Lighter & Faster!

It’s been awhile since I blogged, but I’M BACK!!! February was a rough month for me, but I ended it on an upswing with a “spring break” to Riviera Maya, Mexico with my childhood best friend!*

I didn’t see much weight loss in February, but despite all that I was facing, I DIDN’T GAIN weight, so that was awesome! And following my spring break, I got back to business with my workouts and my Shakeology nutrition, and the scale is moving downward again… my first post-vacation weigh-in was last Wednesday, and I finally broke into the 100s! 198.6 pounds!

To recap, since I began including Shakeology in my daily routine back in December, I’ve lost 18 pounds so far! As I’ve shared before here, I truly believe it’s corrected the nutritional piece of my health/fitness puzzle...and it keeps my energy up, keeps me feeling full longer than my old breakfast did, and I just feel healthier!

One of my goals for 2014 is to get back to my best running shape, and so far I’m on the right track!  This past Saturday I ran my first Gold Cup Series race for my local running club, the Calumet Region Striders.  My best recent training 5K was a shade faster than 34 minutes, so I set my goal at 33 minutes and promised myself a new pair of running shoes if I beat 33.  I found myself fairly-comfortably running at a 10:00ish minute/mile pace and managed to finish in 32:00.5!! The Athena division of the Cal Striders better look out, ‘cause I’m gonna kick some tail this year!!  And I can’t wait to visit my local running store, Extra Mile, this week for some new kicks!

*I earned enough money in 3 months as a Beachbody coach to cover the cost of airfare and 5-nights at a beautiful Riviera Maya all-inclusive resort.  If you’re looking for a fun way to earn some extra fun money, pay down debt, etc., contact me to learn more about being a Beachbody coach!

Getting Faster, Next Race, & Weight-Loss!

One of my goals for the year is to get back to my running best, which means I need to complete a 5K in better than 28:30.  I also want to set a PR (personal record) in a 10K (need to beat 64:20)!!  I’ve been putting forth more effort when it comes to training, and last Friday I had an amazing 5K (3.1 mile) run on the treadmill…I beat any recent times by at least 30 seconds.  I’m an interval runner, and I completed Friday’s run in 33:26, an average pace of 10:47/mile.  (I would run 6 minutes at 5.8ish mph, and then walk for 1 minunte at 4 mph, repeating these intervals for 3.1 miles.)  Not sure I ran a 5K that “fast” in all of 2013!

My next race is The Chi-TownBig Game 5K on Super Bowl Sunday (2/2/14) at Soldier Field in Chicago.  Last year was the inaugural event, which I participated in, and it was AWESOME!  The pre- and post- race events were held in the posh United Club in the stadium!!  Taking some family with me this time… the sis, bro-in-law, and maybe even my cousin!

SHAKEOLOGY UPDATE:  I’ve now been replacing at least one meal per day with Shakeology for 7 weeks, and am down 13.5 pounds!  If you’re new here, please scroll back through some of my other recent posts to learn more about me… one key point you’ll find is that I had hit a weight-loss plateau long ago and Shakeology has helped me start losing weight again!

I read or heard somewhere that when your body is getting the nutrients it really needs, that you don’t crave the “bad” stuff (the greasy, sugary, yummy bad stuff).  I’m beginning to think this is true.  The longer I’ve been incorporating Shakeology into my routine, the less I crave those things, which further helps my overall efforts!

For more on my Shakeology experiences, check out the following two recent blog posts:

12/26/13:  -7 Pounds in 3 Weeks
1/6/14:  I'll Give it a 10

1/14/14:  That’s Just Dopey

If you’re ready to make a positive change in your health and wellness, contact me (there's a contact form on the right side of my blog, or find me on Twitter or Facebook).  We’ll build you a Beachbody Challenge Pack with Shakeology and a fitness program that suits your needs (whether it be the all-new 30-minute workouts of P90X3, Tony Horton’s 10-Minute Trainer, Insanity, T25, or one of many more great workouts)… a complete nutritional and exercise package!  And we can even get you plugged into an online Facebook support group of other like-minded people to help hold you accountable and challenge you to work hard to reach your goals!  (Learn more about the Beachbody Challenge at www.beachbodycoach.com/joangrott.)

That's Just Dopey!

Jeremy PR'ed the 26.2 & has announced
his retirement from full marathons.

My biggest news of the past week is that my brother-in-law logged 48.6 miles in 4 days at Walt Disney World!  A few years back my bro-in-law, Jeremy, decided he wanted to do something epic… he wanted to become a runner.  My sister Anne and I followed along with the idea and became runners too!  Over the weekend, Anne and Jeremy were in Florida for the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend where Jeremy completed his ultimate goal, the Dopey Challenge.

What, you might ask, is the Dopey Challenge?  Well that crazy son-of-a-gun ran a 5K on Thursday, a 10K on Friday, a half marathon on Saturday (along with my sister Anne), and the full marathon on Sunday!! In the process he earned two additional medals for the Goofy Challenge (half + full) and the Dopey Challenge (all four races)!!

Jeremy's inspirational message for you: "If you put your mind to it, it can probably drag your ass to the finish line!" He also added that "Princesses love finishers!"  You can follow Jeremy and Anne on Instagram:  Jeremy is @mrbasseypants and Anne is @boilerbean1.

My Bondi Band headband doubles as
an excellent lightweight ear warmer!

As for me, on Saturday while they were running a half marathon, which my sister said was the most hot and humid race she has ever run, I was running through icy slush puddles in beautiful Chicago, where I ran the Polar Dash 5K!  My unofficial time was 35:26, which WILL BE my slowest 5K of the year as I work my way back to 28:30 in 2014!  (As long as I gave my sis and bro-in-law Instagram shout-outs, I might as well reiterate mine: @joangrott

And finally, just an update on my on-going Shakeology “experiment”… after having hit a weight-loss plateau at 217 pounds, I’m now down to 205 after six weeks of replacing my breakfast with Beachbody’s Shakeology.  This is the only major change to my routine, and I now truly believe that Shakeology is helping me correct the nutritional piece of my health and fitness puzzle!

I am an Independent Team Beachbody Coach, and my team will be conducting a Shakeology Test Panel for the month of February to celebrate the all-new strawberry flavor that just launched.  If you are interested in learning more, contact me quickly, as space is limited!  If you’re on Facebook, visit tinyurl.com/StrawberryYum for more details.

For more on my Shakeology experiences, check out the following two recent blog posts:

• 12/26/13:  -7 Pounds in 3 Weeks
• 1/6/14:  I'll Give it a 10

I’ll Give it a 10!

It’s a snow day here in northwest Indiana…the best true blizzard we’ve had since I was a wee little one! Everything is closed, even the interstates, we’re under a state of emergency, and I’m looking at a 4-foot drift on my patio! (Oh, and it’s cold, -15*F with a wind chill that makes it feel like -38.)

Despite all that I’m having a 10-star day…

It’s Monday, which is my weigh-in day. After a long-held weight-loss plateau, I’m down 10 pounds in the past five weeks! And in an effort to keep it real with you…my starting weight was 217, and I’m down to 207! The thought of getting into the 100s is quite exciting, as it’s been a loooooong time since I was there (despite what my driver’s license may say). I’m just super-excited about this recent weight-loss trend, as I was stalled out for sooooo long. (See more about this in this blog post.)

Who needs a bullet blender?! The bottom
of your blender pitcher fits a mason jar!

After five weeks, I’m now confident in saying that Shakeology is helping me correct the nutritional piece of the health and fitness puzzle! It’s my insurance… it is one easy thing I can do right EVERY single day! It is the healthiest meal of my day, EVERY DAY! It’s way more than a protein shake; it’s a nutrient-dense and all-natural super food shake! Learn more here.

So, I dropped 10 pounds. And then, as I scrolled through my Facebook timeline today I learned that I was selected to be a Social Media Ambassador for Bondi Band! I first encountered Bondi Band at my first-ever 10K…the Sunburst Races in South Bend, IN back in June 2011. They offer a variety of hats, headbands, and compression socks, and in most of my race pictures you’ll see me sporting one of their headbands! Stay tuned for more information about my ambassadorship with Bondi Band!

Me in my fav Bondi Band at the April 2013
Dyngus Day Dash 5K - 2nd place Athena!

Running Through 2013

I ran through 2013 with my sister Anne, my friend Lindsey, Got Chocolate Milk's Team Refuel, and the Calumet Region Striders running club! I ran in 19 races and volunteered at the one and only Chicago Marathon! Check it out in 15 seconds in the video below. And follow me at Joan's Fitness Journey for regular updates and your daily dose of motivation!

Happy New YOU!

Do you set goals or make resolutions? I go for goals. To me, resolutions have a negative connotation…fixing something you do wrong; whereas I feel goals are a way to shoot for the stars without necessarily dwelling on a negative! 

And I’ve already started working toward my 2014 goals…I didn’t need to wait until January 1^st to begin working toward being the best me I can be! I’m refocusing on my running, and have big plans to crush my 5K personal record (PR) time in 2014…I’m shooting for 28:30! It’s scary, but I figure if your goals aren’t scary, you’re not shooting high enough!  (I also want to set a new 10K PR and get myself below 200 pounds and keep myself there…lost 8 in December, after being stalled out for a LONG time…entering 2014 at 209!)

So what are you doing to be the best YOU that you can be? Facebook or Tweet me and let me know!

Got Chocolate Milk?

My sister & I refueling with chocolate milk after
the June 2013 Lincoln Park Zoo Run 5K in Chicago, IL.

Did you know that lowfat chocolate milk has 9 essential nutrients that an athlete needs, including some not found in many recovery drinks?  Take a closer look at chocolate milk: 

• A natural source of high-quality protein to build lean muscle.
• The right carb-to-protein ratio scientifically shown to refuel and rebuild exhausted muscles.
• Vitamin A to support a healthy immune system and good vision.
• Electrolytes including calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium to help replenish what’s lost in sweat.
• B vitamins for energy.
• Fluids to rehydrate.
• Calcium, vitamin D, phosphorous, protein and potassium to build and maintain strong bones and reduce the risk for stress fractures.

Source: http://gotchocolatemilk.com/

I’ve always enjoyed an icy cold chocolate milk, but it was in the fall of 2011 when I first learned just how good it is as a recovery drink.  I was on Facebook when I saw the opportunity to apply for a grant from Chocolate Milk to help support athletic goals.  Turns out, I received that grant, which helped fund my trip to my first half marathon, the Disney Princess Half in the spring of 2012!  And ever since I learned of the benefits, I’ve been trying to spread the word and let others know that chocolate milk is not only delicious, but nutritious.  Learn all about it at: http://gotchocolatemilk.com/science.

Chocolate milk is on my mind as I write this, as I’ve just updated my profile with Team Chocolate Milk for 2014. (Click here for my 2013 profile.).  In my 2014 profile, I’ve declared that 2014 is going to be the best year yet since I began my fitness journey. I’ve struggled a bit in 2013, but am leaving 2013 on an upswing and plan to dominate 2014!! I WILL return to my 5K personal best and I WILL set a new personal record at the 10K distance.  And chocolate milk WILL play an important part in my post-exercise regimen, to help keep me fueled and healthy and ready for that next workout!

Follow me at:

Joan's Fitness Journey on Facebook

Joan on Twitter

Joan on Instagram

Follow Got Chocolate Milk at:

Got Chocolate Milk on Facebook

Got Chocolate Milk on Twitter

Got Chocolate Milk on Instagram

Turkeys & Milk

Walked the orange carpet post-race for a photo-shoot!

Two days later and I think I’m still experiencing a “runner’s high” from the kick-butt job I did in the Valparaiso, Indiana TurkeyTrot 10K (benefitting Porter-Starke Services).  Back on October 30^th, I sported my amazing, from-scratch (I’m crafty) Wonder Woman uniform to run the Trick or Treat Trot 10K in Chicago.  The Halloween run was my second-ever 10K, and I finished in about an hour and ten minutes, with a pace of 11:16 per mile. 
Now, just three and a half weeks later, I trimmed SIX minutes off my Halloween time for a Turkey Trot performance of 1:04:20.3, a pace of 10:23/mile!!  That’s a pace I haven’t even been able to maintain on a shorter run lately!  Hopefully, this gives me the confidence boost I needed to start taking my running more seriously again!  And I will be contacting runDisney to update my pace for corralling purposes for the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February (when I had initially registered for the Princess, I used my 1:10:56, 11:27 pace from the Sunburst 10K back in June)! 

In other fitness-related news, I’m a finalist for a $250 grant from “Refuel with Chocolate Milk”.  I need your votes EVERY DAY, so please bookmark http://www.refuelwithchocolatemilk.com/grants/vote/ and vote each and every day through December 15^th.  If selected as a Team Refuel grant recipient, I will use the funds to help me with costs associated with my first Half Marathon, which is the aforementioned Disney Princess Half in February 2012!  (I had initially thought I’d use it to help defray travel costs, but now I’m beginning to contemplate the purchase of a good GPS watch to help give me some vital stats such as pace, distance, etc. when I’m on those longer runs!  Such a purchase would also be a more long-lasting “souvenir” of the Team Refuel campaign!)

Why is low-fat chocolate milk a great recovery drink?  Read all about it at: http://www.refuelwithchocolatemilk.com/science/

Gotta practice what I preach... stopped for a chocolate milk on my way home from the Turkey Trot!

Year-to-Date Running Update

I’m a blog slacker, but I want to try to resume my blogging on a semi-regular basis.  Originally, I started this blog to share my fat-to-fit journey.  Sharing my progress with whoever will read this makes me feel somewhat accountable and keeps me on track.  Therefore, let me quickly bring you up to speed with my 2011 running events.  (And to make this update easy on myself, I’m just going to copy and paste from a Facebook album I have in which I chronicle these things.)  J

When: February 20, 2011

Where: Western Veterinary Conference 5K (Las Vegas, NV)
Time: 30:20
Photo Caption: I tagged along with my sister to the BEST VET CONFERENCE EVER and we ran their 5K.  This picture was taken at the Mandalay Bay conference center before we headed out to the 5K.

When: March 20, 2011

Where: St. Paddy's 8K (Chicago, IL)
Time: 49:30 (57/110 females 30-34; 614/933 overall; 9:59 pace)
Photo Caption: Never thought I could sustain a 10 minute/mile pace for 4.96 miles, but I did!  I had set my goal at 52:30, 'cause I figured I'd end up slowing my pace since it was a longer run for me.  I beat my goal by three minutes!!!

When: April 2, 2011

Where: Ringing in Spring (Valparaiso, IN)
Time: 29:43.7 (7th/27 in Athena Division!)
Photo Caption: Running hard toward the finish line!

When: April 16, 2011

Where: Race to Wrigley 5K (Chicago, IL)
Time: 29:17 (94/332 females 30-34; 1300/2916 overall; 9:27 pace)
Photo Caption: PERSONAL RECORD!! 40-something degrees and rainy, but I shocked myself with my time!  I believe this was the largest race I ever participated in, so I continually had people to pass, which kept me going.  I was afraid I wouldn't reach my goal because of all the zigging and zagging I had to do to get around people, but it turns out I beat my old best by nearly 30 seconds!

When: April 25, 2011

Where: Dyngus Day 5K (Michigan City, IN)
Time: 29:17 (2nd in my age division = I won a medal!)
Photo Caption: NEW PERSONAL RECORD!! Probably about 40-something degrees and rainy, but I once again set a new record!  Lori and Kristen ran this one too, and did great!!  It was kind of a boring route, partly due to a limited field of runners, but I’d do it again.  It was close to home, and it was a Monday evening event, which is my time of day!

When:  May 1, 2011

Where:  Flying PigMarathon – Relay (Cincinnati, OH)
Time:  I ran the first leg of the relay – 6.84 miles 1:16:26 (pace = 11:11)
Photo Caption:  My bro-in-law, sis, and cousin Kristin ran the 26.2 as a 4-person relay.  I never ran this far before in my life!!  It was a rainy morning, but it was exciting, as I got to start the run in the corrals with all the marathoners and half-marathoners and other relay runners (like 30,000 people)!  I had never been in such a major event before, so it was cool to be involved with the start!  Cincinnati has a bit more topography than I was accustomed to, my leg of the run ended on a brutal up-hill street.

When:  May 28, 2011

Where:  Kent’s Run 5K (Boone Grove, IN)
Time:  28:20 (20/86 females 30-39; 72/436 all females; 247/783 overall)
Photo Caption:  Another new PERSONAL RECORD!!!  Gotta love Kent’s Run, great cause, great race!  My cousins Richard and Kristin brought their families out for this one!!  It was a very cool morning, but great for running.  It was probably 50-ish degrees and cloudy for the run.

When: June 4th, 2011

Where: Sunburst 10K (South Bend, IN) - MY FIRST 10K!
Time: 1:10:56 (76/103 females 30-34; 419/584 females; 929/1159 overall; 11:27 pace)
Photo Caption: Not the time I was shooting for, but respectable for my first 10K.  It was very warm and humid...the event was actually "black-flagged" before all the marathoners (and probably some half-marathoners) were finished!  Also, I ran too hard in the first two miles, which wrecked me for the last four!  I need to work on appropriate pacing for longer runs!!!

When: July 4, 2011
Where: Run for Riley (Children's Hospital) 5K (LaPorte, IN)
Time: 31:24.6 (12/26 females 31-40; 102/175 overall; 10:08 pace)
Photo Caption: No new records on this day, but I was just happy that the weather was pleasant.  Last year's 4th of July 5K was way too hot and humid.  This year it was probably 60s-70ish with no noticeable humidity at race time.  Cousin Richard ran this one too, and shattered his anticipated finish time...estimated 40 minutes, got 'er done in 37!!  Good work, Richard!

When: August 13, 2011
Where: Warrior Dash (Crawfordsville, IN)
Time: I never looked it up, doesn’t really matter…we walked a lot due to the terrain.
Photo Caption: My former 4-Her Sierra convinced me to do this crazy, muddy, "hike with obstacles" with her and her friend Doug. It was fun, but I don't know if I need to do a muddy run again... :)

When: September 10, 2011
Where: Popcorn Panic 5-miler (Valparaiso, IN)
Time: 59:43.4 (Overall 904/948; Pace 11:57/mile; Age Group F30-34 74/78)  (Certainly not my best, but I've been a slack-ass lately. And this may be the sort of comfortable pace I adopt if I'm going to run a half marathon!)
Photo Caption: Annie came to visit and I convinced her to run in the Popcorn Festival's 5-mile run with me.  We ran together for the whole thing, and then pigged out on some Designer Dessert cupcakes when we finished!!!  :)

When: October 30, 2011

Where: Trick or Treat Trot 10K (Chicago, IL)
Time: 1:09:54 (Pace 11:16/mile)  (Second-ever 10K, and a 10K PR!!!)
Photo Caption: Posing with a chocolate milk so that I had a photo to use for my application when applying for a Chocolate Milk Refuel grant!

p.s.- Vote for me (Joan Grott) for that Chocolate Milk Refuel grant through 12/15/11 at http://www.refuelwithchocolatemilk.com/grants/vote/

Back on the Wagon and Ready for Turkey Season!

As I last reported, I fell off the fitness wagon. Well, I’m happy to report that I jumped back on the ol’ wagon and I’m ready to forge ahead. I met with my trainer last week, and we talked through what I had been going through, and she said it’s natural for that to happen, so I felt better about it.

HELP! I've Hit a Wall!!

It’s been nine days since I ran the “Ringing in Spring” 5K, and I’ve skipped workouts more frequently in those nine days than I have since I started on my “fatty to 5K” quest seven months ago.

Let’s take today for example...