Finally back on the program (at least I hope)

[osodecanela]

My alterego wideloadbear is finally up and moving again.

Several months back I started a blog in the hopes it would help me get my act together and get rid of some serious poundage that is having some really negative effects on my overall health. I also knew I needed to get my ass moving, literally, but did not yet have the willingness, ability, headspace, (fill in the excuse of your choice) to get going.

Now mind you, I'm an MD type.

You know, the person ya' go to to discuss issues around your health. I do a tremendous amount of diabetes care in my practice to boot. Do you really want to sit down and chew the fat about your diabetes with a provider who can't follow his own advice?

Well, something clicked yesterday morning, a week past my 53rd birthday. I got up, took my meds, showered, made a sensible breakfast, and before leaving for work put on a pair of track shoes. Yesterday I took a little hike at lunchtime. Not quite 2 miles in 38 minutes. Now for any of you who know something about calories burned per mile, according to my nutrition program, that was a 450 kcal burn. That should give you an idea of the weight I'm hauling.

I initially thought I would skip today and do it again tomorrow, but this morning I found myself itching for the track shoes again. Lunch today was with a detail rep, so the hike got postponed until after work, but I just got back from it. 2.1 miles in 41 minutes. Got my heart rate up to 120 just walking. 3 miles an hour is not a breathtaking speed by any stretch of the imagination, but I CAN do it, and do so without killing myself. Its not the 5 miles per hour I was doing before my haemorrhage 3 years ago (elliptical stepper and I was doing a solid hour on it 4-5 times per week), but all in all, its better than I had actually expected.

Time to head home.

My ankles are a little pissed off with me right this second, but not majorly so. I suspect I will take a break tomorrow and take a hike again during lunch on Friday.

Comments

[magebear.livejournal.com]

ellipticals killed my knees

[osodecanela.livejournal.com]

I have heard other people say the same, but for most people, though clearly not all, they work really well.

IF someone wants to run or jog and is also carrying a lot of extra weight, gthe elliptical reduces the g forces the wieght bearing joints see. Say, for sake of example, someone is carrying 100 lbs more than they are built to carry. When you run or jump your heel hits the ground with 3 g forces, so that extra 100 lbs becomes 300 extra pounds of pressure. Not a good thing for your weight bearing joints.

The elliptical mimics the movements made when walking, jogging or running, and it's weight bearing which really increases the calories burned. However, because in essence you're pedaling, there is no 'slap-down' of your foot actually hitting the ground, and therefore less pressure on the joints.

For me, it was a wonderful piece of equipment to use, that actually did not hurt my joints to use. I have heard others say their experience was different. I would imagine if the length of the stride the machine forces you into is not natural for someone, then it might not be comfortable for them to use. As a the commercials say, "Your milage may vary."

Sorry, it wasn't the right thing for you.

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. I'm not dropping a half-ton or so on these ankles/knees.

[estudioso.livejournal.com]

man, it's always hard to get started getting your excercise routine done. but onece you complete a few sessions, you really start to see results.

keep it up, doc!

[osodecanela.livejournal.com]

It's the head space I guess.

There was a time in my life, I hated missing work out time.

Getting started again feels right. And really, really positive, Temo.

[barbarian-rat.livejournal.com]

Yay! I love walkin', especially this time of year.
Keep it up Weaver.

[osodecanela.livejournal.com]

I did the walk this evening listening to Andrea Bocelli's "Sacred Arias". Yay for Ipods! It made the walk all the more pleasant.

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

Now for any of you who know something about calories burned per mile, according to my nutrition program, that was a 450 kcal burn.

(blink, blink) Last week, I did a mile in 20 mins. The treadmill said it was 150 calories. By your figures, it would have been 225 calories.

Now, I know I had to lie to the damn thing and tell it I was a "svelte" 300 pounds for it to work, but would it make that much of a difference? Or, was it just the incline angle? (Which in my case was 0.)

[osodecanela.livejournal.com]

Rule of thumb - a 150 lb person walking one mile on level ground = approx. 100 cal burned. 300 lb same distance about double.

When I fed the weight you emailed me, into my nutrition program, at that time and distance it said 213 which is fairly close to 225 by my figures. I tend to agree with the program personally.

Interesting how that calculates

[healerpatrick.livejournal.com]

It's interesting how that calculates. My walking to SSU and back covers 3.6 miles and according to my weight and height, I use 6 activity points (your points will vary). Of I do a rough calculation 6 points of food to Weight Watchers if it has no fat or dietary fiber is about 300 calories, give or take (there's a range actually).

At present weight I am 219#.

[labeartorycub.livejournal.com]

Good for you for getting out! I find myself struggling to get to the gym too and essentially just just go before I talk myself out of it.

[osodecanela.livejournal.com]

I have a tendency to overdo and I'm fighting with that right now.

When I woke up this morning, the first thought on my mind was to pack my gym bag. Well almost the first thought. My husband nuzzling the back of my neck gave me other thoughts. Shall we say, something came up?

I've hiked 4 miles in the last couple of days and after such a long period of inactivity, that's enough. I need to give my body a 24 hour break. Friday will be fine for another hike, or perhaps a gym day. Then again on Sat.

I don't want to hurt myself of discourage myself from overdoing and then being unwilling to go work out again when everything hurts. I want it to 'hurt so good', rather than overdo like the weekend warrior and then be unable to move.

Keep it Up!

[healerpatrick.livejournal.com]

You're on the right path. Keep it up. It just takes one step at a time. Read my own blog for today and you'll see how I slipped and recovered.

You'll do it! You've got it in you!