Getting reacquainted

Sunday, May 17, 2009

My brain is scrambled regarding my weight-self-image, because for years I used scales that weren't very accurate. Now that I have one that matches up better with the scale at the doctor's office, I've had to get used to being heavier than I had always thought I was. Still within healthy BMI, but on the high end.

It was very nice to see "163" on the accurate scale this morning. It had been quite a few months since I saw that number. Yay bootcamp!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PJBOKC 5/30/2009 5:47PM

It does play with the mind to get accustomed to a new scale. Way to go on being back to 163!!!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHANSHE 5/23/2009 10:57PM

:) I could not imagine having to readjust my brain like that! Congrats on being down to 163 though! Report Inappropriate Comment

note to self: SALT + ID

Friday, May 15, 2009

Dear Self,

Both yesterday & today you got so lightheaded on the second half of your run that you had to stop & put your head down. And the rest of the way home you needed to do more walking than running.

If you eat something salty before you leave home, this probably won't happen. I know you don't keep salty snacks on hand (good for you!), but a piece of cheese should do it.

Also, PUT YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE IN YOUR CAMELBAK POCKET. What if you got hit by a car crossing the street or had another kind of injury? It would take ages for people to figure out who you are & where you live.

Just use your brain, please.

Now go enjoy the rest of your day--& be grateful that you're healthy.

Sincerely,
Self

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PJBOKC 5/30/2009 5:45PM

What a cute way to blog, and definitely good advice to all ourselves to carry ID. I've also heard emergency personnel look for a cell phone and look for a listing under "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) so they'll have a contact #. Just in case they don't know about "ICE", I have my husband's cell and our home # under In Case of Emergency (written out). I'm reading the blogs I've missed and catching up on you, Ruth. Report Inappropriate Comment

SHANSHE 5/23/2009 10:56PM

LOL! Too cute! I love this letter to self and i never knew that about salt... interesting. Shan Report Inappropriate Comment

Each day

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Each day I'm running in early morning & later doing the short assigned strength-training video routine. I love the videos! It's great that Nicole shows us how to adapt each exercise to make it personally doable but challenging.

Each day this week my weight has nudged down another smidgen. I like having a digital scale that allows me to see even the 0.2-lb losses.

Today, just a week & a half into the bootcamp (I started a day late), I measured myself & found that I've trimmed down these areas: neck, upper arm, torso, waist, hips, & thigh. Just a little, of course--increments of 0.25-0.5 inch mostly, though in my thigh it's 1.25 inches. Soon I'll be seeing the difference in the way my clothes fit.

All very satisfying!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CTEMPLE 5/15/2009 1:07AM

Well done Ruth, in cm it looks more! Claudia Report Inappropriate Comment

SHANSHE 5/15/2009 12:38AM

WTG Ruth! I am impressed! I might join a bootcamp later on when I feel capable of keeping up, LOL! Shan Report Inappropriate Comment

PJBOKC 5/14/2009 10:39PM

I would say AND Ruth. When you get with it, you REALLY get with it. I'm inspired by your early rising and getting your exercise in. Hope I can keep up on the Bootcamp in June. I don't know about a bite-valve water bottle. Tell me more. Report Inappropriate Comment

Bootcamping

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Despite little setbacks, I'm sticking with it! And my weight has inched down a bit more. I've gotten a handle on the eating & am sticking with protein, veggies, high fiber carbs, appropriate portions, etc.

Monday morning I had to get to the post office before work, & it's not open early enough for me to have incorporated that errand into my run. So I got up early but didn't run, got ready for work, walked fast to the PO, & then proceeded to the train. It worked just fine as that day's cardio.

Tuesday morning I did my usual run.

Wednesday, today, I did NOT run. My husband got home from a trip last night, & as he was looking through his e-mail he needed my help with a Colombia mailing. That kept me up an hour or more past my bedtime. But I can make it up Saturday, when the bootcamp schedules no cardio.

Yesterday the day got away from me before I got in the strength-training session, so I just made that up today alongside Wednesday's assignment. We've been told it's fine to flex that way.

Eighteen more days! But then I want to continue bootcamping during June.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SHANSHE 5/15/2009 12:36AM

It looks to me as if you are doing a GREAT job with this bootcamping thing you have going on! Keep going Jann, I am happy for you! Hugs, Shan Report Inappropriate Comment

PJBOKC 5/14/2009 12:12AM

You can get more into a day than anyone I've ever known. You inspire me. Are you sleeping better since doing all the exercise? Glad you plan to bootcamp again in June as I'm going to join up in June. Keep up the good work! Report Inappropriate Comment

Best-smelling Mother's Day ever!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

I can still smell the lilacs.

This afternoon, as requested, I drove out to the western suburbs to meet up with my kids. All I knew was that we would be "out in nature" somewhere & picnicking, so I should wear clothes comfy for that. Before heading out that way, I swung by a plant nursery to get a hanging plant for my daughter-in-law K, who has weathered some very trying times as a mom & had to take E, her teenage daughter (previous marriage), to a residential program in another state last fall--so Mother's Day was going to be a little sad for her. (E is doing fabulously, but of course it's hard to have her far away.)

K & my son, G, had a big picnic basket packed, & my daughter C brought a jug of Crystal Lite. It turned out that our destination was Lilacia Park--a lovely park in the middle of Elmhurst, filled with lilacs & tulips of many colors, & daffodils & jonquils & other blooms too. Lilac is one of my favorite scents; it reminds me of my maternal grandmother, who had huge lilac bushes flanking the steps leading into her front yard.

We had a nice little vegetarian picnic, & then we wandered through the park admiring all the color combinations & taking whiffs of the varieties of lilac. Just heavenly. There's something about wonderful smells that induces ecstasy--or at least a very deep sense of well-being.

Then we went back to G & K's & had root beer floats. I hadn't had one for many many many years. Oh, & we listened to some Bob Dylan & Simon & Garfunkel--K & G are now collecting old LPs. It was fun to listen to music from my youth.

My present from G & K was--a hanging pot of impatiens in a pink-plum color! K loved the one I had chosen for her. And C, who works hard but still doesn't make quite enough to live on, gave me one red rose. So the day was filled with flowers.

Happy Mother's Day to all my Sparkfriends, whether you're a biological mom or not!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PJBOKC 5/14/2009 12:10AM

What a wonderful Mother's Day you had, Ruth, and your beautiful words just brings it to life. You deserve a special day on Mother's Day or any day. Thank you for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

SHANSHE 5/11/2009 1:49AM

What a beautiful and lovely day, Ruth! I just love how they actually went to a bit of trouble to actually plan something and spend time with you. How neat and aren't root beer floats just too cool??? Hugs, Shan P.S . THANKS for your support on the C. Algebra and the finish line goodie, so true, so many finish lines in life and this was definitely a finish line I am happy to have crossed! :) Report Inappropriate Comment

CTEMPLE 5/11/2009 12:14AM

Glad you had a fragant Mother's Day , sadly none of the pusses gave me any presents! Claudia Report Inappropriate Comment