Early one Saturday morning, I was reading my cousin Julia's personal blog Life with Julia, and chuckling about her most recent post called Death Garden. It it, she describes how an old abandoned garden had become a meeting place for the neighborhood kids in Evanston, Illinois. (Click here to access Julia's blog at http://lifewithjulia.wordpress.com/.)
So death gardens were very much on my mind later that same Saturday morning as the smells of sweetness and baking wafted up the stairs. Curiosity got the best of me as I headed down the stairs and into our kitchen where my daughter Catherine and husband Dave had just finished frosting a pan of freshly baked, home-made cinnamon rolls. They looked and smelled absolutely delicious, but all I could blurt out was "DEATH ROLLS," and it spilled out of my mouth as the pan was set on the cooling rack, just in front of me.
All I could think about was the high carbohydrate-drenched bun, with the sweet glucose-laden frosting, and what these ingredients would do to my body! One thing was certain, after blurting out "DEATH ROLLS" there was no way I could legitimately eat one of those cinnamon rolls, no matter how sweet-smelling, or how delicious-looking! This slip-of-the-tongue provided me with a shield against a potentially harmful food.
Catherine and Dave were initially offended by my new name for their cinnamon rolls; but the dissatisfaction didn't last long! Several days later while driving around trying to find a restaurant with a great salad, I laughed out loud! Catherine had begun singing a new DEATH ROLLS song, sung to the tune of Daisy Daisy, Give Me Your Answer Do (AKA, Bicycle Built for Two). "Death rolls, death rolls, give me your answer do. I'm half crazy, all for the likes of you!" In the same week a "Death Candy" sign showed up on the side of our Halloween Candy bowl, and a skull and crossbow, entitled "Death Ice Cream" mysteriously appeared on the side of the ice cream box in the freezer. What next?
Submitted on Sunday, October 31, 2010.
P.S. Happy Birthday Dad! And Happy Halloween!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Visiting the Doctor - Exercise is My Medicine
I remember my first doctors appointment since starting Trim & Fit in April, and since starting the new exercise "five-times-a-week" routine in June. It was July 8, 2010. This day remains one of the biggest motivators for continuing exercise, and also the basis for this blog - Exercise is My Medicine.
Since my heart attack last summer, my doctor has worked with me to regulate blood pressure, blood sugar levels and cholesterol involving over 10 different types of medicines. It has been a regular medicine juggling act. Today's quarterly visit was several weeks into my new exercise routine and I suspected there were some legitimate physical changes (heck, I felt pretty good), but had no giant expectations. My doctor confirmed these changes, walking into the examination room saying "you look great, your blood pressure and blood sugars are good, and according to our records, you've also lost 8 pounds!" I told her that the biggest change was adding regular exercise to my life. This started a long discussion - and a new doctor/patient relationship - about my new exercise-full life. She reinforced that exercise had definitely impacted my health, and it showed in my bloodwork. She also suggested that we meet every one-to-two months, instead of the every-three-month appointment to which I was accustomed.
I was shocked! Still morbidly obese, how could exercise have had such a big impact on my health? By the end of the first visit, my doctor had discontinued two medications (one insulin-related medication and one blood thinner). Together we created a plan to adjust insulin down as my exercise routine continued, and as my blood sugar levels improved. (My morning glucose levels were pretty low.) The next day the nurses called with the results of additional blood work, also confirming my doctor's advice, and validating that exercise really is my medicine!
Submitted on Sunday, October 24, 2010.
P.S. Happy Birthday Mallory!
Since my heart attack last summer, my doctor has worked with me to regulate blood pressure, blood sugar levels and cholesterol involving over 10 different types of medicines. It has been a regular medicine juggling act. Today's quarterly visit was several weeks into my new exercise routine and I suspected there were some legitimate physical changes (heck, I felt pretty good), but had no giant expectations. My doctor confirmed these changes, walking into the examination room saying "you look great, your blood pressure and blood sugars are good, and according to our records, you've also lost 8 pounds!" I told her that the biggest change was adding regular exercise to my life. This started a long discussion - and a new doctor/patient relationship - about my new exercise-full life. She reinforced that exercise had definitely impacted my health, and it showed in my bloodwork. She also suggested that we meet every one-to-two months, instead of the every-three-month appointment to which I was accustomed.
I was shocked! Still morbidly obese, how could exercise have had such a big impact on my health? By the end of the first visit, my doctor had discontinued two medications (one insulin-related medication and one blood thinner). Together we created a plan to adjust insulin down as my exercise routine continued, and as my blood sugar levels improved. (My morning glucose levels were pretty low.) The next day the nurses called with the results of additional blood work, also confirming my doctor's advice, and validating that exercise really is my medicine!
Submitted on Sunday, October 24, 2010.
P.S. Happy Birthday Mallory!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Seriously! EXERCISE 4 TIMES A WEEK!
From the beginning of Trim & Fit, we were encouraged to exercise at least four times a week. This meant two additional hours of exercise in addition to the Monday and Wednesday workout classes. Because I was not a Lifepointe member, I could not take full advantage of the exercise facilities on-site. I planned to add two exercise sessions per week by walking at our family health center, or around the nearby lake, or in the neighborhood. I could also use the recumbent bike at home. Though these planned exercise efforts did not involve the same routine as Trim & Fit, they at least provided good aerobic benefit.
Monday nights the instructor evaluated our exercise diaries, leaving comments or suggestions for the upcoming week. The comments were usually gentle reminders, but the message left during the final week of Trim & Fit was different! Written in capital letters was EXERCISE 4 TIMES A WEEK!!, and then it was signed in cursive with the instructor's full name. I admit, most weeks I did not exercise four times per week, and this message guilted me - especially for not committing to myself 100%! Though improving physically and mentally, the lack of weight-loss was enough evidence that I was commitment-challenged!
Around the same time, I ran into my friend and colleague Deb, the first person to tell me about the difference Lifepointe was making in her life. She was working with a trainer and participating in regular water aerobics classes. She offered to meet me at Lifepointe one Sunday afternoon, and show me around the facilities. Since Trim & Fit takes place primarily in the gym, I had no idea of other services, the facilities, or how they could benefit me? Deb's tour was very beneficial, especially since she has similar health concerns. As we walked through the pool areas, the family rooms, the spas, the kitchens where cooking classes are taught, and the wide open exercise areas with treadmill, elyptical, nustep and weight-training machines, Deb talked about how her doctor had told her she needed to be on a different path. In this short tour, I realized that Deb had made a different sort of exercise commitment! I was in a class that met twice a week; she had made a daily commitment, was exercising at least four times per week, and was doing this for life!
Ten weeks into Trim & Fit - toward the end of class - I began wondering how to overcome my commitment-challenge? Like Deb, how could exercise become a priority? How can my health take priority? Deb messaged me one day "Make yourself a priority." The Trim & Fit instructor made a similar comment. Deep, deep in my heart, I knew this was a personal choice that only I could make, and that a long-term commitment was the only true path to health.
It didn't take me long to move from non-member to member status by joining Lifepointe. In doing this, I was agreeing to commit to four to five workout sessions each week and most importantly....committing to myself.
Post Note: I'm a reflector. It takes a long time for things to sink in. Ten weeks into the exercise class - almost at the end - only then do I start reflecting on my commitment to exercise? My hopes are that this weekly blog helps shorten the distance between reflection and action! And as I write this post, having exercised five times a week for past four months, I HAVE made a commitment to myself, and this weekly post has indeed provided time to reflect, and contributed to my success!
Submitted on Saturday, October 18, 2010.
Monday nights the instructor evaluated our exercise diaries, leaving comments or suggestions for the upcoming week. The comments were usually gentle reminders, but the message left during the final week of Trim & Fit was different! Written in capital letters was EXERCISE 4 TIMES A WEEK!!, and then it was signed in cursive with the instructor's full name. I admit, most weeks I did not exercise four times per week, and this message guilted me - especially for not committing to myself 100%! Though improving physically and mentally, the lack of weight-loss was enough evidence that I was commitment-challenged!
Around the same time, I ran into my friend and colleague Deb, the first person to tell me about the difference Lifepointe was making in her life. She was working with a trainer and participating in regular water aerobics classes. She offered to meet me at Lifepointe one Sunday afternoon, and show me around the facilities. Since Trim & Fit takes place primarily in the gym, I had no idea of other services, the facilities, or how they could benefit me? Deb's tour was very beneficial, especially since she has similar health concerns. As we walked through the pool areas, the family rooms, the spas, the kitchens where cooking classes are taught, and the wide open exercise areas with treadmill, elyptical, nustep and weight-training machines, Deb talked about how her doctor had told her she needed to be on a different path. In this short tour, I realized that Deb had made a different sort of exercise commitment! I was in a class that met twice a week; she had made a daily commitment, was exercising at least four times per week, and was doing this for life!
Ten weeks into Trim & Fit - toward the end of class - I began wondering how to overcome my commitment-challenge? Like Deb, how could exercise become a priority? How can my health take priority? Deb messaged me one day "Make yourself a priority." The Trim & Fit instructor made a similar comment. Deep, deep in my heart, I knew this was a personal choice that only I could make, and that a long-term commitment was the only true path to health.
It didn't take me long to move from non-member to member status by joining Lifepointe. In doing this, I was agreeing to commit to four to five workout sessions each week and most importantly....committing to myself.
Post Note: I'm a reflector. It takes a long time for things to sink in. Ten weeks into the exercise class - almost at the end - only then do I start reflecting on my commitment to exercise? My hopes are that this weekly blog helps shorten the distance between reflection and action! And as I write this post, having exercised five times a week for past four months, I HAVE made a commitment to myself, and this weekly post has indeed provided time to reflect, and contributed to my success!
Submitted on Saturday, October 18, 2010.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Just Like Me - The Drew Carey Story
Parade Magazine recently ran the story No More Mister Fat Guy, about the incredibly shrinking Drew Carey. Boy, I want to be like Drew! Actually, I am like Drew!
• Like Drew I am way overweight (more overweight than he was) and feel uncomfortable in my body.
• Like Drew, I got used to my gradual "bigness;" it didn't occur over night.
• Like Drew I developed Type 2 diabetes, and complications that go along with the disease.
• Like Drew, I have an active daughter who I want to keep up with. Who I want to see graduate from high school and college, and go on to have her own family.
• Like Drew, the big heart attack scare and two (instead of one) stents in my heart, were a wake-up call!
• Like Drew, my life was at a cross-roads, between health and death.
• Like Drew, I experienced exercise and healthy eating as literally "life-saving."
• Like Drew, I have come to look forward to my exercise/workouts. (I really miss them on the "off" days.)
• Like Drew, I have learned that "eating crappy food is not a reward - it's a punishment."
Of course there are differences in our experience(s). For instance, my weight loss and commitment didn't happen over night. It took me a long time to start loosing weight, and to realize that I needed to commit 100% in order to accomplish these goals. I continue to struggle with weight loss. And it took me a long time to commit to exercising more than two times a week. I also experienced considerable medical benefits early on, which thrilled me and my doctor; together we tried a lot of different remedies in the last ten years, so it was thrilling when the medical improvements started to emerge! (These medical benefits are the subject of a future blog entitled "exercise is my medicine.") And while I didn't go through a complete eating transformation - did not have a detox period, did not go cold turkey on food, did not start drinking 8 cups of water/day - I have slowly emphasized more healthy eating habits.
Personally inspiring is that Drew Carey sees "a long and healthy future" as his most profound triumph. He doesn't want to attend his own funeral at a young age. Like me, he isn't as concerned about a number on the scale or the size of his waist, or the number of fitness points on a chart, he's most concerned with his and his family's future. Just like me!
To read the article on Drew Carey click on No More Mr. Fat Guy
Submitted on Sunday, October 10, 2010.
• Like Drew I am way overweight (more overweight than he was) and feel uncomfortable in my body.
• Like Drew, I got used to my gradual "bigness;" it didn't occur over night.
• Like Drew I developed Type 2 diabetes, and complications that go along with the disease.
• Like Drew, I have an active daughter who I want to keep up with. Who I want to see graduate from high school and college, and go on to have her own family.
• Like Drew, the big heart attack scare and two (instead of one) stents in my heart, were a wake-up call!
• Like Drew, my life was at a cross-roads, between health and death.
• Like Drew, I experienced exercise and healthy eating as literally "life-saving."
• Like Drew, I have come to look forward to my exercise/workouts. (I really miss them on the "off" days.)
• Like Drew, I have learned that "eating crappy food is not a reward - it's a punishment."
Of course there are differences in our experience(s). For instance, my weight loss and commitment didn't happen over night. It took me a long time to start loosing weight, and to realize that I needed to commit 100% in order to accomplish these goals. I continue to struggle with weight loss. And it took me a long time to commit to exercising more than two times a week. I also experienced considerable medical benefits early on, which thrilled me and my doctor; together we tried a lot of different remedies in the last ten years, so it was thrilling when the medical improvements started to emerge! (These medical benefits are the subject of a future blog entitled "exercise is my medicine.") And while I didn't go through a complete eating transformation - did not have a detox period, did not go cold turkey on food, did not start drinking 8 cups of water/day - I have slowly emphasized more healthy eating habits.
Personally inspiring is that Drew Carey sees "a long and healthy future" as his most profound triumph. He doesn't want to attend his own funeral at a young age. Like me, he isn't as concerned about a number on the scale or the size of his waist, or the number of fitness points on a chart, he's most concerned with his and his family's future. Just like me!
To read the article on Drew Carey click on No More Mr. Fat Guy
Submitted on Sunday, October 10, 2010.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
My Second Exercise Challenge - Sitting Down and Standing Up
In my first blog entry, I write about this overall exercise challenge - to exercise regularly and to reflect on the personal struggles and triumphs of my exercise journey by writing. I'm "morbidly obese" and dealing with several serious health conditions simultaneously. Each weekly post reflects my experience in bringing exercise back into my life: Exercise is my friend...Make room for exercise...The language of exercise...What is a health trainer?... In today's writing I share my utter surprise....utter surprise at how my second exercise accomplishment almost passed by unnoticed!
Early on in the fitness class, I insisted on "standing only" types of exercise; any type of work on the floor was simply not possible. Though I might be able to help sit down, I would definitely need a fork-lift to get back to standing. So after two months of regular circuit training on Mondays and Wednesdays, I was not surprised when the instructor asked if I would try getting down on the ground because our group was now doing "planks." (Other class members forewarned "You will be down on the ground, and up, before you know it.") With this encouragement, I agreed to try, but only if someone would first help me down and then help me back up.
With the help, I sat down on a mat, then rolled over to my stomach, and then pushed myself up into a "plank" position. I held the "plank" for 3 seconds. Indeed, I tried it a couple of times; already having made it to the "ground," I didn't want to waste good exercise time! The instructor then helped me maneuver over to the side, gave me a hand, and "yanked" me back up to standing position, while I frantically grabbed for the nearby wall. The picture in my mind was of a fat dog trying to roll off its back - wiggling back-and-forth. It was crude, and I needed considerable assistance, but I had gotten down on the ground and stood back up!
It was the second time we tried "planks" that I actually helped myself sit down and perform a couple of feeble "planks;" then before I knew what was happening, the instructor noted "See you practically 'jumped up' from the ground on your own!" No rolling fat dog! For the past 8-9 years I avoided sitting on the ground, so this was the closest thing to a miracle for me. It may not have been pretty, but I relished in this new-found independence! Now, there's no going back. I am up and down, performing planks, stretches, cobras, push-ups from the knee, stretching to my legs, and many other types of floor exercises. Helping myself both up and down. Even now, the favorite part of my new exercise routine are the stretches on the floor after 45 minutes of grueling workout.
This was my first real exercise accomplishment! I now comprehend the wisdom of the yoga master who once said that being able to get up and down from the ground is one of the most elemental and beneficial activities for both mind and body. I feel that way about my own accomplishment of getting down on the ground and then standing up. Like the Yoga Master, for me, this accomplishment is most profound.
Submitted on Sunday, October 3, 2010.
Early on in the fitness class, I insisted on "standing only" types of exercise; any type of work on the floor was simply not possible. Though I might be able to help sit down, I would definitely need a fork-lift to get back to standing. So after two months of regular circuit training on Mondays and Wednesdays, I was not surprised when the instructor asked if I would try getting down on the ground because our group was now doing "planks." (Other class members forewarned "You will be down on the ground, and up, before you know it.") With this encouragement, I agreed to try, but only if someone would first help me down and then help me back up.
With the help, I sat down on a mat, then rolled over to my stomach, and then pushed myself up into a "plank" position. I held the "plank" for 3 seconds. Indeed, I tried it a couple of times; already having made it to the "ground," I didn't want to waste good exercise time! The instructor then helped me maneuver over to the side, gave me a hand, and "yanked" me back up to standing position, while I frantically grabbed for the nearby wall. The picture in my mind was of a fat dog trying to roll off its back - wiggling back-and-forth. It was crude, and I needed considerable assistance, but I had gotten down on the ground and stood back up!
It was the second time we tried "planks" that I actually helped myself sit down and perform a couple of feeble "planks;" then before I knew what was happening, the instructor noted "See you practically 'jumped up' from the ground on your own!" No rolling fat dog! For the past 8-9 years I avoided sitting on the ground, so this was the closest thing to a miracle for me. It may not have been pretty, but I relished in this new-found independence! Now, there's no going back. I am up and down, performing planks, stretches, cobras, push-ups from the knee, stretching to my legs, and many other types of floor exercises. Helping myself both up and down. Even now, the favorite part of my new exercise routine are the stretches on the floor after 45 minutes of grueling workout.
This was my first real exercise accomplishment! I now comprehend the wisdom of the yoga master who once said that being able to get up and down from the ground is one of the most elemental and beneficial activities for both mind and body. I feel that way about my own accomplishment of getting down on the ground and then standing up. Like the Yoga Master, for me, this accomplishment is most profound.
Submitted on Sunday, October 3, 2010.
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