I was hoping things would slow down a little when we got back from vacation, but that hasn't been the case. What do I mean?
This weekend we had two Father's day things to do. Neither involving my actual dad (hi dad!), going to the first Floyd County Jubilee, and acquiring a dog. We think he was abandoned by the dumpster and wondered over to the nearby church to find a new home. The same church we got married in. Being animal lovers we decided to keep him until he finds a good home.
He is really cute:
We don't know what kind of dog he is, part Maltese and...? We haven't named him, which kind of puts you in the category of dog owner so we just call him "dog" . Check out those paws! Huge for a dog that weights considerably less than our cats. Speaking of our cats, they are deeply scared and upset about his taking of residence in their home.
Things have felt chaotic around here. New dog, new job, and oh the pool that took too many hours to set up and too much money is leaking water. We're down to about a foot of water. New job? Well, not specifically new, but I've gone from working 7 hours a week to 32 doing marketing and graphic design. Two things that I really like doing and learning about so the experience is helpful and the company is nice too. I also get health insurance and Wednesday's off to work on my internet interests, so it's a pretty good situation for me right now.
Oh! 5k! At the town jubilee we spotted a booth handing out fliers for the upcoming run/walk in late August. We picked up two applications on Saturday and have started training for it. By training, I mean, walking 3 miles on our (very) hilly road once on Sunday and again last night. Right now it takes us (me) an hour and a half to walk it. I figure if the road was flat it would take less than an hour. We took Dog with us on our walk last night and he did really well, pooping outside for the first time and not acting like a freak when cars or giant dogs passed by. A pretty good walking buddy.
My goal is to be physically able to jog for at least one of the three miles without stopping. That is a big goal considering that I cannot jog for more than a minute without feeling like my butt fat is going to detach. At 273.5 lbs. (as of this morning) jogging is not easy. It makes me think things like "what if I needed to run away from something?" I couldn't do it.
That said, I've heard there is another 5k in chicago during the blogher weekend that I will be participating in. Two 5k's in one summer? madness.
I'm breaking my weight loss into smaller 10 lb. at a time goals. My start weight is 274 and my goal is 264. Today, I weigh 273.5 and aiming to get to my first goal by July 13th just to give me a place to reach towards. I like to write my next goal weight on a small note card and place it in a visual place as a reminder.
Congrats on trying for a 5K! I highly recommend the Couch to 5K program, it really eases you into running slowly but surely! I did it last year and kept up running until the weather got bad… so when I decided to try again this May, I was back to square one, but doing well now.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
(It doesn’t cost anything, just scroll down to see the schedule chart and follow it!)
I weigh in at 318 pounds and go really, really slow — but I run, make no mistake.
I LOVE your new dog, and I am more of a cat person!
I’ve been enjoying your blog. Keep up the good work.
Hi there! I follow your blog, but don’t think I have ever posted. Great job on starting the 5k training. There is a GREAT program called couch to 5k that is supposed to get you running a 5k in 9 weeks. Being a heavy girl myself, it’s going to take me longer, but it’s a great program. I think it’s on coolrunnings.com but you can google it and it will come up.
I’m glad that you had a wonderful wedding and good luck on your lifestyle change. You are such an inspiration!
Awesome that you are going to do 2 5ks! That is a great goal. Take it from someone who learned the hard way, SLOWLY work up to running. An injury that sidelines is no fun! (and a terrible impediment to weight loss)
Well done on the loss! That dog is adorable!
Ok so that dog is beyond cute. His face is similar to my dog who is a poodle/shitzu mix so…maybe he has a bit of Shitzu in him?
Yay for dog! I think that you are on the right path with having a “fitness” goal like an upcoming 5K. I’ve struggled with weight for years (235), and finally decided that the time has come. So I signed myself up for a 10K the last week of August. Just started runninguniversity.com’s “couch to 5/10k” program. Haven’t used it yet, but have heard good things about mapmyrun.com. If you want to do 3 miles in Chicago, you could take a cab to Montrose Beach and then walk along the lake down to Lincoln Park. If you are there on Saturday morning, you could stop at the Green City Market in Lincoln Park for some breakfast… Lots of good, healthy food!
hi lorrie ,
it is a great challenge to do the 5k. but jut remember the only obstacle between you and the jog is ur mindset. this year i did the flora mini marathon (10k)(where people run ,jog or walk)i opted to walk with other 40,376 walkers . i am 260 pounds and everyone inculding my partner and mom though i wouldn’t be able to do it and it urely did affect me. i though if no one supported me and though i can’t maybe they r true.
the final straw of humiliation came when one of my colleage someone i hate bitched about it saying”r u healthy enough to do it? quit it girl. u wouldn’t make it” then and there i decided i am gonna do it and prove to all and above all myself that i don’t have to listen to other to value myelf.
i did the marathon on 1st of june and finihed it in 1 hour 50 sec . i am proud that i have done it and changed myelf from being a couch potato to a walker.
i trained by walking for 14 minute in the begining and building up to 60 minutes per walk.
go on my girl , u an definitely do it . and never let the weight of our body or others feelings about u stop u
That dog is ADORABLE! I think having two 5ks this summer is reasonable and you will rock them both. I don’t think I will be doing the BlogHer one, but I might come cheer you guys on at the finish line.
“what if I needed to run away from something?”
loved that. So funny and so true.
I think dog has found a good home! and what better walking partner? An eager cute adorable pooch. The cats will get used to him. and he’s sooooo cute.
Good job on the 5K, you can do it!
Good for you on deciding to run a 5km! When I first started running I also could not run for more than a minute without feeling like I might need to call 9-1-1. Now my husband and I are running a 10km on our first anniversary (August 30) and I hope to complete the run in under 55 minutes.
Keep going and keep us updated. PS-your dog is sooo cute!
I love that little dog! So cute!
And don’t worry dude, I’m super slow so the 5k in Chicago isn’t going to be any kind of, ya know, race.
YIPEE YIPEE YIPEEE
You are doing everything right. Just try not to get too overwhelmed if everything is not going perfectly in each category all of the time. I lean towards the black and white view as well. I wrote a post about this topic on my blog
http://seebettyrun.com/2009/06/01/many-balls-in-the-air-some-are-gonna-drop/
The key is not always how you stay on track but how quickly you can get back on track.
I set short term goals and it was really effective. Fitness goals are a really great way to go too. Sign up for the races and then you will be committed.
I am so proud of you. You can do it!!!
PS your wedding pic is beautiful
Cheers Betty
Yay, you’re an inspiration, Lorrie. And why cant you guys keep Dog? Your cats will soon fall in love with him.
Aww, cute dog!! Maybe you two will fall in love with it and want to keep him
I did my first 5k recently. I did about 2 weeks of training, not nearly enough! I loved it though. I did it in 51 minutes, mostly walking at a fast pace. I have seen some great 5k prep workouts that I should have done. These plans give you workouts to do to get physically ready. My advise would be to take it serious, set a plan and goal for yourself to work towards. Figure out a good realistic pace for the race. Having a steady manageable pace in a 5k is essential. You can do this, it is a great goal to work towards. Even though I wasn’t “ready” to do my 5k I forced myself into it because it is running and I’ll never be “ready” for that, just gotta do it.
Hi Lorrie,
I hope its ok I submitted your inspirational, sincere and sweet blog to the Stumbleupon community
I gained about 100 pounds in just under 2 years after my mum passed away (I weight around 250 lbs now, but i’m very short too)…I just ate till I felt sick willing the grief to go away. The grief is still there and my BMI is in the morbidly obese range…
I digress..I just found your blog and its a riveting read. You are so honest about everything and evidently a kindred spirit.
I’m nowhere near able to run 5k just yet. I can manage 2K on a very slow jog…
I know how you feel, running with all that weight on our knees can be painful..its like a healthy person running with a 150 pound backpack. Something that helped me a lot was listening to music, and I mean really upbeat dancey stuff.
May I humbly recommend :
LCD Soundsystem’s albums ‘Sound of Silver’ and ‘LCD Soundsystem’ ? The beats are quite consistent and its easy to pace yourself, plus the music is just great. Let me know what you think!
And thanks for doing what you do. I lost 10 pounds 4 months ago, and have been steady. People tell me a blog would motivate me but I’m still ashamed of letting myself go and ashamed of my weight..and I’m not as courageous as you to just start being honest about my weight.
Best of luck for everything, superstar!
P.S. Your dog is adorable
:)