Wednesday, April 27, 2011

No more Facebook. And non-weight loss goals. (183.4)

I gave up Facebook about a month ago, I guess.  I was spending way too much time on it. I got upset on a regular basis by other people's updates.  It took more than it gave.  So I deleted it off my phone (actually, it deleted itself--FB corrupted my calendar on my Blackberry and I had to wipe my phone.  I didn't add the FB app back on).  I still get emails from friends on FB, and I will post an occasional update so my friends know I'm alive.  But the days of reading every update from every friend every single day are hopefully over.

I'm planning to get my cyber-social interaction from blogging again.  Both writing here, and reading others' blogs.  Blogs were a huge part of my weight loss success in 2007.  So, I'm adding back in what I works for me.

The morning exercise before work is paying off.  The mornings I go to the gym, I am more relaxed and feel tons better.  I don't get to work until 11ish, but I stay until 5 pm and I don't go out to lunch.  So I'm getting in about 30 hours a week, which is what I was working even when I wasn't going to the gym.

Today I did 1.5 miles on the TM, mostly walking but I threw in some running for good measure to get my heart- and sweat-rate up.  Then I took a yoga class. Not hot yoga--that is at the yoga studio.  This is the gym's "zen yoga" class.  It's more a pilates/yoga combo.  We did almost all floor work.  She was working on getting our bodies ready to do a back bend--full wheel for the Yoga minded. 

I did a full back bend in 2008.  I'd never done a back bend in my life before that.  That was when I was skinny and strong.  Sophie was showing Luke how to do a back bend (she took 6 months of gymnastics when she was four years old, and that pose she can still do).  Luke has been in gymnastics for a couple years now; he's a natural and has a lean, limber body. 

I was doing weights classes twice a week and running regularly.  I could lift our 5 gallon glass water bottles easily, carrying them from the front porch to the  kitchen water cooler and plopping it in with no problem at all (this is not an easy task for me right now).  So, I figured I'd try and see if I could get into a backbend.

I pushed myself right up, no problem.  It was so freaking cool. 

Today that did not happen.  I have no where near the core or upper body strength needed to do that. I don't think it's weight related, really, although I'm sure having less weight to lift does make it easier. 

I want to do a back bend again.  I also want to lift those 5 gallon water bottles easily again. 

I'm sure there are lots of other non-weight related goals I'll think of, but right now those are the big two. 

Let's see how quickly I can get there.

P.S. I started Geneen Roth's When Food is Love last night.  Oh.  Wow.  I bought it on my Kindle but wish I had it in paperback.  This is one of those books that I need to underline & highlight & fold corners on.  (You can highlight on a Kindle, but it's not the same--I'm a paper and pen kind of girl.)  She has such wisdom about food issues.  I will share what I'm learning when I figure it out.  I'm pretty overwhelmed by it right now, but in a good way. 

Therapy appointment on Thursday.  Food issues are going to be my focus.

4 comments:

Vickie said...

Strength training comes back pretty fast. I think a big part of it is knowing the moves.

For example: Remembering to pause for an extra squeeze/beat at the top and bottom of each move. Think about how many newbies 'swing it' and aren't getting real benefit.

I went back to pilates just a couple months ago. I am getting a lot out of it. Still not back to where I was the last time I took it. So I am actually thinner and stronger NOW (than I was the last time I was in pilates regularly) and I still have to build back up to former skill levels.

So don't feel alone.

Love the 'book' you wrote on my post today. thank you

Jill A said...

Ah, Facebook...the greatest timesuck of the 21st century!

I can't believe I've never read any of Geneen Roth's stuff. I mean I've read every other diet book ever written, so I don't know why I've never picked up any of her books. When you feel up to it, write a review or something, okay?

Good luck at therapy today! (Good luck doesn't sound right, but "have fun at therapy" doesn't sound right either!)

Helen said...

I do love my FB...it adds a lot more than it takes for me, but I do understand that some people have a different reaction. :-)

I thought of trying a wheel in yoga a few weeks ago, but I realized my arm strength (which is good) is not enough to support the higher weight that I am now than when I was Super Yogini back in the early 2000s. But I'm working at it. Since I'm not being successful with making the scale go down, I can at least be successful with getting stronger. And I am! :-)

Cindy said...

I get what you are saying about FB and at times I have yanked my profile. This week my new BF even had fights about it. I have not been blogging but I will start again. I am very glad you are posting regularly!! I like the concept of non weight loss goals.