October 03, 2015

September recap and October goals

I don't have much to write about, but I keep forgetting to recap my September goal and set a goal for October! So here goes...

In September, I had a goal to ride 100 miles on my bike. Since I was doing the Tour de Troit ride, which is 30 miles, I figured I'd have to do 70 on my own. Well, we all know what happened during the Tour de Troit ride (I had to drop out due to flat tires), so those 30 miles weren't a "given" after all. Here is what I did, though:

9/3- 30 miles
9/7- 12 miles
9/8- 24.5 miles
9/14- 11 miles
9/17- 12.5 miles
9/19- 10 miles

TOTAL: 100

Holy smokes! I hit 100 miles on the nose, and I didn't even realize that until just now when I added it up. I did start a ride last week when my sister was home, because I was going to bike while she ran; but her hip was really bothering her, so we ended up calling it quits just after we started.

I'm really happy that I got in so many miles! Looking back, I wish I had been more consistent and rode a few times in the late part of September; but regardless, this is (by far) the most I've ever ridden my bike in a month. I probably didn't even ride 100 miles in all of 2014, haha.


Something else that I am very happy about is that I learned to change my bike tire tube. That was something that always weighed on my mind when I would ride my bike. I knew it was inevitable that I would get a flat one day, and it kept me from going too far from home. Now that I know how to change it, I'm not worried about it at all. I feel more freedom to ride much farther! I'd like to go for a long ride on Monday, so I'm hoping the weather will be good.

Other exciting things that happened in September:
*I dropped 8.5 pounds!
*I didn't binge at all (today is day 60 of a binge-free streak)
*I was able to wear my first goal outfit
*I went for my first run in 6 weeks, and managed a sub-10 pace!
*I started coaching cross country, and I love love love it
*I really reconnected with my friend Andrea, and I've been spending more time with her
*Nathan ran his first ultra marathon
*I took Joey to the wave pool
*I booked a boudoir photo session for next Friday!

For the past couple of months, I've felt like I'm in a MUCH better place mentally than I've been for a very long time. I went through a very tough bout of depression for about 18 months. I didn't write much about it at all on my blog, because the last time I opened up about it, I received some hurtful comments.

I've had depression since I was very young, and it goes through different "waves"--sometimes I feel very normal and happy, and other times I feel sad and hopeless for no reason at all. It's hard not to feel ashamed of it, because I have such a great life and no reason to feel depressed; but it really is something that I have no control over. Sometimes it lasts for a couple of days, and sometimes it lasts months. This particular bad bout lasted longer than ever before, though, and I was starting to think it would never end.

Anyway, I didn't intend to get too detailed with all of that; I just wanted to say that I feel like I'm in a very good place right now--I've been spending more time with friends, and being social; I've been taking care of myself physically; I've been working on bettering myself and my relationships with others; and I finally feel like the bad feelings are behind me. It's a great feeling!


Now, for my October goals...

I want to continue with the calorie counting, because it's working so well and I actually enjoy it.
I want to stay on track with the calorie counting while Thomas is visiting, which will be difficult.
I want to run three days per week (just 2-3 miles each time).
I want to ride my bike 50 miles.
I want to complete a 10-mile walk before I walk the Detroit International Half Marathon (I have plans to do the 10-miler with Jessica next week).
Now that I'm running again, I want to continue to focus on exercising for fitness, and not get too focused on numbers or "training" for things. Only goal is to enjoy being active!

Over all, September was a great month. I almost didn't write a post today, but I'm glad I did--I like doing the recap, because it makes me feel like I really accomplished some things last month. Hopefully, October will be even better!

Almost forgot... here are the winners of the Purina Waggin' Train treats giveaway. Congratulations to all five winners! Purina will be sending you (well, your pups!) three bags of their new Waggin' Treats. I've emailed all of you, so please respond with your shipping address if you haven't already. Thanks!
The winners are: Brandi, Kelly Knaak, Genny, June, and Laura Jacobson. Thanks for entering!


I may not write a post tomorrow, so just in case I don't, please send in your Motivational Monday submissions by tomorrow night if possible! I'll be working on the MM post early Monday morning. Here is how to send it in. Have a great Sunday!

20 comments:

  1. Huge achievements. Go you. And good luck keeping the Black Dog at bay. It's a mean sucker - but staying upbeat about the exercise, not falling into the grim being driven trap over it, that's a huge step. The minute it stops being fun, and starts being a looming chore, that's when you know you're doing it wrong. Good luck for October! Karen in Sydney

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  2. Your September was superb! Can't wait to see how great your October is. Enjoy the rest of this fabulous fall weekend.

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  3. I'm glad you're feeling better. Depression sucks the life force right out of you, and it's very hard to beat. I'll never understand people being assholes about that.

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  4. I so glad that you had such a successful September and that your depression is lifting. I have a friend who is bipolar (and on medication)and her depression wave hits in the summer. It's so hard to see her struggle with it and know that there's not much she can do about it. I hope your October is just as successful for you. -Tiffany

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  5. Katie, I've read your blog almost from the very beginning and sincerely hope the comments from a few negative people don't sway you from sharing YOUR story. Obviously it's a sensitive topic but it's also one many, many people can relate to. Reading about your experience with anxiety and depression can not only be a way to reach those who suffer from it to hear that there is hope but it also helps to bring awareness about it to the community as a whole. For so long, people have kept their anxiety and depression to themselves because there's a stigma that if you are depressed and you get help there's something "wrong" with you. With more and more people talking about it and about their experience, it's becoming a topic that isn't as taboo as it once was...thank god.

    With that being said, this is YOUR blog and you need to write what you are comfortable talking about and if you're willing to write about it or need to write as a means of helping yourself, then that's what you should do. If people are uncomfortable, they can read something else. I know you don't want to alienate anyone but by not being real with yourself, you're almost alienating yourself. Be you, Katie. You're pretty fantastic and I hope you realize that you have a LOT of readers who support you and who you have helped throughout these years. So blog your little heart out!
    Bridgette

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  6. Earlyriser, that's an awesome quote and SO right. I know the quote was for Katie but thank you for posting it for us all to read. There are so many people in this world who are hurting but the way they cope is by trying to make others more miserable than them and it's sad. Sometimes simply smiling at someone or complimenting someone you don't really know is enough to help you feel happy and ultimately better about yourself. Thanks for posting this :)

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  7. I don't comment very often, but love your blog and really admire how you work so many different kinds of activities into your busy life. Glad that you are feeling so great in your own skin these days! :)

    Also love the second photo of you! You look so awesome!! You inspire me to keep working toward my goal.

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  8. I'm sorry people were mean when you talked about depression before. It is a real struggle and definitely not made easier by people being unkind! I'm glad you've conquered that wave and life is feeling good now. *highfive*

    Even when you're feeling down, I hope you know how inspiring and supportive you are to so many people.

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  9. Congratulations Katie on your progress. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

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  10. Great job on the riding and other goals. Get in your 50 miles early in the month, unless you enjoy cold riding :D

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  11. How funny that you hit your goal perfectly without even trying! I love the quirky ways life can work out sometimes. :) Also, CONGRATS on 60 days binge-free. Ive struggled with my own forms of disordered eating, and I know how much it means to come that far. You are doing incredible Katie!

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  12. Katie,
    I've been reading you for a while now. Your honesty about depression was so helpful to me. I also have recurring episodes that can last from a few days until what feels like it will never end (in one now). It has nothing to do with what is happening in my life. I understand not wanting to open yourself to criticism from people who don't understand, but know that there are many out there who share your condition and would never judge.
    Congratulations on your Sept goals. Cool that you got back to goal and hit your bike riding goal without realizing it. More proof of your awesomeness!!
    Pat

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  13. Wow what a fabulous September you've had! I'll just be happy if I make it down the gym twice a week and can stick to my current high protein diet for the moment.

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  14. Awesome job on your September goals. I like your October goals, too.

    As for the depression, it is truly sad the way society views depression and mental illness as a whole. I have read this before, but basically, you would never tell a diabetic, or someone with cancer, to JUST MAKE YOURSELF FEEL BETTER, yet people do it all the time to people suffering from depression. If you get a chance, read "Furiously Happy" by Jenny Lawson. It's a fantastic, heartfelt, funny memoir about depression and anxiety.

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  15. I'm just impressed with you! I know this will sound cliche, but you really are an inspiration. You've inspired me these last few months...I had some holiday weight, 5 lbs to be exact, from last year. I know it doesn't sound like much, but my jeans were not fitting and I did not want to buy new ones. I finally buckled down and lost those. I'm committing with you now to log my food on my fitness pal for the rest of the month. Hoping to avoid that weight gain again!
    Also, I feel like I've had a wake up with fitness too. I was always so focused on training that I forgot how fun it can be to just move and be active all day. Thanks for reminding me!

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  16. I totally understand the depression issues and like you said, it's not something you have control over. I'm happy that you are starting to feel better. I'm sorry you received hurtful comments in the past and I would imagine it was probably from a person who hasn't experienced depression before. If you have, it's very understandable what you were going through. I wish you the best.

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  17. Awesome uplifting blog post, so impressed with your achievements Katie :)

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  18. I am so sorry to hear that people give you negative comments. I agree with other commenters on this post that a lot of people can empathize.
    Congrats on a wonderful September!! I am about where you are, weight-wise, so it's fun to watch the weekly weigh-ins. I think you are about to pass me; my weight doesn't drop quite as quickly as yours. I am rooting for you (and myself) to get back into the 130's!!

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  19. Thanks for blogging about your struggles with depression. I suffer with it too and it's so helpful to see how others cope with it.
    I'm sorry people left unkind comments, the lack of understanding and empathy is really hard to deal with.
    I'm so glad you are feeling better! Reading your blog is always a bright spot in my day.

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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)

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