Posted by hanlie | Posted in My Long Walk to Health | Posted on 02-02-2009
It seems unreal that we’re already in the second month of 2009… Time certainly does fly when you’re having fun!
I’m very pleased with my progress in January. My biggest accomplishment was getting off my ass and moving. I think I did quite well…
CARDIO - 855 minutes (mostly walking)
STRENGTH & RESISTANCE - 115 minutes
STRETCH & TONE - 850 minutes (mostly Pilates)
AQUA AEROBICS - 180 minutes
TOTAL - 2000 minutes
(I realized on Saturday morning that I was going to finish on 1980 minutes for the month, so I took an additional 20 minute walk to round things out!)
That’s 2000 minutes more than I did in December, or most of last year for that matter!
The scale hasn’t really been my best friend in January, only recording a loss of 3.9 kg (8.6 pounds). I’m not too concerned about that, because I know that I still have a lot of room for improvement eating wise, but also because I’m noticably thinner from all the exercise.
My clothes are all baggy in places. It would of course be far too much to expect to lose weight evenly over my body. My waist measurement hasn’t really decreased (although Craig says my stomach is smaller), but my thighs, hips, butt, shoulders, boobs and face are all smaller. It feels like progress! And my parents, who hadn’t seen me in twelve days, noticed right away yesterday that I’d gotten leaner.
So much for the scale! Once it starts ticking over, I think it will do so quite quickly…
I’m still going strong as far as motivation is concerned. I’ve adopted Tony’s attitude – Stop making excuses / complaining / prevaricating and just do it! Instead of concentrating on the things that I can’t do, I’m doing the things that I can… and there are more of those almost every day.
The best blogpost I read in January has got to be A “Secret Fear” That Keeps You Fat. I recommend it to anyone trying to lose weight. It resonated so deeply with me!
Thank you all for the wonderful support you’ve given me in Janaury. I know that you’ll be right here for me in February as well. I couldn’t do this without y’all!
Contrary to popular belief, February is not the month of chocolate, but the month of love. And no, it’s not the same thing! I intend to celebrate my love for myself by doing the following:
- Build on the good start in January and increase my cardio (distance and intensity). I want to do 5K walks outside most days, and do speedwork on the treadmill in the gym at least twice a week.
- Continue with the strength and resistance work. This is a new area for me, so I’m learning as I go along.
- Try and fit more Aqua Aerobics classes into my schedule. I just love this form of exercise and I always know I’ve worked hard.
- Continue doing Pilates four times per week. My strength and stability are always increasing, so this schedule clearly works for me.
- Be more aware of my posture and core at all times, especially pelvic floor! Kegel exercises, anyone?
- Try the rowing machines at gym. I have no idea what to expect, so I just want to give it a go. Maybe I’ll like it, in which case I will add it to my routine.
- My BFF will be staying with me for a few days, during which I won’t be going to gym. Fortunately she also works out a lot, so we’ll definitely go for long walks and we can work out with resistance bands at home and maybe even brave the municipal pool (casual sessions at the gym are horrendously expensive, so we won’t go there). Oh, and of course we have this big ocean right on our doorstep. I’m sure we’ll be fine.
- Pay more attention to my diet. By the standards of society at large, I haven’t been eating junk. But my standards are way higher! So, more fruit and vegetables and fewer gym kiosk sandwiches. I plan to have at least one huge, delicious and nutritious green smoothie per day and one glass of carrot juice.
- Have my cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar checked and compare with mid-November numbers.
- Go to bed earlier. I did it last night and I was just much happier and more productive this morning (cooking a huge pot of beans and washing already on the line).
- Find a house to rent. We’ve sold ours and have to move by the end of March.
- Buy a new bathing suit! The old one may disintegrate any moment, propelling me to unwanted notoriety at gym!
- Stay on top of the ironing. This really got the better of me in January. I think that I was just too tired from working out most evenings. But even if I only iron 5 items at a time, it will make a difference. On nights when I’m not so tired I can do more.
- Continue encouraging my blogging buddies on their journeys.
- Get on with writing my Fertilehealthy website. I didn’t touch it in January!
What are your goals? How did you do in January? Are you still motivated and going strong? Need your butt kicked?
What a fantastic month! With all that exercise there are bound to be some brand new muscle growth so your baggy clothing is communicating how great you’re doing more than the scale right now (though the scale ain’t bad either lady!). You inspire me (I’ve had a couple of days of “needing my butt kicked”), I love your goals and I’m in awe of your positive attitude.
I’m off to read that blog post your recommended now. I got as far as “It’s not arrogant for a flower to bloom” and my eyes welled up, it really touched something in me I hadn’t thought about. When I got so close to my goals I took so many compliments and while they made me feel good I hated them too, I felt I was being too big for my boots and full of myself, I hated being the centre of attention – in fact closer to the truth is that I hated the part of me that *liked* being centre of attention.
Thank you for this post and have an awesome February. I look forward to hearing you achieve each of those fantastic goals.
xx
ani pestos last blog post..blah blahdy blah
wait
does that mean we are all supposed to stay on top of ironing too??
MizFits last blog post..You’ll FLIP over my first blogbirthday treat…
Wow, keep up the good work! I know it is hard when the scale is not moving, but its great that your clothes are loose! You are gaining muscle, which as I am sure you know, will boost your metabolism overall.
As far as diet goes, I feel like I have not been eating like I should, although also not junk by other people’s standards, not good enough for me. So, today the processed sugar and bread are gone! This is not easy, but I have set up an appointment to get my bodyfat checked Wednesday so I have motivation for a few days at least.
Good luck and keep moving!
Shannan
Living a Whole Lifes last blog post..Do you feel well?
I’m going to stalk you blog for a bit – I’m having some slight confusion on green powder and smoothies – do you have a recipe for yours?
Paiges last blog post..Green powder
ROWER is excellent – have someone show you how to use it – be sure they help you find how to ‘feel’ where you are pulling from so you work the right muscles. Find one (if possible) near a mirror so you can watch your posture.
If I did the math right – your intentional exercise was 1 1/2 hours 6 days a week. Very good average.
8 pounds is two pounds a week – which is twice as fast as I lost. You are going to gain muscle as you lose fat – so the number is going to go down at a more even/slower pace – but you will end up better off in the long run. I think the slower pace people who do lots of tone with their cardio during loosing – end up with the best skin possible – not perfect skin – but better than what they would have had if they had lost quickly with no exercise.
vickies last blog post..Sometimes the ones with the most distorted food thinking are ‘normal’ sized.
I so have to get to bed earlier as well. I stay up watching pointless TV shoes or reading. As for the ironing – I just don’t buy clothing that needs to be ironed.
I use to but boys, I only iron if I have to.
baggy clothes………always good!!! Can’t believe Jan is gone! I did great in January ……..on track since the end of Christmas cookies……….thank goodness the Superbowl was just one day………too much sodium!
Goals for Feb? Eat healthy! MOVE! LOVE!
annettes last blog post..Weigh In/Days 31 and 32
That’s a lot of time exercising… good for you. Looks like you have a very strong base on which to build and I’m sure Feb will be just as amazing.
BigGirls last blog post..Whale Puke?
Look at all of that exercise! And I love that you did a 20 minute walk to even it up to 2000 minutes
Now that I’ve started mre regular exercise, I’m hoping to also have clothes that are “baggy in places”, lol.
Good job!
SeaShores last blog post..Checkin’ in
Wow, most excellent exercise time spent in January!
I would love to get more sleep over the coming months.
WOW you’re off to a great start! enjoy the visit with your friend and take a few photos of that lovely ocean to share.
Good luck finding a rental and congratulations on finally getting the house sold!
scale junkies last blog post..Healthy You Challenge Check In Week 5, 2009
Are we not counting ironing as exercise? Shoot. I have to revise some numbers.
You rocked January! I have no reason to doubt you’ll do the same in February. It makes such a difference to do it because it *feels* good, doesn’t it?
Way to go, Hanlie!
Cammys last blog post..Makeover Monday: Have a Heart
That is awe-inspiring to see your progress laid out for the month like that! I’m so proud of you. And you certainly have a lot on your plate (no pun intended) for this month, between your goals and “to do” list. Bravo!
The Month of Love! Yay!
No, I did NOT have a “good” January except for the inauguration…I was exhausted from restraining myself during December. And yes, a good swift kick in the pants would be great. I’m starting off this week trying to get my discipline mojo going again.
Now you’ve inspired me!
Melissas last blog post..Excuse me, do you have the time?
I’m wondering if you downloaded the book “Andrea’s Secret” that is refered to in the link in your post. What she wrote resonated with me also…but always being the skeptic….I didn’t download her book. Did you? And if so – what did you think?
Loras last blog post..A Few Random Thoughts….