Katie saw a 3!!!!!!

138lbs! There it is! I'm kind of proud of myself. With a slight healthy change of diet, I was able to get there :) Ideally, I'd like to get to the 135 mark which is where I was when playing tennis in college, but I'm pretty pleased with my effort so far.

I was able to get 2 runs in so far this week.

Sunday, Oct 19th -- East Goshen Park -- 2 of the big loops, 3 of the little loops - 49min 23 sec
--not really sure how far that is but I think it's somewhere around 4-5 miles
--felt really good - I overdressed w/ long cotton pants and a long cotton shirt and got too warm way too fast

Thursday, Oct 23 -- Wilson Farm Park -- 4 miles - 38min 10
--counterclock wise run so it's mostly down hill w/ a longer gradual uphill
--really really good run. I felt fabulous the entire time. I felt strong.

My diet has been decent. Sticking with a mostly protein diet but, I have to add carbs so I have the energy to do my runs. Seems to working well. I'm losing weight without feeling too starved all the time.

New favorite snack is definately a banana w/ extra crunch peanut butter.

Only 2 weeks til the honeymoon!

10 Minute Mile!

I did it today! My first "official" run at a 10 minute flat pace! 4 miles in 39 minutes 57 seconds!

OK, most of it was kind of downhill run, which can be tough on the quads and knees so, it's not all THAT easy ;) I am really still not feeling comfortable on the uphills. But, you can't get comfortable with something unless you work at it so I think I really should incorporate a good hills run each week. Yeh. Great. Way excited about that.

Since last Tuesday I only had one other run.

Saturday, Oct 11th - the First (and only) Katie's Bacholorette 3.5 mile Glenside Dash - 37 min 26 seconds
--it was really warm, I was wearing sweatpants, I had been at the Phillies game the day before.....not a real good run

Tuesday, Oct 14th - 4 mile run at Wilson Park -39 minutes 57 seconds
--I went counterclockwise this time which puts the incline at the end of the run. It was a beautiful, sunny, 70 degree post work run

On interesting note....I am finding that I prefer to run in the morning which is strange because I am not a morning person.

I'm working on my pre run diet. Trying to figure out what is enough food to eat to give me energy but not make feel bloated & nauseous. It's a work in progress.

From Katie.....Run Katie Run!

I haven't posted in awhile so, let's get y'all filled in on me and my progress.

My current weight: 140lbs!!!!! I check every week to see that 139 but, so far, no go.

I have lost about 4 sizes :D That feels amazing!

I think the difference maker has been my ability to get back to running and doing it pain free!!!! WHOOOHOOOO!

I have been working with the personal trainer at work to build up my quad, knee and calf muscles. Basically all the muscles that support my left knee and IT Band. I did that for 6 weeks before I started really running again and it seems to have done it's job.

So now I want to start using this blog to document my runs and how I felt and all that fun stuff :)

Here are my recent runs:
-Thursday, Oct 2nd --- a good 4 miler at Lee Park - 43m 08sec
-Saturday, Oct 4th --- an amazing 5 mile run at Valley Forge Park -- it was around 8am, beautiful, perfect fall morning -- I did the run in 53m 13s! It was an unbelievable feeling
-Sun, Oct 5th --- a 3.3 miler at Lee Park - 33m 18s -- the interesting part is that due to the fact that the .6 mile maker is missing so it forces me to a 3.3 miler instead of a 5K
-Mon, Oct 6th --- a 3.3 miler at Lee Park - I forgot my watch but it felt good
-Tues, Oct 7th --- a 33 minute run at East Goshen Park --- I'm not exactly sure of the distance but I felt like a was running slower

The weather has been great and I have been sleeping well so I think that's helped my running. Hopefully it'll continue.

Only 4 1/2 weeks to the Honeymoon!

48.6 pounds lost

So I went to the gym to get weighed this afternoon. I started seriously working out in May, but had decided to lose weight back in January. That's when (Jan. 2, I think), I stepped on the scales and registered a 234. I was heartbroken. And fat.

Today though? 185.4 pounds.

I've lost 48.6 pounds this year. I couldn't believe it.

I'm so close to my goal. Gotta admit, that helps kick the motivation into high gear.

Since I started the gym program, it's been 32 pounds gone.

- Dustin

Some progress, not much

Why not much progress? Well, mostly because I spent a few weeks not going to the gym. I didn't mean to. Or, maybe I mean I did mean to, but just didn't get to. We've had a busy month at work -- lots of people on vacation, me filling in, a computer change in the works, a paper format change in the works, and a heated political primary season all made for not a lot of free time to hit the gym.

I know the solution is to make time to go to the gym. I just haven't done that yet.

Still, I weighed in today at 191.4 pounds. That's a total of 27.4 pounds lost -- almost 30, which is more than halfway to my goal.

I lost four inches of waistline too.

-- Dustin

1 day, 17 miles, $0 gas used

So I've gotten interested in the two mile challenge. Basically, according to this site, 40 percent of all urban driving is done within two miles of your home.

Think about it: 40 percent. Nearly half of your gas is burned up within a two-mile radius of your own house. I used the site. The house we're moving into has almost everything you need within two miles: Grocery store, liquor store, um... what else do you need?

The house I live in now isn't quite so lucky (for example, I'm about 18 miles from my job at the moment). But I am about 1.1 miles from Wal-Mart. Although I'm not a fan of Wal-Mart, having groceries and supplies so close is convenient for someone who doesn't want to burn gas.

This morning I took the bike out for a 15-mile ride. I didn't start out early enough -- it was brutally hot, but fortunately I took my Camelbak Mule, so I didn't get dehydrated or run any sort of overheating risk. Also, there was plenty of shade along the trail, and the breeze was going pretty good.

This afternoon I went to Wal-Mart for some lunch stuff. That made 17 miles today, most for exercise, but some for utilities.

I like the idea of human-powered transportation. It's free (once you buy the bike), and good exercise. The more you use it, the easier it gets.

Next up: I want to swap out my knobbies for some road tires, and finish my mt bike conversion to a touring/hybrid/street monster. I have some good panniers, but would really like some grocery bag panniers. Those you can take right into the store in lieu of shopping bags: save sme plastic and hook the entire thing right onto your bike when you're done. My panniers nw only fit one bag at a time, and aren't easy to take inside.

-- Dustin

Below 200

For the first time in... years, I'm below 200 pounds. I weighed in this morning at the gym, and was 197. That's a loss of 21.8 pounds since I started five weeks ago.

Eating healthy is getting easier, as is exercising frequently.

In some really really good news, I have a line on a rent house that is five blocks from work, which means I can walk or ride it, and the home is also close enough to downtown that I could bike / walk to restaurants, stores, etc. Not only for health benefits, but for carbon production / fuel use.

I'm looking forward to getting a vegetable garden going. :)

Here, you can see me before (left), and today (right).

-- Dustin

202 pounds

I'm really happy when my weight is a palindrome. So when I got on the scale at Anytime Fitness today, and it read 202.0, I was ecstatic. Such a nice, even, symmetrical number. But still not where I want to be.

When I started in the end of May, I was 218.8. So that means I've lost nearly 17 pounds so far. I needed to lose 50 total, so that means I've got about 33 to go, putting me around 170. I think for my height that's about right. Perhaps 165 or so, but I am not going to sweat that.

We figured out my stumbling block, why I held or gained for most of this week -- I wasn't getting enough fat. So I added real cheese and 2 percent milk, and things started shedding.

Eating is good. Lunches are kind of boring, but they always were -- turkey sandwich, cheese, fruit of some kind.

Dinner last night was great. I sauteed some portobello mushrooms, grilled some bread, threw on some mozerella, and had a really delicious sandwich. No idea what I"m going to get tonight, except it better be at home because I'm out of cash and left my ATM card there. :p
(Diets are good for finances too. Not eating out = saving a ton of money).

--Dustin

PLUS 2 pounds!

Can I have a do over?

So, basically, I drank too many beers and ate way toooooooooo much last week and the scale scolded me for it. Up 2lbs to 145lbs.

Back on the wagon for a new week. I'm cutting back on my portions and NO alcohol! I'm also going to try to ramp up my work outs.

Tonight I ran 3 miles outside with very little pain in my knee. It took me 36 minutes so I'm right around 12 minute mile on a really hilly course which I made me pretty happy. I could feel some pain in the knee on the last few downhills so I'm not sure I should be pushing it past 3 miles for another 2 weeks. Kind of bummed about that.

I'm going to try to burn at least 450 calories per cardio work-out. And in addition to my abs & arms class, I'm going to try to make a bigger effort to do at least 20 minutes of weights at lunch.

I am determined to get down to 140lbs by the end of the July!

-Katie

Not much new to report

Remember that "Blow it Day?" Of course you do. It's right below this post. Well, I paid for it today... I gained some weight back. Only about two ounces, but still....

On the plus side, I ran on the treadmill longer than before. About 15 minutes. Doesn't sound like much, but I'd never run before. Except for grade school and some sports.

Burned 430 calories also, so I think I made up somewhat for the weekend.

--Dustin

"Blow it Day"

I guess once a month or so you need a "blow it day." I had that tonight. I come home to find my sister has barbecued ribs, baked beer bread, and had green beans. She asked me to pick up some beer, so I got some Chocs. I gladly obliged.

All told I only had one rib, one slice of beer bread, and a bunch of green beans. Did have to beers though, and am feeling it. Used to be I could pound 'em back, but I'm out of practice lately. ;)

Ah well, back on the wagon tomorrow.

--Dustin

I lost 15 pounds! Where'd it go? I don't know...

... not that I'm going to go looking too hard for it.

I had some really good news (as foreshadowed by Katie below). When I weighed in, the scale read 203.8. 203.8. That's down from my start toward the end of May (three weeks ago) of 218.8.

I lost 15 pounds. Fifteen pounds gone. I feel great. I actually feel lighter, and the clothes fit better. That's part of the good news. The better news is that I can feel it in the energy I have.

For example, on the machines today, I was ready to progress by five pounds. What was hard at first was easy, so now time to add weight. (I added 10 to the calf press, because that comes easier than the rest). I still suck at shoulder press, but oh well.

This is the best part. I went on the treadmill today, and ran for the first time. Granted it was only for 10 minutes, but I jogged along steadily at 5.2 mph for that time without dying. I can do this! I hadn't ran since I was a kid, and that's because a dog was chasing me.

Katie likes to run, and now I see why. I want to run with her. I'm aiming for a 5k this fall, and in a year and a half, to run the Route 66 marathon with her. Yep... I think I can do it. Give me a lever big enough and I'll move the world... or at least run 26.2 miles.

And also I don't know how to find my BMI. When I do I'll let you know.

3 Pounds and 3 More Miles :)

FINALLY! I lost 3 lbs this week. After 3 weeks of nothing, I finally dropped a handful.

Please don't misunderstand my focusing on the scale so much. I know I'm not "fat". I am on the higher end of my BMI (23.8 currently with 24.9 being the highest I can be to fall under normal) which is not an awful thing. It is just that I've been really working hard to watch my diet and exercising and not seeing the results on the scale was kind of frustrating.

I am seeing the difference in the way my clothes fit so, that's my consolation prize for not seeing results on the scale.

Tonight I also ran another 3 miles on the treadmill without pain :) I tested my knee by doing 10 minute miles. Well, that and I didn't really feel like running so I was just sprinting so I could get it over with :) I'm all about being honest on that one.

Tomorrow night is a Blue Rocks game......I have a 2 beer limit and am down grading from a jumbo dog to a normal sized hot dog (Susan is going to be SO mad). I'll just work really hard on the eliptical on Friday to make up for it.

I know Dustin has some REALLY good news so I'm hoping he posts tonight too!

-Katie

3 Miles...NO Pain :)

So, after giving my knee a full 2 weeks to heal, rest, and strengthen, today was the day for it's first big exam.....3 flat miles on the treadmill.

AND IT PASSED!!!!!

Three pain free miles at a 5.1mph pace on the treadmill :) It was such a relief.

I'm going to continue to take it easy with 2 days on the eliptical, 2-3 days of road running, and a day on the bike. Plus, continuing with the strength training.

I'm really holding out hope that I can do the Philly Distance in September......fingers and toes crossed (and if you have ever seen my toes, you know they cross really easy).

Dinner tonight was fabulous BTW.......one half a pork chop cooked up with black beans & tri-colored peppers. It was fabulous :)

-Katie

206.6

I've lost a little more than 12 pounds since I started at this gym. Not much new to report except I went faster and farther on the treadmill than I have yet. Felt pretty good.

I also started on a new phase of their nutrition program. It encourages morningstar veggie burgers, which I heartily enjoy. :)

-- Dustin

My menu for the week

Breakfast: Wheat toast, thin spread of grape jelly. Hard boiled egg or single egg fried with PAM, fruit.

Lunch: Turkey sandwiches on wheat toast. Fruit. Some kind of veggies.

Dinner: Morningstar veggie burgers. Also bought portabello mushrooms for grilling, and there's plenty of green pepper around here. I forgot rice but really don't feel like going back to the store.

I would definitely like some beer.

-- Dustin

I Kicked the Habit FINALLY!!!!

It has been a month since I bought a processed frozen dinner :) No Lean Cuisine. No Smart Ones. No Healthy Choice.

My grocery bill has actually gone by buying whole wheat pasta or brown rice & frozen veggies or beans. That was a pleasant surprise.

So on the menu from this week's shopping trip.....
For dinners: black beans w/ brown rice & tri-colored peppers or garbanza beans w/ brown rice & carrots/brocolli/cauliflower mix.
For lunches: hummus, feta & spinach on whole wheat english muffin and low sodium roasted red peppers & tomato soup for lunches.
Snacks:Whole grain pretzels or no-sugar added apple sauce
Breakfasts: oat cluster cereal w/ a sprinkle of almonds mixed in w/ 1% milk & a banana

Hoping to be back running at least twice this week. Gonna try 2 three miles trots to see if the knee is back to normal.

Also dropped the bike off at the shop for a rehab assignment. I'll be using that for local errands & grocery shopping. And if the knee doesn't hold up, it'll be my favorite exercise toy.

I'll check in with my weight in a couple of days.....I think I'm due on Tuesday :)

-- Katie

9 pounds gone

I went to the gym today to weigh -- and was at 209 pounds!

That's still a far way from my goal, but I've lost 9 pounds in two and a half weeks. I'm feeling better, and enjoying activities more.

Also, less stuff fills me up faster.

Not a lot new to report, but the whole community's getting into this "Mayor fitness challenge" thing. A bank contacted us, saying they're forming a walking club for lunch, librarians are in on it, and we're finding success stories everywhere.

It's a good thing to see. :)

-- Dustin

146

Yup.....nada....not ONE pound.

OK...... No one made me drink the beers on Friday night. No one made me eat the eggplant parm on Saturday. And no one made me eat the roast beef sandwich at the Phillie's game :(

But, let's focus on the positive......

I went to Matt's (our personal trainer at work) arms class on Friday & went for a 3 mile walk when I got home. On Monday I went to Matt's abs class (I'm pretty sure he was trying to make us throw up but I don't have concrete proof) and took a 3 mile walk. Today I beat up on the eliptical for 30 minutes.

And no, that's not a glass of wine you see on my nightstand......it's the cat's.

I have 5 more days before I can try running again, not that I'm counting or anything but I can feel my legs twitching every time they see the sun.

BIG CONGRATS to my hubby to be! Keep up the great work. By the time the honeymoon comes around you are going to be looking good and I'll be looking like I had wine on my nightstand :)

-- Katie

211.2

On the scale today, I hit 211.2 pounds. Which is down from my start a couple of weeks ago, 218.8 pounds. Feeling pretty good so far.

When I hit the gym today, I went at a later time than usual. A little bit later, an it was mroe crowded. This was also when the big muscleheads came out. I've never seen so many people working out while staring at their fabulous bodies in the mirror before.

They also talked more about protein and different kinds of protein than anybody since Watson and Crick.

-- Dustin

Dinner -- thank goodness charcoal's healthy

Dinner tonight: rice and steamed veggies. The fish was tilapia, with a rub of canola oil, paprika, cayenne, lemon juice, and pepper. Pretty good. About 200 calories, no fat, and loads of protein in this meal.

So eating healthy can be fun. Sure it's not beer and pizza, but it's pretty tasty.

Bonus note, I ate this in front of my niece and freaked her waaaay out when I ate the eyeballs. :D

-Dustin

Memorial Day weekend wasn't a TOTAL disaster

OK. Dustin has a point. For 5 days we ate and drank pretty much whatever we wanted and justified because of ONE uphill climb :P

HOWEVER,

We are back on track....hopefully.

Today I weighed in at 146lbs. About 10lbs over where I really would like to be.

Tomorrow is an arms toning class at work. Also hoping to get out for a long walk this weekend. I have a sore Iliotibial Band (aka: my knee hurts) which has prevented me from getting my runs in for 2 weeks now :( I'm hoping to get out for a nice easy 3 miler on Monday though. Fingers crossed that it goes well.

My goal is the Philadelphia Distance Run (13.1 miles) on September 21st.

Oh and I did have a brownie tonight....oops.

Oh well, onward and downward (ha ha ha, get it) :D

-- Katie

Memorial Day -- wrecker of best intentions

Eek!

So this weekend started off with the best intentions. A nice 24-mile or so backpacking trip over rough, hilly terrain was planned. That would be a good workout.

Well, we had a nice four-mile walk in. Then it stormed us out the next day. So... there went the workout. We got a nice elevation change on the way out, though.

So anyway, the weekend consisted of cookouts, beer, wine tasting, etc.

I gained 1/2 pound.

So at 213.5. Still down from January's starting of 234, but not much change since I started at the gym.

Speaking of, got back into that today. Worked the treadmill at the incline at 3.8 mph. 200 cal. burned. Did all the resistance machines. I'm pretty ok with everything except the shoulder press. For some reason that's exceptionally hard.

-- By Dustin

The new diet - by Dustin

I hesitate to call it a diet, because it's not a crash course or anything. But I'm trying to cut out caffeine, snacking, and get some of the basics food groups in with each meal.

I agreed at work to be part of a fitness challenge, and to lose weight and record it. And naturally, it gets to be publicized. Yay.

Fortunately I get free gym membership as part of the deal, so that does make the deal a lot sweeter.

Katie and Dustin get fit

Hi everybody. This is our blog as we work to get fit together. This is just the first post, so bear with us. :)

- Dustin