It is time for me to be realistic with myself....I haven't lost weight because I haven't changed my diet.
My doctor told me last fall that all I needed to do was walk.
Which is sort of true....from a certain point of view.
My walking for the last 6 months has been extremely helpful and in terms of cardio exercise, yes, walking is all I need. I can change it up if I want, but I don't have to do anything extreme to see improvements. I like that.
However, walking is only one aspect to the equation of good health. I know I am never going to become a person obsessed with numbers - I don't care what the scale says or even what size my jeans are...numbers are just numbers. I do care how I feel. And when I eat on the healthier side I feel better.
I have been ignoring this side of my health this last 6 months (and most of my adult life) because deep down I want to be the person who can eat anything and not gain weight (I liked being that person as a kid).
Reality is that I am never going to be that person again and I haven't been that person in along time. Sigh.
Reality is, I do not pay attention to the size of my desserts or how many chips I eat. I may never be one to count calories, but I can learn to be more mindful of what I am eating, when I am eating and how much I am eating.
Happy Walking!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Day 182: LOL
Today's post is a bit silly, but thank goodness!
This afternoon, Steve and I were flirting with each other via text messaging. Our silliness put a smile on my face and caused me to chuckle out loud a few times.
My youngest asked me at one point what was so funny. I told her it was an inside joke. I then had to explain that an inside joke is a joke that only a few people would understand. She informed me that if I would tell her the joke than she could understand, too...even more reasons to smile. :)
But in all seriousness (or a small amount of seriousness) - feeling good about myself helps me be silly. Walking helps me feel good about myself. So, in a way, walking helps me be silly.
Kind of a win-win...
Happy Walking!
This afternoon, Steve and I were flirting with each other via text messaging. Our silliness put a smile on my face and caused me to chuckle out loud a few times.
My youngest asked me at one point what was so funny. I told her it was an inside joke. I then had to explain that an inside joke is a joke that only a few people would understand. She informed me that if I would tell her the joke than she could understand, too...even more reasons to smile. :)
But in all seriousness (or a small amount of seriousness) - feeling good about myself helps me be silly. Walking helps me feel good about myself. So, in a way, walking helps me be silly.
Kind of a win-win...
Happy Walking!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Day 181: A new way of thinking...
I ran across an article today that talked about being fat, but fit. I think it must be the newest thing the health world is talking about because when I tried to find the article again....I came up with a ton of other articles on the same subject!
The gist of the article I read, said that yes, you can be fat, but fit. The article mentioned the old method of using a height to weight ratio to determine if you are over weight - and why it doesn't really work. It also mentioned using the BMI (body mass index) to determine if you are over weight - and why it doesn't really work. And then finally, the article mentioned a new way of determining if you are over weight - body roundness.
Here is a link to a body roundness calculator (it even gives you your BMI index number). There is even a graphic that updates as you put in the numbers to the calculator.
Here is what I put in:
1) Units - US (so all info was in pounds & inches)
2) Gender - Female (have no idea if gender makes a difference or not)
3) Race - White (again, have no idea if race makes a difference or not)
4) Age - 42 (why does age make a difference?)
5) Height (in) - 62 (I am technically 61.5, but I am rounding up)
6) Weight (lbs) - 148 (technically 147.5, but rounding up)
7) Waist (in) - 35
8) Hips (in) - 41 (I did have the option of not including the hip measurement)
Outcome: Fat: 40.9%; VAT: 2.4%; Total VAT Mass: 3.5lbs; Body Roundness Index: 4.6 (in the healthy zone); and BMI: 27.1 (overweight) (FYI: VAT is basically belly fat)
(Side note: in a height to weight chart, my numbers look like this:
5'2" - 108lbs (low); 125 (Target); 144 (high)
Obviously, I like the Body Roundness Index - I am healthy! I know from playing around with BMI calculators that I need to be around 135 pounds to be considered within the healthy zone.And I have personally felt my best when I was at 125 lbs. But here is the thing. It doesnt' really matter what any calculator or scale or doctor or the size of my jeans says - I know that I am overweight. Am I healthier than I was 6 months ago? Absolutely...anyone paying attention would realize that I didn't lose any weight in the last 6 months. I am disappointed, but not surprised.
Yet, I feel lighter. I feel healthier. I have more energy. I am sleeping better. I am being more active. I am eating better. Those are things that calculators and scales can't show you. The size of my pants might be the same, but how they fit me has changed - they fit better. I am more comfortable in my clothes and in my body.
Do I think people can be fat, but fit? Of course! Just like you can be thin and not fit. I am a former skinny person who was not fit. I was just lucky. My luck ran out and now I am not as skinny as I once was. Do I think I am fat? No. Overweight? yes. Out of shape? yes....but not fat. I just don't see myself that way....now I just need to see myself as fit!
Happy Walking!
The gist of the article I read, said that yes, you can be fat, but fit. The article mentioned the old method of using a height to weight ratio to determine if you are over weight - and why it doesn't really work. It also mentioned using the BMI (body mass index) to determine if you are over weight - and why it doesn't really work. And then finally, the article mentioned a new way of determining if you are over weight - body roundness.
Here is a link to a body roundness calculator (it even gives you your BMI index number). There is even a graphic that updates as you put in the numbers to the calculator.
Here is what I put in:
1) Units - US (so all info was in pounds & inches)
2) Gender - Female (have no idea if gender makes a difference or not)
3) Race - White (again, have no idea if race makes a difference or not)
4) Age - 42 (why does age make a difference?)
5) Height (in) - 62 (I am technically 61.5, but I am rounding up)
6) Weight (lbs) - 148 (technically 147.5, but rounding up)
7) Waist (in) - 35
8) Hips (in) - 41 (I did have the option of not including the hip measurement)
Outcome: Fat: 40.9%; VAT: 2.4%; Total VAT Mass: 3.5lbs; Body Roundness Index: 4.6 (in the healthy zone); and BMI: 27.1 (overweight) (FYI: VAT is basically belly fat)
(Side note: in a height to weight chart, my numbers look like this:
5'2" - 108lbs (low); 125 (Target); 144 (high)
Obviously, I like the Body Roundness Index - I am healthy! I know from playing around with BMI calculators that I need to be around 135 pounds to be considered within the healthy zone.And I have personally felt my best when I was at 125 lbs. But here is the thing. It doesnt' really matter what any calculator or scale or doctor or the size of my jeans says - I know that I am overweight. Am I healthier than I was 6 months ago? Absolutely...anyone paying attention would realize that I didn't lose any weight in the last 6 months. I am disappointed, but not surprised.
Yet, I feel lighter. I feel healthier. I have more energy. I am sleeping better. I am being more active. I am eating better. Those are things that calculators and scales can't show you. The size of my pants might be the same, but how they fit me has changed - they fit better. I am more comfortable in my clothes and in my body.
Do I think people can be fat, but fit? Of course! Just like you can be thin and not fit. I am a former skinny person who was not fit. I was just lucky. My luck ran out and now I am not as skinny as I once was. Do I think I am fat? No. Overweight? yes. Out of shape? yes....but not fat. I just don't see myself that way....now I just need to see myself as fit!
Happy Walking!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Day 180: 6 months of walking and boy, am I sore!
I meant to weigh myself and remeasure myself on this grand occasion - 180 days of walking & blogging....but I forgot! I forgot today was the day. Oh, well, doesn't really matter since I am walking to walk, not for a number on the scale.
And yes, I am sore, but not from walking. Well, sometimes I am sore from walking, but not tonight. Tonight I am sore because in Kung Fu tonight we learned how to take a punch....I don't like taking punches. In fact, I don't take punches at all well. That probably did not surprise anyone.
Sifu Adams, our teacher, demonstrated the punching technique and I was the punching dummy. Actually, everyone got to take a turn doing the punching and being the punching dummy. I understand why we have to do it - I can not defend myself in a fight if I don't know how it feels to get hit (it hurts in case you didn't know). And if I am ever in a fight (man, I hope I never have to use this knowledge) then my reaction tonight is not going to help me...at all. Sifu hit me and I flinched, threw my arms across my chest and blurted "ow". Yeah, I'm tough.
I am not trying to beat myself up, just relate a story that demonstrates why I am sore tonight. But it also takes me to another point - Sifu said that how we perceive ourselves will change as we learn and master Kung Fu.
Right now I perceive myself as a weakling. Always have actually. If you got a room full of people in the room, I am probably the weakest one (there might be a few children I could beat, but not by much). If I see myself as weak, then I act as if I am weak.
Sifu Adams believes that as I master Kung Fu my confidence will increase and my self image will change. I just might not see myself as the weakest one in the room....that would be nice.
I must admit, tonight, as I write this, I really just want to quit and keep being the weakest person in the room. My chest hurts. I don't ever want to hurt like this again. I actively avoid this kind of pain. But I am not going to quit. I am going to keep on practising and I am going to keep going to the Kung Fu class. Why? Because I have 3 children who need to see that I don't give up when things are hard or when they hurt or when they are uncomfortable. I also never want any of my children to feel like they are the weakest person in the room.
Happy Walking!
And yes, I am sore, but not from walking. Well, sometimes I am sore from walking, but not tonight. Tonight I am sore because in Kung Fu tonight we learned how to take a punch....I don't like taking punches. In fact, I don't take punches at all well. That probably did not surprise anyone.
Sifu Adams, our teacher, demonstrated the punching technique and I was the punching dummy. Actually, everyone got to take a turn doing the punching and being the punching dummy. I understand why we have to do it - I can not defend myself in a fight if I don't know how it feels to get hit (it hurts in case you didn't know). And if I am ever in a fight (man, I hope I never have to use this knowledge) then my reaction tonight is not going to help me...at all. Sifu hit me and I flinched, threw my arms across my chest and blurted "ow". Yeah, I'm tough.
I am not trying to beat myself up, just relate a story that demonstrates why I am sore tonight. But it also takes me to another point - Sifu said that how we perceive ourselves will change as we learn and master Kung Fu.
Right now I perceive myself as a weakling. Always have actually. If you got a room full of people in the room, I am probably the weakest one (there might be a few children I could beat, but not by much). If I see myself as weak, then I act as if I am weak.
Sifu Adams believes that as I master Kung Fu my confidence will increase and my self image will change. I just might not see myself as the weakest one in the room....that would be nice.
I must admit, tonight, as I write this, I really just want to quit and keep being the weakest person in the room. My chest hurts. I don't ever want to hurt like this again. I actively avoid this kind of pain. But I am not going to quit. I am going to keep on practising and I am going to keep going to the Kung Fu class. Why? Because I have 3 children who need to see that I don't give up when things are hard or when they hurt or when they are uncomfortable. I also never want any of my children to feel like they are the weakest person in the room.
Happy Walking!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Day 179: A quick pick-me up
In the world of mothering, heck, in the world of life we all need a pick-me up from our every day.
Today, my pick-me up came in the form of a dozen toddlers.
I was asked to substitute in our church's nursery. The children are age 18mo to 3yrs. I had 2 girls and the rest were boys.
When my children were that young I dreaded being asked to substitute in nursery, mostly because I constantly felt overwhelmed (and also was dealing with post-partum depression).
Now that my children are older, I find that I miss that age. I personally think I shine best with the 2 - 5 yr old group. They are eager to learn & be trained, you can be silly (and everyone thinks you are doing it for the benefit of the children - ha!), and most problems can be solved with a hug and/or kiss (even some cheerios).
Don't get me wrong, I love my children and we have fun together - different kinds of fun.
I just found myself smiling and feeling energized in the nursery today - I got to act silly, sing silly songs and help each child find that perfect toy. Seriously, I forgot how fun nursery can be.
I also think I got a glimpse of what every experienced mother tried to tell me when I had very young children - enjoy them because they grow up so fast.
I think most journeys are like that. I was so busy being a mom that I forgot to enjoy all the crazy moments with my children and now, I wish I had (although I am striving to enjoy all the crazy moments we are currently having!).
I am sure when I end this walking journey there are going to be things that I miss or things I wish I had concentrated more on (for the life of me I can't think what those "things" might be). Maybe, just maybe, I can apply this lesson before the year is up or apply it to next year's journey or even better to my life journey.
Either way, I am glad for the little pick-me up a group of toddlers gave me at church today.
Happy Walking!
Today, my pick-me up came in the form of a dozen toddlers.
I was asked to substitute in our church's nursery. The children are age 18mo to 3yrs. I had 2 girls and the rest were boys.
When my children were that young I dreaded being asked to substitute in nursery, mostly because I constantly felt overwhelmed (and also was dealing with post-partum depression).
Now that my children are older, I find that I miss that age. I personally think I shine best with the 2 - 5 yr old group. They are eager to learn & be trained, you can be silly (and everyone thinks you are doing it for the benefit of the children - ha!), and most problems can be solved with a hug and/or kiss (even some cheerios).
Don't get me wrong, I love my children and we have fun together - different kinds of fun.
I just found myself smiling and feeling energized in the nursery today - I got to act silly, sing silly songs and help each child find that perfect toy. Seriously, I forgot how fun nursery can be.
I also think I got a glimpse of what every experienced mother tried to tell me when I had very young children - enjoy them because they grow up so fast.
I think most journeys are like that. I was so busy being a mom that I forgot to enjoy all the crazy moments with my children and now, I wish I had (although I am striving to enjoy all the crazy moments we are currently having!).
I am sure when I end this walking journey there are going to be things that I miss or things I wish I had concentrated more on (for the life of me I can't think what those "things" might be). Maybe, just maybe, I can apply this lesson before the year is up or apply it to next year's journey or even better to my life journey.
Either way, I am glad for the little pick-me up a group of toddlers gave me at church today.
Happy Walking!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Day 178: Tired, sore, but feeling oh, so good...
I woke up early this morning - a mistake really, but a good mistake. I was up & out the door before 6am. I weeded the flower beds for a good half-hour - it rained last night and I didn't want a good opportunity to go to waste. (although, there is still one section of that flower bed that felt dry & hard as a rock....weird).
After breakfast & a movie (we couldn't resist - had to watch Star Trek II - Wrath of Khan this morning. Which reminds me, do you know how many classics are referred to & quoted in the movie????), I then took Katia for a long walk/bike ride to explore some more of the bike/walk path near our home. Katia loved it. We went a lot longer & farther than either of us meant to, but it was a lot of fun.
The rest of the day was pretty normal, family stuff, but all good.
As I head to bed, I can tell I really used my muscles today, it is a good kind of sore. Man, I am hoping for a lot more Saturday's like today!
Happy Walking!
After breakfast & a movie (we couldn't resist - had to watch Star Trek II - Wrath of Khan this morning. Which reminds me, do you know how many classics are referred to & quoted in the movie????), I then took Katia for a long walk/bike ride to explore some more of the bike/walk path near our home. Katia loved it. We went a lot longer & farther than either of us meant to, but it was a lot of fun.
The rest of the day was pretty normal, family stuff, but all good.
As I head to bed, I can tell I really used my muscles today, it is a good kind of sore. Man, I am hoping for a lot more Saturday's like today!
Happy Walking!
Friday, May 17, 2013
Day 177: 5 Things for Friday, 21
1. A great bike path somewhat close to the house...now I just need all 3 children riding bikes! In my great city, a bike path has been established. It runs all over the city & for most of it, it does NOT run along side roads. It feels "safer" than having the children biking through the busy neighborhood (no cul-de-sacs here).
2. Despite the constant ups & downs of Steve owning his own business and learning the ropes to contracting, we have been very blessed in so many ways. Every time a new issue pops up (or drama llamas as I refer to them), I still have the peace of knowing that we are going to be just fine.
3. My oldest daughters very mature decision. I related to her about my desire to use her decision about girl's camp as a learning opportunity on the power of prayer. She agreed & we prayed. I waited until after our prayer to learn what her decision was, but she did have one before we started. (hope that made sense). Anyway, her decision was to find out if there were any other YW who were also 1st years in her predicament (being a party of 1). If there was, then she will attend this year. If there is not, then she will wait to go next year with her friends. Pretty darn mature. I am not sure if I would have made that decision at age 12, but she did.
4. Spoiling my kids. No, not spoiling them in the sense that they can do/get anything they want. Trust me, I am a meanie when it comes to that. Spoilage as in taking them to the movies because we want to see the movie and want to share our love of the subject with them. No, I am not talking about Iron Man (we are actually NOT Iron Man fans). No, I am talking about the new Star Trek movie. It was awesome, BTW. :) Our children are Trekkie's too, they got all the little references in the new movie and loved it as much as we did. So very cool.
5. My children's hard work on our flower beds. The ground is really hard in spots and we have really large flower beds (inherited, not created by us). We don't spend a lot of time each day (only 10 minutes), but they work hard for the entire time and without complaining! I will bask in this for as long as it lasts!
Happy Walking!
5.
2. Despite the constant ups & downs of Steve owning his own business and learning the ropes to contracting, we have been very blessed in so many ways. Every time a new issue pops up (or drama llamas as I refer to them), I still have the peace of knowing that we are going to be just fine.
3. My oldest daughters very mature decision. I related to her about my desire to use her decision about girl's camp as a learning opportunity on the power of prayer. She agreed & we prayed. I waited until after our prayer to learn what her decision was, but she did have one before we started. (hope that made sense). Anyway, her decision was to find out if there were any other YW who were also 1st years in her predicament (being a party of 1). If there was, then she will attend this year. If there is not, then she will wait to go next year with her friends. Pretty darn mature. I am not sure if I would have made that decision at age 12, but she did.
4. Spoiling my kids. No, not spoiling them in the sense that they can do/get anything they want. Trust me, I am a meanie when it comes to that. Spoilage as in taking them to the movies because we want to see the movie and want to share our love of the subject with them. No, I am not talking about Iron Man (we are actually NOT Iron Man fans). No, I am talking about the new Star Trek movie. It was awesome, BTW. :) Our children are Trekkie's too, they got all the little references in the new movie and loved it as much as we did. So very cool.
5. My children's hard work on our flower beds. The ground is really hard in spots and we have really large flower beds (inherited, not created by us). We don't spend a lot of time each day (only 10 minutes), but they work hard for the entire time and without complaining! I will bask in this for as long as it lasts!
Happy Walking!
5.
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