New year's resolutions (2012)

[karen z]

Hi Alice,
What a great picture ! ! !
No, you are right on time. Welcome aboard!!!!
karen

[sassy]

OK--looks like we need to make a pact. Can we help each other along this road with a reunion of our "lesser" selves next year?

I can't seem to make any headway alone!

[alicem]

Thanks Karen!

Yes, Rhonda, I think a pact will definitely help me. For me, I need to just get moving - something like 30 minutes a day or 3 - 4 times a week, an hour each day. My daughter - granted she is is 26, lost 30 pounds in 6 months last year just by walking an hour a day.

I plan on looking at it 5 pounds at a time. Much more doable that way!

~alice

[karen z]

Rhonda,
I think your idea is very good. I too am struggling. I think part of my problem (o.k., I am just saying part) is that I am recovering from a nightmare of a cold (extremely congested, coughing badly- especially in cold air, etc.) but I realize that my resolution is going to be difficult for me (yet I feel I must be determined and not give up now). I think a bigger problem in my case is that I need to lose weight and have been depressed lately and these two factors are making each other worse. I will definitely sign a pact with you (and others) to meet next year with our "lesser" selves. Let me know if you want/need other subgoals along the way as I will now sign anything put in front of me. My daughter's volleyball coach is willing to meet with me next week to try and figure out a regimen that will help. I have told her "yes.......please".
Know that I am there with you.
K

[karen z]

Alice and Rhonda
I think a definite goal per week is good. A while back (not that long ago) I simply tried to increase my steps per day (wore a pedometer for a couple of months non stop) and it was remarkable. The weight did come off. When I quit wearing the pedometer each and every day (and having specific goals with that) I promptly put the weight back on. So, I KNOW that moving works. o.k., I am going to think about what my weekly walking goal will be to start and get back to you guys tomorrow. o.k., three in the pact so far and we definitely need to meet up.

[sassy]

I was doing well and had lost some weight last spring, then had a bad case of bronchitis early summer that literally took the wind out of me. Then started exemestane and had the hip issue, so I kept going down hill. Now I'm back at my heaviest weight (haven't surpassed it yet!) and just walking up the stairs gets me winded.

The hip issue is mostly resolved so I have no good excuse! (Notice I say "good". I can always seem to find an excuse!)

Help me with a goal/daily or weekly workout. We have a treadmill-outside walking isn't always possible for me here now. I need to be accountable to someone. I'll sign a pledge too!

[karen z]

Rhonda,
I, too, am at my heaviest weight ever (and haven't surpassed) so we are in the same boat- but we have oars !! o.k., still thinking about subgoals (like Alice's idea of focusing on 5 pounds at a time). As I continue to think (sorry to be slow- need to get both of my syllabi done by tomorrow) I wanted to send along the info below about what I believe may be one of the greatest pedometers I have seen. It is easy to "set up" (has gotten near ceiling ratings from thousands of users), records all steps (as well as brisk steps), and resets at midnight. It also "stores" the last 7 days of information in case you forgot to chart your progress the day or two before. I bought mine at REI but it can be purchased through Amazon (in either case a little less than $20):
Omron HJ-112 Digital Pocket Pedometer
by Omron
4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3,431 customer reviews) |

[karen z]

Hi Rhonda and Alice,
From things I have been reading I think Alice's comments about just starting to move are "right on" but the "specifics" of an exact plan may vary among the three of us (we are unlikely starting at the exact same place and have different aches/pains perhaps). But, all programs I am looking at from Mayo/NIH, etc. stress just starting to move and working one's way up gradually. So, for example, one of us (I am thinking me) might have this schedule the first four weeks (starting this week):
Week 1 (4 days/30 minutes each day- note this could be 15 min plus 15 minutes according to everything I am reading- in other words- we must just do what we can do each time).
Week 2 (4 days/35 minutes each day)
Week 3 (5 days/40 minutes each day)
Week 4 (5 days/45 minutes each day).
Note that for this plan these times would be the minimum times you might "pledge" and you could always do more if you felt like it and felt able.
I think it would be good if we start this week and report back to each other on our progress re "is this doable" for us (and what we need to adjust). For example, perhaps the first week my back starts killing me at 20 minutes. If so, I might move to a similar plan but with 20, 25, 30, 35 minutes a session). I don't think we can set the first week in "stone" as we may be able to do less or more than we are now believe. But I think there might be benefit to laying out a four week plan, adjusting, and reporting back to each other weekly on whether we are moving (and, of course, signing a pledge after week 1- I will send private messages about how we might do that). I think my ultimate goal would be to be walking 5 hours a week. That is what I aspire to if possible. At some point, perhaps fairly soon, I would also like to begin to do at least some exercises for my arms/perhaps other areas that are not "attacked" as much by walking. But other than my arms to start and maybe some simple stretching and flexibility exercises, I am going to start with the walking program. I hope this helps. Please let me know (here or in pm) what you think!! I think we can do this!!!!!!!!!!!

[karen z]

Oh boy, that last post was long.
One more thing.
Everyone: Please wish us luck. We need to do this.

[sassy]

I'm all in. Time for change.

I know Alice is probably farther along this road--her biking stands her in good stead.

Everybody wish us luck-----

AND HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE!!!!!

[karen z]

Anyone who has starting a fitness program as a resolution should check out Harrie's new thread called the "single best thing to do for your health". You will see a very informative (and cute) video there. karen