I'm Still Standing

 This song came to mind when I was thinking of what to write tonight, so I went with it. I've never seen the video before, and I've gotta say, it's a little weird. Rather than get into a critique of 80s style, I'll get back to my post. I've been quiet for a few weeks on this blog, but even quieter on my other blogs. I don't know quite how, but I wound up in a depressed slump.

Sometimes when I'm not expecting it, depression jumps up and kicks my ass. It started off as just not wanting to write anything. I just didn't feel like it. It kind of grew from there. Looking back, I think that it started around the time we switched to Daylight Savings Time. I don't know for sure, but I think it has to do with less hours of daylight. The ironic thing is that I was talking with my husband about my dislike for the medication I am currently taking and planning to talk to my doctor about going off it. I have felt for some time that my current antidepressant makes me numb to any kind of feeling. I don't feel horribly depressed, but I don't feel happy either. I truly believe that I needed the medication when I started taking it. Without the antidepressants, I would have continued in a downward spiral. I don't even necessarily want to go off medication all together. I just want to get off this medication.

My plan right now is to get through the holidays and then sit down and talk with my family doctor about making a change. After being on this medication for so long, it's going to be a pain to get off of it. Anyway, I'm still here and hopefully I'll be writing more again. I made the effort to get the Wii out the other day and I did a bit of time with Jillian Michaels' game. I wanted to use the Wii Fit, but my disc is hiding somewhere. Hopefully I will find it soon.

The kids and I have been trying to go out for walks after dinner every night. We just go around the block, but it does us good to get outside and get some exercise and fresh air. The nights we walk, the kids go down much better.

I've been trying to organize more by getting more clutter out. A few more boxes have been donated to the local Sally Ann. I've also been tossing a lot of stuff. If the kids leave it out, it's being trashed. I got a new bin for garbage, recycling and compost as well. The recycling was falling all over the place, so this helps to keep it contained. The kids are having fun using the bin to sort things right now. I'm sure this novelty will wear off soon.

As for healthy, I'm sticking to a vegan diet. I'm also seeing my chiropractor once a week now. I'm noticing a difference. When we started chiropractic, the chiropractor told me I had a 97% loss of curve to my neck. It turned out that he mis-read my x-ray and it was actually 107% loss of curve. After 3 months of treatment, I was at 97%. It's getting better slowly, but I feel better already. I've had less headaches and fewer migraines. I'm not falling over tired any more. I'm not as short-tempered and moody either. As I continue treatment, I'm hoping I'll be feeling even better. So, that's me for now. I'm still standing.

Getting Fit: Back to Exercise with my Wii Fit Day 2

Got back on the Wii Fit tonight. It wasn't easy because I was really tired, but I did it. Somehow, my weight came down .4 kg since yesterday--a little fishy, yes? And my Wii Fit age dropped to 32! Considering yesterday I was 11 years older than my age, it's a 17 year difference. Very strange.

Oh well. I got in 15 minutes of aerobic and training activities today. Started with the snowball fight just because it's fun, then the Rhythm Walking, Juggling, Advanced Step and Kung Fu. I'm trying to start slowly and build momentum. I don't want to burn out fast. It feels good to be moving again. Eventually, I'll work my way back up to using the Jillian Michael's game. For now, I'm aiming for 15 minutes a day and a couple times of doing the 30 minute bike ride a week. This weight wasn't gained overnight, so it's going to take some time to lose it and tone up. I'm determined to get there though!

Baby Stepping my Way

Close-up of female girl exercising by aerobic walking
Originally uploaded by mikebaird

Well, it took awhile, but I finally tried Jillian Michaels again. I did just a few of the remote exercises this morning. Would you believe I actually got a "Good job!" from Jillian? I know! I couldn't believe it either! I find the exercises are pretty quick, which is good and bad. I like getting them over with, but they are so fast, I feel winded when it is done and it's hard to keep up with her.

I was starting to feel like there was no point to trying anymore. It seemed that whether I tried or not, I was gaining weight. It didn't seem to matter what I ate or what I didn't eat, the weight just kept creeping on. Then I found a blog during the Ultimate Blog Party that gave me some inspiration, so I'm not going to give up. I'm going to keep at it. I'm thinking of re-joining Weight Watchers online; still in the thinking stage right now. And this week, I'm going down to the YMCA to find out about memberships. I don't want my kids to get stuck in the same rut that I have been in. Here's to a healthier week!

Rethinking the Whole Jillian Michaels Wii Ultimatum Thing

Run Swiftly Racerback and the Run Team Spirit Crops: sea gaze
Originally uploaded by lululemon athletica

I'm sure no one will be surprised to hear that I have come to realize that I am NOT up to the challenge of completing the Resolution I set for myself on the Jillian Michaels Ultimatum. Rather than give up entirely, I have decided to just go in and do some of the exercises every night. I think after I get used to the exercises and build up some muscle and endurance, I will be better equipped to take on a Resolution.

The first thing I did was make sure that Jillian's voice on the game is turned way down. I know it's supposed to be encouraging, but hearing someone yell at me does not make me want to exercise. Instead it makes me want to quit and throw in the towel.

I was telling my brother about this Wii game and he laughed when I told him how mean Jillian's character was and how she yelled at me. "What did you expect--it is called the Ultimatum, isn't it?" Yeah, well it still wouldn't hurt to hear, "Way to go! That's so much better than your last attempt!" or "You're almost there, keep going!". Build me up, baby, don't cut me down! I'm coming out and putting in the time, I'm not doing it perfectly, but I'm doing it, and that is half the battle.

Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum Wii, Resolution 1, Day 1

I'm proud of myself! I completed today's resolution after lunch today. Since my shift at work is changing next month and I won't be finished until midnight, I thought I'd try getting my workout in during the day instead.

So far, I really like Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010. It's tough, for sure, but I think this just might be the kick in the ass I needed.

Today I did 5 laps of running. Had to talk myself through that one! It was starting to get hard around the third lap, but I made it! Then Squat Jumping Jacks--those are tricky! I'm going to need some more practice before I get those right. Then I did swing kicks with the Wii Fit board, but those I think I scored 0 on. From what I saw her doing, I thought I had it right, but since she gave me some of her biting comments ("I didn't come to you, you came to me" and "Stop wasting my time!"), it appears I have some ways to go there. My fourth exercise was some sort of lunge on the Wii Fit board, and I did OK on that.

For my first month, I didn't want to over do it, so I think I put the circuits in on the weekends when I'd have more of a chance to do them. I really like that it's only four workout days a month in the resolution. I'd like to find an outdoor activity to do on my "off" days. We're also looking at getting a YMCA membership for the family so that we can all go and take some classes and get some exercise together.