<p>“I am still not exercising with excitement but I am doing it.”</p>
<p>-It is important to try various activities and choose what you personally enjoy. For example, I absolutely cannot run, my body refuse, even when I was a teenager. I hate biking also. Why push, there are plenty of other exersice activities. I am sure there are people who enjoy both running and biking. Allow yourself time to explore, you will not stick to waht you hate or will stress over it constantly, while it is suppose to relax you, provide a break from everythin else. </p>
<p>In regard to lower back, mine is very weak, I even ended up in ER brought by ambulance once. The only relief I am aware of is getting rid of stomach and abdominal muscles very strong by daily abs routine, whatever it is. My chiro taught me a lot how to make yourself feel better with special exercises when back gives out. He was very helpful in educating about subject of lower back pain.</p>
<p>Ah, abasket, but think of the positive effects of the sun (vitamin D) and smelling the roses? That’s worth it, even if your pace is slower. I think that is what you were referring to, your pace walking outside??</p>
<p>mom60, i think its great if weighing yourself motivates you, go for it. About exercise, try to find what you like and you will do it; maybe mix things up a bit? Walking alternating with biking or swimming or gardening or canoeing or dancing or yoga or…I absolutely have to alternate activities otherwise I don’t look forward to it. Also I like taking classes and learning new stuff.</p>
<p>I’d go nuts if I went to the gym each day. I need to get outside and exercise. Living in New England, it isn’t always easy to get out, but unless the temps are in the single digits or there’s two feet of snow, I’m outside at least 2-3X a week. I live near a pond and last year I started getting out (very early) and kayaking with two friends who are serious birdwatchers. They watch the birds and I try hard to get as much exercise as possible. That was the first time I’d ever gone kayaking and I enjoyed it and am looking forward to starting up again this year.</p>
<p>I will keep trying the smaller steps.
I have never been an exercise fan. When I was young my family and friends called me the 100 lb weakling. I didn’t have to exercise to stay thin. I find walking is something that I can do even if I don’t have a huge chunk of time. It is right outside my door, no excuses about not having the time to drive to the gym. It is also something that requires no special attire and it is free. In the summer I can swim at home but swimming requires a change of clothes and time to get dressed and dry the hair after. I could try biking.
I live in a part of town that people come to exercise in. Lots of bikers, runners, walkers and even horseback riders. I really have no excuses.
Today I am playing tennis. I will probably also still try to walk this afternoon. I am set on reaching a point I can make it up the hill without being out of breath.
I weighed myself this morning. Up 1 lb which is not bad considering the last week of eating out.</p>
<p>I can’t WAIT to be able to smell roses outside! :)</p>
<p>Once the weather gets better (this week has been 50’s - woohoo!) I completely avoid the gym except for summer days when it’s so hot and humid that the air conditioned gym is a relief!</p>
<p>Had my first one today. Made from wheat, brown rice and corn - very low in salt. Crunchy and sort of like a rice cake, but better to me. Apparently there are flavors but I’ve only had the regular.</p>
<p>Abasket: It tastes like a tortilla, it is sweet or salty, crunchy like Nestle?
Wow! 15 calories and 0 cholesterol and 0 fats. I will buy it next time I visit the supermarket. Thanks…</p>
<p>I can visual the possibilities: Grape jam on top, some free fat feta cheese; or “little” smashed avocado; or some hot beans…</p>
<p>Since we are talking snacks… Not a low fat product, but a whole bag of these all natural chips has only 120 calories, and they taste delicious unlike fake chips:</p>
<p>Breakthrough today. The hills seemed easier. I was even able to run part of my route. Also after my usual walk I still felt like I could go a bit more and went the other direction for another 15 minutes. Am still finding the small steps awkward but it is getting less awkward.</p>
<p>There were so many things that needed my attention that I decided to ignore college confidential a couple of days. Not looking at my favorite threats was harder than I thought it would be. Actually, it was harder than sticking to my rather rigid diet. The past week I’ve lost 3lbs. In the meantime I’m able to bike 10 miles in one go on my exercise bike. I’m watching some great dvd’s when biking (and only then). Right now it is a 5 hour BBC production called Cranford with Judy Dench in one of the leading roles. One day I will go biking outside (far less boring), but I first want to build up a bit more confidence.</p>
<p>missypie, that absolutely does not have to be the case!! You’ll be doing a lot of walking, and that’s good exercise. Just eat healthily whenever you can, and remember: You don’t have to eat everything on your plate!!</p>
<p>I agree with VeryHappy. Enjoy yourself Missypie, but don’t go crazy; you will just feel worse after. Just watch the portions and walk around alot! Have fun!</p>
<p>mom60,
" In the summer I can swim at home but swimming requires a change of clothes and time to get dressed and dry the hair after."</p>
<p>-I found that swimming is actually much faster than my winter exercise routine, because it needs less time to accomplish bigger goal. I need to exercise 2 hours in a winter and I still gain about 7 pounds. I need to swim (very slow, not a swimmer at all) only for about 1 hour and always loose all my winter weight by September. I do not do anything else in a summer. And 6am outside swim before office results in mood elevation that is not comparable to anything else (also testimony of others who swim inside in a morning year around).
Another great one is rollerblading, but unfortunately it is limited to spring and fall, too cold during winter , too hot during summer.</p>
<p>Have a fantastic trip, Missypie. You CAN eat all of those foods you want. Maybe not the whole thing. You could try cutting the meal in 1/2 right when it arrives, and just see if you feel satisfied and happy when you are finished the 1/2. Just an idea.</p>