90 degree day I walked 4.5 this morning, did a bit of gardening, a walked 2 more with H tonight.
I’ve spent a lot of time on Florida beaches. Ladies on vacation at the shore, I’ve observed, wear what they want to and feel comfortable in these days which is fine with me! Women of all ages and body types sport two piece suits. I for one am glad that we don’t have to feel shamed into wearing a one piece. Certainly if you’re most comfortable wearing the one piece, or tankini, that’s what you should wear. Permit this story from the past, though: When I was younger–just 30ish–and in really good shape, I remember feeling extremely uncomfortable wearing a very high waisted two-piece suit to the beach with the country club set. Young women, especially moms just didn’t show that much skin, lol. I often think back about how sad it is that I was young, toned, and wearing the big but modest one piece-- because of the social standard of the day Ladies of this forum, try on a well constructed two piece suit if you have any inclination to wear one. Get a light gauzy or lacy beach top/wrap to help you adjust to wearing the new garment on the beach. Accompany all with a hat, cute flip flops, and abundant sunscreen. I guarantee that you will be your harshest critic, at least on a Florida beach!
@Maizie, welcome. To reiterate what so many others have said, absolutely try a spin class. What’s important as a newbie to indoor cycling is to find a class that will teach you the basics of how to set the bike up to fit you properly (seat height and setback, handle bar height and reach) and will teach you the basics of form. If you have them in your area, look for small boutique cycling studios that offer classes designed for those new to it. The good indoor cycling studios offer 20 minute or so introductory classes w/o cost to teach you bike set up, basic riding technique and form and class protocols. Very often, such studios offer the first full class you take as a freebie to see whether it’s something you like. You are more likely to find these amenities at the small privately owned studios as opposed to the chains and big box gym classes. Regardless of where you go for your first indoor cycling experience, get to the class early and tell the instructor it is your first time. Any instructor worth their salt will take time before the class starts to make sure you are set up properly and are comfortable with the bike’s controls.
As others have said, don’t worry about “keeping up” with everyone else in the class. Each ride is your ride and you control the intensity of it. Don’t feel compelled to increase the resistance simply because the instructor tells you to do so. If you are not comfortable with a movement, like standing and pedaling, then don’t do it. There’s nothing wrong with remaining seated and just pedaling at your own pace. Just try your best to follow the instructor’s directions but don’t feel compelled to do something you don’t feel you are ready for. Everyone has to start somewhere and if you stick with it, over time you will become fitter, more comfortable on the bike and more capable. The most important thing is to enjoy the camaraderie and group synergy.
One last thought. Not all cycling studios are created equal and neither are the instructors. If one studio or instructor doesn’t seem to be a good match for you, try another. There are differences! My recommendation would be to look for a studio and instructor that prioritize teaching proper form and technique which are critical to enjoying cycling and avoiding injuries. My bias is to look for studios and instructors that focus on cycling in the class w/o mixing in dumbbell or other exercises while on the bike. In my view, cycling is cycling and other exercises are just that - exercises that are better done off the bike to derive real benefit from them and which should not be done on the bike to avoid compromising cycling form.
If you tell me what city you live in, there’s a possibility that I could recommend a studio to you. My daughter and I are both certified Spinning instructors and we make it a point to visit cycling studios whenever we travel. Even if we haven’t hit a studio where you are, I can access various instructor organizations to which I belong and see if I can come up with some suggestions. If you have any questions about indoor cycling, don’t hesitate to ask.
BB, I really enjoyed that video - wow, what a breath of fresh air - those models - so happy to not see a bunch of stick people!!! And the suits did look more generous than many.
A snorkel mask and fins make you look more ridiculous than any two piece suit does, I guarantee!
The bikini suit was born on July 5, 1946! It is older than most posters here, so it only natural for grandmas to embrace it. The IP Watchdog recognized it as a fashion innovation:
I hit nearly 8000 steps today! And I am paying for it dearly… Luckily, almost all the pain is in my back now (instead of my knees) so no need for walking help
I start my infusion treatments tomorrow. A little scared but very hopeful
Has anyone ever tried the woodway curve treadmill? The downtown Y has some of them installed. Non-motorized aspect is interesting you have the ability to run at different paces including top end speed. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dA3jihPw7c8
The Woodways are supposed to be awesome. I have never seen one. There are different models. My young,mast friends in MN have one in their house. Try it out, Ohio! My son said he ruled out buying one because their repair history isn’t good- at least for what you would get for personal use. I know a lot of pro teams use them so the NFL players can get up to top speed for short bursts.
Last night’s 8 mile run was not good. From the moment I started, my legs were hurting. I really struggled through the last 3 miles of my 18 mile run on Saturday and my legs were killing me then. I thought having a couple days off would be enough and I would be good to go last night, but definitely not. I am overdue for new running shoes and I’m hoping that’s the problem since that is easily fixed. The new shoes are on order and I am hoping they will arrive before my half marathon on Saturday. The other possibility is that because I have weaned myself off ibuprofen so now I’m feeling the pain when I run. I had been taking a lot of it and realized that was not a good thing so I have stopped. I did take one last night after I got back and it helped for a while but I’m hurting again when I walk this morning. The pain isn’t horrible walking but I can tell it’s there. I had planned to do a 4 mile run tonight between when I get home from work and when I have to leave for an appointment but now I’m thinking I’ll need to scrap that plan. I really hope it is just needing new shoes.
Romani - I’m thinking of you today and hope the infusion treatment goes well. Do you know what to expect for side effects? How often will you be doing these treatments?
BB - great job on the steps and making the kitties very happy with the grilled ahi. What a nice life for a cat!
Slogged through 5.7 miles this morning, but it’s done. Saturday’s going to be ugly.
Romani, thinking of you and hoping all goes well.
C3Baker - I had been taking a lot of ibuprofen as well - don’t laugh, but I have been trying tart cherry juice and it seems to help. I buy a concentrate and take a tablespoon before a long run and a tablespoon after - just like medicine. You can mix it with water, of course, but I’d just rather get it over with. Maybe some rest might be a good idea? Or some whirlpool time? Or a massage?
Tough but really terrific yoga class last night. Treadmill this AM and ran more than yesterday. Ankle is fine so I am wondering if maybe it’s arthritis rather than an injury? Whatever, I’m glad it’s not hurting anymore.
Ran 3 miles on the boardwalk at 5 am! I don’t think I would have survived that long in the hotel gym. Saw a couple of cats, a bunch of toads, and a crab that wondered off the beach to check for food under the lights. 72 degrees and a light breeze with some drizzle.
C3Baker, is there some specific pain or is it just general muscle pains? If the former, you might want to get it checked out by a doc. If it is just muscle fatigue, try sabaray’s suggestions. Tart cherry juice apparently has something more than placebo effect to it.
Sabaray, what brand of concentrate do you buy? I like the idea of taking it in a concentrated form!
The concentrate is from Stanton Orchards. I can get it from Whole Paycheck but they also have an online presence - the prices are about the same. Ignore the Dr. Oz “scientific” gobbledygook. https://stantonorchards.com/
I walked 4.5 this morning, did a bit of gardening, a walked 2 more with H tonight.
The IP Watchdog recognized it as a fashion innovation: