I spent about 35 mins on the treadmill today. I have been going to gym on a regular basis since the beginning of Jan 2011. Last week I started the Couch to 5K program. Basically it helps people like myself who might not have been as active to work up to running a 5K.
Last week: 5 min warm up, 60 seconds running, 90 second walking for a total of 20 mins. (3x in a week)
This week: 5 min warm up, 90 seconds running, 2 mins walking for a total of 20 mins. (3x a week).
After I completed the 20 mins I have been walking an additional 15 mins. Because 20 mins just didn't feel long enough to me, so adding an additionaly 15 min walk seems to work for me. Dang it's hard to do the running though- I am out of shape, but slowly getting back into running shape. Prior to meeting Jason I was running 5 miles a day. I miss those days. I don't expect to run 5 miles a day again, but I do want to be able to run more than 90 seconds at a time.
I have a plan to leave work early 1 time a week so I can go and do my workout before I pick up Hannah. It helps with the cost of the child care as I have to pay to use the gym's childwatch. 2x a week Hannah gets to go play in the childwatch. 1x a week we go swimming as a family and 1x a week I'm participating in a 2 mile walk with my clients up to Mt. Tabor (up hill 1mile, down hill 1 mile). So I'm being active 5 times in the week when all is said and done.
So why am I telling you all this? Because while I was on the treadmill I was doing some thinking and reflecting. I found myself playing therapist and client in my head tonight. It went something like this.
Therapist: What do you want in your life?
Self: I would love to say that I would love to be skinny- a desire I have had for many years. But I think ultimately my goal in my personal life is to have more energy, to be able to play for hours with my daugther and not feel lethargic. I want to feel healthy and happy in my life.
Therapist: Tell me more about why this is an important change for you?
Self: Well I can rattle the reasons off easily. I have a nearly 3 year old daughter that I don't want her to learn my bad habits, I don't want her to be embarassed about having a lazy mom, I want to enjoy her life and my life. I want to be able to run up a flight of stairs at work and not be embarrassed by being out of wind at the top. I want to be healthy to extend my life so I have time to see and do all that i want to do. Because my past health history has been on my mind a lot lately and am I doing myself any good right now? Because I work in a caring atmosphere and I encourage people everyday to take charge of their life and become healthy so why can't I do the same? Because I have a husband that I want to spend many many many years with and taking care of myself is one thing I can control.
Therapist: What makes this time different?
Self: In the past I have set unrealistic goals, I have been focused on losing the weight. This time I'm focused on simply being active. I'm focused on making healthy choices for myself and modeling for my daughter. I'm willing to allow my daughter to play in childwatch and not feel guilty for taking care of myself. There are no weight goals, there are only the desire to be moving. I want to enjoy activities with my daughter and taking her swimming is a great opportunity for that.
Therapist: What is your action plan?
Self: Well kinda like I already shared I'm running/walking 3x a week, I'm swimming/playing 1x a week, I'm participating in a 2 mile walk at work 1x a week. On my running/walking days I'm leaving work early 1x so Hannah's still at preschool and 2x a week she goes into the childwatch at the gym. I paid for a 2 month membership at the gym when they had a BOGO sale. Though when March hits I might have to forfeit my membership if our income is still tight. In which case I would hope that the weather is decent enough that perhaps I can move my working out to the track across the street- but that's a month away so we'll see what happens then.
And the conversation ends there. . . mostly because at that point I've hit a running point in the workout and all I can do is watch the clock and cheerlead myself to make it to the 90 seconds!
Now you know just a little bit of how my therapist mind works.
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