I'm High and It's Legal!

[Virgo10]

I'm now in my 6th week of walking the treadmill. Let me tell ya, for someone who wondered if she could do 5 minutes at 2 mph, to reach 10 minutes at 3 mph was a rush. But even better, I had an endorphin experience. What a rush!! I now feel like I could walk all the way to Boston and back but, umm, probably not.

Exercising every day can be a drag but hitting certain milestones is a natural high!

 

[Christine]

Congrats!!

I really wish that would happen to me. I bought a $1800 treadmill in January. I have barely used it because of all the fatigue I have. It seems like I will do well for a week (I feel fine while using it) but it leaves me flat out exhausted the next day. And I never seem to get over the "hump."

Any secrets?

 

[missypie]

I'm happy for you and wish it could happen for me. I get no exercise and every other member of my family gets lots, so I''m always the one holding the family back on vacation while climbing, hiking, etc. For the last few months, I've been climbing the fire stairs in my office building about three days a week. I can get from floor 45 (mine) to 51 okay, but up to 53 is a killer and it never gets better. Again, I can't seem to ever improve.

 

[Christine]

I'm happy for you and wish it could happen for me. I get no exercise and every other member of my family gets lots, so I''m always the one holding the family back on vacation while climbing, hiking, etc. For the last few months, I've been climbing the fire stairs in my office building about three days a week. I can get from floor 45 (mine) to 51 okay, but up to 53 is a killer and it never gets better. Again, I can't seem to ever improve.

Funny!! I've tried the stairs in my building too and I feel like I'm gonna die afterward. Like you, it NEVER, EVER gets easier. I don't understand it.

 

[Virgo10]

I've always found that fear is a great motivator. When the doctor told me my cholesterol was too high and my blood sugar was getting too high it was a real dope slap. Not to mention that you can only rationalize the weight I was at with the "But I'm so tall, that's not too much" cop out for so long. I finally realized I'd have to be around 6'10" to accommodate the weight I was carrying.

I normally get an endorphin rush at about 6 minutes of walking. I'm really walking fast and for some people who are shorter, 3.1 mph would be jogging. This morning was tough. I have sciatic nerve damage on the left side and the first couple of minutes is pretty painful. Once I dropped those endorphins, the paid totally went away. I mean totally!!! It hasn't come back yet and that was an hour ago.

So, yeah, it's hard but I'm hoping that the 13 pounds I've dropped since I started exercising and eating better will be a start on improving the test results I got last time.

Now if I could quit smoking I'd be practically perfect in every way.

 

[pogo791]

Virgo10, way to go!
I've been going to a gym now for more than ten years. I try to get there every morning (when I'm not travelling), but especially on cold and rainy mornings, there's always that temptation to hit the snooze button and catch a few more z's.
More often than not, I've been able to resist that temptation. Once I drag my sorry ol' keister to the gym and get to the treadmill, the entire day goes so much better. All hail the endorphin rush - the after-effects can even make work go better!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Congrats! I used to crack up at myself witht the smoking. I'd do an awesome workout and then get in the car and light up.

The workout rush is fantastic. I like the eliptical (sp?) machines myself, but get most of my cardio in the pool.

When you do get around to quitting, the workouts are better. You can do more and feel even better.

 

[FergieTCat]

Virgo, you inspire me!!

I need to start a walking program, and this morning, I walked an extra 10 minutes to a subway stop that was one stop further away. I had a big sense of accomplishment when I was done. I want to try it again tonight (weather and work permitting).

I own a treadmill but never use it. But you are motivating me to get off my butt.

 

[grlpwrd]

WTG!
I have an elliptical trainer and a treadmill. The elliptical is more fun, but I do get a better workout if I use the treadmill.

My advice - make sure you're eating and drinking well as you need to be hydrated and have eaten carbs for energy. I also do cardio every other day and strength days the other opposing days which seems to help me actually have the energy to workout. GL to you all!

It sure has helped me when it comes time to mow our slopes and keep my cholesterol normal.

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

congrats!!

You have motivated me to get back on my tredmill, and I have a stationary bike we just bought a couple of weeks ago. I need my legs to be strong for WDW in Sept!

 

[drgnfly30]

I'm no master... I can get up to about 3 mph (it is a light jog or fast walk for me) & do about 20-25 minutes at a time. I dread thinking about having to excercise but once I'm done I feel great!

I started slow & worked my way up minute by minute & speed/incline each time... to make the time go by I have a TV to watch the news or I listen to dance music on my Ipod.

It was my health (Diabetes & cholesterol) that scared me into it as well...

 

[missypie]

Funny!! I've tried the stairs in my building too and I feel like I'm gonna die afterward. Like you, it NEVER, EVER gets easier. I don't understand it.

What's interesting is that I CAN feel that my thighs are firmer (which is always a plus) but the breathing is always hard and the heart rate is always high.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I just love endorphines. Congratulations, and keep up the great work!

I lost a lot of weight before Katrina but now it is harder just due to the way we are having to live.

You have given me some much needed inspiration so now I have to give some perspiration this afternoon.

Thanks for the motivation!!

 

[Jennifer S]

Way to go

I know where you are coming from. I have been going to the gym for the last year and a half but have really stepped it up in the last 6 months. I lost 30 pounds and now I am addicted to exercise. I do the elliptical and treadmill and on nice days I walk/jog outside with my dog and a friend. I am at the point where I feel guilty if I miss. Never in a million years thought this would happen to me.

I did notice there are very few heavy people at the gym. I guess all the people there are regulars and therefore are in better shape.

Keep up the good work. Hope your tests come back w/ results you want.