This is my Mamavation post for February 15, 2010.
Two weeks ago I was struggling. Hubby was travelling, I injured my calf, I was PMS‘ing, my weight loss was hitting a plateau… There were so many excuses and reasons to give up. But I didn’t. At the encouragement of the Mamavation Sista’s, I kept on pushing through and this past week I stepped up the intensity of my 1/2 marathon training by running each run FAST and getting up early to swim two mornings this week. I should have gotten injured this week with all the training, but I didn’t – you know why?
Yummy Veggies
I ate. And I ate well. You see, we’re having a Healthy Eating Challenge at work. We’re tracking how many servings of fruits & veggies we eat each day as we strive to meet the amounts reccommended by Health Canada: 7-8 servings for women and 8-10 servings for men. I met the reccommended amounts every day this past week. It wasn’t easy – I’ve eaten an enormous amount of salads, bananas, carrots and other fruits. The toilet and I have been best friends 
I’ve trained for, and ran several marathons and half-marathons before, but I’ve never ever paid attention to the role nutrition plays in my training. I figured I was burning tons of calories training and could eat whatever I wanted. I never realized until this week how much fuelling my body properly helps with recovery and keeping my legs & mind feeling “fresh”. Every run this week has felt effortless! In fact, on Wednesday I set a personal best that I shared in my first vlog. I ran 6km at a pace of 5:16/km. I’ve only maintained that pace for that distance once in my life – and that was over 6 yrs ago (when I was much younger, and didn’t have any kids).
The increased running intensity, swimming, yoga and healthy eating MAJORLY paid off this week: according to Wii Fit I lost 4.6 lbs last week! 
My weight loss progress
(BTW-here’s instructions on how you can create one of these charts for yourself)
I totally broke through my plateau and I’m well on my way to continuing the journey to my wedding weight! I only have 6 lbs to go! I can possibly finish losing the whole she-bang by our anniversary! Yay!
I couldn’ve done this alone. I know a lot about health, nutrition, training etc.. But I struggle with motivating myself to apply my knowledge. I’m human too. I have stress, emotions, PMS and all that other stuff. I’m so thankful to have all of you helping me! All of the Mamavation Sista’s have been so supportive and inspiring! Reading everyone’s progress, struggles and triumphs each week has helped me in a way that I just can’t put into words. I’m so thankful to everyone for helping me become the best me that I can be! Thanks everyone!
To challenge and inspire you, I’m having a Healthy Challenge!
Read THIS POST to learn more and enter.
Good luck!
PS – Have you entered my SADE “Soldier of Love” CD Giveaway yet?
I love you! just needed to get that out! I am so glad I found Mamamvation because of moms like you, yes you had atough week, but look at you and your wright lose! WTG! BIG HUGS AND KISSES XOXO @beeacutie2
Thanks Amanda! I wonder if PMS water retention is why it appeared that I plateaued? I just read that some women can retain as much as 2 lbs. This kind of explains the big loss this week and the weight gain at the beginning of January on my tracking chart. I’ll just have to keep tracking to really find out if I’m one of those women.
I LOVE that 7-8 servings of vegetables idea. Love it love it love it! I want you challenge the girls to do it. That is a great change they can work on alongside the water. Wonderful!
I’m so excited for your progress. I can’t believe you lost 4.6 lbs. this week! Wow, that’s what happens when fuel your body with good food. XXOO
I am so glad I read your post about all those veggies you have eaten. The way they fuel your body and that everything you did was almost effortless. I need to remember that, was very encouraging for me. WTG on your lbs lost!
Thanks Jennifer! Here’s your chance: I’m holding a Healthy Challenge of my own that will run over the next four weeks! Here’s a link to the details! Good luck!
I’m so going to do one of those charts! How inspiring is that! I love the fruits and veggies idea too. I am terrible at that! Congrats on the weight loss!
Wow, wow, wow!!! Good for you!
I love the idea of 7-8 servings of fruits and veggies. I usually do good and get 5-6 (the US recommendation) but I know I feel better when I’m eating more servings. And I love the idea of a challenge! Count me in!
Love the veggie and fruit idea. I {heart} veggies and fruit. I think I could possibly be a vegetarian if for no other reason than the fact that I REALLY love the veggies and fruits!
4.6, you are an ANIMAL!! Yay for food, nutrition, and nourishing your body. I love the idea of the challenge you have posted but have been having issues with produce. I am eating a lot more produce in the winter now that I am pregnant but my issue is location and sustainability. I canned and froze a lot from the summer and fall but have had to supplement a lot of produce from Cali. Just last night I was oohing and ahhing at the produce section of the market but leaving it at that with so much imported from Chile and other places. I can do your challenge easy in summer, but for me with my food buying ethos it is hard right now. I do support you and others doing the challenge with you though.
You always inspire me! I love reading your posts.
WOW Janice you are doing amazing things and inspiring a lot of people!! AND you are so close to your goal, YEAAAA YOU!!!! What a great idea for a healthy challenge!!! xxoo
Your blog name is so fitting! You are always cheering for & pushing everyone to do better! You are doing such a wonderful job! Congrats on getting past that plateau! Keep up the great work! *hugs*
Wow, I get tired just by reading what kind of workout you did for the week, lol! Seriously, I wish I have the kind of energy you have to be able to do all those things you’re doing.
I like the healthy eating challenge! That’s a very cool idea. Totally agree that what you’re putting into your body has a direct impact on how well you’re gonna perform, so you’re on the right track! Keep it up! — @ImAHotMom
I saw the challenge this morning and you wouldn’t believe the hoops I jumped through to get there today, lol. I completely broke the idea of it being healthy because of what was in the house – I ha a ton of fruit salad (a really healthy one, but that was like 5 of my servings, lol), and 2 chocolate covered strawberries.
I’m going grocery shopping tomorrow so I can do it the RIGHT way! Thanks for the awesome challenge and the inspiration to make it happen – that drop off your plateau is FANTASTIC!!
Awesome job …and thanks for challenging us too!!!
You are so awesome! It can be hard to admit our short-fallings but you do it with grace and honesty. And now you’re back at it stronger than ever! Way to go on your running accomplishment!
Woo-hoo! Over 4 pounds – and you are so close to your goal! That is so great! I joined your fruits and veggies challenge, but haven’t been to good about it yet. It’s funny, because I like fruits and veggies, so I’m not sure why I’ve had so little lately. Time to whoop my butt into eating them – I’d really like to recover faster, like you have, especially after shoveling all this snow!