Lets Post our Daily Exercise

LOL on all the cat stories. We're catless now for the first time in almost 30 years, and it's amazing how much more sleep we get!  The other thing is that I can have plants and cut flowers in the house without having them chewed up and strewn all over the floor. Yet, I still missing have a cat (or three) around. We know a cat will find us when the time is right. 

Ann - so sorry about the almost-osteoporosis. Think of what it might have been without all your exercise. Still, it's discouraging when you do everything right and still have issues. Hopefully your medical team can come up with a good game plan.  And you're right about that usually they just remove what they can in a colonoscopy, but during mine the doctor found a tiny (1mm) polyp, but it was right where the colon bends, and when he went to remove it, it slipped into a fold and he could not get it out to remove. He was laughing when he described what they went through to try to get it - he said they were rolling me like a rotisserie trying to get it, but no luck. 

Ruth - it must be colonoscopy season as a good friend is having hers today as well. Good luck to your dh. 

Played hookey yesterday to go to an afternoon Nats game.  Tried a different Nats Walk - if we don't change lines on Metro, the closest we can get to the ballpark is Union Station, about 2 miles away. (The Sculpted Sisters who did the DC trip last year will remember Union Station.). Yesterday we tried walking from there and it was beautiful. The route takes us across the Capitol grounds, then through the old Capitol Hill neighborhood with lovely18th century homes. The cherry blossoms are peaking, and it was beautiful. Plus we got in 4 miles of walking!  

Took this yesterday. Note the school group in the lower right - they're out in force right now!

All the cat stories had me ROFLing! I love all the cat names!  Orea and I have something in common.  heehee Haven't worked out yet today.  I've worked out every day since last Friday, so debating ..... LOL  )  Might squeeze in an hour on the EFX today. I would skip it, but darn it, got into some Easter treats yesterday. I finally got my healthier treats in stock  now though. Trader Joe's Cat Cookies (chocolate). Only 1.5 gram of fat and 15 little cookies are 1 serving, so I can have a bite every once in a while.  It's too hot to get outside now to do the mountain, supposed to be 95 here today.  It's unseasonably warm for us.  Next week back into the 80's. Have a super pleasant Friday everyone!

Ruth - What aspirin do you take?  I think the one I purchased is too high of a dose.

Today - 25 min. of elliptical,  20 min. stair stepper, 30 minutes lower body weights and crunches, 10 minutes stretching.  

I walked 63 minutes today.  Not at once.  I started walking one time around my work building and doing my stair routine.  That takes about 10 to 12 minutes.  Then I do a 20 or so minute walk at lunch and the rest after work with the dog and son.  Of course I don't know if this will last when the weather moves from fabulous to hot. 

Dogs are similar to cats in messing with your sleep.  My dog for years would hide under the bed until I fell asleep and then I'd find him up on the bed just where my feet couldn't tell he was there.  Then he'd wake up scratching in the middle of the night.  I finally kicked him out so I could sleep! 

I haven't been a good sleeper for years but after chemo I couldn't sleep without ibuoprofen until my doc said that was bad for my liver and gave me gabapentin.  It works quite well if anyone wants to add more drugs to their repetoire.  I know, I know, I was not excited about that either but I do sleep much better.

Regarding aspirin, I was able to find the full study that talked specifically about breast cancer recurrence and death from breast cancer.  I figure it doesn’t do any good to look at studies about cancer in general or preventing breast cancer because we’re already beyond preventing it, so I always look for reference to recurrence and distant recurrence.  Here’s some of the highlights.

• We found that aspirin use after a breast cancer diagnosis was associated with a decreased risk of distant recurrence, breast cancer death, and death from any cause.
• Aspirin use was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer death. Relative to never aspirin users, the multivariate adjusted RRs were 0.88 (95% CI, 0.64 to 1.22), 1.07 (95% CI, 0.70 to 1.63), 0.29 (95% CI, 0.16 to 0.52), and 0.36 (95% CI, 0.24 to 0.54; test for trend, P < .001) for past, current 1 day per week, current 2 to 5 days per week, and current 6 to 7 days per week of use, respectively. Simple models adjusted for time since diagnosis and age were similar. Results did not differ appreciably when stratified by stage, BMI, menopausal status, or ER status.
• Results with distant recurrence as the outcome were similar to results for breast cancer death
• Aspirin seems to affect both ER-positive and -negative tumors.

Regarding dose:

• We lack details on aspirin dose. If there is a dose response, the effect size in the current study may be diminished because frequent aspirin users may be more likely to be low-dose users attempting to prevent heart disease.

So this sounds like all around good news.  As they said, they didn’t gather data on dosage used.  But they did gather data on the reasons for taking aspirin.  About 35% were taking it for heart disease and stroke prevention, about 46% for pain, whether it be joint, back, headache, etc.  So we do know that everyone was not taking low dose, because you don’t take low dose for pain.  Perhaps the ones taking it 7 days a week were more likely taking low dose.  At any rate, if I'm guessing I would do either low dose every day or 2 325 mg at least 2 or 3 times a week. 

Really tired and not motivated but the Doctors had show on weight loss and exercise so I said 'Self, get ye up off the couch and move somehow' and I did.  Marched in place for 40 mins until the show went off and even held hand weights throughout.  Just about 6000 steps today. 

Thanks all who answered on the fitbit.  I do 81 mg aspirin which I don't believe to be exceptionally hazardous to the liver.  I take it before bed as they also say it's best taken at night if you're doing it for heart health.  Who knows.

Someone mentioned having colonoscopy so soon again - that was me.  The gastro doc who did the original one back in December removed one polyp but the other polyp is flat and they prefer a surgeon to remove it as it's more risky/tricky.  It's not even being done in the usual small med center but in the hospital because he wants to have all available tools handy.  Wow, now I'm scaring myself.

Night my sculpted friends.

Patoo - we were posting at the same time. Wishing you the best next week when you have your procedure. Praying for a good report.

nihahi - so 3mg of melatonin is ok but more than that isn't?  I'm always chicken to try more than the recommended dose on the bottle but I might be willing to try 3mg.  Heck, if 10mg of ambien doesn't keep me asleep all night what's the harm in 3mg of melatonin.  My PHP did tell me I could take melatonin in combination with either the ambien or OTC sleep aids. 

 Ann, enjoy the hooping workshop tomorrow  and Odie, good luck to you. Mary, nice blue sky photo. Patoo, I run with a Nike ipod sensor that is in a pouch that attaches to my shoe lace and wear my ipod (around my waist)  during a run that measures and records the distance and pace of a walk or run and calories burned while listening to my playlist too. It's sold cheaply over here (£15),  and now, never run without it.    This is my day off exercise and will to work on getting the raised beds in shape for spring veg planting.

hi gang, haven't been here all week so pages behind.  Off to a Bunny Hop 5K this morning so no time to catch up now.  Just wanted to check in and report 15.5 miles walked this week.  Loving the spring weather!  Been out walking every day and even jogged a few driveways.  Although I will never be a runner, I decided to try the C25K (couch to 5K) program to build up my cardiovascular fitness so I don't pass out in Eduardo's class in 7 weeks LOL. 

BBL  ♥ to all

I ran 4 miles after work yesterday.  I was feeling washed out and unmotivated, but I was home alone and the voices got e out the door.  It felt good once I got over the first hill. I am glad I went.

Bounce - Great job!  You will be amazed at how quickly you feel a change once you start to move.  Every step, pedal, etc moves you ahead!

Odie - Good luck today!  I have not been cleared by my RO yet.  I see him May 5, so swimming and getting muddy are still off the table for me for now.  I do think they look fun though.  I am sure it won't be long before the Voices make me take part in an obstacle/muddy event.

Sweet - Great job!  I am glad you have your foot pain under control so that you can keep moving.  Don't be too hard on yourself about the mini cinnamon rolls.  A little treat here and there isn't the worst thing in the world for us.

Patoo - I find that I am comforted by a Dr that plans for complications, even if the chances are slight.  I would rather have them be able to handle it, then have them caught of guard and not have what they need.  Besides, Murphy's Law seems to really like me, so I like the Boy Scout moto - always be prepared

Just gave my 75 lb dog her bath, solo while DH goes out for his 25 mile bike ride.  She is afraid of it and spends the entire time trying to climb out - so it counts as a workout.  Now I have to clean the bath, vacuum the bedroom, wash her bed cover and the other chores that go with bathing the dog. I guess it is a good time to start my Spring cleaning.  The windows are open and the air smells fabulous!  Have a great day everyone 

dulci - I'm so proud of you!  Just goes to show what perseverance can do

stillrunning - Oh, I seldom beat myself up too badly about the occasional gluttonous, impulsive junk food episode (I've been known to make chocolate chip cookie dough just to eat as a bedtime snack).  I just confess to my sculpted sisters and move on.....lol!

It's a little late to get much of it done but I'm gonna go put my work boots on and do some raking.  Whatever I can get done will be that much less another day, and will burn some calories too.

Love to all!

Killing animals for fun! 

hi all, finally caught up.  Welcome Red & SDB - good to have you join us!  Don't worry about initial fitness, ya gotta start somewhere, right?  The important thing is to start. 

I started a walking program in March 2010 after BMX but before chemo.  Since then, I've logged 4,329.6 miles.  Started with a shuffle to the mailbox and back.  I keep track in my sig. line here @ BCO (see below). 

Fun 5K this morning, a nice variety of people, from serious runners (one in wild Easter egg tights LOL) to families with strollers.  I was in a fast pack of walkers and finished in a respectable 46:10.

Odie, hope your 5K obstacle course was just as fun.

Patoo, good luck for next week!

LB, LOL @ OCD border collie; I know several and they're all obsessed.

I'm fortunate to live in farm country and have access to wholesome organic food that's grown/raised locally. I don't hunt but many do and I'm OK with it as long as it's for food.  South Africa sounds exciting, Lisa!

Flower beds are calling, we have tulips and daffodils coming up, tiger lilies too.  Hostas need to be cleaned up and I should go do that, before the rain tonight.  ♥