The last of the belly rolls...

Belly rolls...it sounds too much like jelly rolls, doesn't it? Leave it to me to find the food angle. In any case, I am hearing such conflicting reports that my head is beginning to hurt. Between "that's enough now" and "well you still have a bit of pudge there" it really is hard to keep a focus on the reality of the situation. The answer came from a surprising source. This person said, "It's your body. You have to be happy with it. To hell with anyone else's opinion."

So am I happy with it? I am inches away from sheer joy. Do I care what people think? I'm quickly learning not to. However, a year ago my answer would have been quite different. I have therefore made a huge step in the right direction.

In order to rid myself of the last of the belly rolls, I am running to the next town again (5 miles). My pilates instructor is leaving my local gym - a sad setback but she is at the local studio. I will have to compensate somehow. Dare I actually practice my pilates at home? If I want that paisley bikini to fit the way I want, the answer must be "yes, I dare."

The road race season starts for me next weekend with the April Fool's 5k Run. I love being able to walk from my house to the starting line. Last year I did it in 42 minutes and change. This year, if I don't average a 10 minute mile I will be extremely grumpy. Stay tuned!

Hey Slim!

February just rolled right past me but that's not to say I didn't get things done. I'm into a size 4 skirt. It's interesting when you get into those last 10 or 15 lbs (which for me is all belly) because there's not much left to lose and the sizes drop faster.

In spite of the fact that people say, "OK you can stop now" There is no stopping and that's what a lot of people don't understand. I will try to be doing this until they carry me out feet first. It needs to be for life - temporary will not do.

Spring is starting to rear its sweet little head and on the off days when the temperature does break 45 I strip a few layers. There is an elderly man who is on the boardwalk everyday ahead of me at 6am for the past year. He has witnessed my transformation first hand. Last week he said, "I'm gonna have to start calling you 'Slim'"

I'm gonna try to run 4 miles tomorrow although the weather has been called for 25 degrees tomorrow morning. Time to step it up and get ready for the Fool's Run and the Spring Lake 5...Lots of good stuff going on - you should try it. Like i say, if I can do it, anyone can!

The Bikini Countdown

Well, I actually posted it on my Facebook page so I might as well talk abou it here. Who's to see? It all started a few months ago,. I haven't worn a bikini since I was 5 years old - pink polka dots. That was the last time I could fit into one. I have gathered so much momentum in my weight loss that I thought I might go to the next level and get my fairly well reduced tummy into the kind of shape needed to fit into a bikini. So pilates twice a week. Yoga once a week. Running 7 times a week. It's called momentum: first pounds, then inches, then peace of mind in knowing what you are capable of, which is practically anything. It's strangely empowering to know that it isn't a cliche: you can do anything you set you're mind to. It makes you wonder what else you can accomplish.
There's this little red bikini on the Land's End website. I bought a size 10. There is still a ways to go to firm up the tummy but I think by april, may, june...i should be in fairly good shape...Spring will take me outside more, running further than I am. Keep your fingers crossed...

Into the New Year...

There's a lot of water under the bridge. I started this blog over a year ago and am pleasantly surprised at how well I have kept up with both the blog and my attempts to physically improve myself. Winter has slowed me down somewhat. 3 miles a day is basically my average. It's rough out there but the weather is only temporary; my desire to run is not. In addition I am down another pant size. This has more to do with my running than any dieting I might be doing because I am not dieting. Eating chocolate marshmallow ice cream and Skittles can not possible be considered a well balanced diet.

The new year also marks the start of my pilates classes which I have started at the local Work Out World. Basically I go there strictly for the classes. It pays for itself. You figure $15-$20 per class twice a week where I am paying $22 per month. I'm getting my money's worth and so is "my powerhouse". With any luck, my tummy will be looking quite different in 6 months.

I have also made another New Year's resolution which I will not divulge here. If I achieve my goal, then perhaps you'll hear about it but until then...

Blizzard Blitz

Between shoveling out of 3 feet of snow and cross training my way into town on foot, I'ld have to say I did fairly well today. My back will be speaking to me tomorrow but that's par for the course. I hope those stair master moves I had to perform in order to get through those 3 ft drifts don't bite my ACLs in the butt...I will lay low and do some healing tomorrow.....after I dig the car out...

4 Tips for Outdoor Winter Runs | Active.com

4 Tips for Outdoor Winter Runs | Active.com

I LUUURRRVE the outdoors. Case in point - I went for my run in 15 degree weather. I need all the tips I can get....

A foodie's guide to surviving Christmas

Hehe actually this is not a guide at all. I am very fond of food as a rule. I just feel that you need to compensate. I consumed a fairly large bowl of spaghetti with meatballs not 30 minutes ago. However, I don't feel in the least bit guilty, seeing as I just finished 2 hours of fairly advanced yoga (my entire body will be talking to me tomorrow saying, "what were you thinking?").

Another perfect example is my Thanksgiving fiasco. I ate a tremendous amount of food (enough chestnut stuffing to feed a small country) during Thanksgiving weekend. To compensate I ran just a bit longer each day which for me these days is 4 miles.

Those are the choices you have to make. And it's actually not that difficult a choice. Once you get started, you just need to find that extra 15 minutes. Some people might say, my life is too busy.

I have to say that my last 15 pounds are going to be difficult. I will need to find those 15 minutes each and every day. I will also need to survive Christmas...