Exercise regime ..........by Heather

You could be forgiven for thinking that I am all about diet and weight loss - certainly since Christmas that has been my sincerest wish - lose some weight, it's now almost a mantra with me. And in honesty I have had sporadic successes.

I recently went for a hospital medical check up - I have to have them at least quarterly to monitor my dodgy thyroid - and they weigh me every time. The nurse this time commented that I had lost weight - yes I agreed but secretly I was still unsatisfied - I wanted more.

However it has occurred to me of late, that I have been too focused on the weight loss - some of it has been deliberate. I haven't really felt very ready for exercise. But as of now, this feels somewhat changed.

Katy and I have long been keen to address the other issues - exercise being one keystone and overall mental well being a very close second.

I know that I have neglected both of these facets and the change in thinking is way overdue.

I mentioned my thyroid - and the effect of having a massive problem with hyperthyroidism has been the complete loss of muscle strength the disease wreaks on a body; especially eroding the thigh and upper arm muscles. The road to recovery has taken a long 18months of medication - and only now am I feeling ready to start exercising again. I tinkered with it more than 10 months ago - but it was too soon I realised. But I genuinely feel much stronger now - and ready to move the booty.

But what to do? It's not like I can just take up from where I left off 2 years ago - I have been severely punished by this disease and it isn't a simple case of strapping on the trainers and off I go!

So I have spent some time thinking about what I could do.

It's so easy to be carried away by the summer weather and light nights - something that won't last here in the UK for very much longer.

I decided not to worry too much about the weather or the light. Just enjoy the fact we have both right now - and try my hand at something, anything. But......

I don't like going to a gym

I'm not keen on swimming

I can't run.
I don't fancy any team sports
and nor do I want to join in a group of any sort - I meet enough people at work - I want my own space

I decided I wanted to do something I liked, enjoyed - rather than choosing an activity because that is what I'm supposed to do.

So I have chosen to a) cycle. I have a bicycle and I like gentle cycling - and I live in rural Leicestershire - its almost a crime not to be out and about to be honest!

b) Walking. That's gentle rambles rather than hiking or hill walking at this stage.

c) My old fave - Yoga. I bought in to the online course Yogaglo not so long ago. I have been very hit and miss with it- but this week, that is to be remedied.

This weekend I accomplished an 8mile cycle and a 3 mile ramble. I realise that's not breaking any records, but as starts go - its been lovely.

Heather's Plan Part 3.........by Heather

Ok

Part one - give up the sugar - check
Part two - reduce the carbs - check

Part three - move.

The biggest defeats for me and exercise are - a tendency to choose something to do that I don't really like, but picking it because its supposed to do me good; not maintaining doing those things I do like to do; trying to implement a plan I don't stand a hope in hell of keeping to and then giving up because I've failed.

Truth be told, I don't enjoy exercising. I don't like sweating, I don't like the pain (just the actual sensation of forcing myself to move), I don't have the inner mettle to force myself through the pain barrier and don't get anything out of pitting myself against a target - I am also right now, the weakest I have ever been in my life.

Again, the thyroid dysfunction has been to blame for robbing me of what little muscle tone I did have. As my thyroid condition worsened, I was unable to walk upstairs without holding on to the bannister rail for support; once in a squat (to pick something up from under the tv say) I couldn't actually then lever myself back up again.

Having a small holding, I'm used to lugging bales of hay around and cleaning out after livestock - at the height of my illness in 2011 I couldn't even get the horse food from the trailer in to the back of the car - the effort nearly made me pass out.

Despite the improvement to my overall health, the meds haven't miraculously improved my wasted muscle tone. The short lived efforts I have made to improve my lot have been half- hearted, because exercise has become really uncomfortable - for uncomfortable, read difficult.

I know the solution - I just don't like it. But now is the time.

In an effort however to embrace what I have learned about myself over the years, I'm not suddenly going to pretend that I am off to train for a marathon - no siree.

I have conflicting views about exercise - that what I know I should do and that what I know I am likely to do.

I know I ought to be doing some sort of weight resistance training for muscle strength and some cardio.
I don't like the sound of either.

I am working on the principle that anything I do is better than the nothing I have been doing to start with and if I can manage to make it habitual; I stand a chance of moving up a gear as the weather improves.

So - first off - daily, will be yoga. I have been doing yoga since before Christmas and it has made an amazing difference. I am getting a little stronger. I can hold poses more than a couple of seconds without my legs and arms shaking like jellies! And I am getting much better flex in my hips and shoulders.

Second - like Katy, I have secret fantasies about hula hooping like Salome - right now that's more fantastical than I'd like. This is something she and I fancy doing and we're hoping we aren't mistaken in thinking it will help tone our middles - but we shall see. That too has to be a daily occurrence.

Finally I aim to resurrect the 'Wii Shape' I bought a couple of years back. It helped me then to start a very laudable exercise campaign that was only derailed by ill health - so I don't see why, it shouldn't help me now.

I have a fight on my hands for the telly - but I am finding 3-4 times a week when the rest of the family seem to be out and about on a regular basis - which gives me a chance to reclaim the remote control and work out in private.

The other thought is that over the next couple of months, the weather and the dark nights prevent me doing anything more ambitious - but if I stick with the Wii, I stand more chance of evolving in to something more adventurous by the time that light nights arrive.

So this begins part three....

Motivation? Yes - Follow Through? Working on it

As Heather has stated, the motivation is definitely there.  It has been for over a year.  To be and feel healthier, to move with more ease and flexibility - to look and feel as young as we think we are! lol  And yet the follow through can wax and wane.  I almost feel I need a drill sergeant blowing his whistle at me when I get up in the morning.  Me, cringing, but moving and then when done, thankful I did it and the feeling of accomplishment that follows. For now I will have to blow my own whistle!

I sit here looking at my high-tech recumbent exercise bike I pushed into my dining area yesterday.  I will get on it, after I'm done here because it's taunting me.  Which is what I intended! For those of us who workout at home I am always grateful for the exercise I do manage to finish on my own, a real accomplishment if you ask me.   I find it a bit harder then when I used to walk to the gym a few years ago.  But since it's 19 degrees outside and 15 mph winds -  the comfort aspect of it, isn't lost on me! 

Motivation today is to be a better me - I look older with this extra weight, so maybe vanity has something to do with it.  Like Heather I doubt I will get on the scale anytime soon.  My clothes are my best indicator at the moment and I don't need to see what has or hasn't budged determined by standing on a scale.  I will give it some time this month to see when I notice a difference and I will celebrate it as I go.  

My meditation is equally as important as my exercise of late - and also a routine one must set aside time for.  What I do know is I DO feel the difference when I do it, and when I don't.  So it contributes to feeling better about me and as Heather and I both know - this is key in any self improvement undertaking.  

Ok bike...I know I know - time to get up off the couch and start peddling.  

Katy