<p>After a long struggle to get to the point where I can even do a lot of the “balance” type exercises (split squats, single leg stuff, etc.), I’ve come to realize that a lot of it was a lack of strength and especially hip/glute strength to stabilize the leg. I just keep chippin’ away at it. And, fortunately, it keeps getting a little bit better. At a glacier-like pace, but progress is progress. I can’t believe I’ve been doing [this</a> one](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=FCHWl8SYT_A#t=197s]this”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=FCHWl8SYT_A#t=197s) for a few weeks now and haven’t fallen over, yet.</p>
<p>Idad, I have to habituate myself to a longer, evening, strength workout of some kind. While I’ve now habituated the morning hikes/airdyne sufficiently, my plan around not dropping to unsustainable (for me) super low caloric counts will rely heavily on my burning enough via some form of activity. Rachel just may be just the thing if its progressive like that. Let us know what you think of the program, and thanks for sharing the link!</p>
<p>I like Rachel’s exercises in general, even though I have a hard time doing the entire program regularly. I find it pretty easy to throw in some strength exercises during the day if I get bored or to do a set or two while dinner is in the oven. People keep saying you can’t lose weight with exercise and while theoretically true, I have never lost weight without upping my exercise - I like food too much.</p>
<p>I got about 13 hours of sleep last night. I don’t know why I was so tired. Lots of tree pollen in the air today so people at the office have the usual symptoms. I’ve been ignoring weights lately - will probably continue to do so for a few more days.</p>
<p>I am ashamed to report what I had for dinner last night. We ran out of time before the big All for the Hall (Country Music Hall of Fame benefit) concert and didn’t get to eat dinner. So-in the arena my dinner was a hot dog (small), beer and half a funnel cake. I’m channeling my inner MiamiDAP. That was disgusting even for me! Weight had been going down a little (somewhat due to heat and humidity effects) but I’m sure that didn’t help! 5 mile run yesterday morning, 2 this morning and will do more after work. Late night last night with the concert. Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Trace Adkins, Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw, Eric Church (my current favorite), Hank Williams Jr and others- it was just awesome. Noted the beefed up security and police presence.</p>
<p>Once a year, at our church festival, I allow myself a funnel cake - it is worth every extra step I have to take to burn it off! And, once a year, is enough to have it!</p>
<p>Jeez, MOWC, you could have invited us! Looks like an awesome show. I think I could have talked H into going to that - right now I’m trying to persuade him to go see Blake Shelton. That’s going to be a hard sell, I think. </p>
<p>My head is about ready to pop - so much pollen it’s not even funny. Today is a C25K day and I am determined to do it, because other than the pollen, it’s a great day for a run.</p>
<p>Google led me to discussion forum for women’s workout DVDs (of all things!) where several people had already started the workouts. it was interesting to read the comments, because Rachel’s program (which sounds like a home version of New Rules of Lifting) is ‘slow paced’ compared to the usual frenetic workout video pace. Several of the women thought it was “too easy” and “not intense enough”, then realized they were sore from the ‘easy’ workouts. I think that what happens with the super-fast paced video workouts is that you are forced to used such light weights and do half-baked versions of exercises like squats that it really just becomes cardio with weights i your hands, rather than a set of 10 reps of an exercise that is really hard by the end.</p>
<p>One of the other comments was that Rachel is constantly giving pointers and coaching on doing the exercises properly. I think I will enjoy going through the workouts for that reason. I’m sure I’ll pick up some good stuff.</p>
<p>With any luck, my DVDs will be here this week. Then, I’ll have to figure out how to get them on my Kindle or drag a TV downstairs.</p>
<p>I downloaded the whole program (video and mp3 audio workouts) a couple of years ago and did the whole thing, 12 weeks, start to finish. 20 minute workouts that can be done by themselves or as the core exercises with something else. I had started in, doing the whole program again last month when I got sidetracked with cable pulley exercises, but they are the kind of workouts that you could do over and over…</p>
<p>Most of the workouts can be done outside on a deck or patio (with an exercise mat), which is nice. Some of them are even filmed in a park.</p>
<p>It is a truly great show and it sells out in minutes. I got tickets the 1st year (this was the 4th) and this year I struck out even getting online the first minute. Fortunately, a friend’s daughter in the industry got tickets (really good seats- much better than I’ve ever had before) through Vince Gill’s organization and we got to go! Keith and Vince play backup guitar for ALL the artists (except Hank Jr. who was acoustic), which is pretty cool. Vince and Keith both do so much for the Nashville community (as does Nicole Kidman). I really feel blessed to live here.</p>
<p>Irresistibly nice weather. 62 degrees, blue sky, sunny. Too nice for my usual Wed. basement workout. So I headed out for a 3K walk jog on the hills in the surrounding neighorhood. Still can’t wear my new shoes because it’s solid mud on the cut-thru out of the condo (and probably will be all spring). </p>
<p>I wore shorts for the first time since last fall – my new Nike 5-inch short shorts. Apologies to any neighbors who were subjected to the sight of my pasty-white, haven’t seen sun in months, yankee-tourist legs. Definitely not a pretty sight. Need some tan! Bad.</p>
<p>This was a fairly flat run; nothing challenging. Somehow I ended up repeating the 5 minute run segment; still not sure how that happened. Can I just say I am not very technologically adept. I have been working hard on the elliptical since January (I really do imagine I’m climbing Kiliminjaro), and I think that helps with the running. Plus, I told you all that I was going to do this so I feel accountable - I don’t just want to do it, I want to do it well. It feels great to be outside.</p>
<p>You’ve been working hard for quite some time now, Sabaray. That’s been obvious to me. I’m not surprised you’re taking to the running like a fish to water.</p>