It's been a crazy week! Stripping and painting furniture, the garden and then there's the OPPRESSIVE HEAT that made it's appearance on Friday and has failed to leave. UGH.
The bad news (besides the OPPRESSIVE HEAT) is that I only checked in on myfitnesspal.com a couple of times.
The good news is- I lost another pound.
The bad news is---there is OPPRESSIVE HEAT and my running self is not acclimating to it.
The good news is- my speed walking self has acclimated to it.
The bottom line is:
- I felt quite liberated not checking in to myfitnesspal.com every single day.
- I ate only healthy foods with the exception of those dang dark chocolate covered edamame they sell at Trader Joe's.
- I'm not running right now but my walking is SPEEDY QUICK and I get at least 3 to 5 miles in every single day!
- I did drink the weekly challenge water.
- I did lose another pound.
- Monday: forgot to track but I'm thinking it was about 50 minutes
- Tuesday: walked 56 minutes; burned 624 calories
- Wednesday: Walked 54; burned 591 calories
- Thursday: walked 69 minutes; burned 755 calories
- Friday: walked 39; burned 427 calories
- Saturday: walked 31 minutes; burned 339 calories
- Sunday: walked 31 minutes; burned 339 calories
My focus now is NOT on tracking. While it works well for many (and it did for me about 2 years ago) it has now become a tool for making me obsess about my weight. This is not healthy. I've decided to obsess on the things that make life grand instead of that which holds me back and makes me feel bad about myself and my life. That is not what this journey is supposed to be about. At all.
One thing that this journey is about is learning more and more about myself and so I count this lesson learned as a blessing. Sometimes we just have to change things up to keep it fresh and keep it from being a downer.
I do enjoy tracking my walking (and running when the OPPRESSIVE HEAT lets up AND when I lose another 50 pounds or so) because I like trying to beat my time.
I'm not really disappointed that I'm not running right now. It's all good. For those who are not 130 pounds overweight I'm sure running is not that big a deal. For a 54 year old who is 130 pounds overweight, it's frustrating as hell when you factor in the OPPRESSIVE HEAT. I'm not quitting. I'm postponing. I still plan on being able to run that 5k. It's not until November.
I'm not suggesting that anyone else stop tracking- I'm saying that I have to keep finding what works for me and implement it which sometimes mean stopping something else. The main thing is that I keep going!
Week 5 - (begin July 1) - LOSE 2 lbs THIS WEEK (and post pics/measurements if doing so)
Yep, holiday and all - this is the goal.
Don't question it - just do it. The reason this is the goal this week is to help us remember that the 4th of July doesn't give us free license to abandon all our diet and fitness goals. Yes, it's a holiday - but it's not a holiday meant to celebrate how many hot dogs and hamburgers our bodies can consume. This week will hopefully redirect us a bit - knowing the goal is a 2 pound loss, maybe we can steer clear of old habits of overindulgence during the holiday and make good on our promise to ourselves for better health ALL 365 days of the year!
I'm not as concerned about the 4th as I would be if this was Christmas...or Thanksgiving- because the food I have planned for the 4th is on my Gerson/RAW daily plan for July! Of course, time will tell, eh? :)
Thanks, y'all, for putting up with my constantly changing attempts at losing this weight and getting healthyhealthyhealthy. I am feeling fitter- I can do so much more than I could last year. It's all working, in it's own time. But I do so appreciate all of y'all sticking around with me! Your support and encouragement means more than you will ever know!
Also, I won a book from Cindy at For One Another and it arrived last week. AMAZING. WONDERUL. THOUGHT PROVOKING. LIFE CHANGING. All of those words describe this book. I definitely recommend reading the book whether you have weight to lose or not. And no, I'm not getting anything for mentioning this. It's just a really good read-- My Big Bottom Blessing by Teasi Cannon. Get it. Read it. It's great!
OH! I almost forgot- you can see my healthy recipe HERE!
OH AGAIN! Don't forget to check out my giveaway! Just click the button at the top of my sidebar!
Have a fantastic week y'all! Happy 4th!
I'm just so impressed that you can survive the oppressive heat and mugginess! I seem to have the same experience tracking. I didn't used to be this way, I'm not sure what's the matter, but if I concentrate on avoiding sugar and high glycemic foods and keep my paws off the mixed nuts canister, I do okay.
ReplyDeleteKeep on keeping on. :-)
I think you will know what's best for you, and have the confidence to go for that.
ReplyDeleteThanks you for sharing your journey with us, I find it inspiring, and I admire you so much.
Hi Pam. I certainly don't think it would do you any good trying to run in that oppressive heat anyway! I'm impressed that you're still managing to do your walking in the heat. Mind you don't go overdoing it. Hope your wonderful shoes that you liked so much haven't melted in the heat!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you told you that I have been following Chris's blog over at A Deliberate Life since I started blogging. It has been interesting. It kinda started out about the exercise and turned into "why I started eating," with commentary still on exercise and good foods. I think that anyone who sticks with it eventually has to ask that question, "Why did my weight get out of control?" And when you start doing that work, your blog really gets interesting. The truth is that we all have internal work to do. I know I have it because I am physically sick. When you recognize you have it, that is when your life gets exciting. Because that is when things are going to change for the better. The truth is that no one comes through this life unscathed. We have all taken "hits" (I don't mean physical ones necessarily) but emotional ones and they cause pain. Some of those hits result in illness, weight gain, or just a general feeling that all is not well. Even people with really good lives (excellent husband, awesome kids, etc.) often have things on the mental burners that need scraping away in order to really get healthy. When you see that you have ANY scraping you are so far ahead of the game... well, it's like being in the top 1% of the class. So, congratulations. You have arrived.
ReplyDeleteThe heat has been killer I am ready for winter already! Walking 3-5 miles a day is wonderful congrats and good luck this week!!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work!!! What app are you using on your phone?...:)JP
ReplyDeleteJudy- I know. I don't know what happens, but it all seems to change doesn't it? I can't even buy nuts anymore- too irresistible! LOL
ReplyDeleteBetty- Yeah, the heat combined with the humidity really does become oppressive around here during the summer months. It's CRAZY!
Mimi- Thank you! I often wonder if everyone changes as much as I do or if I'm just insane. LOL
Diane- The heat has been ridiculous. I take the dogs out early and then I go for my walk- I'm back from all of it by 8:00 am at the latest! And sometimes it's already hot by then! My shoes gave out a long time ago- the ones I replaced them with are ok. I'm going back to the first ones next time I buy!
Robin- I so hope you are right! The author I'm reading now says much the same thing you just did. And it really does make perfect sense! Thanks!
Kody- Me too! We didn't even get winter last year- it skipped us completely. I don't think there are many folks who have been lucky enough to escape from this heat.
JP- Thank you! Right now I'm just using Sports Tracker. When I get back into running, I'll go back to C25k.
Pam, you have to do what works for you. If you know that the heat won't work for you, but walking will - walk. Sometimes, we just need a breather. You're still doing everything right. :)
ReplyDeleteJessica- Thanks girl! I know you're right, I just wish I had started this earlier so I would have been further along. I still want to run that 5k...NOW.
ReplyDeleteI just heard some more news about that stinking oppressive heat in your neck of the woods, you definitely have my sympathies. I think it's good that you recognized the tracking thing wasn't working for you. Getting fir can easily become an obsession if one doesn't watch it, then it defeats the whole purpose. Btw, dark chocolate is considered a health food (you know, because of all those antioxidants), so you're actually doing something 'healthy' for you when you eat it, at least that's what I tell myself.
ReplyDeleteHave a 'lovely' 4th. :)
You need to listen to your body and your needs, if you feel tracking is causing too much stress at the moment then you should back off and relax, you might just need a break. I like to mix it up too!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope the heat eases up for you guys soon. Best of luck for this week!
ReplyDeletePam, you are amazing! If you decide to, you can start running when it is cooler. I trained for my marathon last year in the heat and it was miserable. In fact, I think some of my injuries were caused by the heat and it's wear and tear on my body. I will soon be 61, so I feel your pain! Just the idea that we are out there, trying to improve our fitness is the miracle!! You will run your 5k! And remember, many marathoners are using the walk/run, or run/walk, program!
ReplyDeleteDid you know that you are my hero? You have done so well and I sit amazed. I know you will meet your goal because you just do every goal you set for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI often wish I had your drive and determination.
It all looks good.
I have to go now, my youngest son just ate one of those peppers off of the new Black dragon pepper we got and is now standing outside with the hose running in his mouth. Geez,
By for now,
Kim
You're doing great! Keep at it! Have a wonderful week. :)
ReplyDeleteIt has been 90 and better with a heat index of over 100 and for this Minnesota girl that is use to much chillier weather I do understand where you're coming from.
ReplyDeleteI have been jogging at 6 am when it's just under 80 so I can get my time in because there's no way I'm going out after work and by time dusk comes the bugs are so thick they need saddles to ride.
You do what you need to do Pam to keep going. It does get pretty boring doing the same thing all the time and that's when things just don't move along and the weight sneaks back on. So you do what feels good.
Keep going Pam, keep doing and keep teaching us all kinds of cool things.
Take care and God Bless!!
This humidity has been oppressive--It feels like it's just pressing on us.
ReplyDeleteI'm on a weird diet (my first ever) right now, and today is all-veggies day. It's been a delicious day! This diet lasts for a week, and when it's done, if I really have lost a bunch of weight, I swear I will start exercising (even in the heat). Good luck with your journey! :)