Healthful Living/Weekly Workout Support Group - Week of Feb 4th

[Leslie Ferguson]

Greetings friends, returning members, and lurkers on the Healthful Living and Weekly Workout Support Group thread. Winter is upon us as we pass into February but if things go as predicted on Groundhog’s Day, we’ll be out of winter soon enough. This past week has been a busy and reasonably productive time for those who’ve left notes on the thread and joined us in our discussions. And we’re starting to develop a following of regular responders and contributors over the past weeks and that’s been invigorating and encouraging. Before we get too far a field I’ll try to recap if everyone wants to read on.

Karen - Completed # 7 of 10 tests in preparation for her Black Belt test in Kick Boxing (Thai for those who are wondering); elliptical repairs continue but they’re making headway, at least from a diagnostic standpoint; kids are doing well in school and other associated activities; and in general life is good in her neck of the woods.
Kate - Was away last week but I seem to remember that her work schedule was going to preclude her participation. Hopefully she and Mack (her horse) are doing well and staying away from the coyotes.
Lily - Still getting her arms around her fatigue and how she can deal with it’s ramifications; did a dance class and enjoyed it a lot; wants to take on doing some run/walking; but being conscious of her need for rest.
Me (Les) - This was a decent week but spent a lot of time doing spinning; weather turning a little in Norfolk which has kept me inside for exercise; raced yesterday and had a fun time (more details in my post from yesterday); made progress on healthful living and sleeping issues.

Workout plans will be up in the air this week because I’m in pre-separation counseling all week (a mandatory thing for people leaving the Service in the Department of Defense). I’ll probably end up running once or twice but spinning a couple times this week.

Healthful living had been going quite well. I’m de-stressing well and finding my niche to keep myself from going back to self-destructive tendencies. Still need to work on sleep habits but I’m more like a kid these days - sleeping through the night.

How about everyone else? What are your plans for the week? Anybody hooked on the Super Bowl tonight or are you like me - it’s only a game?

Need to get out to the gym for my weight lifting session but I’ll be back later to see how you all are doing.

Until later - peace,
Les

[Laura]

Hello friends,

I know it has likely been months since I have posted, but I have periodically checked in on all of you.

Les, good to see that all your plans for your career change are coming together. I didn't get the chance to read your post about your half, but I am sure you were stellar as usual.

Hmm... life is crazy on this end.

Our trip to Europe was enjoyable; it was great to show the kids a different part of the world. If you are interested here is the link to my online album.
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2096675808

DD is now living in France and will be there until May 12. The language barrier was a little difficult at first (despite 3.5 years of French), but she feels much more comfortable these days. I miss her, but talk to her at least once a week and instant message her even more so.

DS is doing well, but his first meet back was less than stellar. Being at sea level and being out of the water for almost a month really did him in.

I am working out regularly and splitting my workouts between riding the bike, weights and short runs (3.5 miles is my longest right now). I am not looking to compete in any races right now. It is interesting because as much as I struggle with running, I always seem to come back to it.

I am struggling a bit with some life issues right now. Long story short, SO has taken his dream job in Charlotte, NC and wants us to get married and have DS and I move out there with him. If DS wasn't at such a great HS right now, I probably wouldn't stress about it, but I am. I am going out there next weekend just to get the lay of the land. All things considered, it could be very good for DS, but I would be taking him away from his dad. His dad is not very involved in his life, but still his dad.... To top it off, my work situation is a little precarious as the firm is having financial difficulties.

Anyway, sorry for such a long update my first post back, but you folks have always been so caring and thoughtful over the years, I just wanted to share. I hope to be a more frequent poster here.

Laura

[mackandme]

Sounds like you all have been busy!

Well, as you can tell, last week was a total bust for me exercise-wise. Worked days M-W, which was a blast because i got to spend all day with rodeo folks which was a lot of fun for me. But it meant not getting much sleep as I'm used to being up until 2 or 3 a.m. By Thursday, when i was supposed to go back to my usual gig at night, i felt so headachey and nauseated that i just called in sick and slept, slept, slept.

Friday I made it back to the gym for a decent workout, made it to the barn Saturday but didn't ride much, and hit the gym again today (Sunday). I'm thinking about giving racquetball a whirl. Looks like something that could keep me entertained and be a full-body workout. I'd really like to get motivated to get to the gym more often. All my life i've been skinny (until i was about 25, TOO skinny), and this is the first time in my life i've felt ... chubby. It doesn't feel good, and i feel like i need to get on it now, before it gets out of control.

Time is a bit of an issue right now because i'm supposed to be getting my money pit of a house ready to sell by the beginning of April, and i've made almost NO progress.

[karen w]

Les-Thanks for getting the week started once again. Sounds like you had a fantastic race in spite of the cold and wind. Awesome job!! We are getting some real cold weather here beginning tonight, too. BRRRRR!!!:eek:

Laura-Welcome back!! I looked at your photo album and loved the pictures. You and your daughter look alot alike. Both beautiful as is your son, too. I will have to assume the gentleman in the photos is SO, but who was the little baby?? Sounds like you all had a phenomenal trip and while I'm sure it is difficult to be so far away from DD right now, I bet she is going to have an amazing experience that she'll never forget. I wish I could offer some good advice regarding your "life situation" right now, but this is one of those decisions that there is really no right or wrong answer. I guess you have to ask yourself a few questions...i.e. Do you love him? Do you want to spend the rest of your life with this man? Do you want to be alone your whole life? And if, yes, to the first two, this may be one of those issues that has to be addressed in a more selfish vain for lack of a better way to phrase it. Your son is young and very adaptable. There are good schools all over the country. And now to play devils' advocate...Is this a move that can wait until he's finished high school(don't know how many years that may involve??) Nevertheless, I'm sure you have tossed all these questions around and then some. Good luck with whatever final decision you make. Just remember, if the kids are loved and in a stable environment, no matter where it is, they will be fine.

Kate-Welcome back. I think we were posting at about the same time. Sounds like you had a really busy week. Sometimes it is nice to get back into the "usual" routine. Racquetball would be interesting. You'd just have to find some partners/people who will join you for a game/workout.

I had a good day today. Went to bed last night with a headache. DH and I stayed up very late to watch a movie(rented Da Vinci Code). Since I was "post test" and my body was a little screwed up anyway, it was too late from me, but I stayed up anyway. This morning I still had the headache when I woke up, so I took some tylenol and went back to bed for half-hour which did the trick. That and alot of water when I finally did wake up. I think I may have been down a pint, so to speak, even though I drank two big bottles yesterday during the test. DH drove by the martial arts studio last night with the kids when he was taking them to eat, and commented that he could not see in since the windows were all steamed up. That's what happens with ALOT of folks making sweat!:D Anyway, after I finally got up, I rode the elliptical. A shorter one today, ~35 min. and a few abs. Then I took a nice warm bath. That helped recharge the batteries; that and a nice brunch/lunch. Tonight we all went out for dinner. That is our usual superbowl tradition....to go out to eat when we know the roads and restauraunts are empty(at least those without flat screen TV's;) ).

Tomorrow....swim and box!

Karen

[Laura]

Laura-Welcome back!! I looked at your photo album and loved the pictures. You and your daughter look alot alike. Both beautiful as is your son, too. I will have to assume the gentleman in the photos is SO, but who was the little baby??

Karen, yes the gentleman in the picture is my SO Scott and the baby is my grandnephew Leithen. My nephew married a Scottish woman and they were visiting in Scotland at the same time that we were. All of your questions are good ones, and ones that I have considered. It is good to see them in print though and have someone else offer suggestions.

Congratulations on all that you have acheived with kickboxing. I remember when you were first "trying" it out!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Laura - Welcome back. Those are great picutres from England. As Karen said, your daughter is beautiful - just like Mom. I can imagine how hard it was originally getting used to speaking French the way they do in France. My memory of my France excursions was the French they spoke was quite a bit different than the French I learned in HS and college. It must be hard being separated from her right now but it also sounds like you have a good plan to keep in touch - a great thing. Moving to Charlotte - sounds like a big jump but that part of NC is pretty and if you do come down you'd enjoy it there, as long as the ice stays away. I'm glad that you got back and were willing and able to share your experiences from England and the rest of your winter. It sounds like you're really trying to balance getting back into your workouts and your new job (right?). Have a great week.
Kate - Recquetball - I remember all the fun I had in college playing unscored racquetball. My buddy and I would sign up for an hour slot and play the first 45 minutes keepign score then the last 15 minutes it was a free-for-all. Anyone could hit the ball and there was no out - everything was in play and the goal was to keep the ball moving for the full 15 minutes. By the end of a couple months we could do it too but boy was it tiring. Hopefully this week gets back to normal for you and you can get the things started around your house than need work too.
Karen - Sorry about last night and this morning. Does sound like you were dehydrated too. Luckily it was knocked out quidkly. I hope you have a great week ahead too. Things are fading a little so i'll go to my copied notes from earlier and head to bed...

No running to speak of today but lifted per usual. I'm finding interesting places that I've been ignoring over the past few months at the gym - boy-oh-boy they aren't thrilled but I'll survive.

This running week actual running may be in the bull's eye. I've got some required training for transition from the Navy to the Civilian world (every person leaving the military HAS to go). I've been to most of it but there are some sections that will talk about post-military compensation and retiree benefits so I will pay attention to those sessions. But the offshoot of the training is I may not get runs in this week and I may not be able to get spins in either. Oh well, raced two weekends in a row and have this coming weekend off before the final leg of the distance series (30k) being run on the 17th.

I'll be seeing you all -- peace,
Les

[Laura]

Just a quick note to say that I got a bike (stationary) ride in at lunch today. I had planned on running, but forgot my socks and I can't run barefoot. DS is at a friend's house and then going to younglife so I might try out my yoga for beginners dvd. I really need to work on flexibility.

Hope everyone is well.

[karen w]

Laura-Yay for a bike ride!!! I hear you on flexibility. We stretch out daily in kickboxing, and I am fairly limber for a gal my age:p , but I know I lose it real fast if I take more than a few days off here or there.

Les-So tell me honestly....is it easier to get in the military or out??? I mean it sounds like this is quite a detailed "debriefing" process that is taking place over quite an extended period of time. How does it compare to the process you went through initially? You know me....curious minds want to know!;)

I had a very good day....aside from the freezing cold weather.:eek: My swim was great this morning. After the kids got off to school and breakfast was finished, I went to the grocery store. I certainly did not have to worry about the groceries sitting in the car today while at boxing!!! It was VERY cold. BRRRR!!! Boxing was really good, too. Then after lunch I made a big pot of crab chowder for later this week. The rest of the afternoon has been "kid stuff"....picking up at bus stop, at school, driving to religion, to jazz, to cub scouts etc.... We also had a guest here for a while this evening. The little neighbor girl(DD's age) went home to a locked and empty house after school!!!!:eek: Lucky she saw me coming home from dropping my boys at religion and knocked on our door. I would hate to think of her sitting in the cold until her Daddy finally got home....2 hours later!!!!:mad: I did not even ask, but what was he thinking!!!!:mad: As this has not happened regularly, I'll give him the benefit that this was an "accident." She and DD played together until I had to take DD to jazz. She came along with and on the way home we checked her house. As we were about to leave her driveway, her Dad pulled up. What a scary situation!

Tomorrow....you know the drill!;)

Have a good evening,
Karen

[mackandme]

Just got a quick ride in today. It's finally warmed up a bit so we could go out on the hundred acres, but still a bit muddy. Mack enjoyed playing in the stream, which is dried up most of the year. Tuesday i'll head to the gym.

Laura, I used to be incredibly flexible. So flexible, in fact, that the physical therapist i saw after i tore the disc in my back told me to stop doing stretches because, with my feet flat on the ground, i could twist myself laterally all the way around so i could see in front of me again! So i stopped, and now i'm not the least bit flexible! Hope to get some of that back.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Good job Laura Laura biking and i hope you got a yoga session in while DS was at YL.
Kate - That almost hurts to think about how flexible you were. I hope most of that comes back once you've fully rehabbed.
Karen - Nice catch with your neighbor's DD. In these conditions that would have been tough to sit outside for 2 hours. You certainly are a great neighbor and I wish we had more neighbors like you around here. In response to your question - the short answer is it's typically easier to get in the Navy than it is to get released. Of course there have been 20+ years pass since I started. That and most people who come into the military are in their late teens and early 20s so they are easily excludable or pass through the system without too many issues. But when we get out (speaking for me) there are plenty of aches and pains that have to be checked out and documented in my medical record so I can get any benefits from the VA that I rate. In my specific medical case I'm doing a little "extra duty" as a result of my evaluation and preparation for ministry. As one doctor said, if I were going to stay in as a civil servant or go to work for a government contractor (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen-Hamilton, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, etc.) they wouldn't care about my personality traits as long as I did tons of work for them (and I would) but the ministry kind of likes to have people who work well with others and (in my case) keep their perfectionism in check (I'm a raging perfectionist which causes tons of other physiological issues). So half of my medical stuff is over and above what the normal retiree would need. As for the stuff I'm doing this week, the military and Department of Defense has realized they were doing people a disservice by "casting them to the wind" of the civilian world without some preparation (there is NO HIERARCHY in the civilian sector that compares with the Military). So they help us realize that we are taking a big pay cut, that we have a lot of options for keeping our standard of living at a certain level, that there are people who want our marketable skills, and (oddly) people don't always wear the same thing in the real world - I actually have to decide what to wear every day (as opposed to now... gee, I think I'll wear the short sleeve khaki shirt, the khaki trousers, black socks, and black shoes to work today. ;) ). So what I'm going through now is way harder and more involved that I did to get in the Navy. My pre-commissioning physical was done in 4-5 hours from start to finish (no blood work but the full work out) whereas the medical process alone will take at least a week of appointments. And that doesn't include VA couseling and benefits determination. Sorry that is so long winded but you asked... ;)

No running to report - for all the reasons I mentioned yesterday. And it's not getting any better right now. And I'll claim almost falling down as I climbed the stairs tonight as my excuse for not running -- that's my story and I'm sticking with it.

Tomorrow will be...

Peace and stay warm (low of 15 here in Norfolk :eek: with single digit wind chills :eek: :eek: ).

Les

[karen w]

Kate-Glad to hear you got in a ride with Mack! Any coyotes????;)

Les-Thank you for that response. I trully was curious and it is quite interesting to hear details of the process involved to exit the military. Who whoulda thunk??:D But you're right. It is so very different from the "civilian world. I imagine for some, it could lead to a whole host of problems if there were not some "debriefing" etc...

Another good day chalked up here....a good swim, a haircut, boxing, sparring(although I left the latter a tad early to go home and clean up/eat lunch as I had to pick up DD from school early). DD went to the orthodontist for her spacers(mold and bands next week; palate expander in 3 weeks:rolleyes: ). She wanted to go back to school after the appt., so I took her back for the rest of her classes.:cool: Bless that little girl!! What a thirst for learning!!!:cool: Had to drive DS#1 back to school this afternoon, too. he forgot a math book to do his homework. And just got DS#2 off to cub scouts. Kinda driving around in circles today....so what's new, right??!!:p

Tomorrow DH has a day off, so I'll get a bit of driving releif as he will probably take the boys to religion so I can get DD from Brownies. That aside, I will swim, box, and try to stay for self defense.

Have a good night,
Karen

[mackandme]

Just did my usual at the gym today. Still feeling a little sickly like last week. Hope it goes away soon.

Karen, thank you for taking care of your neighbor's child!!! I was that child many times. My parents both worked 60-80 hours a week, and a lot of times when i left for school in the mornings my parents forgot to send me off with my key. Memories like that make me vow that if i ever have kids, i will not work full time.

Les, I had a boyfriend who spent four years in the Army as an intel analyst. when he got out he went thru classes and got this great packet on how to look for a job, resumes, cover letters, etc. wish i'd had something like that when i got out of college! not that he took advantage of it. he refused to look for a job the first few months after he got out. i got sick of supporting him, so he became the EX-dbf!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Kate - That's the same type of class I'm in right now - all the great things of how to search for jobs, etc. The hardest thing for a lot of us is translating our military background into things civilians can understand. I'm still quite involved in the class even though I think I know what I'm going to do when I retire in September (things can happen you know). Sorry you're still a little under the weather and I too hope that passes soon.

Karen - Driving around in circles - never a good thing. Got to hand it to DD going back to school after all her orthodontics. Most of my friends growing up didn't go back to school when they got braces so that's not too unheard of. DS#1 (tapping foot) forgot his math book --- not a good sign. You aren't kidding about debriefing on exit from the military. I haven't even started the official briefs about things I can and can't do and say and the reminders about all those neat things I've learned over the years. I kind of wish I didn't have the memory I have - that way I wouldn't have to worry about forgetting things (which I don't do that well - just ask LW). Maybe later I'll tell more stories about transitioning but for now I've got to head to bed.

I had a good day today and learned (relearned in some instances) a lot about looking for something to do once I've retired. Kind of makes your head spin a little. And shock of shocks, it never got above freezing today and the humidity (or lack thereof) and wind would have made a run chapping and cold to say the least. But I did spin for just over an hour so that's a good thing all around and a good workout. Hope tomorrow is better for everyone - it's supposed to rain in the afternoon (after snowing overnight - Joy of Joys).

Peace and warm thoughts to all,
Les

[Laura]

Well I got a great run in at the Y today. For the first time in a very long time I just felt like I was in the zone. Not sure what it was, but it just made the run very enjoyable.

I am going to try and do a DVD tonight as I didn't do the yoga dvd the other day:o

Kate I am envious of your riding and owing a horse. I leased a horse when I was in junior high and loved to ride, but have not been on a horse in about 12 years.

Les, I am glad you at least get a spin in. Could you work on the weather for this weekend. I am going to Charlotte on Friday and I think it will be colder there than in CO!

Karen, I was once locked out of the house on a cold windy day when I was 12. I wish I had had a neighbor to take me in but we had just moved into the neighborhood. Kudos to you for being on the look out for the little girl.

Well I don't know if or when I will check back in for the rest of the week. I might tormorrow, but I head out early Friday a.m.

Have a good rest of the week if I don't talk to you guys.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Laura - I'll do my best to get good weather in Charlotte. It's supposed to be cool this weekend but not as cold as it was earlier this week (at least in Norfolk). It's hard to predict what is going to happen in the Carolinas - they had snow on Tuesday and we didn't have any (go figure - they are south of us). I'm glad you had a good run at the Y - always great to be in the zone. Have a safe trip to Charlotte too.

Tonight my workout was usurped by a networking session associated with my class and I was having problems with dizzy spells/syncope and nausea so i skipped but tomorrow will be some kind of run or spin - I'll need to do something tomorrow to prevent going stark raving mad.

Until tomorrow it will be a wild day since I have just one more day of class and I'm done, then it's back to real work on Friday.

Peace to all,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Back to backs but I have a work out claim tonight... I'm finally done with my "get out of the Navy class" - it's been an eye-opening couple days and worth the time spent. That is great considering I need to get back to work before things get too out of control. I had a good spin tonight - by the time all was said and done I would have been running after dark in the cool temps - not a lot of fun in my book. Plus I had a Criminal Minds show I needed to see - really twisted.

I'll pass some unhappy news that some of the long-term members of the thread are aware of. I got a note from Karen that her Dad passed away on Tuesday evening and she's on her way (probably there by now) to Milwaukee for his funeral. She's going to have a busy end of the week and she mentioned to me that she was ok with me telling the thread.

Time for bed so I can be bright-eyed and bushy tailed in the morning...

Peace,
Les

[Laura]

(((Karen)))

I am so sorry to hear about your dad. You and your family are in my prayers.

No work out today as I am fighting the crud (the day before I leave :mad: ), but it's probably just as well that I didn't as I had a lot of work work to do.

Les, glad you got your spin in and your class is done.

Have a good weekend.

Laura