Thursday, January 15, 2009

Resolutions - Updated

So, between Christmas, New Year's and a wonderful guest blogger, I realized that I haven't really blogged in almost a month. So I haven't had the chance to talk about my New Year's resolution - or should I say resolution(s). On Jan 5th I joined a gym, joined weight watchers (again), and started busting my tail. So far, things are going well. I know the true test is going to be whether or not I'm still trudging along at this in 2 or 3 months. My goal is to get healthier - and if losing weight is a byproduct of that so be it :-D.

My problem is that...well...I can be a little obsessive. I know, some of you are gasping in surprise but it's true. :-). I tend to throw myself into something head first and worry about the consequences long after they're probably unavoidable.

Case in point, after having not visited a gym in 1 1/2 years I started my workout routine with 1 hour of treadmill and weight training 3 days a week. I even stole - er borrowed - my mother's stability ball (honestly, she wasn't using it) so that I could do some of my workout at home on the days that I couldn't make it to the gym.

The first few days were fine. Yesterday I made myself sick. I just don't know when to stop. I wasn't happy with walking on the treadmill...I wanted to try and run a little. I wasn't happy with lifting thirty or forty pounds on the weights I had to push myself and do seventy - cause that would be better right? Yeah...not a good idea. Not only did I break out into a cold sweat and have to go lie down in the locker room for 5 minutes...I'm sore as hell this morning.

The sad thing? It isn't like I've never done this before. In fact, a new exercise routine isn't really complete until I've made myself sick over it. Maybe I have to push myself to find my limits before I know where to stop. Or maybe I have a slight masochistic streak... Who knows.

But, my schedule is set in stone and inability to walk without wincing is no excuse for missing my session at the gym this afternoon. So, how are your New Year's resolutions coming along? Ever push yourself past the breaking point on a project you started? Are you as sick and driven as I am - or am I just weird? :-)

Instigator
P.S. Sherry Werth is Kylie Brant's winner from yesterday's guest blog. Please email Playground Monitor at playgroundmonitor@writingplayground.com to claim your prize. As always, prizes not claimed within 7 days will be re-awarded.

16 comments:

Maven Linda said...

I don't do New Year's resolutions. For some reason, that makes me think of short-term stuff.

Used to, I'd over-do the exercise, too, but now I take it nice and slow. And drink water. Lots of water. It helps prevent the soreness.

2009 seems to be the Year To Get Fit for HOD members, doesn't it? The way things are going now, the HOD contingent is going to look great at RWA Nationals this year :-).

Angel said...

I've never had this problem. Never. Probably why I'm still the size that I am.

Angel

Linda Winstead Jones said...

I have a tendency to obsess, so I can sympathize. I've been doing weight watchers, too, since November, but just recently I decided I wanted more info, so I also joined sparkpeople so I could see how many calories I was getting, how much protein, how much potassium, etc. For a while, I kept up with both the WW log and the sparkpeople log. Yesterday I finally decided to let sparkpeople go, for now. I don't need to be doing both.

I don't really do New Year's resolutions. Instead I write what I want to accomplish during the year on little slips of paper, put them in a small, wooden box, and put the box away. I don't take it out until the end of the year. Maybe they are NY resolutions, but they seem different to me than when I used to start the year with a stated, "This year I'm going to" whatever. I think it was always "lose weight."

LJ

Darling Geek said...

I don't really "do" New Years resolutions. Probably because I'm already perfect.

Anonymous said...

Good luck with your New Year's resolutions. I don't do them myself. I do want to get in better health and that does include my weight. So time will just tell......
robertsonreads
word verification: bickr - what the??

Kira Sinclair - AKA Instigator said...

Maven Linda, we always look fabulous but this year we'll knock everyone's socks off :-)

DG,...I'm not even sure what to say to that :-)

Instigator

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

My computer programming teacher always used to say "Last year I was conceited, but this year, I'm perfect."

I've never overdone it on exercise. I've never been passionate enough about it. Right now, I'm just happy that my Wii Fit dropped my age to 26 and it doesn't go "Oh!" when I step on it anymore. Hmph.

Playground Monitor said...

You'd think that because I'm headed for the Caribbean in 8 days that I'd have been obsessing about how I look in a bathing suit, but I haven't. I've had to stop working out cause my bad foot is hurting again. I see the doc tomorrow morning. Keep your fingers crossed that whatever it is is an easy fix (i.e. no surgery or cortisone shots).

My goals for this year are more about writing than anything else. And I need to get my fanny back in the chair and do just that -- write.

Katherine Bone said...

Slow and steady wins the race, Instigator. Always remember that and you'll never be sore. It's not that you aren't doing 70 pounds every time. What will make a difference is that you are consistent every time and work your way up. ;) (Don't hurt yourself)

Note to self: must exercise.

Additional note: Ditto what DG said!

Lynn Raye Harris said...

Ouch, Instigator! I know you know this, but I have to say it anyway: bad girl! Bad, bad girl!

Ahem. :)

Yep, I think the HOD contingent will not only have fabulous shoes and clothes, but we will look svelte and even more amazing than usual. :)

My exercise program is going well. I, however, have been taking my time to get up to speed. ;-) Jogged nearly 2 miles on the treadmill yesterday. I never do more than half an hour on it tops. I do sprints, which tire me out and burn fat (I hope), and within 25 to 30 minutes, I'm off that puppy.

Right now, I haven't hit the weights yet. Still using my own fat body as resistance -- pushups, situps, and squats. Soon, in another week or two, I'll start the weights. I tell myself it's a marathon, not a sprint.

My other resolutions are more like guidelines: work smarter, not harder, etc. Trying to implement that one on a daily basis....

Christine said...

I haven't made myself sick exercising, but I don't like it if I miss working out. I feel all out of whack.

I too am trying to lose the "moving weight" and more. Blah. I hate dieting, so I am just incorporating new, healthy foods in the pantry and ridding myself of the nasty, fattening stuff I brought in over the holidays.

I want my lifestyle to generally be healthy, and I am attempting not to let a number on a scale determine my self worth. I'm more than a body, I am a mind and a soul. And all three need nurturing.

My goal is to keep in time with the conductor's pace be it fast or slow, and surrender to that beat.

mslizalou said...

Well, I felt like my legs were going to fall off when I was walking on the treadmill this morning. I started back at the gym on Saturday and am only doing 30 minutes on the treadmill each day(have not done anything since June). I do meet with my trainer on Saturday(only have a few more visits left). I do tend to push myself too hard at the gym, but haven't in a long time(why I need to really get on it now).

KylieBrant said...

I hear ya on the exercise. I do treadmill (walking, never running) 3-4 times a week, Curves 3-4 days a week and weights 2-3. You'd think I'd have more to show for it, LOL.

My resolution this year was to get into the 21st century, banking wise. So I'm paying more bills on line and getting a debit card. So much easier. And my kids will stop making fun of me. Maybe.

Problem Child said...

DG -- would you like *me* to make a list of resolutions for you? ;-)

I have a goal -- next week I'll set goals for 2009...

Sherry Werth said...

Exercise is such a love-hate relationship. I hate trudging to the gym but I love the way I feel when I leave.
Please, please be careful Instigator. I know a hot paramedic makes a great hero, but try not to meet one that way!!

I'm still working on my resolutions or life improvements as I'm calling them this year. Becoming more organized and less of a pack rat is at the top of my list. So I guess I'm a little obsessive too...but in all the wrong ways! :D

Rhonda Nelson said...

LMAO at DG. :-)

I've been walking regularly since the middle of November and that has become one of the best parts of my day. I love having that hour to myself, to listen to my music, be away from the phone and generally be in the moment. People who know me are shocked that I've started doing this, but I have to say I really feel cheated if I don't get that exercise in.

I'm doing WW, too, but am not having the same success as some of the other friends on the playground. (Whah!) Not giving up, though. I'm going to stick with it. I want to be healthy as well, but have to admit my ultimate motivation stems from a class reunion this year. :-)