My Journey

In many ways I am like my Father. I like to solve problems on my own and when I am faced with something that either confuses me, or upsets me, or needs me to work though a problem, I keep very quiet and try to work things through rather than open up and let people know how I am feeling. It is a strange paradox because when I do articulate my problems I find that the very act of getting them out of my head usually presents me with the answer. And if I can't solve it, then those that are around me usually can. It is a strange little thing. And it doesn't mean that I am necessarily upset or confused in all facets of my life. But what it does do is makes me not want to write. I want to talk, but not to write.

This week has been a very good one for me in relation to exercise. I have been excited about it. I have wanted to do it each and every day. On Monday I went on a walk around the park with the 'fast ladies' and am happy to say that I am now able to keep up with them, and talk, and we have cut the walk down from a 45 minute round trip to just over 35. On this walk I got a small blister on my left foot.

On Tuesday I went for a walk to the Opera House. Just so I could run up the stairs and back down again. When I got to the top of the stairs I held my arms up in a little victory salute then dropped them quickly when I realised the pleasant walk down Macquarie Street I had just taken was all down hill. What the!! So the walk back to the office was a little tougher. It was a long walk so I won't do that during lunch again but will have to find some closer stairs. On this walk I got a small blister on my right foot.

On Wednesday I went for a swim at lunch and really concentrated on my form making sure I used my legs when I did freestyle. I am quite lazy in this regard and would be happy just using my arms but when I use my legs I go faster and I can feel it in my chest as my breathing becomes a little more difficult. Its a good feeling and alternating this with laps of using the kickboard was a lot of fun. As DH picked up the boys in the afternoon I decided I would walk home as well. We have worked out it is roughly just shy of 7kms. As I walked down George Street my feet really started to hurt - even though I had strapped both my heels and the inside of my shoes. When I turned left on Grosvener I had to walk up the hill on my tip toes so my heels would not rub too hard. After I had climbed up the steps leading to the Bridge I realised I was being ridiculous. I was only going to do myself a real injury. So I stopped. And took my shoes off. I contemplated throwing them off the bridge but sanity prevailed and I tied them to my backpack and walked the rest of the way home in my socks. I took an hour and 15 minutes which is 15 minutes longer than last time but all things considered I think I still did good. A foot rub and spray later in the night removed most of the pain and I am happy to report my feet are back in working order now. Still sporting massive blisters so no closed shoes for a while though.

On Thursday I swam at lunch. And every night this week I have done my evening exercise routine. I am feeling pretty good about the whole moving thing.

Eating is another story but after speaking with Philippa yesterday I am going to change a few things and see if it improves. I have not been tracking but keeping an eye on what I eat. I find that I am eating so much better during the day as I am not thinking "oh I have spare points I better eat some chocolate LOL". I am having fruit, dairy, vegetables. All the good stuff - just smaller portions and only eating when and if I am hungry. However the nights are still a problem. It is my problem and I need to work out a solution that allows me to eat, feel satiated, and not crave sweet stuff - which is what is happening.

My weight is great. Not gaining, definitely still toning, down a little from the last weigh in. So I am not upset about this.

This weekend I am going to catch up with Jodie and I am taking my boys with me whilst DH goes into work for a few hours. I am looking forward to it and hopefully having 2 cyclones in her house won't scare her too much and she will still enjoy the rest of her pregnancy LOL. I promise to leave her house in nearly as good condition as when we arrive ;D And Mary has found a couple of great activities/events to go to in Sydney so I am looking forward to catching up with her and trying my hand as some new exercises.

Now just a little on The Biggest Loser. During this series I have fluctuated between enjoying the show and absolutely cringing everytime they acted like children, but the last few shows have been excellent. I have picked up some really good tips re training and exercising ideas, especially the show when they trained at the beach. I was reminded once again that it does not have to cost money to get a really good workout. Just go to the beach with a couple of empty bags (to fill up with sand) some containers to use as markers and crawl, carry and run yourself into a sweat. I will be using some of these ideas. And I have been reading a non-official site which reports on the previous days shows and I absolutely cracked up when reading about the brick episode. Warning could make you laugh out loud.

So I still have some work to do but I can't beat myself up too badly about it as I am feeling quite insignificant in light of the tragedies people are facing every day. In the news. In my Country. In my State. I feel very lucky that I have the ability to whinge about blisters because it means I can afford shoes. I am grateful that I can complain about overeating as it means I have food on my plate. I know that I am still important - to me especially - and that is why I am not going off the rails. I am still treating my self well. It's just when it comes time to sitting in front of the PC I have usually watched the news by then or heard of some new disaster and have lost all inclination to write. This is just a 'patch' I am going through and I am very grateful to the support you guys have showed in showing your concern. Don't worry you will be the first to know if I decide to do something crazy. Like shave all my hair off for charity........

Posted by Margaret on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 9:37:00 am | Permalink