I planned to top last week’s mileage. I planned to get in a good run after work yesterday. I planned to get in a long run and some weights in today.

Then this happened.

I rarely get sick anymore. I eat very well and have a dedicated fitness routine. I have major endorphins on my side. And as the great Elle Woods said in Legally Blonde,

”… Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t. “

I think these endorphins also keep you healthy! They’ve managed to keep me healthy for quite some time, but they were no match for the germs I must have been breathing in all over our house. Hubby caught a bad cold and I most certainly got it from him. But I have no plans to shoot him of course; he didn’t mean it.

I just cannot stand when I’m not able to work out, though. This even has me questioning myself…”Who ARE you? What have you done with Cherie?”

I know rest days are important to my body. My muscles get the chance to grow and the body repairs itself so I’m able to do it all over again. I used to live for rest days. I’d wake up and think, “Woo hoo! I don’t have to workout today!!” But somehow along the way it changed to me waking up and thinking, “Woo hoo! I get to workout today!!”

I live for that sweaty sensation that have after a good run. After weights and squats and pushups. After hot yoga. That feeling that I’ve accomplished something major and have put myself one step closer to my goal.  But since this weekend all I’m feeling is a sweaty sensation from a slight fever, I’m taking the two rest days and focusing on getting over this cold/flu thingie. If there was any way I could hop on my treadmill and at least get in a good incline walk I would. But I’m so woozy I’d probably fall off. I wish I were one of those people that could still workout through sickness. But that I am not. I know how I am and it always sets me way back.

I’ll just have my chicken noodle soup and tea and watch some football.

Please excuse my sick, no make up, hair in a bun self.

I’m going with the Giants as you can see. At least since my STEELERS aren’t in it I won’t have to drive myself into a tizzy being nervous for them today.

Now back to my soup, tea, relaxing and getting back to normal. With rest and good meds, here’s to being back to up and running tomorrow!

Do you workout when you’re sick? Push through it or wait until you’re well?

I don’t believe in food rewards because I’m not a dog, but on this occasion I gave in.

See? It’s just some Greek Yogurt. A totally fabulous food reward if there ever was one. These new flavors of Chobani are the bomb diggity and they help with my sweet cravings and random 4pm snack attacks. I like them all but the Passion Fruit is my FAVE. So today I went back and stocked up on that flavor in particular. Some may find the seeds in it a bit peculiar, but I like the crunchy surprises in every bite!

I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t treat myself to a few workout clothes to celebrate the weight loss, so on to my second and real reward.

I had coupons in addition to my employee discount, thank you very much, so these were steals! And sorry Dick’s, I actually got the Nike Sports Bra at Marshall’s. I saw it in there on the clearance rack for $10. Compared to the regular $30 it would’ve been, I couldn’t pass it up! And sorry to my particular Dick’s store, as I had to get the sweatshirt at a different one across town. I’ve been looking everywhere for this yellow sweatshirt and my store didn’t have it. Plus it was sold out online in every size but XS! I needed a medium and was happy to track it down. It’s so bright and cheery and just makes you happy so I could see why! The pink running tights were just tossed in for the hot factor.

Speaking of pink and running tights, I snapped a quick pic in the bathroom of one of the stores while I was out. It dawned on me that the exact outfit I was wearing will soon be something that would be okay to wear to work per the new dress code! {Minus the Victoria’s Secret Pink Hoodie, for which I’d substitute a Nike one of course.} And why have I never put running shorts over tights before? {Haha, I guess because I never run outside…} The look is sooooo cute and totally comfortable!

But before I went out shopping today, I decided to don my progress-measuring-outfit to see how things were coming along. I know I’ve lost 75 pounds but I still like to see what it looks like on film. To reeeeally know.  My outfit is pretty ugly, but I like to keep wearing the same thing in these photos to get a better idea. The shirt is always the same, but I usually just wear black or dark pants with it.

OH–and please excuse my face/hair. I am a hot mess in these pictures!! I can really tell a difference, though. I’m my harshest critic, so when I actually see a difference, it must be a big deal!

In the first pic on the left, that was AFTER I had been working out for one year! Yeah, this has definitely been a slooooow process but I really do think it’s for the best.

I like taking these progress pics because I can see exactly where I’ve been and where I need to go. RE: What still needs to be toned!! I’ve still got quite a bit of work to do, so I look forward to the next set of progression shots!

Do you reward yourself for reaching milestones? What do you do?

When I looked at the scale this morning, I just stood there staring down at the number. Did it really just say what I think it said? I hopped off and then hopped back on just to be sure.

It shouldn’t have come as much of a shock because as I’ve said many times before, I’m one of those who weighs herself every day. EVERY day. It’s old hat now. Part of what I just do and it works for me. First thing in the morning, I strip completely nude and then get on the scales. Yes, I have two. An old-school one and one that is digital. {I bought the digital mid-journey, but I still kept the other one since I have that original number of 230 with a red arrow pointing to it emblazoned in my mind and I like to see myself getting further and further away from it. I never want to forget.} So yes, I knew I’d hit this milestone soon, but it was no less impressive.

It’s a pretty cool feeling to think of where I started and how far I’ve come. It was also pretty cool to be in the grocery store yesterday, run into an old coworker and then have to convince him I was me. “You lost so much weight! I couldn’t even figure out who you were for a minute.” That’s pretty darn kick ass to hear stuff like that.

But even cooler and more kick ass than that?

Hearing that I inspired someone.

I have the most amazing people out there that are cheering me on. Some I’ve known for years; some I’ve never met in person. I often hear from some of these people that they’re so moved by what I’ve done, they want to do it, too. I’m not some famous celebrity that had a personal trainer working her out or a personal chef preparing her meals. I’m just an Average Jane that was sick and tired of being sick and tired and took steps to make a change and succeeded. Sometimes it’s all the world of difference knowing someone “in the real world” that did it. You start to think, “Hey, if she did it, I believe I can, too.”

I’m not sure how people are finding me or my little ‘ol blog, but I’ve been getting a lot of emails recently from folks out there who are ready to go on their own weight loss journey and I’ve inspired them to do so. I’m never reticent, but I cannot tell you what that means to me. These emails/comments/tweets/messages make me cry the happiest tears ever. Heck, I’ve stopped typing this three times now to wipe my eyes because I’m just thinking about the words I’ve read.

As I always say back to each one of you, thank you for telling me that. And I’m just paying forward the inspiration I took from others when I was just beginning. Take mine and run with it!!!!!

–OH–speaking of running….Yeah, I pushed that 7 button today. Yes indeedy I did.

Granted, I only ran 3/10 of a mile at 7 mph, but I still did it! This speed thing is kinda fun. Who knew?! I also did 4 miles. What the what? But I always stop at 3.1… Nope–not today! All this talk about speed that I see on Twitter, I thought, “Hey, why not?”

You’re never too far along in your journey to take inspiration from someone.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I couldn't photograph ALL of my Nike or you'd really think I was obsessed...

I’ve loved Nike for the longest time, but it wasn’t until I felt worthy of my sportiness that I started donning it. Oh and do I feel worthy now! I’m all about some Just Do It mantra in my life.

I apply it to everything and have been since I started my very first workout on this weight loss journey. It was rough, ROUGH, to exercise at first. Especially that first couple of weeks. I worked out and worked out and worked out. Saw no changes. Nothing happening. It was amazingly frustrating. But even way back then, I kept saying, “Cherie, just do it. Just Do It.” Thank goodness for those three little words, huh?

Three other little words from Nike? Make It Count.

This new mantra was posed to us at the beginning of the year. They asked, “How will you #makeitcount in 2012?”

Since then, not only have I been tweeting #makeitcount all over Twitterville, I’ve been saying it during each and every workout. Because after all, if I’m not going to give it my all during everysingleworkout, what’s the point? I want each of them to count. Big Time. Just like everybody else, I have a busy life. I choose {And don’t get me started on the people that say they don’t have time to workout. It’s a choice. Make a choice to have time and you will. There are a lot of hard working mamas out there who fit it in! Yes, you, Melissa, are one of them! So it CAN be done.} to make time for my workouts and make them über high on my list of priorities, sometimes leaving little room for other things. So I see little reason to lollygag around with my fitness sessions. I want sweat pouring down my back, sports bra and capris sticking to my body, heart making me feel alive and the feeling that I just kicked some serious booty.

Yessiree, that’s the kind of sweat I’m talking about! And when I Just Do It and Make It Count, the sweat just comes naturally.

Also, coming naturally to me, is my inevitable way of making my rounds to the Nike sections at work. {I mean, I have to get to know the other departments of course, right? I want to be a well-rounded Dick’s employee. } I swear, if I weren’t the Fitness Trainer there, I’d snatch up the position of the store’s Nike Brand Coordinator in a heartbeat! On yesterday’s rounds I found these cool kicks:

And I then needed to “product test” them to ensure I can be knowledgeable about their fit.

Hmmm...which one????

So now I can say with confidence that these are THE most comfortable Nike’s I’ve ever worn. Like buttah! And nooooo, I did not buy them. This was a test, only a test. But you know they’re on the list now! The word on the street is that shortly we’ll be doing away with the standard green polo/khaki pants uniform and allowed to wear the clothes we sell. OH HAPPY DAY!! You know I’m gonna be prepared for that!

The clothes, the look, the fit, the mantras and the positive, inspirational feelings I get are what keep me loyal to be a Nike woman. Their marketers have me believing that I can don this stuff and be a great athlete. That’s their job! And congratulations to them because, doggone it, I sure do feel like I could be! Heck. Everyone buys into something. If you buy your gear at Walmart, then more power to you! Do your thing, girl. I know the clothes won’t exercise for you, duh, but  I say whatever gets you motivated to workout and keep going is never a bad thing. When I put on my tight, black leggings or my little booty Pro Combat shorts, I feel like I’m hot. And if I’m hot, I can run that extra mile and be even hotter.

What’s your go-to mantra to get you through a hard workout?

**Oh, and believe me, these were my opinions. Nike didn’t paid me for ‘em. Again, it’d be nice to be paid in clothes and shoes, but yeah, umm, I won’t hold my breath. I need it too much when I’m running.

Reason numero uno: I’ve run a total of 12.9 miles this week! Well, mostly ran. There was a little bit of walking involved as I did a lot of HIIT. My goal was to beat last week, where I logged 11.8 miles, and I did!

Annnnd 1836 calories zapped!

I’m guessing that mileage may not sound like a lot to some of you, but before I started seriously keeping track with my new Polar FT7 heart rate monitor, I’d average maybe 4 or 5 miles a week, tops. I’d run one mile and tell myself, “Wooohooo, I’m hardcore!’ Maybe that was hardcore for me at the time, but with the new year, it was time to step up my game. Whenever I get on my treadmill {or actually venture to the park or trail} I want to make sure I’m running about 95% of the time!

The other reason I was still keeping the mileage so low is that I didn’t want to re-aggravate the stress fracture/injury from last May. Yesssssssss, I’m still concerned about it. It’s healed, but every now and again after cranking out a few miles, some tenderness appears. So I’m at a steady pace for increasing my miles, but also making sure to take it easy if the leg tells me to. No injuries in 2012 for me!!

Reason number two: Remember when I accidentally hit the “6″ button on my treadmill and forced myself to run at 6mph and I liked it and I successfully did it? Well, yesterday I purposely typed in 6.5 mph! Baby steps, here, but it worked! I couldn’t get the picture of Shalene Flanagan, Desiree Davila and Kara Goucher crossing the finish line at the Olympic Trials out of my mind while I was running. I thought, “If they can run 26.2 miles so effortlessly, I can surely crank out some miles and push myself to a higher speed and see what happens.” My main thought was, “OMG. Holy Jeeeeeze, this is fast. $#!&!!!” But I did it for a little bit and was okay!

Reason #3: I was looking for some new khaki pants to wear to Dick’s. I constantly have to pull up my size 8′s every time I bend over to stock weights, move fitness equipment, etc., so I figured it was time for some new ones. I tried on a pair of 6′s and they fit! Holla!!! But I talked myself out of buying them because I thought I wanted a wee bit more room in them. So I bought another 8. And of course those 8′s started falling down and drooping. Next time, I’m getting the 6′s!

Also, I’m 1 pound away from a 75lb overall weight loss! Holla again!!!

Reason 4: My Women’s Running Magazine {Nov/Dec. 2011 issue} outfit is complete! I mentioned the other day that I had ordered a few things from Running Skirts.com for a certain reason. And yes, the reason is because in this issue:

on the very last page called “Parting Shot” I saw this picture:

From the first glance I was in running attire Heaven! I had to have the shoes, socks and skirt. I also liked that she was 34. I was like, “Hey, same age, same outfit. It’s meant to be.” I’m weird and make up reasons to have certain items, okay, haha. I tracked the shoes down, which I wrote about the other day, yet STILL need to review {they are soooo amazing; it’ll be glowing} which turned out to be Newton’s. And then I got the socks and skirt from Running Skirts.

They have several different skirts, some are specifically running and some are for other sports. The running skirts only had large in this kind and I actually needed a smaller size! {I’m still not used to that yet.} This particular one I ordered is called a triathlon skirt. There aren’t any shorts/panties underneath, but I’m going to wear some of my short black compression shorts under it. Anyhoooo, I love it and can’t wait to go running in it {yessss, outside on a trail!}. If you like running in skirts/knee high compression socks, I totally recommend them!

So that’s it. Pretty cool week for some pretty cool fit reasons. I look forward to meeting this week’s goals and new accomplishments! {But no more clothes/shoes. I think I’m good until I drop the next 10 pounds. }

It’s mid-January–How are your fitness goals going? What are you looking forward to accomplishing in the week ahead?

Next year, my sexy, sexy, Ben. Next year!!!!

Anyhow.

I was ridiculed at work on Monday due to this loss. The guys had a blast verbally ripping me and my team to shreds. I started to feel like this was the end of the end. Melancholy. Crestfallen. Dejected. Will life go on? Will I make it to Pre-Season in August??? I was in pretty much the worst mood ever until I got home and saw a special surprise waiting for me.

Yay! There IS life after being Tebowed. I got Newton Terra Momentus Trail Running Shoes!!! You know that I’m am crazy-loyal to my treadmill and rarely run outside. But when I do venture outdoors, I like to run on a trail around a lake. Now, I’m not the type to buy shoes to wear on a run that will only happen every three months, so I first wanted to make sure that I could wear these off trail–and I can. They have these little “lugs” at the bottom which are specifically there to help me strike mid-foot. I hope it works! I’ll blog again about them after I’ve worn them for a bit. But I love the color and the feel/comfort is amazing. I did a lot of research for the past two months on them and everyone was correct about ordering a 1/2  size up.

I ordered the shoes from Running Skirts. In a few days I’ll explain what made me order from there exactly, but you’ll have to wait. So while on their site I saw that the shoes were 25% off!! Holla!! Newton’s aren’t the cheapest shoes, so this was a great deal. They also tossed in a free pair of purple compression socks which were an amazing bonus! I already was planning on ordering the aqua ones, so now I have two sets!

Man, do these socks compress!! I only had them on for a little bit last night just to test them out while I was sitting at my computer desk and they were working away! I think they’ll feel pretty darn awesome while running…again, I’ll get back to you on that!

I also realized that I need to do a lot more cross-training. I’m kicking butt with the running/cardio, but not so much on the yoga/strength training/etc… so, enter my Trainermat!

I found this steal at Marshall’s for totally cheap! It comes with a DVD and 24 core/ab exercises are printed right on the mat! We sell one like this at Dick’s that’s for yoga, but I had never seen this one before. I can’t wait to test out some of the moves after my run today! Speaking of run, I logged 11.8 miles last week! That’s a lot for me, haha. I’ll try to best it this week!

One last fun thing that was waiting for me in the mailbox yesterday was my PB2.

Have any of you tried this before? I was lured in by the 85% less calories, I must admit. It’s peanut butter in powder form–you take 2 tablespoons of this powder, plus 1 tablespoon of water, mix together and Taa-Daaa–you have peanut butter! Kind of. I tried it on piece of wheat toast and it was decent enough. I think I’ll like it better in protein shakes–it’d probably be awesome in there. Otherwise, I’ll just stick to my regular natural PB for other things.

All this happy, fun chat about fitness/healthy stuff and I’m feeling better already! {A little bit…} Whilst I’m still heartbroken over my STEELERS, I will fill my void with exercise–one of my other favorite past times.

So–have you ever run in Newton’s? Tried this PB2 yet?

Hubs totally needed to increase his veggie/fruit consumption and I just wanted to have a quicker, healthier way to get my micronutrients directly. The juicer was going to be the answer to our dilemma. So far it is!! I’m loving this thing and greatly enjoying the crazy messes we’re creating as we have couple cooking time. {Or blending time, whatev.} Here are some pics of our juicing escapades!

The movie that gave us the idea...so good!!

Sometimes we try to create something like this...it's totally yummy!

All the yummy fruits & veggies....

The blueberries stained my hands. I looked like a killer!

Finally--some juice!

Tons of pulp leftover for composting!

Taa-daa!! We have a glass of Mean Green!

The finished products! A purple, a green & an orange. So yumtastic!

So there we have it folks! Super yummy, healthy and tasty sweet treats. We don’t really have any set recipes other than the one from the movie above, or else I’d type it in here for you! But most of the fun is just tossing in whatever we have and making a new creation each time!

Do you have a juicer? What kinds of creations do you like to whip up?

Nope, today it was funny that I accidentally hit the number 6 button {mph} and suddenly something happened. In my mind I previously pictured anything above 5 miles an hour turning into the scene from I Love Lucy where the chocolate bon-bons would come flying down the conveyor belt, but only I would be the chocolate bon-bon and the belt was my treadmill.

Haha, I love the sign behind them.

The funny thing that happened is that I liked 6mph. I didn’t fly against the wall behind me. My leg didn’t snap. My feet didn’t fall off. The alarm on my heart rate monitor didn’t start beeping out of control. Nothing happened that I had been afraid of happening all along. Instead, what did happen is that I really, really liked it. I didn’t immediately hit the stop button or try to slow down. I could keep up. My legs felt strong. The time passed so much quicker. I burned a sh*tload of calories in a little amount of time. And I FELT like a runner.

Now, we get on the topic of “feeling like a runner” a lot here in Bloggerville. What makes you feel like a runner and when and why…etc. For me, I am a runner because I run. As I said before, I don’t run races–so that won’t make me feel like a runner. I rarely run outside–so that won’t make me feel like a runner. I have no aspirations to train for a marathon or join a running club–so that won’t make me feel like a runner either. Like I said, I’m a runner because I run–period. But a fast runner? That I have never been.

Some may scoff at my 6mph. Months from now, I may even scoff at my 6mph. But today, today friends, it’s the best feeling in the world. I just want to go find my P.E. teacher from junior/high school and say, “Haa! Haa!! Look at me now! Eat my dust! Dare you give me a D in gym class and call me slow!!” But this day isn’t for her. It’s for me and my own personal satisfaction that I can continue to amaze myself and do what I think I can’t do. Either on purpose, or such as today, by accident.

I like the term "personal best" better than PR anyhow!

Yes, so today was a personal best for me. And it’s only January 3rd. Holla!!! I had to break out this bag and take a picture of it. I found it at a thrift store about 2 years ago but never used it. I’ve done so many splendid fitness-related things in that amount of time, but never really felt like I earned any special running creds to tote it around. But not anymore! I suppose just progressing to running from walking was good enough, but that thing called “speed” was always like a money attached to my back, weighing {and slowing} me down. Even though fast runners probably don’t consider 6mph fast at all, I do, at least for right now. So go me, breaking a barrier!!

I still need to compile a list of goals for 2012 on paper, but mentally I knew this was one of them. It’s great to check it off and work on a new one!

Are you working on achieving any personal bests this year?

Before we left the house, hubby snapped a photo of me in my birthday outfit. Yes, that’s a pink ribbon saying “Birthday Girl.”

These Anthropologie shorts are like, my fave things evahhhh!

Again, I’m still amazed at how different I look from last year on my birthday!

After we left the house, our first point of destination was the Red Oak Brewery. Yummmm…beer.

Haha, so true.

Hubby, not double-fisting--just holding my brew.

After the tour, and sampling the deeelicious brewskis, we headed over to Sephora to get my free birthday gift.

The sales associate gave me not one, but TWO bottles of the Happy Birthday, Beautiful from Philosophy. She said she had extra and since I came in on my actual birthday, she’d give me another one. Score! This stuff smells like the most amazing cake ever!

After a few other random errands, and a quick pitstop at home, we then headed to Chapel Hill for dinner. Destination: Talullah’s–amaaaazing.

We had the coziest little, tucked away booth!

Appetizer...

Dinner. I can't even pronounce the Turkish words for it...but it was great!

We were full and happily delighted. I forgot my coupon for a free birthday drink at Caribou Coffee, so we went home to have some there…along with my mystery cake that hubby made and decorated for me. I was excited to finally see it…

Is this not the cutest cake ever?! There's even a little Ben Roethlisberger on it!!

I wasn’t sure what the theme would be, but I figured it was a toss up between fitness and Steelers, lol. I’m happy with how it turned out! So cute AND delicious!

So that’s it. Thanks for taking a little stroll with me down birthday lane! Any big birthday plans or surprises for you or yours this year?

That’s what I did.

I was one of those people who made it my New Year’s Resolution to start working out. To get healthy. To lose weight. Yup, January 1, 2010. I woke up and decided to put one foot in front of the other on my treadmill and get moving. What people don’t know is that I also decided that a year earlier in January of 2009. I started off working out and getting healthy for the first three months of the year. I was doing well, but then life majorly got in the way. It was the worst year of my life and sh*t happened. I didn’t get a promotion, my mother got cancer, my mother died of cancer, I herniated my lumbar disc, I got fired because I couldn’t work, and I gained about 40 pounds. WORST. YEAR. EVER. So yeah, all of that threw me off of my game. Physically I couldn’t work out {for at least part of the year} and mentally I just wasn’t all there {because of my mother}.

Come December 2009 I knew that I needed to put that whole year behind me and start fresh. I did some serious thinking and planning that month and decided that in January of 2010, I would be one of those Januarians, but I would also be a Februarian, Marcharian, Aprilarian, etc…you get it. I was going to keep it up, finish what I started the year before and no matter what it took, I would keep that New Year’s Resolution.

So I did. I’ve gone slow and steady, even managed to keep it up through a stress fracture in my leg last year. But I’m doing it:

January 1, 2010– 230 pounds
January 1, 2011–195 pounds
January 1, 2012–159 pounds

Eeeek. I just wrote my weight online for all of the world to see! But I’m proud of it. I worked my butt off for it! Yeah, yeah, I know I said I wouldn’t type it on here until I reached my goal, but doggone it, I’m happy! Do know how FRIGGIN’ LOOOOONG AGO IT WAS THAT I WAS IN THE 150s????? YEARS. YEEEEARS. So now you all know. My original goal was to get into the 130s…so that means yes, still 20 more to go. And hey–I think I look pretty good, right? {And yes, I’m rockin’ those size 8 shorts!}

The picture on the left was my birthday in 2010 and the picture on the right was my birthday just two days ago. These pictures are basically only a difference of 35 pounds and the differences are crazy noticeable to me! That’s amazing because I’m usually the last to notice anything on myself. Most of you regular reader have seen my original before pictures, but if you haven’t, click right here! Yeah, see? Major difference!! {And this is why Debbie Downer can kiss my brown behind questioning me as to why I buy fitness gear/clothing! Haa!!! **Oh, and readers, update: I’m free of her and her frenemy ways. So good to start the year and rest of my life without anyone like that!!** Except for when she reads my blog and is hatin’ like she’s probably doing right now. Whatev. I have all of you amazing and inspirational people that truly know how to cheer a girl on and I thank you for being in my life!!}

So my case for the New Year Resolution is this. Whilst I certainly don’t think you have to wait until today to begin your journey {any day is a great day to get started!!}, if you do, you can be very successful at it. You can keep it up weeks, months or years later. If you have a set back like I did, you can start again. Just keep it up. It doesn’t matter if it’s Jan. 1, Feb. 16, Mar. 7…just START.  Think of how glad you’ll be a year from now.

Did you set any fitness resolutions or goals for this year?