I definitely have a love/hate relationship with my Monday classes. Mondays in general are hard days, as I am sure they are for everyone. But, I usually love going to my classes as soon as the work day is over. The hate part only comes in when I feel lazy and don't want to go. But, the wonderful thing about having this blog is that skipping my workouts isn't an option. And, it really has become a deeply ingrained habit - Monday laziness or not.
Tonight's muscle challenge class was hard, as usual. I've been trying to increase my weights, and I've been doing better at it the last few weeks. I love the feeling that I am getting stronger and able to do more. And, I love when my balance is better. So, even though it's a hard class, it's definitely worth it.
Yoga is the second class on Mondays. It was definitely hard tonight, but really good, too. We started out with a few really good stretches, and hip openers. I really like them because I really need them. But, because I need them, they are hard, and stretch what I am capable of. But, just like I am getting stronger in the muscle class, I am getting more flexible through yoga. That's a great thing.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Day 344 - More Yoga
I had bought a pack of yoga classes from one of the daily deal places, but needed to finish them up this weekend, before they expired. So, I had to drag my sorry butt out of bed early this morning, just to go to yoga. It was a great class, but pretty challenging. The good news is that she showed us great ways to build up to a shoulder stand, using a wall for leverage. The bad news is I still manged to wrench my neck a little. It's not hurt, just a bit sore.
The last class that I took was this afternoon. It was a yoga nidra class. Basically, it was all guided meditation and relaxation. It doesn't count toward exercise, but it was really, really relaxing. If I can ever get another good deal on classes, I'll defiitely go back. I didn't have a single class I didn't like, and the instructors were all terrific.
It's hard to believe the weekend is over so quickly, but it is. It's going to be a busy week, especially since Michael is off from school all week. But, it should be a good week.
The last class that I took was this afternoon. It was a yoga nidra class. Basically, it was all guided meditation and relaxation. It doesn't count toward exercise, but it was really, really relaxing. If I can ever get another good deal on classes, I'll defiitely go back. I didn't have a single class I didn't like, and the instructors were all terrific.
It's hard to believe the weekend is over so quickly, but it is. It's going to be a busy week, especially since Michael is off from school all week. But, it should be a good week.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Day 343 - Almost like being at BLRN!
I did over three hours of exercise today! It was almost like being back at the resort, but only half the exercise. But, so much fun.
I started out the day by getting to the gym early for my 9:00 class. So, I got on the treadmill and did a quick fifteen minutes. It was enough to get me warmed up and ready to go. Then, I did three 30 minute classes, back to back.
The first class was stretch. It was a great way to start. Then, a new class called group core. It was pretty intense. I still can't do double leg raises, or some of the harder moves, but I modified. Throughout this journey, I think I have become the queen of modification. You show me an exercise, and I'll show you a way I can do something similar. Hey, it's not a bad skill to have!
The last class was a tabatas class. I love tabatas. Twenty seconds of intense exercise followed by ten seconds of rest. I don't know how many rounds we did, but it was a lot of fun. The instructor gave us the exercise to do, so all we had to do was go as intensely as possible for twenty seconds. I kept hearing Betty's voice in my head... "Piece of Easy" and "You can do anything for twenty seconds". Oh the brainwashing!
Then, I came home and hung out with Michael and Steve for a while. It was a nice relaxing afternoon. Until I realized that I had to use up my yoga classes this weekend. So, I went to a yin/yang class this afternoon. It was 60 minutes of slow paced, but intense stretches, followed by 30 minutes of more active practice. When I left, I felt totally stretched, and relaxed. I wish I could do that class every day!
So, it was a great exercise day. I really feel that I have come a long way with my endurance, balance, strength, and stamina. I am still beyond frustrated about the weight, but I am dealing with that. I really hope that when I see the doctor next he will have some answers for me. Until then, I keep plugging away.
I started out the day by getting to the gym early for my 9:00 class. So, I got on the treadmill and did a quick fifteen minutes. It was enough to get me warmed up and ready to go. Then, I did three 30 minute classes, back to back.
The first class was stretch. It was a great way to start. Then, a new class called group core. It was pretty intense. I still can't do double leg raises, or some of the harder moves, but I modified. Throughout this journey, I think I have become the queen of modification. You show me an exercise, and I'll show you a way I can do something similar. Hey, it's not a bad skill to have!
The last class was a tabatas class. I love tabatas. Twenty seconds of intense exercise followed by ten seconds of rest. I don't know how many rounds we did, but it was a lot of fun. The instructor gave us the exercise to do, so all we had to do was go as intensely as possible for twenty seconds. I kept hearing Betty's voice in my head... "Piece of Easy" and "You can do anything for twenty seconds". Oh the brainwashing!
Then, I came home and hung out with Michael and Steve for a while. It was a nice relaxing afternoon. Until I realized that I had to use up my yoga classes this weekend. So, I went to a yin/yang class this afternoon. It was 60 minutes of slow paced, but intense stretches, followed by 30 minutes of more active practice. When I left, I felt totally stretched, and relaxed. I wish I could do that class every day!
So, it was a great exercise day. I really feel that I have come a long way with my endurance, balance, strength, and stamina. I am still beyond frustrated about the weight, but I am dealing with that. I really hope that when I see the doctor next he will have some answers for me. Until then, I keep plugging away.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Day 342 - Making Progress
Today at lunch time I asked Michael if he wanted to go for a walk with me. Since he's on his second day of summer vacation, and bored, he immediately said yes. But, I didn't take into account how hot it was outside.
So, we started walking, and the first thing I noticed was that I was actually leading, instead of struggling to keep up with him. That was a definite first! But, pretty soon, he declared he was tired and wanted to go back home. I guess the heat got to him pretty quickly. The good news is that we did a mile in just over twenty minutes. Not quite the three miles I was hoping for, but not back for a quick adventure.
Then, tonight I went to yoga. It wasn't the regular Friday night instructor, but it was still really good. I worked up a great sweat and got really stretched out. Pretty perfect, actually.
So, all in all it was a great day. Maybe this means that it's going to be a great summer. I'm looking forward to the year anniversary of this grand adventure, and celebrating with a 5K. Definitely fun plans!
So, we started walking, and the first thing I noticed was that I was actually leading, instead of struggling to keep up with him. That was a definite first! But, pretty soon, he declared he was tired and wanted to go back home. I guess the heat got to him pretty quickly. The good news is that we did a mile in just over twenty minutes. Not quite the three miles I was hoping for, but not back for a quick adventure.
Then, tonight I went to yoga. It wasn't the regular Friday night instructor, but it was still really good. I worked up a great sweat and got really stretched out. Pretty perfect, actually.
So, all in all it was a great day. Maybe this means that it's going to be a great summer. I'm looking forward to the year anniversary of this grand adventure, and celebrating with a 5K. Definitely fun plans!
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Day 340 - Ouch!
I had another personal training session today. I thought I would be clever and do fifteen minutes on the elliptical before she got there, so I'd be warmed up. I knew I was in trouble when she said 'Great, let's do 15 more!'. So, the session started off with 35 minutes total on the elliptical. By the time she left, I was a sweaty, quivering mass of depleted muscles. Wow!
The great thing is, I am a lot stronger than I realized. I can move heavier weights than I thought, and I think I did a pretty good job. Of course, I was huffing and puffing, and my face was bright red. But, I did it. I was so proud of myself! I hate spending the extra money, but it is worth every single cent. I just wish I could afford to do it more often!
The really good timing is that we have started back up with the hyperbaric chamber again. It was definitely hot tonight, but I am really hoping it will help with the muscle soreness and recovery time. (Did I mention the plank, side planks, and push ups???) And, I just love the bonding time with Michael. We don't get a lot of time to just hang out - even if he is glued to his tablet the entire session.
So, I am dead tired and expect to sleep like a rock tonight. In fact, I think the pillow is calling my name. Good night!
The great thing is, I am a lot stronger than I realized. I can move heavier weights than I thought, and I think I did a pretty good job. Of course, I was huffing and puffing, and my face was bright red. But, I did it. I was so proud of myself! I hate spending the extra money, but it is worth every single cent. I just wish I could afford to do it more often!
The really good timing is that we have started back up with the hyperbaric chamber again. It was definitely hot tonight, but I am really hoping it will help with the muscle soreness and recovery time. (Did I mention the plank, side planks, and push ups???) And, I just love the bonding time with Michael. We don't get a lot of time to just hang out - even if he is glued to his tablet the entire session.
So, I am dead tired and expect to sleep like a rock tonight. In fact, I think the pillow is calling my name. Good night!
Monday, June 17, 2013
Day 338 - Sorry for going MIA!
Sorry for being gone for a week. Last Wednesday I started getting really sick, and was sick for most of the week. Then, I went to Pennsylvania for my Mom's birthday party. So, I did get exercise over the weekend, but it was mostly the kind from running up and down the stairs a million times. The good news is that it was enough exercise that my quads were burning when I went to bed Saturday night. That definitely counts as exercise!
Tonight, I was back to the gym for my Monday combination classes. The muscle challenge class was really challenging tonight. I think that I was extra weak because I haven't eaten much for the last week. So, I had no reserves at all. But, yoga felt really, really good. I think after all the running around over the weekend, it felt so good to stretch and twist and bend!
But, I am now completely exhausted. So, I'm calling it an early night. Tomorrow is a rest day, but I'll be back at it onWednesday. Have a great night!
Tonight, I was back to the gym for my Monday combination classes. The muscle challenge class was really challenging tonight. I think that I was extra weak because I haven't eaten much for the last week. So, I had no reserves at all. But, yoga felt really, really good. I think after all the running around over the weekend, it felt so good to stretch and twist and bend!
But, I am now completely exhausted. So, I'm calling it an early night. Tomorrow is a rest day, but I'll be back at it onWednesday. Have a great night!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Day 331 - Some Days are Just Really, Really Hard
I forced myself to go to the gym tonight, despite everything that's happened today. I was doing well until the Beatles "A Day in the Life" came on. I just lost it, right in the middle of a set of squats. But, I did put it back together and finish out the class. Yoga was hard. I couldn't settle my brain. But, I made it through somehow. Not the best set of classes I've ever had, but at least ...I went.
I did completely fall apart when I got home, and there was chocolate involved. Not a terrible amount, but enough. But, it could have been a lot worse. Tonight I am just holding Michael really close and telling him how much I love him. I don't know what else I can do. Thankfully, tomorrow is a rest day.
I did completely fall apart when I got home, and there was chocolate involved. Not a terrible amount, but enough. But, it could have been a lot worse. Tonight I am just holding Michael really close and telling him how much I love him. I don't know what else I can do. Thankfully, tomorrow is a rest day.
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