Friday, April 22, 2011

Time Flies When You Are Having Fun

When I was at the dentist's office last week, my blood pressure was taken.  I've noticed an increase over the past couple of years but ignored it until I saw the reading:  158/89.  Yikes!!  In addition, no matter what I cut out or include in my diet, I slowly add a couple of pounds a year.  If I go down to about 900 calories a day, I'll lose weight.  Need I mention how unpleasant I am when hungry 24/7? 

I know what to do to lower the blood pressure since we were in the fitness business for 16 years.  In fact, I taught aerobics for 16 years -- 12 years at our gym and then 4 more years at a health facility here in Dripping after selling the gym in Austin. 


However, to be on the safe side, I visited the doctor's office to have everything checked out as there is an elliptical in the hobby room in the barn.    Before television broadcasting switched to digital, I'd watch local television to distract me or try to balance a magazine or book to read while listening to aerobic music on an MP3 which required constant charging.  It was barely tolerable, but I was at least regularly working out on the elliptical.  After the switch, I had two choices:  1) run the satellite out to the barn or 2) buy a converter.  Neither choice appealed to me since I can think up more excuses as to why it is inconvenient to exercise which is why, if the truth be told, I taught aerobics. I made a commitment to teach and did not allow excuses.  :D  BTW, the gym thing was hubby's passion.

The blood pressure reading scared me into finding a way to look forward to using the elliptical. 
 

I bought a CD player and attached velcro to the bottom.


There is no balancing act with the Kindle!  And, I'm always looking for extra time to read.  :D  The time flies by.

As of today, I'm doing about 35 minutes in the morning and about 25 minutes in the evening.  I haven't decided the final workout times, but each day I increase the time and the work load.  Blood pressure is already decreasing along with heart rate.  I calculate that twice a day on the elliptical will help me lose weight without resorting to a 900-calories-a-day diet.

Until next time, God bless.

PS:  The Kindle is the next best thing to a piece of sliced, warm, homemade bread and butter! 

10 comments:

The JR said...

900 calories a day would make me end up in prison for killing somebody. 12-1500 is barely enough to keep me from being a grouch bucket.

Good luck!

DJan said...

When I lost those ten pounds my BP also decreased. Good luck with the weight loss and getting that under control. I am addicted to exercise and cannot imagine a life without it.

Ann said...

I wish I could find a way to get myself to start exercising. I keep saying "tomorrow" I'm going to start and then I never do.
A girl at work bought a kindle a few months ago and she LOVES it

GypsyFarmGirl said...

I don't have an exercise machine, but I make what seems like a kazillion trips to feed horses and walk dogs everyday . That combined with eating smaller, more reasonable meals has helped me lose weight this winter. Good luck with getting your blood pressure down!

Donna said...

Sounds like a great plan! And I sure agree with you on the Kindle. I sure love mine! Did you know that there are a lot of free ones available? Here's a handy new web site with listings and links too: http://www.pixelofink.com/

wenn said...

that's a great plan!

Diana LaMarre said...

I hear you! 900 calories is just not enough. I wish you the best of luck!

I really need to get back on an exercise program,too.

SquirrelQueen said...

Where there is a will, there is a way. I love your set up with the kindle and CD player.

Donna said...

Every day, I walk past my treadmill...without stopping...I'm SO Bad!!! Ok, I'll give it a try tonight....Hahaaa...I will...
hughugs

Anonymous said...

I have to start excercizing!! I have diabetes and arthritis in my back, and I need low impact. My BP is fine. I've had three doctors in the past 2months tell me to get an elliptical machine and start moving! Sure wish I could, but they are quite pricey. We live in the boonies, so I don't have a gym near-by. I have a Kindle on my Mother's day wish list. :):)
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY......