1.21.2010

The dreadmill.....or call me gimpy.

Well,
I knew I would have to take it easy today because the leg, while not as it once was...is still tight and not 100 percent.
So I did the dreadmill.
I would go at 3.0 for 15 minutes...stop and stretch..I did that three times.
Grand total 45 minutes and about 150 calories.
I struggled to not be frustrated.
I just kept reminding myself that if I
wasn't careful it wouldn't be a week out of service.
It would be a month or more.
That kept my attitude in check.
After that, I stretched for 10 to 15 minutes and then did 175 situps.
Doing the situps made me less frustrated.
My calories logged in today at 1530. Not bad.
I got my veggies, fruits and water in.
I am at 181.
I was 179 at my highest in Germany.
That was the first time I really gave a go at losing weight.
It took me 2 and 1/2 months and I lost 23 lbs.
Down to 156...
I thought it wasn't fast enough, so I quit.
This is where you don't kick yourself.
Because you can't go back, only forward.

On the 18th of January, it had been 8 months.
I know on my blog you don't see these huge weigh in days or anniversaries.
I do that on purpose.
I liken this whole weight loss thing to a marathon.
I can't imagine stopping at mile 13 and going "Yeah! I am halfway done".
lol.
I will note it, but there isn't a 'celebration day'.
Now when I hit 132, watch out shopping malls and beauty salons...here I come.
I plan to celebrate by decorating myself.
That's why each pound is great for me. It's like one mile closer to my Goal.
No one pound was any more exciting than any other.
Even 200 became just another blip on the scale.
A blip I wanted to get below.
IT didn't feel the way I thought it would.
I think goal weight will be much the same.
It won't be real for me until I go out there, put on a size 6 or 8 dress and wear it.
Then I think it will hit me.
When I joined the army I was 156 Lbs, right out of high school.
By the end of basic I was 138 lbs of muscle.
I remember getting weighed and being shocked...but it didn't hit home, until I and a couple of friends went shopping.
They gave me an 8 to try on, and I was like...'No way, No way am I going to fit in that."
Then I did,
THEN I cried.
For me- I get tunnel visioned...I only see the goal, not the rest.
That is why this leg is p*ssing me off.
It is in my way.
But that's okay, I know this weight thing is for life.
I can hold off a few more days.
Anymore than that, I lop this one off and trade it in for a new one.
Your mildly frustrated,
but pushing forward
dogged blogger,
Chris

23 comments:

Tony said...

REST is your number one friend when you have any sort of injury. Take it easy Chris. Yes, this is a lifelong journey, so don't stress the small obstacles in the way.

Brenda said...

Perseverance pays off.
Now, if you're going to trade your temporarily bum leg in for a new one, make sure it's a hollow one...won't weigh as much, then you'll be that much more ahead!
;)

Christine said...

lol brenda, absolutely.

Linda Pressman said...

Injuries suck, Chris, that's for sure. I'm very paranoid about injuries because I'm aging and because of the downtime. And I agree wholeheartedly about not having these huge weigh in days. That never got me anywhere with weight watchers - all I did was binge after each weigh in (gain or lose!). It's just one day at a time, a change inside that shows outside.

outdoor.mom said...

keep up the good work Chris! I'm proud of you :-) Take some hot baths and relax that leg..... maybe you should reward yourself with a nice jetted tub or something really lavish. Can't wait to see all these new glamor pics (when you do them)! I'm ready to head to the salon too.... Have a super great day!

266 said...

Keep on resting that leg... I totally get the frustration though!

Retta said...

Sounds like you are being smart about the recovery time, and taking it easy on the leg. I hope it mends fast!
Loretta
=^..^=

Olivia said...

It is awesome that the self control you have developed through this journey is now aiding you in the need to rest. I think the lessons we learn from living healthy apply in so many places, and that is such a wonderful thing.

Wow, 138, I can't even imagine it. It is gonna be great for you! As for me, ever new low weight is amazing because I've never been small in my adult life. But you are right, it doesn't 'hit me' like I think it will when I see the number. It usually takes a new set of clothes or just walking by the mirror one day and going "who is THAT?" Great feeling, really is.

Keep up the good work. I bet this rest your taking is gonna give you a real boost when you are able to get back in the groove.

Have a great day!
Olivia

outdoor.mom said...

Surprise! There is a blog award for you on my blog!

South Beach Steve said...

Chris, after reading your last few posts I am glad to see you are taking it easy. Like you said, it is better to have a down week than to push it too hard right now and have a down month or more. I often look back to the first time I felt my elbow hurt, when I ignored it, and wish I had done something different.

Boozy Tooth said...

A friend of mine who lost fifty pounds did this cool thing when she started her diet. She collected fifty giant paper clips and linked them all together. As she began to lose weight she would unlink the number of clips representing the pounds she lost and would make a second chain. As the long chain got shorter and the short chain got longer it really impressed her with the progress she was making even though the daily changes were sometimes camouflaged. The day the clips became one long chain of fifty again she had met her goal.

I am learning that weight loss only begins to become a permanent part of your life when you look at it as a constant effort. Yes, the marathon, the never-ending, day-in, day-out, routine of making choices and getting back on the horse when you fall off. When you look at the horizon and not just the mirror. I struggle with it too Chris and I have a feeling I always will - but to go backward? To undo the hard work? To revert to unhealthy patterns? Why? How is that better? All for the taste of pie sliding down my gullet? No thank you.

So, I suspect the clips on my chains will probably hop back and forth, but I know I can manage it. I will not obsess. I will not make my life only about diet and exercise. But I WILL be responsible, accountable and healthy.

Keep going girl. Anyone who can do 175 sit-ups is a freaking HERO in my book. As for the dreadmill.... ug.... I'm right there with you. I push myself to go 90 minutes at 4mph and I'm bored to tears after five minutes - even when I watch tv the whole time. Why is that? I much prefer a walk outside - which I hope to do today. In 72° temperatures, if all goes as planned.

Helen said...

Roll that leg before and after. Cut the crap with the running and just walk once you are thoroughly stretched out. Patience really is a virtue in these cases. Also, though I don't like it, when my exercise is affected, I just have to control my calories. It all works together.

Cole Walter Mellon said...

Dealing with injuries is really, really infuriating. You want to power through and your body just wants you to sit it out. And if you're like me, sitting out stirs your appetite something fierce. Don't fret, Chris. You've got a warrior mindset on now... and you'll battle back from this setback in no time. Stay strong.

Leslie said...

Continued great work, Chris. I can't add anything that hasn't already been said. Take it easy and you'll be back to full throttle before you know it.

Foodie Girl said...

I think you are doing fantastic! I strive to be half as dedicated as you are. Keep up the great work. That leg will back 100% in no time!

InWeighOverMyHead said...

You are doing great Chris and it seems like you understand that you will not let anything keep you from your goal.

Unknown said...

Hang in there Chris - you are making the right decision by taking it easy.
Love the 181 - woot woot! You go girl!

bbubblyb said...

Hang in there Chris, just take it slow and easy. I learned the hard way that if you try to over do you will end up benched for longer than you want to be. If you're like me exercise helps relieve the anxiety/stress so not being able to do it makes you want to eat. Sounds like you're still able to get your exercise fix even if it's not like you would like it to be. Hopefully you'll heal up quickly.

josie said...

What a great spirit you have. Injuries can suck the life out of you if you let them, and I'm glad you're not letting it. You're doing great!

karen@fitnessjourney said...

Taking it easy when you are injured is a good idea. Doing a lighter workout will get the blood pumping to the injury and it will heal quicker without exacerbating it.

Now, hearing about the great shape you got in during basic training makes me think I need to go to boot camp!

Anonymous said...

Chris, hang in there! It sounds like your leg is on the mend and you are doing great in all other respects. I hope you're back on Christian & Arnold next week! Maybe you can take this time of babying your leg to start some serious strength training?

Aimee said...

I'm glad you took it easy, hopefully your leg will feel better soon!

antgirl said...

Frustration is a temporary phase. So I tells meself. :) Most times it is. Our bodies will do what they will after a point. At their own pace and in their own way and time.

Slower loss is healthier for you. You're losing less bone and muscle.