The Visionary's Journal

Visionary · 05-Nov-05, 03:57 PM

I've been inspired by reading through everyone's journals here. There's a level of seriousness and accountability to each other that is really motivating. After a two-year bout with a life-threatening illness, I was given the "ok" by my doctor to start back to the gym this week.

All the doctor allowed me to do this week was walk on the treadmill, keeping my heartrate under 130--but I did this for an hour each day. Getting my heart back in shape is going to take awhile! I can't physically run yet, so I must endure the boredom of longer and easier. I did abs everyday, and lower back twice this week.

Next week I can start lifting some light weights.

The hard part is avoiding frustration with myself. Two years ago, I was in amazing condition...fast, flexible and strong as an ox. My bodyfat was 11%. Through the inactivity of my illness, I've gained 40 pounds, lost all of my cardio conditioning, all of my strength, and I can't reach my toes! Now I'm 53 and must work as hard on the mental process of getting fit as on the physical process. I want to believe that I can make a comeback, but the demon of doubt is sitting on my shoulder.

The demon whispers in my ear. "But you're menopausal now...you're 53...you've gained 40 pounds and 5 dress sizes...your heartrate is shooting up to 130 by just walking...remember when you thought walking wasn't exercise...five pound dumbbells, get real...just stay home, it isn't worth it."

Damn you demon. GET OFF MY SHOULDER!!!

CF-OC_gal · 05-Nov-05, 04:18 PM

Great for you for being determine to come back! You'll be fine at 53. Anyone who mocks your choice or style of training is not worth the pixels they write with.

There are good people here who will be glad to cheer you on.

Visionary · 06-Nov-05, 04:03 PM

So today was the day to start with weights after two years. I worked my back and did a few sets of bicep curls. Sheesh! 5 and 8 pound dumbbell curls, when two years ago I was up to 35 pounds about pushing for 40...I'm not discouraged. (Just because I left the gym in tears doesn't mean I'm discouraged--just mad!)

Cut my cardio back to 30 minutes today. My heartrate is not responding yet, but it's only been a week. I do FEEL better the rest of the day, so it must be doing something for me.

tim_mcf · 06-Nov-05, 10:24 PM

Have patience. It will come back. Good for you for getting back into it.

Visionary · 07-Nov-05, 03:14 PM

Today was a triumph. I worked my legs for the first time in two years--machines only because my coordination is still recovering. I thought it would be excrutiating, but instead, I felt all kinds of knots and kinks working their way out. It was as if my joints and muscles had been waiting for a wake-up call!

No point in mentioning the weights and reps. I'm really just experimenting this week to figure out how much strength is lost and how much has been retained. Then I'll develop a plan.

I THINK my heartrate started to respond to training today...it didn't recover to normal in two minutes like it used to, but it definitely came down faster than last week. This is exciting!

I'm posting a photo of me two years ago because I am DARING myself to BELIEVE that I can do it again.

**maverick** · 07-Nov-05, 03:48 PM

Great pic visionary! You did it once, you can do it again. Good luck on getting back in shape.

**Lady C** · 07-Nov-05, 03:49 PM

I will double dare you to do it again.

CF-OC_gal · 07-Nov-05, 07:08 PM

Your photo is inspiring - go ahead, be there!

Are you saying you were 51 in that photo? ! Wowza!!!

Visionary · 07-Nov-05, 08:52 PM

Thanks Maverick, Lady C and Brat. Someday I will return the encouragement. Promise.

07-Nov-05, 08:53 PM

Welcome Visionary,

From one eligible, card-carrying AARP member (but I'm not) to another, I look forward to your recovery, one day at a time. As I'm sure you know, we are only as good as our last workout, and we are what we just ate.

Are you using a heart-rate monitor in your cardiovascular training?

I'll be checking your workouts out and periodically adding my unsolicited two cents, adjusted for inflation.

BeLLyRinG · 08-Nov-05, 08:42 AM

Wow. I'm with Lady C, hun i triple dare you! Your photo shows that you had put alot of hard work in achieving that bod, but you've done the work once so you know what's comin. Go for it.

Visionary · 08-Nov-05, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierini

Welcome Visionary,

From one eligible, card-carrying AARP member (but I'm not) to another, I look forward to your recovery, one day at a time. As I'm sure you know, we are only as good as our last workout, and we are what we just ate.

Are you using a heart-rate monitor in your cardiovascular training?

I'll be checking your workouts out and periodically adding my unsolicited two cents, adjusted for inflation.

Yes, thanks pierini, your reminder is inspiring. Truly, we are only as good as the last thing we did. Next thing I'm going to do is GO VOTE. There! One vote counts.

The heartrate monitor is on at all times. (Heartrate monitors aren't for everybody, but for me, at this point in life, mine is a gift from God. That's something, because I'm an atheist.) I actually saw my new doctor at the gym yesterday, at 5AM! She recommends three days on and one day off for me right now. That sounds sensible.

She referred me to a dietician. The diet I'm on would probably horrify you bodybuilders, but I feel great. Keep in mind that I've not been able to eat anything for 6 months, so this is progress for me.

Breakfast is a glass of orange juice. Lots of quick nutrients and fructose to fuel my morning workout. Most of all, it stays down.

After the gym, I do an amazing vegie sandwich. Sprouted wheat bread with dandelion greens, cucumber, tomato, parsley, romaine lettuce, avocado, fat free cheese slices, and a hummus mixture of garbanzo beans in the blender with olive oil, apple cider vinegar and horseradish.

If I get the munchies before dinner, I pop a few raw almonds. I'm a great believer in a few nuts.

Dinner is lazy. I should cook salmon, but I'm too tired. I've been eating a double-large can of white albacore tuna fish, heavily adorned with chopped celery and a few Jalapeno peppers.

Supplements and drugs: Fish oil, 3X a day. Milk thistle, 3X a day (my illness was my liver.) Super Nutrition Opti-Packs, spread out 3X per day. A calcium channel blocker for blood pressure--soon to to be eliminated, I hope.

Comments and suggestions welcome,

The Visionary