My weekly weigh-in was yesterday at the gym. Pulling no punches here, it was a roller coaster week. I let stress get the better of me on Wednesday, resulting in a major food splurge. On Thursday, my hubby returned from his work trip and we went out for dinner. I ordered from the Guiltless Grill, but it was still a higher calorie dinner than I've been used to lately. Then Friday, we ordered pizza from my favorite place (Monical's), but I held myself to only 2 small pieces. A little struggle on the food side...Thankfully, it was a strong week on the workouts. I ran 33 miles, swam twice for 80 minutes, completed 1 Spinning class and 38 miles on the bike, several DVDs including yoga and abs, and 2 strength workouts. After a last-chance workout Monday morning, the scale was nice to me...
-2.5 lbs this week!
My 4 week total for the Weight Loss Challenge is now -17.6 lbs or -9.7%.I'm not defined by the number that appears on the scale. However, over the past several years, I have learned one thing... my running speed has a direct correlation to that number. Research has shown that, on average, runners get two seconds per mile faster for every pound they lose. Of course, this is not all inclusive, but all other measurables the same (training, health, race conditions), I believe it to be pretty accurate. At least for me. Last spring, I was at my lowest running weight and all my current PR's are from that time frame. This past summer, I got lazy on the food and gained 10-15 lbs back, despite running 40+ miles each week training for a marathon. The extra weight resulted in disappointing times at the finish line last fall.
 |
| Source |
As the weight drops off in recent weeks, I'm clocking improved paces - with the same exertion level. It's exciting to see what each run will bring. It also keeps my will power strong at the dinner table. I'm so determined to PR in both the Half and Full Marathon events this spring. To reach those lofty goals, I know that the work I do in the kitchen is just as important as the work on the track.
Do you run to lose weight? or lose weight to run faster?
Right now, I'm pretty focused on the latter.
Losing weight may not be the option for everyone, especially if you're BMI is already in the low 20's. My BMI still classifies me as obese (what the?!), so I have a long way to go yet. What's your ideal running weight? Check out this good article from Runner's World here for more information.
Thank you for this. I am on a weight plateau and also a running plateau so it explains a lot. Something I always assumed but at the same time thought it might just be wishful thinking. I know I am building muscle but when the scale and the time on a finish line don't move it really sucks!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this...I always figured I'd run faster if I shaved off the few pounds I've been keeping..hoping to do that by spring...and it really does feel fantastic all around to be lighter and smaller.....and you're doing an amazing job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder, 2 seconds per pound? 10 seconds for 5 pounds lost? Girl, you are going to kill your PRs this spring.
ReplyDeleteI asked SuziStorm about this awhile back. She knocked off about 2-3 minutes per mile on her time when she reached her goal weight after loosing 100 lbs.
ReplyDeleteThe proverbial question though is can you loose weight while training for a marathon. I asked that yesterday on the blog because loose weight is very important to me but so will be fueling for Chicago. ugh. HARD. HARD. HARD!
I need to check my bmi. I don't think I have much to lose but always have a layer of flab over my abs. Not cool. I'm pretty much hitting it as hard as I can but I definately want to be faster! Great job! Really amazing! Keep it up; you are doing it!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing so awesome! Thanks for the information and inspiration!
ReplyDeleteDo you think the cross training or diet has helped you lose the weight the most? I bet the crosstraining is helping your speed too...... Gosh I really need to buy a stationary bike!!
Girl you are killing it on the weightloss and workouts! WOW! I can feel the difference just a few pounds makes on my running. I definitely do not run to lose weight. Sometimes weightloss is a byproduct of running but sometimes not. For me it's really diet. I can't wait to see you crush those old PRs of yours this year!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on another solid week of weight loss!! And a great week of training! I like you am trying to lose weight to hopefully gain speed! I've lost 15 pounds since Oct, and I don't know that I have really seen the benefits yet, but my marathon training kind of took a toll on my overall speed - I was focused on endurance instead of speed, but now I'm back to speed again.
ReplyDeleteGreat week with the workouts! And impressive weight loss. I think that I'd love to lose a few pounds, I'm in the "healthy" weight range, but near the top and I think if I lost 5 pounds I'd see the difference in my running speeds. But I've been really lax about my eating :-/ and I can't seem to force myself to care enough to change it.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand where they get the obese from with BMI. My husbands says that he is obese also and he is definetly not obese and nor are you!! So crazy! Great job on the weight loss! Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteNice week, Jess. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteah the weight and BMI numbers....first congrats on your weight loss you are doing great. I lost 75 lbs through running AND lifestyle changes..that is also a big part of the loosing weight plan. I did get alittle faster as the weight came off...not super fast though :) now I cannot loose more weight..BMI is 18.5 so not an option so I have to work hard on other area and try to get stronger
ReplyDeleteyou are a true inspiration! :) Great job!
ReplyDeleteDon't get too freaked about that BMI number. It's not meant for athletes b/c it does not distinguish between muscle and fat.
ReplyDeleteRead this article: http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthy-living/weight-management/learn-the-basics/ideal-weight/interpret-your-bmi
Congratulations on the weight loss! You are doing great!
ReplyDeleteI don't need to lose too much weight, but maybe 5 pounds would be good. I definitely would lose it to run faster.
Great work! I have noticed that I feel lighter and faster when I weigh less, so it makes sense that it would translate to faster times. Lately, I've been dropping out sweets before races (maybe for a couple of weeks), and I always lose a couple of pounds even though I'm not really trying to. The sweets add up!
ReplyDeleteNice weigh in! I also subscribe to your philosophy of less weight = PRs. I'm trying to lose 5-10 lbs right now too in an effort of hopefully getting a little faster for my big spring races. Have you read Racing Weight?
ReplyDeleteYou are rocking both your weight loss and your workouts! Thank you for posting this. It makes a lot of sense. I have been stuck on both my weight loss and running.
ReplyDeleteVery Interesting Blog, thank you once again!! I'm trying but I need to try harder in the kitchen!! Congrats to you on your weightloss ~
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the loss, Jess!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job on the weight loss!! I run to lose weight and to run faster, I gained 74 lbs over my pregnancy and have been working at loosing it all, I have 5 lbs to go until I'm at my pre-pregnancy weight (baby is 11 months now) but not at my ideal weight. I have to lose about 13 more lbs to be at my ideal weight. Ugh! Sometimes it feels like it’s an uphill battle but I love when all my hard work with food and workouts pay off for a negative on the scale. :)
ReplyDeleteWow Jess, your stats on your workouts are so impressive. Truly inspiring. I have to say, losing weight to run faster is more motivating to me. Speed is addictive!
ReplyDeletegreat job and what a great reminder :) thanks!
ReplyDeleteAwesome loss and 18 pounds in 4 weeks?! That's amazing! I run to lose weight too. I'm a 10+ minute miler and that's enough for me!! :) Keep up the hard work!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT super fast. Your food journal inspired my to start tracking my cals on MyFitnessPal
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the weight loss! Mine is going a little slower than yours. But, it's going the right direction. So....right now, I'm running for both those reasons. I have a time goal for an upcoming half and I run to keep weight off and to lose at the moment. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteNormally I do not learn post on blogs, however I would like to
ReplyDeletesay that this write-up very pressured me to take a look at and do
it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, quite great
article.
Here is my web page :: seo practices
What's up, yes this post is truly pleasant and I have learned lot of things from it regarding blogging. thanks.
ReplyDeletemy page; best prices
Please let me know if you're looking for a article author for your weblog. You have some really good posts and I feel I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I'd absolutely love
ReplyDeleteto write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please send me an email if interested. Thank you!
My weblog ... really make money online
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading?
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it's the blog.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Feel free to surf to my web page :: http://gentoo.kiev.ua
I visited several web pages except the audio quality
ReplyDeletefor audio songs present at this web site is actually superb.
Also visit my webpage; Http://www.bestecigarettelist.org/online-clothing-related-articles/
Good article. I certainly love this website. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteAlso visit my web page :: More Info
If you wish for to increase your experience simply keep visiting this
ReplyDeleteweb page and be updated with the most up-to-date gossip
posted here.
Take a look at my weblog click through the up coming post
What's up, everything is going nicely here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that's genuinely excellent,
ReplyDeletekeep up writing.
My homepage - http://wcrawford.org/sourcing-big-man-clothing-provides-clients-many-benefits.php
Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It's on a completely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
ReplyDeleteLook at my webpage: Suggested Web site
With bistroMD you can rest assured that not only will you get gourmet entrees, but that every entree and every day in bistroMD's weight loss programs will be balanced to bistroMD's designed nutritional platform to promote healthy weight loss.
ReplyDeleteSTEP 1 - Select one of the weight loss plans for 5 or 7 days of entrees.
STEP 2 - See your menu before ordering and choose the entrees you desire for each day and week.
STEP 3 - Order your weight loss plan online.
STEP 4 - Your meals are sent to your doorstep.
ORDER NOW - home delivery.