coolbird30

Last night I walked on the treadmill for 40 mins averaging a speed of 3mph.  I did some weights for my arms/shoulders and abs.  It felt good to walk for so long.  Next time I will try for longer.  I have an appt today with a fitness/health consultant during lunch so she can help me figure out the best workout for me.  I hope this will help me out.    Step dad had a ‘family meeting’ last night about how we all need to pitch in and help.  I wanted to laugh.  I said to him that he needs to let us help, and his response was that when he’s home he’ll take care of mom’s personal needs, like getting her dressed, etc.  He’s also declared that he will give mom her showers (therefore, he has no plans to take the glass doors down).   My husband and I are between a rock and hard place because we’re staying with them till we get my husbands greencard back.  Ah well, on we go!

Where I work, we have a fitness center.  I did the right thing and took my orientation tour so I can get started.  Yesterday I went up after work and started out on the recombant bike.  I did a 5 min warm up on that, but it felt more like I was squishing my belly than actually working out… even when I was holding my muscles tight.  So I moved to the eliptical, but it was hurting my knees.  I got on the treadmill and put it up to 2.5mph and started walking…  I got into the rythem of it and upped it to 3mph.  I slowly upped it a bit more 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 then 3.5.  I walked at that pace for about 10-15 mintues then I cranked it up to 5mph and fast jogged for about a minute, then back down to 3.  I walked a total of .5miles.  It has been a long time since I excersised properly, so I figured that wasn’t too bad to start.  I then did 1 set of 10 each on the universal weights.  To cool down I just walked a steady pace around the equipment.  In all I was up there for about 45 minutes I’d say.  But I do have mom at home to get to, as my step dad won’t let us help, but then he doesn’t do anything for her himself.  I’m gonna aim for the gym again tonight and see what happens.

I came across this website yesterday, and thought maybe if I write things down, it will help me.  This last month has been very hard.  My mom had a double stroke and a mild heartattack the day after Christmas, but wasn’t brought to the doctors until the 28th.  My husband and I have been very stressed out with the circumstances.  My step dad is very difficult at best.  My husband and I are only trying to help, and he doesn’t seem to want to let us.  He is very power hungry, has to be in control of everything.  He is very stubborn and doesn’t ever think he is wrong about anything.  He’s one of those that if you say the sky is blue, he will argue that you are wrong and he’s right.  My mom is home from the hospital, and too soon if you ask me.  My step dad had bought her a puppy before she came home.  She already wanted to come home - who wouldn’t, but he bought this puppy for her to make it more agonizing for her.   Oh did I forget to mention, he doesn’t have any medical insurance on her!  So therefore, all hospital bills and the rehab hospital, he has to pay out of pocket..  that’s why she’s home before she should be.  He’s hired a home health person to come in and help during the day, but he’s more concerned with how much everything costs, then what’s really best for mom.  He has not put up any safety things in the bathroom, the glass shower doors are still up, so mom can’t have a proper shower (she’s been home almost a week now), he hasn’t put the safety bars on the toliet, or a safety bar in the shower.  He doesn’t feel this is important.  So basically this is what I’ve been going through for the past month.  This is also what has motivated me to change things.  I’m diabetic, and my doctor told me my blood sugar is not under control, and I now have family history of stroke and heart attack to worry about.  I’ll do new posts on this.