<p>Walked outside today for a total of 3.75 miles. Went at a good clip–15:40 minutes per mile according to Map my Walk app–which does the math for you (I’m really glad I found that app.) I’m feeling good. Did a short workout that I found on a Paleo website. It was called The Angry Birds Workout, which consisted of 50 overhead squats, 50 incline pushups, 10 decline pushups, 30 inverted rows, and a 60 second plank, This was quick and easy and to do and something you can pretty much do anywhere. </p>
<p>Took a break from indoor cycling yesterday and did 2 hours of cross country skiing instead. I really needed to be outside. This time of year gets real tough to maintain my focus for indoor cycling wattage workouts. Tomorrow I anticipate doing a Functional Threshold Power test to recalibrate my wattage routines. It will hurt - 60 minutes on the bike during which I will do a couple of 5 minute intervals and recovery to warm up and then 20 minutes at the highest level of exertion that I can maintain for the whole 20 minutes. If I can still walk when I get off the bike, then I didn’t push hard enough. And I do this for fun?</p>
<p>The cross country skiing was a hoot. I used a set of borrowed skis with no metal edges which meant little control on un-groomed trails where edging was necessary to control direction and speed. By the end of 2 hours, my layers of clothing were soaked like a wet towel.</p>
<p>May do a TRX workout tonight or upper body free weights. Will see what moves me when I get down to the basement.</p>
<p>I hear ya on that. Getting a little fresh air and outdoor exercise is key to not going stir-crazy in the winter. Looks like weather will be favorable for getting out in NH later in the wee.</p>
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<p>Meanwhile, back to the basement for me. DId my little walk around the weight bench for the strength portion of my workout:</p>
<p>Goblet squats
3-pt rows
DB step ups
DB bench press.</p>
<p>My little kick it up a notch today was doing both legs of the step ups non-stop. So 10 reps on the left and immediately into 10 reps on the right. With two 30 lb DBs, these are tough.</p>
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<p>Better you than me on a 60 minute all out bike test. I don’t want to know my power threshold that badly!</p>
<p>3rd day in a row running on treadmill. This is the first time ever I’ve had to be inside for 3 consewuetive days. I’m going outside tomorrow night no matter what. I may look like an Eskimo… </p>
<p>Another winter, another Power Stretch fleece. I practically live in these things all winter as they are infinitely warmer and more washable than sweaters. </p>
<p>35% off coupon, brought them down to $38 each. I got a dark blue one and a green one to brighten up all the grays and blacks I normally wear:</p>
<p>I’m into zumba for the past 9 months or so. I do it at a gym and I try to do all different instructors. I think it’s silly that some people won’t try a different one. I think its good to mix them up. Does anybody do it at home? I don’t know if I would do it as often by myself. I look up videos to try to learn better technique. I was noticing some people just kind of wave their arms about. They don’t realize it’s part of the exercise and your arms get toned too. One video was about arms for zumba and how you shouldn’t have mushy arms. There is a lot of interesting stuff out there on youtube! Here’s a good zumba blog. She has videos too (like the arm one) <a href=“Zumba with Sheila: How can I get a better arm workout during Zumba?”>http://zumba-sheila-blog-learn.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-can-i-get-better-arm-workout-during.html</a></p>
<p>I think I get better workout at zumba than on treadmill. Maybe not calorie for calorie-but you can burn more or less depending on your effort. Zumba is total body…arms, legs, core and brain. Doesn’t take much thinking or flexibility to run on a treadmill.</p>
<p>I do a weight class at least 2x week also.</p>
<p>I’m interviewing for a part time job and I’m bothered that it will cut into 2 of my favorite zumba classes!</p>
<p>My wife was an inveterate zumba class attendee. Zumba and water aerobics every Saturday morning. I don’t think coud do Zumba. I’d be gassed in no time… </p>
<p>I LOVE the food tracking app myfitnesspal. Yesterday was day#1 of recording my food intake and boy was I surprised! The app has set my weight loss goal at .8lbs per week and I saw from yesterday I eat way too many carbs and sugar and not enough protein and fat. My sciatica was kicking up yesterday so I did a lot of stretching and passed on exercising, but moved forward on my goals by tracking my food. </p>
<p>Thank you to everyone that recommended this app!</p>
<p>Peaceful mom, tracking is an eye-opener for sure Folks who’ve never used one have no idea how those little snacks add up. I was in a meeting yesterday with a client who’s been with us for years. She’s tiny because she’s always on the run, but during a 2.5 hour meeting with her and her two assistants, the three of them plowed through and entire treat basket a client had given them., all the while offering me goodies and commenting on how they couldn’t believe how much weight I’ve lost this year It was kind of funny…at the end of the meeting when I had not taken a single nibble it kinda dawned on her how that works :)</p>
<p>Idad, mch was quick to point out that the popcorn used healthy coconut oil It really makes the popcorn delightful, and satisfying, even cold, so I’m just going to practice “budgeting” a pack throughout the weekend That’s the beauty of tracking…you can pick your spots!</p>
<p>I am really dreading the hill this morning between the subzero temp and the fresh snow but I NEED the exhilaration so I’m not letting myself out of it even though the treadmill is actually tempting!</p>
<p>Peacefulmom, SEE? We told you your eyes would be opened with a food tracking app! Tracking food initially is CLEARLY one of the “top 3 things to do” when wanting to change health lifestyle. So glad you have found value! Keep consistent with it - the gift one day will be that you will arrive at a time when you realize that you have your intake down pretty well and you will feel confident to step back from the tracking a bit. So happy for you! (take note people who have not tracked before!)</p>
<p>Re: Zumba. I have taken a few organized classes. For me, it was a nice workout but I did not break a sweat. I think the between song breaks just gave me plenty of recovery time (not used to a minute break every few minutes!) If I can’t get to the gym or run or walk outside I will put a Zumba youtube on at home. </p>
<p>I took a Zumba class once. Organized classes are just not my thing. Made me feel like that girl who was picked last in gym class and I like to avoid that feeling. </p>
<p>Idad, very interesting about the pinched cervical nerve. Sounds A LOT like what H is going through. Wondering what helped for you? H is getting better every day. He even slept most of the night. That is big progress. </p>
<p>Hi everyone. Boy have your comments here been clogging my inbox. I’m on vacation now so lacking time to deal with it until now. </p>
<p>All was well until today, running the occasional 3k in better times, back feeling better, swimming well, too. Today, however, has caused some problems to say the least. The short version: took a bike ride with a guide (not saying where I am, but it’s warm and somewhat exotic), got bitten by a dog, then 10 minutes later fell off the bike and badly wrenched my ankle. Just came back from the hospital with my first rabies shot. Been icing the ankle all day and taking maximum amount of Aleve and hoping I can be mobile again soon. Very glad that I’m away from the snow and cold zone, though. </p>
Folks who’ve never used one have no idea how those little snacks add up. I was in a meeting yesterday with a client who’s been with us for years. She’s tiny because she’s always on the run, but during a 2.5 hour meeting with her and her two assistants, the three of them plowed through and entire treat basket a client had given them., all the while offering me goodies and commenting on how they couldn’t believe how much weight I’ve lost this year