Blessings and Challenges

At my gym (and probably most, if not all gyms) they have TVs (muted) for your viewing enjoyment. We have 3 TVs that face the cardio equiptment and though I don't pay a lot of attention to what they show, usually, this morning a couple of shows caught my eye (on at the same time on different TVs). On the one, there was a news item showing a father and son who compete together (literally) in triathlons and Marathons. To date they have completed 965 races. There is something unique about them though, the son (a grown man of 42) was born a spastic quadripilegic, non speaking and is not mobile and was born with cerebral palsy. His father carries or pushes him through it all. As I was watching this I began to contemplate some of the other challenges that many face and overcome. It is incredible what so many people do, overcoming insurmountable challenges. My struggles with PCOS are so minimal in comparison. It was so inspiring to see them. If you want to read more about them they are known as Team Hoyt click the underlined text.

Another show was a documentary (I believe, maybe it was news item as well), showing people suffering from physical deformities in a third world area (not sure where, I caught the middle of it). There was one woman in particular I saw who had club feet and only 2-3 toes per foot, as well as deformed and clubbed hands with only a few short fingers on each. I immediatly felt very humbled and grateful for my blessings. I think of the times I complain about my own problems and realise that I really have no right to complain. I have two hands and two feet that are healthy and able to accomplish so much. I don't have to overcome some incredible physical challenge to achieve my goals. I am so blessed to not only live in a place where I can do anything I set my mind to, but I am blessed with the physical health to do it. What more can I ask for? I just hope I can remember these people when I feel the urge to complain about my minimal worries and struggles. They truly are nothing compared to what so many have to overcome on a daily basis. Rick Hoyt didn't let his physical challenges stop him from graduating university or from entering into intense races on a regular basis. His father could likely run, swim, bike and move much faster if he didn't have the extra weight of his son, but this is something they do together, something they accomplish together and he does it with him. This woman with her clubbed feet and hands doesn't let it stop her from living her life, from smiling and approaching life matter-of-factly. These physical problems aren't something they can just pretend doesn't exist, they are something that will not disappear in this life.

I know there are people who ask why God allows some folks to suffer so severely. To be born with these challenges that seem insurmountable. But I think the reason is clear. They show us the power of the spirit and how blessed we are. It also shows me anyway, how honoured I am to share the same world with these individuals.

When we have problems that seem unfair and cruel, and see those who have more severe challenges and how they overcome them, is this not inspirational? It is to me. I have nothing to complain about. PCOS is a challenge, sure. But it is a manageable challenge and I can still do so much more. I am able bodied, I can do so much. I have no right to complain. Ever.

We are back

From Saskatchewan where we camped near Regina with Kim's parents and sister and family for a week. It was really enjoyable. Especially spending time with family. We got to visit with Kim's dad's family too, and that was nice as well.

I got in runs Monday to Friday and did strength training 4 days and yoga 3 days (should have done more, but there wasn't much grass to work with in our campsite). My eating was pretty good too. I let myself have half an ice cream from Milky Way, a wonderful place that makes their own ice cream. I gave Kim the rest of it. My water wasn't as much as I usually drink, but I tried the best I could. This was mainly because of the outhouse, lol. So I cut off my water drinking as early as I could.

It's been a good week in spite of the change in routine! We got home last night and I was wiped. I wasn't going to do anything this evening (exercise-wise) but did 20 minutes on Level 9 on a bike at the gym. Not a huge workout, but got my energy up which was needed!

Here it is

Ok, for Friday 16 July 2004 I have lost another 12 pounds making a total of 75 lbs lost since the start of January, a loss of 8.75 inches in the last 4 (just about) weeks for a total of 51.25 inches lost since the start of the year and I am pretty much a size 16! Woohoo!! Well just about anyway. My measurements are maybe an inch all around away from it. Next goal, size 14.

It's happening :)

September 2003

26 May 2004 - 50 pounds lighter than when I started in January.

16 July 2004 - 75 pounds lighter than January.

Be ready for Friday

I will be posting my latest results. One bit of good news (well for me anyway) when I was running on the treadmill this morning I was able to up the speed to 6.0 for a good minute :) Ok, may not seem like much but it makes ME happy! lol

This morning

Well I know it isn't official day, but I am down 72 lbs total. I'm averaging about 3 lbs a week, which isn't too shabby. Yes I know it will slow down, but hopefully when I am only about 10 lbs from my goal :).

Weight training

One of the most important aspects of a good workout is to weight train, especially as one gets older. It is reported that this is the most forgotten part of most women's exercise regimes.

I love weight training. I began about 11 years ago (after trying it once in a blue moon as a teenager and pre-teen) without weights. I used Tony Little's programs as suggested by a room-mate at the time. I really enjoyed the changes it made in my muscle strength and how it helped with weight loss even without actual weights.

I continued weight lifting with some light weights after we were married, for a few months, but got out of the habit and didn't pick it up again until a few years ago. I still continued using light weights but I found it wasn't making any difference for me, or at least not much to be noticeable, so I was glad to start at the gym this past January where I would have access to heavier weights and weight machines. Now I see the difference it is making and I am really pleased! My strength and shape are really improving, I have more defined muscles and I know it is helping increase my metabolism. It also feels literally wonderful! I know it helps increase my energy and improve my cardio workout as well.

There are some common myths about weight training for women and the main one is that it will increase bulk so much that she will look like a female bodybuilder. This doesn't happen! Or at least, it won't happen without some incredible time and effort and extreme weights.

There are many benefits that weightlifting can provide women (or anyone for that matter) and these are; keeps weight off, strengthen immune system, decreases body fat, benefits certain types of arthritis, decreases osteoporosis risk by increasing bone density, increases strength and endurance, increases energy, gives you a nicer body shape (sculpts your body), makes you less prone to low-back injuries, decreases your resting blood pressure, decreases your risk of developing adult onset diabetes, decreases your gastrointestinal transit time thus reducing your risk for developing colon cancer, increases your blood level of HDL cholesterol (the good type),improves your posture, lowers your resting heart rate which is a sign of a more efficient heart, improves your balance and coordination and elevates your mood.

Frankly I can't see any negatives to it! It doesn't have to be a difficult process either. You can start out with 1 lb weights and I believe you can even get half lb weights. You can adapt your workout to fit almost any body type or physical challenge. When Tony Little first started his no weight strength training program it was because he couldn't do actual weight bearing exercise due to the fact he had been in a severe car accident and was in a wheelchair for a significant period of time. So you can even start without weights by making the movements and tensing the muscles. Weight can be added as time goes on. Exercise balls are a wonderful addition to strength training as well and I am learning to make good use of them. I used to shy away from them, but I love them now! They are great for all sorts of strength and balance training, and wonderfully beneficial for the all important core training.

So it's a part of exercise I HIGHLY recommend! Have a wonderfully active day!