measurements 2

arms 10 in. waist 301/2 in. chest 36 in. hips 35 in. Thighs 19 1/2in. wrist 6 in. calf 14 in.

The start and new goals

When I started trying to look and feel better, it was only because I was told I had to by my doctor. I had gone to the neurologist because my vertigo had gotten so bad it was hard to work. When the nurse took my blood pressure her response to my was "Oh honey you should be stroked out right now". So she had me lay down and took it again, still no change, so then she had me stand and took it still no change. Well everything came back good from the neurologist, but I had to go see my primary care doctor. So I got in the next day and it was still super high. So she tells me that I have to quit smoking, quit drinking, and start eatting right. Well for anyone that knows me (Tiff :)) I was not about to do that. So I went home and thought about what I wanted to do because I am not the best at remembering to take medicine. So I started looking at running races, and told my husband that I was going to run one the next weekend. No I hate hate hate to work out, but to me running its working out, LOL. So I did, I drove to Morris at 7 AM with my boys and brought my teenage nephew with to watch them, and I ran my first ever 5K! This was also the first time I had run in 20 years, and I finished it in 38 minutes. Well that was it I was hooked. I have been running ever since. But now that I am running, I want to be more healthy. I am trying to eat right, and do more weight strengthing (Thankns to a friend ;)), ugh! Both are going slow but I know that I can do it! I have also joined a running group! On Saturday July 21st, I went for my first group run with them. They were planning on running 14 miles. So I told them I only wanted to do 8 because I had never run more than 6. Well we stopped at our first water break and they said "I thought you weren't coming on the whole thing?" So I asked "how far are we?" We were at 6 miles in so I would have to run 6 back alone, so I finished with them! It felt great and I was so excited!! 14 miles and I kept up with all these people that are training for the Chicago Marathon. They are trying to get me to do it with them. But I am sticking with my personal goals, run my 3 Joliet races (10K(done), 5K (done), and an 8K(Nov), plus complete a half Marathone(Sept). Now I am adding goals of eatting healthier, and 3 days of strength training per week to tone and strengthen everything not just my legs and butt! Plus, my 9 year old (yes Tiff my second one is 9 already), is doing the strength training and running with me. He wants to get into MMA (mixed martial arts) so he wants to get into fighting shape LOL. But it is great having him to do this with makes me want to keep going. Well that all for now, thanks for reading On a side note, I have lost 7 lbs. already just watching what I was eating but I am always hungry. So my friend gave me a new healthy food plan to follow. I will not say diet because I an eating all day, its healthy food, with healthy snacks to keep me going and lose weight! Well that all for now, thanks for reading

Boot Camp

So I took my 2nd Boot Camp class tonight! I was still sore from taking the 1st class Monday since my youngest was a baby and he is 9 now, and then running 4.61 miles Tuesday, but it was fun and I wanted to keep going. Vance totally made me sweat my ass off tonight and even made the comment that I made a sweat angel on the mat, LOL. I am hoping to keep this going because it is making me feel great even though it is sooo hard! I have a ton of baseball this weekend for my oldest this weekend so I am trying to get in my runs when I can so that I am able to keep this momentum going. Wish me luck!!!

I want improvements but haven't put in the work!

OK my weight 119 arms 10 waist 31 hips 36 thigh 20 wrist 6 calf 14 chest 36 Why did my thigh and calves go up???? UGH!!!! I realize that I have to do more work to see improvements but I need motivation!! I am looking forward to my friend helping me with my diet and fitness and my other new friend helping kick my ass in his boot camp! I really need to see improvements and I need to stop the beer, it is killing me!!!!

Bad Food Day!

I have no idea what happened yesterday, but it was my worst food day! I was starving all day and it was 102 outside so I couldn't (or chose not to go run) because of the heat, so I went WAY over my calories! I couldn't stop! But today is a new day and I will get back on track! I so want to go weigh myself and measure but I told myself to only do it once a week so if it goes up or down I won't make myself crazy but I really want to lose the weight and inches!!! So I am just going to make today really count. I know it's going to be tough because my oldest son has a baseball tournament all weekend so I will be at the baseball field! Also, my sister-in-law is having a BBQ on Saturday that we are going to in between games UGH and she makes so many awesome not so good for you foods!! And there will be BEER. I have not had a beer since Tuesday. I will be packing a cooler with good food so I don't hit the snack bar! And I will not have a beer I will have a Vodka and lemonade! Keep your fingers crossed!

Today didn't make me happy but I pushed through

So I was going to run with a friend tonight but he had something come up so I was on my own. It felt good but I was not happy with my time. But I got out there and did it and so want to do better tomorrow. I have stopped my beer for the past 2 days, and that may not seem like a big deal to you butI love my beer. But that love is what got me here, and oh yeah and doing nothing for 20 years, lol. But I have found that I love vodak and crystal light lemonade. It has no carbs., and tastes great! Perfect summer drink. I just want to get in shape. So after my run I came home, cooked dinner for my family, smoked sausage and potatoes, but I had a banana, cottage cheese, and 4 peanut butter crackers. I am still under my calories for the day but over on my protein. After that I did 3 reps of 25 of sit ups, and arm curls and 3 sets of10 push ups. I think I over did it on the sit ups, but I will get over it :) Last night I really wanted a brownie but resisted thanks to people I have never met but are in this weight loss challenge with me :) I woke ul feeling great about it, but I expect more from myself. Tomorrow is a new day where anything can happen! Thanks for reading!

Week 2 of the Challenge

OK my weight 119 arms 10 waist 31 hips 36 thigh 19 1/2 wrist 6 calf 13 1/2 chest 36 Not real impressed with this. Some how I lost weight but my numbers didn't change. I am having a really hard time keeping track of my food in-take. Plus my love a beer is really hard to resist! So it is looking like I have to stop during the week so that my inches with start coming off!

Measurements

OMG!! Took my measurements last night and pics (my husband took the pics against his will because he thinks he's going ot get in trouble because I think I look fat) lol. Can you say FAT! Well here they are! arms 11 in. waist 31 in. chest 36 in. hips 36 in. Thighs 20in. Along with my weight every Monday I will be checking these to see if I drop and inches anywhere, please God I better No more pics until I reach my goal!

I totally forgot to post this but I have achieved one of my goals to do the 10K in my town!! I did and completed with a decent time, The Rockdale Ramblin Run on April 14th! I was 33 out of 54 women my age, and 379 out of 562 people total, 1:01:43 was my total time with a pace of 9:56 . i was super excited after the race and totally celebrated that night!!!

Lets get this restarted!!!

So I saw this post on my MRTT (Moms Run This Town) site to join this weight loss challenge (Run With Jess). I want to drop about 13 lbs so I thought I would do it. Now I am feeling nervous and scared because I have to hold myself accountable to do it so I don't look or feel like a quitter to my boys. I have never been able to stick to a diet which is why I am nervous. I also have been very lazy with my running because I love running in races not the training, and we have been tight with money so I haven't been able to do that many. But I WILL DO THIS! I will do this for me first then my husband and my boys! I will start running 3 times a week! The town I live in has tons of really hard hills so basically that is what I have to run all the time! UGH!!! I hate hills and they totally mess with my times! For those of you that don't know me I am SUPER COMPETITIVE!!!! So a bad time on my run = bad mood after, not a good mood like you should have! Soooooooo I have to get over it, run, improve and get rid of this beer gut! Am I giving up my beer? No just going to work my ass off!!!! Literally! So this is my new info Your BMI is: 22.9 Target weight range: 101.2 - 136.7 lbs Current weight is 125 lbs. Height is 5' 2"

1 st. 10K

So yesterday I ran my first ever 10K. I was super happy with my time and totally sulrised by my pace. I completed it in 57.09 with a pace of 9.02!!!! It was super cold so I think that helped, lol. I am so happy with the great weather so I can really start to do a bunch of races!!!!!

2 Week break

So after dealing with some personal things I finally got motivated to go run. I RAN 4.91 MILES IN 50 MINUTES TODAY? IT FELT GREAT. I am trying to get ready for a long awaited race this coming weekend. I will also being trying to run home from work at least twice if not three times. It makes my husband nervous but I am always safe. So there will be more posts this week, and if all goes well great times!

my long break

So i have not run in like a week. I had some personal issues. So one being that our one car finally died so we are down to one car. So i got the idea to take advantage of the wonderful Chicago weather and start running home from work. Even though it is only 2.57 miles I climb 65 feet in hills. Totally worth it can not wait to do it tomorrow. It was hard because of the hills and wearing a backpack, something I have never done. I WILL GET BETTER AND LOOKING FORWARD TO RUNNING IN THE SNOW!!!!Wish me luck!

Day 5

So I was so tired today after running 6 places after work I did not run so I am dedicating that tomorrow and Sat. I am running 4 miles instead of my 3.2.  It will be hard and mess up my time but that's what I get for taking the night off!  But I totally drank my water consumption for the day!  I get paid tomorrow so I will be signing up for my first race of the New Year!!!  So excited!

Day 4

I had to work today, and so as soon as I came home I went to run!  I walked in the door, got changed and went so that I had no time to procrastnate!!!  So glad I did too!  I had one of my best times yet.  I ran 3.2 miles with a pace time of 10:12 for an overall time of 32:41 and an average speed of 5.88.  I felt amazing after and Tom was so proud of me!  The weather was so great, a little cool but not cold.  Could have gone farther but the boys have a ton of homework, LOL.  So Im hoping to run again tomorrow a minimum of 3.2 again!!  I have to keep going to have to keep pushing through even when its tough!! I also drank well over my needed water supply today!!  I spent a lot of time having to go to the bathroom LOL

Day 3

So it was my last day of Christmas vacation and decided to be lazy :(  I wanted to at least go and run 2 miles but instead I chose to spend the day watching movies with my guys!  So I guess I have to run my full 3.2 or maybe more to make up for it!!  Back to work tomorrow and new resolutions to make myself get out the door to run after!!

Day 2

It was very cold!!! 22 degrees with a real feel of 2 degrees, winds 18 mph. I was not motivated to run but glad I went. I did have to walk twice but still made good time.  I ran  3.2 miles with a pace of 10:46 with an average speed of 5.58 and climbed 10 ft.    I realize that my running is not about the times or distances but I am very competitive even against myself and always want to improve each time I run.  I am happy with how I ran today but having to walk really ticks me off!  I have never run in cold weather and realize that it may affect how I breath but I did better yesterday lol.  I have one more day of vacation so I will just have to try harder tomorrow. 

Jan 1, 2012

Today I ran 3.2 miles in 34:21  10:45 pace against 25 mph winds with massive wind gusts! I was proud i finish, because I took 3 1/2 week off due to winter depression.  Thank God For my husband!  He is all the cheering section I need! Thank you Tom :)

How I Got Here?

Well lets start at the beginning.  I was diagnosed with severe high blood pressure.  The doctor told me I need to stop drinking, smoking, eat better, and start working out.  Well I am Iriah so the no drink was not going to happen.  I started smoking at 16 so quitting cold turkey was not going to happen. I loved fast food and fried foods, plus eatting healthy is expensive!  And for those that know me, I am ANTI-WORKING OUT!!!  So that Sunday, the Chicago Marthon happened, and I had 4 friends running in it!  I was so proud of them.  I was inspired!  I told my husband I am going to start running. In 14 years together I had never done anything like this, but he supported me!  I want out that day mapped 3.1 miles and got dressed.  My husband was worried, because it had been 20 since I had run..  But He was amazed, I did it in 37 minutes. So I looked up the next race, it was the following weekend, I told him I wanted to do it!  He was worried that I would be disappointed but encouraged me.  Well, I did it and beat my time! First race did it in 35 minutes!! That was it I was hooked!! I have run in like 5 other 5K a 5+K, and an 8K. I got better in each and every race!  On Thanksgiving my boys did a race with me, theirs was 1 mile mine was 4miles. We all met our times!! It was amazing!!  I have been in a running depression with the cold weather, but finally kicked my ass back into gear! My blood pressure is down, my ass got firmer, and I lost a couple pounds!  The new year has motivated me, my family has motivated me.  Most importantly, mu husband Tom motivated me!  I will accomplish my goals with my best friend and husband behind me!!!