Week 2 of Workouts

I have finally established some sort of a work-out routine.  I'm still only going three times a week, but I've increased the amount of walking and bike riding that I do at home with the girls.  As my joints stop hurting, I plan on going to the gym more often.  Until my partially torn shoulder and C5 and C6 are rehabilitated to the point that I'm not in agony, I'm not going to push myself in order to lose the weight for surgery.


So, in an attempt to stay motivated, I found a great way to continue my focus while in the pool.  I was having a difficult time keeping with my laps.  I can't do as many as I would like because of the stupid shoulder and neck problems, and I found that I was spending way too much time focusing on the pain and the laps themselves.  While I was working out in the gym, I didn't have this problem, and I realized that it was because of my iPod.  The solution was the H2O Audio Solutions.  

www.h2oaudio.com

Here's my new purchase:

I found the H2O Audio System and it was half off because I have the 2nd generation Shuffle.  Totally cool!  of course, Amazon offers a discount on a related item, so I HAD to get the Speedo goggles with Anti-fog.  I thought it was too much for me, but swimming without the goggles fogging up today was AWESOME!   Not to mention, I got through my 6 laps without realizing that I was doing 6 laps.  I was done in half of the time because I didn't have to stop and "rest" my shoulder, etc.  I just grooved with the tunes and enjoyed myself.  


Now, these systems were given to Olympic swimmers to play with.  The one I was using was used by Natalie Coughlin - who, I must admit, I did not even know her name until I was looking at this system.  Here's a great picture of the audio system in use:

The controls are on the back of your head.  You can use the Shuffle as you normally would even under water.  I was able to turn the volume both up and down and it did not move while I was in the water.  I am not using a hat, so I have the entire setup on the back of my head, but I am now the envy of all the swimmers at our local gym.  Whoo-hoo!


So, I will continue with my weight loss goal.  While there has been no major change in my size, I am finding that I have more energy than I used to, and my clothes are fitting better.  There is still a ways to go, but I'm getting in the groove.

Getting fit!

Ken and I are determined that we will get fit this year.  Ken is motivated in order to keep his blood pressure down and stay off medication.  I am motivated by needing surgery.  It's important to both of us to lose the weight so we are happy and healthy as well as to stay active in the kids' lives.

We were able to get reasonable rates through the VA, but it took us months of paying before we started.  Because of a shoulder injury, I wanted the new Super Sport that has a pool, and swimming has helped to keep me from that surgery.  However, I require a different one that will drastically improve my life, but at my current weight, I am a surgical risk.  So, I found my motivation.  

As a teacher, I always emphasize the importance of finding one's motivating factor in order to spark learning.  As a teacher, I am often the worst student.  But, I can no longer put this off, so I started my fitness routine on Wednesday.  I met with a trainer in order to get an idea of what to do without hurting myself, and then went back today for Round 2.  

I will keep everything posted on here not only to inform my friends and family, but as a reminder to myself of why I need to get going.