The Challenge Is Officially Over

Well, we wrapped up the 100 Day Heart Challenge last night with a celebration dinner, and we found out our results.  I lost 11.5 pounds, and although I didn't lose as much weight as I had wanted, I had two really great things happen:

• I lost 10.5" around my waist - Paul Brown and I tied for the most inches lost around our waists.
• I increased my HDL (the good cholesterol) by 10 points, which is very great almost unheard of in challenges past.  There were several of us who made great improvements in this area, including Janice who increased her HDL by 16 points!

This heart challenge has been such a great, rewarding experience.  I've been blown away by my fellow contestants and by their desires to become healthier.  I've been so amazed by the progress people have made with their triglyercides and with their cholesterol levels.  This has been a real eye opener for me.  I've literally witnessed people no longer needing medication for cholesterol, for diabetes, etc. 

I'm not saying it was easy for anyone, but it only took less than 100 days to make this happen.  I hope everyone catches the vision.  Isn't your health worth it?

Thanks to our great cardiac team Traci, Maria, and all!

Say It Ain't So...The 100 Days Are Over (After Sat's Run)

This morning was a bittersweet one for me.  I and all of the other 100 Day Heart Challenge Participants weighed in, took measurements, and had our blood drawn.  These factors along with blogging and along with reporting to Traci each week are our "measurement of success", however we won't get the results until Tuesday.  I'm disappointed in the fact I've only lost 10 pounds (at least according to my home scale), but I'm very happy with how strong and with how fit I feel I've become. 

Part of me is relieved to have the challenge over, but another big part of me is worried about no longer having a trainer and about not have to report weekly to Traci.  I'm worried about making a backward slide; what can I say I just love food, and I love cooking.  The nutrition classes were helpful, and I'm really hoping I can get better at intuitive eating, so I won't fall back into old habits.

I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to compete in this challenge.  I know I was very lucky to have had this program.  I was extremely lucky to be paired up with a great fitness trainer who always knew how to push me to my limits.  I appreciated the comradery I felt from the other participants; it was comforting for me to know the others were like me and it wasn't a cake walk for anybody.  Everyone worked really hard towards their goals.

I'm looking forward to the closing dinner on Tuesday night where we will be presented with our results...if I'm brave enough I may just share my results on this blog.

Is It Too Late?

Do you think it's too late to lose 10 more pounds between now and next Friday morning when I weigh in?  JK.  Ugh, I'm not really losing weight, but I do feel really good.  I'm so thrilled to have had this opportunity.  I've loved working out in the wellness center, and I've been so lucky to have Alex Morgan for a personal trainer.  It's been great to see all of the other heart challenge participants working so hard, which helps to keep me motivated!

Mt. Nebo 1/2 Marathon - Saturday, September 10, 2011

My amazing trainer Alex ran the Nebo Half Marathon with me.   This is a picture of us before the race started.

It was a beautiful fall morning.  I was so glad to have run this race.  It was a huge challenge especially after declining 3,300 feet, then running gradual hills for three miles; but Alex was by my side every step of the way.  It was truly a rewarding experience. 

This is a picture of Alex and I after we finished:

A memorable day to say the very least...I am still super sore!  I also have to give a big props to my ipod shuffle, which had some great, inspirational, eclectic music.  My favorite tunes of the day:

1. It Keeps You Runnin' - Doobie Brothers
2. Live A Little, Love A Lot - Kenny Chesney
3. Sad But True - Metallica
4. Message of Love - Journey
5. Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin

Wish Me Luck

The 100 Day Heart Challenge has not been super easy for me as of lately.  My job is very demanding and is very stressful this time of year, which generally means missing a few workouts and stress eating:(  I have missed a few workouts, and I have eaten my fair share of bad food over the past three weeks.  However, I am proud to say I've stayed true to running my long runs on Saturday mornings, and I've stayed true to my goal of attempting to run a half marathon. 

I signed up for the first annual Nebo Half Marathon, which is this upcoming Saturday morning.  I'm really looking forward to completing this run, but I know it's gonna hurt.  This past Saturday I ran 10 miles, which is the most I've run during this challenge, and it wasn't easy.  So when you wake up on Saturday morning and if you think about it, then please send me your positive vibes.  I'll need all the luck I can get!

I've been so thankful to be a part of this heart challenge as I feel like I've regained my old self.  I feel much happier with me and a lot more confident.

Things Are Looking Up

I'm almost finished with budgets, which means I won't need to miss any more of my workouts.  I actually hate to miss a workout especially when I miss due to too much work, so I'm glad budgets are almost finished.  I haven't really lost a ton of weight, but that's ok because I had three people today tell me I sure have lost a lot of weight!  It was just what I needed to hear to get me through my slump.  I'm really hoping I'm just a solid mass of heavy muscle...which is why my scale isn't lowering as quickly as I'd like.  A girl can dream can't she.

 I have had a pretty good week dispite missing a couple workouts.  I reached a running milestone.  I was able to run all the way up the Summit Ridge hill by my house without stopping.  No joke, the hills like a mile long, and it is brutal.  I've never made it before without stopping about half way.  I had my ipod on and ironically the Doobie Brother's song "It Keeps You Running" came on.  This song mixed with mental images of Forest Gump running across the country kept me running!

Cheers to the weekend.

The Time Is Flying By Way Too Quickly

Well, I haven't lost as much weight as I would like at this point in my heart challenge.  However, I received so many compliments this past weekend from friends and family about how much better I'm looking.  I'll take that any day!  I've decided to skip the scale, so I focus on becoming strong/fit - not a number.

I feel extremely fortunate to have a great trainer - Alex is the best.  He motivates me and pushes me to my limits.  I will miss him once this challenge is over.  He's helped me to be able gain my running confidence.  I was able to successfully complete a 10K a few saturdays ago when Santaquin had its Orchard Days.

Currently, my job has been very demanding and stressful.  I'm learning how to deal with that without turning to food.  I haven't always been successful, but I've always been able to get myself back on track.  I'm learning how to be kind to myself - I've always been so hard on myself.  If I've ever made a food mistake or if I've skipped an exercise then I've told myself I've ruined myself permanently.  I'm now more realistic, and I know that one or two bad days isn't the end all.