One hour or die – exercising 1 hour a day as recommended by the AMA – final update

It’s been almost two months now since I started moderately exercising every day. My son Griffin (who joined me halfway through) and I have learned a few things along the way:

• It’s never the boyfriend who commits the murder – that’s too obvious
• Those water bottle flavor packs that clearly dissolve keeping people from knowing you are cheating by drinking something sweetened are the bomb
• While Griffin can work up a sweat that can bleed down to his belly button, my sweat stays as a sopping yoke around my chest stopped by my bra line. Yet one more difference between the boys and girls.

This past week I also read the book Younger Next Year for Women – Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge M.D. It was recommended to me by one of my Facebook friends. Finally, there is a document that gave me true and reasonable reasons to exercise (Basically exercise sets up “good” inflammation with then triggers repair of tissue which turns back the clock on your body.) It’s a fascinating and entertaining read that will get you up out of your seat by the end of the first few chapters.

I started exercising an hour a day because I was challenging the American Medical Association, I’ll continue because of that book.

Here are the stats for the past week – My total weight lost is 5.4 pounds – there was no difference from last week’s weight to this week. But boy have I noticed a difference in my body. I see lines now where previously there were amorphous blobs. I breath better and I have a bit more hitch in my get up and go.

Although I did end up back in Physical Therapy this month (chronic knee injury – I’m sure the exercise irritated a few things) I was still able to continue exercising. I just now needed to figure out how to fit in 3 additional 2 hour appointments on top of the hour a day into my schedule.

This exercise routine could easily become a full time job.

This past weekend, I and a group of my friends participated in the 5 mile New Hampshire Start! Heart Walk benefiting the American Heart Association. Even though I had signed up for the walk months ago, I was a little concerned about the event, as was my Physical Therapist.

Do you really think it’s a good idea? He asked me using his best mom voice.

Well, no, I wasn’t sure it was the best idea but after two months of walking and elliptical work at the gym, if my legs couldn’t do it now then they would probably never do it.

Legs be damned, I was going to do it.

Game On Gals

Here is a photo of the ladies at the finish line. That’s me at the end with a knee that is hoping to one day be the stunt double for a basket ball.

But no worries, with ice and a little Motrin, the swelling went down by the evening. The next day I was fine which is nothing short of miraculous for this ‘ol knee of mine. I don’t know if the continued exercise is responsible for this improvement (it certainly didn’t hurt) or the Physical Therapy or if it was just the hand of God but whatever is the cause, I thank it.

Although the American Medical Association published the exercise study suggesting that middle aged women exercise daily for 1 hour a day for the sole purpose of maintaining weight, I – Wendy Thomas- am making the recommendation that everyone exercise 1 hour a day just to make sure they can participate in life and feel alive once again.

The benefit of getting to spend time and having meaningful conversations with your son is simply icing on the cake.

Advertisement