<p>I have also fallen off the wagon. This weekend was cold and I just could not motivate myself to get out and exercise. Spent the weekend freezing at a horse show and at the end of the day just wanted to soak in a hot tub not go back out and start walking.
For the first time in several months I felt like I was starving all weekend long.I had my first slice of sourdough toast in months. I am going out of town later this week and I would like to get back on track before I leave. Knowing that being away will mean eating out.</p>
<p>Way back someone posted a delicious sounding breakfast - poached egg on the bed of spinach. Question - do you use fresh spinach? What do you season it with?</p>
<p>Hey…got my bosu ball today in the mail…can’t wait to start using it. </p>
<p>WIP, I tried racewalking today…as best I could after watching some videos on YouTube (not much there!). Did a mile on the track and it DID get my heart rate up. Tried running a bit too…and my knee said “no way” …so I may give this a try. I need to get over the fact that it looks funny :)</p>
<p>And I’m down a few pounds after the weekend. Wow. Even after wolfing down brie at a party. Now, if I could just figure out how to bike for two hours EVERY day…I’ll be all set.</p>
<p>toneranger, the weather’s warming up. If you work outside the home, how about commuting to work on your bike?</p>
<p>
lol NM. I just told my son that I know why overweight people don’t exercise—your stomach gets in the way of almost every exercise!!</p>
<p>Today I did 25 min on Wii fit. Will try to ride bike later in day. My goal is to get up to one hour/day even if it means broken into little segments!</p>
<p>Exercise doesn’t have to be an hour a day. You can get a good workout walking, running, or biking if you mix in some short, high-intensity bursts along with moderate cardio (at a level where you are breathing a little heavy, but can still talk). The high intensity bursts raise the heartrate for the entire 30 minutes.</p>
<p>An hour is great, but a lot of newbies who most need the encouragement probably can’t do an hour out of the gate and we don’t want “an hour” to become an impediment if we have “thirty minutes”. Speaking a someone who never exercised, I think this mental image of slaving away on an exercise bike or treadmill for an hour a day can be a negative motivation.</p>
<p>Same with doing hundreds of crunches. That’s a good exercise for toning deep core muscles, but it doesn’t burn a lot of belly fat because the abs are fairly small muscles. Better to do a set of 20 and then do four other exercises that work the core and the larger muscles in the body: lunges, pushups, steps, etc.</p>
<p>Am back to reconnect with everyone after three weeks of ups and downs!</p>
<p>Got sick about three weeks ago, five days before we were scheduled to go on vacation, and today was my first day back at the gym since then. I’m still not 100%, but am going back to the doctor later today for a re-check. I think there are still remnants of a sinus infection that need another round of antibiotics. </p>
<p>An interesting thing came out of being sick, though. I really lost my appetite for a few days, and did lose some weight (but I knew it would come back once my appetite returned). However, when I was sick and very little food appealed to me, I gained a taste for oatmeal. In fact, I also bought some Frosted Mini Wheats, had a couple of bowls, and it just didn’t appeal to me anymore!!! So most mornings now, I’ve been fixing 3/4 c. non-instant oatmeal, and I add some cinnamon, applesauce and a bit of brown sugar (getting less than I would with the cereal). I’m so glad I’ve found a new favorite for the morning that’s good for me. </p>
<p>When I left the gym today, I submitted a form for one of the personal trainers to call me and schedule an appointment. I had the big 5-0 last Friday, and H and D1 threw me a big bash at a restaurant. It was TONS of fun… I had my share of margaritas (which is unusual because I’m not really a drinker) and a small piece of chocolate cake. But all the celebration is over, so I’m ready to get back on track, with no temptations (like vacations and birthdays) upcoming. </p>
<p>Someone upthread mentioned not being able to do the elliptical due to knee issues. At our gym, they have something that looks like an elliptical, but is in more of a reclining position… meaning, it has the arm movement as well as the stepping action, but you’re not bearing weight on your knees.</p>
<p>I’m thrilled that it’s finally getting nice outside and I can start doing some work in the yard. Had the landscapers do all the aerating/de-thatching today, so it’s like a blank landscape waiting for me to plan stuff for the season (I already put pansies in six pots!). </p>
<p>You all are so inspirational… it’s reassuring to read the ups and downs and know that none of us is perfect in our ambitions. Keep up the good work everyone!</p>
<p>Happy 5-0!</p>
<p>Welcome back, teri. I’ll be hitting that big 5-0 before too long but many happy returns of the day to you! </p>
<p>Well, I was bad this weekend. Definitely overate. I did make a big batch of fruit salad with the yogurt topping again and that was well received by all family members, including incredibly picky son. Chopped up some veggies to have on hand for munching. Big batch of chicken tortilla soup for lunch this week. But…</p>
<p>Friday we got take out sandwiches. Not the Subway veggie subs either. Saturday we cooked on the grill. Andouille sausage. Sunday S wanted pork tenderloin sandwiches (a fried item). So today I am back on the health and wellness train. Definitely too much fat over the weekend and it’s not really agreeing with me. </p>
<p>But, I did get in quite a few walks with Big Dog and S, so that was enjoyable. Teri, if I recall correctly you were having some type of ear problem- has that not resolved yet?</p>
<p>WARNING: INJURED RUNNER BEING A B11TTC&H</p>
<p>My streak is ending at day 387 (yesterday) due to my hamstring strain and my trusted PT (he is a runner and works with lots of elite runners) finally telling me I have to stop. I knew this day would come (runners get injured- it’s a fact of life), but I am freaking out. I am predicting about a 20 pound weight gain in the next 2 weeks and a loss of my wonderful job due to a probable tantrum. I will be selling all my new cute spring clothes on ebay since I won’t be fitting into them by this weekend.</p>
<p>I hate cross-training. Nothing really works in my life besides running (and the little bit of weights I do). Biking is out- I really can’t do it during the week and I’m not fast enough for my husband’s weekend group. Besides, it takes 3 or 4 hours to do the equivalent of what I was running. Swimming- ugh. Elliptical-hate being inside with this gorgeous spring weather and I’ll have to be on the stupid thing for at least an hour to feel like I’ve done anything. Spin class- again, doesn’t jive with my work schedule very well or travel. Pool running- I’ve done it before but we aren’t in outdoor season yet and the indoor pool is 84 degrees. It would be horrible.
Did I mention that I am a real b---- when I’m injured?<br>
There is this torture device of an elliptical at the gym which has pedals that go in more of an arc, but it is NOT the Cybex Arc Trainer. It’s pretty hard. I’m not sure I can stand it for more than 30 minutes. Well, maybe if country music videos are on the TV. The machine is a Precor 1100 or something like that. I hate cross-training.<br>
I’ve had 8 Hershey’s Kisses out of my boss’s candy bowl this afternoon. Shall I start listing the clothes on ebay?</p>
<p>Poor Mom of WC. We were all waiting for this post since you first mentioned strained hamstring and trying to jog on it. I’ve watched enough NFL players with various ‘hammies’ to know that trying to play through it at any level never pays. That’s one injury you just have to stay off of and let it fully heal. Get healed up quick.</p>
<p>iPod workout kicked my butt again today, but not quite as badly as Friday. I’m back for another week of the same circuits because it’s just silly to move up in class while these things are still kicking my ass like this. I have gone to the heavier dumbells for the step/curl/press. I’m also getting much more in control of the exercises – like I feel that I can actually **do **the lunge walks for the first time. So, that’s all good. But, aerobically, I run out of gas and still need to throw in an extra minute recovery here and there. There’s no point in starting 45 seconds of pushups when you are already panting like a dog. The good news is that my heart rate is staying lower.</p>
<p>The intervals at the end of this workout are brutal. Ten reps of 10 seconds hard, 30 seconds recovery. Both my hard and recovery paces on the Airdyne have increased substantially, so that is a hard eight minutes. It’s just amazing how throwing in the hard intervals raises the intensity.</p>
<p>Feels good.</p>
<p>MoWC, we’re here for your venting pleasure. Totally sympathise-- I hate being injured, especially if the weather is turning gorgeous and I can’t ride my bike in it, so I know how you’re feeling. Trying to exercise in an 84-degree pool? Ugh, it’s like a bathtub when the water is that warm.</p>
<p>Oh no MOWC! So sorry! Did your PT friend have any alternatives for you?</p>
<p>MOWC - Have your little freak-out time. Just don’t let it last for too long. When you are finished, just calm down and think. You will not gain 20 pounds in 2 weeks. You will not have to sell your clothes on ebay. You like to be active - running is your thing. But in the meantime, there are other things that you can do. No - you will not like it as much. No - you may not burn as much calories. But you can do SOMETHING. Do not purchase food at the grocery store that you usually do not purchase. Eat the same healthy way. Maybe ask your boss to hide those chocolates in his/her drawer. Do you like water? Drink some. You will get through this day. And the next day. And the next day.</p>
<p>We are here for you! You CAN DO THIS.</p>
<p>Eddie</p>
<p>MOfWC, I feel your pain - it is time to get some boxing gloves and a punch bag and have at it! Please stop by and vent any time, we are all ears (and your crying shoulder as well :)) No, you will not gain 20 pounds. Your hamstring will heal. You WILL fit into your new clothes. You can do this!</p>
<p>(and you do have the will power to stay away from that candy bowl!)</p>
<p>Solution:
Teriwtt-- give MOWC your sinus infection and it’ll curtail her appetite :D</p>
<p>Feel better both of you!</p>
<p>oh…too bad MOWC. I feel for you. I was never even close to an elite runner (more like a light jogger) but I DO know the feeling of being addicted. Even now, after coming to terms with a bum knee, I have fantasies of going back (not gonna happen). I was at my best weight then and felt great. Sooo…hang in there, let that hamstring heal, and you’ll be back soon. You might gain a few (not 20!) but they’ll come right back off when you’re back into your routine. (tip: my trusty orthopedic doc was also getting hamstring injuries…he’s in his 60s and a dedicated runner. He hasn’t had any problems since he took up yoga…just a thought for after you’re healed up). </p>
<p>Hey ^^^ that boxing idea sounds cool. Great for getting that frustration out!</p>
<p>Thanks, all. I’ve had plenty of injuries over the years- some have sidelined me for months and months. This is disappointing because I was in such good shape and competing so well. Also, at this age I will lost conditioning fast and it is harder to get it back.
That said, I did the stupid AMT (adaptive motion trainer) for 30 gruesome minutes tonight. I think it is easier on knees than the regular elliptical and my HR was in range for running. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing. I figure I’ll get up and walk in the morning before work to at least burn some calories. Walking tends to not be the best option for me because I’m not very good at resisting the urge to throw in some running.
If this is more than a couple of weeks, I may have to go back to hot yoga. Won’t keep me in running shape, but it is a killer workout.</p>
<p>My club offers hot yoga…have never tried it. It’s right before my regular Hatha yoga class. The folks (mostly young very fit looking ladies) come out dripping and there’s all sorts of sweat pools on the floor…so it MUST be really tough. I wish they would clean up though…</p>