August Accountability - Fitness Challenge

August ended up being a tough month. But which month isn't, right?

 

I did work out throughout the month, although one we took my stepson to college, my workouts really fell off for a week afterwards. I worked out once while we were out of town and then one we came back, went back to a busy schedule and then my birthday the following weekend. As we were also down to one car for part of that week, I ended up falling off the wagon for a week, but eventually got back to working out the following week.

The running challenge has not yet taken flight. I did Day 1 of Week 1 of Couch to 5K, and that went ok, but I haven't felt the urge to do it again. Part of it is after I did the first workout, I started experiencing low back pressure, which I'd previously not suffered from. Nothing too serious, but I have found that yoga, pilates and stretching have helped. It makes sense to experience some of this pain since I sit in a cubicle all day and barely leave my desk, but I seem to be associating the low back pain with running and haven't wanted to try it since. Maybe I will get over it, we'll see.

 

I find that after 2-3 weeks of continuous work outs, I get bored and not have any motivation to go to the gym. I'm still exploring trying other workouts, getting Groupons for other gyms, just to try some different exercise modalities. I really like the idea of boutique gyms that offer class packs, for 5 or 10 classes and you can stop in as time permits to workout, but don't have to take on a different gym membership. I've been buying class packs for yoga, which has been very helpful.

 

Surprisingly to me, I've found that I am enjoying yoga much more this time, than in previous history. I'm still not a huge fan of vinyasa yoga, but I have tried Forrest Yoga (super hard core yoga), Yin Yoga (lots of long stretches), and a Candlelight Vinyasa Flow, which was not as fast-paced as regular vinyasa flow classes. I still want to try Anusara Yoga, just because and also Hatha Yoga. There's a yoga studio very close to my house that offers several classes in hatha and some yin yoga, and that will probably be my next yoga class pack purchase. Also YogaCycle or spin/yoga fusion classes are also awesome. I love getting cardio in and then stretching.

 

Swimming  has been very hit or miss. I have gone to the outdoor pool with my neighbor twice, but otherwise, haven't been too motivated to get in the pool. I figure I will swim on occasion, because I know how, but it hasn't become a must do exercise every week. I don't know if I just wanted to learn because I couldn't do it or if I will feel the need to swim more.

 

I never made my workout challenge goal of working out 5 days a week. I'm going to step down the goal this month to working out 4 days a week. I can usually get in 3 workouts a week, so this month we'll try for 4x/week. I'll keep you posted.

Accountability Week 1

Time to fess up. Last week was ok and I did workout more than the prior week, but did not make my goal. :-(
Workouts last week totaled three. Although I set the goal, I neglected to plan for it. Which is, of course, a recipe for disaster/failure.

I did cardio twice, one day which was the Couch to 5k run, and one day of yoga.

So far, only one day of running. It was ok, but I felt lower back pain for several days afterward and I normally don't suffer from back pain, which concerned me. I may give it another try next week.

That's it from the trenches.

Have a great weekend friends!

I Don't Run unless being chased?!?!

I don't run unless being chased, that was always my tag line about running. As I've been working out over the past year, I find myself trying things that I never thought I would do. I can't believe it's come to this, but I'm about to try running.

 

I know, right? Surprise, me too. Although if you have been following me on Google+ or Facebook, you may have seen me mention that I was shopping for shoes last week. Well, the shoe shopping was successful and now the hard part begins. The uber-famous, Couch to 5K, program is the one I will be using. I love the iPhone, as there is a C25K app, that I have on my phone. Technology is great. Running, well, we'll see how it goes. Stay posted for updates and wish me Godspeed. 

Types of Yoga

So as I mentioned in yesterday's post, I am looking to incorporate yoga into my workout routine. What's spurring this on is that my massage therapist is always mentioning how tight my muscles are and that I need to stretch more, which I do agree with. However, I know that I probably won't just stretch on a daily or nightly basis at home. My thought is that I should take a yoga class instead. I am not looking for the vinyasa flow-style yoga that most gyms, mine included, that are taught as a fast-paced flow to help you sweat.

 

I would like a slower-paced yoga class to hold poses longer. In looking at different yoga studios around time, I see gentle hatha yoga, restorative yoga, candlelit vinyasa flow yoga, and Anusara yoga. Is anyone reading this familiar or have any experience with these types of yoga to provide insight?

 

Thanks for your help and Namaste. ;-)

August Fitness Challenge

Hello Friends,

 

It's been awhile since my last post. An online friend is trying to get me to commit t0 30 days of blogging. Not sure if that will happen, but the primary goal I've been focusing on is getting more fit and working out consistently. Some weeks I work out 3-4 times a week and others I barely get 2 workouts in. I know that burnout is pretty typical and I'm trying to find other ways to keep my workouts fresh and interesting.

 

For August, I have a goal of working out 4-5 times a week. I'm going to use my blog as a way of keeping myself accountable.

 

I'd love to see comments or a WTG to keep me motivated. You will see more posts from this space, although they may not all be fitness related.

 

I am looking to incorporate yoga or Pilates at least once per week and get back into a swimming routine as well. I wanted to purchase a bicycle this summer, but it's not looking likely for this year, but next summer it will be mine. The goal is weight lifting or cardio for tomorrow.

 

Here's looking at you, kid!

Super Saturday

5K, well a 3K for Scleroderma a d now a spin/yoga class.
Bookclub tonite and then rest.
Whew!

Untitled

Busy day today.

First up: Scleroderma 5K to support my cousin June.

Before & Well, Now

In the past year, I've become an avid exercise buff, primarily doing cardio (spinning, swimming, elliptical and bike riding), along with strength training.  Prior to that, I worked sporadically and never consistently. After having some health issues, I finally decided to do something about my weight, which was a primary factor in my digestive issues. As I'd always wanted to learn how to swim, but had problems mastering breathing, I was never successful with swimming. Fueled by my desire to attempt to learn to swim (yet again) last summer, I took swimming lessons at my local recreation center. In order to build my endurane, I started practicing kicking with the kickboard and taking aqua aerobics.

 

While I did not learn how to swim last summer, I continued to work out and then later worked with a swim coach and learned how to swim this year, finally. I ran across some old photos yesterday and decided to post them.

 

It's not a before & after, because I am, after all, a work in progress, but rather a before and now.

 

When looking at the pictures, I can truly see a difference. Over 2 years, I've lost about 30 pounds and still have another 20-30 lbs to go. But I am very happy with the changes in my body and feel that I am much healthier than I've ever been.

 

With all the fitness enthusiasm, sadly, my knitting productivity has waned. I'd like to think that it will pick up at some point, but I'm not sure if that's going to happen again or not. I've still been knitting, but mostly socks and it's off and on, more off than on.

 

That's all for today.

 

Hello There World

So, I doubt if anyone is actually checking this blog for updates, but wanted to let you know 2 things. One, I finally actually graduated from grad school with my Master's in Human Resource Management. Two, I have started a new blog on Posterous at http://whirlgirl.posterous.com/

Hope to see you there.