Thursday, November 18, 2010

Blink

144.5 lbs.

That's what the scale said this morning.

I haven't seen a weight below 145 since I was in my twenties. In fact, this is the longest I've spent in any portion of the 140's since my twenties, let alone being below 145.

Let's check that sidebar, kids... yep. I'm forty.

Holy crap. I mean, this is a totally good thing, but... wow.

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In other news, last night I made personal history by staying on my much-abused-and-maligned elliptical for thirty entire minutes. Yes! And I wouldn't have done it, but Draz over at It's Just Me, Drazil & Sheniqua blogged about power and I committed to 30 minutes in the comments.

It's amazing what the threat of public embarrassment will do for one's motivation.

On tap tonight, more Tabata sprints (dangit Charlotte!), followed by my resistance workout. I've reduced my cardio to 30 minutes a day, 5 days per week. I did months at an hour a day for six days per week, and followed that up with an hour a day for five days per week. I didn't hate it, but I also came to realize that neither of those options are livable or sustainable for me. I began to resent the time spent away from my family, the enforced sandwiches-as-dinner so I could manage to get in my workout, help with homework, get kids bathed, etc. all before nine at night. There are only so many hours in a day, and I don't want to spend the lion's share of my waking time at home essentially running or walking nowhere.

Thirty minutes per day, however, is both livable and sustainable. It also enables me to take the time to get in my resistance work as well, which is super-important considering my family's history of osteoporosis (not to mention my own stress fracture history).

I've set my date for reaching goal (130 pounds) as December 31 of 2011. Yes, that's over a year from now. I'm at a healthy weight; there's no need for urgency with the scale. I want to see it moving downward, and while doing that I have to be sure I'm not concentrating on weight loss at the expense of my family time, cooking time, or just plain "me, not on a treadmill" time.

I'm not trying to be all dramatic with this. I mean, my kids are amused by my exercise attempts, Choreboy is incredibly supportive, and I know ultimately that I do my best to balance work, home, and self. It's the resentment I was feeling over that hour that's more to the point, I think. Like I said, it just wasn't sustainable for me. I work forty hours per week, commuting adds another ten hours minimum... it feels like life's just flying by.

The boys are maturing. The Elder is getting a little dark shadow over his upper lip that's more impressive than mine; the Gum Zombie already looks alarmingly like a middle-sized kid rather than a little boy. And I don't want to blink and be fifty and wonder where I was for the last decade.

7 comments:

The Ninja said...

I know what you mean, mine are still pretty young, but they seem to grow from day to day, like yesterday my two year old could not put on her own shoes, and today she can, HOLD IT! when did she learn this? I certainly didn't teach her, cripes, they grow too damn fast!

Dr. Fat To Fit said...

I'm totally stoked for you on the weight. Awesomeness. And I totally get where you are at with your kids as my oldest is now getting a darker shadow on his upper lip. He's so excited about the under arm hair and hair "down there" he has gotten. Boys are funny. And he's 13 on Monday, sniff sniff. I agree that I don't want to wake up one day and wonder where my kids went. I am enjoying every minute and every stage. I got sad when I realized we are just 5 years from his leaving our home. Sigh. And yet...I really love the young man he is becoming. He is funny, smart and caring. He is well liked and makes friends easily. He is enjoying his middle school years which is WAY more than I can say for mine. And just think....we helped make that possible. I set out to make a better life for my kids and I'm doing it. Makes me super proud.

Charlotte said...

Tabatas! Buwhahahah! I won't tell you to enjoy them because they are miserable (I did them yesterday) but it IS only 4 minutes! And you'll feel awesome when you're done. And hey - you are making fantastic progress! If I've learned one thing from doing my Experiments it's that you def. don't need an hour to get a killer workout and see some def. results! This month's Experiment in fact (haven't posted this yet but I will) is always under 30 minutes and I'm seeing muscle definition like nothing else! It's been amazing.

Keep up the great work (both in the gym and with your fam! A mustache?! Really??)!

Amanda said...

Ninja, they do grow too fast!

DFTF, word on that. The whole thing.

Charlotte, I hold you wholly responsible for this Tabata evil. But you're totally right that I feel fantastic when I'm done! Shoot, anything that can get me sweating and DONE in 30 minutes or less works for me.

As for the mustache, if it weren't for a judicious application of wax, I'd be a sideshow freak. If memory serves me, I get it from O'Meara side of the family. Love the Irish -- all the whiskey and the whiskers.

Losing 100 said...

Hitting 144 is just awesome! I'm so excited for you. I know what you mean about time with family vs. time to exercise. It is such a tough of war. Keep up the good work.
p.s. congrats on the 30 mins!

Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun said...

I love that you are being realistic and wanting to take things slowly with the weight loss. I bet you could reach that goal even before then, but without having the pressure of an earlier goal date you will enjoy it so much more. And really be caring for yourself. That's awesome!

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

Good for you! I know how hard it is to schedule time to workout with a full life. Awesome, isn't it!? Luckily, I don't like to cook, so that helps. Kidding.
I am going to do a book giveaway on my blog next week about a book I think EVERY woman needs to read, because it is so great. I'll do a review of why, but it sounds like you are already taking some of the steps! You know, not that I'm an expert or anything!