Paint your wagon and come along
I swear, this has nothing to do with New Year’s resolutions, but I’m back on the treadmill again. A few days ago I’d climbed a flight of stairs and felt a little winded. Also, my jeans are a bit tight so I had to get back on the wagon.
Last time I was doing it, the routine was every other day for about an hour. I don’t run because I don’t want to mess up my joints, so I walk as fast as I can without falling. This is about the speed of a slow jog. The machine does up to a 10% grade, so much of it is uphill. I spend half of that time also working out my upper body with hand weights.
Why every other day? If I get on that thing, I come off with my hair drenched in sweat and I don’t like to wash my hair every day. Simple as that.
This time however, I’m going to do it every day for the first thirty days to get back into the habit. Last time I was exercising regularly, I did it faithfully for two years. A physical therapist friend of mine told me after seven workouts it becomes a habit. I want this habit in one week, not two.
My goal is to be in shape, build healthier bones, and lose about seven pounds. It should take about two months as I don’t plan to change my diet except for cutting out chocolate.
I’ll post the results weekly. So far, I might have lost a half a pound. That’s after three workouts.
Anyone interested in getting on the wagon? It doesn’t matter what you do, run, Wii Fit, work out with a trainer, just as long as you commit. I’ll crack the whip on you and you can make fun of me if I don’t lose my seven pounds by the end of February.
Hold on.
Mireille just joined!
That’s my dawg and she needs to lose about a pound. I know, one pound. I used to walk her a mile a day, but with the cold weather I’ve been cutting our walks short.
Who else is in?
Laughing Muse said,
December 29, 2008 at 7:07 pm
I don’t have a treadmill, nor do I have a scale to measure my weight. But if walking twice a day can count towards the commitment, sign me up.
Kitty said,
December 29, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Yes that absolutely does count. It’s great to have you in the wagon, Laughing Muse.
silverstar98121 said,
December 29, 2008 at 8:54 pm
When I have the urge to exercise, I lie down until it passes. But I’ll think about it.
Kitty said,
December 29, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Silverstar, you know you can do leg lifts while lying down.
You walk your dog every day rain, shine, snowstorm, whatever, so you’re already on the wagon. Just keep doing what you’re doing.
tysdaddy said,
December 29, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Cutting out chocolate?! Good luck . . .
Sending you healthy, sweaty thoughts . . .
Kitty said,
December 29, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Thanks Brian. Yep I am off the chocolate and all sweets. It’s been about a week since I’ve had any. We didn’t even have any dessert on Christmas. Thanks for the good thoughts.
TigerWillow said,
December 29, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I got a pedicure, no… um, right! a PEDOMETER for Christmas… and today, I mae my goad for the first time using it. There’s hope for me, I guess!
Tomorrow, I’m going to Universal Studios and you know I’ll double that and then hurt the next day…so I’ll be doing two days in one.
TigerWillow said,
December 29, 2008 at 10:34 pm
god… I really need to proof… but I guess goad/goal are sorta the same, right?
Kitty said,
December 29, 2008 at 11:15 pm
TigerWillow, that’s great you made your goal. Keep on keeping on. You’re on the wagon with us.
Have a great time at Universal, that will be a fun walk.
fevah said,
December 29, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Kitty i will walk to the shops instead of takeing my horse, every day. that’s about 4 miles each way does that count.
ps we don’t get chocolate here so that ones easy for me.
Meagan Call said,
December 30, 2008 at 12:02 am
I have a tournament (like BIG tournament) in less than a month and I’m going to be destroyed. Because I’m in horrible shape. I’d like to join the bandwagon and will, but I fear it will be too little too late. If I survive January, I’ll let you know!
Kitty said,
December 30, 2008 at 12:15 am
That is a hell of a lot of walking Fevah, three miles more than I will be doing. I say you should take your horse and just walk along side him/her. We want your horse on our wagon. One of my kids is allergic to chocolate, so I’m guessing it is not necessary for life, she is healthy and pretty, too.
Meagan what sort of tournament? I have seen MMA fighters get in incredible shape in just a month. Think positive and work hard, it is great to have you on board.
So far we have Laughing Muse, Silverstar, Tiger Willow, Fevah, Meagan, Mireille (and Scrappy too), and I on the wagon.
We are wagon training!
merlisser said,
December 30, 2008 at 1:45 am
Why not. I’m half marathon training anyway.
Kitty said,
December 30, 2008 at 2:36 am
Half marathon training is better than no marathon training. Welcome aboard.
michele said,
December 30, 2008 at 5:00 am
Funny, I just said the other day I will be getting back on the nordic track after my toe heals.
Kitty said,
December 30, 2008 at 5:21 am
What sort of Nordic Track do you have, is the the ski machine?
michele said,
December 30, 2008 at 5:30 am
Yeah, it does both the arms and legs. I used it when I ws toning up for my wedding, that is how old that thing is. But it works the whole body.
max said,
December 30, 2008 at 11:53 am
Cut out chocolate? What?
Blane Jr. said,
December 30, 2008 at 12:46 pm
I’m in
179 to 165 by Jan 17th is my goal
Melanie said,
December 30, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Good luck! I’ve been going to the gym faithfully for years now. I took a little break, but I’ll be back at it next week. Not that I ever lose any weight. I’ve been trying for 2 years to lose the last 10 lbs of baby weight! But I do feel better when I exercise.
tpgoddess0103 said,
December 30, 2008 at 3:11 pm
OH yay! Someone else can take up the exercise cheerleading this year! I had Move 2008 through almost all of this year and really what made me stop was just that I got tired of the appointment blogging part of it. Should have made it less than weekly updates I think! Besides, only one other person stuck it out with me.
Anyhow, yes, I am in. 2008 was way better than 2007 and I certainly have established a routine that I can continue. My goal is to get my arms strong enough to handle heavier hand weights this year. Keeping my arms/shoulders strong and limber is how I keep away the carpal tunnel issues at work. I *wish* I could walk regularly for the aerobic part, but I must be realistic in those goals since my lifestyle is just not set up for that again this year. However, I have the pedals and Wii Fit so I can handle it!
We gave up High Fructose Corn Syrup this year. HUGE improvement in overall nagging health issues with that. The big one there? Soda.
Kitty said,
December 30, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Michele, that is a killer workout machine.
Yeah Max, but it’s just temporary. You know how it is when you’re working out, you think *how many extra laps do I have to do for this chocolate bar?
Yikes Blane Jr., 14 pounds in a little over two weeks! I know you go to the gym for hours a day and have lost quite a bit over the holidays. Keep up the hard work. That’s a tough goal but I know how hard you work and you’re determined.
Melanie, it’s great that you’ve kept to a routine for years. I admire that greatly. My husband’s been doing martial arts for about seven years now. The only time he skips a workout is when he’s traveling. Have you talked to a trainer about the ten pounds?
TP, I think the thing that has helped me keep up with the exercising in the past is lies. I never feel like doing it, but my conscience makes me. I tell myself all I have to do is put on my shoes, stretch out for ten minutes and just do one lap because one lap is better than nothing. After I get one done, I say, okay I can do another, I’m already on here. It’s always around the time I am about to break that my second wind comes and makes it much easier.
I switched to diet drinks about 10 to 15 years ago. Blane just recently switched (finally). It only takes a week or two to get used to and the sweetners they use now are so much tastier than in the past.
writinggb said,
December 30, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Can’t give up chocolate. No way. It’s GOOD for you, don’t you know — has those flavonoid anti-oxidant thingeys. That’s a deal breaker if that is required.
Seriously, I SO wish we had a treadmill. I can really imagine myself using it. I love walking as a form of exercise, but I can’t manage to drag myself outside when it’s single digit windchill here in New England.
With hubbie’s layoff and all, I can’t afford to spend moolah on classes or equipment. YET…I know I’m making excuses. I’m open to suggestions, y’all.
Lost 25 pounds in 2007 and have gained back seven in fall of 2008 when I went back to work. ARRGGH. I need to join your wagon. But how…?
Kitty said,
December 30, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Look on Craigslist, Wrtiinggb. My first treadmill was one I got for free. Someone was selling it for $25 at a garage sale and it was the end of the day. They really just wanted it out of their house and when they saw me looking it over, they just said, “Please take it, you can have it for free, just haul it off.”
There might be a freecycle program in your area where people give away things they no longer want. This is a great time to look around because a lot of folks just got some new equipment and want to get rid of the old stuff.
Then there is the old old fashioned way. jumping jacks, sit ups, push ups. main thing is, you want to get your heart rate up and sustain that for at least 20 minutes. you could do that while watching the news on tv.
I’ll look around on the web for some exercise without equipment inside the home and post when I get back from running errands.
francis2two said,
December 30, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Jumping rope is really great, but a little hard to get used to at first. But that is a good one when it’s cold out.
I’m in. I am going treadmill every-other-day because I believe it’s good for your body to do something different in-between, am doing a little yoga every day, and then doing body resistance stuff like pushups or free weights or band exercises as it hits me.
I have a new diet too, based on this guy: http://www.free-fitness-system.com/body-transformation.html
Sorry for the plug, but it makes sense to me and I don’t have to think much, but it puts good boundaries for me in my busy life.
Okay, that’s my plan!
Kitty said,
December 30, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Jumprope, that’s a great one. Thanks, Francis. Which reminds me, I have a set of bungee cords I used to bring with me while traveling to keep in the habit of exercise. They are cheap and lightweight, easy to store and carry.
Michele said,
December 30, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I am with you in spirit!
I would totally love to get back to my 6-12 flights of stairs a day, but until they figure out what is up with my lungs and shortness of breath, it’s all I can do to walk to my office and do my job and daily routine.
I know ya’ll can lose whatever you need to, just have patience and stick with it!!
Kitty said,
December 30, 2008 at 8:36 pm
I’m wishing you better health in ‘09, Michele. No, it would not be a good idea for you to exercise with what’s going on with your breathing until your doc clears it.
I’m happy to have your spirit on the wagon and the rest of you has an open invite to join up when you do get better. Cheers.
francis2two said,
December 31, 2008 at 6:48 am
Hey Michele, this could be random, but I was having trouble with breathing when I was having intolerance to some foods. On the surface it might seem unrelated, but when we resolved those problems I no longer had the breathing issues.
voodoo said,
December 31, 2008 at 7:06 am
I will join. A small goal that is not as hard to I will ride the recumbent bike for 30 minutes every other day and do the upper body exercises that were given after shoulder surgery . My goal is to lose 5 pounds in one month and be healthier. Dove dark chocolate has to be had here twice a week in moderation. Good luck Kitty on the chocolate. Happy New year to all.
Ape said,
December 31, 2008 at 9:58 am
I have been Wii fitting for about the last 2 months. I have lost a total of 12 lbs. Looking for a few more pounds to be gone. From Sept 2007-Sept 2008 I gained 35lbs from medication to reduce stress and anxiety. I am now off the meds and looking to shed the weight. I am on vacation in North Carolina but when I return its me and the Wii Fit. Jillian Michaels new excerise game for Wii Fit is an intense workout. The Hola hoop on Wii Fit is harsh as well. Someone once told me that doing hola-hooping 10 mins a day for at least 4-5 days a week will take off inches around your waist area in a month. I never believed it till I started the Wii Fit Hola-hooping. When I get off that thing I am drenched. Good luck everyone.
Kitty said,
December 31, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Yay, Voodoo. That is a good goal, five pounds in one month. Recumbent bikes are easy on the bones and provide a great cardio workout. A couple of Dove chocolates here and there won’t hurt. Thanks for the New Year wishes.
Ape, that’s fantastic, 12 pounds in two months! I’m so proud of you girl.
All of those mood stabilizers seem to cause weight gain. I had a neighbor (I think he was just 16) put on 70 pounds in 6 months.
Blane Jr. uses Wii Fit for some of his exercising and he loves it.
I’ve been wanting to get a Wii in this house for good while now, but we already have the XBox 360 and the Playstation, so Blane Sr. says “No, no, no.” Not one more game system. Grrrr.
Ruth said,
January 4, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I’m in!! And I like the sound of your goal – lose 7 lbs by the end of February . . . me too!
Thanks, Kitty!
Kitty said,
January 4, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Yay Ruth!
Seven pounds in two months is not too aggressive. I didn’t put it on overnight so I guess I can’t expect to take it off that quickly.