2nd Annual Runs for Cookies Virtual 5K

On Saturday, I woke up bright and early to celebrate Katie's birthday by participating in the Runs for Cookies Virtual 5K.

I knew that it was going to be very cold on Saturday morning, so I prepared the night before by putting out all the layers I would be wearing: leggings, black workout pants, t-shirt, sports bra, jacket with a hood, gloves, socks, and shoes. The next morning when I was getting in my car to drive to the track, I saw my reflection in the window and thought of Damien from Mean Girls.

I posted this picture on Instagram along with the quote and #meangirls. After I got back from my run, my mom asked me what it meant because she thought some girls had been mean to me. LOL!

So, back to the 5K...I got to the track, set my music, started the app to track my mileage, and I was ready to roll! I had made the decision to run the straights and walk the curves, which is what I did through the entire 5K.

Last year, I ran it on the treadmill with a time of 41:19. I wanted to beat that this year, so I set a goal of 40 minutes. I finished in 43:45, which means I didn't accomplish that goal. Even though I didn't finish in under 40 minutes, this race made me stronger in (at least) two ways.

#1: This was the first time for me to complete a 5K in public. All my others have been completed on the treadmill. Last year, I gave up trying to run it outside because it was 37 degrees. This year, I ran it outside, and it was 30 degrees. I came prepared mentally and physically. I think I've gained a lot more confidence this past year, which helped me to start and finish the race at the track.

#2: The treadmill is definitely easier for me to run on than the track because it keeps you at a constant pace. I'm proud of finishing in 43:45 at the track. I think I'll have two different goals...one for treadmill running and one for track running.

Hopefully, Katie continues this tradition because I'm really looking forward to seeing the person I become this year as I continue getting healthier and more fit and comparing the results of this 5K with next year's 5K.

Weekly Weigh-In #35

This Week: +2.6 lb

Total Loss: -30.2 lbs

Starting Weight: 251.2 lbs

Current Weight: 221.0 lbs

Totally bummed that I gained so much this week, and I'm not even sure how it happened! I haven't been eating any differently, and while my workouts weren't that hardcore, I was moving more than I had in weeks. 

I need some kind of motivation to get back on the treadmill. That's what really helped me lose weight last year, but for some reason, I haven't been able to make myself get into a routine of using it every day. I told my sister I might not find it as enjoyable because I don't have a show on Netflix that I'm dying to watch each day. Last year I had a few that kept me entertained, and I used working out on the treadmill as an excuse to watch the shows instead of just laying around in bed watching them!

Any shows on Netflix you would recommend? 

Workouts for the Week

Thursday - Zumba for Beginners on YouTube (19:24)

Friday - Zumba Class 3 on YouTube (31:49)

Sunday - 3.09 miles at the track (39:51)

Monday - 0.68 mile dog walk (13:39)

I used to set goals for myself as part of my weekly weigh-ins. I want to start doing that again because I think it helps me focus on the week ahead.

This Week's Goals

#1: Work out on the treadmill at least three times this week.

#2: Complete my Runs for Cookies Virtual 5K in under 40 minutes.

I'm linking up with Heather and Ash for the first time for Weigh-In Wednesday!

#2014BloggerChallenge: Skincare Routine

I'm back with the second 2014 Blogger Challenge topic for the month of January, which is all about my skincare routine. Now, I'm not a beauty blogger, so I don't know the latest and greatest products on the market. These are just the 5 products I use on a daily basis. Enjoy!

#1: Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser ($22) - This is a mild cleanser that leaves my face feeling super clean. It lathers up into a rich foam, which only takes a small amount to accomplish. My favorite thing about it though is the smell. It's such a clean, fresh scent that isn't overpowering. I have never spent this much on a cleanser before, but I think Clarins is definitely worth it. Plus, it lasts a long time since you don't have to use a lot with each washing.

#2: Freeman Facial Polishing Mask, Charcoal and Black Sugar (~$4) - I included this mask in my favorite things at Christmas for Mallory and Emily. Before winter came along, I used this once or twice a week on my face, but ever since we've had colder weather, it has really dried my face out. So, I've started using it on my elbows every day in the shower. My skin overall has been so dry and itchy this winter, but my elbows have been especially bad. This scrub has really helped make them smooth again!

#3: E.L.F. Lip Exfoliator ($3) - I have a bad habit of chewing on my bottom lip, which causes it to get dry and chapped. This lip exfoliator is great for treating it. It's basically a compacted sugar scrub molded into a lipstick form. It has a yummy vanilla smell, which I love. The best part is the price. $3...can't beat that!

#4: Skin79 VIP Gold Super Plus BB Cream (~$16) - This is the main foundation of my makeup, but the reason I'm including it with skincare is because it has sunscreen added to it. When I was younger, I didn't really think about using sunscreen too much on a daily basis, but now that I have it in my BB cream, it makes it so easy to apply every day.

#5: Mario Badescu Peptide Renewal Cream (~$15) - Like I talked about earlier, my skin has been really dry lately. I have been using this cream as a moisturizer for my face. I really like it because it doesn't leave any residue or an oily feeling on my face. I don't know if I would pay this much for it though. This came from my mom, and I think she got it as a free add-on with some other things she ordered.

So, that's pretty much my daily skincare routine. Simple and easy to do. What are some of your must-have skincare items?

Thursday Thoughts

Linking up with Jennifer today for Thursday Thoughts!

~When I see stories of people that have spent thousands and thousands of dollars on plastic surgery to look like a certain celebrity, it makes me sad. I can't help but wonder when in their life they were made to feel like being themselves wasn't good enough. I think about how they feel after the surgery. Are they happy with how it turned out? When they look in the mirror, do they see the celebrity they aspire to be or just a different version of themselves?

~This may be a weird quirk that only I possess, but if I'm reading a book, I can't look at the picture of the author on the back. If I do, I picture them the whole time I am reading...kinda like if I see the movie before I read the book, I picture all the actors as the characters instead of creating them in my head.

~Has anyone seen the video of the woman that dedicated herself to working out 100 days in a row? She lost 51 pounds last year and 18 pounds in her 100 day challenge! To me, what's more inspiring than that is the smile you see on her face that grows bigger and bigger as she gains more self-esteem and learns to love herself. I love this video! You go LaKeisha!

~Does anyone remember Nikki McKibbin from the first season of American Idol? I saw a commercial today where her SON is trying out this season! That makes me feel old!

~One of my goals for 2014 is to see a movie at least once a month. My sister and I are going this weekend, but I can't decide what I want to see! American Hustle or Lone Survivor?

Weekly Weigh-In #34

This Week: +0.8 lb

Total Loss: -32.8 lbs

Starting Weight: 251.2 lbs

Current Weight: 218.4 lbs

First 'official' blog weigh-in for 2014, and it's a gain. I know EXACTLY why I gained a little too. One reason is that I had an interview yesterday, so the days leading up to it I stress ate quite a bit. PMS also has something to do with it too. I always retain water and weigh a little bit more around this time. Oh well, here's looking forward to next week!

I'm considering signing up for a DietBet. I think it might be that extra motivation I need to get back in this full force. Has anyone ever participated in one before? If so, I'd love to hear what you thought about it!

Workouts for the Week

Wednesday - Shred It with Weights with Jillian Michaels
 Saturday - 15 minutes playing Wii Fit Plus
Sunday - 50 minutes playing Wii Fit Plus

I got a kettlebell after Christmas, so I decided to give Jillian's workout a try. OMG! It's intense (although I haven't found one of hers that isn't!), but I really liked it. I need to do it on a more consistent basis. Gotta build up the muscles to help me lose the fat! 
 

Sunday Currently 1.12

Before I write about everything I'm currently up to, I wanted to give a little update. I know I haven't been posting my weekly weigh-ins very consistently lately. Last week I wrote a post about how much weight I've lost in the past year. I've decided at this point in time I would like to move my weekly weigh-in posts to Wednesdays instead of Fridays, so my first official weigh-in of 2014 will be this coming Wednesday.

I've also been participating in the #FMSPhotoADay challenge, so here's one of my pictures for that. The prompt was 'lucky number.' I picked 14 because I think this will be a great year for me! If you are a fan of Breaking Bad, this might look familiar. ;-)

CURRENTLY

READING The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom...I'm only a few chapters in, but I like it so far. This year, I'm hoping to do a monthly post with reviews of the books I read that month.

WRITING lots of lists! Strategies for ESL learners, ideas for guided reading, and what I need to get for Emily's bridal shower

LISTENING to a Glucerna commercial (exciting, I know!) and the football game is on in the living room

THINKING that I might play around on Wii Fit Plus later

SMELLING the shower gel I used...Winter Candy Apple from Bath and Body Works...my new favorite scent!

WISHING to see some snow before winter is over!

HOPING for a good interview on Tuesday

WEARING black exercise capris, Texas Forever t-shirt, and gray socks

LOVING that I scored a $100 Old Navy gift card for $40 on Ebay!

WANTING a leopard print belt

NEEDING a new pair of jeans!

FEELING itchy! Winter weather dries my skin out, and I have the urge to scratch all the time!

CLICKING on practice interview questions

It's a beautiful Sunday here in Texas! I hope you're enjoying your day as much as I am mine. Have a great week y'all!

Please link up with Lauren and share what's current in your life!

One Year

Exactly one year ago, I began my weight loss journey and weighed in for the first time.

As of today, I have lost 33.6 pounds.

After I stepped off the scale this morning, I couldn't help but have some negative thoughts creep into my head. I thought, 'Could I have lost more? What should I have done differently? Should I even be proud of that considering how long it's taken me?' All this thinking led me to mentally slap myself and say, 'Don't be a Debbie Downer! Think of all your hard work this past year and of everything you've accomplished!'

I worked harder this past year to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle than I ever have in my entire life. Yes, I could have worked out more days resulting in more weight lost, but on the other hand, I could have made the choice to give up like I did every single year previous to 2013. Where would that leave me today? 33.6 pounds heavier (at least!) and a feeling of failure that another year had passed me by with nothing being done about my weight.

What I lost in weight, I have gained in strength and confidence. I believe that 2014 will be another great year for me, and I look forward to sharing it with all of you.

#2014BloggerChallenge: New Year's Inspiration

Happy New Year everybody! Today I am writing a post for a blogger challenge that I signed up for last year. Each month I will have two posts published for the challenge. New Year's Inspiration is the very first topic, and I can't wait to share mine with all of you!

Like Gaby, I had a different idea of what I would be writing for this first post. I thought I would pull some of my favorite quotes from Pinterest and talk about how they inspire me. Well...for the past few days, I've seen some of my Facebook friends posting about their 'one word' for 2014.

So, I went and checked out the One Word website, and I love this idea! Basically, you throw New Year's resolutions out the window, and choose one word you want to focus on in the coming year. I thought for a couple of days about what my 'one word' should be, and this is the word I have chosen for myself for 2014.

The word 'reawaken' has double meaning for me this year.

1) I want to reawaken my determination to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle. 

For the last two months of 2013, I didn't really work out too much, and the holidays were a time for a lot of unhealthy eating. While I didn't gain lots of weight back during this time, I know that I feel better when I eat healthy and work out consistently.

2) I want to reawaken my relationship with God and share my faith with others.

When I was a kid, I went to Sunday School and 'big church' every Sunday. I've been saved and baptized, and I know that one day I will be rejoicing in Heaven with Jesus Christ. This year, I need to find a church that I can call home. I want to find a church family, preferably with some people my age, that have similar beliefs as me that want to study the Bible on a deeper level.

This is my inspiration and motivation for the new year. I am so glad I found out about the 'One Word' campaign. I feel like I'm headed in a good direction for 2014.

Please leave me a comment and let me know what your 'one word' for 2014 will be! I'd love to read what y'all have to say!