Erie PA Half Marathon Lets Do This!

Hello it has been awhile since I last updated here on my blog.  I am here today to start blogging about something that I find will be a fun and motivational way to help keep me on track with my weight loss.

I had originally signed up to walk the Air Force 1/2Marathon Dayton Ohio this September that was until I found something a little closer to home.  In Erie, Pennsylvania at the Presque Isle State Park, the Biggest Loser people on putting on a ½ marathon Biggest Loser Run Walk.  This also has a very generous course limit (5hrs).  It is only about 1 ½ hours away compared to well over 4hrs to Dayton.  Plus an added plus is the scenery.  Presque Isle is a 3,200 acre park on a penisula that sticks out into Lake Erie ).  It is surrounded by water on both sides.  It is very flat and there is a road that winds around the isle going one way along with paved bike/walking trails.  This is a great place to visit if you haven’t already!

Here is a video that shows driving into and around the park.  It is a time lapse video and moves quickly, but you can get a feel for what it would be like walking the 13.1 miles in August.

I have created a team to join me on my walk.  Team “Work2LoseIt Walking Team” and several people have said that they will join me. If you would like to join me for this 1/2 marathon then you can go to Biggest Loser Run Walk and then choose the Erie, PA race on August 17th and then when you register choose the "Register and Join a Team" button and then look for our team name.

Some people have made mention of the fact that it will cost you a registration fee. As I have told them, it costs money to put on an event like this, plus in return you can get a shirt, a finsihers medal plus many more items.  I find it well worth the cost to help me stay on track and by putting money where my mouth is helps me to work towards my goal.

My family and I will staying overnight in Erie the night before the event, plus when there it is Erie's annual celebration days, so there will be a lot to do that day and night before.

I will be blogging much more about this event in the coming days and weeks, and if you would like to particpate then send me a email at work2loseit@yahoo.com.

 

Find me here on.........

Hello, trying to work and stay focused on my weight loss, throw in some classes for grad school and working crazy hours and shifts. I have decided to place my attention and updates on my Facebook page Work2LoseIt.

Here I will post updates on my weight loss, my different activities to try and burn some calories and along with many other neat stuff.

So please go to my Facebook page and if you give me a like, you will be able to stay tuned and keep current with me.

Thanks,

One pound at a time

Weigh in for this past week was a loss of just barely 2lbs.  Yes, I know 2lbs is 2lbs lost and not gained.  Just wish it was more.  I must learn to be patient with myself.  Still doing a hybrid Medifast diet plan.  Have been adding an extra protein and/or a Lean Cusine meal.  Need to get back on the plan. 

Walking has been only at work lately.  Have had some problems with my right knee, where I actually can't bear any weight on it at times.  In my job as a Nursing/Hospital Supervisor I am always on my feet and on the go.  To track my activity at work I wear a pedometer called Zip from Fitbit.  This is a great weightloss tool.  It allows me to track my steps and then I can follow my calorie burn and miles walked.  Last night at work from midnight (it resets itself to a new day at midnight everyday) to 7am I walked 7400 steps and burned over 2000 calories (big guy = big calorie burn) and walked almost 3.6 miles.  This is a great little device and it also comes with a free app for your iPhone, and is able to sync with Bluetooth.  Good tool at a very reasonable price of $59.00.  I lost my first Zip and just bought a new green Zip so it would be more difficult to lose, at least I hope so.

 

Am currently reviewing 5K, 10K and half marathons for 2013.  Yes, I did say marathon!  Well at least a 1/2 marathon.  I plan on walking at these events.  Many have added walking, but some have not adjusted the time to complete the course, so must be careful when looking at these events.  A local series of running and walking events, Ohio Challenge Series.  This group puts on events locally here in the Canton, Akron and surrounding areas.  Events range from 5K to full marathons, and they have been adding walking catergories to many of these events.  I hope to sit down soon and pick out my events.  My work schedule of working everyother weekend makes this difficult but not

impossible.

 

Stay tuned as I continue my journey, "Like" me on my Facebook Page to follow my updates .

Commitment 2013

 

Hello 2013, it’s me Steve and no I am not making any resolutions as you start your new year. I know 2013, that as you begin your new year you have expectations of people making resolutions on how this year will be the year of whatever.  But I say to you 2013, I will not! No, what I am doing is making a decision to work and make a full year commitments to becoming a healthy me.  So you can keep your resolutions to yourself, thank you.

I guess that you have guessed by now that I am not making any resolutions as we begin the New Year.  But what I want to do, no what I am going to do is make a difference in my health.  I am on a weight loss journey, and when you plan a journey it requires choices or decisions to be made, it requires a commitment.

I started really looking at my weight problem late this summer and made some changes in my diet and life.  I recently started Medifast and since this late summer, I am down 50lbs!  -50lbs in less than 6 months!!!  But I am really only beginning.  So, stay tuned as I continue forward with my journey.

Big lost this week!!!!

Sorry it has been awhile since my last blog update.  I have been updating my progress a little more frequently at my Facebook page, but have some great news!!!

Well it’s been 7 days into my new diet plan and it has paid off, with a 12.1 pound loss!!!!.  Started a new VLCD (very low calorie diet) with Medifast/Take Shape for Life. 

 

This plan focuses on meal replacements with shakes/bars/soups etc. (5 of these per day) along with a lean/green meal (lean protein with green veggies) and an emphasis on water and exercise.  Sure it hasn’t been easy, but hey what diet is ever easy? Right?  If dieting was easy then there would be no obesity epidemic in the USA.  This plan also incorporates transition and maintance into the plan as you lose your weight.

 

Along with the plan you could also sign up for a health coach.  This is someone who has gone through and lost weight with Medifast, so they know what you are going through and will be there with you during your own journey.  My coach is Brianna Rangel, who recently was chosen with others as success stories of the year for Medifast.  She has lost well over 100lbs and understands what my journey will be like.  Support has been awesome from fellow Medifast users, shout out to my fellow Warriors!!!

 I have spoken with my doctors about starting Medifast and all are on board, and will schedule regular follow ups with them. Disclaimer: always check with your doctor prior to starting any exercise program or diet.

The lean/green meals have been fun in making something healthy and filling at the same time.  Have made meals with shrimp, chicken, steak and salmon.   Tonight's dinner is 7oz extra lean ground turkey with a little taco seasoning on a bed of lettuce (2 cups) with some diced tomatoes (1/2 cup) and salsa (3 Tbsp).  You learn what healthy lean proteins and serving sizes and what make up healthy habits.  Healthy fats/oils are also an important part.  And then there is the water.  Not a big water drinker until now, getting my water in has been an adventure.  Crystal Light also helps.  Here is an interesting note, I have only had a glass of Diet Pepsi with caffeine (my daughter gave me a glass at Thanksgiving) for several weeks now.  I do drink a non-caffeine soft drink (diet root beer or diet Squirt) allowing myself only one can per day.

Now this is not for everyone and any plan on losing weight is up to that individual.  Don’t judge others for what works for them, so don’t be a hater, just wish me luck on my journey. 

This next week’s goal is also adding some walking back into my daily routine, as I am feeling much better and stronger.

Stay tuned as I continue on.

If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.

Thomas Edison

Down but not out.

Been down for the count these past few days.  I sustained an injury to my back, when assisting a patient into their vehicle after their ER visit (I am a RN Nursing Supervisor).  There were 3 of us, but the patients legs gave out and then I had to basically cradle the patient and then at the same time lift the patient up and onto the car seat.  I do use proper body mechanics when doing any patient lifts and sometimes even with help and good technique, things happen.  The good news is that we were able to prevent the patient from falling and becoming injured.



So, have been off work for a couple days and have not been able to get my walking in at all.  Also very little sleep, every time I move my back yells at me!  It has gotten better with each day, so hope to be back (ouch bad pun) at work Friday night and then maybe see how it feels and go for a walk on Monday after work.

But being at home and not able to work out is not an excuse for eating as I please, no sir!  I have been keeping a handle on the calories going in, so again here is hoping that I meet my goal of 2-3lbs a week weight lost.

Okay, last time I discussed goals and working towards completing something as a method of keeping me on track.  I have narrowed it down to a few choices.  I have to be careful when I pick the event as I work every other weekend, and I start grad school for my Masters in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner in December and not real sure when my clinical training will begin (thinking May/June).  I am looking at the following events:

Sarasota Florida Half Marathon - March 2013
Flying Pig Marathon - Cincinnati Ohio - May 2013
Cleveland Rite Aid Marathon - May 2013

Okay, I would be walk/run (slow jog...ok quick walk) a 1/2 marathon, 13.1 miles.  I choose these for various reason, the Sarasota 1/2 Marathon is where my sister lives and she would be able to complete with me and has a 4hr limit on the course, and oh yeah, lots of sand and water.  The Flying Pig is only 3-4hrs south of where I live and heard it is really fun and wait for it.....they have a 7hr time limit to complete the course.  13.1 miles in 7hrs, oh yeah I can do it!  Also, it would be on my 51st birthday and during a break from school.  Cleveland is about 50 miles north of where I live, the course is nice and also has a 4hr limit for the 1/2.

Need to decide by the first of the year, so I can pay for early registration and save a couple bucks, but in the mean time, it is time to get to work.  Let me know what you think.

That's it for now, sitting here in my office at home, my chair is starting to fight with my back.  So stay tuned as I Work 2 Lose It.

Remember, you can follow me on Facebook by clicking on the Facebook icon up on the upper right hand corner of this page.

Thoughts for the day........

Just some random thoughts for the day........

Weight loss is hard.  People who have never had to experience being overweight have no freakin clue!!  But, I need to remember this myself.  I posted a weight loss of only a pound a week ago and was down (blue...disappointed).  Thought, man I did some things right this week, I walked and walked hard (Walk Hard the Dewey Cox Story reference) so I thought was going to have a good loss, maybe 5lbs......but no.

But then something really positive happen....my Facebook friends stopped by my page and reminded me that a loss is a loss and not a gain.  Again the support I have been given has been awesome!!  Thank you very much.  I felt better and posted a loss of 2lbs this week.  My 4 week total is keeping me at my goal of 2-3lbs a week.  Here is a link to a recent story about the positive affect that social media can have on weight loss.  Its all about building a support team around you.  I have my team, my wife and family, my work family at SCH and my FB support team.  You can see that article on Social Media Helps in Weight Loss by clicking here on this link.

Still just looking at my calories in and calories out.  I do need to step it up and figure out a real plan of attack on my calories in and look at building a real workout plan/schedule.  I will work on that this week.

Can we talk about feet?  My feet hurt.  Yes I am on them at work for 8-12hrs at a time, then I go walking to burn some calories, they hurt again.  Then I went to a shoe store where they did a foot evaluation.  They looked at my shoes and had me do some stepping and then they looked at my footprint and evaluated it.  The salesman told me I was over pronating and needed to correct it to help ease my discomfort. 



He recommended a shoe for me.  Alert-Disclaimer this is just my thoughts and they really are only my experiences, so you should only take them for that, I am not a foot expert, nor a shoe expert, I only know what works for me. He recommended New Balance shoe 1012. 

This shoe has made a big difference in my life.  It is designed to help control and maintain my feet in a proper neutral position, plus has extra padding for comfort.  I wear these when I walk, when I work at the hospital and when I just run around, so yes I have a lot of shoes, but only one brand and model.



Looking ahead and wanting to set some goals, not only losing weight and becoming healthy, but also something to work for, something to keep me on course.  Looking at a 1/2 marathon after the first of the year and then something mid summer.  I also want to work towards being to physically handle riding a bicycle 325 miles. 

A couple years ago I came across a story in USA Today about the Great Allegheny Passage.  This is a 325 mile long trail that was once a former railroad line.  The trail is from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C.  I have been reading about this trail and studying what and how to pack supplies, where to stay or where to camp and so much more.  It can require daily rides of 50 miles a day, so I must get in shape and lose weight in order to mark this off my bucket list.

 

 

So just some random thoughts for the day, have a good week everyone.