Sunday, December 6, 2009

I Feel Skinny, Oh So Skinny....

Folks, it's all about the positive reinforcement. I don't know what's going on with the scale.

I'm ignoring it. Until tomorrow, at weigh-in. But even then, it's not getting too much importance.

Two major things happened this week that should trump all else (in terms of my own personal world - not the 'real' world):

1) I broke through a major mental block and started jogging, despite my fear of being too heavy for my poor knees. I did it, and my knees didn't crumble instantaneously into dust.

2) I put on a usually tight'ish pair of jeans for work yesterday that are several sizes smaller than what I was wearing last year at this time. And they are loose. I threw on a nice t-shirt, a v-neck sweater in a beautiful azure color, and bopped off to the office.

It was only after I got there that I realized how nice I felt in my clothes. At the risk of sounding like a vain ninny, I really felt like I looked good.

Maybe that's how South Beach Steve feels in his new suit? He totally rocks it, by the way.

I'm not "skinny," by any stretch of the imagination. I'm not even close to my goal weight.

But if you are comparing me to how I was 70 lbs ago, then yeah...I am way slimmed down. A few people even commented yesterday that I looked really great. I think the fact that I was projecting positivity plays a role here, too.

So it's damn the miserly scale, and full speed ahead! Something must be going right, because I do believe the inches are coming off, even if the pounds aren't.

On that note, I want to ask some jogging questions of all you runners out there. I just posted this query on Lori's blog, because she's a kick-butt runner and racer. But then I figured I'd throw it up here for others to opine on.

Here's my question:

Any advice on how to ease into running so you don't irritate bad knees? When I say bad, I don't mean ripped or torn ligaments, etc...Just stressed knees, prone to inflammation. I did tear a meniscus last year and my left knee has never fully recovered, but it's fully functional - just gets a little achy sometimes. But the doc last year said I have good cartilage, no real serious damage, I may just have a few bone chips that float around and irritate me now and again. Obviously, losing weight is the best thing I can do for my knees, long term.

When I jogged last week, I did have pain afterwards -- inflammation and irritation and aches in the knees and hips for about two days. My muscles weren't sore -- my bones were! Is this possibly a sign that I'm still too heavy for running, or should I push through? What say all you runners out there?

Any suggestions and feedback are really appreciated. I'd like to start developing my superhero powers beyond vigilance. I'm also looking for speed and agility. Yeah!

6 comments:

  1. Thanks for the compliment Ish. To answer your question, yes I do kind of feel that way. I try not to sound vain too, but it does feel good to look nice for a change. Thanks for the compliment!

    I wish I had some advice on the jogging. Unfortunately, I don't know the answer myself. I would guess ibuprofen to keep the swelling down, but I have no idea.

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  2. I'm so glad you can start jogging! Ish, even more than that, I'm so happy that you're able to fit into your skinny jeans. So awesome! Of course, don't let it go to your head, but yeah, you can totally enjoy your new beautiful look.

    Congrats!

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  3. Nice work on the jeans!

    I have no running tips. Right now walking is a hardship and my knees always sound like there is a bag of microwave popcorn going off in each one.

    Looking forward to reading about your weigh in.

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  4. I love your positive thinking here! Sometimes it's those things that matter more than what the scale may or may not tell us. I'm sure you're rocking those jeans!

    I'm sorry, I can't offer any advice in the running/jogging area...but I will be checking back to see what answers you get!

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  5. I'll post this here, too:

    I have chondromalicia, and funny thing is, my knees don’t bother me when I run. I never ice or heat them, either! It’s weird. I started the C25K about 20 pounds heavier than I am now. I didn’t necessarily wait to jog, I just never thought I would like it, so never really did it.

    I also started very, very slow. I think when you try to run too fast and pound the pavement, that is what causes the stress stuff on the legs. Especially when you are heavier. Good shoes are a must.

    Don’t ever feel pressured to run more than your body is capable of. I don’t think it necessarily totally correlates to weight, as there are tiny people running who have constant struggles with injuries.

    It's okay if you never become a runner, there are plenty of other activities to get involved in!

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  6. I absolutely HATED running but I guess the tips are - good shoes, try to run on a softer surface than concrete and don't do it every day to give your body a break.

    Well done on the jeans my friend.

    love
    Peridot x

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