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Lighten Your Limbs With Friends
Hello all. I have Diabetes 2 and have avoided exercise for over 2 1/2 years. I am overweight and know that I need to get moving and lose weight. I have always had excuses not to do anything much before. I have a treadmill, and I look at it, but I never use it. A few weeks ago, I decided that it is time to lighten my limbs. I received my Mayo newsletter. and it included a twelve-week Exercise Plan. It was like fate that I had decided to exercise and Mayo dropped the perfect routine in my lap. Because it's 12 weeks and not years and years, as some plans are, the Mayo is doable. They're not asking me to run a marathon!
It's a way to get stronger and healthier. However, one part was missing: I need to be accountable to somebody else. I would love for other Connects to join me so that we could celebrate our success each week. I don't want to wait to January when all we hear is "New Year, New You." So I thought it would be good to start before the bombardment of ads for gym equipment and promises to lose many pounds too fast (and gain it back even faster). I needed a plan that will work for me and anybody else, and Mayo has given it to us.
Let's get a jump on 2019 by finishing strong in 2018. If we start the first week on Friday, November 2, 2018 (only four days from now), it will propel us through the weekend and keep us going. Just think: By January 25th, we will have completed the 12 weeks. Just when other people are trying to keep their exercise resolutions, we'll have finished 12 weeks. We'll be lighter, heathier, and stronger. We also will have gotten into the habit of exercising and hopefully, do another 12 weeks. Doesn't that sound good? To be able to say, "I'm healthier and feel so much better and have lighter limbs." For the first time I am excited to exercise, but I need others to come along with me. I need the accountability.
Please join me and give it a try. Come along with me so we can say it's not just my 12 weeks, but it's our 12 weeks. The first week asks us to do 5 minutes of warm up, five minutes of brisk walking, and five minutes of cool down. That's only 15 minutes. I can do that! The walking is the speed that you are comfortable with. The warm up and cool down are just slower walking. It can be outside, in your house, at a gym---wherever you feel comfortable and whatever time of day is convenient. Nothing required except determination and desire to make it 12 weeks.
I'll post the exercise times for each week once we get started. Let's give this gift to ourselves and improve throughout the holidays. If you have any questions, send me a note, and I'll answer what I have from Mayo.
Everybody's walking! Sounds great to me.
@retiredteacher
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@contentandwell It sounds as if you are doing everything right. We just don't eat out any more because I know chefs use high levels of seasonings. We know everything tastes better with salt and butter and cream and all the seasonings that we shouldn't use. I cook it and know what's in it. Mrs. Dash has become my best friend! You have almost everything under control. That's a big plus.
You have a lovely family.
Carol
@retiredteachers we try to confine ourselves to restaurants that don't mass produce but customize meals so I can order things with no salt. We have one favorite restaurant for that, a slightly expensive one, and we often go to another where we can dine for less money but they will cook many things without the addition of salt. We are trying a new restaurant tonight but I think they will probably customize too.
I've never tried Mrs. Dash, I think I'll check that out.
Thanks, that was in the fall when we visited our son and his fiancee in CO. I posted it because I had mentioned my husband. I think he looks pretty good for his age.
JK
@contentandwell Mrs. Dash has a large selection of spices. The original looks like a mix of salt and pepper. I use it more than any others. She also has all types of seasonings that work with different meats. I use them in veggies too. Unfortunately, we live in one of the poorest counties in the state where the big eat out is a fast food place. No nice restaurants close to us. It's all drive through or eat in a plastic booth with chaos. So, we just don't go.
Yes. I'd say your husband has aged very well, but you all look young and vibrant. Thanks for sharing.
Carol
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1 Reaction@retiredteacher That would be very tough to eat out, with mostly fast food restaurants. Some really good restaurants have come to southern NH since we moved here, about 40 years ago.
I am definitely going to check out Mrs. Dash.
People are generally amazed at how well my husband looks. He's in perfect health and the most medication he takes is an occasional ibuprofen for a headache or some other ache. I am sure it's his Italian genes, his whole family aged well and looked younger than they were.
Of course my son and his fiancee are still somewhat young, 38 and 33... those were the days! At this point the wedding is scheduled to be in September, not sure exactly where yet.
The little thing my son has around his neck is a microphone that streams right into my hearing aids!
JK
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2 ReactionsWe're home from Rochester. I received a clean bill of health - no cancer and the kidneys are holding steady (GFR was 16)
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3 Reactions@marvinjsturing What a great report and a marvelous holiday gift! I know you are relieved and ready to celebrate. I thought about you yesterday and hoped all would go well.
I've been walking along On the Road Again. I have either wrenched my back or have a kidney stone acting up. I hope to work it out without having to go to the dr. We'll see.
Carol
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2 Reactions@marvinjsturing As Carol commented, what a great holiday gift! I am sure you will enjoy the holidays a lot more now knowing that all is OK.
JK
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1 Reaction@retiredteacher @contentandwell My report is a wonderful gift. And to make things even better: I knew I had to be cancer free for 5 years before I could have a kidney transplant. I thought that was 5 years after my last chemo. Oncology told me this week that it is 5 years after my surgery. That means if everything goes well at my next appointment, Nephrology will move me from the inactive list to the active next June instead of waiting until December. Great encouragement to continue to walk and get and stay in good shape!
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4 Reactions@marvinjsturing That is the best news I've heard in a long while. You have abundant gifts to celebrate and are certainly deserving. When I'm down, I think of you and others who have been through so much and are getting well. I am so proud to know you through our Mayo Connect emails.
Carol
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2 Reactions@marvinjsturing You must be so jubilant! We will all be waiting for the next step -- the big call. I will never forget the day. I am still amazed that my husband and I drove the hour and a half being very calm! It came much sooner than expected.
JK
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