Nuvita Wellness Challenge rant

We're on "Intro week" with the Nuvita Challenge. We've got our heart monitors, etc. I finally got it all worked out on the home computer to accept the transfer. I'm excited.

First night (Tuesday), I work out 67 minutes. Turns out only 5 minutes of that was in my "zone". The Zone that Nuvita set up for me. Ok, I think, I'll try harder on Wednesday (before going to Sean's softball game at 8:00). I work out 68 minutes; sweating like crazy, jazzed with energy, excited, muscles tight, oh yeah!! Do the transfer, and 9...yes NINE.. minutes in the "Zone". So this morning I email our coach, asking to have my rate lowered by 10 points, give me something to work toward. I get an email back from her "why do you want to lower it? Is it too hard?" I can hear her fit, skinny voice chiding me. Hmmmm. Help me out here, please. Aren't they supposed to be working WITH us? Apparently, the Assessment done last month is how they came to the range they set for us. Ok. But please, give me something easy to reach first, then I'll set higher goals.

07/28/10 NOTE: I explained in a later email to Michelle (our coach) that I'm on Blood Pressure meds, etc., and she agreed to lower my Heart Rate Zone, with the option to raise it later.

I'm not a whiny baby. I swear I'm not. I mean, truly, I've worked hard to lose this 25 pounds. I want to lose at least 25 more. All the stuff you hear in your teens and 20s, even your 30s, is so true. Although at the time, you pfftt at it. Eat your veggies, drink your water, exercise. Well, I'm paying for it now. 9 1/2 months pregnant, going into labor at 23, BP is 120/76. Twelve short years later, I have high blood pressure. I blame the 2nd husband... and genetics. Admittedly, I let myself go the past few years, well, since getting laid off from said 23-year job in June of 2004. Then, my 3 months temp-to-perm job took 18 months to go permanent, and well, stress makes us eat and totally forget moderation, and all that.

But, turning 51 last year kind of hit home. That and the whole extremely limited budget. Figured if I had no money, I may as well eat healthy. Lettuce - $1.28 for a head that will last 4 days. 44 cents per avocado - one a day (yes a bit high in fat, but it is great for the HDL - good - cholesterol), Grape tomatoes - $3.48 but will last 4 days or so; Bell peppers - 88 cents each (I think), but will last 3 or 4 days; mushrooms - $3.00 package, lasts 3 or 4 days; kidney(red) beans - $1 a can lasts 3 or 4 days (rinse and use container). Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on the salad and you're good to go. Oatmeal... $3.75 for a big Quaker box of just oats - 30 half-cup servings - add some dates, or fruit, a little (teaspoon) brown sugar, some cinnamon. YUM.

I'm learning SO much. Google and doctor sites are my best friends. :)

Y'know, it's not even that I want to be in the top 10 on the Nuvita home page of cardio... But I DO want something attainable. I am pretty sure I'm on the right track, and just because my "Assessment" shows I can hit something higher doesn't make it so. I realize, too, that she probably didn't have the derogatory tone to her voice when she emailed back "is it too hard?" but it did kind of hurt, when I can tell I'm doing so much better than I have in a long, long time.

I weighed 182-186 in 2002/2003, and I'm working very hard to get below that now. I WILL do it. MY ultimate goal is to lose 25 more pounds by Christmas. That would put me at 165 or so. 16 weeks divided by 25 pounds is approximately 1.5 pounds per week. I can do it, I can do it, I can do eeeet!! :)

Ok, I feel better, and am off to eat my oatmeal with dates. No sugar added.