Bobbi's Creative Challenges

If any of you out there are like me .. you've maybe just recently chosen running as your cardio of choice.  You may be using the c25k program like me .. or whatever method fits you best.   But did you know it's not just dragging that pair of sneakers out of your closet lacing them up and going?? 

When i started the c25k program i bought a pair of running sneakers .. i went into a store found a pair in my favorite colors, tried them on and bought them.  I've been running on them since. Shoes are shoes right?

BOY WAS I WRONG!!

Did you know that there are different running shoes for different types of feet?!?  That there are 3 foot types .. high arch, neutral or flat .. that determine what type of shoes you should wear.  And then there's the sizing .. who knew you should get shoes a little bigger than you normally wear for swelling??  

Here is a video on how you can check at home to see what foot type you have.  Then you can go to the store having a better idea what type of footwear you need (not just pick out a pair that looks good like me).

Thankfully i somehow managed to pick out the right type of sneaker without even knowing it .. while doing my research though i did find a store that specializes in fitting you for running shoes as well as other things like running bras .. the ladies out there know how important that is :)  Fleet Feet Sports is located all over the US.  I for one will probably be going there soon to make sure my current sneaker is the right size, and to pick out another pair of shoes .. and maybe a few other things!

My current running shoe ... Asics Enduro5
                                        

I started the CCRG Holiday Challenge without putting too much thought into what would really be involved.  I'm not saying i wasn't ready to get down and sweaty with the cardio or pre-plan my meals for the week rather than deciding an hour before, or ordering out.  I'm talking about the emotional aspect involved .. not emotional eating (although i've been VERY tempted to eat a pb'n'fluff this week) so a certain amount of emotional eating is involved too.

No, my emotion is strictly the heartache that i have because November is the month i lost both my grandfathers to heart attacks.  My grandfather Robert passed away @66 11/1/07 and my gradfather Raymond @61 11/19/91.  And while it's always been a favorite pastime of family to pick on me by calling me Robert Raymond, i've always been proud of the fact that I was named after these two men. 

What's getting to me more this year than years in the past is that i am finally doing something to keep me from ending up leaving this planet "before my time".  I'm aware of my family history, and what a strong role genetics can play in diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol .. yet i have still made the decisions to eat how i wanted when i wanted and what i wanted.. especially after having my daughter 2 years ago.  NOT ANYMORE!

While my original reason for taking on this challenge may have been to FIT back into the size 12 jeans in the back of my closet that i refused to get rid of.  My focus now is getting FIT so that I can someday meet and play with all my great-grandchildren.  Something sadly my grandfathers never really had the chance to do.

I've accepted a challenge put up by Calorie Counting Runner Girl ..  she's an amazing person who in June 2009 decided she was going to become healthy!  Her story has given me the necessary motivation to return to the healthy person i used to be and KNOW i can be again!


 I have 3 goals for this holiday season ..


1) I've started the c25k program 2X's .. this time i plan to not let anything push it to the back burner .. I've had a slight 10 day hiccup with a neck and shoulder sprain, but decided to go out this morning and start with the week 2 rather than starting at the beginning .. i survived, so i believe it was the right decision.


2) My ...current weight loss goal is to have a 1 and not a 2 be the first number on the scale. I currently weigh in at 242lbs .. realistically i don't think this can be accomplished by 1/1 .. however my birthday is 1/23 .. that's an avg of .5lbs a day .. I feel i CAN do this!


3) I want to run in the It's a Wonderful Run 5k in Seneca Falls NY  in December. I NEED to be kicked into gear as well as "kicked in the butt" as often as it takes to keep me on course!


I don't believe these are difficult goals individually ..  but together pack quite a punch!  I'm challenging myself to meet these goals if not exceed them!  PLEASE feel free to ask me how i'm doing, IF i am meeting my goals, because without accountablility and motivation it will be very easy to for me to go off course!

My co-worker started this 9-week running program early this year and she is now training for her first 1/2 marathon (and has lost a TON of weight). I have been amazed with her success, and I think she’d tell you that she was in NO better shape than I am when she got started.


I’m only one week into this nine-week program and I love it. The holiday's are approaching fast, what better time to kick your butt into gear?  Are you ready??


Try the couch to 5K program for two weeks.  Just try it!  The first week is so easy.  It's basically a 5-minute warm up walk, then alternating 60 second runs and 90 second walks, and then a 5-minute cool down.


A few pointers ...

• Purchase the C25K iPhone app http://www.c25kapp.com/. The app will keep track of time for you and give you voice prompts so you’ll know what to do, (ex. “walk” “run” “5-minute cool down”). It also allows you to import songs from your iTunes on your phone into a playlist that you can listen to your music while you run. (The prompts just chime in over your music.) Additionally, you can link it to your Facebook or Twitter and post information about your workouts to share with others.
• Make sure you have a GOOD pair of running shoes.
• Buy a good armband for your smart phone.
• Buy some good headphone earbuds that will stay in place.
• DO NOT forget to stretch, both before and especially after.
• STAY ON SCHEDULE with the plan! You can do it!

I know I have already shared this idea on facebook .. but a few family members who don't have accounts asked to see my latest "project".  So here it is again for your viewing pleasure! :-) 

I decided to create a visual hands on honey-do list.  Like most people we have many household projects
that are on the seemingly endless list of things to do.  In our case we are planning on selling our home so that
we can move closer to my husbands family. 

The result is a floor plan of our home with post-it notes labeled with each project that needs to be completed.  Each project is color coded based on how long the project should take.


Yellow = 15 min-hour

Blue = 1-3 hours

Pink = 3+ hours or installation


For us this idea has worked out better than expected.  Somehow completing the projects has turned into a family competition.  Who can complete the most projects!?!  So far David is still ahead of me by one project.  I suppose I ought to finish up this post so that I can go complete another so that we can be tied!

            I'm always willing to share any new projects i've done or creative ideas i come up with.   Not because i have to be the "center of attention" as my husband so sweetly puts it ;)  But because i hope that people can take something away from what i'm sharing.  Whether it's party/event planning, home decorating or just creative ideas to help get things done. 

           I've been thinking of starting a blog for sometime now, somewhere to put down everything and anything i do or think up.  Hopefully this becomes not only a place to share my accomplishments, but becomes a useful tool for others!!