Monday, August 1, 2011

Can I Get Fit NOW?

I have had repeated false starts in the last few years... in 2010 I actually did okay—lost almost 40 pounds, but I am back up there... it's all back... and maybe a little extra...

So this month I have a couple things happening. Through work, there is a Weight Watcher formal group firing up in my building at SOME point this month... it is a 12 week session that the University subsidizes, so it is only $60 to ME for 12 weeks—heck, I oughta save THAT in food! (though fruits and veggies are a little expensive)... and then... now this was in 2009... a friend of mine, Kara, is an acupuncture/acupressurist and I did a session by phone with her that was pretty groovy... recently I did a survey with her and to thank those of us who did it, I get a free group session: Acupressure to deal with food cravings...

So with THOSE two things lined up in August, I decided to assess what ELSE I could be doing differently. I love starting at the first of the month because... you know... I'm wacky that way... So TODAY, I've decided to amp my exercise.

It's been a couple months since my power sessions fell off. I walk to and from work, but I USED to additionally do more serious stuff a couple days a week... with my writing stuff, I've been bad about getting to sleep on time, and so getting up early got harder... and so those power things went bye-bye...

4:50, IS, after all, FREAKING EARLY.

And look at the fun toys on the wall *shifty*
I've decided INSTEAD of Tuesday and Thursday super early, that what I want is every day a LITTLE early. I will get up at 5:30 every day. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I will do some strengthening stuff... weights, core, all that... and then Tuesday and Thursday I will power up the aerobic stuff—30 minutes at a pretty intense pace—probably on the elliptical at first, but I am thinking I might want to jog, come fall...

I know I need to strengthen my core, and I know I need to jump start this stuff, and I really know I am unhappy this size, so here I go...


In Other News

I think I had the PERFECT day yesterday... My FABULOUS neighbor was gone, so I went to her pool with a few pages from a chapter that needed serious rewriting, and I WROTE in the sun... 3 hours, 2000 words, 4 'swims'... It's possible there was a cocktail or two... I would love to have a lot of those days, though my legs are sunburned... But it is a small price...

It's a good thing I was productive, as the rest of the weekend seemed much less so.

Anybody else thinking it's time to lighten up? Get fit? Rewrite a book?

31 comments:

Crystal Pistol said...

I wish my thighs were sunburned. I have the worst farmer tan ever.

Getting back into shape is rough. Good luck! You look great! :)

Jessica Bell said...

Haha, you know I do! Plus I've just started a new project so I'm excited. By the end of the year I'll be thin and fit and have a third novel written ... yeah, right ... ;o)

CA Heaven said...

Bought a new pair of sneakers on Saturday. Big plans for how I'm gonna use them. We will see >:)

Cold As Heaven

Old Kitty said...

Yay for most NAKED things hanging on your wall!! Ahem!!!

Good luck with your keep fit regime!! I think I lost a few pounds just reading what you plan to do! Yikes!! Good luck with it!! Go for it!

And yay for absent neighbours with swimming pools!!!!!

Take care
x

Shelly said...

Good for you about getting fit! You've got a great plan in place and I know yu will work hard at it. I've lost a lot of weight myself and have become a fitness junkie, but the hardest step for me was the first one, in getting started, which you've already done. :)

Sue said...

I'm working on 2 minutes 3 times per day for exercise. Don't laugh!! It's achievable, and I've managed a whole week so far :)

Al said...

Early stages of rewriting now.

Tripping Tipsy said...

Yeah my ass has expanded to point where people are asking me if I've had council approval for my expansion. As I'm going to be a bridesmaid in April I need to get started on my "down-sizing" mission, but somehow it always seems to be tomorrow, and tomorrow never comes! xoxo

Hart Johnson said...

Crystal- I often have a farmer's tan, too--I get most of my sun walking, though this summer, that is mostly in work clothes rather than shorts... not now, though!

Jessica-YAY for goals! Even delusional ones help!

CaH-new shoes totally help!

Jenny-Oh, if ONLY it was as easy as reading about it! (though I'd probably still fail--writing about it on the other hand...)

Shelly-I DID know that and I am so impressed! Send some of that mojo this way!

Sue-baby steps totally help... erm... if you remember to do them!

Al-good luck! Seems like tons of us are rewriting at the mo...

Krystal- I hear you! Totally in for some immoral support!

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

Best of luck, Hart.
I'e lost 20# but the firming up has been a real challenge. I've got to get serious about the exercise.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I'm trying to exercise. Bleh! And I'm rewriting a book, too (double-bleh!) :)

Congrats on your progress over the weekend and for your relaxing day! That's awesome.

Anonymous said...

Ohhhh...writing by the pool. Sounds FANTASTIC! :)
I've started sitting on my exercise ball at my desk to help my core. Sure does feel good!!!!

Keep at it. Woot!!

Johanna Garth said...

I have so many friends that have had amazing success with weight watchers. I'll bet you are will reach your target goal in no time (well, a few months) but I think their mantra is slow and steady. Also the walking is key! I walk my kids to and from school every day and this summer I've put on a few lbs which I'm attributing to my lack of walking.

VR Barkowski said...

The problem with "programs" is I always go off them, that's why I only take on things I know I can do forever. This may also explain why I've made little to no progress in the fit department. I did cut 17k off an overly long manuscript last week. That's sort of lightening up. :)

Carol Kilgore said...

Good for you. I should try the same approach. Notice 'should'.

Hart Johnson said...

Thank you, Mary! And very good for you on the lost 20!

Elizabeth-good to know I'm in good company!

Lynn-I keep worried I will fall off and crack my head--I am known to have tunnel vision at my computer and think I don't have adequate leg space for balance...

Johanna-well- I have a fair ways to go... but I hope at LEAST by book release next year! (10 months)

VR-Weight Watchers is actually fairly maintainable--I've kept weight off with it for a couple years before. It is always a BIG change that adds it back on--new job, move, babies... but getting going is rough.

Carol-works best when you are ready. I know I wasn't until recently.

Creepy Query Girl said...

oh, that writing time sounds like heaven! The excersice?- not so much. LOL. I'm resolved to start doing menu planning again. I want to take sugar out of my diet with the exception of fruit. One apple, banana, and one carrot a day (good for the skin) and 2 cups geen tea in place of coffee. Other than that, I'm gonna start buying whole wheat produce again and lay off the potatoes. My hubby is not looking forward to these changes.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Twelve weeks - stick with it, Hart! Veggies are your friend. Although I can attest, eating healthy is not cheap. (I've been vegan for 15 years and my soy products are the most expensive thing we buy.)

Deb and Barbara said...

5:30am???! Nah, couldn't do it. But have utter respect for you and your commitment. Good luck!!!! As for myself, been trying a re-write. And it feels gooooooood.
B

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I can't write in the direct sunlight. It gives me a headache. I need shade. Best of luck to you on your weight loss goals. I too could use some thinning up.

Terry Odell said...

My exercise vehicle of choice is my recumbent bike. I keep a book in the basket, and the only time I am allowed to read it is when I'm pedaling. Good books get me downstairs most mornings.

I also had some back issues, and my physical therapist is giving me core-strengthening exercises. I'm sitting at my computer on a big red ball at the moment!

Terry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist--of Mystery

Hart Johnson said...

Katie-yeah, I only have limited control on the menu thing--only a cook half the days, but I will try! (and it is the other meals that are worse anyway)

Thanks, Diane! I'd have trouble with vegan... I could probably be a vegetarian, though, if I traded in my husband.

Barbara-it just is easier for me to exercise early than late... YAY for rewrites!

Michael-I had sunglasses. Would that help? I can't do the computer, but I write long-hand, mostly.

Terry-a good strategy, though I don't like bikes. A treadmill i could read on... maybe I should look into a book holder for the eliptical...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

4:50 is way too early! But you can do it, Hart. And congratulations on getting so much writing done this weekend.

RaShelle Workman said...

I'm done with revising CONNECTED, so I'm on to book 2. I keep wondering shoud I write book 2? I want to, but what if book 1 doesn't sell. It will. I BELIEVE. LOL. I think I question because I WANT to move on.

Congrats on your goals and good luck!

Helena said...

5:30 is "a little" early? Gad, I am so not an early riser! You've got so much discipline when it comes to your writing, Hart, I know you'll do great at exercising too. Trouble is, if you're like me you sit at your job and then sit when you write, and that's tough to get around.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

The AC in my apartment being broken for the past 6 wks with temps up to 110 degree has helped me lose a pound or two.

Alas, wrestling with editing doesn't consume calorie one!

You can do this excercise and diet discipline. You have intelligence and will. I believe in you.

Tripping Tipsy wrote me that you recommended my blog. Thank you so much. Due to the heat and me collapsing with it last week, I don't get over to my friends as much as I want, Roland

Hart Johnson said...

Alex-it IS too early! I'd prefer to never see it again!

RaShelle-write it! You may find you want to revise the first... I should probably bite my tongue...

Helena-thanks so much!

Roland-Krystal is one of my long-time writing buddies, but new to blogging, so I'm glad she found you!

Arlee Bird said...

There are so many things I need to do, so I really need to get busy. Weightwise I haven't lost any, but I never seem to gain any either so that's good. But I'd like to lose 20 to 40 lbs. and cutting out fast food is the main thing I need to do.

Good luck with your program!


Lee
Tossing It Out

Will Burke said...

I finally got the fire under my ass to Blog again -- does that count?

Raquel Byrnes said...

Kudos for doing the health thing. Its so hard for me to even consider giving up my coffee and chocolate...hmmm. You have inspired me. :)
Edge of Your Seat Romance

Tonja said...

Yes, I'm at my full term pregnant weight - and not pregnant. Rewriting a novel sounds perfect.

Good luck!