6/4/13

Hi!

Haven't posted in a little while. I have been exercising almost every day and eating very healthy food.

I am slightly concerned that my running goals may be hitting a roadblock already. As anticipated, on the days that I run I have more interstitial cystitis problems. Feels like a nasty urinary tract infection. No fun. However I have had these flares on and off since October (actually earliest ones in May) 2012, so it's too early to know conclusively whether running significantly aggravates the situation. I've been going for a run/walk a few days per week and also doing strength training all over and working on the elliptical during rainy days. Overall I'm feeling pretty great!

Work has been pretty exciting the last few days, especially coupled with my new goal of learning web design.

I'm going to head down to the gym now and get some measurements taken of my body fat percentage (I know it's not exact, but I only get it done once every three months or so so it probably represents a real trend). Also my other measurements. I follow Tosca Reno's eat clean diet site and they are having a three month makeover competition with some great prizes. I really doubt that I will win because I have already lost so much weight, things are going more slowly now... but, it can't hurt to participate. Seems like fun. Then I'm going to go for a walk/run for a while longer.

When I am running or walking and see my shadow, or in the gym when I happen to see my reflection while doing weights, I realize that I do look like a stronger individual than I have been in a long time. This feels pretty good.

Running is difficult! I am choosing to do it because I know it is sometimes fun and it will get better as time goes on. Still it's tough right now. I'm at the point where I have to run longer to get to that 180 mark where I am allowed to walk again, but it still feels just as difficult. I know I can take walk breaks but I want to increase my strength so I can really mostly run for a few miles. That would be great.

Elizabeth