Healthy Me

I know someone read that and just about sprayed the computer with their coffee… I’m not really known for my healthy choices, you know. Don’t get me wrong, I am full of advice on what you should do, but apparently, I’m a do as I say, not as I do kinda gal.
Since turning 40, however, I seem to be on an ill health cascade. I won’t go into the gross and some what embarrassing details. Suffice it to say that I seem be going down fast.
I’ve slowly (very slowly) been trying to change. I haven’t been perfect, but I figure it’s better to do something, than just completely give up, you know?
Today I started the Couch to 5k program. I’d say the idea is daunting, but it’s not really. I’ve attempted it before and quit (big quitter here!), so I know the initial days are do-able. The hard part comes in going beyond the first days. Is that a huge metaphor for life or what?
In past attempts the biggest problem I’ve had is the interval timing. I can’t run and count at the same time! I’m too busy worrying about breathing and where my hands are… toss in the new blood pressure thing*, and it’s a no go. Of course, technology came to the rescue. A gentleman by the name of Robert created Couch to 5k podcasts. Totally free, FYI. The podcasts are perfectly timed and a voice tells you when to start or stop a running interval. The music also kicks butt. Instead of trying to count while breathing, I just concentrated on breathing, watching my heart rate and praying desperately that the voice would tell me “great job, now slow back down to a brisk walk”.
Day 1 completed!
On to Day 2, after I’ve recovered and put pressure on my feet again. Oy vey.
*Although, I’ve not passed out again, I have discover that if my heart rate gets to a particular height, it suddenly decides to drop to half. It’s fascinating to watch on those heart monitor thingys, while you’re desperately trying to get off of the treadmill before you do a face plant. There isn’t even a warning… just up one flash of number, down the next. Now I just watch it obsessively and slow down before I get to that point.

12 Habits Update

Last month's habit was to reduce the amount of TV we watch. I would have to say that I had a serious addiction going on - the minute I awoke to well after I asleep, the TV was on. And, let's be honest, there is not a lot of TV these days that would be suitable for very small children. There's a lot of murder and mayhem going on 24 hours a day, but not so many ponies and rainbows.

We started with turning the TV off after Handy Manny on Saturday morning. Momma is slow to wake up on the weekends and this has been a sanity saver. However, once breakfast is on the table, TV is no longer a friend. I don't know if I became more focused or the kids were calmer... but without TV, the day just seemed to smoother. There were less fights, less screaming and whining. Of course, it could also have been the fact that it was the warmest Feb. in the last decade and we could actually go outside and play, but I digress. Strangely, it just seemed to be better. Then we moved on to keeping the TV off on the week days until after dinner. The kids really didn't miss it (because they weren't watching anyways!) and the lack of background noise made for quieter playing. Of course, clingy, sick kids threw a wrench into that at the end of the month, but over all we (I) watched much less and no one died. Or was even maimed.

This month's habit is to exercise. Seriously. I must have been having an optimistic moment when I decided that, thinking about running Bloomsday or doing the Rhody Run. They always sound like good goals in December... not so much in March when I actually have to do something. Nonetheless, I will endeavor. I do actually have a Y membership so the kids can do swimming lessons... perhaps I should actually take advantage of it. Game on.