On the run again
Jogging and blogging
Twelve days without blogging. What happened this
time?
First the real reason and then the proximate excuse. Writing isn't fun. I'd rather be doing something else. Well that's not quite accurate. Actually, starting to write isn't fun. Inertia must be overcome. An object at rest doesn't like to get moving. Without deadlines I like to procrastinate, fantasize about the work without touching the keyboard.
I had few goals when I retired on the first of July. Clean the apartment, alphabetize the books, scan my old photos into the mac, renew friendships, and get into shape. Oh yeah, and start a blog and eventually write a novel.
Danny came over and scanned over half the pictures. I was supposed to finish the rest. They are still sitting in somewhat neat piles on the carpet. I asked Jamie to give me a hand with the bookshelves but he's been tied up helping Rick. I do manage to wash the dishes most days but dirt and dust have the upper hand beyond the kitchen sink. I've promised to visit friends on both coasts but still haven't committed to when.
I am happy to report however, that progress has been made on the fitness front.
After Labour Day I went back into the initial induction phase of the Atkins' diet, eating less than 20 grams of carbs a day, forcing the body to burn fat as it's primary energy source. I was 185 pounds then and I've since lost six of those, in four weeks. My goal is to get down to 165, still 20 pounds more than when I was hired at Chrysler 30 years ago. Several people think I'm being unrealistic but that is still at the high end of the recommended weight range for my height. Just over a year ago I was pushing 205.
During July and August I went for hour long walks several times a week, to and from the Ambassador Bridge (busiest border crossing in North America.) In September I've been doing that distance everyday, jogging a few hundred yards and then walking for a bit. Lately I've been running the whole distance there and mixing it up on the way back.
Starting jogging is like starting writing. It's frustrating. Muscles and lungs that have gone lax complain. I don't need to jog. Walking is sufficient. But I've jogged off and on all my adult life, rarely going a year without attempting to resume the habit. If I'm successful I usually keep it up for several months, feeling much healthier and energized. It only takes a couple of weeks before I'm addicted and feel unsatisfied if I don't get in a run at some point during the day. Which can lead to stress injuries because you have to give the body a day of rest now and then.
This past week there were the familiar warning signs, transient pains in the shins, knees, calves. Each day I promised myself that tomorrow I would lay off, but the early fall weather was too enticing, as it was this morning. However experience does count for something. A while ago, just after I finished tying up my running shoes, I took them off and swore "not today!"
The next stage in the fitness campaign is weight training. I've done this before too, although not nearly as frequently and sustained as the jogging. The condo I live in has a well equipped weight room that is usually empty. Yesterday I went down and checked out my current strength levels. Clearly I haven't done heavy labour for a while. I'm going to try to alternate between jogging/walking one day and weight training the next with a rest day every week.
So my current excuse for not writing is that I've been tired.
Some critics of the low carb diets claim that the brain needs lots of carbohydrates to function well. I suspect that might have an element of truth to it. Last year, when I started Atkins', during the induction regime I was in a bit of a daze, had a persistent mild headache, watched a lot of TV and didn't read much. This time I've had the headache again at times, find myself reading more and putting off writing until 'tomorrow.' I'm not sure if the headache is caused by low glucose levels or simply lower blood pressure, which I've noticed also happens during induction.
I want to stay in induction for another week or two and then start gradually adding the carbs back in. The Atkins' strategy is to slowly bring the weight loss to a halt as you approach your goal. The critics often confuse induction with the later stages of the diet, which feature a healthy share of complex carbohydrates with less fat and protein. No headaches either. As long as I stay away from potatoes and pasta it seems to work for me.
We will see if I write more after consuming the occasional slice of bread and changing the exercise routine.
First the real reason and then the proximate excuse. Writing isn't fun. I'd rather be doing something else. Well that's not quite accurate. Actually, starting to write isn't fun. Inertia must be overcome. An object at rest doesn't like to get moving. Without deadlines I like to procrastinate, fantasize about the work without touching the keyboard.
I had few goals when I retired on the first of July. Clean the apartment, alphabetize the books, scan my old photos into the mac, renew friendships, and get into shape. Oh yeah, and start a blog and eventually write a novel.
Danny came over and scanned over half the pictures. I was supposed to finish the rest. They are still sitting in somewhat neat piles on the carpet. I asked Jamie to give me a hand with the bookshelves but he's been tied up helping Rick. I do manage to wash the dishes most days but dirt and dust have the upper hand beyond the kitchen sink. I've promised to visit friends on both coasts but still haven't committed to when.
I am happy to report however, that progress has been made on the fitness front.
After Labour Day I went back into the initial induction phase of the Atkins' diet, eating less than 20 grams of carbs a day, forcing the body to burn fat as it's primary energy source. I was 185 pounds then and I've since lost six of those, in four weeks. My goal is to get down to 165, still 20 pounds more than when I was hired at Chrysler 30 years ago. Several people think I'm being unrealistic but that is still at the high end of the recommended weight range for my height. Just over a year ago I was pushing 205.
During July and August I went for hour long walks several times a week, to and from the Ambassador Bridge (busiest border crossing in North America.) In September I've been doing that distance everyday, jogging a few hundred yards and then walking for a bit. Lately I've been running the whole distance there and mixing it up on the way back.
Starting jogging is like starting writing. It's frustrating. Muscles and lungs that have gone lax complain. I don't need to jog. Walking is sufficient. But I've jogged off and on all my adult life, rarely going a year without attempting to resume the habit. If I'm successful I usually keep it up for several months, feeling much healthier and energized. It only takes a couple of weeks before I'm addicted and feel unsatisfied if I don't get in a run at some point during the day. Which can lead to stress injuries because you have to give the body a day of rest now and then.
This past week there were the familiar warning signs, transient pains in the shins, knees, calves. Each day I promised myself that tomorrow I would lay off, but the early fall weather was too enticing, as it was this morning. However experience does count for something. A while ago, just after I finished tying up my running shoes, I took them off and swore "not today!"
The next stage in the fitness campaign is weight training. I've done this before too, although not nearly as frequently and sustained as the jogging. The condo I live in has a well equipped weight room that is usually empty. Yesterday I went down and checked out my current strength levels. Clearly I haven't done heavy labour for a while. I'm going to try to alternate between jogging/walking one day and weight training the next with a rest day every week.
So my current excuse for not writing is that I've been tired.
Some critics of the low carb diets claim that the brain needs lots of carbohydrates to function well. I suspect that might have an element of truth to it. Last year, when I started Atkins', during the induction regime I was in a bit of a daze, had a persistent mild headache, watched a lot of TV and didn't read much. This time I've had the headache again at times, find myself reading more and putting off writing until 'tomorrow.' I'm not sure if the headache is caused by low glucose levels or simply lower blood pressure, which I've noticed also happens during induction.
I want to stay in induction for another week or two and then start gradually adding the carbs back in. The Atkins' strategy is to slowly bring the weight loss to a halt as you approach your goal. The critics often confuse induction with the later stages of the diet, which feature a healthy share of complex carbohydrates with less fat and protein. No headaches either. As long as I stay away from potatoes and pasta it seems to work for me.
We will see if I write more after consuming the occasional slice of bread and changing the exercise routine.
Posted: Sun - September 28, 2003 at 02:27 PM
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Published On: Sep 12, 2007 03:13 PM
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Published On: Sep 12, 2007 03:13 PM