FFF Diva Inspiration: "My 120 lb Journey..."

Inspirational! I am so inspired. Time to kick it into high gear! I gained 124 lbs in 4 years. Since then: I lost about 100 lbs in 1 1/2 years, then gained 50 lbs back in less than 6 months, then took about another year to lose the weight I gained back and them some. May 2011 will be my 4 year anniversary since I starte...d my weight loss journey and I have 45 lbs left to go until under 200 lbs (my original starting college weight was 196 lbs). When I walk across that stage in May for my MBA degree I plan to be under 200 lbs. In less than a year since May '09 I did my first 5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon, & full marathon, but I still haven't shaken off my last 45 lbs. I am a marathoner, but man my running times would improve if I lost another 50 lbs. NOW is the time. No more excuses.

FFF Diva MOment: Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon in San Francisco 10.17.2010

On Sunday, October 17, 2010 I completed the Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon in San Francisco (13.1 miles). I originally was signed up for the marathon (26.2 miles) but was diverted to the 1/2 marathon or else I wouldn't count as an official finisher, but it's ok. I finished 13.1 miles of hilly San Francisco in my personal record 1/2 marathon time 3:28:15. Last 1/2 marathon was the October 2009 San Jose Rock and Roll which was a flat course at 3:45:25. I am signed up to run my next 1/2 marathon for November 7: the Morgan Hill 1/2 Marathon with my Operation Boot Camp family.

Special Shout-outs:

Karen-You are like a sister to me! Thanks for the drive to SF and back! Thanks for the MO-tivational posters and cheering me & Alex on! You braved wind and rain and stayed to cheer not only us but the other 19,998 runners out there on that course!

Jill-Thanks for being the cool MOM-friend. I know I made up that word. I can't believe you came AND on mile 10 jumped into the race with jeans on! Thanks for running with me for the last 3 miles before you got kicked out for not having a race bib. I mean escorted off the route, LOL. Also, thanks for lending me your Garmin! I need one of those suckers!

Rahul-Alex's husband you might be, but you will always be a friend to me! Thanks for being so supportive not only with your lovely wife, but me, and the rest of OBC. You are the man!

Ate Lisa-My running buddy for weeks and months. Thanks for always keeping me on my toes, literally. Congrats on your 1/2 marathon race cousin!

Leilani, Audra, Wilson, and B-Thanks for being my "in there in spirit" supporters. It meant a lot!

HOT FIREFIGHTER DUDE-Thanks for giving me my Tiffany & Co. necklace in a wrapped blue box. Also, thanks for wearing the tuxedo! ; )

Operation Boot Camp family-There are no words. You are my constant motivation to keep pushing harder. AND the constant reminder that it's important to properly train for a long endurance race or you might lose a toe nail. FOAM ROLLING SAVES LIVES!

Alex-WE DID IT! You are a friend, confidant, but more importantly inspiration that things will get better. Congrats on your first marathon UNDER 5 HOURS! Awesome! I <3 you.

Last special thanks to my FB family and blogging friends: Stay motivated. Stay healthy. Stay you.

"I RUN TO BE" was the motto this year at the NWM 2010 but I run because I can. I run because I want to live. I run to be healthy.

<3 FFF Diva Mo

FFF Diva Advice: Words of Wisdom from Operation Boot Camp

Morning! If you are anything like me, some mornings you might wake up wondering how you got coerced to dress at 5am and head out into the foggy, damp park in the pitch black. My friends think I'm nuts...and while I am a bit crazy for sure, they are the ones missing out!! Bottom line is you will NEVER regret a workout. Don't forget how lucky we are to be able to walk, run, sweat, and move our bodies. It's a huge blessing - never take it for granted!

Some reminders: Speaking of our friends thinking we are crazy, Tomorrow is Bring a Friend Day! If you know someone you will be bringing out, do shoot me their emails so I can drop them a note. Please try to get your friends to camp by 5:45 at the very latest so that we can get their waiver signed and start the workout on time. This Saturday Preview workout and Runner's Workshop is at 8:15 - bring your friends again! The Grad Party is next Thursday night, the 28th. If you did not receive the Evite, please let me know.

While enjoying my coffee this AM, I did a little research for us :) Here are a few nutritional thoughts....

The Starbuck's Yogurt Parfait has 300 calories (ok, not bad for a breakfast or mini-meal) but packs 39grams of sugar!! To put that in reference, a full size Snickers bar (no not the mini halloween size!) has 29 grams of sugar! There are certainly worse things to eat at starbucks than the yogurt parfait (pretty much any scone or cookie will make the parfait look much better!) but still not a great choice at all. Cutting our sugar addiction doesn't mean simply cutting the candy and doughnuts. Watch out for granola, granola bars, sweetened yogurt, bagels....etc.
Ok, so you are at Starbucks and in addition to needing the morning caffeine kick, you are starving, and didn't have time to make breakfast. better options:


--> Lowfat Turkey Bacon Breakfast Sandwich with 330 calories, 20 calories from protein and only 5 grams of sugar. Downside: 820 mg of sodium (we are supposed to consume around 1500 mg daily, and no more than 2000!)


-->Protein Plate with 330 calories, 540 mg sodium, 16 grams protein, 15 grams sugar (mostly from fruit). toss the yolk from the egg and cut some cholesterol and calories too!


-->Oatmeal with 140 calories (but of course the toppings of nuts and raisins will add sugar and calories!) and 5 grams of protein. We recommend you sprinkle some nuts and raisins, no sugar, and add 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder


With the vast nutritional info available online these days, in addition to the law that restaurants with over 3 franchises HAVE to supply nutritional info, we do not have to be in the dark about what we are eating anymore. However, keep in mind that although restaurants are legally required to provide this info, they are NOT monitored as to their analysis of their foods. It is safe to say that many of the calorie counts are HIGHER than shown. Ugh...right? Ignorance is bliss, but knowledge is the key to change!!

-Melody Miser and the Bootcamp Staff

FFF Diva Quote of the Day: Marilyn Monroe

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." — Marilyn Monroe

FFF Diva Sports MOment: Don't Stop Believing in the SF GIANTS!

FFF Diva New Saying: "When it rains, dance around in it."

I really dislike the saying "When it rains, it pours," mainly because it's pretty true 99.9% of the time. My new saying: "When it rains, dance around in it." Everyday is a gift, even when there is a dark cloud you just have to look harder for the silver lining.

Lately I have been running into many dark clouds. However, my positive self wants to keep pushing forward. That is the power of improvemnt, challenge, and happiness.

This positive outlook can also be applied to weight loss too. For example, I have been caught time and time again saying "I am too old. I am too fat. I am run too slow." However, why do I say such negative things, even when I am exercising at the same time? I need to push negativity out of the window and draw in more positive energies. Postive energy can only attract other positive energy. Right?

Something for you to chew on,
FFF Diva Mo