Winston Churchill once said, “However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.” Smart guy. So I’m checking in with an update on my New Year’s Resolutions, and life in general. Some things are going along swimmingly, some things, not so much.
Workout goals are being met. I am getting to the gym regularly and lifting heavier. I love lifting weights. I love how you can easily assess progress. How much weight can you lift, and how many times can you lift it? Check. After several years of pretty much sticking with the machines for my lower body because of my crap ankle, I am back in the free weight room and I can squat my weight using the Smith machine. (I am doing so with uber-focus lest the aforementioned crap ankle seize an opportunity and blow.) My long-term fitness goal is to be able to still move my own couch when I’m 80+ years old.
My walking campaign is also progressing. One day last week I did 3 miles at a pace of 11:08 min/mi, which is pretty damn fast. (I was seriously impressed with myself that day and was a little sad that the mayor didn’t meet me at the finish with a gold medal. Life can be so disappointing.) I also walked a private half marathon one day, just to see if I could do it. 13.1 miles at an average pace of 12:20 min/mi., finishing in 2:41:49. Not bad, but I would like to get that down so I could finish in the middle of the field in one of the Rock and Roll half marathons. (So fun.) I have already planned out what I want to have printed on my t-shirt – I Do What I Can. Words to live by. Sure, when I walk fast I look like a duck on amphetamines, but I’ll be an inspiration, right?
I haven’t lost any weight in the last few weeks, but I’m fairly certain my body fat % is coming down. Pants seem loser, body parts seem tighter. I’ve lost almost 4 inches around my ass in the last few months, almost 2 inches of that in the New Year with no weight loss, so something is going on. Apparently my ass and thighs, (especially my outer thighs, an area I refer to as my Thigh Balls) work as human Tupperware containers, and all leftovers are stored there. In Oct 2012, each thigh was only an inch smaller than my waist. What? How is that even possible? But, with a diet fairly low in fats and carbohydrates I have gone from a gallon size to a quart size Thigh Ball Tupperware. Hallelujah!
My biggest success in 2013 is…da da da duh (that’s a trumpet blast, in case you were wondering,) I am now Diet Coke free!!! Amazing! After years and years of trying to quit I think I’ve finally done it! Pre-resolution I was up to about 10-12 a day.
The first 3 days were hell and I seriously considered checking myself in to a monitored detox facility for my own protection, as well as for the safety of everyone in my community. But now it’s not a problem. I am still using artificial sweeteners though. I’ve discovered Mi0 Liquid Water Enhancer, found in grocery stores near the Crystal Light. It comes packaged in a little squirt bottle (1.6 oz) so you can just squeeze drops in to your water until it’s the flavor and sweetness you like. It’s made with sucralose, which is ranked as “safe” by the consumer advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Progress, not perfection, people.
Speaking of not perfection…in my “About Me” article I said I was working on my ACE Personal Trainer Certification. That is true – I am working on it, ever so slowly, and with much bitching and moaning. I find myself wondering what the hell I was thinking when I thought that was a good idea. Do you have any idea how many body parts we have? It’s ridiculous. And did you know we are finely tuned machines, the mechanics of which I was almost wholly unaware of before beginning my course work (and only somewhat more familiar with now?) Ugh. I am going to try to power through it in Feb. and March. I liken my ability to learn kinesiology and physiology to that of a chimp learning to speak.It is, perhaps, not ultimately impossible, but it does seem highly unlikely.
No, no…that’s a bad attitude. I can do hard things. I can do hard things. I can do hard things. (My new mantra.) But do I want to? Double ugh.
The other area I find myself having a hard time with is not caring about how fast or far I’m going and such, a goal I mentioned in my 12 week fitness plan. I lied. I do care. A lot. I want to not care, really, but I am competitive by nature. My competitiveness is ever so much more mature than it used to be though. Now I pretty much just measure my success against my own yesterday. Make sense? In other words, I measure myself against myself. So that’s a sign I’m growing up, right? (I’ll be 51 in March. Let’s hope so.) I officially give up this resolution. I like measuring things. Always have. If I pasted together all the charts I have made in my lifetime I am fairly certain they would circle the globe. Give me Sharpies or give me death!
Too much? Whatever. I’m letting that one go.
So in regard to my resolutions, and in conclusion, I will close with another Churchill quote.
“Never hold discussions with the monkey when the organ grinder is in the room.”
Just kidding. I wanted to see if you were paying attention.
“We shall never surrender.”
*The plural “we” here refers to me and my thigh balls.
Gaye
–How are you guys doing thus far? I have heard through the grapevine (i.e. facebook.com/ConfettiDrop,) reports of great successes. Share here, your victories, as well as your trials and tribulations.
Great post. I want to be that old lady deadlifting.
I’m getting some muscle definition but my pants aren’t any looser. I need to tighten up my diet more. Not eating sugar, not drinking wine, and only eating good carbs isn’t enough. Have to tighten up portion control. Barbara recently posted…I Never Regret Working Out
No sugar, or wine? Wowzers. But did you mean to say you’re only eating carbs? Where do I sign up for that diet? I’m in! I’m guessing that’s a typo. Portion control is tough. We were laughing about it tonight when we served ourselves what is considered a correct portion sized amount of spaghetti. It was 5 strands. So sad.
Thanks for noticing. I’m really growing up in my 5th decade! (Some of us are slow learners.) After a lifetime scale addiction I gave it up about 6 months ago and now only weigh myself once a week. Much healthier and I wish I’d kicked the scale to the curb years ago.
Gaye Gaye recently posted…Do Looks Matter? – Take 2
Great post/update as usual. I have a request. During your on-going research, I need you to scour the web, find, and report on the miracle drug for weight loss. After being up for 14 hours, I arrived home, put on my “running” shoes, bundled up, and walked for 42 minutes in 23 degree weather while my dinner cooked. The walk added to my daily grand total of 14,257 steps. This includes my commute and a total of 28 stories worth of stairs I climbed today. My weight loss for the month is 9 lbs. This led me to my dinner which consisted of a baked chicken breast, a small salad, and a single portion of broccoli. Time for bed as I’ll be up in 5.5 hours to do it all over again.
I think you’ve already discovered the miracle drug for weight loss. It’s called Endless Effort. Side effects include loss of sleep, muscle fatique, and blisters.
Congrats to you, Ned, on your progress thus far. You are doing great! 9 pounds in a month is very cool. I bet you’re already feeling the benefits, yeah? Have your knees sent you a thank you note?
Keep up the hard work, and thanks for sharing.
Gaye Gaye recently posted…Nike LunarGlide 3 Shoes
OMG – this post made my day!!! I can totally relate to the weight gain in the thighs/ass region – why not in my chest???? Awesome on the 13.1!!!
Funny thing on the ACE certification – I’m currently trying to renew mine (I let it go way past the time) and I’m in the same studying/not wanting to boat. The sad thing is I used to know all that stuff!!!
Thanks for the great read!!! Kim recently posted…Are You a Trivia Master?
Oh, my gosh, Kim, why did you ever let it expire? If I ever pass that damn test I will pay to stay up to date just so that I never have to read that manual ever, ever again. It’s so hard. I was an English major. I had to take 4 science classes in college and we were allowed four Pass/Fails in the four years. Done. What was I thinking? Seriously? Was I drinking when I ordered the materials? (Hmmm? Was I? )
Have a great weekend. And good luck with the studies!
Gaye Gaye recently posted…Resolution Redux: The Quest For Fitness Continues
So much awesomeness in this post I don’t know where to start. But I think my fave was the “duck on amphetamines” description. I used to try to racewalk and I think that about says it all!
Yeah, it’s ridiculous. Thank God I can’t see what I look like from behind. I might never walk again. Eh, dignity is over-rated anyway.
Gaye Gaye recently posted…Resolution Redux: The Quest For Fitness Continues
So glad I visited. That time was not wasted! You are hilarious. And dang, girl, you are a fast walker. Was that really walking?!! How fast are Olympic walkers? I seriously know people who run slower than you walk. And congrats on breaking Diet Coke. DC is a killer to break. I used lots of herbal tea when I tried it. Yo Momma Runs recently posted…$5.99/year of Runner’s World (again) and free Mercedes Marathon entry
Thanks for visiting. Yeah, I think it’s pretty fast too, but not really. Olympic race walkers can do a mile in under 7 min. Isn’t that crazy? And yes, the Diet Coke thing was SO hard. I would have rather have given up my Crown and Seven, and that’s saying something. But at 12 a day, things had gotten out of hand. And it only took me a hundred tries to finally get the Diet Coke monkey off my back! Success!
Gaye Gaye recently posted…YOGA MAKES ME CRY
Damn I’m not sure I’m running that fast some days. Nice work! I too love me some free weights. Best thing I ever did was venture into that ‘scary’ part of the gym. I do not make resolutions, just hope for positive progress. Sadly I’ve been progressing in an increasingly higher number on the scale. No likey.
Buy some sharpies and make a chart! Ah, if only I lived down the street from you I could make one for you, Marcia!
Yeah, free weights rock. But I just got my hair cut super short (almost Jamie Lee Curtis short,) and I think I’ll be wearing make-up and earrings to the gym now, as my shoulders sure do broaden when I lift heavy. Remember the whole body type thing that was popular for a while? I think I must be a mesomorph – short and squarish. But that’s cool. I’ll just have to get up a few minutes earlier.
Great post. I want to be that old lady deadlifting.
I’m getting some muscle definition but my pants aren’t any looser. I need to tighten up my diet more. Not eating sugar, not drinking wine, and only eating good carbs isn’t enough. Have to tighten up portion control.
Barbara recently posted…I Never Regret Working Out
Yeah, that lady is pretty great isn’t she?
No sugar, or wine? Wowzers. But did you mean to say you’re only eating carbs? Where do I sign up for that diet? I’m in! I’m guessing that’s a typo. Portion control is tough. We were laughing about it tonight when we served ourselves what is considered a correct portion sized amount of spaghetti. It was 5 strands. So sad.
Good luck!
Gaye
Gaye recently posted…Resolution Redux: The Quest For Fitness Continues
Great work Gaye!! Congratulations on measuring inches rather pounds!!!!!
Thanks for noticing.
I’m really growing up in my 5th decade! (Some of us are slow learners.) After a lifetime scale addiction I gave it up about 6 months ago and now only weigh myself once a week. Much healthier and I wish I’d kicked the scale to the curb years ago.
Gaye
Gaye recently posted…Do Looks Matter? – Take 2
Great post/update as usual. I have a request. During your on-going research, I need you to scour the web, find, and report on the miracle drug for weight loss. After being up for 14 hours, I arrived home, put on my “running” shoes, bundled up, and walked for 42 minutes in 23 degree weather while my dinner cooked. The walk added to my daily grand total of 14,257 steps. This includes my commute and a total of 28 stories worth of stairs I climbed today. My weight loss for the month is 9 lbs. This led me to my dinner which consisted of a baked chicken breast, a small salad, and a single portion of broccoli. Time for bed as I’ll be up in 5.5 hours to do it all over again.
I think you’ve already discovered the miracle drug for weight loss. It’s called Endless Effort. Side effects include loss of sleep, muscle fatique, and blisters.
Congrats to you, Ned, on your progress thus far. You are doing great! 9 pounds in a month is very cool. I bet you’re already feeling the benefits, yeah? Have your knees sent you a thank you note?
Keep up the hard work, and thanks for sharing.
Gaye
Gaye recently posted…Nike LunarGlide 3 Shoes
OMG – this post made my day!!! I can totally relate to the weight gain in the thighs/ass region – why not in my chest???? Awesome on the 13.1!!!
Funny thing on the ACE certification – I’m currently trying to renew mine (I let it go way past the time) and I’m in the same studying/not wanting to boat. The sad thing is I used to know all that stuff!!!
Thanks for the great read!!!
Kim recently posted…Are You a Trivia Master?
Oh, my gosh, Kim, why did you ever let it expire? If I ever pass that damn test I will pay to stay up to date just so that I never have to read that manual ever, ever again. It’s so hard. I was an English major. I had to take 4 science classes in college and we were allowed four Pass/Fails in the four years. Done. What was I thinking? Seriously? Was I drinking when I ordered the materials? (Hmmm? Was I?
)
Have a great weekend. And good luck with the studies!
Gaye
Gaye recently posted…Resolution Redux: The Quest For Fitness Continues
So much awesomeness in this post I don’t know where to start. But I think my fave was the “duck on amphetamines” description. I used to try to racewalk and I think that about says it all!
Yeah, it’s ridiculous. Thank God I can’t see what I look like from behind. I might never walk again. Eh, dignity is over-rated anyway.
Gaye
Gaye recently posted…Resolution Redux: The Quest For Fitness Continues
So glad I visited. That time was not wasted! You are hilarious. And dang, girl, you are a fast walker. Was that really walking?!! How fast are Olympic walkers? I seriously know people who run slower than you walk. And congrats on breaking Diet Coke. DC is a killer to break. I used lots of herbal tea when I tried it.
Yo Momma Runs recently posted…$5.99/year of Runner’s World (again) and free Mercedes Marathon entry
Thanks for visiting. Yeah, I think it’s pretty fast too, but not really. Olympic race walkers can do a mile in under 7 min. Isn’t that crazy? And yes, the Diet Coke thing was SO hard. I would have rather have given up my Crown and Seven, and that’s saying something. But at 12 a day, things had gotten out of hand. And it only took me a hundred tries to finally get the Diet Coke monkey off my back! Success!
Gaye
Gaye recently posted…YOGA MAKES ME CRY
Damn I’m not sure I’m running that fast some days. Nice work! I too love me some free weights. Best thing I ever did was venture into that ‘scary’ part of the gym. I do not make resolutions, just hope for positive progress. Sadly I’ve been progressing in an increasingly higher number on the scale. No likey.
Buy some sharpies and make a chart! Ah, if only I lived down the street from you I could make one for you, Marcia!
Yeah, free weights rock. But I just got my hair cut super short (almost Jamie Lee Curtis short,) and I think I’ll be wearing make-up and earrings to the gym now, as my shoulders sure do broaden when I lift heavy. Remember the whole body type thing that was popular for a while? I think I must be a mesomorph – short and squarish. But that’s cool. I’ll just have to get up a few minutes earlier.
Gaye
Gaye recently posted…Resolution Redux: The Quest For Fitness Continues