The Y I attend has new weight machines, and they are very nice. I lifted in high school, took a recreational lifting after school program to learn the technique, but I haven't done much serious lifting since then. I'd do it now and again during college, and now, but with no serious frequency.
I really like these new weight machines though. They are Cybex brand, and grey/silver. I forget the model. They are more adjustable, and shiney (yes, this matters for some reason), and the free squat machine is set up such that I can't drop the weight forward on myself! I have now lifted on the new equipment twice in one week, and am enjoying getting back into lifting. Will this be a perminant addition to my workout routine? Don't know. But I do like their abs and hip ad/abductor machines as well as a good portion of the arm and leg torture - er- machines I've tried so far. I think I might try to keep up with it.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
To Kick, or not To Kick
Tonight is Kickboxing (cardio variety) at the Y. I think it starts at 4:30. I told myself I'd go to the Y 3 times a week all month. So far, so good. Secondary goal was to 3 classes this month (w/ the theory that about 1 a week would be good). So, a good choice is to the Y with me for the 4:30 Kick class. The trouble, I'm tired, and it's nice out! Most of me wants a nap (this could be because I just had lunch). The rest of me wants to play outside, with my plants! So...I could compromise, go to the Y, but not to kick...run 2 miles or do 30 min on the eliptical stepper runner thing, and then get home and play outside! I could even go home and play outside, then go back and go swimming later....hrm - but I think I'll not do that option.
Likely I'll end up doing some form of the Y first, then home, then outside. The lawn needs mowing, the weeds need pulling, and I need a trip to Target and Menards too to get outside things. Maybe I need to consider waking up earlier (yuck) and going to the Y before work (yuck) so I can get home on some nights to do things around the house (yuck yuck getting up yuck). Maybe I shouldn't blog about excercise when I'm having the lunch tummy tireds!
Update on improving softball swing: My form is getting better, but I'm still hitting so-so. Last night (we won both games of the double header - yay) I had a good hit, a good but scooped hit, and a swinging bunt that I hit so hard it only went 2 feet before stopping. I made it to base OK. There was also a walk, and getting out once or twice. I scored a few runs. The weather was lovely. More batting cages need to happen!!
Likely I'll end up doing some form of the Y first, then home, then outside. The lawn needs mowing, the weeds need pulling, and I need a trip to Target and Menards too to get outside things. Maybe I need to consider waking up earlier (yuck) and going to the Y before work (yuck) so I can get home on some nights to do things around the house (yuck yuck getting up yuck). Maybe I shouldn't blog about excercise when I'm having the lunch tummy tireds!
Update on improving softball swing: My form is getting better, but I'm still hitting so-so. Last night (we won both games of the double header - yay) I had a good hit, a good but scooped hit, and a swinging bunt that I hit so hard it only went 2 feet before stopping. I made it to base OK. There was also a walk, and getting out once or twice. I scored a few runs. The weather was lovely. More batting cages need to happen!!
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Improve Thy Mood
Have you ever had a day where you become crabby about something? What about when you are crabby about something that you can't really tell anyone why you are crabby (those involved, anyway) because your crabbiness will seem petty? What if, even if it IS petty, you have a right to be crabby? A catch-22 is it not?
Usually I give myself a stern lecture in the mirror about being crabby about things I can't change, even about being crabby in general. Being crabby changes nothing...and I try not to give into letting myself be crabby for the mood's sake, or letting a crabby behavior feel rewarding. (this is the path to the dark side, children)
Today, however, I've have given myself a time limit. I'm allowed to be crabby until tomorrow morning at 8AM. Yup, 8AM - but only for this specific reason (sorry I'm being cryptic, but no I will not write it here) and not at anyone or anything else. Then, I have to take a deep breath and let it go. I'll find a mirror if required. Because I really can't do anything, and in fact, that would make it worse.
It doesn't help that I was sick all last night and have the worst headache and backache right now. I think that is exacerbating the issue. Note to self, "chin up."
Usually I give myself a stern lecture in the mirror about being crabby about things I can't change, even about being crabby in general. Being crabby changes nothing...and I try not to give into letting myself be crabby for the mood's sake, or letting a crabby behavior feel rewarding. (this is the path to the dark side, children)
Today, however, I've have given myself a time limit. I'm allowed to be crabby until tomorrow morning at 8AM. Yup, 8AM - but only for this specific reason (sorry I'm being cryptic, but no I will not write it here) and not at anyone or anything else. Then, I have to take a deep breath and let it go. I'll find a mirror if required. Because I really can't do anything, and in fact, that would make it worse.
It doesn't help that I was sick all last night and have the worst headache and backache right now. I think that is exacerbating the issue. Note to self, "chin up."
Monday, June 08, 2009
Sleep
Sometimes, I push myself to hard. "Sometimes?" Ok, much of the time. This weekend the last few months caught up with me. I had zero energy. Saturday I managed to sleep til noon, go on a few errands, feel like crap, take a 3 hour nap in the afternoon, watch a movie,and then go to bed. Sunday, I felt a bit better...and we managed to make it to the Y to go swimming for about 1/2 of 1 mile. I also managed to do laundry and a few other household chores, but nothing like what I had wanted to accomplish....
Perhaps I need to be more realistic in what I can accomplish in one day? Nah! That would mean giving up the things I want to do so I can finish all the things I need to do. One has to have some fun. This weekend is 'shower' weekend with a baby shower one day and a bridal shower the other. So far - I have made my goal of going to the Y 3 days a week this month. Only one week in, but it's nice to have made the goal the first week. This week I'll try to go Tuesd/Thurs/one day this weekend.. I don't know if I'll go tonight - the pool felt so good yesterday. I think it will depend on timeing. I'm going to go to the batting cages after work and try to improve my softball swing.
Other things I should do this week:
Perhaps I need to be more realistic in what I can accomplish in one day? Nah! That would mean giving up the things I want to do so I can finish all the things I need to do. One has to have some fun. This weekend is 'shower' weekend with a baby shower one day and a bridal shower the other. So far - I have made my goal of going to the Y 3 days a week this month. Only one week in, but it's nice to have made the goal the first week. This week I'll try to go Tuesd/Thurs/one day this weekend.. I don't know if I'll go tonight - the pool felt so good yesterday. I think it will depend on timeing. I'm going to go to the batting cages after work and try to improve my softball swing.
Other things I should do this week:
- Weed the garden(s)
- Clean the office
- make bread
- grocery shop
- prepare for the two showers
- train the birds
- the Y (3X)
- Climb (1-2X)
- sleep - goal is 7 hrs per night!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
"Here, Mushroom Mushroom!"
This weekend I went home for a long weekend (Th - M) and then up to Door County. My brother was home from CO, and much fun was had by all. Some highlights:
- Seeing my brother! It's been far too long. We hung out, made fire, played minigolf (I lost big time, but it was great fun!)
- Fire! We had a bonfire Fri-Sun nights. Love bonfires. Saturday we had a bunch of people out for brats over the fire - which I cooked.
- Morel Mushroom hunting. We 'caught' over 20! My little cousin Max, who will be 3 at the end of the summer, had particular fun calling 'here, mushroom Mushroom!" for them. He helped us find 3!
- Taking pictures of the apple blossoms and the trilliums and the lady's slippers. Also finding the lady's slippers. It took 3 days of walking over and over and over the 20 acres my parents own, but eventually we found them! There were 6!!
- Spending time with cousins; my cousins who live in IL were up and two of them, along w/ myself ran the 2 mile fun run at Maifest in Jacksonport.
- Running the Maifest fun run. I hate running. Hate hate hate! But, I had a lot of fun w/ this one. Only 2 miles, and I finished below my goal time. I didn't win a thing, but it was fun to spend time w/ my cousins.
- Relaxing. I needed a few days away from the frantic pace I've been living my life at. The only problem is - it's so hard to go back to 'real life'
- Seeing Roommate. B and E came and spent the night last night, teaching me a new board game and showing me the pictures of their trips over the last few months. Great times!!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Moving Forward
So, I did my 5 mile race. That was almost a month ago. What have I been doing? Not running much - which is bad, I should stick with it. I have been playing sports, and doing yard work. Golf started the week after our race, and Trev and I have been busy with that. This whole keeping in shape over the winter thing has helped my golf game! I am down 2 strokes already this year with my handicap! I hope it keeps getting better, but that scares me, too. What if I suddenly get worse again!? Softball is...softball! I've been playing a combination of positions this year, not just catcher, and I'm still scared stiff about the outfield. What if I miss? I'm hit or miss (pun intended) with my batting. Still, I have lots of fun! Climbing is going well, although I feel like I've hit a plateau and need to break it.
So with all that, my running and going to the Y time has been less than 100 percent productive. I need to fix that. June is my 'get in gear' month. Time to make a good habit! It helps that my mass is steadily dropping, although I've hit a bit of a plateau on that as well. My goal for June: Go to the Y 3 times a week each week, rather than not much at the beginning of the month and a lot at the end. Secondary goal: try some of the group exercise classes. Counterbalance - do not miss out on too much sleep, or stress myself out with unacceptable expectations. Along with eating healthier - my new garden will help that I hope, when it matures - this should help the mass to decrease again.
I planted a garden these last two weeks. We are putting grass back where the old garden was, and the new garden is around the landcaping of the house in the back. We'll have from plants I bought last weekend:
So with all that, my running and going to the Y time has been less than 100 percent productive. I need to fix that. June is my 'get in gear' month. Time to make a good habit! It helps that my mass is steadily dropping, although I've hit a bit of a plateau on that as well. My goal for June: Go to the Y 3 times a week each week, rather than not much at the beginning of the month and a lot at the end. Secondary goal: try some of the group exercise classes. Counterbalance - do not miss out on too much sleep, or stress myself out with unacceptable expectations. Along with eating healthier - my new garden will help that I hope, when it matures - this should help the mass to decrease again.
I planted a garden these last two weeks. We are putting grass back where the old garden was, and the new garden is around the landcaping of the house in the back. We'll have from plants I bought last weekend:
- Tomatoes: Red, Orange, and cherry varieties
- Peppers: Red bell, Green bell, and Jalapeno varieties
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Acorn Squash
- Zucchini
- Green Beans
- Herbs: Rosemary, oregano, basil, lemon basil, cilantro, parsley, lavendar (EEP I've forgotten to plant thyme!!)
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Running Wild
It was a dark (as night is wont to be) and stormy-ish night. It was a slightly lighter, but much stormier morning. The morning of the Crazy Legs Classic dawned full of rain, lighting and thunder. The four of us running woke up and those who drink coffee had some; I had peanut butter toast and water. We dressed and we determined how to put on our single use timing chips on our shoes. We watched the rain pour like so many monsoons. "Are we really doing this?!" "yes."
We drove to downtown Madison and parked. Where we parked made it a 5 or 6 block (long blocks) 'walk' to the capital building. The race started at capital square. We hopped awning to awning to avoid the deluge. "Are we really doing this?!" "yes."
We hunkered in the State Capital building, doing our stretches and taking our potty breaks. The boys found the sweat truck. We were dripped on by many wet racers and spectators as we sat for 20 minutes debating if we were heading outside. "Are we really doing this?" "Yes."
Finally, it was time to go outside, drop the extra clothes bags at the 'sweat truck' and find our place in line to run. The line was long...19000 runners. One of us was running in wave 'S'. The rest of us started in 'll' (yes, they were going through the alphabet for waves, and yes it ended at 'nn', so what!?) It was only drizzling. Then it was only dripping, Then with a "CRASH" and a flash, it was a deluge again. Three of us (those starting later) were able to hide under an awning. our "S" companion was not so lucky. Wet him, lucky us. "Are we really doing this?" "YES!"
Finally, after 30 minutes of starting wave after wave (start of race to us) we are up to the front. No more hiding in the Capital, no more hiding under the awnings. Our shoes are tied, gosh we hoped our timing chips were working. The nice UW atheletes have given us high fives, and there was the start. "Are we really doing this??" "YES! Here we go!!!"
The race was on. Our rain jackets stayed on, because it rained the whole time. The lighting flashed over the lake, the thunder rolled, the pitter-patter of 19,000 pairs of feet running 5 miles teased the thunder, taunted it. It rained harder. Down little hills, up a big one, around the path, and amidst the croud we ran! A few brave souls stood in the rain to cheer us on, mostly race volunteers or Greeks. Those who had houses w/ porch covers were more brave. Some had music. I heard the Rocky Theme played a few times, as well as other songs. The most memorable Rocky Theme came right at the end, with my favorite quote of the race, "Let me see your Rocky Arms!!"
At last, the Stadium! Up a small hill, and down, and around and in. Look - there we are on the Jumbotron! "Ready? Let's finish this!" and across the finish line, hand in hand, we went. The two boys had finsihed long before. Did we care? NO!
The goals: Finish, not be last. We finished..in the hoped for 1 hour time. We were not last We finished int he 10,000s of 19,0000. We were wet. We were cold. We were....triumphant!
We drove to downtown Madison and parked. Where we parked made it a 5 or 6 block (long blocks) 'walk' to the capital building. The race started at capital square. We hopped awning to awning to avoid the deluge. "Are we really doing this?!" "yes."
We hunkered in the State Capital building, doing our stretches and taking our potty breaks. The boys found the sweat truck. We were dripped on by many wet racers and spectators as we sat for 20 minutes debating if we were heading outside. "Are we really doing this?" "Yes."
Finally, it was time to go outside, drop the extra clothes bags at the 'sweat truck' and find our place in line to run. The line was long...19000 runners. One of us was running in wave 'S'. The rest of us started in 'll' (yes, they were going through the alphabet for waves, and yes it ended at 'nn', so what!?) It was only drizzling. Then it was only dripping, Then with a "CRASH" and a flash, it was a deluge again. Three of us (those starting later) were able to hide under an awning. our "S" companion was not so lucky. Wet him, lucky us. "Are we really doing this?" "YES!"
Finally, after 30 minutes of starting wave after wave (start of race to us) we are up to the front. No more hiding in the Capital, no more hiding under the awnings. Our shoes are tied, gosh we hoped our timing chips were working. The nice UW atheletes have given us high fives, and there was the start. "Are we really doing this??" "YES! Here we go!!!"
The race was on. Our rain jackets stayed on, because it rained the whole time. The lighting flashed over the lake, the thunder rolled, the pitter-patter of 19,000 pairs of feet running 5 miles teased the thunder, taunted it. It rained harder. Down little hills, up a big one, around the path, and amidst the croud we ran! A few brave souls stood in the rain to cheer us on, mostly race volunteers or Greeks. Those who had houses w/ porch covers were more brave. Some had music. I heard the Rocky Theme played a few times, as well as other songs. The most memorable Rocky Theme came right at the end, with my favorite quote of the race, "Let me see your Rocky Arms!!"
At last, the Stadium! Up a small hill, and down, and around and in. Look - there we are on the Jumbotron! "Ready? Let's finish this!" and across the finish line, hand in hand, we went. The two boys had finsihed long before. Did we care? NO!
The goals: Finish, not be last. We finished..in the hoped for 1 hour time. We were not last We finished int he 10,000s of 19,0000. We were wet. We were cold. We were....triumphant!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Ah, Spring at last
I'm still not feeling 100%, though my 'sick' post was almost 2 weeks ago. I think, now that I look at the calendar, that yes - normal people do take sometimes 2 weeks to get over an upper respiratory thing. Grrr. I hate being normal people! Usually I am sick, and then better, or not sick. It has been a while since a true upper respiratory something whacked me! The chest is still tight, and I think I'll use the inhaler for a while yet before working out. It just makes sense.
I did sign up for the Crazylegs Classic in Madison next weekend (the 25th). Have I been running much in the last two weeks? Nope! Stupid cold! I did try on the 6ths and have a horrid horrid case of hives happen. This past weekend, being Easter, didn't make for much working out. Still, I have a week and one weekend, I'll get in at least 3 more runs of various lengths before the 'big event'. At least I have gone the distance recently, and know I can. Slow and steady may not win the race, but it gets it finished, and (hopefully) without a giant case of hives during!
Tonight is the official start to summer sports, with the first softball practice. We'll be playing on 1-2 softball teams this year, and one golf league. Additionally there will be climbing 2 nights a week (or on the weekend), and perhaps even some waterskiing. Also the yardwork. This makes for lots of time spent in the out of doors, not a bad thing. SOMEWHERE in all that I'll need to make my 12 times a month at the Y. Daunting, but I should be in good shape by September! The last two weeks have been slacking off w/ the eating healthy and the working out at regular intervals. I'd blame Easter and being sick, but those are just conditions, symptoms, whatever of my underlying problem. In a nutshell - I'm tired. I need to recharge the batteries. Adding new activities, while it will make my body more tired, means I'll be outside again, and that always makes me more energetic. It also means less time at home, and with the friends who don't participate in said activities, but I'll work to make time, be in on 'free' nights or weekends, so I don't lose touch. I'll have to fight the urge to just hide on nights where nothing is going on...but I'll work on that, too.
Starting in May, I need to ramp up my studying for my professional certificate. So...if there is anyone out there who likes going to coffee shops, bookstores, or just setting up study nights, let me know!! I need encouragement, and someone else being there, working on something else - with occasional breaks will help. I can't study ALL my sessions in that fashion, but I can definately do some. I'll be testing in October/November timeframe, and by the end of august I'll be studying 2 nights a week and part of a weekend. Plenty of opportunities :)
I did sign up for the Crazylegs Classic in Madison next weekend (the 25th). Have I been running much in the last two weeks? Nope! Stupid cold! I did try on the 6ths and have a horrid horrid case of hives happen. This past weekend, being Easter, didn't make for much working out. Still, I have a week and one weekend, I'll get in at least 3 more runs of various lengths before the 'big event'. At least I have gone the distance recently, and know I can. Slow and steady may not win the race, but it gets it finished, and (hopefully) without a giant case of hives during!
Tonight is the official start to summer sports, with the first softball practice. We'll be playing on 1-2 softball teams this year, and one golf league. Additionally there will be climbing 2 nights a week (or on the weekend), and perhaps even some waterskiing. Also the yardwork. This makes for lots of time spent in the out of doors, not a bad thing. SOMEWHERE in all that I'll need to make my 12 times a month at the Y. Daunting, but I should be in good shape by September! The last two weeks have been slacking off w/ the eating healthy and the working out at regular intervals. I'd blame Easter and being sick, but those are just conditions, symptoms, whatever of my underlying problem. In a nutshell - I'm tired. I need to recharge the batteries. Adding new activities, while it will make my body more tired, means I'll be outside again, and that always makes me more energetic. It also means less time at home, and with the friends who don't participate in said activities, but I'll work to make time, be in on 'free' nights or weekends, so I don't lose touch. I'll have to fight the urge to just hide on nights where nothing is going on...but I'll work on that, too.
Starting in May, I need to ramp up my studying for my professional certificate. So...if there is anyone out there who likes going to coffee shops, bookstores, or just setting up study nights, let me know!! I need encouragement, and someone else being there, working on something else - with occasional breaks will help. I can't study ALL my sessions in that fashion, but I can definately do some. I'll be testing in October/November timeframe, and by the end of august I'll be studying 2 nights a week and part of a weekend. Plenty of opportunities :)
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Sick
This whole being sick thing - does NOT agree w/the training schedule. I'm doing the Crazy Legs Classic w/ Karin on April 25th weekend. This means I should be running at least 3 times a week...have I been this last week? NO! I've walked twice, and climbed once, but no running. Why? Because I'm sick. The achey, stuffy head, sore throat kind of sick. The worst part is I have had no day I can take a sick day for this kind of sick. I would have in a heart beat if I had no meetings (b/c I am rather not happy to be feeling this way and want to sleep and get better). Unfortunately I had a meeting each day that was a 'miss only if you are dying, near death, or so contagious everyone will hate you' type). Therefore, to work I went, and by the end of the day, a serious workout was not going to happen.
Tonight I took the night off of working out. Did some training with the boys (see their site) and made dinner. Now, I think I'm to bed!
Tonight I took the night off of working out. Did some training with the boys (see their site) and made dinner. Now, I think I'm to bed!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Crash and Pippin
Can you believe it?! Those Tiels have talked me into their very own blog! They would have done it all by themselves, but they haven't quite learned to maneuver mouse and keyboard yet. See their adventures here, or click their link in the Friends Blog section.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Things going right, things going wrong
Today was an odd one. I woke up and got ready for work and was about to jump in my car and head out; but opening the garage door made a funny noise. As I put my bag in the back seat I went around back of my car to take a peak. Sure enough. A beer bottle - smashed - had rolled into the garage from where it had been resting on the closed garage door. I leaned over to pick up the piece and see where the other pieces were to pick them up to (before driving over them) when I realized I wasn't dealing with just one bottle. I leaned into the house and called to Trevor.
The end result - last night our house was vandalized. There were broken beer bottles all over the driveway, shattered in such a fashion that it looked like they had TRIED to cover every inch of pavement with glass shards. There was broken glass jar of spaghetti sauce strewn all over the driveway. I got out the shovel and shoveled the 1/16 in. snow to the side of the drive and moved the glass with it. When the snow melts, we'll vacuum up the glass pieces w/ the shop vac. Then I looked back at the house. Somehow the spaghetti sauce has made it to above the front door on the siding. Oh, and the siding above the garage has been broken by a flying bottle, likely. At that point, I called the police.
A nice Cottage Grove police officer came out, and met Trev (I had to go to work) and told him what I though he would say; that it wasn't an isolated incident. and here is the report number. We'll clean off the sauce tonight or tomorrow so it doesn't stain. The trickier part will be finding a piece of siding to match our house, as the house's siding was replaced after a hail storm 7ish years ago and we don't know what company did it. I hope the siding has a brand name written on the inside when we take a piece down. Good thing I know how to install siding...
A neighbor was vandalized a few weeks ago (hence the not isolated). Kids pranks are all part of growing up, but this was malicious, and it's time they grow up. I hope they're caught, but I bet they won't be. If they are, I'll be first in line asking the judge to make them do community service with an organization like Habitat for Humanity, so they can see first hand what goes into building and owning a house.
On a positive note, I received an award at work today. Odd how life balances itself out, isn't it?! And I ran 5 miles yesterday (yes, I still can't believe that). Climbing tomorrow, and I'll try out the running again on Sunday, to see if it was a fluke.
Happy first day of Spring, Everyone!!
The end result - last night our house was vandalized. There were broken beer bottles all over the driveway, shattered in such a fashion that it looked like they had TRIED to cover every inch of pavement with glass shards. There was broken glass jar of spaghetti sauce strewn all over the driveway. I got out the shovel and shoveled the 1/16 in. snow to the side of the drive and moved the glass with it. When the snow melts, we'll vacuum up the glass pieces w/ the shop vac. Then I looked back at the house. Somehow the spaghetti sauce has made it to above the front door on the siding. Oh, and the siding above the garage has been broken by a flying bottle, likely. At that point, I called the police.
A nice Cottage Grove police officer came out, and met Trev (I had to go to work) and told him what I though he would say; that it wasn't an isolated incident. and here is the report number. We'll clean off the sauce tonight or tomorrow so it doesn't stain. The trickier part will be finding a piece of siding to match our house, as the house's siding was replaced after a hail storm 7ish years ago and we don't know what company did it. I hope the siding has a brand name written on the inside when we take a piece down. Good thing I know how to install siding...
A neighbor was vandalized a few weeks ago (hence the not isolated). Kids pranks are all part of growing up, but this was malicious, and it's time they grow up. I hope they're caught, but I bet they won't be. If they are, I'll be first in line asking the judge to make them do community service with an organization like Habitat for Humanity, so they can see first hand what goes into building and owning a house.
On a positive note, I received an award at work today. Odd how life balances itself out, isn't it?! And I ran 5 miles yesterday (yes, I still can't believe that). Climbing tomorrow, and I'll try out the running again on Sunday, to see if it was a fluke.
Happy first day of Spring, Everyone!!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Bragging
Yes, this post is to brag. Usually I don't brag, but today I'm going to. I'm just extremely proud of myself. Today I ran/walked for 5 miles. I went to the Y, and I walked a warm up, ran 20 min straight, walked for 5 min, ran for 20 more min, and then walked for 10 min. In that time I went exactly 5 miles. Yes Karin, this means I can do that race with you...as long as you are OK w/ taking 1 whole hour to do so.
The farthest I've ever ran myself at once is 3.2 miles. The farthest I've ever ran/walked myself has to be around 4 miles (in recent history, I'm sure when I played soccer in high school I might have gone farther.
So, yay me! It shows that hard work does begin to pay off. I will not lose ground, I will keep pushing this! On another subject...the scale says I'm going in the right direction again, the software is working.
The farthest I've ever ran myself at once is 3.2 miles. The farthest I've ever ran/walked myself has to be around 4 miles (in recent history, I'm sure when I played soccer in high school I might have gone farther.
So, yay me! It shows that hard work does begin to pay off. I will not lose ground, I will keep pushing this! On another subject...the scale says I'm going in the right direction again, the software is working.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Back on the wagon
..and by wagon I mean software.
In 2006 I had my RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate) calculated to determine what amount of calories my body needs just to exist. This came out to 1640. Throw in walking about, and we're likely at about 1800 a day. I haven't had this done in a while, likely it's changed some, but not drastically. Recall most people/commercials etc say 'based on a 2000 calorie diet'? Well, If I don't excercise daily, that will gain me one pound a week. No wonder I gain weight like I'm standing still............
Along with doing the RMR, I bought a software program called Balance Log to track the calories of what I was eating. I started in Sept of 2006, and lost about 10 lbs. Then I stopped, and gained the weight back, though bad habits. I tried again, and again lost some weight (though not the original 10 lbs). I lost interest, and over time, I went to that mass that indicated my need to change my blog, and my lifestyle. As of Monday, I'm back on the software. This time, I've already lost 5-10 lbs on my own (depending on time of day/month etc of weight measurement). But then, I stopped losing. I haven't gained any back, since November, but I'm not making progress either. So, along with my new outlook, I'm going to try the software for a while to track what I'm eating, learn and SEE my bad habits, and be able to work on them. My goal for the software is 20 lbs by July 4. Will I make it? Dont' know. Don't care if I get that low, but 10 is absolutely necessary. Why? Because I did 10 on my own, I need to do 10 w/ the program. No other reason, just that.
So, I put in accurate information for myself, and I've kept track of what I'm eating for 2.5 days. I already see a trend, and it's one of laziness - or perhaps a consequence of being too busy. I need to work on adding more fresh veg and fruits, and less packaged food. Translated - cook my own food more.
As the weather turns nicer, and the sunlight is out more, I will have more motivation I think. Also, I will be able to grow my OWN fruits and veggies, and that will help. Right now I just have to adjust to turning the clocks ahead one hour. It hit me much harder this year than most, or I'm just more tired lately. Either way, I think 'daylight savings' needs to be banned, by court order, at the soonest possible opportunity.
So, track and hold self accountable for calories, go to the Y my 12 times per month, and cook more homecooked foods. That's where I'm going from here.
In 2006 I had my RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate) calculated to determine what amount of calories my body needs just to exist. This came out to 1640. Throw in walking about, and we're likely at about 1800 a day. I haven't had this done in a while, likely it's changed some, but not drastically. Recall most people/commercials etc say 'based on a 2000 calorie diet'? Well, If I don't excercise daily, that will gain me one pound a week. No wonder I gain weight like I'm standing still............
Along with doing the RMR, I bought a software program called Balance Log to track the calories of what I was eating. I started in Sept of 2006, and lost about 10 lbs. Then I stopped, and gained the weight back, though bad habits. I tried again, and again lost some weight (though not the original 10 lbs). I lost interest, and over time, I went to that mass that indicated my need to change my blog, and my lifestyle. As of Monday, I'm back on the software. This time, I've already lost 5-10 lbs on my own (depending on time of day/month etc of weight measurement). But then, I stopped losing. I haven't gained any back, since November, but I'm not making progress either. So, along with my new outlook, I'm going to try the software for a while to track what I'm eating, learn and SEE my bad habits, and be able to work on them. My goal for the software is 20 lbs by July 4. Will I make it? Dont' know. Don't care if I get that low, but 10 is absolutely necessary. Why? Because I did 10 on my own, I need to do 10 w/ the program. No other reason, just that.
So, I put in accurate information for myself, and I've kept track of what I'm eating for 2.5 days. I already see a trend, and it's one of laziness - or perhaps a consequence of being too busy. I need to work on adding more fresh veg and fruits, and less packaged food. Translated - cook my own food more.
As the weather turns nicer, and the sunlight is out more, I will have more motivation I think. Also, I will be able to grow my OWN fruits and veggies, and that will help. Right now I just have to adjust to turning the clocks ahead one hour. It hit me much harder this year than most, or I'm just more tired lately. Either way, I think 'daylight savings' needs to be banned, by court order, at the soonest possible opportunity.
So, track and hold self accountable for calories, go to the Y my 12 times per month, and cook more homecooked foods. That's where I'm going from here.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Tricia, Trevor and Oriole go snowshoeing!
On the 21st and 22nd of February a bunch of people went snowshoeing. Everyone had met before, because we call go climbing, but we'd never all had an outdoor adventure together before. Plus, I've not been snowshoeing since I was...a Girl Scout, in 5th grade, I think! At first, I wasn't sure what to think of it...
"Seriously? We're going up that!? Yes, it was quite the climb. We started trekking in on a snow mobile path, and then turned into the Cedar Swamp. Much like the Fire Swamp, except instead of ROUSs there were TOUSs (Trees of Unusual Size). They were standing, laying down, a few even jumped out at me - really! After that part of the trek came the up, up, up. Otherwise known as Farther Up and Farther In. There were some serious pitches involved at that point, we were climbing a mountain, after all. Mt. Houghton! (No, Not Mt. Ripley, where the ski hill is IN Houghton, MI, this is about an hour NE.) We eventually made it to the top...
Above are Trevor and I, being cute and enjoying the view from the top, before we had to go back down! I discovered down is faster, scarier, and quite a bit of fun, when you get the hang of it. We stopped then for lunch, and I had to do damage control. The firs tpair of shoes I was using, or perhaps it was my boots, gave me the WORST blisters on my heels. But, Nexcare bandages and Duct Tape saved the day! Yay for 3M! Then it was out to Hungarian Falls, to look at the nice waterfalls. A much easier Trek, which was good, cause it was the same day!
Above are Adriane, Kelsey, and I pose for a scenic picture on the way to the falls. I had traded shoes with Adriane for the second trip, and was much happier (and more stable) in the new ones. YAY for falling down less! We tromped to the falls, threw snowballs, and then slid down hills on our way back to the car. I was getting better at sliding down hills, but when the oportunity to jump OVER this branch arrived, I had a much better idea...
Why not pose for a cute photo op! Yup, here I am, quite happy to be almost done for the day. Pickled Eggs anyone?! After the day of snowshoeing, we headed back for a shower, and then hit downtown Houghton for some beer and pickled eggs. I had root beer at the KBC, and it was quite delicious. We set a 2 egg limit per person, so as to minimize discomfort to our fellow cabin mates. The next day we headed to Red Ridge to play on the ice, and look at the falls. The falls were quite lolvely really, and Trevor is quite good at artistic photos. He crawled UNDER the waterfall to take this lovely shot ofrom inside of the tree hanging over the edge.
Yes, the orientation on the above is correct. Then, it was time for some serious snowshoe fun! Trevor found a nice ice ledge, and decided to play Abomitable Snowshoer while jumping off!
"Ooh! That looks like fun, I want to try!" says I. Off I go, wheee! I prefer the airplane method, myself...
Now, EVERYONE try it!!!
After Red Ridge, it was time to pack and head home. We stopped at the rest stop outside Duluth to use the necessary, and discovered that poor Oriole had taken the brunt of the snowstorm we had driven through out of MI that morning. Icicles in her wheel wells! When we safely dropped Adriane and Kelsey off, we took her for a bath, and for a well deserved rest in the garage.
OOF! What a weekend, but it was fun. The next week, Trev and I headed to REI and purchased snowshoes of our own! I bought these:
I've used them twice now, both times this past weekend. I like them muchly, and can't wait for next winter to use them again. Yes, next winter - let's have spring now, please!
"Seriously? We're going up that!? Yes, it was quite the climb. We started trekking in on a snow mobile path, and then turned into the Cedar Swamp. Much like the Fire Swamp, except instead of ROUSs there were TOUSs (Trees of Unusual Size). They were standing, laying down, a few even jumped out at me - really! After that part of the trek came the up, up, up. Otherwise known as Farther Up and Farther In. There were some serious pitches involved at that point, we were climbing a mountain, after all. Mt. Houghton! (No, Not Mt. Ripley, where the ski hill is IN Houghton, MI, this is about an hour NE.) We eventually made it to the top...
Above are Trevor and I, being cute and enjoying the view from the top, before we had to go back down! I discovered down is faster, scarier, and quite a bit of fun, when you get the hang of it. We stopped then for lunch, and I had to do damage control. The firs tpair of shoes I was using, or perhaps it was my boots, gave me the WORST blisters on my heels. But, Nexcare bandages and Duct Tape saved the day! Yay for 3M! Then it was out to Hungarian Falls, to look at the nice waterfalls. A much easier Trek, which was good, cause it was the same day!
Above are Adriane, Kelsey, and I pose for a scenic picture on the way to the falls. I had traded shoes with Adriane for the second trip, and was much happier (and more stable) in the new ones. YAY for falling down less! We tromped to the falls, threw snowballs, and then slid down hills on our way back to the car. I was getting better at sliding down hills, but when the oportunity to jump OVER this branch arrived, I had a much better idea...
Why not pose for a cute photo op! Yup, here I am, quite happy to be almost done for the day. Pickled Eggs anyone?! After the day of snowshoeing, we headed back for a shower, and then hit downtown Houghton for some beer and pickled eggs. I had root beer at the KBC, and it was quite delicious. We set a 2 egg limit per person, so as to minimize discomfort to our fellow cabin mates. The next day we headed to Red Ridge to play on the ice, and look at the falls. The falls were quite lolvely really, and Trevor is quite good at artistic photos. He crawled UNDER the waterfall to take this lovely shot ofrom inside of the tree hanging over the edge.
Yes, the orientation on the above is correct. Then, it was time for some serious snowshoe fun! Trevor found a nice ice ledge, and decided to play Abomitable Snowshoer while jumping off!
"Ooh! That looks like fun, I want to try!" says I. Off I go, wheee! I prefer the airplane method, myself...
Now, EVERYONE try it!!!
After Red Ridge, it was time to pack and head home. We stopped at the rest stop outside Duluth to use the necessary, and discovered that poor Oriole had taken the brunt of the snowstorm we had driven through out of MI that morning. Icicles in her wheel wells! When we safely dropped Adriane and Kelsey off, we took her for a bath, and for a well deserved rest in the garage.
OOF! What a weekend, but it was fun. The next week, Trev and I headed to REI and purchased snowshoes of our own! I bought these:
I've used them twice now, both times this past weekend. I like them muchly, and can't wait for next winter to use them again. Yes, next winter - let's have spring now, please!
Friday, February 13, 2009
A theory to decrease obesity
If everyone in the world were provided a drinking device outfitted with a straw, obesity rates would diminish.
That is my null hypothesis. I have discovered, through careful and not very scientific methods, that more liquid is consumed through a straw than in the absence of one. Logically, if one had a water bottle with a straw, one would drink - perhaps double the liquid in one day. Doctors tell us we should have 8 glasses of water a day. I also know that if one's tummy is full on water, one isn't as hungry. Therefore, If everyone in the world were to be provided a drinking option with a straw, and that drinking option was used to consume water rather than bottled sugary beverages, the calorie consumption of the worlds population would decrease and so would obesity.
(just a random though I had as I drank my second full cup water today through a straw)
That is my null hypothesis. I have discovered, through careful and not very scientific methods, that more liquid is consumed through a straw than in the absence of one. Logically, if one had a water bottle with a straw, one would drink - perhaps double the liquid in one day. Doctors tell us we should have 8 glasses of water a day. I also know that if one's tummy is full on water, one isn't as hungry. Therefore, If everyone in the world were to be provided a drinking option with a straw, and that drinking option was used to consume water rather than bottled sugary beverages, the calorie consumption of the worlds population would decrease and so would obesity.
(just a random though I had as I drank my second full cup water today through a straw)
Tomorrow is Climbing Comp Day
Tomorrow is Climbing Comp Day! I feel nervous, it's ridiculous! Why should I be nervous? I know I'm not out to win the thing, just see what I can accomplish and have a ton of fun....or perhaps that a tonne of fun. Trevor is doing it, and another of his coworkers. A different coworker is volunteering. We'll all spend the day together enjoying music, friendship, and climbing.
Tonight is organization night! We did move the bookshelf in the office from one side of my desk to the other. It does open up that space, like I thought it would. Right now we have a small file cabinet in that big space, but I think that might change. Uncertain. Tonight I have to put everything back on the bookshelf, and finish cleaning up the stuff on the floor and organizing it. Once that is done we can move some of the things in the upstairs to the downstairs, and while we're doing that we can do some laundry. I'll give the upstairs a good vacuum and dust and hopefully clean the bathrooms tonight too. After all, tomorrow is Climbing Comp Day, and I won't want to be bothered with cleaning when I return to the house, exhausted, at the end of the day.
Sunday I plan to do some more organizing, downstairs perhaps, and also some studying. Next week I'm taking a 40 hour review course for the certification exam (for Industrial Hygiene). I am eligible, I think, for the exam this fall. This test is to my field like the PE exam is for engineers. The test is very hard, and only about 35 to 40% of people pass on their first go-round. I intend to be one of those. So, from this weekend until November, I will be dedicating a good portion of my time to studying nights and weekends. It's going to feel like I'm back in school again. Anyone up for 'study dates'??!
Tonight is organization night! We did move the bookshelf in the office from one side of my desk to the other. It does open up that space, like I thought it would. Right now we have a small file cabinet in that big space, but I think that might change. Uncertain. Tonight I have to put everything back on the bookshelf, and finish cleaning up the stuff on the floor and organizing it. Once that is done we can move some of the things in the upstairs to the downstairs, and while we're doing that we can do some laundry. I'll give the upstairs a good vacuum and dust and hopefully clean the bathrooms tonight too. After all, tomorrow is Climbing Comp Day, and I won't want to be bothered with cleaning when I return to the house, exhausted, at the end of the day.
Sunday I plan to do some more organizing, downstairs perhaps, and also some studying. Next week I'm taking a 40 hour review course for the certification exam (for Industrial Hygiene). I am eligible, I think, for the exam this fall. This test is to my field like the PE exam is for engineers. The test is very hard, and only about 35 to 40% of people pass on their first go-round. I intend to be one of those. So, from this weekend until November, I will be dedicating a good portion of my time to studying nights and weekends. It's going to feel like I'm back in school again. Anyone up for 'study dates'??!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Strange Head Day
I'm headed to the climbing gym in a few minutes. Today will be my last day climbing before the comp. If it works anything like when I would have a practice right before a golf meet in HS, I will do terrible. Strangely, that's not all that much on my mind right now.
I'm having a strange head day. I can see things with less internal fog today, but I'm driving a lot faster. Allow me to explain. The fog: many times I can tell in what direction a project or task needs to go, but I can't see the road to get there. I can see steps say, 1-3, but 4-10 remain blurry. Today, I am seeing 1-5 or even 1-6. The problem - my brain is driving faster. Usually my brain drives along at 30 mph, giving me plenty of time (with or without fog) to see the upcoming obstacles, plot a path around them, and continue. It also gives me time to process what I'm thinking about. Today - the brain is driving about 70 mph. The map also seems to have been thrown out the window. "Ooh, this road looks fun", I'll take a right here, a left there.. I'm seeing though that fog, but I'm not processing what I'm seeing; I don't have time to digest. The random paths my brain is taking means I've solved about 150% more problems today than normal, but I'll likely not retain more than 75% of that. The obstacles - I'm swerving, but instead of going around an obstacle and continuing down the road towards a solution, I swerve onto another project or idea altogether. The question is...does 75% of 150% leave me where I'd normally be??? It's a strange head day, and I can't tell if it is going to help me, or hurt me, somewhere down the road.
I'm having a strange head day. I can see things with less internal fog today, but I'm driving a lot faster. Allow me to explain. The fog: many times I can tell in what direction a project or task needs to go, but I can't see the road to get there. I can see steps say, 1-3, but 4-10 remain blurry. Today, I am seeing 1-5 or even 1-6. The problem - my brain is driving faster. Usually my brain drives along at 30 mph, giving me plenty of time (with or without fog) to see the upcoming obstacles, plot a path around them, and continue. It also gives me time to process what I'm thinking about. Today - the brain is driving about 70 mph. The map also seems to have been thrown out the window. "Ooh, this road looks fun", I'll take a right here, a left there.. I'm seeing though that fog, but I'm not processing what I'm seeing; I don't have time to digest. The random paths my brain is taking means I've solved about 150% more problems today than normal, but I'll likely not retain more than 75% of that. The obstacles - I'm swerving, but instead of going around an obstacle and continuing down the road towards a solution, I swerve onto another project or idea altogether. The question is...does 75% of 150% leave me where I'd normally be??? It's a strange head day, and I can't tell if it is going to help me, or hurt me, somewhere down the road.
Monday, February 09, 2009
The mess in the office is ridiculous! The office is the one room of the house where things are just thrown. Most of the things belong in here, but the 10X12 space is not big enough to hold it without some form of organization. Just...Not going to happen! Today - that slow, onerous process began. Trevor and I promised each other 1/2 hour work in the office each day until we have a sustainable system for keeping it clean. This will not mean it won't require major pick ups in the future...but right now there isn't a PLACE for everything we keep in here. We need a better closet organizer. I think I need a new desk! Maybe...maybe we just need a new arrangement. Dare I move everything around? Trevor would kick my ...er...chair!
Ok, I measured everything, and with the current furniture has to stay put - with the exception of the bookcase. Guess who's moving a book case! Not just because I can, but because then I can put more file storage and a plant stand there. That will make me happy.
Once this room is tackled, I think we'll tackle the under stair storage. These two, and the purple room have to be done before outside is playable again, because I have so much I can do there. And once we get outside this spring it will be a while before we come back inside again.
Ok, I measured everything, and with the current furniture has to stay put - with the exception of the bookcase. Guess who's moving a book case! Not just because I can, but because then I can put more file storage and a plant stand there. That will make me happy.
Once this room is tackled, I think we'll tackle the under stair storage. These two, and the purple room have to be done before outside is playable again, because I have so much I can do there. And once we get outside this spring it will be a while before we come back inside again.
Good Weekend
This weekend I had much fun with the cooking of things I haven't made before. Friday night I made a quiche - which I have done before, but I made one of a new flavor; bacon, red pepper, mushroom, and cheese. This was dinner Friday night and lunch the next day. Saturday we used the remainder of the bacon to make BLTs. Sunday was the making of my very first pizza crust from scratch using my mixer w/ the dough hook. WHEE! I made the crust, and doctored up some pre-bought sauce. Trevor then was the pizza artist extraordinaire and made two pizzas. This was definitely an experiment that will have to happen multiple times, repeatability is key.
Exercise was also accomplished, with Cardio kick class on Friday night, and climbing on Saturday. I will also climb Tuesday, and then again for the comp on this coming Saturday - EEP. Sunday I had planned on going to the Y, but the major cleaning happened instead.
Socially I got to see peeps at climbing, after climbing, and for dinner and after dinner Sunday. I was able to sleep in a little, and recharge the batteries, although not quite enough.
Tonight I will go to the Y after work, and then go home and do my 1/2 hr assigned cleaning of the office space, and then study some for my CIH exam. Also, I will be IN BED with the Light Out! by 11.
Exercise was also accomplished, with Cardio kick class on Friday night, and climbing on Saturday. I will also climb Tuesday, and then again for the comp on this coming Saturday - EEP. Sunday I had planned on going to the Y, but the major cleaning happened instead.
Socially I got to see peeps at climbing, after climbing, and for dinner and after dinner Sunday. I was able to sleep in a little, and recharge the batteries, although not quite enough.
Tonight I will go to the Y after work, and then go home and do my 1/2 hr assigned cleaning of the office space, and then study some for my CIH exam. Also, I will be IN BED with the Light Out! by 11.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Week 5, cont.
I haven't done much running lately, to my program. I have run 2 times w/ week 5 workout 1, and 2 times w/ no program, just running. Reason? I discovered the Cardio/Kickboxing class. Friday nights and Saturday mornings I can take myself to the Y and really be worked hard.
The other reasons?
1. Broomball - that means Wednesday have been run on ice rather than run in circles
2. Passion for Flashin - A climbing competition I'm going to be competing in on Feb 14th. I have been climbing 2 days/wk to prep for this. No, I don't expect to win, or even be 'in the medals', but I'm going to have a wicked good time.
After next week, broomball is over, and I'll jump into week 6, I hope!
The other reasons?
1. Broomball - that means Wednesday have been run on ice rather than run in circles
2. Passion for Flashin - A climbing competition I'm going to be competing in on Feb 14th. I have been climbing 2 days/wk to prep for this. No, I don't expect to win, or even be 'in the medals', but I'm going to have a wicked good time.
After next week, broomball is over, and I'll jump into week 6, I hope!
