2.0! Well, 2.02.

I was determined to get the 2 mile jog in today, so I could try to fit another one in next week before the end of January.  I slowed down the pace to a 12:45 mile, but I got the 2 miles in! The distance and endurance was more important today than the pace.  Now that I got that in, I can keep adding to it, and work on the time as I go.  Good way to end the week!

I have...Runners block

Ok, so I'm not even sure "runner's block" is a real term, but it sounds good in my head.  I have a goal to jog 2 continuous miles by the end of January, so I can stay on schedule for my 10k in June.  All I have to do is add 1 mile each month after that.  Sounds easy, right?
Well, I have tried twice this week to push the 2 miles.  I just can't get past 1.5 miles.  I should be happy and excited about that, right?  I mean, just 3 weeks ago I couldn't even do a quarter mile without stopping.  I need to find a way to break through this block.  I'm going to try again Friday night.  And if that doesn't work, I have 2 days off this weekend, then 2 more days next week to meet my goal.


Step up Brad!  Time to get it done!

Inspiration

So, part of my inspiration to get healthy and fit, besides me wanting to do it, was this last push by a video I saw online.  Ben Davis of Ben Does Life started jogging one day.  He kept jogging, and eventually lost 120 pounds.  You can see his video by clicking here. So anyway, after working on this for more than 3 weeks now, I wanted to order one of the shirts so I could wear it for the Bellin Run in June!  It came in the mail today!  Not a good pic, but here is is! Yay!

Back to it!

So I've had a cold for the last few days, and I had to take 4 days off from working out.  That felt terrible!  I wanted to start the week out on a good note today, so I decided to dress it up a bit.  It worked! I had a good day, and got back to the gym!  That felt great!  I did my back, biceps, abs, 20 minutes on the elliptical and 20 minutes on the bike.

Motivation

So I'm now 3 weeks into my official program of working out and practicing a vegan diet. (minus no workouts for the last 4 days because I've been sick)
How am I keeping myself motivated?  Well, different things work for different people I guess.  For me, I keep going back to this photo from October 2005, the day I adopted Montey. Although I like this pic because it shows the immediate bond Montey and I had, I dislike it because it clearly shows how unhealthy I have been, for a long time.  This is me at my worst.  312 pounds. (at least I think It's my worst, I didn't weigh myself regularly).  I never want to look or feel like this again, not even close to it!

Another thing that keeps me motivated is the changes in my body, my mood, and my energy level.  I feel like I have more energy, that I'm in a better mood and more lively. I see the changes, and feel them as I wear my clothes, or shower.  And when I'm at the gym, I pick the elliptical in front of the window instead of the tv. This way, I see my reflection in the window as I work out, and I use that as motivation to keep going!


I've got a long way on my journey, but I'm excited to see where I'm at so far.
What keeps you motivated?

Project: 365 - 2 month update

Tomorrow marks 2 months since my birthday, and the date I started my Project 365 picture a day. I know I said I wasn't going to (or try not to) post any face pictures until my 37th birthday, but I was curious to see if I've changed at all in that time.  Some people at work tell me I look slimmer, but I guess I don't really see it as easily.  So here goes.  The top picture is day one, November 19, 2011 and the bottom picture is today, January 18, 2012.  I guess you can see more of my ears in the second picture, so that's a good thing, right? Hopefully that extra chin will start disappearing! :)

Quinoa

Tonight's dinner:  Quinoa Pilaf and sauteed broccolini (baby broccoli).  Good stuff.