Homework Assignment

I'm giving myself a homework assignment to help me stay focused on my goals as I recuperate. I am not going to let this little setback discourage me. Anyhow, I was reading the Black Fitness Blog and came across this entry titled "Fitness is Learning." Basically it is a list of terms Mike has invited his readers to research:

self discipline
mind over matter
powerlifting
isolation exercises
compound exercises
calestinics
high and low intensity cardiovascular exercises
target heart rate and anerobic threshhold
form
bodysculpting
vascularity and muscularity
flexing
equal and balanced workouts
various sports training
priority training
free weights
flys
healthy foods
metabolic rate
amino acids
rest, sleep, recovery

Over the next few weeks, since I will have some extra time on my hands, I plan to research and blog about these terms. I am looking forward to learning.

New Year, New Gear

I am back from Big Peach Running Co. It was time to get a new pair of sneakers. I am such a creature of habit. I have been purchasing the same shoe for a year. So, I forced myself to get a different shoe--Saucony Progrid Ride 2.

I am learning that this journey is about embracing different experiences. Something as simple as purchasing a pair of sneakers has become an empowering, exciting experience for me. Even though I had a little anxiety attack when I decided to purchase Saucony shoes instead of my usual Asics, I was making a symbolic choice to continue trying new things.

6-Step Plan for Preventing Diet Relapses

I woke up this morning feeling so depressed about my lack of motivation with my fitness goals this week. I haven't been to the gym at all this week. I've done a little exercise, five or ten minutes, here or there but nothing too strenous.

I need to come up with a specific plan of action. This is what got me through at the beginning of the week. I'm going to do more to plan my meals and organize my surrounding.

My goals for this week have been meditation, hydration, and organization. I can't believe how much clutter I have in my office. The fact that I spend 60 or so hours in this office, two desks, two computers, is really getting to me. I need to get rid of some of this clutter!

I know I'm rambling. I just wanted to make sure I remember the plan in this article:

1. Step back
2. Calm down
3. Renew vows
4. Learn
5. Implement strategy
6. Ask for back-up

Health Coach and Transparency

My employer is offering a $200 credit toward our 2010 medical plans by participating in a health management program. Now, I have a health coach. I will be receiving telephone sessions every two weeks for six months. Since I'm already exercising, we decided to work on diet and nutrition. This is going to be good. While I'm highly motivated to exercise, I cannot say the same thing about my eating. So....we decided to do something I am VERY resistance to doing. Keeping a food journal. Transparency at its best. I am not looking forward to this but here goes.

For the next two weeks, I am going to write down EVERYTHING I eat. I can't believe I'm freaking out as I write this. Well, let's start:

Breakfast

Two whole wheat pancakes with syrup
Two turkey sausage patties
1 can Full Throttle

Morning Snack

1 light Strawberry Activa

Lunch

1 slice turkey, 2 slices jalapeno cheese
1 salad - lettuce and tomatoes, blue cheese dressing

32 oz. Crystal Light

Dinner

Two hot dogs with buns


One caramel ice cream sundae

425 Steps

First of all, my knee is feeling much better. Crystal went to a podiatrist on Thursday and she asked her about my knee. Actually, I asked her to ask her podiatrist to recommend a doctor. Anyhow, the doctor recommended that I continue stretch and ice it. Well, it worked. It feels much better.

























Later on that day we sent to Amicalola State Park to see the falls. They were gorgeous. I was able to work down to the base of the falls to enjoy the view from there. What a hike! It was challenging. Even though I had to stop several times, I was so proud of myself for being able to do it. It is moments like this one where I am able to see the progress I have made with my fitness.

I'm Still Here

Saturday I participated in the Atlanta Pride 5K with my friend DJ on Saturday. I say "participated" because I did not finish the race. I stopped at mile 2. I could have finished but I didn't. I wasn't feeling well. I was tired. I only went because he was inspired by my efforts and asked me to go with him. I didn't want to let him down. He did a great job. I am so proud of him. I'll post pics later.

I'm so stressed. I can't wait for my vacation later on this month. Although I had fun Father's Day weekend, my trip home wasn't very relaxing. I have recognized that I need to have a better action plan during these stressful times. I watched myself eat a lot crap this weekend...ice cream, frozen pizza, chips, and energy drinks. Even though I was (painfully) aware of my actions, I did very little to stop them.

I haven't been to the gym this week. I decided to take the week off, get my office organized, and do some head work to get myself back on track.

My Real Age

I will be 47 years old in September. Before I started this journey, I took that real age test. Based on this test, I was 52.7 years old. I was so devastated. I remember crying. I felt so hopeless. I knew I was in bad shape but this was a little hard to swallow.

I took the test again sometime in March and I was 46.7 years old....not bad. I was happy to at least reflect my current age.

I decided to take the test today. Today's results say I am 44.9 years old. It's cool. I'm not one of those individual's that is afraid of growing old. However, there are times I allow others to make me feel self-conscious. I really don't care about my hair graying or wrinkles or any of that stuff. However, I do want to be healthy. I'm cool with aging. I understand it's simply the cycle of life. I just want to make sure I am doing everything I can to enjoy my time here on earth in a healthy, fit body.