Attic Man went out and bought a stationary bike last night and I rode it this morning (between work shifts!) for thirty minutes. While I was riding I was thinking that because I’m not focusing on losing weight I need another way to track my progress toward health. And to NOT fall into the weight trap, I have committed to staying off the scale. No weigh-ins. So instead I think I’m going to choose a few fitness indicators to track to keep motivated. It will be helpful to have measurable progress so that when I feel like throwing in the (sweaty) towel I have a way of seeing how far I’ve come. The last time I was able to exercise continuously for one year I was keeping an exercise journal. Since this is kind of my journal now and because a few of you might be interested in joining me (and it would be much more fun if you did!) I am going to keep records here.
Now the question is, what indicators should I track? Here are a few I’m thinking of including for once-a-week check-in:
-Resting heart rate
-Number of minutes cardio
-Total weight lifted
-On a scale of one to ten, how I’m feeling physically
Any others you can think of?
While it’s cold and the sidewalks are treacherous I’m going to do the bike and the free weights we have in our basement, and when it’s warm I’m going to try running again and this time follow Doctor Mama’s invective to start off slower than I think I need to.
Like I said, I’d love to have some fitness sisters. The rules would be really, really simple: commit to staying off the scale and keep track of the indicators we’ve chosen weekly. That’s it. Anybody game?
For me, cardio is the focus.
But totally off the scale, huh? How about whether or not my former favorite jeans fit comfortably or does that disqualify me? (My recent favorite jeans — no cheating and say, picking a pair of “2″s from freshman year of highschool).
I use the jeans as a measuring tool too. I want to be able to grab a little bit of fabric on my thighs. Currently I can’t
So I am in, with “the number of times I attend the gym” being one of my criteria.
When you start running again (or even for biking), I recommend finding a training guide. Online, in a book, in a good magazine (ie, not Cosmo) — whatever. A well-developed training guide will provide you with goals and will build in rest days and lighter workout days so you don’t burn out. I like the runners guides in Runners World magazine but there are plenty of other good ones out there.
I’m joining you in spirit in not getting on the scale (ours is broken). In reality, though, I’ll be hoping on the scale at the OB’s office quite a bit in the next 20 weeks.
Hubby and I attempted this running program, called “Couch to 5k” that helps you to start slow and build. I repeated the first few weeks for weeks and weeks, because I’m not terribly good at being consistent,
but for someone who was never a good runner, even as a high school athlete (of sorts), I found it helpful. He’s up to 3 miles already– I haven’t gotten anywhere near a 5k yet, but I can at least run a mile without feeling like I’m going to expire on the pavement. That’s my achievement! 
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
I got a bike this winter. It has been such a blessing.. and truly has warded off the winter blahs.
I force myself to do 30 minutes per day. And I NEVER weigh myself.