Structure - Who Knew!

I knew structure was important to me.  After all, I am the queen of list making, I like things orderly, I hate being late to ANYTHING and I live by my calendar as if it was a bible.  (And as I write those words I am not sure I want to be a person like that, but it is what I am.)

awesome-confusing-future-life-quote-Favim.com-335590.jpg

But the end of this month I got broadsided by the realization that the major constructs of my life - the big "gorillas" that were layered over and created major structure in my life  ... are gone.

You know what I mean - things like The Big Three: a job, raising a family, being a caregiver.

The big things in life that sometimes define you ...

 gone, 

GONE, 

GONE

from my life!

YIKES!

Oh, I didn't really notice any difference at the beginning of January.  After all, I had a funeral to manage, and some estate duties, and then we had several social engagements that I had responsibility for, and I finally put my own health front and center and saw a few doctors.  I cleaned up after Christmas, and set up my weaving station and my lego station (more on that later.)  You know, it has been a busy, busy, busy month!!

BUT ... it is grinding to a halt.  My "to do" lists have shrunk.

NOW WHAT!

Ok, I am a goal oriented individual.  So I have a few ideas bouncing around in my mind.  But those ideas were always there, and I always managed to squeeze them in-between The Big Three!!

BUT

The Big Three are GONE!

Are those few ideas worth taking center stage in my life now??

So what few ideas am I talking about ...

Movement
To begin with I need to move more.  OH . MY . GOD!  I sooooo need to move more.  I am not talking about exercise (exercise would be good too, but how about just keeping my butt off the couch where, by the way, I am sitting right now! *sigh* )

I did start tracking of my movement with my FitBit.  Again, I am not talking about exercise. I just wanted to know what my "normal" was without focusing on walking.  I discovered that I averaged 6,500 a day in January.  That is my baseline now.  New Goal - Do more than 6,500 average a day during the month of February.  And some day I just might see 10,000 steps again!!

In truth, I am pretty far away from my movement goals!  Sadly and embarrassingly so.  For example, I went for a walk today and mostly what I wanted to do during that 30 minutes of walking was find a bench and sit down!  Pathetic ... I was brutal with my self talk. "Keep those 67 year old feet moving forward you lazy thing, or you will find yourself sitting in your mother's wheel chair ... which by the way is now available."  Stuff like that!

I did sign up for a Yoga class.  I need to stop walking like an old lady and getting more flexible will help.

My Hobbies
I have a long love affair with yarn based hobbies.  I have enough yarn in my yarn room (yes, I have a yarn room - doesn't everyone??) enough yarn to knit like a banshie every day until I am 98 years old and never run  out of yarn - even if I stopped buying yarn this very minute for the rest of my life.  (Which, by the way, won't happen ... the not buying yarn part.)  Another embarrassment.  Now I find have the time, the tools and the desire to knit and weave and maybe even spin ... but I also have a little voice in my head that says things like, "Don't you have something better to do with your time."  And then I think hard and I answer myself, "No, apparently not."

Reading
I am reading more and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Kindle.  I love zombi books, and end of the world books and stories of destruction (hmmm .... is that healthy?) but can I build a life around reading?

And .... ok, pretty much the list stops there.

So dear readers, only 3 lonely ideas are bouncing around in my brain (avoidance of wheel chairs, yarn hoarding while listening to the voices in my head, and tales of destruction.)

Maybe Psych should be my next doctor visit!!

Until next time ...

Retired Knitter.

FitBit Flex

I have a new pedometer as of the middle of June.  My daughter gifted me a FitBit Flex for Mother's Day.

FitBit Flex
Photo Credit: http://www.fastcodesign.com

Long time readers know that I have struggled with maintaining a walking program.  Walking is my preferred form of exercise.  There is nothing like slipping out the door for a quick (or long) walk with my iPod playing my current audio book or just enjoying a beautiful morning when the weather is inviting.  It beats gathering my stuff for a trip to a gym, getting in the car and driving, parking, waiting for time on equipment, etc. etc. etc.  But my success at keeping to a walking program has been spotty.

So walking it is.

It is helpful for me to have a quantitative measure of how active I am.  It keeps me honest.  It pushes me to do better.  My tool for doing that has always been a pedometer.  And I have had a bunch of them.

My new favorite pedometer is the Fit Bit Flex - for a lot of reasons.

• The model is worn on the wrist. It only comes off to be charged.
• It tracks just about everything, but steps are my interest.  There is, however,  no face with numbers - just a small line of 5 lights.  I don't miss seeing the numbers at all.  If I am curious, I just open my phone, hit the App Icon, the device syncs automatically - and there is my total.  In fact, I think I prefer not having those numbers staring at me on the device.  It takes the pressure off for achieving a certain number ... but keeps me moving all the same.
• When I reach my goal - for me it is 10,000 steps - the lights flash and the band vibrates.  Pretty cool, as well.
• The device is meant to sync to your computer or Smart Phone.  This can happen automatically when within a certain range of your computer or phone, or you can manually sync when you log on to your phone or computer.  This feature is pretty awesome.
• Step totals do not roll of memory after 7 days like many pedometers.  The totals are out there when you want to see them.
• The battery must be recharged every 6 to 7 days.
• The device is water proof - apparently you can even shower with it.
• It can also be set to track the quality of your sleep - a very cool feature.
• Because it syncs to a free website, you can have "friends" and can easily see how they are doing.  You can even send messages back and forth.
• And it appears to be very accurate.

There are many features I haven't even touched on - more features I use - but I will say this is the best pedometer that I have ever used.  It's a winner. 

So, if any of you great folks are already FitBit users and are looking for a new "friend" to help inspire you to walk, please let me know.  

Talk the Walk - Mind Games

Other than a good pair of walking shoes, you don't need much to walk.

That is why I like it.

I step out my door and I am walking.

So why are mind games important.  After a time the mind gets bored (mine does) and starts working against you, trying to engage you in other things so that it is happier.  The mind has good intentions but it doesn't benefit your body.

The most obvious method that works for most people is reading about walking.  I won't suggest reading materials here but they abound.  Just do an Amazon or Library search on the words "walking exercise" and you'll have your pick!

One of my favorite games is my pedometer.  Currently I am using the Striiv Pedometer, and I have blogged about it here.  But generally any step counter will work if you are new to the idea of "counting your steps."

It is simple.  The more steps you take, the more you have moved.  Yes, getting your heart rate up for a specific period of time increases the health benefits, but it all starts with moving.  You can't lie about how much you have moved if your step count for the day is around 2,000 steps instead of 10,000 steps (the recommended number of steps needed each day for good health.)  And if you think 10,000 steps a day is enormous, look to the Amish.  Pedometer studies have shown that the Amish take an average of 18,000 a day.  An average!!

For me: I am trying to do 10,500 steps in July.  I won't make it.  I had too many days below 10,000 earlier in the month, but August is another month and I will make it then.  And then I will move the bar - September might be 10,750 steps.  The goal is to keep moving and keep increasing.  The pedometer keeps me honest.  And my brain likes to beat my last step number.

Another brain game I particularly like is Walker Tracker - a free online site where you can log your steps each day.  Walker Tracker is almost like a Facebook for walkers.  You can do the minimum which is log your steps each day - and see trends and stats from that simple action alone.  You can also bump up your participation by blogging some on the site, or making friends called "comrades" (I am esknitter there), you can get information about walking in the discussion groups, you can see ratings for pedometers, you can join like-minded groups on that site (Walking Women of 60, Audiobook Listeners, Weight Loss, Walking Knitters, etc. all with the option of sharing information).  But the reason I am on this site is for the "competitions."  The map below shows a graphic representation of a competition - walking the Oregon Trail.  If you join the competition, your little avatar shows up on a map letting you know where you are in the walk and how far to the finish, what your rank is, etc.  Great fun.  There are no prizes for winning, just the satisfaction of participating.  Check out Walker Tracker if it sounds like something you would enjoy.  Look up esknitter - and make me your comrade!

Writing about walking on my blog (yes, doing what I am doing right now), helps me.  I love taking pictures on my walk. The paths I take are pretty much the same each day, but the pictures I capture are the snapshot in time of something I saw.  I enjoy reading blogs that do this as well - like Life is Good-Smile, my dear blogging friend Happy One, who walks 6 + miles each day in all kinds of weather.  Happy One has been doing this for over 25 years.  She has risen to a new level - she walk for the joy of walking - I hope to be there someday.

Volks Marching has recently caught my attention. I don't know enough about it to say much now, but I will share what I find out at some point.  It is a new mind game for me.  And finding new minds games is as important as participating in old ones.  Remember, the mind gets bored!

Audio books are a regular part of my life - especially while walking.  I couldn't read as many books as I can listen to.  There are so many great reads out there and they are often enhanced by a talented reader.

So those are my current mind games - and I am always looking for more.  Share what works for you.

Move My Feet Campaign - Update

Photo by gelfayr.deviantart.com

Since reviewing my new Striiv Pedometer and starting the Move My Feet Campaign - I've confirmed a few things about my "walking-self" since I started this campaign.

I don't do mornings!

How I wish I was a morning walker!  My friend Happy One at the Life is Good Blog walks every morning right after she gets up.  It is cooler and quieter, the sun rises are beautiful, and distractions are minimal.  But my body isn't cooperative in the morning.  It needs time to oil up all its parts with coffee.  And my mind isn't firing on all cylinders until after caffeine and food!  Finding my way home might be hard if I skip the caffeine and food step.  Afternoons and early evenings are my "get moving time".

My body is schizoid about moving!

The conversation goes something like this:

Body:  This couch feels good.  There's knitting, reading, TV, lap top, and my grand-dog here.

Mind:  Your Striiv step number is low.  Get up and move. 

Body:  But, my eyes are a bit heavy, so just a short rest before  ....

Mind:  No!! It is 11:00 am after a full night's rest. Get walking.

Body:  But I this joint has been ....

Mind:  Up!! Up!!  You will feel better moving that joint.  

Do not embarrass me.

Body:  But, but ...

About 2 minutes into the walk ....

Body:  Hey, this feels good.

Mind:  Of course it does. Hey ... Watch the cars!

Body:  No, really, I could walk for an hour - no problem.

Mind:  I told you so.  Now stop for a moment and start a Striiv Competition.

Body: Heck, no. I don't want to stop.  I can do two things at once. No problem.

(legs keep walking)

Mind:  No, you can't.  Stop for just a moment.  

You are missing out on energy credits for your game!!

Body:  Really, I can multi-task. Just let me get the pedometer ... out ... of ... my ....

(hand gropes in pocket for the pedometer)

Mind: HOLY CRAP!  Look out!  Watch the curb!  Yikes!! Car on your left! 

Stop!  Stop!

Body:  No, No.  I can do this.  

Besides, that guy in the car has brakes.  He can use them!! 

(twitchy finger contemplates an ugly gesture at the driver)

Mind:  But, but ...

And so on!  The voices in my head keep me pretty occupied most of the day!  :-)

10,000 steps

My goal: 10,000 steps daily.  But I changed it to an average of 10,000 steps a day.  Many days I make the 10,000 mark with little effort - count in an hour of walking, 2 or 3 dog walks, plus my normal steps and shopping steps.  But the Striiv Competitions can easily push me up to around 13,000 steps on some days.  I love those competitions.

On other days I spend hours in the car or sitting at doctor appointments or mom visits - and getting to 9,000 steps is an effort.

So making the goal an average of 10,000 steps a day makes more sense.

Right now my average is running in the 8,800s.  But it creeps up every day.

I have more energy.

It has only been a few weeks but I can tell I have more energy.  It is amazing to me that you get more energy when you expend energy.  Yes, in the evenings I am tired, but that is good - I am sleeping better as well.

I love my Striiv.

My Land, the Striiv game on the pedometer, doesn't look as good as this yet, but it will. It all depends on me to make it so with movement.  But I'll get there because I love this little Striiv pedometer.

Conclusion

So all in all, I think I have made a successful start to walking regularly.  The real challenge seems to be:

• to keep focused, to not get thrown off by life's distractions, and
• to keep the voices in my head to a low roar!  :-)

Move My Feet Campaign - Review of the Striiv Pedometer

I simply do not understand
 why this is so hard!

  I am retired.  I have time to walk.

  I am in good health.  I have good genes.

  I believe that walking is the near perfect exercise. Experience taught me that.

 I am as young as I am EVER GOING TO BE.
*sigh*

The excuses I have used to avoid walking are varied but oh so familiar. 

I am busy.

I have mom responsibilities.

My son is getting married.  

I got sick.

I have bull dogs and they walk like turtles sprint.

The weather is raining,
 dark,
 snowing,
 sunny,
 perfect 

(yes,  I have used "perfect weather" as an excuse

 'cause I could do something else with the "perfect day").

Crazy

The wedding is over, my son is married, Mom is cared for, I am well, the bull dogs would rather be on the couch in the air conditioning, and there are no weather-free days.

I have set a goal AGAIN.

April 2013 - at 66, I want to be walking at least 4 times a week and taking at least 10,000 steps every day.  I am still committed to walking that 1,000 miles goal that I started earlier in the year but reaching it by December 31 is unrealistic.  Any bets on what day in 2013 I will make that 1,000 miles?  Hey, maybe I should have a contest!!

(If anything, I should get extra points for never ceasing to try!)

So early last week I got a new toy tool (toy is the correct word, truly) - to launch this new "move my feet campaign.".

Striiv Smart Pedometer is a fancy-shmancy pedometer. Yes, a step counter.  (Unfortunately I still need the objective feedback of a number that says - "yes, you moved today," or "no, (you slug,) you were a vegetable today.")

Now this new high end pedometer does more than just count steps.

• It counts the typical things beyond steps: time, mileage, calories, etc.  
• It also counts running steps and stairs climbed.  
• You can link wirelessly to other Striiv folks nearby to compete against them if inclined.  
• It has a touch screen for changing functions.  
• It needs to be on your body somewhere - even just hanging from a key ring.  No worrying that it is placed incorrectly at the waist like most other models.
• It shows your historic data by number and grid, and shows averages for about 30 days right on the pedometer.   
• A cable connects the Striiv pedometer to your computer for downloads of updates from the Striiv site and back ups of your stats on their network.  If you should lose the data for some reason (like a function failure) you can reconstruct it from your automatic back up.
• It plugs into an electrical outlet to charge rather than replacing a battery. 

While those features are a big step up in function over my Omron Pedometer (which I still love), none of those hooked me into this purchase.   My hook is "the challenge!"  There are a large variety of easy, medium and hard challenges.  Challenges can be selected but frequently they are offered spontaneously, "how about climbing 50 steps in the next 15 minutes" or "increase your step count by 300 in the next 5 minutes" or "run for 10 minutes" - and if I accept a challenge the clock starts counting down immediately.  If I meet the challenge, it gives me extra energy credits over what I earn by walking. Energy credits are used in a game on the pedometer (yes, a game on the pedometer!!)

Wooo Hoooo!!!

Of course, if you aren't shallow like me, you can use your energy credits towards a free charitable donation, which I shockingly haven't taken advantage of yet!!! Too busy playing my game.  :-)

Stats tracking is reported in number and grid format.  It also shows you how your efforts play against certain fun measures.  For example: I climbed enough stairs to reach the top of the Statue of Liberty (achieved easily - my house is nothing but stairs). I am now working on climbing mount Mount Everest!!   I also know where I am in walking a marathon.

Anyway, I am now off the couch and walking again.  Those dang challenges are like a red flag in front of a bull for me - I can't seem to resist.  And although I might not need this kind of incentive 10 months from now, it is a huge help in getting started.  In fact, I can already tell after one week that I have more energy.  My body has a very positive response to exercise - it is my brain that needs a kick in the butt!!

So I had to buy this pricey pedometer to get walking again, but - what the heck - it is only money and I can't take it with me after I am dead.  (Hopefully this pedometer will hold off "the death thingy" a little longer - but that is not part of Striiv's guarantee.  Best Buy doesn't guarantee it either.  Dang!)

I guess in the end it is really up to me!!


Post Script - This little gadget does more than I have expressed here, so if you are curious, check their site at this  link.  
I will tell you this.  I checked the feedback on Amazon, and Striiv was very well rated for accuracy and incentivizing you, BUT there were a few reported failures in function.  Striiv does provide customer support (online and phone) to resolve issues.   Since it is a new product and expensive, I bought my Striiv at Best Buy instead of Amazon.  Best Buy offers a 2 year "fix or replace service" contract for $15.00.  Seemed like a worthwhile safeguard for 2 years.

Post Script to the Post Script

I am not being sponsored by Striiv to write this post!  But if they want to pay me, I am OK with that!  :-)

Goal Setting and Soul Searching

This posting will be a bit dry so I thought a cheery picture would brighten it up a bit. So this is "A View from my Walk" picture - and it just proves that not all beauty and color in nature comes from flowers!

I am nearing the end of the first month of this 20 year journey, and plan to look back and see how things are going around September 1st - but how to do that! Six goals out of 20 are published and without some method of review, it is just a list!

Realistic goal setting for me has always been hard. Oh, yes, I can set goals easily and I love to set goals and make to-do lists, but I have the "eyes-are-bigger-than-my-stomach" syndrome - I set big goals and lots of them ... goals that usually aren't realistic in light of limited time. I am a Type A personality - I like to be the best, achieve the most, and control all the processes (i.e. do things without help and delegate almost never). I don't think these are positive traits anymore, but they have been part of me for as long as I can remember. As I have gotten older, I have given up some stupid stuff - my house isn't perfect and not always clean. I am not going for the slimmest body and I try very hard to not "lead" (having done that for a number of professional years.) But I do need sort through what can be tracked and what will be assumed.

Let's start with the easy ones!

Walking - this is pretty simple. Use a pedometer and improve the daily average steps each month. The starting goal is 10,000 steps average. That should work for awhile - until the daily step totals average 15,000 steps (or whatever number seems like a stretch). Then it is just a matter of keeping it up. Wa-la!! That was easy! I am doing great, don't you think? :-) (I think Type A's like to hear that they are doing well - so yes, I am fishing for compliments.)

Tai Chi and Stretching - this is pretty simple, too. Count the time and improve it each month. And this month, I did such a lousy job of keeping up with Tai Chi and I did no stretching. It won't be hard to do better next month. I would assume that these 2 would also reach a certain plateau, just like walking, and then just maintaining. I'll still need to figure out where that plateau is. (Type A's like to set themselves up for success - so I did bad this month so I can do better next month - yes, that works for me.)

Keep Learning - now things are getting harder. I have enthusiastically invited 3 things into my life this month that weren't there last month. So maybe if I blog about what I have done with these things for this year, maybe 3 times a month, I will at least show continuity. The downside is that I've invited 3 things in this month, but done nothing with them. More thinking, more thinking.

Photo Family History - this is a long term, episodic goal. Over the last few years I have worked on this project during a September beach week. Beach week is when my kids and my sister's family go to the Outer Banks. I used to go on this trip, but mom can't make it comfortably, doesn't really want to go anymore and my husband doesn't drive so I don't feel comfortable leaving them behind without back up when I would be 6 hours away. So if I work on this project once a year during beach week, it counts.

Friendships and Family - these are not objective elements. And up to now, they have been part of my life like breathing. I see family several times a week and friends socially every week, and email others. My blogging should be evidence of my commitment. I think these can be assumed to be valued at a high level already.

So, the initial sort of where I am going and how I will assess my progress is done for now. I will be back around September 1 to look at this again. I can tell you right now - I have earned an F in some of this! Type A's don't get F's ... maybe I can consider this a "growth" opportunity as I force myself to relax into a Type B personality.

No ... I am still a Type A. An "F" can't be translated into a "growth opportunity" no matter how you look at it!

Thursday ... I finally sat down

I knew today would be tight. I set my alarm for 6:30 am - wanted to get out for my walk before there was no time for it. I walked for an hour. I often see on others blogs beautiful pictures of forested paths, lake shores, parks ... beautiful areas for walks. My walk typically is around my neighborhood. It is a very nice area. But my walk includes a sweep through my local shopping center (the courtyard is pictured on the left). AND it continues through the grocery store - yes, in this hot weather, I very much look forward to my 10 minutes walking up and down the isles of Harris Teeter and at the end, a cool drink of water before leaving the wonderfully cool artificial environment. (In the picture on the right try to imagine a forest path, trees, grass, forest critters - only my path has air conditioning and a water fountain at the end - and if I am really decadent, an icy cold something from the Starbucks in Harris Teeter. :) You serious walkers out there don't know what you are missing!) And that was my last "alone and peaceful moment" for the day.

Upon getting home today, there was mom's breakfast to get ready (and breakfast and a shower for me), Then food shopping with Mike, then take mom to the bank, and then to a free lunch event for seniors with mom at the Amherst House. Then it was 12:45 pm.

After dropping mom at home, I headed into Bethesda MD to pick up Milo. Usually a 45 minute trip, but I made it in 35 minutes (unusual for the Washington area). Milo and I were in the car on our return trip for about 3 minutes when the skys opened up above us and the rain came down in sheets. So the trip took 75 minutes to get back (the Washington Beltway was terrible) - and we then we swung up to Elkridge to pick up Meathead and Grimace. Thankfully the rains had stopped by then. When I walked into Matt's house, Meathead had diarrhea in the house so I cleaned that up. I then loaded his two boys into the car with Milo, and then it REALLY FELL APART. Milo decided to bark his scratchy bark at Meathead - all the way home - about 15 minutes - in his face - over and over. Poor Meaty, he was sitting in the back seat next to Milo's crate - there was no where he could go. He just had to sit there next to Milo who was losing his little mind. And then multiple dog walks and fixing dinner and I am finally sitting down - it is 6:30 pm. Where did this day go?

And now, at 6:30 pm I just checked my pedometer - presently I am at 12,063 steps (7870 steps are from my morning walk). I still have two dogs walks left and I have to take Meaty and Grimmy home after 9:00 pm. I will be glad to climb into my bed tonight (although my bed will be the blow up mattress that I set up in the living room for Milo and me - no matter - it will feel pretty good.)

Hope your Thursday went better.

Total Steps: 13,689 (but if feels like it was 20,000)

The pedometer is my friend!

This morning I got out for a walk ... the third one since I have started this blog 7 days ago. This is not the level of frequency I am aiming for, but I wasn't totally inactive during the weekend. After getting all the dogs out for a first walk of the morning, one of my favorite activities is taking Grimace for walk next - just him and me. He loves to walk. I have my cup of coffee and my iPod with my podcasts on it, and it is just Grimmy and Grandma time. Love it. But it doesn't really count as an exercise walk. We stop at every tree, every sign, every bush, every everything ... making sure that he sprinkles alittle of his urine EVERYWHERE. For a Pug, he has a bladder the size of a watermellon! But the walk time is quiet and peaceful. We both enjoy it.

I have been thinking about the barriers that seem to get in the way of getting out for a walk. I plan to go back to wearing a pedometer all the time, not just when I walk for exercise. I started wearing it today. In the past it has kept me moving, finding ways to keep my step numbers up. My exercise walks usually generate about 5,500 steps. Last year when I wore my pedometer all the time my goal was to be above 12,000 and I usually made that total. I have been as high at 18,000 but that is a stretch for me. There are studies of pedometer use - and in one study they put pedometers on an Amish population. These folks are active in their everyday lives - no motorized vehicles, no 20-21st century gizmos to distract them. It was found that they average 18,000 steps a day. Pretty impressive. While I don't hold that as a goal for me, it does provide a framework to gauge my own progress. After such a long absence, I am happy to have my pedometer back on my hip.

Today was also a Knitting Group day. I sure do enjoy this Tuesday group of knitters. It brightens my week knowing it is coming up. And this morning the weather was very comfortable. A blessing, because it has been hot and unhealthy for so very long.

Very much looking forward to my morning walk tomorrow.