Finally, an update

 

I really haven't been too good about keeping this blog up to date.  If there are any one out there still following me, I want to fill you in on what has been happening since my last blog.

First I am pleased to report that I have now lost 37 pounds, 13 since returning from Duke. I have joined the York Heart Health Institute where they have a good gym with a Nu-step in it. I have been going 5-6 times a week spending an hour to an hour and a half.  My routine has been to use the tread mill first for 30 minutes. I warm up for a few minutes and then start increasing the elevation 1 degree at a time for one minute.  So far I have gotten up to a 12 degree elevation.  Then I work my way back down to 0 elevation one minute at a time and cool down.  Then I go to the Nu-step machine.  On it I warm up at level 6 and then increase the level one increment at a time for 2 1/2 minutes working my way up to level 10, then back down to 6.  On odd days I then use the weight machines for 20-25 minutes.  I have increased my weight on all of them except the one that involves my arm.  I have stayed at 45 pounds on that one.  I am having a complete right shoulder replacement on May 12th and I want to strengthen the muscles around the joint before I am operated on.

Last Sunday evening I made a 2 hour presentation at church on what I had learned at Duke.  22 folks showed up! Half way through, my good friend Barbra Boschart and I shared 7 recipes from the Duke cookbook.  Every recipe was a hit, even the tofu parfait! I must say, I have enjoy the recipes in the cookbook.  My one complaint is the number of servings for many of the recipes.  I often need to cut the recipe way down two make 2 or 4 servings.

I have been increasing my walking distance over the last month.  Most of the time, I have been at the high school track which has a cork track, very easy on the legs.  Today Barb, Karen and I walked 4 miles from the high school and back along Long Beach and Short Beach here in York.