The Weather =)
The location could not be found.
|
It’s been a long last couple of weeks. I came frighteningly close to throwing in the towel. Imagine that? Who does that? Well… lots of people I suppose. I remember the first couple seasons of the biggest loser – the winners all gained their weight back. After that, the producers started incorporating mental health into the weight-loss mix and have had more success with the contestants long term weight loss. I gained four pounds. It might as well have been twenty…or forty. I’ve managed to lose it – plus one, which is a great boost to my ego but man… what a suck-ass week.
What happened? Well, it started 5 weeks ago when I threw out my back and couldn’t do ANYTHING for 5 days. Then, I had the bright idea to start the couch to 5k program over again and ONLY do that because my knees were healed and ready to run. I’m only walk/running 3 days/week and my calorie burn has gone down considerably and I didn’t factor that into my eating and the next thing you know… BAM. Mental friggin’ breakdown.
It’s quite fortuitous that I work in a mental health facility and am surrounded by great therapeutic minds. My friend and I sat and tried to figure out what went awry and we deduced that the change in routine was what through the wrench into the spokes and sent me flying. I recalled that this has happened before. Routine change has derailed many dieting attempts in the past. It wasn’t just the 5 days off, but the whole new routine that I decided to try. It seemed like such a good idea at the time. I didn’t realize it would cause such havoc with my mind. Beyond the obvious lack of calorie burning, the change actually messed with my head to the point that I considered just being satisfied with where I am right now. LOL I only have 48 pounds to get to my goal weight!
The thing with my brain is that once I understand what’s going on, I can adapt to the change. It takes a while and I usually have to push through some unpleasant things but I get there. I went out and broke some personal bests this morning during my walk/run. It’s as if my mental meltdown never happened. Everything is right as rain again.
My advice of the day? Don’t change your routine.
When something is working for you, just friggin’ stick with it. *ugh*
Didja see that little play on words there? LoL So darn clever I am.
Ok, so this morning I figured I’d see how far I have come on the Body Mass Index or BMI.
When one is obese, it means that a person is 20% or more pounds over their ideal weight. This equals a BMI of 30 or more. Morbidly obese people are at least 100 pounds overweight or have a BMI of 40 or greater.
At my starting weight, my BMI was 44. I was morbidly obese.
Currently, my BMI is 34. I’ve just crossed over from being morbidly obese to just being plain old fashioned obese. The difference is that I probably wont suddenly drop dead. I’ve left the premature death category and am now in the slow, deteriorating death area. (risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes…you know the drill)
| 18.5 or less |
Underweight |
| 18.5 to 24.99 |
Normal Weight |
| 25 to 29.99 |
Overweight |
| 30 to 34.99 |
Obesity (Class 1) |
| 35 to 39.99 |
Obesity (Class 2) |
| 40 or greater |
Morbid Obesity |
| chart from: http://www.bmi-calculator.net/ |
Note: the BMI does not differentiate between fat and muscle. If you’re a muscly person, you may not get an accurate BMI. There are other ways to measure your sveltey self. Please visit http://www.bmi-calculator.net/ to plug your information into the calculators here to figure out where you stand.
I’ve always had excellent success Googling things – finding answers to all of my questions. It seems lately, my luck has run out. It began with my brain shake which lead me all over creation. The search results suggested I had either Epilepsy or anxiety. Which it was… I have no idea.
Today, the mission was to discover what the strange, rib twisting sensation that happens from time to time is. I’m going to the chiropractor tomorrow so I’ll ask him if he knows, but I was really disappointed that I couldn’t find what I needed on the internet. I asked a few people at work if they’d experienced this phenomenon - lots had. I think it’s a plus size person experience. I never had this problem when I was thin. But even though I’m half the size that I was a few months ago, I experienced this issue the other day.
For me, it happens when I’m doing something like stomach crunches. So, anything that makes me strain my abdominal area. I could actually make it happen if I tightened my stomach really tight right now. What happens is under my right rib cage, it feels like the bottom two ribs are crossing each other like fingers. My friend described the same problem like, “it feels like my fat is getting stuck between my ribs”. The pain sends me writhing in agony until I rub it hard enough or stretch it out to make it stop. It happened to me yesterday while I was doing crunches and my ribs are sore today because of it.
I don’t know what weirdness this rib twisting thing is and no one on the interwebs seems to have a clue either. It’s not a fatty liver, gallstones, or any of the other not so benign things I found – every fat chick I interviewed experienced it. We’re not all diseased. LoL
If you’ve experienced this and have found out what it is PLEASE SHARE.
A co-worker of mine has a column in the Portsmouth Herald about running. He included an experience I shared with him in one of his articles.
Give that link a click to check it out.
Running not just about how fast or far we travel | SeacoastOnline.com.
People with weight problems know how to lose weight. It might sound strange. If they know how to lose weight then why don’t they? I don’t flippin’ know. Why didn’t I lose weight when I was slowly creeping into the 300′s? I don’t flippin’ know. I didn’t want to? That’s not true. I didn’t want to be fat.
I’ve not yet been able to put my finger on what that ‘thing’ is that makes people suddenly switch into gear. I’ve been gung-ho before with dieting. I’d lost 32 pounds a few years ago with dieting alone. No exercise whatsoever. I ate between 1200 and 1500 calories/day and lost a bunch of weight. It was a lot of work, preparing every meal, counting every calorie. I expended a ton of energy measuring, counting, substituting, mathing and shopping just to eat breakfast lunch and supper. It cost a friggin’ fortune too. Produce ain’t cheap!
Then, my schedule changed, I got laid off from work, I had a headache, I caught a cold, I (insert excuse here) and just stopped. Just like that. One day, I just said screw it. I gained it all back and at least an extra 25 pounds. What the hell is that shit about? It’s fake weight-loss. I don’t know how else to put it. I was destined to fail. I may have invested time in creating meal plans and learning how to count calories, but I didn’t invest myself in the process.
Then, the same switch was flipped – I suddenly had the desire to give this weight-loss thing a try again but this time I added exercise to the mix. I still followed my same plan as before, same amount of calories but allowed myself to cheat so long as I factored it into my total. Yep…I eat candy on occasion. I reeeeeally dig candy. When I eat it, I grab the info off the nutrition label and factor it into the day’s calories. I exercise almost daily. I’ve invested a whole lotta sweat into this weight-loss mission and I’m not so quick to think about throwing in the towel. All those days of getting up at 5am to go power walking around the beach? I cherish those calories burned. I worked hard for them. It’s real weight loss – and it stays off. (crosses fingers)
I may have failed at permanent weight-loss that first time, but I walked away from it with more knowledge than I had before, and the experience to draw from so it was not a total loss. I learned stuff…stuff that I took with me into my current weight-loss adventure.
It’s not rocket science. Ya just have to burn more calories than you consume.
Well…those are my very unscientific thoughts on that subject. LoL
Moving along…
It was my thought that if I didn’t go out and do something exercizey every day that I would end up quitting. I was probably right. I think ya really have to build up momentum and to do that, ya have to commit to the process. When I did the couch to 5 K program the first time, I went out walking in between running days. My knees were screaming bloody murder but I still went out. What a dumb-ass I was. You can tell the difference between sore muscles/joints and when something is really wrong but when you’re stubborn, (like me) you can completely ignore the obvious. My body was screaming for a break and I just wasn’t giving in.
After the 5 days off because of a back pain flare-up, my knees miraculously fixed themselves. Wacky how that happens when you stop torturing them? What an ass. I really could have messed myself up and then what? I probably would have tossed my hands up in the air and said screw it…I’m not exercising. Eh, lesson learned.
So, now I’m trying the c25k program again and what I’m discovering is that because of all of my pain before, I was never really able to push my body. Why do I know this? Because every time I go out now, I’m making personal bests. I have seen 13 minute miles two days in a row. Ive neverrrrrrr done that before. I just started week 2! I’m psyched. For the next 9 weeks, it’s my plan to ONLY go out three times/week to do this program. I’m not walking in between. I’ll do other stuff at home but my knees shall only be put through the ringer three times a week.
The problem though, is that now I have a handle on my aches and pains, but my lungs are like, “What the hell is happening out there!” They’re stinging pretty bad when I jog – especially the really speedy miles. When I got home today, I was hacking like I was still smoking cigarettes. It’s something to keep an eye on. It could be exercise induced asthma. I think its funny that I have exercise induced anything. LoL I exercise. That in itself is absolutely hysterical.
I’ll have to consult a physician. =)
First of all, 5K = 3.11 miles.
The couch to 5K program was developed by Cool Running. It is the…
“Beginner’s running schedule that has helped thousands of new runners get off the couch and onto the roads, running 3 miles in just two months.” (Cool Running)
I gave this program a try back during the first week of July 2012. I’d been walking 3 miles daily and sometimes just felt like I should run. I tried it on my own a couple times and as quoted on Cool Running’s site,
“Too many people have been turned off of running simply by trying to start off too fast. Their bodies rebel, and they wind up miserable, wondering why anyone would possibly want to do this to themselves.”
Ain’t that the truth. I’d heard of this program before so I thought I’d give it a try. It’s only 3 days/week. I figured I could just do my regular walking thing on the non c25k days. So, during July and August I worked my way through the program. When I finished, I was not running 3 miles but had gotten stuck at 2.5 miles. I’m soooo not complaining. I can run two and a half miles. LOL That’s ridiculous. I had never run anywhere except perhaps to the bathroom my entire adult life.
I did not repeat any weeks as the site suggested to do if you aren’t ready to move along to the next. Why? Because I felt like the program is designed to help you move forward whether you’re ready or not. Day one‘s were always tolerable Day two‘s always sucked really bad and day three‘s were always pretty good to sometimes even awesome. So ready or not, I moved onto the next week. I would have never left week one if I waited until I felt ready to move on. I’ve found that this is the case with lots of people I’ve spoken with in different forums. Given permission to repeat weeks, they often stall out on a particular week, never move on or quit after a few tries.
I remember my first week. Omfg what a nightmare. I’d smoked for 30 years and by July, had only about 8 months of tobacco free lungs. I was gasping for air after every one minute jog. I had a wheeze that I think was in note form, about a B sharp.
I am now starting the whole thing over again to see if I can improve my performance and maybe reach the 5K in 30 minutes goal. I really want to. I just completed week one and wowzers, I did smashing compared to the first time. I’m looking forward to progressing through the program again with more knowledge and insight into what my body is doing.
Week 1: Brisk five-minute warm-up walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Then another 5 minute cool down. It turns out to be 8 minutes of jogging. =) Day three, was awesome and I beat a personal best.
Now, things you should know… when you visit cool running’s site, it looks like you have to pay for something. You don’t. They have the schedule right there on the link I gave above. What you CAN pay for is the app for your phone via active.com – which I did. It was only a couple dollars…like maybe 2 or so. I don’t remember. Whats great about the app is that you don’t have to pay attention to your watch. A voice will tell you when to walk or jog. It’s quite lovely. I use the Sargent Block voice, which is a drill Sargent who yells at me to walk or jog. I dig that. I talk back to him from time to time.
No wonder people look at me weird when I’m out doing my thing in the morning.
=)
Back in January when I started walking, I made it my business to go out almost every day. It was like, my mission. I felt like if I didn’t go out every day, or almost every day that I would quit. I was always a bit of a quitter – especially when things stopped being fun or I didn’t see results. Don’t quit. I know, this might be your umteenthhundred try at losing weight but just because you didn’t succeed before doesn’t mean you won’t now. You have to be proactive. Take control. Do what needs to be done, even if it means standing there crying in the middle of the road – own it. Make the pain your bitch. lol (whatever that means) However you were before doesn’t mean that’s how you are today. People change. You can change.
Don’t quit.
I couldn’t go out walking for 5 days last week because I jacked up my back. I was genuinely concerned about my ability to get back on the proverbial horse. I could feel my interest level dissipating. Monday morning came and I woke up at 5 to gauge my interest in going out. What I noticed was that my knees didn’t hurt. Um…this was a big deal. I have a basket of first aid supplies that I would have to spend some time with every morning. Patella straps, ace bandages, entire knee braces…all to go out walking every day.
I decided that instead of only walking this day, I would try my hand at the couch to 5k program once again. I cleared out “Week 1 Day 1″ from my history and started from scratch. Walk 5 minutes, run 1 minute walk 1.5 minutes and continue for 20 minutes and then walk 5 more minutes for a total of 8 minutes of jogging. It was amazing. I cannot recall a single day in the last 9 months that I had no knee pain. My body really needed that break. So Tuesday, I thought I’d go out and walk. I got about a half block from my house and felt my knees. Not really painful, but I was aware of my knees. Something told me to go home. I’m so glad I listened to myself because on Wednesday, once again, I did day 2 of the c25k and I had no pain!! I took today off and can’t wait to get out there and see what I can do tomorrow.
My overall time has improved something crazy. In fact, on Wednesday I had to take a little break mid run. Not because of any leg pain, but my lungs felt as if they were caving in. I hope that gets better as I get stronger. I’m looking forward to see how far I can take this second stab at c25k. Maybe I can actually get out of the 14 minute mile range?
REST!!
Since I’ve now been informed of my osteoarthritis, I really need to try my best to be my best. I don’t want to be hunched over or in a wheel chair when I’m old. It’s such a big deal that I can now even imagine myself being old. A few months ago, that wasn’t the case. I was sure I would never become elderly. Now however, I feel as if I have no particular expiration date – so long as I keep trying to be better. Wait – I take that back. Trying isn’t enough. I have to keep progressing. That’s the mission…
Progression
Looks like I have the most common type of arthritis: osteoarthritis. Here’s a picture of the horn growing out of a disk on the right side of my lower spine.
 big ole’ horn-o-arthritis I have some more on my upper back and my tailbone is almost fused with my lowest disk. My neck is straight as a ruler and should be curved like a banana. My pelvic bones are disturbingly uneven…it’s pretty bad when you can just see where things are just not right. It’ll be a challenge getting me back on track but I have faith in my new chiropractor. He’s amazing. He even unclogged my ear today!
Anyhow, the best medicine for such a disorder is movement so when I asked the doc if it is OK if I continue with my walking/jogging regiment, he said, “You must. If you don’t, you’ll end up in a wheel chair or (he folded himself over like an L shape) you’ll walk around like this.” So… move I shall. I don’t want either of those scenarios to happen. I have to keep losing weight. It’s very important that I get this extra weight off of me.
He gave me some stretching things to do. It’s necessary for me to strengthen my quads and abs as well as stretching out my lower back and some neck traction. These are things I must do daily…no biggie. I’ll just incorporate these new activities into my morning routine. I hit up Wal-mart on the way home from work tonight and picked up a balance ball so I can let the fun begin tomorrow morning.
It sure could be a lot worse than this so I’m not complaining.
Funny thing: My boss said, “Did he take x-rays of your whole body?” I said, “From teeth to tampon.” I wasn’t too embarrassed when the doc put my films in front of the light and I could clearly see my tampon. *blush* lololol
*sigh*
I went to a new chiropractor. Quite impressive – a husband and wife team. They were really nice, super informative and very comfortable to be around.
Back pain is something that I’ve just grown accustomed to. When asked to describe my level of pain on a scale from one to ten, I often pick the lowest because I’m so used to it that it doesn’t register on the pain-o-meter to me. Every so often, like last week, my mid spine area flares up and sends me into the fetal position, crying like a baby. I didn’t walk for 5 days last week on the count of back pain. I couldn’t even lift my arms up. I’m used to this though. Every 4-6 months that level of pain occurs, hangs around for a few days and then dissipates.
I made this appointment a month ago, prior to the major back crisis. I believe in the work of the chiropractor. It all seems logical to me and I think visits to the chiropractor should be as routine as going to the dentist every 6 months. (not that I actually do that either…)
So, first thing we do at the new chiropractors office is get x-rays. These folks didn’t have your regular, run of the mill johnny’s to put on…oh no. They had drawstring shorts and t-shirts! Friggin’ cool. So after the very thorough x-ray session, I was looking at one film over the docs shoulder and saw what appeared to be a horn growing out of my spine. I said, “Uhhhh doc? What the eff is that?” It was about the size of a candy corn but not as wide at the base. He said, “Oh, that is arthritis!” I was like, “What??” He’s withholding comments until he can spend more time looking at my x-rays so we will discuss the multiple areas of arthritis on my spine, as well as the treatment plan when I return to the office tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct 3rd). I can’t wait to get the scoop on this arthritis business. A quick google search on osteoarthritis showed that the best medicine for such a thing is exactly what I’ve been doing for the last year. Walking. I need to find out if it’s ok for me to jog – not that I’ll wait for an answer before jogging or anything…
|
Inspiration in weird places: “I tried every diet in the book. I tried some that weren’t in the book. I tried eating the book. It tasted better than most of the diets.” – Dolly Parton
If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed. - 3 stooges
Hints & Tricks If you picked "Lose weight" as your new year resolution, are you still losing weight? I say BOO to new year resolutions. Resolutions can be made any time! So lets start a SPRING resolution to get healthy! Lets GO!
|
Recent Comments