<p>Had to do my strength & core exercises today, which I hate doing. Today, Mr. Kitty decided to join me. Have you ever tried doing planks with a cat weaving in and out, and deciding to stand with his tail end right in your face? It really adds something special to the experience.</p>
<p>^^ Yes!!! I usually have either one of the four cats OR the 126 pound Golden Retriever interfering with my PT exercises, which do involve bridges and planks and “legs up the wall”. And, yes, it is usually the “wrong” end of the animal that is presented to you!</p>
<p>The cats run when they see me climb on the Airdyne. On the other hand, I live in fear of the day THEY grab the laser light pointer and make me run up and down the stairs chasing it like I do to them!</p>
<p>Last week, I joined a small group of women who are working a nutritional cleanse with a leader. It’s only for 9 days, and right now we’re gradually eliminating things like alcohol and caffeine to get ready for the cleanse. We’re following a program designed by the woman who wrote this book: [Amazon.com:</a> If the Buddha Came to Dinner: How to Nourish Your Body to Awaken Your Spirit (9780786868834): Hale Sofia Schatz, Shira Shaiman: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/If-Buddha-Came-Dinner-Nourish/dp/078686883X]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/If-Buddha-Came-Dinner-Nourish/dp/078686883X). </p>
<p>I can do anything for 9 days; my biggest concern is training. I’m wondering if I’ll be able to do my normal routine–spinning 2-3x a week, strength/core training 2x a week, walking 2x–one long walk and one interval/speed walk. The cleanse isn’t one of those where you don’t eat–basically it’s eating vegetables, fruit, fish, and plain yogurt. No wheat, no dairy (except yogurt), no caffeine, sugar, or alcohol. Has anyone ever done something like this? People in the group who did it last year said it was energizing and that they felt wonderful. That’s what I’m hoping to achieve.</p>
<p>^Doesn’t sound like a problem to me. You might have more gas if you eat a lot of beans and you might have a headache for a few days if you are used to drinking a lot of caffeine.</p>
<p>As long as you are getting your calories and some reasonable mix of food groups (i.e. protein, fat, carbs, etc.), there’s no reason that you couldn’t exercise just fine.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Basically, it’s similar to what most low-carbing diabetics eat, although they will eat very little fruit and a wider variety of protein sources, and will not cut out caffeine and alcohol completely if they enjoy them. Seems like a perfectly fine diet to me. </p>
<p>My only caveat: if you drink a substantial amount of coffee daily, definitely DO NOT go cold turkey on caffeine. You will feel sick and exhausted and have headaches if you do. BT/DT Weaning yourself off caffeine as your plan apparently does is definitely the way to go.</p>
<p>In my first week on my current weight loss push, I ate vegetables, chicken, fish, eggs, and berries–no wheat, dairy, sugar, alcohol, etc. I didn’t eliminate caffeine, but I don’t drink much anyway. It was fine, and I felt a huge burst of energy that got me off to a good start. My current diet isn’t that different, and I still feel fine.</p>
<p>Two sets of tennis today. It was quite windy, there was a commercial lawn mower nearby and a few tractors running so we got the US Open feel today. I think that I’ll do a short and easy run later tonight.</p>
<p>I’m going to try to ramp up the fruit a bit more.</p>
<p>I know, I know; it’s nothing new, but I did have a bit of an epiphany last night. At the gym. While doing cardio.</p>
<p>Of course we do cardio – massive cardio, some of us (NMinn, I’m thinking of you!) – to burn calories. But remember that the real reason to do cardio is to exercise that heart muscle. It’s the most important muscle in the body, and doing cardio keeps us more fit than anything else. I can walk quickly to catch a bus, walk quickly if I’m late for something, work around the house or garden – and not get winded. I’m amazed at and afraid for some of my friends who get winded climbing four steps to a restaurant entrance.</p>
<p>There. Off the soapbox now.</p>
<p>Thanks for thinking of me VeryHappy! I do do lots of cardio and lift weights to lose weight and I can’t move very quickly but my heart is in excellent shape especially now that I am lighter! 
Have been looking at mother of the bride dresses today…so glad I am weighing less these days!</p>
<p>VH - you are so right! It is wonderful to look great, but honestly, the health benefits are most important. Since I had an episode with my BP shooting up, the cardiologist has asked me to keep a record of my BP along with whether I had exercised. The results are irrefutable. If I exercise vigorously, my BP stays in a healthy range (as long as I don’t get stressed by family members). If I skip a day or two it shoots up pretty quickly.</p>
<p>mowc…a walk on the perk trail would be fun. I bet you walk fast! Maybe we could get wp2 to come out and teach us how to race walk. :)</p>
<p>I really feel like I’m not doing enough cardio. I hate those gym machines…and the hilly walks go only so far. I do get some hills sometimes on my bike…but that’s only weekends. I might have to go out on some hilly bike rides during the week if I can. </p>
<p>Had a healthy pizza tonight…made with thick whole wheat crust from Wegmans. Very little cheese and lots of veggies. One medium piece and I was full. Yay.</p>
<p>Don’t tease me! You know i would love that!! Just tell me when. </p>
<p>Actually, I am probably going to head into Philly in the near future to work out with a racewalking group led by Jeff Salvage.</p>
<p>I’m not having anything healthy for dinner. I’m having a spicy Italian sub sandwich from the local pizza joint. Haven’t had a carbfest dinner for a couple of weeks. Think of it as my rebellion against another bite of Jello!</p>
<p>Just climbed off the Airdyne. Full iPod workout, all three sets. I’m getting stronger, but I was on auto-pilot in the third set. I really wasn’t even conscious of doing the pushups or the squat presses. On the plus side, from full bent over panting like a dog at the end of the second set of intervals, my heartrate recovered 28 beats per minute in 60 seconds. When I started this whole fitness kick, I could only recover 15 beats per minute. That is a huge improvement in cardio fitness.</p>
<p>The first half of my dinner was healthy - grilled bluefish, panroasted asparagus, grilled Portabello mushrooms… but dh and I had a whole bottle of wine with it and then had yummy chocolate hazlenut mousse things for dessert. (Hey it’s my birthday!) </p>
<p>In my favor - I did go to the gym for an hour and a half.</p>
<p>Well Happy B-day Mathmom! If I had known I would have had a glass with you!</p>
<p>Happy Birthday mathmom! Sounds like a wonderful birthday dinner! Yum-O! I always save room for wine on the weekends or for special events! Hope you had a great time!</p>
<p>Happy birthday, mathmom!</p>
<p>I will never give up my wine. Never never never!</p>
<p>I am NOT a fast walker at all. I could use some lessons.</p>