And no cheese for a week

So. My mom was just here visiting for a week; a great time was had by all.

But there was the moment that she poked my belly and told me yes, it was time to lose some weight. You don't want anyone asking when the baby is due, do you?

OUCH.

I used to be the kind of girl I now resent, the one who could eat anything without a thought about my weight. But the years have changed that, for a host of reasons, and I am now the kind of woman the lithe young me secretly thought had to be at least a bit lazy...the love handled/muffin-topped/back-fatted/sweatpants wearing person who has just stopped caring. I do care; I'm just not used to having to exercise willpower, and so the pounds have slowly, insidiously accumulated.

But fortunately I am also one of those annoying people who exclaim, "I love working out!!!" and really mean it. I do, and if I miss a couple of days in a row I get cranky. Unless I am totally out of the habit then I don't mind going months without working out, but that's not my normal MO, and hasn't been for years.

I have an elliptical and a few times a week happily sweat away on it through two episodes of Family Guy or one of The Riches or Ugly Betty...or I'll read a mag, or listen to my iPod. I suppliment on off days with squats and lunges and push-ups and crunches and DVD's and Fit TV. And then later in the day after the kids are in bed I will consume twice as many calories that I burned. I simply cannot do that anymore.

A few months ago I signed up to run a half marathon this summer. I ran this same race two years ago...well, I ran/walked it (I pretty much only run straight through if it's three miles or less) 3.5 minutes of running, 1.5 minutes of walking, repeat for the next 13.1 miles, which was about 2,713 times for the 1/2 marathon if I recall correctly.


But I kind of hate running, at least long distances. I can get into it ocassionally if all the stars align correctly and my iPod is charged. My body isn't built for speed; I bulk up fast but just don't have those slow twitch muscle fibers on my side. I'm a fast twitcher.

Which is kind of why I chose to mix-up my workout with running. I think it is good for me to challenge myself physically like that, shake it up, you know? When I was running regularly a couple of years ago I had the long, lean muscles of a runner. Still with fluffiness over them in areas, but NOW with the bulky muscles I am sporting along with the mucho extra pounds, I am feeling HUGE.

I jump started training for the half marathon today...ran/walked 7 miles (the old routine of running 3.5/walking 1.5 for as many reps as it takes to get to 7 miles). I have a blister on my butt from my undies chafing. Nice. It's a good look.
I'll let you know next Sunday if I am down any pounds or inches or if there is anything going in the right direction.