A License To Go SLOW

Over the weekend, on my way to Trader Joe's, I passed three women 'running' down our main road. Coming back from Trader Joe's, I saw another one. These women were 'running' at my speed. Which I like to call walking, with finesse.

I thought I was the only one in town (or maybe even the world) who runs so s-l-o-w-l-y. It's a real issue with me, actually. A runner friend told me that it doesn't matter how fast or slow I go, as long as I keep moving and stay with it. I try to internalize that advice but, no matter how hard I try, I end up trying to run fast and then I get frustrated and/or injured.

I'm sure it doesn't help one bit that everyone I pass when I'm out there is in their 30s and 40s and their slow pace is faster than my fastest pace. Hell, they walk faster than I run. And, when I see them or hear them coming, I speed up because I can hear their thoughts-- "Crazy old woman, why don't you just walk so we don't have to call 911 for you?" Or, "Poor old thing, I guess she's taking the 'slow and steady' philosophy to heart." As soon as I speed up, I regret it. Now I have to keep this ridiculous pace until they catch up and pass me. What an idiot. By time they do, finally, pass by, I can hardly breathe. I want to call someone to come get me. Even though I'm less than a quarter mile from the house.

But now, I've seen them. There are more out there like me. And they're younger. And they're running MY RUN. I feel like I will be running everywhere I go now. It's like these women gave me a license to do so-- freely. Without care or concern about what anyone else has to say or thinks (and, really, I doubt they even notice me).

I just hope it works when that 70+ year old is coming my way. He outruns all of us.

Ah, Youth

Remember the Wednesday before spring break when I was running and my Tucky darted in front of me and I fell?

Well, I'm back!

That's right! Yesterday was my first day back at running and it went well! I was so excited!

Even though I took it slow and easy. 4 weeks and 4 days of not being able to run was long. And torturous. But I wanted to make sure I could do it and keep doing it.

Of course, DoodleBug decided to come with me. And I was quickly reminded of my youth. And how much I miss it.

She ran circles around me and, by the time I finished one mile, she had run 2 or 3. Sigh.

And then, just to make me miss my youth that much more, Deanie ran her first half marathon yesterday.

She signed up at work with some friends---(Deanie is in the middle)--

They trained and trained and yesterday was the day of the run. I thought back on my college days when I ran. I don't remember liking it at all, but I did it nearly every day. I wasn't a distance runner, only running 2 or 3 miles, but I could do it.

Anyway, the girls went out about 6:00 A.M. to prepare. The race started at 7:00. I really don't remember ever smiling like they are THAT early in the morning during my youthful years.

 I finally decided to just be proud of myself for even attempting to get out there and run at all at my middle age. I decided to appreciate the fact that a lovely has moved home and WANTS to go out running with me all. And to just be so proud of Deanie getting out there and running a half marathon.

Which sent me right into mama mode and I started worrying about her running all that way and whether or not she had enough water and then the whole Boston Marathon issue popped into my head. Why do we moms do that? 

Anyway, afterwards, I told Deanie she should take advantage of her sister (Birdie) being an athletic trainer and ask her what needed to be done following a 13 mile run. 

Birdie told her to hydrate and stretch. 

And, because youthfulness is closely related to smart assery in our family, I got this picture--

Yes, my youth is gone and missed. But the youthful laughter that surrounds me tends to keep me more youthful than I realize.

OH- her time was 2:08--not too shabby for a first timer!

I'm linking this post to the twenty-fifth post of the April, A-Z Challenge!

Just click the badge below to visit other participants. 

Ok, let's see what y'all came up with for the letter 'Y'!

Big Balls

As if that darn 30 Day Shred of Jillian Michaels' coupled with running wasn't enough, I've added one more form of exercise to my daily routine.

The exercise ball.

Mine looks like the one in the picture and I've had it for YEARS. It's seen way more action from the lovelies playing around on it than it ever has from me. But all that changed this week.

I've started doing a few exercises on it while reading or watching television. And I've also started just sitting on it while doing the same activities. It's amazing how engaged your core is even if all you do is sit on it!

My biggest fears concerning the exercise ball are two-fold. First, I'm afraid the darn thing is going to pop while I'm sitting on it. I don't like loud noises. Nor hitting the floor hard. Second, I'm afraid that, while I'm walking out to a plank position as my torsopelvisthighkneescalvesankles roll across the ball, my face is going to hit the floor. I'm not fond of my face hitting the floor either. Let's just say that it's a safe bet I won't be doing many exercises requiring lying on my back on the ball--for obvious reasons.


I found a TON of ball exercises at FitnessBliss. Like the one below---which, I SWEAR, is one of the hardest one of all: 

 And this one, which seems to be one of the easiest but she is on her back so...:

And this one which is not nearly as bad as it seems...Bah hahahahaha...yes it is:

And then there's this one- which is one of those that might have me end up on my face but very doable:

I love their little illustrations over there! PLUS, they have an incredible list of exercises that utilize loads of different equipment as well as some that only require you to use--YOU! AND they provide a checklist where you can make up your own daily routine and check each exercise off as you go as well as keep track of your progress. Awesome site!

Anyway, the exercise ball is a great way to continue firming up and burning an extra calorie or two while I read or watch television! And, as long as I don't end up on my face, it's fun too!

Have you ever tried using an exercise ball? What do you do while reading or watching television?

Here I Go. Again.

I'm going to do it again. As in, I'm going to try a running program. This time, it's in the form of an app for my phone.

The last time I tried a running program, I got bored. Big time. And then I quit. But not before it got me running further than 30 feet before I died. The problem is, I still can't run very far before I have to stop- because of my breathing.

The 2-step method (you can read about it here) worked yesterday and I practiced it while fast walking this morning. It was great! Now that I can breathe, I might just make it!

I'm trying an app called Learn To Run. I'll start tomorrow since it is advised that, when training, it's important to have a rest day in between run days and I ran yesterday. I'm going to run on MWF and walk the rest of the week. Hopefully this app will help me stick with it.

The last program I tried was not a bad program. But I had to set my stopwatch on my phone and keep watching it until the time was up for the run segment and then keep watching it until the walk segment was over and then repeat. Ten times. That was annoyingashell to say the least. Plus I had to keep adding the times so I'd know when 1 minute or 3 minutes were up and then 2 minutes and 4 minutes all the way up to 45 minutes and then I'd get confused and it was just ridiculous.

With the Learn To Run app, I'm hoping none of that will be an issue. It is supposed to beep when it's time to switch from running to walking and vice versa. PLUS- I can listen to my own music and not that creepy techno crap that I hear on some of those apps. Sheesh. Anyone else out there find that music creepy? I don't like it. I think it reminds me of a porn movie. Don't ask.

Anyway, it is a free app so I really shouldn't complain if it doesn't work out.

Supposedly, I'll be able to run without looking at my watch or stopping for ONE HOUR in only 25 days. Right. Hey, if they can do that for me- it'll be a miracle. And I, for one, do believe in miracles!

Wish me luck!

Do you have trouble sticking with an exercise? Does it seem to take you longer than others to be able to reach an exercise goal?

Pace Yourself

I've never been very good at this. At least as far back as I can remember.

I think it all started with having children though. You know how it goes. The kids come along and your life is all about their needs/wants and you put yourself on the back burner. You do it gladly. Willingly.

And the results are amazing! As far as the kids go. Not so much for myself personally.

It's been three years since the youngest lovely moved out to attend college and I still haven't learned how to pace myself. I rushed the things I needed to do for 25 years so that I would always be available to the lovelies and I cannot seem to find my groove in a slower pace.

This seems to be a problem on my path to health and fitness as well. I want it all. And I want it now.

Am I afraid to work for it? Nope. I just don't want to wait for it. I want it NOW. It's not going to happen that way. So I'm going to try to slow down, pay attention and get this thing done.

This week I am going to focus on my running. I have gotten quite annoyed with this process. In my mind I should be running a 5k by now. And I'm not. It's attitude adjustment time, y'all. Again.

The first thing I did was sit down and figure out the thing that makes the running hardest for me- and I don't mean the heat or the humidity or the bugs--those are excuses.

It's the breathing. I cannot seem to sync my breathing.

Research time.

Some of you may recall that I discovered a new-to-me website, DailyFeats where they offer challenges in the form of lists and you check off each feat you complete on a daily basis. One of my challenges is through the site, Greatist, and they have TONS of info about exercising. Including how to breathe while running! WHAT?!

According to Greatist, it boils down to is this: there doesn't seem to be a 'rule' for breathing while running. Oh. HOWEVER, they do suggest taking one breath for every two strikes of your foot. For example, breathe in for two steps (right, left) and then breathe out for two steps (right, left). Apparently this will keep your internal organs from putting pressure on your diaphragm which will, in turn, make breathing easier. (Just click the links and you can read all about what they have to say).

Ok, armed with this information (which Birdie did tell me to try a couple of months ago and I forgot), I went out for my morning run.

RE-FREAKING-MARKABLE!

I'm not even kidding, y'all, one little bit. It made all the difference. ALL. THE. DIFFERENCE.

Yes. It IS a bit difficult to focus on monitoring the breathing. Even so, this was incredible. At least for today. And, should I find a little patience, this will soon become second nature. I won't have to focus so much and will be able to just enjoy the run. That's my plan anyway.

I'm looking for two things now--

1. A good running trainer app for either my android phone or my iPod. If you have suggestions, please let me know.
2. A summer weight loss challenge.

And now---it's time for day 19 of the 30 Day Shred. I'm not scared of you Jillian Michaels! Bring it on girl! WooHoo! 

How do you pace yourself?

I Quit You Pandora

I am NOT playing with Pandora any more. They suck.

Seriously. Frist, who comes up with the artists/songs related to the station you make? An idiot, that’s who. Do you really believe that Jimi Hendrix belongs on The Black Keys station? Really? Or that I want to hear RAP when I'm listening to the Maroon 5 station? Dumb asses.

And the music keeps skipping or hesitating or fading in and out---whatever the hell these things do these days. Back in the way day, records skipped. It sounds kind of like that. And it’s annoyingashell. Oh yeah, buffering. It buffers itself about 5 times every 10 seconds. Tell me that’s not annoyingashell. Go ahead. Tell me.

I don’t care about the ads. I just mute it or take my earbuds out. But that buffering crap has got to go.

And Netflix is just as annoying. It's like the morons who do the write ups on there never paid attention in fourth grade English. They cannot get their grammar correct to save their freaking lives. I’m sick of it. Not to mention (or maybe I will) that the dang thing is constantly interrupting itself to---what is it called---is this buffering also? Whatever.

I'm over it. 

Anyway, not playing around with Pandora was not an issue because I had my own music. Until my Zune died. Completely died. Wah!

I need my Zune because it has all my music on it and my running playlists (that's right playlists- PLURAL- why more than one? Because of my short attention span that causes me to get bored with the same one over and over and over and over...). 

But it died. Completely. 

And I was sad. VERY sad. Until Mother's Day rolled around. 

Have I ever told y'all how fantastically wonderful the lovelies are? They knew that my Zune died (completely) and this is what they got me for Mother's Day:

That's right! The lovelies gave me a brand spanking NEW white iPod touch baby! 8GB! (Whatever a GB is---I think it means I can have a really lot of music on there).

And so Pandora (you too, Netflix), I blow raspberries in your general direction! 

Hey, it could have been worse. I could have done this instead of the raspberries(if you don't want to see the whole clip, just start at 1:40):

 

I guess y'all can tell we've been playing around with my blog design. We might get one that I really like at some point. Sorry y'all have to see all the 'construction' but we can't figure out how to make the changes without them showing up when my helper is all the way in DC! Please bear with us!

Fitness

The first time I started a weight loss journey, I had the wrong mindset. And I gained all the weight back plus some extra pounds for good measure. But the exercise I started during that time stuck with me. Sort of.

I just stopped applying exertion.

The first form of exercise I started was using the treadmill that had been in a corner of the family room for a couple of years collecting dust. It was all I could do to stay on that thing for 15 minutes at the whopping speed of 2.0 mph.

Once I could stay on the treadmill for 30 minutes at 3.5 mph, I decided I needed more and tried a gym for one month. When you combine the fact that I have the attention span of a two-year-old with the fact that 60+ year olds were putting me to shame on the treadmill, I thought better of the whole gym membership idea.

Next, I gave up the treadmill altogether and started walking the dog outside. But, since this was more about the dog than me, I started on the DVD track. With Yoga Booty Ballet. OUCH. This lasted about one month. I got bored. End of DVD.

And so I stopped doing everything. Except walking the dog. Which was NOT enough to keep the weight off. Especially since the eating of all sugars and carbs and anydamnthingIwanted had started again.

In the midst of this regain, our daughters gave us a Wii for Christmas and I started Wii Fit. Fun! At first. Then, bored again. So I got Wii Zumba. Fun! Until I got bored.

Nothing really changed until I joined a challenge in June 2011. When I finally discovered the exercise that I seem to be able to stick with.

Walking and running.

Simple. Effective. Inexpensive. It's hard to beat. AND, Tucker (my sweet doggie) goes with me every day! Which is great until he sees a squirrel and we have to stop while he barks at it.

Do I get bored? Yes. But that's why I have several options-when I'm bored, I change it up. For example, I might walk a mile, run a mile, walk a mile OR I might run a song, walk a song, run a song...etc. Then there are days when I only walk- in which case I increase my distance.

The thing is, I started out not being able to walk faster than 2 mph for 15 minutes on a treadmill and I am now either walking 5 miles OR running/walking 3 miles every single day. Rain or shine.

So, all that wordiness to say what?

•  Exercise is a must to getting fit. 
• It doesn't matter how little you are able to do when you first begin, you just have to start. It will get better.
• If you get bored, CHANGE what you are doing- there are MILLIONS of options out there.
• You might not be able to stay on a treadmill for more than 15 minutes at first but, if you stick with it, you'll be walking further and faster (OR running) before you know it! 
• Getting fit improves your breathing
• Getting fit improves your attitude
• Getting fit enables mental clarity
• Getting fit gives you energy
• Getting fit increases your stamina
• Music makes a difference. Find the music that motivates you! I use jog.fm
• If your choice of exercise requires shoes, make the investment in a good pair- I'm in love with my Asics!
• Stick with it! Even on days when the spirit is NOT moving you, EXERCISE ANYWAY. You'll feel better. Afterwards.
• Exercise can lead to weight loss, but it provides so much more- YOU WILL GET FIT!
• You won't get fit if you keep making excuses about not exercising. 
• Don't freak out about speed and distance to begin with- just move!

I'm sure some of you have thought of even more benefits to getting fit than the few I've mentioned here.

So what are you waiting for? Researchresearchresearch your options! Readreadread everything you can get your hands on that will help you make an informed decision about the exercise that is right for you! Talktalktalk to a health care professional to make sure your choice is just right for you! Seriously, you really don't want to start something the wrong way or something that is wrong for you/your current fitness/health level and injure yourself.

And then, GET UP and GET MOVING!


This is the sixth day of the A-Z April Challenge. I thought I might try a theme this year and focus on my personal journey to health and fitness, including weight loss.

Today's letter is F and my word for the day is FITNESS.

I Know Where Winter Is AND-- About This Running Thing...

Winter is with Deanie and NicholAss in UTAH. Who knew?

Meanwhile, DoodleBug and Gibbsterrific (Evwardo was sick, HannahBanana was busy, Benjamin was working, Wes was busy---we missed y'all!) came over for dinner and I made this for dessert--

Yep- fresh strawberries and homemade gluten free chocolate peanut crunchy thingys. They were so freaking delicious!

On the exercise note- I started an actual running program type thing this morning. 

And survived. 

All I have to do is follow the schedule and I should be able to run for 20 NONSTOP minutes at the end of one month. 

Right.

I know myself pretty well at this age. And I know that if I go too fast with this, I will become frustrated and quit. Not quit exercising but running. And just walk. I don't want that to happen.

I realize that running without a plan was not working. So I DO need a plan. 

I thought about turning their days into weeks- for example, DAY 1 is run 1 minute, walk 5 minutes. Repeat 3 times. DAY 2 is run 2 minutes, walk 4 minutes. Repeat 3 times. And so on...

Instead, I thought I would turn DAY 1 into WEEK 1- for 3 days. Then DAY 2 would become WEEK 2 for three days. And so on...

Ok, all you runners out there- considering my age (over 50 HOWTHEHELLDIDTHATHAPPEN) and my tendency to get frustrated (and bored and to over-do) coupled with my desire to run but to take is SLOW--the questions are:

1. Does this sound feasible?
2. Is there a better way?
3. Do you have suggestions?

What I would love is a printable schedule that takes it slow. I'm not in a hurry because I really want to do this. The 5k I'm planning to run is not until Thanksgiving! I have plenty of time to do this. And do it right.

Any and all suggestions are more than welcome and appreciated! 

Mom, You Are NOT Putting the Dog in There, Are You?

What's my favorite kind of day? The kind when I get to spend it with one or more of the lovelies!

I had that kind of day this morning! DoodleBug came over and we made a morning out of it.

First, we headed over to buy a jogging stroller. I wanted one for Tucker. He still stops after about a mile--or after he poops, whichever comes first-- and wants me to carry him. Which means I have to walk, not run. So I put him in a stroller we have here but it just didn't work out for running. First, that dang thing went all over the place and, secondly, I stepped on the rear wheel and nearly embarrassed myself by practically sprawling out in a perfect face plant on the trail.

Yeah. So, I looked on Craigs List and discovered one of those jogging strollers. I bought it this morning. Much to the embarrassment of a lovely or two who think that the strollers are for babies NOT doggies. To which I may have replied something like, "Until someone gives me grandchildren, the dog is going into the stroller." (Of course, I didn't mention that at that point, I'll be looking for a double jogging stroller...shhh..) Another conversation (via facebook) went like this:

My friend:  "Please please please take video. A photo just won't be enough!"
DoodleBug: "For the love of God and all that is holy, please don't encourage her!"

Will that stop me? Absolutely NOT. Will I take a video? Not sure about that. But I will post pictures soon.


Anyway, after purchasing the jogging stroller, we went to this market that I've been wanting to check out. Everything they carry is organic and local. Even the beef and chicken! 

Here is their lunch menu-I forgot to take a picture of their breakfast menu...oops!

I had their spinach and cheese quiche with fruit--although I would almost swear it was collard greens instead of spinach...which is fine with me! I love them both!

DoodleBug had their yogurt, granola and fruit parfait. She said that each layer had been drizzled with honey. So yummy!

They had farm fresh eggs and butter, SC honey, grass fed beef, free range chickens, organic milk, fresh fruits and veggies, homemade dressings and chutneys and such, dried beans...it was awesome!

Do you LOVE that cabinet? I do!

We came home with these:

And, the really cool thing? For a one-time fee of $15 you can order from them how ever often you want to and they will deliver your items to your house (for $5.95 delivery fee) OR to the drop-off for free! So, every week I can have farm fresh everything delivered to the drop-off! WooHoo! And, they not only drop off the grocery foods but also their home cooked meals should you want any of those! How awesome to know that I have such easy access to organically and locally grown foods?!

Guess what else? They are NICE in there. NICE. And their farm is less than one hour from our house so I can even go check it out if I want. Did I mention that they are NICE in there? You can check them out RIGHT HERE!


Lastly, we went to Michael's. Where I might have spent way too much money as usual a little bit of money. (guilty smile) Do NOT tell Hubs! 


The entire morning was absolutely perfect! 


Now, I'm off to take a run. With Tucker. AND the jogging stroller!