I Can Do This!

Spent some time cleaning, vacuuming & dusting the treadmill and vicinity in the basement today. We have 3 cats down there, so they track cat litter dust everywhere. Plus there were cobwebs and general dust everywhere. The treadmill is quite old, but it still works. The programs are limited, but today and yesterday I enjoyed the 30 minute interval program with 3.6 as my max mph. It seems pretty lame as I don't even have to run, but I did get a work out. I'm going to aim for most every day to go down there. I put an old pair of sneakers, so when I wake up, I can put on a pair of socks and go straight down there. I'm going to try to load an audio book into my mp3 player now and leave that down there, so I'll be all set. I weighed in at 129.5, and that seems really high.

At the doctor's the other day, I weighed in at 138! What is up with that? I know I gain weight as the day goes on and as I get dressed, but 8 pounds??!!?? Some of my dress pants are seeming a bit tight around the middle. Yuck!! Must do something about that.

I had a bowling appetizer party and I bought peppers. I loved them! I also honestly enjoyed a simple salad for two meals this weekend... with fresh mozzarella, yum! I made a chicken sausage, cannellini bean, and Kale soup for dinner exchange & that's pretty good! The Kale is a superfood, so I'm proud to be eating & serving that! We were out all three nights this weekend... fun, but tiring!!

OK, let's see if I can really purchase and download an audio book & then get it onto my mp3 player... on your mark, get set... go!

OK, OK, I'll Go...

I started running at age 39 and now at 44 I'm still barely getting started. I was recently run/walking 2-3 miles every other day, but with the cold weather, I've just sort of stopped. I don't have an appealing treadmill, but I'm thinking I might as better resurrect it so that I can use it when the weather is formidable. I actually have good warm gear and have run through the winter before, so I know I can do it. I've been feeling lowly and slight-sickly recently too, so there are my excuses. Sorry to dump.

When I stop I think, "I'm not a runner". When I run I think, "Well, I'm out here, so I guess I'm a runner... of sorts." Even when I'm on a good stretch of habit, I wait for the urge/stamina to run further/faster, and it really doesn't come or it's so hardly noticeable. I keep thinking I'll build up gradually to a 'respectable' distance/time/frequency, but it hasn't happened yet. Now as I get older (yes, 44 feels old much of the time) I'm resigned to be content with walking since I can get my heart rate up and a really good feeling after a walk anyway.

All that to say... I'm suited up here at my computer in the 6:00 A.M. hour... temperature is in the 20's outside and.... here I go. I am once again determined to be an active fit adult. Thanks for listening,

Winter Slugs

It's not even winter, but I'm feeling lazy and skipping workouts. It's cold, damp, and I've been waking up with a headache for a few days now. This happens almost every month at a given time. Yuck! I really don't like cold weather. My treadmill is gross and disgusting downstairs, covered in junk and dust, and dirt. Plus it is downstairs in a yucky setting, plus there is NO TV that works down there. I would use and love a good treadmill upstairs in front of a TV or book I could enjoy.

On our trip to Philadelphia, the Hotel was affiliated with and connected to a world-class fitness club. This place was amazing and posh!!! I enjoyed the treadmill and nautilus once by myself. On the limited kids hours we all played basketball in their full sized gymnasium and then racketball. That went really well and it was fun. Jane & I enjoyed the spa showers and I dipped in the adult-only hot tub. Todd & Andrew swam in the olympic-sized (supposedly) pool. It was a laps only pool and didn't appeal to me. Somehow getting almost naked, and cold, and cold-wet, just to exert myself doesn't appeal to me. I aim for cozy warm plush chairs with a good book.

My weight is OK, though I did cross that 130 lb. line yesterday morning. I am slowing down on amount of food. I'll try. I love to eat and I love to munch. I think portion size control will help a lot. I've toyed with the idea of leaving a bite of food on my plate all the time. I tried once or twice but it didn't catch on. I have such a strong urge to clean my plate, whether I'm hungry for it or not. I know I should stop when I'm full, but it is freakishly difficult if there is still good food in front of me. Take popcorn for instance... there is no way on earth that I need to eat a whole bag by myself... but I usually always do. If I leave some in the bag it takes monumental effort and I seem to feel I deserve a trophy for it. OK, I'll try harder!!

Plus, when I go to Tim Horton's this A.M. I should be able to order a BELT without the B. So what if I'm paying for it? Egg and cheese on a bagel is plenty of food for me!!! OK gotta go!