Gravity: $0. Moving your bad self: Priceless

Look. There's me, somewhere up there in North America.

Yesterday afternoon I was at a crossroads. I hadn't gotten any exercise in two days, I was losing the light and didn't feel like doing much. After an internal discussion with the voices in my head (just stay home, ride the exercise bike, go for a run, ride the bike outside) I settled on an old friend. I went for a walk. This momentous decision required changing my footwear to sneakers and putting on my coat. It was seriously low impact and allowed me to play with my ipod and choose slow songs I don't generally listen to when I'm kicking my workout. I was at peace.

I had the time to reflect on an article I read recently which discussed whether running burns more calories than a step class. The author reported that running burns more becuase you are moving your body against the force of gravity. This was an epiphany for me. It's like our planet is one giant piece of exercise equipment. No gym fees, it's available 24x7, and doesn't require any special equipment for the exerciser. If you can walk from your house to your car you can burn calories. Sneakers are optional. I've walked in motorcycle boots and other comfortable shoes. The trick is going farther than the car in your driveway. How far should one go? Sure, check with your proverbial doctor but if you can walk for 40 to 60 minutes a day you can burn calories and increase your fitness.

I'm still going to train but it was nice to relax with a walk on a cool Fall day. I stayed in my jeans, didn't get sweaty but still moved forward, stretching my legs. Then I was back home and I let Gravity pull me back down on the sofa for some snacks and football. A very pleasant afternoon, indeed.

Kids: Natural Triathletes. Don't lose it

My fitness goals this summer focused on completing two sprint triathlons, the Wildbear in June, and Pumpkinman in September. I chose those two as bookends to motivate me to get moving in the Spring and maintain the pace throughout the Summer. Otherwise I could see myself slacking and losing focus. My strategy worked and I had a great time racing.

I realized that I haven't been this fit since I was about 8 years old. A lucky kid, I spent my summers swimming until my lips were blue, riding bikes with other kids, and running around playing tag until bedtime. Triathlon breaks down to these three same basics: Swim, Bike and Run. I've noticed that my three kids are falling in to the same pattern and it will be my goal to make sure they don't lose this level of activity as they grow older.

When I hit middle school and then high school it was all about team sports. If triathlon had been an option, I think I would have signed right up. After some fun with gymnastics but never excelling in the sport I found I didn't have much to focus on. This led to a long hiatus in regular exercise.

I am glad I found triathlon. After racing these two sprints my goals for next summer are to complete an Olympic distance tri in June, Mooseman Triathlon and then a half Ironman distance added to Pumpkinman. I'm scared but determined to train for the first ever half Ironman to be held in Maine. A 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run.

My kids sometimes complain about me being away from them to train. When I mentioned that kids can compete too my oldest daughter, almost 8 years old, became very excited. Kids' tris are usually untimed events with much shorter distances. But there is no doubt that the excitement of going the course will reach even the youngest participant. I hope all my kids learn to love triathlon but even if they don't like to compete they can still enjoy the basics. Swim. Bike. Run.

Body Parts 2

Mile 20 of a 40 Mile Bike Ride

Legs: Wahoo! This is awesome. You guys checkin' us out? We are ON today.

Heart: For once...

Brain: Looking good legs, we're taking a break in a minute.

Legs: Yeah, that'll be great. We feel a little wonky. What was up with that breakfast?

Stomach: I dunno. I wasn't feeling so good this morning. All she had was a banana.

Mouth: Yeah, didn't taste so super.

Brain: Don't worry, she packed an energy bar. She'll eat when we stop. Eyes, scan for a good place, something safe, off the road.

Eyes: Roger that.

Legs: Dude! Did y'all check out that hill at mile 16?

Eyes: Yeah! We saw that and went wide.

Mouth: I made a little "O".

Stomach: I got that pit, like when I get scared.

Legs: Totally. We got a bit watery, ourselves. But we rocked it, didn't we? A little assist from the hands on the gearing and we were good to go.

Hands: Thank you very much.

Legs: Hey, are we there yet?

Brain: Pulling in now. Going to manual. Feet, click out and stop.

Feet: Stopping...now.

Legs: Where's the food, dude?

Brain: Relax, she's overheating. Give us a second to get organized.

Arms: She's got the long sleeve shirt off, we're reaching for the little pack...there it is!

Hands: We have the bar!

Mouth: Bring it on!

Stomach: I'm ready for it. I feel great now.

[2 Minutes pass]

Legs: What the heck is going on? Where is it? We're bonking!

Left Hand: I have the bar right here...

Eyes: It says...give us a sec..."Chocolate Peanut Crunch"

Mouth: Oh my God.

Right Hand: For chrissakes, I'm trying to stuff the shirt in the little bag. It won't fit.

Legs: Brain...!

Brain: Alright, initiating override, Right Hand, let go of the shirt...now. Tear the wrapper.

Right Hand: I got it, I got it.

Mouth: Gimme a bite! [chewing] Oh man you guys, this tastes SOOO good, you have no idea.

Legs: Yeah baby! Stomach, get to work!

Stomach: Swallow some of it! Give it to me!

Mouth: Mmmmm. Here you go.

Legs: Ahhhh

Stomach: Mouth, where's the rest?

Mouth: I don't know. She just stopped.

Eyes: I know! She's looking at the label. It says, "calories, 240"

Legs: Brain! Why is she checking out the calories? We need them all! We can't stand it when she pulls that half bar crap. We have to ride the 20 back!

Brain: All set. I just pressed the "cookie button." Inhibitions have been negated. She's going to finish it. See? And Right Hand, pick up that chocolate chip that dropped on the seat. Give it to Mouth.

Mouth: This is so awesome. Two more bites. Can I have a drink?

Brain: Absolutely. Everyone, get ready. Stomach, you good?

Stomach: Workin' away, Brain, strong like bull.

Brain: Righteous. Legs?

Legs: Stomach, you rock. We feel better already. Pedaling!

Brain: Good teamwork, folks, let's ride!

Body Parts

--Mile 4.27 of a 30 mile bike ride--

Heart: Jesus H. Christ. I can't take this anymore! I'm working like a pooch here, Brain, do something!

Brain: Hey, did you see that guy on the tractor?

Heart: Brain!

Brain: Sorry. What's up?

Heart: It's the legs again. I'm pumping and pumping blood and they STILL won't get moving. Again.

Lungs: And for the love of God PLEASE make her stop singing.

Brain: Hold up. Voice!

Voice: "I wanna heal, I wanna feel..." What? You talking to me?

Ears: Yo, we're rockin' the head phones, dude, that sound ain't bothering us.

Lungs: It's the breath, you idiots, we need the air.

Ears: What an ass.

Butt: Don't drag me into this! I'm minding my own business here. Sitting on my seat!

Brain: Be cool, everybody. Voice, be silent for a minute.

Voice: Whatever, man, you're the project manager.

Heart: Brain, if you don't do something quick I'm going to have a total fit. Real palpitations this time. I have to work ALL the time. Everyone gets to slack except me!

Brain: Settle down, I hear you. Legs! Wake up!

Legs: [stretching] Hey there! 'Morning everyone, what's up? We going dancing? There's music playing.

Brain: No, Legs, we're on a bike ride, remember? It's the long one. We talked about this.

Legs: Bike ride...right! That is so dope. She eat breakfast?

Stomach: Yup! Cinnamon raisin bagel, toasted, with peanut butter and cinnamon sugar. I'm almost done with it.

Mouth: It was delicious.

Legs: Sweet. One or two?

Stomach: Just one. And some water.

Mouth: I'm thirsty again. Can I have a drink?

Brain: In a minute.

Legs: That's not going to hold us. Can we burn some of that junk in the trunk?

Butt: Hey!

Legs: Just kidding, little buddy, you look terrific. We love you. All muscle, baby!

Butt: I'm very sensitive! You know this.

Legs: C'mon, dude, it's all good.

Brain: I've got it covered. Metabolism will supply fuel by mile 20. But legs, you need to kick it into high gear. Heart and lungs are tired.

Arms: We're not tired!

Back: Me neither.

Heart: What a bunch of brown nosers.

Colon: I take offense to that.

Nose: Me too.

Brain: That's enough. O.k., everybody, let's work together now. Good. I checked the pleasure center and she feels like a million. O.k. heart?

Heart: Yeah, I'm good.

Brain: Excellent. Voice?

Voice: I'm here.

Brain: Rock on.

Voice: Awesome. "I'm WAN-ted...dead or AH-live..."

Brain: Good work, people, let's ride bikes!

Turning 40 is fun!

 

Having fun is an important part of your fitness plan. I encourage it!

Maintenance: Not an ugly word

When I started losing weight I was frequently asked, "how much are you trying to lose? What's your goal?" I really didn't have a specific number in mind which made it hard to respond. I wanted to lose it all, every little bit of fat that offended me, made my clothes too tight and me uncomfortable in my own skin. What I found out is that, after losing about 25 pounds (hurray for me!) I still have a little softness, a little roundness, in all the right places. I call it "sexy fat." You might say, eeewwww gross! But with the backlash against super skinniness I think I'm right on target.

The other part of the equation was effort. My weight loss, while not effortless, was done in a reasonable fashion. Since I was looking to make the change for life I ate regular food, exercised, and really watched those calories. I held to about 1400 per day. If I felt like having something sweet, I ate it and didn't agonize about it. Maybe I did sometimes but I tried not to obsess about food. This was where working with a nutritionist was really helpful. She was one of my best cheerleaders.

I have been at my "end" weight for about two months now. I know, not a super long time but I still feel successful. I keep a close eye by weighing myself almost every day. I've mentioned that me and Mr. Scale are buds. The number tends to fluctuate 2-4 pounds. For example, it took two weeks to shed the pounds I gained over superbowl weekend. Taquitos, anyone? I also write the number down on the back of a business card that I keep in my underwear drawer. I can quickly scan how I've been doing so I don't fall so far away from where I think I should be.


I still "snack" on different exercises. During the winter, running has fallen by the wayside because I don't have a treadmill. But I replaced it with stationary cycling. I still also have swimming, walking, weightlifting and the delicious hot yoga. Summer triathloning is right around the corner.

It's almost March, and I have a big birthday coming up. I'm glad I reached this level of physical fitness although it's always a work on progress. I'll let you know how it goes and if I'm able to keep moving forward and feeling fabulous.