One thing about working out is that I sometimes get bored doing the same thing over and over, and while C25K is great because the workout varies depending on which week you're on, it's still just jogging and walking. I started to get a little bored with it. So I've been trying to use Zumba more recently to still stay active. I've sort of missed Zumba and it's nice to get back into it. I've been using the 20 minute express dvd more recently, but yesterday I decided to do one that was a little longer and I popped in my Cardio Party dvd. It was one of my favorites when I was in college. I especially love the Cumbia part of the dvd. I forgot how great of an ab workout that segment is!! There are two segments of that dvd that I usually skip over, not because they're hard really, but more that I just don't like them. They're also hard to do with the limited space I have in my living room. Regardless, I still did about 30-35 minutes of hardcore Zumba yesterday!
Also, for those who were curious about my blood pressure measurements for the past week, here were the results!
2-18
Morning: 120/76 Pulse 70
Evening: 124/78 Pulse 65
2-19
Morning: 118/72 Pulse 63
Evening: 120/81 Pulse 55
2-20
Morning: 121/79 Pulse 63
Evening: 114/83 Pulse 67
2-21
Morning: 120/84 Pulse 76
Evening: 118/88 Pulse 86
2-22
Morning: 114/81 Pulse 76
Evening: 122/79 Pulse 58
2-23
Morning: 128/81 Pulse 54
Evening: 114/79 Pulse 75
2-24
Morning: 132/84 Pulse 76
Evening: 122/72 Pulse 82
So.... overall not too terribly shabby. My doctor said she wants me to aim for under 130/80 so I feel like I'm getting there for the most part. I'm still greatly borderline and it's still something worth me keeping an eye on.
Today I took so time to stay at home and relax. I did get some productive stuff done.... got some laundry washed, which was much needed. Vacuumed the floor. Then I took an unplanned hour and a half nap while watching tv lol You ever just wake up from an unplanned nap and think to yourself like.... wtf? But then I took some time to pamper myself to prepare for the work week ahead. I did a foot treatment that will help them not be so rough and dry. I took the old polish off of my fingernails and gave myself a quick manicure and re-painted them. Then I did a nice face mask, which was amazing. Sometimes you have to remember that being healthy isn't just about what you eat or how much you exercise. It's also about your skin, hair, nails, all sorts of things. Also mental health which is why the bit of pampering I did today was much needed!
Anyway. This is a short blog but I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still working on being more active and pushing on! I hope everyone had a great weekend and hope that everyone has a great week planned ahead!
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Monthly Measurements!
Good evening all! I just got finished with my workout today which wasn't a couch to 5K, but I did a 20 minute Zumba workout in my living room. Movement is movement, right? And it was nice to do something that was more focused on my ab area. And zumba is always something fun to do!
However, this morning I did my monthly measurements! Here are the results!
Waist: 40" (That's a 2" loss!)
Hips: 46" (That's a 1" loss!)
Now granted, I'm not sure how accurate my measurement skills are, so who knows how real this is. But... still. I even feel leaner and that's what matters. What matters isn't the number on the measure tape but it's all about how you feel! Spirit counts!
Furthermore, this morning I slept in *yay days off!* and then got up and went to get some fasting blood work done per my new doctor's instructions. I absolutely hate needles, but fortunately I had a great nurse who was super nice and kept me occupied to take my mind off of it. It was over before I realized it! We'll see how my numbers come out in a few days I think, and I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on my progress there!
I hope that everyone has had a fantastic week and that Friday brings many awesome things! I know I'm looking forward to this weekend! You all rock all my socks!
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
However, this morning I did my monthly measurements! Here are the results!
Waist: 40" (That's a 2" loss!)
Hips: 46" (That's a 1" loss!)
Now granted, I'm not sure how accurate my measurement skills are, so who knows how real this is. But... still. I even feel leaner and that's what matters. What matters isn't the number on the measure tape but it's all about how you feel! Spirit counts!
Furthermore, this morning I slept in *yay days off!* and then got up and went to get some fasting blood work done per my new doctor's instructions. I absolutely hate needles, but fortunately I had a great nurse who was super nice and kept me occupied to take my mind off of it. It was over before I realized it! We'll see how my numbers come out in a few days I think, and I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on my progress there!
I hope that everyone has had a fantastic week and that Friday brings many awesome things! I know I'm looking forward to this weekend! You all rock all my socks!
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
C25K ... WEEK FREAKING THREE!!! *And so it begins...*
So today was the day! I got home from work, walked the dog, got changed and headed over to the workout room with a plan in mind. To attempt week three of Couch to 5K for the first time. Week three consists of a five minute warm up, then alternating between 90 seconds of jogging, 90 seconds of walking, then 3 minutes of jogging and 3 minutes of walking twice. The downside was that, with me being so clumsy on the treadmill, it was hard to jog for long times without starting to zig zag so during the three minute sections of jogging I got about halfway and then had to hang onto the bar on the treadmill because otherwise I was scared I would trip. The good part is that even though I had to do that, I still kept going and didn't have to stop jogging halfway through (even though the second 3 minute section was really hard to keep going at one point) or I didn't have to slow the speed down halfway through. I did it and finished it all.
I'm interested to see what my pace is out in the real world running. According to the treadmill today I only did about a mile and a half in 28 minutes. I feel like in the real world I'll probably go a further distance... though I'm not sure if I'll be able to finish it all but we shall see! All I need to do is take things one day at a time and I'll get by!
Anyway. Thursday is Monthly Measurement day and I'll be taking my new measurements to see how things have been going on that progress. And I've been taking my blood pressure twice a day per my doctor's instructions for almost a week now and so far the results have been pretty good!
Welp, I'm sorry it's so short, but I have a few things I need to do before I go to bed. I hope everyone is having a great week so far!
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
I'm interested to see what my pace is out in the real world running. According to the treadmill today I only did about a mile and a half in 28 minutes. I feel like in the real world I'll probably go a further distance... though I'm not sure if I'll be able to finish it all but we shall see! All I need to do is take things one day at a time and I'll get by!
Anyway. Thursday is Monthly Measurement day and I'll be taking my new measurements to see how things have been going on that progress. And I've been taking my blood pressure twice a day per my doctor's instructions for almost a week now and so far the results have been pretty good!
Welp, I'm sorry it's so short, but I have a few things I need to do before I go to bed. I hope everyone is having a great week so far!
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Doctor's Visit and Saturday Activity
I guess I'll start with my doctor's appointment. I feel like it went fairly well. My weight was at 195.6, which would probably put me about where I thought I was because Wednesday when I weighed in I hadn't eaten anything and I weighed myself just after using the bathroom and without the weight of clothes. At my doctor's appointment I'd eaten a small breakfast/lunch and was fully clothed. So that probably puts me about right.
When they checked my blood pressure at the beginning of the appointment I was disheartened to hear that it was 122/100. Lately when I've been checking it at kiosks at like, Walmart and Kroger, the bottom number had been ranging around 81-92. The doctor later asked me if I was just nervous because I was in a new place and everything. I told her that, yes, I sometimes tend to get really anxious in doctor's offices because I have a giant phobia of needles. She assured me that I wouldn't be getting stuck with a needle that day, though she does want me to do some fasting bloodwork within the week so she can check a few other things. But she said that day I wouldn't be doing anything like that so she wanted me to relax and she'd check it again at the end. We went through the rest of my exam, everything seemed to go great then she checked it again in both arms. She didn't tell me what the top number was but she did say in both arms she was getting a bottom number of about 88. She wanted me to get my own blood pressure cuff to have at home and wants me to check it twice a day, once in the morning and once a night, and report it all to her at the end of every week for about a month. I told her that I've been trying to make better choices and have began to work out more doing the Couch to 5K program and that I've already lost about 5-7 pounds in the first month. She was happy to hear that and said that I will most likely be able to get my blood pressure back under control with the diet and exercise I've been working on so I hopefully won't have to be put on blood pressure meds. So yay on that front!
That being said, I checked my blood pressure this morning and it came in at 120/76. I also just realized that I'm not sure what is considered healthy blood pressure for someone my age. Guess that was a question I forgot to ask the Doctor. Whoops! I'll email her and find out what my goal should be. But for now I feel like that's still pretty good progress.
Ok so now on to today's workout! To everyone's shock and awe, I did not do a C25K today. Honestly, my knee really super hurts and I didn't want to aggravate it further, so I opted to do something different. I put in one of my old Zumba dvds and did the 20 minute express. It was a great workout. I forgot how much it really works and focuses on your core. I am definitely aware of what little bit of abs I have right now. So it was a little less impact on my knees but still got me up and active for a bit. It's something, right?
Anyway. I hope everyone has a great weekend and continue to have something to inspire them to do great things!
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
When they checked my blood pressure at the beginning of the appointment I was disheartened to hear that it was 122/100. Lately when I've been checking it at kiosks at like, Walmart and Kroger, the bottom number had been ranging around 81-92. The doctor later asked me if I was just nervous because I was in a new place and everything. I told her that, yes, I sometimes tend to get really anxious in doctor's offices because I have a giant phobia of needles. She assured me that I wouldn't be getting stuck with a needle that day, though she does want me to do some fasting bloodwork within the week so she can check a few other things. But she said that day I wouldn't be doing anything like that so she wanted me to relax and she'd check it again at the end. We went through the rest of my exam, everything seemed to go great then she checked it again in both arms. She didn't tell me what the top number was but she did say in both arms she was getting a bottom number of about 88. She wanted me to get my own blood pressure cuff to have at home and wants me to check it twice a day, once in the morning and once a night, and report it all to her at the end of every week for about a month. I told her that I've been trying to make better choices and have began to work out more doing the Couch to 5K program and that I've already lost about 5-7 pounds in the first month. She was happy to hear that and said that I will most likely be able to get my blood pressure back under control with the diet and exercise I've been working on so I hopefully won't have to be put on blood pressure meds. So yay on that front!
That being said, I checked my blood pressure this morning and it came in at 120/76. I also just realized that I'm not sure what is considered healthy blood pressure for someone my age. Guess that was a question I forgot to ask the Doctor. Whoops! I'll email her and find out what my goal should be. But for now I feel like that's still pretty good progress.
Ok so now on to today's workout! To everyone's shock and awe, I did not do a C25K today. Honestly, my knee really super hurts and I didn't want to aggravate it further, so I opted to do something different. I put in one of my old Zumba dvds and did the 20 minute express. It was a great workout. I forgot how much it really works and focuses on your core. I am definitely aware of what little bit of abs I have right now. So it was a little less impact on my knees but still got me up and active for a bit. It's something, right?
Anyway. I hope everyone has a great weekend and continue to have something to inspire them to do great things!
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Weigh-In Wednesday!
It's the magical time again... Weigh-In Wednesday! But it's a good one though! Got on the scale this morning before work.... 192.5. I've lost just over 2 pounds since my last weigh-in! I've also lost a total of about 7 pounds since beginning this whole thing, so that's nice progress!
Tonight I went to the workout room and did another week 2 workout of C25K. I had a bit of a setback with my workout. For those who may not be friends with me on facebook, I dropped my phone yesterday and shattered the screen pretty badly. I can't even unlock my phone to do anything. So I had to scrounge and find my old phone to put my SIM card into so I have something to use until I get my other phone fixed. I downloaded the C25K app to this phone, made sure my music carried over on my google music, and got myself back into the game!
Tomorrow I'm going to the doctor for my annual exam. I'm anxious to see what they tell me about my blood pressure, but the good news is that while I know it's still high, it's come down since I was first told there was a problem. I'm also curious as to what their scale tells me and how different it will be from mine here at home. I guess we'll see tomorrow!!
Anyway I need to get going. I hope everyone is having a great week so far!!
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
Tonight I went to the workout room and did another week 2 workout of C25K. I had a bit of a setback with my workout. For those who may not be friends with me on facebook, I dropped my phone yesterday and shattered the screen pretty badly. I can't even unlock my phone to do anything. So I had to scrounge and find my old phone to put my SIM card into so I have something to use until I get my other phone fixed. I downloaded the C25K app to this phone, made sure my music carried over on my google music, and got myself back into the game!
Tomorrow I'm going to the doctor for my annual exam. I'm anxious to see what they tell me about my blood pressure, but the good news is that while I know it's still high, it's come down since I was first told there was a problem. I'm also curious as to what their scale tells me and how different it will be from mine here at home. I guess we'll see tomorrow!!
Anyway I need to get going. I hope everyone is having a great week so far!!
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Outside vs Inside on Treadmill
Greetings all! I hope everyone had a fantastic and restful weekend! Mine was pretty good actually. I was able to rest and take it easy for most of the time. I'm just gearing up now to prepare myself for this crazy week ahead!
Yesterday I went out to the trial behind my apt around the lake to do my C25K run. It was another redo of week 2, so I feel like it should have gone over pretty easy. No no no it didn't. I felt like I had my ass handed to me out on the trail. I mean, I feel accomplished but at the same time I felt like I thought I had gone about 6 inches forward then 5 inches back (Thank you to anyone who gets that song reference). The past few times of working on the treadmill I felt like I was getting really close to moving on to the 3rd week routine. I wasn't getting as winded. I was even pushing the speed up a little higher every time (topping out at 4.5). But man, going around the lake was hard work!! I don't know if it was because the trail has a few small hills along the way or maybe I'm going faster on the trail than I do on the treadmill... I'm not sure why it was harder, it just was. So now I feel like I'm not "really" getting a workout unless I do it outside instead of on the treadmill. Because running on the treadmill is not how I will be running that 5K in October. It will be outside amongst the hills and stuff. But running outside every time just isn't really an option for me since its dark by the time I get home from work. Anyone have any suggestions about this?
Anyway. Other than that I feel pretty good. My eating habits still aren't probably where they need to be but every day I'm going forward. My knees still hurt, and they alternate as to which knee hurts the worst (today it's the right). I'm also starting to consider that I might need to amp my workout game and maybe start adding some zumba or something in about once or twice a week. We'll see how this week goes.
Welp, I hate to keep this short but I still have some chores to do around the house before I hit the bed tonight. I hope everyone has a great week ahead of them!
Blessings and Later days!
--CarryV
Yesterday I went out to the trial behind my apt around the lake to do my C25K run. It was another redo of week 2, so I feel like it should have gone over pretty easy. No no no it didn't. I felt like I had my ass handed to me out on the trail. I mean, I feel accomplished but at the same time I felt like I thought I had gone about 6 inches forward then 5 inches back (Thank you to anyone who gets that song reference). The past few times of working on the treadmill I felt like I was getting really close to moving on to the 3rd week routine. I wasn't getting as winded. I was even pushing the speed up a little higher every time (topping out at 4.5). But man, going around the lake was hard work!! I don't know if it was because the trail has a few small hills along the way or maybe I'm going faster on the trail than I do on the treadmill... I'm not sure why it was harder, it just was. So now I feel like I'm not "really" getting a workout unless I do it outside instead of on the treadmill. Because running on the treadmill is not how I will be running that 5K in October. It will be outside amongst the hills and stuff. But running outside every time just isn't really an option for me since its dark by the time I get home from work. Anyone have any suggestions about this?
Anyway. Other than that I feel pretty good. My eating habits still aren't probably where they need to be but every day I'm going forward. My knees still hurt, and they alternate as to which knee hurts the worst (today it's the right). I'm also starting to consider that I might need to amp my workout game and maybe start adding some zumba or something in about once or twice a week. We'll see how this week goes.
Welp, I hate to keep this short but I still have some chores to do around the house before I hit the bed tonight. I hope everyone has a great week ahead of them!
Blessings and Later days!
--CarryV
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Progress Poster Made!
So today I had a nice day off from pretty much everything, which was super wonderful. I slept in until about 9:30 or so this morning then got up and started my day. I got my nails did, which was something that drastically needed to be done. Especially my feet. Then went and got my hair cut (will be dying it soon too!) and came back to my apartment. Once I got home it was a mix of house chores and getting dinner started. Among my house chores was to finally get my progress poster made and put up. You can see it below! And yes, I realize one of the goals doesn't have a reward. I'm still trying to think of that one because that one is a biggie and I want to make sure it's a really good one! But in the process of making the poster, it really got me motivated, so I got changed and went out to the workout room to put some time in on the treadmill. However, as great of a workout it was I feel like doing it two days in a row was probably not the best idea as my knees, my left one in particular, hurt so bad right now. Anyone have any ideas or remedies for knee pain? Icy hot maybe? IDK.
Also, I did something today that I know I shouldn't have done. I need to start keeping my weigh ins for just official Weigh-In Wednesdays, not just random days in between. But. You guys. Exciting stuff. I got on this morning just to see what it would say, and... you guys... omg.... it was just under the 190 mark. It was like 189.-something. I about did a backflip y'all. It made my heart smile to see that I'm slowly but surely coming out of the 190s and well on my way to my goal! Now who knows if it'll be the same results when the next Weigh-In Wednesday comes around, but I guess we'll all have to see!!
Anyway, I'm gonna get going so I can rest up for work tomorrow. Fridays always seem to be crazy, so I want to make sure I'm super ready for it and that my knees are both in tip top shape to run all over the hospital for 10 hours.
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
Also, I did something today that I know I shouldn't have done. I need to start keeping my weigh ins for just official Weigh-In Wednesdays, not just random days in between. But. You guys. Exciting stuff. I got on this morning just to see what it would say, and... you guys... omg.... it was just under the 190 mark. It was like 189.-something. I about did a backflip y'all. It made my heart smile to see that I'm slowly but surely coming out of the 190s and well on my way to my goal! Now who knows if it'll be the same results when the next Weigh-In Wednesday comes around, but I guess we'll all have to see!!
Anyway, I'm gonna get going so I can rest up for work tomorrow. Fridays always seem to be crazy, so I want to make sure I'm super ready for it and that my knees are both in tip top shape to run all over the hospital for 10 hours.
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
C25K - Week 2, Day 3 (Redux... again!)
Yes, I realize it's been a while since you've heard from me. No, I haven't gone anywhere and no I absolutely haven't given up! The past week has been a bit of a whirlwind and I had a bit of a sore knee for a few days, which I know being busy shouldn't be used as an excuse... but... sometimes things just need to get done and other things need to get moved to the back burner for a bit.
BUT, I'm back! I went to the workout room in my apartment complex today and popped onto the treadmill to redo a day from Week 2, and I feel like I did pretty good. I even had the jogging speed slightly higher than I have before to really try to push myself. The particular treadmill I was on wasn't working properly. It felt like the belt was catching which made me nervous to go too fast but the other treadmill was taken and the one on the other side of me didn't really work at all. Soooooo take what you can get I guess.
I just got back to my apartment, ate some dinner and took some ibuprofen because my knee still kind of smarts a bit. But I now have my feet up and catching up on some much needed cat cuddles and television that's been floating on my DVR for a week or more. Today is also my "Friday" so that means I get to sleep in tomorrow! Yay!!! Hope everyone is having a great week so far!
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
BUT, I'm back! I went to the workout room in my apartment complex today and popped onto the treadmill to redo a day from Week 2, and I feel like I did pretty good. I even had the jogging speed slightly higher than I have before to really try to push myself. The particular treadmill I was on wasn't working properly. It felt like the belt was catching which made me nervous to go too fast but the other treadmill was taken and the one on the other side of me didn't really work at all. Soooooo take what you can get I guess.
I just got back to my apartment, ate some dinner and took some ibuprofen because my knee still kind of smarts a bit. But I now have my feet up and catching up on some much needed cat cuddles and television that's been floating on my DVR for a week or more. Today is also my "Friday" so that means I get to sleep in tomorrow! Yay!!! Hope everyone is having a great week so far!
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
Thursday, February 2, 2017
C25K - Week 2, Day 3 (Redux)
Yep, I'm gonna have to repeat week 2 completely I think. I also think I take it easy on myself whenever I do my workout on a treadmill. I don't think I go as fast or push myself as much on the treadmill as I do when I'm out in the real world doing it. I'm sure it has to do with the fact that on the treadmill I'm always scared I'm going to trip and fall because, lets face it, I'm super clumsy. I trip on flat non-moving surfaces on almost a daily basis lol But maybe next time I have to do it on the treadmill I'll try to up my game some!
But about today's workout. I had my Google Fit app running in the background while I was going and this is what it told me at the end of the workout. Not too too shabby I think. I still have a long ways to go, fortunately the 5K that I'm training for isn't until like, October, so I have plenty of time!
I'm going to rest for a bit then try to get some cleaning done around the house before I go to work at the theatre.
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
But about today's workout. I had my Google Fit app running in the background while I was going and this is what it told me at the end of the workout. Not too too shabby I think. I still have a long ways to go, fortunately the 5K that I'm training for isn't until like, October, so I have plenty of time!
I'm going to rest for a bit then try to get some cleaning done around the house before I go to work at the theatre.
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
Weigh-In Wednesday (A Day Late?)
I'm sorry this is late!!! Yesterday was crazy! But here we go!
--Starting Weight on 1-18-17: 195.3
--Weigh-In Wednesday on 2-1-17: 194.9
So... I didn't lose as much as I thought. In theory I gained some because I sneak-peaked and weighed myself a few days ago and it was a bit lower than this. But still, I'm not over the 195.3. I'm not super close or over the 200 mark. So, I'm still considering this a win! Progress is progress, no matter how small!
I will probably try to blog again later today since today is a C25K day, so be on the lookout for that!
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
--Starting Weight on 1-18-17: 195.3
--Weigh-In Wednesday on 2-1-17: 194.9
So... I didn't lose as much as I thought. In theory I gained some because I sneak-peaked and weighed myself a few days ago and it was a bit lower than this. But still, I'm not over the 195.3. I'm not super close or over the 200 mark. So, I'm still considering this a win! Progress is progress, no matter how small!
I will probably try to blog again later today since today is a C25K day, so be on the lookout for that!
Blessings and Later Days!
--CarryV
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