Revising My FITNESS Plan

In light of the increased temptation to munch this month, I’ve decided to be pro-active and try to increase my exercise.

Weekends: When I started this diet (January 2008), I gave myself the weekends off from exercise. That is until Thanksgiving, when I was trying to undo my excesses. I plan to continue walking 4 miles a day on the weekends.
The dogs love it. I went to the mailbox the other day and they pouted when I turned back to the house. They thought we were heading out. I’d been concerned that 4 miles was too much for them, but apparently I was wrong.
Another plus: I see more of my neighbors. Since my kids are away, I no longer run into people at high school functions. Since I started walking, I’ve chatted with several people I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. It’s nice.
I burn close to 900 calories over the weekend plus bonding with my dogs and the neighbors. Everybody wins.
It’s a good plan … until there’s a blizzard … or –20 wind-chill.

Treadmill: 4 Days a week

• 50 reps on the pullover arm machine at 40 pounds. (Should be more, but I’ve twisted or strained something, so am taking it easy.
• First 10 minutes – 15% incline ... 3 minutes at 3.6 mph .. 3 minutes at 3.7 mph .. 4 minutes at 3.8 mph
• Second 10 minutes at 14% incline .. 5 minutes at 3.9 mph ... 5 minutes at 4 mph
• Third 10 minutes at 13% incline ... 5 minutes at 4.1 mph ... 5 minutes at 4.2 mph
• End – 12% incline at 4.3 mph until I hit 400 calories burned.

I’m not sure how accurately the treadmill measures calories. It doesn’t take my current weight into account.
Every few months, I need to lop off the bottom number and add to the top. That is until I hit my goal weight.
I’ve found the treadmill is MUCH easier on Monday, now that I’m exercising over the weekend.

Pilate’s:  Classes start again in mid-January. An hour of Pilate’s burns about 300 calories. I can continue doing 3 nights on the treadmill and 1 of Pilate’s or switch to 2 each. I think the Pilate's would do my core more good twice a week, but it does burn fewer calories. OR I could do 3 nights on the treadmill, 2 of Pilate’s and zero nights off. I’ll decide in January