January (new year) abbercisers!!

[SAUSAGE]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Been swimming this am - 40 lengths. Braved the ice and cold to de ice my car to drive at 7.30am to get there.

By the way DG - how big is your Curves gym? -how many types of equipment? The gym I go to isn't terribly big, it's just part of my council run leisure centre - there are bigger ones near me but the monthly payments are more (at least double the price) This one is big enough for my needs - and there are group classes too - body pump, pilates, circuits etc if you wish. i mostly visit the leisure centre for the pool which is great (25m). I do my running outside on local roads, tracks etc.

[retteacher]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

I already walked my doggie today. I'll probably do another little walking stint later on. Glad everyone is doing so well. Mary

[Tom 4.0]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Thanks for the advice Abbers,

I'll change it up and start with any easy 5-10 minutes on the bike and un-wind afterwards with some gentle stretching (possibly even yoga).

Body, mind, soul...use it or lose it.

[veritas]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

We have a really tough race in South Africa, known as "The Comrades". It is about 89km each year, and the route is from one city to another. It is one of our biggest national sports events.

I managed Comrades 4 times and in the training process have run many, many miles. It was a part of my life. Unfortunately, with my alcohol abuse and my genetic profile, I now have osteoporosis. I am trying to give my bones a chance to recover with medication, diet and of course, no alcohol.

My aim is to be able to complete a half marathon by August. I will never be able to run the distances I did in the past. I am also not that young anymore. I have started by running for20 minutes and day in the park with my dogs.

I also intend to start Iyenga yoga again, which is very good for osteoporosis. I stopped it about a year ago, as it got in the way of my drinking.

[SAUSAGE]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Veritas - I have heard of "The Comrades" and I have , since my 20's ) wanted to do it (have done 6 marathons) but always thought i'd leave it for my "finale" as a runner - until I was older (had had children - when I believe you are physiologically stronger for this kind of thing) and in my 40's becuase I reckon it would finish my joints / knees off !! Mr Sausage has relatives in South Africa (Durban) and I have visited SA once. One day I am determined I will do this race - am building up to a 10k again, then a half marathon and then another full marathon again hopefully one day.... maybe after this!! Isn't it meant to be downhill one way - and uphill in the other direction the next year - which is the easiest way to do it - i would want the easy route not that 89km can be described as easy !!!

[veritas]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Sausage, it's an experience that stays in your memory forever. In my darker moments, I re-live the sound of the applause and encouragement as you enter the final lap. It is such an overwhelming moment, inexplicable joy. Also the commeraderie on the race is something out of this world.

It is down one year and up the next. Most people actually find the "up" run easier. It's not so hard on the joints.

I agree that it's best to run it later in life.
I ran my first Comrades when I was 45 years old. If you look at the profile of the average runner, they tend to be late thirties.

I would be very happy to help you in any way you wish.

I have no doubt that my love of running stalled my drinking. In actual fact, my drinking only went completely out of control once I stopped running. That's not to say that I didn't have horrible wine tummy experiences. Many's the time I had to disappear into the bushes because the previous nights drinking was talking to me.

[SAUSAGE]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Thanks for that offer of help Veritas - however i'm a long way off being ready for it yet - currently only doing about 5k runs, twice a week at moment (although I do swim and go to the gym on other days.). At the peak of my "running career" when I could run a sub 4hr marathon, I was running 5 days a week and on Sundays would go and do a 2O mile training run.

I can just imagine the commeraderie and the applause on a race of that calibre - you get it just in a normal marathon and that's only 26.2 miles ---ooh you've really motivated me to want to do it now!

Interesting point you made though, which I'd like others on the thread to think about - when you said that your love of running stalled your drinking. I certainly think this is true for me too - my drinking really only escalated when I couldn't run for a no of reasons ( 2 young children 15 months apart, little support enabling me to get out and run in daylight hrs) and more importantly, physical problems stemming from an emergency childbirth which only recently were diagnosed but I ended up having a hysterectomy.) Feel so much better 9 months on,now fully recoverd and able to get fit again. However I have heard of a no of "sports people" turning to drink and gaining weight when they werent' able to get their adrenalin fix from their chosen sport - anyone else had experience of this?

[momof3]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Hi All,

Just wanted to respond to the whole alcohol intake/exercise discussion. My Al consumption defintely skyrocketed during those times I was not able to exercise. Of course, my drinking did not go away all together. I can recall 3 years ago when I was training for a marathon, I would come home after a long training run and soak in the bathtub with a few glasses of wine. Quite a contradiction, huh?

I am realizing more and more that exercise really does create a sense of well being and calmness in me that reduces my need for alcohol. Hence, it just has to be an essential tool in my recovery.

M3

[BridgetJones1998]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Hi all,
My 2 cents. I was an avid runner for about 10 years. I was not a marathoner but did about a dozen half marathons but ran the 10 k circuit every spring, summer, and fall and ran 40 minute 10K's in my prime. During that time, I ran about 25 to 30 miles per week, time spent "not drinking" and not thinking about drinking. Of course I still had drinks with dinner and got drunk regularly but it did not consume my every thought.

At 37 years old, I had my first child and that is when I think it all changed. I do believe that I had post partum depression and I started drinking really heavily right after having her. I remember having no interest in exercising and feeling guilty for taking time for myself. It was a very busy time in my life professionally and remember feeling like I needed to be with her when I was not working. So I stayed home with her and my bottle. I don't think I have exercised consistently and regularly since she was born. I have been on the alcohol, selfdestructive, depression ferris wheel. I am so glad I got off of it. It has been 10 years.....it's time... I ran 2 miles yesterday.. OK.. slow, slow jog... but I'm out there!

[MissDoodleBug]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Hi all! I haven't had much time to post but just checking in to say hello! I'm 3 weeks AF now, and to add to my walking, Wednesday I am starting yoga classes, can't wait!

Things are going great! I feel wonderful! Every time that little monster pokes his head out and reminds me of alcohol, I smile really big and say out loud with feeling: "It is marvelous to be a non-drinker, healthy, happy and free! I am so happy and grateful to be free of alcohol: the headaches, the misery, the guilt and the pain! Thankyou God thankyou Universe thankyou MWO thankyou Me, thank you thank you thank you!"

Best wishes to all and stay strong!

Love,

Doodlebug

[retteacher]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

I just did my 30 mins on the treadmill for today. I'm 100% in 2009. I'm going to put my exercise checkmark on my calendar. Mary

[IAD]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

No excuses........did the stationary bike, lifted weights, sit ups...IAD.

[LVT25]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

You guys rock!!

I've never been one of those that loved to exercise. Many, many years ago I walked religiously! Once I had kids, it all kind of went by the way side. I think exercise is very important to our health and well-being and I am determined to make it a daily habit. When I was drinking I didn't feel like doing anything. It used to be about weight loss--but I could never lose weight when I was drinking--duh!! 1000 calories or more from beer almost daily is not conducive to weight loss. When I quit the beer, I lost some weight, but I REALLY need to clean up my act and eat right and exercise. Last night I used hubby's new rowing machine for 5 minutes--will need to work up on that--really aerobic! Today I will make time to walk and tomorrow start a real routine!

:thanks: for the motivation!!

[A Work in Progress]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Just a quick note, I'm still on my 6-day a week routine of various cardio stuff. 25-50 minutes. Getting stronger... once a week I see how fast I can do 2 miles, and my ridiculously slow time is gradually dropping... !

So many people here doing so much! It's inspiring to come here and read what everyone is doing!

LV, I understand the motivation thing, I've been stuck there many times... it really helps me to get started if I keep my expectations and minimum "required" exercise time very low... at first I was just doing 10 minute walks, 5 or 6 days a week. That really felt good, and it very soon became 15, 20, or 30 minutes, without my needing to push myself (and without setting goals that were so high that I got discouraged, and quit... ).

[veritas]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Great stuff:goodjob:

I did about 20 minutes running in the Park this morning. I have to skip between the doggy doos:H:H but it's ok. My dogs just love it.