Things I'm learning from CHLI

Wow, what a way to clear my head and think straight. Exercise, who'd have thought it. It makes me wonder why jocks aren't more self-reflective. Perhaps it is because they are fixated on winning and ore not in it for the "high".
It is really interesting to be the focus of attention. I don't think I have ever before had such concentrated attention. There is not only instruction about how to do things that will enhance my well-being, physical as well as psychological, but a key factor for me has also been something I will have to call permission. Heretofore, I have to admit that concentrating on myself has been something I have not done thinking that I was behaving "selffishly." And I don't think that anyone really equates selfishness with something positive. But if we turn that around a bit, and look at it from a different angle, taking good care of oneself can be quite generous It makes me better able to do the things that I do for my family. It makes me a more alert and aware citizen who is better equipped to handle emergencies, and is not a drag on the economy because I need more services. Good health and good cheer is contagious, just as unhappiness and depression are. So isn't it better to pass on the positive rather than the negative?
So I want to list here some of the positives that I have noticed about myself now that I am getting exercise and eating better. First, I am happy to report that I have lost 5 pounds since April 2 when I had my first resting metabolic rate. Not too bad. Also, I have added afternoon exercise to my routine, something I had never thought I could "fit into " my day. That was one of the things that Suzi and I spoke about, that by calendaring time for my needs, I was putting myself on the list. I have spent a lifetime fitting my needs into whatever time was left over, and we all know that there is never any time left over. Those little Kaizen steps really work.
By now, I have met with Sherri, my personal trainer, and have started stretching at home. I really did not realize how tight some of my muscles were and that this was the reason for alot of my stiffness and not just age encroaching. It is good to see that there are remedies, not that the body doesn't age, because it certainly does, and things wear out, but we can keep limber in the face of it. And we don't have to emit that grunt when we get out of the car or up off the couch. It just isn't so much of an effort anymore.
Also, people who have been home for a while, or should I not generalize about that and just say that since I have been working at home rather than going out to an office, I got a bit too comfortable at home, to the point of becomming a bit leery of new experiences. It was becomming too big an effort to try something new, or go someplace unfamiliar. Oh sure, I would say "sure, I'll come" and then as I was getting dressed to go, I would hear myself whining in my head about wanting to stay home, and not have to bother to put my best foot forward, or put my foot into unfamiliar waters. I wonder if it is the fear of being judged and found wanting.
I always tell my daughters to get dressed and made up so that you are so satisfied with your appearence that you can forget about it and focus on the new people you are meeting and the new situation you are being introduced to. Good advice ? It always seemed so, but I know that when you don't feel your best, it's hard to get to that place. Now that I am taking off some of the weight, even a small amount so that my clothes fit more comfortably, it's easier to take that advice from myself. Now that I am more comfortable walking and standing up straight, I feel like I present a more confident person in the world.
Also, I referred a couple of days ago to being more alert. It's probably all that fresh oxygenated blood to the brain thats making me better. It's also a few other things: knowing that I can accomplish great things a small step at a time, even though I have done that sometimes in my life, knowing that it is an actual method of getting things accomplished that is tried and true is comforting.
Another valuable lesson that is a mental shift is from the nutrition part of the program. If we are trying to lose weight and sticking to a 1500 calorie diet for example, eating an extra cookie for example doesn't make us weak and shouldn't muske us feel as if we've "blown it". That too often leads to further blowing it. If we've had an extra, that may make that day a maintenance day, rather than a losing day. It doesn't make it a "bad" day, or me a bad person or a weak person or a loser, it just means that I went over the limit for weight loss, and stepped for a moment into the maintenance area, so if I want to continue to lose, I have to step back. I hope that this makes sense to you, that I have explained it adequately, because it have made a huge difference for me. It has meant that I am not either ON THE PROGRAM or OFF THE PROGRAM, but that I am on the program with a small deviation for today, and tomorrow ( or the next meal or whatever)I will still be on the program-- not that I was off the program, or wagon, and have to fight to get back on. I AM on, and I will be on, and I can step away for a moment, and step right back.

Hello there fellow lily pad dwellers! It's been a long time since I've let you know what happened with the CHLI contest. First I entered, then I was one of thirty five finalists, and then they called us to come in for a second interview and bring a friend who would speak on our behalf. Little did we know that that was the night of the announcement of the winners, and I was one of them! I had lots of mixed emotions. It was exciting to think that I had won such a valuable prize, never having won anything in my life--OK some awards for scholarship and stuff--but that was not a game of chance. This had a different feel to it and I never had a clue that I could be counted in. First of all because of age, and then because I just figured I wasn't the type they were looking for. But there it was, there I was, being served champagne, being photographed, being congratulated and being in total disbelief. My BFF was there to see all of the excitement and to take part. She is one of the pillars of my support. The handed out packets of agreements that we had to sign and return, and that were filled with information and rules and regs. It was all a lot to take in. We know the program would begin April 1, and had to have all the materials in by Mar 29. After some questions, I turned in all the paperwork, and waited. I got an email with instructions to show up this morning at 7:30am for a resting basal metabolism, a body composition analysis, and blood work.
What I have decided to do is to take you along with me on the ride that I began this morning. I promise not to let you hang out in the dark, so that if you want to go along on the ride, and try to do your best to get fit along with me (lose weight and exercise and learn how to be your best) you can join in. I hope that you will, and that you will let me know what is working for you.
So we'll begin with what happened today, the first day. I was up early and instructed not to eat or drink so that I could have fasting levels on my blood tests. I showed up and was taken for the first test, the resting basal metabolism. I had to have a nose clip and breathe into a tube, and I think that I panicked a little, and was breathing too shallowly for it to register. I relaxed and they redid the test, and it worked. Then it was off to the medical facility for blood work and a urinalysis, and the Bod Pod. They took a lot of blood, but what a medical facility they have right there at the Four Seasons Hotel. It is beautiful and new of course, but there is a serene atmosphere, and the staff couldn't be nicer. Everyone is so helpful and pleasant. Then we went to the Bod Pod. This does a body composition analysis. They used to do this by dunking you into a tank of water, and seeing how much water you displace. The BodPod is a white egg-shaped affair that you sit inside of for one minute and it analyzes how much air you displace. You have to be wearing something that conforms to the body. I just stayed in my underwear. No jewelry, and you have to cover your hair with a cap. It was very space age.
I am so impressed with the care that is being taken. When embarking on any lifestyle change, it is really important not only to get a baseline, but to be assured that your health is such as will tolerate drastic change. Height and weight were taken. Funny, I used to be spooked by getting on a scale, but I am past that. I just stepped on this morning knowing that I would be seeing much smaller numbers as I go along over six months in this program. Mike, the fitness guru, suggested a good way to begin is just to add little changes that will help get us more fit. Take the stairs when you can, for example. Also, it is important to use language that is positive in nature about what you are doing. Not 'I hope I will', but 'I will'.
Well,my next encounter with CHLI is next Friday when I will appear for my full physical, be seen by a doctor on the premesis, have a nutrition consult, a fitness consult, a lifestyle consult, and even lunch served on the premesis. They emailed the menus and we have to make a choice of lunch ahead of time. Also, I will have to keep a food log for three days and turn it in 3-5 days ahead of my appointment next Friday, so that means that I should start tomorrow. I't great to keep a food log, it makes you aware of everything you put into your mouth. I was doing better last week when my mantra was "no bread, no sweets" and I felt so in control Passover has kind of dashed that, but it won't be long until no bread no sweets becomes more of a reality.
So if you want to get slim along with me, see your doctor, weigh in to have a baseline, and start keeping a food log. Start adding a little to the amount you walk every day, take the stairs, whatever little additions you can do to help use up the calories. Also, it might help to establish a goal. For some people, having the final goal is too scary, so make some short term ones, ten pound this month, or 20 pounds by my birthday, or whatever feels good to you. And remember, that overeating is just your drug of choice, what are avoiding by using food. Geneen Roth has a new book out on just this subject, she has been writing about weight for years. It sounds helpful. I am going to get it. Soon, lots of us will be hopping lightly around the pond. Hope to see you there.