The numbers are a changing.

We've made it halfway through the year.

My exercise competition with Jenna is going strong.  As we've done quite often, we've modified a few things.  The last I talked about it I detailed the addition of the 7 Minute Workout as well as a daily stair requirement.  It would be no fun if things didn't increase each month, right?  I mean, how else are we supposed to continue to improve... or beat the other?

As of the end of June, we are tied for the number of months won.  It's been a close competition most months.  There have also been a couple months where the winner reached the goal more than a week ahead of the other!  Want to know why?  Because they were beat the previous month.  Back when we first started this competition (over 2 years ago!!) we would check in daily once we completed our water intake and let the other know where we were on our miles.  It was a great motivator.  It helped me to keep pushing.  Now, we don't talk about it at all.  It's become more of a motivator to NOT know and keep pushing as hard as possible.  That, and we don't want the other to know how close we are getting to the goal.

As the title states "the numbers are a changing".  As we've progressed through we have found areas that needed to be modified in order to keep us on a more appropriate workout schedule.  The rule used to be the first person to the monthly goal won.  No specific requirements other than to reach the goal.  That worked great until we discussed the fact that neither of us wanted to non running/walking workouts until the goal was met.  We both can go much further than 2 miles in an hour which is what the minute equivalent is.  So the first change we made was a minimum number of miles achieved in minutes, no matter how many actual distance miles were already completed.  I know this made a huge difference for me!  I didn't feel guilty for missing my Strong class on Wednesday mornings, and my yard work started picking back up a little.  The next change we made, effective this month, is the 7 Minute Workout is no longer a requirement.  It was great, don't get me wrong!  It served it's purpose well and had me doing exercises I wouldn't normally have done.  The reason we changed it from being required, other than we both were cussing it every day, is that the exercises it was having us do we both were doing anyway with the classes and trainings we were doing at our respective gyms.  I still will highly recommend it to anyone who asks for an app to help them start working out.  I will actually still use it, especially on the weekends when I don't get to the gym.  But this past weekend knowing it wasn't required was such a sigh of relief!  Removing that element from being required meant we needed to modify how mileage was earned as it was tied in with our daily water intake requirement.

For a recap here is how we earn our miles:

Miles ran OR walked count the same

30min workout = 1 mile
Bike riding 3:1 (3 miles equals 1 mile credited because of coasting times)

72oz of water consumed by 5pm = .25 mile (if not met must subtract .25 miles)

Flights of stairs = .25 (minimum) or .5 (suggested) (if not met must subtract .25/.5 miles)

And here are the monthly requirements: 

January                                    February                                        March

60 miles total                            60 miles total                                 70 miles total

4 flights of stairs daily               6 flights of stairs daily                    8 flights of stairs daily

72 oz water & 7MW daily         72 oz water & 7MW daily               72 oz water & 7MW daily

April                                          May                                               June

70 miles total                            70 miles total (20 in minutes)        70 miles total (20 in minutes)

10 flights of stairs daily             12 flights of stairs daily                 14 flights of stairs daily

72 oz water & 7MW daily          72 oz water & 7MW daily              72 oz water & 7MW daily

July                                            August                                           September

80 miles total (25 in minutes)    80 miles total (25 in minutes)         80 miles total (25 in minutes)

8 min/16 max stairs daily           9 min/18 max stairs daily               10 min/20 max stairs daily

72 oz water daily                       72 oz water daily                            72 oz water daily

October                                      November                                      December

70 miles total (20 in minutes)     70 miles total (20 in minutes)         60 miles total (15 in minutes)

10 min/20 max stairs daily         10 min/20 max stairs daily             10 min/20 max stairs daily

72 oz water daily                        72 oz water daily                            72 oz water daily

We *may* have been told a few times that we are obsessed and a little crazy, both of which we already know. The spreadsheet we use to keep track of all of this is extensive and detailed but very necessary.  I may have a good memory, but not good enough to remember all of this off the top of my head.

This is year 3 for us, and I've not yet won a year so I'm pushing extra hard.

As the dust settles

A few weeks ago I sent a cleaning crew in here to clear out the dust.

They did an excellent job *sneeze* and now I'm ready *cough* to begin again.  *sneeze sneeze*


For those who are curious, yes I'm still in an exercise competition with my best friend.  As with years past we have increased the monthly mile goal and added extra components.  The two main items we added this year was stairs and a daily 7 Minute Workout.

I am always excited about stairs, as anyone who has gone walking with me will attest to, so the addition of stairs made me smile.  Then I saw what our monthly goal of stairs was.  For the first few months it was no big deal as we slowly build up.  My office is on the 3rd floor of the building, so achieving 4 or even 10 flights a day can easily be accomplished.  However, come September the daily goal is 20 flights.  So the last quarter of the year if you need me, look in the stairwell.

The other addition, the 7 Minute Workout, was to replace our daily core exercises.  We needed a variety daily and this fit the bill perfectly.  The app was inexpensive and comes with one pack of exercises.  The additional packs can be earned by reaching certain achievements.  For example, after one full month of exercises daily you can earn "for free" the bonus pack 2.  Bonus pack 3 can be earned after two solid months of exercises... or as I like to refer to it as "two months of torture to save 99 cents".  So far, for the year, the various packs have done me well.  The variety is great.  7 minutes is really no time at all.  The problem that I keep having is remembering that I haven't done it as I stand in the shower.  I need to work on that.

A few weeks ago I also attended my fourth Diabetes UnConference.  As always, it was amazing, fulfilling, and worth every cent and second I invested in it.  No group of people on Earth fills my heart quite like my Tribe.


So with this brief update on the life and times of Jenn I leave you with this (it is from a greeting card that I saved and have hanging in my office):

May your days be warm, bright, blue, nice, and full of hugs!

Exercise Catch up... I really have been exercising

SO... I just realized that February was my last Exercise Competition check in.  Talk about slacking!  Thankfully I haven't been that much of a slacker in the actual exercising... at least not until recently (I'll get into that in a paragraph or two).

Let's start with some housekeeping:

March (goal of 50 miles):

Miles walked: 20.49

Minutes exercised: 970 = 32.33

Water intake: 26/31 days = 5.25

Core completed: 8/31 days = -3.00

TOTAL: 55.07 miles

April (goal of 60 miles):

Miles walked: 32.84

Minutes exercised: 1,390 = 46.33

Water intake: 25/30 days = 5.00

Core completed: 15/30 days = 0

TOTAL: 84.17 miles

May (goal of 60 miles):

Miles walked: 14.38

Minutes exercised: 1,200 = 40

Water intake: 25/31 days = 4.75

Core completed: 19/31 days = 1.40

TOTAL: 60.53 miles

June (goal of 60 miles):

Miles walked: 7.71

Minutes exercised: 1,885 = 62.83

Water intake: 27/30 days = 6.00

Core completed: 17/30 days = 0.80

TOTAL: 77.34 miles

Notice a trend?  Other than I am significantly below where I was last year, core seems to be something I will shrug off.  I really shouldn't as not only would it help with.. well.. bell flab, but it will also help with the sacroiliac issue that I continue to battle.  Yet... I just am not motivated to do the core.

Come to find out... neither is she.  We thought that maybe we increased the daily requirements to quickly, so we back off for the 2nd quarter.

Nope.  We still slacked.  

When confession time happened we both admitted to doing an extra lap around the block, or another 10-15 minutes to make up for what we would lose.  This was completely counterproductive.

We decided we needed to up the consequences.  We debated different ideas but settled on an "all or nothing" approach.  Complete water AND core or lose the mileage for both.  We didn't change the time for water completion, that still had to be done by 5pm, but if we didn't finish core by midnight we would lose the water miles.  

Can I tell you something?  This sucks!  I don't know why I don't do the core.  I really isn't that bad, especially if I were to spread it out throughout the day.  A total of 200 second of wall sits is easily completed while waiting for my lunch to heat in the microwave.  20 squats can be done while brushing my teeth.  20 crunchies is easy to accomplish, especially when playing with the cat.  200 seconds of planks... this is where I falter.  I could/should break it up to 5 sets of 40 seconds.  That would be simple.  Looking for my shoes under the bed takes that long.  Then why am I not doing them?

I. Don't. Know.  But I need to break the mental block.  

Lately.. I've been slacking a lot more.  Maybe it's because it is danged hot outside.  Maybe it's because life got busier.. or I think it has.  Maybe I was relying on my morning workouts more than I should have, and not my walks.  Maybe I need to get to sleep before the next day so that I can get up earlier and do my walks and watch the sunrise.  

I can maybe until the cows come home, but that doesn't solve my problem.  I *KNOW* that after any workout I not only feel better physically, but mentally as well.  I *KNOW* the soreness and pain will subside and my endurance will increase.  Yet I *DON'T KNOW* how to push the activate button to get me moving consistently.

This slump will end, that I am certain, but will it end before July is over?  July's goal is 70 miles and I am currently at 43.51.  I have another 26.49 to complete in 12 days.  I have no doubt that I will not win July, but I really don't want to have to pay the "laziness penalty".

February Wrap Up

Yes.. I realize that March is ending in just a few days.  A lot happened in March and trying to recap my February exercise challenge was at the bottom of the list of necessary items to do.

So.. without further delay (so I'm not TWO months behind) here is February's recap.

February (goal of 50 miles):

Miles walked: 45.60

Minutes exercised: 1,505 = 50.17

Water intake: 24/29 days = 4.75

Core completed: 16/29 days = 0.60

TOTAL: 101.12 miles

 

Core stopped hurting as much and I know that's because I actually DID more core. 

 

I also won February. 

 

So.. we are two month's down and 10 to go.

 

Who do YOU think will win the year?  (So far, we are tied one month each).

Starting the year with a change

Hey everyone!  How did your January go?  Any resolution makers and breakers out there?

I always broke them faster than I could write them down, so I stopped.  I found goals were much easier to maintain.  It may just be a word change, but it really helps me.

If you've been keeping up, you know that for 2016 my exercise goals and competition were ramped up a little.  We added a core component in hopes of keeping things new and fun....and to help with some body areas that needed some work.

Things changed.

Even after redoing my living room floor, I hadn't reached the goal before my friend did.  In fact, she reached it around the 9th.  That was the earliest either of us ever reached the goal.  It almost seemed too soon.  Her husband stated that since we've been doing this for a year already, dialing all the way back to a 40 mile goal was probably doing us an injustice.  He suggested that we add 10 miles to each month's goal.  It made sense to us... so we did.  A few days later, she officially won.

Here is how my month turned out:

January (goal of 50 miles):

Miles walked: 35.54

Minutes exercised: 1,275 = 42.50

Water intake: 30/31 days = 7.25

Core completed: 9/31 days = -2.60

TOTAL: 82.69 miles

 

Yes, you see that right.  I had negative miles for core.  Core hurts.

 

Remember way back when I was dealing with pain in my sacroiliac joint?  Well.. it still likes to rear it's ugly ugly head.  The physical therapy I did at the time did help, but not perfectly heal.  Some regular day to day activities can have me breathing like I'm having labor pains and looking for a a chair as fast as possible.  Those activities include doing dishes, grocery shopping, and laundry.  Certain exercises I do are supposed to help, and they do, but in the process they hurt.  That includes planks.  Tightening and strengthening my core will help the most (partially why we added the core component this year).  This is why I had more core fail days more than I successes. 

 

I realized that this wasn't working out well, so I went back to the orthopedic.  I also bit the bullet and took a cortisone shot.  The blood sugar highs were insane, but with some careful calculations and temp basals, I was able to not soar above 350 for very long, and got them back into normal (for me) range in just a couple days.  The shot did seem to wear off after 2 weeks, but the more I walk the better it feels.  It may just be the gorgeous sun and beautiful weather we've had, but I bet the cortisone did it's job.  I will probably need one more shot before I'm back to physical normalcy.  In the meantime, this month I've been completely the core exercises more than I've not been completely them and I consider that a win!

 

 

 

2015 Exercise Wrap-Up and Plan for 2016

Hey everyone... remember me?  The crazy cat/penguin/walking lady who blogs every now and then?

Life got really hectic there for awhile and some things (like this blog) took a back seat.  It happens.

However, I do want to bring my 2015 exercise competition to a close, and I can't do that without wrapping up the reporting here.  I also need to share the 2016 goals.  We've added a core component to keeps things interesting.. and might I add, a bit more painful.

So without further ado here are the remaining 2015 totals (I did end up winning November and December):

October (goal of 50 miles):

Miles walked: 38.98

Minutes exercised: 800 = 26.67

Water intake 29/31 days = 6.75

TOTAL: 72.4 miles

 

November (goal of 40 miles):

Miles walked: 34.91

Minutes exercised: 630 = 21

Water intake 23/30 days = 4

TOTAL:  59.91 miles

 

December (goal of 40 miles):

Miles walked: 22.34

Minutes exercised: 1035 = 34.50

Water intake 26/31 days = 5.25

TOTAL:  62.09 miles

Notice the trend?  As the holidays approached we stopped moving and by stopping moving we slowed our water intake.  It really isn't a surprise that the two go hand in hand.

The prize for winning the year (most months won) went to Jenna. 

Winning Months:

      Jenna:                                      Jenn:

      January                                    February

      March                                      April

      May                                         August

      July                                         November

      September                              December

      October

 

It was a great year.  I am a little bummed that I didn't win my birthday month, but that is totally okay.  Just increasing our activity and water intake it has assured that I'll have more birthday months in my future.

 

We had so much fun with this competition, not to mention that it's good for us, that we are continuing it.  We have added a core component just to keep things interesting and to add attention to an area that wasn't specifically getting any attention last year.

 

2016 Rules:

 

Miles ran OR walked count the same

*30min workout/exercise = 1 mile

*Bike riding 3:1 (3 miles equals 1 mile credited because of coasting time)

*Water intake of 72oz per day is worth .25 mile.  If not completed, must subtracted .25 mile.

*First person to reach monthly goal gets a $10 gift from the other (must be mailed).

*If you fail to reach monthly goal you have to also send a $5 gift card to a cheesy location (ie: Toys R Us)

*Person with the most miles at the end of the month has bragging rights.

*Person with the most monthly wins at the end of the year gets a $50 gift card to a restaurant of their choice

(and here are the additions)

*Once per quarter we must participate in a virtual 5K (the registration fee goes to different charities based on the 5K you choose).  This will be credited as double miles.  If NOT completed, we must donate $40 to a local charity.

*Daily core completed = .20 miles.  If fail to complete we must subtract .20 miles  Daily core consists of squats, planks, crunches, and wall sits.  These increase quarterly as the year progresses.

• First quarter:  10 squats, ten 10 second planks, 10 crunches, and ten 10 second wall sits
• Second quarter: 20 squats, ten 20 second planks, 20 crunches, and ten 20 second wall sits
• Third quarter: 30 squats, ten 30 second planks, 30 crunches, and ten 30 second wall sits
• Fourth quarter: 40 squats, ten 40 second planks, 40 crunches, and ten 40 second wall sits

2016 Goals:

January through March: 40 miles
April through June = 50 miles
July through September = 60 miles
October = 50 miles
November through December = 40 miles

Once again, our goal is not to necessarily loose weight or fit into a favourite old pair of jeans.  Our goal is to get moving and stay moving.  Moving is key.  



Month 9 of competition

The ninth month of competition is in the books.  It set some records and made me realize that even with fun burnout can happen.

To begin...I did not win. 

It was a bummer to say the least.  I wanted to win September, not just because it is my birthday month, but also because I wanted to win back to back months.  I know where my problem happened.  I got burned out.  I started out really good with my morning walking, and then slacked off.  I did a few evenings of yard work, and then none for a week.  I really truly and honestly wanted to win September, but my physical motivation didn't match my mind set.  I was tired.

I needed a vacation.

We took a vacation.

My birthday weekend was the most fun I've had in a very long time!  My best friend (yup.. the one I'm in competition with) and I went to southern California to bask in the sun on the beach.  A total girl's road trip (without the dead body and driving off a cliff part).  I will be posting about our adventures in #shenanigans and #sodaselfies in the next few days, so stay tuned.

The records set for September: 

• Total miles: 103.38
• number of steps in one day (according to my FitBit): 42,834
• number of floors climbed in one day (according to my FitBit): 68
• PERFECT water month 

September (goal of 60 miles):

Miles walked: 55.88

Minutes exercised: 1200 = 40 miles

Water intake 30/30 days = 7.5 miles

TOTAL: 103.38 miles



The original plan was to drop our mileage goal back down to 40 beginning in October.  When we set this plan up last December, we honestly didn't think 60 miles was achievable with any left over days in the month.  With the temperature getting cooler, we also figured that there would be less yard work to do.  We have since realized we underestimated ourselves.  So while lounging on the beach we made a modification; we would still reduce October's goal, but only by 10 miles down to 50 miles. 

 

So with our new plan in place we are both off and running/walking. 

 

Oh.. and if you're wondering about what we have planned for 2016?  No worries, we aren't stopping, just adding a few extras.  After all, we have to mix it up a little and keep it interesting.

Month 8 of Competition

UPDATE:  My brother-in-law has done a LOT of improving since my last post.  His accident was 46 days ago.  He talked the first time around August 22nd and has now begun to speak in complete sentences.  He basically knows everyone.  He does sit up and get out of his room during the day, but walking is still a long ways off.  Please continue to pray for him and his wife.   

 

http://www.gofundme.com/chrischristensen



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Another month of competition is in the books, and it was a good one.  Not only did I have the largest total so far for the year but....

I WON!!

Yup, victory was mine.  Thanks to a head cold (she is doing much better now) I was able to pull ahead and maintain my lead.  She did end up with a higher month end total that me, but the winner is the one who reaches the monthly goal first.

 August (goal of 60 miles):

Miles walked: 43.41

Minutes exercised: 1310 = 43.67 miles

Water intake 28/31 days = 6.25 miles

TOTAL: 93.33 miles

 

I was skeptical there for a little while as my foot was really beginning to pain me.  No, not the foot that had surgery in May, the other one.  The mornings were the worst.  I would wake up and sit on the edge of the bed and contemplate if I wanted to crawl to the bathroom or brave taking a step.  I knew that once I got going it would at least slightly improve, but the pain was excruciating.  I do my daily walks at 5am and it would take until about a half to three-quarters of a mile before the pain would mostly subside.  If you used the pain scale (10 is kill me now and 0 is pain free), the first step would be at about an 8-9 and by the time I completed the first mile I would be down to about a 4.  It would never get any better than that.  There are days that I really wish I could get new feet! 

 

I am a stubborn one and I figured I could just gut my way through this.  It would improve, right?  I felt like I was just being a wimp.  The thought of "what if it DOESN'T improve and you have to have surgery on it too?" crossed my mind quite often.  After that, and much pressure from loved ones, I made an appointment with my foot doctor.

 

I have seen Dr. Foot more in the last 6 months that I have my endo.  After some poking (why do they always find the most painful spot?) and stretching it was determined that plantar fasciitis was the culprit.  A cortisone shot and tape and I was good to go.  I had to take it easy for a day, preferably two (read: no 2 mile walks), but that it should get back to normal pretty quick.

 

It did.  The first step morning pain was gone and my walk pace had picked back up.  A week later I went back for the follow-up.  I got fresh tape and instructions to remove the tape in 3 days.  If my foot didn't continue to improve, or if the pain came back, I was to call them immediately.  Dr. Foot said that if it wasn't better we were not going to wait as long with this foot as we did on the previous one. 

 

Thankfully, it is basically back to normal.  No pain in the morning, and only a little soreness after my walks.  I call that success!

 

September's exercise goal is also 60 miles.  We were both so close to having a perfect water intake month in August.  September we will be perfect!  So far it means that we've had to watch the clock more closely and even skipped a nap or two, but we'll make it. 

 

September is also my birthday month. 

 

She won her birthday month, I'm doing my darndest to win mine.

 

Wish me luck!!

Month 7 of competition

UPDATE:  In my last post I talked about my brother-in-law and the accident he was in.  As of today, he is breathing on his own, and has been for over a week.  He has been moved from the hospital to a long term care facility.  There are some more positive signs; he has more facial expressions and even an eye partially open at times.  However, he still has not yet woken up.  Please continue to pray for him and his wife.                   http://www.gofundme.com/chrischristensen

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The first month back to competition after taking time of for surgery and recovery was a rough one.

Not only had I not been keeping up the same momentum my friend had, it was also the first month with a 60 mile goal.  I was coming off a month of rest and recovery.  Yes, I still got some miles in, but nothing like my best friend did.  For the second month in a row she broke the 100 mile mark.

June (goal of 50 miles):

Miles walked: 14.72

Minutes exercised: 650 = 21.67 miles

Water intake: 21/30 days = 3.00 miles

TOTAL: 39.39 miles

 

I didn't hit the goal, but was still very proud of the mileage I was able to achieve.  The one area where I could have done better was in my water intake.  It is actually rather difficult, for me at least, to drink the proper amount of water if I'm not exercising. 

 

I was all set and psyched for July to begin.  I had been slowly building back up to my daily totals and felt confident...and a bit cocky... about winning.  I started off really well, and then had a long holiday weekend.  Not the easiest time to be thinking about exercising.  It was hot too.  I'm talking 110 and higher.  I pushed through though.  My foot would often remind me that it wasn't back to normal yet.  My other foot was beginning to get cranky, almost like it was jealous of the attention the other one had.  I kept telling it that that type of attention isn't the good kind.  We'll have to wait and see if it listened.

 

I knew I was behind on the mileage a bit, but felt confident that I was close.  When my best friend and I checked in with each other early in the month she was already 11 miles ahead of me.  That wasn't close enough for me, so I stepped up my game.  On the morning of July 19th she messaged me that she was done.  On July 20th, I reached the 60 mile goal.  I was only a day behind and I was honestly very proud of that.  I didn't win, but I sure gave it my best.  I continued to push hard and stretched to see if I could reach 100 miles in one month.  I didn't quite make it.

 

July (goal of 60 miles):

Miles walked: 44.98

Minutes exercised: 1208 = 40.27 miles

Water intake 26/31 days = 4.75 miles

TOTAL: 90 miles

 

I am SO SUPER PROUD of achieving 90 miles.  90 MILES!!  So, yes it is a bonus that it was a perfectly rounded number.  Totally made the organized part of me smile. 

 

August will be another great month. 

I know I can hit the 60 with ease. 

I believe I can push through and reach a total of 100. 

I will do my best to actually win this month.

 

Wish me luck!!

 





Month 5 - A photo finish, with a twist.

Another month's competition is in the books and this one was CLOSE!!  I'm talking only a few hours.

After such momentum in April I was bound and determined to win May.  Neither one of us had won back to back month's yet, and I wanted to be the first.

Can you say Competitive much? 

I was walking, drinking my water, and doing yard work like a crazy woman.  By the end of the first weekend I was already at 17.48 miles.  The monthly goal was 50.  At that pace it would be a record setting month.

Then I went to my foot doctor appointment on May 6th.  This issue I had been dealing with for what felt like forever, was not improving.  In fact, it was getting worse.  The stabbing pain in my heal was happening more frequently.  To rule out, or confirm, additional issues an ultrasound was done on the same foot.  It showed that the plantar fascia was extremely swollen.  Dr. Foot agreed it was time to fix everything surgically.  There was no way to determine if the fasciitis would improve while the nerve was still constricted.  Since he had to go in to fix the tarsal tunnel (like carpal tunnel, only in the foot) he would fix the fascia at the same time.

Surgery was set for May 14th.

This severely cut into my time to finish the monthly goal of 50 miles.  This took 17 days away from me to get mileage in walking.  I asked Dr. Foot when I would be back up to walking my 2+ miles daily.  He said it would be at least 4-5 weeks.

AHH!!  4-5 WEEKS?!?!  That went halfway into June!  I knew it was for the best, but I was also totally bummed.  I had such momentum going.  I just knew this would set me back.

I had to refocus though.  I had a few days left and I needed to at least hit the goal for May.  I modified my walk path a little and  that consistently gave me another 1/4 mile each day.  I made sure I finished my water each day because I couldn't afford to lose a 1/2 mile.  We had dinner a little later so I could get my time in doing PiYo.  Finally, the Sunday before surgery, hubby and I spent 6 hours doing yard work. 

Sunday evening, May 10th, I sat in the garage for about 45 minutes mentally calculating where I was at.  My total was 48.97 miles.  I needed just a breath over one mile.  Another 32 minutes of yard work.  A trip around the block.  Not much at all, but I was spent.  I knew that I'd be getting a 2.25 mile walk in the next day and thought it would be in time.  I had been chatting with my best friend and I knew approximately where she was, and I felt secure.  There was no way she would be able to catch up to me.

Or so I thought.  Never underestimate the will of a competitive woman.  NEVER.

Monday morning came around, the alarm went off, and I was sore from all the yard work the day before.  I hit snooze.  I knew my walk was early-ish in the morning (10am) and thought I would still be okay and win. 

Nope. 

I was pouring my cup of coffee at 6:45 and I received a text stating "DONE!  50.29" with a picture of the treadmill showing 6 miles.  She literally beat me by 4 hours.  (She ended up reaching 105.93 miles for the month!!)

I went ahead and did my walk that morning.  It was 2.39 miles.  I reached the goal of 50 in record time.  I was proud of that but I was bummed that I couldn't have pushed myself just another 30 minutes the night before.  My husband was shaking his head at us.  He knew we were competitive, but didn't expect us to be quite THAT competitive.

Three days later I had foot surgery.  I will post about that soon.

Here are the totals I was able to achieve for May:

May (goal of 50 miles):

Miles walked: 20.78

Minutes exercised: 1359 = 45.3 miles

Water intake 22/31 days = 3.25 miles

TOTAL: 69.33 miles



June's goal is also 50 miles, but in light of the restrictions I have due to foot surgery, we are not awarding a winner for the month.  We are still doing our best to reach our goals but no prize will be sent.

July, however, has my name all over it.



I can...

"In the UK, there was a diabetes blog theme of "I Can..." that participants found wonderfully empowering.  So lets kick things off this year by looking at the positive side of our lives with diabetes.  What have you or your loved one accomplished, despite having diab3etes, that you weren't sure you could? Or what have you done that you've been particularly proud of?  Or what good thing has diabetes brought into your life?"

Diabetes has done a lot in my life.  The changes that I have gone through, not only in my own health, but in my house as well, have been both good and bad.  I've cleaned, and lost, closet space.  I've watched my food intake more, and also threw it out the window. 

The one thing that I am particularly proud of is my exercise competition with my best friend this year.  I've surprised myself with being able to surpass my goal every month!  One month I even completed double what my goal was! 

It hasn't been without it's bummers, let me assure you.  This month, for example, I did not win.  My best friend beat me by a few hours.  FEW HOURS!!  I was 1.03 mile short of the goal, when she texted me at 6:50 this morning with her completion of the month's goal.  (I'll expand more on this at the end of the month when I have my complete figures).

However, the fact that I'm able to reach my goal, without significant lows and even plowing through a few highs, tells me that I can do anything I set my mind to. 

I can push myself and not let Diabetes get in the way. 

I can compete against a "healthy' person, on the same level and truly be a challenging competitor.

I can

I will

and

I DO!!

Month 1 of second quarter

Okay.  I know I've not been posting much diabetes related items lately, but that will change soon.  Next week, May 11 through the 17th is Diabetes Blog Week.  Check it out the details here.  I plan on getting a post in everyday. 

That's the plan.

Now.. onto other business.

April was the fourth month in my exercise competition.  It was the first month that the mileage goal was increased.  The goal was 50 miles.  After March's accomplishment I didn't think that 50 miles would be difficult to reach, and it wasn't.

The hard part was reaching it FIRST!

Friday, April 17th, at the end of the work day I was at 45.93 miles.  My best friend was right around the same.  She had planned an evening of exercise and a morning run.  I had family coming into town.  It was going to be tricky.  I wanted to do an evening walk but didn't get that far because ... family.  We stayed up too late and talked. 

However, I was determined. 

I set my alarm for right before sunrise, laid my clothes and shoes out ready to be jumped into, and made sure my iPod was charged.  I listen to a book while walking, and I was coming up on the middle of The Neverending Story.  (Side note:  The movie ends at the middle of the book.  Movie 2 picks up from there to the end.  It's VERY different, but a lot of movie adaptations are)

6:30 am the alarm went off.

6.45 am I was out the door.

I walked.  I saw a great sunrise. 

Some beautiful yards and a great view of a golf course. 

I hadn't walked this area before, so it was all new.  I didn't figure I'd get lost, after all I had my phone with me.  GPS for the win!

When I finished the loop I headed back home.  Other people were now out and walking their dogs and the golf course maintenance crew was out putting the water coolers.

About 3 houses from home I hit the 4.1 mile mark.  I DID IT!!  I was so tempted to text my friend right then, but I wanted to make sure I had the full distance in first.  My front step was 4.21 miles.  That brought me to a total of 50.14.

For those keeping track, that didn't completely confirm my win.  Remember we added water intake goals?  Yup, if I didn't hit my water goal I would have LOST .25 miles.  That would have sucked!  I knew I had until 6pm to drink the water, but that was pushing it way to close for my comfort.  However, I couldn't walk another block.  I've been dealing with some neuropathy in my left heel, and it was letting me know it wasn't happy with me.

Thankfully, my friend didn't run that Saturday morning, so I was basically safe.  I finished my water I plenty of time and my April win was official.

I also still had 12 days left in April.  I didn't quite beat my March total but was darn close.  Had April had 31 days, or I not missed so many water days, I totally would have.

April (goal of 50 miles):

Miles walked: 49.61

Minutes exercised: 945 = 31.5 miles

Water intake 24/31 days = 4.5 miles

TOTAL: 85.61 miles

 

May will be a bit trickier of  a month.  My Wednesday morning yoga class has been cancelled until further notice (the instructor is having serious health issues - if you're a pray-er, please pray for her).  The thermometer is now beginning to work against me.  My afternoon walks at work, have turned into morning walks, and soon they'll be before work walks. 

 

Stay tuned.

Miles and miles further than I ever expected

I survived the first quarter of 2015.  Exercise competition in place and I'm kicking butt!

For those keeping track I didn't win in January or March, but I did in February.  (Need a refresher on what I'm talking about?  Go here). 

We added a water intake component, because face it, we probably aren't drinking anywhere near enough water.  And by water I don't mean the stuff that has been filter through heavenly beans and smells delicious first thing in the morning, nor the stuff with bubbles and Diet Coke syrup added. 

My best friend and I discussed how important water intake is, and yet how much we both don't like water.  I usually add a squirt of lemon juice, lime juice, or both to a cupful so it is more palatable for me.  We decided that we needed to babystep our intake up to where we should be.  If you try to be at the finish line before you take your first step you'll end up sitting back down, metaphorically speaking.

February's water intake was 32 ounces by the end of the workday, Monday through Friday.  If we accomplished that we could add 1/4 of a mile to our daily total.  If we didn't, we had to subtract 1/4 of a mile.  I admit, there were a couple days where I was gulping the last little bit as I was gathering my keys to  head out the door.

March's water intake was 48 ounces by the end of the workday, Monday through Friday, and by 6pm Saturday and Sunday.  This was a bit more of a challenge.  I was doing good with the workday intake.  I have my special cup that is a perfect 32 ounces.  It isn't insulated, so the ice melts (which is perfect) and one and a half times through it and I was set.  The problem came when I was at home on the weekends.  I didn't have my special cup.  Trying to figure out which cups I could use to get the same amount was fun.  Thankfully I have an old insulated mug from the hospital.  It is also 32 ounces.  Problem though... it's insulated.  That means the ice DOESN'T melt, so I wasn't getting the full 32 ounces once I heard the slurping through the straw.  I managed though and only missed the daily intake on four days (two of which I was out of town).

April's water intake is 72 ounces each day.  Here it is, day 3, and I've made it...so far.  Can I say that is a LOT of water!  I know, I know, it's probably no where near the amount I should be drinking in a day, but baby steps, remember? 

Here are my mile totals for the year:

January (goal of 40 miles):

Miles walked: 27.99
Minutes exercised:  495 (30min = 1 mile) 16.5 miles

TOTAL:  44.49 miles

 

February (goal of 40 miles):

Miles walked: 29.02

Minutes exercised: 450 = 15 miles

Water intake 15/17 days: 2.25 miles

TOTAL:  46.27 miles

 

March (goal of 40 miles):

Miles walked: 45.13

Minutes exercised: 1050 = 35 miles

Water intake 27/31 days = 5.75 miles

TOTAL:  85.88 miles

 

 

What do you think of that March total?  Pretty awesome, huh?  Garden prep and weed pulling can really add up!  What makes me most proud is that I actually WALKED more than the monthly goal! 

 

Now that it's the second quarter of the year, our monthly mile goal is 50 miles.  Looking at March, that shouldn't be a problem.  However, I think I've picked most of the weeds in my yard.  I do have a few other outside chores.  Can we say, cleaning gravel and replacing weed barrier? 

 

If you need me, I'll be outside. 

 

Come join me and bring a jug of water with you.  We're going to need it.

Exercise check in

Here we are at the beginning of February 2015.  How is everyone doing on their new year's goals?

Me?  So far so good, even though I lost.  But losing is just a bigger motivator.

Let me explain.

My best friend and I are in a friendly exercise competition this year.  I talked about it in my last post.  Each month we have a fresh chance to beat the other. 

In January, thanks to a very large home improvement project, my friend was able to get her 40 miles in by the 24th.  I was in the lead just the day before.  It is further proof that exercise is often hiding where we least expect it. 

So on Monday I shipped off the special $10 prize for reaching the goal first.  On Tuesday (27th) I crossed my 40 mile mark.  I ended up finishing the month with a total of 44.49 miles.  I found areas where I could increase my productivity and get more miles in.  This is vitally important because come April our monthly goal is 50 miles.

In the meantime I'm resetting my mile count and trekking along to 40.  So if you need me I'll be outside.

Exercise plan for this year

A new year has started.  Many people use this time to make resolutions to be better, exercise more, read more, go back to school, etc. etc.

For me, goals are better than resolutions.  If I don't quite accomplish what I wrote down, it's ok.  I just keep plugging along until I do.  For this reason my best friend and I set new exercise goals.

Last year we had a friendly competition going to see who could walk/run/exercise the most miles each week.  The "winner" had bragging rights and could rub it in all they wanted to.  (I won more weeks that she did.)  It was a lot of fun, but a bit too easy to be lazy.  This year we wanted to up the anti.  Bragging rights is good and all, but sometimes it just isn't enough.  So a few weeks ago (during an all important girl's weekend of pizza, wine, and hair dye) we came up with this year's goals and rules.

There is no arguing that it is winter, and colder, right now.  Yes, I admit, my area is not nearly as cold as others.  I put on a jacket at temperatures that people in other areas are just barely putting on long pants.  However, we did take into consideration the change in seasons (and holidays) when we set our monthly goals. 

Here they are:

Rules:

Miles ran OR walked count the same

30min workout = 1 mile
Bike riding 3:1 (3 miles equals 1 mile credited because of coasting times)

First person to reach monthly goal gets a $10 gift from the other (must be mailed).

If you fail to reach monthly goal you get a $5 gift card to a cheesy location (ie: Toys R Us)

Person with the most miles at the end of the month has bragging rights.

Person with the most monthly wins at the end of the year gets a $50 gift card to a restaurant of their choice.

Goals:

January through March = 40 miles

April  through June = 50 miles

July through September = 60 miles

October through December = 40 miles

Now I know those miles look like a lot, and they are...if you try to do them all at one time.  But think about it, just 2 miles a day (which takes me about 30 min to walk during my lunch at work) adds up fast.  20 work days/month X 2 miles = 40 miles  That doesn't count ANY weekend time, or workout time, or running-up-and-down-the-street-with-the-nieces-helping-them-learn-to-ride-a-bike-without-training-wheels time.

We don't have a weight loss goal, or a size of jeans to get back into goal, or anything like that.  This is strictly an exercise accomplishment goal, the "side-effects" are a bonus.

Now.. it's time for my walk, I can't let her reach the goal first on our first month!

Time to step up my game

I think there is a automatic shrink machine in my closet and it has targeted my favourite jeans. 

Oh how I wish that were true.  It's not, and I know it, but I would feel a lot less guilty if it was.

It is easy to come up with reasons NOT to exercise.  My first excuse was that my foot hurt.  It really did.  I had a strangled nerve and a severely damaged tendon in my left foot.  Walking just exacerbated the pain.  My second excuse was that I was healing from surgery.  The incision was quite a bit longer than I had expected it to be, and made wearing shoes more difficult.  My third excuse was that it was too hot.  Daytime highs were ranging from 108-115 (Fahrenheit).  It isn't exactly a good idea to be exercising in that heat.

I'm tired of my excuses.

I'm tired of my favourite jeans not fitting.

I AM doing something about it.

My best friend and I have started a little competition.  Every Friday evening at 8:30 we report to each other how many miles we have walked/ran during the week.  The one with the most, wins.  The prize?  Bragging rights.  Come one, we all know bragging rights are sometimes the best prize.  We wanted to set an attainable goal and increase it overtime.  It would be useless to start too high and get discouraged before we even started.  A beginning distance of 3 miles per week was agreed upon.  As we get more comfortable, and huff and puff less, we will increase the distance.  One foreseeable problem is winter.  Even though we live in the desert, the winters can get pretty cold.  Add in the wind, and no one wants to be outside.  Thankfully video games can help.  My Wii has a walking game on one of the disks so I'll still be able to get my mileage in.

I know walking is a great first step (pun totally intended).  I also know that it isn't enough.  I asked the DOC on Twitter last week if anyone had done Zumba and what their opinion was.  I received positive feedback about how much fun and how much of a workout it was.  I have a problem though.  I don't dance.  Honestly, I don't.  The thought of having to "dance" in front of people will keep me home.  This is where video games come into play again.  I know that it is a lot easier to make my husband disappear for an hour than it is to tell a room full of people to not look at me. 

My husband and I went on a mission yesterday to find me a Zumba game for our Wii.  SUCCESS!!  Let me tell you, that is one heck of a workout.  I started with the tutorial to make sure that I could at least do most of the moves.  Barely, but I could.  (Yes, my husband disappeared for an hour.  No, the cats didn't, but at least they don't have camera phones.)  I then did the 20 minute routine for beginners.  Overall it took me about an hour.  I plan on doing a routine three times a week, and increasing in difficulty a little at a time.

One think I need to work on is remembering to set a temporary basal rate.  I didn't this first time, and seeing that 104 on my CGM was nice, but the two arrows down was not.  I don't want to run low during, or after, and have to stop and eat something.  I also don't want to be high throughout the exercise either.  How do I know how much to reduce by? for how long?  Sounds like I'll be testing this out for awhile.  I doubt I'll get it perfect, but keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get at least close.

Even though I had fun, and will be doing this regularly, I don't expect it to help me be comfortable dancing in public.  I'm not sure anything would.  I am hoping that this will scare the automatic shrinking machine out of my closet.  What do you think?

Pain in the butt.. I mean hip.

You know those never ending cycles that annoy us all?  The ones where if you do something it causes something else which makes you do, or not do, a third thing and that leads you back to the first thing which leads you back to the second and the third time and time and time again?  Ya.. those. 

Mine is this:  I walk.  My hip hurts.  I stop walking.  Blood sugars and mental state are affected.  I walk.  My hip hurts.  I stop walking.  Blood sugars and mental state are affected.. etc. etc. etc.

Let me explain...

I have trochanteric-bursitis in my left hip.  It reared it's ugly head after my family trip to Disneyland in 2001.  At first I thought I had gone on too many roller coasters and was dealing with sciatica pain.  My entire leg ached all the time, and if I moved it just right (wrong) I would get a stabbing pain that ran down the outside of my leg, circled my knee and ended in my ankle.  It felt like it 'twanged'.  To get in and out of my car, I had to sit down and swing both legs at the same time.  Quite the sight, let me tell you.  

Figuring it was a result of too much roller coastering, I went to the chiropractor.  I don't go too often, but when I do, I really enjoy it.  The warm towels, the zappy muscle relaxer thingy (..side thought.. how does this interact with a Dexcom sensor? anyone know?) , the feeling better afterwards.  Everything was good the first few visits.  I still had the twanging though.  One visit, it didn't go so well.  One movement just to stretch my leg sent a twang that instantly brought tears to my eyes.  I may or may not have screamed.  OK.. I did.  IT HURT!!

I went to an orthopedic to determine the real problem.  That's when I was diagnosed with trochanteric-bursitis.  I tried telling the doctor that I was too young for hip problems, but he just laughed.  I think he said something like, "Well.. you're just mature beyond your years."  We also discovered that my legs are different lengths.  Not by much, but enough to cause the problem.  (My left leg is about a 1/4 inch longer than my right.)  I have an insert I put in all my shoes to help compensate.  This had helped immensely!  I can really tell if I haven't been using it.  I also take naproxen sodium twice a day to help with the inflammation and pain.  If I don't take it.. it is only a matter of 2-3 days and it hurts to walk, sit, drive, move, etc.  There are different exercises and stretches that help.. and I do them.  They make me look like a pretzel lying in the middle of my living room, but they help.

Now jump forward 12 years...wait.. don't jump, it'll hurt.  This pain has been rearing it's ugly head again.  I am still taking the naproxen and still doing the stretches.. but the pain is back.  I have been walking more, and really enjoying it.  The walks help clear my head and get me through the afternoon at work easier..not to mention they do GREAT for my post lunch blood sugars.  But are the walks causing the pain?  According to everything I've been reading.. and remembering.. yes.  So here's my dilemma.. do I stop the walking to stop the pain?  Do I dose up on more naproxen, or something else (not a good choice for my working organs)?  I don't consider either of these options workable.  I'll be meeting with my doctor the beginning of April.  Hopefully she will have a suggestion. 

In the meantime, I sit here on a block of ice (..having insulin home delivered is beneficial, those ice packs come in handy..) deciding if my lunch walk today is worth it.

2013 Diabetes Goals

This post is my January entry in the DSMA Blog Carnival. If you’d like to participate too, you can get all of the information at http://diabetessocmed.com/2013/january-dsma-blog-carnival-2/

My list of Diabetes goals for 2013

One of the goals that I have for 2013, diabetically speaking, I have already achieved. January 4th I had my regularly scheduled endo appointment. I wasn't expecting to leave with a LOWER A1C, but I did. I had hoped to have a lower than 7 sometime in 2013. I just wasn't expecting it to be four days in... and AFTER the holidays!

SO..

Goal 1: Have a lower than 7.0 A1C = CHECK

Goal 2: More than one no hitter day on my CGM in a month/week =

Goal 3: Purchase extra 'clothes' for my pump =

Goal 4: Actually order my G4 before the 'upgrade discount' expires =

Goal 5: Exercise consistently for longer than 3 weeks =

Goal 6: Figure out a more attractive D-bag =

I'm sure I could.. and I know I do.. have more goals. Some of these are trivial and really have nothing to do with my physcial health, but they make me smile.