My First 5K and Looking Back Over the Last Year...

I can remember last year, scrolling through social media, wishing I could do the Annual YMCA Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. This year, I made that wish a reality. Monster, my friend, Sam, and I got ourselves up early and walked my first 5K. To say I was a bit nervous would be an understatement. This time last year I couldn't even walk a mile without hurting and being completely worn out. This year, I walked over three miles and could have done more - easily. As silly as it may sound to some of you - I am proud of myself. My results were 56:48. While it was a lot slower than I had hoped, I finished - and I was not the last to cross the finish line. And for that, I am grateful and proud.

Before the Turkey Trot 

Waiting to at the start line.

Finished! 

We finished.

Crossing the finish line. 

Seeing my sister and nephew at the finish line. 

 My sister and nephew surprised us by waiting for us at the finish line. It was such an awesome surprise.

Isn't this the sweetest thing ever?!? 

This last year has been a real journey in trying to find me - I've felt really lost at times, but I'm starting to find me and my voice. I still don't like what I see when I look in the mirror, but I like it a LOT better than I did a year ago. I've taken a few chances and have been both rejected and accepted by some that surprised me. I've got a great group of "real life" and online friends that have been instrumental in encouraging me and supporting me - those of you reading this - thank you! I am honored and appreciate your support.

To date, I have lost 85 pounds and I've lost the following inches since I first took my measurements on March 16, 2015:

Arm: 3.0

Bust: 6.5

Waist: 3.5

Hips: 4.0

Thigh: 4.5

Neck: 1.5

I have also gained a lot of strength, endurance, confidence and new, smaller clothes. :) 

(L) November 2014 and (R)November 2015. My race shirt is an XL and the one on the left is a 4x. 

(L) Thanksgiving 2014 and (R) 2015

As I've said before, thank you for your support and encouragement over the last year. It is appreciated more than you'll know!

Transformation Tuesday

Over the last couple of weeks, about once/twice a week, I have been changing clothes and going for a walk downtown before going to pick up Monster. I have mapped it out from a couple of blocks to 2.5 miles as of today. I was able to walk that in 45 minutes today, and that included dropping off and picking up some signs that I used for a conference I was in charge of last week. 

I was in a really cranky mood all day - just blah. Everything was getting on my nerves, I was tired, moody and just wanted to eat. As soon as I changed into my workout clothes, sneakers and put in my headphones my mood started to lift. Within about three blocks, the sunshine and moving my body, my mood started to lift. As I was walking, I started to think about the last year and how far I have come in my fitness. Some folks would think 2.5 miles is nothing, but I would have never been able to walk that a year ago. I've lost 87 pounds to date and I exercise at least six hours a week, most weeks more than that. Last week, I logged over 50 miles for the week! I am so proud of myself for the work I've put in. 

I'm really starting to notice the changes in my body too. 

I need to take my measurements this weekend. I'm hopeful that the scale has moved a little bit down since I didn't lose anything last week, but my eating has been terrible so I'm not holding my breath. But, tomorrow is another day...I will make better decisions than I did today. And, that in itself is a transformation from the past. 

Until next time,

- Lisa