See Diva Run

In late 2002, I stepped on the scale and saw a number so disturbing that I lost my appetite. I also lost 70 pounds over the next two years. As I dropped below certain numbers, I promised myself “never again”. I’m not so happy about the 15+ that has crept back over the years. It’s the subtle 3-4 pounds per year that keeps piling up until you have a number that really freaks you out. For the last couple years I’ve intended to make losing weight a priority. I’ve joined weight loss challenges and set goals, but in the end, other things took priority, and I ate without thinking. Running resulted in weight gain, as the intensity of the exercise made me hungry, and I took in more calories than I burned. The new plan is simple. I eat what I need to survive, paying careful attention to portion size and calorie counts. I’m cooking limited amounts, so the option of going back for more doesn’t exist. Anything that sounds like “fun” and has more than the approved number of calories will have to wait until I turn 50 in December. With any luck, I’ll lose more than the 15 I gained, because I’m probably going to gain a few in December when I start eating again. Since I can’t do anything about turning 50, I may as well turn 50 at a weight that I feel good about, preferably the one listed on my driver’s license ;). With the added bonus of being able to eat whatever I want, I might even start looking forward to my birthday! Mmmm, cake!

Unlike previous weight loss efforts where I jumped on the scale in my underwear before eating or drinking anything in order to see the lowest number possible, this time I’m getting on the scale at different times of day, and I’m wearing multiple layers of clothes, and shoes too. I’m not nearly as concerned about how low it is as I am about how high it is. I’m well over one of my never again numbers, but I’m also well under the next one.

December is still a long way off. Until then, the outlook isn’t so bleak. I have been eating an apple daily, and some of my favorite foods appear on this list of 10 foods that help you lose weight.

Life has taken some interesting twists and turns. The night I brought Jasmine’s ashes home, we discovered Harley. He is a lovely, quiet, old dog who radiates calm. He was rescued from the Kent Animal Shelter by the wonderful people at Old Dog Haven. We aren’t sure of his age, but he is suffering from arthritis in his back, and weakness in his back legs. Despite his difficulties in getting up and walking around, he is perennially cheerful. He helps me keep my life in perspective. He also gets along very well with other dogs. Here he is with our other old dog, Baby. We’ve had Baby for 15 years, but she normally hides in a corner. She and Jasmine did not get along, and there were many fights when they were younger. She is much more tolerant of Harley.

While this might have sated my need to take care of an old dog, my need to rescue them was not yet fulfilled. Next we learned of Admiral, a 13 year old Dalmatian whose owner was moving out of state. He arrived on Father’s Day.

Admiral is as old as Harley, but in better physical condition. His mental condition is another matter. This is one very stressed out dog. He just wants to go out and walk until his legs collapse out from under him. The transition away from his lifetime home has been an ordeal, but I can see he was a high strung boy to begin with. We discovered that he is terrified of cameras, so we are no longer taking his picture.

Things might have settled down, but during the 2 week period between agreeing to take Admiral, and his arrival, I learned of a puppy that was going to be put down if he wasn’t taken from the shelter by Friday, 6/19. His scared little picture, and his sad little listing that said he was in cage 12 and had no name really bothered me. I contacted Dalmatian rescue people, and even contacted family in Idaho, to see if they could help. I also contacted the rescue group that posted him on Petfinder, hoping to buy him some extra time. They told me they had a van delivering dogs to western Washington the following week, and if I would agree to take the puppy, they would save and deliver him. That is how we came to have Friday.

Friday arrived the day after Admiral, which didn’t give anyone time to adjust. He is full of puppy energy and enthusiasm, which in not appreciated by the old dogs in any way. His constant attempts to lick their faces and engage them in play are met with growls. I didn’t exactly have a plan when I said I would take him, but once I realized that I would have four dogs, I knew that I would have to foster the puppy until I could find him a home. So far 2 prospective homes haven’t worked out. In the meantime, I’m getting attached to the little guy, and my plan to run a retirement home for dogs is in peril.

Admiral and Friday arrived 3 days before the end of school, but I somehow managed to finish my research paper and complete my last tests. The credits are all on my transcript, and soon my diploma will be conferred, Summa Cum Laude. I’m so glad that is over with!

Somewhere before the dogs doubled in number, Mr Diva persuaded me to sign up for the 2010 Goofy Challenge. We are also committed to the 2009 Honolulu Marathon, to celebrate his birthday, and the Inaugural Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon. I’m actually pretty unhappy about that, but we wanted to run New Orleans one last time, and those corporate weasels at the Competitor Group are out to destroy every good race in the country. Except for little doggy jogs, I’m not running. I suspect these races will all be really long walks, so I’m going to concentrate on lots of walking. I’ve got 4 training partners, as well as a neighbor dog who needs to walk more. I do want to get into decent 5K shape for the 2009 Iron Girl.

As I get more organized with running, I’ll start updating my Sweat365 training log again. In the meantime, I’m getting lots of walking in! I hope to start catching up on reading blogs this week. Next week I’ll be on vacation with the family. We are going to see my sister. I’m really looking forward to that. When we get home, I plan to start a “dog blog” on my jasmineshouse.com site, including a tribute page to Jasmine. Here is a link to some of my favorite digital photos of her.

The Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge is coming to an end, and though I wasn’t a contender to win, it helped me get over the idea that running is everything, and encouraged me to exercise, even when I couldn’t run.

My numbers from this week:

* You exercised 15 times on 6 days, for 6.8 hours, and a total of 19.45 miles.
* You did flexibility 3 times on 3 days, for 0.8 hours.
* You did other 3 times on 3 days, for 0.8 hours.
* You ran 3 times on 3 days, for 1.9 hours, and a total of 10 miles.
* You did strength training 1 times on 1 days, for 0.5 hours.
* You walked 5 times on 5 days, for 2.7 hours, and a total of 9.45 miles.

My totals for the challenge:

* You exercised 36 times on 21 days, for 20 hours, and a total of 67.1 miles.
* You did flexibility 4 times on 4 days, for 1.3 hours.
* You did other 4 times on 4 days, for 1.3 hours.
* You ran 9 times on 9 days, for 5.5 hours, and a total of 27.99 miles.
* You did strength training 1 times on 1 days, for 0.5 hours.
* You walked 18 times on 16 days, for 11.3 hours, and a total of 39.11 miles.

With 27.99 miles of running + 39.11 miles of walking and 3.1 hours of other activity my total points are 79.

Huge thanks to Amanda at Run to Finish for having a brilliant idea and keeping everyone motivated! Congratulations to everyone who participated.

Last week was my best week yet, with 17 miles of walking and running, and 30 minutes of intense snow shoveling. That gives me 18 points, bringing my total up to 39.74. I’m not a contender to win, but at least I’m up and moving.

I have a bunch of product reviews to write, but am having motivational issues. It’s vacation and I’m trying not to spend the whole thing sitting at my desk as if I were at work! Now it’s time to go play in the rain…

RunToFinish came up with this great idea for keeping motivated during the holidays, the “Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge“. You need to sign up by Friday if you want to join in the fun. Leave a comment on her blog to join.