Frustratingly, my weight is not moving. My clothes are not getting any loser. I'm not feeling any healthier. I count calories, but it seems like it's in vain right now.
I've racked my brain for things that I can do that will integrate into a new, healthier lifestyle that will produce a stronger, healthier me with more stamina for the long days. I know you can't change the whole thing at once, otherwise it won't stick.
First, there is a diagnosis of what might make the most impact. As I sat back last night and thought about what was the most irritating thing, I came up with a list:
> A need to graze in the afternoon if I don't eat a pretty huge lunch of 500 calories.
> A lack of bowel movements (BM).
> Being so out of shape that it hurts to move my left knee in a lot of moves.
> Not finding food (in general) satisfying.
Of these, the ones that I want to focus on for the next phase of this is to fix the BM problem. I'm starting this with drinking an extra bottle of water a day and seeing if that doesn't move things along.
The other thing that I'm working on is the knee while getting more in shape. Hooray for a friend that is getting a cert in personal training for crippled people! (Seriously, he wants to help military vets with severe disabilities.) I told him my plan, and he volunteered to give me weekly workouts to help me develop strength in the muscles around the knee safely.
As soon as the weather is better here, I'm going to start walking again. Until then, mobility exercises are a great place to start. Not only does it keep me moving, but it helps to "oil the hinges".
This week's exercises: Toe touches and assisted lunges.
Toe touches: Place feet about 1.5 feet apart. Reach up as high as you can, stretching and aiming to separate the rib cage from the hips as much as possible. Drop arms, and reach down to the toes.
Repeat 10 - 15 times, or until it is easy to touch the floor.
Move the toes in an inch or two, then repeat until it's easy to reach the floor.
Repeat moving toes in, reaching up, and then down until your feet are touching and it's easy to touch the floor.
Assisted lunges:
We put a resistance band around the loft above my desk. Simply hang onto the handles to help assist a proper lunge.
I do 10/side each day until it is easy and comfortable. Might be there for a good long while.... >.>
