Runnin' down a dream

[yendi]

So one of the things I've started doing is running.

Like, actual running.

I started it as a part of my gym routine. I'd go to the gym, do a bunch of weights, then spend some time on the treadmill as well as doing some light rowing, since cardio is my bigger gym priority.

Since I go to the gym every other day or so, a couple of weeks, I got one of those stupid ideas. I woke up an hour early -- yes, before dawn, even at this time of the year -- and went for a run. I made it about 3/4 of a mile, since jogging in the real world involves things like uneven paths and the like, which mean it's harder (and a better workout) than using the treadmill.

I'm now up to a little over a mile (although I haven't done an outside jog since Saturday; Sunday and today were gym days, and I took Monday off from exercise for the first time in a while, although I did walk about two miles to the CVS). I'm also obsessively using Runkeeper for both my running and walking (I'm there as Yendi, but you do NOT want to friend me there; I post every walk I do, including the 1/2 mile ones to and from the bus, and it's thus very cluttered).

Incidentally, when I used the heart-rate monitor built into the treadmill this morning after a five-minute run, I was nowhere near the 80% mark I'd been reaching in previous weeks. Sill over 65%, but I'm clearly getting more conditioned.

In more general news (also known as burying the lede), I had my two-month appointment with my doctor yesterday. I got phlebotomized, but don't know the results yet. That said, I can report that my weight is down to 190 pounds.

The last time I was at 190, I was 27 years old. That's twelve years ago, for those keeping score at home. The last time before that was when I was in high school. I was at 218 when I was diagnosed in early April, and 206 on May 5. That's 28 pounds lost since the diagnosis.

My strategy hasn't changes tremendously since I last posted about this. I'm tracking what I eat (still using the Livestrong app). I've upped my walking tremendously, too; aside from the 1.5 miles going to and from the bus each day, I've regularly been getting off the bus at Waltham Center and walking to work, another 1.5-1.9 miles (depending on what route I take), and occasionally doing the route in reverse, too. Between walking and running, I did over six miles one day last week, and break four on most days.

I've also done a good job of avoiding sweets and simple carbs. Yeah, I know that there's the mantra that "diabetics can eat anything, and portion control is what matters." If that works for you, great. Other than a forkful of dessert on three occasions, I've avoided overtly sugared things almost completely (although I did enjoy Finale's lovely sugar-free chocolate mousse). Likewise, any bread without a decent amount of fibre and whole grain flower is off limits, and I stick to brown rice (in small portions). The few noodles are eat are whole grain ones in some quick frozen meals (the Heathy Choice Cafe Steamer Grilled Chicken Marinara is one of my favorite lunches to bring in to work).

Wonderful snacks that have helped me stay sane include string cheese, Jello sugar-free pudding cups, greek yogurt, those bagged salad prep kits (without dressing, they're about 100 calories and insanely filling), caffeine-free Diet Coke, and the combo of Wasa wafers and those Kraft/Cracker Barrel 80-calorie cheese rectangles.

Enough health rambling. Back to work.

Comments

[ultra-lilac.livejournal.com]

Well done! Jello sugar-free pudding cups and low-fat babybell are my two lifesaver snacks too.

[yendi]

I've actually considered the babybells, too, but I keep opting for the string cheese. Either way, they're small and filling little bursts of protein.

That's really awesome!

[avivasedai.livejournal.com]

I hate running. My personal philosophy is that if there's a situation in which I would need to run away from someone, I'd rather keep my lung capacity and use my energy to kick that person. Of course, this ignores certain realities, but hey, it's actually just an excuse not to run. I'm proud of you for taking that on.

Congrats on the weight loss, and more importantly, the new lifestyle. I hope you continue to enjoy it and see positive results.

Re: That's really awesome!

[yendi]

I used to hate running, which is part of why I decided to do it. I wanted to feel that I'd accomplished something, and hitting the treadmill was the best way. That said, no way could I do it without earphones and podcasts.

And thanks for the nice words!

[taraljc.livejournal.com]

GO YOU!!!!!

[yendi]

:-) Thanks!

[greylistening.livejournal.com]

D00d!!!! Fantastic. Hearing about this is inspiring.

[yendi]

Thanks -- happy to inspire. :-)

[jeff-morris.livejournal.com]

Let me start by saying I hate you very very much. :)

My current GOAL is to make it around 218 by year's end. I hit 234 today--I've already had to buy new clothes because the old ones no longer fit. That is to say, they kind of just hang on me. In terms of pants, barely; I've been terrified at the airport that I take my belt off and it's Moon Over Omaha time.

Beyond that, we're very much in agreement on things. I have had a few bites of things here and there, and a cup of ice cream here and there (it's St. Louis, it's hotter than hell and muggier than words can express), but generally I'm staying away from potatoes, white rice, cookies, etc.

I'm using the treadmill, stationary bike and more and more the elliptical 5 days a week, 25 minutes a session. I refuse to run on the general principle that I don't need to cause traffic accidents by people laughing so hard at me that they lose control of their cars. I've also been looking askance at yoga.

The fact that my numbers were astronomically better on my three-month checkup gives me hope that I can keep this up. The fact that my wife told me about a guy who took off his socks and his little toe rolled across the floor makes me very very paranoid about my feet. :)

Congrats on the hard work and let's both keep it up. And again, I hate you up until I go below 200 myself. :)

[yendi]

Isn't the needing new clothes thing awesome! It sounds like you're doing just fine on the weight loss front. I haven't tried the ellipticals at the gym. They look like they'd lead to more embarrassment than running would (although I do usually run early enough that no traffic accidents are likely).

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

Ellipticals are actually a lot less work than running on the treadmill (which is, as you have noted! less work than running aground). You can up all the dials and scales and whatnots to make the elliptical more work, but there's a reason I thought it felt like running in powered armor. :)

[yendi]

I'm not sure if I'm now more or less tempted to try it. On the one hand, there's something gratifying about how I feel after a run, but on the other, powered armor! :-)

[jeff-morris.livejournal.com]

I thought the same, but figured what the hell. Once you get going they're actually very easy to work with, and man do they burn the calories.

[rubian77.livejournal.com]

Ok, the toe thing? *shudders*

[jeff-morris.livejournal.com]

Oh, believe me, medical people love those stories, the more gross the better as far as they're concerned. Back in the day, my wife's parents would occasionally have us over for dinner; both my MIL and my wife were nurses, and they'd talk shop while my FIL and I struggled to keep our food down.

Last week my doctor did the toe sensitivity test, where he basically jabs each foot a few times with a blunt-tipped rod. First toe. "Feel that?" "Yeah." Second toe. "Feel that?" "Yeah". Third toe. "Feel that?" "Well...no."

"Okay. I didn't actually touch that one." Bastard.

[feste-sylvain.livejournal.com]

I have yet to stick to an exercize regimen, so that's the part I congratulate you for the most.

[yendi]

Thanks! Necessity does help.

[bibliogirl.livejournal.com]

Well done! Congrats on getting into the routine -- that's what matters, getting into something you can keep going.

(My current exercise is a couple of hours of energetic drumming twice a week, or so. Trust me, it's excellent cardio ;))

[yendi]

Thanks! And believe me, I never doubted that drumming can be hard work!

Awesome!

[taura-g.livejournal.com]

You have done really incredibly well and it shows. You look great!

(Not that you weren't cute/adorable before...you were, but now its more in the handsome/hot range)

Congratulations!

Re: Awesome!

[yendi]

:-) Thanks! It was gratifying to see how people like you and sindrian reacted, since neither of you had seen me in person for a while. AFAIK, none of my co-workers have noticed (or commented), as they see me every day.

Re: Awesome!

[raidingparty.livejournal.com]

For more weirdness, I think I was one of your coworkers twelve years ago.

[amokk]

+1

[yendi]

Beats a Like Button any day.

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

This is such excellent news! Your self-discipline is, as Grey said, inspiring. :)

[yendi]

:-) Thank you!

[phantom_wolfboy]

Well done!

[yendi]

Thanks!

[grntserendipity.livejournal.com]

If you want toadd me on Nike+, we can play tag and compete! :D maybe we can set a goal of runningna 5k together in the future?

[yendi]

I actually don't use Nike+. I created an account because when I plugged my iPod Touch into the one really new treadmill at the gym, it created data, but I think I've only got two runs saved. But if I ever get to the point, I'd lovev to be able to run a 5K!

[creentmerveille.livejournal.com]

Adding one more voice to the chorus, but it's true: this is inspirational. Way to go!

Also, I wanted to make a suggestion... Have you considered giving up the carbonated beverages entirely? I used to be a serial Diet Coke addict - like, 3-4 a DAY habit - and then I downgraded to caffeine-free varieties and one day I just completely kicked all soft drinks out, and stick to water, juice, and tea. It helped my weight a bit (about 30 lbs), and I feel so very much better without it. My mom and brother both stopped drinking Diet Coke too and both have had some chronic health issues completely go away. I'm not saying it's poison for everyone, or that no one should indulge, I just thought I'd throw it out there because it really seems to have helped my family's health to stay away from aspartame and specifically Diet Coke.

:D Anyway- I digress. Awesome progress and keep up the great work!

[yendi]

It is something I'm working on, but I've only just begun to reduce my caffeine intake, so weeding out soda completely is further down the road. My next step is probably stocking up on Waist Watcher sodas and eliminating the aspartame completely (I'm also a big fan of Polar seltzers, but I do still like sodas, too).

[gothwalk.livejournal.com]

Good gods. That's fantastic progress!

I could do with some of that; the time I could potentially spend on running or other exercise is getting spent on DIY and gardening at the moment. And while they're exercise, in a way, there's also a lot of time spent standing or kneeling trying to work out how to sort the next problem, rather than actually doing stuff.

[yendi]

Thanks! From what I've heard, gardening most certainly does burn calories (Livestrong suggests 6.8 per minute for gardening and 8.7 for weeding), although it isn't necessarily regular. But as a rule, keeping active is always a good thing, even it's not formally presented as "exercise."

[rubian77.livejournal.com]

Wow!! Awesome work. I'm jealous! :)