Talk about your exercise experience today [Archive] - Page 4

Kelt

08-24-2013, 08:26 AM

Have arrived at a point where trying to fit in two speed walks a day just ends up making my joints sore -- which is why the variety of cross training (walking, biking, swimming, shooting hoops) works so much better for me. The frustrating thing is that both my pup and I want to walk more (especially in this gorgeous weather) -- but the consequences just aren't worth it. I don't know how many of you are able to physically tolerate walking or running 4+ miles daily on a regular basis. My feet/knees/ankles can't handle it (despite wearing appropriate athletic walking shoes). Thank goodness the gym reopens tomorrow! It will be a full and fun day of exercise, plus!

Same here. I can't handle impact at all. Spine issues. I can go for miles in softish sand, but 4-5 blocks on a hard surface, like a sidewalk can be very painful. Gym equipment like ellipticals and such where you do not pick up your feet work alright too.

Artzy76

08-24-2013, 03:51 PM

*whew* ok so last night was my Day 1 back into the gym after 3 weeks of not having the motivation.
What a torture session ... my lesson is... do not take 3 weeks off. LOL
I go to a MMA/kickboxing gym. Today's training session was legs... NICE!
We started out Doing Leg Lunges across the room. holding 8lb weights in each hand. 5 minutes then 5 minutes of leg lunges on tippy toes. Heels were not permitted to touch the floor... If you got to fast Matt (the trainer) would tell us to slowwwwwwwww down on the lunges.... YES! More pain please.. LOVE IT! LOL
Then we went onto the bags... we were doing 4 minute rounds we started with 6 straight punches, 2 jumping jacks, 1 kick, push up, mountain climber then back up & start over... we worked our way from 6 down to 1 straight punches 4 minute rounds each. Then we did 5 minutes of sit ups as we came up 2 straight punches on bag... and back to sit up...
After that we moved into Our Squat routine which was AMAZING!
Start in holding squat when he said UP we had to jump up and when he said down we had to go from squat to knees to floor and back up to holding squat. When he said Hook we did a holding squat and did 10 left right hooks on bag. This squat adventure lasted 8 minutes...
I thought for sure class was over when he said.. good job get some water...
until i sip my water to hear Matt yell... AB-TIME... Get back on the mats...
omfg...
Yes... leg lift holds... he said... lets do our alphabet... NICE!
Yes this is where we do holding leg lifts 6 in. from floor and he calls out the letters of the alphabet and we trace the letters with our feet and back into 6 in leg lift hold.
Now we know our ABC's ...
and today... my ass and thighs are on FIREEEEEEEE!!
Hutzzzzzzz SO good!
Pushing through the pain...

Gemme

08-24-2013, 04:10 PM

Are you a member of two gyms?

To report in....cardio a couple of times a week, but no regular schedule. At least I am still moving sometimes! :blink: Bettter than nothin'

I'm a member of Planet Fitness and my level of membership allows me to visit other gyms up to 10 times per month for no extra charge.

Have arrived at a point where trying to fit in two speed walks a day just ends up making my joints sore -- which is why the variety of cross training (walking, biking, swimming, shooting hoops) works so much better for me. The frustrating thing is that both my pup and I want to walk more (especially in this gorgeous weather) -- but the consequences just aren't worth it. I don't know how many of you are able to physically tolerate walking or running 4+ miles daily on a regular basis. My feet/knees/ankles can't handle it (despite wearing appropriate athletic walking shoes). Thank goodness the gym reopens tomorrow! It will be a full and fun day of exercise, plus!

Why do they both need to be speed walks? Slow some of your walks down. The pup will get more walks and your joints won't ache like the Dickens.

Gemme

08-24-2013, 04:12 PM

Early morning gym visit!

Treadmill: 30 minutes, 1.69 miles, 192 calories

+

Upper body weight training

+

Abs

+

Strrreeeeettttch

=

Booyah!

Metro

08-24-2013, 04:51 PM

I have not tried walking 4+ miles on a daily basis. I spoke before about difficulty with walking at high speeds on a treadmill (arches hurt). It can be the same on concrete/blacktop. Doing over 4 miles on a dirt trail is not a problem. I could easily do quite a number of miles daily. Consider trail walking/running as the softer ground will feel more comfortable. Plus, your pup will love it!

Thanks, Dapper -- yes, hiking trails is something I have done with all my dogs on special occasion (especially when traveling to wooded regions). And agreed, it's great and a lot easier on the joints. However, for a daily routine I need to be able to just walk out the door without a need to drive someplace (my gym is only1-1/2 blocks away) or I won't get in a workout at all. This is after a childhood thru college years of hours-upon-hours of a wide variety of sports (training and competition). Major burn out. So, as an adult have found proximity makes a big difference in my compliance with a routine. Also, FYI -- it has been my experience (via shin splints at one point in my athletic frenzy) that changing surfaces is a no-no. So, if I walk on sand, or grass/trails then switch back to sidewalks it's even worse on my Achilles. Just thought I'd throw that in there in case anyone else has noticed that phenomenon.

BTW, great day back to the gym and a bonus activity, too.

Good work everyone -- keep it up!

nycfem

08-24-2013, 06:08 PM

I am on vacation at the beach in Montauk with BB, my mom, and my brother and his husband. I bought a week pass at a gym that gives discounts to local motels. It's a tiny gym for townies and compulsive tourists but has what it needs to get the job done.

First I did an hour plus a five minute cool down on a Life Fitness outdated stationary bike, Level 10, while lifting weights. What's funny is the current version of the stationary bike produced by Life Fitness is very hard on my back (and apparently I'm not the only one from talking to other fans of the older version). Anyway, I've really missed being able to do the stationary bike, so this was very fun.

Then I did 55 minutes of weight lifting, abs, and yoga in a tiny little room with a high up single small barred window with light shining through. Everything was very bare bones, old, and shabby. I imagined I was in a prison cell working out, but yet I wasn't really in prison so it was quite a nice fantasy.

When I got back to the motel I walked to the ocean (freezing!) and for half an hour I rapidly treaded water / swam to fight the undertow.

Now we are getting ready to grill. I made skewers with organic brussel sprouts, onion, portobello, tomato, carrot, tofu, and marinade. That part isn't exercise but it's a fun part of vacation :)

Hollylane

08-24-2013, 09:49 PM

I can share that for me, calf cramping means I need potassium, which I get through bananas.

(It can mean other things, related to circulation, for example, which are more serious so BTW I'm not saying bananas are the cure all)

It could very well be potassium, because I am not able to have bananas with my regular diet. I might have to take a supplement to get what I need, since other vegetable choices may not give me enough.

batennisboy

08-24-2013, 10:15 PM

Am back on the courts and workouts. Missed once this week but valid reason. Knees are a bit sore and still on NSAIDs but at least I'm moving. More tennis tomorrow and get off NSAIDs Tues/Wed. Oh, and tennis was so much fun today!

Bad_boi

08-24-2013, 11:53 PM

I went skateboarding today and it was lots of fun.

Joness

08-25-2013, 01:02 AM

My exercise for today is consisting of:

- 20 sit-ups
- 20 press-up (full)
- 10 minutes Power Hooping . . . .yes Hooping, i know i know, shhhhhhh!

Parked my car in Falkland and walked past the Palace and through the Magical Forest to:

Pillars Of Hercules an organic cafe, met my friend there for a vegetarian brunch and a catch up. Put the world back where it should be then re-traced my steps back to the car :-)

Ahhhhh love love love a slow me paced Sunday :-)

:hangloose:

Joness

08-25-2013, 01:19 AM

Have arrived at a point where trying to fit in two speed walks a day just ends up making my joints sore -- which is why the variety of cross training (walking, biking, swimming, shooting hoops) works so much better for me. The frustrating thing is that both my pup and I want to walk more (especially in this gorgeous weather) -- but the consequences just aren't worth it. I don't know how many of you are able to physically tolerate walking or running 4+ miles daily on a regular basis. My feet/knees/ankles can't handle it (despite wearing appropriate athletic walking shoes). Thank goodness the gym reopens tomorrow! It will be a full and fun day of exercise, plus!

Natural Remedy
I planned to walk for 3.5 weeks solid across Spain this summer. Thought I would have to pull out or be in extreme pain doing so. My knees were so so painful.

Started taking Rose Hip and Glucosamine/Chondroitin every single day in the lead up to leaving for a couple of months.

It worked!!! Mission complete and no joint pain!!!! Made it up and over, most importantly back down from the Pyrenees all on day one with no joint pain!!! Muscles were sore but joints fine and for the rest of the journey :-)

I swear by this, been back home about a month now and still taking them.

Hope this helps anyone with painful joints :hangloose:

DapperButch

08-25-2013, 07:32 AM

Thanks, Dapper -- yes, hiking trails is something I have done with all my dogs on special occasion (especially when traveling to wooded regions). And agreed, it's great and a lot easier on the joints. However, for a daily routine I need to be able to just walk out the door without a need to drive someplace (my gym is only1-1/2 blocks away) or I won't get in a workout at all. This is after a childhood thru college years of hours-upon-hours of a wide variety of sports (training and competition). Major burn out. So, as an adult have found proximity makes a big difference in my compliance with a routine. Also, FYI -- it has been my experience (via shin splints at one point in my athletic frenzy) that changing surfaces is a no-no. So, if I walk on sand, or grass/trails then switch back to sidewalks it's even worse on my Achilles. Just thought I'd throw that in there in case anyone else has noticed that phenomenon.

BTW, great day back to the gym and a bonus activity, too.

Good work everyone -- keep it up!

I didn't even think about the fact that you may not be close to trails/woods like I am. What the heck was I thinking? Duh.

I am actually going to hit the trails with the dog today. Most weekends in the summer I am at the beach, so the trails are more of a Fall/Winter activity. It seems like too much of a hassle to do it after work in the evenings in the summer. It is certainly easier to just go to the gym at my job or work out at home. Anyway, the dog will be thrilled today because it is more fun than his daily walks in the development (or, ummm...the treadmill that he has grown to dislike quite a bit).

We have an extensive trails system here, so I am very lucky.

Metro, I appreciate the information on the changing of surfaces. Very interesting, I had never heard of this.

ruffryder

08-25-2013, 11:28 AM

hello everybody!

I need to start checking in here. :)

I've been alternating my workouts mostly ab and cardio.

this past week I did reverse crunches and mountain climbers. 5 sets, 15 reps.

1 day I did bicep curls 5 sets, 12 reps and jump knee tucks 5 sets, 10 reps.

gonna keep this up 5-6 days of the week and also add 2-3 days of treadmill or running outside.

a few months ago I bought the hip hop ab videos but my dvd player is not cooperating so they are on hold for now and instead I find my workouts online.

I'll be back with updates! Keep trekking ya'll.

Gemme

08-25-2013, 01:13 PM

Welcome to the new folks!

It could very well be potassium, because I am not able to have bananas with my regular diet. I might have to take a supplement to get what I need, since other vegetable choices may not give me enough.

10 Foods High in Potassium (http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-potassium.php)

Guess what? Bananas rank 10th place. I bet you'll find something on here you can eat.

Good afternoon, all.

I took care of my workout early this morning as I had a lot to do today. I warmed up on the treadmill for 15 minutes and completed a lower body weight training session with a touch of ab work plus 30 minutes back on ye ole treadmill. This time, I used the random program and thought to myself, "WWJD?" So I bumped that sucker up to level 10! :cheesy:

My total calculated caloric expediture was 237 and my total calculated distance was 2.15 miles.

It was nice and quiet this morning; typical of early Sundays. I liked it!

Hollylane

08-25-2013, 01:40 PM

Welcome to the new folks!

10 Foods High in Potassium (http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-potassium.php)

Guess what? Bananas rank 10th place. I bet you'll find something on here you can eat.

Good afternoon, all.

I took care of my workout early this morning as I had a lot to do today. I warmed up on the treadmill for 15 minutes and completed a lower body weight training session with a touch of ab work plus 30 minutes back on ye ole treadmill. This time, I used the random program and thought to myself, "WWJD?" So I bumped that sucker up to level 10! :cheesy:

My total calculated caloric expediture was 237 and my total calculated distance was 2.15 miles.

It was nice and quiet this morning; typical of early Sundays. I liked it!

Thank you Gemme! It looks like the ones I'm already able to eat/am eating, are all on this list...Spinach, mushrooms, squash, and avocado.

nycfem

08-25-2013, 04:51 PM

Still on vacation. This morning BB and Jan (my brother's husband, South African name pronounced "Yon") were still sleeping, so I coaxed my brother, Dave, into a walk on the beach with me. We walked down the long-ish path that leads from the road to the beach and is rather primitive in nature. Dave pointed down on the path and said, "Look at that, such a long earth worm." I looked down and said, "There's another." Then all of a sudden we realized there were like a zillion big long worms slithering around us. That got us moving fast and safely onto the sand by the water. Dave and Jan meditate several times a day and are pretty compulsive about their routine, so Dave didn't want to make the walk too long. I did want a long walk and love walking with my brother, who is a fast walker and a great conversationalist. So I had to strategize. :: Cue evil music :: Every time he suggested turning back, I'd point to what appeared to be the end of the horizon but is actually a kind of optical illusion. It's never really the end because you pass it, and then there's another end point. It worked for a good hour at which point Dave looked at his watch, spun on his heel, and said, "This is going to be a two hour fucking walk!" And indeed it was. I've always been a mischievous little sister. When we got back to the path back up to the road, the earth worms were mostly gone but some were dried up and dead or still, but I could still see all their tracks. Anyway, later in the afternoon I went to the gym where I wore my "Honey Badger Don't Care" t-shirt for the second day in a row. I did an hour on the stationary bike while lifting weights, and then the man who runs this tiny prison of a gym said, "Okay, Honey Badger, we're closing up." I looked around and saw that I was the only one still there, and some lights had been turned off. It was only 5 o'clock!

aishah

08-25-2013, 07:01 PM

the only exercise i did today involved laundry and putting up books, so lots of lifting and carrying.

but i put in for one of those silly raffle things that sit on the top of trash cans at restaurants (y'all know what i'm talking about, right?). anyway, it was for a free gym membership. did it for one of my partners because he's been talking about wanting one for ages. aaaaaaaaaaaand i actually won! and then chris (my partner) flaked on me. so i made an appointment tuesday to set it up for myself :D

i've never had a gym membership and i'm not sure how i feel about it yet...

does planning to exercise count as having an exercise experience today? :D :cheerleader:

DapperButch

08-25-2013, 07:50 PM

cinnamongrrl

08-26-2013, 04:38 AM

Right now... I'm sitting on the couch in the dark quiet house thinking how I should get to the gym and my time would be better spent there....

I think I can I think I can....

cinnamongrrl

08-26-2013, 08:03 AM

Right now... I'm sitting on the couch in the dark quiet house thinking how I should get to the gym and my time would be better spent there....

I think I can I think I can....

I thought I could I thought I could....

I did a 5 minute warm-up on the bike...then some work with weights, emphasis on back, arms, shoulders and legs oh and abs...
then did 25 minutes on my fave treadmill. Minimum incline of 6 and max of 18.5. I ended up with 560 vertical feet...I thought it would be more...I have to ask the trainer how that works exactly....

I'm hoping to get the bikes out to a favorite spot today mayhaps....depends on the weather and such

Ginger

08-26-2013, 09:46 AM

I think I went for a bike ride six out of the last seven days. I'm starting to lose track, no pun intended.

Yesterday I dropped off my hybrid bike at the shop for a tuneup. That left the folding bike for my ride yesterday, and I made the most of it but now I'm used to the speed the other bike has; the tires are not only larger but thinner, and I can stand on the pedals going uphill and it's a full-body workout that feels great.

The folding bike is really comfortable and designed for city cruising but it's slow, and when those dads with their kids on the back of their bikes start to pass you on the loop around Prospect Park, well that's kind of humiliating LOL

Still I rode for a couple hours yesterday.

I'm waiting for something to be delivered, taking a day off. Later I might ride again. It's clearing up and it's cooler out.

nycfem

08-26-2013, 03:49 PM

It was a cloudy, cool, rainy blustery day on the beach today. There was just about no one there. The sand was packed tightly and evenly so I didn't have to walk at a bad angle or sink too deeply in the sand. I walked for 90 minutes and then did half an hour of yoga and core exercises on the beach. Then I splashed around for a few hours in the pool. I love sand and water!

Gemme

08-26-2013, 06:20 PM

I did some manual labor at work and spent a while walking around a store.

That's all I got today.

:blink:

Artzy76

08-26-2013, 06:24 PM

Started off my morning with an hour of water aerobics followed by a relaxing time sitting in the hot tub... oooooooooh my muscles loved me!
Just got home from Kickboxing class... this guy is brutal I tell ya! He really gives me a challenge and I appreciate him for that...
Class started out with 10 min. of pushups routine... to warm up with.
Then 6-5min rounds on the bags doing combo of ... 6 straight punches, 2 hooks, 1 upper cut, 1 push up, over and over and over until the 5 min. buzzer then we did 1 min. leg lifts (on your back lifting both legs and rolling your hips up off the mats & back down)
Next up... Ab routine consisted of Crunches, Bicycle, V stretch 7 Lift ... over and over and over for 10 min.
Class closed with a 2 min. Plank...
~whew~ water and more water and breath and stretch and more water... home to a hot shower and drinking more water...
Love how I feel ... Deeeeeeeeeeeeep breaths and feeel the burn!
Tomorrow my arms are going to realize how alive they are. ABSOLUTELY!

nycfem

08-27-2013, 08:38 PM

Chancie

08-28-2013, 01:14 AM

My gym reopened, so I went to my usual stretch and Group Power classes on Monday morning, and I hope to get there every MWF. The logistics entailed in getting to the gym at 5:30, with my lunch and a change of clothing, working out for 1.5 hours, and to school in time, is mind boggling.

I still don't have enough clothes because well, I've lost weight and my body shape is so different, and that is great, of course, but also tricky.

And it's obviously bad that I'm up at 3:15 am.

Daktari

08-28-2013, 02:24 AM

No dedicated exercise as such for weeks. It's all about being active in everyday life and I've been busy for quite a while now.

The workshop keeps two of us pretty busy and active. I also like to work outside which means I'm constantly moving to and fro' the workshop which is not very ergonomic but I prefer it that way, for now. Also means I have a great tan...on exposed parts.

Last night I rode the lights with the The Zimbabwean and The Psychic, we didn't ride far because there were thousands upon thousands of clueless cyclists around...as it should be, it is an event promoting cycling but jeez Louise some folks have no awareness of anything going on around them.
I barely had to peddle because the TZ and TP are much slower than me and I didn't want to lose them in the melee. Very shortly they'd had enough, I was getting irritable and getting my massacre face on, so we turned off and flew home for a big fat brew (tea/coffee).

I aim to get a group of us together for a more social Dykes on Bykes Ride the Lights ending with a fish and chip supper later in the Illuminations season.

Today is mostly about laying vinyl flooring in an apartment, not an easy job in some of the spaces we've got to cover but hey, it's all exercise!

nycfem: I used to ride recumbents, only on the road :cheesy: They're great fun and a so much more efficient use of cycle energy. HPV speed records are all held on recumbents. I personally like a short wheel base for that nippy, speed machine feel rather than long wheelbase steadiness. I would love, love, love a recumbent trike; one you can go fast on for Sunday riding and also use for everyday transport.
Like this:
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q8/scoobs63/Trice-T_zps5990290e.jpg (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/scoobs63/media/Trice-T_zps5990290e.jpg.html)

Keep on moving yer bodies ya'll :tinfoil:

Gemme

08-28-2013, 04:46 AM

I did an hour of recumbent biking (Level 10, Random program) while lifting weights at the little gym I'm using while in Montauk. There's only one recumbent bike and a townie/local/regular member of the gym gave me dirty looks until I finished. I felt like I'd walked into her living room and settled in on her own private bike. She then asked, "When does your vacation end?" I said, "Friday." She said, "Good." I let out a little giggle and took it all in stride. After all, I was the one who got it first, so I was all smiles :D

What a jerk.

You are so laid back. I love that about you. I would have been starting to get Daktari's massacre face on if she did that nearly the whole hour.

Yesterday was good. I was on the Beast and tried to be more mindful of keeping my feet flat instead of on my tippy toes but I'm not sure how that worked out since my calves were a bit sore immediately afterwards (but that dissipated after a few minutes of walking around).

315 calories. 1.54 miles. 30 minutes.

Enchantress

08-28-2013, 05:25 AM

... Elliptical skills. And, my arms ache this morning to prove it. Tylenol. Must. Have. Tylenol (and I plan to do it all over again tonight!).

ruffryder

08-28-2013, 11:44 AM

Glad to be working out. once I get started I feel good!

Today

5 reps, x 15 of mountain climbers and reverse situps.

lots of walking and stairs at work!

Good day everybody!

nycfem

08-28-2013, 11:59 AM

I went to the gym early so I'd have less of a chance of running into the woman who wants the recumbent bike. It worked :). I did an hour, Level 10, Random, while lifting weights.

Artzy76

08-28-2013, 04:26 PM

I just love Doing water aerobics in the morning... starts the day off perfectly! After class a lady approached me she actually works at the gym. She shared her story with me about how she has lost 185 lbs ... WOW ... she invited me to join her and some of the other trainers at the gym at 5AM tomorrow morning for a 2 hour work out with the training staff ... yowsers! Im on it! I'm going to take her challenge and do it... what do i have to lose... just more weight baby!

Gemme

08-28-2013, 07:55 PM

It was a pretty mild night at ye ole gym for me. Treadmill and I got along fairly well (I was visiting the gym I don't care as much for). I spent 35 minutes on it, walking with incline. 214 calories. 1.71 miles.

Kind of eh. But I won't workout tomorrow so I wanted to do something.

nycfem

08-29-2013, 08:53 PM

Bad_boi

08-30-2013, 12:11 AM

Walked 2 miles for a geocache. Didn't find it but still had fun.

Daktari

08-30-2013, 04:15 AM

I had my last day (boo hoo) at the Montauk gym. I did same as yesterday: 1 hour on the recumbent bike, Random program, Level 10, while lifting weights. Then I went home and did some reading in the pool while sitting with a pool noodle between my legs and "bike pedaling. Here's a picture of what a pool noodle is (not me in the picture, just taken from the web). They are good for lots of low-key low impact pool exercise.

I hate the water. Maybe a pool noodle is the way to go just to be able to say I was sat with a pool noodle between my legs! :koolaid:

No exercise as such yesterday apart from walking here, there and everywhere and then, in the evening, a washer in one of the bath taps spontaneously failed and I spent 3quarters of an hour running up and down stairs fetching things for Pops who, kindly, came out to fix said tap.

Just as a matter of interest, the bath and taps are original to the 1937 house and they don't even make washers like the one that failed nowadays. Teh Pops is a real tradesman and knows all sorts of odd fixes for things and cut the end from one of my leather belts to fashion a washer of the same dimensions as the original one until we can find a modern equivalent. Clever huh? I lurve my Pops.

Gemme

08-30-2013, 04:25 AM

Yesterday, I helped move a piece of furniture and did some cleaning. That's it. Today I hope for a full workout but we'll see.

A quick hop on the scale revealed another loss, bringing me closer to my goal and roughly 18 pounds sweated away. It's coming off slow but I hope that that means it will stay away this time.

I may or may not have something to do with that, though.

:weightlifter:

Kelt

08-30-2013, 04:31 PM

Okay, so I've been totally remiss about checking in here with my accountability updates.

I have been being good, and for the most part keeping up with my stated goals. A couple of things of been happening down on the beach, after a month of semi-weirdness in my ankle about four days ago I finally have my real stride again. Everything felt loose and natural, and I felt my old gait kick in. For the last three days I've been doing 6 mile stints instead of three, mostly just because I can.

Another thing is happening is that after a 5 year wait all the powers that be have finally authorized the funds and materials to rebuild my beach. The last time this place saw new sand was 35 years ago and erosion has been taking it's toll. I went last Saturday to a meeting with the project planners and the engineers to get the real skinny on how this was going to shake out. For the next four months things are going to be a real mess, but they're doing it in sections and working incredibly fast to minimize the impact on wildlife and the community.

For a while over the last couple of months I was pretty bent out of shape about how inconvenient it was going to be. (The nerve!) But, having seen the magnitude of the project laid out, I'm actually looking forward to getting to watch what it looks like to have 86,200 yd.³ (CY) of sand delivered by barge.

Beyond that, I went ahead and joined the gym and have been getting started figuring out what weights to use for what exercises. Full confession; it would seem that I am a total wimp. I think this is going to be a fairly long and steep climb contrary to my previous predictions.

Still practicing swimming and enjoying the heck out of that. I am however, finding that having my ears full of water for hours afterwards is a little bit disconcerting. It's okay and doesn't hurt or anything, but what puzzles me is where does it go during the night? :blink: I wake up and it's all gone and everything seems fine. I don't think I could handle dealing with earplugs also, what with the snorkel, goggles, and all, I already feel like a total alien.

I'm sure that's more than anybody needed to know, but I wanted to check in with everybody.

:theisland:

ruffryder

08-30-2013, 05:11 PM

tried something different today.

Used the stationary bike and went from slow to a jog to sprint and alternated for about 30 minutes.

I also used the cable machine and did 2 reps x 10 of bicep curls and some overhead tricep pulls while lifting my knees.

Feelin' good!

nycfem

08-30-2013, 07:09 PM

I am back home from vacation (I miss the beach and the pool and the sun!). It was nice to go back to my usual gym, though I miss that old stationary bike in Montauk. I went this evening, and, wow, was it ever empty. I think maybe everyone went away for Labor Day weekend. My friend, Laqueisha, the straight, African American woman in the beautiful dresses was there. As we get to talking more, I keep almost mentioning BB and then not. I probably eventually will. It's an example of femme privilege that I get to have the choice that butches don't about coming out. I think she'd be cool about it but because we are talking in a locker room, and she is quite modest in changing, I worry that if she isn't cool, it could be awkward, and we run into each other all the time. Oh, well, I've already written about this, so sorry for the repeat. Anyway, I did an hour on the Beast (Arc Trainer), Strength program, 30 minutes at Level 8 and then 30 minutes at Level 10. Then I did weight lifting, abs, and stretching for 30 minutes.

Gemme

08-30-2013, 07:15 PM

Kelt, you really shouldn't let the water sit so long. It could really become a problem later on. There are products for swimmer's ear that will help dry up the water or, if you have plenty of time, you could lay your head down on a folded up towel and let it drain naturally on each side. Rubbing alcohol is drying as is hydrogen peroxide but use them sparingly and carefully and I always mix each with water. I know, weird, when the issue is water. Also, you could get one of those bulbous squeezy things used on babies. They are usually blue. They can suck some of the water out too.

I also found this at ask.com. I haven't tried vinegar before but I can see where it would work.

To drain water out of the ears after swimming, you need a towel, rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. Slant your head to the side and tug earlobe to straighten the ear canal and discharge blocked water, do the same for the other side. Rest on your side with a towel under your head and pull the earlobe to straighten the ear canal. With a medicine dropper, squeeze a solution of 1/2 rubbing alcohol and 1/2 white vinegar into the ear. You should hear a gentle crackling as this mixture evaporates trapped water. Tilt head to drain the fluids.

As for myself, my body is just not feeling it lately and I'm not sure why. I got more sleep last night but I don't think it's enough. I prepared to go to the gym but I literally felt fatigued and thought it best to let it go. The gym will be closed by the time I get out of work tomorrow, so I'll have hauling boxes around and cleaning as my workout.

jac

08-30-2013, 07:15 PM

I really should get a pedometer. I swear have to be walking a good 5 miles a day... not to mention my walk home each evening. *yawn*

Would prefer a motorized scooter... but ya know... :blink:
http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/9529/bfuz.jpg

Chancie

08-30-2013, 07:32 PM

One of the trainers has gone rogue, and she's working us extra hard and she's not following the Group Power program.

We've been working our triceps, back, and shoulders in addition to the usual one hundred squats, lunges, and push ups.

I can't even believe that I do all of that.

She's my favorite weight lifting teacher for the same reason she's my least favorite Zumba teacher.

Just the facts, ma'am.

She doesn't know my name, so she calls me 'honey' even though she's younger than I am.

cinnamongrrl

08-30-2013, 08:57 PM

I did a cleaning job with my mother....from 830am-3pm, stopped for lunch then continued till 7pm...and more to do tomorrow...

anyone who says cleaning isn't exercise should talk to my shoulders and my calves....and rub them while they talk....:canadian:

nycfem

08-30-2013, 09:09 PM

Kelt

08-30-2013, 09:31 PM

I almost never get water in my ears with swimming. It's weird how we are each different that way. If I occasionally do, I am usually able to just jump on one foot in the shower while tilting one side of my head and hitting the other ear (the one not facing the floor) with the palm of my hand. Well, maybe that's how everyone tries to get water out of their ears, I don't know. Once I got water in my ear, and it wouldn't come out. I used a q-tip in my ear which is a big no-no (putting anything in one's ear). I ended up causing myself an infection. So I went to the ear doctor and had what felt like the most painful procedure known to humankind. The doctor told me after, "Just remember, never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow" or something like that :|.

Yeah. First off, I've already disclosed my level of coordination.

If I "just jump on one foot in the shower while tilting one side of my head and hitting the other ear (the one not facing the floor) with the palm of my hand", :blink: that's it, I would just have some kind of nine point landing and many more problems.

I know I need to figure this out. It is every time, both ears, and lasts until I go to bed. I don't get soggy pillow or anything so I thought maybe it was just filling up empty space in my head. :cheesy:

I have heard about the alcohol thing Gemme mentioned but was really just hoping if I ignored it long enough it would go away.

*the only swimming smilie is being chased by a shark*

nycfem

08-30-2013, 09:41 PM

Maybe if it's not broken don't fix it?

Bad_boi

08-30-2013, 10:54 PM

Gemme

08-31-2013, 04:46 AM

Yeah. First off, I've already disclosed my level of coordination.

If I "just jump on one foot in the shower while tilting one side of my head and hitting the other ear (the one not facing the floor) with the palm of my hand", :blink: that's it, I would just have some kind of nine point landing and many more problems.

I know I need to figure this out. It is every time, both ears, and lasts until I go to bed. I don't get soggy pillow or anything so I thought maybe it was just filling up empty space in my head. :cheesy:

I have heard about the alcohol thing Gemme mentioned but was really just hoping if I ignored it long enough it would go away.

*the only swimming smilie is being chased by a shark*

Ignoring something with the hopes that it will go away? And what would you tell a friend that told you that? Hmmmm?

It's not going to go away. You keep putting yourself in a big tank filled with water. Your ears collect water apparently. The end. You just have to find a way that's comfortable to you to get rid of the water before it builds up.

Sit at a table or lean over a counter, whatever's more comfortable for you for about 2 minutes each side. Take a towel and lay one side of your head on it. Pull gently on the ear that is facing up and away from the table/counter. If you tug at the earlobe, pulling it out and up, you should feel the water move. That will help all the water to pool in one place. Then change sides. The water should drain out of your ear and onto the towel. That doesn't involve too much coordination or tools.

Or you can continue to let it drain as you sleep.

That may work just fine but keep in mind if there is still even a small amount of water trapped in your ear, you could develop an infection in a relatively short time. The water would grow bacteria like a swamp/pond inside your ear and who wants that? Also, if the water finds a way behind your eardrum, you are in for some pain. Just sayin', cuz the eardrum won't process vibration the normal way and that's not a good thing. Balance could be affected too.

Don't mess with your hearing.

Trust me. I spent a lot of time as a child dealing with stuff like this. The alternatives if it doesn't drain all the way out are not fun or cheap.

:weightlifter:

Maybe if it's not broken don't fix it?

One demerit for you, missy.

Kelt

08-31-2013, 08:09 AM

Yes Mother.

:worried:

Bad_boi

08-31-2013, 10:08 PM

I went after a different geocache today. I had fun climbing on stuff to find it. I probably did not have to climb on all those rocks to get it but why walk like a normal person when you can climb :D

Daktari

09-01-2013, 07:26 AM

Cycled here, there and everywhere for a morning meeting, shopping in an area I don't usually ride along to and then took the long route back to town and a well deserved sit down and cup of decaff.

Must have done 8-10miles, not too far admittedly but most of it was against pretty 'breezy' conditions which added a whole lot of resistance (along with the shopping) and gave a real challenge to the lungs for which the wind is a huge asthma/copd symptom trigger. It's only through perseverance that this has improved somewhat. Not being able to breathe and the world going a bit dark when on the bike is a trifle scary but it's not happened half so much this summer. :thumbsup:

Today is a lazy one. I'm just about to walk, not cycling because walking requires more effort over a short distance, to town with my books and notebook to do some fellowship study for this evening.

Gemme

09-01-2013, 09:55 AM

Today was a good one. I needed it after my recent 3 days off.

15 min warm up on treadmill followed about an hour of lower body and ab training and then another 45 minutes on the treadmill with inclining.

All in all, about 323 calories sweated away forever and 2.98 miles walked and climbed plus whatever I burned during the weighted portion of the program.

DapperButch

09-01-2013, 10:35 AM

Hello exercise people! Yesterday I did the usual 45 minutes on the elliptical (ok, so usual is a strong word when you don't do it everyday, me thinks), burned the usual (there is that word again) 500 calories over 3.2ish miles. Then last night I took a brisk 30 minute walk (dogless), and my arches actually didn't hurt (never invested in new shoes).

Until now I have mainly been maintaining my weight, but I really would like to lose some of my belly. So, the plan is to tAke a brisk 20 minute walk in the morning before work and be more consistent with my evening cardio. Mornings are for sure not my forte, so this will be rough to do.

Also......CONGRATS TO OUR OWN RESIDENT GEMME FOR LOSING 18POUNDS! HURRAY!!!

Metro

09-01-2013, 10:43 AM

So, the plan is to tAke a brisk 20 minute walk in the morning before work and be more consistent with my evening cardio.

I like morning walks because then no matter what happens the rest of the day I have done something positive for my own health. Good luck adding it to your routine, Dapper!

Today I took that early walk and will take another this evening. That's 'bout all I can fit in when visiting family, so am being extra careful not to splurge too much on meals this holiday (while still enjoying, in moderation, 'forbidden' items like lobster).

Bad_boi

09-01-2013, 09:29 PM

Found two geocaches. The walk was about a mile and a half round trip.

I recently solved some nearby puzzle caches so I decided to go and find them today :) I had to answer questions based upon the clues to get the lat/long to enter into my GPS.

Gemme

09-02-2013, 09:24 AM

Today was another good day overall but not as good as I would have liked. I was concentrating on my upper body for the weight training and after performing under what I usually do, I remembered that I spent a good portion of yesterday scraping paint off of window sills and walls. Doh. But it wasn't a bad day at all.

Performance-wise: 256 calories, 2.43 miles, 50 min total cardio including warm up and who knows how much for the weight training

I touched on abs too. Since we can do them every day, I try to do different exercises so it hits the upper, lower and obliques equally. I still have a little pooch so I'm going to be kicking ab work up a notch soon.

A little bit about the ambiance....well, let me backtrack a minute. Yesterday I got to the gym about 10 after 7am and the Composer was there, on my favorite treadmill. So, I took the one next to him. It's a prime location for the giant fan. Weee! Anywho, he was a bit reserved yesterday. Only a couple of big sweeps with his hands. But today....teehee....when HE came in at 10 after 7am, I was my favorite treadmill and he took the one next to ME. Ha! And he was much more animated this time. He got right into his groove and gave me some composing sweeps and even a little keyboard action before I jumped off to do the weight training.

When I came back, he was long gone and my usual treadmill options were all taken, so I chose a new to me one. And very nearly busted my hiney. Both the belt and the sides were very slick. For some reason, I managed to not fall but it's not because I'm graceful or anything. It was pure luck! I made sure to let the lady at the counter know when I left and she reacted appropriately and was concerned so I felt better and confident that she would actually have the owner look into it. Not sure if it was leftover cleaning residue or what but it was slick like Rick, lemme tell you!

Today was interesting as far as the people watching goes. I see a lot of folks while I'm taking breaks between sets and there was this past his prime biker dude wailing out to his MP3 player while recumbent cycling his heart out. This is a guy who almost got kicked by me yesterday because he didn't make sure that he was giving us on the machines a wide enough berth. He was lucky I saw him and drew down on the machine before I reached the peak of movement. Dumbass.

There was a grunter today too. smh I love my gym for the whole 'no judgement' thing but they go too far with it. They've never rung the lunk alarm when I've been there and there have been some that deserved it. Oh well. In the name of 'it's a holiday and I'm getting paid', I'll let it go.

Hope the rest of you have a good one!

o222Good

09-02-2013, 04:05 PM

I am so glad I treated myself to a gym membership while I was
down the shore this summer! I don't think I missed more than a
day or two all summer. Now I am back home, going back into
the classroom tomorrow... but I think I have set some solid
routines to live by through this winter.

I mentioned a while back that I am cycling my carbs. A few weeks
ago, I decided to cycle my workouts too, so they coincide. In short,
my most strenuous workouts are on the highest carb days. On the
lowest carb day, I do nothing. Just rest.

200 carbs back and chest
150 carbs shoulders
100 carbs arms
50 carbs nothing
125 carbs abs

I do about six different exercises with 9-15 reps. It seems to be
going well, but I'm afraid that I'm not letting my CNS (central
nervous system) rest enough with four days on and one day off.
I'm curious what you think of this?

I'm also looking around to buy a recumbent bike. I love to walk
and jog for cardio, but it's a little hard on my knees. I can't see
doing it every day without knee pain. Hopefully I find one!

DapperButch

09-02-2013, 06:30 PM

Yesterday I kicked ass on cardio for an hour.

Last night I did too much of this. :beerfunnel:

So today exercise consisted of walking the dog for 15 minutes. :blush:

Rockinonahigh

09-02-2013, 06:50 PM

Lately I have been dealing with a cold plus my arthritis had been giveing me fits.After several days of takeing it easy I tryed to go out and play with my fur kids,but my energy is low so I only lasted about ten minits till I had to quit.Hopefuly tomorrow will be better,what set my arthritis off on a bender I have no idea as it is nearly every joint I have,either swelling or burning stiff joints.Every sence I got back from Vegas I have had onething or another happen health wise,enough already.

Elijah

09-02-2013, 07:04 PM

Walked about a mile and a half in about 33 mins. I'm just happy I got out there and moved for awhile.

Elijah

easygoingfemme

09-02-2013, 07:04 PM

I got behind for a couple of weeks. Partnership of weird schedules driving my kid to camp and back every day for two weeks, which messed up the morning routine, and work picking up- keeping my days busier than usual (but that's a good thing). Got back on the rowing machine tonight and had a good work out. Plan is for every day this week, and henceforth!

Chancie

09-05-2013, 03:01 AM

Last week was our first week back, and I got to the gym three mornings for stretch and Group Power. One of my most favorite colleagues turned up in that class; she was away this summer when I started so I didn't know. We are a good team. She's a counselor and I'm a teacher, and we work well together to meet the needs of the students we share. We work well together to put away our weights and steps and bars at the end of class when we both have to shower and dress and zoom to school.

I didn't go to the Y at all this past weekend, and I regret skipping Zumba on Saturday. I did go after school on Tuesday and I was exhausted, and the class felt very hard. I hadn't been there in about two weeks, and there's a new routine with a lot of jumping, which I pretty much hate anyway. I do modify the various exercises so I can get through the class. I was feeling pretty rotten when I left, like it was a waste of time, and I should have gone home, but then I realized, I still did much more than if I had gone home.

ruffryder

09-05-2013, 12:52 PM

hello everybody. I've been slacking the last two days so I'm back today. I'm actually training for a specific fitness test I may be doing soon so it's push ups, sit ups and steps for me for awhile till I reach my goal on the count and time. Good day!

nycfem

09-05-2013, 07:02 PM

Catching up on my own and other people's exercise :)

Since last post:

8/31 The Beast 90, weights and stretching 30
9/1 Beastie 75, yoga 45
9/2 Elliptical 1 hr, weights and stretching 30
9/3 (Same as the day before)

Then today I did two hours on the Beast (aka the Arc Trainer). I did kind of a sampler with 30 minutes each for 4 programs, level 10: Strength, Cardio, Interval, and Hill Interval. I like strength the best. For strength I have it at the highest level but am not finding it challenging enough. For those of you familiar with the Cybex arc trainer, how can I amp things up? Since it's a program, besides the level, I am not sure whether I should be messing with settings (such as incline and intensity, since the program has its own way of shifting them around at intervals). I find myself more bored if I am not truly sweating. I could just go back to manual because then I could definitely get an intense work-out, but the programs are fun in how one doesn't have to think as they vary themselves. Oh, well, anyone who knows this machine and has an idea, please let me know. I'm pretty sure I'm missing something.

I'm back working at school so that is making working out, of course, harder to fit into the day. What a difference not working makes, and not commuting an hour each way, and having enough sleep time. It's hard going back to school, even though I love my job. One mistake I made is to work late when I didn't have to. I forgot that then getting a long work-out in plus making dinner plus getting to bed at a decent hour is not really possible. I'm going to try as much as I can to leave on time from work so that things don't feel this stressful to fit everything in.

Kelt

09-05-2013, 09:14 PM

Hey everybody, I'm back!

So, all of this arc trainer talk, plus my recent forays back into my gym have raised a lot of questions in my mind. The last time I belonged to a gym before just recently, was three years ago. The place I go to is a branch of 24 hour fitness which means it has about an acre of cardio machines. Joking of course, but actually there are 90 of them. Things of changed a little since the last time I was there but it's pretty close to what I remembered. There's a row of various and sundry recumbent and upright bikes, two long rows of treadmills, and the rest is split up into five rows of varying styles and vintages of ellipticals. One row of the ellipticals is all new to me. There are about 15 of something I'm not even sure I can describe, I will have to get back to you on what they even are. They are made by Cybex and are some kind of a cross between an elliptical and a stairmaster, making the person using it look like a very small human trapped in a large cyborg device.

Then there are six of what I have now identified to be one of these mythical ARC trainers. Since I wasn't quite sure what everybody was talking about with these, and I have now used one of them a few times, I thought I would put in a video by Cybex explaining the difference between an elliptical and an ARC in case there's somebody else here who, like me, didn't really understand what was going on.

7L8t8c_-xzs

The one demonstrated in the video is the same as the one that I use at my gym from the waist down. From the waist up mine has short throw moving arms also. I just tried to put a picture of it here, but I cannot link to the URL because of the length. You get the idea.

So a couple of things that I have noticed about the famous arc trainer. In the video above when they show the comparison to the elliptical they show the elliptical user flexing and lifting the back of their foot while using it. When I was introduced to them and using it three years ago I had seriously damage in both feet. The elliptical is one of the very few things in the gym that I could use because I just kept my feet flat on the platforms and was able to use it that way without flexing my feet. This is the reason I thought the arc trainer looked like a good idea to try also, I no longer have problems with my feet, but it looked familiar and relatively safe.

The other reason that I chose it was because of some of you will recall, a while back I was having a bit of trouble with the tendons in one of my ankles. I found that on the arc trainer not only does it keep your feet flat on platforms which might help people with arch problems, but it also keeps ankles in a relatively static position and fixed angle. It provided me a way to get in my cardio without putting undue pressure or stress on my ankle, and it helped me a lot. I think these arc trainers could be a good alternative for folks if they have not tried it yet if they're experiencing problems with arch, ankle, or knee problems. Obviously under the advice of your PT if you're working with someone.

One last thing to note; as someone who is used to walking long distances in semisoft sand with poles, it KICKED MY ASS!!

:cheesy:

nycfem

09-06-2013, 07:30 AM

Thanks for posting the video, Kelt. That's definitely been my experience. The arc trainer feels so much better on my feet and knees than the elliptical. I also do the arc trainer that has the arms on it (so that it appears like an elliptical but isn't). My feet always stay flat on the arc trainer, and unless I am doing a manual program where I add too much resistance, my knees do fine too.

It's true that there are a surreal number of different pieces of cardio equipment these days. Since I'm relatively short (5'4"), I think some sort of fit me, and others don't. Right now it's really only the Arc Trainer that I am finding does not cause me knee twinges or back pain in doing lengthy sessions. I also find that I must do a minimum of 30 minutes of yoga and stretching after a long use of a cardio machine in order to get the repetitive motions of the cardio machine out of my body. If I don't then that night I get the stiffness from the session still stuck in my body. It's been a lot of trial and error over the years. So much of exercise is finding what doesn't cause injury or discomfort.

nycfem

09-06-2013, 01:47 PM

I did an hour on the arc trainer today, manual program, resistance 75. A guy was getting off my favorite machine when I arrived. It's my favorite because it's the only one that isn't in need of repair :|. However, I used a different machine because his clean-up procedure was going to take a while. I think he has that condition where one sweats profusely, to the point of it being a real problem. He was wearing layers, which at first I thought seemed like it would make things worse, but then I realized the layers are to absorb the sweat. He had at least six towels laid out on the machine in different places. That must be a really hard condition to deal with at the gym. He looks super fit so it seems not to be stopping him from being active.

Ginger

09-06-2013, 05:32 PM

Kelt

09-06-2013, 08:00 PM

Today was a good day

It was a beautiful warm late-summer day, and just perfect for swimming. I did a good hard hour of laps with all of my assorted and sundry headgear and then at the end I just floated for about 10 minutes and enjoyed laying in the sun. I never thought I would say that, I never knew I could float.

:cheesy:

I find that I am already altering my plans a bit. I've been finding that trying to keep up with two workouts per day every day is frankly a bit much. I think that if I stick with a good solid hour of whole body exercise per day with the option of adding more a couple of times a week will be smarter for me. It's hard for me to take a pass on the beach now and then, but my overarching goal was to add variety and balance things out better.

I saw an article earlier today that actually kind of fit in with that so I thought I would share it here, How to overcome a workout rut. (http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/08/30/how-to-overcome-a-workout-rut). It is pitched towards weight loss but it is really about the bigger picture.

Beach update: when I was out on my walk yesterday morning I got to survey how the sand project is going. They're setting up special equipment and fuel depots at intervals in preparation. According to schedule in about the next week or two they should be setting up and completing the pipelines, buoys and everything for the barge. So naturally we had an oil spill in the bay couple of days ago. Damage is still being assessed, but it doesn't look good. Most of it is north of me but the Coast Guard was out in full force laying out oil spill boom lines. This area has a lot of land designated as bird sanctuaries on the coastal migration path. Right now is when the bird populations are at their lowest, which is why the work was scheduled for now. We're approaching fall so I hope the cleanup is quick. :(

That's all for now, everybody keep up the good work.

o222Good

09-06-2013, 10:07 PM

Yay! I now have a Craigslist recumbent bike in my workout
room (aka living room)! I am so happy about it!

Kelt, thanks for that great article. Smart advice.
Jennifer, I am so with you about being back at school
and trying to pack it all in. Or being worried that I won't
be able to. Actually, the other day I found myself really
feeling that working out and watching my food takes
total priority over my job now! Work, this year, will be a very
small part of my life. It will not consume me (as it usually
does). My health and fitness routines, and the slow changes
that are happening to my body, mind, and spirit, are so
much more rewarding and important to me!
Well, let's see if it stays like this...

So, today was my high carb day. And my hardest workout
with the weights. A great day! Exhausted! But I just have to
hop on that new bike for 20 minutes before bed!

Daktari

09-07-2013, 03:01 AM

I went for a bike rode the last three nights after work. Tonight I'm just hanging out at home.

I was going around the 3-mile loop at Prospect Park, and noticed a guy ahead of me with a prosthetic leg and long dreds. His T-shirt said, "Work less."

I saw three people (yes, three!), riding with no hands, so they could text.

That last quarter mile or so of the loop is a slow incline that will really kick your ass, but it's gotten so much easier now that I realize, I've been waiting for the hard part to hit, and then suddenly I'm at the end of the loop.

I also like that straight path that goes about 20 blocks down the west side of the park. Coming back, I got off and started going up and down the side streets. I would coast down one block, then stand on the pedals and use what feels like my whole body, up the next street.

It's light enough to ride till about 7:20. Today I ordered a $7 reflecting vest on Amazon. I should also get lights. I'm thinking, if I get the right gloves and jacket and so on, I can ride till there's ice on the ground.

Year round cyclist here and proud of it. You can cycle through all weathers with the right clothes and attitude.

I love that feeling when an 'incline' that's always felt like a workout suddenly becomes easier, if not easy. I've experienced the same recently with some nasty short, steep(ish for for a chap with lung disease) inclines that have always been a challenge.

I love reading your exercise posts because you do in the open air like me.

:thumbsup: Keep on doing it outside!

DapperButch

09-07-2013, 06:33 AM

Year round cyclist here and proud of it. You can cycle through all weathers with the right clothes and attitude.

Yes, when I was into mountain biking I did it year round. I always liked the sound of the crunchy snow under my tires on the trails.

The weather never bothered me. How did I get so old and grumpy (at age 43)? :seeingstars:

Elijah

09-07-2013, 06:48 AM

After one day off, I did another mile and a half walk last night. I felt so much better after taking a day to rest. I was in some pretty serious pain from going from sedentary to active. I am not nearly as sore today.

Daktari

09-07-2013, 06:50 AM

Hah! Dapper, perhaps when you get to my advanced years you'll be less grumpy and feel even more inclined to do things, like cycle in all weathers, when all around are saying they're too old to do stuff like that anymore! :raspberry:

Kelt

09-07-2013, 07:36 AM

Year round cyclist here and proud of it. You can cycle through all weathers with the right clothes and attitude.

I love that feeling when an 'incline' that's always felt like a workout suddenly becomes easier, if not easy. I've experienced the same recently with some nasty short, steep(ish for for a chap with lung disease) inclines that have always been a challenge.

I love reading your exercise posts because you do in the open air like me.

:thumbsup: Keep on doing it outside!

I couldn't agree more. I love being outside for everything, but most particularly exercise. I really struggle when I go to the gym because of it. Mostly I am good at skipping the gym so that I can head to the beach or pool so that I can be outdoors.

:theisland:

nycfem

09-07-2013, 09:44 AM

0222good, what type of recumbent bike did you get?

BB has one from Costco that we ordered on Amazon (for maybe 2 to 300). Hy's been riding it for several years, and screws fall out, but somehow the bike continues to work great for hym! I let the bike be hys alone because I think it's nice for someone to have their own space and toy :). Hy watches Pretty Little Liars, Orange is the New Black, the Fosters, and all sorts of shows I never watch while hy rides it.

ruffryder

09-07-2013, 10:02 AM

Today was alternate walking/running for 30 minutes.
Various pushups
and situps- I'm up to 27 in a minute.

Have a great Saturday everybody!

Chancie

09-07-2013, 10:40 AM

I went to Zumba this morning, and I worked hard!

My butt is sore, my legs are sore, and I hope there's some good reason we're working our shoulders.

There was a new young peppy teacher and she kept us moving for 60 minutes.

I don't do any jumping and if I'm tired, I just march and gyrate until I'm ready to go again.

I'm trying to get to my morning classes three days a week and to Zumba 2-3 times a week.

Good for me!

nycfem

09-07-2013, 08:38 PM

I went for a three and a half hour walk in Riverside Park today. Well, I also swung on the swing set and used the jungle gym and that cool spiral slide. I was on the phone with my mom while at the playground, and she kept yelling at me, "Be careful!" And I'd say, "I'm old enough, MOM!" It was a beautiful day out, and I walked trails, climbed steps, and people watched. I saw a group doing a kung fu lesson. Ironically, with such a long walk, the only tense part of it took place during the last five minutes! I ran into an administrator and teacher from my school (married to each other) and their children. It was very awkward because my wireless listening device had lost it's charge, so I'd been listening to a book on Audible through my i-phone set on speaker. It was a non-fiction book on toxic waste. So I tried to turn it off as we stopped to say hello, but instead I pushed the button that speeds up the audio narration of the book, so it sounded like Chipmunk Punk! And, of course, for the life of me, I just couldn't get the sound off! It was a painfully awkward couple of minutes. Afterwards I just tried to look on the bright side that I wasn't wearing my "On a Queer day you can see forever" t-shirt.

ruffryder

09-08-2013, 11:42 AM

nothing planned today. I'm surprised I'm not sooo sore lately. :)

I'll be doing "some" walking at work. Ya'll have a great Sun day!

Kelt

09-08-2013, 04:04 PM

Today and yesterday both I've done beach walks in the morning. 4.5 miles each time with Saturday 1.5 & today 3 miles done barefoot to strengthen my feet. It feels like I'm doing nothing, but I know that I am on the way to balancing things out.

Beach report: Looks like the oil containment booms have been pulled up. I'm not seeing much in the way of media information, but I gather the damage is mostly north of where I am. So it looks like all systems are go for bringing in more equipment this next week. It is going to be interesting to watch.

nycfem, I love swing-sets! That is something I learned to look for when I'm doing long drives during road trips. There's nothing like finding some old swing-set along the way and spending 15 or 20 minutes really going for it. It shakes out the kinks and the antsies and I have found that it is actually a really good core workout. I was thinking there aren't any around me, and then I realized that I really haven't looked locally. So you've giving me a new project, go find a swing set! Bonus points for being outdoors. :) Thank you.

:theisland:

nycfem

09-08-2013, 06:54 PM

Today I did the Arc Trainer for an hour, Level 10, strength program. I got my favorite one. Jill's favorite one is not my favorite one, thank goodness, so she was right beside me. She likes to go back and forth between the Arc trainer and the Stair Master from here to eternity. I never use the Stairmaster, just regular steps, because the Stairmaster doesn't agree with my feet (Too much pressure falls on the front of my foot, and I have a history of a fractured sesamoid bone, so yeah... not my thing). Afterwards I did 30 minutes of weights, stretching, and yoga. Here's a list of 3 things I like and don't like about Jill (I made this in my head while next to her):

Don't like:
1. Too much perfume
2. Doesn't acknowledge my existence unless I initiate
3. Plays her music a little on the loud side

Like:
1. Always there
2. Mysterious
3. Amazing looks

easygoingfemme

09-08-2013, 07:05 PM

Danced for three hours!

Elijah

09-08-2013, 07:07 PM

I did my mile and a half walk...I went from "slow paced" to "leisurely pace" to "moderate pace" in a weeks time, not bad. *s

girl_dee

09-08-2013, 07:35 PM

worked in the heat today, should have burned a million calories!

batennisboy

09-08-2013, 11:07 PM

Did all that I planned this week. Would have liked another hitting session but it was probably good I didn't and not risk overdoing it for today's event. Always want to play more but have to be cautious not to over-play.

Chancie

09-09-2013, 01:30 AM

We worked in the garden for more than three hours.

Poor Pete would have given up, she said, but

I was unstoppable.

I weeded the hell out of all four beds,

I trimmed two rose bushes, and

I dragged around bags of mulch.

I guess it doesn't sound like much, but,

I was sore and tired, but not as sore and tired as

I would have been last year.

Ginger

09-09-2013, 05:16 AM

Same old thing; bike riding around Prospect Park yesterday morning,

then down the 20-block path that flanks the west side of the park,

then up and down the side streets between Prospect Park West and 8th Avenue,

then up and down the side streets between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue,

then headed home.

It took about an hour and a half.

I stopped at one point to check out the big flea market at the public school on 7th Avenue.

It was beautiful out.

Kelt

09-09-2013, 01:30 PM

This mornings game plan was to go to the gym and do weights for 30 minutes and then HIIT on the arc for 20 minutes.

Then I got up and it was sunny. :blink:

I went to the beach instead. 4.5 miles.

Everyday here is sunny.

I see a flaw in the gym plan. :thinking:

BullDog

09-09-2013, 01:58 PM

I have lost about 27 pounds in the last few months, mostly from changing my diet (eliminating bad carbs). I haven't done much exercise. Today I eased into things by walking in the backyard for 15 minutes first thing this morning (before coffee!). The dogs supervised. I am going to do another walking stint this evening. I plan on starting with some light weights tomorrow. I will work my way up.

Ginger

09-09-2013, 06:07 PM

Tonight I was biking back down to my street and it was only 7:10 and already getting dark out. It's cooler today, and I hesitated about wearing shorts to bike in but did anyway. Once I warmed up, it was great. Then when I got home I went out on the balcony and there was one thin streak of orange in the sky.

Elijah

09-09-2013, 06:57 PM

Today was rest day, but I worked out on the massage table. Life is good.

nycfem

09-09-2013, 07:34 PM

I did an hour on the Arc Trainer, Level 10, strength program. I've been watching a mediocre reality series called Dance Moms while at the gym, about a small group of young girls competing in dance competitions. There's too much drama between the moms and not enough dance, but I still enjoy it enough to finish the series. The leader of the dance company, Abby Lee Miller, is fat, childless, and fierce. She's kinda cool, and I love some of the choreography of the dancing. It's not all drama. There's some really cool dances! Also, it seems to be in her contract that they can't make fun of her weight because she's very fat, and she gets yelled at by the moms and the girls and competing dance companies for all kinds of petty things but not for being fat. I love not having to worry about that upsetting me and just being able to enjoy seeing a fat woman teach dance like nobody's business! Here's a pic of Abby Lee:

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb472/dancegleek2/Dance%20Moms/AbbyLeeMiller.jpg (http://media.photobucket.com/user/dancegleek2/media/Dance%20Moms/AbbyLeeMiller.jpg.html)

Chelsius

09-09-2013, 07:42 PM

1.5 miles. Twas very sweaty.

Gemme

09-10-2013, 03:13 PM

Helllllo!

It's been a heckuva week, y'all.

This is what I've been up to.

9/4: moved aka weight training for a couple of hours
9/5-9/7: unpacked, moved furniture, cleaned
9/8: the Beast for 45 minutes. 447 cal, 2.26 miles.
9/9: moved some more furniture and boxes around
9/10: nada except work half the day and hang around for the a/c and internet guys to show up

Even though I've actually only put ONE day of "real" exercise in, I've dropped almost 3 pounds in a week. I have even done this while eating KFC (split into three meals). I had a massive craving and everywhere I went, there was fried chicken!

My coworker had it for lunch and the office smelled delish, then later that night I went to a house for a Craigslist find and they were frying up some chicken and my taste buds were screaming. So, I got some. I picked up a 3 piece, mashed taters and gravy, coleslaw and a biscuit. I had a piece of chicken each meal and divied up the sides. That biscuit didn't last but a few minutes. so rounds two and three were biscuit-less.

Sooooo, here are my theories. One, I changed up my routine and my body was like, whaaaa??? okay. cool. and it carried on. Two, in the past week, I've gone down several ticks on the stress meter so there's less cortisol floating in my gut. Three, it's good to indulge a little bit once in a while. The emotional and sense benefits (for me, it's comfort food and a little nostaglic) outweigh any physical cons.

I am now, officially, 2 pounds away from my Reunion goal weight.

:cheer:

o222Good

09-10-2013, 05:05 PM

Yay Gemme! You must feel great to be so close to your goal! Today was ab day for me, and I hope to do the bike a little later. I have a decline bench that I hook my feet into (kinda brings out my S&M subconscious!) for situps, and which I also use while holding a ball for my obliques. Then I did planks, and finished with a bicycle style exercise on the floor. Three sets of reps for each exercise, with 30 seconds to a minute rest between each rep. I'll have a little dinner soon, and then hopefully get on the recumbent bike...

Kelt

09-10-2013, 05:34 PM

I vote for all of the above with a heavy dose of two.

Went to the beach today for 4.5. This was more than negated by going to a beach peeps house for lunch after.

Homemade spring rolls of many types followed by an obscene amount of Jackfruit. I was also sent home with a bowl of amazing homemade seafood soupish stuff with crispy fried egg white noodles to serve it on for dinner. :eating:

I really love fresh vietnamese food. It seems evil but is all good stuff.

:cheesy:

Elijah

09-10-2013, 06:31 PM

A mile and half again today, feels good now, but 89 degrees...sticky.

BullDog

09-10-2013, 09:05 PM

I did lots and lots of walking today, but no weights. My day did not exactly go as planned. Hopefully tomorrow will be less chaotic, and I will get on track.

nycfem

09-10-2013, 09:39 PM

Every Tuesday my colleague and I walk in the Botanic Gardens over lunch because that's the day it's free. The amount of fragrance, and trees, and leaves, and scent of upcoming fall is luscious.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/axlotl/c042c1ce.jpg (http://media.photobucket.com/user/axlotl/media/c042c1ce.jpg.html)

Daktari

09-11-2013, 04:06 AM

No dedicated exercise as such for aaaaages. However I spend much being outside and work a semi physical job (cycle maintenance) so get lots of on-the-job exercise. Just need to add some planks to m'evening routine for keep the abs toned to my satisfaction.

Chancie

09-11-2013, 03:30 PM

I'm working really hard, working out at the gym five times a week.

I feel like I am getting stronger, and I have added weight to my bar, but Zumba is still so hard for me.

I had a terrible crisis of confidence yesterday and I started crying in front of the teacher/trainer.

I really like her and I generally feel very encouraged by her, but she assumed that I was upset because I wasn't losing weight fast enough.

I had been really frustrated that the scale wasn't moving, but that has changed, and I'm wearing a smaller size than I was at this time last year.

She suggested that I eat fewer calories and I told her that I was comfortable with what I was eating, that I had recently started eating more fat and protein.

I asked her if it was really okay if I had to modify what we did in Zumba, if I marched in place or did something different when there's jumping, and she said, Of course!

She said that all the teachers felt the same way, that they all want us to do what's comfortable for our bodies.

I am still committed to stretch and Group Power three times a week, and Zumba 2-3 times a week.

BullDog

09-11-2013, 06:15 PM

After getting absolutely no sleep last night I wasn't sure how I would hold up today, but I did manage two walking stints (second one a slow jog) and one session of light weight lifting.

Gemme

09-11-2013, 06:31 PM

Tonight was pretty awesome. I had a half hour round on the Beast and it went well. I worked hard and I felt it, but I felt strong too. 315 calories and a little under 2 miles burned like yesterday's money.

Interesting (to me) tidbit: I find sweaty wrists and hands sexy. Well, maybe not sweaty. Glistening. No actual beads of sweat; just the glimmer and shine on the skin that says You. Are. Kicking. Ass.

That's right; I just called my wrists sexy. What?

:weightlifter:

DapperButch

09-11-2013, 07:29 PM

Interesting (to me) tidbit: I find sweaty wrists and hands sexy. Well, maybe not sweaty. Glistening. No actual beads of sweat; just the glimmer and shine on the skin that says You. Are. Kicking. Ass.

That's right; I just called my wrists sexy. What?

:weightlifter:

Yes, that is interesting. I think my forearms look sexy when they glimmer and shine. No seriously, I do remember noticing it and didn't think "sexy" at the time, just that it looked kind of cool. But, yeah, I think if someone asked me if at the time if sexy was a word that would fit, I'd say yeah.

I'm not really shocked by that, though. I am a bit narcissistic. :hamactor: I like to call it healthy self confidence, though. :blink:

Elijah

09-12-2013, 07:03 PM

A mile and a half again tonight. I felt a little like I was on crack after, my poor Zack (my old kitty) was trying to follow me around as per usual and finally he gave up. Poor old man.

Gemme

09-12-2013, 07:11 PM

I had a nice walk on the treadmill for 50 minutes tonight. I didn't want to work myself too hard since tomorrow morning will be a good, long workout. Random program, starting at level 7 and finishing at level 10. 255 calories and 2.35 miles.

Not too shabby!

DapperButch

09-12-2013, 07:16 PM

45 eliptical. Upper body. blah, blah, blah.

oh, and I got a haircut.

and chinese (tofu with mixed vegetables).

BullDog

09-12-2013, 07:40 PM

Two stints of walking/jogging for me and one session of light weight lifting.

I've been tempted to throw in other stuff. Leave it to Dapper to be the trail blazer. I had a pork chop and green beans for dinner. The Braves are beating the Marlins. Wax on, wax off.

Ginger

09-12-2013, 08:32 PM

I didn't ride my bike for a couple nights because it's been so hot and humid.

But it rained today, and cooled down a bit, so I rode for just 45 minutes, around the park loop, then up and down the straight path flanking the park, then I felt a few drops of rain so headed home.

The neon yellow vest I ordered online came in the mail, and I wore it tonight. It was overcast and dusky out, but I felt pretty visible.

I was riding till 7:30, and now it's 7, as the light leaves earlier and earlier.

Kelt

09-12-2013, 08:51 PM

This business of still being dark at 6:30 in the morning is cramping my style.

Went for early coffee up the street to wait for light. It rained on me. (just a wee sprinkle really) It's September :blink: not supposed to have precip for another 6 weeks or so. Hmm.

It was cloudy out and still I managed to opt for beach over gym. I keep thinking about how soon it will be all messed up with construction. Sort of a 'get it while the getting is good' mentality. Right.

6 miles to assuage my guilt.

Gemme

09-13-2013, 06:05 PM

Excellent day, all!

Warmed up on ye ole treadmill for 15, did lower body weight training with a smidge of ab work thrown in plus the experience of trying two new machines (sadly, they are not adjustable to my height/body design so I won't be using them on a regular basis) followed by half an hour on the Beast and then some stretching.

All in all, about 372 calories (that I could calculate) and 2.25 miles are in my rearview mirror.

Someone is very excited to find individual servings of Cracker Barrel cheese. Yum! Happy Friday the 13th to me!

DapperButch

09-13-2013, 06:57 PM

:dog: = treadmill = 15 minutes at 1.0 miles per hour x 5 inch legs x 11 lbs = _____ Gemme calories?

divided by 645392-0.2 = ____ Kelt calories?

Daddy = no workout :coffee:

Gemme

09-13-2013, 07:04 PM

:dog: = treadmill = 15 minutes at 1.0 miles per hour x 5 inch legs x 11 lbs = _____ Gemme calories?

divided by 645392-0.2 = ____ Kelt calories?

Daddy = no workout :coffee:

bwahahahahaha

You stink. Making your doggie have all the fun. Such a slacker!

He totally earned a biscuit.

DapperButch

09-13-2013, 07:10 PM

bwahahahahaha

You stink. Making your doggie have all the fun. Such a slacker!

He totally earned a biscuit.

He got his special "workout" one. It's the BIG treat. Otherwise, he is stuck with this little scrubby one that he gets after he poops in the morning.

Gemme

09-13-2013, 07:13 PM

He got his special "workout" one. It's the BIG treat. Otherwise, he is stuck with this little scrubby one that he gets after he poops in the morning.

You bribe your dog to poop?

:blink:

DapperButch

09-13-2013, 07:16 PM

You bribe your dog to poop?

:blink:

I am late for work every morning, so yes.

This is how we roll.

When we wake up his organic food + plus anti-oxidant sprinkled berry powder + omega 3 oil is placed in his bowl. We go outside. He pees 'cause he is psyched to get to his food.

After Daddy gets ready for work, and is always late, he takes dog out and dog poops. Dog poops because he knows he gets a treat when he come in. The little scrubby treat, that is.

Kelt

09-13-2013, 08:27 PM

:dog: = treadmill = 15 minutes at 1.0 miles per hour x 5 inch legs x 11 lbs = _____ Gemme calories?

divided by 645392-0.2 = ____ Kelt calories?

Daddy = no workout :coffee:

I figured that 5 inch legs would constitute running rather than walking. Plugged it into the calculator at Runners World and the results?

"The distance and time you entered represents an invalid pace."

They say you are mean.

Happy to help. :cheesy:

DapperButch

09-13-2013, 08:57 PM

I figured that 5 inch legs would constitute running rather than walking. Plugged it into the calculator at Runners World and the results?

"The distance and time you entered represents an invalid pace."

They say you are mean.

Happy to help. :cheesy:

Actually, it is only a slightly brisk pace for the guy. Seems like it would be faster, I know.

Kelt

09-13-2013, 09:11 PM

Actually, it is only a slightly brisk pace for the guy. Seems like it would be faster, I know.

This is something that pops into my mind now and then when I am out; if a 6 foot man takes a dachshund for a walk, who walks further?

Rhetorical, I know, the same distance. It just always looks like the dog is doing a lot more work.

:thinking:

Me, today: 4.5 miles on the beach. My hand has been called. The bulldozers are on the move. Gym tomorrow. :(

Daktari

09-14-2013, 02:44 AM

This is something that pops into my mind now and then when I am out; if a 6 foot man takes a dachshund for a walk, who walks further?

Rhetorical, I know, the same distance. It just always looks like the dog is doing a lot more work.

:thinking:

Me, today: 4.5 miles on the beach. My hand has been called. The bulldozers are on the move. Gym tomorrow. :(

Do ya not have a promenade next to the beach to walk along?

Gemme

09-14-2013, 05:14 AM

I am late for work every morning, so yes.

This is how we roll.

When we wake up his organic food + plus anti-oxidant sprinkled berry powder + omega 3 oil is placed in his bowl. We go outside. He pees 'cause he is psyched to get to his food.

After Daddy gets ready for work, and is always late, he takes dog out and dog poops. Dog poops because he knows he gets a treat when he come in. The little scrubby treat, that is.

Daddy should wake up earlier.

Do ya not have a promenade next to the beach to walk along?

It's the sand that he likes.

Chancie

09-14-2013, 06:51 AM

I added some weight to my morning workout yesterday. It didn't seem like much, but I was a hot mess at the end of class, literally. By 4 o'clock ish, I was very sore and tired.

I'm taking a Zumba class this morning, cross your fingers for me; I cried at the last class.

:nocrosstalkpleaseandthankyou:

Kelt

09-14-2013, 08:10 AM

Do ya not have a promenade next to the beach to walk along?

Yep, there is, but my shocks are blown so I like the soft stuff.

Barring that, the arc at the gym is zero impact. It's second choice but at least I have options. I can still go for a shorter stroll in the afternoons on the remainder for the fresh air/outdoor aspects.

:theisland:

BullDog

09-14-2013, 09:23 AM

All I could manage to get myself to do yesterday was a 20 minute walk. I have already done that today as of 11:15 am, so hopefully I will do better today. I am off to the grocery store to buy healthy food. I sure wish I could find some decent avocados here, but so far no such luck.

Chancie

09-14-2013, 09:56 AM

Zumba went just fine today. I think I'm too tired at the end of the school day to enjoy and feel successful in that class. But, I really need to get to the gym five days a week, for my own sanity. And I could hit another Group Power class on Sunday mornings but I'd rather do a little more cardio. There might be a plan to add Zumba on Sundays, which I would love.

Gemme

09-14-2013, 11:36 AM

This morning's weigh in has me at one pound off of my goal. Woot! Any more is always welcome but I really want to hit that point (numbers on a scale are just that...numbers....and say nothing about a person's self-worth, etc....yes, yes, I know this but this is MY scale and MY number and so it is what it is).

Tonight there will be no gym. There will still be lifting and moving and grunting and shuffling and sweating, though, so I'm pretty sure it still counts.

:blink:

Metro

09-14-2013, 12:21 PM

nycfem

09-14-2013, 02:11 PM

2.5 hours in the park: walking, rock climbing, swing-set swinging, up/down steps, arm exercises while walking (makes me look like a dork!)

It is a beautiful fall weather day. I saw the same group doing kung fu. I saw another group having a picnic. I always like to guess why the people are gathered together when it doesn't look like family or friends exactly. Pot-luck meet-up for serial killers?

I haven't exercised formally since Tuesday. It was a rough adjustment to school, meaning the hours and the mental energy and the time. My sleep was a mess all week. It was great to sleep in today and go to the park.

Daktari

09-14-2013, 02:28 PM

Yep, there is, but my shocks are blown so I like the soft stuff.

Barring that, the arc at the gym is zero impact. It's second choice but at least I have options. I can still go for a shorter stroll in the afternoons on the remainder for the fresh air/outdoor aspects.

:theisland:

Awww gee, sorry dude, I didn't realise. Open mouth & change feet is my usual m.o :| :cheesy:

Being active outdoors is important to both you and me, so I'm glad to hear there's some opportunity to get out into the oxygen/seaside ozone/sun (doesn't have to be shining to reap the benefit of natural light), for the duration of the development works.

:hangloose:

ps. Have you tried cycling?

Gemme

09-14-2013, 05:51 PM

So far today: 30" speed walk; 4 mile bike ride. Later: Raking up Sycamore tree bark; washing more windows (and the last prior to winter -- sheesh, there are a lot of windows in my little house); free weights; adding a few stretch band exercises to my routine.

30 inches? I guess that was speedy. ;)

Washing windows is no joke. Major arm action there.

Pot-luck meet-up for serial killers?

It's a good thing I wasn't swallowing when I read that, missy!

Gemme

09-15-2013, 10:09 AM

Guess who forgot their music until about 10 feet from the door of the gym?

DOH!!!

:seconddoh:

So, I was less motivated than usual but I wasn't going to go alllll the way back home, grab the MP3 player and go allllll the way back to the gym so I made due.

15 minute warm up on the treadmill: 64 cal, .73 mi
Upper body and ab training (a little more work than usual on the abs and I can tell :blink: )
35 minutes back on the treadmill with incline play: 204 cal, 1.64 mi

The actual 'cardio' portion (warm up doesn't count) of the program was a bit boring. I missed my tunes terribly.

Now, I get to go move a GIANT dresser all by myself.

Oy.

Deep breath and PUSH!!!

Wait.

Wrong thread.

:|

Metro

09-15-2013, 12:22 PM

30 inches? I guess that was speedy. ;)

Washing windows is no joke. Major arm action there.

What, Gemme! My chart style punctuation symbols for hours and minutes is a no-no? Such editorial liberties makin' ya grit yer teeth?

Example 1: One hour and thirty minutes noted as 1'30" – indicating a duration (not a time of day).

Example 2: Five feet and four inches noted as 5'4" – indicating a distance (or measurement, like height).

Granted, I cannot find anything in the AP Guide nor Chicago Manual of Style condoning this kind of punctuation. However, I see it a lot in columnar charts.

As for speedy, well, I do my best but that would have been about one stride. Granted, I am not always motivated to workout but a thirty-inch walk wouldn't be post-worthy. ;)

As for the window washing – oh yes, deltoids feelin' the burn, and in a good way.

:thumbsup:

nycfem

09-15-2013, 02:54 PM

2 hours in Riverside Park: walking, stair climbing, and playground activity: going up those chain link walls (granted: made for 5-year-olds), then sliding down a poll, no swing-set swinging because the children had the nerve to monopolize the swings! It was another gorgeous fall like day.

Gemme

09-15-2013, 03:04 PM

What, Gemme! My chart style punctuation symbols for hours and minutes is a no-no? Such editorial liberties makin' ya grit yer teeth?

Example 1: One hour and thirty minutes noted as 1'30" – indicating a duration (not a time of day).

Example 2: Five feet and four inches noted as 5'4" – indicating a distance (or measurement, like height).

Granted, I cannot find anything in the AP Guide nor Chicago Manual of Style condoning this kind of punctuation. However, I see it a lot in columnar charts.

As for speedy, well, I do my best but that would have been about one stride. Granted, I am not always motivated to workout but a thirty-inch walk wouldn't be post-worthy. ;)

As for the window washing – oh yes, deltoids feelin' the burn, and in a good way.

:thumbsup:

Grit my teeth? Nah. I have just never seen minutes using the inches notation before.

As a side note: I have reached my goal ahead of schedule! Woot. So, I am having a salad for dinner as a reward. :blink: I might go crazy and crack open the ice cream. I haven't had any in a few weeks.

Metro

09-15-2013, 04:55 PM

Grit my teeth? Nah. I have just never seen minutes using the inches notation before.

As a side note: I have reached my goal ahead of schedule! Woot. So, I am having a salad for dinner as a reward. :blink: I might go crazy and crack open the ice cream. I haven't had any in a few weeks.

No harm done, no harm done. :)

Congrats on reaching your http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/football/goal-smiley-emoticon-2.gif (http://www.sherv.net/emoticons.html) – keep up the great work!

Gemme

09-16-2013, 06:01 PM

I forgot my abs.

:blink:

Oh, well.

It works out better, schedule-wise, to do them tomorrow.

So, I ate my banana too early and wound up staying a little later at work today. What affect does that have? I run out of steam 2/3 into the workout. Bah. I gave it my all and that's all I can ask/demand of myself.

The Beast
30 minutes
321 calories
1.60 miles

DapperButch

09-16-2013, 06:26 PM

45 elip
upper body
:dog: doesn't know it yet, but he is hitting the mill for 15

SometimesSweet

09-16-2013, 06:54 PM

Since school started I felt so out of sorts and out of my routine. I am happy to say that life is slowly and finally getting back to "normal"..lol
Today was supposed to be 1hr at the gym, instead I spent time cleaning the house, sitting at the café and driving around looking at houses!
Does any of the above count.... I think not, but I did want to share. So really my question is why do we do that, when times get stressful why do we (or I should say some of us) eliminate the exercise when really it is exactly then when we need it most?
Thoughts anyone..

Happy day to everyone!!

SS

batennisboy

09-16-2013, 11:50 PM

Swollen foot in two places. This sucks. Have to lay off everything for a few days to let it heal. Grrrrrr! Hopefully will be to get back on the court over the weekend...first match of the season the weekend after!

Gemme

09-17-2013, 05:15 AM

Rockinonahigh

09-17-2013, 09:31 AM

Today it's suposed to hit the 90's but at the moment it is about 85* so I have been working out in bits and peices cause my back has been spazzing on me so I go as far as I can go then rest a while then go somemore till it hits again.I have tryed stretching the spazzes out and it helps a bit.I am just now feeling up to working out again,when I got back from Vegas I was just plain worn out from near non stop pool games,getting sleep when I could then doing my best to eat right to keep my blood sugar from getting to far out of hand plus dealing with sore blisterd feet(this I never expected).Cause of the nerve damage to my back muscels that effect my legs I dont have the strength I use to have even with doing a lot of leg exersises to keep them as good as they are,I knew there would come a time I most probly would need a scooter I wasnt expecting to have the problems I had tho I have lost weight to lessen the stress on my knees wich have been a problem,it didnt help that I caought a cold wich i'm about over with finaly.I know if I ever quify for Vegas tournaments again I will be haveing a scooter to get aroud with as I missed out on several things cause I just couldnt walk that far.I really thought I was in better shape strength wise,gess I wasnt wich really disapoint for all the leg work I have done.Back to the drawing bord I gess but I really don't know what else I can to to make my legs stronger,If anyone has any ideas please let me know I shure will try it to see how much it helps.I haven't posted much but Ihave read how well u all are doing,keep up the good work I am proud of all of you.

BullDog

09-17-2013, 09:57 AM

So really my question is why do we do that, when times get stressful why do we (or I should say some of us) eliminate the exercise when really it is exactly then when we need it most?
Thoughts anyone..

Happy day to everyone!!

SS

Good question, I find myself in this situation right now. A major goal of mine is to really get fit, build muscle and lose weight. All I have managed to do lately when it comes to exercise is wander in the back yard aimlessly. In times of stress and difficulty, I think I have a tendency to curl up in a little ball when getting up and moving would be a lot better. I dunno.

I am down 30 pounds since early June, so I give myself credit for that. I mostly now eat meat, vegetables and eggs. It seems to work for me. So in terms of getting fit overall, building muscle and losing weight, I have been successful on one out of three. In baseball, that's a .333 batting average, so I will take it for now.

I have been posting in here to try to keep myself accountable. Some days it works, some days it doesn't. I will keep wandering until I can manage to get myself to do more. And I will keep eating my meat and veggies.

nycfem

09-17-2013, 06:34 PM

No formal exercise today. I say formal because we usually always get some exercise, like walking to the refrigerator :D (jk, but true). Yesterday I did half an hour on the Beast, Level 10, Strength program. I watched Lizard Lick Towing Company, a show I enjoy much more than I should (a reality show). Then I did half an hour of weight lifting and stretching. I love to just sit and watch people at the gym (as inconspicuously as possible). It helps me to learn new and fun ways to move my body. It's also nice to see people in their own zone and what that looks like. It's all so individualized. I don't know what I'm getting at here, just tired, and thinking out loud.

Venus007

09-17-2013, 07:23 PM

I go to one of those 24 hour gyms. I work at a crazy early hour so I am usually at the gym before work -around 2:30-3:00 AM. I have the place to myself and it is so fun. I can make noises, sweat, fart and generally do whatever the hell I want and look however I want and no one is there to judge, comment or for me to have to restrain my loud singing along with the radio. I am having a blast and am actually looking forward to working out. I have been going steadily for about a month.

I did cardio and worked on my legs today, I bumped my weight up for my reps. I don't feel any different but clearly it is working because empirically I am getting stronger. Awesome!

Gemme

09-18-2013, 06:56 PM

Yesterday, I went through some boxes. That's about as exciting and strenuous as it got.

Tonight I took it easy too because I plan on a good, hard workout tomorrow morning. I walked on the treadmill with some light to moderate incline play (topping out at 5.5) for 45 minutes.

255 cal
2.22 mi

Then I spent a few minutes working the abs lightly. Again, tomorrow's gonna make 'em cry so I wanted to test the waters tonight.

Doing well!

Daktari

09-19-2013, 04:31 AM

Daily activity has reduced quite a lot in the last week or so and I]m not happy about it.

Don;t want to do to much exercise whilst entering bear-in-hibernation mode or I'll lose too much weight. yeah I know ain't I 'lucky'?:|

Gemme

09-19-2013, 09:35 AM

HARD!!!

That's my description of today's workout and it wasn't necessarily what I was doing. My body felt a little sluggish and tired today, so most everything felt like I was working way harder than usual to get it done. Boo.

The usual warmup for 15 on the treadmill (62 cal, .72 mi) went fine and didn't give me any clue to the difficulty that was coming.

Then I worked the lower body, back and abs. This is when I started to feel it and by the end of it, my legs were shaking so I took a mental inventory of what I'd done and what I ate for breakkie and everything should have been fine. I was hydrating and not pushing myself beyond already known limits. I don't know. I guess today is just an 'off' day for me.

The worst of it was when I was in the first 10 minutes on the Beast but I caught a smidge of a second wind around the 12 minute mark so it got a little better. (307 cal, 1.54 mi, 30 min)

Tomorrow's going to be a light workout while my body figures out what it's doing.

In the meantime, I'm having a salad with lots 'o chunks of nummy chicken, tomatoes, mushrooms and a lots of mixed greens and teensy weensy veggies (carrots and radishes, mainly).

Kelt

09-19-2013, 06:51 PM

I have been bad about checking in, but good about staying active. :cheesy:

I've been hitting the beach every day for anywhere from 3 to 6 miles. Monday I skipped the beach and went swimming instead, tomorrow I will do the same.

You may notice my lack of mentioning the gym. Um, yeah. :blush:

Daktari needs a warmer climate.

:theisland:

Gemme

09-20-2013, 06:39 PM

DapperButch

09-21-2013, 06:19 AM

Tonight was a nice and easy night. No sweat. Literally. I opted for a low key but long workout with the goal of slow burning my fuel.

65 minutes on the treadmill. Random program, levels 1-4. 269 calories. 3.04 miles.

I was also breaking in new shoes, so I didn't want to go crazy and wind up with blisters.

The other ones never worked out? That stinks.

I solved my shoe problems by just never using the treadmill again (sticking with the eliptical).

cinnamongrrl

09-21-2013, 08:05 AM

Going hiking! :)

Gemme

09-21-2013, 01:49 PM

The other ones never worked out? That stinks.

I solved my shoe problems by just never using the treadmill again (sticking with the eliptical).

Quite the contrary, actually. They are great. I just don't want to take them with me to the Reunion, in case luggage is lost, etc.

They are just more expensive to replace than the ones I'm breaking in.

:)

I had planned to do a big ole workout today and I'm just not sure if it's going to happen. My errands put me back terribly and I just finished eating, so we'll see how it goes.

DapperButch

09-21-2013, 07:32 PM

Quite the contrary, actually. They are great. I just don't want to take them with me to the Reunion, in case luggage is lost, etc.

They are just more expensive to replace than the ones I'm breaking in.

:)

I had planned to do a big ole workout today and I'm just not sure if it's going to happen. My errands put me back terribly and I just finished eating, so we'll see how it goes.

Oh, ok. Makes sense. Smart!

nycfem

09-21-2013, 07:48 PM

I did an hour on the Arc Trainer, Strength Program, Level 10, while watching the Hip Hop Shop countdown (Lil Wayne) and Teen Moms. Then I did 30 minutes of weight lifting and yoga in front of a window with sun pouring in. It felt so good to stretch in the sun. Then tonight, out with 0222good (a fellow exerciser here), we did ten seconds of jogging together :).

Cin

09-21-2013, 08:31 PM

A couple of years ago I got hurt and had to stop my usual workout. I got turned onto deep water running during that period and it was a surprise how effective it is. Usually I don't think much of water aerobics, no offense to anyone who likes them, I just don't. Swimming is pretty good but when I do it in a pool I always end up getting cold and for some reason I end up eating more than I planned so it's okay for exercise a couple of times a week, but not something I would do every day. Except of course in the summer when I can do it in the ocean. Or at least I could when I lived near an ocean. Anyway I found deep water running to be more of a cardio workout than I imagined it would be. You can get your heart pumping and it's quite low impact. I took to it like a duck to water so to speak and I'm really quite good at it. I'm quite buoyant so no problem staying upright in the water. It's simply running in water that is deep enough so your feet don't touch bottom. I have been having a bit of trouble with my knee and stairs lately so I've decided to go back to this fairly impact free but challenging workout starting tomorrow. Or maybe Monday. I might just do a little walking tomorrow and rest. But Monday for sure. Wish me luck.

Metro

09-21-2013, 09:24 PM

I was also breaking in new shoes, so I didn't want to go crazy and wind up with blisters.

Earlier this week I put a pair of new walking shoes into use – but forgot to soften up the heel cups before the maiden voyage. Argh!

Heels better as of today.... Won't make that mistake again.

Daktari

09-22-2013, 05:24 AM

I knew I needed to get some negative energy out in a positive way.
Was gonna ask mates to go out on gay scene dancing
Chose instead to go to a fellowship unity day which would culminate in dancing.

Can't beat a bit of hot, sweaty boogieing to make ya feel free again!

Sadly my lift was leaving earlier than I would have liked but hey, I ain't gonna complain, I got to dance!! and met the purtiest gal who didn't stop checking me out...I'm sure my HP is having a joke with me.

-m9ZP_tTtLc

Gemme

09-22-2013, 07:59 AM

Good morning, exercisers!

I did wind up going to the gym last night but it was a bit rushed as I forgot it was the weekend and they close at 7pm, but I did get a workout in and I'm glad for it.

I did 10 minutes on the treadmill, warming up, then moved to work my upper body. I shortened both the reps and the sets, only doing 10 reps and 2 sets, but I did try to use a little heavier weight than I normally would to try and balance things out. That was followed by some ab work. I finished with 30 minutes on the treadmill, walking at a good clip and at a slight incline.

All in all, about 202 calories, 2.07 miles.

I'm going to head out to the gym after work today and will work my lower body and try to get some more time with the Beast in.

batennisboy

09-22-2013, 11:21 PM

It was a bit of a struggle on court today. Think it was not having any court or gym time at all this past week to let the ankle get better. But ankle is all better and is fine after practice today...should be able to resume all activities next week. Will have to get in at least one hit session during the week and a light one before the match. Getting hurt sucks but is the reality of playing sports. Sigh, the ups and downs of it all. :|

lusciouskiwi

09-23-2013, 04:39 AM

A couple of years ago I got hurt and had to stop my usual workout. I got turned onto deep water running during that period and it was a surprise how effective it is.

Good luck. :) It sounds wonderful. I wish I could do that but I'm scared of water and when I read about "deep enough so that your feet don't touch the bottom" I was all "hell no!"

Posting this for a giggle.

p4Yixn5y2LU

DapperButch

09-23-2013, 05:18 AM

This is SO my dog! He does the same thing when I am doing crunches or anything on the floor.

Gemme

09-23-2013, 05:26 AM

I forgot to mention before but after I came back from the gym Saturday night, I jogged/walked around my property for another 20 minutes or so. It was such a lovely night and not quite dark yet. It was the perfect temp and there was a light breeze blowing, plus what I created by my own resistance. I couldn't resist and I loved it. I had my hair down and my music on and it reminded me of how I used to feel when I was kid, running around. That was a pretty wonderful moment.

Yesterday I got to the gym after work and found out their water fountains (bubblers, here) were not working, so they comp'd me a bottle of water. Nice. I did my 15 minute warm up and worked my lower body and abs and then I went onto the Beast for 30 minutes. Not sure if it was the time of day and having worked earlier or if I was just asking a bit too much of my body but my time on the Beast was a real struggle. It felt harder than usual to come up with my usual stats, so I might let tonight go. Not sure. I'll see how I feel after work today.

Yesterday: 390 cal, 2.37 mi

Ginger

09-23-2013, 05:31 AM

If you do it right, cooking is a lot of exercise: Lifting, crouching—slicing a spaghetti squash, I have to really put my back into it!

Kätzchen

09-23-2013, 02:03 PM

Last friday I was lucky enough to be able to go up to a favorite place of mine in the woods and sit in hot springs. I walked almost 5 miles of mountain-side terrain on my woodland outting. Being out in the forest brings such a peace to my heart and soul.

Anyway, a few things to share about my woodland excursion:
a) I'm sometimes not too bright when it comes to making sure I'm watching out for my own health needs, while hiking in the forest, because I wore a pair of new shoes (my free thriftstore find of the century! *lol*) and because the shoes fit loosely, I felt I didn't need to wear any socks. Well, my feet swelled to the high heavens and it wasn't until I was all the way up to the hot springs that I felt the heel on my right foot, swearing up a storm at me (it was bleeding). I ended up walking with my shoes not on properly and thus, my feet and legs paid a lovely price for me not thinking about the need to wear socks.

b) Aside from that, I noticed the next day that the levi's I wore fit a bit looser than before.

c) I have no idea how many calories I burned off with my exploits in the forest, but I was hungry after my day in the woods, even though I had plenty of granola and bottles of water for my hike in the woods. I think that my levi's fitting looser and muscles in my body not being used like that, in a while, not only made me feel better, but made the pain of hurting my foot and muscles not such a big deal (this time).
Also, just to say that I don't always make getting out to exercise a daily experience, but I am working on making exercise a part of my life on a regular basis. I really enjoy reading about the work out experiences that members have been sharing. I am inspired by your stories and feel led to lead by your example in my own life.

*Cheers, to all of you!*

:bouquet:

Daktari

09-23-2013, 02:21 PM

8-10miles ride yesterday with a fellowship gal-friend

Probably about the same today with all the running around I've done, not least getting m'self to an F&E meeting in the middle of some estate, somewhere in South Blackpool.

After an evening dancing on Saturday too I iz one very tired Dak. A couple of real early nights should help. :blink:

Probably burnt off a sausage or two :cheesy:

DapperButch

09-23-2013, 04:21 PM

Cin

09-23-2013, 04:51 PM

My one friend's husband finally got a job

When I read this I was like aw, don't say that, that's not true. But then i realized you are talking about people you used to work out with and not saying you only have the one friend. Sometimes my reading comprehension skills are a little lacking.

DapperButch

09-23-2013, 04:58 PM

When I read this I was like aw, don't say that, that's not true. But then i realized you are talking about people you used to work out with and not saying you only have the one friend. Sometimes my reading comprehension skills are a little lacking.

Actually, I'm pretty sure mine was grammatically incorrect.

No really, it's me, not you...

Cin

09-23-2013, 05:11 PM

Actually, I'm pretty sure mine was grammatically incorrect.

No really, it's me, not you...

LOL, No, No, it's me.

After all it's an exercise thread not an English grammar one.

Gemme

09-23-2013, 05:51 PM

Welcome to the thread, Katzchen!

So, I am working out at home on a pretty regular basis now instead of the gym. My one friend's husband finally got a job (thankfully), so she has to go home directly after work to watch the kid since he works evenings. The other woman's job is getting more demanding and she is having evening meetings. On the days that she is able to go to the gym, she prefers the classes.

So, it is me on my eliptical at home while the dog hides cause he knows he is next (not really...well, kind of).

I have started using my Bowflex again, after many years of it just sitting there. I am really trying to do some upper body stuff.

Anyway, today was the usual 45 minute eliptical, 3.71 miles, 510 Gemme calories.

ETA: Gemme, it sounds like your body is telling you it needs a break. It really may be a good idea to take a day off. Then you will come back even stronger!

I'm so awesome, I have my own calories now. Woot!

I wager you are right so, for a couple of reasons, I'm sitting tonight out. Tomorrow morning will be my last workout before I leave for the Reunion. I might even go light on it. I'll see how it goes.

If the Marriott website is correct and up to date, then the fitness center is 24 hours for hotel guests. I was worried about the hours, so that makes me feel a ton better and a little less stressed about getting as much working out in as possible.

LOL, No, No, it's me.

After all it's an exercise thread not an English grammar one.

No, no, no. It's Dapper.

It's always Dapper.

:blink:

DapperButch

09-23-2013, 06:01 PM

[B][SIZE="3"][COLOR="yellowgreen"]No, no, no. It's Dapper.

It's always Dapper.

:blink:

Unfortunately, this is true. :(

Metro

09-23-2013, 06:11 PM

The weather has been gorgeous here so I cannot get enough of walking w/ my pup. The other day she pulled us off course (from our usual speed walking route) and I thought, 'What the h*ll, why not?' Since then we have discovered new areas and trails of nearby parks that I didn't even know existed. Today we went on 3 power park walks. Love my dog!

o222Good

09-24-2013, 08:01 PM

I had been reading that every eight to ten weeks or so, you
should take a week off from weight lifting. This is for your
body to have a chance to fully recover. They say you come back
so much stronger and make more progress this way. Well,
I haven't taken a break in over two years! So I took a week
off. It was hard, because I am so OCD about lifting. But, I
could really feel deep recovery in certain parts of my body.
I really missed my routines though.
I returned to exercising tonight with 20 minutes of HIIT cardio.
So GREAT!

Gemme

09-24-2013, 08:07 PM

I got my final pre-Reunion workout in this morning.

15 minute warm up, followed by lower body circuit training, abs, some time on the Beast and a good stretching.

228 cal, 1.56 mi, 15 min on Beast plus warm up

Ginger

09-29-2013, 05:18 PM

I rode my bike for two and a half hours today.

The weather was spectacular.

At one point I was riding behind a Mister Frostee truck that was going super super slow past the playground by the projects on Hoyt. Oddly, there weren't any kids outside.

Finally I pulled around to be right next to the driver's window and asked if he's going to pull over soon. He looked really startled, and it occurred to me that in my white skateboarding helmet and orange reflector vest, I might look like a bicycle cop.

He pulled over right away, and handed me a small vanilla cone. Right away, I scarfed down the top of it.

Then he handed me my change, and I asked him to take the cone back and hold it while I put my change away.

Ha, I said. Don't eat any of it! And he laughed and said Here, let me refill it for you! and he put it back under the machine and built the peak back up high.

BullDog

09-29-2013, 05:36 PM

My exercise today consisted of weed eating and trimming hedges.

Kelt

09-29-2013, 07:17 PM

I have been putting in my time at the beach as usual, averaging about 4.5 miles per day.

I am getting to the pool twice a week. I'm my last two trips to the pool I managed to get the lane that is 4 1/2 feet deep. That makes it about collarbone deep on me which means that I can stand up any time. What I have now switched to doing is spending my hour doing laps but opting not to touch the bottom. It is giving me more confidence and I hope soon to be able to feel okay about going in lanes where it is over my head. (Hey, I'm out of the kiddy area!)

Still skeered of that but trying.

:cheesy:

o222Good

09-30-2013, 09:47 PM

Ab day.
3 sets on the decline bench
3 sets of oblique twists
And my New Toy!!!!
3 sets with the ab roller!
Love this new ab roller.

Chancie

10-01-2013, 03:44 AM

I'm recovering from a cold, and I just went back to the gym after a week. I was so glad to get back. I took it easy on the weights, but I am starting to feel like I'm ready to add more and just work through it. I'm scared and excited. I've never been able to do triceps dips, and now I can do one rep, and I can do a fair number of push-ups, so I'm thinking about adding some of the furbelows I'm actually supposed to be doing. I haven't been counting my squats because I think it'll distract me, but I'm sure we do more than 50. I'm happy with my progress!

Gemme

10-01-2013, 05:31 AM

So much for best laid plans, eh?

I only got to the hotel gym one day during the Reunion but I had fun, even though it was a pansy workout. Their treadmills have programs that pull up locations, so if you bore easily, you can walk or run through forests in Ireland, for example. Neat!

This was the perfect equation for major weight gain, with alcohol, little to no sleep, no structured exercise and enjoying so many meals that I did not prepare, but I'm happy to report that I'm only up one pound! I'll totally take that.

I'm probably not going to do anything today but tomorrow I'll ease myself back into it.

Daktari

10-01-2013, 05:35 AM

Camping for 4 days. Walking. Chopping. Sawing. Walking some more.

Forgetting to eat is a bad habit. If I turn sideways at the moment I may just disappear behind a broom handle :|

batennisboy

10-03-2013, 01:06 AM

Have to remember that it's not just for my body but also for my sanity.

Kätzchen

10-03-2013, 03:35 PM

We've had a long stretch of weather which has brought lots of inclement weather to our region in the PNW (heavy rains, rain/snow mix, winds, etc) and I haven't been feeling well lately, due to an extensive stretch of stress loads in my life.

I think the most I might do today, would be to go for a long walk.... The trees are just absolutely beautiful, lately. Yesterday, while I was out and about for employment activities, I enjoyed a late afternoon walk in an older neighborhood I have never been in before.

People were friendly and I got to learn about the people and their lives and things about that particular neighborhood, that I didn't know about before.

ahk

10-03-2013, 03:43 PM

This week has been busy and full of movement.

Monday:
1 hour at the gym (20 minutes cycle, 133 bpm; 30 minutes weight, leg workout; and 10 minutes of cycle, 133 bpm) then came home and walked the dogs for 20 minutes.

Tuesday:
45 minute brisk dog walk

Wednesday:
1 hour gym time, same as Monday but this time with arms

Thursday:
Cleaning the house
Pulling weeds (should count as squats)
and quick 20 minute walk of dogs

Tomorrow (Friday):

Plan on doing some more gym time-- will update later.

o222Good

10-03-2013, 07:44 PM

Arms day...
6 sets easy curl bar
3 sets concentration curls
3 sets triceps extensions
3 sets skull crushers
3 sets hitting the middle delts

nycfem

10-05-2013, 03:38 PM

I've been sick for two weeks to the day, so no exercise during that time. It had more of an effect on my mood than on my body. We forget how much exercise is a natural way to relax and feel good. Or at least I do.

Therefore today's exercise felt glorious. I felt so grateful that my body was working so well. I'm someone who when I get a cold it usually turns into some awful combination of a sinus infection, bronchitis, and asthma. I go from being full of energy to nothing. Since I'm someone who does not use caffeine at all, it's hard to get through a work day without the boost of regular exercise.

Today I went for a three hour walk in Riverside Park. It was a cool, humid day (if there is such a thing), and it felt like a comfortable jungle. I just could not have enjoyed myself more. Here is some of what I saw:

(1) a gathering of pigeons and crows, a cacophony of chirping.

(2) the kung fu group I always see. I notice that all of them have black hair. they were doing kung fu for the full three hours that I was walking because I passed them multiple times. they don't mess around.

(3) a big group of conservative or modern orthodox Jews, with the adults sitting on benches and talking, and the kids playing. no electricity on the Sabbath so a great day to go to the park.

(4) a man and woman boxing each other while wearing boxing gloves (of course). next to them were two little boys playing baseball and the boy pitching kept turning his head to longingly watch the boxing couple. they really knew what they were doing.

(5) a man sitting high up on a big rock reading a book

(6) a couple playing Frisbee

(7) a lone woman in all black with a fanny pack walking up and down the St. Clair Stairs*

*that was me

I started out my walk by doing the slow text-walk, which I use as a term to refer to either reading or texting on my i-phone while walking. It's a good way to ease into a walk if you don't hit a tree. I caught up in reading the "Good/Bad/U-G-L-Y" thread or whatever it's called, a juicy way to start the stroll.

I did a torturous thing on my walk which was to make a series of calls to every family at my school to tell them about an upcoming event. Talk about a challenge! That was grueling. "Hi, this is little Timmy's school social worker, Jennifer. Would you and your family like to join us for a traditional baked beans breakfast on Sunday at 6am?" - said with renewed enthusiasm each time. That was not the event btw but it gives you the gist of having to repeat some random invitation over and over again. It starts to feel silly.

During my walk I also listened to a TED talk that BB sent me on vulnerability that was thought provoking in parts:

The Power of Vulnerability (20 minutes)
http://youtu.be/iCvmsMzlF7o

Fall is my favorite season and the scent of the leaves was intoxicating.

Glad to be back here!

Ginger

10-05-2013, 04:01 PM

Unfortunately I didn't ride my bike today, though it was beautiful out. I was frozen, in a sense, and couldn't muster the energy to leave the apartment. Sometimes when I'm a bit overwhelmed, I do that. I sit in the apartment with no TV or music, and listen to the noises from the street below, and the silence is delicious. Today I exercised my right to stay in a quiet, private place.

BullDog

10-05-2013, 05:15 PM

DapperButch

10-05-2013, 05:30 PM

ruffryder

10-05-2013, 07:19 PM

Day off and none. Took the dog out a couple times for a short walk.
Tomorrow start back on the week with my sit-ups and push ups for sure.

Hope you all had a great week, weekend and look forward to another good week coming up!

Chancie

10-06-2013, 04:21 AM

The beginning of the school year is such a hairy time, and I am fried until I get into a rhythm. I know I'm not the only educator to feel that way. Pete has to get used to my return to work, and she has to live with my exhaustion and obsession with students and lesson planning, etc.

Still, I'm not giving up my exercise. I missed a few visits to the Y because I was sick, and I missed one visit because Pete was sick. It was gratifying to know that various ladies in Group Power wondered about me, and so did the teacher.

I got back to the gym a few times this week, and I was so glad. I'm so much more calm and even tempered when I exercise hard a few times a week. I even went to Zumba yesterday!

I need new sneakers and I want a HRM. This exercise habit is expensive.

Chancie

10-06-2013, 08:56 AM

Guess what?

I asked one of the trainers how many squats we do in Group Power, and she counted it in her mind's eye, and on her fingers, and she thinks we do close to 100!

Whoot!

nycfem

10-06-2013, 03:26 PM

Today was a little rainy so I went to the gym. It was my first time back in almost three weeks. I was quite stubborn about the idea of lessening my routine due to having been away and just having gotten over a nasty bug, so my asthma did kick in a little here and there. My lungs are still not 100%, and I'm so tired of it.

Anyway, I did one hour on the Arc Trainer, Hill Interval program, Level 10. While on the Beast, I watched this Dance Mom's reality show that I've been watching for what seems like forever (plodding through the seasons). In this episode an underdog dancer, Chloe, got chosen to be the star of a music video by Lux, an up and coming pop star. In the video Lux falls asleep and starts dreaming about her younger self who is played by Chloe. Somehow it was so moving I nearly cried.

Then I did an hour of yoga, stretching, weightlifting, and abs. The gym was surprisingly empty for a rainy day, and I loved having all the space and equipment to myself. The highlight was when the gym speaker played "Blister in the Sun" by the Violent Femmes. That was a favorite of mine as an 80's child.

Medusa

10-06-2013, 04:12 PM

I'll be in this thread a little more frequently now :)

My work buddy and I are going back to the gym tomorrow. I am actually GIDDY with excitement and have made a new playlist to help me get motivated.

Kelt

10-06-2013, 04:17 PM

I'm still just ticking along as usual. I'm averaging about 4–5 miles per day on the beach although some days it isn't easy. What with all the work that is being done and having to work around giant holes that appear out of nowhere, areas fenced off for heavy equipment, and the looong bunch of plumbing running everywhere for pumping the sand onto the beach. Seriously, the barge is a mile off shore and there's another mile of it trailing down the beach. :blink:

I'm also getting to the pool a couple of times a week and really enjoying it.

The last couple of days my left hip has been a little upset with me. Today the ankle decided to join in the chorus. Good thing tomorrow is swimming.

:shark:

Oh yeah, the gym? Not so much. Money down the drain.

o222Good

10-06-2013, 05:19 PM

Yesterday was Ab day,
sit ups on the decline bench
oblique twists
and the ab roller
I even went to the driving range and hit a
bucket of balls for the first time in like two years!
It was great! It seems with golf, that the less
often I do it, the better I am!! lol
But we met a friend for dinner and I really
overate... I'm disgusted with myself to put
it mildly!

I can't let it get me down though.
Today I did back, chest and shoulders.
Three sets of one arm rows
Four sets of seated bent over rows
Three sets of dumbbell chest presses
Three sets of Arnold shoulder presses
Three sets of bent arm lateral raises
Three sets of seated behind the neck barbell shoulder presses
Three sets of barbell pullovers

It felt good doing mostly shoulders today.
I think I'm going to stick to this routine for
a few weeks.

Kätzchen

10-06-2013, 07:32 PM

I don't always post often here, but I want to start making it a weekly part of my exercise routine. Mostly I want to do this because it will reinforce a stronger sense of stability in my life, when my life hasn't been too stable for almost two years now (employment factors).

So with that in mind, what I want to share is that I am going to monitor closely the intentional time I spend on exercising; with the goal in mind that it will help me do a number of things:

For example, this week, one goal is to spend half an hour performing stretches in bed, before I get out of bed. This may seem rather backwards to most, but I did something this morning and noticed how it improved my whole overall perspective on life, today. I did exactly that: before I even rose from sleeping in bed, I did a series of stretches - stretching the muscles in my back and in my legs as I pushed my hips up on top of my hands and rode a bicycle (in the air) and then laid on my side and stretched my legs up and down and then practiced some other hard-to-describe yoga stretches. After I did my stretches before getting out of bed, I found I actually could get up off my bed without rolling off to the side, to stand up on the floor. It really worked for me, to do this today. I forget what made me do it - I may have dreamed I was doing it and then talked myself into doing it. *lol*

Anyway, this is how I am going to begin each new day this week. I shall perform stretches in bed, before I rise to greet the new day.

As for how I made time (and what I did) for exercise today: We had amazing weather - lots of sunshine, blue skies for miles and miles and early today, I unplugged from life on the net and went outside and walked for about 7 miles (either walking or breaking out into a jog and jogging for as long as I could, then retiring to a mid-range kind of walking style).

My day was enjoyable and I think what helped me today was altering the way I normally rise for the day and I plan to make it a habit this week to spend a half hour stretching - my body and mind - before I get up for the day.

*Cheers* :bouquet:

ps/ Just want to say thank you to Dapper for the warm welcome to the thread and to extend the same to Medusa -- It's good to see you here! And to also share with everyone: thanks for your commitment and support and the way you share about your day in exercise. It tremendously helpful to me to read about your day of exercise.

TexasCowboi

10-06-2013, 09:25 PM

exercise? what exercise?.......

Ok... I need someone to say something motivating.... coz I have some races to get ready for..... and about 20lbs to lose before said races......

Gemme

10-06-2013, 09:34 PM

exercise? what exercise?.......

Ok... I need someone to say something motivating.... coz I have some races to get ready for..... and about 20lbs to lose before said races......

Um, pretend you're being chased by something dangerous and painful?

Gráinne

10-10-2013, 12:02 AM

While I was at the gym this afternoon, with my small dumbbells (it's hard to move up in weight!), I noticed an elegant, older woman in a sparkly violet T-shirt and violet yoga pants hoisting a barbell up and down rapidly. As I did my curls and squats, I counted her doing three sets of twenty lifts of 30 pounds. She was fit without looking hard. I guessed she was about 60, which means she was 80 :blink:. I don't gawk at people at the gym, but I often find someone around my age to use even temporarily as an inspiration :).

Chancie

10-10-2013, 03:09 AM

I have been getting to my usual stretch and Group Power classes during the week, and I hope to continue to get to Zumba on Saturdays.

I think I'll register for Deep Water Running on Sundays too.

I used to think I'd rather take two Zumba classes on the weekend, but it's so hard on my feet.

I think I need new sneakers but I feel like I've just been pouring out money, between needing workout wear and new clothes.

I added more weight to my usual lifting, and yesterday I wore a tank top, and I could really see the difference in my shoulders and arms.

I'm so proud of myself.

Daktari

10-10-2013, 05:01 AM

:cheerleader: Go you Chancie

After a while of Lady H (my lovely velo) not running well and not really checking out why, it has come to pass that she needed a new back wheel. I'm gutted, the original rims are really good quality and I can't afford, as yet, to replace the rims with something of equal quality. So, she now has a cheapy wheel and a low-end Shimano 6 block.

Luckily this has revitalised her handling and it's real joy to cycle around again. Even yesterday when it was it a bit breezy (seasider talk for gale force) and every direction I turned seemed to be against the winds.

Been cycling all over the place as usual and so keeping fit as the proverbial fiddle. I just wish the lungs could keep up :|

cinnamongrrl

10-10-2013, 06:33 AM

Today is day two......

I'm cleaning a bachelor pad with my mom again today.
Nough said.. :seeingstars:

(no offense to you bachelors)

Cin

10-10-2013, 10:19 AM

I think I'll register for Deep Water Running on Sundays too.

I love deep water running. It’s the only real cardio left for me to do. That and interval stair climbing. It’s hard to believe that a shoulder injury can affect so much, but it has. I was told from the beginning, as soon as they looked at the MRI, that physical therapy for the shoulder would not be an option and would only further the damage. I can no longer lift weights of any kind (well I can do small weight on triceps and biceps but it has to be exercises that limit any deltoid involvement which isn’t much and it doesn’t eliminate deltoid involvement which is impossible.) It is hard to accept because I love to lift.

Luckily it is my left shoulder and I’m right handed so that helps with regular life. But since my right shoulder does all the work all the time, it hurts me often, bouts of tendonitis and such. I can’t run or do too much with my legs for any length of time because the pounding adversely affects my shoulder and the pain is too much and then it takes days to get back to being able to do anything. I have to be so careful. The only thing the orthopedic says they can do for me is a shoulder prosthesis. Shoulder replacement is just not really going to help me get more movement, it may help pain but that’s hardly a worthwhile trade off. The ortho agrees I’m too young for it really but under the circumstances he advocates that I do it because there is no other help he can offer for any relief. Not gonna happen.

Even stairs can hurt if I do too much. I can walk for 5 miles or so and get away with it, but depending on the terrain I may have problems with my shoulder if I go much longer. Anyway I find deep water running a wonderful exercise for me.

But I miss my life before. Even reading this thread sometimes makes me sad. I mean I'm thrilled for you guys, but sad for what I've lost. Then I smack myself hard and say get a grip. I just have to find ways to work around this. It's just a shoulder. And I still have the thing, it's just not very useful. LOL.

Cin

10-10-2013, 10:27 AM

I fell off the exercise wagon. Actually, I never fully got on. I don't sleep well, and in the last week or so my body has slowed way down. Sometimes I can barely lift my hands to type. I read this thread a little while ago and decided to do something tonight. I walked in the yard for 15 minutes. I consider it a small victory.

Keep doing it. Small victories are the only way. Little by little it becomes a way of life. If you walk every day for 15 minutes after awhile you'll miss it if you don't do it. And the more you get your body involved it will tell you when you don't give it what it wants. You'll find yourself craving it.

I have never liked walking as an exercise but now I try to do it places I want to be or have a destination that excites me. That does help.

I'm not saying this is what is happening to you but I know for me if i'm a bit down sometimes it plays out that I feel really tired and it's an effort to do shit.

GeeGina

10-10-2013, 10:32 AM

Lousy, rainy day here...so I can only boast that I walked to the subway, grabbed a ginormous coffee, and began flying the desk.

BullDog

10-10-2013, 11:31 AM

Keep doing it. Small victories are the only way. Little by little it becomes a way of life. If you walk every day for 15 minutes after awhile you'll miss it if you don't do it. And the more you get your body involved it will tell you when you don't give it what it wants. You'll find yourself craving it.

I have never liked walking as an exercise but now I try to do it places I want to be or have a destination that excites me. That does help.

I'm not saying this is what is happening to you but I know for me if i'm a bit down sometimes it plays out that I feel really tired and it's an effort to do shit.

Thank you so much for your encouragement. I honestly haven't done any walking or other exercise since I last posted here. However, the last few nights I have gotten a bit more sleep, which does help. It is a beautiful day, so I do plan to walk in the yard and play with the doggies out there today. I agree that doing it on a consistent basis is a very good idea.

I do find this thread encouraging because everyone has their own path and the place where they are at during this point in their lives. The struggles and small victories are just as impressive and encouraging to me as the strenuous workouts. It's all good. I also enjoy nycfem's gym observations and the cast of characters there. I feel like I am reading an interesting novel, lol.

Runner

10-10-2013, 11:49 AM

Walking the mutt every evening - he's a big beast so a slow pace is not an option!

Going to introduce some light weights work from Monday and some work on my abs.

Need to adjust my playlist, need a little more oomph :dance2:

Cin

10-10-2013, 12:19 PM

the last few nights I have gotten a bit more sleep, which does help. It is a beautiful day, so I do plan to walk in the yard and play with the doggies out there today. I agree that doing it on a consistent basis is a very good idea.

That’s a good point. Never underestimate the importance of sleep. The lack of it affects so much. That said, for me it sometimes ends up being a catch-22. Like when I don’t get enough sleep I’m too tired to work out very much. Then the less exercise I do the less tired I am. So it is even harder to fall asleep. Consequently I’m even less interested in doing anything. More sedentary, less sleep. And around and around I go. I’ve learned, for me, moving is the best way out of most of my cycles. It’s really helpful for the “trouble sleeping cycle.” It’s also helpful for me to get out of my “gee I’m feeling down cycle” because the endorphins kick in and I feel good despite myself. It usually ends up a win/win.

It’s great you have the dogs to play with. That must help a little as a motivator.

batennisboy

10-11-2013, 11:26 PM

It's been a good week...but I'm sore. More fun to be had tomorrow! :)

Chancie

10-12-2013, 04:01 AM

A lot of you know that I wake up very early on gym days. I have to be at my duty station at school by 7:45 am and I have to be showered, dressed, and fed!

The logistics of getting myself to the gym by 5:30 three times a week are ridiculous, it often seems, but I have to do it for me, for my well being, and I deserve to take good care of myself.

I'm very protective of my time and energy and food these days, though it's not always easy for me to stake that claim. I have worked very hard to take the baby steps to get here.

⭐️

cinnamongrrl

10-12-2013, 05:54 AM

Yesterday....

I decided to do a favorite workout that I hadn't done for a while...a LONG while....

well....

I apparently chose too heavy a weight to do a twisty thing... and now my right oblique muscle says "NO!" a lot when I move certain ways....

Other than that, I was surprised at how much I could keep up with considering it is not an easy workout (plyo and weights and high energy inervals). Good to know I still got it! <flex>

This morning it's some nice yoga....and later...shoulders and back and legs.... :)

cinnamongrrl

10-12-2013, 08:52 AM

Note to self (and others):

doing yoga with a pulled oblique muscle......not so fun....

but I muddled through and it felt super good :)

My back feels SO much better even after one day of yoga....I suppose because it really concentrates on the core...but wow my arms feel <<<<<THIS BIG>>>>

:praying: Namaste

Blaze

10-12-2013, 11:20 AM

Solo racquet ball. I think the ball won, but I wasn't counting...

Tread mill until I got bored.

Upper body weight lifting that I know will attack me in the morning.

Sweet Bliss

10-12-2013, 12:36 PM

Does anyone have experience with the Fluidity Bar or barre work out?

Since my surgery I am rethinking what the best method for exercise that won't aggravate my chest but still allow for strengthening and recovery.

cinnamongrrl

10-13-2013, 11:45 AM

O.M.G.

I have a Px90ish type DVD set....I just did shoulders and back....by the time the cool down (finally) came around....my arms were jello.... :blink:

I particularly like this one thing he calls "7s". For your triceps, you hinge at the hip and do a basic kickback How to Do a Triceps Kickback For Dummies - YouTube but the twist is you change your hand position from parallel to your body to perpendicular forward and perpendicular facing back. AMAZING....3 rounds of 21 reps....I feel like I can rip phone books....

Then a similar thing with biceps. Instead of doing full range of motion tricep curl....from the bottom do a half curl 7x..then from the top to half way down 7x then full curls 7x... 3 rounds of that...holy burn.... :)

:koolaid:

freckledassal

10-13-2013, 01:26 PM

A new life and a new outlook, got me to the gym today. It felt fantastic!

Kätzchen

10-13-2013, 02:13 PM

When I rose earlier to greet the day, it was cloudy, quite chilly and it looked as though we had intermittent sprinkles of rain (last night). But the pearly gray skyscape has vanished and now we have blue skies (for miles and miles).

I think what I will do this afternoon, is make a light lunch and take a couple of bottles of water with me and go for a long afternoon walk (maybe down to the river or to a nature reserve, nearby).

Something I want to work on during the week: I want to find time each day to get on the small indoor trampoline I have and dance for about an hour or so, each morning (after I get my morning stretches in). I hope this somehow offsets and mitigates some of the lethargy I experience lately, when I rise to greet the day.

Wishing everyone a week of wellness and joy,
*Cheers!* :bouquet:

freckledassal

10-16-2013, 06:39 PM

....enduring strain and pain due to climbing a MILLION stairs each day, I made it back to the gym today, focusing on the upper body. WOWZERS...I am sore!!!!!!!!

Gemme

10-17-2013, 05:06 AM

Oh my. With fall fully engaged and winter peeking around the corner, it is so hard to get out of bed in the morning.

:blink:

I've still been eating well for the most part and have had some intentional movement and am in a very nice holding pattern with my weight. It feels good. I'm going to kick it up a notch this coming week but, for the most part, I met my goal and it's a comfortable place for my body so I'm going to let it be for now.

Happy exercising, all!

easygoingfemme

10-17-2013, 08:20 AM

I'm making Sauerkraut this morning and that is a good arm workout! Rest of the body will get attention later today with dog walking and time on the rowing machine.

Daktari

10-17-2013, 08:42 AM

Not much dedicated exercise, as usual, but plenty of moving around fettling bikes and getting to/fro places. Ride a bike for transport and Exercise becomes a thing of the past. :hangloose:

Sweet Bliss

10-17-2013, 09:10 AM

Ok, did the Fluidity Bar workout, was stiffening up within minutes of finishing. So popped some ibuprofen before bed. Can still walk this morning!

Let's me know how much strength I'm lacking since I started having problems.

Got a way to go before I'll be satisfied with my fitness level.

But I did it!

o222Good

10-21-2013, 01:06 PM

Here is a question for everybody!

What kind of music to you listen to, if you do,
when you're working out?

For me, it is different for cardio and lifting.

For cardio, I listen to Pandora. "A Medley of Irish Fiddle Tunes"
Really keeps me going!
For weight training it's Rock. A Jersey Shore station that is
also on the web Rat Radio! (http://www.wrat.com/listen/indexnew.aspx)
This really keeps me in the mental zone!

Funny how different they are...!

Gemme

10-21-2013, 01:22 PM

For cardio, I need fast beats that I use to pace myself. Rihanna, Pitbull and Krewella are examples of artists that I've listened to during workouts.

I don't wear my MP3 player when doing weight training as the cord can become tangled in some of the equipment, so I listen to whatever the gym has on at that moment.

Ginger

10-22-2013, 08:32 AM

Since R went into the hospital all my routines have been erased. Slowly I'm building them back up though. For one thing, I put a yoga mat in front of the TV and do stretches, free weights and yoga while I watch reruns of Modern Family, or my cable series (currently, Homeland, Eastbound and Down and Masters of Sex).

I don't know how much exercise this really is, but my muscles burn, my heart rate goes up, and the stretching is a great stress reliever. I recommend this approach for anyone who prefers to stay inside for a period of time.

batennisboy

10-22-2013, 08:52 PM

Electronic the entire time...the faster the better, esp during cardio. Once I'm plugged in, there's no one else who matters but me. Needless to say, I don't think I make a good workout partner.

ProfPacker

10-22-2013, 09:26 PM

I have worked myself up to swimming 1 mile 4-5 times a week. Never did something so consistently. I have never felt so calm and relaxed. When swimming I feel the world go away.
Only thing is my skin is not taking all the chemicals in the pool that well. Just went on amazon to order lotion that swimmers use. Not Diana Nyad but she is my inspiration.

Daktari

10-23-2013, 03:40 AM

As ya'll know I don't really do 'exercise' as such but cycling is my main form of transport. When cycling on the road, music/sound via headphones isn't really an option. I prefer the safety of hearing what's going on around me when sharing the roads with folks in motorised tin boxes.

When riding for pleasure I often don't have any sound either, rather enjoying the stimulation of my senses by being in the outdoors and focussing on muscle groups working.

On the odd occasion when using headphones whilst riding for fun, the usual aural fare ranges from fellowship 'shares' through to Dolly Parton, Kirsty McColl, Amy Winehouse, Mamas & Papas and the like.

Blaze

10-25-2013, 02:32 PM

I had an odd day of workout..
Leg presses set of 10 @ 410lb
Back presses set of 10 380lbs
then grabbed 15lb to do curls and the guy next to me said, ohhh so your strong on your lower and a wimp on your upper?
:|
I was just to lazy to walk over to the bench press and put weights on the bar as my mind wasn't into working out today, I just showed up to show up :|

Gemme

10-25-2013, 05:27 PM

I spent an hour sweeping and raking leaves.

ProfPacker

10-25-2013, 07:54 PM

Personal best swimming today: 1.5 miles. It felt so freeing to just be thinking only of reaching that goal today.

Gemme

10-25-2013, 10:38 PM

I spent a total of 3 hours actively cleaning my home today.

nycfem

10-26-2013, 04:18 PM

I've not been exercising much at all for over a month. I was sick for quite awhile, plus flu shot and reaction to that, and feeling bogged down with work and just generally being out of a life rhythm that allows for exercise. Like Miss Tick said, lacking sleep can be a vicious cycle. Anyway...

Today I took a two hour walk, plus stair climbing, in Riverside Park. I saw the usual Kung Fu group who did Kung Fu the entire time that I was walking. I saw an elderly Asian woman silhouetted by the sun as she backward-walked. It was chilly and windy and an overall lovely fall day. I had on a new winter coat that made me feel cozy.

I've missed everyone on the thread. It was great to catch up on posts and hopefully get back in the game :)

Kätzchen

10-26-2013, 04:30 PM

Can you believe that November is almost here???

For the better part of October, I managed to be consistent with stretching each morning before I got out of bed, increased the times I spent on my indoor trampoline, as well as changing up how much energy I would put into walking. For the most part, I noticed that my spent energy led to spent energy, which should have helped with my troubles falling asleep, but it actually worked out differently (it kept me up). Actively making sure that exercise is a part of my life, on a daily basis, seems to help me feel more connected to caring for my physical health.

Hopefully by late December, I want to include getting a body massage on a regular basis. I remember back when I could afford to treat myself to a body massage, it worked wonders (for me).

:bouquet:

Chancie

10-27-2013, 05:23 AM

I've been very tired and I've skipped two gym visits. My food has been all over the place, partially because I've been tired, and I haven't been shopping. I know I will feel better if I get to the gym and eat more and better, so here's to the beginning of a fresh week.

ProfPacker

10-27-2013, 06:56 AM

I'm sorry that some are not feeling well. I was forced into exercise this summer because of some convening health issue that I believe were very stress related from my divorce and work. I knew if I didn't pay attention to this ...I would end up really sick. The only exercise I have always loved is swimming and I forced myself to swim. I still haven't gotten food down but I am not doing it for weight loss. I am Ahmed at how it has helped me remain calm and focused. I am tired a lot but it is a good tired not a tired because I am worrying and trying to think my way through problems.
I think of Dianna Nays when I don't want to go. She is 2 months younger than me and if she can stay in water for days I can for an hour or more

nycfem

10-27-2013, 03:08 PM

I went to the gym today and was happy to see that my favorite Arc Trainer was available. Once I see it's available, I rush to it as if I've spotted a hundred dollar bill on the floor. I returned to watching the "Dance Moms" reality series, which is pretty high on the boring meter but not so boring as to be given up on. I did an hour of the strength program, Level 7, and 30 minutes of the hill interval program, same level. As I was getting off the machine, who should step up on the Arc Trainer beside me but Jill, with her dark red lipstick, aggravating perfume, and killer bod. Her favorite Arc Trainer is the one next to my favorite. Thank goodness we don't have the same favorite. Then I did 30 minutes of weight lifting, ab work, and stretching. It was a nice and quiet Sunday afternoon.

cinnamongrrl

10-27-2013, 03:30 PM

Today I ordered Shaun T's "Rockin' Body" dance dvds. I feel like I need something fun to look forward to. Hiking is pretty much going to come to an end between hunting season and winter...so I need something I can do indoors.
The plus side for me is that it teaches dance steps...I started taking dance lessons at age 4. I rather like the idea of dance and exercise combined...dancing is actually excellent brain work too! :)
I got expedited shipping, so hopefully I will let y'all know how it goes sooner than later...

nycfem

11-02-2013, 07:59 PM

I still haven't been able to get in a good exercise groove (work stress, that kind of thing). However, today I took a great 3.5 hour walk in Riverside Park. It was chilly but not too cold, and I watched the sun set by the water. I saw a little girl dressed as a princess with a cool blonde wig that went all the way down to her ankles. She was running around in the grass, while two other little girls dressed in jeans and sweatshirts watched her from up in a tree. I loved the smell of the leaves and looking at all the patterns and colors of the leaves. I love the melancholy of fall :).

Gemme

11-03-2013, 09:07 AM

The stuff I've been doing has been hard to calculate, but I've been active most every day. I'll run up and down the street after work or putz around doing chores or spend half of my workday sweeping.

I'm still entertaining the idea of a HRM for myself, so I know what I'm accomplishing when I do those things. When it comes to exercise, I'm very into numbers and calculations.

Kelt

11-03-2013, 02:25 PM

I am still plugging away at the beach as usual although less on the mileage. The giant sandpile project is is full swing and they are working extended hours and added weekends too. Bummer.

It's alright that my wings are a bit clipped though. About a month ago I started having a bit of soreness in one hip that would start about half-way and really bring me up short with a painful limp by the end. It went away in 12-16 hours in time for the next walk though. Problem is, now it is getting worse and doesn't go all the way away anymore.

Conundrum.

Due to a minor headcold I have been away from the pool for the last two weeks. I didn't know how that would work out and decided to err on the side of caution. I hope to get back in either tomorrow or Wednesday.

Keep on keepin' on...

:theisland:

nycfem

11-03-2013, 06:28 PM

Today was the NYC Marathon, so the gym was nice and empty. When I first walked over to my Arc Trainer, Jill was already on her Arc Trainer next to mine (as in each of our "favorites"). We don't acknowledge one another at all. We both watched the marathon on t.v. She also texted. She goes really fast with her legs and texts up a storm with her hands. I could never do such a thing. I can barely text when not on an elliptical. I stayed on the Beast for three hours, all "hill interval," with 2 hours of level 8 and a final hour of level 10. Jill, the slacker, got off after an hour and a half, and then went over to her favorite stair master and did an hour there.

Then I did an hour of weight lifting, abs, legs, and stretching. I found that having taken practically two months off, the cardio comes back very easy, but the abs, legs, and weights are at lower levels. I guess I keep up some degree of cardio in every day work-a-day life but not the other stuff so much.

It was great to have a weekend with time to do two long work-outs. I hope it will usher me into a healthy week. I need to get sleep and not let work stress me out so much. I have to remember how peaceful I feel right now.

nycfem

11-04-2013, 08:04 PM

I was able to use the weekend momentum and get myself to the gym again today. I left work stressed and with a headache, and it was hard not to veg out after work.

When I arrived at the gym, Jill was on her favorite Stair Master wearing her classic stretchy black booty shorts with a tiny bit of toned ass visible (Think: hard as Barbie) and her red Under Armour top pushed up to just below her breasts, lest any of us have to go a day without viewing her six pack :D.

I went to my favorite Arc Trainer, wearing ill fitting, super un-gym-like black shorts that tend to attract lint, cat hair, and peculiarly today- 2 feathers!, paired with a shirt my mom got me that is a nauseating color of yellow with big brown lettering that reads: HONEY BADGER DON'T CARE. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't wear this shirt all the time. In fact, once, one of the staff, likely the guy who drew the shortest straw, came up to me and said, "What is the deal with the Honey Badger shirt? Is that, like, the mascot from your college or something?" I said, with a smile, "Google Honey Badger Don't Care, and you'll get it."

I did 30 minutes on the Beast, Level 10, Strength program, while watching Judge Judy. Then I thought about going home, but instead did 15 minutes of weight lifting and abs and 15 minutes of yoga. By the end my headache was gone! :)