My approach to the challenge is to eat sensibly (sticking to around 1,200 calories per day) and burn more calories than I usually do, mainly by doing what I usually do with more intensity. Wynonna, my official trainer, had a great piece of advice for me early in the week, which I've taken seriously:
Whenever I'm outside doing chores now, instead of my casual, laid-back stroll, I run. For example, I'll scoop a pile of poop, look for the next pile, then run to it, pulling the poop cart behind me. By the time the cart is full, I'm running and pulling a 50-pound load (and sweating and gasping for breath). It's a simple way to burn more calories doing an activity that has be done anyway.
When I started this race-for-the-poop thing on Monday, it was torture, but – like the shred workout DVD – it gets easier by the day and now it's sort of fun.
So how are you getting your exercise? Have any ideas you can share with the group to keep us moving? Do tell!
I walk my dog, and I try to take long strides. It helps tighten up those stomach muscles that are a wee bit flabby ;-)
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Theresa in Alberta
I'm just sorry there isn't someone else there to take a picture of all your hard work (while you are doing it, of course!).
ReplyDeleteRunning and pulling a 50 lb cart of poop would be great fodder for blogland...
Looks like Wynonna is a no nonsense personal trainer. You can't help but lose weight with her expert guidance. Sounds like she's got a good plan there. Run Forrest Run!
ReplyDeleteI have burned a CD that has 14 (dance house) music on it...I start out slow then pick up speed with each toon. Go for 1/2 hour on the treadmill - too icy on farmroads here. Dug out the pedometer, wear it all day - 2,000 steps make a mile, so on days I don't get to treadmill I am trying to get that mile made..on days of treadmill - of course, it goes over that. Gotta start somewhere. Thanks for the encouragement Linda!
ReplyDeleteI've been out early taking a morning walk. Some mornings, however, I miss it, so I take an afternoon walk. I'm just getting over a HORRIBLE bout of bronchitis, so my lung capacity is very low right now! :-(
ReplyDeleteTheresa, exercise isn't bad at all when your dog is along for company, eh?
ReplyDeletePattie, gotta love those pedometers. It's fun to watch that counter keep going up and up. I've got one stuck in a drawer somewhere...you've inspired me to go find it. Thanks!
Cheryl Ann, it sure is hard to do anything when you can't breathe. Just think how good those big deep breaths will feel when you're out and about again. Hang in there.
Don't let anyone tell you that yoga is for wimps. BREATHE along with Rodney Yee on a DVD and watch your washboard abs, tighten your tush, and covet your core!
ReplyDeletebeing hyper does have its advantages... I heard where fidgeting helps to burn calories; so if it isn't going to annoy anyone around me, I let myself go ahead and twitch my foot, leg, etc. Also Fran Drescher (the Nanny) once mentioned "isnometrics"
ReplyDeleteShe said whenever she is sitting or somewhere she clenches her legs and hiney. Makes sense to me. So I clench a lot :)
I have been known to run here and there (not with the poop, though) and I think that my neighbors think I've totally lost it! Usually, however, I am running not for exercise but because I am terribly late for something! Now, I'll add that to my daily activity!
ReplyDeleteMy activity currently centers on working on the house: demolition of the kitchen and bath are very physical. I enjoy it! Soon I'll be going up and down ladders as we paint.
Boy o boy, Wynonna doesn't give you any slack ... talk about 'barking' orders! Whew!
ReplyDeleteI have been walking more, taking 'hikes' in our woods and 'hoofing' it off to the mailbox. Although we've been eating pretty healthy already, I'm trying harder and watching portions too. Lots of fruits/veggies.
Great idea, I try this very thing some tines....sometimes being the operative word. With your inspiration I'm going to play "race for the poop" everyday!
ReplyDeleteMy dogs are my fitness partners. I never let the weather hold me back. Even in the cold winter weather, I just dress for it. I walk a minimum of a three mile walk every single morning, longer on the weekends. I mix in as much trotting/running as my knees will allow.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have 2 10lb hand weights that I put through a few exercises while I await the coffee pot each morning.
I am an oddball and truly love to exercise so it's only a matter of finding enough time. Of course, the older you get, the more time it takes :-( Or else you have to eat next to nothing, so I'd rather up the exercise.
After a fall several years ago I'm on a walker. I love to walk, but that's not a real exercise type option. BUT you've inspired me Linda! I think one thing is to put music on more often. Even doing something like washing dishes at the sink I can shake my booty while I'm standing there and do fancy moves with my arms. I've been trying different types of exercises while I'm sitting. You've inspired me to add more movement in the ordinary tasks I do and I really like that. Exercising doesn't sound like fun, but adding music and more movement to what I normally do does sound funner. You do realize you are going to have to have a visitor create a video of your poop hauling routine don't you? I can see the 7MSN workout CD now!!
ReplyDeleteI put in 18 miles this week with Leslie doing walking, kicking, side leg swings, hamstring curls, knee lifts and upper body. I need to go get my walk in for today. So lets go!!! April isn't that far off.
ReplyDeleteLove the race for the poop idea - just doing everything with more awareness & vitality. I am now wearing a pedometer almost around the clock - it's like a string on the finger to remind me when I've sat too long & I'm kind of competing against myself to move more each day. Also being mindful of my eating - truly acknowledging what you eat makes you eat less & better.
ReplyDeleteLeave it to you to make something inspiring from poop-scooping!
ReplyDeleteWhen is the movie coming? We NEED a movie.
ReplyDeleteShoveling snow! And when I'm done at home I get to go to the barn and shovel paths to the paddock, paths in the paddock for my mini, and since the snow fell off the roof of the horses' shed, I get to shovel out the doorway.
ReplyDeleteThe snow gods have been very understanding about my need to increase my exercise.
Wyonna looks like she'd make a great coach. She's defintely got the authoritative look down.
ReplyDeleteMe, I'm trying to burn more calories doing what I do too. I've picked up my step. Don't know how I got to that old granny shuffle anyway. I've too much to do to be in low gear but I was. Also I'm doing a half hour of exercises to build up my core strength. I've not just gotten slower, I've gotten flabbier. I hate that so am working on what it takes to firm those puppies back up. Push-ups suck and squats kill my knees but no pain no gain, right?? Now if I could just find an exercise to firm up that flabby under the chin stuff, I'd be good. Getting old just sucks.
Kathleen, ok, so maybe it's time to get a yoga CD. I am doing a little Bikram calisthenics (that would be working out with Jillian next to the wood stove).
ReplyDeleteJaneK, I have also heard that fidgeting burns calories. I'll try to fidget while I sit at the computer all day ... nobody to annoy but myself.
Dreaming, you're getting exercise and a new kitchen and bathroom at the same time. Win win! I can still remember how sore my legs were last time I painted a room. That ladder-climbing stuff is intense.
Pat, I'll bet Wally is enjoying all those extra walks.
Lynn, I'll race you to the poop pile.
Taryn, next time the weather's bad and I decide not to walk Smooch, I'm going to remember that you never use weather as an excuse and get my butt out the door.
Suzanne, one of the cardio exercises in the shred workout is arms only - punching like a boxer. Man does that get the heart pumping!
Carol, 18 miles! I'm feeling like a slacker. Soon as I get through these comments, I'm out the door for a walk.
Maria, competing against the pedometer is fun, isn't it?
JMG, sounds like you're getting enough exercise for all of us! And when all that snow melts, imagine how many calories you will burn slogging through mud. I hope you get a break from the snow soon, though.
I wear a pedometer, and I walk 10,000 steps every day. Morning dog walk is worth about 2,000 steps. If I'm busy at work (I work in a hospital) I will get most or all of the rest there. Whatever is left I make up with the evening dog walk. Don't go to bed till the goal is met! Bonus: happy dog.
ReplyDeleteI work in a greenhouse and do alot of lifting and bending, but when I'm putting trays of pots on the conveyer (to run thru the pot filler) I do squats.
ReplyDeleteRising Rainbow - if you ever find that chin-firming exercise, please let me know! Something tells me you and I are around the same age...
ReplyDeleteNelly, I love your idea of not going to bed until your step goal is met. Must go find pedometer...
I want to know what Hank, George and Alan think. They always have an entertaining opinion.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to walk the dog more, do yoga regularly and decrease calories by watching portion size.
The weather is rotten here at the moment so I'm not getting out for the usual pushes I get in the summer where I push for at least 2 miles but it usually ends up being 3 or 4. As soon as the weather picks up I'll be out there with my cameras :D.
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