Dean Ornish

I'm enjoying learning about Dr. Dean Ornish's ideas on health/wellness. So far, I haven't found anything with which I disagree or question.

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droopy

It's Monday so this morning's weigh in results are duly noted. I'm down a few ounces. Mind you, this is a week where I exercised quite a bit and also fasted for a colonoscopy. It's also the week I've been on a lower dose of thyroid medication. Don't think it's working out for me. But, how long do I give it? I feel droopy this morning.

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gratitude

Nothing like a bout of misery to wake you up to how sweet life is whether or not the scale is playing sadistic tricks. Turns out I had some problems tolerating the colonoscopy prep and procedure. I'll spare the details.

Today's a new day and I feel so grateful for the great results from the screening and that I seem to be back to normal (as close as I get to normal anyway!). I've joined health month and am jazzed about November's challenge. Woot!

[Exercise: 3 miles on treadmill]

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punked by the scale!

Today, after a 30 mile ride yesterday, the scale was up 1.5 pounds.

OK, I need to calm down. Breathe... Going to eat some greek yogurt with berries and go for a walk. I start colonoscopy prep in a couple hours. If I somehow manage to gain weight through this prep, I may just give up.

Exercise: 3.8 miles trail

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moving in the right direction

The scale is slowly moving down in the right direction. This morning I'm down exactly one pound. Think I'll continue with what I did the first time around and count Monday morning weigh ins as my official progress data.

Walked almost 4 miles yesterday. And since the colonoscopy debacle starts tomorrow, I'm heading out for a long bike ride in a few minutes. The weather's good and J's riding with me.

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adaptations

A couple months ago, I received a diagnosis of osteopenia. I thought it wasn't much of a concern but my PA was all kinds of concerned about it. She talked at length about how I should start buying bones and boiling them to make soups. I was appalled. Not having a poker face, she eventually picked up on this. So, her next thing was to lower my levoxal prescription as there is a relationship between thyroid function and bone growth. She said if it makes you feel bad, well, we'll go another route. I wasn't really sold on this because I wasn't ever sold on the idea that osteopenia is a big deal. And, I'm not a big fan of trying something and waiting to see if it makes me feel bad.

Anyhoo, I just now (this morning!) started the lower dose. We'll see. I'm going to start reading Jillian's book about metabolism for tips to boost my sluggish thyroid through diet to compensate for the reduced levoxal.

Something else on the horizon, a colonoscopy this Friday. Jealous?

In other news, I've been biking a nearby trail instead of the American River Parkway Trail. The local trail is a short segment which means I go back and forth to make some miles. It also has some inclines including one that is about a mile long. It seems like riding 10 - 15 miles on this trail is working different muscles in my legs than the usual 25 - 30 miles on the ARBT.

Sometimes you just have to shake things up a bit I guess.

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getting serious

Trying to get serious about shedding these 10 pounds that have crept back on. But, what do we make of the wonderful low fat dinner last night of ahi tuna on sauteed lightly in olive oil shredded green cabbage with a smallish serving of string peas followed by (during the viewing of the Mad Men finale) chocolate, TJ's lite kettle corn and two Manhattans?

Don't let that throw you off...Lee's getting serious. I rode 10 miles yesterday. In. The. Rain. And another 15 this afternoon.

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yes, no, not so much

I added music to the ol' blog. What do you think? Should I leave it or lose it?

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inertia is not an option

My weight has crept up a bit out of my goal range. Seems like it can stay there without too much effort on my part (occaisional bike rides & pretty good eating). I would have settled for this a while ago. But, the memory of my skinny jeans is too fresh and I'm not ready to give them up. I believe I can get down to where I was a year ago if I rededicate myself. So, it's back to what I know works: clean eating and exercise of some sort just about every day -- and more bike rides.

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it's a beautiful day

A couple photos from my last two bike rides...love October.

American River Parkway

El Dorado Trail

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happy

I feel good. And I'm going for a bike ride. That is all.

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bright side

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...
~ Monty Python, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

I had to have a root canal redone. This tooth is turning out to be very high maintenance as it has been a pain (literally) off and on for years. Does look like I'm going to get to keep it though so I'm happy about that. It's been pretty sore this past week but there has been one positive aspect -- it's made me stop and really think about what I'm going to eat. Yesterday, it was yogurt city. If I eat anything more solid than yogurt, it's very gingerly. This is a good thing because I've become much more conscious with my eating.

Heading out to meet up with my man in Reno. Yee-haw.

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simplify

During these past several months, I've been discovering the joys of freecycle. It's been interesting to see another side of our community -- to learn what things/objects people are seeking and what they'd like to pass on. Funny what you hold on to just because you imagine you or someone you know might need it in the future. It feels great to give away things that have been collecting dust in the garage to people who have a real use for it right now.
There's one aspect of my decluttering that is kinda weird. It's the jeans I've been keeping. When we moved here seven years ago, apparently some ancient jeans made the move. I don't even care what size they are because they are most likely "mom jeans" to the extreme. Basically, I'm too embarrassed to offer them on freecycle (offer: hideous jeans). They are going to a parking lot-type donations receptacle anonymously. Maybe the denim can be put to good use somehow, somewhere.
Along those lines, I've been mailing books all over the country. Why do I need to keep every book I read or might read someday? I don't. It's more fun to share them with others who would like to read them.
Added: Crabby's back at Cranky Fitness!

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we're back

Went for a ride yesterday. It's been three long weeks since Bykasandra & I have hit the trail. That's way too long a time. Thankfully, it was a great ride...felt very strong and energetic. When I hit the 2,000 miles mark, I rewarded myself with riding gloves and better quality biking shorts. The gloves have really reduced the amount of sun exposure on my hands and the shorts have made all the difference.

If I can get back into the groove, I'll be hitting the 3,000 mark fairly soon. A tune up for Byka will definitely be in order.

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