From white to brown

No, I'm not referring to my tan. I'm talking about flour. Flour? In a fitness diary? Well, yes, actually, the type of flour you choose to eat is incredibly important to your health.

When I was diagnosed with high cholesterol, my doctor suggested that I eat more whole grains and replace white breads with 100% whole wheat ones. Whole wheat? Ick! My memories of whole wheat consist of my grandmother's Roman Meal bread that looked and tasted like cardboard. No thanks!

Seriously, he goes on to say that whole wheat bread, bagels, crackers have come a long way. I don't have an option here. So, I trek out to the supermarket to stock up. And much to my surprise, there is a plethora of choices out there, some of which are quite tasty!

Two of my favorites include Thomas' 100% whole wheat bagels and 100% whole wheat English muffins. They are loaded with fiber which of course keeps you feeling full and helps to rid the body of toxins. And of course, on that bagel I put light cream cheese. It has less cholesterol than it's full fat counterpart, and I can't taste the difference!

I do have to say, I still like a PB&J on white bread...that will never change!!

Moving right along

After Motivation's day off yesterday, it didn't take him long to spring into action this morning. At 5:20, he jumped between my husband and I while we were trying to eek out a few last winks. Since my husband had an early business meeting this morning, I guess Motivation figured he'd kill two birds with one stone by nudging both of us with his elbows. Well, who can sleep through that? It became a race to see which one of us would peel ourselves out of bed first. My husband won, but only by 16 seconds.

Within 5 minutes, I was off and riding. I rode 20 minutes before stopping at the park to run a few laps around the trail. When I first started running a mere few weeks ago, I could barely make it half way around the trail. Now, I can go 3 times around without stopping. On Saturday, I'm going to shoot for 4 times and really push for 5 times around. In total today, I ran 3 times, walked one, ran 3 more, walked one, and ran 2 more before jumping back on my bike and heading home. A pretty decent workout and the clock hadn't even struck 6:30 am!

Weekends are for friends

Right? Isn't that what we do, hang with friends on the weekends? Well, my friends were no where in sight this weekend. Motivation was out of town. Will Power was entertaining other friends. Progress was M.I.A. I was abandoned. By everyone. Their excuses? The lousy weather. Both yesterday and this morning, the pouring rain stopped my friends from coming around for our morning walk/run sessions.

Hopefully, their shadows will darken my doorstep tomorrow morning.

An unexpected shadow

Yesterday, I had an unplanned trip to see my primary care physician. I was experiencing some heart palpitations, and I didn't want to brush them off as a symptom of anxiety. Of course, no palpitations at the visit. Normal heartbeat. Normal EKG. This always seems to happen to me...tons of symptoms when I make the appointment, but none at the actual visit. But my doctor trusted me enough to know that I wasn't making this stuff up. So, lo and behold, he outfits me with a cardiac halter monitor to be worn for 24 hours. Are you kidding me? Those are for people in their 80's. He tells me to go about my normal routine and be sure to squeeze in some exercise so he can see how it affects me heart rate and rhythm.

As if Motivation isn't annoying enough as a partner on my daily run, Halter Monitor was a thorn in my side. Bouncing, moving around...just plain in the way. But I had to deal with it, and as an added bonus, Halter Monitor made me run for 20 minutes straight...just to show my doctor that I'm serious about working out. No slacking here. And I even managed to squeeze in some weights and walking too!

Check back after the weekend for details on the data on the halter monitor. Needless to say, I'm glad Halter Monitor has taken a hike...for now anyway.

Another early morning

This morning my cell phone alarm went off promptly at 6 am. Just as I was about to hit snooze, Motivation scooped my cell phone out of my hand. "Not this morning, missy", he says. Oh, jeez, why today? It's cloudy and dreary. I want to stay in bed. But he argues by reminding me that I haven't ridden bike in 8 days. And he urges me to get out there before the rain starts. OH. OK. If I must.

I enjoy peace and quiet for the first 10 minutes of the ride. Then suddenly Motivation turns into Chatty Cathy and wants to yak it up. Pleeeease! Can I just chug along with my quiet thoughts to myself? Really. I'm trying to focus on the content of this post, the last remaining things I need to add to my grocery list and most importantly, my doctor appointment later that morning.

He's upset with me. He says he only wanted to offer me some words of encouragement and I shot him down. Great. Don't I feel like a huge jerk? I apologize and he continues to tell me how proud he is of me...the waking up early, the dedication to exercising and the loyalty to my special cardiac diet.

Just when I feel like smacking him in the face, he tells me the exact words I need to hear.

To 5K or not to 5K?

That is the question.

There is a 5K run in October to benefit breast cancer research. I am seriously considering running in it. Am I crazy? A runner I am not. But a champion of breast cancer research I am.

Problem is the training and the motivational factor. I like my leisurely runs. I push myself a bit when I feel I can go no more, but I don't over do it. I don't constantly repeat the mantra "no pain, no gain." Perhaps I should.

Maybe this 5K is the fire I need under my flabby butt to get me going.

A running mate

Yesterday as Motivation and I were doing our running/walking combo, we were having a discussion about my progress. Oh, who am I kidding? I was panting and huffing and puffing. Motivation was doing all the talking. But anyway, in the middle of Motivation's pep talk, he suggests that I take up with a running partner. You know, someone who can offer that extra ounce of push when I need it or help me keep pace. But I'm confused. Isn't that your job I ask Motivation. Yes he replies, but before I can get a word in edgewise, he whips out a picture of his recommended running mate.

Yeah, as if David Beckham would want to run next to me every morning. Get real, Motivation.

Back on the horse

This morning I saddled up and got back on the horse. Motivation slept next to me all night long and was most definitely nudging me this morning at 6:20. It didn't take me long to get dressed and get moving. After two absolutely necessary mental health days, I was ready to get back to some serious exercise.

I'm visiting my sister and brother-in-law in Pennsylvania for the weekend. They recently moved into a new house in the country, and it's perfect for a morning run and walk. I saw cows and horses...quite a departure from the river views to which I am accustomed.

It's ten o'clock in the morning, and I've already clocked 13,665 steps. My new pal Progress and I are getting be close friends. Seriously. How can you not love Progress?

Later this morning, I am taking the kids to Chocolate World where I'll be surrounded by, you guessed it, chocolate. In all forms...candy, cakes, cookies, milkshakes and ice cream. I'm sure hoping Will Power finds a way to track me down and jump on my back. I'm gonna need it.

After that we'll be celebrating my nephew's 3rd birthday. Again, I'll be keeping a short leash on Will Power. Hopefully, he won't jump in the pool and drown.

One step up, two steps back

Wednesday was a great fitness day. I woke up at 5:30, bounded out of bed, got dressed, and was off on my bike by 5:47! Yay! I rode for 30 minutes, and stopped once to run a few laps around the walking trail at the park. I came home and lifted weights for my upper body workout. A bit later in the morning, I took Harper for a long walk. By 1:00 pm, I had clocked over 11,000 steps!!

But sadly, when I returned home at 3:00 pm, I found that my house had been burglarized. No, I'm not kidding...wish I were. Two laptops, a camcorder, and all of my and my husband's jewelry was stolen. Crappy rest of the day to say the least.

Now, I fear that my friend Motivation will abandon me again just has he's done for the past two years when life has thrown a wrench at me during this same week In July. I'm really trying to turn my anger over the burglary into energy spent exercising. So, today, I took another day off...a mental health day. I spent the day cleaning my entire house which I guess is exercise, right? I did log over 10,000 steps so that was good for not actually making an effort to run or walk.

I feel somewhat defeated, but I don't want to let some loser burglars rob me of my momentum. They've already taken so much from me, I can't let them win this battle. I am on my knees...I am making an official plea to Motivation...Pleeeeease, don't walk away now. We've been making so much progress. I NEED you.

That pesky Motivation

Yesterday, I awoke before my alarm went off, 5:15 am. My arms hurt from my workout on Monday, but I was ready to go biking. That was until Motivation and Common Sense decided to argue right next to my bed. It was quite a battle. Common Sense was arguing that I needed a break, my body needed a rest and my muscles needed a chance to heal. Motivation's argument was, "Hey, she's awake, let her get going!" This continued for about 10 minutes. I was getting annoyed.

Finally, I told Motivation to get lost. Common Sense was right. Sometimes we just need a break. I don't need to overdo it and go into burnout mode. I need to keep this up. Exercise needs to have a permanent place in my life. I told Motivation to take the day off and come back tomorrow.

Skinny does not = fit

I've heard it over and over my whole life, "You're so skinny!" People mean it to be a compliment, but I don't take it as one. Skinny to me is a negative word. It brings to mind a bony and unhealthy person. I don't want to be that person. I want some sexy curves. I'll never have ankles or wrists or even breasts, so please, grant me some curves at a minimum. A waist and some booty are fine with me.

I want to be fit, not skinny.

And please, stop using the word "skinny". It's almost as bad as using the word "fat".

No salt sucks

I don't know how much longer I can take this low sodium thing. I'm going crazy. I can't add any salt to my food. Period. Doesn't matter if the food is totally bland and incredibly tasteless. I cannot under any circumstances add salt. The foods that used to be delicious are now mediocre at best. A Jersey tomato is just NOT the same without a little salt. I never used a ton of salt. I always sprinkled it in my palm before sprinkling it on my food.

But c'mon, we can all admit that a little salt goes a long way. Problem is I can't have even a little. Not happy.

Are you with me?

Hold on. Here we go. Caution: this ride could get bumpy!!

I started riding my bike last week. I've been leaving the house by 5:45 am to ride for at least 35 minutes. I need to be back in time for my husband to leave for work. Not sure what kind of schedule you like to keep, but I'm not a huge fan of waking up at 5:30 am in order to exercise. I can tolerate it in the summer when the birds start chirping at 4:30 am, and it's impossible to sleep anyway. But I can tell you that in the fall, this schedule is not going to fly. At. All. Motivation, if you're reading, don't desert me in the fall and winter months.

I loved the bike ride today. It is so quiet at that time of day. So peaceful. I also like exploring the neighborhoods and checking out the houses. If I have to bike, I may as well use it as an opportunity to scope out the landscaping of my neighbors.

After the ride yesterday, I lifted some light weights. I have two 5 lb., two 8 lb. and one 10 lb. dumbbell. I do a combination of lifts to build various muscles. I have to say, I enjoy the weight lifting so much more than the cardio.

As for my diet, I cheated a bit yesterday, I had a diet coke and a midget tootsie roll for my afternoon snack. I know, carrots and celery would have served me better, but, hey, it wasn't like I ate the whole bag of tootsie rolls. Sweet Tooth is sure to be my arch enemy during this whole process. I wish he'd just go away.

I've been wearing a pedometer to record my steps, and I take my blood pressure several times a day and average it at the end of the day. I know, it sounds so obsessive to an outsider, but I've got to do it. Doctor's orders. I'll be posting my stats so we can see my progress.

Another step closer to my goal...

Just the beginning

It's been 34 days since I've been on Lipitor. I've made some significant dietary changes to help lower my cholesterol, but I've got an uphill battle that needs to be won by October 1, when I will have my lipid profile re-checked. Healthy eating has been the easy part.

Exercise, not so easy...until my Cardiologist told me that I need to be getting my heart rate up to about 130 bpm (beats per minute) at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes. When a Cardiologist tells you to do something, you do it. No questions asked. Hello, Motivation, nice to see you again!!


The very next day, I started an exercise program. Two weeks later, I am still adjusting to the plan. Tweaking and juggling days and activities are just the beginning. But I see immediate results, which I love, and I feel great, which I love even more!