Oh - also - I'm winning.
I used to be able to rely solely on my job (landscaper) to fulfill my exercise needs. The combo of hitting 50 and being sidelined from most physical activity for months while my arm healed up started the ball rolling, and did very unsettling things to my shape.
While I've never been tiny, I have always been fit and strong. There is only so far I plan to go in the pants / breeches size department. THERE WILL BE NO RESORTING TO ELASTIC! I've been walking / running five days a week for the last month, got a jawbone for keeping track of all the vitals, and am making better food choices. Or really just thinking before I shove something in my mouth. (chocolate makes the worries go away) My goal is to lose 25 lbs. It will take a while - shooting for June. I'll stay accountable here on the blog. Any recommendations on running shoes would be welcome.
Meanwhile Val has totally lost his topline. It may have slid down and become extra belly. No amount of shimming could fix the fit of our Neidersuss. While I am all about riding bareback, we do need the option of a workable saddle. I lucked out and found a lovely County Warmblood on ebay, which fits both of us beautifully. We've been doing short rides - aiming for a nice forward walk at this point - and slowly increasing as fitness improves. Lucky for Val - his eating habits can basically stay the same - there's just more activity in his future... activity not related to his jaw muscles.
I've also cheated on Val
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| New saddle fit and proof of fluffiness... |
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♬♪♫ On the second day of Christmas... ♬♪♫
I hear ya about eating better and exercising. Unfortunately, it's time for me to do the same. I've been doing the exercise bike and walking. I really need to ride more but so far Blue and I have only been walking until he gets in better shape too. Like Val he's a little on the chubby side because he never stops eating. Good luck to us all.
ReplyDeleteLiked the dressage video. While watching it I was thinking to myself that I'd never be able to do that without a saddle or maybe even with one!
Oh,P.S. The new saddle looks very nice.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you have found some breathing room. I can really empathize with a lot of this post. I too am having a lot of health problems, and the the anxiety is a killer. I wish i could say I was dealing with it well, but no. I hope things continue to improve for you and I am glad to see you back.
ReplyDeleteI had gallbladder surgery two years ago and that, combined with being over 50, did me in. I'm up 25 lbs over "ideal" and 15 over "acceptable." I, like you, always stayed fit just working around the ranch and riding. No more. I bought myself a Fitbit and I'm walking more --and going up stairs constantly -- but have not been able to lose any weight. So frustrating!!!
ReplyDeleteNice new saddle! Great to keep yourself accountable here on the blog! Perhaps you'd like to take part in my blog hop for 2016 goals? http://equus-blog.com/equus-education-blog-hop-equine-goals-2/
ReplyDeleteWill look forward to reading about your progress - good luck!
Wow, you are inspiring for sure! The garden looks amazing (yes, drip irrigation all the way). So happy to find a like-minded horsewoman and wish you the best on your adventures!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the farmette resolution!
ReplyDeleteLove the new saddle and that both you and Val are getting more movement in. Love the last pic of you two!
ReplyDeleteLove the selfie of you and Val, you both smiled!
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