August 2016

Dory_42
Dory_42 Posts: 3,603 Member
edited December 2024 in Social Groups
Sorry, I haven't had much to say the last week or so. Life has been busy (mostly because I am amping up my training so my fitness will be as good as possible when I can go full contact again (28 days to go!!!!! It happens this month!) I have also started fencing again after 11 months off which is exciting and nerve wracking (as I have competition in 9 weeks!) It is a weird combination of remembering and not remembering, but my fitness is way better now which helps lots, my balance and stability is also so much improved thanks to knee rehab and the stuff I don't remember too well included bad habits which I can hopefully drop now!!
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Replies

  • NewOR2015
    NewOR2015 Posts: 1,018 Member
    @CaptainBoing Well, that's a silver lining, forgetting bad habits. I wish I could forget mine.

    Today is the first of the month. That's always a good time to refresh and/or restart.
  • 1skholloway
    1skholloway Posts: 341 Member
    @CaptainBoing , Congratulations on being able to start fencing again! Some of you ladies are so very active I can't imagine why you are a part of this group!

    I on the other hand prefer to be a slug. I do enjoy nature and like to hike and canoe in pleasant weather but I prefer being a slug. I have to make myself be active. I try to move often - walk in place while brushing my teeth, waiting for the microwave, etc. I am trying to change my mindset and tell myself I like sweating and exercising. My body knows better and laughs and says "yeah, right! You can't fool me!!!"

    I read a blog by a fellow MFP'er that I enjoyed and she mentioned the book "The Brain of a Thin Woman." I looked at it on Amazon and it intrigued me so I bought it and started reading it last night. Very interesting read! It deals with neuroplasticity or rewiring your brain by changing the way you think. It is scientifically proven that this works. Dr. Caroline Leaf is a Christian neuroscientist who has studied neuroplastisty and written a book called "Switch on Your Brain" on the subject. It's good but tends to be technical. I look forward to completing "The Brain of a Thin Woman" and seeing what I can read. People who commented on the lady's blog post said it had to do with being mindful of your actions and what you thought about. That makes sense. Maybe I can start thinking like a thin woman so I can become one!
  • blitzbis
    blitzbis Posts: 366 Member
    Happy August everyone. 14 days until my last 10k. Walked quite a bit this weekend and then decided to mow the lawn yesterday. Riding lawn mower won't start so push mow it is. (At least until brother in law can drive the 1hour and 1/2 to my place to see what's going on with it). However as i need to train mybody to be out in the texas heat for a couple of hours, then I shall strap on my shoes and push mow the yard. Last night, I got our back and front yard accomplished. Tonight, I plan on doing my mother in law's front yard. This may take about an hour or so of mowing a night to get everyting done, but think of the stamina I will have acquired. Right?
    I'd still rather do this than do the edging/weed eating that Chris has to do. Any fool can walk in concentric squares pushing a mower, right?
    Also, it's my husbands birthday month. Already planning how to get through this so I can be thinner before our cruise. Thankfully he likes cake with a whipped frosting and that is not my thing. Give me a butter cream cake frosting any day of the week!

    Take care all!
    Cindy
  • JanolaBarbara
    JanolaBarbara Posts: 322 Member
    Yay, August! @NewOR2015 --you are so right. The beginning of a month is the perfect time to focus on making a new start!! Thanks for that. I really needed it.

    @blitzbis -- Whoa! All that mowing will definitely help you improve your stamina! Here, my husband takes care of the lawn and I work on the gardens that border it.

    @CaptainBoing -- Like @1skholloway , I am so impressed by your level of activity. Good luck with your upcoming fencing competition.

    Well, I am definitely working on getting back on track. We're hoping to travel to South America next year and I want to be fit enough to do some trekking in Patagonia. That means losing at least 9 lbs (to help my knee) and doing my calisthenics and stretching/foam rolling more often (calisthenics 3x a week, stretching/rolling each day). Once my knee feels better, I can resume my walks and try to get more hiking in.
  • Dory_42
    Dory_42 Posts: 3,603 Member
    @1skholloway I got into exercise at this intensity when I found some form of exercise that I absolutely loved doing. For me it was mma style fitness, which led to Brazilian jui jitsu. Because I love it so much, it is easy to motivate myself to go and train, especially as you have to train jui jitsu with other people. Some of my best friends train with me so we always have fun together and we motivate each other lots. Once I was in that zone, the change to how I think about food and exercise came easily. Once the mindset is changed, it all becomes much easier!

    I have also had knee issues (surgery to shave out damaged cartilage and a torn acl that took about 6 months to heal). I'm still doing rehab twice a week because they are so good I just can't stop. They are fixing more than just my knee, because there are so many things connected that caused my problems in the first place. I'm learning to engage my glutes (yes, I have a good looking guy stare at my butt twice a week!!!) and my balance is better than ever!
  • SweetPeasMom55
    SweetPeasMom55 Posts: 3,581 Member
    @CaptainBoing LOL if I had Wolverine staring at my tuckus I most certainly would have incentive to get it in great shape. ;) I would even consider getting those tight yoga pants with the racing stripe down the side. LOL :D
  • NewOR2015
    NewOR2015 Posts: 1,018 Member
    Susan & @CaptainBoing Yep, the right mindset will get you where you need to be. I'm not there yet.

    Cindy, I love mowing the lawn in Texas heat. The sweat just pours off me. After my shower I feel soooo refreshed! Mowing is the best exercise because I feel I've been productive at the same time.

    Danielle, I never heard of Patagonia. I've got to brush up on my geography.

    Sue, now, now, don't get so excited! You're supposed to get in shape for yourself, your health, not some Wolverine. :)
  • 1skholloway
    1skholloway Posts: 341 Member
    NSV - I bought and wore legging capris to exercise in. I wanted something that fit to work out in and these were $4 a pair and the style I usually wear were $10 and $12 a pair. I couldn't justify paying the difference in price. I was nervous that they would be too tight and I would look bad in them. They looked ok in the store and I found someone who looked like a modest dresser who agreed they would be ok to work out in as long as I had a shirt to cover my hiney. If she saw my stomach she would have said keep that covered too! I always wear long shirts to cover it. I looked in the mirror before leaving the house for reassurance that I looked decent. The pants weren't skin tight. They were actually a little loose around the knees. I went to the chiropractor's office before the gym and a staff person commented on my weight loss. I mentioned it was my first time to wear leggings and the staff said I looked fine. The pants came in many colors and prints that were so pretty but I bought black pair. :) I thought they would match whatever shirt I wear.
  • NewOR2015
    NewOR2015 Posts: 1,018 Member
    NSVs are what keep us going!
  • SweetPeasMom55
    SweetPeasMom55 Posts: 3,581 Member
    @1skholloway sometimes we just need to step out of our comfort zone. If you like the black go for navy blue it's very close to black, baby steps. GREAT NSV !!! :)
  • SweetPeasMom55
    SweetPeasMom55 Posts: 3,581 Member
    I am not allowed to mow as we are in such a drought you have to be careful of the cracks that are all over the yard. My husband is afraid my foot will go into one and I will break something. My mom is afraid a sinkhole is going to appear they are so huge. I have to admit this is the first year I am afraid of the yard. More and more people are taking their dogs to the park to walk on the path too. One of these days it's got to rain I would definitely rather have rain than a ton of snow.
  • 1skholloway
    1skholloway Posts: 341 Member
    Thanks @2020pinktogo ! LOL Your thought process is similar to mine. I did look for navy blue but all they had was some bright blue that was just too bright for me. I wish I could think of something to compare it to. It probably would match some of what I wear okay because I wear a lot of black and gray as well as some other colors. Just not ready for that yet.

    I wish I could send you some rain. We are getting evening showers often and I am thankful for them even though they revived my grass that was almost dead. I like dead grass because that means I don't have to mow. I don't dislike mowing as much as I used to but I wouldn't miss it if I never had to do it again.
  • 1skholloway
    1skholloway Posts: 341 Member
    From the Thin Woman's Brain written in 2013. "Today's average woman is 5'4" tall and weighs 160 pounds." The author is speaking about women in the U.S. I would think.

    I know we aren't to compare ourselves to other but I still do more than I like. I figure at 5'6" and 175 pounds I am close to average. That han't happened often in my life weight wise. It's nice to know how I stack up compared to others. I don't know when I will try to stop losing weight. I think I need to start focusing on toning up and not focus on the number on the scales so much at this point. I want to meet with the trainer at the gym so he can give me a better idea of the direction in which I need to go at this point.
  • JanolaBarbara
    JanolaBarbara Posts: 322 Member
    Hello, MFP Friends!

    @1skholloway -- That is such a terrific feeling!! Not only do clothes fit you better, but you got those leggings at a fabulous price! I also love wearing black. I will brighten things up with colorful accessories-- scarves, necklaces, etc. I recently got into bright blue and have some shirts and a cardigan in that color. Looks great with my black pants and tights! Sometimes changing our focus provides us the stimulus we need to get things moving. Definitely let us know how it goes!

    @CaptainBoing -- Man, I wish I had your optimism and energy!! I've been working on strengthening my glutes, etc and improving my balance for about 10 mos. I definitely notice an improvement. Having a cute trainer sounds like a fun motivator!

    @2020pinktogo -- Droughts are so tough. I grew up in Southern California, so I really feel for you. And your lawn. Sounds extremely bad where you are, though. Definitely watch out. I'd hate for you to get injured.

    Well, blah. I am having a tough week. Yesterday I said goodbye to my little pet rat. She was 3yrs old, which is old for a rat. She was so smart and independent. She's the last of my colony. It's hard. Just this afternoon while I was making lunch I thought, "Oh, I should save some broccoli for Poppi," then remembered that she's gone. So, I am depressed which means doing anything is hard and I'm trying not to eat my emotions (also hard). I am glad that I made myself do 30min of calisthenics, though.
  • 1skholloway
    1skholloway Posts: 341 Member
    @JanolaBarbara I am sorry for your loss. Losing a pet can be so hard. Please know you are in my thoughts.
  • SweetPeasMom55
    SweetPeasMom55 Posts: 3,581 Member
    This is our first major drought the town well is down 50 % so we are going into our reserve tank which is hooked up to the county lines. Our biggest fear is fire where you use a ton of water. As the well has never gotten this low and we are a farming community they are going to stay on the county water til mid dec to see how the water table rises. Granted you have these people who are having bon fires and are not considering that they could literally burn down their neighbors livelihood. that's what one guy did near my mom he went out and burned papers in his burn barrel which was a piece of crap and took out 39 acres of wheat of his neighbors farm. 6 fire companies responded. Yep you guessed it he put it over to burn and went inside to do something and the wind took it over to the neighbors. It was horrible. the guy who did it acts like nothing happened. the farmer looks like he aged 20 years he looks so rough.

    and just for @NewOR2015 Laura was 3 hours late today for work so she shows up 8 min before I'm suppose to leave. I honestly didn't think she was coming and thought ok I am going to have to stay. So she shows up to work 2 hours with a sub in her hand cause she hasn't had time to eat all day supposedly. Now she's only going to work 2 hours and then leave why do you need to eat a sub and wait on people? I think we have our new crazy.
  • JanolaBarbara
    JanolaBarbara Posts: 322 Member
    @1skholloway -- Thank you so much for your condolences.

    @2020pinktogo -- Hope you can leave all that crazy behind you someday soon.
  • NewOR2015
    NewOR2015 Posts: 1,018 Member
    @2020pinktogo It just amazes me that crazies have jobs in the first place.
  • blitzbis
    blitzbis Posts: 366 Member
    @JanolaBarbara So sorry about Poppi. Happy you made yourself exercise though. It won't take away the pain as you well know, but I truly believe emotions are energy in our body and we have to get that out somehow.

    @CaptainBoing I can't imagine finding an exercise regimen I love as much as you have. I enjoyed my races when I felt like I could improve on my time, but now that I have injured my knee, I'm afraid to start running again. At least until I get some weight off. I don't think running on a 260lb frame is good for my knees. Imagine all the shock of that weight. EEEKKKKK. I do enjoy a "good sore" from a good workout. I used to have a subscription to DailyBurn and really enjoyed the variety, but then decided there are just as many good videos on YouTube for free, but of course I haven't availed myself of those. HOpefully once I get this last 10k behind me, I'll stop walking as long in the evenings and can do some more strength training.

    @NewOR2015 I do love getting in a cool shower after mowing in this heat. Soooooo, amazing. The great thing about mowing is that you can see what you have accomplished that day. Being a counselor...you have to wait and wait and wait before you can see progress in patients!

    Needing to go to a meeting. I'll catch up on other posts shortly. Great to see such activity!

  • blitzbis
    blitzbis Posts: 366 Member
    @1skholloway great NSV!. I need to find new workout pants but can't find anything that isn't black. I need them to walk this last 10k and just don't want to wear such a dark color. However, i also can't wear what I have now as the elastic is shot in one pair and the others cause a terrible rub. So happy you found something you felt comfortable in, that others were complimentary of (and lets face it that means a WHOLE lot) and that were inexpensive!

    @2020pinktogo wow, definitely be careful with those cracks. A friend of mine works for the water district in San Antonio and he's always talking about their resevoir and how difficult it is to keep people from over using. Some people just don't understand how their actions negatively affect others. Sort of makes you want to teach that fella a lesson about the dangers of fire. We don't even BBQ right now (even though we aren't in a burn ban) but you never know where those sparks are going to go.

    As for my week, so far so good. I am in a FitBit challenge and so far, I am ahead by about 20,000 steps. Last week, I was second and the guy that beat me is in this challenge also. Either he's not motivated this week or last week was just a fluke for him because i think he averaged 20k a day. But, it's helping me stay motivated. Yesterday, I felt like I didn't need to try too hard since I was so ahead but then I didn't want to kick myself if he got off his pattootie and i ended up losing my WAY comfortable lead. Had a few cheat days this week. Took off early on Tuesday and went to the movies. Got me some popcorn and drink and the next night went out with friends and had a pizza. On track now, but getting ready to start celebrating husband's birthday (this weekend with his family, next weekend with mine). Hope the weight keeps coming off. I see lots of mowing, walking and strength training in my future to make that happen.

    Happy Thursday everyone
  • Dory_42
    Dory_42 Posts: 3,603 Member
    Wow, lots to catch up on.

    Yay for new pants that are comfy, cheap and look good!

    Rats make amazing pets. Sorry for your loss.

    I'm not too active this week as my car decided to empty my bank account and be unavailable for a few days so I have to share a car with my parents. I have to prioritise what I need it for so can't go off to gym as much as I would like. Hopefully mine comes home tomorrow. My eating hasn't been the best but I stocked up on fruit and veg today. Supper ended up being veggies and jalapeño hummus. Crazy thing is my cat was insistent that he wanted some of the hummus. I offered a tiny bit on my finger, sure that the smell would put him off. He ate it and was trying to get more! Apparently spicy does not bother him at all, he rather likes it! My dad would say, of course he is not normal, he is your cat after all! Implication being that I am not normal...

    Oh yes there was a comment about my good looking trainer. It is nice that he looks like Wolverine, but the best part of training with him is that we really get on well and are now good friends so it's easy to chat to him while we work. He is also really good at pushing me to do better and encouraging me when I improve. Those elements are way more important than his looks.
  • NewOR2015
    NewOR2015 Posts: 1,018 Member
    @blitzbis I still have not gotten myself a FitBit. I've thought about getting one and how it would motivate me. Then, I think I would probably get obsessed with it.

    @CaptainBoing My car is the reason I'm thinking of coming out of retirement. I need a new one. I don't have any pets. My mom's dog, though, eats anything and everything. Found out recently the one thing he will not touch...banana.
  • blitzbis
    blitzbis Posts: 366 Member
    @CaptainBoing hate that about your car. It is amazing how much we rely on these things. Glad she's coming home soon. I have had experience with several trainers over the years and find i do best with someone who will let me laugh at myself but confidently push me to do better. Don't think I would do well with a drill sergeant. Commaradarie and expertise are the best!

    My parents bought a car about 7 years ago that they thought would be their last car. Well, it isn't. Mom's job put lots of miles on it and they are still quite active and both working. Since my husband works for a dealership I'm hoping they can wait until next year sometime and buy one there. Of course we will have to buy it, but $50 over invoice is an awesome deal.

    Ok, I am too excited about this week. It seems to have flown by and have had success both on the scale and in my sticking to an exercise regimen. Well, walking each day when I come home (we got the riding lawn mower fixed so Chris mowed the yard for me, poo and yea!) Feeling pretty confident I can handle the heat on the 14th. I mean If I can do an hour at 5:30pm, then surely I can do 2 hours at 7:30am. It may have to do with the sun beating down on me, however.

    Hope everyone has a great Friday!
  • JanolaBarbara
    JanolaBarbara Posts: 322 Member
    @CaptainBoing -- I had a car like that once. It seemed to know when I had money saved up! XD At least you can borrow your parents for now. Funny about your cat! Of course, rats will eat anything, too, except bacon and raw onion, which my sister gave them as treats one time she was rat-sitting.

    @NewOR2015 -- I also think a FitBit would totally motivate me to get out and walk more, but I am a cheapskate!

    @blitzbis -- Congratulations on an awesome week! too bad (?) your SO got the mower fixed and mowed for you. Good luck on your 10k!

    Happy Friday, everyone! Due to my knee acting up, I haven't been very active this week. So, I've been trying to eat less to make up for it, but I've not done as good a job of that as I had hoped. But, today is another opportunity to succeed!

    Going to get an MRI done on my knee today so I'll finally know what I'm up against. I do have some old trauma and a little arthritis, which the dr saw on the x-ray. I'm hoping nothing too dramatic shows up.

    Thank you all for your condolences. Still hard, of course. Today I am going to clean out her cage. It's a big one (about 5ft tall) and I have the habit of peeking in on my ratties whenever I walk by, naturally, and then I'd get mad at myself and sad when I realize that there's no one in there anymore. DH thinks it will be better for me if the cage was clean and empty. He's right, but it will make it more real.
  • blitzbis
    blitzbis Posts: 366 Member
    @JanolaBarbara I hope you get some answers quickly from your MRI. It's so hard when you have been staying active and then have to take a break for health reasons. I find it difficult to get back into the swing of things. I know you will stay focused though. YOu do have your trip to South America coming up to look forward to!

    I have been doing good eating wise until today. Patients had catfish and hushpuppies for lunch. Darnit, there were hushpuppies left over and I have helped myself to 3. But I'll log them and then adjust dinner.
  • SweetPeasMom55
    SweetPeasMom55 Posts: 3,581 Member
    So this morning I woke up and feel very much like a powerpuff girl. I am going to go to work and kick some butt. I feel so positive and a think I thought of a way to download our data we need from the one terminal. I was on the phone with system support who told me it's a line issue and then verizon came in for something else and that guy said I won't be seeing a tech for at least a week. OMG. So I thought it's a line issue I have a working line I just take the working line from the other terminal and put it into the down terminal and download everything. Once it's all done we can put the lines back where they belong cause I'm not messing with electricity I'm just moving phone lines pulling one cord out of one terminal and inserting it into another.

    Til later plus I already did 3 miles so I'm feeling great! ;)
  • NewOR2015
    NewOR2015 Posts: 1,018 Member
    @2020pinktogo More power to you!

    I'm just hanging around feeling blah today. I need to go for a long walk.
  • SweetPeasMom55
    SweetPeasMom55 Posts: 3,581 Member
    Josh says my OCD is getting out of control but he owes me big time. LOL I may not have everything fixed but I got all the reports printed. I went back to where he was and did my little victory dance and he's like WTH and I'm like Look ya dork and he looked and he goes I'd hug ya but I know how much you hate people touching you. Which is so true and I appreciate the fact that he remembered. LOL

    So I'm trying to get a hold of a walking buddy to go to the park with today I just prefer to walk with someone. if I don't hear from anyone I guess it'll be another dvd.
  • NewOR2015
    NewOR2015 Posts: 1,018 Member
    Today was a good day. That cloud hanging over me yesterday is gone. I enjoy walking by myself so that I can set the pace according to my mood. @2020pinktogo I also don't like people touching me. I don't even like things touching me: no earphones, no jewelry, etc. Of course, I wouldn't go as far as saying no clothes because I want to hide in plain view and not attract attention.
  • 1skholloway
    1skholloway Posts: 341 Member
    I did a happy wiggle (my version of a dance) this morning when I stepped on the scales and saw a small loss. I wasn't expecting that! It was a nice surprise and great way to start a Monday. I hope y'all have a terrific day!
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