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Just about 11 months ago now, I made the decision to come out of the fat kid closet* and own up to having lost a massive amount of weight. It was a major move for me. I found incredible strength and support in sharing my journey with an incredibly loving online community and, in turn, great motivation to keep moving forward toward my weight and fitness goals as I approached our July wedding. To this day, I think opening up and sharing my “fat kid” photos was one of the best decisions I could have made. It was liberating and to my great surprise, inspiring for others, something I never would have imagined.

{Here is a fat kid photo. Approximately  270 lbs. Yikes!}

So, what this have to do with present day? It’s quite simple really. My weight loss journey is not yet complete, but you wouldn’t know it from the way I’ve been eating and totally slacking off on work outs since the wedding. How easy it is to start settling into newlywed life, ease off the pressure a bit to look fabulous in an overpriced dress and wham! The next thing you know your jeans are just ever so slightly uncomfortable. Not good, friends, not good. So, with just a touch of bitterness, I’m doing what I’ve done so many times in the last three years. I’m gearing up, buckling down and getting ready to put up a good fight. I’m still convinced I can reach all new heights of being physically fit and improve my approval of what I see in the mirror along the way.

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In the 14 months that I’ve been married, I’ve gained approximately ten pounds–and no, I am not pregnant. I attribute the weight to eating poorly for the five months that my husband was deployed. He is the primary cook in our household, and when he was away I survived (quite happily) on cereal, peanut butter and honey on toast and pints of Ben & Jerry’s. I blame the gain on my laziness in the kitchen combined with my tendency towards emotional eating when I’m lonely.

Unfortunately, simply knowing how I went up one pants size doesn’t cause the weight to fall right off. In the last couple of months since J has been home, I’ve been eating more well-rounded meals and have started working out with a trainer once a week like I did prior to my wedding. Still, the scale isn’t budging. I’ve realized that I’m going to need to kick my own butt a bit harder if I really want to get back to my “I do” weight.

Cue Jillian Michaels.

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While I’m not the biggest Biggest Loser fan, when I do watch the show I’m typically “Team Bob.” I just love his zen attitude. But tough times call for a tough trainer–and that’s where Jillian comes in. I ordered her workout DVD, “Jillian Michaels for Beginners: Frontside,” through Netflix, and the first time I tried it (OK, the only time I’ve tried it, so far), I was surprised by how challenging it actually was. The exercises are basic enough that anyone can do them; there are six circuits that each include two or three weight lifting moves plus cardio. The workout lasts approximately 40 minutes, but it goes by quickly (thank goodness!).

My plan is to use the Frontside video a couple of times a week in addition to doing cardio, such as power walking, at the gym. Maybe I’ll get adventurous and rent the Backside DVD, too.

What are your favorite at-home workout DVDs? Have you had weight loss success using them?

First came Part 1: attire, then came Part 2: timing and tunes, and now for the final installation of this newbie runner’s toolbox. Nutrition and training programs. Ugh-the not-so-fun stuff.

My other posts would be helpful for newbie runners tackling any distance [the 5k, 10k, half and full marathons] since everyone can use fun new clothes/shoes, tunes, and a timing system. But this one is going to be more for the longer distances: 13.1 and 26.2 milers require focused nutrition before, during and after your runs. And you better believe it takes a butt load of training to complete these races–never trust anyone who says they ran a half or a full without ANY training. They might be aliens. And I bet they are flirting with a major injury in their near future, too.

If anyone is even remotely considering a marathon I would highly recommend it. You can read about my journey towards my first full marathon here, here, and here. If that doesn’t inspire you in the slightest then I’ve got nothin:) Both the half and the full will leave you with a tremendous sense of accomplishment and the training programs provide for a solid structured work out routine that requires little to no thinking. It’s not like you can just say, “Hmmm, I really don’t feel like running today. I don’t know how far I can make it anyway. Maybe tomorrow,” because your program tells you exactly how far to run and when. Plus training for a long race will kick your fitness into high gear, burning obscene amounts of calories and therefore allowing you to pig out guilt-free. Yes, I am one of those who runs to eat because I love food way too much to limit my desserts/second helpings/large portion sizes. I’m hope I’m not alone on this one?

A. Nutrition

It might seem like a no-brainer, but when you are training for a marathon your body needs healthy, nutritious foods for fuel and recovery. Never is it more important to eat well than the night before a long run–I found this out the hard way when I popped fried cheese curds and Diet Coke the night before a 15 miler, naively chuckling, “These will be my little balls of energy!” I definitely learned my lesson after that and cut out the fried foods, cheese and dairy products, soda, alcohol, and meats for my ‘final meal’ before a long run. Instead, I usually eat whole wheat pasta with plain marinara sauce plus plenty of water to fuel my system before a run. It works for me but everyone is different with this aspect and I encourage you to try out different combinations of carbohydrates with proteins to see what works. But either way, you’ll need to chug water all day long for the 2-3 days before a long run so that you are well hydrated. Yep, lots of potty breaks throughout the day, but it’s worth it.

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Part one found here.

Part two = Tunes and Timing

A. Tunes

One of the most intense debates in the running world is whether or not to run with music. I know the prospect of running without an MP3 player to those of you who can’t leave home without it might seem awful. The problem is that most half and full marathons forbid the use of music because they believe it can distract the runner, and potentially lead to an accident if you can’t hear a car coming your way. That’s not to say that some marathoners don’t sneak in their headphones, which I say is their own choice, but technically it IS against the rules and I’m not exactly a rebel :)

I ran both halves and also my full without music. For my training runs I only use music when I am running alone and running more than 10 miles simply to stave off boredom. I promise you that if you go sans music your mind will find things to think about and honestly, it can be totally therapeutic. It’s just you, the road, and your thoughts—-but I will admit that sometimes you just don’t need to solve the world’s problems during a run.

My iPod shuffle is my lover boy for times like these and I dig a mixture of tunes for my runs. I know a lot of runners are always looking for new songs so I figured I’d share my newest ‘Spring 2009′ playlist for your entertainment.  I hope you like techno and rap music or you might be severely disappointed.

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I recently read an article on MSN Health which discussed the best time of day to eat, sleep, exercise, and even have surgery.

It can be found here: The Best Time of Day to Exercise, Take Vitamins,and More Health Moves

The article discusses our natural body rhythms and how we can use them to our advantage. I found it very interesting because I certainly notice ups and downs throughout my day. I am not generally a morning coffee drinker because I am pretty wide awake at the beginning of the day. However, 3 o’clock rolls around and I am ready for some caffeine or a nice little siesta pronto. Getting up and moving around usually helps because a nap is usually out of the question.

While the article suggests eating 2 small mid-day meals, instead of 1 large lunch, exercise between 5 and 6 o’clock, and always scheduling a doctor’s appointment in the morning, how realistic are these goals in our daily lives? I would love to be able to bask in the sunlight every morning to boost my energy and always have dinner two hours before I think about bedtime.

I’m also interested to know how many of you tend to exercise in the morning rather than the evening as the article suggests. I often find that I have more motivation to get myself moving in the morning.

What methods do you personally use to follow your body’s natural rhythms in the hustle and bustle of daily life?

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Yesterday at the gym I saw a woman wearing Crocs and cargo pants on the treadmill. I am slightly more, um, traditional when it comes to workout apparel–though perhaps no less passionate than my Crocs-loving friend. So I thought I’d share some of my essentials!

Countless hours logged on the elliptical and in the spinning studio have me hooked on Lululemon Athletica. I’ve been wearing their stuff for about eight years, and I have pieces that old that still look as good as new. The built-in bras in the tank tops support even my bountiful lady parts, and the pants never ride up or chafe. Plus they look so stylish that I can dash into the grocery store after the gym without garnering disapproving looks.

I’m just as loyal about my shoes, too; I only wear Asics Gel-Kayano, and I happily replace them with the same model every year. I usually just toss it all into a canvas tote when I’m on the go, but wouldn’t this Stella McCartney for LeSportsac bag be a chic alternative to my grubby Whole Foods sack?

I keep a Sigg bottle handy so I don’t have to buy a plastic bottle of water. On days when I can’t make it to the gym, I adore DVD’s from Jari Love and David Kirsch–they whipped me into shape for my wedding last summer! I stay motivated by thinking about how good that post-workout shower will feel, and I reward my effort with a light leave-in conditioner, a yummy smelling shower gel, and a rich body lotion.

Tell me: What are your workout essentials? And speaking of workouts, is this video a total throwback for anyone other than me?

I am not an elite runner. I do not know it all. And I’m pretty much a newbie to this sport running my first real race in 2005 with the Madison half marathon. Since then I’ve run in my first full marathon, completed another half marathon, and am now currently training for my second full marathon [eek!]. I was not a track or cross country runner in high school—quite the opposite, actually. I was a basketball and volleyball jock who would rather line up for sprints and stairs and punch herself in the face before running a mile. Then came college when I was no longer exercising for 3+ hours each day with high school sports and I was deathly afraid of the freshman fifteen. So I started running about 2 or 3 miles at a time just to burn some calories, but I ended up addicted to running.

Running is such a mind game. It’s methodical, simple, and accessible. The feeling of accomplishment you feel after a great run should be bottled up and sold for ridiculous amounts of money. Whether you are training to run/walk a mile, doing the Couch to 5k program, running in your first half marathon, or even a full 26.2 you’ve probably been overwhelmed by the running world out there. I mean, there are so many things to learn, so many questions to ask, and so many hard-core runners out there that scare the crap out of us newbies [at least, in my opinion]. So when Hanna asked if I would write a post about running—must have gear, clothes, equipment, etc—I decided to take her up on it in hopes that it will help somebody out there. I apologize for the length of this post already, but I just adore talking about this stuff [you can't tell, can you?]

PART ONE = ATTIRE

A. Shoes

Absolutely the most important piece of equipment for a runner is her shoes. Now ladies, this is not a place to skimp on quality just to save some money and since this is coming from a self-professed tightwad, you should know that it’s a big deal to me. I hunt for sales as much as the next person and usually spending $100-$150 on a single item would make me blackout. But your shoes not only protect your feet but they are the basis for proper body alignment and will definitely make or break you as a runner. As soon as someone tells me “My _____ hurts when I run” I immediately ask about their shoes: are they old, worn down, or ill-fitting? If so, it’s time to get professionally fitted for the perfect pair of kicks. I don’t go by the 500 mile rule, or the 6 month rule, but I just listen to my legs and they will tell me when it’s time to make the next purchase.

I am a big fan of shoe stores that watch you run on a treadmill to observe your foot mechanics in their shoes. They should measure each foot, watch you walk in different styles of shoes, and also watch you run in them before letting you walk out the door with a new pair. They will see if you over pronate, stay fairly neutral, or possibly over supinate and then prescribe you the correct shoe accordingly. We like Fleet Feet for this purpose but I know there are other stores out there that will do the same for you.

Right now I’m wearing the Saucony ProGrid Guide shoes:

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I just joined My Yoga Online. I’ll let you know how it works out for me.

Go buy art from Gathering Spriggs, she donates 3% of the cost! (found via Space/Lift)

Speaking of Space/Lift, go give Lisa some love. She took a (blatantly unfair) beating this week from another blogger and deserves some positive feedback.

If you need a good recipe for the weekend, this Salt and Pepper Tofu from fresh365 is AMAZING. I served to three people who have never had tofu and all loved it. Success!

Finally, if you’re interested in what inspires me and little tidbits about my life come visit Rebekah Blogs.

Is anyone else feeling the strain of the time change?  If you are, here are a few energy boosters for this morning and afternoon.

A quick yoga routine….

An apple…

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Pandora…

A lot of water…

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Sunshine….

{Image via Decorno}

Because of our intense hatred of gym fees, we at EAD are always on the lookout for free fitness resources.  Here are a few of favorite resources that have helped us.

1.  SparkPeople

SparkPeople is my go to site for calorie tracking and health information.  I love that you can track any nutrient, and the sense of community and encouragement is found nowhere else.  They offer a  7 Day Bootcamp routine that is pretty effective at

2.  You Tube

YouTube has an amazing library of pilates and yoga related videos.  Many of the videos are created by fitness professionals building up their base of clients and marketing their name.  The result is a lot of quality videos for FREE.  Yogatic by Esther Ekhart is my current favorite. I love her accent, and her videos are awesome.

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