By Belinda
I must confess to being sorry to see 154.4 on the scales this morning on my official weigh in day. For the past two days I was 153--and yesterday I had been pretty faithful. But maybe it was the fruit flan I had after supper.
However I am not discouraged because I am generally making overal changes to the way I'm eating that I know I can live with. I'm packing for England (I leave tomorrow for two weeks) and I have packed a supply of rice cakes and high fibre cookies. When I get there I'll go to Sainsbury's and stock up on Ryvita and some fresh veggies, fruit, fish, nuts, cheese and fish (I know, I'll go easy on the cheese) and I will be ready to withstand the call of the fish and chip shop. Just thinking of my fat addiction makes that a pretty obvious place to avoid.
Our son and daughter-in-law, Pete and Sue, visited this afternoon with our four grandchildren. I noticed in church that Pete looked clearly trimmer this morning. I had noticed a distinct pulpit bumper a couple of weeks ago. He has lost 11 and a half pounds with the aid of Sue, his personal dietician and trainer. :)
She has cut off white bread and has him eating whole seed bread and protien and lots of vegetables. The next step for Pete is exercise. Since he works on the 16th floor of an office complex she has instructed him to start this week walking up four flights of stairs. The ultimate goal? You guessed it!! Pete will be 40 on May 23rd, so this is a great investment in life long health and wellbeing.
Today we all enjoyed a nice family roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, but also lots of vegetables--cauliflower, carrots, corn and acorn squash.
I got out for 4 walks with Molson last week and started to jog part of the way. The first time I tried it my legs felt like lead and my feet as though they were stuck to the floor, but I am amazed at the difference a week can make. I have far more stamina and strength in my legs already. I will keep walking in England, although I will sorely miss my furry walking companion.
So, friends, another week begins. For me this is the start of week 4 and I have lost 4 pounds so far. 12 more to go, and a lifetime of health, vitality and fitness.
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Sunday, 2 May 2010
Monday, 12 April 2010
By Belinda
A quick update on how it's going. I decided yesterday to pull out my Weight Watchers books and point counter and use these as a tool to help bring me retrain my eyes and appetite to the much smaller amount that is actually needed to eat healthily. The daily points allowance in my weight range is 22, with 35 additional points to "splurge" with once a week or a few each day. I can tell I'm going to be "a few each day" woman--and I bet I have a big splurge somewhere in the week, too!
Yesterday I managed on 23.5, but today I've eaten 30. That's partly because half way into the afternoon I had eaten all the food I'd taken to work, so I ate 4 rice cakes that were in my emergency rations stashed away in a dusty corner. I don't much care what I eat as long as I have something to munch on, and I suppose that 4 rice cakes didn't break the bank.
Yesterday I went for a 3.5 km walk with Molson, my faithful friend and walking buddy. This is his "I'm happy and you can do it," face.
ed
On the home stretch and proudly carrying his leash in his mouth all the way home.
Ready for a nice drink of water and a happy snooze. Me too.
I weighed in at one pound less than yesterday morning, but I came home from work too late to go for a walk tonight. It was wonderful to find some friends have joined my cheering section and perhaps the journey too. It was a good start!
A quick update on how it's going. I decided yesterday to pull out my Weight Watchers books and point counter and use these as a tool to help bring me retrain my eyes and appetite to the much smaller amount that is actually needed to eat healthily. The daily points allowance in my weight range is 22, with 35 additional points to "splurge" with once a week or a few each day. I can tell I'm going to be "a few each day" woman--and I bet I have a big splurge somewhere in the week, too!
Yesterday I managed on 23.5, but today I've eaten 30. That's partly because half way into the afternoon I had eaten all the food I'd taken to work, so I ate 4 rice cakes that were in my emergency rations stashed away in a dusty corner. I don't much care what I eat as long as I have something to munch on, and I suppose that 4 rice cakes didn't break the bank.
Yesterday I went for a 3.5 km walk with Molson, my faithful friend and walking buddy. This is his "I'm happy and you can do it," face.
ed
On the home stretch and proudly carrying his leash in his mouth all the way home.
Ready for a nice drink of water and a happy snooze. Me too.
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Miracles, and Freakin' Sore Armpits
I did the first day of the 100 pushup challenge today. O.U.C.H. I didn't expect it to be that hard. I did 20 on the initial test, so I saw the instructions for the first day and thought "Tchuh! 10, then 10, then 8 then 6?! That's going to be a cakewalk!"
Um, it wasn't a cakewalk. It was bloody difficult, and I can tell you right now I will be amazed if I can EVER do 100 consecutive pushups. BUT I WILL SOLDIER ON. No quitting for me. I'm taking tomorrow off then I'm doing it all again on Friday. I think I may do Day One again because I had to do the last two pushups of the third set (the set of 8) on my knees. But I managed 10 for the last, maximum-rep set, anyway.
And now for something really extraordinary: I got an email from a reader yesterday. This woman reads my blog but doesn't comment, and lives in Chicago. The email is as follows:
And that, my friends, is what is known as "God closing a door and opening a window".
Um, it wasn't a cakewalk. It was bloody difficult, and I can tell you right now I will be amazed if I can EVER do 100 consecutive pushups. BUT I WILL SOLDIER ON. No quitting for me. I'm taking tomorrow off then I'm doing it all again on Friday. I think I may do Day One again because I had to do the last two pushups of the third set (the set of 8) on my knees. But I managed 10 for the last, maximum-rep set, anyway.
And now for something really extraordinary: I got an email from a reader yesterday. This woman reads my blog but doesn't comment, and lives in Chicago. The email is as follows:
When I first read about the theft of your bike, I thought, "Hey, I wonder
if she'd like Sam's old bike." Then I dropped it, because, well, because. I have a nice quality mountain/hybrid bike in my basement, about 3 years old. It is sturdy and well-made.... Contingent upon not-outlandish shipping costs, would you like it?
And that, my friends, is what is known as "God closing a door and opening a window".
Monday, 8 September 2008
100 Push-ups Challenge
Is anyone interested in doing the 100 push-ups challenge? It's simply a 5-week schedule for training yourself to do 100 push-ups consecutively, vastly improving your fitness and muscle tone at the same time.
It takes thirty minutes per week - ten minutes on each of three days, with a rest day in between. Not much time commitment, but we all know that push-ups are a great fitness tool.
I started out with 20 on the initial test (just do as many as you can, with good form, and no cheating) which puts me in group 3. So my first week of pushups will follow a schedule like this:
Day One:
10 push ups
60 seconds rest
10 push ups
rest
8 push ups
rest
6 push ups
rest
As many push ups as I can do
End
Day Two:
12 pushups
90 seconds rest
12 pushups
rest
10 pushups
rest
10 pushups
rest
As many as I can do
End
Day Three:
15
120 seconds rest
13
rest
10
rest
10
end
I think it'll be interesting, though I might have to do them on my fists because I am troubled with wrist pain.
So is anyone else In?
It takes thirty minutes per week - ten minutes on each of three days, with a rest day in between. Not much time commitment, but we all know that push-ups are a great fitness tool.
I started out with 20 on the initial test (just do as many as you can, with good form, and no cheating) which puts me in group 3. So my first week of pushups will follow a schedule like this:
Day One:
10 push ups
60 seconds rest
10 push ups
rest
8 push ups
rest
6 push ups
rest
As many push ups as I can do
End
Day Two:
12 pushups
90 seconds rest
12 pushups
rest
10 pushups
rest
10 pushups
rest
As many as I can do
End
Day Three:
15
120 seconds rest
13
rest
10
rest
10
end
I think it'll be interesting, though I might have to do them on my fists because I am troubled with wrist pain.
So is anyone else In?
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Long Time No Post
I've been meaning to get in touch for ages but life is getting in the way. I can barely keep my personal blog afloat, but want to check in here with you.
Iam was down to 180, making my total weight loss 12 pounds. I've just hopped on the scale after that last sentence, and now I'm up again to 184. This is because my family is visiting, I haven't been on a bike in almost two weeks, and the celebration food is flowing.
Interestingly, I feel healthier than I have for a long time, despite this upward trend. Why? Because we're spending nearly every day outside from dawn to dusk, canoeing, swimming, walking, playing. So my fitness is down (must be), and my eating is up (can't help it) and I still feel better. I think this says a lot about the measuring stick we use for "health". There are so many factors involved, and it's so dangerous to focus on the weight alone.
I've been thinking lately about happiness and how it contributes to my health. I am not a small woman - never really have been, aside from two brief years as an anorexic. And do you know what? Those two brief years were miserable. Horrible. Frantically unhappy.
My mental state, with regard to my weight and size, could be described as "slightly uneasy". I'm not overly worried about the extra pounds, though when I see pictures of myself I am always surprised. "Is that what I LOOK like?!" Because what I FEEL like is so different.
An interesting thing happened a few weeks ago. There was a year-end hafla (belly dance party) for my troupe, at my teacher's house. I was so excited about it, and got dressed in my most colourful costume. Bought a new lipstick and everything. While I was there helping my teacher set up and decorate, she told me about plans she is making to put on a belly dance show in February at a local theatre. It was a very big moment for me when she asked me if I would dance a solo in the show. A real, paid, for-money, BUY TICKETS show.
I said yes, of course I would! I would start work on a choreograph and a costume and be ready for February! It would be great! I was so excited!
After everyone arrived, some girls took pictures, and showed them to me on the spot. I glanced at the first one and was shocked - I felt deflated and worried. I felt like I looked silly and fat, instead of powerful and beautiful. But I smiled and agreed when everyone said enthusiastically, "Great picture!" Because that IS what I look like - and my friends think I'm beautiful. And my teacher wants me to dance a solo.
When I was 20 years old, in my third year at UVic, my rowing coach called me into her office and told me that I had made the team after two months of tryouts. I wasn't the tallest, the fittest, or the most talented, but she told me that, during those endless hours doing time trials on the ergometers, I had shown something else: "Mental Toughness". I'll never forget what it was like to hear that from a woman I admired - a member of Canada's National Women's Rowing Team - a woman who was, to say the least, NOT lavish with praise. I stored it away and have pulled it out since, playing it for myself whenever I feel I'm floundering.
At the hafla, I used that Mental Toughness again. I used it to put aside my feelings of inadequacy (overadequacy?) and discouragement, and to straighten my spine and put a smile on my face even though I was still dressed in that flamboyant costume when I suddenly wished I had worn something more concealing - even though I was tempted to look around at the other, smaller girls and think anxious thoughts about the difference between them and me.
I'll lose more weight - I'm not concerned about that. What I AM concerned about is my attitude. I am making daily efforts to change how I feel about myself: not to be ashamed and worried, not to hide under big clothes and dark colours, but to race powerfully through the life God gave me with the muscles He granted me, the strength He placed in my arms, and the charisma He wanted me to have - no matter what size I am. My belly dance teacher said, when I confessed to her (for the first time in three years of lessons) that I feel fat, "There's an inner beauty and strength that shines through, Shannon, and you have so much of that. Your body size is not what people notice first, or even second."
I didn't mean to write so much today. I was just going to give an update on the weight situation - that was all. I guess once I got going I realised I had a lot to get off my chest, after all.
Belinda, I'm so glad you are finding a difference with judicious administration of protein.
: )
My mom always (and rightly) harps on the importance of protein and always reminds me "it's the building blocks of cells. The more you exercise the more you need to build your cells."
Fox, I hope you are well and happy.
As for me, I will be getting back on track next week, when I wave a very sad goodbye to my sister Amy and my brother Mark, and my nieces. I will watch them down the street, then I'll go get my bike and do a hard 90 minutes with the pedals, to get myself going again.
Good luck everyone....carry on!
I
Interestingly, I feel healthier than I have for a long time, despite this upward trend. Why? Because we're spending nearly every day outside from dawn to dusk, canoeing, swimming, walking, playing. So my fitness is down (must be), and my eating is up (can't help it) and I still feel better. I think this says a lot about the measuring stick we use for "health". There are so many factors involved, and it's so dangerous to focus on the weight alone.
BUT, that being said, I have complete confidence in my ability to lose the weight again after this halcyon month is over. I will start today, in fact - though this weekend will be a total loss because we are going camping and neither death nor hell nor things that creep below nor things that fly above will keep me from marshmallows and hot dogs.
* * *
I've been thinking lately about happiness and how it contributes to my health. I am not a small woman - never really have been, aside from two brief years as an anorexic. And do you know what? Those two brief years were miserable. Horrible. Frantically unhappy.
My mental state, with regard to my weight and size, could be described as "slightly uneasy". I'm not overly worried about the extra pounds, though when I see pictures of myself I am always surprised. "Is that what I LOOK like?!" Because what I FEEL like is so different.
An interesting thing happened a few weeks ago. There was a year-end hafla (belly dance party) for my troupe, at my teacher's house. I was so excited about it, and got dressed in my most colourful costume. Bought a new lipstick and everything. While I was there helping my teacher set up and decorate, she told me about plans she is making to put on a belly dance show in February at a local theatre. It was a very big moment for me when she asked me if I would dance a solo in the show. A real, paid, for-money, BUY TICKETS show.
I said yes, of course I would! I would start work on a choreograph and a costume and be ready for February! It would be great! I was so excited!
After everyone arrived, some girls took pictures, and showed them to me on the spot. I glanced at the first one and was shocked - I felt deflated and worried. I felt like I looked silly and fat, instead of powerful and beautiful. But I smiled and agreed when everyone said enthusiastically, "Great picture!" Because that IS what I look like - and my friends think I'm beautiful. And my teacher wants me to dance a solo.
When I was 20 years old, in my third year at UVic, my rowing coach called me into her office and told me that I had made the team after two months of tryouts. I wasn't the tallest, the fittest, or the most talented, but she told me that, during those endless hours doing time trials on the ergometers, I had shown something else: "Mental Toughness". I'll never forget what it was like to hear that from a woman I admired - a member of Canada's National Women's Rowing Team - a woman who was, to say the least, NOT lavish with praise. I stored it away and have pulled it out since, playing it for myself whenever I feel I'm floundering.
At the hafla, I used that Mental Toughness again. I used it to put aside my feelings of inadequacy (overadequacy?) and discouragement, and to straighten my spine and put a smile on my face even though I was still dressed in that flamboyant costume when I suddenly wished I had worn something more concealing - even though I was tempted to look around at the other, smaller girls and think anxious thoughts about the difference between them and me.
I'll lose more weight - I'm not concerned about that. What I AM concerned about is my attitude. I am making daily efforts to change how I feel about myself: not to be ashamed and worried, not to hide under big clothes and dark colours, but to race powerfully through the life God gave me with the muscles He granted me, the strength He placed in my arms, and the charisma He wanted me to have - no matter what size I am. My belly dance teacher said, when I confessed to her (for the first time in three years of lessons) that I feel fat, "There's an inner beauty and strength that shines through, Shannon, and you have so much of that. Your body size is not what people notice first, or even second."
I didn't mean to write so much today. I was just going to give an update on the weight situation - that was all. I guess once I got going I realised I had a lot to get off my chest, after all.
Belinda, I'm so glad you are finding a difference with judicious administration of protein.
: )
My mom always (and rightly) harps on the importance of protein and always reminds me "it's the building blocks of cells. The more you exercise the more you need to build your cells."
Fox, I hope you are well and happy.
As for me, I will be getting back on track next week, when I wave a very sad goodbye to my sister Amy and my brother Mark, and my nieces. I will watch them down the street, then I'll go get my bike and do a hard 90 minutes with the pedals, to get myself going again.
Good luck everyone....carry on!
Thursday, 29 May 2008
It just goes to show you.
Last night I made what I would consider to be a classic fitness rookie mistake.
At 7.00 I decided to go for an hour's ride. I didn't really feel like it, for some reason, and three minutes into the ride the thought popped into my head, "I shouldn't be doing this". It was surprising how un-able I felt for the exercise. I thought it was just a weak moment, so persevered anyway.
The thing about my bike rides, which I've mentioned before, is that I've got literally one block before the sharp descent begins. Once I've made the descent, I'm committed to going back UP at some point. So I've got one block to change my mind about the whole thing.
I got down to sea level and started the fat-burn portion of the workout. This is an 8-kilometer ride, round-trip, before I start the climb back up to my house. The climb is 1.7 kilometers straight up - I zig zag, however. I end up going a good bit further than 1.7 kilometers, but at least my heart doesn't explode.
Weirdly, I found I was going uncharacteristically slowly. I couldn't seem to get my speed up. I felt heavy and slow and breathless. What's more, walkers and roller-bladers kept straying into my lane, forcing me to slow way down, or stop, many times. After each stop, I had more and more trouble getting my speed back up.
On the way home I mentally chided myself for laziness, and forced myself to step it up. It felt awkward and laborious, though.
I got within sight of the beginning of the end-of-ride climb and realised there was no way I was making it up that first hill with no momentum. I kicked it way up for a couple of hundred meters, figuring I'd get my speed up and hit the hill flying.
Instead, I hit the wall. Just about at the base of the hill, I ran OUT OF GAS. This hasn't happened to me in ages...years, even. I was totally winded, exhausted, and done. I gave it the old college try, but two-thirds of the way up the hill I had to actually get off my bike and walk the rest of the hill.
It was only when I got off and started walking, gasping for breath, sweating, and feeling incredibly faint, that I realised what my problem was.
I had not eaten enough that day.
I had a muffin at 9.30 AM, a few crackers and cheese at 2.30, and a few tablespoons of black bean dip with a handful of baked tortillas at 4.30. I didn't do it on purpose, it was just a busy day full of unexpected guests and untimely phone calls.
I had trouble making it home, my friends. Between the faintness, the muscle tremors, the nausea, and the dehydration, I felt terrible for the entire evening.
Once I got home, I threw some stuff into a blender and gulped it down in an attempt to normalise my blood sugar and get some protein going to repair the damage I might have done. Banana, cottage cheese, yogurt, frozen berries. I would have added some honey or tofu but was out of both.
I think the moral of the story is, if you're running your body hot, you've got to have good fuel going in. All too often we slimmers tend to slash calories relentlessly, while stepping up our output in the form of exercise. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that, when it comes to food, less is better.
When I was 19, 20, 21 years old, rowing for the UVic women's team, I made this mistake: only that time I did it on purpose. I thought "Wow, I am exercising a minimum of four hours a day.....I bet if I eat almost NOTHING, I will get really thin!" Well, yes - I did get really thin, but pretty soon my place on the team was in danger because my performance fell so dramatically. I couldn't keep up the exercise while dieting. I jacked up my calorie intake, gained back all the weight, and earned my "5-seat" back.
I'm beginning to wonder whether my tactics should change. I've stated before, on this blog, that I want to lose 15 pounds by my birthday in October. I think I'm realising that my priorities may need reordering...my weight may not be negotiable. It's possible that I would be better off setting TIME goals - for example, three hours per week of riding, three hours per week of belly dance, three hours per week of heavy gardening or housework. There's no way a person getting that much exercise, and eating healthy food, will be unhealthy.....no matter what the doctor says about my weight.
In any event, next time I feel like I really shouldn't be doing a workout, I think I'll listen to my body and skip it. There's always tomorrow.
Eat, girls, eat!!
At 7.00 I decided to go for an hour's ride. I didn't really feel like it, for some reason, and three minutes into the ride the thought popped into my head, "I shouldn't be doing this". It was surprising how un-able I felt for the exercise. I thought it was just a weak moment, so persevered anyway.
The thing about my bike rides, which I've mentioned before, is that I've got literally one block before the sharp descent begins. Once I've made the descent, I'm committed to going back UP at some point. So I've got one block to change my mind about the whole thing.
I got down to sea level and started the fat-burn portion of the workout. This is an 8-kilometer ride, round-trip, before I start the climb back up to my house. The climb is 1.7 kilometers straight up - I zig zag, however. I end up going a good bit further than 1.7 kilometers, but at least my heart doesn't explode.
Weirdly, I found I was going uncharacteristically slowly. I couldn't seem to get my speed up. I felt heavy and slow and breathless. What's more, walkers and roller-bladers kept straying into my lane, forcing me to slow way down, or stop, many times. After each stop, I had more and more trouble getting my speed back up.
On the way home I mentally chided myself for laziness, and forced myself to step it up. It felt awkward and laborious, though.
I got within sight of the beginning of the end-of-ride climb and realised there was no way I was making it up that first hill with no momentum. I kicked it way up for a couple of hundred meters, figuring I'd get my speed up and hit the hill flying.
Instead, I hit the wall. Just about at the base of the hill, I ran OUT OF GAS. This hasn't happened to me in ages...years, even. I was totally winded, exhausted, and done. I gave it the old college try, but two-thirds of the way up the hill I had to actually get off my bike and walk the rest of the hill.
It was only when I got off and started walking, gasping for breath, sweating, and feeling incredibly faint, that I realised what my problem was.
I had not eaten enough that day.
I had a muffin at 9.30 AM, a few crackers and cheese at 2.30, and a few tablespoons of black bean dip with a handful of baked tortillas at 4.30. I didn't do it on purpose, it was just a busy day full of unexpected guests and untimely phone calls.
I had trouble making it home, my friends. Between the faintness, the muscle tremors, the nausea, and the dehydration, I felt terrible for the entire evening.
Once I got home, I threw some stuff into a blender and gulped it down in an attempt to normalise my blood sugar and get some protein going to repair the damage I might have done. Banana, cottage cheese, yogurt, frozen berries. I would have added some honey or tofu but was out of both.
I think the moral of the story is, if you're running your body hot, you've got to have good fuel going in. All too often we slimmers tend to slash calories relentlessly, while stepping up our output in the form of exercise. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that, when it comes to food, less is better.
When I was 19, 20, 21 years old, rowing for the UVic women's team, I made this mistake: only that time I did it on purpose. I thought "Wow, I am exercising a minimum of four hours a day.....I bet if I eat almost NOTHING, I will get really thin!" Well, yes - I did get really thin, but pretty soon my place on the team was in danger because my performance fell so dramatically. I couldn't keep up the exercise while dieting. I jacked up my calorie intake, gained back all the weight, and earned my "5-seat" back.
I'm beginning to wonder whether my tactics should change. I've stated before, on this blog, that I want to lose 15 pounds by my birthday in October. I think I'm realising that my priorities may need reordering...my weight may not be negotiable. It's possible that I would be better off setting TIME goals - for example, three hours per week of riding, three hours per week of belly dance, three hours per week of heavy gardening or housework. There's no way a person getting that much exercise, and eating healthy food, will be unhealthy.....no matter what the doctor says about my weight.
In any event, next time I feel like I really shouldn't be doing a workout, I think I'll listen to my body and skip it. There's always tomorrow.
Eat, girls, eat!!
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
The Contest
The weekend was kind of low-exercise, because we were getting ready to get our puppy on Monday and I was busy cleaning and decluttering in preparation for that. But yesterday, Monday, I did the first of the Couch to 5K interval workouts, Week Two. I should have had two more workouts of Week One, but it was a bit too easy so I skipped ahead.
Last week I started to develop shin splints. I used to get these nine or ten years ago, when I was doing 1.5 hours of high-impact aerobics four to five times weekly. (This was before kids, of course. Who has that kind of time nowadays?) It was excruciatingly painful and I remember it well. So, when I started getting some symptoms I jumped on the prevention right away.
First off, I need new shoes. I can't afford them right now, so I will just have to make do with what I have for the time being.
Second, I am (I think) an "underpronator". I have very high arches and I hit the ground with heel, then outer edge of foot, then ball of foot. I have to be careful about my running technique, stride length, and the slant of the surface.
Third, I am heavy. I am pretty close to 190 pounds, and that kind of impact over and over is going to be hard on my body. Good for it - but hard on it. This calls for careful warming up and cooling down, careful choice of surface, attention to form, and cautious increase of running time. Two weeks ago I ran for about 30 minutes, total. Last week I ran for a total of about 60 minutes, spread out over four runs. It was too much, too soon.
I am surprised how much I would miss running if I weren't able to do it. This isn't because I love running - I'd much rather be lifting weights or (bliss of blisses) rowing a boat. But running is shorts + shoes + jacket + out my front door = exercise. It doesn't get much easier or cheaper than that.
In other news:
My sister-in-law is also trying to lose weight this year. She has imposed a Junk Moratorium on herself, and has invited anyone who pleases to join her.
I have joined her, and I have put this prize into the Pot:
the winner's choice of
a) handknit socks; or
b) a lace scarf.
The winner, of course, being the person who holds out longest.
The rules aren't hard and fast yet, but I'm sure they'll be hammered out over time. Amy has ruled out, for herself, chocolate, doughnuts, chips, fries, pop, cakes, cookies. I will be doing the same as she...if I think of anything else I'll add it.
Anyway, if you are interested in joining us, please stop by her blog and sign yourself up. So far there are only three of us, so it's not a huge contest or anything, but the element of competition could be very helpful.
It'll be interesting to see how long we can remain, to quote Jerry Seinfeld, "Master of our domain."
Hee hee.
Last week I started to develop shin splints. I used to get these nine or ten years ago, when I was doing 1.5 hours of high-impact aerobics four to five times weekly. (This was before kids, of course. Who has that kind of time nowadays?) It was excruciatingly painful and I remember it well. So, when I started getting some symptoms I jumped on the prevention right away.
First off, I need new shoes. I can't afford them right now, so I will just have to make do with what I have for the time being.
Second, I am (I think) an "underpronator". I have very high arches and I hit the ground with heel, then outer edge of foot, then ball of foot. I have to be careful about my running technique, stride length, and the slant of the surface.
Third, I am heavy. I am pretty close to 190 pounds, and that kind of impact over and over is going to be hard on my body. Good for it - but hard on it. This calls for careful warming up and cooling down, careful choice of surface, attention to form, and cautious increase of running time. Two weeks ago I ran for about 30 minutes, total. Last week I ran for a total of about 60 minutes, spread out over four runs. It was too much, too soon.
I am surprised how much I would miss running if I weren't able to do it. This isn't because I love running - I'd much rather be lifting weights or (bliss of blisses) rowing a boat. But running is shorts + shoes + jacket + out my front door = exercise. It doesn't get much easier or cheaper than that.
In other news:
My sister-in-law is also trying to lose weight this year. She has imposed a Junk Moratorium on herself, and has invited anyone who pleases to join her.
I have joined her, and I have put this prize into the Pot:
the winner's choice of
a) handknit socks; or
b) a lace scarf.
The winner, of course, being the person who holds out longest.
The rules aren't hard and fast yet, but I'm sure they'll be hammered out over time. Amy has ruled out, for herself, chocolate, doughnuts, chips, fries, pop, cakes, cookies. I will be doing the same as she...if I think of anything else I'll add it.
Anyway, if you are interested in joining us, please stop by her blog and sign yourself up. So far there are only three of us, so it's not a huge contest or anything, but the element of competition could be very helpful.
It'll be interesting to see how long we can remain, to quote Jerry Seinfeld, "Master of our domain."
Hee hee.
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
If I may be so bold?
So, I got serious last week.
Sunday: 60 minute walk
Monday: 1 hour dancing
Tuesday: 1 hour dancing (class)
Wednesday: off
Thursday: 45 minutes - 25 walk, 20 run
Friday: 30 minute walk
Saturday: 30 minute walk
Then, this week so far we have
Sunday: off
Monday: 20 minute run, 15 minute walk
Tuesday: 1 hour dancing (class)
Wednesday: off.
I weighed myself this morning - 186, or 6 pounds lost, in total, from my January weight of 192.
I feel pretty good about it, and I'm getting some practice just saying "Thank you" when someone remarks on it. I still have to bite back a retort all about the Beauty Myth, but it's getting easier.
I did Fox's trick of visualizing six blocks of butter, and it felt even better.
I think I will be able to maintain this momentum. As the sun comes out more often I will check the bike, oil what needs to be oiled, and get it back on the road.
My goal for this year is a simple one....and I will do it. I will arrive at my birthday, October 16, 20 pounds lighter. That is, I will be 170 pounds, or as near to it as makes no difference. This is a loss of 16 pounds in about 26 weeks, or a half pound a week.
How I'll get there is, I'll eat a bit less, drink more water, and I will work out a minimum of five times a week. It might be biking, running, dancing or walking....it's the habit of movement that matters.
I thought about 160, but I have a very strong aversion from that number. I'm afraid to even say it as a goal....so I will go to 170 and reassess.
Thanks for your support guys. It's been shockingly effective.
: )
Shannon
Sunday: 60 minute walk
Monday: 1 hour dancing
Tuesday: 1 hour dancing (class)
Wednesday: off
Thursday: 45 minutes - 25 walk, 20 run
Friday: 30 minute walk
Saturday: 30 minute walk
Then, this week so far we have
Sunday: off
Monday: 20 minute run, 15 minute walk
Tuesday: 1 hour dancing (class)
Wednesday: off.
I weighed myself this morning - 186, or 6 pounds lost, in total, from my January weight of 192.
I feel pretty good about it, and I'm getting some practice just saying "Thank you" when someone remarks on it. I still have to bite back a retort all about the Beauty Myth, but it's getting easier.
I did Fox's trick of visualizing six blocks of butter, and it felt even better.
I think I will be able to maintain this momentum. As the sun comes out more often I will check the bike, oil what needs to be oiled, and get it back on the road.
My goal for this year is a simple one....and I will do it. I will arrive at my birthday, October 16, 20 pounds lighter. That is, I will be 170 pounds, or as near to it as makes no difference. This is a loss of 16 pounds in about 26 weeks, or a half pound a week.
How I'll get there is, I'll eat a bit less, drink more water, and I will work out a minimum of five times a week. It might be biking, running, dancing or walking....it's the habit of movement that matters.
I thought about 160, but I have a very strong aversion from that number. I'm afraid to even say it as a goal....so I will go to 170 and reassess.
Thanks for your support guys. It's been shockingly effective.
: )
Shannon
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
It's the thought that counts.
I haven't weighed myself this week.
But I am doing better at being happy about the three pounds, and resolved to make it four soon.
Sunday night I walked with a friend for an hour. This is the kind of walk where you have to take short little steps for the first ten minutes, as you are almost going straight down. Then you turn right and walk up a little, but mostly flattish, then you turn right again and spend another ten minutes practically climbing, the grade is so steep. Then you turn right again and have a gentle downgrade to home. We have the same route we walk every time, though we don't get out as often as we'd like. Michelle is a chef, owns her own store and has a six-year-old daughter - she has very busy days. It left me with a sore arse and the determination to make it sore again, soon.
Yesterday, Monday, I danced for an hour. Then today, Tuesday, was class day, so another hour of dancing.
After class the woman who dances beside me came up to me and said "I noticed you're looking good!" I could tell by the way she said it that she meant "have you lost weight" and my back went straight up, immediately. I fought back against the impulse to return a cool answer, and instead smiled and said "thank you - I just bought some new workout clothes and they are nicer than my old ones". She laughed and said "Well, if that's all it is, then it was About Time."
I react this way when people notice my weight loss because I am very sensitive to the implication that How I Was Before wasn't good enough. I need to work on letting go. I need to accept, to a point, that society is how it is - thinner is always considered better, and people will assume you WANT your weight loss to be noticed.
Even if I don't want it noticed, they mean well.
So I'll smile and say thank you, and resist the urge to go buy a cheesecake just to show them that big can be beautiful, too.
Sigh. We can be so self-defeating at times, can't we?
But I am doing better at being happy about the three pounds, and resolved to make it four soon.
Sunday night I walked with a friend for an hour. This is the kind of walk where you have to take short little steps for the first ten minutes, as you are almost going straight down. Then you turn right and walk up a little, but mostly flattish, then you turn right again and spend another ten minutes practically climbing, the grade is so steep. Then you turn right again and have a gentle downgrade to home. We have the same route we walk every time, though we don't get out as often as we'd like. Michelle is a chef, owns her own store and has a six-year-old daughter - she has very busy days. It left me with a sore arse and the determination to make it sore again, soon.
Yesterday, Monday, I danced for an hour. Then today, Tuesday, was class day, so another hour of dancing.
After class the woman who dances beside me came up to me and said "I noticed you're looking good!" I could tell by the way she said it that she meant "have you lost weight" and my back went straight up, immediately. I fought back against the impulse to return a cool answer, and instead smiled and said "thank you - I just bought some new workout clothes and they are nicer than my old ones". She laughed and said "Well, if that's all it is, then it was About Time."
I react this way when people notice my weight loss because I am very sensitive to the implication that How I Was Before wasn't good enough. I need to work on letting go. I need to accept, to a point, that society is how it is - thinner is always considered better, and people will assume you WANT your weight loss to be noticed.
Even if I don't want it noticed, they mean well.
So I'll smile and say thank you, and resist the urge to go buy a cheesecake just to show them that big can be beautiful, too.
Sigh. We can be so self-defeating at times, can't we?
Sunday, 3 February 2008
Quick Check In
Dear Friends,
I confess that I have not exercised this weekend, due to the fact that I have been very busy and had no time. I am hoping that perhaps a long walk around Costco counts. No? Oh! :(
I did buy Leslie Sansome's 5 mile workout DVD at Costco, in a box that includes wrist weights, a stretch band and a tension thing that works the triceps. I had no time to try it, and the week ahead looks so busy that I can't imagine doing it until Thursday, but you never know!
I did go onto Dr. Oz's site, and answered a questionnaire that reveals your biological age. I am 57 and my biological age is 53.4. I would have liked it to be below 50 but I think that perhaps I am kidding myself! :) This is the site, which also has many other interesting places to visit. http://www.realage.com/ct/shape-up-slim-down/you-on-a-diet/
I have a feeling that when I weigh in on Tuesday, I may have gone up. This is because tomorrow I have a lunch to attend, and in the evening I'm going out with some young friends who chose Harvey's for supper. I will try to make healthy choices and resist temptation. Exercise really does make such a difference and I've missed it this weekend.
I confess that I have not exercised this weekend, due to the fact that I have been very busy and had no time. I am hoping that perhaps a long walk around Costco counts. No? Oh! :(
I did buy Leslie Sansome's 5 mile workout DVD at Costco, in a box that includes wrist weights, a stretch band and a tension thing that works the triceps. I had no time to try it, and the week ahead looks so busy that I can't imagine doing it until Thursday, but you never know!
I did go onto Dr. Oz's site, and answered a questionnaire that reveals your biological age. I am 57 and my biological age is 53.4. I would have liked it to be below 50 but I think that perhaps I am kidding myself! :) This is the site, which also has many other interesting places to visit. http://www.realage.com/ct/shape-up-slim-down/you-on-a-diet/
I have a feeling that when I weigh in on Tuesday, I may have gone up. This is because tomorrow I have a lunch to attend, and in the evening I'm going out with some young friends who chose Harvey's for supper. I will try to make healthy choices and resist temptation. Exercise really does make such a difference and I've missed it this weekend.
Thursday, 24 January 2008
Happy Thursday!
Well, friends, today was an "administration focus day" at my home. This meant that three of us worked in the blessed quiet of this place, away from some of the distractions we would face if we were in our offices. Of course we could still distract one another, but we did well, I think, at quietly working away. At times it felt like being in an exam at school.
What does this have to do with fitness you might ask. Well, yesterday we had a staff mini retreat and there was left over carrot cake. I brought it home for our lunch dessert today. Oh my!! Pretty well fatal.
I had a piece for dessert and two pieces for supper.
So, after supper I knew that I had to take myself off upstairs and do those Fast Four Miles.
We were looking after our granddaughters, Tiffany-Amber and Victoria, while their parents were out for a bit, so I said, "Would you like to come and do some exercises?"
"Exercises?!" they both cried, with excitement. It was as if I'd suggested that we engage in some delicious adventure.
Up we went, I in my black yoga pants and t shirt and they in their cosy flannel pajamas.
Tiffany-Amber said as she jogged, "This will help me train for track!"
Eyes shining, cheeks pink, hair swinging and much giggling made this four miles the most fun yet. Their parents arrived home after the first mile and they had to go to bed, but the rest went so quickly and I didn't have to modify at all tonight.
It feels good to have undone at least one piece of carrot cake.
I hope that my Slide Friends are doing well too!
What does this have to do with fitness you might ask. Well, yesterday we had a staff mini retreat and there was left over carrot cake. I brought it home for our lunch dessert today. Oh my!! Pretty well fatal.
I had a piece for dessert and two pieces for supper.
So, after supper I knew that I had to take myself off upstairs and do those Fast Four Miles.
We were looking after our granddaughters, Tiffany-Amber and Victoria, while their parents were out for a bit, so I said, "Would you like to come and do some exercises?"
"Exercises?!" they both cried, with excitement. It was as if I'd suggested that we engage in some delicious adventure.
Up we went, I in my black yoga pants and t shirt and they in their cosy flannel pajamas.
Tiffany-Amber said as she jogged, "This will help me train for track!"
Eyes shining, cheeks pink, hair swinging and much giggling made this four miles the most fun yet. Their parents arrived home after the first mile and they had to go to bed, but the rest went so quickly and I didn't have to modify at all tonight.
It feels good to have undone at least one piece of carrot cake.
I hope that my Slide Friends are doing well too!
Monday, 21 January 2008
Tonight I did the Fast Four Miles but did the modified version for a good part of it! I don't know why but sometimes I just have more energy to do the "boosted" version, which is actually jogging. Nevertheless I worked up a sweat over the 47 minutes of exercise and I don't think I'm doing badly for a 57 year old woman who wants to believe that if you exercise, you can turn back the physical clock 10 years.
Today I drove to Huntsville and back--about 4 hours of driving. I didn't feel drowsy. That nap yesterday must have really helped!
I didn't do badly eating wise today either. Tomorrow is my weekly weigh in and I'll take my measurements too!
How's it going out there! :)
Today I drove to Huntsville and back--about 4 hours of driving. I didn't feel drowsy. That nap yesterday must have really helped!
I didn't do badly eating wise today either. Tomorrow is my weekly weigh in and I'll take my measurements too!
How's it going out there! :)
Saturday, 19 January 2008
Checking in to say that this has been a good, good day.
I had about 6.5 hours sleep and got up at 6.30 ready to roll!
Saturday mornings always involve pancakes here, with family. I considered skipping eating any and sticking to my yummy organic cereal from Costco, but instead I had one large crepe rolled up, and instead of sugar and lemon juice, English style, I ate it plain and enjoyed the simple taste of the home made pancake. I had an orange too. That felt like a great compromise and it was painless.
I exercised tonight and am sitting here sweaty still! You really wanted to know that didn't you. 4 Fast Miles with Leslie Sansome does that to you.
I must say that it's very motivating to lose weight when I look at myself in yoga pants with my hair tied back. There's no hiding the fact that there is work to be done! I had "let myself go" as they used to say years ago! Slowly but surely the pounds crept on, but this morning the scales told a hopeful tale. I wonder how I'll do this Tuesday when I record my weight here for the third time since January 1st!
Anyone joining me on the quest to vibrant health--let me know how you're doing too. It's encouraging to have friends on the journey.
I had about 6.5 hours sleep and got up at 6.30 ready to roll!
Saturday mornings always involve pancakes here, with family. I considered skipping eating any and sticking to my yummy organic cereal from Costco, but instead I had one large crepe rolled up, and instead of sugar and lemon juice, English style, I ate it plain and enjoyed the simple taste of the home made pancake. I had an orange too. That felt like a great compromise and it was painless.
I exercised tonight and am sitting here sweaty still! You really wanted to know that didn't you. 4 Fast Miles with Leslie Sansome does that to you.
I must say that it's very motivating to lose weight when I look at myself in yoga pants with my hair tied back. There's no hiding the fact that there is work to be done! I had "let myself go" as they used to say years ago! Slowly but surely the pounds crept on, but this morning the scales told a hopeful tale. I wonder how I'll do this Tuesday when I record my weight here for the third time since January 1st!
Anyone joining me on the quest to vibrant health--let me know how you're doing too. It's encouraging to have friends on the journey.
Thursday, 17 January 2008
How I'm Doing
I'm not sure anyone in the world but me is reading this, but it's good to have a place to record my journey of fitness. It's helping.
Paul and I have been exercising regularly since January 1st. Paul is more regular than me, and probably exercises 5 days out of 7 with Lesley Sansome, doing her Fast Four Mile workout with "boosted intervals."
I tend to manage it at least 3 times a week, and it's helping me to burn calories and eel fitter and more energetic.
Exercising also allows you to splurge a little with eating and not pay for it in weight gain as much, but I think it's time to cash in my exercise boost in weight loss rather than eating treats!
Since I last wrote about rest I haven't managed to honour my body with what it needs in hours of down, restorative time and that's another goal to work on. I feel and look so much better when I'm rested.
More soon!
Paul and I have been exercising regularly since January 1st. Paul is more regular than me, and probably exercises 5 days out of 7 with Lesley Sansome, doing her Fast Four Mile workout with "boosted intervals."
I tend to manage it at least 3 times a week, and it's helping me to burn calories and eel fitter and more energetic.
Exercising also allows you to splurge a little with eating and not pay for it in weight gain as much, but I think it's time to cash in my exercise boost in weight loss rather than eating treats!
Since I last wrote about rest I haven't managed to honour my body with what it needs in hours of down, restorative time and that's another goal to work on. I feel and look so much better when I'm rested.
More soon!
Friday, 11 January 2008
A Surprise
Last night we had Alpha training at church and so there was no time for exercise, but we did Leslie Sansome's 4 mile workout on Wednesday night; the one we bought on Sunday, with interval training. It is pretty brutal since she does a "boosted walk," which is code for jogging! I did it for the first time on Sunday night and definitely felt the pull of gravity, which is probably why I called this blog, Stopping the Slide."
Anyway, it was chilly today, so I wore my zippered boots to work and I usually have not worn them lately if I can help it, because, I hate to admit this; it has been hard to reach down and pull the zippers up or down. My back seemed to be fused half way down and so I would have to get into "accommodating positions" to accomplish the task. Today without realizing what I was doing I bent down easily to take off my boots. I was so excited that for the rest of the day, every time I bent down to pick up a piece of paper, or later, laundry to fold, I reveled in the new flexibility in my back.
This is so unexpected. On Sunday as I was doing my clumsy prance--that's what it is--in the bedroom, to Leslie Sansome, I could feel something in my lower right back. That's where I had a problem going on. I wondered if I was going to aggravate it, but instead all that jumping around seems to have loosened my back up.
I am grateful!
Anyway, it was chilly today, so I wore my zippered boots to work and I usually have not worn them lately if I can help it, because, I hate to admit this; it has been hard to reach down and pull the zippers up or down. My back seemed to be fused half way down and so I would have to get into "accommodating positions" to accomplish the task. Today without realizing what I was doing I bent down easily to take off my boots. I was so excited that for the rest of the day, every time I bent down to pick up a piece of paper, or later, laundry to fold, I reveled in the new flexibility in my back.
This is so unexpected. On Sunday as I was doing my clumsy prance--that's what it is--in the bedroom, to Leslie Sansome, I could feel something in my lower right back. That's where I had a problem going on. I wondered if I was going to aggravate it, but instead all that jumping around seems to have loosened my back up.
I am grateful!
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