One week I'm writing about a good Dr. visit and then I'm writing about being ill and how it affected my exercise routine. Well thats lifes ups and downs for you.
I'm writing this after being back at it for a week. Its very unsettlling to think after all the recent success it could be destroyed by something as simple as a urinary tract infection.
I missed exercise for a full week. The first day I missed because of painful symptoms of UTI. If you've had one you know what I mean. The second day taking antibiotics the symptoms were still uncomfortable. The third day the symtoms were better and I packed my bag for the Y after work but in the afternoon the symtoms came on again so I skipped that trip to the Y. I wondered if that return of symtoms was part psychological but it still hurt to much to dwell on and so past the Y I drove. The next day thankfully, no symtoms, bag packed for the Y after work. Then the rain came. Flooded streets in the city and the Y has always been vulnerable. I called and sure enough they were closing. As I drove home hours later, sun shining and no more rain there were cars in the parking lot. Maybe they reopened, oh well I'll go tomorrow, one more day of recovery won't hurt this old body. Next day bag packed, feeling good. Its Friday and my night to work nights at the hospital after work at school. As I left school I began to feel that same old pull, just drive past the Y, you have errands to do, your going to work later, you won't have time to rest before. I drove past the Y again.
Even as I did it I thought, I can't keep doing this. There is always going to be some excuse. I told my husband later I was absolutely going on Saturday. I told him because I knew he would remind me and I would be more compeled to go. He did remind me and also went with me which was nice and made it easier. I finished my first workout in seven days, the longest gap since starting CTM, came home showered and felt better that I had in two weeks. Why can't I remember that good feeling when I am fighting with myself to drive into that Y parking lot.
Well its a week later and I went to the Y 5 out of 6 days planned. I only missed the day I had a tooth pulled at the dentist (things seem to be falling apart on this old body of mine, thank goodness my heart is healthy). Getting back to exercise quickly after a lapse is really important, the longer it goes the harder it is to get back. In the past that week would have extended to weeks and months. I kept thinking of all the good I had accomplished and what I would lose, getting back to it required a lot of mental negotiation with myself.
The exercise demons will always be there. I know I will always be fighting them just like the food demons. You must always stay on the alert for them and keep moving.
Posts
At the end of any journey, it’s always nice to reflect on the experience and enjoy the exhilaration that comes with accomplishment. During the past 12 weeks, seven real women have opened their hearts and minds to women across the country. They’ve revealed struggles, shared empowering messages, offered valuable tips and served as genuine advocates for this program.
During the Choose To Move challenge, these women not only engaged in physical activity, they discovered a community of women who share a common goal – increase physical activity in order to develop a healthier lifestyle. Their success is a direct result of determination, commitment and the support they received from those in the Choose To Move community.
From a mom with three kids to a full-time college student to women in the workplace, our real women take on many important roles. And as women juggling multiple responsibilities, we want to be the best we can be - a common thread among women in America. However, in order to be the best for our families, we must do what’s best for ourselves. Our seven real women did exactly that! Each woman, in her own way, learned how to make time for physical activity and develop better eating habits!
For Ruann, Kara, Lisa, Melanie, Vernita, Kathleen and Zulema, the 12-week challenge has come to an end. However, the ultimate reality is that their life-long journey to maintain a healthy lifestyle has only begun. No matter where you are in this journey, I encourage you to rely on women in the Choose To Move community, as well as those around you. Take advantage of the Choose To Move program and turn this challenge into a way of life.
My total chol. is 184
HDL is 46
LDL is 106
Trig. is 184
I have been on a low fat, low carb diet since Sept (NutriSystem). Should I be concerm about my Trig?
Comment by on February 12, 2008 2:54 PMDr. Mieres,
I'm very much an internet girl. As soon as I found out I had high blood pressure, I found this site. After going through all the 'choose to move' selectees, I chose Vervita, for the reason that she update often and replied to those that posted comments.
Well here we are, 6 months later, most of those chosen have yet to update.
Considering these are all busy and accomplished women, perhaps some slack should be cut. Ok.
The forums are worse. I have had to hunt and peck to find true posts, some of which should be answered by a professional, not a jr. high social studies teacher.
I'm sorry to be so negative. In truth, AHA diet and recipes have made it possible that I may be coming off meds next week. My diet plan has been based on your cookbooks.
When I called in my numbers today, to get a refill, the office called me back and said the doctor said when I want, to stop meds for 4 days and make an appointment for the 5th. If bp is in the 100-120 range, we'll stop the meds. Woo hoo! Diet and exercise may pay off!
Comment by on June 12, 2008 8:17 PMDr. Mieres,
I'm very much an internet girl. As soon as I found out I had high blood pressure, I found this site. After going through all the 'choose to move' selectees, I chose Vervita, for the reason that she update often and replied to those that posted comments.
Well here we are, 6 months later, most of those chosen have yet to update.
Considering these are all busy and accomplished women, perhaps some slack should be cut. Ok.
The forums are worse. I have had to hunt and peck to find true posts, some of which should be answered by a professional, not a jr. high social studies teacher.
I'm sorry to be so negative. In truth, AHA diet and recipes have made it possible that I may be coming off meds next week. My diet plan has been based on your cookbooks.
When I called in my numbers today, to get a refill, the office called me back and said the doctor said when I want, to stop meds for 4 days and make an appointment for the 5th. If bp is in the 100-120 range, we'll stop the meds. Woo hoo! Diet and exercise may pay off!
Comment by on June 12, 2008 8:17 PM
Comments
Aug 27 | Paula said …
Boy, does this sound familiar. Cen't really count the starts and stops for just about every reason. Why can't we really put ourselves first - over chores, husbands, kids, work, friends??? I'm going to try to keep up with your blog as incentive to keep up what I am presently trying to do. I do the treadmill at home for 40 minutes every other day and trying to do minor weights on in between days. I do have some foot problems going on for the past month or so ..so walking toooooo much can really aggravate things. We'll see. I also go to lunch with girlfriends once a week and that is usually a challenge. I have decided that lunch with friends is ok, I just have a very light dinner - snacks really. We'll see if it works. So far even Weight Watchers doesn't seem to be doing the trick for me. Oh well, onward and upward.
Aug 28 | said …
Paula, don't give up the lunch with girlfriends, that is very important and just for you. The light dinner is good. I read somewhere that if you eat healthy at least 80% of the time you can eat badly 10% of the time and that gives us 10% for somewhere inbetween. I think they were talking about after you are at your goal weight which I am not yet but still that doesn't sound too bad. Sounds like you have a good program, now we both just have to keep that as a priority. Keep me posted and good luck to both of us.
Aug 29 | Joan Weigle said …
Hi. Remember me? I have been busier than the proverbial whatever but I am well, happy, gardening and rowing with admitedly less good walking, but you've urged me to get back on track with your story. UTI, been there, done that. Owtch! I am determined to get some kind of a walk in before nightfall. Thanks for the story and encouragement to fit in my chosen exercise. What I most of all wanted to say to you is that I wrote online to Oprah about Choose to Move and recommended that she have you 7 ladies on her show!! Think she will? I am positive it'd be a super show. Let us know if she takes up the CTM cause. What a blow for American women that would be! PS I have lost 14 pounds now, am eating very healthy using a lot of recipes from Barbara Kingsolver's book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A year of food life. It is a gem!! Keep well and drink lots of cranberry juice, Kathleen. Moving regards, Joan
Sep 03 | Kathleen said …
Of course I remember you Joan, and glad to hear from you. Thanks for the plug with Oprah we shall see. I was reading about your husbands cross country bike trip on Kara's blog, that was amazing. You have an amazing family and your promotion of a healthy lifestyle continues to impress and inspire me. Keep us all moving with your spirit.
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