Hope things turn around for you, FallGirl.
C3Baker’s restaurant story – a good reason to have calorie counts on menus. I understand how tough it is to approximate calories, but it is so helpful.
I’m a chocoholic. Love chocolate.
Haven’t been “obsessive” about getting to the track so I headed over there tonight. Mile warmups/warm downs. 3x - 200/400 meters. 4 - 100 meter strides.
Last 3 times I’ve been at the track, I’ve been the only one there. Surreal. Just hear breathing and steps. Can’t understand why more people aren’t spending their evening doing intervals?
Resting HR has been higher the past couple days by 10 BPM? Been doing more mileage and faster tempo runs? Could also be life-related stress events?
Will take tomorrow off on our drive to Toronto.
Wisdom of the day - as seen on a local business’ billboard:
“If you are tired of starting over, stop giving up”
Going through my daily email news digest. Here is a good one, from my hospital’s newsletter - advice by a clinical dietician on how to maintain healthy eating on vacation:
https://www.evergreenhealth.com/no-need-to-take-a-vacation-from-eating-well
Good tips for everyone, from beachgoers to skiers.
Sounds like some recovery time is in order, ohio. Us “obsessive” types are always at risk of overtraining :).
Today is a rest day for me, which I am enjoying with some coffee. Reformer class last night ended up being me and one other woman who I knew from D’s high school days. Different exercises and workout than I normally do, fun to be challenged and try new things but I am feeling it this morning!
Abasket, I’m impressed with your disciplined eating. Anytime I’m presented with something like that I usually end up eating it. Particularly the cookie. And fried cheese curds - forget about it! Those are literally the best thing ever.
Quiet weekend ahead for us - I am, however, making ice cream. You are all welcome to come over for a scoop!
Yum, Sabaray! We are making ice cream Monday if we survive this trip and get home from PA! I’m about to head out for 4 1/2 miles here at the Poconos lake and look for some deer.
Good job at the track, Ohio! I used to like having the track to myself. You feel very bad-ass!
Have fun in Toronto, ohio!
Definitely sugar over fried food for me.
Had less time this AM, but got in a 3 mile run. Have a great weekend, all.
4.8 miles with lots of deer in the trees and eating people’s flowers!
Zulily has some Hokas - 50% off.
Thanks BB – killing time on a slow ferry right now. I like the Hokka Stinson Trail
shoes. Use them for gym workouts and fast walking and can always use another pair.
Fallgirl–hope things are better for you today.
Ohio–love hearing about track work/competitions you do. In another life I will be a track star.
Movers picked up D’s stuff and she and boyfriend are driving from Philly to Providence.
I will make it back for my Pilates mat class!! Plan on doing cardio stuff on Cybex arc after. I had to run to get my plane in Philly; it made me realize that I need to start being more consistent with cardio workouts. This is a Michael question–if someone doesn’t run what are the best ways to get cardio exercise?
I had a good 3.5 mile run with Back on My Feet this morning. It is cooler and less humid today so the dog got a good long walk this evening, also. No big plans for the long weekend, which is good on two counts. First because I am really wiped out - physically and mentally - and I really need the down time. Secondly, the forecast calls for heavy rain all day Sunday and Monday. Boo Hiss! I’m glad we don’t have anything big planned, but I do feel bad for the local festivals that are planned and all the fireworks.
We are doing the Freedom Run in the morning, a small local 4.5 mile run. It’s always a fun time and I usually like the shirts we get with it! I’m glad the forecast looks good for tomorrow and the rain isn’t coming until Sunday!
I think it was Michael who mentioned oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookies. For the record, I make awesome oatmeal raisin cookies and peanut butter cookies. I hear it isn’t bragging if it’s true? 
Bromfield - I hope your D’s move goes smoothly!
C3, you’re allowed to brag IF you share…
@Bromfield2, to a large extent, the “best” cardio exercise is one that you enjoy enough that you will stick with it and with regard to which you do not have any medical or physical contraindications. For indoor cardio, treadmills, elipticals, rowing machines, indoor bikes, even upper body ergometers can all give you a great workout. The basic differences are whether they are weight bearing and the number and size of the muscle groups involved. Generally, the more weight bearing the modality is, the larger the muscle groups involved and the more muscle groups used, the more efficient it will be at ramping up your cardiovascular and respiratory load and also in burning calories.
So I think it boils down to what you like the most. I think I’ve mentioned before that I used to be an avid outdoor distance runner up into my late 20’s. Then due to injuries I had to stop running. In my 30’s I did swimming (I’ve always been a very strong swimmer but didn’t enjoy it as a structured cardio routine), used step machines (can be hard on knees), used Concept 2 rowers (phenomenal whole body cardio workout if you have access to them), did elipticals (every gym has them, good efficient workouts but I find them mind numbing and hard on the balls of my feet) and used Versa Climbers (tough to find but brutally tough and effective whole body machines, I love them). Then the summer before my 40th birthday I rediscovered cycling which became a passion for me. I think that there are many mind body similarities between cycling and running that appeal to me. You do, however, need to develop certain skill sets to be able to cycle safely and effectively outdoors. Structured cycling training provides me with very effective and efficient high intensity cardio work and at the other end of the cycling spectrum, longer rides provide me with very enjoyable endurance training. Then there’s always indoor cycling classes that provide a phenominal cardio workout in the camaraderie of a group class setting.
If there are particular issues or circumstances that are leading you to evaluate what would be best for you, feel free to share and I’ll be happy to give you my thoughts.
@C3Baker, among my certifications, I am an official “Cookie Monster”. So for you to claim the title of Awesome Cookie Baker, it will be necessary for you to send a batch to me.
Here is a good list:
And an additional thought on the cardio. Whatever modality of cardio you choose, the key is structuring the cardio routines to most efficiently meet your training goals within the time constraints in which you live. Are you training for general fitness, for weight/body composition management, for performance, for competitions. There are all sorts of ways to structure your cardio training depending on your goals and the time you have to commit.
10.1 miles on the most gorgeous trail! My husband rode one of son’s mountain bikes while I ran (not with me). I was nervous about bears for awhile, since I was very alone. I could see the river occasionally through the trees, but mainly just had s gorgeous tree canopy. Surface was mainly smooth fine,y crushed rock with a few rougher places- but not many. Pretty perfect. I didn’t put my music on until the last 3 miles because I wanted to just enjoy the solitude. I carried my handheld water bottle for the first time in ages and it bothered me a lot in the beginning. I hid it behind a tree at 3 1/2 miles and picked it up on the way back. I was glad I had the water, but it didn’t get hot. 57-63 degrees and partly cloudy. It was worth the 20 minute drive to the trail, for sure.
M&K–I am training for general fitness/health. I don’t like running (bad memories) but I do really enjoy spin classes. I also have no problem doing the Cybex arc or an elliptical (I work much harder on the arc so I prefer it.) I walk fast (can do a 12-13 minute mile) but it isn’t my favorite thing. I just need to get more consistent. Which is why I am now off to the gym to do 45 minutes on the Cybex arc.