Pep talks are an acquired skill

Week 1 of The Biggest Loser contest at work came to a completion yesterday, full of weigh-ins and lengthy confessions: “I ate blank [30 cookies] because I was blank [stressed] because my blank [cat] blank [puked] on the blank [new carpet] and I was therefore too tired to cook.” Followed with, “I didn’t exercise because blank [I’m too busy with finals].” Fill in blanks with whatever you can dream up; 71 contestants, I heard it all. I just listened (I’ve come to the conclusion that we, as a whole, need validation. I know I fall into this category with my running and other aspects of life), nodded in agreement and then proceeded with a, “There are no excuses!” I know, I’m a warm and loving coach, pep talks are clearly an acquired skill (ahem!). By contestant #22, I was done with the sympathetic route and just told them: How bad do you want this? This is a lifestyle change. If you expect to see results, you cannot do the same thing you have been doing. You wouldn’t be here if you were happy with your weight, let’s move towards positive directions and find the solutions! It will NOT be easy; nothing we want so badly is, but the rewards are worth the sacrifices – let’s DO IT!

No one ever said I was soft with my words. Ha.

BUT overall the numbers were pretty good. I mean, we’re not talking Jillian (despite my name being very similar, I can sadly admit that her and I are not in the same fitness category. She’s sporting some pretty amazing arm muscles that I envy to death, amongst other muscle-y parts!) and Bob here; I give a basic workout along with a 6 small meal/day plan that honestly, no one admitted to fully adhering to. If they did, we’d be seeing amazing results. Nevertheless, here’s our results:

We lost 206 pounds this week or 1.53%
Average % lost per person was: 1.45%

The top 5 this week:
5. 3.75%
4. 3.83%
3. 4.03%
2. 4.32%
1. 4.59%

Those numbers aren’t anything to cry about. Sure, we had a few that actually gained (one, for his credit, was on a new thyroid medicine); a few stalemates; and some that barely squeaked by with a fraction of a negative number, but I’m very proud of those who got out there and gave it their effort!

I left each contestant with a little yellow piece of paper that read:
It’s precisely our busy, tired lives that require us to take care of ourselves for wholeness. Exercise keeps everything else in check, alleviating misplaced burdens and unaired emotions. It is purposeful for our own well-being as well as for those around us. We are better parents, friends, workers and everything in between because we have made the time to take care of ourselves. Every single one of us makes time for what is mandatory. For a runner, running is mandatory; it keeps us healthy, it keeps us sane. For me, running is mandatory; I have to make the time. Pay homage to the weight loss you truly want by determining you are a deserving individual. Make the time to achieve your goal and soon, very soon, you will wear that badge of honor and see the results you want!
“If you want something you’ve never had before, you have to be willing to do something you’ve never done before.”

Let’s see if that kicks a little fire in them or not. :)

Btw, my Floridian Friend, Adam, wrote an excellent blog here about just this very subject. He's getting ready to run his second marathon in Miami in a couple weeks (Jan 31st) - stop by and wish him luck (his first was just 7 weeks earlier than this one. What a stud!!! :) )

Running report:
Sunday: Went to the gym and did a bunch of leg weights, stretched a ton, and swam a few laps. Nothing earth shattering but I’ll take it.
Monday: Nada. Sore. Tired. Knew my body would fare better with rest. Okay, let’s not take the pep talk I gave with eloquence above and insert here. Our bodies need rest for fuel, too, and I knew I was going to do myself more damage by running than not. I chose not.
Tuesday: Still a tad sore from 3-way lunges on Sunday (will I ever get to the point of them not killing me for days after!?! Ugh) and got a late start so headed over to the gym for some hill repeats. 1 mile wu + 10 ¼ mile hills up and 10 ¼ mile hills down + 1 mile cool down. That was a good, sweaty workout. Good pace. Did a slew of arm weights and some ab stuff and 2.25 hours (omg!) after I entered the gym, I finally left.
Wednesday (today): Behind on mileage (I have a disease, is there runners-anonymous out there?) for the week due to an added recovery day Monday, I ran 8.3 miles at the state park by my house. 59 degrees and sunny – a perfect day to be outdoors (yea Vitamin D!). Wish I could have run on the trails but rapidly melting snow has left them extremely muddy; I don't relish the thought of mud running. I felt strong and steady but again struggled with that pace thing. For the effort I was putting in, I thought I was running faster. Nope. Avg pace: 9:03. It was suppose to be a recovery run anyway with my pace actually slower but it just “felt” faster. That little annoying “issue” behind my knee was there again but not screaming as loudly as Sunday. Still think it’s hamstring related. Fully intended to go to yoga this evening but some horrible stomach issues after so just went home. Will stretch before I plop into bed here soon.

Other News:
Obviously, the daughter has not fixed my girly baby shower blog. Sorry. Maybe this weekend.

Run well, y’all!!