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I Committed! 

Three Things Thursday!

1. It's my parent's 37th wedding anniversary today.  Makes me think if I'll ever be married 37 years!  I have to get married first and I'm already 35!  But I had a good example in what a marriage is by looking at my parents and all the good and bad times.  I still see all the love they have for each other, even when times are tough.

2. I joined weight watchers again. For those that don't know my past story, I originally joined WW in may 2007 and ended up losing 90 lbs and hitting my goal weight in June 2010.  I had decided that time to join and go to meetings hoping it would help me stay on track (and it did).  Since "falling off the wagon" a bit and gaining back 30 lbs, I've tried joining WW online twice. I've also tried free apps such as Lose It and My Fitness Pal.  All the tools work great but it never keeps me accountable long term.  What I have found that works for me is money.  And spending money every month to go to the WW meetings keeps me accountable.  So I signed up to go back to the meetings.  I think it's been especially hard to stay on track because there is a constant spread of food at my work, including Donut Wednesday!  Here are a few pictures from this week where we had food Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week.  Updated: We also have food for Thursday because it's someone's birthday.  And know you know why I need Weight Watchers! Ha!

So, wish me luck!  Need to get back down to a more healthy weight. It will help me run better, I'll feel better, and I will feel better about the way I look.

3. I had been going to Crossfit for 1 month since I had a groupon.  The month is over but yesterday we had a special workout for a marine that was killed on 2/19/05.  Some of us pre-ordered shirts and also made donations.  A friend of his created a workout in his memory called "Superman".  And it was! All the numbers in the workout meant something, which made me feel a bit better because when I saw 21 pull ups for 5 rounds, I just about fell over.

2 rope climbs and 19 back squats because he died on 2/19
20 Sit ups and 5 rounds because he died in 2005
21 pull ups because he was 21 years old
(Can't remember what the 15 represents!  Darn!)

And of course they let us modify it.  We had 40 minutes to complete it which is way more than enough time.  I did it in 28:23 (but I did go to the bathroom in the middle, lol).

The rope climbs you can do from a seated position on the group and pull yourself to a standing position, and back down.

The back squats I did with about 53 lbs. But it was almost 100 squats when all was said and done!  Wow!

I did jumping pull ups for my modification because I'm afraid of dislocating my shoulder getting out of the bands.  The other modification is using a band around your foot connected to the bar which helps you get up.  I've done this before but one wrong move getting out and I'll dislocate my shoulder and since we were doing so many and I played it a bit safe since I would be getting tired out and just did jumping pull ups.

Posted by Amanda 4 comments: 
New Things Wednesday!

First, I feel like I'm really slacking in the running department.  It's got to be the weather. It's also got to be that since I'm not training for a full marathon, I'm running less miles, and I'm not used to that!

But it's hump day so let's get on with it! Ok, so I haven't gotten much sleep the last two days...  anyway...

I have a few bits of exciting news!

1. I've decided to join the times and start up a facebook page for my blog. Please like it and share with your friends. :-)

2. I was chosen as an ambassador for the Zooma Chicago half marathon and 10k.  This race is on August 9th and I'm super excited to be a part of it.  I've had friends run it in the past and I've wanted to do it for a few years now.  Be on the lookout for a discount code for this race in the near future!

3. The negative temperatures in Chicago "might" be over soon...  forecasts show it near 50 degrees by next Thursday.  I.Just.Have.No.Words.  It's been too cold for too long.

4. It was my birthday yesterday (Happy Birthday to Me!).  I got a few cool things including two race medal holders (only one was for my birthday) which was long needed as I have been hanging my medals on a metal accordion coat hanger that goes over the door.  Will be happy to use my new ones!  Pictures to come!

Enjoy your hump day everyone!
Posted by Amanda 9 comments: 
January in Review


Running Miles: 63.66
Swim Distance: 850 yards (2 short swim sessions)
Crossfit Days: 4
Strength Training/Cross Training Days: 8
# of Workout Days this month: 20 (65%)

I didn't make any official goals for this year.  I have some "ideas" in my head but I never really listed anything definite.  What do I want to accomplish this year?  Here are some of my ideas.

1. Run 1,000 miles this year.  I don't think I've actually accomplished this since I started tracking 2 years ago.  I got to about 900+ in 2013.  I'm off to a slow start with 63.66 miles run in January.  But with the crazy cold and snowy weather, I'll take it.

2. Lose weight.  I really want to lose weight.  Do I have a specific goal?  I know I'd like to lose a total of 30 lbs but I'd even be happy with 15 or 20 lbs.  Any weight loss will be progress.  That's part of the reason I didn't sign up for a spring full marathon (thankfully because this weather is brutal).  I just can't lose weight during marathon training.  Although, January hasn't been a weight loss month for me.  I need to eat better foods overall.

3. PR my full marathon (?).  I know I shouldn't have a question mark there.  Either do it or don't.  I'm afraid. Very afraid. Haha!  My marathons were less than stellar last year.  Injuries and weight I'm sure had a lot to do with it.  I had troubles that I never had before. Stupid marathons!  So yes, I want to PR my marathon, which I will run in the fall.  Right now, I'm thinking Grand Rapids Marathon in late October.

4. Do more cross-training/strength training days.  Ideally, I'd like to go twice a week.  I did get a groupon for crossfit (one month unlimited) that I've been successfully using!  And I have to say I really like it!  I guess crossfit is a post for another day!  I'll be sad when my groupon is over and I either have to fork over the cash or stop going.

5. Swim at least one day per week (starting Feb) - I had an indoor triathlon yesterday (post to come) and I only swam very briefly two days before this due to my shoulder dislocating about 1 month ago.  But my shoulder was fine during the 15 minutes swim so I think I need to start building my endurance again on the swimming.  I'd like to go 2 days per week even if briefly, but will settle for 1 day as I have SO MUCH working out going on already!  I love swimming.  I need to get back to it.  I need to get a new bathing suit! Haha!  And I need to prepare for my triathlon in June which has a 1/2 mile swim!

6. For February:  Increase the number of workout days/percentage from January.  35% missed workout days seems like A LOT to me.

I think that's all my "ideas" for 2014 so far.  I like my ideas.  I don't think they are unattainable at all.  I might not have specifically pin pointed "weight loss #" or an exact # for other things but what I'm looking for is progress, not perfection.  I don't want to get too tied down on a number and feel like a failure because in October, I've only lost 7 lbs (for an example) and then just give up because I'm not hitting my "goal number".

Happy running!  Hopefully spring makes its way here soon...
Posted by Amanda 5 comments: My name is Amanda. I'm 35 years old.