Doing the Same Thing Doesn't Work

I have been a faithful member of TOPS for four years.  In that time I have managed to lose a few pounds but I have also gotten caught up in the trappings of the organization.  By that I mean I volunteered to be an area captain, for several reasons, and while I did enjoy most of the experience I have resigned from that volunteer position.  The expectations were high, my own and the organization's. I have always felt that if I am to commit to something I must meet all the requirements and I came to the realization that I would never be able to meet all the expectations that were part of that position. Not that the TOPS organization was complaining, they weren't. But I didn't feel I could accomplish what the position needed.


There is also the expectations of the weekly meetings.  It isn't a matter of going and getting weighed, having a discussion about how to improve the next week.  Our chapter spends a lot of time as a group.  There is the annual 10 Km walk, which because of severe arthritis I haven't been able to participate in. There are the cute phrases, I've been a bad girl this week.  For pete's sake we are all seniors so what is it with the bad girl phrase.  Just because someone ate a piece of pie that doesn't make them a bad anything. Christmas parties are centred around food...a meal at a restaurant and a pot luck.

The conclusion that I have finally reached is that doing the same thing and expecting different results is a sign of insanity. I know that isn't original but it does apply to me and my weight loss/weight control efforts to date. Maybe giving myself time to feel good about who I am and what I am will go a long way to helping me control my weight.  Gee you think?

2011 will be an exciting year. I am ready for new ideas, and new experiences.  New books, new hobbies and new friends.Of course, there are many friends that I want to keep and that I hold very dear, they are important to me.  It will be interesting to see how this new year unfolds.

Three month Check Up

On Dec 22 I had my three month followup appointment following my hip replacement surgery. And as much as I have complained about the physiotherapy it has done its job, I am walking much better and usually without my cane. I got a good report re the hip joint and don't need to go for another appointment until late March. Life may be getting back to normal.

I really appreciate having access to a walker and other items during my recovery through the Red Cross. They have a branch office in Bridgewater and we were able to pick the items up there and return them three months later. And the cost was a voluntary donation to the Red Cross. A really great service.

No pain in the left hip and only occasionally in the right knee. I had an injection in the knee while I wait to work my way up another waiting list.

Another Benefit of Activitiy...Get Moving!

aThe following tips are taken from the Alzheimer's Society website. They certainly make sense for all of us and if there is the added benefit of postponing or avoiding the development of Alzhemer's Disease what a small effort to make. More information can be found at http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/brain/physicallyactive.htm

Think of it as "activity" not "exercise." For those who feel they have little opportunity to exercise, start by adding a bit of physical activity into your daily routine. Choose a brisk walk to the store rather than driving the car, or wash and wax the car instead of going to the car wash.
Choose activities and sports that you enjoy.
Aerobic activities can help maintain general fitness. For example, many experts recommend walking as one of the safest and most effective forms of aerobic exercise.
Start where you can and set reasonable goals.
Plan physical activity with another person so that you are more likely to keep active while you also gain the brain-healthy benefits of social interaction.
Check with your doctor about the kinds of physical activity that might be right for you or if you have specific health concerns.

We are what we eat

http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/brain/healthyfood.htm

The above link will give practical everyday tips on healthy eating. We all know that eating "right" is something that will benefit our bodies...but did you know that our minds also depend on healthy foods and a healthy lifestyle?

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease have no cure (yet) but there are steps each of us can take to reduce the risk of developing these crippling illnesses. Isn't it worth a try?

Update

The time is slipping past...more like hurling past like a truck going 150 miles per hour. So much to do, so little time. I am normally a very organized person, time management is a strong skill of mine. BUT for some reason I have overcommitted and I am slowing down, it now takes longer to do the routine stuff and I haven't been making provisions for that.

We did have another fabulous weekend. Another car show and a chance to have a tasty (and healthy) lunch at the cafe at the Sherbrooke Village Museum. Home made soup and 1/2 of a chicken sandwich on whole wheat bread. Yum. But we were there between showers so my legs and hips were aching and I couldn't spend as much time walking around as I would have liked.

New plan. Walk for 10 to 15 minutes three times a week. One other member of my TOPS group also has difficulty keeping up with the avid walkers. There are some in my group that walk 5 kms a day two or three times a week. I just can't do that and I don't want to even try to keep up with any of them. They go too fast and I need to start at my own pace. Joan and I (and maybe Maralyn) will meet Friday afternoon for a 15 minute walk. A good start! Who knows where and how far we will be able to work up to.

I did have a 1.5 lb gain this morning at weigh in. Not really a surprise, I missed last weeks meeting and we have been eating in restaurants the last two weekends. And some of my choices weren't very good ones. But today is a new day and I will do better this week. My goal is to lose the 1.5 lbs and another pound as well...a total of 2.5 lbs this week.

Another visit to a chapter. Another great group of people. I get encouragement from each of the group meetings I attend. Everyone has one thing in common...they want to be healthier and to lose weight.

Plans are starting for the IRD in Halifax next summer. It is going to be great! Exciting and the place to be in mid July 2010.

Another Week

Beautiful weather the last few days. Today is going to be humid and hot, probably the last day of uncomfortable heat this summer.

Cut and Burn. TOPS has introduced a program of cutting 100 calories from your diet a day and burning 100 calories a day. Over six months that will result in a 10 lb loss, 20 lbs a year...not bad.

We went bowling again on Wednesday and yesterday I walked for 15 minutes, painful but I did it. Of course it was in stores and malls etc. But walking is walking.

More clutter removal scheduled for today. An hour here and there is really making a difference.