11 Minutes

"adding 11 minutes of walking each day will reduce your risk of getting breast cancer by nearly 20 percent" -Journal of the National Cancer Institute

11 minutes...that's all?!?! Who can't do that? I mean really, do it not only for yourself, but do it for the ones you love in life.... think about how cancer doesn't just effect the person that has it - there are spouses, children, parents, friends.....so lets do it ladies - JUST 11 Minutes!!!!!

Got out this morning with the dog. A great 2.5 mile run. Feels good. Came back in and did some weight training. Enjoying my blueberry smoothie right now.

Heading to my mom's for the weekend. No Internet there, so will have to catch you all up when I get back. Still going to work it hard while there too - that is the one nice thing about running/walking....all you need is shoes and pavement. No fancy equipment, no DVDs, no instruction....NO EXCUSES.

New jeans, new goal.

Just got back from Kohls...purchased a size 12 jeans. Kerrrrwow. Started off the year in size 18. yippie...more to go though, now I am just more pumped.

Went to the Chiro today....he is my running "coach"....he has laid a new goal out on the table - a four mile run the day of Thanksgiving. He wants me to be able to ask everyone at the table as they are eating their pumpkin pie what they did this morning, just so I can reply with, "I ran 4 miles". He cracks me up. But ok...I can do that. Our addition is a horse shoe shape that is exactly 4 miles if ran in a loop. GAME ON.

Traded in the capris for long pants - its getting cold out ladies,
Jill
ps - anyone out there every do P90X? Did my first one last night....now THAT was a workout!

Give me a string of pearls and an apron!

....and call me June Clever! I just made pumpkin bread with a REAL pumpkin! I feel so "thats the way grandma did it"! :) It was real easy to do the fresh pumpkin and it made tons - apparently you can bag it up and freeze it for future use. And how that it is FRESH with NO preservatives!!!! I love that!
Still finding that it IS possible to make small changes in everything,
Jill
....now roasting the seeds -full of good nutrients and fiber - yum!

Outstanding tips here!

Check out this article!!! Great tips on "not having time to workout, flattening belly, getting arms to stop jiggling," and more!
http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/start-your-fat-burning-engines/b3e9adab7684b110VgnVCM20000012281eac____/news.voices/in.the.magazine/september.2008.issue/0/0/1
Still burning for more,
Jill

What now?

Still moving to a healthy BMI.....so now what? Is running still the plan?
As it get colder out, running is less attractive for sure! I'm thinking this week is a chance to test out some other exercise options and see what the next goal can be. Today I took a nice break from cardio and did all muscle strengthening with some yoga stretching. It was a nice switch.
Here is a two minute read on some GREAT tips for boosting that metabolism.
http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/24-hours-to-the-body-of-your-dreams/0ef288dc78803110VgnVCM10000013281eac____/fitness/body.by.design/0/0/0/1
Cheers, Jill

Four Months Later....

"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
-Isaiah 40:31

YEAH! The goal was officially conquered today. I complete the "Race for Grace" 5K.....running the whole way! My time was exactly 34 minutes.

Not the fastest on the trail, but nothing speaks louder than my four year old daughter who yelled (with arms in the air) as I crossed the finish line,"Mom, you did it, YOU WON, YOU WON!!!!"

It was so cold! Race started at 9:00 and still frost on the ground! I could see my breath as I got going....but what a great way to start the day, right?! Bummed the IPod battery died right as the race started though...music has been my pace setter and a big help in motivating each step. This run was just with the sounds of nature (Scioto River was next to the running trail). Thought of my WB Girls most of the way!!!

In four months I went from only being able to run 2 minutes with a lot of pain to now....running 34 minutes with no pain. And I am down 34 pounds for the year! Overall, my health has made leaps and bounds....but I'm not done yet, still more to accomplish. However I have discovered that proper nutrition and exercise is ESSENTIAL for a healthy future. I love that my daughter asks me everyday "mom, did you exercise today." Living better isn't just for me, its for my family and the ones I love, too.

After the race was completed, Adam drove us to a nearby (empty) parking lot where Emma and I changed into our church clothes in the car. After fanning the sweat off my face I was able to slap on a little makeup and spray on some "smell-goods" ahhhhhh....
nothing like getting all fixed up. wink wink!
Here we are arriving to church in my new Race for Grace shirt.
Feeling like a winner,
Jill

Get your Blueberries!

Any of you live near a "Trader Joes" Grocery? They have frozen blueberries for LESS than $2!!!!!!!! That is a STEAL compared to any store brand I have found. Buy a ton and keep 'em in the freezer to throw in smoothies, oatmeal, cereal, top of yogurt, you name it!
Blueberries are a super fruit - full of antioxidants and loads of good nutrition to boost your immune system, and who doesn't need that?
I have one cup of blueberries everyday now....throw them in my post workout smoothie - YUM!
turning blue, Jill

and there goes the weather again...

woke up this morning and pouring rain was flooding. I was not going to let it stop me though - come too far for too long to let weather be my excuse! So put the rain coat on and out I went (no dog, he would freak). I did walk instead of run....saving up fuel for tomorrow.....pray for no rain!!! I have a feeling though it is going to be FREEZING....yuck!
If the mailman can deliver, so can I....
Jill

SHINE.

"SHINE. Make 'em wonder what you got.
Make them wish that they were not.........on the outside looking bored.
SHINE. Let it shine before all men. Let them see good works within.......
Let them glorify the Lord..... SHINE."
-Newsboys, Shine

I absolutely LOVE this song....it is my motivation...it is the song that makes me do what I'm doing.
Whats on your ipods? Here is my running tunes - love them all, great get-up-and-go songs, not to mention very uplifting!

Everlasting God - Lincoln Brewster
Shine - Newsboys
Sing a Song - Third Day
He Reigns - Newsboys
Blessed Be your Name - Tree 63
A New Hallelujah, featuring the African Children's Choir - Michael W. Smith (A GREAT wake up song for those morning runs!)
Peaceful World - John Mellencamp.....hey, gotta have a Hoosier native in the mix!

When I first started running straight 5K's (I am up to 6 now!!!) I had to repeat a song or two because it just wasn't a long enough list. Yesterday I ran another 5K outside before Adam went to work and made it all 3 miles before my list of songs ended!!!!! Yay!
SHINE, Jill

Feeling the burn....and Kale Greens?

The weights are working...well in the sense that I am feeling the burn.....now if they start melting that fat away we will be in business!
4 days and counting until the big race. Even though I have done 6 practice ones, I still feel like for me to reach my goal it has to be the real deal. Ready to make it happen!

I've been eating Kale greens......reading how healthy they are for you and their benefits to weight loss and hormone levels. Not bad stuff....really don't notice when i mix it in with salads and such. Also made a broth type soup with it in there chopped up - that was pretty tasty too.

I am learning that you CAN live our fast pace lives healthy and with the right foods. There is also much GOOD taste in things that I normally would have curled my lip up at. Eggplant stirfry anyone???? IT IS YUMMY - not kidding, the whole family LOVES it....and the best - all ingredients are natural with no preservatives. Learning to prepare food differently has made me realize too that it IS possible to do, even with a busy family always going every direction.
Giving me a happy mind to know what taking place in my family' stomachs,
Jill

weights????

On advise from my "coach", I have incorporated more weights into my exercise routine. Ouch-ee-mama! That is hitting some spots that haven't been hit yet! Hope this will trigger some more increase in metabolism!
Todays the week - count down till Saturday - yippie!

39 freakin' degrees

and I just got in another 5K practice run outside in our housing addition this morning. Seriously, is the real race here yet???? I'm ready for a new kind of cardio!!!!! :) One that is inside and doesn't make my chest burn because I have sucked in so much freezing air!!!
Such a complainer, I am today. hee hee.
I should be thankful I have the endurance to do such - looking forward to next Saturday.
Got to go....off to make this years Halloween custome....I have a request from a certain 4 year old to be a cupcake. Ya, go figure....such a tease...wink wink.
Jill

Its on the schedule now...

I just registered for the "official" 5K...."Race for Grace" http://premierraces.com/2009Races/RaceforGrace.html
It is Sat. Oct 24...pretty excited about it....I know it is going to be freezing cold, so keep my chattering teeth and muscles in your prayers!

I am still doing 30-40 minutes cardio everyday and watching what I eat. The weight loss has come to a halt AGAIN. GRRRRRR....so frustrating. Hoping the thyroid medicine kicks in soon to help out, but in the meantime trying to step over Satan's discouraging tactics and not give in to him! Many days I want to give up so bad!!!!!! -ugh- Gotta keep going....have 19 more pounds to go to get to that healthy BMI....what a long road it seems. How did all this happen?
trying to stay on track,
Jill

Notes from FL...

Hi Gals,

Read the last few posts in an effort to catch up a bit, but just can't quite keep up on a regular basis these days. So excited to hear about those healthy endeavors, Carrie's pregnancy progress, and so on! Michael is holding steady at the 50 lb mark, but hopes to push beyond that another 15 lbs little by little. We continue to walk the Ringling Bridge about 3 days a week - comes out to about 2.5 miles. I had my first dress fitting and it had to be taken in!!! Of course in the boobs, which I expected (no weight gain there), but also along the sides! I was so pleased! The toughest thing is the heat around here - it has been s SUPER HOT summer and we continue to set record highs when it comes to the temp! We are truly sweating the lbs off! Please send some of that chilly weather down here...at least for the wedding! Love you girls and can't wait to see those who will be representing the WG's down here in December! ~Heather

Weights on my ankles at the zoo?

Ok, so I have been cooped up in the kitchen all morning cutting garden peppers and getting them ready to freeze for future use....also made some hot sauce -zip zip! anyhow, need to get out of the house (adam is in WI for four days!) so heading to the zoo for a stroll with Emma...
....so going with weights on my ankles. :) yep, the 1 & 1/2 pounders....one velcroed to each ankle. Just testing the waters.
Jill

Quick update...

....just for the record, i did find the motivation for the last posting...it wasn't until 3 in the afternoon, but did it....RAN ANOTHER 5K on thetreadmill - this time uping my speed, burn baby burn! And just in case you were wondering, I can change a Barbie's clothes and not miss a beat while in the middle of the second mile. ;)

This morning was F-R-EEEE-EEEEE-Z-I-N-G! Sunday, so got up at 7:15, put onthepurple shoes and headed out with Hank - BBRRRRRrrrrrrRRRR!!!! Hated every second of it, but loved the way I felt afterwards. Thanks for the strength, Jesus! After the run, hopped in the car for a quick trip to the grocery (Sunday am - a great time to go by the way) , came home, put away veggies, and ready for church by 10:00. I am loving this new found energy.
Cold in the north,
Jill

please oh please read:

http://www.prevention.com/7foodsthatshouldnever/index.shtml

this is short and very interesting. I was totally shocked at the paragraph about microwave popcorn and canned tomatoes. Eye-opening to say the least.

rain today - finding it hard to get motivated. Need my girls.
Jill

Loooonnnnnggggg weekend.

Back and at it though! Went to in-laws in IN, so exercise was limited, but i didn't cave....took my arm weights in the car and did arm curls for an hour straight on the way there, then my sister-in-law and I got a good walk/run in on Sunday morning. I came home sick though - thought it was allergies, but broke a fever this morning. :( Needless to say that did not make me want to exercise! Tonight I bit the bullet and took Hank out....a 2 mile run, and of course it started raining 1 mile down the road! I am sure that did my already sore lungs much good!!! I was going to do the "official" 5 K this Saturday but think I may have to put it off do to this bug. Feeling better this evening though - I'm raking in the blueberries and broccoli!!!!

GREAT JOB HEATHER OF COMPLETING YOUR 5K COMMITMENT!!!!!!!! WOOOOO HOOOO!!!
And congrats to my mom who walked a 5K last Saturday with church members for the Indy School of the Blind! Go MOM! (even though she'll never see this since she doesn't even own a computer) :)
October is here - crunch time!
Jill