My FITLINXX Report For January

 

  

  

 

The YMCA uses Fitlinxx. You log into the system and it keeps track. Just got my January report. I'm feeling pretty good about it all! 

Dem Bones

OK - I admit it. Reviewing my notes for the "skeleton" portion of my anatomy class has given rise to unscientific things like this song which turns out to be an old "Spiritual." Who knew!

 

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

The toe bone's connected to the foot bone,
The foot bone's connected to the ankle bone,
The ankle bone's connected to the leg bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

The leg bone's connected to the knee bone,
The knee bone's connected to the thigh bone,
The thigh bone's connected to the hip bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

The hip bone's connected to the back bone
The back bone's connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone's connected to the head bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

The finger bone's connected to the hand bone,
The hand bone's connected to the arm bone,
The arm bone's connected to the shoulder bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk around
Dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk around
Dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk around
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

I don't think this will help me pass the test, but it provided a little levity on an otherwise snowy afternoon. Oh, wait! The SUN just came out! Back to my notes....

"Exercise May Boost Your Brain"

I'm glad to be living on the healthy side of life now. However, the one thing that frightens me above all others is the possibility of ending my life with Alzheimer's or just plain dementia. We've been told that eating right help. We are also advised to do crossword puzzles, solve problems, etc.

People in our family have been inflicted with dementia and/or Alzheimer's. They become objects of pity who need constant care. I certainly don't want to be remembered that way.

I went back to school a few years ago. I was in my late 50's at the time and was older than my fellow students and most of my professors! However, I did well. I took a lot of my classes online including a math class. I had never done well in math, so I was concerned. However, I took a class that was designated by my adviser as a "math class for English majors" and did better than I expected. I actually got a B in math, a first for me. As I progressed, I realized that I was truly exercising my brain. 

I'm already thinking about taking more classes. A photography class or two would be great. I would also like to find some art and writing classes. I do know I enjoy my book discussion groups. 

Now I'm learning that physical exercise also helps the brain. I can't vouch for that at this point other than I know I feel really great. If exercise will prevent dementia, I'm all for it. It's another good reason to get active.

Click on the title of this post to read the article about exercise. It's interesting and informative.

In the meantime, we're waiting for the snow to begin. I'm making a pot of minestrone soup from The Italian Country Table

Bob brought home a copy, and I really liked it. Went on Amazon and found a used copy for $4.99. It is practically brand new. The lower left bottom of the cover shows some minor scratching. It was essentially a brand new book. I'll be making the soup alittle later this afternoon. 

Oh, look....It's snowing. We're expecting as much as 25 inches and possibly blizzard conditions tomorrow for a while. Time to get back to my "Anatomy....." 

Surefit? Not fit!

Even though I'm feeling good about my progress, I realized today that I still have a LONG way to go!  I took an aerobics class designed for "older" people called "Surefit."  It was definitely low impact aerobics and included a lot of stretching, use of (in my case light) hand weights and even some work with a big ball. It was 45 minutes long and we moved constantly. I can really feel it in my knees! I'm feeling a little tired but definitely exhilarated. I'm ready to try Yoga next. 

Yesterday I went through my weight circuit. I have two more machines that have been added to the mix. Both of them are designed to firm up the abs. One is an ab cruncher machine. I started with a lower weight, but found it easier than I had expected. So next time I'm going to add more weight. The other was a left/right torso twister. Interestingly enough, I found it was easier to go from left to right as opposed to going from right to left. That one was a little tougher. I'm not changing the weight on that one yet! I've added some additional weight on a few more machines. I still have upper body strength issues. That's probably going to always be the case, I guess. 

Bob, in the meantime, is going great guns! He is up to 4 miles in 30 minutes on the recumbent bike. He had initially set a goal to go the equivalent of a walk around our neighborhood. He did that when he went 3.6 miles. Now he has decided to set the goal of a walk to Bel Air, about 5 miles up the road. He's closing in!

I did some volunteer work at a local homeless shelter earlier this week. I simply answered the telephone and put some of the donated items away. They have a surprisingly large supply of some items - toiletry, cleaning supplies, etc. It is a shelter for women and their children. I enjoyed getting out and doing something different.

In addition, I'm in the middle of my "Human Anatomy and Physiology" and "Medical Terminology" classes. They are both online which is really convenient. I have a four hour class in "HIPAA" training which teaches students about the law regarding patient privacy and records. That happens next Monday, the 8th. My other two classes will be done at the end of February. I'm hoping that our local community college will be offering one or both of the classes I want to take next: Medical Coding and Medical Billing. 

The Human Anatomy class is really fascinating. It's interesting to learn, even at a rudimentary level, how the human body works. This class would be a good one for middle school students. It's taught at a very basic level and is a non credit class designed for people like me who are training for a medical administrative career. 

Bob and I went to Havre De Grace yesterday evening for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Laurrapin Grille. Last night was their "Tex Mex" night. I ordered the "Carnitas" which was pulled pork made from pork grown locally. It was absolutely delicious! Spicy and tasty! I took a healthy amount home which I'm planning on having for lunch! Bob had shrimp tacos which were also very good. We have really grown to love that place. The town was busy especially considering it was a Wednesday evening. We had to search for a parking space. Luckily I don't have to worry about walking anymore, so I didn't mind the fact that we couldn't park very close. The trees lining Washington St are decorated with blue lights which gives it a very festive look. 

While we were there we discovered another great place called The Vineyard Wine Bar. They have a very sophisticated menu, and it was really crowded. I'm looking forward to trying it out. Havre De Grace definitely is not the sleepy little town it was when we first moved here!

I have to get back to my Anatomy class. The weather forecast is ominous for tomorrow. We're expecting anywhere from 12" to 3 feet of snow. No matter how you look at it, we're getting SLAMMED! I may try to get to the gym early tomorrow to get my weight circuit in. I know that once it starts snowing, we lock the door and just watch. Bob bought more birdseed. It fees the hungry critters which provides hours of entertainment for our cats,  Spenser and Hamish. Kinsey prefers to nap!

Stalled At The Scale....

I was finally starting to lose weight again. Then my water retention issue kicked in again. Now the fluid has been going down, and I'm losing again. In the meantime, my sizing is changing for the better. I was thrilled to be able to fit into some misses sizes. I'm still in the upper sizing of misses. However they fit me better since I tend to have narrow shoulders. So the only thing I can conclude is that I'm gaining muscle and losing fat which is why the scale isn't showing a big change. 

Over and over again we are told that the scale is not necessarily our friend when we are dealing with weight loss. Yet, in the end, the scale is the thing that we go to to "prove" that we've lost weight. Yesterday I received two clothing catalogs in the mail. It is wonderful to know that I'm no longer in the upper ranges of plus sizes. I can't complain. Considering that I was formerly in "extended plus" sizes, I've come a long way. There are so many more choices when you are in those lower sizes. I've banished the baggy clothes from my wardrobe for good. I'm NOT going back!

Gotta Dance......

......even if I'm really really BAD at it! Today was my first cardio dance class. I really enjoyed it even though I passed on the floor exercises. It's not that I can't get up. However kneeling is still very painful. Even though I couldn't do everything, I still got a good workout. Plus it was something different. I used a few muscles I haven't used recently. My knees really had a workout. It was great. I'm looking forward to next week's class. Friday I have Wii Bowling scheduled.

In case you didn't know how good for you exercise really is, this article in the The Wall Street Journal should reinforce it. Even moderate aerobic activity is can strengthen your immune system. 

Another interesting news story When Scales Lie: Normal Weight But Still At Risk? is also food for thought. You can be a normal weight and still be at risk for problems associated with being overweight. Strength training is the key because it converts fat to lean muscle mass. So another good reason to continue with my strength training circuit. 

Now for some family good news! Bob had his quarterly appointment with the doctor. He is a diabetic and has to see the doctor regularly. His numbers were all very good: cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, etc. Also, I happened to look at the top 50 in our gym out of curiosity. There in the Top 50 for weights in December was ME! In the Top 50 for cardio in December: BOB! He's up to 3 miles on the recumbent bike. 

A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave. Benjamin Franklin

Pear Gorgonzola Flat Bread

I happened across columnist, Jill Silva of the Kansas City Star, through an email from Philadelphia Magazine. So now I check out her column on a regular basis. I've been trying new food combinations. In the past, I didn't mix fruit and savory in one dish. I've learned that fruit can be a great addition to main courses and salads. So when I saw this recipe, I figured I would give it a try. The pears are not overly sweet. The onions are surprisingly sweet after being cooked down with brown sugar and balsamic vinegar. The gorgonzola cheese adds a little bite.

Looks tasty, doesn't it! I think so. Click on the title for the recipe! Did my weight circuit at the gym today. After that there was a meeting of a new group that the YMCA is holding in our area. 

We discussed the book The Moviegoer by Walker Percy. It was written around 1960. It takes place in New Orleans and has a strong sense of place. I've never been to New Orleans. The book is interesting but a little slow. I have mixed reactions to it. It's a very character-driven book which I like. It was an interesting mix of people also. I really enjoyed the mental stimulation.


Tomorrow I'm doing something new. I'm taking a Cardio Dance class at the "Y." I decided it was time to shake up my fitness routine. Should be interesting to see how my knees feel at the end of the class. I've really given them a workout with my "sprints" on the ARC Trainer. 

I signed up for a "Wii Bowling" class that is scheduled for Friday morning. I don't expect to get any fitness results from it, but it should be fun. I'm going to get out and about as much as possible this week. The weather man is predicting snow Friday and/or Saturday. 

Meanwhile Bob is working hard on finally clearing out the basement. He found a couple of nifty things that I had forgotten I had: one is a green thin neck jar that looks like it might be hand blown. The other is a green bottle encased in wicker. I'm not sure what I want to do with them yet. I'm going to do a bit of research on the 'net.