I got back from the ski-resort and I've discovered I've lost 5lbs of weight in 10 days at altitude. I attribute this news to probably higher leptin levels. I did get plenty of exercise while I was there and hiked it to the top of the local hill of 11,307 feet on the penultimate day. Was it worth it? Absolutely. I think Danny Cahill's experience of losing 239 lbs and not being able to keep most of it off because of low levels of leptin may well have been his principle issue post season 8 of the biggest loser. I know now I didn't feel any hunger whilst I was up on the hill and I am fitter as a result. I am contemplating going back up this hill (or other closer high ground/ hills) in the near future..
I've been meaning to do an update on my last post.
I got back from Utah and I've been exercising every day, either by cycling or hiking. What I've discovered is that I get more out cycling if I put in some elevation (climbing). I've found that while riding unless I'm pushing myself really hard I can't break a sweat. Yet if I'm climbing yes I can get a sweat on. I've found a "Category 3" hill to climb that's nearly 2 miles long and I rode up it last night twice. By the time I got to the top on the second ride up the hill, I was dripping in sweat! I got 1000 feet in elevation in climbing in under an hour, its a great find. I have a weak left knee as a result of 3 surgeries and that I've to balance a good workout versus wearing out my left knee. So the category 3 climb seems doable at the moment.
I've also found hill to walk (twice) that by the time I'm done is 4.5-5.0 miles in length. It takes about 90 minutes to hike up that hill and I've climbed 1050 feet too. Oddly enough I get less pain from my knees while hiking TG. Yet then there are the Diamondback rattlesnakes..
Strava says I've burned 800kcals at the end of that walk. I'll probably have to do the cycling hill 3 times to get a similar kcal burn out of it. The moral of the story here is either 1000 feet of elevation gain via hiking or about 1500 + feet of cycling climb to get a good and meaningful workout.
I had an A1c done a while back and I'm post-diabetic, at 5.8% reading. I still get neuropathy (in the feet) mostly in the mornings but its occurrence is waning. I put on a few pounds of weight after Utah by not paying attention to the scales but with some resistant starches I'm sure my weight will be coming down soon..
I feel quite envious of you all. I have t2 but also chronic fatigue syndrome so exercise today consisted of a 20 minute walk in the woods but sitting down every 5 mins on a portable stool!
I feel quite envious of you all. I have t2 but also chronic fatigue syndrome so exercise today consisted of a 20 minute walk in the woods but sitting down every 5 mins on a portable stool!
The journey of 1000 miles begins with but one step. If you read the story over at www.fixingdad.com of Geoff Whittington he was bad when it came to exercise. So just take it one day at a time. The category 3 climb gives one a feeling of achievement at the end of doing two rides up it. Next time I'm there I'll do three rides. Being able to break into a pukka sweat is the target for me for a good workout, especially if I can cycle climb up a hill. The following day I notice less neuropathy in my feet too from the dawn phenonmen. So that's how I know I am doing myself a power of good..
