April 23, 2014

Origami Owl

Thank you all so much for the kind comments on my post yesterday! I was really nervous to post it, and like with most of those types of confessions, I felt a million times better after writing about it. It feels kind of overwhelming to be this far "gone" and having to start over, but in reality, I'm not starting over at all! I'm still over 100 pounds down from my starting weight.

I almost forgot that I was going to do a Wednesday Weigh-in post today, because I haven't done one in so long. But I did it:


I'm down 2.5 pounds from last week. I wish it were down more, but I'm just glad that it's going in the right direction. One weigh-in at a time.

Today was my weekly Weight Watchers meeting, and my mom decided that she was going to join, so I asked if she wanted to come to my meeting with me because I really like Glenda, my leader. My older brother, Brian, is in town for a couple of days, so he and Becky, his fiancé, volunteered to watch the kids while my mom and I went to the meeting.

I weighed in and paid my dues, and then waited while my mom filled out the registration. April, the woman who I usually sit next to at the meetings, reached Lifetime today, so I was really excited for her!

Today's meeting topic was: "Enjoy Every Bite"--meaning to eat without distractions so that you are more satisfied with less food. This is one area that I should probably work on, but honestly, I really don't care to. I like to eat breakfast while I read blog comments and email, and then watch a TV show during lunch. For dinner, I do sit down with the family at the table to eat, so I don't eat with distractions there; but my snacks are also eaten while I'm doing something else. I don't eat too fast or too much (unless it's a binge), but I don't really enjoy doing nothing but eating.

I had a strength run on the schedule yesterday: 4 x 1.5 miles at half-marathon pace minus 10 seconds per mile, with 800-meter recovery jogs. Tack on a one-mile warm-up, and that was a nine-mile run ahead of me. Good ol' Hansons Half Marathon Method!

Since I switched my half-marathon training to reflect a 2:00 time, that would make half-marathon pace 9:00-9:10/mile. Which meant my 1.5 mile intervals should be done at about 8:50-9:00 pace. I didn't have anyone to watch the kids while I ran, so I had to do it on the treadmill. Thankfully, intervals go by pretty fast on the 'mill.

My run looked like this:

-1 mile warm-up at 6.0 mph (10:00/mi)
-4 repeats of the following:
     -1.5 miles at 6.9 mph (8:41/mi)
     -0.5 miles at 5.5 mph (10:54/mi)


Whenever I do intervals, I always try to think of which is the lesser of two evils: several short and fast ones, or just a few long and slower ones. I usually prefer the one that I'm not doing in that moment ;) It reminds me of when I was a kid, and my dental hygienist would ask me if I wanted my fluoride rinse in "four short ones" (30 seconds each) or "two long ones" (one minute each). That stuff tasted SO HORRIBLE that I had such a hard time deciding which was worse. I still had to swish it the same amount of time, regardless, so it wasn't like I had much of a choice!

Anyway, I felt really good after a great interval run yesterday. I was tempted to quit the intervals and just do an easy run instead, but I stuck it out and did what was on my plan for the day, so I felt like I earned my rest day today ;)


I went to the post office today to check the PO Box I'd set up for Mark's cards. I've only checked it once since Mark died, and it was hard then to see a few cards for him. But I decided to keep the box to use for blogging stuff, so I went today and there was a small package in there, addressed to me. I was stunned when I opened it!


It's an Origami Owl locket! Kathi, a designer for Origami Owl and reader of my blog, read about Mark's story and wanted to send me a locket as a gift. She sent a note explaining why she chose each of the charms she put inside. I was especially touched by the smiley face, which she said was to remind me of Mark's sweet smile.

I absolutely LOVE the necklace and everything it represents. I'd seen these before, and even put the bug in Jerry's ear about possibly getting me one for Mother's Day. The cat, the wine bottle, and the running shoe were three of the charms I'd picked out, even! I can definitely see myself buying these as gifts for people--I love that it can be so personal. Here is a link to Kathi's site, and Kathi's info on her business card:


(Kathi, I absolutely love the necklace, and I hope you don't mind that I shared all this!)


I'm getting so excited for the Glass City Relay this weekend! My sister is coming into town on Friday. On Saturday, we're going to dinner in Toledo (the same place as last year), and then staying in a hotel close to the starting line. The race is at 7:00 on Sunday morning, and Jeanie will probably finish around noon. Then we're going to my parents' house for an after-party. Should be a fun weekend!

17 comments:

  1. I love the necklace!! I have been really wanting an oragami owl! You are so fast! 9:30 is pushing it for me :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the necklace and I thought that the smiley face was because you are always smiling in photos.So it is both a representation of you and Mark together!
    Katie, can I ask you something? I love that you are so honest about everything including your food log, but where are your vegis? I think the reason why you are having such a hard time with being satisfied with your meals and you sometimes binge is because while you are meeting your points value, you are eating mainly only highly processed food. If you cooked more fresh food, you would be fuller. I know you have heard of clean eating, but it really does work. If I look at your food journals, it's all pre-packaged processed chemical added food. No wonder you are not satisfied when you eat and feel the need to binge. There is a movie coming out May 9th. I bet you'd like it. It's called: FedUP. http://www.takepart.com/video/2014/04/15/fed-up-trailer?cmpid=tp-ptnr-100days

    ReplyDelete
  3. 2.5 pounds is a 1.6% loss of body weight! That's HUGE for one week!

    Love the necklace! I think I know a few people who might like those too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kathi AlbersonApril 24, 2014

    I'm so glad you love the locket! And it is so cool that you already had some of those same charms picked out. After giving so much of yourself to Mark and his journey home the last few months, I am so honored to give you this special gift. Enjoy it. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathi--That was a lovely thing to do. You, like Katie, are a very special person!

      Delete
    2. Kathi, I also think that was a super nice thing for you to do for Katie! :-)

      Delete
    3. What a sweet thing to do! I love it :)

      Delete
  5. 2,5 pounds is fantastic, you should be very proud of yourself! Every little step forward is just that - a step FORWARD. You rock. :)

    Sanna / @sannahenriiikka

    ReplyDelete
  6. Katie! You are doing great!!! :-) You are always inspiring - even when you doubt yourself...

    So - totally random, but has ANYONE told you that you look like Tatiana Maslany??? Are you watching Orphan Black? If you aren't - you should...I think you would love it. Whenever I see a picture of the lead character, I think: it's Katie!!!! :-) She is beautiful...and so are you! (duh!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so bizarre! I think that every time I see a picture of either one of them (Katie or Tatiana). Love Orphan Black and Katie, so it works out :)

      Delete
    2. No, I've never heard that one... but she's very pretty, so I'll take it as a compliment! ;)

      Delete
  7. Love the Origami charm locket. I was invited to one of these parties, but didn't go. I did look at the website however and loved the idea of finding meaningful charms to put into a necklace. I have a couple of Pandora bracelets that are filled with meaningful charms, which I adore. I am a little curious as to the meaning of the pink jeweled crown. Is it because you're queen of bloggers? Cause you are! I looked up Tatiana Maslany--she does look like you--very pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love my origami owl locket. I get a lot of compliments on it when I wear it. I think I need that cat charm!
    Great job getting yourself back on track -- that must feel really good.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congrats on the 2.5 lbs! That's awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you for being honest in your posts. It gives a more realistic picture to show that maintenance isn't easy and that sometimes life happens! Congrats on the 2.5lbs!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great job on the 2.5 pound loss! That's fantastic. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good luck in the relay this weekend! This will be my first year doing the Glass City half.

    ReplyDelete

I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

Featured Posts

Blog Archive