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Eileen - February 14, 2011 - Monday
Exercise Today: 20 minutes walk/run - C25K Week 1
Starting Weight 01/02/11: 296.6 Yesterday: 286.4 Today: 286.0
Change Today: - 0.4 Total Progress: - 10.6
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Well, I did it - sort of!!! This 286-lb woman RAN!!
Let me back up a bit. My hubby worked day shift today so while he was at work I ran up to Office Depot to buy him a couple more of the computer games he likes (for Valentines Day) and then stopped in at KFC so I could surprise him with fried chicken (I had the grilled chicken and a side of green beans). While we ate
dinner, we (hubby, son and I) watched the movie “Red” with Bruce Willis. After the movie was over, it was dark out.
It was time. Ack! When I chose to start the C25K this week, it didn’t occur to me that my hubby would be working the day shift today and so he’d be home. I really wasn’t planning to explain this whole dealio to him - or anyone else for that matter - because I’d be home alone. Regardless, I had made the commitment to myself and didn’t want to put this off. So I explained it to my husband and he took it in stride like every other crazy thing I have to try. ”Okay. Have fun.”
So I’m getting ready to go and I go in the closet and get my blue jacket because it’s like a windbreaker so it won’t be too heavy and also because it’s got a breast pocket where I could put the mp3 player. He sees me putting that on and asked me, “Wouldn’t you rather wear the jacket with the green on it?” I have no idea what jacket he’s talking about so he goes and disappears into the closet and comes back out with this blue jacket with green trim and he’s right, it’s perfect. It has a little zippered pocket up by the shoulder that’s made for an mp3 player. And it fits me better than the other blue jacket.
He shakes it out and holds it up for me to slip into it. Helps me adjust the velcro wrists. Watches as I insert the mp3 player into the little pocket. Makes sure I have my cell with me “in case you need to call me for a ride home,” he laughs. I laughed too, because that was a definite possibility.
He settles in behind his computer (with one of his new games) as I slip out the door into the night. I adjust the headphones and the volume and start the Week 1 podcast. The program begins with a 5-minute warm up “brisk walk.” I’m feeling good. The air is cool at 52 degrees and I’m stepping along just fine. The route I chose to take is a bit hilly but I knew there would be this walk first, so I went up the hill first thing, so when the first run came it would hopefully be downhill or flat rather than uphill.
It was flat. Week 1 calls for 30-second intervals of running broken by 90-seconds of walking. I ran until I could not keep going - and about 3 second later, I heard Carli tell me I was done with my first run. I didn’t run fast but I didn’t lurch-and-drag either. I tried not to favor either leg, just concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other.
I was still breathing hard when the 90-second walk was up and it was time for another 30-second run. This time I was going uphill and I only made it for maybe 15 seconds. The next time, maybe 20. It went on like that until the last two run intervals, I just walked through them. So. Bottom line is, there were six 30-second run opportunities for a total of 3 minutes of running. Altogether I ran for about a minute-and-a-half. I’m not upset by this - I am excited about this!!! OMG I ran for a minute and a half!!!! LOL!!!
My knees are good. My feet are good. The only thing that hurts right now is my back.
Which leads me to another topic: Center of Gravity.
I had rejoiced when, while I was still losing weight, it went away. When I was putting the weight I’d lost back on, I felt it come back. What came back? My body having the wrong center of gravity, that’s what.
I carry my extra weight all over, but it especially builds up in my belly. When I hit a certain weight (I can’t remember exactly what), my center of gravity shifts just enough to make me feel uncomfortable. No, that’s not a strong enough term. To make me feel PAIN.
My husband has never asked me why I have to have a cart in the store, even if I’m only planning to buy one or two things. I’m sure he knows it’s because I lean on that cart. Any length of time walking, holding myself
upright with the weight of my big belly in front of me - KILLS my back. Oh, and if I have to carry something, especially if I have to carry something in front of me - the pain is excruciating. I can’t do it for long. That’s really sad. But. The happy part is: I know that as I keep losing weight, it will shift. Suddenly I will be able to stand upright and walk without pain. It’s such a freeing thing, to be able to hold oneself upright without being constantly aware of the pull on one’s lower back. I’m on my way there.
So yesterday we did some yard work which involved some bending and lifting and my back hurt anyway, and then tonight when I was walking and running, it was my back that was bothering me. During the walking parts I put my hands on my hips behind me as sort of a counterweight to give my lower back a break.
Oh if you’re reading this you may not realize that those 286 lbs. are being transported on a five-foot-one-inch frame. My BMI right now is 54. If you were five-foot-six, you would have to weigh 335 lbs to have the same BMI as I have. So yeah, I’m carrying a LOT of weight around with me.
AND I FREAKIN’ RAN FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF!!!! LOL!!!
So I’m gonna do the plan, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, three times a week I’m gonna get out there and do my 20 minutes, and just keep at it, doing Week #1 over and over again until I can do six 30-second intervals of running and then I’ll move on to Week #2. So what if it takes me three or four weeks to finish Week #1? It’s a nine-week program. I don’t care if it takes me 52 weeks to complete it — because at the end, I will be able to run for 30 minutes straight without stopping and THAT is incredible!!!
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Edited to add: Gotta share this!!! The other day Jitterfish commented here on my blog: “I figure if there was ever a zombie apocalypse I’d be screwed at running away so I had better get fit because I can’t shoot either.” That struck me as so funny!!!
Anyway, tonight I started the C25K and my son (18yo) was home and I was telling him about it, so I stole her funny line and my son BUSTED out laughing! Then, just a little while ago (11:30pm) I checked Facebook and 3 hours ago he posted this status:
“My mom just told me she’s training for a zombie invasion. EPIC.”
Ten of his friends have clicked on Like, LOL!! Thanks Jitterfish for the great line!!
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FitDay totals for the day:
1371 calories, 23.1g net carbs
