Yeah, I'm back.

I don't like dieting. Most exercise is torture.

So what the heck am I doing here?

Well, I'm still at the same weight and the same relative physical shape I was in the last time I was here. A year of largely ignoring this fact hasn't worked, but I gave it a damn good try. (We need a smiley of an ostrich with its head in the sand.)

So, I'm giving competitive humiliation a go. A good friend is training for a half ironman on September 14, and my best childhood friend just ran a half marathon. She who NEVER played sports or worked out. Yeesh.

How embarassing is it that a brisk 30 minute walk feels like a workout to me? Okay, I still have the lungs of a small goldfish and still battle fibromyalgia on a daily basis, but come on!!

So I am climbing the mountain. No, not literally, don't be silly. I haven't the proper shoes for mountain climbing. I am going to learn to run. I am going to find a way to make my body believe it is good for me. I am starting with a reasonable target of running 1K. That's it. And once I can do that, I am setting my sights on 5K. Maybe even "a" 5K, as in a race. But right now, I am doing the walk/run combo until it becomes a run/walk combo and then a 1K run.

Have I lost my mind? Oh, years ago! And if I don't do something, I am going to lose more and gain a few things I don't want to even consider...like diabetes and heart disease and high blood pressure. It's not about being thin and fitting some unnatural image that society says is attractive. It's about getting healthy and being around for a lot of years, and I want to see significant change before I turn the big 40 in August 2009.

And because I'm going to be a grandmother this December and I want to be around to be involved in my grandchild's life.

Welcome back Seaweed!

Welcome back. You, my friend, need to find a physical activity that you REALLY LIKE TO DO. It does not have to be aerobic, but something that you really love to do. You perform better at most physical activities when you are in better shape, so you train yourself for your new hobby. It can be ANYTHING.

I heard the singer Bette Midler on the radio last week. She hates to exercise, but spends regular time on the treadmill to keep her breathing muscles strong enough to sing in her shows. She has a dancing coach too, but that does not make her breathe hard enough to keep her lungs, diaphram, and stomach/chest muscles expanded and strong enough to belt out songs like she needs to.

I've heard similar things from people that are really into playing pool/billards, golf, horseback/motorcycle riding, gardening, etc. They all say that being in better shape makes them enjoy the activity that they love to do better. You train for what you like to do. You don't have to be an aerobic freak, bodybuilder, or anything like that.

Good to see you back on the boards. You...a GRANDMOTHER? Holy crap. This old world moves way too fast. Too fast.

Seaweed,

I have always wanted to run as well. My hubby and some friends just did 1/2 marathons and let me tell you, they had a tremendous feeling of satisfaction from it. Some are even continuing to train for a few more this summer and fall, CRAZY!!! LOL.

Having some friends doing it is a great motivator. You can do it, and let me tell you, I didn't see one 'fat' runner at the finish line. Just fat people on the sidelines, sure made me think.

Welcome back. Best of luck to you in your endeavors.

Welcome back Seaweed!! I like what CFJ said about training for what you love. This is actually what I do. When I get on the treadmill, it is because I am training for my hiking. I might not actually BE hiking, but knowing that that's the reason for it makes it sooo much easier to do! As you say, most exercise is torture, especially when we're not in shape, but there's always something that every person enjoys, you just have to find it! If it's not running, it might be canoeing or volleyball or belly-dancing. You'll find it :) Good luck and welcome back!!

Hiya Chum! Thanks! I have a lot of catching up to do with the goings on in your life over the last year. I'm so sorry to hear about your parents and everything you have been dealing with. You are one strong lady, whether you believe it or not.

Hi Fagan! I like that approach. I've never thought of it that way and that just might work to get me motivated. Yeah, me...a grandmother. My daughter is due on December 4th. She is living out in Calgary with her boyfriend, and while I hope they might come back to Ontario that's just me being selfish.

crazy, I've always avoided running because of my goldfish lungs, but I guess it's time to tackle that head on. When I saw pictures of my girlfriend running the half marathon I was dumbfounded. She never exercised ever and I thought if she could do it, then I can...wonky body be damned! I won't know if I don't try!

Thanks, Jo!

Nausicaa, our Fagan is pretty smart, isn't he? I need to figure out what it is that I really want to do and how I can exercise to make that easier. I do have something waving at me from the very back dusty corner of my mind...I'll have to see if it works out.

Turns out that my quick jaunt around the block is actually 1.5 km. That will be a handy measurement in the weeks to come. Coincidentally, a coworker asked if I would be interested in joining her in a Running Room "learn to run" clinic. She was going in tonight to get all the info so I'll find out more tomorrow. I've thought about doing that before, but I wasn't ready to commit to something. If I join, I'm going to have to show up and actually make progress...and I think I'm ready for that now.

Something else I'm ready for is the weekend!! Geesh, it's been a long week!

Happy Friday Eve!

Welcome back!

I'm running the mudrun.ca in June - wanna come with me? (your shoes will be &!#ed at the end though).. my daughter Hope is coming.. so we have an excuse to be slow! Plus, we can have that mud wrestling match we always dreamed of having.

Welcome back, Seaweed! :wave: I am so glad to "see" you again and wish you the best in your journey on that mountain!

Oh Seaweed, if you are able you should go for the RunningRoom clinic. I get their magazine and it looks really, really good. Sounds scary but exciting at the same time.

So, I went to the Running Room after work last Friday and signed up for their Learn to Run clinic. Got new running shoes (we call 'em sneakers in the Maritimes) on the weekend, and off I went to my first class on Monday night. It was a large group, 40+ people. They did a talk on how to buy running shoes (sneakers) and what they do to fit you properly. Blah, blah, blah, sales pitch...buy from us because anywhere else that sells running shoes (sneakers) are emissaries of Satan and you will rot in hell with blistered feet if you purchase your shoes from them. (I went to the Nike store and got fitted just fine, thankyouverymuch, and paid $40 less.)

Sales pitch concluded and we all headed out to the parking lot. I was expecting some kind of warm up, but the instructor announced we were heading south to the lake and back, 2km, alternating 1 minute walking, 1 minute running, blew her whistle and the pack took off. I was good for the first six minutes or so, but then my shins started to tighten and my knees started to hurt and my hips weren't long to follow. Oh, and I was fairly certain that pain in my chest was just my goldfish lungs trying to explode and not a coronary event. I knew I had to walk the rest or be in severe pain, and getting hurt isn't the purpose of this.

Here it is Thursday, three days later, and I can finally walk up stairs without wincing. I had some serious quad strain as a result of that 2km. It isn't the distance. I have several routes that I walk ranging from 1.5 km to 6km. It was being thrown into a workout without any warm up whatsoever. I have to say I was really shocked about that.

It is clear to me that I am going to have to progress slower than the clinic's schedule. I am going to attend the information sessions, but explain that I won't risk injury or a fibro flare just to try to keep up with the pack. I still want the information and still plan to get running. I just have to do it at a pace that is safe for me. And if they don't like it, screw 'em. I'm paying them.

Hi Cori and Amarantha and Crazy!

Sorry about the bad experience but good for you for standing up for yourself and listening to your body. Boy, it sure doesn't sound like a real BEGINNER class. But you'll show them how to REALLY do it.