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Dawn McSwain

I have been struggling with my weight for several years now. I am 75 lbs over weight, 47 married empty nester, accountant for a non-profit. Recently I have committed to doing a 1/2 marathon in November. 12 weeks (EEKK). My mom & sister will be joining me. My mother has been running since her 40's. She ran her first marathon the year I made her a grandmother :). Anyway this will be my 4th 1/2 marathon since 2004, I walked the first 3. I have decided I am going to run at least a 1/3 of this one. I started using a Jeff Galloway Iphone AP for interval training about 5 weeks ago. I have been very extremely careful because I don't want to injure myself and not be able to do it at all. I originally started with 1 minute running 2 minute walking with the running at 6mph. However carrying so much extra weight I could feel my right leg was not liking it very much, this is when I decided that the tortoise is the one who finishes the race and I backed down to 4.5 mph and running 30 seconds walking 45 seconds. I have since upped it to 5mph and am really feeling good about it. I am running 5 days a week, and today I am going to do my first long run of 5 miles, I have been doing a daily run of 2.5 which I upped to 3.5 on Tuesday this week. I am really starting to feel strong and its not as much of a mental battle today as it was 5 weeks ago.

Also in regard to my diet. My husband and I live in the Houston Texas area and there is a local trainer who stared a company called My Fit Foods. They prepare fresh food for you that you can pick up a couple times a week, so it is very much the easy way, no food prep or too much though required.. Its gluten free and comes in 3 serving sizes and all I have to do is grab my meals in the morning on my way out the door. I started logging my food today on Lose it and yesterday I ordered the Fit Bit (wish I had it already).

I am in prayer that I will be successful this time, because there have been so many times in the past I have failed. My motto this time "Do or Do Not - There is no try" Yoda! I will DO!!

My short term goal is to lose at least 15lbs by the race.

My long term is to lose the 75 lbs and to continue running an hour a day 5 days a week.

Thank you in advance for encouragement & support thru my journey! I need all the help I can get.

Also I would love to hear how the fit bit has helped anyone already!

Be Blessed

Dawn

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kim E. Landwehr on May 26, 2012 at 8:58pm

Dawn congrats keeping up with the exercise, I know how hard it is. Do you like your juicer? I've been thinking about getting one.

Permalink Reply by Kim E. Landwehr on May 30, 2012 at 2:09pm

Hey Dawn How have you been doing? I don't get Fitbit. I can see your information, but I can't figure out how to send you notes of encouragement over there so I am doing it here instead.

Permalink Reply by Dawn McSwain on May 30, 2012 at 3:42pm

Not real sure how to communicate with friends on fitbit either. I am doing OK not great. I am not walking because its still not comfortable, however i have been going to the Y with my husband and swimming a few laps. Did 10 50 yard laps yesterday. You asked about the juicer the other day, sorry I didn't respond.

I had a cheaper version by black & Decker and it was ok if you don't use it too much. My husband has decided he really likes juicing so we invested in a high quality & high volume one by Breville. I only like vegetable juices that have an apple for sweetness and carrots as the base. If those two ingredients are included I can just about drink any vegetable, my husband doesn't always use an apple or carrots. He is the one who is drinking juice twice a day and he is saying he feels much better.

How are you doing?

Permalink Reply by Kim E. Landwehr on May 30, 2012 at 7:46pm

Dawn, I am doing fine so far with walking every week day, although I did skip Monday because of the holiday. Got inserts in my shoes which seems to help the sore feet. The hardest thing for me is keeping track of the food, I eat a lot of home made creations plus I forget to do it. Swimming laps at the Y sound great and its good exercise. I wish there was a Y near by me. I like walking but doing the same thing all the time can get a little boring. Thanks for the information on the juicer, and don't worry about not responding right a way.

Permalink Reply by Dawn McSwain on June 19, 2012 at 6:42pm

I know you think I am fickle and cant stick to a goal. Well Now I have set a tough & Big one. I have purchased and am on Day two of Jillian Michael s Body Revolution. Its a series of DVDs & diet plan for 90 days. Its geared towards people like me who have a lot to lose. I have set my long term goal at 80, But I hope to lose at least 30 during this 1st 90 days. Based on the workouts of the 1st two days I believe Ms Jillian is going to kick my butt. I can do it! I can DO it! I CAN DO IT!! However I can use all the prayers & support i can get.

Day one consisted of a 30 minute weights centered workout in the a.m. And a 30 minute cardio in the evening

Breakfast was awesome. 2 Poached eggs on canadian bacon served on tomato & avocado

Lunch was a chef salad

Snack, Hummus w/red bell pepper & baby carrots

Dinner; sirloin served on spinach and a tomato, red onion & black olive salad.

Day 2 was 30 minutes of weights and resistance band in the am and cardio in the evening.

I chose to repeat the food from day 1

Tomorrow is cardio both in the am & pm

And then I repeat three days.

The workouts gain intensity every two weeks. I am excited, nervous & confident all at the same time lol.

I have seen the results JM has gotten from the contestants on BL so I know this can (Will if I let it) work.

I cheated and weighed the 2nd day and was down 3lbs. She only wants me to weigh weekly. I will give you updates on my progress.

Be Blessed!

Permalink Reply by Fred Firestine on July 3, 2012 at 5:24pm

Hi Dawn! It's funny that I decided today to return to the site, after a long absence. I say that because I've been going through the workouts for Jillian Michaels Body Revolution too. I am currently in Phase 3. I am doing the workouts because my wife purchased the program recently, and I've been a fan of Jillian for several years (since I did 30 Day Shred and a couple of other DVDs). I am maintaining my goal weight, but I am always looking for my next workout program.

I've been through all except the last two weeks of workouts now, so I am saying with confidence (just like Jillian) that you can do this! Remember that diet, exercise, proper sleep (7-8 hours), and reducing your stress will all help you to achieve your goal. I still struggle with the part about proper sleep and stress! Also, take it easy the first time through a new workout, so you can learn the moves. It's OK to pause, skip back to something you missed, or just watch to see how they do it.

If you're interested, I have written some blog posts about Body Revolution, too. These workouts are good for people at any fitness level, but you can definitely challenge yourself. I will certainly pray for you as you make your way through the program.

Permalink Reply by Kim E. Landwehr on June 19, 2012 at 8:18pm

Hey Dawn That sounds intense but I know you can do it. Thoughts and prayers heading your way

Permalink Reply by Dawn McSwain on July 4, 2012 at 3:53pm

My Body Revolution journey is in its 3rd week. I am down 10.5lbs. I feel stronger and healthier. I have started the 2nd phase this week. We have people over tonight for the 4th, so I know I am going to cheat a little on the diet , but my goal is to keep it at a "little" Hubby is making homemade strawberry ice cream and that is going to be my cheat. JIllian is a beast but the exercises are doable even if your carrying 80lbs you shouldnt be like me. I looking forward to the day I dont wake up sore tho lol. I have been adding two nights a week at the Y, doing water aerobics. I think I am more sore from those cause you dont realize at the time how much you are doing.

Dawn (Loving Life)

Permalink Reply by Cliff Ravenscraft @GSPN on July 6, 2012 at 8:13pm

Dawn, you're an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!

Permalink Reply by Dawn McSwain on July 8, 2012 at 5:19pm

Day 21 of my JMBR journey. I am frustrated but not discouraged. I have only lost one lb this week, and although I cheated on the 4th I didn't do terrible. I didn't eat the "Bad" salads, just the cucumber salad I made and a turkey burger. I did have a very small piece of cake and some of my hubby's home made ice cream. So for the most part I have done very well with my diet. As far as the exercise I have been doing it all, well what I can lol I have to modify some of her moves cause I cant get this big girl in some of those positions hee. seriously, their are some things I just cant do, and since Jillian isn't physically here to make me ...

So overall I have lost 11 lbs. I am definitely stronger and feeling pretty good. I am not in a smaller size yet. Some of the exercises in this 2nd phase I would not have been able to do day one but I can now. I really do like the workouts and I am not as sore as I was in the beginning. I may wake up a little sore but once I do that days routine I feel great. 69 days to go....

Permalink Reply by Kim E. Landwehr on July 9, 2012 at 10:42am

Hey Dawn , you motivate me to keep walking, I thought of buying Jillian Michaels video, but I have a habit of buying videos like that using them for awhile and then they sit on the shelf. I do love her podcast though, it is my weekly motivation. Do you listen to it? I think i know how you feel about the weight loss it can be so frustrating, but you can do it. I keep telling myself whether it shows on the scale today, what I do is building who I will be tomorrow.

Permalink Reply by Fred Firestine on July 25, 2012 at 12:50pm

Hi Dawn! How's it going with Body Revolution, or the healthy habits in general?