I would have liked to postpone my first update until I had logged lots of time in vigorous exercise, and perhaps dropped a few more pounds, but the point of this program is to develop healthy habits, more than to show quick results. Since I have just gotten over a sinus infection that had me barely dragging myself around for two weeks, I can forgive myself for not having had a strong start in accomplishing my goals.
I finally got out today and walked the dog, my first exercise for the sake of exercise (as opposed to a brisk five minute walk across the parking lot because there aren’t any open parking spots closer to the door and it’s below zero so I want to hurry inside) since the beginning of the month. It was finally warm enough to go out without gloves and hat, and enough snow and ice had melted that I didn’t have to worry that the dog would cause me to slip if he suddenly tried to dart across the street toward another dog. (I think the harness would keep him from dragging me anyway – but I’m not sure – and in my mid-40’s I have painfully discovered that when I do fall I am less able to just get up and brush myself off and go on as if nothing had happened.)
I had originally thought of perhaps taking a second walk without dog or 8-year-old son (who insisted on accompanying us, but who does not find it easy to walk quickly as he has never mastered a smooth heel-to-toe movement – most likely as a result of his autism, to which I attribute his general lack of good physical coordination). But before we had completed the twenty minute circuit back to the house, my body informed me that this was enough for today.
Officially, I have lost three pounds since the first day of the program. Of course we (those of us with much experience trying to lose weight and weighing ourselves daily even though the experts advise only getting on the scale weekly) know how variable weight can be from one day to the next, and the first day when I weighed myself for the official starting weight, it showed a pound or two heavier on the scale than the day before. But I have 89 days to go, and little by little I intend to work toward my goals.
January 28, 2008 at 9:42 am |
Good for you, Pauline! Keep pressing onward, even if you may stumble occasionally.
Chrissy & I have recently started our own fitness routine. May God help us all to make the changes in habit & in attitude that we need to make for better health. (And to be honest, looking better is a nice benefit, too.)
January 28, 2008 at 1:21 pm |
Thanks for the encouragement, Karen. I just went for a brisk 20-minute walk during lunch hour. The side of the parking lot is not my favorite scenery, but there’s really no place closeby to walk except there or along the highway, and if I spend time driving to the park I have less time left to walk. It’s almost 50 degrees out, so it was quite pleasant, and I feel invigorated by the fresh air and exercise.
January 28, 2008 at 4:03 pm |
3 pounds in 11 days is about as much of a pace as you really want to maintain (i.e. 1 to 1 1/2 pounds per week). Much more than that – for someone in the reasonably typical range to begin with – is not healthy.
I’m at 11 weeks and 12 pounds down. I’m pretty leased with the progress (it is starting to be noticeable in looks and fit of clothes).
January 28, 2008 at 8:35 pm |
Coming soon, the Random Demented Self-Improvement Society will combine a “Slave Labor for Charity” program with an Exercise to Lose Weight program.
On our poor option, you can choose from one of the three following exercise programs
1. Mine coal with pick and shovel to provide heat for the poor.
2. Pick a bale of cotton to provide clothes for the poor.
3. For those who especially need to lose weight in a hurry, we have a double-special option, combine: Digg potatoes and haul water in buckets to provide food for the hungry poor and drinking water for the thirsty poor.
Lose weight and do good deeds while you burn the calories!
We also have specials on exercise programs for the deprived rich. Programs include:
1. Genuflect, bow, and scrape for the insecure elite.
2. Cook and serve food for the insufficiently arrogant aristorcracy.
3. Pamper, nanny, and spoil the neglected brats of the entertainment stars. First one to sign up gets to take care of Britney Spear’s children.
While you may wonder if you will lose as much weight in the second exercise group, carefully unscientific study indicates that exercise done while demeaned and looked down on burns 1.5 times as many calories as virtuous exercise for the poor.
As most of the commentators here are from wmb, from which I have banned myself, I figured that you missed my “constructive” comments there. However, upon polite request, I will go away and leave you in peace if so desired.
January 29, 2008 at 12:53 pm |
Actually, I haven’t missed them at all. As I said there, if one wants to go and ‘play’ there one should do so (within the posted rule set) and if one doesn’t one shouldn’t. But one shouldn’t expect anyone else to be pining away in one’s absence.
January 29, 2008 at 3:37 pm |
Random, I certainly won’t request you go away. I check your blog fairly regularly, though I take it either life has been either very busy or very boring lately, as I haven’t seen a lot of new posts this month.
Humor’s an individual thing, and I enjoy some of yours more than others. Perhaps your idea above might have had some possibilities, but I have to admit that your execution of it fell flat for me. In general I find your writing more witty when you’re not specifically trying to write a “humor” piece.
January 30, 2008 at 8:09 am |
Heck. I’ve been heckled.