Stepping up the Steps

Last night when about 500 steps into my 900-step routine, carrying 33 lbs of added weight, I felt inspired to increase the steps to 1000, which I did.  It was hard--I don't think I've ever sweat so much doing exercise, drops of sweat falling off my face and much of my t-shirt damp.  Now the question is, how to increase my arm exercises to get the extra 100 steps in for my even-day routine.  I've been doing 140 steps of each of 5 arm exercises (=700), and 100 steps of holding one 10 lb weight straight out in front of me (excellent for core strength), and 100 of just holding a 10 lb weight in each hand.  Tonight I'm going to do 150 of each of the last 2, and that will give me 1000 steps.

My weight this morning was 180.6, down a full lb from last Tuesday.  For many people, losing only one pound a week will be much too slow to satisfy their rush to get the weight off.  But for me, it's not just about losing weight, it's about enjoying life while I'm losing it and having the confidence to know that what I am doing is inspired by Heavenly Father -- He knows much better than anyone else what my body needs at this time.  I still can't believe I am even losing weight at all from a 1750 calorie budget.  Steps take me about 50 minutes or so, and since I do them at home, I don't have any lost time from driving to and from a gym. I'm able to listen to scriptures while I do steps, so I am not only strengthening my body, but nourishing my spirit.

It's a very good program for me, and I'm indeed grateful for the inspiration from Heavenly Father.  I don't know what mechanism fails when we let ourselves go like that, but I feel it is just one of the addictive behaviors that plague our society -- be it drugs, or alcohol, or food, or pornography, or computer games, or whatever.  God gives us weaknesses so we may become strong.  Whatever weakness we have, it's for our good.

Here's my progress chart.  Click to enlarge.

Edited to Add:

I had barely gotten started with my steps tonight when I felt inspired to do 200 each of the 5 arm exercises -- so I did.  That was tough.  Since I do the arm exercises for half (10 out of each 20 steps), that totaled 100 repetitions of each exercise, using 10 lb weights in each hand.  

Downward, ever downward -- Breaking through the 2009 low

This last week I not only secured a place below my previous 2010 low of 184.2, I also ducked below my 2009 low of 182.  So this was a very good week.  And, alas, time to add another lb to the weighted vest, which now puts me up to 32 lbs. to carry on my even-days steps.

Gardening and yard work is helping out, as it keeps me much more active during the day. However, I was so worn out by Saturday night, that I decided to forgo my steps for that night.  In addition, on Saturday my granddaughter didn't want the last 1/4 of her ice cream bar, so I took it off her hands, but then forgot to write down the 40 calories on my daily consumption.  I remembered on Sunday, too late to do anything about it.  However, I deducted it from my Sunday calories and did 40 extra steps on Monday night.  I am still doing 1750 for my calorie budget.

I continue to be very pleased with the success of this program, and I owe it all to my Lord Jesus Christ, who knows me and my body better than I or any mortal expert does, and who gently guides me into getting the right program.  I have a strong testimony that all of the plans that I've followed were inspired by a Wise and Loving God who knew what was best for me at the time.  Yes, I've had periods of failure when I gave up on myself, but He's never given up on me.

Here are the 2 charts as of today, Tuesday, June 7, 2011.  My next milestone is to break out of the severely obese category, which is to get under 173 lbs.  I highly recommend using these categories as milestones, because they do mark a dramatic change for your body.  Forget dress size -- focus instead on the work your body must do to carry all that extra weight.  If you don't believe me, strap 32 lbs on yourself and try to go about your life as usual.  Then imagine what it's like to carry 50, 75, 100 and even more extra pounds, 24/7.

You can click either chart to enlarge.