Exercise Goals for 2009

George, glad to see you're getting stronger.


Today I ran the fastest 13.57 miles I've ever ran. Averaged 9:35/mile, which I know isn't 'super-fast' but well, like I said, it's the fastest I've ever ran so it's an accomplishment.

YTD Goal - 68.49 miles
YTD Actual - 125.85 miles
YE Pace - 1837.41 miles

Also completed my 5 week of weightlifting, strength gains are still climbing, however a little bit slower than when I started (but that's usual), I'm surely not working out any less hard.


It's time for everyone else to check in, keep yourselves honest.

Yesterday I dusted the treadmill.

Today I think I will get on it. If feel up to it, I will turn it on for a bit.

Congrats to Maporsch on his personal best. Such always deserves commemoration.

Thanks Foxy....the beauty was that this was only a training run; I'm excited to see what I'm able to do in my next race (3/21).

Thanks for (not saying) all that good advice, George.

Any time you don't need advice, just ask.
I'll be happy not to give it.

That's a serious workout, maposche! Pretty soon you're doubling for Arnie eh?

mac11, I have a question: you lost so much weight and obviously work out a
great deal. Has this had an impact on your skin being firmer after all that weight loss?

I walked yesterday up and down the hillsides here, despite the rain.
Sometimes, I like being in the rain. Today, 20 min treadmill, 20 min bike.

CJ, I have some jiggly skin in places. (My upper stomach is the worst - it looks sort of like a deflated balloon.) I don't know if my skin would be worse if I hadn't been working out. I definitely have more muscle tone under there.

I'm 49 and was sedentary and morbidly obese for over 20 years. Firm skin isn't something I'm expected to develop now. But I'm happy. I'd much rather have my jiggly places than be back where I was four years ago.

And the stats for those who are wondering: I've lost 117 pounds, and started 3 years and 9 months ago. My weight's been stable for over a year. I have 13 pounds to go to get to my goal weight which will put me at the high end of a healthy BMI for my height. (And this is my year to do it!) Eventually, I hope to get five or ten pounds below goal to not be teetering on the edge too much.

I was at the far point of my noon-time run, the stretch of Boston
Rd. in Chelmsford between Summer St. and Warren Ave. The sun was
bright and the air was still. The tracery of the tree branches
overhead was in dark contrast to the bright blue sky. Bare ruin'd
choirs where late the sweet birds sang.

In spite of the 19-degree weather, I had a good sweat going and had
settled into a steady rhythm. Somewhere in the back of my brain a
song was playing. It was "Eight Days a Week". I was trying to decide
whether to take it up notch. Nah. John, Paul, Ringo, that other
George and I cruised on back at 10-minute-mile pace. Four point three
miles.

Thanks for that answer, mac. I just was wondering as I had seen a documentary
on TV where people took the easy route to lose weight via gastric bypass.
They needed to have plastic surgery afterwards as the excess skin was just too
much.
In your case, eating sensible meals and working out, I thought it would completely eliminate excess skin. Losing 117 lb. is quite an undertaking and
you rightfully so can be proud of yourself. I am struggling with 20 lb. so I
can appreciate your tremendous effort in this. Kudos to you!

19 degrees?
I would not be caught dead out on the streets in that weather. Good for you,
George.

I haven't done anything yet, except going up to the 6th floor. It's cold and rainy
here too, 59ish or so - nothing compared to your weather. George, how far
is Needham from you? I have good friends living there!

Thanks, CJ.

I've seen some of those programs on TV too. I was really worried about that when I was starting out. I'm probably a candidate for a tummy tuck, but I doubt I'd ever take that step. If I had skin that was literally in the way, that would be one thing. But the problem areas I have are generally out of sight. The world will just have to survive occasional views of my upper arms.

Needham is a 25 mile drive from Stoneham. Like Stoneham, it's along Rt. 128,
a circumferential highway around Boston.

Let me second those kudos!

Gymmed today, bicycle (20 mins) and weights (20 mins -- chest, shoulders, row, and 3 sets of 12 ball crunches. That went fine).

Thanks soz!

Did an early morning program - 20 min bike, 10 min elliptical, 10 min weights.

Go CJane!

I gymmed yesterday but didn't note. Did intervals, ran for a total of a mile and walked for .75 (usually it's equal running and walking, cut down a few of my walking intervals and did a continuous half-mile at 6.5 mph, which was tough).

I was at the gym imagining a volcano.

The volcano is part of my psych-up routine, something I do when I want to
focus on an exercise. I stood to one side of the leg press, bouncing a little
on the balls of my feet, shaking my hands as if I were trying to rid them of
excess water. I quickly mounted the machine and got my feet into place.
Deep breaths. One to clear the mind, two to think of something powerful
about to break loose (the volcano is a favorite), three to push with all I've got.

I did a set of five at 380 and a set of five at 385.

I set it to 390 and got myself as psyched as I could. Bounce, mount, set,
breathe, PUSH! Nothing. Zero, zilch, nada. It felt like the platform had been
bolted to the floor.

We're sorry; this evening's volcanic eruption has been cancelled. Please try
again later.

Even Vesuvius had bad days.

Today's cardio (for both of us) will be snow shoveling.

I have started doing Pilates twice a week. I will continue if it doesn't kill me first. IMFG!