Saturday, December 31, 2011

First Day Hike! Expanded

Apparently it is a tradition in the hiking community to start the New Year with a hike!  My little IAT group has a "first day hike" and while it is the same 3 mile loop that I often do with the dog, I'm going (even if it is 22 degrees).  What a great way to start the New Year.  A First Day Hike.

I think we should all get out there and try it for 2012!
Ethel

OK - I got sidetracked and didn't finish my thought.  I saw a commercial (I think it was for like financial planning or something) but the theme was about "what intrigues us so much about the FIRST STEP?"  So like a babies' first step, or the step off of a diving board, things like that. I found that timely with the New Year - the first step (hike) in to 2012. Can be very symbolic, don't you think? A step in to the New Year, a step towards our health, a step towards new adventures, a step towards relationships (if you hike with people) - a million things.

So, Step into the New Year!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Here I am minding my own business.....thinking maybe I'll torment my good friend by texting her and letting her know I am spending my afternoon Scrapbooking! And who do I see an email from???? There you are like one of those tiny gnats....can't catch them, so you try to ignore them! But you can't! So......you finally give in! Ok -- this sounds like an interesting objective! I'm fearful to find out how tall the building is in MInneapolis -- and even more afraid for your sister-in-law in Houston (if you know what I mean). They have really tall buildings in Houston!

Vertical Challenge

I have a plan to propose!  (Do you open these posts from me with trepidation when you see the word CHALLENGE?).  I mentioned that I do much better with a "date" on the calendar in sticking with my exercise.  I found one we can all do, right where we live.  I have been intrigued by them in the past, but never made the commitment.  The Climb for Air - it is a "vertical 5K" hosted around the country, in March.
So we have 12 wks to get in better shape - plenty of time - and it is inside for those of us in inclimate regions.

We have one here in MKE (US Bank is our tallest bldg) and NY, and I did see Minneapolis (but not sure about Duluth - hard to search cities).  I invited my sister-in-law in HOUSTON to do it with us, b/c she is trying to get back in shape (and there is indeed one there). What do you think?  Of course there are bibs (and in fact finisher medals, I think).  It's only like 1100 stairs (47 flights here).  And I think it will count as my letter "V."

It will be fun.  We can all do it, so it would be like doing it together, although in our hometowns.
Are you in?

Ethel

Friday, December 16, 2011

GI in IN!

I finally went to have that insulin test done (I had to load up on pancakes, syrup, and juice - and I felt so sick) but sure enough, I have way TOO MUCH insulin in my blood.  Hyper-sensitive, so almost the opposite of a diabetic. I don't really understnad the measurement, but mine was "25"and it is supposed to be below 15.  Apparently that is bad.  It means that my body only burns glucose for energy, and never touches the fat stores. That explains why I can exercise like a maniac, and never lose any weight.

I love this naturopathic lady.  She said "I hate to tell you this a week before Xmas, but you should strictly follow the Glycemic Index protocol IMMEDIATELY.." I wonder how long it would have taken my primary care Dr. to figure this out (who I do like, by the way). Apparently it can lead to heart disease and pancreas issues and other nasty stuff if not controlled.  I guess this is my last pizza Fri for awhile.

But as I said, I am happy to have A PLAN.  I report in 60 days.  Will keep you posted!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Goal!

I wanted something a little mindless (but not trash) to read on the plane ride home yesterday.  So I picked up Runners World.  I have to say I have the inkling to want to put an event date on the calendar this Spring.  I think I really need the "date" to commit to the workouts, and to have the "fun" to look forward to.

So spend some time this week/weekend looking at ideas, and let's plan one!
JW

Friday, December 2, 2011

The Theory

I wanted to explain the Glycemic Load theory better (and why, if you know me, this makes sense given my history of eating well and working out and never losing weight!).  My body has too much insulin floating around, which means that this (glucose) is always used for energy and therefore I never dig in to fat stores for energy.  It's a strategy about what I eat and when.  So I can eat carbs, etc - I just have to eat slowly digested ones for example.  It's very interesting, and of course I am explaining it in a very simplistic manner, but it makes more sense in my pea brain than anyting else I have heard!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

New Plan!

You know me - I love a plan!

So, I saw my naturopath yesterday and it is so interesting to me. Now my progesterone is through the roof (I don't know how they measure, but it supposed to be like 2400 and I'm 8000!).  Symptoms include all my complaints - lethargy, weight gain, water retenion, etc etc.  Still signs of adrenal fatigue, so I'm back on supplements for that as well.

But the big diagnosis, is she thinks I have some hyper-insulin thing.  Kind of the opposite of a diabetic - when my body gets sugar, it produces way too much insulin.  (not hyper glycemic, but hyper insulinmatic or something).  You may recall when I followed So Beach for awhile I did feel better (low carbs, no fruit, milk, etc).  So she suggested a Low Glycemic Load diet (well, lifestyle - diet infers short term).  It seems very manageable.  It's not just sugar - there is a formula to calculate the glycemic load.  For example, watermelon is high in sugar, but has a low load b/c there is not much of it (high water content). Basically there is a red light, yellow light, green light list of foods and there is some of everything so you don't really miss much. Pretty easy to understand.

Of course I like that I could get new books to read on the topic.  :)

I will keep you updated on how I feel!  With my raging ear infection (and travel) I have not been working out, but I hope to use the time to focus on a new nutirition plan that will pay off.  She does want to test my insulin, so I get to go eat a huge carb heavy breakfast (pancakes, syrup, juice - yummy!) and have it checked.  But regardless I am going to give it a whirl.  Because I love to have A PLAN!
JW