February Health Challenge (2018)

[PTree15]

I walked to the grocery store today and took the bus back (so I wouldn't get stuck in the rain). The rain was forecasted for the afternoon, so I did about 2 1/2 miles. It felt SO GOOD to walk outside. Happy, happy. And that was my first bus ride in Manchester. I need to learn all the routes. My only complaint is that there is no service on Sunday for the route closest to me. I guess my town is still too small for Sunday service. Hah, I am looking out the window and the rain just started! I made it by 10 minutes. The weather people were spot-on with the forecast.

 

[Poppy]

A friend invited me to go to zumba this morning. I'm going. Wish me luck!

 

[Katrina]

Instead of going to the gym today, I ended up scraping all the ice off the driveway. It took about 30-40 minutes, I didn't really time myself. But yeah. My right arm and upper back feel sore already. It was also good cardio since I kept up a quick pace.

..... okay, I didn't scrape ALL the ice off the driveway. I got maybe half of it, plus the area by the front steps.

 

[Moll Flanders]

I have to admit that I did get some fast food. I got some veggie spring rolls last night. I did walk to the Chinese place and back though, rather than getting it delivered to my house.

Other than that I am trying to eat more healthy. I was about to make myself a banana, cocoa powder and peanut butter smoothie, but I forgot I gave the last of the PB to the birds. Damn. I will make a mango and banana smoothie instead.

I did a Leslie Sansone power walk video this morning. It's one of her better videos (and one of her free ones, just Google iwalk and Leslie Sansone). I feel like I get a really good workout with this one. It's a three-miler.

Thanks. I'm going to do that later as I'm not going outside for a walk today.

 

[Katrina]

A friend invited me to go to zumba this morning. I'm going. Wish me luck!

How was it?

 

[Katrina]

Yesterday I did a hatha yoga class and then a quick jump rope routine. Today I'm planning to go to that H.I.I.T. class that killed my legs last week. Hopefully it won't feel as difficult this time.

As for eating more greens, I'm doing well with that. Frozen veggies makes it so much easier. I stir fried broccoli the other day, and then last night I made green beans. I'm wondering if it would be cheaper to buy the fresh produce and freeze it myself. Or maybe I'll just try to grow them this year.

 

[PTree15]

...

Thanks. I'm going to do that later as I'm not going outside for a walk today.

You are welcome. Did you like the video?
My workout friend was sick again, so I worked out at home this morning. This time I did a Leslie video called Walk Yourself Strong. I found it on YouTube. Another good one, I must say. It got my heart pumping. And it had lots of knee lifts. I love those.

 

[Poppy]

How was it?

It was great, thank you for asking.

 

[Moll Flanders]

This time I did a Leslie video called Walk Yourself Strong. I found it on YouTube. Another good one, I must say. It got my heart pumping. And it had lots of knee lifts. I love those.

I will look for that one too.

ETA - I could only do 2 miles on that one! I was wearing my long dress instead of shorts and t-shirt so it wasn't helpful for the knee lifts!

I will try that one again tomorrow wearing proper clothing.

 

[Katrina]

I ended up not working out yesterday. I've been weirdly tired this week. However, I did play Dance Dance Revolution at the arcade, which definitely got my heart pumping! Better than nothing, I guess. And I said no to dessert when I went out to dinner.

 

[Moll Flanders]

Bad news is that I'm really achy from doing the walks on YT, good news is that I lost 3 more pounds.

I think I need to warm up before I do another of the walks, it's much more strenuous than just walking outside. I suppose I don't go around punching the air and lifting my knees up when I walk around in public.

 

[PTree15]

I will look for that one too.

ETA - I could only do 2 miles on that one! I was wearing my long dress instead of shorts and t-shirt so it wasn't helpful for the knee lifts!

I will try that one again tomorrow wearing proper clothing.

Haha, yes, it would be tricky in a dress. It's a pretty intense one, and I like those once in a while. She has them at all levels, which I like. And the choreography is simple, so I can handle it.

Today I did the treadmill for 35 minutes. My workout buddy at work was still sick, but I went anyway. When I get to work early like that, I get a good parking spot. More incentive to use the gym, haha.

 

[PTree15]

Bad news is that I'm really achy from doing the walks on YT, good news is that I lost 3 more pounds.

I think I need to warm up before I do another of the walks, it's much more strenuous than just walking outside. I suppose I don't go around punching the air and lifting my knees up when I walk around in public.

Yes, I look at them as low-impact aerobics. If you have time, do one with a light mile and and step it up to another vid and maybe just do two of those. I mix and match when I have more time.

And congrats on losing 3 pounds! That's awesome.

 

[Moll Flanders]

Yes, I look at them as low-impact aerobics. If you have time, do one with a light mile and and step it up to another vid and maybe just do two of those. I mix and match when I have more time.

I hadn't heard of her, but she has loads of walks to do. I might get some arm and ankle weights too.

It reminds me of an aerobics video I used to have. It was only 20 mins but I did it everyday and kept it for years. It got chewed up by my video recorder!

 

[Poppy]

I'm down about 3 pounds since the first of the year. I still have between 7-10 pounds to go. I'm sure the reason that I've lost a few has more to do with just not having the seasonal snack temptations around more than any thing I've actually done. I've been pretty unmotivated lately, and I've come to the realization that unless there is something on my calendar to make me do things, I tend to lay low.

I talked to my doctor about my lack of motivation and feeling down about everything last month and she suggested I start Zoloft, since I'd done well on it 20 years ago (after Kelly's early health issues mitigated, I went into a serious depression). I filled the prescription, but decided not to take it, assuming I would feel better when the weather improves. But the mass shooting last week really got to me, and now I don't feel like leaving the house. So I just started with a half dose two days ago and will work up to a full 50 mgs. by next week. Bleh.

Anyway, this doesn't really fit into this thread, other than I do want to say how much I appreciate the support and encouragement found here - especially when things aren't going quite as well as one would like!

 

[KLS52]

My daughter and several other family members take Zoloft and it seems to work really well for them. I do think, at some point, I might benefit from it as well. I also noticed lack of motivation over the last few years and I always attributed it to menopause. I do not have any depression symptoms, really, other than the loss of enjoyment of things I used to love doing and I know that can be a sign of depression. So it’s possible I have some mild form of it. I feel like my anxiety is way more of an issue for me not wanting to do things, though. I don’t know...I’m so pill phobic which is why I haven’t been able to take anything for either problem, but I may have to give in at some point if my “hibernating” tendencies get any worse. Good for you, Poppy, for taking charge, especially since you’ve had experience with Zoloft in the past. I hope you do well on it.

 

[PTree15]

Hugs to you guys, Poppy and KLS. I have some family members on various antidepressants as well, and they seem to be doing better with them. I believe one of them takes Zoloft as well. We live in increasingly stressful times, so if non-pill measures aren't working, it's worth it to check out other options.

I've been doing well with the Leslie Sansone videos, but man, my eating has been off track. I'm resolving get it back on track this week. My pants are tight, and that is not good. I think it mostly started in the fall when I had the toe issues, and I kept eating as if I were still exercising regularly and then some. Time to rein it in for real! I've been eating too many homemade baked goods. I need to make sure I bring most of it work, which I usually have done, but I have saved a bit too much for me of late. I bake (among other things) when I'm stressed, so I have been baking a lot!

Today I did the two-mile power walk. I am really loving that video. It packs a great workout into 33 minutes. I sweat like crazy when I do that one, so I'm going to keep doing it. I really like the intensity.

 

[Katrina]

So even thought I missed the hiit class last week, I did go yesterday. The routine was essentially the same, but it felt much less difficult than the first time I did it. I could actually walk down the stairs afterwards without needing to hold the railing! And I can walk up and down the stairs today with minimal discomfort. Yay!

I haven't been doing so well this past week with my goal to eat more greens. I veered off track when my brother and his girlfriend came up to visit and I baked cake. It tasted so good that I ended up eating several helpings over several days before finally bringing the leftovers to a friends place (it's the kind of cake that tastes better after a couple of days - I didn't give them stale cake!).

Since then, I've been feeling super lazy and just snacking on random things every day. Today I plan to make a greens smoothie to get back on track.

 

[Poppy]

Well, so much for Zoloft. I took it for three nights. After the second night, I ran my car into the neighbor's fence. After the third, I ran a red light and nearly killed me and the poor man who had to swerve. So I'm done with that.

I know antidepressants have side effects and most people are able to manage them, but I just got too scared to keep trying. I honestly don't remember feeling so "out of my head" when I took it 25 years or so ago. I remember taking it for a while and suddenly realizing that I felt much better. This time, though, I felt just so weird.

Anyone have any luck with St. Joh's wort?

 

[Katrina]

Anyone have any luck with St. Joh's wort?

I take a combination of Wellbutrin and Venlafaxine. No side effects in my experience, though it may be because I started with a lower dose and gradually took stronger doses when my doctor decided I needed it. The only thing that sucks is if I forget to take a dose, I feel nauseous within 24-48 hours.

Sorry you had a bad experience with the Zoloft. I can understand the hesitation to try again. A different type may work better, or maybe your doctor could prescribe a lower dose to start and then increase it if/when necessary.