This Blog is getting an overhaul

This blog is getting a much needed makeover...really how much can I write this winter about running on a treadmill or on the track. "yep, went around the track 10 times today" is just

And, do you really care what my Heart Rate was on the elliptical or that the spin instructor played shitty music?

So what would be blog Worthy?

As I was getting dressed today I realized (okay I had this revelation for a long time ago..but whatever!) that I have A LOT of clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories.



As I was reaching for my black suit blazer (that goes with a pair of pants in storage that don't fit at the moment) I wondered the last time I wore the blazer next to it, a lovely Ellen Tracy velvet number with a paisley print. And as I searched for my black flats I looked up and thought, why the hell did I buy those masochistic Tania Spinella shoes. I was in need of a new pair of black heals (picture is in red, mine are black leather) and the price was right, 90% off, but still, I want to cut my feet off after 5 minutes in them. They do look hot.. maybe I can wear them with my sweat pants on a Friday nights while my ass is fused to the couch playing WarCrack this winter?

Last year about this same time, I did a massive cleaning of my bathroom including my makeup basket. Any eyeshadow that I had not used in over a year got tossed. Any mascara that was older than 1 month got pitched. After the purge, I still had enough makeup for every model at NY fashion week. After realizing that I had 5 pots of blue eyeshadow, I took a vow last year....no new makeup other than essentials (ie: foundation, mascara, tinted moisturizer). It wasn't until last month that I made a trip to the makeup counter (actually CVS because I was desperate on Friday night) to buy something other than mascara. I ran out of tinted moisturizer, face powder and pigmented pink beige lip gloss. (I'll give my review of some of my drugstore beauty finds and losers some other time). Well for the past year I have used what I had, and it wasn't awful. I do have to say that I was sad to miss out on the some of the fun summer eye colors, but in the end, I still always look fine.

On my walk to work I started thinking, for one year, could I wear everything that was in my closet? Can I fit back into the TUB of clothes in storage that don't fit? Can I go one year without buying the equivalent of blue eyeshadow clothing?

I think I can...

So if I try this little experiment, what would I deem as an essential that I need to buy if I don't have anything in my closet? Or if the garment that I have that is an essential gets ruined or too big (or heaven forbid too small) ?


Here is the list:

1. Trouser socks, tights, pantyhose, knee high nylons. Runs are bound to happen, the dryer will eventually eat a few socks and a bare leg is down right dangerous in a Chicago winter.

2. The "business suit". I doubt I will have an issue anytime in the near future. But should the Weight Watcher gods bless my Weight Loss Journey with more than 50 lbs I'm going to need a new suit. Yes I know separates are acceptable these days, but I think a coordinated suit just looks better. Of course I could have my suits altered too.

3. The black pant - Like the business suit, I doubt I will have an issue anytime soon. I think I have black pants ranging from size 10-14 in the "I can't squeeze my ass into these but I will someday" tub of clothes. I might even have a size 8 that I kept for glory purposes. But like the suit, should I be blessed, I'm going to need some new pants or walk around looking like I have load in my pants.

4. Foundations..I don't have much, but I like to keep the sisters facing north.

5. A proper fitting bathing suit for swimming. I don't think I need to say much more other than, my current spedo will be wearing thin in a few months (chlorine from the pool reaps havoc on suits) and I don't need everyone at the gym seeing my bits and pieces.


6. one or two items when I'm in Europe next week. Lets be realistic, I'm going to be in the fashion capital of the world..in city that has one of my all time favorite flea markets (flea market in Paris is not same as the Maxwell Street dive market in Chicago). Seriously, it would be like going to France and not eating cheese!

So, for the next year (365 days) I will be dedicating my blog to my closet and my challenges of wearing everything I own, trying to get back into that, "before I was fat" bin of clothes.

I plan on using a super duper high tech tracking method of what I wear..the !
Each time I wear something it will get a little "x" on a tag indicating that I wore it. Shoes boxes that I store my shoes in will also get an "x". Purses will get a piece of paper in them with and "x." I'm not sure what to do with the jewelry..maybe keep a log in my jewelry box? Anything that does not not have an "x" (less jewelry, there is some jewelry I have but don't wear and won't get rid of for sentimental sake) gets tossed or recycled next year.

To keep things fun, I will be reporting back on "what I wore"..with pictures.

For those of you who just loved my blog about running, don't fret, I'm sure I'll toss in a little running/exercise weight loss news here and there.

Half way there

I'm almost 1/2 way though my 6 weeks off of running. I have to say its really hard to not run. We have been blessed in Chicago with some really great weather, perfect running weather in my opinion and I really miss lacing up and going out for a good sweat. I also miss sweating, I just don't sweat that much when I walk. My PF is getting better, I have had very little pain during the day and my morning pain is getting better.

I lost .6 (point 6 lbs) this past week at WeWa. Not bad for eating out A LOT last week. I had a 5 course Chinese (kiss of death) dinner the night I signed up for WeWa..it was quite the oxymoron. Then two other parties. This week was a little better, though I am out of Flexies and have used all my banked APs. At least its Sunday, its so much easier to stay on plan during the week. I ended up using all my Flexies on Mexican...I ordered shimp (good) that came in a peanut sauce (bad..as in...so good, so bad), the chips also did me in.

I lost 116 lbs this year

I also gained 120

I have gained and lost the same friggin 10 lbs over ten times this year!

So after much thought, I decided to go back to Weight Watcher..as in, I went to a meeting.

I contemplated starting after my vacation and decided not to wait. I also started on Wednesday, not on a Monday...once again why wait. I weigh-in on Wednesdays which I'm not sure I like. I'm use to weigh-in on Fridays. This way I had all my flexies for the weekend and would be very strict during the week. Its really just a mind game and planning.

Since I have been counting calories for over a year, I forgot how hungry I was going to be my first week. Weight Watches is anti-fat. ie: a 100 calorie item with 0 fat and 0 fiber is 2 points, Same 100 calorie item with 6 grams of fat is 3 points. Of course I can eat my self silly on green things.

Nontheless, I figure I will be be at goal by summer if I lose 1 lb a week. If not I may just hack off a limb to make my goal weight!

6 week break

I've come to terms that I need to take a complete break from running in order to let my PF heal up. My foot is no worse, yet it is not better. I want it to be better for next year. This is a pretty good time to do it.

After my break I plan on picking up the couch to 5K once again. Hoping everything is healed up I'll be ready to tackle the 2010 running season.

I ended my season on a high note though. I ended up doing the Whistle Stop 5K instead of the 1/2 marathon. My time, eh. But it was a ton of fun.

It was around 30 degrees and snowing when I woke up. I really don't mind running in snow (rain sucks, snow is kinda fun if its not a blizzard). Needless to say, it stopped snowing. It was a cool 35 degrees but sunny. The trail was pretty firm and the trees were in prime color.

I'm very excited for next year. I'm hoping once again to do the 1/2 marathon.


I almost forgot to mention, my cousin Jane did the 5K walk and WON her age division. She got a medal and everything.

So I see myself spinning A LOT over the next 6 weeks. I also see a lot of time being spent on the gauntlet and rowing machine.

So on to new food finds. I often find that I want something sweet but don't want food. I turn to sweet tea or iced coffee ( hot coffee shall only ever have 1/2 and 1/2 added to it). I accidentally picked up Coffee Mate Italian Sweet Creamer (thought it was normal stuff...and I keep it on hand b/c it NEVER expires) . Needless to say when I got home I was disappointed but then thought ..eh it could be good. So I gave it a whirl in some iced coffee. It is quite good if you like sweet creamed stuff. A tsp works in a cup of tea. I'm sure the stuff is nothing but a bunch of chemicals. Sue me.

Another great find that I have is Clean Eating Magazine. After buying it on the news stand 3 issues in a row, I bought a subscription last month. The recipes are awesome and they do have some great food tip. I also really like their menus.

Hardest 5K EVER

American Birkebeiner was seriously the hardest 5K I have ever done. All I can say is that its uphill ..both ways...I swear.

The race is ran on the American Birkebeiner ski trail. This means its a grass path trimmed down to cross country ski on but can be used for running/walking. There was a little path that you could run on part of the way.


Its a really small race, only a 110 runners in the 5K. To put the race into perspective, the race starts Up Hill and I think there were over 8 VERY LONG hills...I stopped counting at 5. I should have known something was up when I saw this person IN JEANS praying while waiting for the race.



The water station was an igloo cooler and cups...self serve. It was an out and back run which is fun, because you get to see all those who passed you. In the next pic, Charlie is the guy in the back in the blue...and yes, we both got smoke by a guy in steel toe boots power walking.




For being on week 2 of the couch to 5K program I did okay. I ran intervals..then power walked some then ran the end of it.

I might have skipped a few intervals of running..DID I mention the hills!

The path was really pretty. I love this pic that I took. This girl was really fast (she as a 1/2 marathon runner).


Next week I'm running the Whistlestop ...5K. I ran the 1/2 last year but won't be able to this year.

My PF is getting better but I have been only running 2 day a week and intervals for c25K. I'm debating taking 4 week of running off to let it heal up completely. I'm just not sure when I want to do it. I guess there never really is a good time to do it.

My Foot

Is getting better..but Very Very slowly. I don't have pain during the day like I use to. It does hurt in the morning when I wake up and walk, some days more than others. Its usually when I run or do a lot of walking. After 1-2 minutes of stretching its okay. If I do all my foot exercises that helps too.

I have started back running...and I am starting over from scratch. I'm on week 2 of the couch to 5K program. I was told by my doctor that I need to build up; I should not be going out and running multiple miles. Its really hard to follow the program. I can run farther and longer that the program says. I have to force myself to stop. I'm hoping to get one full 5K of running in this year.

Tomorrow were running the Blackhawk 5K. I'll be running according to the plan...and then walking.

I think I'm finally over the fact that I can't really run and I've been hitting the gym. I rediscovered the rowing machine...not very good for calorie burn, but good for my arms and back. I've also been spinning. I FINALLY found an instructor who I like and who's music does not stink.

I'm also 1 pound less than my 1/2 marathon weight last year (as of 7 pm last night). I've lost all that I gained after doing nothing the month of June and part of July and a few pounds to boot. I was feeling pretty gross there for a while. Now to keep up the cycle...who knows maybe I will make my high range goal weight by New Years.


On to fun stuff...I have a new food find.

Mirai corn.

http://www.miraicorn.com/

Its meant to be eaten raw. Its delicious and tastes great on salads without cooking. It also tastes great cooked. If you see it, give it a try.

Doctor Part Duex

I went back to the doctor today....No change. Which is not a bad thing, nor a good thing. I was told I could start running again, taking it slow, using a couch to 5K plan.

That was about it...come back in 12-18 weeks and I can get a script for orthodics that I can *try* to submit to my insurance so that they will pay for them. Since its not getting any worse could mean that its on the mend. And if I get orthodics at this time with my gate off they might not fit properly once it heals. Something to do with how my gate relates to the pitch of my foot.

Regardless, I'm having them made this winter insurance or not. Everyone who I talk to say they have changed their running lives. I want to run like the wind...so here is hoping they help next year.

I did pick up a pair of surefeet to put in my current shoes. They seems to be helping in the interim.

This week I did pick up the C25K program and did workout 1. During workout 1 I fell off the treadmill. Yep...fell off the treadmill. I got a bit over zealous and did sprints after the C25K workout. When I went to jump, I missed....yeah. Just call me Grace.

Needless to say I have some awesome Road Rash on my leg

This is the first day..it got more red and swollen since then but it doesn't hurt quite as much. Since my leg was swollen and I had a doctor appointment on Friday I opted for less dangerous workouts the rest of the week.

I've done A LOT of walking this week...I put in about 15 miles since Monday. Thursday night I packed up the pooch with my neighbor and her dog and walked over 5 miles..that and my walk to and from work and my 1/2 mile morning walk with dog....put me at almost 8 miles for the day.

Tomorrow I'm waking up and walking to the farmers market. Then hit the gym and try not to fall off the treadmill during my C25k Week 1 Workout 2.