And the Verdict is …

I went back to the neurologist this week for another MRI and MRA. My sister came with me. She was very happy not being the patient 🙂 Well the verdict is no riding, at least for now. The left vertebral artery is healing, but still has a ways to go. The doctor doesn’t want me to risk another “event” especially since there’s no clear cause of the first dissection. I’m bummed, but when he spelled out the continued risk it was rather sobbering.

The same goes with exercising. I have to start slow and see how it goes. No crazy work outs for now. I also need to be careful turning my head or moving it up and down. Gentle movements.

The good news is I can stop taking the rat poison or as it is called by the medical community, Warfarin (Coumadin). I am thrilled to be off of that stuff so I can get back to eating green veggies!! I’ve lusted over a spinach salad more than once these past seven months. The neurologist has me taking one 325 mg tablet of aspirin every day for preventitive measures against a stroke. Stroke is still a risk, lower than before, but still a risk. I know what you’re thinking … some people have all the fun!

Put on your helmet, buckle up your boots, and zip up your jackets friends – take a nice ride for me!

P.S. I’d still like to feature female motorcyclists. Ladies? Any takers? Email me at pamela(dot)court(at)gmail(dot)com and I’ll send over the questions.

 

 

Manifesto. Do you have one?

Here’s a great place to start!

 

The numbers don’t lie!

I think I originally heard, “The numbers don’t lie” on the Biggest Loser. Sounds like something Jillian would say at a weigh-in. It’s also something that I’ve been wrestling with when looking at my diet and exercise verses the scale.

For the most part I eat healthy: low sugar, lots of veggies and fruit, complex carbs, and lean meat. Since the beginning of the year I’ve exercising five to six days a week mostly to prepare for the Color Run 5K in July. You’d think there would be physical changes as a result, but nothing … nada … zilch.

So, rather than feel defeated I called in reinforcements. Enter BodyMedia Fit. It is an on-body arm band that collects a bunch of data that you sync with your computer and see the results online. I set-up goals, entered my activity level, and started recording my meals.

Arm band, computer dashboard, and phone app interface.

What a revelation to find out that what I thought was effective aerobic levels only registered as moderate! What?! This arm band is rather accurate so I couldn’t argue with it; I had to increase my workout to get into the vigorous (higher METs) to be able to hit my goals.

Well, let me tell you in one week recording and making sure I hit my goals the scaled moved … down two pounds. Yay!! This is an incredible tool if you believe you are doing the right things but nothing is changing like I was experiencing. I want to live healthy and BodyMedia Fit is helping me get there.

P.S. I just completed week 6 day 3 of my C25K training.

Image source: BodyMedia Fit

How I think I look and reality!

For me, there is so much truth in these images! I’m still laughing.

I’m still plugging away training for the Color Run in July. I’m using a treadmill and the C25K app. I’m determined to keep at it no matter what I look like (see above photo). I’m also looking for healthy recipes. Do you have any to share??

What is Happening to me?

Well I’ve gone and done it now. I’ve signed up for a 5K in July. What was I thinking?! First of all, July in Minnesota is HOT. Secondly, a 5K is about three miles and I can’t even run around the block. Thirdly, at my age? Fourthly, did I mention July’s hot weather, I don’t run or jog, and I’m almost closer to 60 that 50? Oy vay.

The 5K I signed up for is The Color Run | Minnesota. The run will be in over 100 cities across the USA. The first run is today down in Florida and the last race is November 2 in Little Rock, Arkansas. To find a city near you check here. The run supports a charity. The Minnesota charity is Open your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless. Check out this fun video of race highlights:

As of today I have 27 weeks to prepare. Theoretically, it sounds like enough time even for a couch potato like me. So where does one start? You download an App! My choice, C25K Pro Guy Hoffman. It takes you from the couch to a 5K in nine weeks. Three days a week it takes you through timed walking/jogging intervals. I’m doing this on the treadmill because it is not the time of year to be out doing this outside.

I also popped for a pair of ASICS Gel-Kayano 18 Running Shoes in pink.

ASICS Women’s GEL-Kayano 18 Running Shoes

So now I have a goal with a date, a plan to get there, and shoes! Are you doing anything crazy?

Great Expectations

My desire of becoming healthier through diet (not starving myself or following fad diets) and exercise can bring undue expectations for results. As I’ve aged I realize I cannot do what I did when I was twenty, at least not right now, but there are things I can do at fifty-something (sigh). My three week powerhouse workouts that dropped weight and re-shaped things all while not changing a thing with my diet just don’t work anymore — age does seem to have messed with my metabolism. Talk about wanting to turn back time — now I have Cher singing in my head — and with her money I could surgically turn back time too!

Back to expectations … I’ve started down this healthy road many times over the last few years but got stuck when things didn’t change after putting in a good four to six week effort. I hope that will change for me because of what I read today in the February 2013 issue of Real Simple:

“It takes six months to get into shape and two weeks to get out of shape. Once you know this you can stop being angry about other things in life and only be angry about this.” Rita Rudner, Naked Beneath my Clothes “THE WORKOUT WHISPERER”

Hum, I think someone needs to reevaluate her expectations. Everyday I need to serve myself up a huge portion of consistency and patience! I may need to be reminded of this next week, but I’m hoping this message sticks to become my great expectation that will result in lifelong changes.

What about you? Ever wish you could turn back time and get a do-over?

Resolutions … yada yada yada

Oh my! 2013 is here and my list of resolutions is still in draft form. One item that is the typical suspect on a New Year’s resolution list is exercise. The older I get the more I understand the importance of regular exercise. I’m not talking about becoming Ernestine Shepherd, even though I find her story quite motivating, I’m talking about being functionally fit. I’m still working on what that looks like both in exercise and eating healthy. I want to create a realistic plan that will work for me.

In the mean time, I found this list of exercises we’d be better off leaving behind in 2013.

– Jumping on the bandwagon.

– Beating your head against the wall.

– Beating your own drum.

– Dragging your heels.

– Jumping to conclusions.

– Grasping at straws.

– Fishing for compliments.

– Throwing your weight around.

– Passing the buck.

-Repeating excuses.

Seriously. To me, healthy living is at the center of the target for 2013. I don’t think the rest of my resolutions will be successful without it. I’m not standing still while I figure out what will work best for me. I’m working on doing something that points to my healthy living goal everyday. What plans do you have for 2013?

Remix: Profile of a Female Motorcyclist: Meet Madeleine

We first met Madeleine back on April 22, 2012. I’m doing a bit of a remix of her profile since some things have changed and she’s updated some of her answers. I also wanted to share that Madeleine is going to embark on another adventure this summer and is looking for a rider to join her.  She will be riding to Alaska starting on Friday June 28, 2013. Details will be posted on her site. Madeleine is looking for only one riding companion, not a group of riders. This rider needs to be able to pull their own weight because it will be a budget ride staying in hostels/motels and some camping when necessary. Madeleine rides between 300 to 500 miles a day depending on weather and road conditions. Now back to the profile!

Madeleine from Worcester, MA is our next lady rider! She has taken some long adventurous trips. You can find Madeleine on Twitter @mvelazquez57 or on her blog Miss Rider which is filled with stories and pictures.

How long have you been riding a motorcycle? Around 25 years

How did you learn to ride? Chasing my son around the trails riding dirt bikes. Love motocross!!!

What was your first motorcycle? Street bike, Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (hated it). Dirt bike, Yamaha 125 something, don’t remember any more.

How many have you owned? 9 including dirt bikes

Why did you want to ride a motorcycle? The thrill, fresh air, freedom, excitement (too many fun words to describe why)!

 Tell us about your riding. Commute to work, mostly on a 50cc scooter now.  Pleasure riding.  But mostly, long distance touring, like coast to coast alone.

What advice do you have for women who ride or want to ride a motorcycle? Get on two wheels and ride, ride, and ride some more so you can get so tired and sleep at night.

What is the longest trip that you’ve taken on your cycle? My longest ride was the summer of 2012. 24,140 kilometers (~15,000 miles) with a ride from the Boston area to the Panama Canal round trip that included Sturgis, South Dakota and Canada, 9 countries, 23 American states. (Check out the details on her blog.)

Do you belong to any motorcycle groups? No, I am a solo rider now.  I do have a membership to the American Motorcycle Association and love reading the monthly articles posted by other riders.

Do you have a favorite riding story? Yes, read about it here in my blog. (Check out the pictures too!)  I have so many wonderful riding stories, but this one is my favorite because it involves the animals.

What do you do when you’re not riding? I ski in the winter and teach high school students.

Madeleine standing on a motorcycle!

Landfill Harmonic

“Landfill Harmonic is an upcoming feature-length documentary about a remarkable musical orchestra in Paraguay, where young musicians play instruments made from trash. For more information about the film, please visit facebook.com/landfillharmonicmovie.”

Profile of a Female Motorcyclist: Meet Courtney a.k.a. Mz Pink

I don’t know how I found and started following @diamondgirlzmc but I saw her tweet, “Launched DiamondGirlzMC.com one year ago Nov 2011 and we’re over 93,000 visits! http://instagr.am/p/SrNJLhESmH/ “ and I retweeted with my congratulations. Then the lightbulb went off … here’s another lady rider to profile, I just need to ask!

I am pleased as punch to introduce to you Courtney a.k.a. Mz Pink co-founder and President of Diamond Girlz MC – an all female motorcycle club out of Boston, MA.

Courtney and PINK!

How long have you been riding a motorcycle? 9 years

How did you learn to ride? I always LOVED motorcycles but only knew one rider … my Brother who lived two states away.  One day I just bought a bike, called my brother and asked him to come down one weekend and teach me.  He did and after 4 hours or so in a parking lot I was ready to hit the streets and never looked back!!  It was not long until I started meeting many biker friends in the streets.  After that it is history!!!

What was your first motorcycle? Kawasaki Ninja 250- Yellow

How many have you owned? I am currently on my 4th. I spent one summer on the 250 and then thought of it as a scooter — LOL – and upgraded to a GSXR 600 which I customized all white and pink. Don’t get me wrong, the 250 was a GREAT bike to learn on but I was soon ready for more power! After the GSXR I got a R6 which I customized Pink and now I have had my 2003 Kawasaki 636 for the past 4 summers; this is my baby and she is ALL custom- Pink of course with Diamonds on her. She has won many, many shows and I love her!!

Winning with PINK!

Why did you want to ride a motorcycle? It looked fun and had a sense of freedom!!

Tell us about your riding. I love riding. I ride practically every single day in the summer. Unfortunately I live in Boston so we really only have 7 – 8 months of good riding weather. I seek great pleasure in riding and love being in an all female motorcycle club because we have a sisterhood and a very tight bond that no one can break. We travel and make a lot of weekend trip plans over the summer. We go on many trips together and have a blast.

What advice do you have for women who ride or want to ride a motorcycle? That you only live once and why live it “wanting” to do something … live it “doing it”.  I tell every female that who wants to ride:  You can do ANYTHING you want and put your mind to!!

What is the longest trip that you’ve taken on your cycle?  The longest I have ever rode was to NJ (3 times over the years) and to NY several times which NJ trip was about 260 miles one way … put it this way … I ride 🙂 I bought my bike 4 years ago with 4,200 miles on it and today I have 36,071 miles on my baby!!

Do you belong to any motorcycle groups? I am the Co-Founder and President of Diamond Girlz MC an all female motorcycle club out of Boston MA that was established in Feb 2008. We started with 8 females and today we have 11 fully patched members and 1 prospect (of course members have come and gone) the 3 “original members” from day 1 who are still by my side are my 2 loyal sisters Teez my VP and Jewels my SGT at Arms – Thank you ladies!!!

Diamond Girlz MC, Boston

We have come a long way in 5 years and I am very proud of what we have accomplished! We do a lot of community service and have a very strong bond with one another. We also just put out our first ever 2013 Diamond Girl calendar which you can see on our website. Also all the details for our 5th year anniversary event the weekend of Feb 8th and 9th 2013 is all on our website, Please check us out DiamondGirlzMC.com Before Diamond Girlz then I was a member of a co-ed club Bikerz Finest in Boston. I saw a “vision” for an all female club in Boston and saw through it!!!

Diamond Girlz MC

Do you have a favorite riding story? Every 3rd Sunday of the month is Diamond Girl day- we meet up around 11AM plan a day trip and ride and hang out for the whole day. Diamond Girl days are ALWAYS my favorite!!!!

Dressed to ride