Let’s encourage each other!

Gayle 2012/03/14
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I wrote on Saturday about milestones and looking at the markers to be sure we were following the path we intended. I shared that my next post would be my 300th post. And that I wanted to examine the path of this site.  I have given much contemplation and anticipated a major announcement on ‘where this site is going’ for today’s post; I anticipated an A-HA moment when I had a prophetic revelation that would lead me to say…

So here is the deal my people….we are embarking on a WHOLE NEW journey!

I LOVE SAVAGE CHICKENS

Instead, I will tell you that my quest for average has taken me to the gym. Yes, as you read this (8am Wednesday March 14) I am at Planet Fitness! I’m sweating! I am encouraging endorphins into my brain! {In case you need a refresher on why endorphins are important – “Endorphins are neurotransmitters produced in the brain that reduce pain,” says Alan Hirsch, MD, neurological director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago. “They have also been known to induce euphoria.”} It is doubtful I will feel euphoric when I arrive at work today, but I have great hope that by next Wednesday I will be embracing a new habit.

I will tell you that while I love sharing via this blog about personal matters, my weekends of history / photography, my memories, and other ramblings but I want to get back to sharing with you about goals, about the power of positive, and about the influence of social media. The latter takes more effort on my part, but I think (hope) it will create a more productive experience for both of us.

I will tell you that what I really love is to hear your comments.

Let’s encourage each other!

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Things are Getting Zippy

Gayle 2012/02/18
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It is Saturday and the day I am to check in with you on my quest for average. I am happy and proud to report that I have been consistent with my walking! I walked Monday, Wednesday and Friday after lunch. I walked 1.1 miles each day and my time ranged from approximately 30 minutes on Monday to 24 minutes on Friday (I was puffing pretty hard after Friday’s walk).

I am sad to report that I did not add in any weight training this week. I experience some low back pain after walking, which I think is related to my surgery and my core muscles building back. I think I need to work those core muscles to help them strengthen.

Several years ago I bought an Ab Roller. It really did give me great abs and a flat stomach. I think it may be time to get that thing out of the closet and see if I can build up some muscles!

In December when I was still holding my insides in as I walked, I decided when I was better that I wanted to ride a Zipline as the true and final “I’m better” moment. I began calling it my Zip Quest. Little did I know at the time but there is actually a place called ZipQuest in Fayetteville (less than 2 hours from me). As soon as I began my research, they have been my goal! Well, this past week, I set my ZipQuest date – April 1st.

Come Zip with me!

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Let the Games Begin

Gayle 2012/02/11
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Today is the day I am supposed to check in on my quest for average. Sadly my quest is much more of a think about average at the moment. On Monday I was given clearance from my Doctor for ‘all normal activity’. I was also started on an Iron Supplement. The good news of the iron supplement is that I expect to have greater energy levels in the near future. The bad news of the iron supplement is that my stomach is NOT happy!

However I did walk twice this week. The distance was the same but the pace was faster! I hope to walk today.

My visit to the doctor’s office also reveled that I have gained back almost all the weight I lost while sick. It’s time to kick this into high gear! So here’s the 12-week plan!

EXERCISE

1- Cardio 3 days a week adding in Fartlek training to my walks;

2- Weight Training – 3 days a week (gym membership paid)

DIET

I’ll be following a Body for Life type eating plan which includes:

  • Eating 6 smaller meals per day instead of the standard 3 large meals. Eating one “portion” of carbohydrates and one “portion” of protein at each meal.
  • Consuming vegetables with at least two meals per day.
  • Limiting consumption of butter, cheese, mayonnaise, alcoholic beverages, and high fat salad dressings.
  • Allowance of one “free day” each week. A free day is one day a week in which the person is allowed to make dietary choices that do not correspond with the eating program. This allows the body to avoid the Starvation response and gives the dieter a chance to avoid cheating since they know they simply have to wait until their free day to have what they crave.

JOURNAL

I’ll be keeping a daily journal of my successes and failures – I won’t bore you with all the details but I will give you the weekly summary.

The last day of my 12-week program will be May 6, 2012. Let the games begin!

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Getting off the Couch

Gayle 2012/02/04
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As promised, here is my Saturday update on my quest for average. But first let me inspire you with a commercial that you will see in tomorrows quest for the NFL Title:


If that doesn’t inspire you to get off the couch and chase cars, nothing will :)

Now back to me! On the first – I let the day slip away without walking (first day failure).  I rallied on  day two and scheduled time to walk after lunch. I walked 0.7 miles at a pleasant pace (Jenn and Marshall were kind enough to walk with me). Four months ago this would have been an easy task but it was no piece of cake for my first day. On day three my distance was the same and although I’ll claim my pace was faster – it too was probably the same :) Although for day three, I walked with Jenn and three dogs (one of which, mostly Wrigley, I held the leash). Walking holding a dog’s leash works an entirely different muscle group (upper body) which I think will be great for my overall health.

I’m calling the week a win! I actually got unchained from my desk and did something! In week two, I hope to add in the nutrition component.

Stay Tuned!

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There is No Shame in Starting Over

Gayle 2012/02/01
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Don't you Wish it were as Easy as Pushing a Button

If you know me, you probably know I have had a rough few months! I haven’t felt well in quite some time and in mid-October, I knew I was to the point that I needed relief! I eventually gave in and  went to the Emergency Room (no small decision for this uninsured American). Thus began my plethora of misdiagnoses. I won’t bore you with details but know that from October 14th until November 23rd I went through four incorrect diagnoses (acid reflux, UTI, diverticulitis, and abdominal abcess). On November 23rd the true culprit was found, a grapefruit size fibroid tumor.

On December 8th I had a total hysterectomy. Because of the size of the tumor, I needed a midline incision (a little harder to heal). Tomorrow will be 8 weeks since my surgery. I have encountered set backs in my healing process (including popping a stitch and opening a dime size hole in my incision over Christmas). However, over all I have healed well.

I am not big on New Years Resolutions, and my only resolution was also my only wish for Christmas and my birthday – to feel better! Nevertheless, as we head into February, I am once again embarking on my quest for average! A month ago I had lofty goals of what I would do come February. Now that February starts tomorrow, my goal is quite simple. To move and build the one thing that hasn’t bounced back – stamina!

At this point I have no illusions. I know I can be healthy and stronger in 2012. I have yet to decide just where I wish the journey to take me. I want to feel good! I want to fit comfortably in my clothes (and skin, for that matter). Mostly, I want to live and not just subsist!

I have activated my Map My Fitness account and am ready to start building my endurance. I have no doubt it will be slow progress! But I hope to remind myself, slow and steady wins the race. My aspiration is to be well enough that I can fulfill my goal of riding a Zipline in March. I’ll be checking in with you every week (probably Saturday) to let you know how it’s going.

Wish me well, or join me…be my friend on Map My Fitness, or drop me a line and join me on my ZIP QUEST 2012 (one step on my quest for average).

 

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Jawbone up Bracelet

Gayle 2011/11/03
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I found this device to be absolutely fascinating! Up will be available in the US Sunday (November 6th) for $100.

A colorful wrist band with built in sensors and a vibration motor, Jawbone Up is designed to track your eating, sleeping and exercise patterns.

Up is a tool designed to improve your lifestyle and it is designed to work with the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch via an app that can retrieve the information recorded from the wrist band; strangely via the 3.5mm headset jack. The app can then tell you a plethora or information and help you move more, sleep better and eat smarter.

Up is more than just an accessory and app, it also offers a social network where you can join challenges or set up your own. You can challenge friends to motivate them and yourself to new levels of fitness and health.

 

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