November 08, 2012

2 month comparison

Believe it or not, I have actually been looking forward to my runs in the mornings! That is VERY unlike me. Usually I have to talk myself into just doing it, and I'm always glad that I do--but it still felt like a chore. But with these 3-4 mile runs on my schedule, I actually look forward to getting some fresh air and starting my day off with a run :)

This morning, it was still a little dark when I left the house, so I threw on my Ragnar reflective vest. Jerry took this picture when I got back so I could show you just how many colors I could possibly wear on one run...
Let's count: bright blue, red, neon yellow, white, pink, black, navy, and burgundy (on the shoes). I'm nothing, if not fashionable.

On the schedule today was three miles at "race pace", which, for the Ragnar, is 9:00/mi. Last week, I did this on the treadmill, so it was easy to just set the pace and run. But today was going to be difficult. I have two speeds--fast and slow (relative to me, of course). Hard and easy. Today was supposed to be somewhere in between, and that's hard for me to do!

I kept looking at my Garmin every quarter mile or so, and adjusting my pace as necessary. I ended up doing the first mile too fast, the second too slow, and the third too fast... but over all, my pace ended up being 8:56/mi, so it was close. But I'd like to get to the point where I can just run a 9:00/mi pace by feel, rather than the fast-slow-fast-slow thing I was doing today.
When I got home, I had Jerry take some pictures--I wanted to show a comparison of now versus August at the Wood Duck Dash race. When Stephanie e-mailed me the pictures from the race, I was horrified. I had no idea that my weight gain was so obvious! I didn't post the photos because I hated them. (Well, I still hate them, but at least my weight is back down now).

So anyway, here is a picture from August (I think I was about 153 ish in that pic) and then today:
Not nearly as big a difference as my before and after photos, but I can certainly see that the weight loss is noticeable. The scary thing is that I didn't see the gain when I looked in the mirror--I could feel it in my clothes, but was in total denial about it, apparently.

This afternoon, while the kids were at school, Jerry took me on a tour of his work. I toured it once before when we were just married, but I didn't remember anything about it. I don't talk about Jerry's job on the blog (in order to maintain some sort of privacy), so I won't get specific--but he works in a production factory. I had to put on safety glasses while we walked around.

It was SO HOT in there! There were parts of the plant that were 150+ degrees. It felt like walking inside of an oven because of all the furnaces in there. You could actually see the heat in the air (just like when you look at asphalt on a hot day, and  you can see the heat radiating off the surface).

Anyway, it was really interesting to see what he does at work. I asked if I could take pictures, but they don't allow anyone to take pictures inside. I have a whole new respect for Jerry going to work in that heat, though! I could barely stand to be in there for 30 minutes--I don't know how he does it for a whole shift.

I wrote a post for Fitness.com about running or walking your first race, and what to expect. If you're interested, you can check it out here.

I'll leave you with this 'outtake' photo from this morning--I only wanted to post it because look how skinny it makes my legs look ;)

50 comments:

  1. You waist is so small! Glad you're enjoying your shorter runs.

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    1. Thank you! My waist seems to be where I've been losing the most. I just wish it would come off of my arms instead ;)

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  2. Awesome "before & after" photos - the weight loss is noticeable!!! And yes, your legs are uber skinny!!!! Definitely motivating me!

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    1. My legs are definitely not as skinny as they look in that picture, trust me! It was blurred because I was moving, and it made an optical illusion--that I rather like! ;)

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  3. Where did you get your head band in these pics?

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    1. It's called a Bondiband, which you can get at Bondiband.com. I love them! If I wear it low (like it is in the pictures) it actually stays put through the whole run--and it absorbs a lot of sweat!

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  4. Hi kate,
    I love your blog very much but to be honest you look better in the before picture and too skinny in the after.. I know you like honesty so dont take offense, but anyways you are doing good!!!

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    1. I disagree. I think she looks happier and healthier in the new picture! How she wants to look is her business and not for her readers to judge, but I think she is standing taller and prouder in the second picture, which makes me think that her current weight is how she prefers to be. It makes me happy to see a person work hard to earn her fitness and her body, and I'd hate to see her brought down for it.

      -Katie

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    2. Thank you, Katie! It's funny you mentioned that about my posture, because I remember cringing for the first picture (in the yellow tank)--trying to "hide", because I just felt very self-conscious. My current weight is at the high end of a "normal" BMI, so I don't think I've gone too far with the weight loss. The low end of my range is 114! Thank you for noticing my hard work :)

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  5. Ditto on the headband. Where can I get one?

    You look great, mama!

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    1. Bondiband.com. I have a few of them, and I love them!

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  6. Can't blame you Katie! After all, who doesn't love a skinny leg photo? ;)

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    1. Hahaha, I was bummed when I saw it was blurred--but that's why it makes my legs look skinny, so I can't complain ;)

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  7. Hi Katie! I just want you to know that I log on and look for a post from you every night before bed.
    I've been a little overweight for most of my life and a lot overweight for the past two years. This attempt at losing the weight feels different from all the others, and finding your blog and reading your story is one of the reasons why. Your honesty about your struggles and your tenacity to overcome them inspires me every.single.day. And I'm down 12 pounds down so far.
    Thanks for sharing yourself, and know that you do touch lives.
    -Brittany

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    1. Congrats on the 12 pounds Brittany! I was overweight my entire life too, and as an adult, I was feeling like I was meant to stay that way forever. But it doesn't have to be that way! Great job :)

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    2. Congrats Brittany!!! 12 pounds is a great start!!! you can do it. I too look at Katie's blog daily to get inspiration. It's a great place to check in everyday. Keep it up!
      Ellen in Nashville, TN

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  8. Katie,

    Your "before" pic, if posted alone would still be a great "after" pic from your original weight however, looking at it side by side with your pic from today I can see 2 things: 1. a person who's happier with herself based on the huge smile, in your eyes just as much as your mouth, and the fact that you're standing taller and proud-er (no, it's not a word lol) and 2. I definitely see a significant weight loss. You're doing a great job and love your honesty in your posts about your successes as well as your frustrations with WW. I'm now seriously following WW and that's due in part to your motivation and inspiration.

    Keep up the great work Katie!!

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    1. That is certainly true--feel MUCH better about myself since losing the extra weight I had picked up. I hope you like WW! I am glad I gave it another chance :)

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  9. Katie
    I think you look fabulous! Congrats on the weight loss. I have been plateaud for a few months now as I train for my first marathon this coming January. It's very frustrating because I'm still about 25 lbs away from my goal weight...75 down. I've been thinking of trying weight watchers and seeing your great results makes me think I should suck it up and pay to give it a shot.
    You are truly an inspiration!

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    1. Thank you! I, too, was very reluctant to PAY to lose weight--because I had lost so much without paying. Once I made that payment for WW Online, however, it really helped me to stick with it so that I didn't waste my money ;)

      But WW isn't for everyone, so you may or may not like the program. There may come a day where I'm sick of counting PointsPlus and I'll want to start counting calories again. For right now, though, I really like it!

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  10. You look amazing, congrats!! I definitely see such a difference in the pictures. You truly are such an inspiration!

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  11. Katie, do you prefer to use weight watchers points plus more than regular calorie counting? I've been using my fitness pal to count calories but its hard to keep track of calories when I eat out (my boss has been paying for a lot of lunches and I wont pass up free food!) I would rather not pay for something but it obviously works! the weight loss is definitely noticeable and you look amazing! Congrats =)

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    1. For right now, I do prefer counting the PointsPlus over calories. I don't have to worry about counting any fruits or vegetables, which can get tedious when you're counting calories. And you don't have to be SO precise with your measurements.

      The only drawback for ME right now is that high fat foods, even healthy ones like almonds, are a LOT of PointsPlus; so I tend to eat them only occasionally. But I love that I can eat grapes and not have to count them :)

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    2. thanks for replying! I'll try and stick with myfitnesspal for a little longer and see if I can stick with it longer than a couple weeks. I can't afford to sign up for ww online right now but I know if I do it will probably keep me in check (just like you said before). I've been stuck in a funk right now I need to get back on track and your before and after is really motivating! =)

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  12. Hi, Katie! I've been following your blog for months now. I have registered for my first half, which is 10 days away, and I have a question... Do I need to take a safety pin to attach the bib to my top or is that provided?

    Thanks for all the inspiration ;-)

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    1. Always carry extra safety pins!!!! They normally provide them, but some runs don't, plus you could misplace one or any number of things. Please take extras!

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    2. I agree with Tabitha. The races almost always provide you with four pins, but sometimes they may short you one, or not have them at all. It wouldn't hurt to keep a set in your car. I think runners probably have the largest collection of safety pins you'll ever see! ;)

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    3. Ok, thanks fir the advice!!!! Just 8 more days and I'm super stoked but starting to get nervous now :)

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  13. Ive noticed you saying a lot (well maybe only a few times but both recently so it sticks out) that your speeds are "relative to me" or I think you've said something along the lines of "well that pace is fast for me ". Im just curious why you feel like you always have to qualify your pace??? (Not critical..truly curious)

    I guess the reason is it makes me a little sad every time you do (and maybe its just me!) Like I wonder if you say it because you wish you were faster? Or have people been snarky towards you about your pace? That would bum me too. Or the only other explanation I could come up with is that you know a lot of your readers might be beginner runners and you qualify it as if to say "but YOUR hard pace might be 14 minutes/mile". That reason doesnt bum me as bad as the others.

    Ive clearly put too much thought into this...lol. but I hope you arent qualifying your paces because of insecurity or negativity....

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    1. That's a very valid question, and I didn't think it would come off as being negative in my posts. It's actually the third one--a lot people reading might be beginners or thinking of starting running, and I would hate for them to think that I'm calling a 10:00/mi pace "easy" for everyone. I remember when I first started, a 10:00/mi pace seemed SO far out of reach! My "easy run" pace might be 10:30, someone else's might be 14:00, and someone elses might be 7:00. It's all individual.

      So when I write that, it's basically a way of letting people know not to compare their own pace with mine or anyone else--everybody's pace is just relative to where they are in their own training. I don't say it to put myself down; maybe I need to come up with a different way to word it?

      I hope this makes sense! :)

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    2. Thanks for answering! I was putting too much thought into it! Im glad it's for that reason!
      Forgot to say you look great in both pics but I see the diff and see how it would make you feel better to be at your current weight!! Nice job working hard to get there!! Im sure seeing the pic makes it worth it.

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  14. I think you look great! And, you give me hope... I have been stuck at around 148 for a while now, but after reading some of your posts, I have readjusted and know there's more room for loss! Thanks.

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    1. Getting stuck at a weight is never fun. When I was losing all the weight a couple of years ago, I got stuck at 137 for a while, which is the weight I just reached again this week--so I'm curious if I'm going to get stuck again! We'll see :)

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  15. Love the progress photos! you look amazing. Love your blog!

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy the blog :)

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  16. You look amazing, and you can tell you FEEL it, too, which is most important!

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    1. Yes, Linda, I feel a million times better just since dropping the "summer weight". For a while in the summer, I had lost all confidence of keeping the weight off; but now I feel back in control again. And THIS time, with a maintenance plan ;)

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  17. Good job taking the weight off and keeping up the running. As a fellow runner, I know how much easier it is to run when I'm lighter, too. I really enjoy your blogs!

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    1. Yes, that's a good point that I forgot to write about! My pace has certainly been faster, and I'm wondering if that might be from the weight loss. I know weight definitely affects speed, so I'm excited to run a race and put it to the test ;)

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  18. I usually avoid having photos of me taken - I am NEVER happy with them, but I can see how inspiring it is when you are actually making progress towards weight loss goals. I think I will start doing a photo each month. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I took a photo every 10 pounds I lost, and I am SO SO SO glad that I did! It helped me a LOT when I was feeling like there wasn't a single difference in how I looked. Even if you don't feel like taking photos, it won't hurt :)

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  19. Katie! Where did you get that head/ear warmer? It looks like something I need!

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    1. It's called a BondiBand--and you can get it at BondiBand.com. I got this one at a running store, and I always see them at Expos, too.

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  20. Katie - you look great! :) It's funny to me that someone would post that they think you're too skinny. I was always blessed with a great metabolism (and believe me, I was thankful for it!) - until I got to be about 40 when it really slowed down. Anyway, most of my overweight friends get annoyed if I mention wanting to lose 5 or 10 lbs. because in their eyes I'm already thin. It's all relative, though - if someone isn't happy at a weight that would be someone else's dream weight then it's obviously not the weight where THEY feel they're at their 'personal best.' You're beautiful in both pictures, but it's obvious that you're feeling a lot more confident at the lower weight! :)

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    1. Thank you! When I was obese, I used to think that way too--get irritated when a "skinny girl" talked about losing 5-10 pounds. But then I realized that if *I* had decided to lose 5-10 pounds before I became obese, then maybe I wouldn't be obese! I think it's great to nip it in the bud when you only have 5 pounds to lose, rather than wait until a "valid" 100 or so ;)

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  21. You look fabulous and it shows in your smile and your posture:) Great job!

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  22. Sweetie--It ain't just your legs that are skinny!! You are looking fabulous. Thanks for the incentive to lose this 15 lbs I've put back on. You can try to tell yourself that the gain doesn't show--but pictures don't lie!!

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  23. Sweetie--It ain't just your legs that are skinny!! You are looking fabulous. Thanks for the incentive to lose this 15 lbs I've put back on. You can try to tell yourself that the gain doesn't show--but pictures don't lie!!

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