It’s beautiful out — a clear, blue, bird-filled day. A light breeze teases the undropped leaves still clinging to their branches, and sun has conquered snow in all but the most shadowed corners of every lawn.
It’s also cold enough to freeze the hind end off a penguin, which is why I’m lounging in our living room gazing out at the world rather than jogging or taking a hike or riding a bike through it. Although I should, just the thought makes me shudder and my veins ice over.
The indoor options are nearly as bleak. If I spend one more minute on my exercise machine I’m liable to find myself a good smelter and have it rendered into scrap metal, or whatever it is you do with annoying machinery. Short of jumping jacks, weight-lifting cans of ravioli, or doing laps around my kitchen, any other exercise choices require leaving my climate controlled house for the big, bad, wintry outdoors.
I’m a shivering, sniveling wimp when the thermometer dips below forty ((As it generally does this time of year. After three years in the Rockies, you’d think I’d be used to it.)), so this would normally be an easy choice. But eleven days ago we crested the hill and skidded over into 2009. After the food-fest that stretches from Halloween to Christmas, I’d been mumbling about losing my more Rubenesque qualities and getting back into shape and now, to my consternation, I had a convenient start date.
Despite the timing, I wouldn’t say I made a resolution, exactly. More like a vow ((The difference is this: Resolutions are made to be broken, whereas vows are binding and, frankly, much more dramatic. They’re often louder, too.)) recklessly proclaimed at the same time so many others were resolving the same thing: I would lose this winter weight or starve in the attempt. And with my kitchen skills, starvation was a very real possibility.
Since limiting calories goes hand-in-hand with exercise, I dragged my workout clothes to the front of my closet several days before the first of the year. Then I primed the exercise machine I’d forgotten I hated. I also made A Plan, which everyone knows is nearly as important as actually Carrying Out The Plan. Then I waited for the new year to begin. The waiting is the fun part, before the hope and excitement have been tempered by reality and, most importantly, before the actual sacrifice begins.
The first of January had its pleasures as well. Filled with promise, I bounded from bed — or would have if I’d had a proper night’s sleep — and sauntered into the kitchen to prepare a healthful breakfast, complete with vitamin pills big enough to choke a horse. When lunch and dinner came around, I prepared them as per The Plan, too, then dutifully entered all calories into my chart. I even exercised that afternoon.
Optimism carried me through three days, and pride through another four. Now I’m surviving on sheer, brute strength, and other than occasional lapses and, of course, the Great Exercise Dilemma of 2009, things are going pretty well. I’m only occasionally starving, and I’ve already lost an entire pound, enough to make…well, no difference whatsoever. But I’m nothing if not determined, even when cold and tired and hungry, which is exactly how I keep ending up.
**Update**
11:14 a.m. – 1:03 p.m.
Congrats to you for undertaking such a goal, it looks like you’re off to a nice start, keep up the good work Caryn. 😀
I’ve been hitting the treadmil more, too. Those dang Christmas cookies were a killer. Plus, we’re going to FL in March, so I must get to my summer weight by then. 🙂
@Mary – Boy, don’t I know that! Both the bad weather and the lack of fresh fruits and veggies make it harder to start now. But, alas, it needs to be done.
@Soleil – Thanks! Here’s hoping…
@Jennifer – Good luck to you! At least you have a good reward at the end.
I hate the cold. If it weren’t for my Wii Fit, I’d be getting zero exercise at all. But even that is minimal and I’m not eating well enough to counteract my slothlike ways these days!
No need to be jealous anymore. 🙁 We’re going into the teens tonight will have a high of 30 degrees tomorrow. One would think a former NY-er like myself would be used to cold weather. Then again, that’s part of the reason why I moved. Go figure. *shrug*
Okay, I’m feelin’ the Artic blast in TN too…for us south paws its anything below freezing. It’s been in the teens, so I’m in flannel jammies and wrap a blanket around me whenever I write. I’m a major cold whimpie.
And I feel your pain, Caryn. I’m on day six of a new push for losing those unwanted pounds. So far, so good. I’m starting my stepper today, and hoping for the best. Good luck, I’ll be cheering you on!
Well…
Now that vow has really been screamed out to the stratosphere. You are stuck with it now. Go Caryn!
Sadly? I never have any trouble finding motivation to exercise. I actually tend to have trouble sitting down (and you do not need to guess how much trouble that causes when attempting to date). I even created an ugly mashed together thing out of odd bits of wood from Home Depot that were about the right size, just so I could stand at my computer rather than sit.
I do however lack any motivation to stop eating like a hoover turned loose on a never vacuumed 1970’s shag rug. Well. I have motivation. I talk about eating better regularly. I just don’t follow up thought with action. A pound is a big step. I’m going to go tie my hands down in an attempt to keep me away from the fridge. Thanks for re-upping my motivation again. :~D If you keep it up, the rest of us will remain motivated.
What happens if you lift cans of ravoli then eat them? I like the distinction between vow and resolution – and must agree vows are much more binding. I learned long ago that trying to monitor/control my food intake is far beyond my ability so exercise is my only hope. After struggling with the very same cold weather dilemma (very present over this way), I broke down and got a membership at the rec center. To my suprise, I actually look forward to my time on the Elipical . . . mostly thanks to my ipod and cable TV 🙂 Keep up your determination!
@Courtney – I’m jealous of your Wii Fit! I’ve heard they’re just wonderful, though I’ve never tried one, and I’m not about to get one unless I’m well acquainted with how they operate first.
@Marcia – Here’s hoping your cold snap doesn’t last. I know I, for one, am very ready for spring. Sounds like you are, too!
@LaDonna – Good luck with your own weight loss efforts! I’m pulling for you. As for wearing flannel pajamas and a nice blanket, that sounds rather cozy.
@Kristi – Well, I’m definitely jealous, although I can see how it would have its disadvantages. Still, you must have an amazing metabolism. I can sit, but I can’t sit still. I always have to be fidgeting, at the very least.
@Becca – LOL! Yes, that is a danger. I must make sure the picture is always facing into my palm instead of up into my face, lest I become tempted! And you have an excellent point – maybe I should concentrate more on upping my exercise so I don’t have to deprive myself too much. Already last week I burned three times as many calories as my “diet” allotted, so I think that’s a good start.
[Not sure if this went through the first time – reposting]
I’m impressed! I hate indoor exercise, and I’m not thrilled by the prospect of cold-weather outdoor exercise either. Luckily, it’s usually warm enough around here (high 40’s) to bundle-up and go out for an afternoon walk.
Snowshoeing looks really fun. I’ve never tried it.
P.S. I recently discovered a couple of your comments hidden away in my spam-comment folder. Aghh! Sorry about that. For what it’s worth, they’ve been approved now, and I’ve fixed my spam issue, so it shouldn’t happen again.