My complete lack of coordination is definitely why I like running so much.
Incredible humidity and of course our air conditioning (just repaired earlier in the week) died yesterday. Part needs to be ordered, so a very restless nights sleep. A terrible 8.2 miles this morning but they’re done.
$1600 year would be very high for my area, but I don’t live in a big city. I paid $89/mo for unlimited Pilates mat, TRX, Barre and Circuit - six month commitment. Crossfit is $100/mo for a year long commitment.
$187/mo is roughly the going rate for a CrossFit or an OCR (obstacle course race) gym with barbells, plates, racks, etc., with the expectation of top notch coaching of Olympic and strength-building lifts like cleans, jerks, deadlifts, snatches, etc. $77/mo seems like a good deal for the above. For some businesses, the fee could/would also include yoga, Zumba and other classes too. A 30-minute class sounds like half a class to me though.
We live in pittsburgh suburbs where the public school teachers can make $100k. The gas is $3.09. U of Pittsburgh instate is about $35k.
The gym I go to in downtown pittsburgh is $10 a month with 9 classes a day, spinning, body combat, insanity, etc. Almost all classes there is 45 minutes.
I recently changed gyms. I did belong to a CrossFit “box,” some time ago, but decided that for same amount of money, I could outfit my home gym (outside, but enclosed) with nearly everything I needed or wanted. And I did.
I also had a gym membership, but as with most “globo” gyms (negative connotation from the movie Dodegball), it didn’t have the equipment that I needed. Also, when I’m working out, as you probably can surmise, I’m very serious about it. The workouts are intense and the gyms and crowds were inconsistent with that intensity. I’ve now found a “private label” box (not a CF franchise) with everything I need and no crowds for $75/mo. What’s cool about it is that I can use my chip to enter 24/7/365 and I can control the music when I’m alone, which is much of the time.
Today was a bench (chest) and overhead press day for strength in the current cycle. And then the HIIT portion was 5 rounds of a triplet of exercises, 12 deadlifts, 9 hang cleans (lift weight from waist area to shoulder level) and 6 overhead presses. The weight I started with wasn’t the weight I ended with. :)) I had to scale the amount of weight down. The workout is supposed to be done quickly and I was taking too long trying to keep form (I.e., struggling :!! ) with the heavier weight. Once done with triplet, then a 2,000-meter row to finish the HIIT. Finally, raised planks for core.
Do many of you get asked: “What’s your secret?” The question always follows some very nice and enthusiastic compliments about how I look. So, I’m equally nice and enthusiastic when I answer: “Oh, it was a process of figuring out what works for me. I changed how I eat and found exercise I enjoy doing.” And I’m willing to elaborate on that. But I’ve found that most people don’t really want me to!
So, lately I’ve just tried a thank-you and a smile and: “No secret–food choice and exercise. . . mostly food.”
I avoid saying the word “diet” because I know it carries such negative baggage. I’ve learned so much in the 6 years since that day none of my clothes fit! I’m happy to share what I’ve learned. Why do people ask if they really don’t want to hear the answer?
I’ve tried so many diets over the years hoping to find that magic formula and it’s only been in the past year that I think I finally have a handle on what works for me - but you’re right, most people don’t want to know how you did it unless it’s a specific “protein shakes for breakfast and lunch with scrambled eggs for dinner” or something similar diet! If it’s work - then forget it. I don’t consider myself to be thin, but at this point, I think I am fit, and that’s more important to me than how much weight the scale registers.
I am having a rest day today except for some pup walks, which I count as active recovery, nothing too strenuous. Accepting the importance of a rest day is something I really need to work on.
I read on the “losing weight” thread where someone’s doctor said that folks over 55 years old shouldn’t be running, because of the potential for hip replacements.
I kept my mouth shut and didn’t say anything, but I think it’s horse manure. Sure, if your genetics are such that your more likely to break a hip or you have a pre-existing injury, no running may make a lot of sense. But if your healthy, running is awesome. Plus, with modern running footwear like Hoka’s and rubberized tracks at local high schools, you can eliminate alot of the impact on your joints, if you’re worried about it.
Personally I think that if you eliminate all impact, then that’s not great for your joints either. Use it or lose it.
@sabaray The concept of a rest day was not in my vocabulary until about 5 years ago. The guilty feeling is terrible.
So, IRL, even if people ask, or comment about appearances/diet/health/exercise, I try to keep my answer light & short, and move the conversation along to something else.
I work hard to project acceptance and no judgement. Lots of people who are overweight feel harshly judged and uncomfortable around thinner people.
Nice Sunday hike today. Flat trails, but it was cooler and the rain held off. We did 10 miles, then I walked 2.5 with the dog when I got home. Someone in the group wants to plan a trip to Utah for 2019. It’s good for my mental health to have things to look forward to.
Don’t worry, @Midwest67 - you’re not alone! When I tell people I used to be really overweight they’re usually surprised and are curious, but usually don’t ask for diet tips. Most of the time we’re talking about foods that are good to eat before a race or a long run. I struggled with disordered eating as far back as my high school days (and I’m fifty something now) and that Whole 30 article really struck quite a few chords. Once I stopped thinking about dieting as something that required counting calories, everything changed. Life got easier and I wasn’t obsessing over every bit of food I ate. Lifestyle change is hard to explain in a quick sound bite or casual conversation.
A trip to Utah sounds great. I have always wanted to do a women’s running or yoga retreat but the women I know would think I was crazy to suggest it. Kara Goucher does these retreats and they look awesome but I’m fearful of going and finding everyone in a friend group.
@sushiritto - I don’t agree with that doctor. I didn’t start running until 2 1/2 years ago and I’m 61. So far so good, not breaking any records but keeping my body going.
Starting a 10 week to 10 K program tomorrow evening and looking forward to it.
I gave my quads and IT Bands a good rollout. Also, the program I subscribe to had an additional exercise to help stretch your IT Bands. Runners, stretch those IT Bands!
Started with squats (front racked) and then some cleans (lift weight from floor to front shoulders). Today’s HIIT was 3 rounds of a combination of assault bike, pull-ups and wall balls and took a little less than 15 minutes. I had to lay on the ground immediately after this one. One of the trainers in the gym, working with a client, jokingly started to count me out like a boxer who was just knocked out. Now motivated, I got up and beat the count of 10. #:-S
A new year of coaching started for me yesterday, so I am making some adjustments to my routine. I learned the hard way last year that my body is not made of iron and perhaps a few rest days here and there are important. Last year I made light of some of the initial assessments and did not take them as seriously as perhaps I should have. I also want to focus on doing their workouts in a more consistent fashion this year, so I think doing my homework is going to be important. Yesterday I did 4.3 treadmill miles and today’s workout is going to be a physical assessment. Posture, breathing, pelvic tilt, stance - should be interesting! Pouring rain here this morning, but the pups don’t care - they want their walk no matter what.
