I've learned I have to set goals other than weight loss. I really can't control what my metabolism will do. I CAN set new goals with diet and exercise and reach them.
I've been told NOT to run due to my knee...but I've lost 25 lbs and I'm ready for a workout that is a bit of fun and different. I love my walks, but they don't make me sweat. High impact aerobics lead to swollen knees by evening. Enter C25k - Couch to 5 K. I figure it's light enough to start off that it may not blow out my knee....and I may slowly build up to 5 K. This may be a mid-life crisis. I want to run again. The runners in the house are great cheer leaders. I'd love to be able to run 5K next time in Korea - for our regional conference. I may settle for brisk walking and jogging...but hey....it's something.
I finished week one today. That means I can jog for 8 minutes and do a brisk walk for 22 minutes. I do the elliptical on the off days. I'm considering doing 30 min of elliptical after the 30 min of "wogging" to keep my workouts at 60 min. The nutritionist and trainer from GAFB all assure me with my thyroid induced sluggish metabolism and age I need to do 45 - 60 min of cardio 6 days a week...so I'm a bit leery of this 30 min run thing.....but we shall see.
Things I learned this week:
- In high school you can get away with skipping the stretching. A middle aged female should stretch.
- My knee is NOT swollen and doesn't really hurt....just sort of feels "off"....so
- Don't do this every day and be prepared to stay at the wogging stage if the knee can't handle running.
- My knee may be able to handle this is I build up GRADUALLY (ala C25K) and now that I've lost a significant amount of weight.
- I may reward myself with an armband for my ipod so I can have music cues, watching for potholes, keeping my eye on the tiny second hand, and avoiding snakes is getting a bit scary.
In addition, I've hired Zander as my Personal Trainer. He's currently obsessing about fitness. I tend to go with his obsessions....what else is an aspie mom to do? This means I'm doing bridges, planks, and all manner of strange stretches..... This a.m.
Zander: "Mom, do this...."
Me: "Why, what is it good for?"
Zander: "It's a bridge, I don't know - but it hurts. Do it."
As I do push ups - which I would not do except for the little nazi at my side.....
Zander: "GREAT you've done 10 - I bet you can do 18 more."
Me: "You have GOT to be kidding!"
Planks.....
Me: "Why am I doing this again?"
Zander: "It hurts so it's a good one to do a lot of."
Zander: "Mom, I love you."
Oh - hearing him say that still sends me over the roof when I think of him sitting and rocking......
Me: "I love you more."
Zander: "I love you most."
I'm hoping he will see me working on something really hard and be motivated to continue working on that blasted, elusive phonics. He's smart as a whip and will get this reading thing soon. Meanwhile I continue to feed his mind with great science books which I read to him - because he LOVES science.
One last tidbit - I'd been in the midst of a sugar/chocolate fast in March and never reported. Earthquakes and tsunamis have a way of changing one's focus. I continued for 3 months. It wasn't that tough. I began eating more refined treats when we went to the states in May.....I need to cut way back again. I'm not sure if I'll go to a fast again or just to a once a week treat. We shall see. I need to do some praying on it.
Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...