My day started off iffy. I didn't want to get up and I didn't want to do anything once I got up. Did not run this morning, opting to go to the grocery store instead. Got my work done (with lots of distractions). Changed clothes to head out to the track for a 40 minute training run. Got through it for a distance of 3.30 miles. I did feel much better after getting the run in. I wanted to quit about half way through, but then I figured I may as well make it through at least another 10 minutes. By that time, I only had 10 minutes left, so I pushed through. I'm learning the mental aspect of pushing through a few minutes at a time. I'm amazed how often it works.

Taco Tuesday!

We're having semi-homemade quesadillas for supper tonight. Yes, I buy the boxed Taco Bell brand of taco stuff. Ground turkey is our meat of choice. Throw meat and cheese on the soft tortilla shell, fold, and slide in the oven for about 7 minutes so the shell gets just a little crisp. Sounds like a great meal to me!

Got out and did my run this morning, 30 minutes. Covered 2.42 miles on a new route. I'm finding that changing up my route helps me push through the run. Tomorrow's is supposed to be on a flat course, so it looks like I'll be heading to the track. It's the flattest place around.

Wii and TV

I love that Wii Fit Plus allows you to do a couple of the "games" while watching TV. 30 minutes of step aerobics was completed tonight while watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Is it wrong that I was exercising while watching a Food Network show? Who cares. It worked for me to get 30 minutes of cardio in since running didn't happen today. (My only problem now is that I'm hungry...)

As of tonight, though, I have lost 21 pounds since January. Twenty-one pounds. I'm getting close to my pre-pregnancy weight. My Andrew pre-pregnancy weight (hello, I got pregnant with him 9 years ago!) Well, according to the Wii anyway. I think it's off by a few pounds, but at least I know how much I've lost.

Here's where faith comes in

I have a longtime friend who is having health issues. I'm honored that even though we haven't spoken to each other in quite a while she has asked me to pray for her as she has an MRI tomorrow. Praying for peace for her, whatever the outcome may be.

I also have been asked to pray for another friend's home inspection tomorrow. The sale of her house depends on it. Praying that goes well.

There are just so many things that are in need of prayer. This country, its leaders, missionaries in other countries, local churches and their pastors, friends and family who have health issues or other issues going on. The list could go on and on and on.

“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” - 1 John 5:14-15

Lazy day

I love having unexpected days off. I had an inkling of productivity this morning; it lasted as far as organizing the tupperware stuff above the sink. My morning was supposed to start off with a 30 minute run. However, waking up and feeling like I needed to go back to bed nixed that. Well, that and the fact that my right hip felt like it was going to give way every once in awhile. I figured that I didn't want to get a mile away from the house and have it give out, so resting was on the menu. The perfect place to rest ended up being my in-laws' house this afternoon. I got Kristin from school and headed over there for some lunch and some quality time with my mother-in-law. I didn't get to see them Saturday, so this was perfect. We stayed there until it was time to get Andrew from school. At this point, I had plans to get out and run around 5:00. That didn't happen. I was still pretty tired, so I dozed on the couch for a little while. I woke up feeling more awake than I have been all day. Will be doing boot camp day 2 plus finding 30 minutes of cardio to do tonight.

I started a new exercise program tonight. I'm a member on SparkPeople and have not really utilized the site. There's a food tracker and fitness tracker and recipes and a bunch of other things. I signed up to do the spring boot camp that is on the site. It's a 28 day exercise program. Five days a week are cardio and the others are strength training. So, in addition to my 3-4 days of running, I'll be doing the boot camp. I'm hoping it will help me break out of the exercise/weight loss rut I'm in. I did drop another 1.1 pounds this past week for a total of 18.8 lost. I still have another good 15 to 20 pounds to go. Tonight's video was a 10 minute kickboxing work out. It was good to use some muscles other than the ones I run with. Looking forward to the next 27 days of boot camp.

From jogger to runner

Last night I was flipping through the 2nd book Katie gave me (the one with the really long title) just to see what was in it. The title of Chaper 6 is From Jogging to Running: Training for the Intermediate Runner. I went on to read the first 4 paragraphs which address when a "jogger" becomes a "runner." It's not a distance or a speed. It's a mind-set. It's different things for different people. It's when getting out there becomes more of a craving than a means to an end, i.e., losing weight. It's running to run. I don't know exactly when I went from "jogger" to "runner," but I believe I've made the switch. Yes, I'm still running for weight loss/maintenance, but it's more than that. It's an energy release, stress reliever, a feeling of accomplishment. Each time I get out to run and I push myself just a little farther, I marvel at the fact that I am running. Running miles. Not feet or yards. Miles at a time. My body is able to do far more than I ever imagined. I am exhilarated by the fact that I can push myself a little harder and go farther and that I want to keep trying and go farther. I thank God that he made me who I am and that I can do this and that He has given me the ability and the desire to be outside and enjoy his creation...even if I am huffing and puffing while doing so. It's just an amazing thing.