An epiphany
So I am at week two of working out 6-7 days a week and twice on weekdays, meeting my eating and calorie burning targets and losing a total of .2 lbs. On one level this makes me totally feel grrrrrr. On another level, I don't care because I have finally figured something out. I would do what I am doing anyway, even if I never loose another pound.
I feel fantastic. I have zero foot pain for the first time in about 11 years (or more). I fit into the very outer edge of "normal" sized clothes, but that means that I can shop pretty much where ever I want, and even find plenty of things on sale/clearance that fit me and look good on me. Due to the fantastic feel of my feet I'd stick with the minimalist / barefoot shoes even if I never ran a step again. It doesn't hurt that many of the shoes fit right in with my sense of style. I actually enjoy yoga and weight-lifting, so adding them to my routine has increased my sense of well-being quite a bit. I have noticed that I just plain feel better when I walk on the treadmill every day that I can. Even counting calories has other benefits for me. I've pretty much sworn to only eat out no more than once a week for dinner and once a week for lunch. Fitting those meals into my calorie budget encourages me not to eat out more often than that, which has great benefits for my bank balance, which also makes me happy.
I've heard the idea that the trick to long-term weight loss was to "find activities you enjoy". Okay, that seems pretty duh, but for me there seems to be a big distinction between finding something I enjoy, and finding something I enjoy enough that I would do it even if I didn't loose weight as a result.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market show report
Everybody and their dog...
...is getting into barefoot / minimalist style shoes. Yay! You know you have become a mainstream trend when Dr. Scholl's is redesigning their line to include minimalist shoes. They were giving them away at the show, and like a propper mooch I grabbed a pair in size 10. They felt pretty good, except that the toe box is a bit narrower than I have gotten used to, so after walking on the Salt Palace floor for about 30 minutes I swapped them out for a pair of size 11s. The 11s are a bit too long, but my toes felt much better. Were I to speculate, I'd bet that traditional shoe manufactures may have a difficult time widening the toe box on their minimalist shoes enough for people like me. The average women's foot is 3 1/4 inches wide while the average woman's shoe is 3 inches wide. And then everyone acts all shocked when we end up with foot problems.
I got to stop by Terra Plana and take a gander at the next few season's VIVOBAREFOOT styles and I suspect I will be spending more money to buy 2 - 4 pair of shoes this year. I can't get over how comfortable their shoes are. They have some Mary Janes coming out next fall with an adjustable forefoot strap that I drool over. I did gripe about their US online customer support, so we shall see if it improves at all. I have my doubts, but you never know!
There is a new shoe company coming on line this August who where showing their wares at the show - Stem Footwear. I got to try on a pair of their shoes, and they felt great. Too bad all their sample sizes were men's 9.5 otherwise I would have done my darndest to try to promote a pair of shows then and there. I was particularly attracted to the lucious dark plum color of the shoes. Their website doesn't have actual photos of the shoes up, just drawings like this:
The shoes were very very light feeling on my foot, and the sole was incredibly flexible. The styling is plain enough, or the colors are sober enough that I would happily wear these shoes to work. They are planning to have shoes available for sale starting sometime in August, so I look forward to seeing this company again at the Summer Market show.
Camper also had a booth (relatively near Dr. Scholls) and I finally got to fondle some of the shoes from their Peu line. Like the Dr. Scholl's shoes I worry that their shoe last (the original design shape that their shoes start from) is too narrow in the toe box for me (as shown in the image on the left). I do want to try the pair on the right though, if the one local retailer in SLC has them in my size:
I got to stop by Terra Plana and take a gander at the next few season's VIVOBAREFOOT styles and I suspect I will be spending more money to buy 2 - 4 pair of shoes this year. I can't get over how comfortable their shoes are. They have some Mary Janes coming out next fall with an adjustable forefoot strap that I drool over. I did gripe about their US online customer support, so we shall see if it improves at all. I have my doubts, but you never know!
There is a new shoe company coming on line this August who where showing their wares at the show - Stem Footwear. I got to try on a pair of their shoes, and they felt great. Too bad all their sample sizes were men's 9.5 otherwise I would have done my darndest to try to promote a pair of shows then and there. I was particularly attracted to the lucious dark plum color of the shoes. Their website doesn't have actual photos of the shoes up, just drawings like this:
The shoes were very very light feeling on my foot, and the sole was incredibly flexible. The styling is plain enough, or the colors are sober enough that I would happily wear these shoes to work. They are planning to have shoes available for sale starting sometime in August, so I look forward to seeing this company again at the Summer Market show.
Camper also had a booth (relatively near Dr. Scholls) and I finally got to fondle some of the shoes from their Peu line. Like the Dr. Scholl's shoes I worry that their shoe last (the original design shape that their shoes start from) is too narrow in the toe box for me (as shown in the image on the left). I do want to try the pair on the right though, if the one local retailer in SLC has them in my size:
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Changing Light
Energized!
Now that December 22nd (and the shortest day of the year) has passed I feel my spirits and energy level slowly lifting as the days gradually get longer. I brought my yoga gear (clothes, mat, DVD) to work today and will do 1/2 hour session in my office this afternoon before I leave work. It amazes me that 3 weeks ago I could barely make myself consistently walk on the treadmill and now I cheerfully contemplate regularly doing 2 workouts a day 5 days a week (walk/lift or walk/yoga).
Feet
I am thrilled that my feet are feeling the best they have in years, just months after I sought medical attention for Achilles tendinitis. I'm still doing my heel lifts every day after I walk on the treadmill, as well as stretching my calf muscles. I've added some IT band exercises and stretches to help avoid the hip and knee pain I have been prone to in the past. Some of those exercises were on my rehab list from 2005 when I had an issue with pain at the bottom of my kneecap from excessively pronating while rollerblading every morning in the summer. I will also add the rest of those knee exercises to my morning routine. Apparently I need a lot of attention to detail and preventive maintenance on my hip/knee/foot structures to keep my athletic aspirations from dooming me to a life of joint pain. But the time sure seems worth it as my feet feel fantastic and nothing else hurts. I realize that this post is just begging the universe to screw with me, but I have hope that just this once it won't notice.
Now that December 22nd (and the shortest day of the year) has passed I feel my spirits and energy level slowly lifting as the days gradually get longer. I brought my yoga gear (clothes, mat, DVD) to work today and will do 1/2 hour session in my office this afternoon before I leave work. It amazes me that 3 weeks ago I could barely make myself consistently walk on the treadmill and now I cheerfully contemplate regularly doing 2 workouts a day 5 days a week (walk/lift or walk/yoga).
Feet
I am thrilled that my feet are feeling the best they have in years, just months after I sought medical attention for Achilles tendinitis. I'm still doing my heel lifts every day after I walk on the treadmill, as well as stretching my calf muscles. I've added some IT band exercises and stretches to help avoid the hip and knee pain I have been prone to in the past. Some of those exercises were on my rehab list from 2005 when I had an issue with pain at the bottom of my kneecap from excessively pronating while rollerblading every morning in the summer. I will also add the rest of those knee exercises to my morning routine. Apparently I need a lot of attention to detail and preventive maintenance on my hip/knee/foot structures to keep my athletic aspirations from dooming me to a life of joint pain. But the time sure seems worth it as my feet feel fantastic and nothing else hurts. I realize that this post is just begging the universe to screw with me, but I have hope that just this once it won't notice.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Back in the Saddle
Progress
As of Monday morning I have lost 4 of the 9 lbs I plumped up since Thanksgiving, making me just 5 lbs up over all. I'm trying to stay positive and not get too worked up over my weight fluctuation, and it does help that I am moving back in the right direction.
D'oh!
I have been struggling with adding my kettle bell workouts back into my routine. I really like walking on the treadmill every morning, and am eagerly awaiting the time when I can bring some running back int the mix (2.8 lbs to go!) I keep meaning to add my weight workouts in in the evening, but it just never seems to happen. As I was falling asleep last night I had a minor brainstorm. Why not take my minimal equipment in to my office and do an after lunch workout MWF? I would get the weights done, and not have the fear of Little Runner running behind me while I swing a weight around. Brilliant! So I that's what I did today, and I had my first 20 minute kettle bell workout in ages. We'll see if I am up to doing it again on Thursday or Friday. This should help accelerate my fitness and will hopefully help keep me for screwing up my feet or knees when I get back to running again. I just can't believe how long it took me to think of this idea.
As of Monday morning I have lost 4 of the 9 lbs I plumped up since Thanksgiving, making me just 5 lbs up over all. I'm trying to stay positive and not get too worked up over my weight fluctuation, and it does help that I am moving back in the right direction.
D'oh!
I have been struggling with adding my kettle bell workouts back into my routine. I really like walking on the treadmill every morning, and am eagerly awaiting the time when I can bring some running back int the mix (2.8 lbs to go!) I keep meaning to add my weight workouts in in the evening, but it just never seems to happen. As I was falling asleep last night I had a minor brainstorm. Why not take my minimal equipment in to my office and do an after lunch workout MWF? I would get the weights done, and not have the fear of Little Runner running behind me while I swing a weight around. Brilliant! So I that's what I did today, and I had my first 20 minute kettle bell workout in ages. We'll see if I am up to doing it again on Thursday or Friday. This should help accelerate my fitness and will hopefully help keep me for screwing up my feet or knees when I get back to running again. I just can't believe how long it took me to think of this idea.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Reality is a slap in the face
2nd Christmas
So my holidays are finally over, with the close of 2nd Christmas. This year we went to my Dad and step-mother's house at the end of the 1st week in January and met up with my brother, his wife and their two children. Little Runner was ecstatic. I was mixed, at least on the issue of food. I got fat for a reason, and my parents, particularly my father, is one of them. Meat and cream three meals a day is the goal for my dad. We had fantastic quiche for breakfast, or bacon and eggs, or sausage gravy. We had prime rib for dinner (okay that was at my request, but it was FANTASTIC), or ate out, or picked at the leftovers from the deli trays from the big family and neighbors get-together. And my lovely SIL made homemade chocolate chip cookies. Oh, and I got a great box of Drost (local to CO) chocolates. GAH.
As a result of holiday abandon and general laxness since November I am up 9 lbs since my low just before Thanksgiving. I don't think I can keep writing my weight-gain off to water weight. Maybe 2 lbs of it is due to my excessive love of salty foods, but the rest is just plain old habits re-asserting themselves. Mindless eating, opportunistic eating, and over indulging in available sweets.
Control
It seems that as soon as I perceive myself to be in a situation where I have little control over my food environment I give myself permission to go hog-wild. I think this is an offshoot of my historic all-or-nothing approach to dieting and exercise. Ether I was perfect, or I was perfectly horrid. I'm back in my environment again, and I need to regain my balance and sense of control. The Outdoor Retailer show will start next week and we will have house guests. This is usually a time where I tend to over-indulge, but I need to keep one thing in mind: Tiburon! On that Saturday Round Hiker and I will formally celebrate our 10th year anniversary (which was December 30th) at our favorite outrageously expensive restaurant. I definitely will not be limiting myself that night, so I have to be good the rest of the week!
So my holidays are finally over, with the close of 2nd Christmas. This year we went to my Dad and step-mother's house at the end of the 1st week in January and met up with my brother, his wife and their two children. Little Runner was ecstatic. I was mixed, at least on the issue of food. I got fat for a reason, and my parents, particularly my father, is one of them. Meat and cream three meals a day is the goal for my dad. We had fantastic quiche for breakfast, or bacon and eggs, or sausage gravy. We had prime rib for dinner (okay that was at my request, but it was FANTASTIC), or ate out, or picked at the leftovers from the deli trays from the big family and neighbors get-together. And my lovely SIL made homemade chocolate chip cookies. Oh, and I got a great box of Drost (local to CO) chocolates. GAH.
As a result of holiday abandon and general laxness since November I am up 9 lbs since my low just before Thanksgiving. I don't think I can keep writing my weight-gain off to water weight. Maybe 2 lbs of it is due to my excessive love of salty foods, but the rest is just plain old habits re-asserting themselves. Mindless eating, opportunistic eating, and over indulging in available sweets.
Control
It seems that as soon as I perceive myself to be in a situation where I have little control over my food environment I give myself permission to go hog-wild. I think this is an offshoot of my historic all-or-nothing approach to dieting and exercise. Ether I was perfect, or I was perfectly horrid. I'm back in my environment again, and I need to regain my balance and sense of control. The Outdoor Retailer show will start next week and we will have house guests. This is usually a time where I tend to over-indulge, but I need to keep one thing in mind: Tiburon! On that Saturday Round Hiker and I will formally celebrate our 10th year anniversary (which was December 30th) at our favorite outrageously expensive restaurant. I definitely will not be limiting myself that night, so I have to be good the rest of the week!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Walking pace tied to health assessment
Faster than 2.25 mph
According to this MSNBC article walking faster is a sign of good health. "Those who walked 1 meter per second (about 2.25 mph) or faster consistently lived longer than others of their age and sex who walked more slowly, the study showed."
I find this factoid very interesting because before I went on Cymbalta Round Hiker complained that I walked too slow. I often felt like I was and 80 year old woman trying to walk through water. I literally could not walk quickly. I would try and not be able to move my legs and feet faster than an amble. Now I walk at 2.7-2.8 mph on the treadmill in the mornings, and I find that my regular walking pace is probably between 2.3 and 2.5 mph. Still far slower than Round Hiker's 3-3.5 mph normal walking pace, but better than my 1.5ish mph crawl before. Hopefully this increased walking pace is a good indicator of my overall health. That would be sweet!
According to this MSNBC article walking faster is a sign of good health. "Those who walked 1 meter per second (about 2.25 mph) or faster consistently lived longer than others of their age and sex who walked more slowly, the study showed."
I find this factoid very interesting because before I went on Cymbalta Round Hiker complained that I walked too slow. I often felt like I was and 80 year old woman trying to walk through water. I literally could not walk quickly. I would try and not be able to move my legs and feet faster than an amble. Now I walk at 2.7-2.8 mph on the treadmill in the mornings, and I find that my regular walking pace is probably between 2.3 and 2.5 mph. Still far slower than Round Hiker's 3-3.5 mph normal walking pace, but better than my 1.5ish mph crawl before. Hopefully this increased walking pace is a good indicator of my overall health. That would be sweet!
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