Disguising Fitness as Nature Walks Since 2009!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
I know how they feel!
Interesting news story about a 1/2 marathon that a LOT of people had greatly improved their times on. I guess it doesn't just happen here!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
From Caterpillar to Yeti
I'm not a huge fashion maven. I've never been into the girly stuff like makeup and jewelry. But I do try to at least take care of the basics. I know the gym isn't a fashion show, but still, I try to remember to at least wear clothes without holes and to shave my legs if I'm wearing shorts.
But lately, I've noticed this bizarre phenomenon. When I am in the shower, I always check my legs to see how furry I am. If I am in the caterpillar range, I figure I can go another day without shaving. But then, when I get to the gym, I notice that I am suddenly in the Yeti range, and totally should have mowed (way past "shave" stage) my legs. This has been going on for a few months, and I just can't understand how I can go from stubble to dreadlocks in the 1/2 hour it takes me to go from the shower to the gym.
The other day, it finally dawned on me what the issue is. I don't wear my glasses in the shower, so I can't see the braidable hair, my legs just look smooth and perfect. So now my big dilemma is, should I stop wearing my glasses altogether? On the one hand, I really like not seeing imperfections. Also, there will be many more humorous gym mishaps for me to write about. On the other hand, assuming I survive the trip to the gym and the workout, I won't be able to see to update the blog. Dang. There is always a downside to taking the easy way out.
But lately, I've noticed this bizarre phenomenon. When I am in the shower, I always check my legs to see how furry I am. If I am in the caterpillar range, I figure I can go another day without shaving. But then, when I get to the gym, I notice that I am suddenly in the Yeti range, and totally should have mowed (way past "shave" stage) my legs. This has been going on for a few months, and I just can't understand how I can go from stubble to dreadlocks in the 1/2 hour it takes me to go from the shower to the gym.
The other day, it finally dawned on me what the issue is. I don't wear my glasses in the shower, so I can't see the braidable hair, my legs just look smooth and perfect. So now my big dilemma is, should I stop wearing my glasses altogether? On the one hand, I really like not seeing imperfections. Also, there will be many more humorous gym mishaps for me to write about. On the other hand, assuming I survive the trip to the gym and the workout, I won't be able to see to update the blog. Dang. There is always a downside to taking the easy way out.
Reminder: Walk today at Pete's Impoundment
Hi! Just a reminder we are doing a walk today at Pete's Impoundment at the end of Jungle Trail in the Pelican Island wildlife refuge. We are meeting in the Centennial Trail parking lot at 4:30, or if you prefer, at my house at 3:45. Hope to see you there!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Decision
So, after much, much thought, I decided against having the lapband replaced. There were many contributing factors, and I sincerely appreciate everyone who share their thoughts with me on it, and I really appreciate all of the support I've received. The decision wasn't an easy one. I pretty much decided early on that I would not have it replaced, but the insecurity that's messed with my head for the last 2 years made me second guess myself pretty much till I woke up in the recovery room.
As angry as I've been, and as stupid as I've felt, I do think I have learned a lot over the last 2 years, and I think it's important to document what I have learned from this experience for anyone thinking of getting a lapband who might stumble across this blog:
I have been seeing a nutritionist for a few weeks. She suggested getting rid of my scale altogether, stop driving myself crazy with the number. I've been working out, doing 5ks, feeling great and yet I still let the number make me crazy. So, the scale is gone. I have the jibblies from not being able to weigh in everyday, but as I've mentioned in previous posts, I am more than a number on a scale, getting rid of it once and for all was one of my final frontiers.
Late Wednesday, the day before surgery, I expressed my concerns and self-doubts to my friend Richard. I told him I was afraid that I would come home from the surgery and, despite the fact that I know that the lapband was defective and not doing anything, I would still want to eat the world once it was removed. Richard stated that I woudn't do that -- he said I am a different person than I was 3 years ago. As usual, he was right. I am confident now that it was the right choice for me.
Onward and upward!
PS. I underestimated my recover time and had to cancel today's walk. We have rescheduled for next week though and will meet at the Pelican Island main lot to walk Pete's Impoundment next Sunday at 4:30. Hope to see you there!
As angry as I've been, and as stupid as I've felt, I do think I have learned a lot over the last 2 years, and I think it's important to document what I have learned from this experience for anyone thinking of getting a lapband who might stumble across this blog:
- First and foremost:
- Fear of vomiting is not the same thing as learning how to eat right.
- Fear of vomiting is not the same thing as learning how to deal with issues with food and weight.
- If you have ANY medical issue and you feel like your doctor isn't listening to you, FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR. I know my body, and any doctor who thinks otherwise can go fry.
- As mentioned in previous posts, I've never been hungry in my life. This was probably the most important thing I learned. I did not get to be morbidly obese eating only when I was hungry, even if the lapband hadn't been defective, I still would not have succeeded with it for this reason alone.
- I am fairly active, and my nutritional needs simply do not coincide with the dietary restrictions required for the lapband.
I have been seeing a nutritionist for a few weeks. She suggested getting rid of my scale altogether, stop driving myself crazy with the number. I've been working out, doing 5ks, feeling great and yet I still let the number make me crazy. So, the scale is gone. I have the jibblies from not being able to weigh in everyday, but as I've mentioned in previous posts, I am more than a number on a scale, getting rid of it once and for all was one of my final frontiers.
Late Wednesday, the day before surgery, I expressed my concerns and self-doubts to my friend Richard. I told him I was afraid that I would come home from the surgery and, despite the fact that I know that the lapband was defective and not doing anything, I would still want to eat the world once it was removed. Richard stated that I woudn't do that -- he said I am a different person than I was 3 years ago. As usual, he was right. I am confident now that it was the right choice for me.
Onward and upward!
PS. I underestimated my recover time and had to cancel today's walk. We have rescheduled for next week though and will meet at the Pelican Island main lot to walk Pete's Impoundment next Sunday at 4:30. Hope to see you there!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Event Update
If you didn't GOYB and join us for the bike ride tonight, you missed a spectacular sunset, a Merlin, a Great Horned Owl, great conversation, and this fantastically beautiful snake of an as yet undetermined species:
Make sure you join us for our next outing, an evening walk at Pete's Impoundment at the Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge. We will meet in the parking lot at 4:30 next Sunday, or you can meet me at my house at 3:30 and we can car pool. Hope to see you there!
Make sure you join us for our next outing, an evening walk at Pete's Impoundment at the Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge. We will meet in the parking lot at 4:30 next Sunday, or you can meet me at my house at 3:30 and we can car pool. Hope to see you there!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Race Results
Well, the good news is that I had my best time ever today, I have cut more that 10 minutes off of my first race in June, so I am proud of that. The bad news is that there is no record of this whatsoever because my chip fell off somewhere on the race course. I told the record keeper at the end of the race, but I guess they couldn't add it in as I am not listed on the official results. I know that the point of this race was to raise money for the American Lung Association, and I accomplished that goal, and I know it's really small and petty of me to be this upset about not having this official, but MAN is it bugging me.
At any rate, here are the results of the last 4 races:
Me, at the start line.
Me, torn between being elated at my best time ever, and utterly crestfallen realizing that my timing chip was gone and there was no record of this whatsoever, other than the picture.
I didn't even come in last, I would have come in 17th for my age group if I hadn't lost my chip.
At any rate, here are the results of the last 4 races:
And I do have proof of my time, as my cheerleader and personal photographer got me coming across the start and finish line:
Me, at the start line.
Me, torn between being elated at my best time ever, and utterly crestfallen realizing that my timing chip was gone and there was no record of this whatsoever, other than the picture.
I didn't even come in last, I would have come in 17th for my age group if I hadn't lost my chip.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Weekend Event
Hi! This weekends event will be a bike ride out at Goodwin Wildlife Management Area:
Date: Sunday afternoon
Time: Meet at my house at 5:00
Please drop me an email if you want to join and for directions. Hope to see you there!
Date: Sunday afternoon
Time: Meet at my house at 5:00
Please drop me an email if you want to join and for directions. Hope to see you there!
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