Intention

I realize this word is full of potential. Many of us don't realize our potential. Because we don't become engaged, active.

That is where the 'forward' and 'motion' concept connect with the intentional. One needs to engage. Be active.

I ponder this while I run/walk my long runs.
Even my intention is just that, intention, on some days. I have planned a core workout and/or a run/walk, but I don't do it.

Right now, I'm in the last days of training for a marathon, so I understand why I'm being sluggish on some days.

That makes me ponder my intentions for being a healthly athlete. After recovering from the marathon, my intention is to be actively engaged for 30-60 minutes 5 or 6 of 7 days. With strength and core training mixed into the days.

My personal goals are:

to realize my health potential:
--manage my diabetes (keep my a1c at 6.0 or below)
--manage my weight ( helps to manage diabetes and blood pressure)
--eat healthy foods in appropriate amounts
--exercise: cardio, strength, core, stretch

Calories

So, what I said about the inexactness of determining how many calories burned during exercise goes the same for how many calories one eats.
Its a guess, an approximation.

I have to 'guess' whether an apple is medium or large. And with the supersizing of all of our food, one is hard pressed to know the size of an apple. What is 'medium'? In whose eyes?

There are those food labels, right?
I've always taken those as a guide, but not exact.

Weight Management is all about intake (calories) and output (exercise).
Its also about choosing healthy foods.

What I am learning about myself is that I consume more calories than I think. Or am willing to admit, even if I record what I eat. Its an approximation.

The indicator that I'm underestimating calories is that the scale isn't moving much. Even with the high mileage that comes with training for a marathon.

So, for the time being, I'm focusing on training and preparing for the marathon with sights to January and beyond to focus on healthy eating and continuing managing weight.

example:

Last night I ran/walked 5 miles. One hour and 10 minutes. My all-knowing watch ( a Garmin Forerunner 305 ) said I burned 720 calories.

That fits with the idea that one burns about 100 calories per mile or per 10 minutes....plus, given that I weigh more than the type of person that 'rule' is for.

Go out for dinner or eat too many snacks... the empty calories add up fast.

Making wise choices is critical in fueling and refueling the body. And when weight managment is the goal, one needs to be diligent.

calories in.....so few out.

I am continually amazed at how easy it is to consume calories.
Without realizing it, one can consume 1000 calories. easily. After running on Wednesday nights, we meet the running buds at a local resturant chain. When I look up the dietary info for some of their foods, the 'healthier' foods are attributed with 1000+ calories.

Problem is, I don't burn that many calories running that night.
What they say is, 100 calories per mile. If one is heavier than the typical, one burns more calories.
but still, it is really difficult to burn close to 1000 calories.
The other night, I ran 5 miles at a 12 pace. That comes up to less than 900 calories.

Calories are approximate, of course.
In exercise.
In food, maybe not so approximate.

Point is: its definately easier to consume calories than to expend them.

It's like a second job.

We are currently training for a marathon. Into the stage of long miles. Run. Thats all we plan on the day of our scheduled long run. We don't schedule anything social. We'll be too tired. and perhahps sore. We are running/walking about a 13 to 15 pace, average. So we need to plan on 5-6 hours to run, get to the location and get home.

After our last marathon, we took the 'rest' admonition seriously and quit running or exercising. It was the beginining of our downfall--struggling to get back in the habit and pattern of exercise.

We didn't intentionally exercise.
When we did, it was an add on to our life.

By approaching our exercise as intentional ( and a second job), planning our daily exercise, we continue the mindset of exercise as part of life.

Health, in its largest sense, is the motivation for intentional forward motion.
Intention, focuses the effort.