Tuesday, October 29, 2013

I Will Persevere {Weekly Summary}

Weight: 222
Weekly Change: -1 (since last posted update, but have been at this weight for a few weeks now)
Overall Change: -3
Next goal weight: 220
BMI: 32.3 (obese) (using this calculator)
Waist Circumference: 40 inches
Disease Risk: Very High (according to this chart)
Jeans Size: 20
Total Workouts: 5
Total Walks: 4
Total Other Workouts: 1
Progress on Training Plan(s): Not working on any sort of training plan yet, but considering starting one for core strengthening.
Injury Report: My same stupid left big toe is causing problems again. At the base of the side where the ingrown nail was cut out, last week a bump developed, followed by redness and swelling and PAIN. Somehow the area has become infected! I just can't win with this toe. I'm treating the infection as best I can and hoping that solves the problem, because I don't really have extra time or money to waste on another visit to the podiatrist right now. So far this issue hasn't slowed me down any -- I have limped around just fine. I guess in this one sense it's fortunate that I'm not back into running yet, or else I'd be even more frustrated than I am!
Next Event Goal: Same report as last week: "None on the horizon at the moment. I'm focusing on establishing exercise as a routine, and healthier eating habits, and making fitness a priority even within my insanely busy schedule. Additionally, money is really tight right now and race fees are a luxury I can do without." Still nothing has changed since I first drafted that quote, but missing out on fall races is making me sad. I really hope to be racing this time next year!
Last Week's Goal(s): I've accomplished 2 of the 3, though one was due to changing my perspective rather than actually doing something new. I realized that coaching my kids' soccer team on Saturday mornings is actually a bit of a workout for me, so I've decided to count it as such. Of course, we have only one game left in the season, so I will soon be back to trying to motivate myself to do something active other than walk!! I did finally measure my waist, and have decided to keep doing that on a monthly basis (will aim for the 1st Friday of the month). This blog, sadly, continues to be neglected. :-(
This Week's Goals: (1) Work on more blog posts (even if they're not completed). (2) Choose a core-strengthening plan and get started. (3) Exercise self-control and embrace moderation with Halloween candy and treats this week.

Analysis: I'm going to be completely honest here -- I have not been doing well. My head is a bit of a mess. I've been full of self-doubt lately, feeling like a failure in many aspects of my life. This weekend I started to consider ending this blog and scrapping my fitness goals completely because they feel completely beyond my reach at the moment. In trying to turn my attitude back from negative to positive, I am drawing inspiration from a favorite Helen Keller quote:

"Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost."

And so I will persevere. That's all I've really got right now -- the decision to persevere. I know I need to back it up with action but for now all I've got is the decision itself. I will persevere.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Timing is Everything {Weekly Summary}

Weight: 223
Weekly Change: N/A
Overall Change: -2
Next goal weight: 220
BMI: 32.5 (obese) (using this calculator)
Waist Circumference: 40 inches, I think...still haven't measured
Disease Risk: Very High (according to this chart)
Jeans Size: 20
Total Workouts: 2
Total Walks: 2
Total Other Workouts: 0
Progress on Training Plan(s): Not working on any sort of training plan yet, but considering starting one for core strengthening.
Injury Report: No injuries or illnesses at the moment.
Next Event Goal: Same report as last week: "None on the horizon at the moment. I'm focusing on establishing exercise as a routine, and healthier eating habits, and making fitness a priority even within my insanely busy schedule. Additionally, money is really tight right now and race fees are a luxury I can do without."
Last Week's Goal(s): Once again failed at all three.
This Week's Goals: Repeating last week's goals AGAIN: (1) Do one exercise other than walking. (2) Work on more blog posts (even if they're not completed). (3) Measure my waist.

Analysis: Last week I was really off my game in a lot of ways. I was trying to start driving myself to the train instead of having my husband drop me off, but I didn't get the timing right a single time! I missed the train every day and ended up driving instead. Without that built-in exercise of the walk to my office building, I ended up having a fairly sedentary week. Thankfully I had an active weekend to help make up for it! I'm still working a lot of OT so squeezing in anything extra during the week has been an insurmountable challenge thus far. Healthy eating has been going reasonably well, but I didn't maintain it over the weekend. It can't be helped. There was cake. :) I just hope I can be active enough this week not to suffer a setback on the scale!