you ask, how? First - I HAVE BUTT MUSCLES! That's too freakin cool to me. Second - they're sore - which only tells me that they are "aching" for me to do more. LOL See how I can amuse myself. Kris (from work) told me that what they were really saying is, "Stop it, you idiot." He might be right, but it doesn't further my goal, so I choose to believe my theory.
Oh, here's another one - I really need a Droid - I could have done this one from the pool. I'm losing butt and boobs. How's that for a title. It's really nice that I put on my bathing suit and it's loose on the top and bottom. I couldn't believe it! It hasn't been that long - longer than most people actually training for a marathon, but not long, and my body shape has changed. I've noticed, just recently, that my thighs are better, too. I still have "saddlebags," but I also have some nice muscle. I could stand for my boobs to stay the same size, or even grow - I would love it if I could just squeeze the bottom up to the top, but it ain't gonna happen. I think most guys feel the same way. Mark and I talked about a boob job later, but I think what we came up with as a cost effective solution was nipple rings and suspenders. I think I'll pass.
I'm going to try to walk tomorrow - I'm hoping for six miles. Isis was spayed today, so she can't go, and she'll be devastated. I don't want the kids to go, and I don't want it to be hot. So, I get up and walk first thing. Mark goes to a class tomorrow night for his birthday. We got him the Utah concealed carry class. He should be good almost anywhere he goes.
So, until next time - I'll be out there - work Tuesday through Friday, walking at least three miles at a shot in the morning, for at least three of those days. If I think of anything cool, I'll try to remember it. I'd love to know what you're doing. Beginning or experienced. Light and easy, or hardcore. Let me know!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
My shoes aren't waterproof...
Found that out the hard way. Had to walk through "Bear Meadow" with the morning dew still on the grass.
So, got another new book - this one is what came out of a college class. Two professors got together and gave a class on how to finish a marathon. Part of it deals with the psychological stuff, the other part deals with the physical. I'm liking it so far, because I haven't actually started "running" yet. That sounds a little off, doesn't it? So, in all that I've read so far, no one helps you get from the walking to the running part. These guys help you get there. They want you to be able to jog for 30 minutes, straight, before starting the actual program. I can't do that. How do I get there? There is a table that breaks it up, so that we can get there. I'm already doing the beginning part. Walk so many minutes, so many days a week. I'm walking at least 40 minutes, at least 4 days a week. I didn't start out that long. Shoot, no!! But, that's where I am now. If you're just starting out, do 10 minutes for a few days, then increase it to 15. Weeks 2 and 3, do 20 minutes a day. Week 4 go up to 30 minutes. Start slow so you don't get injured. If you can't do that much, so what you can. If you feel strong enough - do a little more.
That's what I did, and now I have the - ah - joy (yeah, that's it) of starting the jogging. The book says to jog 5 minutes, walk 10. Um, I can't do that, yet. We walked 6 minutes, jogged 2, walked 7 minutes (there was a car), jogged 2 and there we were at the mile marker. I walked back the entire way. So, did one 17 minute mile, one 20 minute mile. So, I did what I can today - and I'll do better tomorrow. Well, maybe not "better" - Michael is walking with me tomorrow, and I love that he wants to come - but I'll be going again.
Other stuff - Mark and Joshua are going on a weekend camping trip. It couldn't come at a better time. The boy is giving me fits. He's almost 11 and has this mouth that I just want to smack sometimes!! He's WAY too literal, and wants to argue about everything, even things that we've proven wrong. I just need a break. I can tell you that the physical exercise has helped me deal with him better - ah, the endorphins. I think that some days, I'm just living for those endorphins to kick in. Michael and I will be enjoying the time alone, we will be walking together every day, and we will be devouring Chinese food for dinner on Saturday. It's all planned, and we are both excited - him for the time alone, me for the Chinese!
So, got another new book - this one is what came out of a college class. Two professors got together and gave a class on how to finish a marathon. Part of it deals with the psychological stuff, the other part deals with the physical. I'm liking it so far, because I haven't actually started "running" yet. That sounds a little off, doesn't it? So, in all that I've read so far, no one helps you get from the walking to the running part. These guys help you get there. They want you to be able to jog for 30 minutes, straight, before starting the actual program. I can't do that. How do I get there? There is a table that breaks it up, so that we can get there. I'm already doing the beginning part. Walk so many minutes, so many days a week. I'm walking at least 40 minutes, at least 4 days a week. I didn't start out that long. Shoot, no!! But, that's where I am now. If you're just starting out, do 10 minutes for a few days, then increase it to 15. Weeks 2 and 3, do 20 minutes a day. Week 4 go up to 30 minutes. Start slow so you don't get injured. If you can't do that much, so what you can. If you feel strong enough - do a little more.
That's what I did, and now I have the - ah - joy (yeah, that's it) of starting the jogging. The book says to jog 5 minutes, walk 10. Um, I can't do that, yet. We walked 6 minutes, jogged 2, walked 7 minutes (there was a car), jogged 2 and there we were at the mile marker. I walked back the entire way. So, did one 17 minute mile, one 20 minute mile. So, I did what I can today - and I'll do better tomorrow. Well, maybe not "better" - Michael is walking with me tomorrow, and I love that he wants to come - but I'll be going again.
Other stuff - Mark and Joshua are going on a weekend camping trip. It couldn't come at a better time. The boy is giving me fits. He's almost 11 and has this mouth that I just want to smack sometimes!! He's WAY too literal, and wants to argue about everything, even things that we've proven wrong. I just need a break. I can tell you that the physical exercise has helped me deal with him better - ah, the endorphins. I think that some days, I'm just living for those endorphins to kick in. Michael and I will be enjoying the time alone, we will be walking together every day, and we will be devouring Chinese food for dinner on Saturday. It's all planned, and we are both excited - him for the time alone, me for the Chinese!
Monday, July 5, 2010
I'm talking to myself
but that's okay! Someday, when I actually tell people about this (and there are some that are interested), i won't be alone.
I didn't walk today - did five miles yesterday - and feel somewhat guilty. We went to a friends' home to celebrate the 4th. I know Julie and her son, Christian, from TaeKwonDo. Her husband, Fedor, was one of our heros serving in the Army at the time. He finally came home this past December. Julie's extended family (brother, his wife and two little girls; sister, husband, and one daughter; and mother) were there, as well. I had told Julie what I was doing (this) and she made me feel fabulous by telling everyone else. The women were intrigued. I truly hope that Lisa and Nikki (man, I hope I got your name right) decide to follow along. I want Julie to, as well. I would love to get together with them like once a month, and just move.
Anyway - back to not walking - the dogs were spastic last night with the fireworks and all. Isis wasn't concerned so much about the noise, as she was about the safety. The other two didn't like the noise. So, Mark and I decided that we needed to get the girls out of there. Julie asked if Joshua and Michael could spend the night with Christian, so that they could get to see all the fireworks. Sounded good to us - a night without the kids, and truly too tired to enjoy it - we must be getting old! Anyway, we got a call at 7 am. I had left my phone with Joshua, and apparently, he was ready to come home. No big deal, except that we live about an hour away. The phone woke me up, and I was already getting dressed before Mark hung up. Off we go. Get the kids. Had Subway for breakfast. Have you had Subway for breakfast, yet? OMG - it was fabulous. The boys and Mark all had the steak and cheese, and I had the Western Omelet. You could still put on more veggies. I was very pleasantly surprised.
After that, we got home and started working on the boys' fort. That killed walking for the rest of the day. We spent hours, and I mean hours, working on it, but it's coming along. We have the posts up and fairly squared. The floor joists are in, and the stringers for the walls are up. The kids need to dig out an escape tunnel before we put down the floor boards. It's all good.
I did walk 6,150 steps so far today. Will do more tomorrow. So, I didn't walk, but it didn't kill me.
I didn't walk today - did five miles yesterday - and feel somewhat guilty. We went to a friends' home to celebrate the 4th. I know Julie and her son, Christian, from TaeKwonDo. Her husband, Fedor, was one of our heros serving in the Army at the time. He finally came home this past December. Julie's extended family (brother, his wife and two little girls; sister, husband, and one daughter; and mother) were there, as well. I had told Julie what I was doing (this) and she made me feel fabulous by telling everyone else. The women were intrigued. I truly hope that Lisa and Nikki (man, I hope I got your name right) decide to follow along. I want Julie to, as well. I would love to get together with them like once a month, and just move.
Anyway - back to not walking - the dogs were spastic last night with the fireworks and all. Isis wasn't concerned so much about the noise, as she was about the safety. The other two didn't like the noise. So, Mark and I decided that we needed to get the girls out of there. Julie asked if Joshua and Michael could spend the night with Christian, so that they could get to see all the fireworks. Sounded good to us - a night without the kids, and truly too tired to enjoy it - we must be getting old! Anyway, we got a call at 7 am. I had left my phone with Joshua, and apparently, he was ready to come home. No big deal, except that we live about an hour away. The phone woke me up, and I was already getting dressed before Mark hung up. Off we go. Get the kids. Had Subway for breakfast. Have you had Subway for breakfast, yet? OMG - it was fabulous. The boys and Mark all had the steak and cheese, and I had the Western Omelet. You could still put on more veggies. I was very pleasantly surprised.
After that, we got home and started working on the boys' fort. That killed walking for the rest of the day. We spent hours, and I mean hours, working on it, but it's coming along. We have the posts up and fairly squared. The floor joists are in, and the stringers for the walls are up. The kids need to dig out an escape tunnel before we put down the floor boards. It's all good.
I did walk 6,150 steps so far today. Will do more tomorrow. So, I didn't walk, but it didn't kill me.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
FREEDOM!
The 4th of July - the birth of our nation - a day of celebration. How lucky are we? We have so much to be thankful for. I can't imagine living anywhere else.
I'm looking for freedom, too. Freedom from my big butt. Freedom from meds, to control Type II Diabetes. Freedom to show everyone that my outside is as stunning as my insides. What freedoms are you looking for? Do you want to be free from your sofa? Are you looking to be free from being overweight? Are you looking to breath easier? Stay with me.
What am I doing? I turned 40 last August, and I weighed (I can't believe I'm putting this on the internet) over 200 pounds. I'm only 5' tall. I was freakin' round! and, somewhat lumpy. It wasn't pretty. I didn't feel pretty, ever. I got it in my head that I should run a marathon. Really? A marathon - isn't that kinda long? Can't I just get to the end of the driveway and back - that's a tenth of a mile each way. Actually, I occasionally had an issue doing the driveway. I'd get out of breath. So, not only was I 40 and fat, I was also out of shape, and very unhealthy. Well, I thought about it - the marathon - and that's as far as it went.
It's been almost a year since then. No marathon, a bit of a weight loss - I got a job. So, when I started walking, I weighted between 182 and 184. Then, my husband went to Korea for six weeks. Not a big deal for military wives. And, Mark normally travels every week, and he's been gone for months a time before. So, it shouldn't have been a huge deal. It was different, though. I was working nearly full time, and the boys were older. I was having a really rough time. That marathon thing came back into my brain again. Maybe I was more ready for it. Maybe I was just trying to escape. I don't know.
I looked online for books about marathon running. Not just running, but running marathons. Really? Me? A marathon? Yeah, I guess so.
So, I have my books, and I really like the one - written by a woman for non-runner women. I bought a pedometer. I love my pedometer. I set it with my age, weight, stride (kinda - it's always weird to measure your stride), and the number of steps I wanted to walk each day. I used the 10,000 step goal. I don't know who said that 10,000 steps was the number of steps that a healthy person takes, but it sounded good.
Mark got home June 11th. We were all so happy - the two boys, Joshua and Michael; the three dogs, Becka, an Aussie Shepherd, Kaylee, a German Shepherd, and Isis, a Blue Heeler. Of course, Isis didn't know Mark, yet - I got her while he was gone. (She was found in a dumpster by a gal at work, so I brought her home, thinking she'd finally be mine - all the others are traitor puppies...) I told Mark about my goal, that I wanted to train. He was extremely supportive. I'd already started walking, cuz ya gotts to walk before you run, and my butt bounced too much when I tried.
I started with a mile. Out half, back half. I used the excuse that I didn't know how far the puppy could go. Sure..... puppy? or me? I can't believe how far I've come in a few weeks - has Mark really only been home three weeks? He's been very supportive, dragging my butt out when I don't really want to go. Encouraging me to either go faster, or farther, or just to go.
That's what I want to do for you. My goal is not just to do a marathon, but to do one with you. I want you to find encouragement in my pain. Most days, there really isn't any, but let's feel it together. My dream is to actually have strangers follow this odd little blog. Yup, just know that you probably aren't stranger than me! I would love to travel to wherever you are, (yeah, YOU) and run with you. Not simply a mile or two, although that would be wonderful, but a marathon. Not an organized marathon, but just 26.2 miles. Like that "just"? The first thing, though, we need to move. And, right now, my moving is walking, with a few bouts of slight faster walking in there. I can't say I run - my butt bounces too hard, and it's not comfortable. I haven't lost a ton of weight in the last four weeks since I've started. I've changed it, though. I've gained muscle, and lost fat. Things are harder, other things are smaller. I breath easier. I get my 10,000 steps earlier. It just happens.
So, it's the 4th of July - I did my walk this morning, just me and the girls (Becka, Kaylee and Isis), cuz Mark is taking the boys to the gun range for machine gun day. Time home alone, what a blessing. He passed me and picked up Becka. I turned around there, just over two miles from home. Did my last two miles at 20 minutes each mile. Now, I'm making a fruit pizza (really bad for you!! Sugar cookie dough, whipped cream, fruit, and drizzled with white chocolate pudding) to take to a friends' house later today. Just know that I'm thinking of you. I'm hoping that my story will inspire you to change your own life, your own story.
The 4th of July - the birth of our nation - a day of celebration. How lucky are we? We have so much to be thankful for. I can't imagine living anywhere else.
I'm looking for freedom, too. Freedom from my big butt. Freedom from meds, to control Type II Diabetes. Freedom to show everyone that my outside is as stunning as my insides. What freedoms are you looking for? Do you want to be free from your sofa? Are you looking to be free from being overweight? Are you looking to breath easier? Stay with me.
What am I doing? I turned 40 last August, and I weighed (I can't believe I'm putting this on the internet) over 200 pounds. I'm only 5' tall. I was freakin' round! and, somewhat lumpy. It wasn't pretty. I didn't feel pretty, ever. I got it in my head that I should run a marathon. Really? A marathon - isn't that kinda long? Can't I just get to the end of the driveway and back - that's a tenth of a mile each way. Actually, I occasionally had an issue doing the driveway. I'd get out of breath. So, not only was I 40 and fat, I was also out of shape, and very unhealthy. Well, I thought about it - the marathon - and that's as far as it went.
It's been almost a year since then. No marathon, a bit of a weight loss - I got a job. So, when I started walking, I weighted between 182 and 184. Then, my husband went to Korea for six weeks. Not a big deal for military wives. And, Mark normally travels every week, and he's been gone for months a time before. So, it shouldn't have been a huge deal. It was different, though. I was working nearly full time, and the boys were older. I was having a really rough time. That marathon thing came back into my brain again. Maybe I was more ready for it. Maybe I was just trying to escape. I don't know.
I looked online for books about marathon running. Not just running, but running marathons. Really? Me? A marathon? Yeah, I guess so.
So, I have my books, and I really like the one - written by a woman for non-runner women. I bought a pedometer. I love my pedometer. I set it with my age, weight, stride (kinda - it's always weird to measure your stride), and the number of steps I wanted to walk each day. I used the 10,000 step goal. I don't know who said that 10,000 steps was the number of steps that a healthy person takes, but it sounded good.
Mark got home June 11th. We were all so happy - the two boys, Joshua and Michael; the three dogs, Becka, an Aussie Shepherd, Kaylee, a German Shepherd, and Isis, a Blue Heeler. Of course, Isis didn't know Mark, yet - I got her while he was gone. (She was found in a dumpster by a gal at work, so I brought her home, thinking she'd finally be mine - all the others are traitor puppies...) I told Mark about my goal, that I wanted to train. He was extremely supportive. I'd already started walking, cuz ya gotts to walk before you run, and my butt bounced too much when I tried.
I started with a mile. Out half, back half. I used the excuse that I didn't know how far the puppy could go. Sure..... puppy? or me? I can't believe how far I've come in a few weeks - has Mark really only been home three weeks? He's been very supportive, dragging my butt out when I don't really want to go. Encouraging me to either go faster, or farther, or just to go.
That's what I want to do for you. My goal is not just to do a marathon, but to do one with you. I want you to find encouragement in my pain. Most days, there really isn't any, but let's feel it together. My dream is to actually have strangers follow this odd little blog. Yup, just know that you probably aren't stranger than me! I would love to travel to wherever you are, (yeah, YOU) and run with you. Not simply a mile or two, although that would be wonderful, but a marathon. Not an organized marathon, but just 26.2 miles. Like that "just"? The first thing, though, we need to move. And, right now, my moving is walking, with a few bouts of slight faster walking in there. I can't say I run - my butt bounces too hard, and it's not comfortable. I haven't lost a ton of weight in the last four weeks since I've started. I've changed it, though. I've gained muscle, and lost fat. Things are harder, other things are smaller. I breath easier. I get my 10,000 steps earlier. It just happens.
So, it's the 4th of July - I did my walk this morning, just me and the girls (Becka, Kaylee and Isis), cuz Mark is taking the boys to the gun range for machine gun day. Time home alone, what a blessing. He passed me and picked up Becka. I turned around there, just over two miles from home. Did my last two miles at 20 minutes each mile. Now, I'm making a fruit pizza (really bad for you!! Sugar cookie dough, whipped cream, fruit, and drizzled with white chocolate pudding) to take to a friends' house later today. Just know that I'm thinking of you. I'm hoping that my story will inspire you to change your own life, your own story.
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