Went to a different yoga class this AM, it is a more challenging level (and longer) than my normal classes. The first thing the teacher said was that he didn’t expect people to do every single thing offered in today’s class, just do what you can. I felt as if he had read my mind and actually had a good practice. The other nice thing is that I was chatting with a woman there who has started at the local Orange Theory and after asking her a few questions, I think I will try it.
It is beautifully sunny out but there are some big time winds. I have decided to take the day off from the treadmill.
Pizzagirl has done Orange Theory. She can give you some tips, I’m sure!
Finally got out around noon for my 4 mile run. Started with my husband but he wasn’t going as far so I picked it up and went ahead. I think I pushed harder so he didn’t to wait for me back at the car! I passed a woman (well, she was coming towards me) who was running and having a loud conversation on her cellphone while she was running! I don’t understand how people can exercise and talk on the phone at the same time. Maybe walking, but not much else. I’m thinking you aren’t working hard enough if you can do that! I hate when people do it in the gym on the treadmill or other cardio machines, too. Just my personal pet peeve, maybe.
OrangeTheory keeps it simple for people like me :-). You wear a heart monitor and you see the percent of your heart rate up on a big board, so your goal is to get into the “orange zone” for X number of minutes. Your name is also on the board but it’s in small letters and honestly no one knows who is who so it’s not competitive. You rotate from treadmill to rower to floor exercise. On the treadmill, you can power walk, jog or run and you alternate between base, push and all out. On the floor, there are weight stacks and a TRX and you go through various maneuvers - straightforward, and all demonstrated by the instructor. You can always modify (for example, I cannot do burpees without starting to black out, so I just put my hands on a bench and do it that way vs go down the floor). They should give you a free week to try it out and see if it’s your style.
And no, you can’t really talk while doing it, beyond maybe a grunt to your neighbor!
I have a package that gives me up to 8 classes a month at a cheap rate since I signed up when my local studio opened, but you can also buy 10, 20, etc packs if you prefer.
I have a work friend who lost a good 40 pounds ( I’m guessing) of postpartum weight by going to OT 3x/week.
I would also say there is a decent chunk of forty and fifty somethings like me in these classes. There are younger people too but it’s not a CrossFit where you feel like you just walked into a high school gym class.
I keep seeing all these issues with Fitbits. After some initial setup issues, I haven’t had any problems with my Garmin 235. I like that it does everything.
step counter
gps/pace/miles
indoor pace/miles
calories (ties in with my fitness pal)
links with map my run
vo2 Max measure
built in HR monitor (although I use the strap when I run for a more precise measure)
resting HR
sleep (measures light/deep sleep)
syncs with garmin connect where you can see all your stats on your phone app
-stopwatch
syncs with iPhone so you can see alerts and text messages
and can even tell time of day
I know some don’t like because it is larger than a Fitbit and screams running watch but I don’t mind telling the world that I’m a runner. I think the watch face is about the size of a normal watch. Keeps a charge for a good 3-4 days. Will complete recharge in around an hour.
I agree that Garmin 235 watch is a great tool, but decided against it for now, because I know I would kill my (very competitive with self) butt trying to maintain a certain pace etc.
My Fitbit keeps me on the move, and that’s good enough for workdays. I would not call this calorie count an “issue” - I am used to approximations and estimations. Plus, the Dashboard is super user friendly! However, when I go on my long runs, I definitely bring my old and clunky Garmin watch.
I love my 235 and if I were a guy, I would probably use it all the time instead of FitBit. I really prefer to wear my nicer watches to work, though, so I only use the 235 for running. It’s not that it’s all that big and clunky- I would wear it- but I have other nice watches.
When I originally scheduled by Rheumatology appointment, it was with the U of M system but they couldn’t get me in until June (later rescheduled to late May). My doctors are in two systems- one, U of M and the other is called IHA. Not wanting to wait until May, I tried IHA and they were able to get me into a Rheum the same day due to a cancellation.
I really like my IHA Rheum and he’s been wonderful but his office is an hour away and I’d really like to move all of my doctors over to the U of M system if possible (for a lot of reasons).
Would going to the second Rheum (the U of M one) for the May appointment be appropriate or not? Basically, I want to make sure I like the new Rheum before making any kind of decision about whether to switch Rheums.
I’m still getting used to how to navigate this system :">
When I got my Fitbit I got it through LLBean because I had loads of VISA bucks specifically for there. Had to return the first one after a week or so because of a clasp issue. Since they have 100% satisfaction guaranteed I’m thinking about calling them on how NOT satisfied I am with mine since I have had so much trouble! I have tried charging it more often with no results. Trouble is, LLBean does not have the Alta - they DO have the Blaze. I wish they had the Alta so I could just pick that up. The Blaze - I don’t know - who has one that can report on it . The face seems LARGE.
I feel like I would have better luck trading mine out directly with LLBean instead of Fitbit.
Man, the winds, no kidding. Ran 2.5 today after my community garden meeting and then met my S who wanted to show me a new trail he found by his house - walked that with him along with 3 pup walks that will all happen before the sun goes down.
Not really in the mood to go back to work tomorrow!
I agree very windy! It was warm enough here for a bike ride but the winds precluded it. H and I walked around a nearby downtown - roughly 6000 steps so that was good.
Beautiful and cool here today, but I went to gym with my DH. I ran 6,2 on the treadmill and later got outside for a 3 mile walk. My FitBit has registered under 19000 steps for the day. It seems like I did more. Otherwise, I’ve walked with a little running in the past few days. We had big storms and a ton of rain yesterday, but we went to the live HD theater presentation of the NY Met opera all afternoon so I sat, not too guiltily, for hours and hours Afterwards we indulged in some Irish pub beer sampling. Yum. Beer is healthy, in moderation, right?
Romani- I would definitely go to the May appointment. You are under no obligation to switch doctors so you don’t really lose anything by going and meeting with this potential new doc. You can explain your reason (which is very valid) for wanting to explore switching and ask any questions that you might have. If you decide to stay with your current doctor, you will have the option down the road to change to this new doctor as you will become his/her patient in the system once you see them. You may decide you want to switch but not immediately and you won’t need to wait when/ if you want to switch down the road. I have my fingers crossed and hope that you will soon get this flare-up under control.
Romani, if your insurance would pay for it, keep the appointment and go “interview” the new doc. Something tells me that if a doc is busy, she or he is good, but that is not always the case.
Took a a day off exercise today after yesterday’s run and geezer-partying. Only did weights and then went for a walk around the neighborhood with Mr. It was a shame not to spend time outside because the evening was so lovely! Our area is really flat, but those small rolling hills added up to 30 floors! 12,000 steps and counting.
Thank you both. I have decided I’m going to keep the appointment. I emailed BCBS to see if it was covered, but even if it’s not I’ll still go. If I have to pay a few hundred out of pocket, so be it. Peanuts considering this will be a lifelong problem
Romani – Since the new rheumatologist is not in the same system as the old one, he/ she likely won’t have access to all your test results, etc. You should make sure to get copies of your records from the other doctor and bring a complete set to your appointment. (Sorry if this is obvious!)
We had crazy weather this weekend - seemed as if we got all four seasons in one day, including snow flurries. But the really high winds were the big deal - so many trees down everywhere. We took the dog for what is usually an hour long walk Saturday afternoon but it took us over two hours because we moved so many trees, branches, and sticks off the trail. The dog was a big help! He loves sticks! More high winds yesterday and again this morning. A shorter run is planned for tonight.
Meb will be running the Mini Marathon on May 7 and it’s a big deal here. I think it is really cool, they have set it up so that he will be starting from the very back of the last (5th) wave of runners - they wanted to make it so that everyone has a chance to run with Meb! It is expected that he will finish at the same time as the first runners in wave 2. I am seeded in the first wave, but I’m going to start in wave 5 because I told my brother I would run with him. The Mini has been on my brother’s bucket list forever and he’s finally going to do it. But it will be mostly walking for him and I’m worried that he won’t make it through to the end (he’s about 75 lbs overweight and has a lot of knee problems as well as currently dealing with shin splints). So my brother and I will run with Meb, albeit it very briefly as we see him flashing by!
I have the Fitbit Blaze and I really like it. The face is really large. I like that feature because it means I can actually read the time without my reading glasses. But I agree that the large face does make it seem oversize, especially on women.
That is awesome, C3! We had high winds here as well - we live very close to some university athletic fields and their warning sirens were literally going off all weekend. Thankfully our pups aren’t bothered by it, but I heard quite a few neighborhood dogs protesting all weekend.
Pilates workout with my trainer this morning- lots of flexibility because I’m doing a second Pilates class today. I’m starting to feel like PizzaGirl!
