Running, always running

I started running about a week and a half ago.  I've gone 5 days out of the last10, so I guess thats a good start.  I haven't ever really liked running before now.  I always liked the idea of it, but the execution just seemed too daunting.  So, I liked to talk a good game, but didn't really ever do it.  There are a few things though, that I was lacking at the time of my lip service towards running, like:

1. Running shoes: I used to wear these Sketchers that I got forever ago to run in.  They were cross trainers and were great to wear to the gym when I was lifting or something, but frankly sucked A** when it came to running in them.  My feet would fall asleep every. single. time. I ran.  no lie.  So, this time I got myself some running shoes to wear for this adventure of mine.  They aren't super duper fancy, but they are "running shoes", intended for running and they make all the difference in the world.
2. Jogger Stroller: I also used to think that a jogger stroller was a jogger stroller and that they are all the same, so why waste money on a higher end stroller if I can get the same thing for a lot less.  Boy, oh, Boy was I wrong on that account.  A jogger stroller that is made well for jogging makes so much more sense to me now.  The stroller that I use now I can push with my finger.  My first jogger stroller felt like I was hauling 40 extra pounds with me and I only had one kind then, now I have two and I hardly even notice the weight they both carry.
3. Eating right: I've been studying a lot about runners and their techniques for gearing up to run.  I read about Bobby Flay who, in case you don't know... is a chef on Food Network.  I love Bobby Flay.  Bobby also happens to be a runner.  He was interviewed and said that the reason he runs is because he loves to eat.  I don't know why in all my years of cooking I never thought that... until Bobby.  I too love to eat and cook and bake and, and, and... so, of course I should run because of it.  Now with this new epiphany I am trying to make more wholesome things to eat.  I don't succeed all of the time, but I'm learning and experimenting and trying to find new things to make and enjoy that will help me in my new running adventures.  With a few cookies along the way.
4. Drinking water: I have always had a love/hate relationship with water.  When I'm all fueled to try a new diet or something I am on the water thing like crazy... and then I get totally burned out with water and don't drink any. at. all.  So, I am trying to take water in moderation.  I try to drink a quart at least an hour before I go out for a run and another quart when I get home.  I still am not great at the water thing, but am seriously making efforts to improve myself in this regard. 

 Right now I am turning my efforts towards the Race for the Cure on May 8th.  It's a 5K and I think that its a great start for me, because I've never participated in any sort of race.  So, I'm wanting to just have fun and enjoy running for the time that I have to myself, thoughts, music, nature... all of the above.

HCG Log Day 10

It is official that I am cycling off of HCG.  I screwed myself and still haven't lost any more weight.  So, for those of you that are thinking about doing this diet, I will say a few things about it.  If you do it right (and I know this because I've done it before and I lost 28 pounds) you can be successful.  If you do it wrong, you are screwed.  So, do it right and you won't fail.  I really don't know what I was thinking about when I started and gave myself too much of the HCG.  All I can figure is that I was a bit retarded at the time, but am better now. 

I may try it again towards the end of the summer, but am not sure.  I have to be off of it for 6 weeks because my body has become immune to the HCG and isn't doing what it should be doing now.  And 6 weeks form now doesn't give me enough time to be on it again for 4 weeks before I go on my anniversary trip.  So, its back to the drawing board for me.  Actually I got these awesome running shoes a few weeks ago and have been wanting to start running.  I haven't been able to being on HCG.  Consuming only 500 calories a day doesn't provide the body with nearly enough calories to exercise... in fact if you do exercise while on HCG you will probably gain weight. 

So, I'm kind of excited to start the running.  Its getting warmer and the sun is out and I have running shoes and a jogger stroller... whats holding me back?  Oh, that's right... HCG.  So, this will be my last log on my failed attempt to be on HCG.  I guess I should have done this log when I was on it the first time, but I think I was a little too embarrassed that I was doing it in the first place.  I will be on the 500 calorie diet for another 3 days before the HCG is completely out of my system.  Then should transition to a low-carb diet for 3 weeks before adding more calories and finding where my caloric intake should be, or my BMR.  Anyway, I guess it made for a good couple weeks worth of blogging, if nothing else.

HCG Log - Days 8 and 9

Well, I've had a bit of a setback.  I realized the night before last that I've been giving myself far too much HCG in my injections.  So, I had a choice to do one of two things...

1. Cycle off and wait 6 weeks to start again.
2. Lower my dosage and see if in a week, I start losing again.

I decided to go with number 2 and just lower my dosage to see if I start losing again within a week.  I am still where I was 2 days ago, but am hopeful that I will see some change tomorrow.  Fingers crossed.  The thing that I discovered is that if you have too high a dose of HCG in your system it actually does the opposite effect from the lower dose.  So, you gain weight.  I gained 0.3 pounds on Tuesday and thought that was kind of weird and then realized that I was a moron and had been giving myself the wrong dose of HCG.  So, this is a word to the wise... Make sure that you know exactly which dosage you are supposed to have before you start... otherwise you might end up in my shoes.  and let me tell you ... they aren't fun ones to be in right now.  

Other than the setback I've been really good with the diet.  I even made Snickerdoodles yesterday for my hubby and daughter and didn't cheat.  Yay me!  But I will say this... With the higher dose of HCG I was a heck of a lot more hungry than I am with the lower dose.  I know that sounds super strange, but its super true.  The lower dose makes me less hungry.  Strange.

HCG Log - Day 7

So, I forgot to give myself my injection/shot yesterday.  I didn't remember that I'd forgot until about 6pm and by then it was waaay past the "buffer" period to have it.  So, I stepped on the scale today and I'd gained 0.3 pounds.  Kinda sucks, but its really my own fault for forgetting to have the shot.  Otherwise the day went splendidly.  I was super hungry yesterday and when I realized that I hadn't had the shot it made all the sense in the world as to why I was hungry.  You see, the HCG acts as an appetite suppressant along with everything else that it does. So, I am writing on my mirror... DON'T FORGET YOUR SHOT!  Then when I wake up in the morning I can give myself the shot and not forget again.