I went for a walk today.  Of course I've been walking as needed to get around -- to and from the car, across parking lots, in stores while shopping.  But it was only yesterday that I got clearance (from both a physical therapist and a doctor) to start walking for exercise.  Today was the first time in over three months I've walked around the block ( Read more... )

It's been an interesting two plus weeks. 

• Friday Feb 17 my youngest was in a car crash with my Mother-in-Law after I encouraged him to go out to lunch with her.  They're both okay, but it was pretty stressful.
• Ed and I took the girls to the MVA for learner's permits Saturday morning. 
• We had company for dinner that Sat which was fun but stressful. 
• I ( Read more... )

After a gathering on Sunday night, I missed a step in the dark, fell down and dislocated and fractured my right ankle and sprained my left ankle.  The group I was with was marvelous -- they knew exactly what to do, and took care of me as if I were one of their own.  Many thanks to Rich and Val for first rate first aid, to Shannon for driving me to ( Read more... )

In the back of my mind, there are tons of exercise goals percolating.  Building on my hard won wisdom, I'm starting very small.  I ran across a recommendation last year for establishing a minimum for exercise.  No matter what happens, meet this minimum goal.  Anything additional is gravy.  Last year of course, I thought an hour at the gym five ( Read more... )

From the perspective of numbers, my “Year of Transformation” was an utter failure.  I went completely off track about May and regained everything I’d lost plus some.  On Jan 2, 2012, I weighed about 25 pounds MORE than I did in Feb 2011.  That’s bad news, as there’s apparently a link between yo-yo weight changes and type 2 diabetes, and I have a ( Read more... )

Off to a good start in some ways. 

• Ed found a spiral binder I lost several months ago which includes a couple of years of notes jotted down on gardening, B* classes, plans, thoughts, ideas.  Needless to say, I danced and squealed. 
• The house is cleaner than it's been in a LONG time.  There are still several bastions of junque to storm, but many cells ( Read more... )

Bring on the Rain

Another day has almost come and gone
Can't imagine what else could go wrong
Sometimes I'd like to hide away somewhere and lock the door
A single battle lost but not the war ('cause)
Tomorrow's another day
And I'm thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain
It's almost like the hard times circle 'round
A couple drops and they all start ( Read more... )

My vow for the next six months is to work out at least twice a week.  It's progress for me to claim that word, but 45 minutes of aerobics at my target heart rate plus a weight training session is a "real" workout.  I'm hoping to exceed that goal most weeks.  I've spent a LOT of time in the garden over the last few weeks which counts as moderate ( Read more... )

Many thanks to sabrinamari who gave me a much needed kick to get back on track with aerobic exercise.  I was in NJ this past weekend for Spring Equinox festivities and spent Saturday night with Brina and her beautiful man.  When they got back from the gym Sunday morning, she rolled me out of bed and down the stairs to the elliptical where I spent 48 minutes ( Read more... )

I've learned something over the last few weeks.  Perhaps more accurately, something I already knew has been strongly reinforced.  This isn't about external stuff like weight loss or exercise.  This is about reprogramming my brain.  I handle stress in a host of unhealthy ways -- physically, mentally and emotionally unhealthy ways.  Eating is my way ( Read more... )