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.