I haven't given up!!

Well, I bet you were just thinking... "Celise has thrown in the towel... she's given up!" But I'm writing you today to say that I have not. Laziness has not won this battle.
Friends, I recently purchased a second-hand treadmill and it was the best purchase to date. Starting yesterday, I have woken up around 5am and hopped on for a morning walk. It's not easy but when I focus on the long term goal, it makes it a little better. They say after 21 days, habits are established if you keep it up.

Anyways... it's given me more energy lately. I hope I can keep it up.
I'm figuring out if I should start to document our building plans. Wouldn't that be neat?

Jogging in my neighborhood - good or bad idea?

Tuesday night, I tried for the first time to jog outside in my neighborhood in the evening since the morning just wasn't going to work out. It was 8:30 but there was a little bit of light left. I was able to do about 15 minutes and did about a mile.

Wednesday night (last night) I went longer. Despite getting followed (not necessarily attacked) by 3 dogs, I continued on. I half-jogged, half-walked for about 30 minutes which was an accomplishment for me. So, in total I went for about 2 miles.

After speaking with a new neighbor (who happens to be a retired cop) I learned some great things that I thought I'd share about jogging around:

• Take your cell with you in a fanny pack. I wasn't taking my cell in my pocket because it would get covered in sweat (eww!) and I thought after a few runs, my phone might go ka-put on me. I know, I know- fanny pack??? But seriously, who's trying to look trendy while jogging and covered in sweat!
• Carry MACE brand pepper spray with you. Unlike other pepper sprays, it's in a gel form so if it's windy and you have to spray it, it won't spray back on you and it comes out like hot gum. The perpetrator cannot easily take it off of his face which will allow you time to run away. Shake your pepper spray regularly and test it out just to make sure it's still good every once in a while. It works on vicious dogs, too. We were laughing at some people we've seen walking in our neighborhood with a stick. What can you do with a stick? Won't it make the dog more mad at you?
• Use your ears! It's best if you don't take your ipod with you (sigh) because you need to hear what's going on around you in case someone's coming up behind you or dogs are coming at you. This one's going to be hard for me because the music keeps me jogging.

That's all for now. Be safe out there!

Day 3

Exercising with friends is always easier than exercising alone. Yesterday I walked with a friend. The time passed quickly as we talked while we walked around a high school parking lot in the evening.

Mornings are more difficult. I got up for the second morning in a row. I got up earlier than yesterday and looked out the window. It was still kind of dark and I didn't want to walk/jog in the dark. It's just too creepy even if I am armed with pepper spray. So, I waited and almost talked myself out of going but said something is better than nothing. So, I got outside and jogged for about 15 minutes. It's not alot but it's something at least. Maybe if I get out in the morning for 15 minutes and in the evening for 15 minutes, it'll help. What do you think?

This morning, too! (Day 2 of my diet and jog)

Well, I managed to get myself out of bed to attempt jogging this morning outside. I originally was going to jog by my work and shower in a random shower in our business school, but as I was driving to exit my neighborhood and saw kids walking to the bus stop. I said "if they can walk outside, so can I" so I turned around and parked and walked for about 16 minutes. I didn't jog as long since my legs are still weak and sore from yesterday but I figured I can consider it just acclimating to the area. I took pepper spray with me just in case a mean man came to cause me harm. It was actually kind of nice jogging around and hearing the birds chirp. I'm going again tonight with a sister and then I might go tomorrow morning, as well. We shall see how it goes.

First attempt at running

I did it! I got out there in the heat. It actually wasn't that hot. Took a huge water bottle which was kindofa hassle. Time: lil more than 45mins. Did a long stretch of just jogging. It was awesome. Im so tired now.