My 1/2 marathon training plan

In case you missed it in my Project10 video I have recently come public with a very intimidating goal of mine to complete a 1/2 marathon in May of 2015. I'll be doing the Journey's Marathon in Eagle River, WI! It's the hubby's home town so it's the perfect location to visit. 

I have been spending a lot of time researching different training plans trying to figure out what would be the best for me. As of now I am not promising myself that I will run the whole thing. My goal is to finish, and if that requires a little walking along the way that is ok with me. However, if I were able to complete the race without walking that would be such an accomplishment! That being said my current plan is to train and plan to run the whole thing, but not to be disappointed if I don't! 

After a ton of research I think I have finally nailed down a solid plan. Starting now I will be working through my Couch-to-10k app three days a week. If I factor in missing a few days (probably due to snow storms) and a few repeat weeks, this should bring me into the middle of January. When I complete the Couch-to-10k program I will be at a point where I can run 60 minutes without stopping (or having to rest for a week afterwards), which is exactly where I want to be when I start my official 1/2 marathon training!! 

I have chosen an 18 week training program off the Garmin training site. This program not only includes 3 runs a week, but cross-training, Pilates, and body-weight exercises! Even if I am not able to run the whole 13.1 miles by the end of it at least I know I'll be a well balanced individual. I have also decided to invest in a Garmin Forerunner 220 to help me with my training at this point. It's a GPS watch so I can track my pace, distance, and time.Best of all I will be able to download my training program from Garmin's website onto the watch so the watch will give me alerts on when to run/walk/rest etc! I am so excited to have this nifty tool. 

Well there you have it! As of now I am super motivated and excited to embark on this couch to 13.1 plan! I'll be sending in my registration soon so I will have NO OPTION to back out! I'm sure the upcoming winter will give me quite the challenge, but I think I can do it!

P.S. Anybody looking for a running buddy?

Have a fabulous Sunday! 

Feeling accomplished

I'm 11 days into my Body by Vi Project10 challenge I can honestly say I'm feeling great. I love the shakes and so far I'd have to say they are the best tasting shakes I've ever had. Perfect for someone with a sweet tooth like me! My only complaint is that they don't seem to be as filling as my beloved Unjury shakes, but there is no contest with the taste. 

My highlight of the day was my workout. I ended up bribing the hubby into working out with me and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed having company after working out alone all these months! We did week 3 of the c25k and then finished up with a circuit workout at home. . I didn't feel nearly as silly doing burpees when he was doing them too! I'm hoping to be a lot better in the future about incorporating body-weight exercises and strength training into my routine.

I've seen a decent amount of weight loss during the Project10 so far too! However, I'm being cautious because I have also cut back on the carbs in my diet which I know can lead to a loss in water weight. Either way, I'm still enjoying the lower numbers! Hope you all have a great night!

Project10 Challenge for Kids

I've decided to stop putting "Day X" on my titles because I've done a pretty poor job sticking to daily posts in October. However, I still am fulling planning on continuing my 31 days of movement and linking them up to my '31 Days' original post, so I promise I'm not giving up!

I am very excited to announce that I have accepted a Project10 challenge with ViSalus! I first heard about ViSalus by a friend from high school who has had absolutely amazing results. Since starting this product not only has she lost 70+lbs, but she is off almost all of her medications, and now takes 10x less insulin per day! Amazing huh! Let's just say I was intrigued. This product clearly was effective, but I already have my own type of protein shakes that I really do love. What convinced me to try their products was when I heard about their Project10 for kids. If you purchase one of their challenge kits and lose 10lbs during the 90 day challenge, ViSalus donates 30 meals on your behalf to kids in need. What an amazing program! Not only can I continue on my own health and fitness journey with nutritious shakes, but I can help kids in need at the same time. I am so excited to have accepted my challenge and my kit should arrive by Tuesday! (I really hope I like it!)

As a part of the challenge I had to submit a video of my first weigh-in. I wasn't too happy about shouting my weight out to the world, but it's even more incentive to film that second video when I'm 10lbs down.

As you might have seen in the video, I have also shared that I will be running (maybe some walking in there too) my first 1/2 marathon in May 2015! I am SO excited and nervous about this! Most of my free time the last few days has been spent checking out different training plans. :-) I can't wait to document this Journey as well (haha no pun intended, but I am doing the Journey's 1/2 marathon in Eagle River, WI!) This will be quite the adventure!

Wish me luck!

*P.S the Project10 program has a system where if you refer 3 people you get your kit for free, so if you're by any chance interested in accepting the challenge as well hit me up for my referral website!

Day 6: Moving day is MOVING day!

Exciting news!!! I've been pretty quiet lately because we've been busy buying and moving into our OWN house! I'm completely in love :-) Things are finally starting to come together so it feels little less chaotic and more homey. I promise I will have pictures of the inside soon, but in the mean time here is the outside!

What you can't see in the picture is Micah's huge two car garage attached to the side. I am SO glad he finally has a garage large enough to fit both our cars AND all of his tools.

Moving really got me MOVING! Check out my Vivofit steps from the last few days. I'm proud to say I haven't been slacking! :-)

Happy hump day everyone! I'm off for a run! 

Day 5: Goal setting + my 2014 goal updates!

Not much has been more motivating to me in this journey as goal setting. I love setting goals and since I'm competing against myself it gives me the extra drive to get going without the temptation to compare myself to others. Like most of us out there, I have always made lots of fitness and weight loss goals around the new year. In the past I've done great for about the first month, only to to eventually give up and let them fall by the wayside.

This year I did things a bit differently and so far have had great success sticking with my goals and keeping them in mind. Here are the steps I followed that (so far) have worked great for me!

• Set multiple, obtainable goals - for instance, instead of setting out with my only goal to lose 100lbs, I set multiple, smaller weight-loss goals. For me this helps keep me from getting discouraged because I am soooo far away from achieving it. Plus, it is SO motivating to be able to check things off my list! 

• Make your goals 'public' - This is pretty much the whole point of this little blog I have here. When your goals are public you are holding yourself accountable to whomever you decide to share them with. Your goals are usually a very personal thing, so I use the term 'public' lightly

• Set daily or weekly goals that will help work towards you main ones - Little things like getting your 10,000 steps in a day, or refusing to take the elevator this week at work can help you work towards many of your health and fitness goals! 

• Write them down and keep them visible! - Out of sight out of mind right? 

• Take pride in your accomplishments, and don't get down if you don't accomplish everything - When I am finally able to cross a goal off my list it gives me such a sense of accomplishment. However, there are some goals on my list that I probably won't get around to this year. O well, they'll make perfect 2015 goals! If I accomplished everything then they were too easy right?! 

**And now my updated 2014 goals! I was able to cross a few more off my list and am getting closer and closer to some more of them! Come at me December 31st!

Weight Goals 

1. Lost 15 lbs 12/4/13
2. Lose 20 lbs 12/8/13
3. Lose 50 lbs 2/19/14
4. Lose 70 lbs 7/11/14
5. Lose 85 lbs 
6. Lose 100 lbs
7. Reach goal weight of 150

Fitness Goals 

1. Run a mile without stopping   1/16/14
2. Race another 5K   4/12/14
3. Run 5 miles without stopping 5/31/14
4. 365 miles for 365 days 8/25/14 [403 miles so far in 2014!] 
5. Run a mile under 10 minutes [Current time 11:46!] 
6. Race my first 10K 
7. Complete Jillian Michaels 30-day Shred 
8. Go running with my husband and actually make him try
9. Complete an overnight backpacking trip 

General Goals

1. Get out of the morbidly obese category 2/24/14
2. Stop shopping at the plus size department 8/10/14
3. Get out of the obese category

Happy goal setting!

-Sarah

Day 4: I joined a running club!

I've never been comfortable calling myself a runner. I DO run, I just run slowly.  In fact, it was two years ago from this day when I ran my first 5K. Since then, I've completed a handful more 5Ks and even two 5 mile races. What I love about running is that it is very personal. I love racing against my own time and working towards improving my personal best. Ok, I love running only when I've been running.  When I've been training for a few weeks I feel good! I get the runners high, and have no problem motivating myself for my next run. However, when I've taken a few weeks.....or months.... off, I hate it. It's SO hard for me to get back going again. Since winter is coming soon, I had started looking for ways that I could motivate myself to say active through the brutal cold and snow (besides shoveling of course!) I wasn't necessarily looking into run clubs, but when I saw The Balanced Life Run Club it just seemed like the perfect opportunity! It did cost me $27 to join, but 10% of the proceeds are donated. Also, now that I paid for it I have another reason to actually stick with it and participate!

As apart of this running club I will be jumping back into my C25K runs at week six and try to regain some of that endurance that I lost. Today I was able to complete my run but I sure did struggle!

I am so much looking forward to what this group of ladies has to bring! I've already been so motivated by hearing other people's stories and about their relationship with running. It's going to be great.

Have a great night!
-Sarah

Day 3: Who's perfect? My 4 minute workout

Hello there again! I've already missed a few blogging my 31 days and it's just the beginning! But who's perfect right? The weather up here has been pretty nasty the last few days. Cold, rainy, and even some snowy rain. I'm not going to call it the first snow of the year yet because it was more like slush, but it's coming soon!

The latest weather was definitely NOT motivating me to get my move on. Snuggling up with coffee and movies just sounded so much better :-) Yesterday we did end up getting out of the house a bit. The hubby is really into 'Jeeping' so we took the Jeep up north with some friends to hit the back trails and look at all the beautiful colors.

It was an amazing time, but I did spend the majority of my day sitting on my butt. We even hit up Applebees 1/2 off apps afterwards so by the time we got home I was SO ready for bed. But then I thought, "Crap, I made a goal to do SOMETHING everyday, and I can't miss two days in a row!?" and after missing the first day out of pure laziness (it happens right?) I decided to bust out my 4 minute Tabata Kettlebell workout.

I don't remember when I first heard about Tabata, but now it's become a regular for sneaking in a very quick workout at the end of the day. With any Tabata workout, you choose a high-intensity exercise, in my case I did kettlebell swings, work HARD for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds and repeat that sequence for eight rounds. I even use a Tabata app on my phone that tells me exactly when to start and stop. I love it. Even though it only takes 4 minutes, I really feel like I had a longer workout the next morning. If you're interested, you can learn a bit more about Tabata here.

Have a fantastic Sunday everyone!

Day 2: Group fitness classes

Yesterday marked day 1 of both the 31 days of writing challenge and my personal goal of moving my arse intentionally everyday.  I chose to go back to one of my favorite group fitness class called Core & More. Back when I was still a student I took the opportunity to get a bunch of punch cards at the student pricing before graduating. (score!) What I love about the punch cards is that they take a whole year to expire! This way I don't have to worry about paying for a full class with my variable schedule.  As you can see I don't go often, but it is always well worth it when I do.

I used to be SO intimidated by these classes!  It didn't take long to realize that I wasn't being judged, that my body was capable, and that it was a really fun way to get through a workout that I probably would have skipped otherwise. I tend to lean towards taking a class on days where I'm just not feeling that motivated. No one is going to know if I skip out on my treadmill workout early, but if I leave the group workout in the middle there are sure to be questions. (usually a kind instructor making sure I'm not injured). Plus, whenever I start to feel like I just can't do it anymore I look around and get super motivated by the other people sweating it out. In reality I'm sure it's the competitive side of me coming out. I'll push myself a little further and harder just to make sure I'm not the first one to drop the weights or a take a break.

If you're considering going to a group fitness class for the first time I'd highly recommend it! I am in no way an expert, but below are some tips that I would share to anybody interested!

1. Don't be nervous! In my experience the environment has always been very supportive. If you are nervous ask some friends who have gone before or recruit some to go with you! Don't worry that you won't be able to complete the workout. First check that the class isn't something like 'advanced only' and then any good instructor will suggest ways to modify the exercises to various abilities.

2. Arrive early. This way you can meet with the instructor and see if there is anything you should know before class. Explain that this is your first time and you want to be prepared.

3. Start with lighter weights and then move up if needed. There is nothing worse than shredding your muscles 10 minutes in and then feeling like a limp noodle the rest of the class!

4. When choosing what to wear, go with functionality over cuteness. Everyone is too busy working out out to care about what you're wearing. Might as well be comfortable!

5. Have fun! Enjoy yourself, get a good workout, and give the class a few tries before making a solid decision on if you like it or not.

Hope you all have a blessed day!
-Sarah

31 Days of Movement

October has to be one of my favorite months! Beautiful colors, comfortable weather, and usually the first snow flakes of the year. I don't know about you guys but I woke up this morning with the feeling that it was going to be an absolutely amazing month. The hubby and I have some exciting things coming our way as well! (No, it's not grand kids yet mom)...

I recently found out about this awesome 31 days of writing challenge through a few other bloggers I follow and thought why not join in the fun.  This challenge encourages bloggers to pick one topic to write about everyday in October. My topic of choice is directly connected to my single goal for October.

Move.Every.Day.

I'll be checking in each day to discuss and share with you all the ways I'm discovering to incorporate more movement into my everyday life. This will range from things like taking the stairs to the new exercise classes I'm planning on trying. My goal is to be intentional. Here's my catch. I can't just talk about how I could be moving more each day, but I actually have to get other there and do it!

It should be fun and motivating right?! Hope so!

Day 1: Introduction (you are here :)! )
Day 2: Group Fitness Classes
Day 3: Who's perfect? My 4 minute workout
Day 4: I joined a running club! 
Day 5: Goal setting + my 2014 goal updates!
Day 6: Moving day is MOVING day
Day 7: Project10 Challenge for Kids
Day 8: Feeling Accomplished
Day 9: My 1/2 marathon training plan