Health and fitness 2021

[demi]

I have 5 minutes before DH wants to go walk the dogs so I’ll get as much in as I can and come back to this later.

That’s part of my plan. Involving DH. He does weights with a personal trainer on skype. But his diet is awful and we enable each other...If I can get him on board that will make it easier for me. His trainer is in super great condition and a couple of years older so a good role model. He’s an old friend of ours and we have tag teamed DH over other things and I need to get him to get after DH about diet.

I’m doing IF. Some days 18/6 and if I am hungry, 16/8. I don’t count cals and eat sort of a Mediterranean diet (wine!)and don’t eat between meals. I don’t have the “skinny” gene, but I don’t have the “fat” gene either, so I can eat carbs if I am careful. No simple sugars, ie. candy, cookies, cake, and all the crap I eat when I am 1.) bored 2.) feeling lazy 3.) depressed 4.) happy and the list has no end.

At meal time I eat till I’m not hungry and sometimes that seeems like quite a lot. But if I don’t eat enough I get weak and crabby and then I quit altogether. In 6 days I’ve lost 1.7 lbs so I am not eating too much right now. I am weighing daily and am aiming for 1 lb/week. From past experience on a similar diet, I might go 1-2 weeks with no loss at all, and then in the 3rd week lose 2-3 lbs. If I weigh every day and record it (oh the pain) I can adjust if I am eating too much or too little.

A past problem I’ve had with diets, and also a common mistake Ive read about with IF is over doing it. I get hung ho and cut my carbs way back or cut cals way back, lose fast and then am unable to follow through. Not going to do that this time. I got into making bread after Covid, and am not denying myself, but may have to cut back eventually.

I’m not going to exercise other than riding and the work involved with keeping 3 horses at home. After I lose 10 or so lbs I’ll think about extra exercise.

I have several pair of leather seat breeches and a nice pair of Cavallo boots that I havent been able to wear for years. They are old fashioned but I’d love to be able to wear them again.

DH is hiding in front of his computer. I gotta go spur him along...

[StraightForward]

Thanks for starting this thread Demi!

I have managed to stay within about a 3 pound range for about eighteen months now, so I'm pretty satisfied with where I'm at. I have been running about 10 miles a week (3 days) but I'm trying to do some kettlebell workouts and just running 2x a week. I was in a pretty good groove of strength training at my gym right before covid, and have been pretty lax about strength training at home even though we have the weights to do most of what I would do at the gym. I think it shows in how slow I am running now, and my core for riding could certainly be better. I hope by July or so it will feel safer to go back to the gym, at least when it's generally empty on Sunday nights. I've also really been enjoying doing Feldenfit. No, it's not strength or cardio, but I feel it's improved my posture, I don't get as stiff working at my desk, and it has helped me fix some nagging equitation problems. Ironically, I bought an inversion table last fall and haven't felt the need to use it since starting FF!

Anyway, it sounds like we are pretty similar on diet. I use a lot of keto recipes, but still eat a few carbs like squash, a piece of fruit, a few baby potatoes, but generally not all of those in one day. We eat a lot of vegetables, meat, eggs, cheese and nuts. And wine. Tonight we are splurging and making nachos! I can definitely get away with a carb splurge here and there, but found last summer that if I eat significant amounts of wheat for a few days, I feel it in my joints. Knowing it's causing inflammation really takes away the appeal.

Right now I'm just trying to figure out how to keep up with the cooking while also riding two horses, working out and working full time. At least I'm working from home, so in theory I can like, chop veggies or whatever during a work break or a conference call, but it requires being hyper-organized!

[Chisamba]

I am T1D, so no matter what I do I have to count carbs and calories and inject every time I eat. unfortunately calculating insulin for Keto is super complicated and I did 3 years of keep and still had the most difficult time with my A1C. so I went back to eating carbs, but only in vegetable form. I trybto avoid pasta, rice, bread and potatoes mostly because they seem to hungrier.

I never seen to get my whole list of horses ridden each day, and work full time too, so finding time for other exercise is also a problem since I rarely get more than 4 hours sleep between barn work and.night shift.

I feel. like I should do more weight work but at best I manage to do half an hour of stretches and exercises at work on my break.

I really need to work out how to lose 15 more pounds before shore season and that is probably not going to happen, but if like to lose 5.

maybe I'll try counting calories

[demi]

You’ve done remarkably well, Chisamba. DH is type 1 also and I understand how hard that can be. He tends to let his glucose levels run too low and that makes me nervous. He does weights but gets very little aerobic exercise. Since he retired several years ago he’s sat in front of a computer all day working for the Red Cross as an instructor, GIS specialist, and administrator. He has his routine figured out WRT insulin and now it’s not a simple thing to adjust it for changing his caloric intake or for adding aerobics. As I’m sure you understand!

SF, interesting about your joints and wheat. Our family doctor has long said that wheat is a problem for most people today, because of genetic engineering. Now I am wondering if my joints are hurting because I started making (and eating!) so much bread....on the other hand, I also notice that just carrying my 18 lb Boston Terrier up a flight of stairs really increases the pain in my knees and hips. So I am hoping a weight loss will help. If not, I’ll consider cutting back the wheat.

[StraightForward]

Chisamba, I don't know how you get by on so little sleep! How much do you think you would sleep if you were not working overnight shifts, and had a less full schedule? Being sleep deprived definitely cuts into fitness and weight loss efforts; I admire how much progress you've been able to make already with those circumstances. Don't forget to sleep when you can; we all need it like air to breathe.

If not, I’ll consider cutting back the wheat.

I bet you could tell by cutting it out for a week.

I would like to bake bread again, and have wondered if sourdough with Einkorn wheat might not cause the same issues. But not sure if I can be consistent enough to keep the sourdough alive. Might try if and when I get to my preferred weight, which is about 7-8# below where I am now. Yesterday I picked up a package of small corn tortillas that have wheat gluten added to keep them more flexible. Just trying to find something convenient to make a sandwich or taco type lunch, so I might have one per day a few times a week. If it causes problems, I guess I'll pay the $9 for the quinoa/cassava wraps from Natural Grocer, or find a recipe to make my own.

Jeeze - ate a big plate of nachos last night (corn chips, ground beef, black beans, cheese) and my weight is up almost 3# this morning. I know it's water weight and will flush out, but yeah.

[Chisamba]

on the two nights I can, I sleep 8 hours with great pleasure. but strangely the first day after I sleep 8 hours I'm a grumpy arse. lol

[demi]

I have low energy again today. It may be partially due to my body adjusting to a different eating regimen. But also just not sleeping well last night. Plus, we got our first covid vax yesterday (Pfizer) and it felt like a relief in a strange way, like “phew, finally”. Not the we are letting our guard down in any way, though.

I did chores already and have been into town for curbside grocery pickup. It’s time to ride and my old routine would be to eat some simple carbs for a fast energy boost. I know that would be falling into the same old trap so I am going to kick my butt out to the barn and saddle my horse instead.

I thought about cutting wheat for a week to see if it helped my joints but decided to wait till I’ve been on the IF plan for at least a month. It is enough of a change for my system just doing the IF for now. No wheat would be too much like keto for me and I have a hard time staying with keto for any length of time.

[Flight]

I put on weight eating far too much food since I moved in with my partner, who is a great cook! He's been away on a deployment so on boxing day I went cold turkey on the carbs and lost 10kg (22 pounds) since then. I felt terrible for the first 3 weeks - people say how much more energy they gave on a keto diet, and how good they feel. Not for me! The other thing is, I was led to believe you could eat as much as you wanted on a keto diet, but that's not true, you still have to eat less calories overall.

I was aiming to lose weight every day (usually only up to 200grams) because to stay motivated, I need to see results.
The other easier thing with keto diet is not feeling as hungry, therefore IF is much easier. I could do a 24hr fast between my nightshifts. I don't know whether the keto food made me feel fuller, or because I constantly felt a bit 'off', I didn't feel like eating.
The other thing that helped was zero alcohol. Not even a small glass of wine. If I did, I wouldn't lose weight.

I've had a break this last week, and gained 2kg. I think it's a superpower.. my body can gain soooo much weight from not so much food! I feel better eating carbs but geez I put on weight with them.

I'll start back being strict again as I want to lose another 10kg. Then once I've lost it, will have to work out how best to maintain it. Especially since my partner will be out of quarantine and home in 12 days!

[khall]

DH and I started keto over last summer and with a few exceptions we’ve been able to maintain it fairly well. I’m doing keto for several reasons for weight loss because it helps with Alzheimer’s and because of my joints. Sugar makes my joints hurt. Wheat messes up my digestive system. Both my parents were diagnosed with dementia so I’m doing this to maybe help me in the future. Being full time caregiver to mom is scary to see her struggle mentally.

DH and I have stalled after losing 20 lbs each so we’ve added in IF. Basically just skipping breakfast. DH is a runner I am not. I was doing Pilates religiously until covid. I continued for awhile then quit. But I’m very active daily. Walking 15,000-20,000 steps a day. Just don’t ask me to run!

[StraightForward]

I think riding Tesla is good for my running. I told someone the other day that she was like riding a Stairmaster. My 4 mile run felt quite a bit easier today. Tuesday my level 3 (of 4) kettlebell workout felt easier with the 20# bell, but then I was pretty sore the next two days.

Goal is to get back to doing the level 4 workouts with the 25# bell. Feldenfit 3 is starting up on Monday, so I'll probably joint that; it is supposed to be more rider-focused than the first two.

[heddylamar]

Surprisingly this past month has actually been good for my fitness. I've been having kidney problems for much of the last year, on top of the preceding hip injury, and it's just sucked my will to run out of me. If you knew me IRL, you'd understand just how alarming that is. I'm the freak who goes out on a 7 mile run, that becomes a 16 mile run because I felt good and it was a nice day ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Anyway, rehabbing from the Maia-induced injury seemed to be awful at first — no running, no riding, no hiking, no biking, no rowing, not even any standing ... but the past 2+ weeks the PT/orth have both advocated starting most of that (still nothing dirty or too strenuous — I have an open, infected wound with hella nearly surface level blood clot underneath).

So, I'm walking 5+ miles a day (YAY!!! Outdoors! And upright! ), and rowing 15-30 minutes/day (a bit of exertion!! ) It's not ideal, but it's clean, and not terribly strenuous. Plus, I can listen to all the podcasts that have backlogged with me being banned from the barn for the foreseeable future (my BO is very bossy )

[StraightForward]

Well I'm glad you're able to get out and do some activities! I'm sure you have been going stir crazy being laid up. What a drag to not be able to go to the barn though.

[Chisamba]

one of the advantages of losing weight. I was able to buy off the rack ( not custom) tall boots for everyday riding. my winter boots just arrived, I did order them before winter. lol. they do fit yay.

[khall]

Chisamba which tall boots did you get? I’ve been looking at a few. Really want some brown tall boots but want something a bit different like the lace ups or polo boots.

I typically ride in paddock boots and boots cut breeches

Now that I’m fully vaccinated I’m starting back with Pilates!! Missed it so. One private or semi private and one stretch class on the reformers. I need it my body is feeling the age and old injuries. Hoping to drop those last 20 lbs.

[Chisamba]

they are ovation
I have ridden them even though it's not winter anyone, I guess they are more 3 season boots than real winter boots

[StraightForward]

Khall, I love my Mountain Horse Estelle's. They are getting a little hard to find in the US, but if you Google you might be able to find the size you need. They are soft in the ankle and inside and a little stiff on the outside. Front polo style zips and come in black or medium brown.

[heddylamar]

The ortho cleared me to run and ride — a full FOUR weeks earlier than expected!!

I'm not expecting much. Everything works correctly ... but I still have a good softball+ of extra volume in my inner thigh. And I have to keep up the icing, elevation, and compression until that's gone. Who knows how that will translate to sitting in the saddle.

[StraightForward]

Woohoo! Always nice to beat the doc's expectations. Sounds like that might be ouchy for riding, but how nice to be cleared for whenever it's comfortable.

I've been more consistent with kettlebells the last couple weeks. Can already feel that my arms are more toned. And now that I've had my vaccine, I am contemplating going back to the gym next month, maybe just on Sunday nights when it's usually almost empty. I definitely need more core strength. Annabelle is at a phase where she needs to be in a little more collected frame, but she doesn't have self-carriage yet, so my core needs to be a little more resilient to keep her together consistently.

[Anne]

Khall, in case you are still looking, I have these boots :
https://www.webshop.viva-iberica.com/sp ... 1971-p.asp

Here's mine in use (excuse the somewhat dirty appearance!) :

boots.jpg (8.72 KiB) Viewed 16353 times

They are really comfy and have lasted really well, like, I've used them for every ride for the last, hmm, 5 years or so, and though there is a little wear on some stitching, the zips are perfect, and the leather comes up beautifully after a clean.

We ordered a similar pair for my partner, and they arrived in good time (Spain->NZ), it was pre-covid mind you, so not sure how international freight is going these days....

[Anne]

Now, to get back to topic (thanks Demi for starting it!), I'm going to state a few goals in the hope of keeping up some exercise over the next 2 months while I'm offshore.... :

1. walk 1/2 hr per day, try to make 45 mins every 2nd or 3rd day.
2. yoga 1/2 hr (ish) every 2nd day (I'm looking at the video Yoga for Equestrians by Adriene someone, but I have to take notes, as I can't access youtube once I'm offshore).
3. use every excuse possible to walk up the stairs! the vessel has 6 floors, so, walk bottom to top at least twice per day.
4. 3 minute plank 'cycle' ([30 s front, 30 s each side] x 2) every day.

[demi]

I’m not doing as well as I’d like but still working on it. I’ve been doing IF 18/6 three days a week and watching the sugar. I was going to weigh every day but that was not helping because the weight loss is so slow. My clothes feel like i have lost some fat even tho the scale isn’t going down much.

Anne, what kind of vessel!? Sounds interesting!

[Chisamba]

So I finished barn chores and sat down to make an instant cup of soup for lunch. and right here I am demonstrating my weakness. Scanning online instead of tacking up a horse. lol.

Demi, my weight loss has been super slow this year. After consistently losing a bit for the last 2 years I seem to have hit a plateau. sigh. it is a bit depressing and the opposite of motivating

[khall]

Thanks Anne!! Like them!!

I started Pilates again. Doing a private lesson and stretching class now that I’m vaccinated. I’m hoping to drop another 20 lbs. That would be a total loss of 40 lbs.

[Anne]

I work on a seismic survey vessel... She is 94m length (~280ft). Here she is, my office is in the containers near the stern.

SVK Rio(2)-small.jpg (38.2 KiB) Viewed 16245 times

[Chisamba]

I work on a seismic survey vessel... She is 94m length (~280ft). Here she is, my office is in the containers near the stern.

SVK Rio(2)-small.jpg

so interesting. do you travel to the ring of fire?

[demi]

Wow! Very nice picture. Quite an unusual job you have, Anne! Thanks for sharing.

[Anne]

I live on the 'ring of fire' (in NZ), but for the last few years have been working offshore Brazil, and in the Gulf of Mexico.

I got 20 minutes of walking in this morning, but then it started to pour with rain so I gave up.... I have walked the stairs twice though!

[khall]

Anne what an interesting line of work you have! It’s got to be difficult to keep your equestrian life going with such a career.

Stairs are such a good workout!!

I’m thoroughly enjoying my Pilates classes. Amazing how much I sweat doing just small movements. The stretch class is helping my low back and right hip. Geeze my hamstrings are tight!! The right side has had more injuries mostly horse related

[Flight]

Very cool picture Anne! Interesting sounding career too

I've slacked off after losing 10kg and my partner is home so the struggle of food in the house is tough. I have no willpower, so when he was away I simply didn't buy anything fattening so there was nothing much to eat!
He buys all the stuff so it's sitting there and I'm too weak willed especially after a nightshift when I'm tired.
So, I've gained 1.5kg and now really have to figure out a way to resist it and encourage him to help me out by not buying it in the first place. Or at least if he could eat it when I'm on nightshift

[Anne]

Flight it is really tough when there is yummy stuff in the fridge!

Khall, yeah, it's difficult horse-training wise, but I just do what I can when I'm home. Connor stays pretty fit while I'm away (hilly paddocks), and my partner does a bit of ground work with him sometimes, but I have to try to keep my fitness up (hence posting on this thread!!).

I'm doing pretty well this week - walking 40 mins in the morning, and have done the 2x stairs every day, and walk around a fair bit (it is about 70m from my office to the coffee machine, plus some stairs!)..... haven't managed yoga or planks 'cause I strained my neck/shoulder sleeping funny last week, and it is still pretty sore.... next week maybe!

[Anne]

hello you guys, how has everyone been doing over the last month? I started pretty well, usually 40mins walk per day, stairs 2x, planks/yoga most alternate days, but the last week has been hard. Just getting tired I think (work is 12 hrs/day 7 days a week...). So I am still managing my daily walk, except a couple of days where the weather was poor, but am only doing stairs as part of getting around, not specifically for aerobic. And my yoga sessions are generally shorter.... gah!

I'm working on the philosophy of 'something is better than nothing', but it's not ideal... well, just got to keep on keeping on. Hope you guys are doing better than me!

[StraightForward]

You are in a challenging situation for exercising, Anne, so I think "something is better than nothing" is a good mindset!

I'm not doing quite as much as I would like, but still getting in 2-3 workouts per week, some mix of running and kettlebells, and starting back at the beginning of the 90 days of Feldenkrais sessions I have access to. They are short, so I try to do two a day. My current obsession is that my left, upper thigh doesn't seem to stretch out as well as it should, and I think this is leading to hollowing my lower back when riding and trying to apply half halts with my seat. For better or worse, it's all connected.

I have things sorted so I can start going back to my gym, but that will probably have to wait until I get a bunch of spring yard projects finished up as I'm pretty strapped for time.

[heddylamar]

If you maintain any schedule, you're doing fabulous, Anne!

I've been doing pretty good! For once in the past *ahem* years Even with an unexpected jaunt to WA — and off-diet — I lost 5# in the past 2+ weeks (the goal is actually .5/week, but that's not how my body rolls). And, I've picked up my running. The heat is beating my ass, but that just means I just need to get back on my early AM schedule for both riding AND running. I'm running up to 1.5 miles in PT (in a N95 mask ) plus lifting weights, etc. They're going to discharge me in a few weeks. I'm okay with that now — I protested a few weeks ago, the scar tissue was still extensive. Since my protest, I've had several rounds of dry needling, and it's broken the scar tissue up nicely, and I feel much more confident stepping away from PT.

I will need to keep up with the full PT regimen on my own through fall — if not longer — plus the compression sleeves. But my leg is a shadow of what was there on March 3.

Now I just need to cross my fingers that I don't injure myself again this calendar year (There's a better chance of pigs flying )

[heddylamar]

My current obsession is that my left, upper thigh doesn't seem to stretch out as well as it should, and I think this is leading to hollowing my lower back when riding and trying to apply half halts with my seat. For better or worse, it's all connected.

You probably know these already, SF, but all those hours I've spent in physical therapy ought to go to some use Have you tried prone quad stretch using a strap? And there's also the kneeling lunge with/without foot elevation.

[StraightForward]

Thanks! I used to do the kneeling lunge, but I probably let my pelvis tilt to compensate for the tight area.

[Chisamba]

over the past two years a lost quite a lot of weight and was very happy, but I have stalled and I am not where I want to be yet. so I decided to going Noom. yes I did fall for the advertising but I thought I would sharr the experience, good or bad, here

[Fzybtfrm]

I am a long time lurker but had to throw my two cents in about Noom. I have for many years been about 15-20 # over weight. 5'3" and 135-140, now age 64, couldn't lose it to save my life, always swore I would never track every single calorie. Same as you I though what the heck, give it a try. I have lost 12 pounds since January, godawful slow but it's gone. I am aiming for about 4 more, but not in a super determined way. Great to be back to my high school weight of about 124. I credit it to Noom. Just don't sign up for what they are asking , and when they ask why, tell them it's too expensive. They will ask you what you think it's worth. I paid $19 a month, which was worth it to me to accomplish a goal I couldn't achieve on my own. Good Luck, and I learn a lot from your posts!

[Chisamba]

I am a long time lurker but had to throw my two cents in about Noom. I have for many years been about 15-20 # over weight. 5'3" and 135-140, now age 64, couldn't lose it to save my life, always swore I would never track every single calorie. Same as you I though what the heck, give it a try. I have lost 12 pounds since January, godawful slow but it's gone. I am aiming for about 4 more, but not in a super determined way. Great to be back to my high school weight of about 124. I credit it to Noom. Just don't sign up for what they are asking , and when they ask why, tell them it's too expensive. They will ask you what you think it's worth. I paid $19 a month, which was worth it to me to accomplish a goal I couldn't achieve on my own. Good Luck, and I learn a lot from your posts!

well it's good to hear a positive review. thanks

[Kyra's Mom]

I tried Noom and didn't like it. My "advisor" was a pain in the butt...harped on the same thing forever. Why don't you cook, what is your meal planning. Not a very positive (or helpful) fellow. I am sure I could have changed advisors but I didn't. I am not into writing in a journal which they want you to do. I did pretty religiously log my meals and followed my exercise. If I archived the lesson, there was no organization and I would have a hard time finding the one I wanted to revisit and sometimes couldn't find it. I didn't like being married to my phone. I would have loved to have a physical workbook to go with the lessons. I am old. I like pen and paper. I would also like it if the info would go across devices. Like both my iPad and iPhone but you could only do it on one device.
I did lose 11 lbs in 5 months but toward the end, no there was no reminder of the ending of the subscription...just another charge for the next 5 months. That annoys me to no end. I yelled and they credited my CC but of course, all the stuff I had done and archived went poof. What the hell did I pay for?

Anyway, my Noom experience.

I looked at myfitnesspal to work on logging exercise and food but found it kind of cumbersome. I am thinking of looking at WW. I have had positive experience with it years ago when it was Weight Watchers. I really need to lose 25 lbs. I gained back the above 11 when my Mom moved in with me . She is 91 and just try and get her to eat vegetables .

Susan

[khall]

Susan I did not like noom either. I needed more direction and recipes.

My DH and I have been doing keto. We’ve both lost about 20 lbs but now have stalled. Im back in Pilates on top of all the other exercise I get around the farm. May add in some weight work.

For me keto and eating clean works the best. Keto though my DH will do. He won’t try eating clean. Whole 30 type stuff. We do cook quite a bit. I’m always trying new recipes and love it when I can host clinics and have new recipes I know DH will not touch! I did gazpacho and a new cucumber salad this time. Yum

[Domica]

I looked at myfitnesspal to work on logging exercise and food but found it kind of cumbersome. I am thinking of looking at WW.

I found mynetdiary a lot easier than myfitnesspal, although my biggest problem is being consistent with the logging.

I'm right at the top of the acceptable BMI, and looking to lose 15 to 20 lb. Question for me is getting the right approach, I've found that a higher level of fibre is better for mood stability, but I struggle to get the right level on Keto. I'm looking at the MIND diet as my mother has Alzheimers, but introducing the extra carbs in terms of beans and pulses just rockets my calorie intake.

[Chisamba]

Noom is working for me. what Journal? I did Keto for 2 years and lost weight but I stalled, and missed eating healthy vegetables. also as a type 1 diabetic, adding insulin for gluconeogenesis is so difficult my.A1C was ghastly on the keto diet.

also 60 percent of proteins are converted to sugars so I cannot do without insulin.

so it turns out the low calorie density plan that noom encourages works for me. so at this time it is working for me. I have started to.lose weight again and I feel so much more content and less deprived than I did on keto. I didn't think it would work but it did.

I also love the corny daily lessons. they keep me engaged in the process

[Flight]

That's interesting to hear Chisamba. I really didn't like Keto diet, I was so over being thirsty all the time and feeling mildly unwell. I need to crack down on how much I'm eating, something happens to me over winter - too much couch time and eating i think. Maybe I'll try Noom.

[StraightForward]

With the weather cooling down, I'm trying to get back into the routine of working out. When there is limited time for outdoor activities between smoke and heat, I always choose riding over running. This morning I did 4 miles continuous jogging, but slowish at 11:00/mile. Not too bad of a base though. If the J&J booster vaccine gets the green light, I might consider going back to the gym at some point, but for now need to also get a little more consistent with the kettlebell routine at home as well.

Food - I'm kind of settling in to a low carb, but not keto diet. If I eat bread a few days in a row my joints start to hurt, but rice and potatoes don't have the same effect. Still easy to overdo them though. I actually saw my lowest weight in about 5 years last week, but it has bounced back up to the sticking point where I've stayed +/- 2# for the past couple of years.

[Chisamba]

That's interesting to hear Chisamba. I really didn't like Keto diet, I was so over being thirsty all the time and feeling mildly unwell. I need to crack down on how much I'm eating, something happens to me over winter - too much couch time and eating i think. Maybe I'll try Noom.

I can send you an invite to start with a discount for a trial period if you like

[blob]

I've really fallen off the eating healthy/exercise wagon this second half of the year. Part of it i can blame on work, but part of it is just feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of re-starting, which is very silly--but real.

Mostly, i would really like to feel stronger and fit again.

[heddylamar]

I just signed up with a personal trainer. I'm fit but I keep getting injured running/riding, so I probably need more dynamic muscle tone. Granted, none of my injurries are really running/riding-related ... more a doh moment where I'm sightseeing while running a rocky trail race, or swinging into the saddle as my horse dances.

[Chisamba]

so I have lost weight over a three year period, and then every now and again Facebook will throw a memory at me from my fat Era and I realize how chub I was.

[Ponichiwa]

Great work, Chisamba! Really impressed with your progress.

I was doing OK this year-- down 10lb, HR indications that I'm getting fitter, etc. -- and then major job stress hit, which chisels away at my resolve ("you deserve a break" vs "keep making healthy choices!"). Just need a bit of a breakthrough and it turns out that, just like dressage, weight loss is all tiny incremental improvements and not one big fix-it-all bandaid.

[Chisamba]

Great work, Chisamba! Really impressed with your progress.

I was doing OK this year-- down 10lb, HR indications that I'm getting fitter, etc. -- and then major job stress hit, which chisels away at my resolve ("you deserve a break" vs "keep making healthy choices!"). Just need a bit of a breakthrough and it turns out that, just like dressage, weight loss is all tiny incremental improvements and not one big fix-it-all bandaid.

it most certainly is incremental, most especially the mental part. the mental part is understanding that the healthy choices IS the break. healthy choices are what maje the happiness and make us mindful of relieving stress in long term positive ways.

the mind, she is our friend, not the enemy. the body, she is our friend, not the enemy.

the mind body connection, this is health and happiness. whatever increments we are engaged in.