So you know that I have been working on a C25K program for the past 3 weeks, yes? I have worked up to intervals of 2 min run - 2 min walk - 3 min run - 3 min walk, for a total run time of 10 minutes and a max run interval of 3 minutes.
Up to this morning, I have "run", if you can call it that, holding onto the treadmill arms or handle with a death-grip. The treadmill is set to 4.5 mph, and I am performing movements that may eventually be running, but for now, are mostly like a strange bouncy part run-part shuffle hybrid.
Today, just for shits and giggles, I decided to let go of the treadmill. I had already completed about 7 minutes of running intervals by that point so there is a very real chance that I was oxygen starved and hallucinating, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. So I just - let - go. And then there I was, running. Just like a normal person, arms pumping.
I ran for all of a minute before I realized what I was doing and completely forgot how to run all at once. Then it was back to my death-grip on the treadmill in a flurry of arms and legs while I tried to comprehend what had just happened.
I know it is baby steps to running, but you know what? It actually felt much easier and better to run like a normal person than what I have been doing holding onto the treadmill. I enjoyed it - - at least for the brief instant in time when I was able to do it.
I can't wait for next time to see if I can run for a bit longer before spazzing out.
I can't believe I just said that. Who are you and what have you done to my brain??
On related news, I was able to lose another 2.1 pounds this week, thanks in no small part to the above-mentioned running (and all the other workouts I did this week). This brings me back down 141.1 pounds, and less than 8 pounds away from middleweight. Slow and steady is the way to do it, right? Well I certainly have the "slow" part down - - and now that I've gotten back on my program, the "steady" part seems to be back on track too.
I now weigh 192.8 pounds, and as you can see from the above chart, my lean mass and fat are starting to inch ever closer to the normal range. Hitting a normal BMI will be such a triumph when it happens, as I have been overweight (or obese, or super-obese) more of my life than I have been normal.
Something feels different about this time, though. I feel like I am more consistently making healthier choices, and I am choosing an active lifestyle not because I have to do it to lose weight, but because it's fun / easy / better than being inactive. I walk places I would previously have taken transit to, or, god forbid, taken a cab. I walk when I don't need to. I take extra trips because, hey, incremental steps. This mindset is a completely new one for me. Before, working out was a necessary evil to be avoided as much as possible. Now, I look for opportunities to work being active into my lifestyle, from working out on the elliptical and treadmill, to walking to work, to taking the stairs, to walking to shops rather than driving...this attitude change has taken 2 years and it just blows my mind, I have to tell you.
I feel like "yes, losing weight takes a long time and you have to work at it every day, but look at all the benefits and all the new things you can do". I believe that I will reach my weight goal, it's only a matter of time. I like this spirit of optimism - - it makes me think I can do anything, given enough time.
Maybe even one damn pushup one day.
Speaking of pushups (!), for next week I think I will stay the course on my routine and keep doing 3 sets of 15 reps on the 8 exercises I have been doing to work my upper body, along with the usual 45 min - 60 min elliptical routines plus the C25K workouts. This program is working for me so far, and I feel strong and good. No injuries yet, touch wood!
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