WW Weekly Recap: Week 16

Week 16

Yeah, I had to go back and count. I had no idea what week last week was/this week is but now I do.

I can’t believe it has almost been 4 months since I re-joined WW. Even with the post ACL/antibiotics/injury/wedding mayhem gain I am still over 10 pounds down from where I started. I am 12.2 pounds down to be exact. I will call that a win!

Oh, sorry- horse before the cart. I am at a total of 12.2 lbs down because I gained a whopping 0.4 lbs this week. LOL. Yeah, we’ll just call that ‘staying the same’. And for a week of very little activity and eating so/so I am 1000000% ok with ‘staying the same’.

I would like to get back into losing again but really, I just want to get back into my healthy habits that keep me sane. I am pretty good with meal planning/cooking/packing lunches – even during the crazy busy times. Yeah, sometimes I eat out more than I would prefer and sometimes I drink more than I should but those are not my norm. The norm is still packing breakfast and lunch M-F, eating dinner at home S-Th and then some meals out on the weekend and this week is no different. Smoothies for breakfast, apples and bananas for morning snacks, soup for lunches, edamame for afternoon snack and some awesome meals planned from JL Goes Vegan’s pressure cooker cookbook. Oh and can’t forget, dark chocolate and tea at night.

This week I am looking to get in some more activity though. I plan on getting in two runs during the week (plus I have a HM on Sunday), two days of Cize and then a long bike ride on Saturday- if the weather cooperates. I also brought one of my bikes to work with me to keep in my office. This way I can go for rides during my lunch break and even to/from meetings. Hopefully I can get into the habit of getting a few daytime rides in every week.

I also am still balancing school, work, and life also which means it can’t always be about my training schedule or my preferred meal options. I need to make sure I still have time for schoolwork, self-care and relationship care <<< that’s a thing right? I mean, it should be even if no one actually calls it that.

I decided though that I want to get back into the habit of posting weekly goals with my update. I like the added focus to my plans but also I like being able to tailor them around the weekly events in my life. Monthly goals, sometimes, are just too long to plan for. A week at a time tends to be much more my speed. So here they are, some goals for week 17:

Monday 11/2 through Sunday 11/8

100,000 steps 

Track every day

30 minutes of movement 5 days/week

Some form of self-care (reading, bubble bath, stretching/meditation) at least twice

Finish homework before the weekend

Stick to Sunday-Friday meal plan

Ok, that’s about all I have for today. I will definitely be checking in with you next week for an update and it will hopefully include a happy recounting of my half marathon J

Love and hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxox

YERGAH!

I love running, it is one of my favorite activities. But believe it or not, it isn’t the only thing I love to do. I know at times it seems like I am all running all the time, especially after surgery and training up for a half, then running back to backs halfs, then Ragnar it probably seemed that way. But honestly, if I lived in a more bike friendly area- I would be cycling every day and running only on occasion. I also love, love, love group fitness classes. I spent the first couple years of my journey taking every class I could find/afford before I even thought about running. There is something special about the camaraderie to be found in group fitness- whether it’s boxing or yoga, it’s there and it’s awesome.

After Ragnar I was all set to start PiYO. E bought me the DVD set for Christmas and I was just waiting to be out of HM/Ragnar training mode before I started it. I wanted to be able to dedicate myself to the program- following its 6 day a week for 8 weeks schedule. So a few weeks ago I started it and guess what??? I really did not like it. Maybe it’s because I dislike straining my neck as I look up from the floor to the TV to see what is happening. Maybe it’s because I felt it was boring and it did not grab my attention or raise my energy like T25 or Combat did.  I am not sure but I knew I wasn’t going to make it the 8 weeks. I hated to quit PiYo but it felt inevitable. Instead I opted to start back at real yoga classes taking advantage of a great deal one of our local studios was offering for May and bought a month of unlimited classes pass. And so it began…

One of the reasons I love yoga is that it helps me feel centered and calm. It brings me closer to a zen-like state and I like that. Heck, I need that. With all the running (literal and figurative) around I do, I need something to balance out the chaos. My life, most days, is almost all yang with very little yin. And that takes its toll on me- mentally, spiritually and physically. It’s only been a week back into my practice and I have already noticed a huge difference in my mood and my anxiety. I was super stressed all the time before. I would stress over any little thing so easily. It was eating away at me. And as much as I love running it does not have a calming effect on me. It is the opposite. To me, running is aggressive and impactful and although it is awesome, it is not my calming, happy place. It is my I am empowered and awesome and doing all the things and I just want to run and run and run but it is not my zen.

And like I said, I need some more zen in my life. And E, well he needs me to have more zen in my life too!

This go around, when half marathon training begins later in the summer, I need to make sure I do a better job at balancing both. My goals need to be both running AND yoga related. I need to do better with my activity balance, remind me I said this in a couple months ok?

Until then, I am just going to enjoy trying out a new studio and sampling any/every class that works into my schedule and, of course, treat each like the gift it is. The gift that can bring me inner peace if I allow it. That right there is priceless.

All the yoga memes FTW!

Yes, a million times yes! 

Just kidding! I drink beer in my yoga pants. 

Love and hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxoxo

This Is Not My Punishment

Life. The decisions we make daily. These choices are not our punishment, these are our gift.

These past few weeks have left me in this crazy state of introspection meets pure bliss meets crazy lows meets exhilaration meets sadness meets overwhelming happiness.

Basically I have all the feels lately.

About a month ago I did something I wasn’t sure I would be able to do but tried anyway…I ran two half marathons in two days. The second being the most challenging (because of the elevation and the weather and of course, the soreness from the day before) half marathon I ever ran. When I finished I thought my heart might burst. I was beyond happy, beyond proud of what I had completed.

Then two weeks ago I got to walk across the stage during commencement for my formal hooding and to collect my empty (soon to be filled though) diploma cover for my Education Specialist degree. My parents and E were there cheering me on. So were some of my co-workers and friends as well. It was a pretty amazing feeling. I didn’t walk when I earned my MBA (I had to move to start a new job the day before the ceremony) and my mother was ill during my undergraduate ceremony so it was really nice having both my parents there to celebrate. And of course, I cannot wait to do it again in three years (hopefully) when I complete my doctorate.

Last weekend I spent 36 hours running and relaying the Ragnar Cape Cod with 11 other weight losers/maintainers. For the most part, this was the first time our group was meeting in person. Then we had the pleasure of running 192 miles, relay-style, from Hull, MA to Provincetown, MA. A Ragnar Relay had been on my bucket list since I had first learned what it was a few years ago so I was beyond excited to not only finish one but to finish one with 11 of the most amazing people I have met on this journey. These memories, jokes, hugs and stories will stay with me for life. These people are my Ragnar family now. Time and distance can never change that.

So, as you can see these past few weeks were quite the rollercoaster of emotions. Whenever I reach a new high I tend to be hit almost immediately with a new low. Usually it’s “I can’t believe it’s all over” or in terms of my doctorate it’s more like “holy shit, I am not ready for this”.

But through these recent experiences I have really thought about my life. Life as a weight loss maintainer. I often write about being happy in the decisions I make and how that allows me to sustain this lifestyle. And it’s true. But another thing I have been thinking a lot about lately is the fact that I have a choice at all. Right now, if you are reading this post then chances are your life is filled with choices. Most of which are probably taken for granted. I know most of mine are.

You see, my lifestyle today is completely different from what it was four or five years ago. Like 180 degrees different. I eat differently, am active in different ways (active vs sedentary really) and I even dream differently. And I get to do all of this because I have the freedom and the means (for the most part) to make these choices. I choose to eat a certain way and I can. I choose to register for races and sign up for boot camps because I can. And I choose to dream big because I am no longer afraid of my limitations. I dream big because I can.

These choices I make in the moment, daily, weekly, yearly these are gifts. They are not my punishment.

I choose health and that is a gift. I choose activity and that is a gift. I choose to believe that the sky is the limit and that is the biggest gift of all.

I am not saying that these decisions always come easily or naturally and there is always a battle going on between head and heart, or really between old habits and new habits. I am not ‘perfect’ nor am I without flaws. My journey has never been, nor will it ever be, a straight line. But I can’t beat myself up for living the best way I can each day. I can only be me. And I can only make myself happy. Or in turn it’s only me that can make myself miserable. I have the power to decide my fate and my feelings. And for me that power lies in my perspective- is it a gift or is it a punishment?

It is a gift.

Always.

Love and hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxox

RunBuzz Podcast

I haven't listened to it yet but I will very soon...

I cannot thank Steve enough for inviting me onto his show. I had an amazing time taping this. Steve is very easy to talk to. I really hope that somewhere in here is a nugget or snippet that you can relate to. I may not be the biggest loser or the fastest runner but I am a little of both things. And I only became the latter after I was able to lose a very substantial amount of weight...not saying you cannot run to lose weight or lose weight through running. I just couldn't. But we all are different.

Anyway, please if you have any interest at all in running or if you just want to hear me babble for 40ish minutes give the podcast a listen...

RunBuzz Episode 30

Thank you!

Happy Friday :)
Dacia

Yada Yada Yada....

In the world of blogging/social media (especially in the weight loss/maintenance realm) radio silence tends to be a bad sign. Sometimes it’s an indication that the person is going through some hard times and isn’t wanting (for numerous reasons) to share. I had some bouts of radio silence during the divorce but they probably weren’t noticeable because I am a self-proclaimed terrible (or at least terribly inconsistent) blogger. For the most part my blog really is my journal but most days I am just uninspired (or too over committed) to write. I have no sponsors to keep happy (which is a good thing) and no groups/challenges to keep up with. At this point in time, no one (myself included) is expecting regular posts from me. And honestly, that is how it needs to be. Remember a few weeks ago when I was on a blogging-spree and posted daily? I talked about goals and priorities here and one thing that is true about my life and my relationship to this blog is it is low on my list of priorities…because it can be. School and work and my relationships can’t. But this blog, it will still be here whether I write in daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. My readers (all 6 of you) might not be but the blog will still stand. It is a comforting? (not sure that is the best way to describe it) feeling that in turn allows me to push it to the back burner whenever I need to. 

Not because I am going through rough times.

But because I am just busy/lazy/uninspired/boring. Some days I have things to say but no time to write but mostly I don’t have much to say regardless of time. The upside of having an unstructured blog (re: I am not a food blogger that schedules recipe posts daily or a sponsored blogger required to write about product reviews or even- as I was in the past- a weight loss blogger using the space for accountability and check ins) is that it leaves me with a blank slate and no obligations or commitments. But that's not necessarily a good thing.

That being said, I should do better at checking and keeping you abreast of the happenings in my life. So, what have I been up to you ask….

I bought a wedding dress on Saturday and I am in love with it. I am super happy because it is a dress that is just ‘me’ and will be a perfect fit for the wedding. It is light and airy and easy to move in (perfect for dancing) and it also makes me feel like a bride. It’s absolutely beautiful.  And in case you are curious we are 199 days away from the big ‘I Do’!

Post dress shopping shenanigans with my MoH  

We did some major yard work on Sunday pulling up a bajillion vines and cutting down tons of overgrowth. It was a big undertaking. We worked from 930-545 with only a couple breaks. It was exhausting but the end result was amazing. We had lost at least a third of our backyard that was unusable because of that growth and now we will be able to plant a citrus tree, build a flower garden (to help attract bees) and hang a hammock. I am super excited to work on the next phase of that area in a few weeks. I also planted my first spring garden and in mid-April I will plant garden 2. I am really hoping for another successful growing season.

I ran my 8^th half marathon on 3/21- I think I forgot to mention that. There were definitely things about the race course that I didn’t love and it is probably one I would skip next year. But it did have some high points. With a few miles left I made a friend along the course and that was pretty awesome. We helped each other get across the finish line with a smile on our face after a very hot and sunny race. I also got to see some of my friends (and E of course) as I came across the finish and that was really nice. No Gordie though, he had just had surgery a couple days before and was not able to spectate. Thankfully I will be seeing him for the next few races I have on the docket before we head to Boston in May. I love seeing E and Gordie when I am out on the course and at the finish. <3 My boys!

That was a rough week or so for all of us but Gordie definitely had it the worst...

March 21st and I already have a farmer's tan...yay Florida!  

There was a bacon station along the course which was clever and a bit dangerous (bacon is slippery yo!) 

Number 8 in the books!

Boot camp is going well. We are a little over a third of the way through. Each session I am challenged in new and fun (painfully fun) ways and I am not gonna lie. I feel like kind of a badass after each session. It’s great working with Chris (who was my personal trainer for a big portion of last year) again – he definitely knows how to kick your butt without crippling you which is pretty awesome. I am hoping he hosts another session during the summer because the cost compared to the cost of PT sessions just can’t be beat.

Other than that, I am just really excited for everything coming up in the next month or so. Holidays and time with family- both mine and E’s, half marathons (3 to be exact) plus a 10K with my friend A, RAGNAR in Cape Cod (check out our FB page), a trip to Atlanta, and graduation. En route to my doctorate I was able to earn (soon to earn) my Education Specialist degree (it’s somewhere between a master’s and a doctorate) and I will be graduating on May 2^nd. My parents are flying in for the ceremony and after we are having family and friends over for a graduation/engagement party. It will be a big celebration and I am just so excited. And in case you were curious…I still have two more years of course work before I begin my dissertation so probably 4 years+ before I finish my doctorate and the rename this blog 'My Dr. Root's to Grow' or something funnier/more clever ;)

Until next time, stay classy my friends!

Love and hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxox

McGuire's St. Patrick's Day 5K

I love St. Patrick's Day and yes, for the most obvious reason- the beer! 

This year E and I celebrated early with the McGuire's St. Patrick's Day 5K. A 5K may seem harmless to most but not this one. It is basically a huge party but in order to gain entrance you must run 3.1 miles first. The McGuire's run is a really big event here in Pensacola. This year ~ 14,000 ran it (or at least registered for it- that's what they said at the start line). They claim it is the largest prediction race (meaning the winner is the person that comes closest to the time they predicted at registration - also meaning no watches or timing devices allowed) in the country. It starts at 9am and when you cross the finish line the party is already underway. Heck, the party is already underway before you even begin running. The post race festivities include live music, beer, Irish wakes and Irish stew. There is also water, soda (including McGuire's own root beer), bananas and oranges for the people, like me, that want to attempt to rehydrate before they dehydrate. 

We had an amazing time running this 'race' together even though navigating the crowds and the groups of walkers that at times spanned the entirety of four lanes (nothing against walkers- I am pro walkers- but I do have something against those that don't follow race rues) during made it quite the cluster. If I had a GPS watch I guarantee I ran closer to 3.5 -3.75 than 3.1 miles. But it's all in fun. We weren't out there to race it- we were out there to enjoy ourselves and that is exactly what we did. 

We spent the after party hanging out with old friends and new and then as things wrapped up at the after party we headed out to grab some lunch and enjoy some more beers. Oh, and then we hit up the local running store that always has a big winter clearance sale the day of the McGuire's run where I scored me some new Newtons for 75.00 that were originally marked 155.00. Not gonna lie, that was one of the best parts of the day ;)

All in all we had an amazing time at the race and the after party. Next year we will prepare more in advance and try to be a bit more festive and come up with some fun costumes or at least a bit more St. Paddy's gear. Also next year we will be sure to bring the sunblock. E and I are both still red from the sunburn. Typically we know better but we are just out of the slathering ourselves in sunblock before we go anywhere habit. Lesson learned. And noted for this week's half marathon. 

Had to represent Fitbloggin'!!!

Did you do any St. Paddy's themed (or Pi Day themed) runs this weekend? Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Love and hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxoxox

I Drank the Kool-Aid!

I drank the Kool-Aid…

but then I quickly spit it out.

After spending the other weekend in Disney (which was awesome, which was a bit surprising since I am not a Disney kinda gal, and I mean no offense to those that are) and watching the Princess half marathon I thought for a moment or two that maybe just MAYBE I too would want to run Disney. Yes, I have said on numerous occasions that I would never run a Disney race. Just like I have said that I will never run another Rock n’ Roll race (and I swear I am sticking to it). But for that brief moment I was caught up in the Disney hype/lore/craze/madness. I guess being at the happiest place on earth will do that to you. That plus seeing so many happy faces during and a bajillion race pics from Disney flooding social media. I got caught up. ESPECIALLY after I learned about Disney’s wine and dine race…what??? You run and then drink wine and eat food all night? Sign me up…

Ok, not so fast. I was getting ahead of myself there, all caught up in the madness.

I mean there are some great things about Disney races. Just from being a spectator I saw many of them first hand- they have a fantastic expo, the medals were pretty sweet, especially the coast to coast one (although I have gotten cooler medals at much smaller races but that’s just personal preference), you get to run through Disney parks and take photos with characters (that makes for a really interesting and memorable experience), everyone is happy and having fun. Great crowds (where there were crowds- it looks like pretty long stretches on roads with no spectators from what I viewed from the monorail) - my hats go off to the spectators, especially the ones that have no idea what they are getting themselves into at these races. No one around me lost their shit waiting around for hours for their runners to show.  Plus people genuinely love these races. They travel all over the country (and now Paris in 2016) for them. They must be doing something right…right?

And I guarantee they are. Disney has their races planned and choreographed to a T. They have insanely large crowds so there is no room for error. That being said, I just don’t think these races are for me. Here’s why…

Too many people…there are just too many people racing. This is why I swore off RnR. See, if I was a front of the pack runner it would be no big deal. Those people end up with tons of space and short lines for pictures- they get all the perks. But I am not that runner. I am, at best, a mid-pack runner. More like back of the pack most times. And you know what big races are like for a runner like me- torture. I hate races where even after a mile or two I still feel like there are people surrounding me. I saw the people that run my pace coming through at around 5.5 miles in and it was a clusterf***. It was bodies jam-packed next to more bodies. NOT FOR ME! I need space people!

The second big issue I have with Disney races (and these aren't the only ones that fall onto this list- I’m looking at you Warrior Dash) is the cost. I mean come on…really? It’s all private property. Why is it soooo expensive? At least if you are going to charge and arm and a leg give the people a park pass or a park discount or something but nope, you get nothing. Well at least nothing you wouldn't get at any other race (tech tee, medal). So boo to that.

Also, because the races go through the parks and the parks are closed and they don’t want to deal with people coming in for the race with park traffic and the traffic for the parks getting caught in road closures the races start ridiculously early. Which, eh, for me not the end of the world but still a pain in the butt. My big thing was thinking about Wine and Dine which does not start hours before sunrise, like other Disney races, but instead starts in the middle of the night. Or at least what I consider the middle of the night. 10P start for the first corral. I would probably be around an 11p start. I go to bed pretty consistently at 9p. So I would run, finish around 1a-2a and then I am supposed to eat and drink. What? That’s crazy talk. I would need someone to carry me to bed at 2a. I have no desire to run a night race (especially one where the big benefit comes after and I would only want to go to sleep) with the exception being Ragnar, but that’s a whole other batch of crazy on its own.

Which really is the point of this right? I mean I know people might read this and think Disney sounds awesome but running a Ragnar Relay sounds crazy, or driving different states for races sounds crazy, or it all sounds crazy period. But the beauty is in finding the crazy that works for you. Run Disney isn't it for me (but I loved the Disney experience enough I would go back and visit and maybe even watch some Disney movies – haven’t watched one since I was a kid) but I can see how it is for some people. And that is awesome. For me, the perfect race has a small number of runners, a smallish price tag, great crowd support and a great after party (I’m looking at you Louisiana Marathon with you vegan food tent, all Abita beer and a bonus for letting me cross the finish line with my dog) because that is what makes me feel comfortable and run happy.

And that is my end goal in this whole running thing- to just be happy.

Which I really need to keep in mind when I pick out which races I want to spend my hard earned money on.

And I will make a promise to myself to lay off the racing Kool-Aid from now on ;)

Some pics from yesterday's half marathon- Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Gulf Shores, AL

I found a mummer...definitely the highlight of the race!

I was really excited to spot Erick at the finish and for the fact that this was the first time any race finish had pronounced my name correctly

After party inside Lulu's 

The 'famous' race medal//bottle opener

Gordie even liked wearing it :)

Love and hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxoxox

The Louisiana Marathon Race Weekend Recap

Last weekend Erick, Gordie and I headed to Baton Rouge for the Louisiana Marathon Race Weekend. The event offers four races- a 5K and quarter marathon option on Saturday and a half and full marathon on Sunday- plus a kids race. I could write a book about how amazing this race/weekend/event is.

From start to finish we all had an amazing time, Gordie included. Not only is the race course beautiful but the after party is by far the best I've seen. They even had a 'vegan village' where I immediately went and ate all the food! It was fantastic. One of our favorite beers, Abita, was the sponsor so you know we really enjoyed hanging out afterwards. I cannot stress it enough that everything about this race is awesome. I loved the expo. The race website is amazing. It even gives adresses/crossroads for each mile marker which is super helpful for spectators. The crowd support was fantastic- I stopped at the mimosa stop around mile 2.5 and enjoyed a little drink. I did, however, skip the tequila and bourbon shots offered and the doughnuts. The race course itself is lovely- you run around lakes on streets lined with giant oak trees and you also run through LSU's campus- right past Tiger stadium.

The Saturday events are dog friendly and next year I plan on having Gordie run with me. This year, after hearing the announcer during the 5K be super excited about the dogs on the course I decided to take Gordie with me across the finish line at the half. The announcer and the fans loved it. I grabbed Gordie about a block and a half from the finish (Erick and I had planned to do this) and we ran (after Gordie stopped trying to rip off my race bib) across the finish together. It was so awesome!

I also got to see my friend and Fitblogger Angela, from We Beat Fat, and her husband Willie. I met up with them Saturday and saw them before and after the 5K (which Angela PR'd) and then on Sunday morning I didn't see them anywhere around the start. Luckily for me I ran into Willie around mile 8 and he let me tag along with him for the last 5 miles. I tried not to talk his ear off, as I tend to do, and not ruin his race. He also didn't mind crossing the finish line with Gordie either so that was great. Erick and I grabbed some food and a couple of beers then headed back to the finish line to meet up with Willie so we could watch for Angela who was running the full. Angela PR's her marathon time which was awesome to see happen. That girl is a beast- she ran three marathons in three weeks and still managed to PR the last one. Amazing!

After we said our goodbyes, Erick and I headed back to the hotel and enjoyed the rest of the day just relaxing (and doing homework) in Baton Rouge. It was a perfect weekend start to finish and I will definitely be going back next year!

It was super cold at the start of the 5K...

I took so many pictures during the half....at least 50. It was awesome! 

 Mimosa station! 

 All the bling!

and all the food!

Love and hugs,
Dacia
xoxoxox