A season of change!
I feel change is needed in my life. After getting some great news the other day that might ultimately change the course of Mike's and my life (no...not pregnancy), I feel like the next several months are going to be so challenging that when we look back it, we'll be amazed by the changes in our lives, separately and together. So this starts a who-knows-how-many-part series on change.
Today's topic? Weight and exercise.
It's been no secret to anyone who has known me in the past ten years, that I've put on some weight. And when I say some, I mean a lot. I used to eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and not exercise. Oh those were the days. Then my early twenties hit and my metabolism slowed down to a pain-staking crawl.
Lately I feel highs and lows when it comes to my weight. I like finally having curves after being so rail thin for so many years - where I was mistaken as a boy into my teens. (Not kidding.) Or when I was 18 and was asked if I was 12 or 13. On public radio. (Yeah that happened too.) But when I look back at pictures of myself, I think, oh my heavens. I've let myself go!
And then there is my fibromyalgia. It gets me down a lot because I feel like I can't do something because I know the pain will be so great when I am done. Due to the syndrome (which IS a real thing despite how the naysayers feel), my muscles don't recover at night like they should. I rarely wake up rested and I ache a lot. Also my skin aches. Brushing up against a door jamb or even getting into my car sometimes causes my skin to burn so badly I have to catch my breath. I'm not taking medication for it - though I hear it is highly recommended by my fellow fibro-mites. Over the past several months, my fibro has only flared once - so bad that last weekend I spent most of my time sleeping. I've been keeping active - and for the most part - watching what I am eating, but I need to do more! Each case of chronic pain syndrome is different depending on the person. I've found that this course of action has mostly worked for me.
Another thing. Have you seen my husband? He is HAWT. And he is in great shape - has no trouble going out for a run for 6, 13, etc. miles. 5Ks are nothing to him. He spends time in the evening weight training in our basement with a secondhand weight bench he bought at a sporting goods store and an iron bar bolted into the rafters for pull-ups. He is in one word - a machine (or is that two words?) I feel like in some ways I have to keep up with that. He has NEVER said anything to me about my weight - he is the ultimate in encouraging me. I also think it would be a fun thing to do with him - to start exercising on a daily basis with him - to have that in common with him.
So here are a few of my ideas:
-Bike riding. My dad is a bicycle wizard and said he would help me get me old Schwinn 21-speed mountain bike up and running (er...riding) again.
-Couch to 5K. I am going to attempt this but already the high impact of my feet on pavement makes me concerned! BUT I have the elliptical that Mike moved out to the loft by the TV for me, and I have already used that several times in the past couple weeks. I downloaded the app for my i-Phone so it will be able to "coach" me.
-Roller skating. Yep. You read that! When I was between the ages of 8 and 10, I roller-skated probably every day. My awesome parents also let me roller-skate in the basement, which was so fun. Or my dad would park both cars in the driveway and I had my own personal skating rink. I would also have a "boombox" (I am dating myself here) with mixed tapes I had made with my dad from his old records that I would skate too. I know. I am really showing my dorkiness here! Mike and I have watched the movie Whip-It a few times, and though I don't think I am tough enough to be in the roller derby, how fun would that be?! :)
Anyway. Just some plans of actions I am thinking about taking.
Wish me luck!
Today's topic? Weight and exercise.
It's been no secret to anyone who has known me in the past ten years, that I've put on some weight. And when I say some, I mean a lot. I used to eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and not exercise. Oh those were the days. Then my early twenties hit and my metabolism slowed down to a pain-staking crawl.
Lately I feel highs and lows when it comes to my weight. I like finally having curves after being so rail thin for so many years - where I was mistaken as a boy into my teens. (Not kidding.) Or when I was 18 and was asked if I was 12 or 13. On public radio. (Yeah that happened too.) But when I look back at pictures of myself, I think, oh my heavens. I've let myself go!
And then there is my fibromyalgia. It gets me down a lot because I feel like I can't do something because I know the pain will be so great when I am done. Due to the syndrome (which IS a real thing despite how the naysayers feel), my muscles don't recover at night like they should. I rarely wake up rested and I ache a lot. Also my skin aches. Brushing up against a door jamb or even getting into my car sometimes causes my skin to burn so badly I have to catch my breath. I'm not taking medication for it - though I hear it is highly recommended by my fellow fibro-mites. Over the past several months, my fibro has only flared once - so bad that last weekend I spent most of my time sleeping. I've been keeping active - and for the most part - watching what I am eating, but I need to do more! Each case of chronic pain syndrome is different depending on the person. I've found that this course of action has mostly worked for me.
Another thing. Have you seen my husband? He is HAWT. And he is in great shape - has no trouble going out for a run for 6, 13, etc. miles. 5Ks are nothing to him. He spends time in the evening weight training in our basement with a secondhand weight bench he bought at a sporting goods store and an iron bar bolted into the rafters for pull-ups. He is in one word - a machine (or is that two words?) I feel like in some ways I have to keep up with that. He has NEVER said anything to me about my weight - he is the ultimate in encouraging me. I also think it would be a fun thing to do with him - to start exercising on a daily basis with him - to have that in common with him.
So here are a few of my ideas:
-Bike riding. My dad is a bicycle wizard and said he would help me get me old Schwinn 21-speed mountain bike up and running (er...riding) again.
-Couch to 5K. I am going to attempt this but already the high impact of my feet on pavement makes me concerned! BUT I have the elliptical that Mike moved out to the loft by the TV for me, and I have already used that several times in the past couple weeks. I downloaded the app for my i-Phone so it will be able to "coach" me.
-Roller skating. Yep. You read that! When I was between the ages of 8 and 10, I roller-skated probably every day. My awesome parents also let me roller-skate in the basement, which was so fun. Or my dad would park both cars in the driveway and I had my own personal skating rink. I would also have a "boombox" (I am dating myself here) with mixed tapes I had made with my dad from his old records that I would skate too. I know. I am really showing my dorkiness here! Mike and I have watched the movie Whip-It a few times, and though I don't think I am tough enough to be in the roller derby, how fun would that be?! :)
Anyway. Just some plans of actions I am thinking about taking.
Wish me luck!
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