Fit by 60! - TomO's Pledge

Haha, you will never see me ride a bike that far. Different strokes for different folks.

I do ride bike often, but I trail ride with a mountain bike.
 
Some people probably wonder why I weigh myself every day and put myself through this misery. Actually, it's not misery for me. After all these months, I'm quite familiar with the "noise" inherent in daily weighings. But the scale keeps me honest. Just when I'm getting cocky, and think that extra snack won't hurt, the Scale Gods come back and remind me of their presence. This translates into a lot of tiny little decisions during the day, and by the end of the month, these dozens or even hundreds of choices turn into real progress. It's not a system for everyone, but it certainly has worked for me.
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Tom, I think this is the perfect example of how we each have to take what works for us as individuals and run with it..it's like a balancing act that you've got down pat - knowing what you realistically "have" to do because there are just some universal "rules" that apply to everyone and knowing which things you "have" to do because you recognize the things that are unique to you - both physically and mentally.
 
I'm a total everyday scale junky also. If I am down a lb it helps to keep up what I have been. doing. And hey , I'm all for what works!!:)
 
I am a daily scale reader too. As long as I understand the crazy fluctuations based on sodium and other issues, I think its useful.
 
Exercise Log, 7/24/2007

Today was the day for my "Recovery Ride". I was going to take it very easy, but then I got on the road, and felt pretty strong.

Distance: 33.7 miles
Time: 2 hrs. 12 min.
Avg. Speed: 15.3 mph
Calories Expended: 1,348
Avg. Heart Rate: 121 (72% of max)
Max Heart Rate: 148 (89% of max)

I would have done even better than that, but on the way home, I took a route that involved a big hill that took me 15 minutes to climb.

I'm definitely getting stronger in my legs; I can feel it on the hills, many of which I'm getting up pretty handily now.
 
I so agree about the scale (and those evil scale Gods too). Just when I think its OK to eat crappy for a few days, I realize that the increased number on the scale is not just water weight because its not coming down so fast the next day. Right now I'm taking stock of that and realizing that I need to get very serious since by now I haven't taken off my 2 pounds of "weekend water weight" (we hope :)); usually its off by now so I know I've been bad bad bad (and its true :rolleyes:). That definitely puts the fire under one's arse, I must say. Certainly does keep you honest!

A 30-something mile recovery ride? OKEY DOKEY!
 
Wednesday, July 25, 2007

I've been thinking about what Steve said the other day -- how no program is THE program. That is so true. My program, such as it is, would be insane for most people, I think. I couldn't have done this before when I had two kids in the house, that's for sure. And I couldn't do it when I was a corporate mucky-muck and was working 18 hours a day and traveling half the time. Circumstances are certainly working in my favor now, and I'm lucky to be able to take advantage of that.

So when people tell me I'm "lucky" to be able to lose weight, my natural instinct is to say, "It's NOT luck; it's hard work!" But in fact, luck does have a lot to do with it. No question about the hard work, but also no question that I have a good set of circumstances that's working in my favor.
 
Hmmm, I don't think it's luck really Tom. You paid your dues and now that you have, you get to experience life without so much *crap* getting in the way of the things that you WANT to do.

To add to what you wrote, a program always has be be tailored to the individuals circumstances. Their circumstances don't only mean physiological and pyschological needs. The program also has to match their current lifestyles and schedules.

You can almost always make some program work for everyone. It's just a matter of finding the right balance.

If they can't make time for enough exercise each week to show SOME improvement.... I'd say their priorities aren't set properly.

What's life without health?
 
Steve said:
Hmmm, I don't think it's luck really Tom. You paid your dues and now that you have, you get to experience life without so much *crap* getting in the way of the things that you WANT to do.
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Yes, I have paid my dues, but then so have a lot of other people. Luck enters the picture (or call it karma, if you want0 because I am now able to have that experience. I think I am very lucky financially that way too. I've worked hard all my life, since I was 12 years old, actually, but still, I consider myself very lucky to be able to afford a $3,000 bike so that I can exercise more. Of course, I gave up my car to get the bike, LOL, but the point is, I believe we should never forget that our good fortune is a mixture of "preparation meeting opportunity" as the Chinese say.

I am very turned off by people who think that they got everything on their own, whether that's financially, psychologically, or physiologically. There's a fundamental aspect of empathy for other humans that's missing from that outlook -- the idea that "there but for the grace of God go I." And this has nothing to do with religion; it has everything to do with the reality that chance (luck) is a big part of life.

Believing in karma, or luck, doesn't mean that you shouldn't work your ass off -- the opposite, in fact. If you don't work your ass off, the liklihood is that you will never even see the chance-karma-opportunity right in front of you. So if you're lazy, you may even attribute your bad fortune to "rotten luck", when in fact it was laziness all along.


Steve said:
To add to what you wrote, a program always has be be tailored to the individuals circumstances. Their circumstances don't only mean physiological and pyschological needs. The program also has to match their current lifestyles and schedules.
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Yes, I am learning this with Marlene. Initially, I showed her my "program" and tried to get her going on that. But she likes to swim every day -- it's almost like a meditation for her. And she hates all that recording of data. So what works for me looks very strange and alien to her.

Steve said:
If they can't make time for enough exercise each week to show SOME improvement.... I'd say their priorities aren't set properly. What's life without health?
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And that's the bottom line, for sure. You have to decide what's really important in life -- is it the 2 hours of TV you watch every day, or your health?
 
TomO said:
Yes, I have paid my dues, but then so have a lot of other people. Luck enters the picture (or call it karma, if you want0 because I am now able to have that experience. I think I am very lucky financially that way too. I've worked hard all my life, since I was 12 years old, actually, but still, I consider myself very lucky to be able to afford a $3,000 bike so that I can exercise more. Of course, I gave up my car to get the bike, LOL, but the point is, I believe we should never forget that our good fortune is a mixture of "preparation meeting opportunity" as the Chinese say.

I am very turned off by people who think that they got everything on their own, whether that's financially, psychologically, or physiologically. There's a fundamental aspect of empathy for other humans that's missing from that outlook -- the idea that "there but for the grace of God go I." And this has nothing to do with religion; it has everything to do with the reality that chance (luck) is a big part of life.

Believing in karma, or luck, doesn't mean that you shouldn't work your ass off -- the opposite, in fact. If you don't work your ass off, the liklihood is that you will never even see the chance-karma-opportunity right in front of you. So if you're lazy, you may even attribute your bad fortune to "rotten luck", when in fact it was laziness all along.
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Now this I completely agree with.

I'm fortunate to have reminders all around me of how lucky I am. I have a lot of great things in my life. I've worked my ass off for a long time relatively speaking. I push myself and all that good stuff.

But so what?

So do other people that have jack shit to show for it.

So would my cousin if she wasn't mentally handicapped.

So would my friend (God rest his soul) who was paralyzed from an accident for a long while before he passed.

I count my blessing every single day. It's what wakes me up in the morning and it's what makes me not want to waste a minute of any day.

If more people did it, I think they'd be a lot happier with what they have in front of them.

Good post Tom.
 
I felt sure you would agree with that, Steve. Most young people don't -- they have the "It's all me" mentality. But you have shown time and again that you have a wisdom beyond your years.
 
Tom, your diary never fails to provide readers with good advice and wise words. Your bike riding sounds great. I am hoping to save a bit of money for a bike; such good exercise and all in the great outdoors too. Have a wonderful day!
 
I think I'll give an AMEN to Tom and Steve's previous posts, I so agree with ALL your comments. And also the one about everyone has their own plan. Nobody can work off exactly what others do here, they can only use the advise of certain things that might help and that others might try out. I could never do your routine Tom, I would have to do a complete over haul on my whole lifestyle. I've already adjusted it in a huge way by spending so much of my time at the gym now. Which I have to honestly say has been pretty hard. I was ALWAYS the mom that came straight home from work, and put dinner on the table for her kids, I never took time out for me, unless it was a weekend and my sons were off staying with friends, but that happened only so often, more times then not, they were all at our house. lOL LOL, Lucky for me, my sons are getting old enough to "fend" for themselves now and make their own meals, but I still feel obligated to get home from the gym at least 3 nights a week and make something healthy for everyone. Plus, the remind me still ever few days that they miss dinner. Uggg, they are almost 18 and they still want to know if moms cooking tonight. It tugs at your heart I tell ya. Everyone out there is different, there home lifes are different, their lifestyles are different, we just have to work around what we can "MANAGE" for ourselves to keep the sanity and still take care of ourselves. And Tom, I think you do a FABULOUS job at both!!! You are very inspiring, which I have said before. I haven't been in Steve's diary yet, but just reading all his posts in others, I can tell he's the same way. Sorry I took up so much space in your diary, I just had to get that out. Have a great day Tom.
Kim
 
Oh yes, I had to throw some rep out there!!!

My 2 cents: everyday I'm grateful for what I have. Because I AM so fortunate to be me, to be where I'm at, to know who I know, and on and on and on. In my diary somewhere I was saying that no matter what, something or someone will come through for me in my weaker moments. I was right: ultimately it was not only someone or something, but also ME who came through--by believing in myself, and the universe, for a positive turnout. Shit happens, but ultimately I'm a happy, lucky, hard-wroking person--and I see that all over this forum!! GO TEAM!!!!!!! :D :D :D
 
Hi Tom!

First Happy Birthday!!!! AND congrats on your century ride! Way to go! :) :) :)

I updated my diary this morning and am trying to get by to catch up with everyone elses today....hope you are having a fantastic day!

Our weekend is slammed....we're hosting my son's Navy "send-off BBQ" on Saturday and Bruce is playing in a benefit OTL tournament for Children's Hospital on Sunday.

One of these weekends, we will get to take our bikes out!!!!!! We still have not taken them out on a single ride. Just such a busy July. Talk to ya later!
 
Good Morning,
I enjoy coming and reading your journal. It always seems that there is great information in it.

I had a quick question. I have been looking at those cardio coach sound tracks and I see that you use them. Would you suggest those to anyone? I am thinking about getting a couple. Thank you

David
 
Rachie said:
I am hoping to save a bit of money for a bike; such good exercise and all in the great outdoors too.
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I hope you do get one. I loved my cardio sessions in the gym, but they pale in comparison to my biking.

Miss Ladybug said:
I could never do your routine Tom, I would have to do a complete over haul on my whole lifestyle. I've already adjusted it in a huge way by spending so much of my time at the gym now. Which I have to honestly say has been pretty hard. I was ALWAYS the mom that came straight home from work, and put dinner on the table for her kids, I never took time out for me, unless it was a weekend and my sons were off staying with friends, but that happened only so often, more times then not, they were all at our house.
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And you shouldn't do it any other way, Kim. When our kids are still at home, this is what good parents do. They will be gone soon enough, and then you'll be wondering what to do with all that free time!


Curvie Girlie said:
My 2 cents: everyday I'm grateful for what I have. Because I AM so fortunate to be me, to be where I'm at, to know who I know, and on and on and on. In my diary somewhere I was saying that no matter what, something or someone will come through for me in my weaker moments. I was right: ultimately it was not only someone or something, but also ME who came through--by believing in myself, and the universe, for a positive turnout. Shit happens, but ultimately I'm a happy, lucky, hard-wroking person--and I see that all over this forum!! GO TEAM!!!!!!!
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Good for you Val. Believing in ourselves is often the first and most important step we have to take in this struggle.

be_gone_soon said:
Have a great day. And enjoy that exercise!!
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Thanks, Mechelle!

bethann1156 said:
One of these weekends, we will get to take our bikes out!!!!!! We still have not taken them out on a single ride. Just such a busy July. Talk to ya later!
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Thanks, Beth. I'm looking forward to that ride! We could meet at Pulgas Road -- there's a great ride from there all the way to the south side of San Clemente - gentle hills, really nice.

dbutterfield said:
I had a quick question. I have been looking at those cardio coach sound tracks and I see that you use them. Would you suggest those to anyone? I am thinking about getting a couple. Thank you

David
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Hi David. Well, they're certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but I love them. Sure, they're a bit hokey, but I like the "atmosphere" they create. I would have to say that these workouts played a key role in my being able to get very fit relatively quickly. You can use them as regular interval training, and as you get more fit, as HIIT training too. They don't require a heart monitor, but I found they worked best for me with one. I wish they would produce some more of them!
 
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