Gotta have goals!

The one thing I have learned through out this whole process is that I have to set goals.  Whether it is to lose 5 pounds, or to not eat chocolate for a week (something I still struggle with constantly), I need to have something that I can strive for.  I need to have something to push for, as my motivation.

My goal at the start of the year was to start running.  That was a huge deal for me!! I have always hated running! When I was in high school and we had to run the mile, I used to get out of it because I had knee problems.  Now I really did have problems with my knee (I blame the 15 years of dancing) but I could have at least tried, but I didn't, I just got myself out of it.  I was always the kid that chose the least strenuous 'sport' to play in gym. 

So this spring I started running.  I started out by using the Couch to 5k program, but then just started running on my own.  I found that I had a lot more stamina than I thought I would from working out at Next Level.  I knew that I wouldn't get myself to keep running with out a goal (especially once I moved to Jersey), so I signed up for 2 5ks! I ran my first 5k in July; Utica, NY's Boilermaker Road Race. It was my first 5k, I'm not very happy with my time (38:11), but it's something to work on. 

Sprinting to the finish!!

Photo Courtesy of WKTV New Channel 2

I just wanted my finishers pin! 

I am so happy to say that I ran it! I want to improve on my time next year, and then someday I would like to be able to run the 15k...that's a goal I need to work towards.  

I ran my second 5k, and the one that I was most excited for (and nervous about), this weekend.  I ran in the Warrior Dash in Windham, NY! What is the Warrior Dash, you may ask? Well, they describe it as a run "where 12 obstacles from hell await you along this 3.20 mile course" and I think that's a pretty accurate description.  With one thing left out...they don't tell you that it is up a ski mountain! And when I say up, I mean reallllly far up, and steep!! There was a huge group of us from Next Level that went and ran together.

Photo Credit- Cyndi St. James

Have the huge group made it a lot of fun.  I stuck with my friend Christie for the run, and I won't lie that first half mile sucked! But once we started getting to the obstacles, we started to forget about the hill, and then it started going back down.  It was so much fun! I can't wait to do it again.  My goal for next year is to do 3!  I  wasn't running it for time, I just wanted to finish without killing myself.  But next time I'd like to try and push myself more.  But I made it and got my medal!

Here's some of our dirty group at the finish and my sis and I with our shirts, medals and viking hats:

Photo Credit- Cyndi St. James

Sister Warriors!

It was a fantastic weekend, and I am so happy to say that I finished 2 5k's (and I'm registered for 2 more this year!)

Now I just need to set some new goals...I'm thinking of working my way up to be able to run the Boilermaker 15k by 2014, so maybe some 10ks for 2013. Plus, I want to run at least 2, if possible 3, Warrior Dashes in 2013, plus the Mighty Run (more on that later).  The other thing I've thought about training for is to do a triathlon sprint....gotta look into that and figure out some training.

Remember to set those goals and push till you achieve them! You can accomplish anything you set your mind to!!

Me, David and Kristen
Next Level Strong
Beast Mode!

Good choices

Just a quick post.

The biggest thing I've learned on this journey is the importance of making heathy decisions. Because one really does lead to another, and vice versa. When you make a bad decision, to say, eat that cookie at lunch, you're usually more likely to be bad again, at least that's my experience.

Earlier I was at the car dealership waiting for my car to be fixed and I was starving. What are we always faced with in times like this?

I was lucky enough to find this:

Unsalted Trail mix with peanuts, almonds, raisins and sunflower seeds! I was surprised to find it without chocolate! A lot of the time I can usually find nuts, which is always a good alternative to the candy and crap you usually see.

The best thing, and what I used to always do, is always carry something with me. Usually I had almonds (the 100 calorie packs are the best!) If. You want to be able to have something sweet, fruit or dries fruit is always good.(again I loved the Craisin 100 calorie packs)

I've found that if I have myself prepared and with something healthy on hand, I don't usually give in to the temptation.

Hello! Here's My Story!

Where to start?

My name is Heather, I just turned 25 and recently moved from Central NY to New Jersey for a job.

This blog is going to cover my ongoing struggle/journey with weight-loss, nutrition, fitness....and anything else I throw in along the way.  To be honest, this is more for me than anyone else.  I need an outlet, some where to vent my frustrations and to share my victories.  Somewhere I can be brutally honest with myself, and work through things that are bothering me.  My journey began almost a year ago, so I guess I should give you the back story:

I've always been over weight.  It's been an ongoing struggle for as long as I can remember.  I've been up and down, and everywhere in between.  As a result, it's wrecked havoc on my self-esteem.  I was always a shy and quiet person.  Never very outgoing, and extremely nervous around new people.  When I graduated high school I decided to go 4 hours out of state for college.  It was terrifying! But I hoped I could learn to break out of my shell and learn to be outgoing.  When I started college I began to lose weight, I guess the little changes in my diet and daily routine were enough to make a change.  I lost about 30-40 pounds my first semester.  It felt great! I made new friends, joined a sorority and became a lot more self confident.

Photos of me at my high school graduation in 2005 and my Junior year of college (2008).

I had lost weight and I felt good, but I still wasn't healthy.  And despite dancing for 15 years, I was seriously out of shape.  After college I moved back home.  And I began to put the weight back on.  Here is a picture of me at my heaviest in early 2011, I weighed 250 pounds.  

By that summer I knew I needed a change.  The year before my older sister had begun to get healthy.  She was chosen by a local news station doing a fitness challenge for the summer and began working out at a local 'gym'.  (I use that term loosely because Next Level is way more than a gym, but more on that later!) That summer changed my sister's life! She started a membership and stayed on at Next Level, she learned to love fitness (she started running and has done 5, 10 and even a 15k!), eat healthy and gained more self confidence than you could imagine. I knew I needed that.  

In September of 2011, my sister told me they were doing a 1 month buddy contest.  I could join Next Level for a month, partner with her and give it a try.  The gym was Next Level Athletic Performance.  I did bootcamp classes, we did everything from cardio to strength to mobility work.  Basically, I got my ass kicked on a daily basis! And it was the best thing that has ever happened to me! In my first 2 weeks, I dropped about 5 pounds and 6 inches, 4 inches in my hips alone! But Next Level wasn't just a gym, it was a family.  Everyone there, from Steve the owner to the trainers, to the other bootcampers, they were there to support you in anything you did.  And everyone felt so welcome and at home. I chose to stay on and got a full membership after that first month. We did fun little challenges from time to time to keep everyone going.  My favorite was the 'Dream Jeans' where everyone bought a pair of jeans a size small than they wore, and in 3 weeks went from:

Next Level was the best thing that could have happened to me, it made me love working out (something I had always hated) and taught me to eat healthy.  But above all that, I grew to have a lot more self confidence, and feel like I can accomplish anything. I began running, and in July I ran my first 5k! I'm registered for 3 more this year, including the Warrior Dash in a little over a week!

About 3 months ago I got a new job and moved down to New Jersey.  I left my home, my family and friends, and I left Next Level.  I'm on my own, I lost my support system.  Yes, I know they are all still there when I need them, and they all offer tons of support over Facebook.  But it's not the same.  

Now is the challenge of doing this on my own.  I know I have the skills, and the knowledge.  But it's hard.   I was doing great when I first came down, and lost another 10 pounds, I'm now down to 178, and I wear a size 12.  This is the smallest I have ever been! 

Running the Boilermaker 5K July 2012

But the past few weeks have been rough.  I finally moved into an apartment (had been living with a friend) and I've been a little homesick.  Need less to say the first thing that went was my nutrition... I'm human like everyone else and have my big weaknesses, the foods I turn to when I'm sad, overwhelmed, or stressed.  The past 2 weeks have been all three, so I turned to my favorites, including anything Buffalo Chicken, in this case pizza,  and chocolate, but not just any chocolate, Nutella! 

Yesterday I had an epiphany and realized I have worked too damn hard to screw this all up.  So I came home from work and threw it away...

I haven't found a gym yet I want to join, I'm looking for places with bootcamp classes similar to what I was doing.  I have a few places in mind and plan on giving them a try this month.

So that's my story.  I hope to be able to post updates here regularly, from my weight to my thoughts, to my workouts or recipes I like...whatever I feel relates. Hopefully I'll be back soon!