The Heart-Walk was Today

... and I walked in it. I wasn't sure I would be able to manage but I had my back-up plan in place (equipment and supportive medical apparel).

OK. I did one lap. I wrote about this before. Remembering how I injured myself in last year's walk and how long it took to recover, I decided not to push myself as hard this time. No, it wasn't raining. The route wasn't even wet, but I gave myself permission to walk just enough and not be mistaken for "Super-girl" (in my own mind). I the first lap was equivalent to the distance I would walk in my neighborhood on any given day.

It was a cool, comfortable day. I followed the path through sun and shade. Kind strangers took photos of me at various points in the walk. I finally got a photo with that GEICO mascot! The person inside was muttering impatiently as the person taking my photo struggled to get the shot. I thought it was funny but I apologized to him for taking so long.

The walk was at National's Park for the first time. I liked the location but couldn't understand why the platform for speakers was so far away from the participants, especially since baseball season was over. Cameras can point anywhere. Why put the speakers on the other side of the ball field where the only way the walkers can see and hear them is on the jumbo-tron?

While waiting for the walk to start, I explored this venue which I had only seen but never entered. Shoppers Food Warehouse brought lots of delicious snacks. I especially enjoyed the fresh fruit and the whole-grain cereal bars.

I was near the front of the pack when the walk began but decided to put some of the goodies I had collected from the various corporate booths in the car then return to the walk. I was parked only a half block away from the walking route but found myself near the back of the pack.

We hit a bottleneck on one of the early legs where we had to share our route with DC traffic. That means we couldn't walk in the street. Some of us were stopped briefly to let an SUV enter a garage parking facility. I imagine some of the more fiercely dedicated walking athletes might have been upset by this. I think if anyone is planning an exercise event, maybe choosing a route that would provide minimal impediment to the those who come to exercise is a good idea.

Do something beautiful for your heart today.

~Cheryl~

Co-walker

A neighbor who had expressed interest in walking many months ago began walking with me for the first time last week. We walked again tonight and took a different route through the school yard. I am pretty sure that the square route (homonym alert) we took is greater than the sum of two trips around the triangle. I will count steps in the future to confirm the actual distance. We did 6 laps around the square which may be the longest walk I've taken so far. (47 minutes) I called J.S. and B.C. before we started and though I spoke with them, they were not available to join us.

 While I enjoy social time talking with my other neighbors who have joined me in the past, this neighbor shared today that she prefered not to talk during our walk. We had a great talk last time and I thought I would get to know this neighbor better and maybe I will, just not during our walks I guess. I don't mind not talking; I do think people are more comfortable when they've taken the time to get to know each other and that usually happens by talking.

The benefit of being safe with a co-walker outweighs my desire for social interaction. [Observation: she had two brief cell phone calls during our walk while my phone remained silent.]

Nothing I said, the rare times I spoke, was right (I made it a point to speak after she did - otherwise I was a woman of few words who walked quietly). Still I enjoyed getting my walk done and I celebrated crossing my imaginary finish-line for the day. She disagreed with my doing that, too. She said she'd call me for a future walk.

So, in light of my bewilderment after my walking experience this evening, I will refrain from giving the initials of this new walking companion and simply use the term "co-walker". As pleasant as our experiences as neighbors have been in the past, apparently she was displeased about something and possibly with me. 

I find it very interesting when I observe differences between people, shaped by their backgrounds and perspectives. My study of wind instruments and singing is where I got my breath training. Athletes (i.e. swimmers), people in military service, etc. are trained to breathe differently. I didn't bring it up. 

Much of my day was spent speaking very few words and working at my computer while others' job descriptions involve talking throughout the day. I thought I had detected a disparity in the daily  quota of spoken words between me and my co-walker. She did not agree. I respect the differences I observe between me and others but such differences are unlikely to annoy me.

With the sun setting earlier and earlier, the walking may have to happen earlier and earlier if it is going to be light enough to see. Darkness in the school yard is dangerous because people can't see who is on the playground from the street and because the school is presently closed the playground lights aren't on at night. I don't see young men playing basketball there anymore. People do play soccer on the field (including the President's daughter).

Hey, I would love to have the first lady as a future co-walker. I bet we would have a wonderful conversation.

Venting can be a healthy thing.


Do something beautiful for your heart today.


~ Cheryl ~

Getting Back on Track

This week marks my serious return to regular exercise. I am happy to report the brutal summer weather didn't do me detriment. I did not gain weight during the summer despite the inconsistency of my exercise routine.

New for the Autumn of 2010:

1. Music has become an integral part of my workouts. David Benoit has a handful of songs that are perfect for walking. They help me keep a good pace and are joyful so I like hearing again and again. My walk incorporates choreography so I'm almost dancing as I move forward. Yes, people are driving by in their cars and see me. No, I don't care.

My playlist includes: "Watermelon Man", "Jellybeans & Chocolate" from Right Here, Right Now "Why Not!" and "Jump Start" from Professional Dreamer. Benoit is a musical genious.

2. I'm walking a minimum of 45 minutes per walk at least 3 times per week. I had been averaging 25-30 minutes per walk and I was keeping pace with my neighbors (who sometimes walked faster than I did.) Ultimately, I will work my way up to an hour per walk. The music will help me get there.

Do something beautiful for your heart today.

~ Cheryl ~

Another Heart Walk

I've signed up to participate in the 2010 American Heart Association Heart Walk. Like last year, I joined the team that has the sure-fire fundraising element (this year I had to find it - last year it found me). This way I can concentrate on the fitness component.
This year, I start 20 lbs lighter than what I weighed one year ago. I am equipped with an improved metabolism and my Kangoo Jumps. They are like trampolines on the bottom of my feet. They help me get a high impact work-out without the risk of injury incurred if I worked-out in regular exercise shoes. Last night I did my first, unsupervised Kangoo work-out. I actually ran and felt great! (If you know me, you know I don't run)
I'm starting with 15 minutes per "hop" (that's what I call a Kangoo work-out) and will build up my time from there.
So, I'm back. But my blogs will be less frequent here. My goal is to blog at least once per week. I will use Twitter to post my workouts between blogs. So, combining this blog and Twitter, I will be posting as frequently if not moreso.
Thanks to everyone for your patience and support, including those who have been anonymously reading my blog.


Do something beautiful for your heart today.


~Cheryl~

Forgive me readers, it has been 3 months and 2 weeks since my last blog

I can't believe it has been that long! You will be happy to know that I write this at my lowest weight in more than a year (possibly two).

And I realized something during my time away from blogging: exercise had become a part of my daily life. I cannot remember a time in my adult life when I could say that. Now I can.

The heat did cause me to pause, but my metabolism had built some momentum so I was surprised at the lower number today when my trusted friend and I looked at the scale. I am entering my third decade of pounds lost. I have heard that it is wise to take a break but hadn't really taken one. Now I see the balance and wisdom of letting a little momentum carry me forward.

While I was not exercising (about a week or two), I was looking at myself in the mirror and condemning myself. Knowing I hadn't exercised much, I thought I might be gaining weight back but I never get on the scale everyday (or every week) and I didn't know what my weight was. How funny, I let my eyes see me as gaining weight when I was still losing.

I have kept up my accountability by walking with my neighbor(s). During a very hot stretch of days near the end of June, we started exercising to the Prevention Workout Videos. Although I got them for free after purchasing a special edition of "Prevention" dedicated to Walking, my neighbor liked them so much, I found her favorite on Amazaon for a tiny price to give to her. I think their family is using them more than I am using mine. Four generations of her family have begun exercising with her. Let's give a standing ovation to J.S.!

I have a nice little collection of these Prevention videos: "Sugar Solution Workout", "3-2-1", and "Dance Fitness". The Sugar Solution is a walking workout where the exercises have been arranged so that when you finish, you have exercised the equivalent of walking a mile and a half. That's the only one I have completed. I will write about the others after I have completed them.

To continue my accountability with my readers, I will begin texting to my Twitter page "CherylsTraining" from the walking trail (or wherever I may be exercising) as the summer progresses.

Phase 2 / Workout 25 - Another morning and the Arm Pumps are Contagious

J.S. and I did another morning walk today. She is committed to 6 laps around the triangle now (up from 5). It was very windy. We needed our hoodies today. The partly sunny sky and the much lower temperatures made our regular route viable. I even picked up trash. On the way home, I showed her the arm pumps I usually do when she isn't walking with me and she tried them.

It took me a long time to develop and master the 8-beat routine.which I can do now with ease. It was challenging enough to engage my brain but I've been doing it so long I think I am almost unconsciously doing it. My body doesn't miss any of the benefits though.


J.S. learned the moves but had trouble putting her feet with her arms. She said she could do them while watching TV. I suggested she do them seated through the commercials and wait to add them to our walking routine.


Here is a description of the "choreography": 


1.  Hands (or fists) touch or are just in front of shoulders with elbows pointed down.
2.  Right arm points straight up / Left arm points straight down
3.  Right arm bends; hand points left above head/ Left arm swings out points left
4.  Same as 2.
5.  Same as 1.
6.  Left arm points straight up / Right arm points straight down
7.  Left arm bends; hand points right above head / Right arm swings out points right
8.  Same as 2.


Repeat


Each move corresponds with one beat or step. The executed routine looks like a majorette or flag march.
When I do this, and I do it often, I don't have to walk fast to get an intense workout. I feel really good in my heart and lungs after doing it.  A few days ago, I pumped my arms on two legs of the triangle on almost every lap for 10 laps! 2/3 of my workout was with arm pumps! There was a time when I couldn't do that. Hey!


Do something beautiful for your heart today.


~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Workout 23 & 24 - From the evening to the morning

J.S. and I did another dusk walk on Wednesday and discussed our schedules. She has a regular Thursday evening appointment and rain was forecast for Thursday evening this week so we arranged to walk in the morning instead of the evening.

The sun was bright and warm. We had been used to shade on most of our triangle route but there was none and the sun was rising higher in the sky instead of setting as is common to our evening walks. I noticed a lot of shade across the busy street that borders our triangle so we walked there and counted steps. Instead of finishing our first triangle lap, we crossed the street and walked down the other side.

When we got to the corner, we noticed the intersecting street had many very large and gorgeous trees with leaves that had just begun to bud. They provided moderate shade for us to walk comfortably without risking overheating. Our total step count for these two new streets was 540. We walked 2 round trips (that's 2,160) plus our steps before and after. J.S. went 2,810 steps and I added steps after leaving her in front of her door so I went above 3,000.

My ankle looks really good. It is smaller than it has been in a year (although it has not matched my other ankle since the initial injury in my teens). Maybe the extra weight was really pushing my ankle to the edge. I heard that losing just one pound takes many pounds of weight off the legs. Maybe my ankle is saying "Thank you!" or "Whew!"


Neighbor #4 "D.P." called to follow-up so she can walk with us.

I weighed myself and the loss continues! I have reached the 10 lbs. down mark after shedding two more since last week's weigh-in. Can I keep this going? Stay tuned and...

Do something beautiful for your heart today.

~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Workout 22 - At dusk we walk!

DC was very hot today. Yes, it's early April and maybe nature is apologizing for the groundhog's bad behavior but we've been enjoying a generous taste of summer. If they call it "Indian Summer" when it gets warm in the late fall, what do we call it when we get early heat: "Caribbean Spring"? Look at me. I've coined a term!


Because of the heat, my neighbor "J.S." and I agreed to wait until sunset for our walk. There was this delightful breeze. She suggested going 6 laps around the triangle for the first time. Her max has been 5 laps until today. We also walked a little faster than we usually do. I suggested that we walk early in the morning on really hot days. She is a senior so I am wise if I gauge my level of caution to hers.


My total steps were 2,250 in about a half hour.


Do something beautiful for your heart today.


~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Workout 21 - Giving Thanks on Easter - Big Workout & No Pain

I walked by myself on Easter evening while listening to my iPod. I didn't invite my neighbors because it was a holiday and most were probably with their families. Not that they weren't available, I just chose not to ask. In the future, I will plan holidays in advance. Maybe they would have loved to go for one of our walks especially after a big holiday meal and have their family members come, too. Now there's a new family tradition I don't see anywhere on my block.


The podcast I was listening to, www.dailyaudiobible.com (April 4th, 2010 installment) was great. It included special holiday music and childrens' stories in their own words and recorded in their own voices in addition to the regular adult reader. I thought I would stop walking at 7 or 8 laps around my triangle but the stories were so good (especially the last one), I just kept going. I completed 10 laps easily and my ankle didn't hurt at all!


My steps totaled 3,300 in 30 minutes. I pumped my arms for about 2,000 of those steps. I will have to blog about the choreography of my arms in case someone else wants to try it. The arm work takes my intensity way up no matter how quickly I walk.


I walk faster when I walk alone and that's OK because I have been losing weight while doing nothing more than walking slowly with my neighbor(s) for exercise during the last few weeks.


Do something beautiful for your heart today.


~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Workout 15 thru 20 - Big News after not having blogged in a while

I have continued to connect with my neighbor "J.S." who is motivated to walk even if I am not available. I love that. She saw that I walk after she goes home. If I am unavailable, she'll start without me and I'll catch up with her. I walk her home (we enjoy talking) and then I go back for more laps if my ankle and schedule allow. I also do my arm pumps when I walk by myself.


Two more neighbors expressed an interest in walking with us. That's a total of five! We may have to use Twitter to coordinate our walking schedule. I'm dreaming. I may be the youngest among the walkers, so we'll probably use a telephone tree.


I have been taking plastic bags and rubber gloves to pick up trash as I walk. Surprisingly, I've found that all the bending really gives me a workout that is more intense than walking. Its not that much trash. I love my triangle and it is looking much better without the empty beer bottles, candy wrappers and fast food containers.


Last Saturday, I took advantage of a 50% off sale at my favorite women's store on-line. I had never done that before. They offered free shipping to any of their locations. When I went to pick up my items, I dove into the clearance rack as I usually do. The staff was wonderful in assisting me with putting together beautiful clothing combinations. The savings were even greater than half. But this is not a blog about bargains. The reason I am sharing this is:


I have begun to fit into smaller clothing! I can now wear one size smaller that I have been wearing (and last year almost out-grew). I haven't even tried it in years! This, added to so many people noticing my body change, helped a lot considering the pounds have not been coming off the way I hoped or expected since the beginning of my journey. But wait...


My trusted friend and I went to the scale today and (drum-roll - symbol crash) I am down 8 pounds! 


The plateau has given way and I am finally losing some significant weight. She and I talked about the fact that the metabolism change (and the noticeable loss of low density fat replaced by higher density muscle) I have clearly been experiencing set up the momentum that has now begun to manifest when I step on the scale. She and I think the same when we go to the scale. She says something and I was just about to say the same thing.


Although I have not blogged in a while, my walks have been at least five laps around the triangle or up and down my block in front of the house. Today, I walked 8 laps around the triangle. I entered my walking totals for each day on www.startwalkingnow.org. Anyone can track their activity and nutrition on that site.


Do something beautiful for your heart today.


~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Workouts 13 & 14 - The women keep walking!

With the exception of Friday, at least one neighbor and I have walked daily since Monday.

Thursday was supposed to be the first day of rain but it was clear and bright until just before sunset. My 13th walk was my most productive yet: 3700 steps.


We had rain forecast for the entire weekend. But, I found a pocket of time Saturday evening and neighbor #2 was available. I walked with her and returned to the triangle after she went home (she did more than 20 minutes). I continued for another 15 or so. I estimate that I walked 2800 steps though.


My ankle started to experience intermittent pain in my 7th lap. After making slight adjustments and finding it returned, I went home after 8 laps. I did not push myself to do 10.


This is me patting myself on my back.


Do something beautiful for your heart today.


~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Workout 12 - And then there were three!

Three happy ladies walking around the 300 step triangle at the end of our block seemed to delay the sunset. Oh, but it is setting later every evening. Since the equinox is approaching in less than two weeks, we're getting an extra three minutes of daylight with each passing day.


The menfolk have taken notice too as they gather briefly to chat for a few moments on their way out to late errands in their cars or into their homes for the night, they called out encouraging greetings to us. 


We have a really good neighborhood. Most of the people care about one another. We have one lady who "lives" on her porch from Spring til Autumn as long as it is good weather. She is the heart of our neighborhood watch. Although she was not out today (it is still Winter-time), her son drove past us during our walk and cheered for us.


Another man (stranger) was wandering about the neighborhood asking about a room for rent. If only he had been traveling in a straight line! He approached me four times (looping in and out of my walking path) with his thinly veiled come-ons. Clearly not my type, but handsome, he didn't seem to recognize my value because he didn't approach me the right way.


Walking together with neighbors is not a new thing on our block. It just is for me. Other neighbors have done this in the past. Our new walker (walker #3) lapped us (walker #2 and me) but engaged in conversation (with #2) so I took off at the end to boost my intensity without leaving them alone. I walked them back to the block and returned to the triangle alone for a total of 10 laps! 


Wow. Counting my steps today: 3700 in less than 50 minutes.


Do something beautiful for your heart today.


~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Workout 11 - Walking gets funner when the sun is still up

My walking buddy met me again. She's a senior and told me about her friend who was on the phone with her when it was time for us to walk. She is a walker too who was proud of her friend for starting a walking program. I thought she was talking about a peer but she explained that this walker friend was over 80 years old and could out-walk her. 
I'm not worthy!


We did a bit more than 15 minutes because we were both up to it. I walked her home and did another 25 minutes by myself. My total recorded time is 40 minutes for today but I went a little longer. My total steps: 3,000!


We started about one half hour before sunset and a few neighbors saw us. One, another senior neighbor, was looking through her window and called my walking buddy to find out if she could join us. YES! Of course! I envisioned more people joining me. It makes sense for social reasons and safety reasons.


So, tomorrow there will be three of us walking or more.


Do something beautiful for your heart today.


~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Workout 10 - My first walk of the new year plus a surprise!

Currently not in physical therapy, I have had easy and difficult days. I am trying to go without PT to see if I can maintain on my own. And on one of the first beautiful days of the year, I chose to walk today and had a surprise: my first walking buddy! My neighbor, J.S., who was mentioned (as I wrote in a previous blog) she wanted to walk also, crossed paths with me this morning and said she wanted to join me. It is so much safer to walk with someone, especially in the city and at dusk. We can also gauge our intensity while walking by how well we can continue to chat. She was a delight.


She had been concerned that I might walk too fast for her but I assured her that I can increase my intensity if needed without increasing my speed. It was her first time in a long time and I encouraged her to inform her doctor and she said she already had an appointment in a couple of days.


I continued after our fifteen minutes of walking together and walked an additional fifteen alone for a net total 30 minutes (2000 steps).


Do something beautiful for your heart today.


~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Workout 9 - Plus a whole lot of un-measured activity

Taking my dad to the doctor is an activity I wish I could 
measure. I enjoy doing it and I have observed I am plum tuckered-out afterwards. So, doctor visits involve a lot of activity. After all I am not sitting at a desk, he and I are walking, or sometimes I'm walking and he is enjoying being pushed.


On Saturday the 6th I spent time with a recently widowed friend and her two daughters (one is a newborn and the other is in the 4th grade). I introduced them to a music program that I participated in as a child. We weren't just sitting; we were walking up and down steps observing things and laughing and talking. I wanted to spend time with them (which I have not done in a very long time) and give them a happy day after they've experienced so much sadness and loss. 


My activity when I was with them should count for more than just friendship but I can't measure it. Oops! I just remembered I have a pedometer now. Although it only measures steps, that is a measurement. ...should've brought it with me.


My results for March 5th (Phase 2 / Workout 9) are:

Time: 20 min. 
Average Speed 11.2
Distance 3.6
Calories 89
Average Heart Rate 109
Watts: 37
Level: 4 (Program: Manual)


I am pretty sure that since this workout was after our doctor visit, I was already tired so the numbers were much lower.

Do something beautiful for your heart today.

~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Workout 8 - Workin' hard for my body!

The list of salad ingredients will be large so I will build it a little at a time:


Nuts/Seeds: Pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pecans, sesame seeds...


Fruits:dried cherries, dried cranberries, diced apples,  pineapple, mandarin orange sections, raisins...


Vegetables (non-leafy): tomatos carrots, corn, artichokes...


Legumes: black beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans...


Leafy greens: spinach, romaine, iceberg...


Grain products:corn tortilla chips, croutons... 


Cheeses: cheddar, colby-jack, feta, parmesian, cream cheese...


Dressings:french, italian, ranch, vinaigrette. russian, honey mustard...


I am ready to create some amazing salads from these lists albeit hypothetically. I have to have the ingredients in the house. Next I will create my first custom salad from listed items I like, post it here with a photo.


My results for March 2nd (Phase 2 / Workout 8) are:

Time: 20 min. 
Average Speed 14.8
Distance 4.8
Calories 132
Average Heart Rate 126
Watts: 71
Level: 4 (Program: Manual)

Do something beautiful for your heart today.

~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Workout 7 - Note to self: "Just hop on the bike!"

It's so simple: all I need to do is hop on the bike! One moment I was in another room, the next I was in the hall pumping pedals! No procrastination - I just got it done.


For some reason, I couldn't get my heart rate as high as I did yesterday so I don't feel as though I expended as much energy. But I did work hard. I am getting over something in my sinuses (but that has been going on since last Thursday). The bike rides definitely help.


My results for March 2nd (Phase 2 / Workout 7) are:

Time: 20 min. 
Average Speed 14.1
Distance 4.5
Calories 121
Average Heart Rate 110
Watts: 63
Level: 4 (Program: Manual)

Do something beautiful for your heart today.

~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Workout 6 - March-ing into a new month after Salad Week(s)

Oh! Hello. It has been a while since you've heard from me, hasn't it? Well, thanks for checking on me. Here's the update:


I declared "Salad Week" on Valentine's Day. Since then, on most days, I have had salad for one meal per day. Without so much exercise, I noticed the benefits right away. My feet are very happy as they have been wearing the cute boots! I can say I've begun the transition into new eating habits and regular exercise.


I tried each of the McDonald's salads. I figured: "they're on the menu so people must be buying them." The last time I had one was when they were promoting the Asian salad a few years ago (it is not on the menu anymore).


I like their Southwest Salad and the Bacon Ranch very much. Using the "plate method" of Glycemic meal evaluation (visually measuring portions from each of the food groups), I think both of the salads are low glycemic, especially if I manage the dressing portion properly. 


The Southwest salad seems lighter but still very satisfying. It comes with a lime wedge, corn chips, grilled chicken, black beans, carrots, lettuce and other salad greens, cheese, corn kernels and a dressing that is the texture and color of a french dressing.  The acidic lime juice is a good thing at the beginning of a meal or with every bite because it lowers the glycemic impact of the entire meal.


Now I am inspired to create my own salads. I imagine myself compiling a list of every possible ingredient I have seen in a salad then select the ones I think would work well in combination with one another.


My physical therapy breakthrough happened with a supplement! I tried a widely advertised brand name glucosamine sulfate preparation for the first time and noticed improvement immediately. I will be walking this week


I keep missing goals and giving myself a lot of grace, don't I? Why beat myself up? It seems that has already happened enough (with fork and spoon, my own words (self-talk) - and in some cases, my bare hands - Ooh - too much information). Besides, striving for instant perfection and the disappointment and stress of not achieving it pretty much got me where I am today, emotionally and physically, right?


       Pretty much.... 


My results for March 1st (Phase 2 / Workout 6) are:

Time: 20 min. 
Average Speed 14.2
Distance 4.5
Calories 123
Average Heart Rate 122
Watts: 65
Level: 4 (Program: Manual)

Do something beautiful for your heart today.

~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Workout 5 - Back to the bike (again)

I hereby commit to workouts I can record so I have something to put here. Physical therapy and shoveling snow count for something but I cannot measure these activities. I have been going to PT and shoveling snow but not riding the bike. When I went out on Sunday to shovel, a neighbor across the street commented about my weight loss. People are noticing that my body is changing. I should weigh-in again soon.


My brother surprised us and took care of today's shoveling for us - Thanks Buck!


My results for February 11th (Phase 2 / Workout 5) are:

Time: 20 min. 
Average Speed 14.2 
Distance 4.5
Calories 112
Average Heart Rate 119
Watts: 64
Level: 4 (Program: Manual)

Do something beautiful for your heart today.

~ Cheryl ~

Phase 2 / Post 4: My GIGL To-Do List

  1.  Acquire and set-up my journal as instructed in the Complete Idiot's Guide to Glycemic Index Weight Loss (this has a to-do list of its own).
  2.  Create my GIGL "treasure map" (this is going to be FUN!).
  3.  Plan a week's worth of GIGL menus.
  4.  Write a shopping list based on those menus.
  5.  Obtain/organize equipment and utensils for measuring food.
  6.  Start a binder for printed resources from the internet. This will include: 
          - newsletters
          - menus
          - a copy of the food guide pyramid for weight loss
          - recipes (w/ GI estimates)
          - lists of food items and their GI values.
  7.   Dry clean the garment(s) I used to fit into at my ideal size (I will post a photo).
  8.   Schedule my daily meal and snack times (I may consider sharing this on-line).
  9.   Write my affirmations (personal - for my journal only).
10.   Customize my personal exercise repertoire (low impact, allows intensity, contains variety while protecting and supporting body parts undergoing physical therapy).
11.   Set my start date for eating according to Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load (GIGL).
12.   Develop a stress-management strategy.
13.   Empty and clean the refrigerator; reorganize with reserved shelves/drawers to accommodate my new plan.
14.   Reorganize the pantry similarly (actually they're kitchen cabinets).


You can see I have my work cut out for me. Some of these objectives will be completed before I start my GIGL eating program. Others will be finished later. 
I am hesitant to set a date in the near future because there is so much to do. But just as hotels and restaurants open before their "Grand Opening", I guess I could start my low glycemic eating before my official start date. I'll be just as committed but I might make a couple of rookie mistakes and follow-up with the necessary adjustments. That makes sense, doesn't it?


Do something beautiful for your heart today.


~Cheryl~

Phase 2 / Post 3: Getting ready to GIGL

The way it's worded in the book I've been reading sounds very awkward when I say it from my mouth: "eating the glycemic way" & "living by the glycemic index". Although that is what I am about to do, these phrases sound very clinical and promotional, like a health care program marketing campaign.


Am I supposed to be so excited about this that the words just roll off my tongue? They don't, despite my excitement about what I've read (those phrases notwithstanding). You've probably figured out that words are very important to me... so much that I had to do something most other people probably wouldn't do: change the words. Actually, I created a new one:


GIGL: verb  (pronounced "giggle")  sounds happy and fun, exactly what I want this experience to be. It creates the expectation in me that the hard work I have to do will be a joy. 


Of course the word is an acronym/acrostic (?) that comes from 

"Glycemic Index Glycemic Load" 

and it's a homonym, too. Right?

Do something beautiful for your heart today.

~Cheryl~