Healthful Living/Weekly Workout Support Group - Week of 7 Jan, first of 2007

[Leslie Ferguson]

It looks like the holiday season has passed without too many issues for the folks who visit the HL/WWSG. That’s a great thing. We’ve welcomed a couple folks and we’ve welcomed one back who’s been gone for a while. Things are a little unsettled climate-wise across the country and schedules are starting to pick up for many of our participants. It’s fun to read the stories that are impacting folk’s lives and to learn about the uniqueness of people through our participants. I think balance is going to be our theme for a while, it seems many of us are finding our lives out of balance. To recap a few of the topics from the past weeks:

Lily - Learning about her body’s reaction to exercise; trying to find a balance between number and intensity of workouts.
Laura K - balancing working from home and exercise; hectic family time at the end of last year balanced by time to reflect.
Karen - kids back to school with more time for her but more things going on to chauffeur; elliptical machine still acting up; Brownie Cookie Mom getting ~ 90 cases of cookies to distribute to her brownie troop; enjoying (?) the benefits of a balmy winter so far; knee finally recovered and getting ready for her next black-belt demonstration/test.
Pam - working to make all aspects of her life balance and healthy, not just exercise but mind and spirit too.
Me (Les) - two running races New Year’s week; good medical check out; tweaked ankle (again); good reports from two people who need to recommend me for Ordination; celebrating with people I haven’t seen in a while and a friend’s Ordination.

Healthful living: starting with a different aspect of my life because this is the abused portion of my life this week. :( I’ve somehow gotten meetings/interviews/medical appointments every day except Friday this coming week: military security clearance interview on Monday: meet with my Bishop on Tuesday followed up by a medical appointment; early medical on Wednesday; meeting out of my office on Thursday; close-out meeting for this most recent phase of my Ordination process on Saturday. Then next Monday’s GRE test. What happened to me? In and around this I’ll try to keep some sanity and balance of me time. Oh, and to top it off we’ve got a plumber coming by on Tuesday to install a water heater.

So workouts are going to be interesting this week: getting ready to go lift at the Y; I’ll target to run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I hope I can ride on Tuesday or Thursday and maybe Saturday (but I won’t count on that because of an all-day, out of town meeting).

Question for the week: Do you make resolutions for the New Year? If so, what resolution did you make this year (if you want to share)?

I hope we all have a good week and I look forward to the spirited discussions to come. If there happen to be any other lurkers out there - please drop in and chat, we love having new people come by for a visit.

Until later friends, have a great week -
Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Good evening and thanks for starting the ball rolling. You're week does sound like it is going to be hectic, and heavily slanted toward meetings and such. I hope you manage to squeeze in a bit of "Les" time to make it more tolerable. Good luck.

We had a pretty busy weekend here. Yesterday the kids and DH left early in the morning to take the train to the city. Since I had no reason to stay in bed late, I went boxing instead of exercising at home. Then did some errands, got my haircut, came home for lunch, and later picked up all the cases of cookies for our Brownie troup. All I can say is it is a good thing that I have a minivan and that we dropped the third seat! The car was filled to the gills! The remainder of the afternoon, I spent splitting things up into each girls orders and then DD's up into her individual customer orders. Can you say....my house is full of cookies. But we did get rid of some today, and by the end of the week, I imagine all the Brownies will have gotten there cases and I will be able to see my walls again!

The kids(and DH) had a great time in the city. They walked themselves several inches shorter. DH bought them each a pair of carpet skates at FAO schwarz which they are enjoying playing carpet hockey in the basement(with an indoor appropriate puck!!!;) ). They enjoyed seeing the christmas tree, decorations etc..., Time's Square, Rockefeller Ctr. etc... DS#2 bumped into one of his friends at Rockefeller Ctr. and DD one of hers on the train on the way home. How's that for coincidence! They made the 5:30 PM train home so were back by ~7:30 PM. That left DH and I time to still get in a movie last night, too.

Today(aside from beginning the cookie distribution), the kids had religion, DD went to a friends, and I did some grocery shopping. I did get in a ride on the elliptical this morning as well.

Tomorrow is a crazy one with me having to be in 2 or 3 places at the same time, so DH is actually going to try to leave work a bit earlier than usual to help the taxi driver(that'd be me:D ). Aside from my usual(swim and box), the boys have religion, DD jazz, DS#1 cub scouts and my usual carpool for religion is out of town. That's what throws the monkey wrench into things! Anyway, it will get worked out, I'm sure.

Hope everyone has an enjoyable week,
Karen

Editing to add my answer to your question, Les: I usually do not make resolutions, but this year I made a "sort of" resolution, if that is what you
like to call it. And that is to hug my kids(and DH) even more.

[Leslie Ferguson]

The carpet skates look like a blast - I can remember being able to do those kinds of things growing up when we had hardwood floors and ragwool socks (and a little Johnson's Paste wax for speed :D ). I'm glad you could find an indoor appropriate puck too because even if there's nothing breakable in the room I know your kids (just like me and my brother) could break something. It looks like you're going to need another driver this week but at least DH can get out of work early enough to help you. BTW - what movie? LW and I watched Ice Age 2 the other day and laughed uproariously. If you haven't seen it, the female mammoth (Queen Latifah) who thinks it's an oppossum is a riot! :cool: I like your resolution too - those are the kind that are worth making and keeping. "My time" this week may be occupied by studying/preparing for the GRE. But if I do get the chance I'll probably try to sleep a little too. ;)

Quite honestly I don't normally make New Year's resolutions. And these past couple years have been an evolving resolution anyway. I think I like your resolution so much that I'll put that one in my book - at least hugging LW more all the time. Today's trip to the Y was productive and I actually kept my shoulder happy today (mostly because I omitted a couple exercises). I wish I could say the same thing for my ankle on ice right now... :( definitely more sore tonight than this morning. Thank goodness for the asiprin bottle and tablets. :rolleyes:

I hope everyone has a good week and I'll see you tomorrow. Peace,
Les

[karen w]

I am going to post early(for me) today as I have a busy "kid" night ahead and who knows what kind of internet time I'll have. Already did my swim and boxing for the day as well. We had quite the excitement this morning both at the YMCA and at home(although the excitement at home pales in comparison to that at the YMCA). Let's see....YMCA....A gentleman who was in the weight room(he usually swims, too) went down and was pulseless(full arrest). They got him back with the defibrillator, called 911 etc..., and eventually he was transported off to the hospital. I'm guessing that he had a massive MI. Ironically enough, the man is a cardiologist(retired, probably in his 70's). He also had a history of a stroke so he did have pre-existing vascular disease as well. I'm just glad it did not occur while he was doing the swim part of his morning routine. It gets a bit ugly to try to fish someone out of the bottom of the pool, and defibrillate them when they are all wet!:eek:

The excitement at home....both boys lost a tooth this morning!!! The tooth fairy is going to be doing double duty at our house tonight.:)

I hope everyone is having a good day,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Wow - what a morning at the Y. Never been around a patient being defibrulated after coming out of the water but having seen a patient undergoing CPR and mouth-to-mouth after being fished out of the water -- NO THANK YOU. Thank goodness he survived. That would have been enought for me too. You're right, the home event pales but is still of import. I hope the rest of your day went better and most certainly better than mine...

Which goes something like... Monday -- YUCK!!! :mad: :rolleyes: :eek: All the good plans were derailed by an in-office interview that (1) started 45 minutes late and (2) when 2 hours longer than it should have. Ended up eating lunch starting at 3:30 (after finishing breakfast at 6:45). Warning... I've now figured out my body isn't happy with me when my hands are ice cold and my wrists and lower forearms are burning up. That's what I felt like at 3:30.

Body is turning to more rebellion and I need to wrap up (tough to get your body clock off and try to recover it in the span of 8 hours - it won't happen).

See you all in the afternoon after all the busy work tomorrow.

Peace from the down south kid,
Les

[karen w]

Hi folks,

A bit busy and tired today(approaching that female time for me:( ), but I had a good swim and boxing. I decided to forgo BBC class(sparring) to conserve a bit of energy. Sadly the car of the gentleman who had a heart attack yesterday was still parked at the YMCA this morning. I'm not sure if he has family in the area. The pool was also quite busy. I had to circle swim for awhile. In between swimming and boxing, I accompanied DD and DS#2 and their first rise and shine fitness walk at school for the year. We did this last year, too. It is every Tues. and Thurs. morning before school starts where we walk laps through the halls of the school. After the PTO gives the kids a healthy breakfast before classes start. I have also been busy distributing all of the girl scout cookies this week. I can't wait until that is all over.

DH is at an office meeting tonight, so it has just been the kids and I. DS#1 had an orthodontist appt. today. The good news is that we made an appt for next month to have his palate expander taken out. Now maybe he can talk without sounding like he has marbles in his mouth. However, DD will likely be getting one in before the end of this school year, so if it is not one child.....you get the theme here!:rolleyes: DS#2 is at his cub scout mtg. I have to go get him soon, so I am going to finish up here.

I hope everyone has a productive hump day tomorrow and a good night,

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

That doesn't sound like a good thing - to have the heart attack patient's car still in the lot but like you said his family may be too predisposed to pick it up. At least it wasn't towed away... It sounds like the pool is in its post New Year loading. I hope it passes quickly again. Braces - yuck! Luckily I avoided them as i was growing up. Busy day today - back to the grind. Do DS#2 and DD like walking at school before classes? I applaud their school district. Hopefully yout cookies will get distributed soon. How are things going up there weather-wise? We're headed for Winter conditions down here for a day or two then back to high of 62.

Great news from/about LW - stemming from a quilt she gave to her sister-in-law a couple years ago for Christmas. She got a letter from her brother with a ribbon in it - he told her that the quilt she gave to her sister-in-law won "Best of Show -- Quilt" and "Best in Class" earned her $20 at the Multnomah County Oregon Fair (I'm looking for a picture to share but don't have one readily available right now). She was totally floored - she didn't even know that her quilt was in the show. I'm sooooo proud!

Seeing I've been stuck on me recently (sorry) today was good on a couple counts: I had a great interview with our Bishop and he seems to be fully supportive of my going forward with the Ordination Process and to Seminary and my priest commented to him that my church was fully supportive of my going to be a priest. Secondly, I had a good hour+ run tonight, even if it was a little windy and drizzly by the end of the run.

I have to head to the shed - I've got an early morning doctor's appointment tomorrow so i've got to head in for a while.

Take care all and I'll be in touch.

Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Double congratulations are in order....for LW and her quilts and your great ordination support all around. There's nothing wrong with being "stuck" on yourself sometimes. Afterall, don't you have to love yourself, to give of yourself to others(and I know you give plenty to others, too!!:) )?

So yesterday you could barely get a lane to swim in and this morning was just the opposite. Go figure?? Anyway, I had my own lane for the duration which I don't mind a bit!;) The gentleman who had the heart attack is apparently doing better. He is still quite confused, but out of intensive care now. That's pretty fast/good for someone who did not have a beating heart for about 3-4 minutes! His car was still there this morning, but supposedly his son was going to be getting it today.

Later in the morning(after getting the kids off to school and a quick rendevous with DH{his day off....need I say more??!!:D }), I wentto boxing. While there I started up a conversation with a gentleman who was really huffing and puffing. I told him that no heart attacks were allowed here this week since I already had my excitement for the week. Turns out he is my kids pediatrician's partner, so we had a nice little chat after class. Small world.

Rest of the day...Costco where I bumped into a friend. We will try to hook up next week for tea and conversation somewhere, elliptical serviced(cross fingers that this is it), boys to religion, and DD to Brownies where I was able to drop off just about all of the girls cookie orders. I actually have walls in my living room again!!! Yay!

Hope the remainder of the evening is a nice one for all,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Les-Double congratulations are in order....for LW and her quilts and your great ordination support all around. There's nothing wrong with being "stuck" on yourself sometimes. Afterall, don't you have to love yourself, to give of yourself to others(and I know you give plenty to others, too!!:) )?
Thank you from both of us. That's one of the things that I have to work on - my self-interest. Having self-interest isn't as bad as it sounds, we all have needs to be filled and that's where self-interest comes in.
So yesterday you could barely get a lane to swim in and this morning was just the opposite... The gentleman who had the heart attack is apparently doing better. He is still quite confused, but out of intensive care now. That's pretty fast/good for someone who did not have a beating heart for about 3-4 minutes! ... While there [at kick bosing] I started up a conversation with a gentleman who was really huffing and puffing... Turns out he is my kids pediatrician's partner, so we had a nice little chat after class. Small world.
It is hard to predict isn't it? Good news about the guy with the heart attack. That is a fast recovery or at least a first step. Too funny about the guy at kick boxing too.
Rest of the day...
My head is swimming just thinking about the rest of your day...

I was a good boy, even with my doctor's appointment this morning but didn't run at lunch. It seems I dislike running in the wind and cold so I spent the evening on the trainer. 20+ mph wind off the bay is never warm and when the temp is in the upper 30's that's just fine to force me inside. Tomorrow should be a run date.

Only one late afternoon meeting tomorrow and I get to stay home to finish the remainder of my paperwork for Saturday (and there's always Friday afternoon/evening too).

Not that I mind talking to Karen but is there anyone else out there??? Oh well... see you tomorrow and peace,
Les

[foodfiend]

Hi Les, I'm here. I don't have as much to add as you and Karen, though. Been staggering my workouts so that I don't overdo it, which has helped. I took a book out about adrenal fatigue, and I've been following their tips. Do you know I should avoid TV or the computer after 8pm? The flickering images apparently irritates some people with adrenal fatigue and makes things worse. As well, I should lie down for 15 minutes in the afternon -- it gives the adrenal glands a chance to replenish. The tips seem to help, and I feel better.
There is more to my life than adrenal fatigue. I've been trying to get up and do things (try a dance class, sign up for this or that). It's hard to believe that last week was the start of the new year. We've had warm weather up here in Toronto, as in many cities, and it doesn't feel like the beginning of a new year. I'll have to work to get motivated.
ETA: Looks like I'm sick again (flu). Aargh. Maybe there isn't more to my life than adrenal fatigue.

[karen w]

Lily-Thanks for chiming in with Les and I. Don't feel that you can't join us no matter what your routine entails. As Les often says, this is a "healthy living" thread and sometimes no workout is healthier than pushing yourself to exhaustion. I'm so sorry to hear your ill again. Sending you "get well quick vibes." I wish I could get re-energized with 15 min. of down time in the afternoon. When I do that, I end up realizing that I'm tired and have a harder time finishing the rest of the day.

Les-What!!!?? Dislike running in wind and cold!!!??? Not you!! Sounds to me like your "normal!":D Good news is that the weekend is supposed to be a bit warmer(and wetter:p ). Oh well....you can't have it all! I hope all the doctor's appts. went well. Why so many all of the sudden(and if it is none of my business, just say so....I won't be offended).

Pool was crowded again today and I ended up circle swimming. Fortunately I only had to circle a short time especially since the two other swimmers in my lane were both slow. I realy did have a great swim, however. I've wanted to jacuzzi this week, but it has been looking pretty grundgy lately. DH actually went on line this morning to check out the cost of a hot tub for the backyard!!! Not sure if we'd really do it, but definetely are curious about cost etc... The kids were a bit rambunctious in the house this morning. I did not take them to walking club. We will go next week. By then the novelty should wear off, and there should be a more reasonable number of kids showing up for this like last year. This past Tuesday it was way too crowded to get in a good walk. Instead sent the kids off on the bus, picked up milk and veggies, and boxed(excellent, very full class today).

That's about it for me tonight. Have a good one,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Hi Les, I'm here. I don't have as much to add as you and Karen, though. Been staggering my workouts so that I don't overdo it, which has helped. I took a book out about adrenal fatigue, and I've been following their tips. Do you know I should avoid TV or the computer after 8pm? The flickering images apparently irritates some people with adrenal fatigue and makes things worse. As well, I should lie down for 15 minutes in the afternoon... ETA: Looks like I'm sick again (flu). Aargh. Maybe there isn't more to my life than adrenal fatigue.
Like Karen, no worry about trying to keep up, just interested to hear from you (and anyone else out there) even if to hear that "I've done nothing because... but I'm still alive." Besides, like Karen, some days the best day is a non-workout day (like today was for me). Not surprising about not watching TV or the computer after 8 pm because I know how these silly things flicker when they're on. I'd like to have to lie down for 15 minutes every day (not really - that wouldn't be any fun really) but if that helps then I'd strongly recommend doing it. In years past when I was working too many hours and not sleeping enough (as opposed to now...) I would typically sit in a dark room with my eyes closed for about 15-30 minutes and would be recharged so I understand fully. Sorry you aren't doing well either - that must be no fun. Take care of yourself ok?
Karen - Quite honestly the medical stuff (for general consumption) is wellness issues (regular e-mail to discuss in a little more detail if you'd like) and those should ramp down a little in the coming weeks but will probably be once a week for some unknown amount of time but I chalk them up to preparing to get out of the Navy. Now, if I could figure out how to have snow and cold then I'm a kid all over again. :D Hot tub??? A hole to sink water and money into - not really but a lot of work. Still, if one were to happen into your back yard I'd be your friend for life. ;) Busy pool but good boxing class - a good morning all around I'd say. Now all we have to do is get the kiddos to their walking club on Tuesday and Thursday. Hope Friday is good/better than today.

As I alluded to earlier, this wasn't a workout day (even though I wanted it to be). But my spiritual health and overall wellness is climbing by the day. I spent 2 1/2 hours with my spiritual director catching up on where I am (it's been a little while with the holidays etc.) and how I've faired during the past months of the Ordination process. Then I came home and finished the first draft of my reflection that is due on Saturday. It's just over 3 pages (3 pages max) and I'm sure it's quite "stream of consciousness" and could be edited. But that's tomorrow. And right now I don't miss the workout because I'm feeling that much better about myself and my stress level is falling a little every day - at least until Monday and the GRE. :eek: :rolleyes:

Time to sleep - busy day tomorrow I'm afraid. Hope all are well and have a good weekend.

Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-So they need to make sure you are in good medical condition to GET OUT of the navy??!! I don't even want to find out what was involved to GET IN! I guess it's one of those things....that they don't want you to claim that they are responsible for some condition that might develop in the future after you have left your duty....maybe. Anyway, I do hope all the appts. go smoothly and that there is not too much poking and prodding or undue stress from all of it. Good luck with your "Reflection" piece this weekend.

Today was another quiet day at the pool and boxing as well, for that matter. Which is kinda weird as Fridays can tend to be busier days. But either way is fine by me. Both were good for me today. Most of the rest of the day was quiet here as well, and the weekend should be, too, since DH is "on call." Plus no religion on Sunday or school Monday due to MLK holiday. I'll do my usual weekend exercising(bike and elliptical). I need to do a bit of baking(again) for DH and the temple. DS#1 wants to make bread with me, too. I think it should be a good weekend for puttering in the kitchen since it is supposed to be rainy here.

I hope everyone has a good long weekend,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

That's a good summary of why the Navy puts almost as much effort into out processing folks as they do at in processing. And on the out end it means $ in disability from your retirement check (tax free money). And the hard part for the outgoing folks is they're older and a little more "road-tested" so there are some minor things afflicting most people. But in my case I have a pretty decent track record with all the hepatic, hemolytic, arthritic, audiometric, and gastric issues (that I know of so far) that my disability determination from the VA will be long and drawn out. Most of the stuff I'm doing right now is occupational and physical therapy to get me "better" before my final check out. It sounds like DS#1 is quite the baker - great for him. I bet he'll have fun making bread this weekend. May your workouts be smooth too.

I actually ran today for the first time on a Friday in almost 6 years. :eek: But as you mentioned I'm going to be busy during my long run time tomorrow so running today will be just fine. Other than my reflection (and thank you for the wishes) this weekend I'm getting ready for the GRE.

But now is the time to drift off to sleep land so until after my reflection tomorrow -- peace,
Les