Negative Thoughts

I've had a rotten cold. I did the weight routine three more times -- good on me -- but fell off the wagon with a horrid cold and fever. I'm not sure the trainer got my two email messages canceling and I'm obsessing over that. As if no one else ever got sick.

I'm also obsessing over when to restart weights. I found a medically decent piece that says weights with a head cold and no fever do no harm. I have a chest cold and fever. And asthma which gets seriously awful with the least virus or infection.

I figured out today -- I'm clearly on the mend but no where near well -- after about two hours of research that this feeling of being overwhelmed and inadequate is a big chunk of why I just give up. Or it is a ploy to let me give up. I have no idea which.

While I'm being all negative, why does everybody call this a journey? It's as if we're going on a lovely trip to Tahiti. Just pack your bags and you're on your way. No it isn't a lovely trip. It's all about changing habits and learning new things and facing yourself and it's all very very hard. That 'journey' stuff seems like the same kind of denial that got a lot of us here, you know.

My apologies to anybody I offended, but I know if I'm going to do this I need to tell myself the truth. I do some of that here.

In spite of it all, I'm down 8.4 lbs. Not a lot but the direction is right.

I found this at the WomanaSports Foundation. It is about core training for athletes. If I start thinking of myself as an athlete maybe I'll treat my body better.

o when training the core for sports, it's best to have the hips and back in the open air, supported only by the core muscles. The following core exercises do just that:

* Planks - Hold the core in an isometric position and challenge the entire core. A plank is done in the push up position – hold that position for 4 – 6 deep breaths.

* Standing Leg Circles - Circle your leg to the front, hips and upper body should not move. Add a resistance band around your legs for a greater challenge - the hips and shoulders stay squared to the front. Circle 8 times to clockwise, 8 times counterclockwise.

* Standing Leg Lifts - Work the core from all directions. Keep your hips and upper body still while you lift your leg to the front, side and on a diagonal. Use quick, short lifts and only move your leg. Add a resistance band around your legs for a greater challenge. Perform 16 quick pulses to the front, side and diagonal.

* Standing Arm Circles - With a hand held weight, challenge the core to stay still. Hold a dumbbell with two hands. Make a big circle to the front using the weight. Keep your middle tight and don't sway your hips. Circle 8 times clockwise, 8 times counterclockwise.

Working the core as a unit can be done everyday. You'll only need to spend 10 minutes each day for great looking abs. The secret is out. Spread the word.

Woo Hoo!

Ok, it's not much. But it is for me.

Here's what I did today:
Chest press
High cable row
Bicep curl
Tricep cable pulldown
Shoulder side raises
Leg lift (Knee problems prevent squats)
Leg curl machine

10 reps each

Let's see if I do it again Sunday.

The New Year

I've never been inclined to make resolutions. I'm more inclined to mark the passage of time with a little reflection. Today I've learned that for the first time I'm actually changing my life style instead of just saying it is the right thing to do. I'm not eating what I want every single time but I'm making better choices. Sometimes that means not eating crap now so I can eat crap later. That's an improvement.

I'm also feeling more settled, less desperate, than I have in the past. I don't know what that means or even why. I'm just observing.

In the spirit of that balance I'm going to work on developing the habit of exercise and movement. That may mean 5 minutes a day but nearly every day. I think my goal is six days a week but it may have to be seven for the habit to take root. I'm also working on sleeping more. I typically sleep 5 to 6 hours a night during the week, catching up a bit on weekends. I can muddle through but that's just not enough.

Now I'm going to stop talking about what I'm going to do and look forward to reporting on what I've done.

And today I weight 259. One of these days I'll put that in the sidebar.