Yes... I’ve been AWOL for two months (that’s a bit over a year for a dog) and I’m not proud of it, but the blog needs new life and I’m back to write a bit about some adventures I’ve had over this span of time. Then, I want to check out what you’ve been up to!

I guess the best news is that I’ve lost 12 pounds since I last posted, which is a load off my... well... lots of parts. I feel so much better to have dropped those pounds and am currently stymied by the last three stubborn big ones. At least that’s what they feel like! Three huge pounds! I also know they’ll disappear eventually – I always plateau at my current weight before the bod allows more to come off, so I’m not too anxious or frustrated. I’m just continuing to do what’s been working, which is to eat about half of what everybody else seems to eat. This is a relatively new habit I’ve managed to put in place and it’s definitely working. I’ve also been cramming in the cardio and adding full body workouts three times a week. (That’s where I’ve been!)

Secondly, I’ve been doing book readings – small venues, but I’m slowly making sales and most importantly right now, to make the point that while weight loss is important to so many of us for so many reasons, that maintaining that loss is critical to our overall health if we’re to continue keeping the changes we’ve worked so hard on in place. It was really fun doing a reading at The Corner Book Shop on Madison and 93rd in New York about a month ago, which went well – I met so many enthusiastic and wonderful people back there who attended – owners terrific too. Locally, I’ve been darting in and out of places such as YMCAs and small independent book shops, where the response has been super positive. I’m encouraged as I keep working on following my own advice he he!

Third, I’ve been working as always, in between bouts of colds and sore throats etc. While that’s not too much fun, our dog has suffered some major problems. I must now admit to having another blog (have not figured out how to connect it to this blog yet) at http://sammiegolden.blogspot.com/ which is all about our pup. That has taken up some time, especially lately, when her problem with the G-L-O-V-E required lots of attention from the V-E-T. If you want to go over there, it starts with the post on “Mischief.” So I’ve been cheating on my own blog LOL! I don’t know how anyone does two blogs at a time, but I’ve found it so tough that I messed up Samantha’s first blog trying to get tricky with some HTML code that I had no biz doing! I had to start all over again! Good lesson. Here are a couple of pictures that I was sent a while ago at the reading in NY.

Finally, am still working several hours a day as a trainer with time spent in the company of grandchildren as much as possible. It all takes time, but I’m so glad to get this posting done! Happy Sunday and I’m about to take a look at your blogs!

Non-stop Work and... a Baby!

Another quickie post to check in. I need accountability so badly, but time is at a premium these days, but I'm not complaining. Last Monday, I welcomed another granddaughter, Emma, into this wild world. I'm so lucky to have three wonderful, healthy and busy grandchildren! Hannah, 15, already knows more about what she wants to be than I yet know! Cameron, almost eight, should probably be a vet! I've never seen a kid who loved living creatures from ants to polar bears more than she does! Then there's baby Emma who had a bumpy ride on her way to the land of the living, but is totally healthy and well now - yay! We're about to go see her now, but wanted to write something about this past week.

I'm excited by the pounds down at this point. I've lost four more pounds since I last posted on weigh day. I'm looking forward to a trip back east for a couple of readings in New York at the end of February and the work and workouts are keeping me super-pumped in mind, body and spirit. I just miss my connection to blogger friends and hope I can post more often in the next few weeks. I'm off to see Emma now, but will catch up on some of your posts a bit later and wish you all a restful Sunday!

Mostly Downs with an Uptick

I'm up early this morning, but have been flat on my back for the last week or so. (The one who's supposed to be preaching health has reverted to the realm of studentdom!) While I like being the position of learning - I do - lots (she protests!) - I hate having the dual problems of flu and disc problems at the same time.

I've been more than frustrated, but I'll save it as I'm beginning to poke through the fog and move around a bit - uncertainly, for sure, but move! Yay! My hubs was an angel and got me out into the gorgeous weather we've been having, which was awesome (funny how one appreciates the little things after stress (sickness?). Eyes opened wide! Will try to update (on not much!) in the next couple of days. Worked last Monday, but than crashed. Hope to get back to work/lite workouts at some point next week. Will start with some bands today --arrrggghhhhhh! I often wonder if the fact that I took such horrible care of myself for so long - so much of my life - has contributed to some of the chronic problems I have these days, when I have fairly healthy habits? Bummer.

Activities That Feed The Soul?

I think I’m getting the hang of the early a.m. roust, coffee and cardio, in that order. But for several years now, I’ve taken off Wednesday mornings (when partner and I are both healthy!) and drive this butt over to Ironworks (climbing gym) in Berkeley, where I manufacture Wedensday's sweat. And getting this old “butt” up the wall is becoming more and more farcical each year.

According to the article “Rock Climbing” by Tanya Tiessen in Alive Magazine, rock climbing “addresses four of the five components of physical fitness” including “muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition and flexibility.” A climbing guide and friend, with whom I climbed some pinnacles on Mt. Saint Helena a few years ago, describes climbing as “playing chess with your body over an expanse of rock.” I still like his characterization.

I was excited to see that Sandrelle has been hitting the climbing gym! Indoor climbing is actually a lot of fun and a lot of work—but in some odd, new ways. Mentally and physically challenging, I was surprised by how significantly balance and coordination skills figured and how "climbing" resistance worked as opposed to, say, dumbell or cable resistance. Later, I remember reflecting on the amount of focus and concentration involved. Built-in meditation (and exhausting!).

Later, comfortable on a gym wall, I eventually moved outside for an entirely new rock experience. I’m incredibly lucky to live in the S.F. bay area, with so many gorgeous hunks of granite scattered here and there (mostly “there,” as in the Sierras). I’m also fortunate that a very supportive pal, once a Yosemite climbing guide, introduced me to the outdoor experience. An ardent supporter of my lifestyle transformation, he has, nonetheless, verbally kicked my tail a few times to help unstuck me in the face of lots of exposure (at least to my way of thinking) on my way up a cliff. (Nothing like yelling up a canyon that, "I'm gonna die!")

But, besides working up a good sweat and giving the body a great workout, climbing is ultimately fun. The teamwork and trust required and given and returned is so rewarding. And believe me; NO ONE is ever left out of the arrangement. After so many years of feeling excluded and isolated, climbing has fed me more than any meal I can think of.

Is there any sport or activity that you’ve experienced which feeds your soul AND burns calories?

Earlybird Experiment

This will be a quickie! Got my bod up and off to gym early - groups of 20 squats in between lat pulldowns and pushups. Some cable tricep work nestled in with some strokes on the rowing machine, and finally home for breakfast after a half hour walk with our dog, Samantha. It's the first morning I've tried to adhere to the early morning workout. It's a push today, but hopefully after a few days of this, the habit should kick in. Gotta hit the shower and get off to work, so I'll sign off. Happy Monday.

Are You An Early Bird?

Happy (belated) New Year! Yes, it’s been a while. I salute all of you parents who keep blogging, working, working out, cooking and shopping, not to mention all the other things you do, day in and day out. Throughout these holidays, I’ve had the grandkids over a lot. Between trying to do some of the above and getting away for a couple of days with hubs, I’ve sorely neglected the blogging. Hats off to moms and dads everywhere!

Yesterday I worked with a returning client who I hadn’t seen for a while. The gym (shocker!) was full to the brim—difficult to move from one place to another without getting bumped. On the platform, there was some boxing going on with target mitts. Almost all the weight machines were in use, and every single cardio unit was occupied except for the versa climber. If you’ve ever clambered aboard one of these delightful contraptions, you’d know that it was not for the novice. It was a good test to find a space to play with bands, but we laughed and hung in there. I’m not a fan of crowds and traffic, but a jam-packed gym takes the cake (or... carrot?)

My final 3p.m. client was luckier. The swarm had thinned out to a couple of dozen bodies and we moved quickly from one exercise to the next. C. was even able to build up a great sweat by the time we were done. Then, it was my turn. I almost had the place to myself. I have a new band that’s almost three feet in diameter. About four inches wide and maybe 1/4 of an inch thick (color: purple), I loop it around a chin-up station, stick my feet or knees into it and pump up and down using back and arms mostly, but legs and core as well. I’ve always wanted to be able to perform pull-ups; this is by far the closest I've ever gotten. It’s great for other exercises as well. Moved on to push-ups (on the bar of a smith machine) and then triceps (skull crushers with an EZ Curl bar on a decline bench). After several sets of cable bicep curls with a rope (feel like I’m playing “Clue”), I hopped on the treadmill for my little cardio routine. Basically, I start walking backwards slowly at an incline of 3.5, then, at a speed of 2.1 and the same incline, turn sideways and hop, doing this on each side. Finally, I jack up the incline (and speed), then walk/run forward for as long and fast as I can. Repeat the series for 45 minutes. Felt good.
Now, I need to go back today and do it again! Gym should be (?) a bit less crowded by 2 p.m.

I’d love to be one of those amazingly consistent 5a.m. gym-goers, because on the few occasions that I’ve been able to get there early, I’ve loved having the freedom of the remainder of the day to get more done. And that’s how I started this particular blog. Timetimetime! So I’m going to give the early workout a try this 2009 year. I look forward to seeing how much better the 5 – 6a.m shift works for me. When do you all work out? If early, what time do you make it to bed at night? Happy ’09!

Merry, Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all. Have a joyous day.