Often, when I tell people I get up most days before 5:00 to exercise they look at me and ask, "Are you crazy?" I just smile and think to myself, no I am not crazy, but I would be if I didn't get to exercise regularly.
It's pretty obvious what exercise does for a person physically--less body fat, firmed middle, toned legs, defined arms. Looking better is definitely a motivator, but I contend that exercise is just as important--if not more so--for mental health.
I am not exaggerating when I claim that at my lowest moments it was exercise that changed things. Alone in California years ago I had some days when loneliness and the distance from family weighed heavy on my heart and I was down. What helped me most was tying up my running shoes and hitting the road. It didn't take long for my mood to brighten and my outlook to improve.
More recently, when we were going through the nightmare with my sister and her new life as an amputee the ONLY time I felt like life might ever be normal again was when I was in the water swimming lap after lap or riding hard in a cycling class. Pushing myself that way allowed a brief escape from the emotion, pain, and fear that we all were experiencing. Working out was not only a distraction, but I felt better able to cope with all the stuff life was throwing at us.
And even more recently--today. I was forced to deal with some heavy, emotional personal stuff on little sleep. I knew I needed to exercise if there was any way I was going to be able to handle it. So I headed to the Y and worked up a great sweat and the day improved significantly.
Call me crazy, but I wouldn't want to face my day without a chance to exercise!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Happy Friday!
You’re know you're having a bad day when you arrive 30 minutes early for your doctor’s appointment, as instructed, because you are a good person and try to do as others ask (within reason), and the woman next to you in the packed waiting room says she’s been waiting for an hour and a half.
And you know you’re having a REALLY bad day when, two and a half hours later, you finally leave the doctor’s office and head for the lunch spot you know stocks ice-cold Diet Cokes, and they are OUT! It’s Friday and they haven’t restocked! How could this be happening? What in karma’s name have you done to deserve this?
Take a deep breath. Remember how you made yourself feel better the other day? You were in a really bad mood. You have been doing so much running in preparation for the half marathon that you haven’t had much time for your true love, weight-lifting, and it was making you really grumpy. So that day you went to the gym and lifted hard for an hour. Remember how much better you felt? Even though your triceps are still a little sore three days later from the torture you put them through?
Now remember what you are doing this afternoon. Your true blue friend Becky is going to lift with you. You only thought you were sore on Tuesday. Wait until Becky gets through with you. You will no longer be having a bad day. Your muscles will be tired and sore but it will be a good tired and sore. You and she will talk and laugh and carry on and possibly devise some sort of entertaining mischief for someone else in the gym. When you leave, as always, you will be so glad you went and will feel so much better about your day.
And you know you’re having a REALLY bad day when, two and a half hours later, you finally leave the doctor’s office and head for the lunch spot you know stocks ice-cold Diet Cokes, and they are OUT! It’s Friday and they haven’t restocked! How could this be happening? What in karma’s name have you done to deserve this?
Take a deep breath. Remember how you made yourself feel better the other day? You were in a really bad mood. You have been doing so much running in preparation for the half marathon that you haven’t had much time for your true love, weight-lifting, and it was making you really grumpy. So that day you went to the gym and lifted hard for an hour. Remember how much better you felt? Even though your triceps are still a little sore three days later from the torture you put them through?
Now remember what you are doing this afternoon. Your true blue friend Becky is going to lift with you. You only thought you were sore on Tuesday. Wait until Becky gets through with you. You will no longer be having a bad day. Your muscles will be tired and sore but it will be a good tired and sore. You and she will talk and laugh and carry on and possibly devise some sort of entertaining mischief for someone else in the gym. When you leave, as always, you will be so glad you went and will feel so much better about your day.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Workout Advice: Always Have A Plan B
You are psyched. Your bag is packed. You've got your favorite workout t-shirt and shorts. Your water bottle is full and your IPOD is charged. You are ready to tackle that stair mill. Your goal: 30 sweaty minutes. Nothing, nobody is going to stop you today.
You walk into the workout area and... Someone. Has. Your. Machine!
And someone else has its twin. No, it can't be. This could ruin everything. Your "lets-get-to-it" attitude has gone. This was not what you had planned. You might as well go home. Right?
NO WAY, JOSE!
A lesser person would throw in the towel and admit defeat, but that's not you. Because early on in your commitment to exercise some wise gym rat advised you to always come with a Plan B. And what sound advice that was. Whether that means exchanging your goggles for bike shorts because the pool is way too crowded or hopping onto the treadmill because of the torrential rain, always come prepared with a backup plan. Never, and I mean never, use not getting to carry out your original plan as an excuse not to exercise.
That very thing happened to me today. I had planned to swim, but my workout time and the pool time didn't gel. I was a little grumpy at first, but then I noticed all the empty treadmills and I knew I had packed my running shoes. I was forced to go with my Plan B, and I was pleasantly surprised. Halfway through my run I switched over to a hill program (the first time I tried a program and not just punched the quick start button) and challenged myself to charge up those hills. It felt great, and I ended up discovering that I really enjoyed tackling those hills. If I had given up after my first plan was foiled I would never have experienced this option. Talk about a silver lining!
Moral of the story: Plan B can be just a great as Plan A--maybe even better.
You walk into the workout area and... Someone. Has. Your. Machine!
And someone else has its twin. No, it can't be. This could ruin everything. Your "lets-get-to-it" attitude has gone. This was not what you had planned. You might as well go home. Right?
NO WAY, JOSE!
A lesser person would throw in the towel and admit defeat, but that's not you. Because early on in your commitment to exercise some wise gym rat advised you to always come with a Plan B. And what sound advice that was. Whether that means exchanging your goggles for bike shorts because the pool is way too crowded or hopping onto the treadmill because of the torrential rain, always come prepared with a backup plan. Never, and I mean never, use not getting to carry out your original plan as an excuse not to exercise.
That very thing happened to me today. I had planned to swim, but my workout time and the pool time didn't gel. I was a little grumpy at first, but then I noticed all the empty treadmills and I knew I had packed my running shoes. I was forced to go with my Plan B, and I was pleasantly surprised. Halfway through my run I switched over to a hill program (the first time I tried a program and not just punched the quick start button) and challenged myself to charge up those hills. It felt great, and I ended up discovering that I really enjoyed tackling those hills. If I had given up after my first plan was foiled I would never have experienced this option. Talk about a silver lining!
Moral of the story: Plan B can be just a great as Plan A--maybe even better.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
How to Have a Cardio Workout Without Exercise
1. Enter your office building at your usual time.
2. Realize by the beeping of the security system that you are the first one on the premises.
3. Realize that in twelve years at this office you have never been the first one on the premises and have never had to disarm the security system.
4. Dump the entire contents of your purse on the table in an effort to find your security code.
5. Fail.
6. Pick up the phone to call the security provider.
7. Remember that the phones are immediately shut off when the security system is activated.
8. Get your cell phone.
9. Realize you do not have the phone number for the security provider.
10. Try to find a phone book.
11. Fail.
12. Search the entire building for a phone book.
13. Succeed.
14. Call the security provider, who has apparently heard this sob story more than once before, and tiredly tells you to call someone who knows the code.
15. Beg him not to send the police.
16. Call the supervisor you thought would be most sympathetic.
17. Wait patiently while she laughs hysterically at your predicament.
18. Get the code.
19. Enter the code.
20. Start your day.
2. Realize by the beeping of the security system that you are the first one on the premises.
3. Realize that in twelve years at this office you have never been the first one on the premises and have never had to disarm the security system.
4. Dump the entire contents of your purse on the table in an effort to find your security code.
5. Fail.
6. Pick up the phone to call the security provider.
7. Remember that the phones are immediately shut off when the security system is activated.
8. Get your cell phone.
9. Realize you do not have the phone number for the security provider.
10. Try to find a phone book.
11. Fail.
12. Search the entire building for a phone book.
13. Succeed.
14. Call the security provider, who has apparently heard this sob story more than once before, and tiredly tells you to call someone who knows the code.
15. Beg him not to send the police.
16. Call the supervisor you thought would be most sympathetic.
17. Wait patiently while she laughs hysterically at your predicament.
18. Get the code.
19. Enter the code.
20. Start your day.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
More Mischief in the Gym
"Psst!" said Becky to Nancy one day in the gym.
"I see a way we can cause trouble again!"
"Trouble?" said Nancy, "I couldn't do that!"
But Becky knew Nancy could be quite a brat.
Laura's bucket of soap they spied on the floor.
This was their chance to wreak havoc once more.
Remember before when they left Laura a mess?
Now something new they would have to confess.
When Laura's head turned they quickly did hide
Her bucket of soap off to one side.
The bucket was missing when Laura returned.
A glare from Laura was immediately earned!
They looked as innocent as they possibly could
(for they knew in their hearts they hadn't been good)
Confess? No way, not with Floyd around!
Lucky for them, a scapegoat they found!
They pointed at Floyd; let him take the blame.
After all, it was only a game.
But Laura's no fool and Floyd had an excuse
He had the bench press, obviously in use.
Laura gave them the look and the finger shake.
In their tennies their feet did quake.
She warned them not to cause trouble again.
But she knows it's not a matter of if, but when.
DEDICATED TO OUR FRIEND LAURA!
"I see a way we can cause trouble again!"
"Trouble?" said Nancy, "I couldn't do that!"
But Becky knew Nancy could be quite a brat.
Laura's bucket of soap they spied on the floor.
This was their chance to wreak havoc once more.
Remember before when they left Laura a mess?
Now something new they would have to confess.
When Laura's head turned they quickly did hide
Her bucket of soap off to one side.
The bucket was missing when Laura returned.
A glare from Laura was immediately earned!
They looked as innocent as they possibly could
(for they knew in their hearts they hadn't been good)
Confess? No way, not with Floyd around!
Lucky for them, a scapegoat they found!
They pointed at Floyd; let him take the blame.
After all, it was only a game.
But Laura's no fool and Floyd had an excuse
He had the bench press, obviously in use.
Laura gave them the look and the finger shake.
In their tennies their feet did quake.
She warned them not to cause trouble again.
But she knows it's not a matter of if, but when.
DEDICATED TO OUR FRIEND LAURA!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Race Results
A year ago – no, more like six months ago – Nancy would have said there was no way she could ever do a half-marathon. But now, thanks to the YMCA training program, it feels like it might actually be a goal she can reach. Each Saturday they add a mile to the long training runs. During the week there are shorter runs which have also increased in distance over the training period. Once a month for the two months leading up to the half-marathon they have a race. Last month was a 5K and this past Saturday was a 10K.
Nancy ran the 10K in 1:01:25. A side stitch tried to get her at about mile 3, but slowing down a little and changing her breathing pattern made it go away. The funny thing about the 10K was that a month ago the 5K felt challenging; now it felt almost easy to reach that halfway point. Who knew? You keep at this and gradually you get better! Nancy will never set the world on fire with her land speed records but there is definitely improvement.
All you would-be runners out there who think you can’t do it – take it from Nancy: if she can do it, you can do it. She used to think she was going to die if she ran for 5 minutes; now she can run for an hour and a half. See if you can find a training program – that will help both mentally and physically. It’s harder to let yourself stop when everyone around you is continuing to run. Plus they set goals you can reach if you stick with it. This Saturday Nancy will be doing a 10 mile training run. She never thought that the word “runner” would apply to her but with determination, anything is possible.
What next? Learn to swim?
Nancy ran the 10K in 1:01:25. A side stitch tried to get her at about mile 3, but slowing down a little and changing her breathing pattern made it go away. The funny thing about the 10K was that a month ago the 5K felt challenging; now it felt almost easy to reach that halfway point. Who knew? You keep at this and gradually you get better! Nancy will never set the world on fire with her land speed records but there is definitely improvement.
All you would-be runners out there who think you can’t do it – take it from Nancy: if she can do it, you can do it. She used to think she was going to die if she ran for 5 minutes; now she can run for an hour and a half. See if you can find a training program – that will help both mentally and physically. It’s harder to let yourself stop when everyone around you is continuing to run. Plus they set goals you can reach if you stick with it. This Saturday Nancy will be doing a 10 mile training run. She never thought that the word “runner” would apply to her but with determination, anything is possible.
What next? Learn to swim?
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Struggling
While Nancy struggled with side cramps and dissolving tissues, I found myself struggling with eating. To clarify--I was not having trouble eating, that I did quite well and quite regularly. My struggles had to do with WHAT and WHY I ate. I am keenly aware of the rules for healthy eating, but this weekend I was the queen of breaking rules.
Rule #1 Only eat when you're hungry. Sounds simple enough. It is, yet I found myself eating when I was bored, when I was irritated and when I needed the comfort of something that tasted good. Not good.
Rule #2 Stop eating when you're full. That didn't happen. I kept eating because it all tasted so good--especially those sweet potato fries!
Rule #3 Let fruits satisfy your sweet tooth. Ha. No way could I convince my taste buds that a fresh peach would taste better than a hot fudge sundae with whipped cream and nuts. And I didn't even have the strength to try.
Rule #4 Try drinking water when you first feel hunger. I don't think I drank any water all day yesterday, but I did have a diet soda and a couple beers.
Rule #5 Don't let one bad food choice dictate the rest of your day. Midway through my eating yesterday, I threw up my hands in surrender and decided that this was just going to be my day(s) to eat badly.
Ok, so now it's Sunday and I am feeling wiser and stronger. My struggles are under control today, and I have confidence that I can (and will) commit to not breaking the rules.
Something to always remember: When the sun rises on a new day we have new opportunities to make better choices and to re-commit to healthy lifestyles. Focus on turning daily struggles into daily triumphs.
Rule #1 Only eat when you're hungry. Sounds simple enough. It is, yet I found myself eating when I was bored, when I was irritated and when I needed the comfort of something that tasted good. Not good.
Rule #2 Stop eating when you're full. That didn't happen. I kept eating because it all tasted so good--especially those sweet potato fries!
Rule #3 Let fruits satisfy your sweet tooth. Ha. No way could I convince my taste buds that a fresh peach would taste better than a hot fudge sundae with whipped cream and nuts. And I didn't even have the strength to try.
Rule #4 Try drinking water when you first feel hunger. I don't think I drank any water all day yesterday, but I did have a diet soda and a couple beers.
Rule #5 Don't let one bad food choice dictate the rest of your day. Midway through my eating yesterday, I threw up my hands in surrender and decided that this was just going to be my day(s) to eat badly.
Ok, so now it's Sunday and I am feeling wiser and stronger. My struggles are under control today, and I have confidence that I can (and will) commit to not breaking the rules.
Something to always remember: When the sun rises on a new day we have new opportunities to make better choices and to re-commit to healthy lifestyles. Focus on turning daily struggles into daily triumphs.
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