Skip to main content

Day 2: "Crazy Train"

So, I woke up in the middle of the night last night and thought, "Oh, no! I forgot to put "Crazy Train" on my play list in yesterday's blog!  lol

I often wake up in the middle of the night.  It is actually a good thing. I am committed to my new blog!

But the unfortunate thing about the word "train" is that there was a disastrous train wreck last night in Philadelphia. An Amtrak train went off the tracks.  Many people injured. Last I heard there were 5 fatalities. Praying for the victims!

Ironically, May 16 is Train Day in Salem, Oregon.  I have been riding Amtrak to and from Portland, Oregon for over a year now.  Honestly, this has been a wonderful experience for me.  Usually I am on an Amtrak bus. The drivers all know me, at least by face and are very friendly and efficient. Most of the buses have free Wi-fi and are super comfortable. I do some of my best thinking, praying and napping on the Amtrak bus!

But back to me. :)  I stepped on the scale this morning and was pleased. My goal is to be under 200 pounds by June 1st. My long term goal (besides running the marathon!) is 150 pounds. I don't have a hard date for that. I'm more focused on the present. The moment. The journey. For really, that is all we have, right?

So here is a pic of my weight loss on a hand graph! I have been using "Weightcommander" for years.  I love the visual.  But for several years I avoided it because the dang graph was not going in the direction I wanted it to!

But you can sign up for this. I believe it is still free.  And the owner sends daily healthy snack ideas.  His name is Michael Marder.  You can find weightcommander at: http://www.weightcommander.com/.

Here is a copy of my chart.

Today I am heading down to Salem on the Amtrak bus.  I have piano students and a bible study every Wednesday.  Because of the bus schedule, I usually arrive a couple hours early. So I am proud to say that I have been going to PhysiQ gym every Wednesday!  It's only $10 a month. Well worth it. My old self would have used the time for a leisurely lunch. But my new self is trying to substitute healthy obsessions with unhealthy obsessions!

At PhysiQ, there is this really cool "back room" I recently discovered. It has a big screen. They keep it dark.  There are treadmills, stationary bikes and elipticals.  And they play full length movies! Last week, for the first time in my life.....

drum roll!

I did ONE HOUR on the treadmill! Hey, they were showing a movie with Ashton Kutcher. I have a bit of a middle aged lady crush on him! It was "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas" staring Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz.

This is big for me. Really big.  I usually get bored with repetitive exercise. 20 minutes on the treadmill was my lifetime record before last week!

So I am inspired. I can change! I will change! I am changing!

Today I plan on another long treadmills session, but I might not make 60 minutes today. Pretty busy day. But I plan on at least 20 min treadmill. Today is chest and triceps day with weights. (I follow the back/biceps, chest/triceps workout). I'll also do crunches.

I will give you a report tomorrow.

Happy Wednesday! ;)

Zita

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Year Four, Day 328: Success at Last!! This is What I Do

Hello My Long Lost Friends! Or, perhaps it was I who was lost? And now I think I am beginning to find myself!  Under layers of fat, and self loathing!  How's that for an opening line!  Or perhaps the title of a novel:  Layers of Fat and Self-Loathing! Today I stepped on the scale.  I am weighing myself every morning these days. I was shocked! I told my partner the scale must be broken!  Yesterday I weight 186. Today 185! I have been on a strict intermittent fast for the past 10 weeks. I have officially lost 12 pounds!  And the best news is I think I not only can stick to this way of eating, I am actually beginning to really enjoy it!  And look how far I've come! I've been writing since May 12, 2015.  Over 8 years now!  I know this blog post says Year Four, Day 328, but there have been many pauses in blogging. For instance, when I am not pleased with progress or simply have no words! I was 53 when I first began blogging. I am now 61. I honestly feel better than I did 8 years

Year Four, Day 335: "Crisis Fatigue"

Hello Friends! I have missed you! I have been so utterly exhausted and downright depressed, that I couldn't summon enough energy to even lift my fingers to this computer keyboard to write.  Apparently there is a mental disorder for people going through crises.  Crises such as pandemics, systemic racism, political division, unemployment, police brutality, civil unrest.... It's called "crisis fatigue". When humans are presented with a threat, adrenaline is released to give us quick energy. This is called the "fight or flight syndrome". But when threats are overwhelming, and perceivably continuous, like this year, it overwhelms the system. People can feel numb, depressed, anxious and irritable. Yup. That's me.  I guess I'm quite normal after all! I found an interesting article that describes crisis fatigue, especially in relation to current events.  But it doesn't really address how to take care of ourselves during these unsettling times!

Year Four, Day 247: What Happened in Vegas...

  Expectations can be brutal. Especially when reality dashes them against the rocky shores of our souls. How's that for an opening line? I was so excited about my recent trip to Las Vegas.  I haven't travelled anywhere in so long. I do believe I have been bit by the travel bug.  I want the freedom to go places I have never been, see things I have never seen and experience life as a stellar adventure! My kids are young adults with families of their own.  I have my role as Zma, as Teacher Zita. But I am on a quest to find Zita. She's hidden someone deep inside. Covered in layers. Like an onion. I like the onion analogy. Notice the outermost layer of an onion - dry  and papery. As you peel off layers, the inside is juicy and sweet. I have paid my dues of sacrifice, shame and self deprivation.  What I want now is to embrace the life I have remaining. Have you seen the life pie chart? I don't know where I read this, but it stuck with me.  Draw a circle.  And then divide it i