05/13/2006 13:44
Oh, the itching!
I did 27 minutes on the treadmill today. You may be asking, "Why didn't you go for the full 30?" The itching. The awful, unbearable itching. It only happens when I walk for exercise, never when I do aerobics. From the waist down, my skin feels like it is being pricked by a hundred little imps with stick pins. It has nothing to do with friction. I wear shorts or a nightshirt when I walk on the treadmill and the worst itching is on my calves where nothing is rubbing against my skin.
I can gauge my fitness level by how soon I start itching. Four years ago, which was the last time I was even remotely fit, I had gotten to the point where I didn't start itching until the 30 minute-mark. Today I started itching after 15 minutes. I tried to ride it out but it kept getting more intense and I was afraid that I was going to fall off of the treadmill while trying to scratch my legs!
Posted By: Dani in NC
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05/13/2006 12:01
The stars have aligned
As you can see on my graph, I lost a little since my last weigh-in. I don't feel as though I can take much credit for it. Many situations aligned over the past two weeks that caused this weight loss.
The biggest contributor was the oral surgery last week. Having a gaping hole in my gums caused me to be more conscious of what I put in my mouth. I also had a reaction to the medications I had to ingest before and after the surgery. I was nauseated and light-headed for several days, which curbed my appetite.
That wasn't the only health issue I dealth with. Once the nausea disappeared, I developed a sore throat, which I still have. At first I wasn't sure what was causing it, but today I woke up with coughing and phlegm so I know that I have a garden-variety cold. This is yet another appetite killer.
I'm a big believer in taking advantage of a situation. I knew that I would probably lose a pound or two after the surgery, so I thought it would be the perfect time to start a few other healthy habits. I started drinking more liquids. I finally got on the treadmill. I'm still not following any special diet, but I am trying once again to avoid the fried foods in the cafe at work. I'm also drinking a Slim-Fast shake in the morning instead of skipping breakfast.
The true challenge will be to stick to these habits now that my mouth isn't so sore and I can eat whatever I want. The exercise shouldn't be too difficult to maintain. Even if my resolve peters out toward the end of the week like it usually does, I will still get three days of exercise. The food will be tough, though. I want what I want when I want it. All diets feel restrictive to me, but I know I have to cut something out to get this weight off.
Posted By: Dani in NC
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05/12/2006 19:08
Hit a wall
I knew it would happen. Whenever I decide to get in shape, things go well for a couple days and then my body starts to rebel. Mysterious aches and pains show up to impede my progress. I hit a wall on Wednesday night. I've only exercised a total of 30 minutes this week, so I shouldn't be overly fatigued. Try as I might, I couldn't get myself up in time to walk yesterday or today. My throat is sore and scratchy, I'm tired, and the heel of my right foot is throbbing.
None of these ailments can be blamed on exercise; my body parts have formed a mutiny. They like the lazy life I lead. They want to squash any activity that threatens it. The next few days will be devoted to getting over this hurdle.
Posted By: Dani in NC
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05/10/2006 20:11
Almost didn't make it
I almost stood up my treadmill this morning. As much as I like it, I was so tired that extra time in bed sounded like a good idea. After a few minutes, however, I realized that a little extra sleep wasn't worth losing my momentum so I got up. I only had time to walk for seven minutes, but making myself walk today was more about forming the habit than burning fat.
Posted By: Dani in NC
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05/09/2006 08:32
Better session today
This morning's date with the treadmill went more smoothly. ABM readjusted the treadmill so it didn't shake at all, even when I ramped up the speed. He also moved it so that I have enough light to read the numbers on the display panel.
I walked for 15 minutes at 2.5 mph. My goal is to work myself up to 30 minutes at 3.5 mph so I can try one of the preprogrammed routines with the different inclines. Today's session sent me into work energized instead of looking like a zombie. I guess I have to stop saying that I hate exercise!
Posted By: Dani in NC
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05/08/2006 15:27
Off to some kind of start
Last night, I decided not to give myself any excuses. I set up my clothes, put my socks inside my sneakers, and plugged my headphones into my fully-loaded mp3 player. Then I went to the garage with the treadmill's instruction manual and figured out the best settings for my first walk. If this was dating, then that was the "get to know you" phase.
This morning, the treadmill and I had our first date. Like most first dates, I faced it with a bit of dread mixed with anticipation. I got off to a rough start because I went back to bed at 6a after I woke my daughter instead of going downstairs. All those promises I made to myself wouldn't let me sleep,however, so I jumped back up at 6:35a to get going.
One problem with me getting up so early is that after drowsiness wears off, I develop a sense of clarity that I never have during the rest of the day. This means that I see all kinds of things that need to be done around the house. I almost got sidetracked this morning by the trash and the laundry and a myriad of other tasks, but I redirected myself just in time.
The walk itself was nothing special, but sometimes you don't always click with a guy on the first date. That doesn't mean you don't give him a second chance. The treadmill was wobbly; I think ABM may need to tighten a few screws or something. Also, I had to fiddle with the speed several times even though I though I had acquainted myself with the controls sufficiently the night before.
All in all, I think this morning was more about letting a treadmill back into my life rather than having a meaningful date. I'm going to ease it into my routine with increasingly longer sessions before I get adventurous and start using the preset programs that have various speeds and inclines.
Posted By: Dani in NC
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05/07/2006 10:54
Back to square one
My weight has not changed much since I started this blog almost a month ago. My energy level has, though. I seem to be getting lazier and lazier. All I do when I come home from work is climb straight into my bed. However, I am determined to get on the treadmill tomorrow morning, no matter how I feel. I didn't start this blog just to whine and do nothing. It's getting to be a bit embarrassing!
Posted By: Dani in NC
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04/29/2006 14:20
One step at a time
ABM finally bought the treadmill. Yay! Unfortunately, it is still in the garage. Boo! Well, at least he got it put together and he says he is ready to get back on the fitness wagon. I'm hoping that we will have the treadmill in place tomorrow so that I can start walking on Monday morning.
What I do should not be dependent on what my husband does, but it helps to have him on board. ABM is the driver and the shopper for the family. This means that when he is on a health kick, no candy or soda or junk comes into the house. Also, there are no more late-night runs to McDonald's.
One of our biggest obstacles to a healthy lifestyle is fatigue. Like many people, we are so tired after the day's work that the thought of cooking a meal is just too much. We have been eating a lot of takeout meals in the last couple months, even though it is killing our budget. Our house is suffering from our lack of energy, as well.
This is where the treadmill comes in. As much as I hate exercise, I will admit that the last time I exercised regularly I had a little more energy for my daily tasks. I'm hoping that if I can make exercise a daily habit again, then the healthy eating will fall into place.
Posted By: Dani in NC
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04/26/2006 19:04
I'm crazy, right?
I cracked my tooth last weekend and I went to the dentist yesterday to find out what my options are. It cracked clean through, so I have to have it extracted by an oral surgeon under general anesthesia. While the surgeon was explaining the details to me, I was thinking, "Great! This will give my weight loss a jump-start because I won't be able to eat much for a few days." Only I would look forward to a tooth extraction!
Actually, I am looking forward to it because this tooth has been bothering me for quite a while. I'm not a big fan of salads, but lately I haven't been able to eat them at all because the crunchy veggies hurt my mouth. So this extraction should be a jump-start for me on more ways than one.
Posted By: Dani in NC
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04/22/2006 12:09
No treadmill
ABM copped out again. He didn't pick up the treadmill on Friday like he said he would. This is the best time for us to buy one because we are usually in our best financial shape during the spring. Tax refunds have come in, there are no more Christmas bills, and all but two of the family birthdays have passed. I think he is balking at the price, which is so unlike him. Luckily, he has a relative who works at the store. Perhaps if he can get her to buy it for us with her discount then he will feel better about buying it.
As you can see from my graph on the right, I have gained a pound. I must admit that I slacked off this week in anticipation of receiving the treadmill. I won't make that mistake again.
This week I discovered a new podcast that details one man's struggle to lose weight and become physically fit. He just started but he has already been very candid about the problems that being obese has created in his life. The photos of the venous ulcers on his legs freaked me out so much that I definitely don't want to see another pound show up on my scale!
Posted By: Dani in NC
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