I got up early today and was out the door before daylight. I'm speeding up my walks to more of a walk/run and trying to increase the amount of time I run. I had just started running when the sidewalk came up to meet me. I have road rash!
The ramp to the top of the Lumberjack football stadium is a real workout! I try to walk up as fast as I can ... it's a fun way to work out when I don't have access to a fitness center.
This is the first day that I haven't had time to exercise and I feel like a slug. I got up at 4:30 am to drive three hours for an important meeting, then worked all day. Now it's 15 hours later and I'm exhaused. I need to do better than this!
I work with my wonderful trainer, Katie, every Friday. She's awesome! Katie is teaching me how to do strength training, stretching, and core exercises. I am sooooo sore on Saturday and Sunday - but it hurts so good because I know I'm making progress!
I was shocked to learn that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women. I suppose I thought that breast cancer was our greatest enemy. However, cardiovascular disease kills almost half a million women a year, about one per minute. But the good news is that heart disease can largely be prevented. Take the pledge with me to love your heart!
Here's how:
http://www.smartstart.com/pledge.shtml
Literally, that is, on the ball! I have discovered exercises using a stability ball - a real challenge for me. The picture you see is me doing the "bridge" ... one of the exercises I am doing to strengthen my core, which is very weak. I am doing core exercises because I lost my abs and can't find them!
This is my wonderful Graduate Assistant Lisa, who is getting married next Saturday. Last week we had a little party for her - with gooey chocolate cake and m & m's, all before lunch!. Later in the week I attended a retirement reception and a birthday party - three parties in one week! It's just so tempting to overindulge in party goodies that are loaded with fat and calories! What to do?
I just discovered the coolest thing - we have a Choose To Move Neighborhood where we can talk to other women who have joined Choose to Move. On our home page, click on My Tools, then click on this:
It will prompt you to set up a profile, then you can chat. Several women are looking for buddies - what a great idea!
Can it be true? I have lunch every Wednesday with my girlfriends and it's really hard to find a restaurant in town that serves healthy choices. We went to our favorite Mexican food restaurant and look what it says on the back of the menu!
These are the wonderful ladies in my life that support, encourage and inspire me! We're all over 50 and have different challenges with work, family, and health. I'd never make it without them. We meet for lunch every Wednesdfay and I'm sharing the health, nutrition and fitness information that I've learned from Choose to Move.
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
