With an unseasonal amount of sunshine (clear sunny days, walks clear of snow and limited amount of ice, temperatures around -10C), I have resumed walking outside in the daytime where possible. Since it's dark by the time I leave work, this means doing the Waterfowl Park on the way to the office in the morning. I encounter any combination of slush, snow, ice, frozen gravel, and slippery boardwalk, so I have to make footwear and outfit decisions to match.
I've also started walking to and from the hospital at noon to make rounds (about 1/2 mile each way). I think the fitness is improving, because there's a small hill midway where I've always had to shorten my stride in order to maintain the pace, and this is no longer happening.
This past week, I've started to pump my arms when I walk. I was surprised to discover that my stride is longer, thus a quicker speed for the same pace, when I do so. And then last night, that my upper body is aching as a result. The down side, this has kept me from picking up the hand weights again.
Despite getting back into the daily exercise routine, I have failed to shake off the 5 lb. I regained over the holidays, and I know it can't ALL be increased muscle mass. Which means I have to start paying more attention to what I eat as well. So this is the week I was going to start tracking my intake (the first step). So far I was only successful on Monday. Harder than usual this week, with 2 ER shifts. Still. I resist doing it, because it takes time. Time that when it's limited, I'd rather spend on exercise (which I know is less of a contributor to weight loss, but more important to my overall health).
I'm thinking the next step may be to give up following certain social media accounts that are not only sucking up time but bathing me in negativity...
