i did it!

OK so i have been really pissed at my body lately!
for the past 2 weeks my weight has been fluctuating between 159-163.
WTF?
i have been running 18 miles a week and NOT eating any more food than normal.
i have been working with weights,
but really 3-5 pounds is a bit much in a week or 2 to gain in muscle weight.
i am not arnold Schwarzenegger!

so i have decided i needed to step it up a notch!
last week i added  the arc trainer machine to my workout.
so as it stands right now this is my workout.

• 3.1 miles on the treadmill,
• 20 minutes on the arc trainer,
• 3-4 intervals of weight training

i should be a flippin' stick, no?
anyway,
i have been playing with my running...
my new goal is to run the 5k in October under 30 minutes...
right now this is incredibly hard.
so today on the treadmill i ran one 10 minute mile (6.0 on the treadmill) and ran/walked two 12 minute miles.

bill and i usually go to the gym together, but today he had a meeting and had to leave early from his workout and i decided i would stay to finish and RUN home!
i am fairly sure he thought i was crazy...
BUT I DID IT!!
all that exercise and i ran home from the gym!!
an extra 1.6 miles!
no idea how long it took me,
but i swear when i rounded the corner into my development i felt like i was in that part of the Rocky movies where the music starts playing.

i am going to be sore tomorrow!

working on some fun new digital projects for polka dot potato today...
will probably need a nap soon!!

Comments

[SusanC]

Wow, you rock girlfriend! Keep up the good work, you've seen awesome results and will continue to see those results! I just need to "catch" some of that willpower of yours!

[candi tardio]

wow...you go girl! thats alot of exercising!!! you need to rub off onto me!!!!!!! i need to start exercising and drop a few pounds! so hard to get started...

so pround of you donna!!!

[Michelle Cooney]

YOU ROCK GIRL!!! I wish I had that kinda energy and motivation!

[Amy]

You are AMAZING! Keep up the great work!

[Karen Durbin]

Hey Donna! I must say, you do look amazing; you need to take time to appreciate that. But, I have found, for me, that cardio and weight lifting are better on seperate days. I'll do 30 minutes of interval running one day, my upper body the next day, 45 min on the elliptical machine another day, and then my lower body on yet another day. I also play indoor soccer, but if it wasn't for that, I would probably add another interval running day. So that I would work out 4-5 times a week but for no more than an hour total on any day.

If you haven't read Oxygen magazine yet, do so. It has great tips and advice for working out and getting into shape. Don't be intimidated by the models; the magazine caters to all exercise levels.

And, sometimes when you exercise more, you need to eat more--good stuff that is! ;-)

Good luck but be patient; before you know it, the pounds will be melting off!

[Surcie]

Dude, you are so inspiring.

[Kristie Wenzrel]

I am so very proud of you and your weightloss journey. I have just recently started my diet but I'm trying to trick myself and not call it a diet but a new way of life. I really am tired of wearing grandma clothes at the age of 34 and getting out of breath just walking up a few stairs. My new goal is to eat right and loss weight but one of the most important goals is to get my self esteem back and to gain strength. Mentally and physically!! Please wish me luck and as for you ...you keep going girl!!

[Katherine McKamey]

...aahhhh the eye of the tiiiiigerrrr....

so hearing this music reading your blog! Great job!! Don't let those 4 pounds get to you - they will go away as long as you keep working. You can do it!!

I have been walking to the local Country Club to pick up the kids from day camp and tried to run yesterday but it was so hot I thought I was going to die. Got home, checked the heat index and it was 112! So stupid of me not to check first! Ah well, live and learn.

xoxo

-Katherine

[Betheroo]

Hang in there, Donna! You've done a super job this year with your weight loss! Sometimes our body weight fluctuates even if we're doing all the right things (frustrating, isn't it?). I'm sure it won't be long before the numbers on your scale start going back down.

[Leslie]

First off congrats on your weight loss. I'm still working on mine but I have now come to the realization that it's just going to be a constant struggle. (I really only need to lose 7-10 lbs, but the older I'm getting the harder it gets, as much as I don't want to admit it.)

Anyway, I KNOW you can do this 5k!!! Last year I ran my first half marathon and I had never "run" prior to the training leading up to the event. You'll get there. Just slowly add distance and do intervals so you can get faster. Also, the main motivator for me was the Nike + that syncs to your ipod. At first I had Nike shoes, but you can also buy little pouches that hold the sensor. Such a fantastic motivator!!!! I know I couldn't have achieved what I did without it.

Sadly, I'm not running now because I have a degenerated sesamoid bone in my foot. (I'll have surgery this winter to take it out.) Be sure to get the right shoes for your feet. Find a professional fitter and spend good money on a proper fit!!!

Good luck, I know you can do it!!

[Miss M!]

You're crazy. But in a good way! :)

[Randi]

Donna, you are awesome in so many ways and don't even know it. You are an INSPIRation to me to attend to my health in regards to weightloss and fitness. Keep up all the hard work!

[Deb]

Way to go Donna!!! That's so awesome, being a Wife and Mother of 3 runners. I know that is a start. Once you get that mastered you start adding another 1/2 mile, until you are ready for the big day. You will be able to do it. You are motivated, you will meet your goal! Keep it up!

Love,
Debxx

[Kimberly]

Wow, I wish we lived close together cause I would be riding your coat tails, cheering, following, and enjoying your creativeness.

Ah, I would love to have not only a running/exercise partner, but someone who enjoys creating scrapbooks and other crafts...(dreamy) But for now it's just me and your blog!!!

[Jennifer Smith]

You are totally inspiring! I wish I had the commitment to get out there in this 100 plus degree heat to go and do some serious walking.

[Stephanie Ryan]

This may sound crazy, but you might have to increase your food intake. More protein may help to get your metabolism moving. You are a huge inspiration!!!

[ronee.malama]

First and most importantly..you are totally my IDOL! Papercrafting..and being skinny..my goal is to be you! OKAY secondly..the reason your weight is being SO SO crazy is cause your body is in totally shock! Which is AWESOME for the weight..but it starts to think that if it doesn't hold on to it..then when you need it there to burn..it won't be there..SO the plus side is..that when your body realizes that it doesn't need it..or it finally gives up holding onto it..you will drop weight in a flash! THAT and you can try and do something different..i know i know you are totally like I just started this..but try your workout in reverse! your body loves routines!
love you girlie!
xoxo
ronee

[Heather Main]

Hey Donna!
Way to go :) I started nutrisystem yesterday and today I pushed myself to 33 minutes on my elliptical trainer. Even though I wanted to stop at 20 minutes :) My INSPIRATION is you and well Billy Idol dude rocks my ipod :D
So far the food is pretty dang good I am totally surprised by that turns out you not only have great taste in all things scrappy you also have great taste in food;)
Heather

[Dayami]

Loving it!!! From an exercise freak myself I know what you mean. 6.0 on the treadmill is AWESOME!!! That is fast. Love it!
And about the Rocky song...HELLOO that is the very 1st song I hear every morning for my warm up and then I hear it again on my 1st mile and then of course it has to be Footlose hehehehheh
Anyway, you are doing AWESOME!!!!
I'd drop the weights for now though. You are getting toned regardless with all that exercise.
Keep it up & again CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

[sue Treiber]

Go Donna
Go Donna

[Lori Hudson]

The first comment about your body being in shock is totally right. Has happened to me a couple of times. I restrict my calories or start doing more with my exercise and NOTHING! Then literally I wake up one morning and 5 lbs are gone. Stick with it. It might take a couple of weeks.

[Jennifer]

Eat more (good stuff that is)! The harder you work your body the more you have to feed it. Think of it like driving your car up a hill with the air conditioner on and towing a trailer--it needs more gas to do that. Right now your body is scared you are going to starve it because you are working so hard and not increasing your calories so it's clinging to every calorie just in case. You will majorly see a difference (I did it and kept the 40 pounds off and lead Weight Watchers!)

[Danielle C.]

Great job, Donna. You may want to consider that you are not eating enough calories for all the exercise your body is doing, therefore your body is in "storage" mode. If you bump up your calories a little (with healthy foods) you may see a drop in your weight! Good luck!

[Nadia]

you go girl! lots of water, snack after your workout on something with carbs and protein to replace your glycogen stores. chocolate milk is a good example. not tons of calories, but something within a half hour. 5 km in under 30 minutes? you rock! now you are pushing me!

[Kelly Butler]

Donna,
I agree with some of the other women. You may actually need to eat more or increase the amount of protein that you're eating especially if you are adding more exercise. it's frustrating, but sometimes our bodies just need an "adjustment peroid". Hang in there. It will come off!
Kelly B
(116 pounds thinner than I was in January of 2007)

[Debbie McIntyre]

Go get em Donna!
Personally I need a nap if I just hear the Rocky song!
Love ya....keep smiling...Mac

[Marsha]

I love reading about your exercise routine. I'm on Jenny Craig and have lost 21 lbs. I do Curves 3 days a week and walk 3 miles a day with my husband. You inspire me! You go girl!

[Anna-Marie Still]

yikes! I'm exhaused just looking at that map!

[Angie]

YAY for you!

[KIm]

That's fantastic Donna...congratulations:)

[EmmaJ]

That is amazing! When I got your latest newsletter and saw how far you have come this past year I was floored! You are such an inspiration to me and it makes me regret not working harder on myself this past year. But it also has inspired me to see how much fitter I can become in this next year. Thank you for sharing your personal journey.

[Sandy]

Hey Donna,
You definitely need to eat more protein! I just started the couch to 5K program and plan on jogging, not running, in a 5K this fall. I am on week 2 and already lost 2 lbs. I'm not worried about the amount that I weigh..I am interested in losing inches and body fat. I can already tell my waist is getting smaller. Keep going! You can do it! :)

[Michele]

Time to not worry about the scale as much as your measurements - you are building muscle so eat well - make sure to get enough carbs before you exercise....

[Karen]

You look great, and seem to be getting in good physical condition, cut yourself some slack so you don't develop an eating/exercise/ body image disorder. You are doing great!

[Karen C]

You go girl. I ran my first 5K in April and what a great feeling. I do have to say that I trained on a treadmill, but found it easier to run outside. I thought it would take me at least 40 minutes, but I made it in just under 30. If I can do it, you most definitely can!!

Karen

[Roxanne Olsen]

I know the weight thing is frustrating. But I personally think you are "winning the war" in the health department. You are now in the select few who can run those distances and still feel good!! Way to go, so impressive to hear. (Team USA must have some extra gold medals laying around somewhere.....)
You have inspired me to pay more attention to my health...which has waned since becoming a mother! Thanks!

[Kim aka Becky ;)]

Go on with your bad self!!!

[sara]

So, how are you feeling after the big work out? Still able to walk today?

I'm so impressed and proud of you for how you've taken charge of this part of your life. Way to go!!!!

sara
http://www.gitzengirl.blogspot.com

[Sandy]

Amazing workouts...question...how tall are you?

[Jann Neiers-Squires]

HOLY MOLY Donna.....CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!
That is just awesome!!!!!
Miss your video blogs....:o)
Jann in Idaho

[CindyML]

Me and you both!!! I have been on WW for 3 years now and am down 75 pounds. I have traded the same 5 pounds for one year now, so I guess I have maintained, but.... I am 5 pounds from goal. I too have been hovering 159-163 for about 6 months. When the kids go back to school in two weeks, I am going to be at the gym EVERY MORNING! Increase my water and train for the the rock and roll 1/2 marathon.... walking it though. Hubby is a marathon runner - 13 so far, but this girl is only going to be a walker. Here's to us movin' on past that 159 and heading down to the 140s. Keep creating and blogging. CindyML

[DarlaLOU]

THAT SO ROCKS! I have run/walked to my gym a few times too and there is something really exhilerating about it! I love to go run AFTER my workouts - just boosts me up so big time! Way to go!

DarlaLOU

[Sarah M]

Hi Donna
I am one of your fans that watches your blog, you are such an inspiration in so many ways. Artistically I have been blessed to own a photography business for 7 years. It is so inspiring to look at your creativity and see how many avenues you love to explore. It makes me feel like I am not crazy because I LOVE to explore everything creative and was raised on fabric first. Secondly your weight loss. I am 160 and 5' 4" and would like to loose 20 lbs. I have started running on the treadmill with your inspiration and lost 5 lbs. I gained 3 back on vacation but I am back on the treadmill and will keep going with your inspiration.
Thank you!!! for all you do to share who you are.
Sarah