So, I'm a bit of a fluffy zaftig sort of girl. Lots of curves, plenty of cushion, and generally out of shape all around, well, if roundish is your shape I'm all over that. Recently I've been rather confronted by my age and my lack of activity, and frankly - a little worried about my overall health. My cholesterol is high, my blood pressure is high and I have an extensive history of cancer in my family. At a recent checkup my doctor gave me an ultimatum... Get some exercise, lose some weight, work on your heart health or you are going to be looking up the shotgun barrel at late onset diabetes or an early stroke.
What.
The.
Fuck.
Ok, so maybe I've been deluding myself that getting a little out of breath going up two flights of stairs was just because I was carrying stuff. Uh.. a latte. She also said that the extra weight would screw up with my fertility and may make it hard for me to get pregnant when that time comes. By sheer force of laziness (and the force is strong with me folks) I managed to put on a LOT of weight after college. I avoid looking much at those photos of me when Mr. Bird and I started dating 12ish years ago - its just too embarrassing. With the financial and emotional stability - you start to get comfortable in your own skin, and before you know it - there is a heck of a lot of skin now.
I need motivation. And I found it in Nike+ . The thing is freakin brilliant. It is a little sensor that attaches to your running shoes, and works with the iPod Nano, tracking the number of miles you've run, the calories you've burned, and the pace you are running. Once you've signed up for an account on the Nike+ site, you can challenge other people to distance or speed contests, look at your own progess, setup your own goals. The competition aspect of it has made all the difference. My sister, Mr. Bird and I have a challenge going now with the first to run 20 miles. I'm in the lead with 14.75 miles, a little over three miles ahead of my sister.
I'll let you in on a secret. I hate running. My boobs would bounce all over the damn place, my shins would hurt, and my arches would cramp up before even a quarter of a mile was done.
I. Hate. Running. (and I hate to sweat)
Until - I discovered that I had the wrong kind of shoes for my feet, that there were kick ass sports bras out there for even my gigantor boobs, and the motivation to leave my sister and Mr. Bird in the dust really kicked in. I went to RoadRunner Sports to have my feet checked out - I have severe over protenation which in English means my feet are flat and as a result running puts a lot of strain on my arches. Armed with some nice (read pricey) shoes - I took on the treadmill and lo and behold - dang.. my feet don't hurt. It's not easy mind you - it's still damn hard to run because I get tired so fast and my heart just isn't used to the work. It regularly cusses me out like a drunken sailor these days, but I soldier on. I run/walk on the treadmill with Yoly every couple of days at work, and since March 8 when I got my Nike+ I have gone 15.72 miles and worked off 2188 calories. Yah I know - damn unbelieveable. I'm actually excited now when midway through my workout I can feel the sweat on my forehead. I even have to wipe it away!
I am still firmly in the camp that I am NOT a runner. But I've started running. For myself, for my health, and for my rather suck ass body image of late. I don't delude myself into thinking that I'm going to turn myself into some super model. I like to eat. But I would like to see myself being able to wear cute little clothes and such.
Saturday is the annual 5K Race for Autism and I'll be going to that. I won't be running the whole thing (not even close) but I'll be jogging till I get tired, walking to recover and jogging a little more.
Oh yah... I even finished a sock. I went with a 1 stitch picot bind off that made the cuff crazy stretchy even if its a tad sloppy looking.
I'm on the bandwagon for knit from my stash in 2007 and have not bought a SINGLE skein of yarn all year. Not even sock yarn! (although I'm reserving that priviledge cause sock yarn doesnt count) I've also not cast on a single new thing. Nothing till the other sock is complete AND Mariah is done.
I think I've been taken over by a body snatcher.
Dammit, so J already has a Nike+? There goes that b-day present idea, back to the drawing board. Do you want to do the 5k together? We're signed up on your team after all...Active.com just sent me forty reminders, so I guess we have no excuse to "forget" and sleep in. ;) We won't be running it either, I've fallen out off shape again. Not good.
The elliptical eats way more calories than the treadmill--if you're short on time. The machine makes me feel like a geek, but I love looking down and seeing that I've burned off two beers in a half hour, I don't seem to have the same burn rate on the treadmill.
Posted by: Wendy | Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 09:38 AM
Go YOU! Already a 5K? That's brave. And also, have you tried an elliptical machine? It's much easier on the joints, feet, etc.
Posted by: Norma | Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 10:12 AM
Wow, those Nikes are too cool. And good for you for getting up the gumption to get in shape. I can't do it, thus I admire anyone who can do it. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: kim | Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 04:19 PM
good for you! I need to get on that bandwagon too. If only I could find a trainer who would move my arms and legs for me.....
Posted by: Hilari | Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 11:29 AM
Good luck with the running. I bought a Nike+Ipod too and am getting used to using it. My progress isn't the greatest. I can't get the thing to calibrate w/ my running. Did you end up getting the Nike shoes too?
Posted by: Gail | Monday, March 26, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I don't like running either. Even Peter who can run forever doesn't really enjoy it, and he's good at it. But I walk everyday at lunch and if you're not up for a run, you should try walking fast because it's still pretty good for you. For me, I have found, a combination of exercise and really focusing on my food helps. I really like the tips in "French Women Don't Get Fat" because you really focus on enjoying every bite of the food that you like while still making sure that you only eat just what you need. The mindless eating can be a real problem (it is for me, anyway). You might also enjoy some quick paced yoga (not the kind that puts you to sleep ;)
Posted by: Cristina | Monday, March 26, 2007 at 01:12 PM