Well?

Ok, I'm still thinking about maybe re-starting the jogging thing.  I may have to think about this until after Thanksgiving. Wouldn't want to rush into anything.  There are possible complications to consider: my thighs starting a fire, my butt flopping up and down and gaining momentum until it hits me in the back of the  head (& I can't take any more head injuries), the repetitive pounding on the pavement making me shorter by wearing off my feet............you just can't rush into these things without examining the risks.

Besides, it's been raining for 2 days and today was so foggy all day that I couldn't see 50 yards in front of me. Creepy.

On a lighter note, think I'll make a black walnut pie for Thanksgiving.  It would be the same as a pecan pie, just substituting black walnuts.  Adventures in cooking!

Sheesh! It's been a looong time.

Ok, I think I'm ready to get back to my rants/chronicles/self-help posting.  This will really surprise you, but I'm still fat. Don't think I'm much fatter than in April, when I last posted, but still.....

Since I posted I've added a lot of miles, walking and riding, but didn't keep track of them.  Let's just say ....oh, how about 100.  Sound good?

I hiked in Yosemite, Sequoia, none in King's Canyon, and a bit in Bishop, CA on our trip to CA in May.  Mule Days in Bishop was a hoot. I liked seeing Yosemite but once is plenty.....way too many people.

Went trail riding in IN, PA, TN, MO, and MI.  {And don't for one single minute think that I take all these travels for granted. I count my many blessing each and every day.}

Oh, oh, oh, and participated in Coach Strong's (U of Louisville football coach) Women's Football Camp. It was 90+ degrees at the stadium.  We did  indoor things, listened to presentations, demos, and player panels until lunch, then went to the field and the indoor practice facility (the hot box, aptly named) and the weight room (torture. Coach Kenny Carter asked me why I was laughing and not doing my pushups...I said that I don't speak Englich and tried to look confused...he yelled, "You don't have to speak English to do pushups. Get going!)  All in fun.  VERY tiring day. I'm too old and fat.  But it was great  fun.

So, I'm sorta getting the urge to start jogging again.  Yeah, and without something chasing me.  Now, I haven't started yet, but am thinking about it. That's the first step, right? (no pun intended).

I'll think on it some more. Wouldn't want to rush into anything.

I've been neglecting my blog...

Whew' It's been a while.  For one thing, the weather is improving, so I'm not in the house as much anymore. For another, not only have I not lost any weight, I've gained back the 4 lbs I had lost!! Another pound up and I'll be at my all-time high, which is nothing to celebrate. Another fat summer.

But I'm back to exercising.  A bit.  One reason is that I can see our hiking trip in California on the horizon and I'd best get back into hiking shape.  Probably going to have some snow and other winter complications, so might not get in as much hiking as we (translate: my husband) think.

So, I'll try to do better with my blog. I saw a friend the other day who is having a few personal (marriage) problems as well as a very busy time at work. She looked even thinner than usual. I said, "Gee, you're getting even skinnier."   Let's just be clear that calling someone skinny is a compliment.  She said, as she always does, "Oh no, I'm not. I'm FAT."  Now come on.  Makes me want to  her force-feed her some Twinkies. Honestly, she weighs about 105 lbs. Now in what world is that considered "fat?"  Maybe Ethiopia.

Anyway, there are some things driving me nuts, even besides my fatness. And by the way, if that friend mentioned above IS fat, then what in the world does that make me? Elephantine?  Ok, back to crazy: my family, my horses (who are trying their best to find a place to die. an inconvenient place to commit suicide, actually), our farm, gas/diesel prices, my occasional work, and, well, everything, just about. I'm trying to find a mule to buy and not having much luck.

So, enough whining. I'll take a deep breath and count my blessings.  And have some wine.  That might help, too.

1417 miles to Moab.  Hey, I might make a big push and get under 1400 miles!  Should I count my riding miles? Have to think about that.

It's been a difficult week here.  First, a friend  retired, someone my husband sees most days at work, likes immensely, respects, and relies on at work.  My husband has been "down" or depressed about 5 days in his entire life, but he's pretty down about this. The good news is that the friend is going to through-hike the Appalachian Trail, and dear husband hopes to meet up with him and hike a section.

Second, a friend of ours who occasionally camps/rides with us passed away on Sunday, VERY suddenly, at age 65, so the week has been full of worrying about his wife, taking food to the family, copying and delivering pictures of past rides, and passing the news to other horse-friends. Today is visitation, with the funeral tomorrow.

I did manage to walk/jog 2 miles on the treadmill Monday (not nearly as enjoyable when you have to keep your shirt on....our son was in and out of the house, darn it), then yesterday I hiked the Heritage Trail (mostly paved, with a fairly steep and long uphill) in the sunshine with my trusty traildog, Sigmund. It was nice to have a sunny day with temps in the low 50s.

My husband has now lost about 16 lbs on that nasty Nutrisystem diet, and I'm holding at 4 lbs lost on my diet/exercise plan. What is that definition of insanity?....doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?  That's me: sticking to my food plan, even tho it obviously is NOT working.  Actually, it's a bit ambitious to call it a "plan."

1435 miles to Moab.

Ode to my thighs...

Today two dear friends came to town to do a hike/walk with me.  We had planned to do a 5K in Louisville but when we found out that usually thousands, actually THOUSANDS of people participate in this particular 5K, we decided to do our own private 5K.

So we met here at my house. The weather forecast was for a cloudy morning, then sunshine, with temps climbing to 50.  Well.......not exactly. It was a cold, windy, gray 36 all dang day.  But we persevered.

We hiked a paved trail, thru the edge of town, up a pretty steep  hill, around a former state hospital grounds, then back down.  All in all, I think 4 miles.

And good grief!  Going up that hill, my big ole thighs just powered along.  Absolutely NO problem.  Now, while I curse them (and my big butt) frequently, and could just die when I see myself in a photo, those big ole thighs have some serious muscle in them.  Covered with some serious fat, but still, serious muscle. I'm grateful (well, I'm trying to be grateful) for them, and vow to try to not be so mean/mad/hateful toward them.....like fantasizing about taking a really sharp big knife and slicing some of them off, or maybe a medical grade chain saw......uh oh, I may have said too much. 

Anyway, I'm going to try.  As my gynecologist (about a size 3) said at my appointment Friday, "There are all kinds of fitness; you're very fit."  The unspoken part of that was, ".....but fat."  Like it's a news flash.

So.......1440 miles to Moab.

AHA! An answer

I've GOT it!!  Just did 2 miles on the treadmill, and loved it.  I've found the answer.

Please note: if you are a squeamish person, or have just had lunch, or are skinny, do NOT read on........

I walked on the treadmill for 2 miles at a #2 incline.....TOPLESS!  Yes!  Well, I had my sports bra on so my boobs wouldn't bounce. No one was home (finally, alone in the house).  Turned up the iPod, took off my shirt, and flung it.

Had the blinds up halfway, so I don't think anyone could see me from the road.  I'd better not see any videos of a fat girl on a treadmill without a shirt.  It was fun, and freeing. I've seen commercials of The Biggest Losers and those brave people who weigh way more than I do (at least this month, so far, unless I visit the Peep aisle more than I should....fingers crossed) always have their shirts off.  On National Television!  By the way, I'm sticking with my opinion that some of them actually drop dead on those treadmills and are dragged off out of camera view.

Anyway, I feel so much better.  However, I can't take my pants off and walk/jog....my thighs would rub together and maybe start a fire.

How's it going, Peeps?

I just do NOT know why I canNOT get back into exercising. I enjoy it (well, for the most part).  Why can I not get back on that treadmill?  Every single darn day this week I've gotten out of bed with every intention of getting back to it. Sure, the weather's been cold, &/or rainy, and mostly dark grey, cloudy skies, but for crying out loud. I need to get off my fat ass and get going.

So far I've lost 4 lbs since .....hmmm, might as well say January 1st, altho I don't think I started then.  Geez. Be careful driving past my house; you might slip on all my melted fat on the road.

And now, I've discovered something both wonderful and heinous......chocolate dipped Peeps.  I'm not even going to wax eloquent about them. Suffice it to say, they're delicious.  For those of us for whom sugar is not only a food group, it's the mother lode of all food groups, Peeps are manna from heaven.  Thank the Lord they only come 3 to a package.

And no, I did not eat all 4 boxes of Girl Scout cookies. I gave several to my son.  Speaking of him: today is his birthday. I bought the cutest TINY cake for the 3 of us here at home.   Progress?  *shrug*

My apologies to those of you who thought this would be an uplifting, success story of a blog, where the fat just melts off and I become addicted to running marathons and wear a size 2 and am named  athlete of the year by Sports Illustrated, where I say things like, "It's not a diet; diets don't work. I've come to realize it's a lifestyle change."  Where I SEE THE LIGHT.

Well, I do see the light, but I'm afraid it's still the refrigerator light. 

But I'll keep trying.  Tomorrow: the treadmill.