Couch to 5k update

Hmmm, sore knees put an end to my C25K last week but I intend to get back into it again next week.  On the activity front I've been super busy around the house and garden. Today I managed to get in 14 567 steps or 8.29kms without leaving my yard.  I'm doing resistance work in the form of digging, weeding, carting tubs of garden waste, throwing or kicking balls for the dogs, raking etc.  I'm feeling pretty good and my body is coping well with all the activity. I'm careful to mix up the types of movement I'm doing to try and prevent aches and pains.  For the first time in years gardening isn't leaving me in quite horrible and often debilitating pain.  Woohooo!!  I'm so happy, excited and grateful for the health I have at present. I am so close to good health I can sniff it!

I made a big decision last week and cancelled my Weight Watchers subscription.  My weight loss has been so slow that I'm finding it hard to continue justifying the $50 per month fee.  I have been losing slowly whether I count propoints or not (have experimented) so have decided to take a break. I can rejoin if I even feel the need to but I can still count points if I want as I have all the books, knowledge, trackers etc.  I feel good about the decision, actually I feel relieved and interestingly have found it easier to eat well since cancelling. 

So, where do I go from here? 

I'm going to keep moving each day much as I am now. I either work in the house and garden and count my daily steps or I hit the treadmill, cycle or walking path for intentional exercise.  I also do some yoga most days.  I started yoga ....wow, 19 years ago. I was living in a remote community in far north Queensland's Cape York and my yoga teacher was an elderly French woman who had done her training in India many years previously.  Her classroom was a cement brick room in the rainforest, fully screened to keep the mossies out.  Now, my yoga practice relies heavily on the use of some wonderful DVD's I have by Louise Wiggins.  Her approach to yoga is lovely and the variety of her sequences  throughout her DVD's is really great.  Some are similar to Thai Chi and Chi Kung, others are more 'pure yoga' sequences.  Love them and love Louise.  I haven't been back to the pool due to ahem... a togs malfunction - pants fall down. Oops. Being winter togs are very hard to find so I'll wait until they hit the shops again and get back into it.  By then our pool here at home should be warm enough to use too.

As for my eating, I'm going to stop stressing about points (but use the knowledge they've given me about the cost of some foods). It feels rather unnatural to me.  I'm going to focus on planning my meals and eating instinctively and mindfully and see where that takes me over the next couple of months. I shall keep weighing myself regularly and if I start to move up the scale I'll kick my butt or head back to Weight Watchers.

All in all my life it in a pretty good place at the moment. I feel happier, stronger and more relaxed than I have in a long time.  I feel engaged in life outside the home as I've had the energy to go out to movies, to eat out etc with Jeff. I also LOVE my weekly art classes which are giving me so much.  Socialising with the other fantastic students. I am part of such a lovely group of people, it's really special.  I'm loving the 'doing' of art and am redeveloping so much confidence as I unfurl my talent to work with the skills I'm learning. I feel like my life is richer and has more of a purpose now other than just surviving and focussing everything within me on getting through my day and healing.  I'll keep you posted.

Wishing you all well.