Melanie

Not just getting older ... getting better!

2008-08-22T22:03:24Z

I walked in the Butte Scoot 5K at Crested Butte, Colorado again this summer. Guess what? I beat my last year's time by 3 minutes and 15 seconds! Even though I'm a year older and it's at an altitude of over 9000 feet, I improved my time. My goal was to beat last year's time, but I also won a gold medal. Choose to Move helped learn how to exercise, eat better, feel better, and live better!

Just do it!

2007-10-11T18:27:49Z

I've been working late every night and going in to the office early every morning this week and neglecting my morning walk. I was feeling tense and anxious. But this morningI had a wonderful 45-minute power walk at 6:30. It's hard to explain what a difference it makes in the way I feel. It improves both my energy level and my mood. I've got to stop putting my work above my physical and mental health!

Another 5K!

2007-10-01T04:09:20Z

I started out running with the crowd but then alternated walking and running. I walked the whole time in my first 5K, the Butte Scoot, and my time was 44:47, but this time it was 36:50. I know it's not that great - the winner's time was 20 minutes. But it was great for me and I know I'm improving - that's what counts.

Work, Work, Work!

2007-09-27T01:59:59Z

I realize now how important it is to get up and move periodically. And also, I shouldn't have skipped my exercise routine. I found myself being cranky and just feeling lousy. The exercise helps my mental attitude as well as my body! I'm going to do better from now on :D

Join a Heart Walk

2007-09-16T03:35:46Z

Yesterday I joined thousands of men, women, children, youth, even dogs, who walked 3 1/2 miles through beautiful downtown Dallas to save lives from this country’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, heart disease and stroke. Join your employer or family and friends in a Heart Walk near you! ]]> Heart Walk promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun family environment. This year over 1,000,000 walkers will participate in more than 600 events across the country!

Get out and play!

2007-08-28T04:01:46Z

I change at my office and go to the stadium after work. As soon as the team leaves the field after practice we can get on the track. Lots of people of all ages are there - young parents with strollers, couples of all ages, children running around ... it's great! I listen to my ipod shuffle and go as fast as I can up the ramps and across the upper decks. The incline is great - it really gets my heartrate up! I've also tried going up and down the stairs.T his week I plan to try running on the track.

Cool Morning Breeze

2007-08-20T17:02:04Z

I'm feeling bad about whining that it is too hot to exercise. It's really not bad if I get up and out the door by 6:00 am. Early this morning the breeze was blowing, the sun was rising, the birds were singing, and I had a wonderful walk. What a great way to start the day! Of course, as I walked faster I began to get sticky and sweaty, but then the endorphins kicked in and I got that fabulous feeling of well-being. Last weekend I was out of town visiting my mother so I didn't get up and walk ... I felt like a slug. I know for sure now that I'm hooked - I choose to move!

Cool in Colorado - Now what?

2007-08-17T02:18:16Z

I've been on vacation in Colorado for a month and it was easy to get out and exercise because it was so nice and cool. Now I'm back in Texas and it is TOO HOT! I walked every day and sometimes had to wear a jacket. When we left Colorado early Monday morning it was 48 degrees. When we got home to Texas it was 105 degrees. I know this heat can't last forever, but it sure is hard to get outside and exercise when it's this hot! I got out the door this morning at 6:30 but was drenched when I got home. I guess I need to get to an airconditioned gym and hop on a treadmill.

My first 5K

2007-08-15T23:15:51Z

It was 3.1 miles on Slate River Road with a gentle incline at about 9000 feet. I registered as a walker, not a runner, so I just walked as fast as I could and I won the gold medal! It was so cool with the mountains all around. I'm no great athlete but it was just enough to encourage me to keep walking and try another 5K. My time was 44:37. I know it's not great, but it's a start - and somethihg I've never done before. What fun :D

Feelin' Funky :(

2007-07-19T02:25:48Z

The last couple of days I have been feeling funky - down, sluggish, yuk. I just realized it's because I haven't been exercising! I've been letting all of these other things get in the way of my health and well being! If you've been reading my blog, you know I've been wanting endorphins and I just realized today that the endorphins or "feel good chemicals" we get from exercise don't just hit you like a quick "high" - I guess that's what I expected. Instead, I think they come on after I exercise in the form of a good state of mind and feeling of relaxation. I just can't live without it - I'm out the door at 6:00 am in the morning no matter what!]]>

Delicious Pink Lady

2007-07-13T03:00:26Z

Someone on the blog told me about Pink Lady apples. They are so deliciously sweet! It's a medium sized apple with pinkish red on a yellow skin. The apple has been a great replacement for sugary sweet desserts after dinner each night. I'm hooked :D

Sugar anyone?

2007-07-05T04:05:27Z

sucanat.]]> I went online to find out what sucanat is and discovered it is a non-refined cane sugar. According to Wikipedia (not the most reliable source I understand), unlike refined and processed white sugar, sucanat retains its molasses content, providing sweetness in a healthier form. I found it in the bulk section of Whole Foods Market, but it is rather expensive. I'm wondering if anyone else knows about sucanat or another healthier type of sugar.

Success is so sweet!

2007-07-01T19:30:12Z

All of us made positive changes in our lives and had wonderful results. For some, it was weight loss, for others, it was "improving our numbers." I lowered my total cholesterol 17 points to 210 (200 is optimal). I lost an inch in my waist even though I actually gained a couple of pounds. But my fitness level (METs) increased from 7.6 to 10. When we started I was barely above the "danger zone" (<7) and now I'm into the healthy range and that's what I'm most proud of! Even though our 12 week challenge is officially over, the real challenge is just beginning - to maintain what we have achieved, or better yet, to keep improving!

Long walk up ...

2007-06-23T18:55:47Z

Some days we drove from 5 to 7 hours a day and it felt so good to MOVE after sitting for so long. When we arrived at our various destinations,. I could almost always take a long, brisk walk - some places were hilly (New Hampshire) and that really got my heart pumping. In the cities (Quebec, Montreal) where I wasn't comfortable walking alone, I discovered that almost every hotel has an exercise room - most often I found a treadmill, some weights, and a mat. That's enough for me! Being out of my at-home daily routine truly confirmed that I have formed the habit of daily activity - I missed it on those rare occasions when there was no time or opportunity to exercise - it makes me feel good. I guess I finally got the endorphins!

Peer Trainer

2007-06-04T16:26:57Z

I just learned about a new resource - the website is http://www.peertrainer.com/ I haven't used it yet, but hope some of you will check it out!