30 minutes on my favorite stairmaster today, Monday, Pattern: 2 sets of Levels 7 down to 1, with an extra Level 1 at the very end (each level 2 minutes).

I saw Taylor on the gym floor talking to a guy and then on the elliptical directly across from my stair master but I don't think she saw me. Then we hung out for awhile in the locker room. She told me that she is in an "open, uncommitted" relationship with her 30-years-older billionaire whose house she manages as her full-time job. It all just seems ridiculous to me, like one gigantic eye-roll.

I had a hard time starting today, but it helps to just remind myself how short 30 minutes really is, like, there is no reason I can't do 30 minutes. I also kind of like how the stairmaster takes everything out of my control. I just have to stay on it and let the time go by, and it goes by fast, because it's so intense! I just have to survive it, and it helps to watch Judge Judy during it!

According to my watch, I walked 4 miles at work today. Then home, too snowy to go to the gym, 5k row on the rowing machine and a couple of plank holds.

2
 

So far, a whole heck of a lot of shoveling.

30 minutes stairmaster (the one that's not my favorite and has one level less intensity in how it's set up), Levels 8 down to 1 twice (2 min each level). Felt good.

30 minutes weight floor. It's been ages since I've been on the weight floor, and it felt really good to be back.

I went a few hours before the superbowl, so it was pretty empty. Everyone was probably preparing for superbowl parties. But not me and Judith. Judith said she was going to watch it at the gym during a little gym gathering.

Someone took a gym toy that I was using without asking me if I was using it. I think it was just a mistake. I was torn whether to say something or go look for another of the same item. Ultimately I spoke up and successfully got my toy back. He went into the back area where all the gym supplies are kept and came out with two of the same toy, so... thankfully no tension there.

Today, Monday: 30 minutes on my favorite stairmaster (Levels 7 down to 1, two sets, each level x 2 minutes), 30 minutes weight lifting and floor exercises. Total=1 hour.

I saw Marilyn in the locker room today (don't like her, talks a lot but in an incessant way). She said she was going to a memoir writing class. I asked her if she was writing a memoir. She said that it's more like group therapy. Another place for her to talk. But cool.

I love the whole routine of coming from work and going to the gym. I like how I have to change into a different outfit. It's like entering a different world. It's like a story that I enjoy reading even though I've read it before, and perhaps because I've read it so many times before.

Oh my, I'm getting deep... :sunglass:

Today was a 1.5 hour walk with friends form out of town (It was longer but I subtracted 45 minutes to account for stopping to look at things, taking photos etc.). We walked on the Highline, the above ground railroad park, from around 14th St. to 34th St., and then just on the street until 57th St. We started at 3:30 and ended at 5:45.

I had today off of work for the Lunar New Year, and it was a nice day, with weather in the 50's. We met at my brother and his husband's apartment and then went on our walk. I always like to take out-of-towners to the Highline, although today there was a lot of construction going on. Still, the art always changes, and it's a great walk.

I've been super busy and having trouble getting to the gym but have been holding plank throughout the day. 60 second holds a few times a day. Hopefully working my way up to longer times in the coming days. When you don't have time for a workout it's a good full body muscle challenge.

I did two hours of cleaning and heavy lifting today.

Today, I wore my new winter traction boots and went down to clear off all the snow on my car and double check my car for safety. I spent about an hour getting the snow off my car, then walked to the mail box to pick up my mail, then worked on weekend household chores in my apartment. It was a nice work out and I managed to not fall while working out in the snow.

Today, Saturday, I did 35 minutes on the stairmaster, my favorite, levels 7 down to 1, 2 sets, 2 minutes each level, then for cooling down levels 6 down to 1 (one minute each).After the stairmaster I did the weight floor for 30 minutes. Total exercise today = 1 hour.

I did a Saturday night workout. The highly fashionable woman who wears all black was there, and before my workout she came over and gave me fancy chocolates, saying that she didn't want to eat them all. I don't eat chocolate but decided to take them anyway and give them to someone else. Also it seemed like she really wanted me to take them. You know how people get like that sometimes. Every interaction is a building block in a relationship, and I decided to roll with it. She's usually rather aloof. The last time (written about here), she was wearing a dress she'd made with buttons, and the perfect mother and I had complimented it. Maybe that opened the door a bit.

After my workout I ran into Judith really in the exact same way I ran into her on Superbowl Sunday night. She was sitting reading the New York Times in the locker room. She had finished a yoga class. She was looking at an ad for a condo in Florida. She said, "Only 1.1 million dollars. Maybe I'll retire there." Sigh. I went and got the chocolates and gave them to Judith, explaining that someone gave me chocolate but I don't eat chocolate so they were for her. She seemed very pleased... unless she passed them on to another gym member after I left. Just as I was about to leave, she asked, "Do you cook?" Very Judith. I said, "I just make simple things." I asked if she cooks. She said, "Never. I always order in." And that was it.

A great Saturday night at the gym! It felt rejuvenating!

nycfem, you always meet the most interesting folk at your gym ... fun read for me. :)

Today I sat on a very low stool most of the time and used my chainsaw to cut a large stump lower than ground level. This one is in the front near the upper driveway, quite the eye sore and had to go. Plus I have been contemplating moving the last upper 50 feet of my driveway to swerve to the right. With the stump gone, I am free to press on should I decide to do it. Tomorrow I'll burn the stump out good with a bag of charcoal. When all the fire is gone, top it with a few pounds of epson salt, cover with an x-large contractor's bag (make it rot faster) ... smoothing all the dirt over it will be such a pleasure!! No joke, this one has been a bear ... I have a couple of small ones almost finished in the back ... then stump removal is on hold for a while.

Wouldn't that be hilarious if Judith passed them on to so and so and then so and so passed them on to someone who then tried to passed them on The Highly Fashionable Woman Who Wears All Black....

Today I went on a walk with my brother which I will count as 30 minutes (It was longer but, ya know, stops / starts, looking around).

Then I went to the gym for an hour. The first 30 minutes were on my favorite stairmaster, Levels 7 down to 1, 2 sets, each level 2 minutes, last 2 minutes cool down at Level 1. The second 30 minutes were on the weight floor.

I came to the gym after having gone to brunch with my family and having gotten up early, so I had a headache and was tired. It was a really hard start and a hard workout... but I made it! I tried out two exercises I never do on the weight floor which made me feel really good, since I have a hard time trying new things. I did the ropes where you grab them and make them go up and down. And I did the Butcher where you push a big machine across the room. I loved them both! Very exciting to now be able to add them to my routine. Why does it take so long to try something new when it is there all along? And why on one day does one suddenly decide to take the plunge? Just thinking.

Good workout! Love how we all have such different exercise!

Running
 

7mi this am...cloudy but fun. Interval, tempo runs alternating
and my long runs on Sat 12mi...thinking about my reasons for running
next post.

Found this woman inspiring, to say the least...


Breaking Stereotypes With an Ultramarathoner

Inspirational

keep on keepin' on friends, Greco

Why?
 

Today, Sunday, was 30 minutes stairmaster (Levels 7 down to 1, 2 sets, 2 minutes on each level, extra Level 1 at the end for cool down); 30 minutes on the weight floor.

I've not exercised since last Sunday! I still have not solved my problem with not sleeping on work nights, but I still want to solve it. Today felt good. I got my favorite stairmaster, the one that's the most intense.

In the locker room I ran into a woman named Ellen. She and I talked once before and I remember it as being quite pleasurable. I recall she peppered me with questions about my job and got really into listening. This time she was talking on and on, and it got a bit exhausting, but I didn't want to really be rude because I had fond memories of her.

Tomorrow through Saturday I am going with BB and my mom on a trip to Fort Lauderdale. Exercise to be determined. Sometimes I walk on the beach, sometimes I get a weekly pass at a local gym, and sometimes I do nothing. The hotel itself does not have a gym.

Wishing you all great exercise.

Last night I did extra PT. Although I do not go to PT anymore, my physical therapy trainer gave me handouts of all the things he had me doing. Anyway, it was a great workout. I slept with both legs on a bolster (firm wedge pillow, 12" high). It helped, I can tell a difference today. If it takes double PT everyday, not a problem. I'll do anything to lessen pain. :)

Scraping this thick ice off of my windshield. I am amazed how thick it is. It is nothing like Chicago ice. It did not even rain. But time was of the essence and I ended up just pouring water on it while using the wipers.

Ok ok..that might be considered a cheat, but none the less DEFINITELY a cardio work out!

That was my mentality when I had my first, and worst, bout with sciatica. The pain was near constant and often excruciating so anything that worked at all was my new best friend. I'm glad you found something to help.

Be careful with that; if the water is too cold or hot, it can crack your windshield. You are right though. Scraping ice and snow is definitely a work out.

Yesterday I bought a vacation pass to a nearby gym at a mall in Fort Lauderdale. The gym is called Powerhouse (lol... but I like the name!). OMG, I have fallen in love with this gym and even fantasized about moving to Fort Lauderdale, working at the mall, and going to Powerhouse. There would also be time spent in a pool.

So yesterday I did 30 minutes on a LifeFitness version of a StairMaster. It was even better than the real StairMaster and gave me such an intense work-out. I did Levels 7 down to 1, with 5 minutes on each level. It was perfect for short people (me!) and also had a great heart rate monitor. This gym does not give out towels, and I didn't have one, so sweat was pouring off my face, but still, not like I see men sweat- men sweat buckets that are unfathomable to me.

Yesterday after the StairMaster, I did 30 minutes on the weight floor. They had an awesome sled (the machine that you get behind and push across the floor) and the Battle Ropes. I'm so glad I overcame my fear of those two gym toys because they really deliver!

Then today I went back to the StairMaster again and did 40 minutes (Level 7 x 10 minutes, then levels 6 down to 2 - 5 minutes each, then Level 1 x 10 minutes). I again forgot a towel (maybe I'll put one in my backpack after this post), so I was dripping sweat, though my version of dripping sweat is not that shocking.

Then I did 30 minutes on the weight floor. I pretended that I was on my lunch from my mall job with a few colleagues. Seeing who goes to gyms in different cities is good people watching. There was a woman in a tank top that said, "I'm with the hot bald guy." And there she was, with the "hot" bald guy! :jester: There was a gay guy with a tank that said, "I'm hot!" who I heard telling a friend he was going to the gay beach afterwards.

Sometimes if I work out in another city I feel a bit more free to try out different things. In the mall elevator on the way down after my work-out, I took it with a muscleman trainer, and he said, "You were doing great with that sled!" People in Florida are more friendly than in New York. I said, "It's very satisfying." He said, "It's like having a drink after work." We chuckled, and I thought, "Yes, it's just what I enjoy when I finish at my mall job." :jester:

Thanks for the support, exercise buddies :byebye:

Yesterday and today I went to Powerhouse, my last two times because we fly back to New York City tomorrow. I did an hour each day, same as usual: 30 minutes stairmaster, followed by 30 minutes weight floor.

My health seemed to really improve while I was in Florida. My lungs felt much better. Winter always sucks for me, I think.

I will miss this gym. I'm glad I was able to get an hour in there each full day in Florida.

Wishing y'all well :)

Today was 35 min. stairmaster (Levels 8 down to 1, two minutes each level, with extended level 1 for cool down). Then 40 minutes on the weight floor. Total = 1 hour and 15 minutes.

I was excited to get to Level 8 tonight!

Have a great week everyone!

Yesterday was 35 minutes on the stair climber, Levels 7 down to 1 with 5 minutes on each level.

Today was on the Stair Master 34 minutes, Levels 8 down to 1 (2 min each level), 2 sets, then 4 minutes of Level 1 as a cool down.

I saw Judith today. She told me she has been going to the boxing class. I was like, wow, cool! I peppered her with questions as if she'd just had sex for the first time:

Did it hurt at all? (No)

How many people were there? (About 15)

Are you going to keep doing it? (Yes)

Was it tiring? (Kind of, not too bad)

***

Peace out, exercisers!

My last few days have been work out at home- 5-7k on rowing machine followed by planking for as long as I can. Today will likely be the same plus snow shoveling...

1 hour power walk,no more running,I got an ankle injury from running.
Also finally set up my Gym at home
so an easy full body workout,every 2nd day now,I usually turn it into a weight cardio session
But I keep breaking down due to being really sick for 4 years and numerous surgerys,my body looks like a tic tac toe board,lotsa scars.

so its back to slowly does it,I'm so impatient,I piss myself off.

Cheers everyone

Today was 35 minutes stair master (my favorite) at Level 7 down to 1, 2 minutes each level x 3 sets. Then 30 minutes on the weight floor.

When I first got to the gym I was exhausted and feeling kind of lonely because my husbutch is out of town this weekend. Also, Friday afternoons have always kind of depressed me, this feeling that I don't know what to do with a weekend even though I crave it all week.

When I first got onto the stairmaster and set it at Level 8 and started, I just felt soooo tired, like I almost couldn't do it. Also, my miserable, old ipad was flickering in and out. So I took the ipad and went back to the locker room. I played around as usual with trying to improve how it was doing and made some good progress. Thus I decided to go back up and try Level 7. It all worked! And as I worked out, I got more energy, as usually occurs.

I spent a lot of quality time in the locker room with Miriam, the curmudgeonly chubby fellow Jewish woman pal of mine. I asked how old she is and she said she's about to turn 80. Wow, so cool! She had just come from a jazz dance class and was about to have a personal training session. She just rocks my world. She said the secret to being a happy 80 year old was not having kids. Very Miriam! I loved it!

Judith also joined us, dressed oddly as usual, in yellow jeans, flowered gym shoes, and a blue and white striped top. Miriam complimented her brightness. Judith was about to go to see the nutritionist at the gym.

I also made a new friend named Beverly, who is very funny, always complaining about the gym prices since a new gym bought out the old gym.

So, as is usually the case, the gym really picked me up and left me feeling pretty good.

That's amazing! Lucky you!!

Today, Saturday, I did 35 minutes on the stair master (Level 8 down to level 1, 2 minutes each level x 2 sets, plus a Level 1 cool down). Then 30 minutes on the weight floor for my usual combination of weights, floor exercises and stretching. Total = 1 hr and 5 minutes.

I ended up talking to a woman named Tay in the locker room, and she talked my head off, so it was a little much. She was mainly describing a local farmer's market to me, a fine topic, but it went on and on.

On the weight floor, I tried something new: the medicine ball. It was cool. I am always happy when I have the courage to try something new.

Exercisers and readers, thank you for being my community. It means a lot to me.

Peace out :byebye:

NY Central Park, 7
 

This past week, at work, during each lunch hour, I walked the blocks near work. Maybe about 5 times, before I had to sit down and take a break. At work, about twice a day, I do the stairs, up and down between three floors, which is not easy, and my legs and hips hate it, but depending on my pain levels, sometimes I do well, and other times I just do it (Nike ref).

I'm actually going to look into getting an hour long massage, once or twice a month. It's kind of expensive, but I know when I got massage during physical therapy, it helped my muscles out a lot. So I am budgeting soon for two massages a month and hopefully this adds toward what physical wellness I have going for me, right now.

I miss riding my bicycle and maybe one day in the future, I might be lucky enough to ride it again.... but I sure do like hearing about your NYC marathon training Greco, so thanks for sharing about your early morning runs on the high desert. It reminds me of my homestate or being on the high desert here, where I currently reside.

That Medicine Ball sounds very interesting nycfem….and same to you too, thanks for sharing the many moments you observe at the gym. It kind of reminds me of something from this past week at work: This past Friday, certain people came to work wearing flannel shirts (women and men, alike). I'm not into flannel at all, I won't even wear anything made of flannel, but the pearl leash I have with my work key cards and keys to certain doors, etc, I got a huge compliment on it. I do love my Pearl Key Leash.

Until next time, I hope all of us remain well, focused and enjoy your exercise time, wherever it takes place. Nature is my favorite place to be, so maybe this summer, I should go for a long walk up in the west hills, at the Arboretum. Maybe on a hot day, that would be good. It's cool up there and the walking trails are safe for most any walking party (party of one or more).

leash
 

you are sweet. Pearl key leash? Right up my alley...kidding K...mostly.
You are getting stronger each day. Glad your back at your work.
Yes, massage is great Self-care...am doing that as well, twice a month...
delicious.

keep on keepin' on sweet Kätzchen. Greco

Me and Scout did our 4klm walk,plus playtime for her on the beach,we go at 4AM,its pitch black,I have a head lamp on,but all I see is these 2 green eyes coming towards me,for another throw of her ball.

Also gym day,I'm shocked that I'm not feeling it much after 8 mths no gym,so I'm going to up the weights and do
3 sets of 15,12,10
still doing
chest
biceps
triceps
back
shoulders
in one workout,with recovery day inbetween
legs and abs,I dont do,as I have back and hip injuries and just walking is enough unitil I become stronger.

cheers from OZ
exercise heads

Today, Sunday, was the usual, fave stair master x 35 minutes, levels 8 down to 1, 2 min each level, 2 sets, cool down on Level 1. Followed by 30 minutes on the weight floor for stretching, weights, ab and leg exercises. Total = 1 hr and 5 min.

I'm really excited that I'm at Level 8, even though it's brutal at times. Progress is really exciting, though. Today I was watching the Flint doc series on Netflix about the cops and crime in Flint Michigan. It's kind of dull, and I don't know if I can get through the whole thing. I'm several episodes in. It makes working out harder if I'm not engrossed in what I'm watching.

My 80 y.o. gym friend, Miriam, puts her shiny red rain hat in the little combination safes that they have at our gym. She said it's what she always gets compliments on. I do not think anyone would make a special effort to steal her rain hat, but I like that she puts special value on it. Super cute.

Overdue house cleaning ... dishes, laundry, swept and mopped. I'm pooped! :seeingstars:

Today, Monday, I had a snow day from school where I work (woohoo!) so I enjoyed a workout at the gym this afternoon. I got my favorite stair master yet again and did the Level 8 down to Level 1, 35-minute-workout again. It will be exciting when I get to Level 9 because that is the highest level. Then I did 30 minutes on the weight floor. Total = 1 hr 5 min.

I took awhile before I started finding something I wanted to watch on my ipad. I was not in the mood for the Flint doc series again, which I will finish (maybe) at home. I found an engaging 20/20 true crime series that held my interest. I believe I found it on Hulu (I have Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Netflix.).

Hope everyone has a good week.