Well, those braces won't work. I am too fat, and they horribly constrict my lower thigh. Shoot. I went walking anyway, but at a much slower pace today. And iced my knees for 20 minutes the second I came home. They're all right now. Am looking forward to those new shoes.
One thing I've been meaning to relate about my Prairie Path walks. The path is right under a glide path for O'Hare. Many years ago I took an antiques class at Willowbrook High School on Tuesday nites, and that's when I first noticed this phenomenon. When you look to the southwest, and can pinpoint exactly where the planes are coming from, it's quite a thrill to see that pinprick, that tiny dot, appear in the sky, or if there happen to be clouds, then you see the entire plane suddenly loom in the sky. It's sort've like a Star Trek thing, you can imagine that the plane is dropping out of warp drive into our time. First there is nothing, then there is something, seemingly out of nowhere. And I can experience this walking down the Prairie Path. But only going west.
Showing posts with label Prairie Path. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prairie Path. Show all posts
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
THE NEW ME
This morning I weighed in at 184! Wow! So that is 8 pounds in one month, basically. It's hard to believe. If you had told me on August 1, that on August 31st I would be eight pounds lighter, I would have scoffed in your face.
It gives me hope. Especially since I have not been exercising, due to this stupid knee. It bothers me as I write, but I think that later this morning I will march down the Prairie Path. Saturday morning, at six, I am sure that there were at least 100 people that I passed or that passed me. There was one walking group out in force, that must have had 50 at least. And this group did have some hefties. Unlike most of the people I see, real skinnies.
Today is not a diet plan day, but a using up stuff that needs to be eaten day. See, the diet does not have enuf leftover days. So this morning, I had two pieces of turkey bacon (it's really good) and 1 1/2 cups of Egg Beaters with a little salsa thrown on. Plus 1/4 cup of 1% milk in my coffee. It was a lot of ersatz eggs, but only 180 calories. 50 for the bacon, and a little over 30 for the milk. For lunch I plan to make a soup out of this really runny salsa, black beans, and maybe some rice. And there is a quarter of a red cabbage that is old. We'll see. Plus two leftover fish dinners.
If I'm thinking along those lines of 1 pound every five days, then on Saturday, when I weigh next, I only have to be 185. So I'm ahead, and it takes some of the stress out. But that doesn't mean I will ease off. I have figured out which of the weight and stretching exercises I can do that don't involve my knee too much. But the walking does, and I know that the more weight I lose, supposedly, the better my knee should be. It's the same old one that has sustained several injuries over the years, starting when I was in college.
So onward and downward.
30 days down.
It gives me hope. Especially since I have not been exercising, due to this stupid knee. It bothers me as I write, but I think that later this morning I will march down the Prairie Path. Saturday morning, at six, I am sure that there were at least 100 people that I passed or that passed me. There was one walking group out in force, that must have had 50 at least. And this group did have some hefties. Unlike most of the people I see, real skinnies.
Today is not a diet plan day, but a using up stuff that needs to be eaten day. See, the diet does not have enuf leftover days. So this morning, I had two pieces of turkey bacon (it's really good) and 1 1/2 cups of Egg Beaters with a little salsa thrown on. Plus 1/4 cup of 1% milk in my coffee. It was a lot of ersatz eggs, but only 180 calories. 50 for the bacon, and a little over 30 for the milk. For lunch I plan to make a soup out of this really runny salsa, black beans, and maybe some rice. And there is a quarter of a red cabbage that is old. We'll see. Plus two leftover fish dinners.
If I'm thinking along those lines of 1 pound every five days, then on Saturday, when I weigh next, I only have to be 185. So I'm ahead, and it takes some of the stress out. But that doesn't mean I will ease off. I have figured out which of the weight and stretching exercises I can do that don't involve my knee too much. But the walking does, and I know that the more weight I lose, supposedly, the better my knee should be. It's the same old one that has sustained several injuries over the years, starting when I was in college.
So onward and downward.
30 days down.
Monday, August 3, 2009
ME
Here we are at 11:39 Monday morning, and so far so good. Still getting up 30 minutes before dawn, this morning that was 5:17. But right now I am very hungry.
Interesting thing on Saturday along the Prairie Path. On the north side, all is wild prairie, lovely and unkempt, as nature tends to be. On the south side, McMansions with a place for every plant, and every plant in its place. Neat and tidy to the nth degree. Such a contrast. I wonder if the homeowners are even aware of it. I don't much care for that style of landscaping myself.
Sunday I got up early and did the exercise routine and stretching, and was rather surprised at my lack of flexibility now, especially in my back and the back of my thighs. Those exercises were damn hard! But I already know that in the long run, they're worth it.
And sometime before lunch I did dance around the basement to Beethoven's Ritterballet - and loved it. I have two versions, and it is so interesting to hear how different conductors interpret the same music. It is 12 minutes long, and I did both versions, with a break in between. I enjoyed that almost more than the walking at dawn. I remember my father telling me that if he had had the voice, which he didn't, he would have been an opera singer. I grew up with opera, and hearing him sing "Figaro" in the shower. If I had had the body, and the chance, I would have been a dancer.
I am surprised at how easily I gave up sugar in my coffee. I always had one tablespoon of the stuff in the 7 cups (marker on the pot, works out to 2 /12 12 ounce mugs) every morning and 1/2 tablespoon at lunch. With 2% milk. Now I just use skim with no sugar, and it isn't hard at all. I had thought it would be horrible.
And I have discovered strawberries dipped in no-fat chocolate pudding. Really nummy.
There are tips in the book that I am reading, a zillion, but I am going to read one each day. The first is to drink a glass of water before each meal. Not hard. In the evening I drink sparkling mineral water, some Polish brand. Maybe with lemon or lime in it. Second tip is to eat from dark-colored plates. I had bought some navy blue ones back in 2002 so I pulled those out. No wonder I was having trouble all these years. We use very brightly colored plates, which apparently stimulate your appetite. Tell that to my thin husband. Third tip - eat in rooms that are blue or gray. Well, I'd have to eat in the bedroom to do that. Every other room in the house is a warm color. The back porch, where we eat all our meals is yellow, a color to avoid. Great. So maybe I'll try the formal dining room. That at least is cream.
This morning, when I went for a bowl for my cereal and half a banana, I had two choices, a large one and a small one. Now in the past that would have been a no-brainer, and you can guess which one. Even today, I thought the small one couldn't possibly hold 3/4 cup of All-Bran, that banana, and some milk. But I did try it, and of course it was perfect. Now I know what size to use in the future, even if I don't always weigh the cereal.
This morning I trotted down the Prairie Path, east this time. Won't do that again, however. I run into the underpass for both 290 and the North-South tollway, and the booming noise and creaking is not enjoyable. I was hoping to go west one day and east another, just to keep boredom at bay, but now I guess not. Tons of joggers again. Even two women, one jogging and a taller one walking, keeping together.
I'm also going to switch tapes from the Sargeant to a classical walking tape at 3 mph. Perhaps I can keep up with that, although as I remember the beat is not as good. We'll see on Wednesday. Work back up to the marching ones, which I do prefer. I was 189 this morning.
This morning's Trib has a front page article on OCD. I read the whole thing, and now wonder if I have it at all. I am certainly never anxious about my behavior in any way. I do have, to some extent, a need for perfection, but I have certainly had to make allowances for that with the man I live with, now over 40 years. One of my favorite things to do in fact is to arrange and/or organize stuff. And I do feel the need to follow the diet plan exactly, but I haven't always done that, like having more than 1/2 cup of broccoli and red boiled potatoes. It doesn't bother me a whole lot. I do like exactness, but don't get in a knot if I can't find it. You should see my house and garden! So maybe I don't have OCD at all, or if so, a very mild version. My sons say they have never seen one that takes the form of an alpha-omega obsession. But I'm not sure if iti s an obsession now, or just an easy and fun way to make unimportant decisions. Not every aspect of my life is dictated by that.
2nd day down.
Interesting thing on Saturday along the Prairie Path. On the north side, all is wild prairie, lovely and unkempt, as nature tends to be. On the south side, McMansions with a place for every plant, and every plant in its place. Neat and tidy to the nth degree. Such a contrast. I wonder if the homeowners are even aware of it. I don't much care for that style of landscaping myself.
Sunday I got up early and did the exercise routine and stretching, and was rather surprised at my lack of flexibility now, especially in my back and the back of my thighs. Those exercises were damn hard! But I already know that in the long run, they're worth it.
And sometime before lunch I did dance around the basement to Beethoven's Ritterballet - and loved it. I have two versions, and it is so interesting to hear how different conductors interpret the same music. It is 12 minutes long, and I did both versions, with a break in between. I enjoyed that almost more than the walking at dawn. I remember my father telling me that if he had had the voice, which he didn't, he would have been an opera singer. I grew up with opera, and hearing him sing "Figaro" in the shower. If I had had the body, and the chance, I would have been a dancer.
I am surprised at how easily I gave up sugar in my coffee. I always had one tablespoon of the stuff in the 7 cups (marker on the pot, works out to 2 /12 12 ounce mugs) every morning and 1/2 tablespoon at lunch. With 2% milk. Now I just use skim with no sugar, and it isn't hard at all. I had thought it would be horrible.
And I have discovered strawberries dipped in no-fat chocolate pudding. Really nummy.
There are tips in the book that I am reading, a zillion, but I am going to read one each day. The first is to drink a glass of water before each meal. Not hard. In the evening I drink sparkling mineral water, some Polish brand. Maybe with lemon or lime in it. Second tip is to eat from dark-colored plates. I had bought some navy blue ones back in 2002 so I pulled those out. No wonder I was having trouble all these years. We use very brightly colored plates, which apparently stimulate your appetite. Tell that to my thin husband. Third tip - eat in rooms that are blue or gray. Well, I'd have to eat in the bedroom to do that. Every other room in the house is a warm color. The back porch, where we eat all our meals is yellow, a color to avoid. Great. So maybe I'll try the formal dining room. That at least is cream.
This morning, when I went for a bowl for my cereal and half a banana, I had two choices, a large one and a small one. Now in the past that would have been a no-brainer, and you can guess which one. Even today, I thought the small one couldn't possibly hold 3/4 cup of All-Bran, that banana, and some milk. But I did try it, and of course it was perfect. Now I know what size to use in the future, even if I don't always weigh the cereal.
This morning I trotted down the Prairie Path, east this time. Won't do that again, however. I run into the underpass for both 290 and the North-South tollway, and the booming noise and creaking is not enjoyable. I was hoping to go west one day and east another, just to keep boredom at bay, but now I guess not. Tons of joggers again. Even two women, one jogging and a taller one walking, keeping together.
I'm also going to switch tapes from the Sargeant to a classical walking tape at 3 mph. Perhaps I can keep up with that, although as I remember the beat is not as good. We'll see on Wednesday. Work back up to the marching ones, which I do prefer. I was 189 this morning.
This morning's Trib has a front page article on OCD. I read the whole thing, and now wonder if I have it at all. I am certainly never anxious about my behavior in any way. I do have, to some extent, a need for perfection, but I have certainly had to make allowances for that with the man I live with, now over 40 years. One of my favorite things to do in fact is to arrange and/or organize stuff. And I do feel the need to follow the diet plan exactly, but I haven't always done that, like having more than 1/2 cup of broccoli and red boiled potatoes. It doesn't bother me a whole lot. I do like exactness, but don't get in a knot if I can't find it. You should see my house and garden! So maybe I don't have OCD at all, or if so, a very mild version. My sons say they have never seen one that takes the form of an alpha-omega obsession. But I'm not sure if iti s an obsession now, or just an easy and fun way to make unimportant decisions. Not every aspect of my life is dictated by that.
2nd day down.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
ME
Here I am at 7:36 pm, with a cup of green tea, the first day down. I did indeed rise at 5:14, throw on some clothes, set the coffee maker, and go out the door. And I did do the exercise tape for an hour, but only 3 miles, not four. I never can do the four, as my stride is simply not long enough. But today, I could not even keep up with the tape. It's called "Walking with the Sergeant", and I have five, all in different speeds, but none less than the four mile per hour pace, and that is not consistent. It starts slower, goes faster in the middle, and then winds down. They are good, but I realized fairly early on this morning that right now at least, I can only do this every other day. At least for the month of August, that's what I will do.
And I did not do any more exercise either. Although I did walk around Jewel finishing the grocery shopping. I guess I must start smaller and build up. Tomorrow I will do the upper body work and stretches, and maybe some dancing in the basement. I have a great Beethoven CD, the Ritterballet, which has some wonderful music.
As far as food goes, it was no problem. Stuck with it all day. Was hungry at times, but not horribly. But now I'm tired. Will probably go to bed soon, as I plan to be up at 5:15 tomorrow. Set the coffee and do the exercises then, just get them out of the way. It really opens up the day.
And I want to add an addendum about The Illinois Prairie Path, which Is what I walk. I have never seen the prairie plants so glorious. Must be all the rain. A stretch even has plants taller than I am. Somebody's lilac bee balm escaped into it also. Cone flowers, yellow ones, all sorts of other stuff. And the morning, soft and lovely. Was a pleasure to be out there. Why do I ever quit? And I was most certainly not alone, even at that early Saturday morning hour. Tons of joggers, a few bikers and walkers, and of course dog walkers. And all slim. It is an exerciser's paradise.
And I did not do any more exercise either. Although I did walk around Jewel finishing the grocery shopping. I guess I must start smaller and build up. Tomorrow I will do the upper body work and stretches, and maybe some dancing in the basement. I have a great Beethoven CD, the Ritterballet, which has some wonderful music.
As far as food goes, it was no problem. Stuck with it all day. Was hungry at times, but not horribly. But now I'm tired. Will probably go to bed soon, as I plan to be up at 5:15 tomorrow. Set the coffee and do the exercises then, just get them out of the way. It really opens up the day.
And I want to add an addendum about The Illinois Prairie Path, which Is what I walk. I have never seen the prairie plants so glorious. Must be all the rain. A stretch even has plants taller than I am. Somebody's lilac bee balm escaped into it also. Cone flowers, yellow ones, all sorts of other stuff. And the morning, soft and lovely. Was a pleasure to be out there. Why do I ever quit? And I was most certainly not alone, even at that early Saturday morning hour. Tons of joggers, a few bikers and walkers, and of course dog walkers. And all slim. It is an exerciser's paradise.
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