I have always wanted to be a mother. I like to tell people that I've thought about having children since I was a child, because it's true and because it sounds good. I like to read about teaching methods and childhood development and what effects experience can have on personality and learning. I often think about what sort of environment I want to provide for my children, how I want them to feel comfortable and safe and loved, and how I'd like to foster in them a love of exploration and creation and imagination. To this day, when I hear about a fun trip or project, I think about doing it with my kids.
Two things came along in my life to derail my assumptions. Neither of them managed to snuff out my dreams, no matter how hard they tried. But together, it seemed that they would see to it that my dreams never became a reality.
The first thing, of course, was cancer. I was diagnosed with biphenaltypic leukemia in 1997, and the three rounds of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant I underwent to conquer that disease effectively destroyed my ovaries--or, perhaps, the eggs inside them. I only have regular periods when I'm on hormone replacements, and despite having nothing but unprotected sex throughout my seven-year marriage to Sean, we have never had so much as a miscarriage.
Through my struggles with this reality, Sean always told me to face reality, to try to be happy without my dream. Sean didn't want children; that was the second thing.
He never wanted kids. Never dreamed about it, never thought about it except when I talked about it. The most he would ever agree was that he'd accept it if I happened to get pregnant; aggressive fertility treatments and adoption simply weren't things he was interested in. There was a time when I tearfully tried to express just how important having children was to me...he was silent for a time and then said quietly, "I didn't think it was a deal-breaker."
It wasn't, of course. I knew how Sean felt when I married him. I married him because I loved and still love him, not because I expected him to give me everything I wanted. I've come to realize that Sean doesn't fully grasp how much I love him, how leaving him to pursue one of my dreams simply isn't an option.
And so, over the past ten years as I struggled with the knowledge of my infertility and had doors slammed in my face with every test, I was alone. Sean ached for me, but never with me. He wanted me to be happy. He wanted me to forget about having kids and just enjoy my life with him.
In a way, that made it a little easier. At least that way, if I couldn't give him children, I wasn't disappointing him.
But that part of the equation fell away last weekend, when Sean said, as if I'd known it all along, "I still want to have a daughter one day. Just one. Of course, with my luck, we'd end up with a boy. I'd like us to be able to have a kid, but if that's not possible...I would be okay with adoption."
We've got a lot going on right now. We're planning to move across town, and Sean's trying to get a certification and move on with his career. Once that's settled I will be undergoing elective surgery. We won't be ready to try expensive fertility treatments for a year after that.
But that's the plan now. It may be too late...or it may never have been possible. But we'll try.
And if that fails, it looks like we'll be adopting.
I honestly don't know how to feel. This isn't a too-good-to-be-true situation, but it's still so much more than I was led to expect these past ten years.
My world view, which for so long has felt so narrow, seems suddenly to have expanded. If I just turn my head, I feel like I could see it all.
But I can't bring myself to go all-in just yet. Not with all the disappointments I've already gone through.
At this point I will clamp down and allow myself only the tiniest cautious flicker of hope.
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
New plan: Simplify
Looking back, my weight loss efforts have all had one thing in common: complexity. I tried to adhere to a regimen that didn't lend itself to a non-stressed schedule, and to a detailed tracking of everything I ate that, while effective, was inconvenient and time-consuming. Every time I've tried anything like this, I've slipped out of the regimen and dietary tracking and gained weight back.
I'm always euphoric whenever I start a new weight loss plan, filled with motivation and certainty that this time, it'll work. That's why when my friend Mari told me once that she didn't want to try to track what she ate because she knew she'd never keep it up, I thought, "That's fine for you, but I will keep it up, and I'll lose weight!"
I think I'm finally coming around to her point of view.
A person's drive only lasts so long. Then, once it's over, it's way too easy to slip, or to just stop. You feel terrible, but it seems like so much work to get back into it that you give up. I personally tend to get bored with an activity after I've been doing it for a few weeks, and that makes it even harder to keep myself motivated.
Plus, an elaborate food and exercise tracking plan can be gamed. I'd work the numbers like crazy to try and fit in greasy food or sweet snacks. And exercise tracking never quite seems accurate; a tiny tweak of the numbers and the total calories burned can change by 100!
What I would like to try going forward is a simpler way of looking at food and exercise. Here's what I'm thinking.
I would like to try to eat something every two or three hours. That something will just be one serving of one thing.
I've noticed that I tend to order a lot of different things at restaurants. This is because if I just have a lot of one food, I get bored. I'm going to try to use this to my advantage. If all I can eat at any particular moment is this one thing, then, paradoxically, perhaps I will eat less of it than I would if I also had other stuff to go with it. And even if not, I still will only be eating that one thing.
Under this plan, I will no longer eat big meals. When I go out to eat, I will order one a la carte item or side item. And I'll have to get Sean not to make me a big dinner anymore--or eat the dinner he makes one item at a time over the course of several hours.
I will also try to eat more "good" stuff than "bad" stuff in any given day. I might get a chicken soft taco at lunch, but that's cool as long as I've been eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy soups, etc. the rest of the day. I'll try to eat more natural stuff and less processed stuff.
My hope is that since I'll be eating every few hours, I won't feel hungry, but because I'll be eating smarter, I won't be eating as much.
Instead of coming up with a specific exercise regimen, I will instead work towards the goal of 30 to 90 minutes of physical activity every day. This does not have to happen at the gym, and the time does not have to be consecutive. For example, I could do 15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes at lunch, and 15 minutes in the evening for a 45-minute activity day.
Compared to the thought of going to the gym for an hour each morning, this sounds like a piece of cake. I really feel like this is a sustainable model.
Under this plan, I won't worry about the type of activity I'm doing or how many calories I'm burning. Instead, I'll pick fun activities and then work myself as hard as possible.
In order to make this work, I will have to do some planning. To eat every few hours, I will need to pack or purchase four to five items each workday. I may try setting specific eating times, but ultimately I think it'll be easier to just note the time whenever I eat and make sure I have something else within the next three hours.
Bananas, yogurt, and pretzels are some examples of the types of food I can pack, but I know I've gotten bored with healthy snacks before, so I will need to try to have more variety.
To facilitate ongoing physical activity, I think I will need to break down and start keeping exercise clothes and shoes at work. It can be something of a hassle to remember to bring things home to be washed, but packing and bringing workout clothes each morning is unsustainable. Ultimately, having at least the shoes there will ensure I have no excuse to skip that day's physical activity.
So that's the plan. Wish me luck!
I'm always euphoric whenever I start a new weight loss plan, filled with motivation and certainty that this time, it'll work. That's why when my friend Mari told me once that she didn't want to try to track what she ate because she knew she'd never keep it up, I thought, "That's fine for you, but I will keep it up, and I'll lose weight!"
I think I'm finally coming around to her point of view.
A person's drive only lasts so long. Then, once it's over, it's way too easy to slip, or to just stop. You feel terrible, but it seems like so much work to get back into it that you give up. I personally tend to get bored with an activity after I've been doing it for a few weeks, and that makes it even harder to keep myself motivated.
Plus, an elaborate food and exercise tracking plan can be gamed. I'd work the numbers like crazy to try and fit in greasy food or sweet snacks. And exercise tracking never quite seems accurate; a tiny tweak of the numbers and the total calories burned can change by 100!
What I would like to try going forward is a simpler way of looking at food and exercise. Here's what I'm thinking.
Food
I would like to try to eat something every two or three hours. That something will just be one serving of one thing.
I've noticed that I tend to order a lot of different things at restaurants. This is because if I just have a lot of one food, I get bored. I'm going to try to use this to my advantage. If all I can eat at any particular moment is this one thing, then, paradoxically, perhaps I will eat less of it than I would if I also had other stuff to go with it. And even if not, I still will only be eating that one thing.
Under this plan, I will no longer eat big meals. When I go out to eat, I will order one a la carte item or side item. And I'll have to get Sean not to make me a big dinner anymore--or eat the dinner he makes one item at a time over the course of several hours.
I will also try to eat more "good" stuff than "bad" stuff in any given day. I might get a chicken soft taco at lunch, but that's cool as long as I've been eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy soups, etc. the rest of the day. I'll try to eat more natural stuff and less processed stuff.
My hope is that since I'll be eating every few hours, I won't feel hungry, but because I'll be eating smarter, I won't be eating as much.
Exercise
Instead of coming up with a specific exercise regimen, I will instead work towards the goal of 30 to 90 minutes of physical activity every day. This does not have to happen at the gym, and the time does not have to be consecutive. For example, I could do 15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes at lunch, and 15 minutes in the evening for a 45-minute activity day.
Compared to the thought of going to the gym for an hour each morning, this sounds like a piece of cake. I really feel like this is a sustainable model.
Under this plan, I won't worry about the type of activity I'm doing or how many calories I'm burning. Instead, I'll pick fun activities and then work myself as hard as possible.
Logistics
In order to make this work, I will have to do some planning. To eat every few hours, I will need to pack or purchase four to five items each workday. I may try setting specific eating times, but ultimately I think it'll be easier to just note the time whenever I eat and make sure I have something else within the next three hours.
Bananas, yogurt, and pretzels are some examples of the types of food I can pack, but I know I've gotten bored with healthy snacks before, so I will need to try to have more variety.
To facilitate ongoing physical activity, I think I will need to break down and start keeping exercise clothes and shoes at work. It can be something of a hassle to remember to bring things home to be washed, but packing and bringing workout clothes each morning is unsustainable. Ultimately, having at least the shoes there will ensure I have no excuse to skip that day's physical activity.
So that's the plan. Wish me luck!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Run for it
Every so often after a workout, strong and accomplished during my cool-down, I'll feel the lean, toned, powerful, fit body beneath all the fat. This morning I felt it as I strode back up the hill from my 5K training--a muscled stomach pulling my pelvic bones forward as my legs carried me solidly back home--and I was glad that despite the chance of rain, and despite wondering if my legs might be too fatigued, I'd decided to run today.
I'm into week 6 of Running Mate Media's 5K 101 training program. This week consists of two 12-minute intervals of jogging each day. Last week I did three eight-minute intervals, and next week I'll jump to three 12-minute intervals.
It has seemed during this program that Mondays, the first of three days of training, are always the easiest. Even though Mondays always involve a leap in intensity, I tend to feel energized throughout and almost overconfident when they're over. By Friday, I can still do the workout, but there's less excitement and more fatigue.
On Mondays, I've typically had two days of rest between training sessions. I usually try to go for a long walk or hike on Saturdays, but while that does work my legs, it doesn't have the same impact as running. Sunday is my rest day, and I don't work out at all. On Wednesdays and Fridays, of course, there's only been one day of rest in between runs, and I've had cardio and strength training on those "rest" days. It's possible that the continued effort begins to wear on me by the end of the week, and so the two-day break is what makes Mondays seem so easy.
However, this Saturday I actually participated in a 5K. It took about 50 minutes, so that's roughly an average of 3.7mph, and I believe we ran about half of it, which is about the same amount of running I'd done on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This essentially means I had an extra day of running training last week...but yet again, today, Monday, I felt comfortable and confident and not at all overwhelmed by the jump to two 12-minute intervals.
I don't want to discount the rest theory entirely, especially since I did have a day of utter rest after the 5K, but I think there may be another reason I feel fatigued towards the end of the week: boredom. I've never been the type to handle monotony well. By the time Friday rolls around, I have the music and the cues memorized, so it's not as exciting as it is on Monday, when everything's new to me. That may cause me to be more aware of how my body is feeling and less able to focus on the music or my pace or breathing.
Fortunately, so far I haven't gotten so bored by the end of the week that I've given up. I've made it through each week of the 5K 101 program without stopping to walk when I'm supposed to be running, which means I haven't had to repeat a week at all. I'm not sure I would have been that successful if there were more than three identical runs in a row, though.
The 5K 101 program only has eight weeks in it. Next week I'll bump up to three 12-minute intervals, and the following week I'll be running for a full half hour. That last week seems like quite the jump, but then, so does next week. I'm not sure how it'll go, but I'm excited to find out.
I've been surprised at how long I've stuck with this training. I always hated running when I was younger. I'd get shin splints and stitches in my side within five minutes, and I'd be gasping and out of breath, and it always made me feel like a loser. I'm not sure what changed, other than perhaps I'm not trying to run so fast so soon. My pace is actually rather slow...but rather than worrying about that, I'm focusing on meeting the goal of completing this training program. Once this one's over, I'll find a new one to do--there are many running resources online now, available in iPhone applications and podcasts.
My running has jumpstarted my weight loss and fitness efforts, which had been stagnating since last Thanksgiving. I think having a real goal and a timeline and a guide through each step has truly helped, now that I'm beyond the point of simply becoming active. I hope to keep this momentum up through the rest of the 5K 101 program and whatever other systems I decide to try.
I'm into week 6 of Running Mate Media's 5K 101 training program. This week consists of two 12-minute intervals of jogging each day. Last week I did three eight-minute intervals, and next week I'll jump to three 12-minute intervals.
It has seemed during this program that Mondays, the first of three days of training, are always the easiest. Even though Mondays always involve a leap in intensity, I tend to feel energized throughout and almost overconfident when they're over. By Friday, I can still do the workout, but there's less excitement and more fatigue.
On Mondays, I've typically had two days of rest between training sessions. I usually try to go for a long walk or hike on Saturdays, but while that does work my legs, it doesn't have the same impact as running. Sunday is my rest day, and I don't work out at all. On Wednesdays and Fridays, of course, there's only been one day of rest in between runs, and I've had cardio and strength training on those "rest" days. It's possible that the continued effort begins to wear on me by the end of the week, and so the two-day break is what makes Mondays seem so easy.
However, this Saturday I actually participated in a 5K. It took about 50 minutes, so that's roughly an average of 3.7mph, and I believe we ran about half of it, which is about the same amount of running I'd done on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This essentially means I had an extra day of running training last week...but yet again, today, Monday, I felt comfortable and confident and not at all overwhelmed by the jump to two 12-minute intervals.
I don't want to discount the rest theory entirely, especially since I did have a day of utter rest after the 5K, but I think there may be another reason I feel fatigued towards the end of the week: boredom. I've never been the type to handle monotony well. By the time Friday rolls around, I have the music and the cues memorized, so it's not as exciting as it is on Monday, when everything's new to me. That may cause me to be more aware of how my body is feeling and less able to focus on the music or my pace or breathing.
Fortunately, so far I haven't gotten so bored by the end of the week that I've given up. I've made it through each week of the 5K 101 program without stopping to walk when I'm supposed to be running, which means I haven't had to repeat a week at all. I'm not sure I would have been that successful if there were more than three identical runs in a row, though.
The 5K 101 program only has eight weeks in it. Next week I'll bump up to three 12-minute intervals, and the following week I'll be running for a full half hour. That last week seems like quite the jump, but then, so does next week. I'm not sure how it'll go, but I'm excited to find out.
I've been surprised at how long I've stuck with this training. I always hated running when I was younger. I'd get shin splints and stitches in my side within five minutes, and I'd be gasping and out of breath, and it always made me feel like a loser. I'm not sure what changed, other than perhaps I'm not trying to run so fast so soon. My pace is actually rather slow...but rather than worrying about that, I'm focusing on meeting the goal of completing this training program. Once this one's over, I'll find a new one to do--there are many running resources online now, available in iPhone applications and podcasts.
My running has jumpstarted my weight loss and fitness efforts, which had been stagnating since last Thanksgiving. I think having a real goal and a timeline and a guide through each step has truly helped, now that I'm beyond the point of simply becoming active. I hope to keep this momentum up through the rest of the 5K 101 program and whatever other systems I decide to try.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
So...yeah.
After that low point with the cheeseburger, I just wanted to let you know that I'm redoubling my health efforts. (Again.)
I've been a member of SparkPeople since February, but yesterday I decided to really use the site. Here's my SparkPage, which among other things lists my weight. Got to motivate myself somehow.
The fact that I can't afford to eat out anymore is hopefully going to help me pack lunches regularly again. Aside from the burger slip-up on Tuesday, I have packed my lunches this week: frozen dinner on Monday, frozen dinner plus veggies on Wednesday, and today I crumbled the leftover hamburger from the dinner Sean made last night into some stroganoff noodles and packed some leftover spinach to go with.
I'm also going to make sure to work out in some capacity every day except Sunday. Yesterday I took a half-hour walk at Riverwalk over my lunch break. It wasn't much, but it was far better than nothing, and it put me in a much better mood for the rest of the day. Tuesdays and Thursdays I see my personal trainer in the morning. My trainer is going to give me a yoga video to do at home. I also have those TurboJam videos and my Wii Fit to keep things interesting. So I should have no excuse not to keep myself moving.
I've started over and failed so many times now. I hope using SparkPeople will make the difference this time, by giving me that extra push I need.
I've been a member of SparkPeople since February, but yesterday I decided to really use the site. Here's my SparkPage, which among other things lists my weight. Got to motivate myself somehow.
The fact that I can't afford to eat out anymore is hopefully going to help me pack lunches regularly again. Aside from the burger slip-up on Tuesday, I have packed my lunches this week: frozen dinner on Monday, frozen dinner plus veggies on Wednesday, and today I crumbled the leftover hamburger from the dinner Sean made last night into some stroganoff noodles and packed some leftover spinach to go with.
I'm also going to make sure to work out in some capacity every day except Sunday. Yesterday I took a half-hour walk at Riverwalk over my lunch break. It wasn't much, but it was far better than nothing, and it put me in a much better mood for the rest of the day. Tuesdays and Thursdays I see my personal trainer in the morning. My trainer is going to give me a yoga video to do at home. I also have those TurboJam videos and my Wii Fit to keep things interesting. So I should have no excuse not to keep myself moving.
I've started over and failed so many times now. I hope using SparkPeople will make the difference this time, by giving me that extra push I need.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Motivation
I have been pretty lax in my weight loss efforts of late. I've been working out with my trainer on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but otherwise I haven't been doing much of anything, and I've been eating whatever I feel like eating. It shows, on the scale and in my clothes.
Shopping for jeans that would actually fit this morning gave me a good motivational idea. I could set up a schedule of when I can buy new clothes. Then, if that time arrives and I haven't gone down a size, I won't be allowed to buy any.
A tangible, specific goal like this--come down at least one size before the next shopping trip--would probably be better motivation than the generic "lose weight". We all know how well that one works.
I just need to decide what a reasonable time frame would be.
Shopping for jeans that would actually fit this morning gave me a good motivational idea. I could set up a schedule of when I can buy new clothes. Then, if that time arrives and I haven't gone down a size, I won't be allowed to buy any.
A tangible, specific goal like this--come down at least one size before the next shopping trip--would probably be better motivation than the generic "lose weight". We all know how well that one works.
I just need to decide what a reasonable time frame would be.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The amazing potential of Augusta Mall
Today I took a leisurely walk around the Augusta Mall. Outside, that is. The walk convinced me that the mall has some serious potential, if they would make a few key changes.
It took about 40 minutes to get around the mall. Unfortunately I didn't use my GPS so I'm not sure of the exact distance, but since I was probably going 2.8 mph, we'll say it's roughly a one and three quarters mile walk. That's a nice distance for people who are just getting back into shape, but long enough that people can do several circuits without getting immediately bored.
However, there are places where walking is difficult. There are stairs in a few places that you'd have to go the long way around to avoid. And there isn't always a sidewalk, so I had to occasionally make my way through parking lots or across the grass. I felt badly about the latter because the grounds at the mall are so beautiful--perfect scenery for a nice walk, with flowers, greenery, and lots of shady trees.
With that all in mind, I think the mall could benefit from designating a walking trail, perhaps in brick to match the existing outdoor promenade, with clearly-marked crossings and perhaps a tunnel or two for handicapped ramp access. This would not only enhance the storefronts of the larger shopping areas, but would also attract routine walkers to the mall.
People who might not initially be interested in shopping would be drawn to the scenery, safety, and convenience of walking at the mall. While walking inside the mall is possible, it's not quite as appealing as being under the sun. It can get crowded, too, and interfere with store business. Creating a place right outside for walking would ease shopping traffic flow and give serious walkers more room.
The mall could then capitalize on the influx of serious walkers with water and sports drink vending machines, fitness kiosks, and signs directing walkers to healthy choices at the food court. They could even go a step further and offer a membership or pay-as-you-go gym right inside the mall. (There would probably need to be rules about showering before entering the mall proper.)
Another option would be to offer a full-service health spa, with massages and soaks and such.
Make the mall attractive in more ways than simply a place to buy things, and the people who come for one service might stay for another. The mall could become an oasis for Augusta living.
It took about 40 minutes to get around the mall. Unfortunately I didn't use my GPS so I'm not sure of the exact distance, but since I was probably going 2.8 mph, we'll say it's roughly a one and three quarters mile walk. That's a nice distance for people who are just getting back into shape, but long enough that people can do several circuits without getting immediately bored.
However, there are places where walking is difficult. There are stairs in a few places that you'd have to go the long way around to avoid. And there isn't always a sidewalk, so I had to occasionally make my way through parking lots or across the grass. I felt badly about the latter because the grounds at the mall are so beautiful--perfect scenery for a nice walk, with flowers, greenery, and lots of shady trees.
With that all in mind, I think the mall could benefit from designating a walking trail, perhaps in brick to match the existing outdoor promenade, with clearly-marked crossings and perhaps a tunnel or two for handicapped ramp access. This would not only enhance the storefronts of the larger shopping areas, but would also attract routine walkers to the mall.
People who might not initially be interested in shopping would be drawn to the scenery, safety, and convenience of walking at the mall. While walking inside the mall is possible, it's not quite as appealing as being under the sun. It can get crowded, too, and interfere with store business. Creating a place right outside for walking would ease shopping traffic flow and give serious walkers more room.
The mall could then capitalize on the influx of serious walkers with water and sports drink vending machines, fitness kiosks, and signs directing walkers to healthy choices at the food court. They could even go a step further and offer a membership or pay-as-you-go gym right inside the mall. (There would probably need to be rules about showering before entering the mall proper.)
Another option would be to offer a full-service health spa, with massages and soaks and such.
Make the mall attractive in more ways than simply a place to buy things, and the people who come for one service might stay for another. The mall could become an oasis for Augusta living.
Friday, August 14, 2009
It's weight loss time
This week I have been much better about eating properly and working out, and I've lost about three pounds so far. I'm now using the Daily Plate at LIVESTRONG.COM to track my intake and exercise. It's free and pretty robust. This morning I went through my day planner and input my weights for every month I had a record, then generated the following graph:
I'm hoping I can draw some conclusions from this, or at least use it as motivation. One thing that is immediately clear is that when I lost 50 pounds last year, I lost it in a healthy way--slow and steady. That's what I want to do now.
I'm hoping I can draw some conclusions from this, or at least use it as motivation. One thing that is immediately clear is that when I lost 50 pounds last year, I lost it in a healthy way--slow and steady. That's what I want to do now.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Today's workout
Normally I put my workouts on Twitter, but this one was kind of long so I figured I'd do it here.
After I finished running through that ridiculous routine, I showered off and got in the outdoor pool for a few minutes. They cleared the pool not long after I got in, so I got in the hot tub for a bit...and then I finally came home :)
This is the first time I've gone to the gym on Saturday. It was a great experience overall. There were times that I got kind of bored, but that euphoric feeling, and the wonderful feeling of accomplishment, make it worth it.
- 10 mins treadmill on interval mode, at 3.6mph
- 2 sets of one minute bicep curls with 8lb weights
- 2 sets of one minute tricep kickbacks with 8lb weights
- 2 sets of one minute dumbbell rows with 5lb weights
- 2 sets of one minute lateral raises with 5lb weights
- 10 mins stationary bike on interval mode
- 1 set of one minute bicep curls with 8lb weights
- 1 set of one minute tricep kickbacks with 8lb weights
- 1 set of one minute dumbbell rows with 5lb weights
- 1 set of one minute lateral raises with 5lb weights
- 3 sets leg presses with 130lb weight
- 3 sets back extensions on machine (not sure what weight)
- 10 mins AMT on interval mode (9 and 5)
- 3 sets lat pulldowns on machine (not sure what weight)
- 30 seconds of attempting to push up into tent position with legs on an exercise ball and hands on the floor
- 3 sets of lying on my back tossing and catching a medicine ball
- 60/50/50 crunches
- 60/50/50 obliques
- 25/25/25 back raises on floor
- 25/25/25 knee pushups
- 10 mins walk/jog on treadmill
After I finished running through that ridiculous routine, I showered off and got in the outdoor pool for a few minutes. They cleared the pool not long after I got in, so I got in the hot tub for a bit...and then I finally came home :)
This is the first time I've gone to the gym on Saturday. It was a great experience overall. There were times that I got kind of bored, but that euphoric feeling, and the wonderful feeling of accomplishment, make it worth it.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Getting toned
I was looking back through my "health"-tagged posts and realized I haven't talked about what I've been doing lately.
The last weight I recorded here on my blog was 217. I'm sorry to say that I'm up to 230. I know some of that must be muscle, but it's still been hard to see that number show up every time I've weighed in the last few weeks. I wasn't very vigilant about eating right while on vacation, and I didn't work out, either. But now I'm back on track, and I'm hoping that a new workout routine, plus packing my lunches, plus Sean and my decision to eat more home-cooked meals, will result in some weight loss.
When I got back from England, it was the middle of the week. I decided to just not worry about anything other than unpacking, organizing, and getting resettled at work. I didn't even see my trainer until the following Tuesday. But starting at that point I began to build some good habits.
Every weekday I have been getting up sometime between 6 and 7. On days when I don't see my trainer I go to the gym earlier than 8 and do 20-30 minutes of cardio, some strength training with free weights and machines, then some ab and back work. If I've made it to the gym early enough, I then go swimming for a bit, and sometimes even have time to sit in the hot tub afterwards. I leave at 9, the same time as I leave when I do see my trainer, which gives me just enough time to get home, shower, pack a lunch, and head out the door.
The first week I was pretty good about packing a lunch, but last week I slipped and this week has been kind of stressful, so I ended up eating out more than I should have. Still, I'm proud that I haven't missed a single workout on the weekdays. I'm hoping to start working out on Saturday, too, but at my trainer's suggestion I'll leave Sunday as a day of rest.
To save money, I'm quitting Weight Watchers and have started using The Daily Plate at LiveStrong.com to track my food and exercise. The UI isn't great, but the food database is exceptional, and I can use the iPhone application without having to be online.
I've already noticed that my arms and legs seem more toned. My trainer says my waist is more toned as well. I can't tell, but I hope it's true! I think I'm on the road to making real progress, rather than just talking about wishing I was.
The last weight I recorded here on my blog was 217. I'm sorry to say that I'm up to 230. I know some of that must be muscle, but it's still been hard to see that number show up every time I've weighed in the last few weeks. I wasn't very vigilant about eating right while on vacation, and I didn't work out, either. But now I'm back on track, and I'm hoping that a new workout routine, plus packing my lunches, plus Sean and my decision to eat more home-cooked meals, will result in some weight loss.
When I got back from England, it was the middle of the week. I decided to just not worry about anything other than unpacking, organizing, and getting resettled at work. I didn't even see my trainer until the following Tuesday. But starting at that point I began to build some good habits.
Every weekday I have been getting up sometime between 6 and 7. On days when I don't see my trainer I go to the gym earlier than 8 and do 20-30 minutes of cardio, some strength training with free weights and machines, then some ab and back work. If I've made it to the gym early enough, I then go swimming for a bit, and sometimes even have time to sit in the hot tub afterwards. I leave at 9, the same time as I leave when I do see my trainer, which gives me just enough time to get home, shower, pack a lunch, and head out the door.
The first week I was pretty good about packing a lunch, but last week I slipped and this week has been kind of stressful, so I ended up eating out more than I should have. Still, I'm proud that I haven't missed a single workout on the weekdays. I'm hoping to start working out on Saturday, too, but at my trainer's suggestion I'll leave Sunday as a day of rest.
To save money, I'm quitting Weight Watchers and have started using The Daily Plate at LiveStrong.com to track my food and exercise. The UI isn't great, but the food database is exceptional, and I can use the iPhone application without having to be online.
I've already noticed that my arms and legs seem more toned. My trainer says my waist is more toned as well. I can't tell, but I hope it's true! I think I'm on the road to making real progress, rather than just talking about wishing I was.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The real issue with swine flu/H1N1 flu/whatever's PC now
The main reason health officials are worried about H1N1 is not because it is somehow deadlier than other flus. The flu is pretty deadly. It kills around the same number of Americans each year as car accidents. That's why we have flu vaccines; we try to predict which flu strain will be the most common and then prepare ourselves for it.
The issue with swine flu is that we don't yet have a vaccine. We had no idea it was coming, so we were unprepared. As with any other flu, people who are very old, very young, and who have health conditions are the most at risk of actually dying, but anyone is in danger if they don't take care of themselves.
Because we weren't prepared for this, there's more of a chance that it will affect more people. And the more people who end up sick, the harder it is for the nation to go about its business. If no one at a certain factory is able to work, for example, that's a huge hit to that company and to all the other companies that depend on it. If police, firemen, doctors, and/or nurses get sick, that's a safety issue. We need to have enough healthy, well people in our society to function.
So you can stop worrying about dying from swine flu. Instead, worry about staying healthy. Wash your hands and encourage others to. Eat right, get enough rest. And don't let fear of the flu cripple your life.
The issue with swine flu is that we don't yet have a vaccine. We had no idea it was coming, so we were unprepared. As with any other flu, people who are very old, very young, and who have health conditions are the most at risk of actually dying, but anyone is in danger if they don't take care of themselves.
Because we weren't prepared for this, there's more of a chance that it will affect more people. And the more people who end up sick, the harder it is for the nation to go about its business. If no one at a certain factory is able to work, for example, that's a huge hit to that company and to all the other companies that depend on it. If police, firemen, doctors, and/or nurses get sick, that's a safety issue. We need to have enough healthy, well people in our society to function.
So you can stop worrying about dying from swine flu. Instead, worry about staying healthy. Wash your hands and encourage others to. Eat right, get enough rest. And don't let fear of the flu cripple your life.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Stay away from the farm: Swine flu
If you've been sick recently, doubtless someone has joked, "Maybe it's swine flu!" The name may be funny, but the issue is serious. The virus is spreading and has already killed.
While it probably started in pigs, it's obviously moving human to human now. So while avoiding pigs and birds is a no-brainer, there are other things you'll want to do as well. Wash your hands, take your vitamins, try not to touch your mouth or nose, and stay away from sick people if you can. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and exercising. If you do get sick, don't go to school or work. There is no vaccine, so be careful!
Here's some general information about the outbreak.
Here's some general information about swine flu from the CDC.
Here's more specific information about the current outbreak from the CDC.
Here's the CDC's main page about swine flu, with links to more resources.
Here's an interactive map of locations where swine flu has been reported and confirmed.
And here's a dose of reality. Do some research before you freak out! Remember, you can't get swine flu from eating pork--it's a flu virus. Just do what you would normally do to avoid getting sick, and pay attention to whether or not swine flu has been reported in your area.
While it probably started in pigs, it's obviously moving human to human now. So while avoiding pigs and birds is a no-brainer, there are other things you'll want to do as well. Wash your hands, take your vitamins, try not to touch your mouth or nose, and stay away from sick people if you can. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and exercising. If you do get sick, don't go to school or work. There is no vaccine, so be careful!
Here's some general information about the outbreak.
Here's some general information about swine flu from the CDC.
Here's more specific information about the current outbreak from the CDC.
Here's the CDC's main page about swine flu, with links to more resources.
Here's an interactive map of locations where swine flu has been reported and confirmed.
And here's a dose of reality. Do some research before you freak out! Remember, you can't get swine flu from eating pork--it's a flu virus. Just do what you would normally do to avoid getting sick, and pay attention to whether or not swine flu has been reported in your area.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Setting a routine
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, I see my personal trainer at 8am. This causes me to adhere to a strict morning schedule. Unfortunately, on other days I am less rigid. On weekdays this means I might sleep in and not work out at all. On weekends I likely won't do anything productive.
I've decided that the best way to make sure I'm on track each day is to set up a routine that I'll do every morning, regardless of what day it is. I can then add items to my evening and weekend schedule as appropriate.
Here's a rough draft of what I'm thinking:
7am-8am: Wake up, do a little reading, get dressed in workout clothes.
8am-9am: Work out, either with N or on my own.
9am-9:30am: Shower and pack lunch.
9:30am-10am: Commute.
10am-7pm: Work. Try to get in a photowalk at lunch :)
7pm-7:30pm: Commute.
7:30pm-9pm: Work on projects.
9pm-11pm: Goof off.
11pm-7am: Sleep.
I've decided that the best way to make sure I'm on track each day is to set up a routine that I'll do every morning, regardless of what day it is. I can then add items to my evening and weekend schedule as appropriate.
Here's a rough draft of what I'm thinking:
7am-8am: Wake up, do a little reading, get dressed in workout clothes.
8am-9am: Work out, either with N or on my own.
9am-9:30am: Shower and pack lunch.
9:30am-10am: Commute.
10am-7pm: Work. Try to get in a photowalk at lunch :)
7pm-7:30pm: Commute.
7:30pm-9pm: Work on projects.
9pm-11pm: Goof off.
11pm-7am: Sleep.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Second measurement data
Submitted without comment (because I have no time and because I'm annoyed), here are my measurements from today alongside my measurements from last time.
| Height (in) | 63.3 | 63.3 | - |
| Weight (lbs) | 214 | 217.2 | +3.2 |
| Chest Girth (in) | 45 | 45.25 | -.25 |
| Abdomen Girth (in) | 40.75 | 41.5 | +.75 |
| Waist Girth (in) | 40.5 | 40 | -.5 |
| Hips Girth (in) | 49 | 49.5 | +.5 |
| Waist to Hip Ratio | .83 | .8265 | -.003 |
| Bicep Girth R (in) | 14.2 | 15 | +.8 |
| Thigh Girth R (in) | 26 | 25.875 | -.125 |
| Calf Girth R (in) | 16.5 | 16.625 | +.125 |
| Body Mass Index (BMI) | 37.5 | 38.4 | +.9 |
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Negative, of course
Today, it's over a week since the day my period would have started, if I were on a normal cycle. I wouldn't even know this, but it happened that I had two cycles recently, exactly 30 days apart. That hasn't happened to me without the application of hormone therapy since before I had cancer.
It didn't take much for me to begin to hope that my reproductive cycle had recovered somehow. So I waited to see if I would have period #3. And waited, and waited. If a week goes by, I told myself, I'll take a pregnancy test.
This morning I took two. Just in case.
They both rather quickly came back with the "Not Pregnant" message.
As you might imagine, I had been hoping for more than a regular cycle. I hoped that the missed period not only meant I was normal again, but that I was fertile.
I seem unable to keep from hoping.
It is a good sign that I had two periods in a row. Maybe I will have another one at some point. Maybe if I can get back into my healthy habits and lose some more weight, I'll be able to have them regularly again.
That won't mean I'm fertile, though. After all, I did undergo hormone therapy. That should have helped me get pregnant, if it were possible. It didn't happen, and that is likely my answer. Even if my ovaries do recover, it's likely that none of my eggs are viable.
I've known all of this for years, though, and it doesn't matter. I'll probably keep on hoping until I'm 50.
It didn't take much for me to begin to hope that my reproductive cycle had recovered somehow. So I waited to see if I would have period #3. And waited, and waited. If a week goes by, I told myself, I'll take a pregnancy test.
This morning I took two. Just in case.
They both rather quickly came back with the "Not Pregnant" message.
As you might imagine, I had been hoping for more than a regular cycle. I hoped that the missed period not only meant I was normal again, but that I was fertile.
I seem unable to keep from hoping.
It is a good sign that I had two periods in a row. Maybe I will have another one at some point. Maybe if I can get back into my healthy habits and lose some more weight, I'll be able to have them regularly again.
That won't mean I'm fertile, though. After all, I did undergo hormone therapy. That should have helped me get pregnant, if it were possible. It didn't happen, and that is likely my answer. Even if my ovaries do recover, it's likely that none of my eggs are viable.
I've known all of this for years, though, and it doesn't matter. I'll probably keep on hoping until I'm 50.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Pain
My mother-in-law had a back injury when she was in her late teens/early 20s that has caused problems for her ever since. Things have gotten progressively worse for her over the years. She has had multiple neck and back surgeries. As it stands now, she is in so much pain that she can't sleep. There is no comfortable position. She can barely go anywhere. Just getting ready to leave exhausts her. Her hands continually shake.
She underwent physical therapy for months, including traction, massage, the application of heat and cold, and electrostimulation. She says these things weren't much help at all. What does help are shots administered by a pain specialist, but either they are done inaccurately (without the use of X-ray) or accurately with the risk of blood clots. And the shots are very expensive. In her condition she can't work.
Her doctors refuse to prescribe pain medicine any stronger than Tylenol, for fear of addiction.
She saw her neurologist this week and got the strong impression that there's nothing more that can be done for her.
This is wrong. No one should have to live like this.
I don't know what to do or how to help.
She underwent physical therapy for months, including traction, massage, the application of heat and cold, and electrostimulation. She says these things weren't much help at all. What does help are shots administered by a pain specialist, but either they are done inaccurately (without the use of X-ray) or accurately with the risk of blood clots. And the shots are very expensive. In her condition she can't work.
Her doctors refuse to prescribe pain medicine any stronger than Tylenol, for fear of addiction.
She saw her neurologist this week and got the strong impression that there's nothing more that can be done for her.
This is wrong. No one should have to live like this.
I don't know what to do or how to help.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
I hate this
I've fallen out of all my good habits. It only took a couple of weeks to destroy several months' work. I'm not exercising much at all and I'm eating crap. I feel like I'm stuck in a cycle of unhealthiness and depression. Whenever I try to start fresh, whether using Weight Watchers or something else, I find myself slipping up almost immediately.
I hate this.
I hate this.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Data
I was very "Oh, I'm so awesome!" in my New Year's Resolution post, but since then I haven't been awesome at all. I can place some of the blame on two unexpected periods, and some of the blame on cold weather that discouraged me from getting on the bike...but these are excuses, not reasons. The fact is that I have been lazy.
I've also been weak; the photos on this blog can attest to that. Look at all the crap I've been eating! I've fallen back into my old habits, where I feel bad, so I eat, and then I feel bad about eating, so I eat more.
If this doesn't stop I'm never going to lose any more weight. In fact, I'll gain it all back.
It's gotten to the point that I hate looking at myself in the mirror. I haven't felt this way in a long time.
I'm posting this in the hopes that it will serve as fresh motivation. Last week I started going to a personal trainer; we did measurements, and they are as follows:
I've also been weak; the photos on this blog can attest to that. Look at all the crap I've been eating! I've fallen back into my old habits, where I feel bad, so I eat, and then I feel bad about eating, so I eat more.
If this doesn't stop I'm never going to lose any more weight. In fact, I'll gain it all back.
It's gotten to the point that I hate looking at myself in the mirror. I haven't felt this way in a long time.
I'm posting this in the hopes that it will serve as fresh motivation. Last week I started going to a personal trainer; we did measurements, and they are as follows:
| Biometrics | |
|---|---|
| Height (in) | 63.3 |
| Weight (lbs) | 214 |
| Chest Girth (in) | 45 |
| Abdomen Girth (in) | 40.75 |
| Waist Girth (in) | 40.5 |
| Hips Girth (in) | 49 |
| Waist to Hip Ratio | .83 |
| Bicep Girth R (in) | 14.2 |
| Thigh Girth R (in) | 26 |
| Calf Girth R (in) | 16.5 |
| Body Mass Index (BMI) | 37.5 |
| Body Composition | |
| 3 Site Skinfold | 25.2% |
| Lean Body Mass | 160 lbs |
| Sum of Skinfolds | 67.5 |
Monday, February 9, 2009
A horrible day turns good, then weird (TMI)
Today I felt terrible. I was on the verge of tears well into early afternoon, and then I actually did cry.
It started with my new, poorly-researched diet plan. I had had high hopes for the iPhone application Dietician, and what happy changes it might bring to my life. I got up at 7 and fiddled around until around 8:15 and then went shopping to get the groceries to follow Dietician's plan for this week.
And already I'd hit a stumbling block. Dietician's shopping lists are "today", or today plus 7 or 14 days. Think about the logistics of shopping for today's meals for a minute. So I'm supposed to go to the grocery store before breakfast, and then cook everything that needs to be cooked when I get back, before work?
I ran around the store in a frenzy, trying to get everything on the list, which was very inconveniently not sorted by grocery store section. Making matters more difficult was the fact that the amount of each food item was not totaled up; I had to do it in my head as I went. I had known about these cons to the program when I bought it, but I hadn't realized just how much of a pain they were going to be until I actually tried it.
I got as many of the items as I could before I realized I was way out of time--another con: when you have Dietician open, you can't see the clock! Then I checked out and hurried home and threw everything into the refrigerator and freezer. Of course, I had no time to prepare the recipes that were assigned for today. So I gave up and tossed cereal and my leftover meatloaf sandwich half in my lunch box and flew off to work.
I hadn't had anything to eat and the new diet plan I'd had such high hopes for had turned out to be a disaster. Those were perfectly good reasons to be upset, and so I figured that was all it was. I was as pleasant as I could possibly be to everyone--fortunately I wasn't in one of my evil moods, just a very self-piteous one. But I had trouble concentrating and ended up eating what I'd packed for lunch almost immediately, and then, over my late lunch break, I decided to escape to Boll Weevil. I started crying almost as soon as I got into my car and the tears didn't stop until I got there.
Originally I figured I'd eat something ridiculously bad for me that I hadn't allowed myself to eat in awhile, but after that meatloaf sandwich I really didn't feel up to it, so I ended up having a salad with chicken salad on top. The chicken salad was a treat; I've hardly ever had it in the past year due to all the mayonnaise. Then I decided I wanted cake. Big gooey all chocolate cake. So I ordered a slice of Perfect Chocolate Cake, which is really the equivalent of two or three pieces, and ate quite a bit of it.
It was simply amazing how I felt about a half hour after that. My concentration returned. I was smiling. I felt productive. I had honestly expected to be even more miserable due to guilt over eating so much bad-for-me food, but that feeling was nowhere to be found. I felt...happy.
I finished up some niggling tasks and laid out a plan for tomorrow. Finally it was time to leave. I stopped in the bathroom on my way out...and that's when I discovered what might account for it all.
Blood. Just a trace.
"You're kidding," I said aloud. I double-checked. "You're not kidding."
When I got home I looked at my calendar. I'd had a period in January that lasted nine days. It had started on January 10--30 days ago.
This could very well be a regular cycle.
You must understand, I have not had normal periods without the assistance of hormone medication since before I had cancer in 1997. I have occasionally had periods, but each one was isolated, with the next coming months or years later.
I am still having trouble believing that I'm having one now, so soon after the last. So...normally!
It is obviously premature to assume this means anything, other than perhaps that my weight loss efforts have helped my whole body become healthier. But if you know me, you know that my thoughts immediately went to the possibility of children. Try as I might, I can't imagine that I'll give up all hope until I'm too old.
For now, though, I'm concentrating on immediate truths: that ultimately this is a good thing, that I'm getting healthier, that there's nothing wrong with me...and that I can cure PMS with chocolate.
I wish I could go back in time and comfort mid-afternoon me, who sat in her car wailing "Why does this keep happening to me?" with tears streaming down her face.
It's okay, me. It's just your period.
It started with my new, poorly-researched diet plan. I had had high hopes for the iPhone application Dietician, and what happy changes it might bring to my life. I got up at 7 and fiddled around until around 8:15 and then went shopping to get the groceries to follow Dietician's plan for this week.
And already I'd hit a stumbling block. Dietician's shopping lists are "today", or today plus 7 or 14 days. Think about the logistics of shopping for today's meals for a minute. So I'm supposed to go to the grocery store before breakfast, and then cook everything that needs to be cooked when I get back, before work?
I ran around the store in a frenzy, trying to get everything on the list, which was very inconveniently not sorted by grocery store section. Making matters more difficult was the fact that the amount of each food item was not totaled up; I had to do it in my head as I went. I had known about these cons to the program when I bought it, but I hadn't realized just how much of a pain they were going to be until I actually tried it.
I got as many of the items as I could before I realized I was way out of time--another con: when you have Dietician open, you can't see the clock! Then I checked out and hurried home and threw everything into the refrigerator and freezer. Of course, I had no time to prepare the recipes that were assigned for today. So I gave up and tossed cereal and my leftover meatloaf sandwich half in my lunch box and flew off to work.
I hadn't had anything to eat and the new diet plan I'd had such high hopes for had turned out to be a disaster. Those were perfectly good reasons to be upset, and so I figured that was all it was. I was as pleasant as I could possibly be to everyone--fortunately I wasn't in one of my evil moods, just a very self-piteous one. But I had trouble concentrating and ended up eating what I'd packed for lunch almost immediately, and then, over my late lunch break, I decided to escape to Boll Weevil. I started crying almost as soon as I got into my car and the tears didn't stop until I got there.
Originally I figured I'd eat something ridiculously bad for me that I hadn't allowed myself to eat in awhile, but after that meatloaf sandwich I really didn't feel up to it, so I ended up having a salad with chicken salad on top. The chicken salad was a treat; I've hardly ever had it in the past year due to all the mayonnaise. Then I decided I wanted cake. Big gooey all chocolate cake. So I ordered a slice of Perfect Chocolate Cake, which is really the equivalent of two or three pieces, and ate quite a bit of it.
It was simply amazing how I felt about a half hour after that. My concentration returned. I was smiling. I felt productive. I had honestly expected to be even more miserable due to guilt over eating so much bad-for-me food, but that feeling was nowhere to be found. I felt...happy.
I finished up some niggling tasks and laid out a plan for tomorrow. Finally it was time to leave. I stopped in the bathroom on my way out...and that's when I discovered what might account for it all.
Blood. Just a trace.
"You're kidding," I said aloud. I double-checked. "You're not kidding."
When I got home I looked at my calendar. I'd had a period in January that lasted nine days. It had started on January 10--30 days ago.
This could very well be a regular cycle.
You must understand, I have not had normal periods without the assistance of hormone medication since before I had cancer in 1997. I have occasionally had periods, but each one was isolated, with the next coming months or years later.
I am still having trouble believing that I'm having one now, so soon after the last. So...normally!
It is obviously premature to assume this means anything, other than perhaps that my weight loss efforts have helped my whole body become healthier. But if you know me, you know that my thoughts immediately went to the possibility of children. Try as I might, I can't imagine that I'll give up all hope until I'm too old.
For now, though, I'm concentrating on immediate truths: that ultimately this is a good thing, that I'm getting healthier, that there's nothing wrong with me...and that I can cure PMS with chocolate.
I wish I could go back in time and comfort mid-afternoon me, who sat in her car wailing "Why does this keep happening to me?" with tears streaming down her face.
It's okay, me. It's just your period.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Reboot
Lately I have had a hard time maintaining healthy habits. I've been crushed by a need to lose more weight now, and that has locked me into a cycle of disappointment and bad choices. I tried to stay positive, but each day my weigh-in has made me more and more depressed. This last week, to avoid that feeling, I decided to only weigh in on Mondays...but I ended up making very poor food choices this week, including lots of chocolate and grease. I haven't weighed in and I'm not looking forward to it.
I've decided that the only way to get out of this self-destructive pattern is a hard reboot. I need to just start over. I need to throw out the weight loss of 2008 as if it never happened, and start from zero. I need to eliminate the pressure of past success and focus on being healthy.
To that end, I am downloading an iPhone application called "Dietician". I can enter my current weight, my goal weight, and what type of diet I want, and this application will generate recipes, a meal schedule, and shopping lists for me. Rather than feeling bad that I never have the time or motivation to create my own meal plan system, I can simply follow this application's advice and start shopping and cooking smarter. Here's a review of the app where you can get more information.
I am also going to start thinking about how to vary my workout routine more. For the past two weeks I've been trying to ride my bike every morning, but on days when it was too cold or I had muscle strain I ended up not doing anything. My plan now is to start working with a personal trainer at the Y and get a varied, targeted workout schedule set up.
I can't just keep doing the same things, and I can't let myself continue to be discouraged. It's time for proaction. It's time to reboot.
I've decided that the only way to get out of this self-destructive pattern is a hard reboot. I need to just start over. I need to throw out the weight loss of 2008 as if it never happened, and start from zero. I need to eliminate the pressure of past success and focus on being healthy.
To that end, I am downloading an iPhone application called "Dietician". I can enter my current weight, my goal weight, and what type of diet I want, and this application will generate recipes, a meal schedule, and shopping lists for me. Rather than feeling bad that I never have the time or motivation to create my own meal plan system, I can simply follow this application's advice and start shopping and cooking smarter. Here's a review of the app where you can get more information.
I am also going to start thinking about how to vary my workout routine more. For the past two weeks I've been trying to ride my bike every morning, but on days when it was too cold or I had muscle strain I ended up not doing anything. My plan now is to start working with a personal trainer at the Y and get a varied, targeted workout schedule set up.
I can't just keep doing the same things, and I can't let myself continue to be discouraged. It's time for proaction. It's time to reboot.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
A salad that will not destroy today's points total
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