Starting Over

The last time I wrote on this blog was sometime in 2010. When I started losing weight four years ago (I think that's when it was) I was determined to keep it off. And I did so well for so long. But this past six months it has slowly but surely crept back on. No, I don't weigh what I did on that day in the doctor's office. But I've probably gained at least half of it back. And the very, very sad part is that I am now back in the same size clothes I was then. Sooooooo............today I am starting over. I'm going to keep posting here whether anybody reads this or not. This is my way of being accountable for my actions. I am going to post what I do, what I eat and how I feel. Today is my starting over day.

Long Walks

I've moved up to Dry Fork Canyon. Believe it or not, it is warmer here. Right now it is 11 in Vernal at the airport. It is 29 degrees outside my door here. It all has to do with the inversion in the valley. Complicated stuff.

I have the most beautiful places to walk up here. From the front door to the bus stop is just about a mile. I got to come home early on Thursday and walk it. Well, to be honest I did 1 1/2 miles. There are some good hills on this walk. And I get to walk outdoors again. Here are a few pics of the view I get while I walk.

Gotta Love It

You gotta love new shoes. Especially when they are a Christmas present. I walked in on Spencer wrapping presents a week or so before Christmas. He was wrapping a box and already had the paper around it. He said 'hey, this is your present from Chris.' Of course, he wouldn't let me come over and feel it or shake it. It was a good sized box. I figured it wasn't jewelry. I couldn't wait until Christmas morning to open it. What could it be?

Christmas morning after the kids did most of their presents, Spencer handed me the box. I hurried to rip the paper off. And inside that box was a beautiful white and blue pair of running shoes. Wow! He couldn't have picked me a better present. My shoes I bought last spring are so worn out. The outsides look good, but I'm learning that doesn't mean much. I did buy a pair of insoles to put in them that helped. But they just didn't feel the same when I walk or run.

Spencer told me that Chris had asked about my size and said I might need to exchange them if they weren't wide enough. So I got a pair of socks and put them on. They are snug on my feet, but not uncomfortable. I walked around in them for a couple of hours. And it felt so good to have them on. I guess when you lose weight, your feet do too. They feel so good on the treadmill. I can't wait until the weather gets better so I can get back outside. I still don't like the treadmill. It's not the same as being outdoors in the fresh air. But I just don't want to walk outside in 11 degree temperature. Guess that means I'm not quite a dedicated runner yet. But I"m working on it.

Roll Call

I'm still planning to run the 5K in Provo next July 4th. I want to know how many people are still planning on running with me. I know I haven't been posting regularly, but that is going to change. I finally hit my first major goal last month. For the first time in over 25 years the scale is under 200 lbs. I started working out on the treadmill at the rec center. I like knowing how fast I am walking. And I started adding some very slow jogging. I have a heart rate monitor to keep track of how high my heart beats. And I can get it up to 170 when I jog for 60 seconds. So I'm only during about 3 intervals jogging. But I am finding out that it is quite the high just to be able to do it at all.

So now I'm doing some serious 5K training. Any of you got some wonderful advice for me? Please share.

Back on the Band Wagon

Although I haven't been posting lately, I have been trying to get my workouts done. September was hard month around here. Bouts of colds and flu kept us all under the weather or busy taking care of sick ones. I still have s light head cold, but I'm back getting my workouts in.

I absolutely love my heart monitor. It makes riding the exercise bike so much more challenging. I don't have to ride with my hands on the handles to watch my heart rate. I love being able to keep track of how hard I'm working. And I've learned that intervals are definitely the way to work out.

The weather here has turned pretty cold in the morning. And I've so missed my walks. So this morning I got up, laced up my walking shoes and went to the rec center. I really don't like walking indoors. But since winter is fast approaching, I better get used to it. Either I walk in the mornings at the rec center or I get it done right after work when it's still a little warm. My goal is to do 3 days on the bike and 3 days walking.

I put on my heart rate monitor and my pedometer. I've tested the pedometer at the walking park, so I know it's pretty accurate. That is much easier than having to count laps. It takes about 14 to make a mile. I walked for about 25 minutes and then starting doing some short jogging intervals. It was probably only about 1/4 of the track, but it's a start. And I have to say that it did get my heart rate up. I've got to figure out a way to keep track of how many intervals I do. Not sure how to work that out. Right now I can't jog each time around the track. I jog then walk a couple laps then jog again. But it felt so good that I could even jog at all. By the end of the my 60 minutes my legs were burning. I'm sure I'll be a little sore tomorrow, but I did it. My goal has been to do 3 miles in the 60 minutes. Because of the jogs I ended up going 3.15 miles. This is so addictive. If somebody would have told me years ago that I would desperately miss my workouts, I would have told them they were stark raving mad. But I do. My days go better when I get up and workout first thing. I have learned that working out helps me mentally and emotionally as much as it does the physical. Maybe even more.

Missing My Walk

My life has been so hectic this past week. At the moment Amy has been put on bed rest, so she doesn't have her baby way too early. I told Spencer it is his job to go to work and pay the bills so we have a roof over our heads. Amy's job is to rest and let Jayden grow bigger and stronger. My job seems to be everything else. Well, at least the taking care of the kids, taking care of the animals, cooking, cleaning, laundry and doing my garden. And I'm about at the end of my rope and so stressed out.

Unfortunately at a time when I desperately need my morning walk, I haven't been able to do it. The boys always get up and run to their mom. So I want to be home to stop them and let her rest. Luckily Tony is here helping out. But I still just don't seem to be able to get that walk in. I miss it so much. Who would have thought that I would be addicted to exercise? Certainly not me.

So my goal for today is to find time to get that walk in. I prefer to walk in the morning. In order to do that, it might mean getting up way before 6 am to go.

One Whole Hour

This morning I was determined to increase the time I walk. I admit I haven't been as consistent as I should be. I generally either walk or do the bike 4-5 days a week. I have been walking about 45 minutes when I go. I got a new pedometer because I couldn't find the old one. I set the distance I step the way it told me. However, I think I'm going to check that again. Then after I got to the park I dropped it. So only about 1/2 the numbers are readable. UGGGGG!

Now back to the point is the fact that this morning, August 5th, I walked for 60 full minutes. The last ten were a lot slower than the rest of it. I was getting tired. But the satisfaction I felt when I finished was unbelievable. And that feelings is helping me get through the soreness in my legs I'm feeling.

I did it!!!