Health Update

I have gone through a physical exam recently on campus--and was pleased that everything looks great. I still should lose some more weight--what's new--but all in all all the numbers were very good. I have maintained my weight loss since the summer time and I am very pleased with it. The new habits I have gained especially through a Catholic Moms online group have been completely incorporated into my life.

Some of the online challenge ways we earn points include:

- 72 OZ water drinking

- eating five serving of vegetables a day--may include two servings of fruits

- 45 min exercise 5 times a week

- stop eating after 9 PM

I was already a water drinker, but the amount of vegetables and fruits we must eat was very good for me. And I don't think I can ever eat after 9 PM any more! Very rarely I have broken that rule.

I have a new walking buddy, a good friend from church--we meet most days at the church gym from 9 to 10 AM and say a Rosary while we walk. It has been wonderful as we "kill two birds with one stone". :-)

My Second 5K

A year ago I wouldn't have been able to do it... not at this pace and energy. It was a delight to be part of the Cystic Fibrosis Benefit event with Team Joy! Joy W. is one of Number Seven's church friends and we were privileged to participate! 

 I could feel so well the benefits of my daily walking since I started last October. Remember my first 5K? Yikes I almost died! Well, it is true that that day we almost died of cold... since we walked that morning under 8 below temp. I will never forget how Number One was my true Hero that morning, not only walking with me, talking, cheerfully and encouraging all along the way, but making sure I crossed the finish line before him, so I wouldn't be the last place. My time this time was much better but unfortunately I didn't remember to stop the iPhone App until after we had a restroom break and were in line for the lunch! Well, I am looking forward to the next one! :-)

Warmer days and awards

I got a nice award at the Weight Watchers meeting yesterday... But I got truly the best award just this afternoon... After hours of cleaning/setting up patio furniture in the garage with my 14 year old Number Seven, and giving her a new rip-stick for an early Spring/Easter gift, she hugged me and said:

"Mom! My arms can go all round you now!"

Walking...

I've been walking daily now for almost three months, and I can no longer imagine life without this daily activity. The chart I found today pretty much translates how I feel about it, in mind and body. Since I walk with a friend who is diabetic and must walk for serious health reasons, my walking has that beautiful purpose added to it. I post maps of different iPhone apps we use--we like to know how far and fast we go.. I have yet to find the ideal app. I like to think we are daily training for our next 5K!  

Two maps

So the top map is of my my usual, daily walk in circles in the church gym. Husband's comment is "one plum at a time..." Yesterday, however, with temperatures just a hair above freezing, you'd think it was summer here. Everyone was out and about! My walking partner suggested we'd walk in her neighborhood... and I got a real map to post!

Where I complete my first 5K

Yes, dear reader, that is me in the photo! The temperature was negative 8 F, and it was 9 AM yesterday, Thanksgiving Day. It was the Brookings annual Turkey Day 5 K and my goal was to finish it. Which I did, and in second to last place, because Number One, son and gentleman, who walked with me, chatty and encouraging me along the whole way, made sure to be behind me in the finish line. You'd be hard-pressed to find a happier, more grateful last-place finisher of any race. 

Two months ago, before I joined an online fitness challenge organized by Catholic Homeschool moms, I would have said "Never"! And yet with their encouragement I decided to try... and keep trying... I have been doing my daily 45 minutes walk now for 8 weeks, and lately with friend Kristy at the church gym. I wasn't sure I could finish a 5K, above all in these low temps, but I was determined to try. Numbers Seven and Five ran ahead and we never saw them again, but Number One plugged along with me the entire way. At some point we passed a group of three kids but their distress over the cold had them picked up by a patrol so we were back to last place. We were not too far from a group of three college students ahead of us, but we never passed them. 

As we walked, we had our face covered by our scarfs so we could breathe, and the humidity of our breath went up to our face so we had to wipe out the ice from the eyelids often so we could see. It was cold. It was very cold. The temperature had raised up to zero F by the time we crossed the finish line. My time was 1 hour and 5 minutes. This is the time now for me to beat at my next 5K! I have so enjoyed my daily walks and feel so much stronger and energetic. I have also lost weight and this all has been so good as winter settles in, as I discover that the treadmill is very helpful when I feel cold!