Progress

Bob here.

I still haven't weighed myself in the three weeks since I saw my cholesterol specialist, but there are signs that the treadmill regime is paying off.
A co-worker commented today on how I look like I'm losing weight.
I noticed last week that I don't get winded running up and/or down stairs. I had to sprint from the second-floor control room at work to the newsroom on the ground floor and back. When I got back upstairs, I noticed that I wasn't puffing. And yesterday, I ran up from the basement at home to answer the phone in the kitchen. It was my sister calling, and she noticed that I wasn't out of breath.
I think I've already mentioned having to do up my belt an extra hole lately.
I've also noticed that exercising eases the pain of my recurring, almost chronic sciatica, and that my knees don't ache as much or crack when I'm climbing stairs.

So that's all positive stuff, and encouragement to keep walking.

Patience, Bob

Bob here.
I just got back from my check-up with my cholesterol specialist. She's the one who suggested I get a treadmill and set it up in front of a TV set.
According to her scale, I haven't lost any weight at all -- right down to the tenth of a pound in the three months or so since last time I saw her.
But she says to be patient, it'll come. Her secretary -- who actually weighed me -- said it's because I'm developing muscle, which is heavier, but burns more calories, too. That, she said, explains why my pants are looser, yet the pounds haven't started coming off yet.
So that's encouraging. So is the fact that I don't have to go back, and that my own doctor can now monitor things. Not bad. I will continue as I have been.
Hmmm... haven't much from Deb lately, have we?

Update from Bob

It's March 22, and still no further weight loss. Although in the past week, two people -- including one who didn't know I'm on this treadmill kick -- have remarked how I look thinner.
I do think the toning has begun, and the pants don't seem as snug around the waist.
I see my cholesterol specialist next Monday morning. I'll see what she thinks.

It's a start

Bob here.

Four pounds gone! It's a start, amounting to about a pound a week. I'll take it.

I have always said that I would never have a scale in the house, because I would obsess. But today's my birthday and my sister and brother-in-law gave me a scale. What's a guy to do?

What I'll look like next time I go to the Caribbean

Treadmill Upkeep and Maintenance

Gee Bob - maybe we'll be a couple of the lucky ones who will out exercise our treadmills!

"A variety of individuals purchase treadmills in hopes of someday achieving their physical goals, but the machines quit effective only before they do. There are a variety of problems treadmill owners can encounter with there machines, especially if they are avid exercisers. Subsequently a few months of strong running, they can want treadmill repair services for there machines"

For entire article go here:
http://www.topratedtreadmills.info/all-about-treadmill-repair-maintenance/

Aaaannnndddd we're back.

Bob here.
I haven't posted anything in the past week, because I haven't been on the treadmill. I was sidelined by a stubborn cold that had me feeling like 10 pounds of crap in a five-pound sack. It has passed now, except for a residual tickle in the nose, and I'm feeling much better.
So I got back on the mill today for a brisk, 30-minute walk. I'm not finding it difficult at all, and am considering boosting the speed past the 3.2 mph level, and increasing the incline past 6%.
Taking my doctor's advice, the treadmill is in front of a TV set. It is also equipped with a VCR/DVD player. So on weekdays, I time my workout to coincide with "How It's Made" on the Discovery Channel. I've been taping it, so that on weekends, I have it to watch, too. I find that it requires my full attention, so I'm not preoccupied with the time counter, doing math in my head to figure out which fraction of 30 minutes I've reached. I think some game shows might be as useful.
I don't have a scale at home, which is a good thing, too, because I would be obsessive with my weight. I'll weigh myself whenever I'm near a scale, such as in a doctor's office.
This blog and the friendly challenge with Deb is going to be a big help, too.

Ankle Biters

It is very important not to have a silly dog in the same room as you when you are on the treadmill. Some tend to chase your feet and try to bite your ankles.

Treadmill Mishaps

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Musings from the Mill

I have no idea where Bob got the idea that we went to high school together - I don't think I was even born then. ;-)

This is what Bob remembers when I was in high school (I know, I know - Abba called they want their costume back). I am nearly as "old" as Bob.

The 2nd photo is what I looked like on my last birthday (the Big 50). I've changed a bit over the years and gravity has not been kind, but that doesn't mean that I have to accept the extra flab. My husband and I decided just this past weekend to purchase a treadmill, as we both could use some firming and toning and lose some of the baggage that has crept up over the years.

We were off to Canadian Tire to purchase a mill when I received a call from a friend and I happened to mention we were off to town to buy a treadmill. She says to me, "Want mine?"Well, it was just serendipity and we got ourselves a really high-end treadmill for a fraction of the price. Bob, has looked down his nose at me and sniffed that his treadmill is brand new. La-tee-dah!

Anyway - my hopes are to lose around 17 pounds and firm up the ole' "thunder thighs" and improve my overall health. So, I am starting off slowly - doing about 15 minutes at a time at 2 mph with a 5 degree incline. That burns about 70 calories.

Here we go!

Treadmill Trenches is a joint effort between two people who haven't seen each other since high school, more years ago than we care to mention.
It will feature our own challenges to lose a few pounds by walking on our respective treadmills -- mine (Bob's) in Ottawa, Ontario, and Deb in Saskatchewan.
I'm being presumptuous enough to post first with this introduction, so I'll let Deb tell you about her challenge.
It's really a way of challenging ourselves and each other, provide encouragement and moral support to each other, and have some fun while doing it.
I'm 51 -- I'll be 52 next month -- and just bought a treadmill on recommendation from a doctor, a specialist in cholesterol to whom I was referred by my GP. She said "set it up in front of a TV set or you'll never use the damned thing." She also wants me to lose 23 pounds within the next year, getting my weight down to 180. The doctor thinks that will improve several facets of my health, including eliminating the diabetes for which I take medication every day.
So I've started walking on the treadmill, making it part of my daily routine. So far, so good. I'll have to find a scale somewhere in the next little while, to see if it's making any difference yet in my weight.
The first photo posted here is me participating in a toast at my best friend's wedding in Mexico two months ago. I was one of four witnesses in the wedding party. As you can see, the dress code was casual, allowing my untucked shirt to highlight my gut, which is where I carry most of my weight. The second is a close-up, featuring my several chins. One goal of this treadmill challenge is to eliminate several of them.
Stay tuned. This should be fun...