Walkin' on an Incline...

*to the song of "Workin' on a Gold Mine*


I've been racking my brain trying to think of exercises I can do that won't make my knee worse, but will also work up a sweat. I've been swimming, doing the rowing machine, walking, and using the elliptical, then the other day it hit me: why not try walking on the dreadmill on an INCLINE?

I remember reading about how Angela from Oh She Glows was coming back from her injury, and she really focused on treadmill walking on an incline. Let me just tell you....it is INTENSE!

I walked last night for 1.5 miles at a 4.0 mph pace, switching between 8% and 10% incline. YOWSA! I was SOAKED when I was finished...and my knee didn't hurt one bit!

I also found this article that describes the benefits of walking on an incline, some of which are:

- It challenges the cardiovascular system without requiring speed; ideal for people either not in the mood for speed workouts, or people who cannot ambulate swiftly due to orthopedic conditions.

- Because an incline challenges the heart at a slower walking pace, this means less impact on knees and hips.

- The slow nature is good for people either just getting back into exercise after injury, or for people new to exercise who don’t want to pull a muscle at faster speeds.

- Provides a stretch to the calves and Achilles tendons

- A great alternative for people suffering from heel pain (plantar fasciitis) because of the minimized heel-strike impact, and the stretching of the foot with each step

According to Spark People, I also burn 274 calories if walking at a 4.0 mph pace on a 10% incline for 30 minutes. This seems high to me, but I know after my heart was pumpin' last night that it "ain't no joke!" (as dear Jillian would say).

Have you ever walked on the dreadmill on an incline? Or tried an exercise/workout that was VERY intense...when you thought it wasn't?

Clean Eating Challenge

Heather at Hangry Pants is doing a Cleaner Life Month Challenge, and it's got me thinking about how I can clean up my life/eating. I've decided to start my own challenge, but of course I tweaked it just a little bit. :-)

A big part of my problem is that eating processed foods (cereal, bars, ice cream) can lead to binges, and I find that they aren't as "filling" as other options (like nuts and nut butters). So my challenge is similar to my ELC (Eat Less Crap) week. I am going to snack on only fruits, veggies, dairy (LOVE my greek yogurt!) and nuts/nut butters. I've actually done this the past 2 days, and it's amazing how "clean" I feel. Plus, who doesn't want to eat yummy fruit during the summer time?!

When I tend to eat processed foods, it actually makes my mouth want more. I've definitely learned that eating sugar leads to eating more sugar (for me)! What's interesting is that after a few days of avoiding these foods, I don't really find myself craving them all that much.

Do you eat a lot of processed foods? I have to admit, I LOVE the Weight Watcher "Cookie" Ice Cream bars....they are heaven on a stick! And I can't get enough cereal.

Let's Talk Trash

We call him the Trashrunner.

I know so many children say this, but I truly have the best dad in the whole, big, wide world. He is one of those guys who puts money in people's expired parking meters, always thanks fans of visiting teams at Colts games (they always think he's being sarcastic - he's so not!), will pay for people anonymously if waiting in line somewhere, and he does so without ever wanting to be thanked or called out. In fact, he doesn't like the recognition at all...he says it "ain't no thang" (my paraphrasing).

In addition to the numerous things he does, he's also been a runner for almost 40 years. He's completed 14 half marathons and one full marathon (at age 50 - he totally rocks!). What's interesting is that he's not like most runners, who are constantly striving to improve their time or lengthen their distance. What makes a "good run" as defined by my dad is how many bags of trash he can collect.

He was recently recognized in this article in a local newsletter/publication. He says this week he's been stopped by so many people, thanking him and acknowledging him for the work he does for our community. His response to everyone? "Slow news week!"

My dad doesn't run for his weight, looks, or to keep that farmer's tan going. He runs because he can do something positive for his health AND clean up the community to boot. He is truly inspiring me ALL THE TIME, and you will never, ever catch this girl throwing trash out of her car window.

Who are the people you look to as examples in your life? Do you know any trashrunners? If you have lots of trash in your area, don't tell my dad...he'll be on the next flight there.

Blame it on the Alcohol

I might have had a little too much fun on my birthday....I woke up at ten in the morning and have to be at work by eight! Hmmmm. THANKfully my boss was very understanding. How old am I again??!

I had a little help from my nieces and nephew blowing out the candles on my cake. They were glad to volunteer as they knew they would get paid with cake. I had not one, but TWO pieces of this yummy stuff! And some Edy's "Take the Cake" ice cream (mmmmmmm). No guilt here! I remember birthdays when I didn't even eat cake because of the guilt. No way to live, I tell ya!

Me and my fellow Geminis! My neighbor, Doug, was born on the same day as me. How cool is that?!

Take One....

Take Two....

Success!!

Blame it on the 'tron....
Classy.
Dancin'! I just love to dance.
I had such an amazing birthday. Thank you so much for the b-day wishes!

Go Shawty...

...it's my birthday! I'm gonna party like it's my birthday...

The big 2-9! I have a feeling I will be 29 on my birthday for the next, oh, 10 years or so. :-)

Not that 29 is old (!), but I don't feel 29. I feel more...21, maybe 22? Maybe 22 since I am a wee bit better at controlling my alcohol.

Just for shits and giggles, here is a throwback to 1986. Don't you love my Dorothy Hamill haircut?! THANKS, mom. I'm on the far right, and those are my two sisters.

And here we are, with slightly better hair, in 2008.

I just love birthdays...I know so many women dread getting older, but like my dad says - birthdays sure beat the alternative. :-)

Hope you all have a wonderful June 4th! I'll have some cake for ya. Maybe even 2 pieces.

Patella WHAT?!

Patella Femoral Mal alignment. Basically? My knee cap done got crooked.

The X-ray below isn't mine, but it's pretty much exactly what the X-ray of my left knee looked like.

I guess it's not supposed to look like that. :-)

I went to my orthopedic surgeon last Thursday, and one of the first questions he asked was, "Have you been doing any squats or lunges lately?"

Gulp.

Jillian Michaels, anyone? That evil bitch! lol

Truth be told, I have never really done squats or lunges before the 30-Day Shred. I'm not saying my running technique or muscle imbalance hasn't played a role in my knee trouble, but I do think the squats and lunges gotta go! At least for now.

He also gave me a prescription for physical therapy, which I had been hoping for. I went yesterday and my PT is SO, so nice! I explained to her my $$/insurance situation (LSS: my insurance sucks and I'd have to pay out of pocket for PT appts., so I can only go to her 2 or 3 times) and she was very understanding. She said I could even just phone in my symptoms and explain to me things over the phone!

My doctor says it's okay to run (if I "take it easy"), so I've been "ralking" (run/walking). But I'm not sure how comfortable I feel running if my knee feels achy. It's not a pain, just a general achiness. Do any of you run with achy knees?

I'm continuing to swim, do yoga, bike, and strength train. I'm really trying so hard to avoid weight gain during my last (year long!) running hiatus. I haven't weighed myself in almost 3 weeks, right before my last run. The curiosity got the best of me things this morning and I stepped on the scale (grrrr). I gained nothing at all! I am the exact SAME weight as I was before my last run.

So I'm trying to take this with me that I don't need running to maintain my weight and "control" my eating. Sure, it is HARDER for me (especially mentally), but this reaffirms the fact that it is just about moving and sweating. And eating less crap...which I'm trying to do during the week at least.

It's just so interesting how our bodies surprise us....how we tend to think (or maybe it's just me) things that simply aren't true. Like, "Oh, that cookie will spoil my whole day," OR, "If I can't run, why bother working out?" I am working to change all those silly ways of thinking. Progress, at least!

June is Busting Out All Over

Thank you so, so much for all of your kind words regarding the death of my grandpa. He was truly such a special person....a "man of few words," but we all listened when he spoke. Saying he'll be missed is a huge understatement, but I know he is happy and at peace now. And I *might* even cheer on the Cubbies in his honor this year. :-)

(Side note: My dad has been a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan since birth as he was named after Stan Musial...so naturally my sisters and I are huge Cards fans, as well. My grandpa is a huge Cubs fan, and there was always humorous banter at family gatherings surrounding the rivalry.

At the funeral, my dad was the last one to speak. After the lovely things he had to say about my grandpa, he said, "Now I'm going to do something you've NEVER seen me do before."

And he went and grabbed my grandpa's Cubs hat and put it on.

My dad asked that everyone stand, and in honor of my grandpa (a lover of all things baseball AND music), sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." I don't think I've ever sang this song through tears before, but I know my grandpa would truly have loved this. Especially my dad wearing a Cubs hat. Why didn't we get a picture of that?!)

Anyway....so it's been a rough week for obvious reasons, but also I've been very reflective of what I want to do next in life. And, no, I don't mean what race I will run next (although I'm already thinking of that, of course!). This sounds very cheesy, but whenever there is a death that hits close to home, it just really makes you realize how life is too short and we all should spend our time doing things we love.

I am very, very unhappy in my current job. It's boring, it's your typical "office" job, and it's just not me. Sure, it's pretty good money and has allowed me stability to purchase a home - which is wonderful - but I need to be in a career when I'm either a. not in an office and/or b. am helping others and making a difference.

I keep thinking about going into nursing, and I'm looking into an accelerated program (for those who already have a bachelor's degree). There are a few schools I'm looking into and I hope to meet with some advisers soon.

I'm anxious to hear what they have to say, since I know the program is very competitive and this one (*shrinking down in her seat*) didn't attend class all that much in undergrad - smart, huh?! My GPA isn't horrible, but it's not the best - and definitely not what I was capable of achieving. Ugh....why do I like beer so much?! ;-)

Change is so incredibly scary for me....but in a way I know that if I don't get out of my comfortable job now, I'm not sure I ever will.

Here are two pictures taken at my grandparent's 60th Wedding Anniversary celebration in February. I love the first picture because a. the look on my face is hysterical and b. my grandpa was tickling the little ones...he just loved to tickle.

Happy Monday....I LOVE JUNE!!! There is a very important birthday this week (ahem). ;-)