Very public weight loss Accountability may be in my future

Healthy U is a program in Sedalia, Missouri created to help others get off their butts and start to get healthy.  They have a very small, hand selected, class each year that they invest into in order to jump start and educate the participants on how to live healthy each and every day...consistently.

I applied for this program.  They take all of the applications and blindly select 25 of them for personal interviews.  They then select 12 participants for the year to invest in and help make lifestyle changes.

This is a 'Biggest Loser' type of competition without the big money.  What I find most attractive about this program is that they hook you up with a nutritionist/dietitian AND a personal trainer for the year.

If you have been a part of my weight-loss journey for a while, you know that those are two things that I've never had.  Those are two things that I really want and believe can contribute to further success.

I won't lie, I've been successful on my own in losing weight and keeping it off - but I need next level type of stuff.  I recently went in to the doctor for a general check-up as my insurance pays for it.  I got a good bill of health and I want to make it a great bill of health.  I want to be healthier.  I want to be faster, stronger and a healthier me.

I do hope that I get selected.  I don't know how many applicants that there are but it'd be pretty awesome to be selected.

(Picture from Healthy U Facebook)

New Opportunities and Lub Dub 5k

A few posts ago, I wrote about the many different changes that took place in my life all at once. There was my first Half-Marathon! There was the 3rd degree ankle sprain, there was the Kidney Stone, there was the birth of my baby boy Blake, and now there is the recent move to familiar territory in Sedalia, MO.

I accepted a new position in Sedalia and we have already made the move. It's been a great transition and the people here have been super welcoming and encouraging. Another bright side to this move is the opportunity it brings for my fitness level to increase.

First and foremost, I have the opportunity to use my gifts and abilities in a focused forum with my new position at work. Secondly, I live right across the street from a wonderful park with a running path! That's been great already. I actually haven't run on it yet, but I have walked the path to get the exercise, taken Blake for a stroll, and have taken family walks. It really is nice to have such a luxury.

Along the thoughts of new fitness opportunities, I ran my first 5k since messing my ankle up. I still couldn't run the entire 3.1 miles without my ankle bothering me, but I did run it and finished in a better time than what I was shooting for. The last 6 months has been an up and down on my weight, but I'm not so much worried about that because I know as I get more activity in - I'll get back down to my weight.

I ran the Lub Dub 5k in 34'01" - there official time was 34:15, but as I crossed that line the clock said 34'01" (I never like the processing part if they don't have chip timing). I was shooting for 35 minutes, but that just didn't happen. I actually was carrying a 9:40 pace the first two miles, but I think it was the hills constantly in the third mile that I, specifically my ankle, just couldn't cut. That happens and now I have a time to beat in each 5k hereafter. It seems that there are 5k's every weekend here - I love that!

Also, this doesn't have much to do with those that come to my site, but Sedalia has a facebook running groupm, the Sedalia Striders, that has already been so encouraging. They are so active on the facebook page and if you can find something like that around you - you should get in touch with one.