Slim People in Progress

Exercise Grows New Brain Cells!

Another reason why exercise is beneficial to good health:  it can grow new brain cells and explain how working out relieves depression.  A study reported in Yahoo Science news from the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology helps explain why exercise has anti-depressent effects.  it's all about the hippocampus (no, not a school for hippos) and serotonin.

So, instead of reaching for that box of cookies, just take a walk, put on some music and dance, or whatever works for you!

Water Can Curb Your Hunger

I was recently reviewing the Sugar Shock Blog and came across a post about water and hydration with some interesting statistics. Among them:

One glass of water shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

So before you dive into the box of cereal or the cookies or tub or ice cream in the middle of the night, drink a glass of water instead. 

I wrote about the obsession with hydration a week or so ago and how I feel I don't drink enough water, based on what my running coach says I need and the guidelines suggested by Weight Watchers. And yet, I drink water all day long.  Can you drink too much water?

TNT Run: 75 Minutes

Did 75 minute team training today. Nearly 6 miles.  I really can't believe it. My legs are very tired. Here's my route:

50 POUNDS!!!!!

I did it!  I finally reached a weight loss of 50 lbs!!  It's taken almost two years, but I never lost sight of my goal.  I still have about 14 lbs. to go.  But boy, it really feels great to have made it to this milestone!!

I was cleaning out my inbox last night and came across some pictures from a couple of years ago.  Here I am at my heaviest (that's my skinny niece with me):

Here's one when I had already lost 35 pounds:

I guess it's time to take some new pics.  Thanks to all the support I've had and still have, including Denise, my buddy and fellow blogger, my sister Sheila, all my Walleyball and WW mates, everybody at It figures and of course to my WW leader, Flora.  I don't think I could have done it without you guys!!!!

Training Update - 4 weeks down, 16 weeks to go

It's been awhile since I reported on my training progress.

Last week my main running buddy was in a bad car accident and though she was not seriously injured, she is very bruised and in a lot of discomfort and has been advised not to run for about 4 weeks.

I'm not good at self-motivation so this is a challenge for me to get myself out there to run on my own. I'm also looking for other people to run with.

Last Sunday I did my second 60 minute run.  Seemed a bit more of a struggle, but I made it. Here's how I've trained this past week:

Sunday: 60 minute run with TNT
Monday: 60 minute Pilates class, excellent workout and stretching
Tuesday: 21 minute run to visit my running buddy (should have run 30 min)
Wed and Thur: off
Friday: 30 minutes on treadmill at 12 min/mile pace + 20 minute cardio circuit workout
Saturday (today): back at the gym after my Weight Watchers meeting. 30 min run required to stay on track with training.

Tomorrow we start our fifth week of training with a 75 minute run.

Fundraising: I'm at 58% of my goal.  I need to raise $3000 by the end of July. No contribution is too small or too big! Will you make a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society?