Movement

So, this post has two major parts that both fall under the same heading- Movement.
First, to the whole weight-loss issue. It's slow, but going ok. I have kicked up the workouts a bit as we are now in bike season and I have begun my training for the Lakefront Marathon in October (had to add a couple weeks to the plan to compensate for the vacation times and such when the long miles won't be possible). However, the weight wasn't coming off. I also have been monitoring the caloric intake. I have to be careful to take in enough calories that I can complete my workouts, but not too many that I'm adding more pounds. At times, this feels almost like a full-time job. One thing I have found food-wise that I like is the Fiber One yogurt. It's not a light yogurt, which means it does have regular sugar, but I detest aspartame, nutrasweet, and even splenda, so natural sugar in small amounts is fine by me. It's a smaller container than your usual Dannon stuff, so less calories that way. Plus, it helps me get my daily fiber intake up. Everything I keep reading about weight-loss harps on the fiber issue. Most of us in the US don't take in enough in a day. But, it doesn't taste high in fiber, so I give it a thumbs up.
Anyway, back to movement. I read something recently that talked about how it's really good to have regular workouts, but one way to increase your calorie burning every day is to increase your movement in general. This makes sense to me. I read once that people who fidget burn more calories in a day than non-fidgeters. I actually am not one of those people who can go through an entire meeting sitting in the same position. If anything, I at least uncross and re-cross my legs a few times in a hour-long meeting. But, in order to rachet up this movement thing I have looked at my day and where I could add a little to it.
Now, I live alone, which makes my living room set-up work for this. I have a papazon chair in the corner that holds my stability ball- not a big deal for me as I have elsewhere to sit normally. Plus, next to the chair is my array of at home workout equipment. There's a yoga mat, 5lb hand weights, a medicine ball, a resistance band, and my newest addition- a kettlebell. However, until recently, most nights that all just sat there on the floor. Now, though, I have started using it on a regular basis. It's not too difficult to get a little workout in while you're sitting in front of the tv at night. In the least, I've been trying to do some ab work and just at least move around a little so that on the nights when I'm not running to meetings and the Y, I don't just sit on my couch all night doing nothing.
I'm also aware of how much I walk at work. Now that it's nice out, no more delivery from Jimmy Johns on the days I don't pack a lunch. I can walk it quickly enough to get back and eat. Plus, I walk the stairs. My rule of thumb, three floors or less, I always take stairs. More than that, it depends on how I'm feeling.
Finally, I am trying to move more in general. The article I read mentioned some simple things like dancing a little while getting ready in the morning. This is actually pretty easy. I always put music on anyway while I'm getting going, so why not shake it a little while I walk into the bathroom? Anyway, I'm hoping this is all helping to keep the fat burning high so I can start to actually shed these pounds. I feel great, but I just can't seem to lose.
Now, all this movement talk brings me to my other issue. It reminds me to appreciate that I can move. Nothing is preventing me from moving, and when I think about taking a step, my leg does that. No problems. It's not like that for everyone out there. There are many diseases around that prevent people from moving like everyone else. Multiple Sclerosis is one of those diseases. The National MS Society has an ad campaign out these days. The campaign and slogan was done pro bono by the same ad group that came up with Nike's "Just do it" slogan. There new motto is: "Multiple Sclerosis stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn't. Join the Movement." The ads are extremely powerful, especially if you know anyone with this disease. They state that moving is a part of who we are. I think that this is so true. I don't know what I would do if I suddenly woke up one day and couldn't move like I do now. I know that movement becomes more difficult with age, but to experience something like that in your 20's and 30's? Wow.
How can people help? Well, you can certainly donate money. I ride the MS 150 every year and take pledges and such. That helps to fund research so that we can cure this thing. And of course a great way to help is to educate people. This is an epidemic in many areas of the country- including Wisconsin. Everyone should know what this disease is. So, tell people, or if you don't know much, find out about it. Ignorant people get MS, too.
But, I really think, that a great way to acknowledge this is to appreciate that you can move. To make the most of what you are able to do. Not to sit on your couch, but to get up and do stretches, and shake your a** while you get dressed. We take moving for granted. And it's time that it stopped.
So, Join the Movement.