Category: health

Posted on

the downside of up

3052

How can there possibly be any downsides to finishing a 1/2 marathon? Oh that’s right, you have to keep up the hard work you put in OR ELSE! Yeah, I’ll admit it. The only thing I’ve participated in the past two weeks that comes close to exercise is a 5k (Race for the Cure) this past Saturday in Las Vegas. You’re probably thinking that is pretty amazing of me, right? WRONG! It’s the only thing I’ve done. I haven’t walked, jogged, biked, or crawled since Salt Lake. And that wouldn’t be so bad if I had continued eating the 1600 calories/day that my body was so used to. Oh noooo, I have to go on  ‘vacation’, which is just another term for driving long distances, visiting family and friends, and eating all the time. Sheesh!!! I feel super crappy right now, and I’m the only one to blame. I’m sure I’ve gained a few pounds, and I’m determined to jump back on the exercise train as soon as I get back to Logan. *much encouragement needed*

Okay, enough lamenting. We had a great time particpating in Race with all our friends. Here are a few of my favorite pics!!!

30423049305530583064307930823091We also made an after-race stop at IHOP. Jeremy ordered the healthiest of us all with an egg-white omelet and fruit. Adam entertained Carter by letting him jump off the chair onto the ground. The entire DeMarco clan joined in, making us a party of 18.

For me, the best part about moving back to Las Vegas are moments like this. Adam and I have an amazing circle of friends–they are family. We vacation together. We worship together. We support each other. We laugh and cry together. I miss my family and living near them desperately. I get very sad when thinking of leaving my sister and her family in Logan. I want so badly to someday move back to the Northwest. I would not, however, trade my life as it is right now for anything. This is our home, and we feel strongly that this is the best decision for our family. Fortunately, we have the best of friends, which makes the move so much easier.

Posted on

don’t do it, rach!

3018

Those are the oh so infamous words from my dear friend, Jena, repeated many times to me the week before the 1/2 marathon. All I wanted was a little diet coke….just a little. Thanks for the support, friend. Soda is obviously one of the worst things to have before a race because of it’s sodium content. Instead, I hydrated like a maniac. Unfortunately, we all went out to dinner the night before and had chips, beans and yummy chimichangas…not smart. So I think those two things cancelled each other out. :) Regardless, the SLC Marathon was a huge success. We all finished, some of us faster than others, but we all completed what we set out to do. How rewarding, right?

I cannot express how important accomplishing this goal was for me. In some respects it has given me some much needed closure to all the ickyness I’ve felt the past few years. I have purposely not done as much as I’m capable of…all in an attempt to feel better after each miscarriage. Obviously, that didn’t work very well. Having a goal, working hard for it, and then accomplishing it has reminded me how capable I am of doing whatever I want. The only limitations are those we place on ourselves–how true this really is? Some of you might say you could never walk/jog/run/crawl 13 miles, but really you could. You know that. The question is, what would motivate you to do it? We all have a price, and mine was the thought of a happier, healthier, stronger me. Me, only better!!!

3015

As for the race itself, I learned a few things for my next race: 1. use the bathroom one more time before, no matter what; 2. make sure the room’s a/c is working so I can actually sleep for a few hours; 3. drink water at EVERY station, don’t skip the first one; 4. don’t rub my callouses off in the shower two weeks before the race–really, really stupid of me, and boy do I have the big daddy of all blisters to prove it; 5. sunscreen up, even if I’m wearing a visor.

This post would not be complete without discussing our post-race dinner. Dave and Jena treated everyone to Rodizio Grill @ Trolley Square. Oh man, food has never tasted so good. And you better believe Jena and I had Soda!!! The food was absolutely scrumptious, the company was delightful, and once again we are reminded how important friendship and family is to us. Thanks Again, Demarcos, not only for dinner, but for inviting us to participate in the race and for being such a good influence for good in our lives.

Jaimee and Randi–my quasi-training partners were also completely inspirational. There is no way I could have kept going all 12 weeks without my training buddies. We had so much fun groaning about our workouts and then feeling completely rewarded when we finished them. I am so very proud of both of you mamas. You are 1/2 marathon moms, that’s huge!!! Don’t let anyone take that away from you.

Well, my next run is the Race for the Cure 5K in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks. I’m also running that with Dave and Jena–Adam might even join me on this one. First, I need to work on these sore muscles though. Maybe a massage, tomorrow!!! In my dreams. :)

30023009

Posted on

21 pounds and still losing!

I couldn’t stand it any longer. I felt the need to get on the scale today. I knew it would be a good day. Drum roll please…….I’ve lost 21 pounds in 10.5 weeks. My goal was two pounds a week and I’m totally doing it. I wasn’t going to weigh myself until after the 1/2 marathon next weekend, but I figured why not?

I feel great, and I am motivated to keep exercising and keep losing. I probably could have worked a little harder, exercised a little longer, and ate a little less to maximize my results. But I am so okay with slow and steady weight loss. Besides, as I pat myself a little on the back here, I did this in the midst of losing my grandpa, losing a baby, and a few spontaneous road trips. I say, not bad, Rach!

Instead of emotionally eating the last three months, I’ve focused myself and my energies on a goal. It has been the absolute best thing I’ve done in a really long time. I think I have 30 lbs or so to fit into all of my pre-marriage clothes, but it’s better than 50 lbs, right? The best part is that I’m doing this all on my own…no pills, no surgery, no daily training session (which I wouldn’t mind), and no crash starvation dieting! It’s just me, my calorie counter, my pedometer, and the open road! That’s the most rewarding part.

Posted on

“hey, you look hot!”

That’s right! I was standing in the kitchen the other day in black pants and cute black sweater with my hair cutely done. My husband walked through the room and out of the blue said “hey, you look hot!” and then gave me lots of kisses. This might not seem like a big deal to some, but to me it’s huge. Adam hasn’t said that in a really really long time. He’s said I look pretty or beautiful or nice, but not hot. I still have so far to go in terms of fitting into all my clothes and looking the way I want, but it’s a start. The best part about the compliment is that it was totally unsolicited and honest.

I go to the doctor on Wednesday for a follow-up so I can get my current weight. I went to the doctor right before I started my training program so I’ll be able to get an accurate number on how much I’ve lost. I’m hoping for 20, but I’ll be happy with 15. I’ve been working out this past week, but I haven’t counted my calories since we’ve been working at my mom’s all week. So now I’m not sure where I’m at.

One more thing….I was able to jog almost all of my five miles the other day. I can walk miles and miles and miles, but I still can’t jog super lots. I was so proud of myself this week. I think it helps that I’m at a lower elevation and not fighting the monster hills. Thanks for the challenge Jena, I jogged about 3/4 of the five miles. SLC is only three weeks away–I’m soooo excited!!!

Posted on

fat to skinny, week 4

Has it really been four weeks since I started my fitness plan? Wow!!!! I can honestly say I have been dilligent in my exercise and my calorie counting. I am keeping up on my food log and my training schedule. I know I’ve lost some weight….not exactly sure how much because I was too chicken to get on the scale at the beginning.

I finally braved the scale last week and was disheartened, but not detoured. I cried on Adam’s shoulder about how much fatter I was than I thought….but it gave me the resolve to work harder. I dropped 1.5 lbs between then and Saturday so I know it’s working. Jaimee, Randi, and I keep working out together as much as we can. That helps with motivation… so do emails from Jena and walks with my husband. Preparing for our Spring Break excursion also motivates me. We plan to walk this evening with our backpacks on.

No crash dieters in this house!!! Hopefully the next four weeks will bring even more success as the 1/2 marathon is only eight weeks away, and Colombia is only about three months away. Here are week 1 and week 4 photos. I can only muster headshots at this point. And That’s Okay, right?

WEEK ONE

27012704

WEEK FOUR

27062708

Well, here they are. I can tell a bit of a difference. Slow and Steady wins the race, right? Thanks everyone for your encouragement.

Posted on

“Rachel, you know…”

I have visited three different doctors over the past six weeks for various baby/adoption reasons and they have all told me the same thing, “Rachel, you know, it would probably be a good thing if you lost some weight. It might help with….(take your pick)” And what am I thinking–**Actually, No, I didn’t know. I thought it was just bloating. Could you tell me again how FAT I’ve become? Could you tell me one more time how my fertility, current health, and future mortality all hinge on this one factor. That would really help my body image and self-esteem (wink, nod). * *

Okay, seriously, here’s the skinny (ha ha). The doctors are right, duh! Hello, I can’t even look at the scale when they weigh me. As far as I know, I’m in good health (except for that whole baby thing)…great blood pressure, blood sugar, and pulse. But I want to keep it that way. If this had been a previous miscarriage, I would’ve fallen back into the ooey gooey chocolatey goodness of ice cream and not come out for a long long long time. But I can’t blame the sadness of the miscarriages anymore. It’s not fair to me, my husband, or my future children.

I did lose a little weight before this last miscarriage. Now it’s time to get back on wagon. So, what to do? What to do? Hmm, I know, I’ll train for the SLC Marathon.

Okay, I’m only doing the 1/2 marathon and I’ll probably walk half of it. But that’s alright with me. It is the perfect goal for me right now. It’s how I kept fit before. And it’s the perfect thing to occupy me as I wait for adoption stuff to happen. THANKS JENA for the idea. She is coming up for it in April. Jena was my workout buddy before Adona and before we moved. I miss going to swim and do yoga with my best bud. She has a friend she is training with in Las Vegas. My hoped for training buddy (who shall remain nameless) informed me that HE doesn’t want to do it *Boo, Hiss*. That leaves me to myself. I can do it. I know I can. I think I’ll post a weekly mileage log here so my dear friends who read this can encourage me. Please encourage me. I NEED IT.