Swimming with asthma

Since I was having such a sucky week, I decided I really needed to go swim on Wed. I decided that I wasn't being productive at work anyways, so swimming was a good idea.

To be honest, I decided I needed exercise earlier in the week and tried to go at lunch time unsuccessfully, so I went after work with a friend. The pool was way too crowded, and we didn't swim very far. But it was enough to make me feel better.

The worst part was I had a mini-asthma attack (couldn't get enough air) while swimming and came up short one lap. I think I freaked out my friend a bit, but a few minutes later I caught my breath and continued, albeit much slower.

I'd been avoiding my asthma medication since I didn't notice any wheezing, and I wasn't feeling like getting a refill. So much for being lazy. I guess I need to take care of myself more often. And now I'm using my inhaler every night. I'm not so good about remembering in the morning, but I've been doing it every night since Wed.

Makin Progress!

Ok, I started the Curves Weight Management thing on Monday. Their program is very metabolism focussed. You do a week at 1200-1400 calories, ~6 weeks at 1400-1600 calories, and when you stop loosing weight or need a break, they have a 2000-2500 calorie program. The whole idea is to keep from switching your body into starvation mode where you stop loosing weight. And you have a choice of high protein (60/40 protein/carbs) or high carb (40/60 protein/carbs).

I'm doing 1400 cal on the high carb plan, and I haven't killed anybody yet.

Actually, I'm doing ok. Monday was REALLY hard. Hungry all day, thinking, I can't do this. Tuesday was better, and it's been better every day since. In fact, I just realized I didn't eat the 60 calories of fruit allowed with lunch (that's like a cup of raspberries, so pretty filling!). But I'll eat it with my snack, or maybe dinner. Mostly this diet is portion control, and balancing protein and carbs. I'm not sure I completely believe their whole metabolism theory, but so far it appears nutritionally sound and safe. Although 1400 cal (let alone 1200!) is WAY less than I've been eating.

But I've lost 5 lbs. already. I'm telling myself I shouldn't weigh every day because that will be misleading/demotivating. But MAN, it is tempting! Monday I kick up a couple of hundred calories, so we'll see what happens.

Makin

Haven't posted in a while

Ok, ready for an update here as I haven't posted in a while. I think you all saw in the forward from Ann that I'm pregnant. I'm HOPING that I can find a way to motivate myself to continue my walking after baby comes in March/April. A friend had a good point that the timing for weather will really help in being able to get out with both baby and dog and make me get moving again.

We had a good ultrasound yesterday so that was a lot of fun and I'll be out of my first trimester the end of next week. I'm still walking every morning with the dog though we've slowed down a bit. I just know like Jill said, my default is lazy and the only reason I walk is because John goes to work earlier so I feel it's my job to get the dog out and she's a good motivator. So... I need to keep it up as much as I can.

Not as many steps back as I thought...

I went for a run today (when my MIL was here -- I hope to do that every week.) I did over 2.5 miles and I managed to do it without slowing to a walk!! It was just under a 12 minute/mile pace, which was typical for me when I was training for the Tri. While I give a lot of credit to my iPod shuffle and tons of credit to you guys for keeping me moving instead of slowing down (I kept thinking, "If I keep going I can write a blog entry that I ran the whole way!"), I am very impressed that I have maintained some endurance from the training I did 2 months ago.

How's everyone doing?

I must admit, I've really stopped all real physical activity since I finished the triathlon. (I was hoping it would give me some momentum, but, alas, laziness seems to always prevail for me.) Anyway, now that it's the fall and the school and activity schedules begin to rule my life again, I was thinking now is an opportunity to fit the exercising into the schedule. Like on Thursday when my mother-in-law plays with the kids, and Tuesdays when they're both in school, I could go for a run! Maybe I should schedule a Saturday morning run before my shower and an evening workout a couple of nights a week. The important thing is to put it in the schedule. What about you all?

Back to the gym

The kids start school tomorrow. So I have made plans to meet a friend for coffee - after I go to Curves. I'm setting a goal of three times a week - and I'm going to try to walk (or something) on the in-between days.

Of course, I came back from camping with huge itchy bug bites on my legs, including one that sits right under or at the edge of most of my socks. Here's hoping it's not too bad!

Bicycling

T learned to ride his bike this summer so when we went to Portland last week, we hauled all 3 bikes and the trailer. We actually went on a few bike rides, too. The first one was a meander through the neighborhood M grew up in. It made me appreciate how flat neighborhoods are much more bicycle friendly.

The next day, we put the trailer on M's bike checked out a new bike trail along the river. Since we let T set the pace both days, I can't say I got much of a workout on either day, but it was fun.

I wish it was less hilly in our neighborhood. I'd almost forgotten how much fun it is to ride your bike.