Going back a couple months when I half-heartedly began running, roughly following the couch to 5k program. I really only ended up following the plan for week 1 and 2, and did those in 3 weeks instead of the prescribed 2. I have always had pretty much a hate-hate relationship with running. This time it was a bit different. No, I didn't enjoy the running. But I definitely enjoyed the result. I didn't lose much weight (3 pounds) but I lost 3.5 inches and about a size in just about a month. All of this by changing nothing other than going running for 20 minutes 2-3 times a week.
Having slacked off a bit on the running, I've noticed results the other way--my belly wasn't ever flat, but it's certainly less flat that it was. In an effort to help motivate myself as well as hubby, we came up with a deal.
~We each will run 3 times a week.
The reward/penalty section of the deal is still under discussion. :) Here was my suggestion: when I run my 3x and he doesn't, hubby would then take care of both girls while making (and cleaning up from) dinner. ALL while I enjoyed time to myself. Sounds fabulous to me! His suggestion is that when he meets his goal for the whole month, he gets to go buy himself a book. Seems like if he's gonna get what he wants (and really what I want in him running) I'm gonna have to change my part of that.
I'm still thinking. ;)
Monday was my first run, with 2 kids, no less. I made it, but barely. Huffing and puffing from pushing 75+ extra pounds of kid and stroller, wheeled or not. All in all, it went well. I stocked the girls up with snacks and toys and off we went. I figured out that if I kept the earpiece from the mp3 player in one ear, I could still hear the girls. Works for me!
Oh, and a really cool tool that I found to track my mileage and even a rough estimate of calories burned: gmaps pedometer. I live in a subdivision and I could track pretty much my EXACT route (from my front door.) Very fun!
3 comments:
That's great, Anna! I did the Couch to 5K program too. I'm now running 3 miles straight. Before the program, I was winded after 3 minutes!
If you have an iPod, the Nike + is awesome. It seriously has changed the way I run. It helps me to know my pace--so I don't run too fast or too slow. It tells me how many calories I've burned. It tells me how far I've gone. And MOST importantly, with the touch of a button, I can have my Power song played to get me re-motivated.
I made a deal with myself. If I completed 1 month of the program, I could get fitted for some new running shoes. Love my shoes! Made another deal with myself--if I completed the program, I could get the Nike + (already had the iPod). Love it! Now, I need to think of some motivation to get me to run the half marathon in December...
Keep it up, girl!!!
Wow, Kristie! That's great! I'm SO impressed that you would have even some motivation to run a half marathon--YUCK! :) I might be hitting you up for some more ideas, girl. Thank you!
Good for you, girl! And I'm totally jealous of the results you got.
I have one day left of Week 3 on the couch to 5k program and then it's off to Week 4!! I'm so excited about how much my endurance is building up. The podcasts for my iPod are what gets me through it. AND my husband has taken it up, too. He's just now starting Week 3, but I'm shocked he's doing it and liking it. The competition makes me really step up. I love that I'm already ahead of him (we started the same time). I like the rewards thing! We might have to have something like that.
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