Snow, You Want to Know, "How Many Calories do I Burn Shoveling?

I shoveled last night.  I haven't done that since winter of 2008 because my knee was so messed up.  So, big "shout out" to the gang at the YMCA Healthy Living Center and Mercy Weight Loss and Nutrition Center for getting me healthy enough to shovel.  (Did I really just thank someone for that?  ;)  )

I actually enjoyed it, though it did wear me out, especially after the upper body workout I did with Gwyn yesterday.  But there was something so pure and enticing about pushing the snow away as more fell.  With the exception of my heavy breathing, it was actually peaceful.

My efforts on the driveway (which were wiped out by the continuing snow), reminded me of a post I did a couple of years ago about shoveling.  You see - it's exercise.  It's a combination of cardio and weights.  You get your heart rate up trying to move along quickly and with the weight of moving the snow.

Just one reminder, you hear stories of people having heart attacks after shoveling, so take your time.  It's okay to stop and rest.  As with any other exercise, stay hydrated.  And above all - if you haven't been cleared to go to the gym - shoveling is a NO for you.

All of that being said, I wanted to repost the calorie burn for shoveling.  Like every form of exercise, the number of calories burned depends on what you weigh, how long you do it and how much muscle you have.  Here are three different weight levels, all based on one hour of shoveling (not accounting for the possibility of higher than average muscle mass):

150 pounds - 408 calories
200 pounds - 544 calories
250 pounds - 680 calories

Not bad eh?  If you have already done a workout for the day it's kind of like doing '2-a-days'.  (A term usually reserved for hard core athletes and high school football teams.)  If you have higher muscle mass, as I did at one time, you will burn a slightly higher percentage.  Just one of the many benefits of lifting weights.  

Brenton Skating Plaza
by Chris Chandler

I also wanted to include some other winter activities, since the City of Des Moines announced the sledding hills are open and Brenton Skating Plaza beckons.  These are all based on a 150 pound person:

General ice skating - 476 calories per hour
Skiing downhill light effort - 340 calories per hour
Cross Country skiing light effort - 476 calories per hour
Sledding - 476 calories per hour
Snowshoeing - 544 calories per hour


Hopefully this helps you feel even more fulfilled after clearing your sidewalks.  Besides, your letter carrier appreciates it.  :)


Yours in Health,
Kate

Snow Good Workout

FB Friend Dave Corbett's Shot
from last winter - any excuse
to promote Dave's talent!

As I watched the snow fall this morning I fought the temptation to skip the gym.  I went and it was hard, but it was worth it.  Gwyn had me do a number of things that now have my shoulders almost unwilling to work.  Oh and my ribs hurt from some of the ab work.  But I learned a lesson.

That lesson is, snowy days don't seem so hard when you are hot coming out of the gym. :)  No really.  The rest of my day felt like it flew along and I was able to get a few things done.  If I hadn't gone?  Well, I forgot my super-healthy lunch at home this morning, so I probably would have split the pizza that always gets ordered in on days like today.  Instead I grabbed a healthy sandwich and some milk on the way back.

Tomorrow, even snowier.  I plan to go to the gym, it's pool day!  Unless we get more than expected and I have to stay at work or Gwyn can't get to the YMCA Healthy Living Center, I will be there.

Yours in Health,
Kate

Inspiration for the Beginning of Your Journey

The first inspirational story of 2011 comes in the form of an update - it's Dave Williams.  I posted here about his amazing weight loss journey in October.  Well, that video was a bit old, but I really loved his story.

Now Channel 13 has done an update on Dave and he has lost 30 more pounds since the video was made!  Here is a link to their story.   It's so fantastic to see he not only lost weight, but he is keeping it off.

So, if you have been staring at the scale and brooding, this is proof it can be done.  Let it inspire you!

Yours in Health,
Kate

Busy + Stressed = Junk Food, But Don't Give Up

Today has been one of those days where I had to do my job and the work of others.  Now, I am sitting at work at eight o'clock at night again, trying to finish my own.  Strike that, trying to just put band-aids on things until tomorrow, when I can finish.

All of this has led me to stress eat.  I ordered Chinese delivered this afternoon as I saw everything unraveling.  I knew I would be here late again and I justified it that way.  Team that with the fact that being so busy left me no time for my workout with Gwyn at the YMCA Healthy Living Center and I am unhappy.

And just now?  I took a deep breath, sighed and let it go.  That's what you have to do on the days when 'it' doesn't go the way it should.  'It' being the healthy plan you have carved out for yourself.

We have to let it go, because to be honest, we are too busy not to.  If we don't just mark today off and reaffirm our commitment for tomorrow, we will be lost in a downward spiral.  One meal of junk food can easily lead to the mindset that, "Well, I ate that, I might as well eat this...".  That's how we have gained and lost and gained and lost a thousand times.  We weigh ourselves down with regrets.

So, the next time you have a day like mine, let it wash away.  It's just one day, one meal, one workout; it is not how you are going to live.  No, YOU are going to live healthy, don't give up!

Yours in Health,
Kate

Which Weight Loss Program Do I Choose?

It's a question I get a lot.  Personally, I like the exercise/eat better thing, hence my involvement with the YMCA Healthy Living Center and Mercy Weight Loss and Nutrition Center.  But I also know that everyone has their personal demons, food preferences and health issues, so I say choose what works for you - but choose wisely.





Rather than telling you what to choose, I want to point out a few things to avoid:

An Empty Promise:  "You will lose weight overnight", "Be 20 pounds slimmer in 30 days", "Eat nothing but ice cream and lose weight", "Two grapefruits and a sensible dinner strips away fat", etc.  We've all done it, I have.  We are so desperate to be slimmer, healthier, be able to breathe, we want to believe the lies.  Gimmicks don't work.

The Truth:  ALL weight loss = calories out are greater than calories in. So, yes, if you are cutting your food intake dramatically (which all of the above require) you will initially lose weight.  But you will also gain it back because none of those fads teach you what you really need to know - how to eat sensibly for the rest of your life, not just for the four weeks you suffer through endless grapefruit.

The Magic Pill:  "Pop this pill and drop 50 pounds in 3 months", "This pill will give you energy without being jittery", "Lose weight and eat all you want", etc.  The manufacturers change, the promise stays the same - "Our researchers have found a secret that has been kept from the world..."  And for that first time when you hear the commercial, walk past the supplement store or see the magazine ad, you entertain this idea.  Especially in America where we want everything yesterday.

The Truth:  (And you already know it.)  There is NO "Magic Pill".  If there was, no low-grade pharmaceutical company in Southern California would have discovered it, nor would it be some 'secret'.  If there was really a pill out there that could help you lose weight, without eating right and exercising, without ruining your health - WE would know.  That's right the obese amongst us would be forming lines.  Heck, those who need to drop 20 pounds would be in line!  The demand for the pill would make Viagra look like aspirin.

A Machine That Does the Work FOR You:  "You barely move and your abs tighten", "Just hold the weights and they work your muscles", "Stand in one place and the machine will shake the weight off", etc.  Sadly I am not making those up.  The ads bewitch you with men and women that rock six-pack abs, they draw you in with stories from 'real people who have had real results' using this machine.  They may even bring in a 'doctor' who will share how your body reacts to this moving and shaking and how that will slim away that belly fat.

The Truth:  If a machine works, it is unlikely it will be introduced on an infomercial by a B-level movie actor.  More likely you will discover it on a visit to the gym.  That's where real fitness experts have tried the machines, looked at research and talked to other facilities that have it.  The result is - they only invest in equipment that will really make an impact on the size of your butt.  Before the equipment ever makes the cut, they know whether people will stick with it - the best sign of a good investment and ultimately gyms are a business.

DVDs and Books:  Everyone seems to be an 'expert' on weight loss.  They lost weight with a guru and want to share.  They have a reality show and everyone likes their muscles.  They once looked at a package of Oreos and were able to resist.  They must all have the answer.

The Truth:  This one is a split decision, there are good and bad DVDs and books.  There are also good and bad reasons to use them.  A DVD created by a real trainer, rather than a super model, can be a great ice breaker for people shy about going to the gym because of weight.  It's a chance to get sure on your feet before you workout in front of people.  With books, again, actual experts are the key - Dr. Oz, good; your favorite sitcom star, nope.  I am a big believer in educating yourself every day about healthier choices and lifestyle tweaks you can make.  Good books and magazines are great tools for that empowerment.

What should you choose?  I won't choose for you.  I will tell you the ultimate keys to your success - have your head in the game, pick the right team and don't give up.  I'll cover those three as the week proceeds.

Yours in Health,
Kate

ActivTrax, a New Tool for the Y

The YMCA Healthy Living Center has added a new benefit for members - ActivTrax.  It's like having a computerized personal trainer.

My trainer Gwyn helped guide me through baseline tests to see where my fitness was, then we entered it in the system.  From there the software extrapolates what my workouts should look like.  Now I can use the prepared workouts when Gwyn is out of town.  Or like I did yesterday - I still can't put my head underwater and decided it was a sign to try it out.

I was able to not only print the workout at the kiosk, but there were a couple of moves I didn't recognize by name, so I was able to print out pictures and instructions.  It's really pretty sweet.  I am hoping to really take my workouts (on non-Gwyn days) to a new level.

Here's a link to their website.  You can't really dig too deeply without a sign-in, but it gives you an idea.  I haven't been able to look at the nutrition section, because it's not set up for me yet, but I am interested in what that has to offer too.

Every new tool gives me higher hopes and better results.

Yours in Health,
Kate

Sunday, that's all

I didn't really get an 'extra' hour of sleep last night.  I stayed up watching a "Dr. Who" episode I had not seen before.  It was really good, so no regrets.

Today I have been at work.  In a little while, it's a trip to the YMCA Healthy Living Center for a workout. Because of my double ear infection, no laps until at least Tuesday.  That's what I do for at least a half hour on Sundays, swim laps.  I really love it - great cardio and, while hard, somehow relaxing.  Instead I will do weights and running in the water.

Then dinner at my mom's.

Then a quick trip to Target and Half-Price Books.  The former has "Robin Hood" with Russell Crowe on sale.  The latter is to see if I can finish a collection for my nephew for Christmas - a project I started in April.

Then home to laundry.

I am boring.  But today, boring is okay.

Yours in Health,
Kate

Happy Halloween!

I promised earlier today on LITE 104.1 that I would post pictures from our Halloween Potluck.  The first one is me as a cowgirl.  The second is my hugely creative friend Calvin as a sock monkey!  This is the same guy that made a complete replica of Floppy as a costume two years ago.  We want to drag him to bars and win money with him, but he won't let us. ;)  The final shot is all but three of the people who dressed up today, missing are Tom Selleck, another cowgirl and a deviled egg.

You can see I have lost weight too!

Calvin is so cool, I want to be him when I don't grow up.

Most of our motley crew.

Bonus picture: My current Facebook profile picture
featuring my very own Obi-Wan Kenobi.
If you are a fan of LOL Cats, you understand the meaning.

Also, I am still working on finding an example of that killer move from Gwyn at the YMCA Healthy Living Center.  Maybe by tomorrow.

Yours in Health,
Kate

This and That and the Other Thing

The last 48 hours have been a blur.

Work has been crazy, but we put the next edition of Intuition Magazine to bed this afternoon, so that was huge.  Really like this issue, it's fun, very holiday.  The cover is beautiful, which has everything to do with our model Lindsey, great photography by Paige and design by Jolene.

One of my bosses and dear friends is leaving, we had her going away breakfast this morning.  I ate too many eggs AND had hash-browns - I know, I let my emotions eat for me.

Yesterday, I had a strenuous workout with Gwyn at the YMCA Healthy Living Center.  Tomorrow I am going to find a video of the torture exercise she likes to have me do, um, it's hard.  Whine. But I also know my abs greatly benefit, so I am torn. ;)  The day before that it was a water workout.  Those are really hard, but I love them.  I have even taken to doing an almost identical one at least once over every weekend.  I am seeing nice results.

Today, no workout, but then Thursday has become my day off.  Tomorrow it's back in the pool or maybe upstairs with weights because I missed Monday.  (No voice.)

I just finished writing a press release for a special concert that will be announced tomorrow morning.  That's all I can tease, but I promise details over the weekend.

Okay, that was enough rambling for three people, so I am going to wrap up and finally go home.  Good night.

Yours in Health,
Kate

Staring at a Blank Page

Staring.  Nothing.  In fact, I have come back several times over the last couple of hours and nada.

So, I will just quickly note that I had a great workout today with Gwyn at the YMCA Healthy Living Center.  She made me whine.  That means she pushed my limits and that's a very good thing.

With that I think I will go home for the night.

Yours in Health,
Kate

Do you pay her to do that?

When I train in the pools at the YMCA Healthy Living Center with my personal trainer Gwyn, we are quite the draw for those with a natural curiosity - today was no exception.

I had put in 25 minutes doing laps and then Gwyn came to join me in the lap pool.  We took over the lane as she had me run up and down the length of the pool.  I did tons of jumping jacks, ab work and swam with water weights as my arms made their windmill through the water.  Between my laps and her workout, I am sore and tired, but invigorated.  I have come so far and it feels great.  The little ladies at the pool have a different view....

Most of the ladies are older, especially since I workout during the day, and they aren't rockin' the killer attitude I am.  They are there to stay fit or if they are trying to get fit, throwing a punch under water never passed through their mind.

I fully admit, we draw attention to ourselves, we splash around like a herd of horses drowning.  But I love their reactions, it really makes my day.  They sometimes stare, sometimes laugh and often comment.  The most popular question is "Do you pay her to do that to you?"  I always smile and says, "Yes, I want to work this hard."  That's met with head shakes, further quizzing or people wanting to ask Gwyn about training.

I actually love it.  I love telling people about how hard work pays off.  About how great Gwyn is.  And when I hear the words that make me go to the gym 5 or 6 days a week, not "you are looking good", instead - "you are inspiring."  If I can help one person feel the urge to go to the gym or eat healthier and therefore they live longer, I have done my job and yes, I would pay for that.

Yours in Health,
Kate

Equipping Your Home Gym

As promised, I had my personal trainer, Gwyn, from the the YMCA Healthy Living Center create a list of options to start your workouts at home.  Sometimes it's easier to start at home, no one, except the cat, is there to see you.  Yet, even when you are a seasoned gym rat, you may find occasions where getting out of the house is hard - read: a foot of snow is packed in your driveway.

So, this is the list.  I have gone and found picture examples for you - I can say 'medicine ball', but you may not have a clue what I mean without a visual aid. :)

• A ball - sometimes called a stability ball, exercise ball, etc.  It is great for a number of things including core work.  Some people even use them at work instead of a chair to help their core and posture.

Okay, I could have found a
picture of just a ball, but hey.

• Mat - It can be a yoga mat or an exercise mat.  The yoga mat is thinner or you could get one of the new thicker yoga mats.  These are used to cushion a number of your floor moves.

Thick Yoga Mat

• Hand weights - Grab a pair of weights that are on the upper end of your lifting limit to start.  For example, if 10 pounds is a challenge, but doesn't break your arm, this is a good choice.  You can start here and if you become committed you can increase the number of weights you have at home or get one of the multi-weight sets.
• If the weights seem heavy- keep your sets to fewer reps until you are stronger.  If you outgrow the weights, increase reps to wear the muscle out - you won't get as much bulk, but will still build muscle.

One example of hand weights.

• Tubing or Bands - Both of these are good options if you want longer muscles.  You can do a number of weights-like moves, but you can do many things that weights can't. 

Bands can often be bought by length
and come in different tensions -
the higher the tension, the harder it is to pull.

Just like bands, tubes have different tensions,
their color will tell you which is which .

• Playground ball - Yes, it's what it sounds like.  Go to the toy section and look for the ball you played four-square with in grade school.  The ball is used for toning and balance.

Not kidding, straight from kick ball to you.
Just don't hit anyone in the back of the head with it.

• Balancing equipment - Bosu Ball, Dyna Disc and Core Board.  You don't need all three, pick the one that seems least threatening. LOL.  All of these are for building core and helping you learn balance.

Bosu ball - basically half a stability ball on a base.

Dyna Disc.

Core board - this is the newest variety,
but you will also see old school wooden ones
that look like a mini teeter totter. 

• Jump rope - you were likely a thinner person as a child, this little item had something to do with that.  Jumping rope fries calories and is great cardio.

Another flashback to your childhood.
Only the ones for grown-ups come in different lengths,
so if you haven't grown an inch since 6th grade, you are covered.

• Medicine ball - This has nothing to do with the pharmacist or those guys who used to toss them into each others guts in those odd videos from the 40's.  Instead this is a modern take that can be used as weights.

Medicine balls come in a number of weight options.

• Step - How many widgets you put under the step determine how high you are stepping.  This can help build quads and glutes.  It can also be great cardio if you do it fast enough.

You can get additional wedges to make them taller - aka-harder.

• Kettle bells - NOT FOR BEGINNERS.  You may remember a couple months back I was briefly sidelined after a class- that was with an instructor.  If you are really interested in trying these, meet up with an instructor at least once.  And no, the videos at the store do not count.  That's because Jillian Michaels can only correct your form if she can see you.

Kettle bell

I realized as I was writing this there may be some terms that I am tossing out like you have a gym membership or have a trainer.  Tomorrow I will put together a glossary covering some key terms you may hear bandied about as you get healthy.

You can find ways to use the above with a simple Google search.  But I like to help when I can, so I am going to ask Gwyn to give an exercise a week for the next few weeks to walk us through each piece of equipment.

By the way, no need to run out and get all of this at once.  It will set you back a few hundred dollars if you do.  Instead ease into it - the mat, hand weights, tubing/bands and a jump rope are a nice starting point.  If you keep at it, you can invest in yourself at a higher level.

Yours in Health,

Kate

  

This is Definitely a Monday

My ankle is being iced as we speak.  I twisted it, in bed, early Saturday morning.  And no, I wasn't doing anything fun.  I had fixed the blanket, laid on my side and very groggily pushed up to my pillow with my feet and twisted my ankle.  Now that's ridiculous.  So, it's day three of ice and Aleve or Advil.

Yesterday I did a water workout and trainer Gwyn at the YMCA Healthy Living Center has agreed to do one today as well - lessoning the impact on my ankle.

There have been a few other rocky moment this morning, but the biggest bummer is that a friend/boss of mine is leaving.  She has been one of my biggest cheerleaders, a real innovator and great teacher, nothing will be quite the same without her.

All of that said, rather than dive into a box of chocolate, I will keep busy today and sleep early tonight.  That will give Tuesday a fighting chance.

Yours in Health,
Kate

Firming Up

Yesterday was all about the upper body with my trainer Gwyn at the YMCA Healthy Living Center.  Gwyn makes sure it's tough, so those days are great and hard all at once.  I am getting stronger, so we are constantly trying to get the weights right.  LOL.  Yesterday on one lift I went from 12.5 to 20 pounds in three rounds - hot dang!

I love the way my arms and shoulders are changing shapes.  Even the extra swag of fat is slowly skimming away, I am on my way to no more turkey wattle.

It's not just those areas that are firming up, my glutes are tightening, I can feel my abs through my tummy fat and my breasts have been given a natural lift.  (I know, that may be too much information.)  But I am thrilled.  The scale seems to be stuck, but the muscle is coming on fast enough, that sooner or later, that will give way too.

You know, you don't have to have a trainer to start getting firmer - though I recommend one when you are ready to commit to a permanent change.  Instead, you can start at home and once you have been at it for a month, and know you are ready, you should seek out help to set a plan for real change - it's working for me.

Tomorrow I will share a list from Gwyn of the top items to have for a home workout to test your will to be healthier.

Yours in Health,
Kate

Looong Week and Lots of Rain

Yes, it has been one of those weeks.  Lots of stress at work, lots of silly people in the world outside of work (and that's being kind) and the rain simply won't abate.  I am sitting here, listening to the water pour onto the roof at work as I finish my duties before heading for a workout.  That's the one area in my life that has been o.k. this week.

I had three great workouts with trainer Gwyn at the YMCA Healthy Living Center.  She even put me on a cardio machine I wouldn't have tried on my own - and it worked.  I wouldn't have tried it because I was afraid the pushing down and swiveling around would leave my knees aching horribly.  As luck would have it, it left me sore, but otherwise alright.  In fact, I am still feeling my glutes throb, which is good, because my glutes need plenty of work.

Now I am going to go work things out in the water of the exercise pool - I know, I could just stand outside and get soaked to.  Here's hoping tomorrow's sunny forecast holds or we will have fall floods to match the spring and summer ones. ;)

Tomorrow:  Introducing Dr. Sheldon Cooper

Yours in Health,
Kate

The Latest on Workouts

Trainer Gwyn loves to kick my butt.  And I love it too.

We warm up every session with 15 minutes of cardio.  Then lately we've been doing a lot of heavier weights.  Tons of different moves to tweak every possible location in my body.  It's a great way to bulk up my muscle, which helps me burn more calories and slowly change my shape.  I'm not going out for Ms. Olympia, but I know that the more muscle I pack on the better my bones are protected and the better I feel.

At least one day a week she and I are also in the pool.  If you think this is for wimps - wrong.  She often has me start with laps, which is hilarious because I am a total crap swimmer.  LOL.  In fact, I probably burn more calories trying to do it than a professional swimmer because I am flailing around.  Doesn't matter though, I try and that's all that counts.

She also has me do weights in the water, running and the ab work she had me do the other day I felt more than I have been on land, nice.  Water is also where I am on my days without Gwyn.  I switch between the lap pool and the exercise pool.  Even on the days I think, "I can't workout today, I'm not feeling great", I know the pool will make it better.

Today was a lot of biceps and triceps.  I suspect picking up a tissue will be a toughie tomorrow, but it's totally worth it. :)

Yours in Health,
Kate

Steering Off Course

I was supposed to meet with Gwyn yesterday at the YMCA Healthy Living Center.  She is back from vacation and I was excited for the return of her guidance.

Then I got in the car and rolled out of the back drive at the office.  As I started to turn to the right, something slipped and I realized that my steering had pretty much failed.  I drove for half a block debating whether I could limp across town to the HLC and quickly came to the right conclusion - I could cause an accident, killing myself or someone else and that would be stupid.

So, I called to let Gwyn know and then called my saint of a brother, Gordon.  (Did I mention he is good looking and single, ladies?)  He could tell by my tone that 'Bertha' my 93 Buick Skylark was the reason for my dialing him.  I limped her over to Gordon's and he set to looking her over.  We went to his work, Advance Auto Parts, and priced out parts for pretty much everything it could be.  Then back to his place, where he loaned me his truck, telling me, "I love you only slightly more than my truck, so be careful." (He was only half kidding.)

I ran back to work, stopped by home to get him the can of mosquito bombing spray I had.  (The little blood suckers could carry you off at his house.)  And I went back to find Gordon had torn apart more of the car.  Then he showed me what was really wrong - the sheet metal that holds the steering column in place has torn, so it's actually sliding, which explains why my steering wheel was crooked.  Add to that the fact that the panel underneath is rusted through and if that thing had broken loose and dropped, it would have gone right on to the ground - I had made an awesome choice in not going to the gym!

So, Gordon will have Bertha for the next several days.  Lori has been kind enough to share her car with me.  And I am going back to the gym today.  It's time to get everything in my life back on track.

Yours in Health,
Kate

Back in the Saddle

I have been so busy getting back in the rhythm of working out and eating right, I have let the blog slide.  I apologize, again.  :)  But I promise this really is the restart of writing.

I am currently doing two-a-day workouts to help my brother get back in the swing of working out.  Gordon really wants to crack this thing and so we are able to keep each other on track.  So, yesterday and today are two workouts a day.

Yesterday was kettle bells - a 'surprise' courtesy of Gwyn at the YMCA Healthy Living Center.  I went to train and instead she and I joined a kettle bell class with Greg, another trainer who specializes in the bells.  By the way, everyone asks, "Why do they call it a kettle bell?"  Here is a picture, you will see it has a passing resemblance to a tea kettle.

Well, you use the tool a number of ways, but one of the most frequent is swinging it through your legs and bending over each time you hike the kettle bell.  It's a great combo of weights and cardio.  But it's also really hard on your body the first few times, as I am still feeling in my lower back and hamstrings this afternoon! :)

Even with the aches, I am planning to go back next Monday.  Gwyn is going out of town and I will be training myself next week.  So, I think I may try some classes on top of the other workouts with Gordon.

As for today, Gwyn ran me through a circuit on the machines - 1 minute of lifting weights, one minute of cardio moves in between.  Plus, three sets of minute long crunches on a weight machine.  I expect my back with be better tomorrow and my abs will be the next ache.  LOL.

Well, I have to go finish work.

Yours in Health,
Kate

You May Think This is Weird...

But I kinda want them to find something when they do my exploratory surgery tomorrow.  I don't want cancer, just answers.  Maybe endometriosis or cysts, something simple, LOL.  It's just that I have been in pain for so long and it just keeps increasing, I want them to go in, look around and be all - "Hey, we have a solution".  I realized this morning the pain was affecting my sleep, which may explain why I have been so tired the last few weeks.  Whatever happens, I will let you know.

As for workout today with Gwyn at the YMCA Healthy Living Center?  Yea, she wasn't kidding about kicking my butt. :)  I did some things today I haven't done since I was a healthy girl before.  The nice thing is that I didn't pass out.  I had to stop a few times, but I pushed through and finished.  If I hadn't been able to shake the pain, Gwyn would have changed things up.  But I refused.  Besides, with surgery tomorrow, I have a few days to recover.

Well, I have to go do a ton of work before I am gone, so have a great weekend and I will blog again as soon as I can.

Yours in Health,
Kate

What Do You Blog About?

My company brings in tons of interns each summer and it's great because it brings new blood and fresh perspective.  Today I was talking to one of them and the subject of blogs came up and he said he used to keep one, but it had just become a rant and he gave it up.  I said, "Well, you could make it private and just keep it as a personal journal."  He smiled and said, "Isn't that what actual journals are for?"

He's right, but I am crap at journaling.  In fact, I have bought no fewer than 20 journals in 10 years in hopes that one day I would be capable of putting pen to paper on a regular basis.  Instead, it's a collection of 3 page tomes that are completely incoherent.  But with blogging, it has some how clicked and other than being uber busy or sick, I am capable of committing to this - yea me!

Anyway, right before the end of this conversation, he asked, "What do you blog about?"  Oddly, I hesitated.  I wanted to answer in a paragraph, for some reason, when I know a sentence would do.  So, I self-edited, and said, "My blog is called "Get Healthy with Kate Garner" and I write about my journey to losing weight again." 

Succinct is good, but I felt like I wasn't really selling what I write about.  I talk about food and life and family and exercise and doctors and all of the things that are life as an overweight person.   In other words, this is indeed a journal, but not the kind collecting dust in my overloaded closet in the office at home.  LOL.

So, do you blog?  What do you blog about?  Does it give you a different angle on your life? 

It really has changed how I look at my life.  Every day I hash out exactly how I have done and yes, sometimes I struggle to put key to post because being honest can be painful.  But then I have it out and I can look back to see how far I have come and that is motivating.

As for actual health related things today - I worked out with Gwyn at the YMCA Healthy Living Center.  I forgot my sports bra, so there were no bouncing exercises. ;)  We did my lower body today and then core.  There were some tough points, but I just had to breath better, which is a weak point for me.

Gwyn has sworn to beat me down tomorrow because I am not going to be able to workout Thursday and Friday and maybe not over the weekend either, we will see.  What is that about?  Well, I am having exploratory surgery around my uterus.  I have been in pain for about 8 months now.  Initial tests have been inconclusive, so they have no choice but to make an incision and go inside for a look.

I am sure it is nothing, but I will have to rest until my body heals enough to jar it with a workout again.  Anyway, I need to finish work.  More tomorrow.

Yours in Health,
Kate