TODAY'S THE DAY!

Out of the Snare is officially released today nationwide.
So, please tell your family, friends, neighbors, or even the mailman! :)
This novel, unlike "Whirlwind" is available for order in ANY store.
All you have to do is go in and ask! Easy! If you want signed copies
they are still available through this blog or from any of the online stores,
plus "Snare" is available through tatepublishing.com. Another thing happening
is I'm finally able to start doing booksignings and have one on my calendar!
Woohoo! I'm excited!
If you're in the area please stop in Saturday, March 13th
at Robbins Booklist, Greenville, Michigan from 11 - 1. Thanks for all the
love and encouragement I receive from all of you.

Not Ready for the 5K Just Yet!

Today, I decided to push myself a tiny bit. I'd only jogged on the
treadmill once before and that was only for a min on the level.
This morn, I decided to put the grade up 1%. I know, I know.
You're saying did I even notice? Well, my legs sure did. I went 1 min 30 sec
and my shins began to burn! I stopped jogging and went back to the walk
wondering if I would even be able to do my normal 20 mins! :(
I ended up slowing the speed every min until my shin pain eased up AND
I put the grade back to level! By the time 20 mins were finished,
I was feeling almost back to normal, so went another minute! :)
Oh, this is sure going slow, but I'm determined!

5K Here I Come!

This morning, I decided to actually do a 5k on the treadmill, but first had to figure out how far that was in miles. For you who are metrically challenged like I am, that equals 3.1 miles. Well, I did it! Yah!!!! It took me 61 min. and 48 sec. So, now I have something more to work on! My idea is to speed up my time and get stronger at the same time. I guess it would also help to lose weight! :) Isn't that supposed to be a side bonus? Anyway, I'm coming along and that's good enough for me.

It's Been Almost Three Weeks & I'm Still Here! :)

This afternoon I went to the Club and worked out almost 1 1/2 hrs! I did all the designated machines for me, 5 min on the elliptical machine, added one min on the treadmill for a total of 21 AND - blow the trumpets, it's really true! I jogged one whole min on the treadmill! I'm quite proud of myself. I do feel better physically, even mentally, yet am a long way from thinking I could possibly do a 5k. At this moment it would be mainly fast walk. But, I still have weeks to go so stay tuned! Thanks for following along on this adventure with me.

Pool Day!

Yesterday I had trouble getting online, so today I'm doing two reports. Yesterday morn, Tom and I decided to do the pool instead of the machines. That was so fun! There were only two other people in the pool and I wasn't embarrassed to practice swimming! You see I've always had a fear of deep water, but do okay in the pool with sides nearby. :) It's been years since I swam so I was a little rusty! Can you be rusty in water? Huh!! Anyway, I warmed up and was able to do a whole lap without stopping! Woohoo! Afterwards, we went into the jacuzzi. Ahhh! That felt so nice. I stayed in longer than Tom, for I can take it longer. As for today, it wasn't all the eventful. I did a ten min. warmup on the stationary bike, then all the required machines (for me), the ellyptical (which I still can only handle 5 mins of!!), then ended with 20 mins on the treadmill. I'm not seeing any visual changes as yet, but I'm feeling great! Tomorrow our church group is going to a nice restaurant for Valentine's Day, so I won't be visiting the Club until Monday, the Lord willing. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Club Update

Whew, I've now completed a whole week (that means four trips). :) I'm quite proud of myself and how it makes me feel. I got a one wk pass for my hubby, so he went with me this morn. While I did the machines, he went swimming, did the sauna, and the jacuzzi. Ah, the life! :) Actually, I'm enjoying myself and think it's time the trainer upped my weights. Unfortunately, we're due a snow storm starting tomorrow morn, so I guess we'll see if I'm able to go again this week or not. Meanwhile, I hope this encourages others to give it a go! I'm actually walking the full twenty mins on the treadmill hands free! See you can teach an "aging" dog new tricks! :)

"The Club"

Well, I went for the second time today. Wednesday morn I expected to feel stiff and generally awful, but was pleasantly surprised! My big accomplishment today was walking on the treadmill without holding on. I know, I know that sounds simple right? Well, it wasn't for me until I learned my balance which was accomplished today. Yah!!! I'd like to think after having gone twice that I could notice an obvious change in the mirror. :) Nope! I have a very long way to go, but at least I'm starting the trip! The plan is to go again Saturday and then Sunday afternoon. They even gave me a pass so Tom, my hubby, can come with me for a week. Until Saturday, take care.

55 and a 5K

This last weekend I read a wellness paper put out for people 50+. Since I'm 55 I decided to look it over. Inside was an article encouraging us "older" people to get in shape for an upcoming 5K run/walk being sponsored by one of our local high schools. Can I do this? Ran through my mind as I studied my out of shape, overweight body in the mirror. Feeling strangely motivated I decided to take the 12 week challenge and signed up! Yup I really did!!! This morning at 8 pm found me at The Club with a trainer. It was embarrassing to be weighed and measured AND have it all noted on my progress card. He then took me to the stationary bike to do a heart rate test. When I didn't pass out, he moved me on to the weight machines. :) All in all, I think we were both surprised that I did better than I looked like I could do. But, after 1 1/2 hrs and the ellypical machine! I called it quits for the day! In order to come even close to running the 5K - or even a fast walk - I need to workout at least three times a week. So, like the movie "Julie @ Julia" I've decided to post my progress and/or setbacks. I'm not kidding when I say I'm overweight and out of shape, so this is quite the endeavor for me. Hopefully, there will be people reading this who will get encouraged right along with me. So --I'll see you Thursday!