Larissa

I made it to Somerset and Booth before my knee gave out yesteday. So not bad. I think that's about 10 - 15 km on the route I was travelling.

Today, however, I've been taste-testing Voluntinis. 'Nuff said, before I say too much.

How is the Carb Battle going?

Paula:
Good for you Larissa! 10 - 15 kms, that is great!

I took today to just relax and do nothing... I have to admit that I had a few things that I shouldn't have eaten, but in very small portions ;-)

Larissa
Oh no, looks like we both missed yesterday! My excuse was that after all of the burbon talk from the other day I decided to drink mimosas. And here's the thing - I think the mimosa is the perfect drink. It's got your vitamin C, your bubbles, your tangy aftertaste and if the OJ is of higher quality the champagne (read: bubbly wine) doesn't have to be.

Anyway, so I got absorbed in mimosas and the movie "Eastern Promises", which was horrifying but surprisingly good. THEN Chris pointed out it was a David Cronenberg film, which I thought was sneaky as I have boycotted Croenenberg since I threw up while watching "Naked Lunch", a fact I'm sure would delight him if he ever decided to read a blog about pudgy gals running.

Ohhh, and who would play you in the movie version of "Pudgy Gals Running"? I'd want an ever-so-slightly padded Angelina Jolie to play me, and would probably get the amazingly talented but slightly less va-va-voom Kathy Bates. Or Rosie O'Donnell. "Everyone likes Rosie," is what I'd tell myself as I sobbed into my pillow at night.

But today, Saturday, Lola and I are going for a marathon walk. I have always wanted to get Lola a doggie backpack and I might just buy that today. I was thinking of walking to one of the doggie stories in Westboro to purchase it, but one does have to stay loyal to the doggie store in one's own neighbourhood (Wag's!) so maybe we'll stop there briefly and then go on to Westboro. I think that should be maybe 15 km? Then we'll call Chris for a ride!

Then tonight we'll turn off all of the lights and the computer and unplug everything we can (appliances, etc, still use energy when plugged in even if switched off, a reminder for your hydro bill and for the planet) and for Earth Hour we're going to walk the neighbourhood and shame people who have left lights on. Oh, not really. But we will mark down their addresses for shaming later.

I must point out, however, that I think it's sadly amusing that: 1. We're only prepared to give the Earth an hour. Like anything over an hour is just too much to ask. And 2. That I'd like to know how much waste, run-off and general polluting took place during the making of that gigantic Earth Hour banner Ottawa city hall draped over the building for a press conference. I'm really glad that Ottawa is participating and I really hope Parliament turns off the lights and all of that, but perhaps we didn't need to add to the pollution of the planet to proclaim our desire to make changes for the planet? Just saying....although then would it have gotten press play? Sigh.

Maybe that's what I can squeak out after falling over during our race, "I was good to the planet for an hour. Remember me!" before I die on the road.

Paula:
Oh no, I completely forgot to post yesterday! My excuse is that I didn't get home until about 8:30pm and went to bed shortly after that... what a life huh?

Well, yesterday was the first time that I went for a run at lunch time (during my work day). I wasn't too fond of the route I chose though, too many people. I'll find another one next time. Tonight I do my weight training... meaning push ups and sit ups etc... I'm going to try that "special" push up again, maybe this time I won't fall flat on my face... I know it's a "fit" people excercise, but I'm willing to make a fool of myself, I have no issues with that (actually, to be honest, the kids are at their dad's tonight and I'll make Kerry leave the room before I do any excercises, so no one will actually see me make a fool of myself ;-)

Do you ever get those emails that tell you that you will receive years of bad luck if you don't forward to ten people within 1 hour? Well, I hate getting them, I always delete them (I would never forward such a thing to anyone) and then I curse the person who sends it under my breath! Well I got one the day before yesterday and I deleted it, so when everything went wrong yesterday (deliveries didn't arrive at work, I forgot my lunch, my passcard didn't work to get into my office, I forgot my medication at home, my phone died. And this is only the stuff I can remember)... well my first thought was that darn email and so then I had to curse the person who sent it to me "again"! ARGH! You know who you are!!! You are now in my bad books!

Paula:
You know, I get a visual each time I read your posts Larissa... too funny!

I weighed myself this morning (BIG mistake!), and I gained two lbs - I know that it's probably because I've changed my eating habits, but it still sucks - well, as long as I can lose it again, I'll live ;-). It's my weight training night - no running today. I don't know how I'm going to be able to do push ups or sit ups tonight, my whole body hurts like crazy from the other night when I did them. Just even touching my ribs causes me pain (I keep telling myself that it's a "good" pain, so I can handle it, but please someone tell me... "is there such a thing as good pain"? Huh?)

Jill showed me how to do a different type of push up that will exercise my "core", when I tried it at home tonight, I fell flat on my face (thanks girlfriend)!

Well, I'm off to cause myself more "good pain", wish me luck!

Larissa

Don't you know by now you can never trust crazy fit people and their "tips"? The tips are always something impossible that only super fit people can do in the first place. Have I taught you nothing?!?

Here's my fitness issue: I am still not training hard enough. I realized it the other day, as I'm going along on the treadmill, all, "La de dah, look at me, I'm walking, I'm running, I wonder what's for dinner?" Suddenly I've realized I'm still only going, like, 2.5 km in 30 minutes. Not good.

And so far the anti-Atkins has been a bit of a bust. Chris did give up coffee and had to take to his bed for 1.5 days to recover. I was expecting him to call for the laudanum and to begin all of his sentences with, "I declare!"

Which brings me around to the whole Mint Julep thing. I remember reading books about the southern US and pictured these ruffled and hatted women sitting on a porch sipping a mint julep, which I assumed was a version of iced tea with some mint in it. I was so excited to get one once, and that was when I realized a mint julep is basically a big cup of burbon with a couple of mint leaves waved over the top and some sugar if you're fancy. Soooo, these women were all hard drinking liver ruining iron stomach persons with fancy clothes? I suppose that is the myth of the "genteel" south. But could those women run 5km? Exactly.

Paula:
I don't blame you for wrestling with the dog for the bone. I would do it with my kids, well, I'd wrestle them for real chocolate, not bones, but it's all food right lol - it helps that my youngest is a wrestling fan and there would be nothing as exciting as mom bribing him to a match = I win, I get the food, you win, well, you won't win - isn't it true that mothers are always stronger than their kids, even when their kids are bigger than they are? I'm going to have to stop thinking this way, considering Alex is a kid that the football team is dying/drooling to recruit.

I'm really sorry about bringing the chocolate to work with me, but if I leave it here at home, I'm afraid I'll eat it... I'm actually bringing more in tomorrow ;-) but I'll hand it out myself instead of leaving in on the front desk calling to everyone. I know the ones who want it...

Well, I've decided to go off the Atkins diet. I'm not stopping my diet, just changing it up a bit (I'm a little worried about making the right choices with food). I really need the carbs when I'm running/training the way I am (I did another 5K tonight). I'm going to take your advise Larissa and stay away from the bread, so hopefully that will keep the weight coming off. We are both doing well Larissa, and we still have 2 months to the run. Just think of how much easier it will be by the end of next month! YAY!

Larissa

Yes, easier. Uh-huh. I'm still expecting you to carry me for at least part of this thing.

I also heard the best description of someone's clothes today: "She looks like Laura Ingalls of the Damned". Love it. I am totally going to try to make that part of today's hip slang. "What are you wearing? I'm going to go for a Laura Ingalls of the Damned kind of look."

Gasp! That's what we should wear for this run! Ohhh, and speaking of the run, there's a movie coming out that I think we'll have to see together called "Run Fat Guy Run". I'm interested because it has that guy who was in "Sean of the Dead" in it. And come on, how can I not see a movie called "Run Fat Guy Run"?

And speaking of movies, I was watching Radio Canada because they have some seriously mind-bending stuff on there, and tonight it was some dance competition. Looked kind of like a cross between So You Think You Can Dance and a game show. Anyway, there was this very cute and rather pudgy gal dancing away (modern jazz style...yup. Dance. Modern jazz style. I leave it with you). I was all, "Dance pudgy girl dance! Make your rather disturbingly thin but tall male dance partner fling you around like you're fairy dust! Move those hefty calves! Point those sausage toes! Dance like your next slurpee depends on it!" And she danced. She danced the dance of the pudgy. I salute you, pudgy dance girl.

Paula:
Today sucks on my diet. I'm starving! I came home and had a handful of chocolates along with a handful of chips. I think my mistake was missing lunch today. I should never do that! You know, I made it through easter weekend and here I am, first day back to work and I've cheated (it's usually harder when I'm at home). I definitely won't lose that pound if I do this.

I even brought a bag full of chocolate eggs to work, so that I wouldn't be tempted when I got home (I feel better when I can pass the chocolate on to the thin ladies and men that work in and around our offices, better on their hips than mine lol). I was very good, I didn't even have one, thank god they are almost all gone - smile.

The biggest loser is on tonight, I'll watch that and get all motivated up again. I'll do my weight training during the show and run/walk my 5K tomorrow night (god, I can't wait to say that I'll "run" my 5K, instead of run/walk), then I'll be back on track!

Larissa

Now, you know I'm not one to point fingers (but I AM full of lies), but I do just have to say that bringing the chocolate to work where there are OTHER PEOPLE who are ALSO avoiding chocolate , but then cheating on your own diet, strikes me as a little bit of karma nibbling on your tushy.

You already know you weren't going to stay on Atkins forever, so maybe this is a chance to start taking in some carbs if you can limit them. And the exercise is amazing, so you're doing soooo well. The thing that kills us on these diets is the whole all or nothing thinking - the "I'm ON" and so eating well, or "I'm OFF" and filling our faces.

This is how desperate I am - because of Lola's allergies she can't have chew bones with any beef, chicken, pork, lamb, etc flavour. But everyone knows a dog needs to chew. So we got her a chocolate bone! I KNOW. But it isn't 'real' chocolate as of course cocoa is poison to dogs. Of course the dog is all, "Meh." But I'm like, "Give. Me. That. Bone!" And then I realized I'd been reduced to tussling over a dog bone with a dog. One that doesn't even have real chocolate in it. It doesn't even smell like chocolate. So really, this is just a story of how I should just have eaten an easter egg and moved on with my life.

Larissa

The other day I saw "The Other Boleyn Girl". Generally meh, but seriously - layers and layers of heavy fabric, poorly ventilated and hot halls, dancing...and no deodrant. Yikes.

Went outside for a run that was clearly going to be a walk - uphill. Boo to uphill. All runs should take place on a downslope. Not only nicer for the runner, but gives everyone a head start should they be being chased by a bear. Aren't you supposed to run downhill when pursued by a bear? Where is that stupid book that gives you all of those hopeless survival tips?

And speaking of survival tips, I watch that "Survivor Guy" show - the decent Canadian one, not the smarmy British one - and in one of the recent episodes in the arctic dude there decided to eat some of the sled dog's food. Now, not that I'm judging, but once you've made the decision to eat the dogfood, why don't you select some food from the tin? Instead, he pulls a piece of the meat away from the dog, and then is all "Ewww, it has poop on it." So give it back to the dog and take some food from the tin you're carrying the dog food in. And they let this guy wander away alone? Get the sense they may be secretly hoping he doesn't make it back? I wonder if they call him Poopy now? I would, clearly.

Paula:
Just got back from my run this morning. Boy, is it ever cold out, at least it's not as windy as Saturday, phew! It's been a week and I still haven't lost that 1 lb that I needed to lose... argh! I guess I lost so much in the first week that my body decided to go on strike ;-). I think we'll just hang out today, I wanted to go clothes shopping, just to see if I can fit into a size smaller than I'm wearing now... who knows, maybe I'll actually buy something. Thomas wants to go to another concert tonight, so that means that I'll be up until midnight so that I can pick him up. At my age, these late nights mess up my whole week!

Larissa

This heart disease reversal diet has no caffiene. The Poofycat says it all:

(she's yawning)

Paula:
I ran again outside today, I was able to do it before the mall opened, thank god! Apparently I'm still on track with the distance vs. time, I thought I was much worse when I ran outside, but nope, I was able to run 3.7K in 32mins, which is pretty much the same as I've been doing on the treadmill. I don't know why I think it's harder outside than on a machine (well, it could be that my body hurts more lol).

It's been a busy day today, we missed lunch and I'm waiting for supper to be ready (GOD I'M HUNGRY!). I still haven't lost any more weight since Monday, which is a bit discouraging, but I'm sure it will start again soon. I just want to lose that 1 (ONE) pound!

Larissa

Grrr, my knees are not happy. I have been putting knee thingys on and they're helping a lot, but this is much harder on my knees than I thought. Heeeey, a rhyme. Poet, know it...

I can't believe you're managing to run outside. I nearly cracked my head open 18,936 times just today trying to navigate the wavy crusty ice that's everywhere. I had one of those moments today where I was opening the back of the car and realized I was gently sliding down the driveway and couldn't stop myself. I kind of surfed my way down to the street with my running shoes clutched to my chest. I'm sure my cankles are to blame.

Speaking of cankles, last night I watched "No Country for Old Men" (which I call "No Country for Dorothy Hamil Hair" because...really? Given the amount of time he would have to spend on that bob to keep it so perfectly straight and shiny I really can't believe nobody once suggested he try a different look). And yeah, I don't know what I was expecting but it really wasn't that. Probably too because I warmed up by watching "Finding Nemo" and let me just say there's a lot less homicidal rage - well, no, not true. I just think the rage and loathing in NCFDHH is much more below the surface.

Oh, I kid, I kid. Don't email me!

Paula:
We've rented a few movies for the weekend. I'm looking forward to a bit of rest ;-). Yesterday I bought a Kickboxing DVD (it's supposed to be one of the best types of workout videos around, since it's an entire body workout). I decided that would be my workout for today. Well, what a disappointment. First of all, I don't think women are meant to jump and bounce like that, it's just wrong and painful! A couple of times during the workout, they were explaining what you are supposed to do next, it had to do with the legs and certain kicks and steps, but the camera is focussed on the upper half of her body instead of her legs... now tell me, how am I supposed to follow new moves if I can't see what she's doing... I was so frustrated by the end of the video (I wonder if maybe this video was actually designed for men to watch instead of women to work out to... hmmm...). My poor son, he got the brunt of my complaints, I think he'll stay clear of the living room when/if I should ever decide to try the DVD again.

Paula:
It's been over two weeks since I've started this diet now. I can start to eat some yummy berries, grapes and nuts if I want, which I'm looking forward to.

I did my run tonight, I had to run around the outside of the mall again (I gotta find another place to run, it's embarrassing running past a truck three times when there is someone sitting inside, likely waiting for his wife while she shops lol... I can just imagine what he's thinking as he sees me jog by the first time, walk past the second time, and crawl past the third time ;-). It's so much harder to run outside than it is to run on a treadmill! Lately I've been able to run for the first 12 to 15 mins on the treadmill, but when I'm outside, I can't go more than 2 or 3 mins at a time - GOD, that sucks! It's going to take me forever to manage the entire 5K (and here I thought I was ahead of the game... nope).

Larissa

You know what's just as healthy as running a 5k? Sitting in a coffee shop eating pastries. Look, I'm just floating that idea out there.

Today I had to face the sad, sad reality of my cankles. I really did not want to accept my cankleness, but I suppose accepting what is will make me a more even-keeled person. Unfortunately, it will not make me a person with actual ankles. Are there exercises for cankles? Will running give me ankles? I'm just disturbed about this whole thing.

Larissa

Okay, really? Do I really have to deal with skin breakouts at my age? I think it is absolutely unfair that I'm trying to manage wrinkles and zits at the same time. Not just unfair...unjust. Really, someone should put together a lobby group and demand that the medical community devote some resources to this issue.

The other day I was talking to a friend about creating a Ministry of Fabulousness, and I'm still convinced this is exactly what we need. I mean, how many people work in some of this other ministries and departments? Transport Canada? Come on. There's only like 33 million people in Canada? Surely we're not all transporting at the same time, so some resources there, currently commited to non-fabulous transport could be reallocated. In fact, the Ministry of Fabulousness could take over the CBC, which would be about 1/7 of the budget necessary to create actual fabulousness, take some from other, non-fabulous departments and then we would have a nation of serious fabulosity. This really deserves serious consideration. By serious considerators.

Oh, I'm just creating a smoke screen for the reality that my training is not going as well as yours! I'm still trying, but becoming more convinced that fabulousness and not fitness is the way for me to go. Of course, then the question becomes whether one can be fabulous and flabby? Hmmm, that will keep everyone up tonight.

Paula:
Larissa, I think a lobby group is a great idea! Now, the Ministry of Fabulousnous piece totally confused me lol. Trust me, by the end of May, you and I will be running the 5K side by side.

That said, I didn't have a chance to exercise today. It was one of those days that just didn't slow down, I'm just now having supper and it's 8:30pm... so much for my not eating after 7:00pm ;-)... Alex had his first football practice today, he's so excited, very sore, but very happy too!

Paula:
I did another 5K on the treadmill tonight! who hoo! Again, I felt like I was about to pass out when I was finished;-). Of course, I didn't jog the whole way, probably only half this time, and it took me almost 45 mins, but that's ok cause I did it, and the plan is to be able to jog/run the entire race by the end of May!

I did my workout right before supper, I was at mom and dad's tonight, I could barely eat anything, and I only get a great meal like that once a week - at their place lol, so I definitely wanted to eat. Of course, it took me so long to finish my workout, that dinner was ready right after I was done... (wow... dinner was ready and "I" didn't have to make it, god I love my parents!) I really think I should wait about 1/2 hour before I try to eat after I've exercised (yah, d'uh). I might try to sneak out a bit early on these "special" nights so that I can have that extra 1/2 hour before supper (shhhhh, don't tell Larissa).

Larissa

Listen, I hear you about trying to figure out how to squish the workouts into the evening. I keep thinking I'll get up earlier and workout in the mornings, which works when I can exercise at home but doesn't when I have to go to the gym so I can use the treadmill. Maybe what I should do is on running days get to the office earlier so I can leave earlier and go do my workout. Hmmm.

Paula:
YAY! I've lost 14 pounds in the past 10 days! Since I had gained 5 lbs before I started back on the Atkins diet, that makes my weight loss 59 lbs to date! I just have one more pound to my milestone! I am so thrilled... I know, I know, some people would say "Paula, don't get too excited, it's mostly water weight"... you know what, I don't care if it's water weight, it's water weight that is no longer on my body! YAY!

I haven't exercised yet today, I'll do weight training later tonight. I went to the mall at lunch hour today to pick up a salad to have with lunch. My sister came with me and got a salad too. Like her, most people can eat the whole salad as their lunch (and enjoy it... GOD!), it takes me forever just to force 1/8th of the salad down my throat. I thought that the more you ate something, the more "used to it" you got... well, I'm definitely not there yet! Maybe I should try some hypnotic suggestion. Think it would work???

Larissa

14 pounds in 10 days?!? I'm going to have to watch you to make sure you're eating. And not having a final, potentially fatal showdown with your apparent arch-nemisis - Salad. Oh, sure, it looks all innocent, lying there green and crispy, but we both know it's biding its time until it can lodge in your throat over your windpipe. Case in point: a friend of mine once almost choked on a piece of romaine in a restaurant.

Larissa

If Paula can eat bacon for breakfast, run 5km and hit her weight-loss goal, I am going to start something drastic. I am going to try the anti-Atkins and do 21 days of the program for reversing heart disease. I have no reason to believe I have heart disease but I just think it will be kind of funny to have Paula doing Atkins and me on a program where I once saw the doctor who developed it almost literally foam at the mouth at the idea that Atkins was healthy. I'm not saying Atkins isn't, I'm not making any comment on that, I just like the juxtaposition of the two plans. So while Paula gets to enjoy steak for dinner, I will be eating...let's see here...Japanese buckwheat noodles with vegetables. Actually that sounds good. Not 100% sold on the tofu stuffed manicotti, though.

Ohhh, I'm already seeing problem #1. Planning. The afore mentioned Japanese buckwheat noodles dish requires beans to be soaked overnight. Man, I can never remember stuff like that, which inevitably means the next day I end up trying to substitute the non-soaked beans for something similar, like fried chicken, and then giving up and ordering pizza. Well, not this time! If you can avoid bread for lunch, Paula, I can write myself bean-soaking reminder notes.

Problem #2, buckwheat is also known as "kasha". I have made kasha dishes and while I enjoy the rather...earthy flavour and can rise above the interesting scent..okay, look, it smells like cooked dirt but it does taste just fine. However, Chris cannot stand the smell at all and reacts rather poorly to the idea of kasha. So here's hoping he doesn't figure out that they're the same thing.

Paula:
Oh man... I totally forgot to post yesterday, sorry about that. Yum, had ham and eggs for breaky this morning, then had roast beef, veggies (yuck), and cheese. Kerry and I went to St. Alberts today to get some cheese. OMG, they have the best stuff there, we got curds and fresh made cheddar. Although I can't eat too much cheese, it's definitely on my diet. I've also found out that those "crystal light" packets are delicious!

Larissa, if any other diet worked for me, I would definitely pass up the Atkins and change immediately, but nothing else works for me (apparently my body hates carbs). Even though I get to eat lots of meat, eggs, veggies & cheese, I can't eat BREAD and that's what I WANT! I would even eat that "buckwheat noodle" dish you were talking about!

I used the treadmill again today, but I didn't run nearly as much, I have a bit of a stomach ache (which intensified each time I ran). I still did 35 mins and went approx. 3.5K. I'm a little nervous, I have to weigh myself tomorrow morning... god, I hope I've lost enough to keep me motivated. I find that the worst thing is when you've worked so hard all week, eaten right, and you still don't lose, it's very discouraging!

Larissa
Paula, that is seriously, seriously awesome. Very well done! Very inspiring! I am very pleased you're going to be in the shape necessary to haul my carcass across the finish line.

I've recovered from a 2 day massively horrible headache and ran today. Today I discovered the wonderful amazingness of the knee brace. Tomorrow I'm getting one for the other knee and might actually have a shot at finishing this race! I'm still nowhere near 5 actual km, so I'm counting on you to...do something that includes one of us finishing. Ah, I'll finish. I might not finish with grace, or with speed, or upright, but I'll finish.

Paula
YAY! I did it! I've finally run 5K (well, I didn't run the whole thing, obviously, but I did run most of it, likely between 3.5K and 4K - and not a very fast run at that lol). It took me 43 minutes (I was half dead when I finished, but that's ok, the excitment I felt was well worth it ;-). Oh, but there is more! I have just a few more pounds to go and I'll reach my next milestone! I can't wait until Monday to find out how much weight I've lost! It's been more than 17 years since I've been this size (since before my son Thomas was born). It's overwhelming. I've usually sabotaged my weight loss well before this point, so far so good!

Paula:
We woke up early today and went for breakfast in Arnprior at the Antrim Truck Stop. What a great place and a delicious meal... I'm not sure if I've ever met anyone else who drives that far just to go for breakfast, a little crazy I would say, I'm not naming names (... mom & dad...). I have to admit that it was a really nice drive and well worth the time it took to get there ;-). You gotta love a diet that let's you eat bacon, eggs, sausage & ham for breakfast! It's now my favorite meal of the day - well, I don't normally have more than one kind of meat, but today... mmm, mmm, mmm.

Got the boys to do some housework (tidying up and dishes...), you were right Larissa, they loved it, didn't complain even once. Ha! Ha! Ha!... Right!

We went to see a movie after cleanup (Vantage Point), I wasn't very impressed. It wasn't horrible, just not what I expected at all.

Larissa

Yes, I knew children loved housework. That's just common sense.

Did I tell you the dog got stuck in the cat post the other day? We have this huge cat scratching post that has three large round tunnels kind of stacked, and I guess the dog was trying to get something behind the post and decided to try to squirm through the lowest tunnel instead of going around. She got stuck and we spent about 5 minutes trying to push her back through the stupid tunnel thing. Fun!

Exercise continues. I'm starting to lose faith that I can be ready for this "race" (note it has gone from a race to a "race", because let's be serious, there is no real racing involved from my perspective. Unless it's a race to avoid being trampled to death), because I'm just not progressing. I think I might need to be more aggressive in my training and start pushing myself more. Or...hire a body double to run the race for me. It's a perfect plan and nothing can go wrong with it at all! Nothing!!

Paula:
I ran again tonight, love the new shoes... On Friday I'm going to try to make it the full 5K on the treadmill. I haven't done that yet, so I'd better get moving ;-). We are trying to watch the rest of Rush Hour3 tonight, I will make every effort to stay awake (the kids made popcorn, god I LOVE popcorn)! I'm off work for the next couple of days. We are going to breakfast tomorrow morning (no sleeping in for us...) and then, well, I'm not sure what's next but we'll have to find something to do (do you think the kiddies will enjoy housework?).

Larissa:

Kids love housework. I know that without a doubt. In fact, I suggest you make the house extra dirty so they have even more housework to do. They will love you for it.

Your running is going so well! Awesome! Mine...not as well. I'm just not progressing, or it feels like that anyway. Grrrr. Anyway, for the next few days I'll tell myself that if Paula can avoid bread, I can avoid chocolate. Not that I've ever actually eaten chocolate since we started this training. Not at all. And the one time I did find chocolate in my mouth, I had tripped while talking (yes, I cannot walk and talk), and when I fell my mouth was open and I happened to fall on an unwrapped chocolate which then ended up in my mouth. True story.

Paula:
I've just finished my weights. I did well on my diet today. I will continue so long as I go to bed very very soon - if I stay up much longer, I'm afraid that the fridge will be calling to me, telling me to come and eat some yogurt... it's pretty sad when I'm craving something like yogurt and we have chips and cookies and popcorn that I "should" be craving (smile). I'll take just about anything, I'm not picky!

Larissa:
Paula, you're doing so well! Although I agree, it's totally a tragic tale that your illicit cravings are for yogurt. I'm sorry, that's just not right. But seriously, what the heck, because I think I'm gaining weight! Yeah yeah, muscle weighs more than fat, and a man walked on the moon, and we have a cure for the common cold, enough of these lying lies! I think oxygen is totally making my butt bigger. I'm considering weaning myself from the whole breathing thing.

I was taken to the drive-through tonight! I KNOW! The worst was we went to a drive-through that had options like grilled chicken and salads. Do you have any idea exactly how overfull my bitter bath was when I was having my grilled chicken (dry) and my side salad (dry) while people who shall remain nameless (rhymes with hiss-topher) have something like the baconator which was roughly the size of my head? Sooooo unfaaaaair. Even the dog was like, dude, that totally sucks.

Speaking of the dog, my friend is moving to Pheonix (hi Dave!) and apparently his place has a pool. And speaking of pools, The Poofycat ran out front this afternoon and was all, "Look at me, I'm The Poofycat and I'm just fine with winter. I'm my own cat." Then I suggested she make a Poofycat Snow Angel, and she totally sank right into the snowbank! The dog was laughing so hard she almost choked on her nylabone. Meanwhile, the other cat was all, "Finally! It is my turn to rule! And rule I will, with an iron paw of iron-ness!" Of course The Poofycat emerged from the snow angry and we had to break up a number of food dish scuffles later on.

(please note The Poofycat was not in a snowbank over her head and was at no time deeper than her ankles in snow - don't email me!)

Larissa
I'm glad you're getting in better shape because I'm going to need you to carry me over the finish line. My knees are seriously unhappy. But hey, isn't that why ice was invented, because knees get sore? That's my story anyway.

I am really having trouble getting regular workouts in! Tomorrow I'm getting up early - darn you, "spring forward" time change! - and working out first thing in the morning. As I've always known, trying to get something done after work is just impossible. I need to get the workout out of the way first thing so I don't need to think about it again for the rest of the day.

Paula
Today was my day off (working out, that is)... the kids and I stayed home this evening and rented a couple of movies - Rush hour 3 and The Heartbreak Kid. I think we got through about 3/4 of an hour of Rush Hour 3 and I was passed out on the sofa (you know you're getting old when...).

I'm still on my diet, although I had a couple of spoonfulls of yogurt yesterday and two handfulls of popcorn, which is totally NOT allowed! It might not sound like much, but even that little bit can completely stop the weight loss... argh! I need control! I had it once, I'll get it again! Larissa, did I give it to you??? Cause I want it back!

Larissa:
How is Atkins going? I've told you I put my cats on a diet I call Catkins, right? I think of you every time I'm giving them their high protein food and denying them the carb-filled kibble. And don't email me, crazed Friends of PETA! The cats are getting a fully nutritional diet with lots of exercise - although let me tell ya, trying to force a cat to exercise is kind of like training a fish to tap dance. And training that fish took me forever. For awhile I'd put The Poofycat at the bottom of the stairs and chase her up them. What that really meant was me putting her front paws on the stair and trying to encourage her to hoist her own furry butt up the riser. And again! And again! Then it was all drill sargent from "An Officer and a Gentleman" when Louis Gossett Jr. is making Richard Gere do all of those pushups in the mud and is all "Quit! Quit!" and Richard Gere is all, "I'm not gonna quit! I got nowhere else to go! Boo hoo hoo!" except The Poofycat is all, "Quit? I didn't even start, y'all. Whatever", leaving me without leverage and also wondering why The Poofycat sounds like Britney Spears.

Where was I? Oh, right. To teach a fish to tap dance one must begin with a strong belief that the fish wants to dance...the fish must dance...wait, sorry that's my other blog. Running...sigh. Although I now have this bizarre urge to watch "An Officer and a Gentleman", I actually am heading to workout right now. In my basement, obviously, but still. Clearly, however, I need a big melt. Enough is enough!!

Paula,
Atkins sucks! It's day four and I'm starving! I need BREAD! I am out of town this weekend and I didn't have a chance to post yesterday. On my way out of town, I stopped by my parents place and used their treadmill... I ran for 7 mins straight! YAY! I've never EVER done that. So, out of the 31 mins that I was on the treadmill, I probably only walked about 6 or 7 of them... I think I may be ready in time for this 5K after all. I definitely got my exercise in today too. It's Sunday, and I spent over an hour shoveling snow at Kerry's (which probably isn't all that much considering what shoveling others have to do with this huge snowfall we had). I think I'll be staying here tonight and head into town tomorrow (my poor kids, it's the first day of March break and they have to wake up with me early in the morning to come to work). Really, I take no pleasure in this! HA!

Paula
It's the second day on my Atkins diet. I can't imagine eating like this forever. Meat and veggies. I am such a carb lover (bread, rice, pasta... bread). I just finished my exercises for the day - I can't believe that I am actually looking forward to running again. Well, my son is desperately trying to get my attention now, so that it's for today.

Larissa:
I'm not even sure what day it is anymore, everything just seems...white. In preparation for the storm I've stocked up on the most important item ever - videos. I have TV show episodes, first run movies, older movies. I am completely ready for anything. ANYTHING!

Oh...running? Ahem...of course. Of course I'm ready to continue to run. The fact that it's March and I haven't seen anything outside except for huge lumps of white snow in what feels like forever isn't impacting my interest in running at all. I'm still completely, completely motivated. Completely.

Paula
I bought some new running shoes tonight (Jill will be so proud ;-). I did 3.3k on the treadmill... it took 30 minutes, phew that was tough. I've decided to go back on the Atkins diet (this is how I lost most of the first 50lbs), today is day one and so far so good (I'm hoping to lose another 20 lbs before the race).

Larissa:
I have to confess, I didn't get to run today. I did, however, CLIMB 12 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS. TWICE. My class is on the 11th floor, so from the underground tunnel I took the stairs twice. And I firmly believe that gravity is more intense on campus, which explains why I had to stop and talk myself through the final 5 flights. Gravity is more intense in some stairwells. It's a fact proven by science. Prove me wrong, Newton! Ha!

Or, maybe I needed my Fitness Sequins? Is that why figure skaters can do all of those crazy moves on ice, the sequins on their outfits give them superpowers? Someone should look into this.

Paula
I've done most of my exercise for the day. It's 6:00pm, I just finished shoveling my parking spot... yes, I said parking spot, not driveway. It took me 20 mins to shovel my parking spot (with my cute little red "car shovel" and even then, I really only shoveled about half of it (the rest I just spread out so that I could roll over it with my car... I was so out of breath, thank god I don't have a real driveway to shovel ;-) because if I did, I think I'd be posting on our blog tomorrow from the hospital! On a bad note, I picked up a pizza for supper tonight (not a very healthy choice, and not super yummy since it was cold by the time I finished shoveling...whine, whine, whine...)

Larissa:
Mmmm, pizza. I am having one of those days. I forgot to eat lunch but I did have a cookie (thanks JILL), and it was foraging for dinner because of poor planning. I had a piece of stale bread and cheese, some soup and...something else. Look, it's late. It's about 12.30am and I have a little bit more work to do before bed. I am gonna be in a FABULOUS mood for class tomorrow. No really, it will be fabulous! Well, I'll get to put that "exercise improves your mood" theory to the test tomorrow! Onwards and upwards, as they say. I just need the snow to stop, but if that storm does come in on Saturday I am totally staying in bed all day and watching movies. See, now I'm almost hoping for a storm! It's all good, fellow babies!

Larissa:
So we've been training for...three days? Four? My point is that I'm still not skinny. Really, if four days aren't going to have a significant impact, I can hardly be faulted for making other decisions.

Look, this is exactly what we were talking about on day one. By the time I got home from work, did some school stuff, did some pet care, there's really no time to do anything else. I did squeeze in a workout but seriously, I just don't know how those crazy fitness people manage this daily.

And I just realized I have nothing to wear to this race. What do people wear to a 5k? I should totally show up in feathers and sequins. And running shoes, I don't want to look stupid.

Paula:
I didn't get out running today, but I did some other exercises at home, while I watched one of my favorite shows... the Biggest Loser. I am so inspired by this show, but I can't understand how they can lose so much weight so quickly. I'm sure that my time will come! I think we should go shopping together Larissa (we should wait until the week before the race though, since we will both have lost tons of weight between now and then ;-). I would love to help you pick out the feathers and sequins for your "race" outfit!

Paula:
I ran again! YAY! I haven't trained for about 2 weeks now, I took a new route tonight, I decided to avoid the messy sidewalks and ran around the "outside" of the Mall twice, for a total of 2.5K. Of course, I say "ran", but I walked most of the way. The last time that I went that far, I could finish in 27mins, this time it took 29 (I really have a long way to go if I want to run the entire 5K)! I am going to be sooooo sore tomorrow!

Larissa:
I'm glad you ran, you ran for the both of us! Today was one of those days where I didn't seem able to get away from my desk. Grrrr. I kept thinking about those fitness articles where some hopelessly uber-fit person is explaining how they just make exercise a priority, and how I'd really like to gently push them into a snowbank. Probably because they're right and that's how they got uber-fit.

Tomorrow is my next running day, I hope my knees are up for it. This means we have to be organized for our meeting tomorrow night so I have time to get to the gym!

Larissa:

Yeah, Paula, eating my dust. By that I'm assuming you're talking about inhaling the dust that is tossed up from my body hitting the ground mid-way through this event. I am trying to stay positive here, but right now the idea of inventing an injury and eating a chocolate easter bunny sounds pretty attractive. Of course I won't do any such thing, because I know Volunteer Ottawa's programs need our support! And my heart needs activity. Apparently. Still think red wine and dark chocolate could have been the way to go here. How much money do you think we could raise by going on an intensive 3 month training program of dark chocolate and red wine? We should have thought this whole thing through!!!

Ah, I kid, I kid. This morning I was up and on the cross-country ski machine first thing. Yes, one of those popular late '80's early '90's torture devices. Anyway, I burned through 30 minutes on that thing although that last 10 minutes was pretty annoying. I switched from ABBA's greatest hits to some CCR and belting out "Fortunate Son" got me through. That and imagining having to tell you to go on without me during the race - just leave me behind! Tell them it was worth it if we reached our fundraising goal! Save yourself!

Paula:
I can now thank (in advance) my boys and my ex-husband for my future success is running the 5K. I got home today and before what do my wandering eyes should appear, but three big crates full of...... records! Argh, these are not just "records", these are heavy metal records! I'll be doing lots of running (out of the house and away from the noise) at night, god help me...

On a completely different note, I went shopping today... Each store had a nice little stand of Cadbury Easter Cream eggs near the cash... They come out once a year, at easter, and I absolutely LOVE them (I'm really not a chocolate person, except for when it comes to these)! I decided to read the nutritional information to see how bad they were for me, hoping that they would be relatively low in fat and sugar etc... and really, they weren't too bad (for a chocolate bar), but I still didn't buy any, though I was extremely tempted).

Larissa:
I did manage to run today. Well, by "running" I mean "walked, ran, cried, walked, ran, cried...repeat". The saddest part is it took me 30 minutes to go 3 km! Couch potato to 5km in 3 months my butt.

This part is really only of interest to women, fyi. I ordered a "bounce stops here" support system online and tried it out today. It came with instructions that looked suspiciously like those you get with Ikea furniture - little booklets with drawings, multiple arrows and a few completely unhelpful multilingual words like "X saltate/sprong/salto". Wha? Anyway, after 40 minutes, a call to a physicist, a brief but intensely embarrassing need for help in getting my arms freed, I was able to get to the gym and give it a try. And it actually works! I only need to plan an extra 30 minutes to get dressed in my workout clothes (and another 15 to get out of them) and I'm good. So, while the running could have been better at least one epic battle was fought, and won, today.

Paula:
Yikes, 6K yesterday and 3K today Larissa! I'm exhausted just reading your posts. There is no way I can compare to that! I have a feeling that I'll be left choking on your dust during the actual race :) I've just finished my workout, and now plan on soaking for about an hour. We made a most delicious soup/stew for supper tonight (full of veggies - did I mention that I hate to eat veggies!)