Any recommendations for some good, simple upper arms exercises that I can do at home with simple weights or otherwise??? My son’s wedding is in June and while my arms aren’t awful, I’d like to channel some Michelle Obama on my upper arms/shoulders. >>>>>>
I really like these.
Back from a 3.8 mile run. I got a new running light for Christmas and it seemed to work OK. I don’t really like running on the trail alone in the dark but it was fine. Next week H will be back in town and so it will be better then.
sabaray-good idea on the race planning for this year. I hope you do the MCM - I know you had been looking forward to it last year before your injury.
I think I may had overcommitted us on races this year. We are signed up for a marathon in April. H wants to try to qualify for Boston 2017 and this seemed like a good option (it is a local marathon in our hometown). It will be a challenge to get enough training in between now and then. I’ve started a training plan and it won’t be as much as what I did for my marathon in November but I think I may have overtrained for that anyway. And worst case, if I haven’t trained enough for the race in April, I’ll just end up walking part of it. After the April marathon, we are signed up for 3 half marathons in the space of 5 weeks in May and June. Eek!
deb922-XC skiing is so much fun! And it is great exercise - I’m glad you are able to do it now.
abasket, I’m going to northeastern Wisconsin, to Door County, after flying into the hub of the football world, home of Lambeau Field and the Packers 
They have snow, and are expecting more on Thursday. I grew up with this, but I’m actually a little fearful of how I’ll do with the cold after so long. The temps are supposed to go below zero while I’m there, and I’ve had problems before with my fingers and toes. Lucky you, Deb922! I am really hoping I’ll be able to do some cross country skiing. I haven’t had a chance in over 15 years. We’re also planning on doing some outdoor cooking in a firepit. I will find boots, hopefully skis too!
I got my running and walking miles up to 6.8 today–I’m happy about that.
Before I got my FitBit 2 weeks ago, I thought I was getting 7 hours of sleep per night, but it turns out I actually get around 6! I feel ok, but wonder if I would feel better with more. I try to get off the laptop/tablet/phone at least an hour before bedtime, don’t watch TV (except Downton Abbey), just read in the last evenings.
There are no mirrors in my yoga studio and none at the studio I practiced at while visiting family. The front row is usually populated by the more experienced yogis. I usually try to put my mat in the middle.
^^^ Ah yes, fellow Packer fan!!! Yikes is it going to get that cold?! Hot chocolate time!
I still have cross country skis in the attic - but where my shoes are…unknown! No snow here though. And I’m totally ok with that!
D2 and I did a pilates workout tonight. I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would! My core will thank me.
Finally setup the Kurt Kinetic Road Warrior trainer that MNKat forced me to buy last year. Like riding my own bike that is setup for me. I have it it in my office basement so I think I’ll use it in the morning or at night to save a little travel time to the gym. Rode 75 minutes at 125-130 heart rate tonight.
At the gym. Heading to the slopes soon!
Good link, VaBluebird. I do not do all of these, just 3-4 of them, 3 sets of 8-10 reps every other day.
The hike was a bust. It began to rain. Add low 40s, and the fun is out of the window. We pansies do not do rain and cold! So it is a beach walk stroll tonight.
@BunsenBurner, are you in Hawaii? If so, can you see whales? I heard somewhere that there aren’t many sightings this year.
@ohiopublic: :). Glad to have been a bad influence on you lol. Particularly since I’m no longer allowed into exercise equipment stores or bike shops without a chaperone.
Yes, 1214mom! Saw only one whale today… Unusual.
http://www.pacificwhale.org/content/live-whale-and-dolphin-sighting-map
@VaBluebird, the list of exercises you linked to is pretty complete. Just be careful in the selection of your dumbbell weights not to go too heavy at first. Also, on the dumbbell flies, be careful not to lower your arms below your shoulders so as to avoid hyper extension at the shoulder.
Walked 6.3 miles today. Didn’t feel like it was that far!
@VaBluebird, went back and took another look at those exercises and particularly the instruction that this is a 35 minute routine. The “program” has you doing 21 sets of exercises (not counting switching arms for exercises like bicep concentration curls where you change arms). That’s a fast pace that could induce you to rush the sets resulting in poor form. Rushing the sets reduces the effectiveness of each exercise and poor form will promote injury. Take your time with each set, giving yourself a 1-2 count when pulling, pushing or raising the wright up (contracting the muscle) and a 2-3 count when returning to your starting position. Choose a weight that has you working hard for the last 3 repetitions of each set but does not cause you to violate good form by swinging your body or arms to use momentum to assist completing the rep. Be mindful of your form, including contracting your abdominal muscles and glutes to brace your core and give support to your lumbar spine. You don’t want to be arching your back particularly when doing exercises while standing. Also, on the exercises where you are doing 2 sets, give yourself at least 30-60 seconds recovery time between sets so that you are able to do the second set with equal focus on form and effort. If you end up going a bit over the 35 minutes, no big deal. Quality of each set is far more important that sticking to a rigid time limit that causes you to rush. Being deliberate and focused in your movements will enable you to get the best results safely.
Ran (slowly ) on the treadmill for 10 minutes straight.My longest time yet!
Yay! Did an OrangeTheory at 6:15 am. I decided I’m going to stick with the power walking on an incline, however, til I get better conditioned. It still gets my heart plenty pumping.
Plantmom, we are directly across Lake Michigan from where you are going! Getting a little snow at the end of the week and then it’s going to get COLD!
Since you grew up in the area you probably know this. But hand warmers will be your friend. They sell them at the counters at every rite aid or CVS and gas stations. About $1, they are the best with the weather we are getting. I buy them in packets of 10.
Have a great time in the frozen north. It’s beautiful.
Did an hour of eliptical HIIT yesterday in manual mode plus a load of body weight lower body floor exercises. Just finished 75 minutes of parallettes training and am off to the Pilates studio to get tortured on the Reformer and Cadillac. Will finish with an hour of lifting in the gym mostly focused on compound movements. Then will spend the afternoon geeking out at Star Wars (weather is overcast and rainy in Key Biscayne). Another idyllic vacation day :).
Late (tv) basketball game last night and I just couldn’t face the cold morning. Did 1.3 miles on the treadmill just in case something happens and I can’t run after work. Those mornings happen…
Good job on the 10 straight minutes, fallgirl!