Treadmill

My clothes feel tighter.

I stopped walking outside in November and started rebounding inside. This has been good for the health of my lymphatic system, but I don't think it has really given the same health benefits as walking. I'm going to keep bouncing, but I've been thinking about just going back to my neighborhood walks...but then...my friend Christi said, "Have you considered a treadmill"?

Well, yes, in fact, I have. My husband has been wanting one for a long time, but I didn't want one because growing up we had one that never got used. I figured it would just be a waste of money and assumed it wouldn't actually get walked on.

So I listed my objections...my main one was "how do I research which one to get?"

She said, "Just go on Craigslist and buy something for $200 or $300, they all pretty much do the same thing."

So I did!

The first one we found only had a maximum weight of 250lbs, which wasn't going to work for my husband. And the lady sold it out from under us, which turned out to be a blessing.

The NordicTrack has a wide tread, which I was thinking would be good for my husband, giving him plenty of room (I'm finding that I like the room, too)! The model I found nearby is good up to 375lbs. I think I got a good one!

We got it into the TV room and it is HUGE! Thankfully, we found a great place for it! It now lives out of sight in the easy-to-access office!

I LOVE IT! I can set up the laptop and watch and listen to whatever I want. Though I'm missing out on some Vitamin D from walking outside, I really don't miss having to grab a coat, drive to the neighborhood where I walk, put on my headphones, etc. This is SO EASY! I also like that I can control my PACE. I'm walking faster on the treadmill and I'm going to experiment with incline. I think I can program it with incline and speed intervals, but I haven't figured that out yet.

The Gabriel Method

I did a Google search on "why can't I lose weight" or something close to that and found an article by Jon Gabriel. I then looked at his website, TheGabrielMethod.com, and I'm intrigued. Here's a man with a testimony! He lost 220lbs without traditional methods. His photos are astonishing. How can that be the same person!? I mean, it is the same person, but he is completely transformed. His story is inspiring.

This is interesting.

There is a measure of truth that resonates with me, so I think I'll read the book (I actually signed up so I can watch the videos of the book and it also gives me access to some recipes and mp3s among other helps).

I'm really enjoying watching the videos. More to come.

Two Years

Wow. TWO YEARS I've been at this. I remember my first month way back in January of 2012.

This has truly been a step-by-step process because I would not have been able to make these big changes in my life if it weren't for little steps at a time.

I am committing to 2014 being the year I lose 100 pounds.

The inside transformation I've been experiencing for two years can finally show up on the outside in 2014 as I increase my exercise and improve my nutrition.

I've been walking in the mornings for TWO YEARS.
I've been eating more fiber each day for TWO YEARS.
I've been cutting down on refined sugar for TWO YEARS.
I've been watching my portions for TWO YEARS.
I've been drinking more water for TWO YEARS.
I've been eating a salad each day for almost a YEAR AND A HALF.

I have a solid foundation to build my weight loss upon. I'm really ready to do what it is going to take to lose weight.

As I've been thinking about this, some interesting emotions have come up. I've been dealing with them as they do. One weird thing is that I feel hesitant to lose weight because I'll need to spend money on a whole new wardrobe. As FUN as that will truly be, there's also a financial component that is holding me back. I need to solve this by starting to save now for the new clothes I'll be needing. I also have some weird thoughts about being "sexy" that I need to work through. I wonder if I've used my weight to hide somehow. That's a raw thought that I'm not sure I want to really admit, but I'm willing to look at it in order to get free.

I'm excited about what's to come!

Fitness Blender Free Workout Videos

In my recent searching online for ways to "get strong", I found a site called Nerd Fitness and wanted to try the workout...but I needed to warm-up first. That's when I found this 5 minute "easy warm-up" by Fitness Blender.

I've done this before bouncing for about three days and I can tell I'm already getting better at it! The plan is to do it a few days and then do it twice for a few days (or more).

I also added a brisk one mile walk by Leslie Sansone into the mix. I was having hip issues when I did this last year, but I'm going to go easy on the side-to-side moves and see if that helps my hips not hurt.

The other day, I did a 1/2 mile walk outside my house. I'd like to be walking again, but hate driving five minutes to a sidewalk to take a walk. On the nicer days this winter/spring, I'm going to see if I can do a little outdoor walking on my busy rural road, we'll see how that goes.

I think I've underestimated what I can do physically. I haven't wanted to exert myself to the point of becoming disinterested because a workout was too hard. I've wanted to focus on the HABIT of exercising and less on the intensity. But now it is TIME to up the INTENSITY since the habit truly is in place. So I'm looking for something sustainable, a workout for right now at 225lbs that I can actually DO and not become discouraged.

Walking outside and/or inside, rebounding health bounce and more and maybe a strength workout might be the direction to take. I'm also working on upgrading the nutrition on our dinners, too.

Get Strong

I've been spending a lot of time researching workouts the past few days.

I need to do something MORE. The health bouncing is really awesome, but I need to bump it up and GET STRONG.

Options:

-go back to walking: now that it is getting lighter again earlier, that could happen. I would want to listen to some kind of "paced" workout on the iPod

-do a trampoline/rebounder workout: can't find anything I really connect with

-resistance band workout: I found a few DVDs I might try, I think I could actually DO these

-10 Minute Trainer by Tony Horton the P90X dude and do what I can
-Fitness Blender on YouTube has some workouts for free, not sure if I could even do them

Sleek Water System

This is too good!

Just an update on water...this system has become SLEEK!

It takes 12 gulps to finish a bottle of water. If I swig three mouthfuls at a time, that means I only have to "drink" four times per bottle. Each morning I put TWO BOTTLES the bathroom. With each trip to the bathroom, after washing my hands, I take three swigs. It's pretty easy to go to the bathroom a minimum of eight times per day (because I'm drinking so much water!), so there's two bottles done.
I drink TWO BOTTLES while bouncing each morning-easy-I put them on my desk and drink away while I'm rebounding. That leaves ONE BOTTLE remaining. I consume that bottle with any meal and I'm DONE!

I used to work sooooo hard at trying to get my water down, now I do it so easily without even thinking or applying myself! Yippppeeeee!

Some Things I Really Want to Do

There are some things I really want to do, but my current frame won't support such activities. It's like this photo of the gray mist blocking out the sun...I want freedom from fat so I can live life more fully.

-I want to do more difficult hikes...at this time, any hike with "ridge" in it is virtually impossible and I don't even consider putting it on the hike bucket list, but I get a natural high from being on top of a ridge or mountain and I'd like to do more of that
-When we were at the Ape Caves in 2013, there were two choices, the easy and the hard. I want to go back and do the hard-because I can.
-The Gray's Harbor lighthouse has 137 steps...I want to walk up and down with confidence and vigor when we finally visit!
-I've always wanted to try kayaking...I think I'd get STUCK in the opening, not to mention the blood circulation would probably be cut off "sitting" too long.
-I had various opportunities to ride horses when I was young, I would LOVE to ride a horse again (without causing it injury).

Mostly at the moment, my ideas of freedom revolve around being outdoors and being able to do more strenuous activities on the weekends. Recently, I've actually had the thought that I'd enjoy travelling with my family to Europe, something I would only want to do if I was thinner.

Of course, there's the everyday realities of being able to buy cute clothes (not just ones that have elastic waistbands), having more energy, LOOKING BETTER and being healthier. But what motivates me right now more than any of the things listed above, is leaving the misery of a guilty conscience and overcoming in this area! The Lord has brought me here to have me overcome and have victory and freedom-I want to cooperate!