<p>Was going to run outside today but the park trail path was too icy. So another 4 miles on the treadmill. Spent over 2 hours today at the health club.</p>
<p>Menopause changed my metabolism. I can not eat the same amount I did pre-menopause at all! To maintain my weight, I have had to reduce my calorie intake by quite a bit even though I exercise daily. </p>
<p>I gain weight so so easily. Ug. Sigh.</p>
<p>Leg still healing…did two 20 minute(once in the a.m. and once in the p.m.) workouts and walked 1.5 miles on Thurs…thinking at least another week,maybe more before running again. </p>
<p>Did a breakfast experiment this week after checking the sugar/carb. content of my much loved a.m Kashi. Starting on Tues. I replaced my Kashi cereal with a bowl of steel cut oatmeal topped with a few blackberries and 1/3 cup of greek yogurt. Since Tues. I’ve lost 1.6 lbs.</p>
<p>Ya’ll are making me really dread menopause. It’s hard enough to stay in shape without dealing w/ that!</p>
<p>4.17 miles today. I was more successful keeping my hr under 161. I was fighting my natural tendencies for the first 2 miles, but after that my body seemed to find a sort of auto-shuffle and I could just run (shuffle) and stay in the right zone. I think I must look like I’m 90 years old at this pace. The last half mile contained an unfortunate hill, and no matter how slow I went, my hr was going up. And due to a lack of planning on my part, I had to walk another mile to get home when my run was over.</p>
<p>Blankmind, you and I did essentially the same thing today. I ran 4.6 miles, average HR was 160. I did this tiny little baby steps up my major hill. Also my lack of planning had me turning around too early, so I had to bypass my house and then run back.</p>
<p>I’m alive. Quick post and more later. Due at a wine tasting/charity function at a law firm in 30 minutes and just got home from race. 4:51 (really good for me these days) on a tough, tough course (first 17 miles not bad, after that sheer hell) and I was all along for most of the race until H found me on his bike at 22 (he got lost on the course). 2nd overall female, which sounds awesome (and IS awesome) but it was a small field. I did get past a few women at 13 and 2 men late in the race. I feel good about it. I’m SO sore and tired.</p>
<p>Fantastic MOWC. Can’t wait to hear all the gory details.</p>
<hr>
<p>Off to a concert tonight. Probably in a snow storm. Wearing a new TJ MAXX bargain. A Columbia Jeff Probst/Survivor style [long-sleeve</a> shirt](<a href=“http://buckingrich.com/megaupload/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/6124932.jpg]long-sleeve”>http://buckingrich.com/megaupload/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/6124932.jpg) in stretch polyester. It’s got the button loops to roll up the sleeves, and the whole works, but super light wicking tech fabric. Light khaki color $15 on the clearance rack. </p>
![http://buckingrich.com/megaupload/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/6124932.jpg]long-sleeve](http://buckingrich.com/megaupload/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/6124932.jpg%5Dlong-sleeve){kind=link}
<p>Goes great with hiking pants. Just the ticket for what are always stuffy/hot theaters and, on the odd chance that I have to seriously deal with snow to get home…</p>
<p>It’s snowing in my area but air temps are in the mid-30s so no accumulation. I think that temps get to freezing in a few hours. I’m going out to do errands before the storm and then curling up for a stretching video.</p>
<p>Great hiking pics and a big Congrats to MOWC!!! Yay!</p>
<p>Congratulations, MOWC!!
Nice running workouts, Blank and CJane.<br>
PackMom, good to hear you’re getting in the exercise even if running is presently on hold.</p>
<p>Husband and I went out to listen to live music last night, a band we enjoy that plays tunes from the 70s. America, Eagles, Loggins and Messina, Jim Croce, etc. </p>
<p>Today we have been all over the place running errands. I am a tad sleepy at this point but bound and determined to get in stretch/strength/core sometime before the day is done.</p>
<p>That and have the salmon we picked up from Costco for dinner.</p>
<p>chinablue –</p>
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<p>I know. Tell me about it. I used to be able to eat anything I wanted and didn’t gain weight. Then . . . wham . . . menopause hit and my metabolism really slowed down and the pounds started piling up. Guess it’s been about 4 lbs a year.</p>
<p>PackMom –</p>
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<p>Yea, better be prepared for it.</p>
<p>mathmom –</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing your weight struggles. I agree that it’s important to try to get some type of exercise every day. Right now, I have an injury that has prevented me from exercising for the past month.</p>
<p>MOWC –</p>
<p>Congrats! That’s amazing.</p>
<p>Just checking in for the MOWC update.
Awesome! MOWC, you are a rock star!</p>
<p>Putting my 2 cents in on menopause - while my body shape changed a little (where’s my waist?!) I can’t really say that I gained any weight DUE TO menopause. The whole process was really without much fanfare for me - so my thoughts are to stop blaming it and figure out what to do to deal with it - which will likely be what works anyway - more exercise, better eating habits. </p>
<p>Everyone is different of course. But I always get a little annoyed with menopause as a place to blame ( and for many, to do nothing). Accept some changes and look and listen to your body to figure out a plan that works for the next 50 years. :)</p>
<p>Abasket, I saw an indoor track today that is 20 laps for 1 mile. Looked to be in very nice condition but might make a person dizzy running 5K.</p>
<p>Very true, abasket. I should have started to listen to my body way before I had gained 20 lbs. You didn’t find that your metabolism slowed down and you had to exercise more or eat fewer calories to maintain your weight after menopause?</p>
<p>Deb T - that would be even more torture- 20 for I mile! My track is 12.5 for a mile.</p>
<p>I can say that I have always been in a spot where I could stand to lose a few pounds - I’ve never been skinny mini - but I have always been able to keep things in check and could not let myself get to the point of having 20 extra pounds - 20 pounds to me, is ignoring what I see in the mirror or in my clothes for quite awhile! </p>
<p>I have always been someone to not sit around all day. I have always eaten decent but WILL always enjoy a treat on a regular basis. </p>
<p>Menopause did not put weight on me. As I said, the distribution changed a bit but not the number so much. But also, I have become even more active the last few years anyway - perhaps a good thought for many at menopause time - chances are you may have more free time at that point, so put it to good use - for YOU.</p>
<p>Great job, MOWC! Wow. I’m in awe. </p>
<p>KMC, I just want to say…thanks for keeping things real. 
</p>
<p>D surprised us with a weekend visit, so we grilled and I made a nice cauliflower dish - roast cauliflower with tomatoes. Seasoned with cumin and garlic. Nom. Happily I got my workout in this morning, early.</p>
<p>MOWC - congrats. Medal, trophy or plaque?!</p>
<p>My wakeup call came three weeks ago. I’m not overweight - although I’m 10 pounds heavier than my high school days and what I think is my ideal weight - but I just found out that I have breast cancer so my days of scarfing oreos and m & m’s are over. My husband has me drinking green smoothies and I’m really missing my junk food. On the bright side I have lost a few pounds since trying to eat healthier.</p>
<p>Sending good vibes to you Klamders. I hope being proactive with your health will work to your benefit in all aspects.</p>