Thanks! I considered Nutrisystem, but their programs + food looked pretty pricey. WW Online is costing me $16/mo. I've done well in regards to portions.... Like I mentioned, I'd dropped about 70 lbs since Christmas... just tracking my calorie intake, exercising, etc. I just felt like I needed a new program to follow. I feel like I've made quite the lifestyle change so far, so hopefully something formal like WW will help me lose that last bit + maintain. I've even been considering a vegetarian lifestyle again.

I was pretty shocked myself on Saturday... I packed my bag with a change of clothes, a Clif Bar & some Shot Blocks, water, and my iPod and left my house and ran through 2 towns to get to my parents house for a visit. I really expected to give in and call someone to pick me up.. haha. 1 hour and 20 minutes and I was there! I wasn't concerned about pace (I adjusted uphill climbs, etc), but more so the distance. It'd be nice to get my endurance up there to start training for a marathon. So I'm headed for 5 mile race on Thanksgiving Day pretty confident. Now I just need to find some nice trails!!

Before I get started, I'd like to ask everyone "Where do you live?".  It looks like Donna is in Louisville KY, and Smashville lives near Nashville TN.  I'm in N. Alabama and maybe someday I can run in the same race with some of y'all. Anyway, onward to the discussions:

Donna- Don't you just love fall days?  Not to cold and not too hot.  Just right for an energetic run.

Lori- Will your doctor let you work out on an elliptical or recumbant bike, or are you just going to get stuck doing upper body weight training?

Smashville- Sounds like your 5K was torture. I am no where trained to do hills.  All my runs so far are flat or a slight incline at worse.  I've got a hill near my house to think about training on, but to do a whole race with hills - Yek!

WetSneakers- I am so impressed that you did your workout after such a hard day of work.

Fluffy- thanks for the Graduation Hat! Right now I'm just trying to improve my 5K times, and throw in a longer run once a week.  I've got a 5K 12/5 and the option of a Turkey Trot in a few weeks.  Just trying to build some mileage now, and crosstraining, to continue my weight loss.  With your daughters outside activities- do you drop her off or stay for practice at all?  If you stay, maybe you can scope out a place to do short distances or sprints & speed training while you wait. Then you won't waste time, and get some training out of the way.

ChubGrl- I wish I could handle the Elliptical for so long.  I use it as an alternate to running on a run "down" day, when I'm at the gym, but I just don't go fast or very inclined yet.

Irish- What a great time for your 5K! Thanks for starting the log this week.

I've been visiting Mom in Calif since Thurs, but I'll be back home in 3 days.  I've done 3 & 3.6 mi runs just to get out there and "Do It".  Plus I've been getting the "senior" discount when I swim at the City Pool. But I haven't done any other cross-training.  Still hoping to break even or lose a lb or too. I've limited access to the Internet, so I'll yack at you after I get home. For all newbies, and other friends - Have a great week!

Do your best, and forget the rest! Don't focus on a blistering pace... set a tone that's comfortable for you. That 20 minute run will sneak up on you in no time, then you'll be glad you've taken the first 4 weeks to find a nice pace that suits you without discomfort.

Hey all! Sorry about the radio silence on this end...I spent the weekend house/dog/chicken-sitting. I didn't get my run on Friday in, but I did take TONS of walks with a very energetic terrier! I'm hoping to get back on track this week, especially since I feel work, school, and general tiredness really threatening to derail me right about now.

Hope everyone has a great week...I know it'll be busy for me, but I'm going to push through!

HI everyone! My run on Saturday, which was suppose to be the MS 5K run, ended up being a one mile walk.  My ankle felt a little off, everyone else,except the teenagers were doing the walk...(2 have MS and the rest of us...well it was a fun time to get together.)  I am not crushed...so hey if you are worried about finishing a 5K...just think about me...I just did a mile and I am okay with it.  THere is no turkey trot in my area!?!?!?!?!  I am in Seabrook, TX.  Someone asked that question but I forgot who it was.

Jasmine  On Mondays I am going to take her and yes I have found a place to run...sorta scary because it is dark and they don't have many lamp posts.  On Tuesday, I can run at home because another mother does the carpool. On Wednesdays I pick up the girls and take them to BS..so I can run then.  Thursday, I have Bible Study and Friday I take to swim.  I just really have to sit down and figure out my priorities.  What is important...I will make time for. It is so easy to say, "I can't....", it is almost as if we are blaming someone else or some circumstance for our misfortune. But when we are honest with ourselves and say , "I choose not to..." or "I won't..."  then the blame is on ourselves.

Someone kick me in my rear...when I don't run.  I don't mind...really.  Oh here is  a picture from MS Walk...I am the fluffy one.  LOL  Our team name was "From the Inside Out"  and we wore our shirts inside out.