Wipe Out!

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Well, I've got my new treadmill (Sole F63, half-price at Dick's Sporting Goods!). It's all assembled, up and running without a problem...must be time to celebrate and do the happy-happy, right?

So why have I been plagued by lethargy and apathy these days? Still getting on the 'mill everyday, but it has been a real challenge. I feel so WEAK when grabbing the dumb bells these days and I HAVE blown off my strength-building over the past few days, which bugs me to no end! Last Thursday I went to bed at 7 pm and slept right through to the next morning! But I didn't really feel re-charged as I hoped I would. I haven't put in a night of sleep like that in DECADES!

I found out that the supposed 5% incline which I thought I had been using over the past couple years has in reality only been about 3%...and now that I AM using 5% I find it so GRUELING! My new treadmill gives a digital readout of my workout summary and that's how I found out that when one sets the incline for "5" on the treadmill, it doesn't mean that you are using a 5% incline...go FIGURE! How counter-intuitive is THAT?!?! So by trial and error I found out that incline setting of "8" results in a 5% incline reading on my workout summary. So I've been using the "8" setting...KILLING ME, but haven't backed off from it yet...hoping my body will acclimate soon enough...! Sweating like CRAZY these days during my 'millwork! Still listening to my mp3 player and while the tunes help, they haven't gotten me pumped and revved as they have in the past.

Some old friends had wanted to get together later this week and I haven't yet gotten back to them about where, when, how...I feel too EXHAUSTED! I will call and see what I can set up...as I know I don't get out often enough with folks.

Been trying to get to sleep a little earlier...10-10:30...but am stirring awake in bed already by 5-5:30...force myself to sleep till 6-6:15...it's so darned LIGHT out at 5!

I have a routine check up with my doc on Fri., so will run this by him, probably get bloodwork done, see if there are any answers there...

Don

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ANTWHABAP 6/4/2008 1:05AM

Don't allow yourself to get too frustrated. I have learned some times I over train and will exhaust your body and mind. If you feel weaker doing what you once felt stronger at, that may be a sign of over training. I agree on some time off and then get back to it. May be not quit altogether if you are afraid it will be too hard to pick back up, but just back off and do some light walking and gardening outside, or whatever you enjoy. Stay strong and good luck with your check up. Report Inappropriate Comment

DARKDEETS 6/3/2008 10:12PM

Hang in there. Sometime we just have to keep putting on foot ahead of the other and things straighten out. Report Inappropriate Comment

TASHA8183 6/3/2008 2:17PM

just keep working at it! maybe you need to change your intake a bit? not sure...but I know you got this far, so I have no doubt you can come up on top from this little slump =) Report Inappropriate Comment

ANDALEX 6/3/2008 1:52PM

is it possible that you've been overtraining? maybe you were already at the limit of your energy when you bumped up the incline. what if you took two or three days off and then eased yourself back in? anyway, let us know how things are going! Report Inappropriate Comment

~LESLIE~ 6/3/2008 11:44AM

Hang in there Don. Maybe when you go to your Dr.'s he'll tell you your iron is low. That happened to me a few years ago. I was working 2 jobs and the doc was surprised I could make it to even 1. He said I was like an 8 cylinder car but only running on 3. Lets hope it's something simple and you'll be back to par soon. You're doing well and I'd hate to see your pace slow down now. Report Inappropriate Comment

DANDELION_WINGS 6/3/2008 9:51AM

don, don't get discouraged. it appears that you aren't backing off as a means of being more determined and stubborn for yourself since you're disappointed in finding out that what you thought you were doing wasn't what you were doing. [did that make since]---you didn't get to this point over night, so give yourself a break. why not cut the difference for a week and help your body get used to the difference ----maybe make that 5% a goal. it may even help motivate you a bit? are you doing anything such as listening to music or watching a show/movie while on the treadmill? just trying to come up with some ideas to help make it less gruelling on you. i've been sweating like crazy every time i get on the treadmill lately, too. --i don't shower at the gym, because i still have a walk home. but lately, i sure haven't wanted anyone to stand next to me LOL. good luck at your check up and keep us posted. --don, you have been doing fantastic, so don't kid yourself into thinking that you haven't been. *hugs* Report Inappropriate Comment

New Treadmill!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

My 'mill has been breaking down!

Not mechanically, but the electronic gremlins had taken over.

It was really strange...I can hop on, turn it on, ramp up my settings, however...after less than a minute everything electronically freezes at whatever setting I've selected and the timer and mileage thingy stop as well, not tracking time or distance, but the belt keeps turning at the same pace!

I cannot turn it off either, no buttons work. I have to unplug it, which I'm sure is not a healthy thing to do to a treadmill that is in full operation.

Although I considered replacing it with an elliptical instead of a treadmill a technician who seemed to know what he was doing advised against it, as the elliptical has more moving parts, hence a greater chance of repair.

Over the weekend while out of town I had "conveniently" forgotten my treadmill sneakers and my wife and I went out shopping for a new pair. So off we go to Dick's Sporting Goods and what do I find...? They have a TREADMILL SALE! Woo Hoo!

I found a Sole F63 on sale for 50% for $1000. Much less than I feared I would have to spend, but the unit appears to be as sturdy and well-reviewed as a $2000 model I had considered...so the cheapskate in me did the happy-happy dance...lol.

It even has a fan, allows my mp3 player to be plugged in and has a built in heart rate monitor on the handgrips...woo hoo! My old 'mill (a Keys Pro 2000, RIP) didn't have any of THOSE features...but she was a wonderful boon to my recovery over the past couple of years!

The cheapskate in me duked it out with the all-thumbs part of me last night and after a few glitch's and choice words...lol...I finally finished putting the darn thing together at midnight! I figured I'd save $100 delivery / assembly fee and put it toward the 4 years extended warranty and be only set back $100 instead of $200...lol!

Don't know if Dick's sale is still on or not:

www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/in
dex.jsp?categoryId=693945

So: This morning I gave it a good walk / jog, tested everything out (I was surprised, the speakers can kick out the jams!)...it was wonderful to be back in the GROOVE once again!

Don

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DANDELION_WINGS 6/3/2008 3:09PM

oh wow, that looks like a really nice treadmill--so congrats on it and getting a good deal! =) Report Inappropriate Comment

ZELLAZM 6/1/2008 7:52AM

Woohoo! Nothing like new equipment to give the ol' fitness program a boost! Congrats on getting such a good bargain! Blessings today, Michelle Report Inappropriate Comment

ANDALEX 5/28/2008 7:32PM

i love that your treadmill bit the dust, but you're still going! that's about as tough as a person can get. awesome! Report Inappropriate Comment

STARLIGHT42 5/28/2008 1:59PM

Congratulations on your new Treadmill!! Sounds awesome - similar to mine and I love it. Not surprised the other one finally went on ya - how many thousands of miles did you put on that poor baby, LOL? Good luck with the new TM! Report Inappropriate Comment

Out of Town Memorial Day Fun!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Heading northbound this weekend beginning tomorrow morning...up Syracuse way. Going to be working setting up a paper craft store within a crafting expo at the Oncenter. I earn credit hefting those heavy boxes of paper around and my wife gets the pleasure of SPENDING my credit on her craft supplies.

A win-win set up: I get my cardio and strength workout and she gets her supplies!

Plus we'll be staying at the Courtyard where I'm sure there is a pool and workout equipment to take advantage of...woo hoo! :-)

Looking forward to getting away for the weekend.

And...BEST OF ALL:

We found out today that our son passed his Physician Assistant certification exam!!! He's a full-fledged, official Surgical PA...!

We are very, VERY proud parents!! And we have MUCH to be thankful for and to celebrate!

Everyone have a STUPENDOUS Memorial Day Weekend!

Don

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TASHA8183 5/23/2008 1:20PM

Sounds fun!!! Congrats on your sons achievments! Report Inappropriate Comment

ZELLAZM 5/23/2008 12:24PM

Congratulations to your son and to his proud parents! What better way to celebrate than with a weekend getaway. Being in Germany, I had almost forgotten that it's Memorial Day on Monday, so thanks for the reminder, too! Blessings, Michelle Report Inappropriate Comment

JUSTLYLE 5/23/2008 7:06AM

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS on your son passing his PA exam, how proud you should be! Have a great weekend. Skeeter Report Inappropriate Comment

ANDALEX 5/22/2008 11:36PM

sounds like a fun weekend! and congrats on your son's success. Report Inappropriate Comment

Weight Loss Surgery Thoughts/Advice

Thursday, May 15, 2008

I am a weight loss surgery failure, er, no, success...?

Here's the thing: I had a gastroplasty in the early 1990's and lost boatloads of weight dropping to the upper 200's...down from my all-time high of 450.

But I blew it. I wasn't ready to make the lifestyle changes necessary to REALLY lose the weight and MAINTAIN the loss.

I began sabotaging myself right up to the mid-300's.

In 2006, around my 50th birthday, the planets began to align in such a way...good psychotherapy, being sick and tired of being sick and tired, and I began to lose weight the old-fashioned way: watching my input (what I ate), and revving up my output (exercising on the treadmill 7 days a week with few breaks).

In the past year and a half I've approached almost 100 pounds weight loss.

This is fairly common with weight loss surgery.

The big difference is that I now know with every fiber of my being what I need to do to hold onto my new lifestyle. I sincerely doubt another weight loss surgery would have had anywhere NEAR the same impact on me as the step-by-step experience of the past 18 months.

AND!

There's no KNIFE, no ANESTHESIA, no RISK! Just good, clean, healthy living!

After weight loss surgery one has about 18 months to build the same type of lifestyle, or risk falling back into old habits as the changes imposed by the surgery are often NOT permanent, lasting changes. Sabotaging weight loss surgery happens...and I fear it happens much more than most people are aware.

Yes, there are unquestionable weight loss surgery successes...some members of this Team come to mind! And I am SO pleased for them that surgery proved to be worthwhile!

But for someone considering weight loss surgery, if there is any way you can consider it, I would HIGHLY suggest you give everything you've got to try the old-fashioned way: healthy eating and exercise...of course along with all the knowledge, wisdom and support that SparkPeople has to offer!

If, despite your best effort, you don't get results, then explore, investigate, research, be very, very careful before you take the plunge! I've heard of far too many tragedies resulting from weight loss surgery! We all want you to be safe, above all else!

Don

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ZELLAZM 5/17/2008 10:01AM

Good insights, as usual, Don. I hope lots of people hear what you're saying! Blessings today, Michelle Report Inappropriate Comment

What's The Frequency, Kenneth?

Thursday, May 15, 2008

So, if I'm not losing, I'm gaining...or if I'm not gaining, I'm losing...right? Flip sides of the same coin.

What if I'm not doing EITHER?!?! Throughout my life everything centered on this pattern, losing / gaining, gaining / losing...on and on...

Now I'm finding a new axis about which my world revolves...

Finding my Voice

Seeing my Voice

Speaking my Voice

BEING my Voice

Being ALIVE in the world! That is the challenge before me.