Run baby run: part 7

My last 'run baby run' installment was about being able to run an hour straight on the treadmill.

I then gave up the running gig. For those of you who have found a passion in running will know the effort and determination it takes to build up your fitness and endurance to run for a prolonged time. I will be the first to admit that I'm disappointed I didn't maintain a regular running schedule when my life hit a slippery patch.

But honestly, that's life; it sometimes takes a large bite out of your arse, smashes you sideways and you leaves you inert.

Over the past two months I have been getting back into running. I can now run a good solid 20min without dropping to a walk and I can – if I push myself – run 30mins.

I have plans to join the local running group in the next month or two when my fitness and endurance improves a tad more. The running group co-ordinator and the coach have provided me with some excellent tips & a training schedule for me to follow. I'm almost at the point that I feel confident to join but I would love to be able to run 7kms at a comfortable pace before I take the plunge. But I’m getting excited is I know I’m not far off achieving this!

I also am going to start a 90 day running challenge once I have recovered from my impending surgery. To guide me through this challenge I plan to follow the program out of a book titled: "Run away from fat: the 90 day weight-loss programme". I had forgot how alive and well running makes me feel - no wonder I was able to run an hour straight many moons ago!

I have come to realise that for me, while losing weight and seeing the numbers decrease on the scales is satisfying; comfortably fitting into a smaller size of clothing and having improve fitness makes me far happier! Ah, the happy life!

Cause & effect

Earlier this year a bought a wee party dress - an impulse buy of course! The best part of the impulse buy was the fact I failed to try it on before leaving the store ...

It didn't fit. The little beggar of a dress had a 12 inch zip. I could only do up the first 4 inches of the zip.

I refused to take it back. Instead, I would shrink to fit the dress rather than admit the dress didn't fit me. Ah, a woman's logic!

After shaving off 5kgs over the past 8 weeks (a painfully slow process!), the party dress fits. It's snug and I wouldn't yet feel comfortable wearing it to an event but the point is I can get into it with the zip fully done up. Another inch or two off around my rib cage and I'll be good to go.

It's funny how something like fitting into a new dress or your favourite pair of jeans that you haven't been able to for as long as you remember, can inspire you to exercise that little bit longer or eat just that little bit better. Today, after the pleasant suprise of fitting into my dress, I eagerly and happily went for a run!

PS: Yes - I am sporting morning hair and a very forgiving mary jane head band to disguise it! LOL!

Starting over

It's just so easy to get lazy and complacent.

At least when it comes to weight.

Maybe it's just me.

I lost an oodle of weight in the first 18 months after having my lap band put in and was determined to go ever downwards until I was a whippet of my former self. But I hit a speed bump in the last year.

In August last year I tore my port off my abdominal wall and possibly suffered a small band slip post-tear. This has meant I have not been able to have any fills and have ridiculously irratic restriction. Consequently, I have occasionally ate really well and exercised but more often than not I have eaten in a terribly liberal fashion. Added to this copious numbers of mojitos and flutes of champagne, it is any wonder it was going to be a fight to lose weight or at the very least keep it stable (which I almost have!).

Since the tear I have also been unable to do a number of yoga/pilate moves, do serious sit ups or do any exercise that requires me to brace my abdomen.

So I am booked for surgery on the 30th July.

It will be a time to start over again .. find that initial enthusiasm and shave off this last 14kgs.

:: INSPIRE ::

** Say "NO" to saucy minx dancing **

An erratic blogger? Much!

I must warn all bansters of the dangers of engaging in enthusiastic ballroom dancing whereby your dance partner bends you over his arm backwards at a ridiculously rapid rate .....

It can tear the port off your abdominal wall!

After much pain and two hospital admissions, I now essentially have a free floating port thanks to saucy minx dance moves! It will likely need reattaching at some point but for now my wee friend moves about with gay abandon. As it's so mobile and at times flips itself upside down, it is nigh on impossible to get a fill. Little beggar! Thank the good lord I have remained reasonably restricted for the past year with only one fill.

Aah the joys!