Lessons from the Road

One of the reasons I love to take road trips (besides the whole anti-flying thing) is that I think a lot. I think about myself and the world around me. I solve all my friends' problems, and I write delicious stories in my head. It's a great way to unwind.

On this trip, I once again did not come up with solutions to any of the world's pressing issues, but I did figure some things out:

• Despite knowing better, I'm really still hung up on the numbers on the scale. I've had my blood pressure medication reduced by half, I've lost 20 pounds and almost 20 inches, my resting heart rate is down to 72 (from 80), and I've dropped 1.5 clothing sizes. But for 500 miles, I obsessed about the fact that I'd only lost 10 pounds in the six weeks I've been working with the trainers. I don't know how to fix this, or even if it can be fixed, but I do know I don't like it.
• Something I have long suspected, but only verified with this trip, is that convenience stores and truck stops haven't caught the clue bus on healthy living. I stopped at six different stores on my trip, and other than a few bruised bananas, water, granola and energy bars (most the high-cal variety), and a few other items, there wasn't a healthy item in sight. Where are the individual 100-calorie snacks, low-fat yogurt, apples and oranges, and soy milk? These folks could make a fortune off of this stuff. (I feel a letter coming on.)
• McDonald's catches a lot of flak for their mostly-grotesque menu, but they saved my bacon on this trip. So to speak. Between the fruit & yogurt parfait (160 cal./2 g. fat) and the apples (35 cal./0 fat), I was able to have healthy breakfasts and snacks on the road. (We're not counting the "country breakfast" I had on Sunday, my free day.)
• Exercising on the road is a hit-and-miss prospect for folks like me. My first hotel didn't have an exercise room (boo LaQuinta!), but since I was in a first floor room, I did some tricep dips, some old-fashioned jumping jacks (trying to atone the lack of cardio), and some push-ups. The second hotel was connected to an athletic club, but I never made if over there. I got all dressed to go, but I just couldn't make myself do it. I factored in all the walking I'd been doing, threw in a few crunches, push-ups, and bridge lifts, and called it all exercise. The last hotel did have an exercise room (yaaay Holiday Inn Express), and I did some time on the treadmill and the bicycle.
• The aforementioned hit-and-miss exercise schedule will make you pay when you return. I did my first trainer session today, and I thought I would DIE. I have so far to go.

See? No major revelations or resolutions. Just random thoughts and observations.

BlogHer07 - Day 2 & Wrap-Up

The second day of BlogHer was exceptionally nice, but not for the reasons I expected. I only attended two panels (one on technical blogging and the other an off-the-record session), the keynote breakfast (fascinating panel discussion of online communities and their extensions), and the very interesting closing keynote discussion with Elizabeth Edwards (Blogher taped it.) And that was all very enjoyable, but I think my favorite part of the day was the three hours of free time I had midday. I wandered around The Navy Pier and the park, sat and talked to a senior deckhand (and wannabe writer) from one of the water taxis, went to Billy Goat Tavern for a cheeseborger (don't really understand the fuss), and just generally people-watched. Random observations:

- flip flops are the new sneakers
- if you sit in one place in Chicago long enough, you'll hear half of the world's languages spoken
- Chicago has a Pepsi fixation
- some people shouldn't be allowed to own boats
- who knew there would be gulls this far north
- the traffic cops at the pier's entrance deserve their own reality show
- earning a captain's license requires a lot (and I mean A LOT) of time and money
- skateboarders are obnoxious everywhere
- I want to live here

I'm glad I came here. While I don't think I made any new and lasting friendships, I met some really nice people and I learned a lot, and that was the point all along.

BlogHer07 - Day 1

Greetings from Chicago! More specifically, from The Navy Pier in Chicago. It's a gorgeous, breezy summer day, and I'm sitting on the pier about 30 yards from Lake Michigan.

Looking at this picture, I'm underneath the tower on the left at the far end of the pier.

I'm in Chicago for the two-day BlogHer07 conference. This is my first BlogHer event, and I don't really know anyone, but I'm still having a good time. I've attended two panels so far, one on web design and another on body image and blogging. (I'm all about variety. ) And as so often happens at these things, I've met some really wonderful people.

I've also made a pass through the exhibitor area. Lots of interesting concepts out there and some goodies, besides. Plus, we got a swag bag from BlogHer. Now seems like a good time to check it out....okay, so there's way too much stuff in here to list, but it includes some CDs, a memory stick, and a bath/body set. And a really cool tote bag.

Right now I'm kind of hungry, and so I think I'll mosey down to the McDonald's at the other end of the pier for an apple dipper and a diet coke.

More later....

Playing the Numbers Game

The results are in on my six-week fitness assessment:
Inches lost:
neck -1.75
shoulders - 0
chest -4.25
waist -4.5
hips -4.5
thigh -2.5
calf -1.25
upper arm - 0 (all those weights!)
forearm -1

Total = 19.75" gone.

Weight loss was only 10 lbs. for the six weeks. I kind of expected more, but while I've cut out the unhealthy snacks (no-mo Li'l D Swiss Rolls), I haven't exactly starved. I've been averaging about 1200-1300 calories a day and I've stayed in my fat/carb limits every single day. I have to feel good about that. I'll just presume that the extra weight I feel I should've lost was actually converted to muscle. Yeah, that's it. Plus, it makes me feel pretty good that I lost 10 lbs. on my own before I started training.

The best news was that my resting heartrate went from 80 to 72. The goal is 65. I hope to get there by the end of August. The trainers (a.k.a. Satan's Grrrlz) are having some sort of cardio contest in August with prizes for the most cardio minutes racked up. I hope it's extra sessions, especially if I should win. :) Wish me luck!

Like a Bad Penny

I turn up again. I didn't realize until today that I had completely forgotten to post a progress report. Or two.

What's a real pity is that there's definitely progress to report. My blood pressure has gone from being high to being too low. For weeks now, it's been fluctuating between 80/50 and 94/60. My Before BP was usually high 120's/80's, and that was with the medication. So apparently they weren't lying when they said regular exercise and a healthy diet will help your blood pressure. :)

Because my energy level was so low, I went to see my primary care physician last week, and---*drumroll--- he halved the dosage on my medication! I think I might be on my way to getting rid of the prescription all together, which would be so very cool.

Dr. S. also informed me that I've lost 21 pounds since February! What's so especially wonderful about that is that I suspect I actually gained some weight in March and April, so it's possible I've lost more than 21 lbs. since May 8th. I have my first "fitness assessment" with the personal trainers next week, six weeks after starting this exercise program. I'll be sure to post a report. I've lost a size for sure, and am well on my way to being another size smaller.

I really can't believe how easy this has been. There have been moments here and there that have been difficult, but overall, the combination of sparkpeople.com, the trainers, and the support of truly wonderful friends has made this transition to a healthier me so much easier.

If you're one of those wonderful friends, I love you and I thank you from the bottom of my healthier-already heart!

Pants! And Other News

Okay, so who do you know who not only found pants that fit, but pants in a smaller size that fit? One guess.

All right, I'll tell you: ME! And these are not your ordinary pants. These pants have an actual button waistband without even a hint of elastic. To make things even better, I went to another store and found another pair of pants that fit. I picked up two different colors of that style. And then, finally, I went to yet another store and found a shirt...yes, in a smaller size! How much do I love myself and my trainers right now? (And this despite the fact that I'm pretty sure my trainers are trying to kill me--one appendage at a time.)

That all happened last Friday. On Monday, I went to the office nurse for a regular blood pressure check. It was 80/50. A couple more weeks of this, and I'll be knocking on my doctor's door.

Since I have to work tomorrow, I went ahead and had my July 4th splurge tonight. It was an order of Rafferty's french fries--the first fries I've had in months--and they were delicious... while I was eating them. A half hour later I wanted to pull the car to the side of the road and dismiss them. I won't be doing that again anytime soon. The barbecue chicken and salad were good, though. (My next scheduled splurge is July 26th in Chicago: Pizza! Real pizza with real crust and real cheese. I'm hoping for better results than I had with the fries.)

Nothing much happening otherwise. As I said earlier, I have to work part of tomorrow. I moved my workout to 8 a.m. to be sure I got it in. (I didn't even know about the fries at the time.)

I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July!