Before and After...March 2010 to April 2011

This photo was taken in March 2010. I was on my way to Austin to try out for a weight loss program. ("Subway Get Fit Challenge"). So I had to submit a full length body shot. After Juan took the photo of me, I couldn't believe what I saw. How did I...when did I...why did I let myself go so far? I was pushing 245 pounds and in complete denial about my weight problem. I was hiding behind large 32 oz Cokes from McDonald's and frequent fast food eating habits. I had no daily activity as far as working out. Even though I wasn't chosen for that weight loss program....God gave me another, even better weight loss program....Running!!

This photo was just taken today, April 26th, 2011. I am currently at 182 pounds...and counting! My goal is to lose another 30-40 pounds by the end of the summer. In July 2010 I was just cheking The Magic Foundation's website (www.magicfoundation.org), and stumbled accross "Run For MAGIC". It was a marathon for parents, caregivers, or anyone who wanted to run a marathon for MAGIC to help raise awareness and funds. I didn't hesitate for one second and I said outloud "I'm going to do this!". So I started working out a lot at first and lost my first 30 pounds, and in January 2011 I started officially running and training for the marathon. I decided to do the 1/2 marathon. It has been a great process for me. I don't listen to music when I run, instead it's my "quite time" and time to pray. I always point to the big, blue Texas sky and say "This if for you God, all for you.". It has become very rewarding and theraputic for me. I won't lie, as running was pretty darn hard at first. It took a long time to build up my endurance. So my big race day is this Saturday, April 30th, 2011. It's in Nashville, TN and I'm really looking forward to it! I never thought in a million years I'd be running, but I love it! It's very challenging and I only want to get better at it. I am running for countless reasons. I have been obese my entire life. I mean, I weighed 150 pounds in the 3rd grade. I know what it's like to be overweight. So here's my chance to "show up in my life" and change my body so that I can change everything else I need to. I have my 3 big reasons or motivators of why I'm running: 1.) God 2.) Minnie (my daughter) and 3.) MAGIC!! I will post my story about my 4 year old daughter Minnie and her journey so far with "ONH"-Optic Nerve Hypoplasia...the #1 leading cause of blindness in children. Can't wait for this Saturday! Please say a small prayer for me, so I can cross that finish line and celebrate! My daughter's Aunt Mini is also racing with me! Talk about support!! And I have other close family and long time friends coming to Nashville to help show their support!  I'm so lucky and blessed. Thank you God for giving me the chance to run and do this. I hope to keep running for MAGIC!! God Bless :)

My thoughts on running-in 2nd month of training-Feb 22nd, 2011

I can touch my toes again!...with BOTH hands.

Takes no prisoners

Is not easy, no short cuts, you are it.

Your body is a temple, take care of it and it will take care of you.

You are shedding off the layers of doubt, disbelief & uncertainty.

You are building your armor of courage, strength, and endurance.

The Magic Foundation-Nashville Marathon Info

Be sure to check out The Magic Foundation's website! I am running for The Magic Foundation on April 30th, 2011. I am running the 1/2 marathon and you can make a donation through their website. It's very quick, easy and secure. Just be sure to make the donation for me, "Nancy Allen".

Their website is: www.magicfoundation.org

Click on "Run For Magic". Then click on "list if competitors" and simply click on my photo. From there, you can see my link and be able to make a donation. I'm encouraged to raise a minimum of $500.00; but any amount is wonderful! I have been working extremely hard training for the marathon. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Week One of official 1/2 Marathon Training

I started officially training for my 1/2 marathon I'll be running in Nashville, TN on April 30th, 2011. I have ran a few times before this week, but I wanted to get serious about my training. On Monday, 2/7/11 I ran 4.0 miles! (Per my training schedule I was only required to run 3.0 miles, but I felt so good, I kept going!). I felt pretty good and started understanding how challenging running is. The next day on Tuesday, 2/8/11, I ran 2.0 miles. The first mile, I walked a lot of it and it took me 15:00 minutes and I thought that was way too slow. So I turned around at my half way point, looked up to the sky and said "This is for you God." and I ended up running the last mile without stopping at all! I couldn't believe it! I kept telling myself all the reasons to NOT stop on this mile. I kept telling myself I HAVE to do this, TRY Nancy...you never know what you can do until you really try! So as I reached the end of my driveway, I immediately stopped and just regrouped for a moment. I was so thankful and felt like I could do anything if I kept this up.

I ran again on Thursday, 2/10/11, and ran for 3.0 miles. I ended up running the last mile again non-stop! Along the way, I kept praying for strength from God to finish this last mile. And out of no where, I just felt myself push my body forward more and started running faster. It was amazing. I felt very good about my run and know I can do this! My body, my mind, everything felt 100% better once I finished my run! It was exhilerating to get out there in the beautiful surroundings and run. I live in the country, and am surrounded by tall pine trees...and lots of neighborhood dogs! Ha. I really think all of my neighbors have at least one dog.

There is one hill in particular that is very challenging to me. Currently, I can only run about 1/2 way up the hill. My goal is to be able to run completley up this hill within 2 weeks! We shall see.

This is by far the hardest thing I've tried. It pushes you in so many ways. I'm going to do my "long run" today of 4.0 miles. Looking forward to it!

Daily activity log 8-9-10

Today I worked out twice. First to Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown, (level 2)-approx. 30 min.
Also worked out to Jillian's No more trouble zones-40min. (used 5lb. Weights)
Diet: breakfast: eggs,butter, cheese, 1 c. Kashi Go Lean cereal, with light vanilla soy milk.
Lunch: 2 tuna patties, black beans, water, one skinny cow ice cream sandwich. Dinner: subway, chicken, with veggies. Light mayo. Diet lemonade.
I feel stronger today, I could do "surrenders" a little easier during the workout. I can already see and feel a difference in wearing my clothes.

My goal this week:
- workout 5 times this week.
- watch my diet-stick to low fat, high protein foods, limit to a maximum of 1 can of soda per day (eventually stop all together, no diet soda.)
-weigh myself once a week in the am, before I eat breakfast.
-measure myself once a week, keep track of BMI.


Weight: 224.8 (@8:00am, before eating).

Baby Steps to running

The purpose of this blog is to hold myself accountable for training for a marathon! I will be running a half marathon in Nashville, TN on April 30th, 2011 for the MAGIC Foundation and specifically for my own daughter, Minnie! I am very excited about this and want to do the best I can to raise awareness and money for MAGIC.

Also it will help me track my overall progress of losing weight and logging my daily activity and food intake.