I Need to Get in Shape!

Definitely! Why? To wear the latest bikini to the beach? HELL NO! I’m too damn old to be running around in a bikini, not even a one piece swimsuit.

I’m retired and mostly sedentary. I want to get in shape so that I can take a walk around a beautiful garden without being short of breath. I want to walk around a museum without being exhausted and having to sleep the next two days just to recover. I want to visit zoos without having to sit down every 10 feet before continuing on. I want strong bones and pain free joints.

In essence I want to enjoy my retirement without having to carry an oxygen tank or be pushed around in a wheelchair. And when I reach the ripe old age of 80, I still want to be able to do these things.

So how do I accomplish this? I guess I’m lucky. My youngest, a health and fitness nut, suggested I visit the website, myfitnesspal. I can track my calories, carbs, fats, sugars, proteins and exercise. It’s a free website and it really helps. They have a database of over 2 million foods.

The hard part was plugging in my weight. That meant I had to get on the scale. It was definitely an eye opener. I was not happy. But I was determined to do something about it.

Next was figuring out how much I wanted to lose per week. I decided slow and easy was the way to go, so only 1 pound a week.

Then deciding on an exercise program came next. I checked what was listed. Hmmm…walking….walking the dog. How hard can it be? After walking the dog (small 20 pound dog) for 20 minutes, I collapsed in my chair. Another eye opener! I was/am definitely out of shape!

Then the foods….I had to plug in each and every food I ate/eat or maybe even take a gander at. I was shocked at how many calories I consumed in a 24 hour period. Definitely another eye opener. It makes me pay attention to what I am putting in my mouth. Oh, and let’s not forget the water. I can even track my water intake.

Have I lost any weight yet? No, but I’ve only been doing this for a week. Hopefully this time next year I will be a different person, inside and out.

UPDATE: I’ve lost 4 pounds in 1 week. I didn’t expect that, just maybe a pound or 2. I guess cutting back on the calories (from 1600 – 2000 per day down to 1300) and walking the dog is making a difference. I sure hope I can get down to a size 8 again. That would be nice! A whole lot less weight to move around.

Hard to Break Old Habits

I have worked night shift for 30+ years. So here I am wide awake at 2 in the morning on my birthday playing on the computer.

I thought after retiring it would take a couple of weeks and I would be sleeping all night in my own bed. But here it is almost 5 weeks after retiring and I’m still waking up in the middle of the night. Oh well, I’ll play on the computer, read, knit or crochet until I get tired again and then I’ll take a nap. Gotta love those naps!

Maybe I’ll watch a movie on the computer. Who knows when I’ll be sleeping all night. But it really doesn’t matter. It’s not like I have to go to work or anything. 🙂

Happy Valentine’s Day

Hope your day is filled with love and happiness.

Naval Aviation Museum

The other day youngest and I went to the Naval Aviation Museum. It is free to visit, but they do accept donations.

They have 2 buildings now and oodles of volunteers to tell you all about the aircraft. Of course, you can choose to do a self guided tour or join one of the many offered there. Also they have an IMAX theater and lots of hands on exhibits. And lots for the kids to do too.

Hungry? They have a small restaurant. Want a souvenir? There’s a gift shop you can browse.

I also heard that the Forrestal Aircraft carrier is coming here. I will definitely visit it when it does.

UPDATE:

Oldest says the Forrestal is not coming here. But the Kitty Hawk, another aircraft carrier, is. Either way, I’ll visit and take pics.