I almost wrote "Post-Christmas Blues," but I'm not feeling that blue. I was at various points--last year was my Dad's last Christmas and he was already pretty sick and unable to really enjoy it. I saw my kids on Christmas for dinner and opening presents. We had a good time, but I think that's probably all I'll see them. And I'm side-lined with knee problems.
The good news? My knee is feeling better. I have a torn meniscus--an incident that happened just as I was literally getting back on my feet again more regularly after two ankle sprains this summer that required rehabilitation. The good news is that there could have also been ACL problems--or so the doctor thought. This repair isn't as invasive and I'm going to see how my knee responds to exercise (non impact, which means I'm not even supposed to be walking for exercise) and weight loss before I schedule it. If I get better, I may wait till summer; otherwise, I may try to get on the docket for a spring break repair.
But I am now a member at the Sharonville Recreation Center which means I'll be heading over there at least 3-4 times a week in addition to my yoga and home exercise videos. I'll try to watch what I'm doing but see how much I can slim down and how much that can help.
I'm also going to cancel cable. I keep thinking if the kids come over to watch TV . . . . and then they don't. I don't think it's gonna happen, so why plan on anything besides my own habits? I do watch some TV shows, but I will most likely just plan to watch reruns on my computer or watch shows through Netflix or Hulu. And I'll see about getting rid of my home phone as well. I just want some kind of reliable battery back-up, like a solar collector or something that works from inside the house.
That means less watching TV (not that I do a lot, but I have been doing things like watching Jeopardy as of late, and shows I really shouldn't bother with). That may mean more done around the house, which should also be good for me and my weight and flexibility.
So all in all, I feel more optimistic about my health and weight than I have for awhile. Back on track, hopefully, though not "in the running" quite yet.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Dreary November
It has seemed dreary, but then again, I've been pretty dreary myself. That doesn't mean I haven't been exercising, but I haven't been keeping track, and I haven't been doing what I've wanted to, partly because I hyper-extended one of my knees and am recovering slowly from that (but I am recovering, which is the good news). I need to get more diligent about recovery exercises as opposed to just a little walking here, and some quad flexing there. Add one more thing on my to-do list ;)
So--end of this week, and I have a 5K; end of next week and it's a 10K, and I haven't even been walking much let alone running. Not sure what that means except that I think I may walk those distances. Oh well--something to work toward for next year!
So--end of this week, and I have a 5K; end of next week and it's a 10K, and I haven't even been walking much let alone running. Not sure what that means except that I think I may walk those distances. Oh well--something to work toward for next year!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Starts and Stops
Today, the longest non-consecutive run since pre-sprain. 3 miles, with half run and half walk. I didn't even think about the sprain. My ankle must be passed that point where it is noticeably injured and it seemed to happen overnight, yet I've been walking and standing and up and down stairs, and some jogging now for about six weeks, so I suppose it's about time.
And so . . . . four weeks to go until the 5K, another 4 until the 10K. It's now or, as they say, never. Bring it on.
Okay, so cool: On the 2nd I walked 3 miles with intermittent runs totaling 1.5 miles. Today (yes, there was too long of a delay to getting out to walk/run again), the 5th, I walked 3 miles, but that included 1.5 miles of a nonstop run plus another .25 miles after a .5 mile break, for a total of 1.75 miles of running. The good news is, I did so without my ankle or anything else hurting and felt quite strong. I'm increasing total running distance--another good thing. I'd like to plan to run on Tuesday for 1.75 miles straight plus another .25 and so on until I'm up to 3.25 miles in time for the Halloween 5K. Let's hope that works, but I've got to start doing P90 in between and get back to yoga as well.
Another good thing: I've got my plane tickets for a January birthday flight down to Orlando FL to spend time with Cathy H. at her timeshare. That is motivation to slim down. That's almost 15 weeks and I want to lose 15 pounds, so what a coincidence!
10/ 8: Lower body, balance ball (with help from little Bodhi)
10/09: Run, but a really crappy one--felt awful. Ran some and then it was all that I could do to walk the rest of the way. I think it was a bad combo of 1/2 PowerBar that seemed extra sweet and a cup of coffee. :(
10/10: Really good yoga session--1.5 hrs. Felt great!
10/12: Off for a run. Need to get moving!! Beautiful day; let's see what I can do. (Would love to do at least the 2 miles I tried to do the other day.)
The run was an unknown distance, but the total walk/run was farther than I've gone for a long time--probably 5 miles overall. Ran at least 2 miles I'm pretty sure, though not one consistency span. My left foot (not the sprained one) was hurting me for at least half the distance. Not sure what was going on there. Hopefully, this was a fluke and my feel will be happy feet next time ;)
10/14: a brisk walk at dusk--about 35 minutes. Decided not to run as my ankle was hurting a bit today.
10/17: 1.5 hours yoga
10/20: long walk
10/22: P90 cardio
10/24: Balance ball upper body
10/25: P90 cardio
10/26: run/walk
10/27: walk
10/28: P90 sculpt + walk/run
Still not working out every day, but averaging 3-4/week on average. Better than nothing, but could improv.
And so . . . . four weeks to go until the 5K, another 4 until the 10K. It's now or, as they say, never. Bring it on.
Okay, so cool: On the 2nd I walked 3 miles with intermittent runs totaling 1.5 miles. Today (yes, there was too long of a delay to getting out to walk/run again), the 5th, I walked 3 miles, but that included 1.5 miles of a nonstop run plus another .25 miles after a .5 mile break, for a total of 1.75 miles of running. The good news is, I did so without my ankle or anything else hurting and felt quite strong. I'm increasing total running distance--another good thing. I'd like to plan to run on Tuesday for 1.75 miles straight plus another .25 and so on until I'm up to 3.25 miles in time for the Halloween 5K. Let's hope that works, but I've got to start doing P90 in between and get back to yoga as well.
Another good thing: I've got my plane tickets for a January birthday flight down to Orlando FL to spend time with Cathy H. at her timeshare. That is motivation to slim down. That's almost 15 weeks and I want to lose 15 pounds, so what a coincidence!
10/ 8: Lower body, balance ball (with help from little Bodhi)
10/09: Run, but a really crappy one--felt awful. Ran some and then it was all that I could do to walk the rest of the way. I think it was a bad combo of 1/2 PowerBar that seemed extra sweet and a cup of coffee. :(
10/10: Really good yoga session--1.5 hrs. Felt great!
10/12: Off for a run. Need to get moving!! Beautiful day; let's see what I can do. (Would love to do at least the 2 miles I tried to do the other day.)
The run was an unknown distance, but the total walk/run was farther than I've gone for a long time--probably 5 miles overall. Ran at least 2 miles I'm pretty sure, though not one consistency span. My left foot (not the sprained one) was hurting me for at least half the distance. Not sure what was going on there. Hopefully, this was a fluke and my feel will be happy feet next time ;)
10/14: a brisk walk at dusk--about 35 minutes. Decided not to run as my ankle was hurting a bit today.
10/17: 1.5 hours yoga
10/20: long walk
10/22: P90 cardio
10/24: Balance ball upper body
10/25: P90 cardio
10/26: run/walk
10/27: walk
10/28: P90 sculpt + walk/run
Still not working out every day, but averaging 3-4/week on average. Better than nothing, but could improv.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Coming Back
After Chicago, there was Eden Park. Walking with a friend down a grassy hill, I stepped in the only significant depression on the hillside with my right foot (ankle already sprained on that leg) and was down in a flash. Another sprain, and this one was not an easy recovery. So to rehab I went and that took me up until the start of classes. The rush of class prep, scrambling to feel in control, and I'm now in mid-September. It doesn't hurt that the weather has turned a lovely fall-like cool and I am inspired to make my woodland visits again. But for a long time, I wasn't walking far, I wasn't running, and I was generally moping around. (Because of course I didn't do other exercise that I could have been doing along the way.)
So I'm back and heading toward a couple goals: a 5K for Halloween (the Run Like Hell race where I'll break no records) and then the 10K not long after for Thanksgiving. The boys will have to wait for me to finish on that one, but hey, as long as I finish!
Yesterday I not only walked, but I ran a couple about 1/2 mile (which is really quite a bit for a first run, but it was walk about 5 minutes, then run .25 mi, walk five minutes, then another .25 mile, then walk the rest which totaled about 1.5 miles or so)
Feeling good today and the proof, as they say, is in the lack of swelling (I've heard "pudding" too). And I didn't even ice (not good, I suppose, but hey, ankle looks good!
Now the trick is to know how to moderate this so I don't go full tilt. It's so nice today, for example, that I feel like running again--not sure about two days in a row, but I'll wait at least 24 hours and then take it easy. I'd like to at least walk every day (I walk on campus anyway and that made me realize I do a lot of it--a couple days early in the term and my ankle was a-hurtin').
So here's my tentative week schedule. I'll try to not schedule the walk/run on a day I'm on my feet alot at school, and intersperse with the walk/run days with other stuff. I'm very tempted to get out every day, but I need to have a full week back at exercise and see how I'm holding up before getting too crazy:
Sunday: 2.7 miles with some intermittent running on the straightaways
Mon: Walk/run
Tu: P90
Wed: Walk/run
Th: Yoga at Grace Tree
Fri: Walk/run
Sat: Yoga at Grace Tree
Sun: Walk/run
So I'm back and heading toward a couple goals: a 5K for Halloween (the Run Like Hell race where I'll break no records) and then the 10K not long after for Thanksgiving. The boys will have to wait for me to finish on that one, but hey, as long as I finish!
Yesterday I not only walked, but I ran a couple about 1/2 mile (which is really quite a bit for a first run, but it was walk about 5 minutes, then run .25 mi, walk five minutes, then another .25 mile, then walk the rest which totaled about 1.5 miles or so)
Feeling good today and the proof, as they say, is in the lack of swelling (I've heard "pudding" too). And I didn't even ice (not good, I suppose, but hey, ankle looks good!
Now the trick is to know how to moderate this so I don't go full tilt. It's so nice today, for example, that I feel like running again--not sure about two days in a row, but I'll wait at least 24 hours and then take it easy. I'd like to at least walk every day (I walk on campus anyway and that made me realize I do a lot of it--a couple days early in the term and my ankle was a-hurtin').
So here's my tentative week schedule. I'll try to not schedule the walk/run on a day I'm on my feet alot at school, and intersperse with the walk/run days with other stuff. I'm very tempted to get out every day, but I need to have a full week back at exercise and see how I'm holding up before getting too crazy:
Sunday: 2.7 miles with some intermittent running on the straightaways
Mon: Walk/run
Tu: P90
Wed: Walk/run
Th: Yoga at Grace Tree
Fri: Walk/run
Sat: Yoga at Grace Tree
Sun: Walk/run
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
No, I haven't disappeared
All was going well (as most stories begin that show how the "going well" stopped going well), as I was on the schedule toward a 10K or half marathon (I was waiting to see how much I'd progress in the first couple weeks to see which schedule would work better for me). I wasn't posting because I was in the groove of running three times a week and doing X-training the other 3-4. And then . . . . Chicago happened. Went there to return to the past (see old places I lived, etc.), when I fell on a sidewalk that stepped down just the littlest bit (but I didn't realize it). Suddenly, I felt like I was falling from an enormous height (but it was only 5'4") and rather nastily twisted my ankle. Hurt like the bejeezes--got ice to put on it, a glass of wine for some general anesthetic, and took ibuprofen for swelling. It hurt quite severely, but kind of magically, I was able with a particular stride to not feel it all that much (I guess once the initial pain signals stopped firing, as long as I didn't wrench it along the injured tendons/muscles/etc it wasn't going to complain). So I walked that day and the next. No running though, and I've worked at home for two days where I've been mainly at the computer. Swelling is going down, discoloration is, well, changing, but not getting worse. I think I lucked out.
Which means . . . . I will keep active this week in a moderate way, and then try to return next week to some light running and strength training, seeing how that works. I am cutting back on what I eat and not drinking at all. Feel better in that regard already. I can't take in any extra calories if I'm not as active as I have been, so I hope there will at least not be any net gain. And that's what happened after "all was going well."
Which means . . . . I will keep active this week in a moderate way, and then try to return next week to some light running and strength training, seeing how that works. I am cutting back on what I eat and not drinking at all. Feel better in that regard already. I can't take in any extra calories if I'm not as active as I have been, so I hope there will at least not be any net gain. And that's what happened after "all was going well."
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
And So?
After the last post, it would seem I would get on it right away and do all the right things!
In some ways, I have. I've drafted out a more workable and balanced schedule for myself, I've been exercising (but not listing it!), and have been eating less and drinking less (ok, I had a little bourbon tonight--all 1.5 oz).
I also tricked my stupid American brain into looking at the scale without freaking out. I switched it to Kg instead of Lbs. So there's a number there, I don't know what it is, but I've been watching it go down over the last few days. Yay! It's going the right way! But I'm not freaked out by the absolute number. It's an indicator, like loosening pants and less pain in the knees. This shouldn't be necessary, and yadda, yadda, but I like it. I'm also okay without always listing exercise. I'm going to try that for awhile. I'm exercising almost every day, and I'm okay with that. I'm also doing a good job with teaching, committee work, home management, and reaching out to people I care about. What more can I ask from myself? I think letting up on the hammer may be a better mechanism than detailed, sometimes painful check ins. A week of this, and then we'll see. (Maybe then I'll get out my Kg to Lbs conversion scale.)
In some ways, I have. I've drafted out a more workable and balanced schedule for myself, I've been exercising (but not listing it!), and have been eating less and drinking less (ok, I had a little bourbon tonight--all 1.5 oz).
I also tricked my stupid American brain into looking at the scale without freaking out. I switched it to Kg instead of Lbs. So there's a number there, I don't know what it is, but I've been watching it go down over the last few days. Yay! It's going the right way! But I'm not freaked out by the absolute number. It's an indicator, like loosening pants and less pain in the knees. This shouldn't be necessary, and yadda, yadda, but I like it. I'm also okay without always listing exercise. I'm going to try that for awhile. I'm exercising almost every day, and I'm okay with that. I'm also doing a good job with teaching, committee work, home management, and reaching out to people I care about. What more can I ask from myself? I think letting up on the hammer may be a better mechanism than detailed, sometimes painful check ins. A week of this, and then we'll see. (Maybe then I'll get out my Kg to Lbs conversion scale.)
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Angst
Need to get back on track. Exercise aside, I'm doing badly with the weight loss and yes, eight loss is important to me. My knees are starting to ache again, my clothes are fitting uncomfortably, it's got to happen.
So, what did I do last summer that worked?
I ate less. I drank less. I ate different things. I drank different things. To put a finer touch on it:
No desserts
No drinking (alcohol) at home
No cheese in the house, except a little Parm to sprinkle perhaps
Very little bread or carbs of any bread-like kind
Much more water
Much more veggie/protein drinks
Breakfast every day
More fruits and veggies and beans
Also--exercise every day, at least 45 min - 1 hour
Making food on weekends and throughout the week instead of eating on the fly
Eating out very little
I have seven weeks until UC starts up again
(then a week of meetings, then classes begin)
I have to find a way to get work done each day, but not to be sitting on my a** all day except for that 45 min - 60 min of exercise each day. That matters too!
So . . . . Exercise twice a day--a.m. and p.m. unless there's a long stretch of exercise one day (e.g., long hike)
So . . . . get rid of any alcohol in the house in order to avoid temptation and don't buy any more. Period.
And so . . . . plan my days and my vacation so I have something to look forward to.
DO IT!!!!
So, what did I do last summer that worked?
I ate less. I drank less. I ate different things. I drank different things. To put a finer touch on it:
No desserts
No drinking (alcohol) at home
No cheese in the house, except a little Parm to sprinkle perhaps
Very little bread or carbs of any bread-like kind
Much more water
Much more veggie/protein drinks
Breakfast every day
More fruits and veggies and beans
Also--exercise every day, at least 45 min - 1 hour
Making food on weekends and throughout the week instead of eating on the fly
Eating out very little
I have seven weeks until UC starts up again
(then a week of meetings, then classes begin)
I have to find a way to get work done each day, but not to be sitting on my a** all day except for that 45 min - 60 min of exercise each day. That matters too!
So . . . . Exercise twice a day--a.m. and p.m. unless there's a long stretch of exercise one day (e.g., long hike)
So . . . . get rid of any alcohol in the house in order to avoid temptation and don't buy any more. Period.
And so . . . . plan my days and my vacation so I have something to look forward to.
DO IT!!!!
Monday, June 17, 2013
June 17 . . . and beyond
My exercise and eating routine is not what it has been the last two summers. I had such good summers the last two in terms of my efforts to lose weight and get in shape. This year, I exercise, at least 5 out of every 7 days, and yet . . . .
Yesterday was a somber day. I worked through it. Is that good or bad?
In any event, back to exercise. It's swampy outside today, so I'm not going out. I am up for a video this morning, and it'll be an hour strength training to kick the week into motion. Hoo-rah.
Need to ease back into P90; week of the 24 will be in workshops each day and need to get in exercise before sitting at a computer all day long :(
For one thing, I need to ramp up exercise and make it 6/7 days and make it at least 45 min - 1 hr per day.
I'll sketch out possibilities to keep a balanced program and set my expectations now!
Monday: P90 cardio (35 min) / 10 min stretching yoga after
Tuesday: Tough "beginner" yoga at Covington Yoga 1.25 hrs
Wednesday: walk/run (2:44 p.m. - 3:58 p.m.) after a breakfast of latte + oatmeal; lunch of pork over rice and water: 18 min walk; 10 min run; 5 min walk; 13 min run; 17 min walk; 3 min run; 8 min walk (weird, but I'm trying to do what I can, remembering that when my weight had gone back up, I couldn't run consistently) = 26 min run; 48 min brisk walk (74 min). Okay, but tired.
Thursday--yoga, gracetree, private lesson! 1.5 hrs. Good moves!
Friday--day off! Conferences all day
Saturday--P90strength--feel the burn!
Sunday--2hrs+ gardening at GG(back breaking!) + 1/2 hr walk
Workshop all week and did no exercise!
Thursday: 40 min walk/run (walk 5, then run 3 min/walk 1 for 30 min, walk 5)
Saturday: Run in complex (Allison's wedding)
Yesterday was a somber day. I worked through it. Is that good or bad?
In any event, back to exercise. It's swampy outside today, so I'm not going out. I am up for a video this morning, and it'll be an hour strength training to kick the week into motion. Hoo-rah.
Need to ease back into P90; week of the 24 will be in workshops each day and need to get in exercise before sitting at a computer all day long :(
For one thing, I need to ramp up exercise and make it 6/7 days and make it at least 45 min - 1 hr per day.
I'll sketch out possibilities to keep a balanced program and set my expectations now!
Monday: P90 cardio (35 min) / 10 min stretching yoga after
Tuesday: Tough "beginner" yoga at Covington Yoga 1.25 hrs
Wednesday: walk/run (2:44 p.m. - 3:58 p.m.) after a breakfast of latte + oatmeal; lunch of pork over rice and water: 18 min walk; 10 min run; 5 min walk; 13 min run; 17 min walk; 3 min run; 8 min walk (weird, but I'm trying to do what I can, remembering that when my weight had gone back up, I couldn't run consistently) = 26 min run; 48 min brisk walk (74 min). Okay, but tired.
Thursday--yoga, gracetree, private lesson! 1.5 hrs. Good moves!
Friday--day off! Conferences all day
Saturday--P90strength--feel the burn!
Sunday--2hrs+ gardening at GG(back breaking!) + 1/2 hr walk
Workshop all week and did no exercise!
Thursday: 40 min walk/run (walk 5, then run 3 min/walk 1 for 30 min, walk 5)
Saturday: Run in complex (Allison's wedding)
Saturday, June 8, 2013
June!
Another week and another refocus on getting in shape. Trying to work toward another 10K, but this butt better get in gear if that's going to happen. Not sure why motivation ebbs and flows the way it does, but I felt a bit sluggish in yoga today and want to get my strength back. So onward and forward and strongward and fitward!
June 7--Friday: 45 min brisk walk with Lisa
Saturday: 1.25 hr power yoga with Anya at Grace Tree
Monday:run/walk 45 minutes; stretch/yoga 15
Tuesday: pilates
Wednesday: walk with Lisa
Thursday: Yoga at Main St.
Friday: 30 min. run
Saturday: gardening at GG and working around the house
June 7--Friday: 45 min brisk walk with Lisa
Saturday: 1.25 hr power yoga with Anya at Grace Tree
Monday:run/walk 45 minutes; stretch/yoga 15
Tuesday: pilates
Wednesday: walk with Lisa
Thursday: Yoga at Main St.
Friday: 30 min. run
Saturday: gardening at GG and working around the house
Monday, May 20, 2013
Really? 5 weeks?
I talked with runner son who was berating himself for taking 1.5 month to go from not being able to run 2 miles to running 10. Oy to have that problem
I've been feeling sluggish and unable to focus on exercise or eating particularly well. I am newly inspired (as I find myself having to be) to try to get into shape in the next five weeks at which time I'll be taking a week-long workshop that will be 9-3 everyday--need to be ready for grueling (boring/indoor/sedentary) computer work.
So how did I start out on Sunday? Mostly in my p.j.s working on my writing.
Monday: longish hike around Ault Park with Greg; some running
Tuesday: P90 cardio and about 45 minutes of running and walking (at least 2 mi running)
Wednesday: Long walk with L & M today (almost 5 miles, about 1+hr)
Thursday: 1.5 hr yoga class--great!
Friday: 30 min run (ran most, 2 brief walk segments)
Saturday: 7-8 mile hike at Long Branch Farm scheduled (approx. 2.5 hrs)
Sunday: Cleaned house!
Monday: 5K Hunger Run--great day for the run!
Wednesday: ran / walked ~ 40 min.
Thursday: pilates
I've been feeling sluggish and unable to focus on exercise or eating particularly well. I am newly inspired (as I find myself having to be) to try to get into shape in the next five weeks at which time I'll be taking a week-long workshop that will be 9-3 everyday--need to be ready for grueling (boring/indoor/sedentary) computer work.
So how did I start out on Sunday? Mostly in my p.j.s working on my writing.
Monday: longish hike around Ault Park with Greg; some running
Tuesday: P90 cardio and about 45 minutes of running and walking (at least 2 mi running)
Wednesday: Long walk with L & M today (almost 5 miles, about 1+hr)
Thursday: 1.5 hr yoga class--great!
Friday: 30 min run (ran most, 2 brief walk segments)
Saturday: 7-8 mile hike at Long Branch Farm scheduled (approx. 2.5 hrs)
Sunday: Cleaned house!
Monday: 5K Hunger Run--great day for the run!
Wednesday: ran / walked ~ 40 min.
Thursday: pilates
Sunday, April 14, 2013
10K Training
I'm on a training schedule for a 10K; just not sure how many weeks as I'm checking out two different schedules. So far:
Week one:
Saturday: ran 2.5 miles, walked approx .75 miles
Sunday: brisk 75 minute walk (approx. 5+ miles)
Monday: My training schedule calls for a run Tu, but it was a beautiful day and the bombing at the Boston Marathon made me want to run; I ran a 5K and then walked some. A terrible beauty, as Yeats would say.
Tu-Sat: misc. walking var. days
Week two:
Sunday: CNC a couple trails of about 1.5 hours total
Monday: run/walk 45 min
Tuesday: pilates 30 min
Wednesday: P90 Part 2 sculpt: harder, longer, a lot of the same exercises
Thursday: Yoga serenity now (after a tense day!)
Friday: Walk with Lisa and Michele
Saturday: P90 Part 2 cardio: harder, longer, a lot of the same exercises ;)
Week three:
In addition to more exercise, I have to start eating better and more regular meals/snacks. I'm doing more of a grazing which is an easy way for me to lose track of calories. I also have to cut out simpler carbs, which is why I have to freeze the bagels I have and do some grocery shopping for good veggies and fruit, beans, things to make smoothies with. It's back on track time!!!! (which is the opposite of Miller time)
Sunday: rainy, so I decided to take today off--my legs are hurting quite a bit; I may need to pull back from the P90 part 2 and alternate with the P90 part 1
Monday: ran for most of almost 3 miles (three quick walks of about 1/10 mile each)
Tuesday: yoga (for abs and arms)
Wednesday: run--30 minutes without stopping--plotted a schedule for the month to push length of run.
Thursday: cardio yoga
Friday: hour+ walk with Mic and Lisa
Saturday: upper body exercise ball
Week four:
Sunday: rained all day, so the day was half house cleaning and half clothes shopping. Productive, but a day off of exercise (which I'm supposed to have anyway, but it's tempting to exercise every day!)
Monday: strength training 45 min.
Tuesday: blah run, but I did it ;)
Wednesday: pilates and run/walk; for some reason, the running isn't coming easy these days--feel fatigued, but I figure I'll keep on keepin' on. Such a pretty sunny day felt I couldn't stay inside.
btw, on track with my weight loss. I should be in good shape weight-wise by the end of the month to continue my third summer weight-loss and exercise program, a ramped-up version of what I try to do during the academic year (maintain in both areas, something I haven't been able to do completely, but I don't slide back too far either).
Thursday: cardio yoga
Friday: walk with Lisa and Mic
Saturday: Yoga at GraceStudios
Week five:
Really? Week five? My weight has continued to fluctuate, so I'm not sure how successful I've been so far. At one point, I was spot on for the weight loss. Then, while continuing to exercise and eat decently, I've seemed to gain. I've also continued to be achy, achy! Ah well. Maybe it's my body taunting me and reminding me that it's easier to stay at a good weight than to be a roller coaster :(
Sunday: Very nice hike with son #1 (birth order, that is) on Mother's Day ~ 3 miles doing some tough walks uphill.
Monday: BRIEF cardio/strength training
Tuesday: Run--started out slow, so I alternated every quarter mile walking and running; then ran for about a mile, then walked (very brisk); don't know why I find running so hard these days, but it felt good to get out for a longer time (about 75 minutes).
Wednesday: cleaned house for . . . . 8 hours straight!! (sore Th morning!)
Thursday: (hope to walk with Greg today); ackk, didn't happen.
Friday: brisk 1/2 hr walk with L. Less than usual as we walked w/o M and wanted to get back to have lunch with her. We exercised so we could eat ;)
Saturday: Hope to get in a good run today since I haven't run since Tuesday and since I'd like to eat wedding cake tonight!!
Week one:
Saturday: ran 2.5 miles, walked approx .75 miles
Sunday: brisk 75 minute walk (approx. 5+ miles)
Monday: My training schedule calls for a run Tu, but it was a beautiful day and the bombing at the Boston Marathon made me want to run; I ran a 5K and then walked some. A terrible beauty, as Yeats would say.
Tu-Sat: misc. walking var. days
Week two:
Sunday: CNC a couple trails of about 1.5 hours total
Monday: run/walk 45 min
Tuesday: pilates 30 min
Wednesday: P90 Part 2 sculpt: harder, longer, a lot of the same exercises
Thursday: Yoga serenity now (after a tense day!)
Friday: Walk with Lisa and Michele
Saturday: P90 Part 2 cardio: harder, longer, a lot of the same exercises ;)
Week three:
In addition to more exercise, I have to start eating better and more regular meals/snacks. I'm doing more of a grazing which is an easy way for me to lose track of calories. I also have to cut out simpler carbs, which is why I have to freeze the bagels I have and do some grocery shopping for good veggies and fruit, beans, things to make smoothies with. It's back on track time!!!! (which is the opposite of Miller time)
Sunday: rainy, so I decided to take today off--my legs are hurting quite a bit; I may need to pull back from the P90 part 2 and alternate with the P90 part 1
Monday: ran for most of almost 3 miles (three quick walks of about 1/10 mile each)
Tuesday: yoga (for abs and arms)
Wednesday: run--30 minutes without stopping--plotted a schedule for the month to push length of run.
Thursday: cardio yoga
Friday: hour+ walk with Mic and Lisa
Saturday: upper body exercise ball
Week four:
Sunday: rained all day, so the day was half house cleaning and half clothes shopping. Productive, but a day off of exercise (which I'm supposed to have anyway, but it's tempting to exercise every day!)
Monday: strength training 45 min.
Tuesday: blah run, but I did it ;)
Wednesday: pilates and run/walk; for some reason, the running isn't coming easy these days--feel fatigued, but I figure I'll keep on keepin' on. Such a pretty sunny day felt I couldn't stay inside.
btw, on track with my weight loss. I should be in good shape weight-wise by the end of the month to continue my third summer weight-loss and exercise program, a ramped-up version of what I try to do during the academic year (maintain in both areas, something I haven't been able to do completely, but I don't slide back too far either).
Thursday: cardio yoga
Friday: walk with Lisa and Mic
Saturday: Yoga at GraceStudios
Week five:
Really? Week five? My weight has continued to fluctuate, so I'm not sure how successful I've been so far. At one point, I was spot on for the weight loss. Then, while continuing to exercise and eat decently, I've seemed to gain. I've also continued to be achy, achy! Ah well. Maybe it's my body taunting me and reminding me that it's easier to stay at a good weight than to be a roller coaster :(
Sunday: Very nice hike with son #1 (birth order, that is) on Mother's Day ~ 3 miles doing some tough walks uphill.
Monday: BRIEF cardio/strength training
Tuesday: Run--started out slow, so I alternated every quarter mile walking and running; then ran for about a mile, then walked (very brisk); don't know why I find running so hard these days, but it felt good to get out for a longer time (about 75 minutes).
Wednesday: cleaned house for . . . . 8 hours straight!! (sore Th morning!)
Thursday: (hope to walk with Greg today); ackk, didn't happen.
Friday: brisk 1/2 hr walk with L. Less than usual as we walked w/o M and wanted to get back to have lunch with her. We exercised so we could eat ;)
Saturday: Hope to get in a good run today since I haven't run since Tuesday and since I'd like to eat wedding cake tonight!!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
On Goals
I was thinking today (as I was running this sunny Tuesday) how important continuing to set new goals are, at least for me. Two summers ago, I just wanted to start eating more healthy foods and exercising more regularly--just start that habit going. By the following summer, I needed a larger goal to keep me interested. I thought it would be a half-marathon, but toned it down to a 10K which I'm very glad I did as I did the 10K and with my sons, which was more fun than I thought it could be, but I really needed that experience of what a (for me) substantially longer race would be like before going even further. I realized what I would do differently when I run a 10K again and want to "master" that (run it with some level of comfort) before moving to a half-marathon.
So I'm trolling for a new goal. I think it's going to be my second 10K, but I'd like to set that as a goal in an interesting locale so that I can promise myself something fun to look forward to. I'm hoping that could include one or more of my sons, but I definitely want the Thanksgiving 10K to be an annual event as well. For me, though, I need that goal to put the small steps into place and into play.
I'm considering now as well what this means for other goals, including writing and other professional and personal objectives.
So far--an intense yoga class on Saturday morning that I'd like to come back to.
"working out" at home getting the whole house clean on Sunday
About 20 minutes of walking today on campus plus approx. 2.5 mile run today
Rather sore--I think I need to get a better night's sleep as I'm feeling fibromyalgia symptoms. Ready for a nice hot shower now, though, which might feel good . . . .
So I'm trolling for a new goal. I think it's going to be my second 10K, but I'd like to set that as a goal in an interesting locale so that I can promise myself something fun to look forward to. I'm hoping that could include one or more of my sons, but I definitely want the Thanksgiving 10K to be an annual event as well. For me, though, I need that goal to put the small steps into place and into play.
I'm considering now as well what this means for other goals, including writing and other professional and personal objectives.
So far--an intense yoga class on Saturday morning that I'd like to come back to.
"working out" at home getting the whole house clean on Sunday
About 20 minutes of walking today on campus plus approx. 2.5 mile run today
Rather sore--I think I need to get a better night's sleep as I'm feeling fibromyalgia symptoms. Ready for a nice hot shower now, though, which might feel good . . . .
Sunday, March 31, 2013
March 31
Almost April Fool's Day, and I'd be fooling myself if I didn't say I've fallen away from my blog and my commitment to my exercise and food habits.
The good news is that after two years of working at this, I haven't fallen off the wagon completely. I keep coming back to exercise as I have a number of ways to exercise at my easy disposal. I keep signed into yoga classes so they're always available. I have a park next door that I can't ignore, especially on nice days, and I have a battery of videos that provide an exercise hit from 30 mins to over an hour. Any way I like it, that's the way I can have it.
I also tend to continue to shop by bringing home good foods and not bad. I can overindulge, and I've slipped into bad habits of eating after dinner, but when there's only halfway decent food around, it's hard to do too much damage.
Building up certain habits has helped, even if it's not that I stay on track on a daily basis.
So where am I? I am at the point where I want to get back on a vigorous diet and exercise program, and what better time to do this but in April as the weather improves (even if it is a rainy Sunday today).
From today through the end of May, I expect to lose 6 pounds. Over the summer, I'd like to lose an additional 5-10 pounds (June 1 through end of August). I just don't know how much is reasonable, since if I lose an additional 5, I'll be where I was for much of my adult life. I've gotten down to the 10 pound loss and even more, but never stabilized there. So we'll see. The initial 6 just gets me back to a little less than where I'd stabilized at the end of last summer (give or take 2 pounds that kept fluctuating).
So, back on the wagon, back riding the horse, whatever the analogy is, I'm hiding the Easter candy and getting out the juices and fruits, veggies and salads, lean meats and fish. I'm back in the saddle again (and yes, I know it's "again," but at least I keep getting up there!).
The good news is that after two years of working at this, I haven't fallen off the wagon completely. I keep coming back to exercise as I have a number of ways to exercise at my easy disposal. I keep signed into yoga classes so they're always available. I have a park next door that I can't ignore, especially on nice days, and I have a battery of videos that provide an exercise hit from 30 mins to over an hour. Any way I like it, that's the way I can have it.
I also tend to continue to shop by bringing home good foods and not bad. I can overindulge, and I've slipped into bad habits of eating after dinner, but when there's only halfway decent food around, it's hard to do too much damage.
Building up certain habits has helped, even if it's not that I stay on track on a daily basis.
So where am I? I am at the point where I want to get back on a vigorous diet and exercise program, and what better time to do this but in April as the weather improves (even if it is a rainy Sunday today).
From today through the end of May, I expect to lose 6 pounds. Over the summer, I'd like to lose an additional 5-10 pounds (June 1 through end of August). I just don't know how much is reasonable, since if I lose an additional 5, I'll be where I was for much of my adult life. I've gotten down to the 10 pound loss and even more, but never stabilized there. So we'll see. The initial 6 just gets me back to a little less than where I'd stabilized at the end of last summer (give or take 2 pounds that kept fluctuating).
So, back on the wagon, back riding the horse, whatever the analogy is, I'm hiding the Easter candy and getting out the juices and fruits, veggies and salads, lean meats and fish. I'm back in the saddle again (and yes, I know it's "again," but at least I keep getting up there!).
Friday, March 1, 2013
March comes in like a lion
Actually, that's me roaring ;)
Exercising most days but eating more than I should. P90 or pilates or yoga since March 1; today, for the first time in awhile, a run that felt great--about 35 minutes straight. Cold outside, but warmed up through the run! Need to lose weight before Savannah where I want to hit the beach--that's one month from now. Hoo-rah!
Back to more fluids, more veggies, more fruit. Making a soup tomorrow for Friday through Tuesday (I leave on Wednesday). Overall, should start getting back on an eating and drinking less routine by the time I hit the tempting restaurants in Las Vegas. Looking forward to the runs and hikes I plan to take in NV and AZ.
Exercising most days but eating more than I should. P90 or pilates or yoga since March 1; today, for the first time in awhile, a run that felt great--about 35 minutes straight. Cold outside, but warmed up through the run! Need to lose weight before Savannah where I want to hit the beach--that's one month from now. Hoo-rah!
Back to more fluids, more veggies, more fruit. Making a soup tomorrow for Friday through Tuesday (I leave on Wednesday). Overall, should start getting back on an eating and drinking less routine by the time I hit the tempting restaurants in Las Vegas. Looking forward to the runs and hikes I plan to take in NV and AZ.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
February 6--a long month
My father died on January 29. I am sad and feeling adrift in terms of me--but this isn't about me, it's about him--I don't want him gone, yet the reality is, he couldn't stay and I wouldn't want him to stay in the state he was in merely because I wanted him around. His body was finally saying "enough."
Speaking of bodies, mine has been sitting around, not exercising, and eating badly. Of course, it had help. I knowingly and deliberately ate comfort foods and drank more than I should. My weight's up to show for it. So now it's back on track. Because I'd like to be around for a long time.
Thursday, Feb 7: P90 cardio and a lot of walking around campus
three days in a row:
Tuesday, Feb 12: 30 minutes yoga
Wednesday, Feb 13: 30 minutes Pilates
Thursday, Feb 14: 30 minute run
Saturday: pilates
Sunday: run 30 minutes
I haven't been keeping track, but I have been working out--mornings with P90 or pilates. Haven't run this week as it's been very cold and icy. Weight going down for a lot of reasons too scattered to mention. It's been very busy and so the lack of attention to the blog. I will try. I will try.
And I did. With more success rather than less. I have been working out almost every day, back to P90 or yoga, with a walk or run thrown in. Not every day, not as would be ideal, but March is a whole different story. I'm back to my determined self and every day's a new day (and better than the day before!).
Speaking of bodies, mine has been sitting around, not exercising, and eating badly. Of course, it had help. I knowingly and deliberately ate comfort foods and drank more than I should. My weight's up to show for it. So now it's back on track. Because I'd like to be around for a long time.
Thursday, Feb 7: P90 cardio and a lot of walking around campus
three days in a row:
Tuesday, Feb 12: 30 minutes yoga
Wednesday, Feb 13: 30 minutes Pilates
Thursday, Feb 14: 30 minute run
Saturday: pilates
Sunday: run 30 minutes
I haven't been keeping track, but I have been working out--mornings with P90 or pilates. Haven't run this week as it's been very cold and icy. Weight going down for a lot of reasons too scattered to mention. It's been very busy and so the lack of attention to the blog. I will try. I will try.
And I did. With more success rather than less. I have been working out almost every day, back to P90 or yoga, with a walk or run thrown in. Not every day, not as would be ideal, but March is a whole different story. I'm back to my determined self and every day's a new day (and better than the day before!).
Sunday, January 6, 2013
January 6-31
Sunday: P90 cardio (35 min). I'm skipping the 5 minutes abs, because even if it is only 5 minutes, these are very hard on the lower back. I plan to do a 30 minute ab routine once a week instead that is either on the exercise ball or a yoga ab routine.
various walks, but no specific exercise through the week--long days, seeing my dad, not feeling well
Friday: 30 min run (with two 2-min walks) 5-7 min walk either side. Cramps in left thigh that were quite painful! Not sure why--never had that before.
Saturday: another spring-like day (run same as yesterday--felt better though)
Monday: cardio yoga 1/2 hr
Tuesday: run (like Saturday, but faster since it was in the low 20s!)
Wed-Th--nada Dad admitted to hospice on Thursday--long day
Friday: run
Saturday: 1/2 hr Pilates plus 45 min brisk hike at Farbach Nature Center
Sunday MLK day; 2d inauguration day for Obama: 1/2 hr balance ball upper body
Monday--oh well . . . . .
various walks, but no specific exercise through the week--long days, seeing my dad, not feeling well
Friday: 30 min run (with two 2-min walks) 5-7 min walk either side. Cramps in left thigh that were quite painful! Not sure why--never had that before.
Saturday: another spring-like day (run same as yesterday--felt better though)
Monday: cardio yoga 1/2 hr
Tuesday: run (like Saturday, but faster since it was in the low 20s!)
Wed-Th--nada Dad admitted to hospice on Thursday--long day
Friday: run
Saturday: 1/2 hr Pilates plus 45 min brisk hike at Farbach Nature Center
Sunday MLK day; 2d inauguration day for Obama: 1/2 hr balance ball upper body
Monday--oh well . . . . .
New Year
January 2013--two years from the beginning of this journey. At that point I was at 174. I am, today, at 149--25 pounds lighter, but, more importantly, more fit and strong. My knees don't hurt (as they were before), my clothes fit very differently than they have in as long as I can remember (I think due to not only the regularity of the exercise, but the increase in running--those glut muscles have really gotten a work out), and I am hoping when I finally get my cholesterol tested, that I'll find out my numbers are better there, as well.
I still struggle with motivation at times, but it's less so and I have to credit this blog (as if this blog is doing something on its own!). Correction: I have to credit my (almost) daily habit of logging in which gives me an accountability that I needed to have. I find it inspiring to look back--it's amazing how easy it is to forget or discount past hurdles and accomplishments. One major hurdle jumped was getting past running only 2-3 miles at a time. I have now run up to 7 miles at a time--and maybe even longer. The half-marathon training schedule I was on was modified for shooting for a 10K instead when I realized that made more sense. I'd like to complete another 10K before going for a half marathon. This gives me a goal to work toward that I'm finding useful to inspire continued exercise and fitness.
Keeping this blog also helps me to see what I did when I ran into plateaus. When I got the flu recently, I was feeling--what seemed to me counter-intuitively--bloated and over-weight. Son #2 reminded me that when the body is sick, it hangs on to fluids more. A three day semi-fast--getting rid of all those bad habits, including too much starch, caffeine, alcohol, sugars, etc.--and staying super hydrated, really helped.
I know enough that when my interest starts getting really low I have to try something new. The something new these days has been Tony Horton who makes me laugh, and the 25-35 minute workouts, while tough, are doable because they are short. Mixing in other routines and being willing to not be rigid in anything--exercise, eating, when I wake up (I've been getting up earlier than I "want" to, but that's okay)--seems a good approach. I'm getting to know my body better and better and trusting my instincts.
As far as instincts are concerned, another something new is a new yoga place that I will try to return to for not only their yoga, but also their reflection workshops. I think I could use a little consideration of my needs, wants, goals, and behaviors. Why don't I rely on my instinct or move ahead on my desires? Why do I over-think, delay, and avoid? These are useful to understand for fitness and to live a better life in general.
Here's to the New Year. I wish the very best for my sons, for my family and friends, and for myself.
I still struggle with motivation at times, but it's less so and I have to credit this blog (as if this blog is doing something on its own!). Correction: I have to credit my (almost) daily habit of logging in which gives me an accountability that I needed to have. I find it inspiring to look back--it's amazing how easy it is to forget or discount past hurdles and accomplishments. One major hurdle jumped was getting past running only 2-3 miles at a time. I have now run up to 7 miles at a time--and maybe even longer. The half-marathon training schedule I was on was modified for shooting for a 10K instead when I realized that made more sense. I'd like to complete another 10K before going for a half marathon. This gives me a goal to work toward that I'm finding useful to inspire continued exercise and fitness.
Keeping this blog also helps me to see what I did when I ran into plateaus. When I got the flu recently, I was feeling--what seemed to me counter-intuitively--bloated and over-weight. Son #2 reminded me that when the body is sick, it hangs on to fluids more. A three day semi-fast--getting rid of all those bad habits, including too much starch, caffeine, alcohol, sugars, etc.--and staying super hydrated, really helped.
I know enough that when my interest starts getting really low I have to try something new. The something new these days has been Tony Horton who makes me laugh, and the 25-35 minute workouts, while tough, are doable because they are short. Mixing in other routines and being willing to not be rigid in anything--exercise, eating, when I wake up (I've been getting up earlier than I "want" to, but that's okay)--seems a good approach. I'm getting to know my body better and better and trusting my instincts.
As far as instincts are concerned, another something new is a new yoga place that I will try to return to for not only their yoga, but also their reflection workshops. I think I could use a little consideration of my needs, wants, goals, and behaviors. Why don't I rely on my instinct or move ahead on my desires? Why do I over-think, delay, and avoid? These are useful to understand for fitness and to live a better life in general.
Here's to the New Year. I wish the very best for my sons, for my family and friends, and for myself.
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