Partners for a Healthier Weight - Day 9

More details to come later on the Partners for a Healthier Weight Program.  But I wanted to share that I am enrolled and doing my homework.

What that means today is that I`ve just finished day two of 84 days on a liquid diet of 900 calories.  That means only 328 (of 336) more drinks to go.  And then, presumably, I get to crunch something.

The liquid product is surprisingly disgusting.  The OptiFast 900 in Canada is only available in vanilla and chocolate.  Both flavours taste vaguely like cake batter.  Cold seems to improve the taste some.  Made with ice in a blender and using a straw to minimize time on the tongue works best for me.  I`ve also gone well past the recommended amount of water to dilute the taste.  Both flavours of OptiFast 900 taste better when I`m hungry - but with four packets a day - I`ve only been hungry when out longer than I expected.  (Wishing for other flavours or chewing, but not actually hungry).

Odd side effects have been minimal.  Behaviour changes are a bit surprising.  I`m brushing my teeth constantly. Not certain if that`s to rid my mouth of the flavour or because the toothpaste introduces another taste.  The dry(er) mouth is noticeable, but not problematic.  My lips have also dried out so there`s an increase usage of lip balm.

My early speculation is that the nasty taste for me - and the almost gagging response to the last few mouthfuls - is not dissimilar to how I feel about many proteins (especially powdered), bananas and yogurt.  Might explain the low iron that`s plagued me through life.

As for the running, it`s still going.  I finished the learn to run clinic with a slow 3k.  This week I got in a couple of 10 & 1s on Sunday, Thursday and Friday.  Thursday was about 2.7 in 24 minutes, Friday was 2.5k in the same 24 minutes or so.  Not fast... but still moving.

Back to the start

Pleased to say I'm finally through the barrier. Thursday night I ran 2x10&1s. Slow is the word, but done is all that matters.

Considering joining a 5k clinic in the fall to keep up the motivation. Setting a goal, maybe a time to complete a 5k. Because getting there a 3rd time just doesn't seem that rewarding on its own.

But scheduling around the possibility of doing the Partners for a Healthier Weight program.

Bluenose Marathon 2011

What a great day.  Some might say it was a little chilly.  Given the rain and cold that everyone has been training in, Sunday May 22, 2011 provided good weather for those running the 5k, 10k, half and full marathon.

We dragged the kids out to watch the races.  Saw friends go by in the 5k and marathon, but missed the half and 10k folks.  I walked 7.2k, but daughter and husband were around 5k and the two littlest spent some time riding. I mapped it to see how far we traveled over the three or four hours.
http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/35073292

My husband is determined to do the 10k next year.  (He's perfectly capable, just needs to put in the training time).  I'm not committing to any Bluenose goal, but I'd love it to be an option.

Congratulations to all who ran today. The youngest we cheered on was about 7 and the oldest was plenty old enough to know better.  All my friends did great and I'm loving watching them post times and stories on Facebook and Twitter.

Catching up

Does leaving the blog mostly stagnant for six months make me a bad blogger?

• Absolutely.

Am I still focused on getting healthy?

• Not really.

Am I still running?

• Yes.  Occasionally.  Once or twice a week, 2&1s or 5&1s or 6&1s or a fast walk.

Am I hurt?

• Slightly. But not enough to keep me from running.

What's up?

• Good question. I think leading the Learn to Run program, rolling right into co-instructing the 5k program had me ignore a mild annoyance until it became a slight injury.  Put off running for 6 weeks I gained a few pounds and haven't bounced back.

Am I coming back?

• Hell yes! Tonight was a little 2k to test out shoes.  Last night was a Hard Core Strong Body class at the Sackville Sports Stadium, which I got up at 5:30am for when it was at 6pm.  So I was awake.  Home.  No kids up yet and there was a treadmill.  I pounded out a little run and a little walk before 7:30am on a Sunday.

What about blogging?

• Blogging won't be my focus.  But check back now and again because I'll be posting.  Follow me on twitter @runninglarge for more timely updates.

Not dead yet...

Forgive me.  There was Monty Python contest in Halifax this week.  Many many quotes accompanying my drive home.

But the intent is there.  The blog is not dead yet.  I'm just a little distracted.  I'm co-instructor for a Running Room clinic, working full time, part time masters student, full-time Mum and over committed volunteer.

What can you learn from that?  Exactly what I'm offering.  Make priorities.  Make sacrifices.  But keep running!

Running Gear

What I love:
Nike+
Sneakers
Running shirts, shorts, pants

What I wish was better:
Timex Ironman Triathlon
Garmin

What I haven't gotten the hang of yet:
GymBoss

What I'd like to try:
Nike+ bracelet

What's your favorite gear?

Then & Now

There's a change in perspective in my life. Because I've come to realize it's an amazing life. One filled with privilege and wonder. A life that is fortunate.

Don't get me wrong.  Complaining is an art I've perfected.  A career I treasured has been changed completely by new personnel.  My kids make me yell at my kids far too often.  There are days when cleaning poop off of two children and pee off the floor happens.  There isn't a car I can't curse into being a lemon.

But but but... I can run.  My body works reasonable well for all the extra weight.  When I'm running, I think about the other amazing things in my life.  Some of the highlights are:

• My wonderful husband who really couldn't be any better suited to me.
• An amazing family of 3 healthy little girls who each have their own personalities.
• The leave-it-to-beaver home life I had as a kid and the sisters and parents that continue to be part of our lives.
• Friendship offered by many of the same people who have been my friends forever, for half my life or even just a little less.
• The opportunity to learn, read, speak, write and argue without fear.
• Never knowing the fear of poverty, or questioning whether there was enough to feed, clothe and keep ourselves comfortable.

@Jen_Saunders said the other day, "there is no before & after, only then & now".  I think that defines a shift I am beginning.  There will be no after to weight loss.  No after for running.  There will just be what was then and what is now.

It's time to stop thinking about before as the day I ran 10km or the day I realized 300lbs was inevitable with my lifestyle.  It's time to stop thinking about after as a picture in a WW magazine with my size 24 jeans held in front of me.

There is just what was then and what I am now.

I define the now every day, every hour and every moment with the choices and decisions I make.