MYTH BUSTED!

Not that Myth Buster! But my myth that I always seemed to believe.  I thought there really wasn't any way I could run except for the first thing in the morning and also before I ate anything.  Wrong! I was lazy this week and other than running for 2.5 miles on Monday, I haven't run at all.  Actually, I had only ran one day out of 9 days....not good! Here we are on Saturday and once again lazy in the morning. Fortunately there wasn't a lot of "running around" I had to do so......at 3:30 I finally got up and did my run on the treadmill. I didn't have my glasses and couldn't clearly see the meter so I just used the song method again.  12 songs at my pace should add up to 2.6 miles.....amazingly it did. In the afternoon, shortly after eating and with the irregular schedule! I feel like I have accomplished something......now, to tell myself to quit slacking off and hurry up and get to 3 miles!

What other myths can we disprove?

Running Man

I really didn't want to get up this morning and run but knew I needed to because I haven't ran in four days! It was tough waking up and even more difficult getting myself motivated. I couldn't look at the gage on the treadmill for fear I would watch it too closely.  I ended following the music on the headset and letting it guide me on my time....you know 4 songs should be about one mile.....sort of.  Anyway the goal was 2.3 miles today but I ended up listening to the last song that kept me running until 2.5...YEAH! The song was this...."Calling All Angels".......the words that kept me running?  I wont give up if you don't give up....I wont give up if you don't give up.....I wont give up if you don't give up........OKAY OKAY Already......run I did!

RUN TO THIS!

The Battlefield: Left Flank

So what is attacking us on the left side?.....or should I say what is attacking ME from the left side? Well, once I actually wake up....like I was describing in the first piece, http://etsthisibelieve.blogspot.com/2012/01/battlefield-first-front.html here. Then I have the struggle (or have in the past) with what exercise to do.  How many exercises are there? Don't ask that question.....too many! But what is right for you.

Have you seen all those crazy info mercials about the equipment they sell? Sliders, gliders, pullers, runners, weight machines, stretch machines, tension machines, tummy tighteners, thigh strengtheners, butt squeezers....(okay maybe not that one)....But come on....why so many?  Why? Because we are gullible enough to think that just because we buy it, first we will actually use it and second that it will actually work.  (like the miracle cure they are describing on television).  Have you read the fine print at the bottom? Yes, Not all results shown here are typical......Really? Come on!

Well I have been lucky enough in my earlier years to really learn alot about exercise and what works and what doesn't.  The biggest challenge really is just getting up off your butt and doing something. Do it all the time, consistently and do it often and do it with VIGOR. I used to love lifting weights.  I recently posted this picture of me back in the day when I powerlifted.  Fun, probably not right for me today.  I would more than likely leave my arms on the floor if I deadlifted that much today.  If I squatted that much, I would be a squashed piece of meat on the floor resting under all the weight...(PETA please don't protest me for saying MEAT!).  My goal these days is to have energy and get slim.

Cardio is the answer.  Create a workout that allows me to sweat a bit and get my heart rate up.  I hated running like I have mentioned but it is somewhat rewarding and provides a bit of challenge against a few others if not just against myself as I continually try to better my last time or distance. I hate the treadmill but I can run inside when it is cold (absolutely hate the cold), and I can track my time/distance with great precision. Little goals and increases are fine.

Here is another...a bit crazy.....I asked for XBOX Kinects for Christmas.  So now I can exercise and play a game or two.  I haven't mastered it all yet nor set up a routine but I am working on it.  I have played a few sports events, like football, baseball, track is good.  Even some of the FUN games are very good for creating a work out.  One of the specific exercise ones has me running through the streets of New York City and gives me history lessons of some the architecture that I run past.  Sort like running through a sketch up model!

So my recommendation? Well, not like you might care but whatever you do, just get your heart rate up and doing it regularly.  Do somethin you enjoy so you will stick to it. Heard on TV the other day about a 67 year old man that runs 4 marathons a week.......really? Okay......I have a long way to go.  My friends....stay healthy!

Back on board!....with the treadmill that is.

me on the treadmill.....terrible picture,
looks like I don't have any teeth

Okay, so I guess it was the barefoot running that was killing my skins.  Today I jumped on the treadmill and did just over two miles! Not great by any means but far better than what I have been doing.  I feel the next step is loose a few pounds, which the continuous running should eventually help this out, and maybe a new pair of running shoes.  They say that you need to replace them regularly and I cannot quite honestly say how long I have had these....maybe since I finished the last half marathon????? Anyway, my skins didn't hurt and I really wasn't too tired.  A little winded, but I didn't want to overdo it like i always do.....and then not walk for a week.....baby steps.

Anyway, I am excited.....the first mile I averaged about 12:00 and the second was roughly 15:00. I also had a warm up walk before and after which added to the time, distance and calories.  The count said 312 calories burned.....Yeah! I am hoping to do the turkey trot 5K on Thursday. We have always seemed to miss this one. Join us in the race.....would love to see you! http://www.active.com/running/virginia-beach-va/5th-annual-onelife-fitness-turkey-derby-10k-5k-and-williams-mile-2011?int=29-12

Keep running my friends....If I can do it you certainly can! Tell me about your struggles and your triumphs, no matter how great or small.

Ups and Downs

Let's see if I can get this right.  Trying to post under the one of the page categories. Just call me a novice blogger....still trying to master the whole thing.

The blood sugar is always on the ups and downs.  Typically my morning have always been high....around 180 or so. This drives me crazy.....I will just keep plugging away and hope that number eventually goes down. 

Here is how yesterday went....I woke up and decided to get back to running.  I had been back up to 1.5 miles....yes terrible, pathetic, shameful....I have already used all these to describe myself.  i know I should be too hard on myself but it was only 3 years or so ago that I ran a half marathon....then I had the bright idea of taking a break for a week to rest.......this has been the longest ONE WEEK break in history.......so back to running.  Wife bought me a treadmill for my birthday and off and running......okay.....not OFF and running......RUNNING in place.  I hate treadmills, but it will get me over the hump.....whatever it takes.  Anyway, I got up yesterday and jumped on the treadmill (while my wife was running 6 miles outside (did I already use the word shameful to describe myself....i think so), but I ran a good 2 miles.....so excited.  Felt good...not too sore.....except for feet......I also had the bright idea to run barefoot......toes are sore......yes......did I also use the word brainless to describe myself.....what was I thinking!

One of the hurdles I have had with diabetes is the weight control.  I cannot seem to keep off the weight when I am on the medicine.  Out of frustration in the past, i have sopped all the meds and dropped over 20 pounds....however my blood sugar (A1C) went crazy high.....back to the meds.....20 pounds back right back on.  The doctor gave me a new med when I recently went on UL500, it is called Vitosin and it basically makes you sick to your stomach....kind of like the feeling you get when you just get off of a roller coaster......except that is most of the time.  BLAH......they say you don't eat as much because you feel sick.....yeah, well I can always eat....love to eat.....still maintained weight.......so running it is!

Ups and Downs?  Blood Sugar is all over the place as you begin different "studies".....running yesterday made my Blood Sugar last night at midnight drop to 55.....and going down.  I run to the kitchen to get something and oops....This is Thursday evening...Friday is grocery day...no juice....no snacks......what can I eat or drink that might help...QUICKLY!  Red Bull?  I hate Red Bull, they are my daughter's.....what happens when you drink a red bull at 1:00 in the morning........BOING! Yep...cant stay asleep.....okay it wasn't too bad.....but I was up at 5:30!

Ups and Downs my friends....Ups and Downs!