Weight Loss Roller Coaster

Welcome new Bloggy Pack members!! I apologize for the extreme lack of Running content, with weird injuries, a work trip and being sick I have not laced up my Brooks that often. I plan to get back on track I have a 5K in less than a month and a new GOAL with my friend Kim HERE. Lately I have been thinking a lot about weight.. Not when it comes to others as much as my own roller coaster with the scale.

At 6'0 tall I can carry 215 pounds easily and I did for most of my adult life, I tipped the scales above 265 at the peak of my pregnancy with LS#1. I know what I need to do to shed the EXTRA weight and I was laser focused after Little Stud #2 was born. I was over feeling tired, of seeing the extra flap of skin flop over my jeans...muffin top is not sexy!!
I wrote down everything I ate, I worked out all the time and I had a GOAL, I wanted to get to 184 pounds.... Thankfully I was training for my first Half and Full Marathon and the pounds started to drop quickly... I hit a slow patch around 195, seemed like my body loved that weight and was determined to stay there. I was about to give up then took a look at my diet and cut out a few needless calories and a few months later I had reached my Personal Goal Weight...
Me in 2009 at 184... Why is 184 my PGW (Personal Goal Weight)? Because according to the (rather stupid) BMI scales I am at the very top of the "normal" range at 184 pounds. I don't believe in BMI scales since I am a muscular, but I would like to be in a healthy range and for me 184 is the number... also happens that is the weight I feel strong, confident and FIT!! SIDEBAR= If I weighed 136 I would be far from "normal" try anorexic...

I loved reaching my PGW and was proud that I was able to stay there for over a year. I felt like a machine, muscle pumping and lower body fat than I had ever had in my life. I could fit into some size 10 clothes, a smaller size than I wore in High School!! And I loved the positive attention from family, friends and co-workers. It took a lot of focus and dedication to stay there. I didn't eat fast food and would only "cheat" on rare occasions. Eventually for various reasons I lost my way....

So where am I now??

195-199 depending on the day... FIRMLY OVERWEIGHT according to BMI scales.

I know what I need to do.

I know that I could get there again.

I know that my knees would feel better.

I know that my clothes would fit great.

BUT....

Am I ready to get back on the diet train?

Right now I am living my life. Eating Chocolate, drinking an adult beverage and not stressing about calories.

Do I like how I feel with the extra 10-15??

NO!!!

But do I love enjoying my food without counting calories?

YES!!

Weight Loss
Weight Gain
Up
Down
Up
Down
Up
Down

I wish I was that person who can eat whatever, whenever and not worry... but I am not that person. I STRUGGLE with weight. I am not 215 pounds, thankfully I am able to stay in Onederland, but I am heavier than my PGW.

Why am I telling you this?

Because I am sure that there are many people like me who are 10-15 pounds heavier than they want to be. We don't get to be on TV or have articles written about us. We are the Norm. Some days I think I am OK with it. Other days I am pissed that I let the weight creep back on. The emotions are

Up
Down
Up
Down
Up
Down

December starts tomorrow. A new month which ends with a new year. Could be my year to return to my PGW or to finally accept that my body likes to be 195. Time will tell. The ups and downs go on and I know I am not on this Roller Coaster alone...

• Don't forget to enter my Gone for a Run MedalART Giveaway HERE
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• Are you at your Personal Goal Weight? How did you get there and how do you stay there?
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• What are your thoughts about the Roller Coaster of weight loss?
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• Do you have plans to shed the pounds in 2012?
  

Post 899

This is my 899th post. WOW when did that happen??

I have not done much Running lately. I ran a few miles on Thanksgiving and met Kerrie and Karla the day after for a nice run....I was hoping I could sweat the cold, congestion and sore throat out of my system....but alas I think I did too much too soon :(

I am home SICK today, this gunk has drained me for nearly 2 weeks. I went to the Dr. today and it is nothing serious, but I have major sinus congestion so I am hoping the Antibiotics will help me back to health and running...

Good part about being home on Cyber Monday??

SHOPPING!!!

-I registered for my next Race Santa Runs Tacoma

-I bought a Red Team-Sparkle Skirt to wear in the race and got a 2nd Gunmetal colored Skirt Half off. Like them on Facebook HERE so you can see the Deal too.

-I researched a replacement Garmin and new Cell phone

-I found a few fun Knight costumes for the Little Studs

-I bought a CUTE and Funny T-shirt

-And the day is not over YET...

Did you participate in Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday? I linked in several of my FAVORITE Small Businesses on Facebook on Saturday. Check out my Facebook Wall HERE for Links. Coming up this week will be my Annual Christmas list!!

• Don't Forget to Enter my Giveaway HERE.




• How was your Holiday Weekend?




• What was the best DEAL you scored this weekend??

Gone For a Run MedalART Wall Display Giveaway

It is no Secret that I am a Gone For a Run HERE FAN!!! This is the meca of Running Gifts for anyone who loves Running and more... I was blessed to meet Ryan at the Boston Marathon expo last year, he is part of the family that makes up Gone For a Run. If you have never visited their website now is the perfect time...give your family and friends a link to those must-have items for Christmas..
Recently I was sent the MedalART Wall Display to review. Muscle Man hung it easily and my race medals now have a prominent place in our loft. I could not capture a great picture on my medals, below is the photo from their website. The display is sturdy and funtional, the optional bottom screw makes it so you can easily add a medal whever you want. I love the words "Gone For a Run" it is the perfect fit for how I earned my medals. The Folks at Gone for a Run wanted to put some cheer into your thanksgiving Weekend With a Giveaway!!

WHAT WILL YOU WIN?

1- MedalArt Display of your choice ($47.99 or less)

HOW DO YOU ENTER?
One Comment per Entry pretty please.

REQUIRED- Like Gone For a Run on Facebook HERE. You will be glad you did because Gone For a Run will be annoucing special DEALS to Facebook Followers. Leave a Comment.

1- Go to Gone For a Run MedalART page HERE and Leave a Comment with which display you will chose if/when you WIN!! For fun tell me how many medals you have to hang :)

2- While you are at Gone for a Run HERE shop around. Leave a Comment with the item or items you would love to receive for Christmas.

3- Share this Giveaway via Blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc... Leave a Comment each time you share.


PS. Everyone who posted a Comment on this post HERE receives an automatic Entry into this Giveaway.


****Giveaway ends and the Winner will be announced on December 1st

21 Random Fact About Tall Mom

I was tagged by T at Racing with Babes to share 21 random facts about myself and then to tag 10 people to do the same. I love posting in lists so I was excited to be tagged... I am sure my longtime readers will know some of these facts, I will TRY to come up with a few new ones..
21 Random Facts about Tall Mom

1. My whole family is TALL Grandpa was 6'6, Dad was 6'5, Mom is 6'0 and to add GIANT my "little" brother is 6'9.
2. I have ALWAYS loved being Tall, I can reach things off high shelves, find people in a crowd, and carry extra ice cream weight..hehehe
3. Photography is a passion of mine, I spent hours in the dark room in college. I miss print photography but I love that through digital photography one can capture EVERYTHING. I once thought I would levy my talent into a career.
4. My body has CHANGED since having 2 kids- I now have allergies, motion sickness and stomach troubles.
5. The Summer after my Freshman year in college I ran a 5K for FUN, I chased the athletic director and got a crazy time of 19:30 or something like that and won a $25 gift certificate to a tanning salon... I SOOOO wish that I could run that fast now.
6. I WILL run the New York City Marathon someday, I have been once and loved it! I was there for work and stumbled upon a red carpet event at Trump Tower, I got to see Cuba Gooding Junior, some B list celebs and The Donald in real life.
7. I have always wanted to travel to Australia and Ireland, I know I will make it there someday.
8. 2010 was the first time that I stamped my passport, previously Canada was the only foreign country I had visited. This year I went to France, Italy and Croatia, totally sparked an interest in Foreign travel for me.
9. I LOVE Canadians!! I would live in Canada if I could. My favorite Canadian has a new Blog address HERE.
10. Muscle Man and I met on Match.com and it was love at first site. He is my perfect match is so many ways. I LOVE being married!! We celebrated our 10 year Dateivesary on November 7th.
11. Our family birthdays were 5 days apart as far as the day of the month, 9th, 14th, 19th, I was hoping that LS#2 would be born on the 24th to keep the streak, he was born at 12:51AM on the 25th.. (Actually I was hoping he would be born on the 23rd 1-23)
    
12. I was LAUGHING for most of my labor with LS #2, after the Doctor broke my water I was a waterfall and all I could do was laugh.
13. I had epidurals for the births of both of our boys and I only breastfed until about 8 weeks when I returned to work...I believe that both are HOT TOPICS in the Mommy world. I have the utmost respect for woman who have natural childbirth and are able to maintain a breastfeeding schedule. It didn't work for me.
14. I have a Bachelors in Speech Communication and Masters in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University, I played basketball which covered all but 1 year of my tuition and expenses. I credit my parents for helping me to get the scholarship.
15. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I have dreams of writing books and being an inspirational speaker, but that would be hard to do with a young family. Having a home business with my husband would be the BEST! For now I feel blessed to be employed and able to support my family so that Muscle Man can be a stay-at-home Dad.
    
16. My first real job was as an Event Planner for the Girl Scouts, I planned the calendar of events for girls ages 11-17. That age girl really needs mentoring, I hope to volunteer with young women again someday.
17. I have anxiety, thankfully I am able to use that anxiety to work toward my goals and it does not cripple me. My close friends probably notice it more than most people as I am pretty good at faking it. I am my own worst critic. I have always had a way of over-analyzing the smallest detail.
18. I feel prettier when my nails are painted
19. I like to dress girly and cute when I Run/Race and don't care about whether people think I am a "real runner" or not. I will pose for the photogs and sport a skirt because it is FUN and it is ME.
20. Shopping makes me happy, I don't always buy things but I like being in the stores and looking. I used to have a major talent for scoring great deals on the Clearance racks but I don't shop enough now to keep up.
21. I wish that I had more time to dedicate to this Blog and especially my readers. My Blog brings me great joy every day and I can't remember my life without it.

I now have to TAG people... Hmmm lets go with the first 10 people who commented on my post yesterday and who have Blogs listed:

1. TX Runner Mom
2. Jamie- From Couch to Ironwoman
3. Marlene- Mission to (a)nother Marathon
4. Lesley- Racing It Off
5. Run with Jess
T @Racing with Babes-Oops she tagged me- Doesn't count :)
Alisen- No Blog??
6. Holly- I'd Rather Run Outside
7. Rena- Miles to go Before I Sleep
8. Mary- A Little of This and a Little of That
9. Kim- (Just) Trying is for Little Girls
10. Amy- Ready. Set. Run!

• Thanks to everyone who left a Comment yesterday, we all have so much to be Thankful for. Look for a Giveaway or two to be THANKFUL for this Holiday Weekend!

A TALL dose of Thanks

I have been feeling a little defeated lately, I was on business travel working 16-18 hour days making it difficult to fit in running, followed by cramping and swollen legs and today I caught the Little Stud's cold.. WTH!!

Just when I start to get down I realize that in the grand scheme of things Life is great.. So I am a little off my schedule, and feeling uneasy, I control my reactions to things. This time of year is WONDERFUL because people take the time to reflect on the people and things which they are most Thankful for...

Photo Credit HERE

This Year I am Thankful for....

• My Husband and his continual support and love. My marriage brings me more happiness that I ever thought was possible.
  
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• Little Stud #1 and his excitement and joy for all things.
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• Little Stud #2 for keeping us on our toes and testing the limits with a dimpled smile.
  
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• Having Tall Grandma and Tall Sister close by so we can share family meals. Making it through our first year without Dad was not easy, but we did it together. Family support means the world to me.
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• Taking the time to Remember those I have lost and feeling their spirit still with me.
  
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• Running and this Blog for all the opportunities I have been given.
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• Nuun for making my Hood to Coast idea a reality.
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• All the WONDERFUL friends I have made through Blogging, many of whom I got to meet in real life at HTC, RNR Seattle, Boston and other FUN events this year!!
  
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• Close friends who let me vent and love me anyway- you know who YOU are...
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• My Big Girl job, the stability of income so Muscle Man can stay home and the travel opportunities I have had this year.
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• The Boston Marathon for teaching me that dreams do come true, but do not always play out as we had imagined.
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• My Local (and sorta local) Running pals Jess, Kerrie, Chelsea, Jill, Zoe, Tiffany, Kim, Stacie, Harmony, Track Coach and Adorable Wife, Tink, Janna, Tammy, etc..I am probably forgetting someone :(
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• Coffee-Hehehe makes my daily 1 hour each way commute almost tolerable
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• Advances in Medicine- this year I have had friends with premature babies, various forms of cancer, and with children who have been diagnosed with diseases...I am continually thankful that we live in a place where we can be diagnosed and treated.
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• Compression socks for keeping my calves alive during long training weeks.
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• And all of YOU for your continual support and amazing comments. I know that I don't make it around to "meet" many of you but know that I read each comment and am truly touched by the kindness of strangers.

That is what I am THANKFUL for... What about you??

PS.. Hint.. by Commenting on this post you will earn a free entry in the upcoming Giveaway :)

Tell me about it Lou and the 110% Fallacy

I was looking for a quote for my Facebook Status Today.. I was looking for something that dispelled the notion that anyone can give 110%...and somehow landed on a Goldmine of quotes from Lou Holtz on thinkexist.com

Don't Know who Lou Holtz is?? Go HERE.


He says it way better than I ever could..

"If what you did yesterday seems big,
you haven't done anything today."



"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it."



"It's not the loads that breaks you down-
it's the way you carry it."



"If you're bored with life- you don't get up every morning with the burning desire to do thing- you don't have enough goals."



"Don't be a spectator, don't let life pass you by."



"No one has ever drowned in sweat."



"Life is ten percent what happens to you and
ninety percent how you respond to it."



"Ability is what you're capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it."

***And I found what I was looking for HERE:

"Many people tell us to give 110%. Technically, that is impossible. How can you give 110%, when 100% is all there is? So, let's give 100%. That's impossible too, isn't it? You can't give everything you've got, without dying. So, if you really really try, how much are you giving, 90%? 95%? 85%? Well, it is hard to tell. In fact, it is often impossible to compare one person's trying with another's. What we mean is, "Try really really hard." We might as well call that 100%, give it 100%. But hey, maybe you can actually try even harder. Try harder than you thought possible. So, let's give 110%!"



I love the notion of giving it my ALL, leaving it all on the pavement. I get the IDEA of "Giving it 100%" but it bothers me when people think that they can give 110%.. It cant be done. I love the last sentence in the paragraph above...


"Try Harder than you thought possible."


The big word in that sentence is "YOU." Trying, giving it your all, it is about YOU. I will never run as fast as Kara Goucher, have the abs of Dara Torres, or kill my running shoes with ultra miles like Dean Karnazes...they have a capacity that is beyond my own. I could give everything I had and still never get there. Do I compare myself to them? Sometimes.. Do I wish that I could win races and have a 115lb body full of muscles? Maybe... But I cant give 110% to Running, Fitness, etc.. It is not possible.


Moral of my Rambling??


To achieve more than YOU thought was possible for YOURSELF all you have to do it try harder than YOU thought was possible. Sounds simple right?? If you think it is simple you haven't tested your own limits.... The last time I REALLY pushed myself was May 2010 at the Eugene Marathon (Report HERE) since then I have lost my PUSH...I hope to find it again soon...in the mean time I would love to hear from all of you...

• Leave a comment about a time when you gave more than you thought was possible. What happened?
  

Long Time

Since the start of Tall Mom I have hardly taken a day off from the Bloggy world, a break here or there, I try to avoid the computer on the weekends, etc.. but a full week?? WOW!!

Welcome new Bloggy Pack members!! So happy to have you here.

What is new in Tall Mom Land??

1. I got to see Steven Tyler and hold his Murse (Man Purse) when he forgot it at his lunch table.
2. My leg leg is not functional. I was on my feet a lot on marble floors, wearing sandals and not drinking enough water. This resulted in major cramping. My left hamstring, calf and knee are very sore. I am taking a forced REST until the pain subsides.

3. I know I promised GIVEAWAYS...well they are still there and coming soon. Still trying to find water.

4. I am so happy to be HOME and back with my boys!!! Being a working Mom is HARD especially when my Big Girl job takes me away for 12 days.. I am so glad it is Friday and next week is a short week!!

5. We have started CHRISTMAS shopping!! Hard to believe that we are just 5 weeks away. Do you know what you are going to ask for?? If not I will have some great ideas next week!!

I leave you with a quote to INSPIRE you for the weekend..

Things may come to those who wait,
but only the things left by those who hustle.
Abraham Lincoln

• Have you ever had a Celeb encounter? Tell me about it!!
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• What do you do when you cant run to stay fit?
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• Any fun ideas for Christmas?

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Day of Hope 10K

I got to run in Maui!!!

And WOW was it HILLY!!!

I wish I had more time to write a full report but I dont.....I am WORKING... Please enjoy the less than great pictures below.
Four Seasons Resort
Love it!
All ready to Run.
The potty line and local kiddo volunteers playing a funny circle game.
I loved this ladies socks.. This was just before the AWESOME streatch.
Hello Blury Tall Mom
I found some friends from Spokane and chatted before the race.
Mile 5.2
Finish Line mister
Sweaty Tall Mom
The finish
Post Race GRUB
Cooling down
AHHHHHHHHHH!!
Best Post race EVER!
More soon..

Aloha!!

I'm Still Alive!!

I arrive in Maui safely and will be running the Day of Hope 10K tomorrow. I have been SLAMMED with my big girl job and I dont think I will have time to post much. I had hopes of getting in some giveaway posts, but I cant do everything... SORRY!!

Love you all and I hope to take some pictures of my Race..

In the mean time below is how my AMAZING Talloween went. Since Muscle Man (aka Popeye) opted to stay home, I opted for the Ghost Buster costume instead!! Thankfully Tall Sister joined in the fun, we had a BLAST!





What are you up to???

Tall Mom