Running toys

Since I’ve become serious about my run/walking routine, I’ve been searching for the perfect way to keep track of time, distance, etc. I love the Garmin products but they have always been a little too pricy for my budget. Four years ago, I found I could buy an older model Garmin Forerunner online. I was so thrilled when it arrived! I ran up and down my street just to see haw far and how fast (or slow). Yeah, I drove my husband nuts with it.

Earlier this year I decided I needed to upgrade a bit so I could track my heart rate since I am in my 50′s and plus-sized. I ordered a newer model but it really wasn’t right for me. Too heavy, didn’t fit my bony wrist (despite being plus-sized everywhere else), and I couldn’t read my HR numbers. So, the search continued.

Just this month Garmin introduced a new Forerunner designed for ‘newbies’. It does all that I want, like average pace, distance, hr, and calorie burn! I did not gripe about the price, ordered it as soon as I could and waited. And waited. Anyway, I got it last week and have been totally pleased! I even figured out on my own how to upload so I can see my results! It was so cool that I even ran an extra day just to see how many calories I burned! This will keep me excited for a long time. I’m a person who needs that kind of feedback to stay motivated. So, if you are like me, you may want to check out the Forerunner 110 by Garmin. Now my husband wants one…

Have you heard of “Half-Assed”?

Half-Assed by Jennette Fulda

I just finished reading this book, “Half-Assed” by Jennette Fulda about her weight loss journey. It is hilarious in places and quite contemplative in others. What I most enjoyed was that she did not offer any excuses for how she reached her top weight (nearly 380 pounds). Instead, her book focuses on making the hard choices that we all must do, to make our lives healthier and happier. That’s what I support – it may not just be an issue of weight for some people – their true need may lie in learning to love and appreciate themselves enough to take better care of themselves.

The book is a quick read but you will want to mark some pages to return to as her story progresses. For example, she was able to cut off her relationship with regular soda pop (several drinks a day) after realizing that it was like ‘liquid candy’. This may be true for many people – I know my husband drinks too much soda and when I used that description, he seemed to give it some thought. Many people who have no problem avoiding the candy dish or say they can skip desserts are consuming way more calories in those 2 liter bottles.

This is not a diet book – it is about one person’s experience with losing weight the old-fashioned way, through exercise and educated eating. Her goal was to save her own life, not just to be skinny. Health should always be the reason we make changes. It reminds you that while weight loss is not easy, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Check out her website.

Monday, March 1st

Can you feel it? It’s coming…Spring is actually just three weeks away! I know I’m being silly but this winter, or more accurately this February has worn me out. I’m sick of snow and ice and frigid temps. I want to be able to order a salad for lunch but haven’t because it’s too cold. It is too easy to overdose on comfort food when you feel like you’re living in Alaska.

I did manage to crawl out from my Snuggie last week and make it to the library. I love having a few new books to read when I’m sick of the tv at night. Some of my favorites actually have plus-size leading characters. If you’re looking for a a new series to read, check out “Size 12 is not Fat!” by Meg Cabot or the feisty detective Savannh Reid by G.A. McKevett (“Killer Calories”, “Just Desserts”, “Death By Chocolate”). These books are hilarious and just plain fun to read. If you’re interested in reading about characters who are like us, these are two of the best writers. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Let me know what you think!