An important first...

Hey Jeni, 

Glad that you are working on your diet... I have been blowing mine off for a week, I need to get back to my veggies. Tonight I wanted frosting, at least I made it homemade right? 

But more importantly... I have an important photo to show you...

Is this the biggest fake out or whatever? Sorry, I couldn't resist. This post will not be about my before and after photos :-)

Today was my first bike ride of the season! It was so exciting.  I did about 15 miles and kept up a pretty solid pace between 16-17 miles per hour. I was quite impresses with myself. Last season (my first) I was excited when I was over 12 miles an hour.  I have a lot of work to do to prepare for my upcoming Tour de Cure ride (http://main.diabetes.org/goto/jennro) on June 8th but I am up to the challenge! 

I am also considering commuting to work this season. I found a real sharp internal hub 8 speed bike, I am hesitant because I want to be sure that I am willing to commit to commuting. Right now my commute is about 2 miles total. It is not a big deal. I do not want to get into the habit of saying, "I'll ride my bike to work tomorrow" and never commute. I love the bike I found, but I need to ensure I am ready! Did you ever find a bike? 

As for the before and after, I am preparing that post and hope it will be up for you very soon. 

Please keep me posted on your running progress. 

Xoxo

Jenne

Sugar Free and Happy

JENNE!

  I can't believe so much time has gone by since I have been able to really check in with you.  I am so excited for you and your final weigh in.  The Winter is such a hard time, for so many reason and much like Bears, I sometimes wish I could just sleep my way through it.  I know, that you have been working hard and getting closer and closer to your fitness challenge goal.  Just imagine the results you will have once you can head outside and on your bike!!  If it hasn't yet, I'm sure the sun will head to Rochester soon!  As far as Spring in Germantown, it has arrived- just yesterday.  It is 55* today and sunny and I can not wait to get home and go for a run!  I haven't been able to run for a week.  The last few days of our trip were so hectic and we spent a lot of time in the car.  My last run was in Arcata, CA (the picture above).  It was so beautiful there and so warm.  

  In diet news: I have been put on a non-yeast, non-sugar, non-gluten, non-processed food diet.  I was really sick the last week of our trip and it is a Candida issue.  That's the yeast that's naturally found in your body.  Sometimes it can take over and it is really bad.  5 years ago I was put on the same diet for a year and a half and I felt great... until recently.  Now it's back and worse than ever... the Dr warned that if a person has repeated issues with Candida overgrowth, it can be warning signs of adult on-set diabetes.  WHOA.  I cried!  Not only am I seriously and admittedly addicted to sugar, I could be giving myself diabetes.  WHAT IS MY PROBLEM!?!?  well the last 4 days I have been so good!  Eating so clean and so wisely.  I have taken the time to make all of my meals and to really acknowledge what it is my body needs.  With only 2 days sugar free, the rash on my face went away (it's been there for months).  I guess all of this is just my body telling me to straighten up!  

 How have you been doing with your chips and queso addiction?  Will you have before and after photos??  I'd love to see them!!

Looking forward to your updates!

all the best,

Jeni 

One week left!

Jeni! 

There is only one week left in my 90 day challenge and I am totally nervous.

I have been really staying on track since my change of mindset, I have been feeling the changes and it's great!

I am super nervous about my final weigh in :-( I want it to be good because out team was in first place at the midpoint for weight loss! I didn't contribute much to that and I want to do better in my last weigh in. 

Gah! 

For right now, this is really about it! I'm in the zone, hoping to meet or exceed the goal I have set in my head. I'm so close. 

I hope you had a lovely vacation. I can't wait to hear all about it.

Xoxo

Jenne

Seattle My Heart

a daily/ yearly total of the bikes that cross this bridge in Freemont.  How cool is this?!?!

Jen!
  Hello from Seattle!  Just a quick update to tell you how much I love Seattle!  It is so different from the East Coast.  It is such an active and healthy city with so much to do.  Even in the pouring rain people are out being active (I can assure you I am living it up here!!).  I have seen more runners, walkers, bikers than I have ever seen in my life.  While we were exploring yesterday, I saw something that I thought you would love! This is on the entrance to one of the bridges in Freemont- a daily calculator of how many bikes have crossed the bridge, as well as the total since January.  How COOL right?!?! This afternoon we are going back to the most incredible REI store- the mecca of outdoor goods, to buy some camping gear for the rest of our trip.  I will check in again in the next few days! Tomorrow we are heading to Oregon to camp and then to Portland.

 How are things going for you?  Is it starting to feel like Spring yet? 

xo
Jeni

Keeping the momentum going

Jeni!

I may on a roll here.  I've again been active everyday this week. I feel so energized and happy. I'm maintaining my weight loss goals. I feel the transformation happening with my lifestyle and eating habits. Although I have been working out for awhile, I just feel different about it. I respect it more. I feel like it has more purpose.

My week so far:
Monday: weights and bike
Tuesday: bike
Wednesday: snowed in but did a strength and core based workout at home
Thursday: Zumba
Friday: Jungshin and bike

Today I am planning on weight training and some more bike work.

I am amping up my time on the bike to prepare for the upcoming cycling season. I can't wait until the snow stops and I can be outside logging my miles. I am curious to see any improvements from last season.

I hope you have a wonderful time on vacation.

Xoxo
Jenne 

Life, Stress, Vacation

Hey Jenne!
  Boy it has been a while since I have written... although I haven't had time to write I have been keeping up with my running (well, mostly).  This week has been especially hectic.  I have 4 dresses to make, my teaching job, plus my design class at Marist- which involves two projects right now.  All of this needs to get done before Friday at 8 am- because E and I go on VACATION for 12 days!!!  This week has provided little time for sleep or play... and I have been getting less sleep than optimal and feeling so overwhelmed.  I haven't had time for a long run and have been keeping them to 5 miles or under- so that I have time to keep working.  I can't believe that in just 2 LONG days, I will be on vacation.  We fly to Seattle and will stay there with E's family for 5 days and then will rent a car and spend the next 7 days driving down the coast- where we will fly out of SF.  Here is a quick list of the things I hope to do on our trip!

1.Run in Seattle
2.Eat healthy local food
3.Hike, Hike, Hike
4.Kayak
5.Ride bikes in Napa Valley
6.Run in the Redwood Forest
7.Go to the first Starbucks (just to say I did, although I am not a Starbucks junkie)
8.eat outside
9.Camp
10.Yoga
11.Go to the Filson store
12.RELAX

I am sure this is going to be an amazing vacation.  And I will make sure to post pics and updates.

Hope this week is as great as last week- I am so impressed with your 7-day week!!  Keep it up!

xo Jeni

Lucky Number 7

Hey Jeni!

How have you been? It seems like its been forever since I wrote! 

I have been having a great time since I climbed out of my funk a few weeks ago. In fact, I've met one of my challenge goals and I also had a "7 day week" as I like to call it. 

My goal was to be halfway to my goal weight and I did it and held it steady over the week! I was so excited! I feel like the work is paying off and it motivates me to keep on going. 

My 7 day week was awesome! I did something active everyday and I feel great about it! I haven't had a 7 day week since last summer. What is even better is that I feel like I had some diversity in my workout, which is important. 

Here is the breakdown:

Monday- spin class

Tuesday- weights and bike

Wednesday- yoga

Thursday- Zumba

Friday- Jungshin and bike

Saturday- weights and bike

Sunday- skiing

I am so happy with my week. I can't wait to keep working towards my goals :-)

How have you been? An fitness milestones lately? 

Xoxo

Jenne