Monday, October 26, 2009

Progress

I haven't stepped on the scale since the beginning of the month. I don't plan to for about another week either. Is it that I just don't care? That I'm a bit afraid? That no matter what I see, it will still depress me and bring me down? Probably all of the above.

But, no matter what the scale or measuring tape may say, I am making progress. After a month of walking Dude to the bus stop by way of the driveway, I moved to walking through the vineyard as it was a steeper incline. Now, after a week of that, I'm not coming home as sweaty and tired as I was before. Really, I'm not cringing at the thought of walking up the driveway from the bottom of the hill now. (In case you missed seeing the grade of the driveway, you can see it here in the first pic.) Please remember that I not only walk up this incline twice a day, 5 days a week, but that the grade on the other end of the driveway is longer and steeper. And the vineyard is more so.

I noticed yesterday that my glutes, hamstrings and quads are really firming up. Of course, it's still not noticeable with the layer of flab over the top of it. But, I can feel a difference. And that's a start!

Beyond the walking, I haven't added in any extra exercise as my shoulder is still a bit sore where the clavicle meets the sternum and in the front part of the ball socket. I really don't want to re-damage it. However, I think I'll try some pilates today and see how it holds up.

7 comments:

AKPonyGirl said...

The number on the scale is just a number. The important thing is: How do YOU feel?

Good on you for the workout.

cdncowgirl said...

Walking is a wonderful form of exercise... and with a grade like that. *whew*

Mrs. Mom said...

I say screw the scales, AS long as we are feeling better and our clothes fit better, (hmm... we could say that our bodies "fit" us better too couldn't we?) then we are on the right track.

Walking is excellent!! How did the pilates go w/ your shoulder?? Fingers crossed it worked well!!

Anonymous said...

Well, I didn't actually manage to do any pilates. Either the husband or Kitty brought a bug home and gave it to the rest of us. Unfortunately, one of the symptoms of this illness involves a headache that feels like elephants are stampeding through your skull. So, I took a 4 hour nap and hid from the sun under the blankets, until it was time to get Dude from the bus.

I'll just have to try again tomorrow.

*Everyone else in my house has had this illness last week or over the weekend. Guess it was just my turn.

John and Regina Zdravich said...

It sounds like you are making progress, regardless of what the scale may or may not say. Just the fact that the walks are getting less taxing is proof of that. And DON'T get back into the exercise too soon and re-injure yourself. That is the mistake my husband always makes when his back problem flares up....

Laura said...

Sounds like you are making good progress with the walking - walking hills is fantastic exercise...!

Hope the cold/flu bug blows through quickly!

Michelle said...

Wow! Very impressive, that's a heck of an incline. I'm glad things are going so well for you, despite your shoulder injury. You all are doing so well, I really need to get off my butt and on my path too!