My knee is as strong as it was before, if not stronger, and it's a matter of getting my leg strong. I lost six years of strength in about six month's time, so it's going to take another year or two to get that leg back up to full strength, but I'm good to go so far.
Picabo Street
One of my faults is that I am so easily distracted by bright shiny things. Did almost no exercise last week. Other things took priority. My mindset went totally into Work Mode Only. I know it's possible to combine work and exercise. I've done it before. Can't remember how, but I know I did it. Just couldn't seem to get the balance this week.
Okay, inner slug, I'll give you the first week of work is crazy.
Enough of that.
In my defense, I really did the good girl thing re making a healthy lunch, full of vegetables and good calories, and taking it to work each day. Didn't help much, since people kept saying 'let's go out to lunch' each day. (I mean, you can't say 'no' to that sort of thing. You really can't, especially in the first week. But damn I am sick of Chinese food now.)
Another weird thing to note is that Damn Knee has gotten more cranky this week rather than less. All that complaining it was doing about doing more than an hour on the elliptical? It complains even more if I don't exercise. It's not as consistently loud complaining -- it more takes the form of suddenly it's painful to get up from a chair. Not always, sometimes it's fine. But sometimes -- ouch. I think I need to strengthen the muscles around the knee more.
Yes, I am babbling. Tangent woman needs to focus. I am setting the bar low so that I can get back into the habit of exercise.
Exercise du jour: Okay, inner slug, here's the deal. All you have to do is walk two miles. Given that one of those miles is covered by walking to/from the Max, that means all the exercise you have to go out and achieve is One - Friggin' - Mile. That's all you need to do today.
Done! Walked at lunch. A bit. But hey, I set a goal and I made it. Maybe this will become a habit.
8 comments:
yeah. I was off work a while during 2009 and 2010, and worked out like crazy. It felt great. Now I've been working since Feb, still bringing my knee along, and still struggling to fine a work / work out balance. A work in progress is how I describe it.
Congrats on new job, hope it works out for you. My thoughts on going for lunch is that it has to be a pretty special thing. On a lunch invite, I'd normally say, "can we make it coffee, I'm trying to be careful what I eat", then pick a place that does NOT have the yummy treats.
That just sitting thing is brutal. I've been taking to stretching out my legs under the desk, though there isn't really room. But whenever I have to read something on paper, I'll turn away from the desk, stretch out a leg, put a slight bend in the knee, press down with my heel (using hams and calves) then roll the legs from side to side, while maintaining pressure. As they say in yoga, keep an active foot. Seems to be helping.
A new job is both exhilarating and exhausting - so much going on! Sounds like you are ready to get a routine going with the exercise now, and hey - at least you tried with the healthy lunches! Hope this week is a good one. :)
Only those who can make their living by working out, like the Jack LaLane's of the world, can actually exercise without life getting in the way sometimes.
Work up to something you can balance, and see if you can't duck out of the lunches out at least a couple of times a week.
The good news is that walking over to get a cup of coffee involves a quarter mile walk, and that is without setting foot outside this one building. This place is huge.
Be careful with that knee. My hubby's knee was hurting and it turns out there's something torn in there! Needs surgery. :-/ Just sayin you may want to get it checked out.
Good job on the "good girl" lunch. LOL
Especially for the first few weeks, I'd say you have your priorities in the right place. Getting integrated into the social network, learning the ropes etc are demanding and important things! I admire the way you're finding virtuous eating and exercise choices even in that tough environment. But I bet it will get much easier to get back to a healthier routine once you've settled in.
What Crabby said.
Now, back to me. I would appreciate it if your knee would stop sending mine secret messages about acting up. Tried for a light jog today on the trudging route, and resorting to actually calling it Damn Knee.
Now, back to you. Happy and Strong second week of New Job.
Julie
I think setting the bar low is a good strategy. At least it is my preferred strategy, anyway...
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