Goals

I just realized it has been 2 weeks since I have updated. Two posts ago I talked about trying to get back to 150, since then I have hit my goal. It feels great to be back there and know that any more lost will be real progress rather than losing weight for the second time. I have been really constant about getting in miles every week but I realized unless I am counting points I don't lose weight. It is just too easy to overeat after working out. I was getting in 20 miles a week but staying the same weight.

Remember when I set the goal of getting new shoes before the end of the year? I got them Middle of December and have already put 100 miles on them!

Stay tuned because I have a giveaway coming very soon!

Starving today

4th day in a row counting points, it's also the first day of these that I have not run & I am STARVING. I was talking to my sister in law today I mentioned this to her, she told me that when she gets home from a run she is starving. Her husband on the other side is just like me and exercise makes him less hungry.

Are you like me or my sister in law, more hungry before or after a workout?

my journey

I have been talking a lot about weight loss and tip but I haven't shared my journey with you in a while. I have done a really good job about keeping the weight off over the past year but truthfully I haven't done a great job at losing any additional weight. We have been trying for a baby and it is a hard time to try and lose weight. There is the few day ttc window and then the two weeks of waiting. Every month it feels like your life is put on hold just in case this is the month. The last thing I wanted to add on top of that is counting points and worrying about what you are eating. Basically I have counted points about 1-3 days a week. Every month when I discover I am not pregnant I am somewhat relieved because I selfishly don't want this to be my pre pregnancy weight. I have determined this though... I eat 10 times better when I am counting points. If we are pregnant counting points is good because I am constantly keeping my blood sugar regular and eating real foods not fast food.

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There's the excuse here's the facts, I have gained about 6 lbs recently over what I consider my lowest recent weight, 150. Luckily in the week and a half since discovering this I have lost three of these lbs! I try and get in 3,000 to 3,500 cal of workout every week and follow my points 5- 6 days a week. Some weeks it is going to be less than that but that's ok. (3,500 cal is equal to 1 lb.) Maybe dropping some more weight will be just what we need to finally get pregnant and if not then it will have other benefits.

Donuts

I have joined a new site to track/motivate my running/walking it's called daily mile. The site has an interesting section in it (you may have to click to enlarge)...

Did you see the silly thing?

After 90 minutes of running/walk in the snow (much harder) I only burned 5.10 donuts, crazy. Another reason to count points rather than just work out to lose weight. Because seriously how long would it really take to eat 5 donuts rather than burn them off?

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If you want to friend me on there my name is simpleyeclassic (no T) same as my Twitter account. (It may be easier to use my e-mail, mrsjcrew@yahoo.com) I would love to see as many of you as possible on there!

hot then your cold

I have gotten quiet a few comments about people shying away from running/walking outside because of the cold. I had a thought today about it. In some ways it is harder because you have to deal with the cold, shorter days and the snow but I would prefer that to the summer heat and having to get my workout in before 10 am (not a morning person). It really is easier to add gloves, a hat or an extra layer that can be taken off then just having to deal with the heat because there is no other option other than starting earlier.

I do have a friend however that would rather run in the high noon summer heat than run in the cold. I think you are built for one or the other. Try getting out in the cold though because I bet you may enjoy it more that you would think.

Click here to get some winter run tips from the Lulelemon Blog about dressing for the cold.

eating to burn more calories

I hit my 300 mile goal today!

This week has been super productive, I have already gotten in 14 miles in the past 3 days. If I make all the runs I have planned out I will get in 26-29 miles total this week.

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I want to talk today about fueling our bodies for life and exercise. I can tell such a difference on the days after I have counted points. Today will be the third day in a row that I have stayed on track as well as the third day that I have gotten in miles. I can tell that I get more energy every day because of the combination.

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After yesterday's 5 mile walk I was exhausted even though I didn't attempt to run in the snow. That evening my legs were exhausted all night. Today I went just as far on a trail that had much more hills, ran a good part of it and burned about 4oo calories more than the day before. My legs aren't sore tonight and I feel great.

This is the biggest change between the two days....

I ate this half way through my workout. It really made such a difference. Especially when the last mile was all uphill in this slush...

It was about three inches thick of slush and so hard to walk in.

I can't imagine how hard it was on this little one. I was going to leave her home today because I had taken her so far already this week. She was so excited though when I was getting ready that I couldn't leave her behind. It's funny that a dog can tell when you have workout clothes on.

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Basically because I ate the extra 120 calories I was able to burn 400 more calories and recover faster. Food isn't the enemy but the fuel.

Results of planning ahead

Ok girls the holidays are almost over, just New Years is left to go. Let the excused end and the weight loss start!

Earlier this month I talked about planning your exercise for the week ahead. It really worked for me. I didn't make every run I planned but I did get in 52 miles so far this month. That's 34 more mile this month because of planning ahead.

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"Failing to plan is like planning to fail"

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Today was way too snowy to run but I still hit the trail and got in 4 miles and some stunning photos.