Week 2: Choose the Shoes

I weigh 166 pounds. Two pounds down… not too bad!

This isn’t a diet. I’m not eating breath mints for lunch. I’m just simply being more aware of how much I eat and how much exercise I do. I still enjoy a lot of the foods I ate before this contest. I still drink pop (soda) and beer, but just less of it. I use the bulk of my lunchtime to exercise on the treadmill in Asbury’s Fitness Suite.

And as you may be able to tell from the photo above, I finally got new shoes… with the right orthotics! This happened because my supervisor, Audrey, (who is a coach for Team in Training) took me to Fleet Feet herself. (She didn’t believe I would go there myself.) She’s a regular there and knew they would be able to help me get exactly what I needed. I ended up getting a pair of Brooks Adrenalines. If you’re a runner, you probably know all about them. If you’re a Simpsons fan, think Assassins.

The shoes (and orthotics) really make the difference. I was able to complete a 30 minute walk/run without feeling like death. And I traveled a distance of nearly two miles!

No Powerthirst necessary!

So here’s me in the middle of Week 2…

And the Fitness Specialists at work have been very helpful. Every time they see me using a machine incorrectly or doing something wrong, they’re quick to assist!

At this rate, I may actually run this year’s Golden Mile!

I’m feeling good.

Week 1: The Weight is Over

I weigh 168 pounds.

If you’ve been in touch with me over the last few weeks, you probably know how eager I am to start this Choose 2 Lose competition. And if you’re familiar with my other blog, you probably have an idea on my relationship with fitness and exercise. It ain’t pretty.

I never used to be like this. When I was 17, I was five feet of twisted steel and sex appeal. My friends and I lifted weights in the back yard and played basketball in the grass. Real city kid stuff. My muscles had muscles and I wore a tight red tank top to show off my sculpted physique. I was at my physical prime and didn’t even realize it. If you’re my age or older, I’m sure you can relate. Life was very different at 17. But this is no Zac Efron movie.

Fast forward to today. I work full time, five days a week. I’m married and have a little girl (and another on the way). Summertime? Those three months seem to go by in a few weeks. I’m busy. I have commitments, responsibilities and bills. I’m 30. I have an adult life. And I now look like this…

You won’t see my black and white photo in front of Abercrombie & Fitch.

I know.  I’m not totally out of shape. And I’m well aware there are people in far worse condition than me. But I don’t want to get to that point either. I think I’m at a point where my weight and physique are manageable. But I have to start now.

I’ve been told by two different fitness professionals that I’ll have to run in order to slim down. Running was no problem at 17, but my 30^th year leaves me susceptible to foot pain (thanks to flat feet) and lack of stamina. The pros tell me that I’ll have to work my way up to the point of running… probably start by walking, follow up by briskly walking, continue by Mt. Lebanon-mom-walking and persist with jogging before I can start running. I’m told that I’ll have to challenge my body every so often in order to lose my tubby tummy.

I’m going to use the Fitness Suite at work daily beginning tomorrow. I was hoping to start today, but I just had too many meetings and couldn’t devote a solid 30 minutes. On the way home, I noticed a lot of people running up and down Bower Hill Road, taking advantage of the nice weather. Will I ever be like them? Only time will tell.

I’m told the first few weeks are the hardest. We shall see.

The Road to Wellness Kickoff

Today was the big Road toWellness Kickoff at work, and I was signing people up for the Choose 2 Lose challenge!

 A few of us played Just Dance 4 on Wii.

 And there was a pretty impressive salad bar.

And I met up with my team:  Lean Squirrels (think Mean Girls). Our motto is “We’re Mean Cause We’re Hungry!”

 And speaking of being hungry, my new salad diet is leaving me a little hungry in the afternoons. I think I may have to “beef” it up a little.

The first weigh-in is next week… and so is the next post! See you then!