The day started with a text message from my trainer with instructions to do two 90 second planks, a minute of push ups, and an hour on the elliptical with 20 minutes of high incline. So, the day definitely started out scary!
I did the planks pretty much first thing, just to get them over with. I wasn't able to hold them for the full 90 seconds, but I'm definitely getting better. The first session on the elliptical went pretty well with 484 calories burned. I took a few hours off, did the push ups, and then did the second elliptical session - 502 more calories burned. I don't think I've ever burned so many calories in an hour!
Of course, after I got off the elliptical, I was exhausted. I thought I'd recover in time to get to yoga tonight. I really wanted to make it three days in a row of 2 hours of exercise. But, then I realized that it wasn't what I really needed. Tonight, I was tired and needed a break. So I made the choice to listen to my body and stay home. I'm glad I did. I am still learning this balance between pushing hard and respecting my limits. Today, I had the best of both worlds. Overall, a great day!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Remembering Fun
Today was supposed to be a rest day, but since I took Sunday off, I wanted to do something. I wanted a low impact activity, but that was still fun. I used to play a game on the wii called Walk It Out. It's basically an island where you walk to music. Each step earns you coins you can spend building up your island, and you can also use them to get more songs for your playlist.
I spent an hour and a half at lunch time walking. I wasn't supposed to spend that long, but I was just having too much fun. It was like visiting with an old friend, and getting a walk in at the same time. And, the game tricks you. It's so easy to 'just get the next item', or 'just clear this area'. But, before you know it, you've spend another thirty minutes walking.
Then, after work, I wanted to check on something, so I did another 45 minutes. I have a feeling my legs are going to be pretty sore tomorrow. But, it was for a good cause, and I enjoyed it. As much as I like the games on wii Fit, this is better. It's just addicting. And, anything that can trick me into over two hours of exercise, that's a good thing!
I spent an hour and a half at lunch time walking. I wasn't supposed to spend that long, but I was just having too much fun. It was like visiting with an old friend, and getting a walk in at the same time. And, the game tricks you. It's so easy to 'just get the next item', or 'just clear this area'. But, before you know it, you've spend another thirty minutes walking.
Then, after work, I wanted to check on something, so I did another 45 minutes. I have a feeling my legs are going to be pretty sore tomorrow. But, it was for a good cause, and I enjoyed it. As much as I like the games on wii Fit, this is better. It's just addicting. And, anything that can trick me into over two hours of exercise, that's a good thing!
Monday, December 9, 2013
Magnificent Monday Workouts
I definitely made up for yesterday with today's back to back workouts. The muscle challenge class was especially challenging tonight. We did a routine of one arm rows followed by concentration curls, followed by dips. I used a twenty pound weight and thought I would die. Then, she did an ab routine which was a set of three exercises using the yoga balls. I am fully expecting to hear from my abs tomorrow!
What I loved was when a couple people noticed that I stay for both classes and think it's a lot of work. It is! But, it's worth it. And, I am not shy about taking child pose if I need it. After the first class, there are times my arms are like jelly. Balancing down dog is just not going to happen. So, I catch my breath and prepare for the next pose. It works for me. And, one day I'll be able to do all the poses... or not. I'm just proud of myself for doing my best. Not a cop out, real, actual pride!
What I loved was when a couple people noticed that I stay for both classes and think it's a lot of work. It is! But, it's worth it. And, I am not shy about taking child pose if I need it. After the first class, there are times my arms are like jelly. Balancing down dog is just not going to happen. So, I catch my breath and prepare for the next pose. It works for me. And, one day I'll be able to do all the poses... or not. I'm just proud of myself for doing my best. Not a cop out, real, actual pride!
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Rough Day
Friday and Saturday were great exercise days. Today, not so much. Michael was up pretty much all night, and then was in meltdown most of the day. Needless to say, I wasn't in great shape today. I decided it would definitely be a rest day. And, an early to bed night!
Friday, December 6, 2013
Something new!
For as long as I've been doing the elliptical, I've only played with the resistance, never the incline. So, today I finally worked up the courage to play with the incline! I did two thirty minute sessions, and in teach of those I had two five minute blocks on an incline level of 10. I was so proud of myself! I burned over 900 calories and conquered a fear. Go me!
And, I did my regular Friday night yoga class. It felt so good tonight. It's been a really rough week here, so it was nice to just focus on breath and movement for a change. And, the relaxation at the end was absolutely heavenly. Overall, a great day!
And, I did my regular Friday night yoga class. It felt so good tonight. It's been a really rough week here, so it was nice to just focus on breath and movement for a change. And, the relaxation at the end was absolutely heavenly. Overall, a great day!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Ouch and ouch!
OK, so Monday night I just did the muscle challenge class. Then yesterday was a rest day. Today, my arms are still killing me. To the point that I can barely lift my arms over shoulder level without major pain. I know it's good that I'm working my triceps, but does it have to hurt so much??
Today was a great exercise day, though. I did an hour on the elliptical, and kept a steady, challenging pace. According to the machine, I burned 848 calories in the hour. Now, I know it's not accurate, but when I use it as a benchmark, it's really, really good. It was hard to push to keep the pace for the whole time, but I was so proud of myself when I finished!
Then, I did yoga tonight. It was a challenging class, but not impossible. In fact, there weren't any poses I couldn't do. I really like that. So, two good workouts, one great day!
Today was a great exercise day, though. I did an hour on the elliptical, and kept a steady, challenging pace. According to the machine, I burned 848 calories in the hour. Now, I know it's not accurate, but when I use it as a benchmark, it's really, really good. It was hard to push to keep the pace for the whole time, but I was so proud of myself when I finished!
Then, I did yoga tonight. It was a challenging class, but not impossible. In fact, there weren't any poses I couldn't do. I really like that. So, two good workouts, one great day!
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Beyond Happy
Some days are just really, really good days. Yesterday and today have been spent decorating the house for Christmas. I didn't get any official exercise yesterday, but I did get half an hour on the elliptical today. So, why am I so happy? I had the energy to do so much more than I have in the last several years.
Instead of waiting for Steve to bring in the boxes and unpack them, I went out to the garage, found what I wanted, and carted everything in. Before he even knew what I was doing, I had almost everything in and set up. I was so proud of myself!
Of course, the tree itself was a big deal to decorate, and Steve did all the outdoor decorations. But, overall, this was a really 'energetic' year for me. So, even though it wasn't a lot of 'exercise', I was more active this weekend than I have been in a while. And, I am thrilled about it!
And, now that Thanksgiving is over, and the house is decorated, I can focus on enjoying the holiday season, and make sure I get my exercise in. There is nothing like the feeling of knowing my house is mostly clean, the decorations are up, the shopping is mostly done, and I can enjoy the holidays. I am just so happy and peaceful. I need this to last!
Instead of waiting for Steve to bring in the boxes and unpack them, I went out to the garage, found what I wanted, and carted everything in. Before he even knew what I was doing, I had almost everything in and set up. I was so proud of myself!
Of course, the tree itself was a big deal to decorate, and Steve did all the outdoor decorations. But, overall, this was a really 'energetic' year for me. So, even though it wasn't a lot of 'exercise', I was more active this weekend than I have been in a while. And, I am thrilled about it!
And, now that Thanksgiving is over, and the house is decorated, I can focus on enjoying the holiday season, and make sure I get my exercise in. There is nothing like the feeling of knowing my house is mostly clean, the decorations are up, the shopping is mostly done, and I can enjoy the holidays. I am just so happy and peaceful. I need this to last!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)