I am Jester. Hear me whimper.

[trailerparkmedic]

One of my friends asked me to go to the gym with her today (not a day I normally work out). I agreed and even packed my gym bag before bed.

So of course I woke up sick this morning. How do you even get sick in 6 hours?? I skipped the gym (and class) and slept for most of the day and I'm pretty sure my scheduled running tomorrow will be a wash, too. I'm irritated about this, but at least my cold/flu/thingy has destroyed my appetite. I'm not going to work out until I can eat a normal meal.

[Jester]

After a weekend of not hitting the gym for various reasons, today after work, I really didn't want to work out. My friend Little Red texted me suggesting dinner after work. But, staying strong, I texted back that I was going to the gym after work, and THEN we'd do dinner. And bless her, she agreed.

And that's what I did.

30 minutes on the elliptical.
30 minutes on the treadmill.

Many calories burned, much sweat shed, one shirt soaked.

23/30!

On the way I ate an entire bar of Lindt dark chocolate truffles. I know that dealing with my emotions via food isn't healthy, but I decided that it was more important to pass this class than it was to loose weight this week.

Yes, but you could have completed the paper and passed this class, and done so while snacking....but you could have chosen something better to snack on.

It's all about the choices we make, and what we are willing to settle for, and not making excuses. You make your own choices....we can only encourage you along the right path. Ultimately you decide how far you want to take it.

[Jester]

I'm even seriously considering purchasing a bike...something I haven't done in years.

Good for you!

No, I won't be getting anything fancy like Jester's incredi-bike (gods, I love the look of Amanda...she's some purty!) but something that will allow me to get around.

No one starting out should ever buy a majorly fancy or expensive bike. It's just dumb.

Detour story: I had been riding for years before I decided to upgrade, and I didn't even set out to get anything quite so fancy. I was looking in the $500 range for something better than the semi-POS I had, and as I was looking, I realized I needed to up my budget for what I wanted and needed from a bike, if I was going to get anything that would both meet my standards and not be a piece of crap. And the owner of a bike shop I visited suggested I get a recumbent (the kind where you sit down in a chair-like seat, rather than a standard bike--an example of a recumbent can be viewed here). I've always had a thing for recumbents (they're fucking cool, man!), but I wanted a true bike, and once the shop owner realized I would not be swayed, he suggested I get a Softride. As he only had Softride mountain bikes in stock, and I wanted a road bike, he did something somewhat shocking...he sent me to a competitor. Which I did, and when I testrode a Softride road bike, I was hooked. Best damn thing I ever rode! So, considering how cool the original bike shop owner had been by sending me to someone else, I went back to him and ordered a Softride, the bike that would become Amanda. (For the record, she is a Softride Norwester.) That was 1996. The rest is history!)

You don't need anything that fancy. You need something solid, something reliable, and something that will do what you want of it, i.e., get you around without breaking itself or you. I highly recommend you keep away from the Wal-Marts and K-Marts, as the stuff they sell is, to put it bluntly, overpriced crap. You can get far more bike for far less buying something used, either from a private seller or a bike shop. (You will pay more in a bike shop than from a private seller, but you will also get a bike that you don't need to fix up--it will be ready to GO.)

However, it is a purchase I am seriously considering at this point.

Absolutely! If you need any advice or guidance, just let me know.

I'm going to look like a blob on a bike for the first while, and I'll be deadly slow...but it will be a start.

So what? It'll be faster than pedestrians, more environmentally friendly than cars, and cheaper than cabs.

I figure if I end up with a fixer-upper now I can work on getting it into tip-top shape as I work on the other stuff and be ready to ride once our snow finally stops making appearances.

See my comments above about buying bikes, but if you do get a fixer-upper, there are some things to absolutely avoid, such as major rust anywhere, any serious rust on the sprockets or chain, mushy brakes, bald or rotted tires, and twisted wheels. Many parts can be replaced, of course, but sprockets and brakes are very expensive, and not worth the hassle of replacing on a crappy bike. The rest, well, that's your prerogative.

[Jester]

(before wearing helmets became mandatory)

I meant to comment on this in the last post, but I somehow missed it. Now, I don't know where you live or how things are there, but the only times bike helmets are mandatory by law around here are for those under the age of 18. On organized rides and races they are mandatory, but that's mandated by the group organizing the ride, not by law. Are you telling me that even adults have to wear bike helmets where you live?

For the record, I know that it is safer to wear a helmet than not to. I also believe in personal choice, and I only ever wear my helmet when I have no choice....or when I'm riding in New York City, since it's New York City. Normally I just wear a bandana on my head like a do-rag to keep the sweat out of my eyes.

I just have to see if I'll be able to handle riding around traffic again.

You'll be fine. We have faith in you. To paraphrase our President, "Yes you can!"

[Sapphire Silk]

So of course I woke up sick this morning. How do you even get sick in 6 hours?? I skipped the gym (and class) and slept for most of the day and I'm pretty sure my scheduled running tomorrow will be a wash, too. I'm irritated about this, but at least my cold/flu/thingy has destroyed my appetite. I'm not going to work out until I can eat a normal meal.

When I came down with my cold two weeks ago, it hit me like a runaway freight train. I went out to dinner with friends feeling fine, then an hour later my sinuses were filling up and every joint ached, and I had a fever.

Let yourself get well before you try and work out. Some simple stretching will help you get limber until you are ready to really work out again. Push it too fast, and you could make yourself worse.

Bad day today. Been working on a paper for my Criminal Procedure class, and I have Issues when it comes to writing. Let myself sleep in today because I was up late last night working on it, so I got up at 10:30EST, ate breakfast, and was going to finish the part of the paper I needed to finish, then do my workout and get on with my day. I didn't finish it until about an hour ago. On the way I ate an entire bar of Lindt dark chocolate truffles. I know that dealing with my emotions via food isn't healthy, but I decided that it was more important to pass this class than it was to loose weight this week.

I urge you not to let school interfere with exercise. It will actually help you in the classroom. It relieves stress, which will make projects and testing much easier. Your brain will function better. Yes, you will "lose" time for study, but you gain more than you lose in that you will make more effective and efficient use of your time.

Once we don't have to worry about me passing out because I can't breathe my doctor and I are going to work together to figure out where to start with exercises. Cardio and strength training are definitely on the list. At the moment though I am striving to do more walking and less elevator taking.

I'm even seriously considering purchasing a bike...

BUT I figure with me having a lot more understanding of my body's needs and getting the asthma under control that perhaps I will be able to convince myself that I can get on a bike again and ride. Okay, I'm going to look like a blob on a bike for the first while, and I'll be deadly slow...but it will be a start. And it will also mean that I won't be sitting on my fat ass so much in front of the TV as my endurance and stamina increase.

Now to just get looking on the local freecycle and kijiji sites to see what I can find in the way of wheels! I figure if I end up with a fixer-upper now I can work on getting it into tip-top shape as I work on the other stuff and be ready to ride once our snow finally stops making appearances.

I'd start with a cheap bike, and work your way up. I bought a new, but relatively inexpensive bike that I've hardly used because I wasn't ready to start riding yet.

Start slow and work your way up. Before you hit the bike, try walking short distances around the neighborhood. Do a longer walk every day. Give it 2-3 weeks, then start the bike. My mistake was not getting my legs and knees into condition.

Do stretching of your legs, both hamstrings and achilles, before you work out and bear in mind it will take you a while to build the muscle tone in your legs back up.

I'm having similar issues with my knees. It's taking some work, but they are getting better and I am much happier with how my workouts are going.

I meant to comment on this in the last post, but I somehow missed it. Now, I don't know where you live or how things are there, but the only times bike helmets are mandatory by law around here are for those under the age of 18. On organized rides and races they are mandatory, but that's mandated by the group organizing the ride, not by law. Are you telling me that even adults have to wear bike helmets where you live?

In California, everyone was required to wear a bike helmet, regardless of age. Here in North Carolina, I think it's just the kids.

I always wear a helmet. I've seen the consequences of too many head injuries of bicyclists who did not wear one, to not wear one myself.

The old joke among nurses is, "What do you call bikers (or bicyclists) who refuse to wear a helmet? Answer: Organ Donors."

Went to TKD class today. Had a good class. Kicking drills today . . . my favorite! Towards the end of class, my classmate Ginger and I worked on our next form. It's much more complicated than the first one, and we worked on only four steps out of 20.

Tomorrow is my weigh in day, and weekly blood pressure check. Keeping fingers crossed.

[ArcticChicken]

I urge you not to let school interfere with exercise. It will actually help you in the classroom. It relieves stress, which will make projects and testing much easier. Your brain will function better. Yes, you will "lose" time for study, but you gain more than you lose in that you will make more effective and efficient use of your time.

I had no idea it was going to take me that long. The exercise was supposed to be my reward for finishing that part of the paper. I realize now that what I should have done was take a break, get my workout and try again when I was less stressed, but I've never been good at making decisions while stressed, and I've never been less than totally stressed while trying to write a paper. I'm making an appointment with someone who can help me work specifically on those issues, I do not need to keep reacting this way throughout the rest of my schooling.

[Jester]

Today was my first true failure of a day as far as my new workout regimen. Other days I did not work out, I had valid excuses, such as a cookoff, or legal/financial matters to attend to, etc. Wednesdays, while they are my longest day of work, are also my easiest, as all I do is perform magic, so there is no running around, no sweating, no getting in the weeds behind the bar. And last week I resolved to jog The Loop (5 miles) each Wednesday after work. Well, I got home from my second job tonight, figured I'd unwind a bit in front of the computer, starting checking up on CS.com...and just got really, really tired. And did not go jog.

Yes, I was tired. Yes, that is an excuse. No, it is not valid. Especially since (due to an event) I will not be working out this Sunday.

We will all have days like this. The trick is to not make them too frequent. But I am pissed, as I have missed a few days already this week.

On the plus side, I am pretty much sticking to my diet and eating within its parameters.

Also, as punishment for my laziness (I don't want anyone to say "but you were tired, don't push yourself too hard--bullshit, the whole point of this IS to push myself hard!), I did not enjoy any of the craft beers in my fridge, or any beers at all. The strongest thing I had to drink all day was Juicy Juice. And oh how I wanted those beers!

Tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday, no matter what else happens, I am working out, one way or another. Fuck excuses.

[Squeaksmyalias]

Can I join too?

I have goals, tons of them actually that all have to do with this but there are three big ones. A) health, I just got diagnosed with arthritis at 25, I've seen the way it hurt people I love, I'm going to kick it's ass and refuse to let it stop me. On top of wanting to loose weight and just be healthier in general.
B) More confidence, the past year my confidence went waaay down, I want to prove to myself I can do something and get healthier, and I want to be the stubborn fighter I used to be. C) Eventually I will have to do a medical to become a pilot, I want to not only pass the medical but run circles around it, then kick it while mocking it.

Past couple weeks I've been walking daily with my dog. Correction, I normally walk daily with the dog, but now it's doing more then the leisurely mile walk that we normally do. Now we drive out to a paved trail near by and walk there, started out at a faster pace and now I'm alternating between jogging and walking. My weekly goal is 5 miles a week, it's realistic and should I not be able to go out and walk some days, I should still meet that goal. Therefore not beat myself up over it if I don't. I'm working on that too.

5 miles is the goal, I'm determined to do as many miles as I can a week. As of today I'm at about 8 1/2 miles for the week. Yesterday I hit that point where I started going ugh this isn't fun anymore, this is hard. So I was determined today to make sure we went and walked, so I wouldn't take a day off then possibly give up.
Today I totally kicked my ass, I woke up going meh I don't want to go, I went and grabbed the leash so the dog wouldn't leave me alone until we went. Got there said meh I'll only do a 1/2 mile I don't want to walk. By the end I had done 2 and 3/4 miles in about an hour. I refused to let myself stop, anytime I wanted to slow down I made myself run or jog, on the way back so I wouldn't stop I let the dog take over and she made me hurry up to get back to the car. I swear that is her favorite part, the hurrying back to the car. I think she enjoys walks because it means she gets two car rides instead of one.

My dog is a great work out buddy, she can go as long as I want her too and she will keep me going and not let me slow down because she wants to get back to the car when we are done. If I slow down she turns around and jumps on me or barks, she is like my own furry drill Sargent. Not only that but letting her wander off the trail means I have to run in the woods and climb up and down hills to get back to the paved part of the trail.

I'm proud of myself today, I'm tired but I'm not as sore as I would have been before so I think that is a really good sign. I'm going to keep going, I refuse to give up and any day I think I might I'm going to show the dog the leash and she will force me to go out and walk her. I'm working on my eating habits, and most importantly working on taking my supplements (I'm really forgetful about taking things like that) so that I can get my arthritis under control. I'm fucking determined to kick it's ass, it's going to regret ever picking on me. Then I'm going to beat up the pilot's medical exam.

[raw456]

Well I passed 2 personal goals this week

I finally broke the 3min barrier running on the treadmill. I have only ever managed to run 2-2.5min at a time before. Next week 4min

Also, when I do my incline set on the treadmill, I usually have to dial back the speed when it gets to the steepest part - last night I kept the same fast pace (approx 6km/h) the entire 20min set was so stoked!

In other news, I have put the first payment down on a bike. I should have it paid off in about 8 weeks

[Sapphire Silk]

I had no idea it was going to take me that long. The exercise was supposed to be my reward for finishing that part of the paper. I realize now that what I should have done was take a break, get my workout and try again when I was less stressed, but I've never been good at making decisions while stressed, and I've never been less than totally stressed while trying to write a paper. I'm making an appointment with someone who can help me work specifically on those issues, I do not need to keep reacting this way throughout the rest of my schooling.

It's harder to make the right choices when we're stressed Sometimes when we're stressed the best thing we can do for ourselves is take a break and do something else, and come back at it with a clear head . . . as you've discovered. I've let myself fall into that trap too. So give yourself the break, get a workout. You'll feel better

Can I join too?

I have goals, tons of them actually that all have to do with this but there are three big ones. A) health, I just got diagnosed with arthritis at 25, I've seen the way it hurt people I love, I'm going to kick it's ass and refuse to let it stop me. On top of wanting to loose weight and just be healthier in general.
B) More confidence, the past year my confidence went waaay down, I want to prove to myself I can do something and get healthier, and I want to be the stubborn fighter I used to be. C) Eventually I will have to do a medical to become a pilot, I want to not only pass the medical but run circles around it, then kick it while mocking it.

Welcome aboard! As patiokitten says, Muffin tops only belong on muffins

25 is young to get diagnosed with arthritis. Losing weight will help the arthritis. I have osteoarthritis in my knees and bone spurs in my back. I've noticed that now that the weight is coming off, my back pain is vanishing.

I looked at myself in the mirror this morning, and for the first time in I can't remember how long, liked the person I saw. I still have about 60 pounds to lose to get where I want to be . . . but I can both see and feel the progress and I'm liking it.

Go for it! Kick that pilot license exam! Kick it in the ass! Fuck this shit!

Past couple weeks I've been walking daily with my dog. Correction, I normally walk daily with the dog, but now it's doing more then the leisurely mile walk that we normally do. Now we drive out to a paved trail near by and walk there, started out at a faster pace and now I'm alternating between jogging and walking. My weekly goal is 5 miles a week, it's realistic and should I not be able to go out and walk some days, I should still meet that goal. Therefore not beat myself up over it if I don't. I'm working on that too.

I almost got a dog for that reason. I like dogs, but I'm not home enough to be a good pack leader, so I decided to stick with my cat (who is much less high maintanence than a dog). I think you've set yourself a reasonable goal.

I'm proud of myself today, I'm tired but I'm not as sore as I would have been before so I think that is a really good sign. I'm going to keep going, I refuse to give up and any day I think I might I'm going to show the dog the leash and she will force me to go out and walk her. I'm working on my eating habits, and most importantly working on taking my supplements (I'm really forgetful about taking things like that) so that I can get my arthritis under control. I'm fucking determined to kick it's ass, it's going to regret ever picking on me. Then I'm going to beat up the pilot's medical exam.

Yeah, I've been forgetting to take my glucosamine lately. I need to start taking it given how much trouble I'm having with my knees.

Well I passed 2 personal goals this week

I finally broke the 3min barrier running on the treadmill. I have only ever managed to run 2-2.5min at a time before. Next week 4min

Also, when I do my incline set on the treadmill, I usually have to dial back the speed when it gets to the steepest part - last night I kept the same fast pace (approx 6km/h) the entire 20min set was so stoked!

In other news, I have put the first payment down on a bike. I should have it paid off in about 8 weeks

Way to go! Congrats.

Today is not a workout day for me. I'm off to do some volunteer work, get dinner, and then I'll do some stretching and leg exercises for my knees and ankles, but not a regular workout.

I forgot to weigh in at work today. Things got really crazy (have been all week), and I simply forgot. Forgot to get my blood pressure checked, too. I'll get it done in the morning

Cheers!

[Squeaksmyalias]

Welcome aboard! As patiokitten says, Muffin tops only belong on muffins

25 is young to get diagnosed with arthritis. Losing weight will help the arthritis. I have osteoarthritis in my knees and bone spurs in my back. I've noticed that now that the weight is coming off, my back pain is vanishing.

Go for it! Kick that pilot license exam! Kick it in the ass! Fuck this shit!

Thanks for the welcome.
Unfortunately its looks like it is Rheumatoid, which my father also has. The doctor is starting me on supplements (MSM for now) to keep me from starting all the medication that I would need for the rest of my life. Luckily the supplement is helping, I get the results for my blood work at the end of April when I have my next appointment. It's hard to see how fast moving it is, my Dad's RA is aggressive so obviously that is a concern, especially since RA is still fairly mysterious and mine seemed to kind of pop up. I think part of the reason other then loosing weight and making it easier to deal with the arthritis, is I'm afraid of not being active. I lost my mentor due to having a bad immune system thanks to RA, and I saw her go from walking to being in a wheel chair. I'm afraid of not being active, if it's going to take me out damn it I'm going to be walking when it happens and I'm going to be fighting.

[Sapphire Silk]

Thanks for the welcome.
Unfortunately its looks like it is Rheumatoid, which my father also has. The doctor is starting me on supplements (MSM for now) to keep me from starting all the medication that I would need for the rest of my life. Luckily the supplement is helping, I get the results for my blood work at the end of April when I have my next appointment. It's hard to see how fast moving it is, my Dad's RA is aggressive so obviously that is a concern, especially since RA is still fairly mysterious and mine seemed to kind of pop up. I think part of the reason other then loosing weight and making it easier to deal with the arthritis, is I'm afraid of not being active. I lost my mentor due to having a bad immune system thanks to RA, and I saw her go from walking to being in a wheel chair. I'm afraid of not being active, if it's going to take me out damn it I'm going to be walking when it happens and I'm going to be fighting.

Well, losing weight will still help RA. And the medications they have for RA are much better than they used to be. You'll have to be careful of your immune system. If you take a proactive approach to activity and your health then I think you will do much better in the long run.

I'm rooting for you

[Jester]

Can I join too?

Fuck yeah! Get your ass in here! And the rest of you, too!

Welcome. Muffin tops only belong on muffins. Utifafa.

I want to not only pass the medical but run circles around it, then kick it while mocking it.

Wow. Sounds almost like I wrote it. Someone's got a hostile streak rarin' to go!

My weekly goal is 5 miles a week...

As of today I'm at about 8 1/2 miles for the week.

Sounds like you are exceeding your goals, which is good...but perhaps it is time to raise the bar. Maybe make your weekly goat 10 miles? Just a thought.

Well I passed 2 personal goals this week

Kick ass!

In other news, I have put the first payment down on a bike. I should have it paid off in about 8 weeks

First payment? 8 weeks? How much is this bike?!?! And out of curiousity, what are you getting?


Today, after last night's failure, I was determined to hit the gym. I had to stay late at work due to a busy happy hour, but that definitely kept me active. Hell, before the mid-shift bartender came in, I had been running for the previous hour trying to keep up. And not only did I get a decent workout at work, I also made some nice scratch. (Yay making money!)

Knowing that I might have to stay late, I actually brought my workout clothes and my water bottle with me to work. Of course, I managed to forget my water bottle in the cooler at work when I left (only realizing it when I was halfway across town), so at the gym I had to buy a water, but that was fine. Got a decent workout in at the gym, though it would have been longer if the new treadmill had not made things so damn confusing on me that I finally switched to the older treadmill and got the workout that I had wanted....after a grueling 30 minutes of intervals on the stationary bike, that is.

Left the gym at closing, hit Subway where, of course, there was a huge line. Got a salad with extra tuna, extra tomatoes, and extra cucumbers, as well as some onions and oil & vinegar, and wolfed that down when I got home, as I had not eaten pretty much anything at work since opening. (For the record, a lot of people know that bananas are great for recovery after a workout, but they are not the only such food. Others that are great for recovery include tuna, cucumbers, and tomatoes...three things I love and, unlike bananas, am not allergic to. Bonus!)

I was going to head over to Little Red's to do a little vacation planning/hotel booking for our upcoming road trip in May, but I am kind of pooped and she isn't answering her phone, so hell with that....we can do it tomorrow or over the weekend. (I am guessing she dozed off, the wench.)

Tomorrow is going to be amusing. We should have a very busy lunch because of a particular televised athletic event that draws in a lot of our regulars, plus it being Friday I will probably have to stay until 7 again. As the gym closes at 8 on Fridays, and staying till 7 usually means I don't get out of there until 7:30 at the earliest, it is unlikely that I will be able to hit the gym. Can't ride either, due to the fact that it will be dark, so I may jog the 5 mile Loop that I blew off last night. Saturday is wide open, so I'll probably get a hardcore workout in the gym (after showing my apartment to a very promising potential roommate), and of course Sunday is a tailgate party at work for the locals to welcome in baseball season, so I will be up early but also drinking early (I always host the tailgate parties), so no workout likely on Sunday.

Keep going, folks!

23/30!

[Squeaksmyalias]

Wow. Sounds almost like I wrote it. Someone's got a hostile streak rarin' to go!

I had just gotten back, I was tired and hungry, I had to be pissed off at something, might as well be the medical.

Sounds like you are exceeding your goals, which is good...but perhaps it is time to raise the bar. Maybe make your weekly goat 10 miles? Just a thought.

I will eventually, I just started three weeks ago. Mostly the 5 miles is just so I don't feel guilty if I have to miss a day or two, like last week I only was able to do 6 miles due to a wake and a funeral and other family stuff. Also it's partly due to the fact some days I'm in bed for a while feeling like a whimpering ball of owie-ness. That seems to mostly be on some cold days, and even gloves don't help, I'll even wear gloves in the house with the heat turned up and I still end up buried under blankets hurting, it lesucks . So there will be times it's just best I don't go out since it's never good that you stop your walk because you are crying cause your hands hurt so much. Knowing how stubborn I can be, I'd still make myself go out if I had a bigger goal to meet. I fully intend to go farther then 5 miles a week, then once I'm doing more miles a day I will push it up to 10 miles.

Today it's snowing, but I plan on going out for a while to try and get a mile to a mile and a half in. I have to wait for my friend's brother to stop by he is going to put gas in the jeep for me since apparently this weak my hands can't seem to be able to work the gas pump, and my joints are aching today. Which was not fun when I got to the gas station and found that out. If the snow really starts to stick, I will have to figure something else out. Or go tomorrow instead.

*edited to add* Looks like I'm staying home, my Dad came home early to find out I was hurting and is making me stay home since I went every day this week. I'm going to make as many trips as I can up and down the stairs carrying laundry before I get caught and told to go back to bed.

[Cat]

In less than two months we're hiking up Mt Washington again... And after this winter, there will still be lots of snow in May. So I need to get back in shape fast... I slacked all winter.

Been going to the gym, doing the treadmill for an hour ( at an incline) with a 20 pound pack. But need encouragement to keep going!

Keep it up, everyone!!