The Weigh We Were

Addict is just a six-letter word

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:43:23 -0500

Before I realized I was a food addict, I'd been doing some reading on and off about the condition. The major sticking point for me was the same as some people's responses in my post, which were, "Can you really be addicted to something that is essential to survive?" After all, we never hear about oxygen addicts. "That Bob, he just can't get enough air! I wish he'd just hold his breath once in awhile." I wondered if there were better terms for the condition, like "compulsive overeater" or "binge eater" or "Piggy McEatsalot."

Ultimately, I decided the name doesn't matter. A name is just a box we put ideas in. What matters is that I understand my relationship with food. Then I can start figuring out the consequences my environment, my thoughts, and my actions have on that relationship and make plans to manipulate these things to my best advantage. I don't know what the official definition of addiction is, though I could look it up on dictionary.com or the DMV-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). I don't know if what happens in my brain when there is leftover cake in the break room is the same thing that happens when an alcoholic is inside a liquor store or a smoker is inhaling second-hand smoke at a bar. It would be interesting to know, but I doubt it matters unless you're working on a cure for addiction. Right now I'm just trying to cope with the way I am. Giving my problems a name seems less relevant than managing them.

It's nice to have the name, for sure. Then you can popularize the term and it makes it easier to explain it to other people. You can say, "I'm an alcoholic" and people instantly understand what you mean. It would be nice to have scientific proof too because then you can point to the studies and the fancy medical speak and explain to people why you are the way you are. That would make them stop jabbering on about willpower and calorie counting and stop them wondering why these silly fat people can't stop eating so much already. Once people see that there is a biological reason for the way you are, they get much more understanding and stop blaming you for a character flaw.

So, addict, compulsive overeater, or Lady Piggy McEatsalot, I don't care what you call me, but at least I know what I am.

Copyright Jennette Fulda. Read more at PastaQueen

Week 136 Weighin and Happy New Year

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:45:58 -0500

First weighin for 2009 - weight 302 lbs, (lost 3 lbs) I’m not really impressed with the 3 pound lost, since I can’t take any credit for it. I was not dieting per se, just doing the usual 3 meals a day and trying to avoid as much as possible anything else. Being off work for [...]

Cold Comfort

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:00:00 -0500

Who me? Nah, I don't have a cold.

I take pride in having a powerful, take-no-prisoners immune system. Sure, I used to get colds, back when I was younger, but now I don't. Colds are for lesser mortals, who don't have such a kick-ass disease-fighting abilities.

Bring it on, bugs. I'm ready for ya!

Why yes, I did just blow my nose, but I have allergies. Probably due to the cat I'm not willing to give up, or possibly to the dust I'm too lazy to clean up. (And for anyone curious about the neti pot experiment--nope, it didn't help with the runny nose, and in fact even seemed to make it worse. Think there's much of a market for used neti pots?)

But anyway, a runny nose is normal for me and does not mean I have a cold.

Oh, these cranberry-flavored, Vitamin C-enhanced Ricola lozenges? Well, they're just very tasty, that's all. That's why I've been sucking on them for the last few days.

If I did have a cold, which I do not, I now have some more information about whether I could go to they gym today and work out. The New York Times just ran a helpful article about when you can exercise with a cold and when you should sit it out. Even though I won't need this information personally, I'll be happy to share it with you.

Most of The Time, You CAN Exercise With a Cold

According to some older studies they dug up in the NY Times article, exercising with a cold does not seem to be a big deal.

In one study, researchers infected 45 young adult subjects with a head cold and made them exercise. They concluded: "Having a cold had no effect on either lung function or exercise capacity."

Well, that's great! But unless you're a serious athlete, isn't the real question whether the exercising makes your cold worse? Not whether having a cold makes your exercise performance worse?

Turns out they looked at that too. Researchers started with 34 subjects, gave them all colds, and had half of them just rest. The other half had to run on treadmills. Then every 12 hours, they asked subjects a bunch of (probably annoying) questions about their symptoms and physical activity.

And get this: "The researchers collected the subjects’ used facial tissues, weighing them to assess their cold symptoms." (Career counseling note to self: academic research may sound prestigious and all, but... collecting and weighing other people's snotty Kleenex??)

The bottom line: There was no difference in symptoms between the group that exercised and the one that rested, or in the time it took to recover from the colds. But the exercisers were more likely to say they felt better.

So for those of you who want to go for it even though you have a cold? This is indeed good news! Those of you who were hoping to get let off the hook, read on.

When to Sit it Out

However, the article stressed that these experimental colds were only head colds. They said to use more caution if running a fever or experiencing chest congestion.

And heck, just use common sense--you probably know if you feel way too crappy to work out, no matter where your symptoms may be located.

Back in the olden days, when I used to get colds, I'd mostly still exercise. I always felt like I deserved triple credit though, just on principle.

Back to the Cold I Do Not Have

So why do I take such smug pride in my resistance to the common cold? Well, I wasn't born with a particularly robust immune system, and in fact, I used to catch pretty much any bug that was going around. But over the past decade or so, I've been getting better about eating all the right stuff--plenty of fruits and veggies and garlic and green tea and fish oil pills and whatever the heck the experts are recommending this week. I get lots of sleep and exercise. So I feel like my not catching colds is a hard-earned badge of my (mostly) healthy habits. (I even dodged the stomach flu last week when the poor Lobster got hit, and I ALWAYS used to be the first one to get stomach flu.)

Still, it's curious. What's the deal with the sore throat I had a couple days ago? And the coughing and congestion at night? Oh, and my voice: it's hard not to notice that it's been steadily descending in pitch. First it just went down to a kinda-sexy Suzanne Pleshette, then further down to Lauren Bacall, past even Bea Arthur, and now it's settled in the James Earl Jones range.

Could it be?

Hmm.

Nah, not me. I don't get colds anymore.

How about you folks, do you have awesome immune systems or do you catch whatever comes around? Do you exercise when you have a cold?

Kaizen, can I get an amen?

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:12:32 -0500

Still on the search for that elusive one-word descriptor for my 2009 focus. (Graciously, so is Vickie!) It’s funny how limiting language can be. For instance, in Spanish there is a word to describe the relationship between you and your sister-in-law’s sister. One single word: concuñada. I mean, even for the sister of my brother, [...]

Monday - extended vacay by one sick day

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:19:00 -0500

he heee - that rhymed!

Hugh was sick all Xmas Vacay. pffffft! I took him in for strep a couple of weeks ago. Last Monday it was his right ear - "just fluid built up"; this morning it is fever - now going on 3rd day or so. Low grade fever, congestion, cough, hack, bark. So we wait. I called in sick to stay home with him. We had a 2-hour delay which would make for a quick day, but a chaotic one for a sub, but we had that freezing rain jazz Saturday into Sunday and everything is ice-covered. I couldn't see getting my 70 year old mother out on roads and sidewalks covered with ice. And they did cancel Hugh's school. I'm sure the side roads are an icy "glazed-donut" mess.

I am bored. B.O.R.E.D. I have swept and mopped the dining room and living room. I have surfed the net ad-nauseum. I did my 30 minute walk this morning. I did my crunches for the day. I am going to go do that Sansone Walk Strong thing that kicked my butt in a few. Seriously, I thought it was rather silly-that video - but it caught muscles in my legs that I've apparently been neglecting since I quit the gym. I have to play Wii later. Maybe at 3:00 when Dr. Phil comes on. I am rabidly awaiting today's Oprah.

I made Hugh take a shower and when he came out he had hives on his legs and one are. It was weird. He didn't even know they were there. They now appear to be gone. Go figure. Maybe from the ibuprofen from what I saw on the net.

I do have some papers to finish grading. It doesn't take long once I get going, but I have a heck of a time with the "get going" part.

Just like I need to go to the store for a couple of butternut squash so I can stockpile that yumski ravioli filling. It's 27* according to the thermometer, but according to the wind chill - like 10*. I don't want to bundle up. Also the sidewalks beyond my house are icy...that's what I need - speed skating practice...it would probably become ice dancing by the corner, and I'm sure the old farts at the corner gas station would be glad to stand in as judges for my performance...I will risk it, because tomorrow is weigh in and I need some comfort food that is low-points.

I'm not sure where the scale will find me. I am sure that school starting up again will help because of the structure and limited access to food while there.

I hope you all are having a fine and dandy day. I'm still BORED. tatafornow!

A Resolution!

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:17:24 -0500

I figured it out today: a resolution that is meaningful, important, and something I am passionate about. This year, I resolve to read to my girls every single day. Every day. Now, that might not sound like such a big deal to some of you but it is something that has fallen by the wayside since [...]

Walk to Ward Off Age-Related Weight Gain

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:23:56 -0500

Walking as little as a half hour a day may keep the extra pounds from adding up as you get older.

Ready to Get Going

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:56:00 -0500

I am so ready to get things geared up. The New Year has come and gone and today starts a new fresh beginning for me. I am working on my food and trying to get a good hold on that.

I weighed and it wasn't pretty. I am somewhat discourged,but I'm the only one that can change that number. It is up to me.

Here is my good plan for today:
B1: Banana (ate this before leaving the house at 6:00 am)
B2: 2 cups of whole grain cereal, 1 cup skim milk
S: Harvest Power Bar
L: 1 1/2 cups tomato soup, 1 slice of low fat cheese on 1 slice of whole wheat bread
S: 3/4 cup of FF yogurt, 1 tbsp of wheat germ, 1/2 cup blueberries
D: 1/2 cup whole wheat pasta, 1/2 cup of marinara sauce, 1 cup broccoli
S: Protein Shake after ST
S2:94% FF popcorn

This puts me at around 1750 cals for the day. Today's exercise plan is Strength training and also a short 3 mile run.

This weekend was my 16 miler and it went fantastic. The only down fall was it was 70 degrees here. HOT in comparison to my normal 45-50 degree runs. I got slightly dehydrated I think, so I spent Saturday night trying to down the water and work on my headache. Otherwise the run was great. Looking forward to finishing out these 9 weeks of training.

I am also cutting out my weekly cheat again. I honestly think that I mess with myself when I have them. So, from here on out, I am not doing a cheat for the next 9 weeks.

I am excited about my plan. I really want to stay this motivated for the next 9 weeks.
We started a new challenge over at Phit and Phat today, and I really want to win! I took my pictures and stats this weekend so I'm ready.

The Winners for the Week of Giveaways

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:30:00 -0500

Thank you all so much for participating in my week of fitness giveaways! We had some awesome discussions going on in the comments and I was happy to see many of you de-lurk and introduce yourselves! I discovered that I have good company in my sweatiness, that lots of you love to dance too, that you have FANTASTIC ideas for fitness mags (maybe we should start our own?) and that a blender that cleans itself is better than Brad Pitt showing up at your door with Belgian waffles and a can of Reddi-Whip. So let's get to it! You know the drill - winners, e-mail me your info by Wednesday and you'll get your stuff shortly!

PowerWash: VaMomof2
Experience Life Magazine Subscription: Leamur
Core Rhythms DVD Set: Melissa
the complete Beck Diet for life: Katieo
VitaMix blender: MizFit

Life Lessons I Have Learned From Karate

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:15:00 -0500

Karate surprised me. As you may recall, I informed Sensei Don at the beginning of the Experiment that I was less interested in the mental aspects of Karate and more interested in the killing people. He was kind enough to tell me some things about the more lethal aspects but also gently guided me back toward the mental and spiritual aspects of the martial art. It turns out that to do the former well, you have to be good at the latter.

This irritated me. I don't like busy work and the standing basics and kata repetitions were a bit reminiscent of Madonna/Gwyneth Paltrow's 100-rep workout. Usually it entailed me ordering one of the Gym Buddies to count to 100 while I chattered and used them for free therapy (they're very good to me!). But somewhere along the way, I started to realize what Sensei Don meant.

Three Life Lessons I Have Learned From 30 Days of Karate
1. When Someone Pushes, Pull Them Towards You. One of the things Sensei Don taught us was a game called "Sticky Hands." Watch as Gym Buddy Allison and I explain the game and give a very giggly demonstration of how to do it (Yes, I know how very unKarate like we look. You think this was bad, you should have seen us in the Dojo. Sensei Don is nothing if not patient.)

The hard part of the game is that it is counter-intuitive. What is your gut reaction when someone pushes you? To push back, of course! But Karate taught me the power in pulling them in closer - not only do you use their momentum against them but it usually unbalances them. And I discovered that this little lesson applies to more than just punches and shirt grabs.

This past month I was having an intense emotional struggle with one of my good friends. I won't detail the cattiness that ensued but succificeth to say I ended up at the gym in tears one night. As I bit my lip and tried not to look like the 12-year-old I really am, I remembered the Sticky Hands game and something Sensei Don had told me: "The hardest part is giving up control to the other person." You know what a control freak I am. But I decided that he was right. There was no point in fighting with a person who was dear to me. Instead, I let her decide when and if to throw the (emotional) punches. When she did, instead of retaliating or feeling hurt, I simply drew her into me. I did my best to redirect the hurt and be gentle while she worked through her own momentum. I can't even tell you what a difference that made. Within days, my peace was restored. I found that to get control, I had to give it up first.

2. There Is Beauty In the Details. This is the part I wanted most to skip over in my Karate training. The kata is like a dance but made up of stances, kicks and punches. A very stilted and formal dance. With no music. Unless you count the funny "ki-ya"s we got to do. And yet because Sensei Don told us it was important to learn, the Gym Buddies and I did our best to squelch our silliness and practiced it faithfully several times a day. Although we may have broken out into Rockette kicks on a few occasions. It couldn't be helped.

Then one day I realized I liked it. There was a sense of mastery in remembering the order and I felt amazingly accomplished the first time we all got it right. (There was screaming and a few cheerleader jumps. No chest bumping though - Gym Buddy Megan is pregnant, remember?)

But the moment when I truly realized its worth was when we performed it for Sensei Don. He stepped in and showed us what we had really learned: a sequence of moves that was not arbitrary, like I had thought, but was designed to block and attack a certain offense. And when I did it right, it worked! In all the self-defense classes I've taken, I've never actually ended up with a move that really worked. And now I had three! I was positively giddy. I went home and tried them on my husband. They worked on him too! That is until he decided to just throw me over his shoulder and tickle me until I threatened to pee on him. That little technique isn't covered in self-defense books but I've had good results with it.

3. Unrestrained Emotion Hurts. I wrote early on about how Karate was more emotional for me than I had expected due to my previous experience with being assaulted. Never before have I ever felt so very fragile during an Experiment. And I think it made me stronger. Karate is good therapy.

The first time I felt this strength was during one of the first lessons when Sensei Don asked if he could touch my throat. He had no way of knowing that that is my absolute panic spot. Even now, thinking about it, makes my heart pound and the bile rise in my throat. I don't let anyone touch my neck, not even my children. I believe my response was to throw Gym Buddy Megan under the bus. "Can you do it on her?" Sensei Don replied that he would but he wanted me to feel where the pressure points on the neck were. And so I said yes. And you know what? I was okay. Not great - I did tear up a bit but I don't think anyone noticed - but I was okay. And now I know that about myself.

The second time was much more dramatic. After all those weeks of drills, Sensei Don finally deemed us ready to punch something. So he got out his pads and showed us a drill where we did two punches and a block as hard as we could for two minutes straight. Now, I have done intervals. And I will tell you that this rivals the 800m sprint as the highest intensity interval training I have ever done. It had something that sprinting does not though: I got to hit stuff. Within just a few punches I discovered the satisfying thrill of smashing my hand into something - hard. It felt really good. In fact, it felt so good that I didn't realize until after the first interval was over that my left hand had two split knuckles and I was about to leave blood spatter in the Dojo. I quickly taped it up though because I didn't want to miss my next interval and Sensei Don was not stopping the clock for me.

For some reason that I still can't fully explain, all that punching did something to me. Like my knuckles, something inside me split open and while it hurt, it felt good to get it out. I cried when I got home and it wasn't because of the pain in my hands (although seriously, that hurt! I do not recommend splitting your knuckles). Afterwards I felt lighter than I have in a really long time. It was a high that didn't leave me for days. I even dreamt about installing my own makiwara (a leather punching/kicking post) in my basement so I could do it again.

I learned that those tides of emotions that overwhelm me at times can be controlled without repressing them. And they can be experienced without being consumed by them.

For a good example of control, check out Sensei Don first breaking a board (don't blink or you'll miss it, he makes it look that easy) and then demonstrating the practical application of the move on Good Sport Bill, another student.

Conclusions
So how was Karate as a workout? That was the original point of this Experiment, right? It was fairly rigorous. Like many workouts it is as hard as you make it. Sensei Don kept things tough for us by having us do daily conditioning exercises like push-ups (although never again on our knuckles), sit-ups and squats. At his Dojo he came up with some circuit training that involved functional weight exercises specific to Karate movements that we were training. And of course the repeated punches and kicks could definitely bring on a good sweat. We added some free weights and cardio of our own as well as daily standing basics and kata drills. Despite never targeting specific muscles groups with our Karate training, I found that my shoulders and upper arms got some additional muscle definition.

Karate was definitely one of my most favorite Experiments. Generally as the Gym Buddies and I get to the end of the month, it gets harder to motivate ourselves to do the workout. We're ready to be done and move on to the next thing. This time however, I wished I had more time to continue it. One month was simply not enough to learn everything that I want to know about Karate. Don't worry though, Sensei Don and I are in talks to continue with the lessons so I'll get my punching fix somehow!

For kicks and giggles, here is Sensei Don performing his favorite move on Bill. Kill Bill!

So tell me: those of you who have martial arts experience - was it like this for you? Was anyone else surprised by the mental aspects like I was? Have any of the rest of you experienced a mental or spiritual element in conjunction with a particular kind of workout?

PS> Tomorrow I'll announce January's Great Fitness Experiment - and it's one EVERYBODY can follow along with this time. Perfect for New Year's Resolutions or just a change up, so no excuses this time! I even enlisted an additional Gym Buddy, Krista, to join us. Also, look for upcoming posts on binge eating and compulsive exercise as requested by several readers in the comments!