@sushiritto
I am out of town this weekend and DH told me the package has arrived this afternoon! Hopefully he will set it up this weekend so when I am back could give it a try! 
@sabaray
I hear you! I got lazy tonight, only did 10ā of treadmill and 10ā of elliptical, my excuse this time is I could not sleep well in hotels! Lol. I need a goal too!
@sabaray A new goal? I recognize the problem, though I am not having that issue right now. And you donāt want to run distance. Is there anything new youād like to learn? Or some new place youād like to explore? Do any of the local gyms/classes have any incentive programs? They might after Jan 1.
I have running goals right now, races I am training for, but I have also set goals of swimming in a set of distance events (ie hour swim, 5k, 10k, or maybe in a meet) or participating in a gym-based event (like an indoor ironman done over a monthās time or trying to take a class from every instructor at a spin club). During the holiday period I kind of float through, trying not to get too far off my routine. I am staying on track with running and after the first of the year Iād like to sign up for some sort of New Yearās incentive event, like trying to spin x times a week to win a prize.
Ran with my group this morning, it was 22 degrees outside. Last year I refused to run outside if it was below 30, but Iām getting used to it and learning to dress for it.
Went for a physical a few weeks ago and my blood pressure is up. I was hoping yoga (3x week) and regular running would help, but it did not work for me. Also, the doctor wants me back this week to talk about my rising cholesterol. I am pretty sure this is genetic, but itās very discouraging none the less.
@sabaray One of the reasons that I follow a program is because it saves me the time of having to program for myself. And the program constantly changes via cycles. Is there some of kind of program nearby that you can join in your town? You know what Iād suggest. >:)
Iāll tell ya my goal. My goal is always the extension of my life for as long as humanly possible. Stay healthy for the kids. But we all have those days, when you donāt want to exercise. On the wall at my gym is the following quote: āExcuses donāt get results.ā And yes, generally when I say this kinda stuff to my family, they roll their eyes. 8-|
The other goal of mine each year is the CF Open, which starts in February. A 5-week 5-workout competition, which is the largest worldwide competition. Just for fun.
Good ideas here, thank you everyone. Initially, my main reason for exercising was weight control. Now itās more in line with @sushirittoās goal - to live as long as possible and stay as healthy as possible. Iāll admit thereās some element of vanity there too - I want to look good. Iām at the point with Pilates that to advance further with my practice, Iād have to add more classes and privates. Iām not sure I want to do that, but Iām teetering between intermediate/advanced. No dedicated spin studios in my area, which is unfortunate because I do enjoy it. Iām definitely intrigued by CF. I just need to get my nerve up. In the interim, training for the 10 Miler will have to do. Kind of distance, but manageable. I do have programming available through PN but frankly itās dull.
Today was a rest day - sort of. Mr. Sabaray and I dropped the pups off at their version of boot camp and headed to the city for some Christmas shopping. Glad to be home as snow forecast has crept northward. Pups will be enjoying snow camp!
@FallGirl, hope all turns out okay. Rising cholesterol was definitely an issue for me. Not everyone can control theirs successfully with diet and exercise but it certainly canāt hurt!
This. I try to keep in mind that Iām doing what I can and that it would likely be worse if I didnāt.
Like others, my main goal is trying to have an active life as long as possible. Iām 61 and have been observing older friends and family members for the last few years. The more active folks age much better. They donāt necessarily live longer but the quality of life is better. Thatās what I want.
I was perusing the NYT gift guide this morning and noticed one of the gifts was a set of adjustable dumbbells. Does anyone have any experience with these? Pros? Cons? https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-adjustable-dumbbells/
^^^@Sabaray We āinheritedā a set of those dumbbells when we purchased our vacation home (we bought it partially furnished). I thought theyād be great, but I found that they were awkwardāmore time to set them up the way I liked and it was hard to store them. I just didnāt like them at all. I bought a sets of weights (#30, #20, #10, etc.). I bought new, but Iām sure you can find some on Craigās List too.
Iāve never used adjustable dumbbells, but I agree with @Bromfield2 that they look like theyāll take time to setup and breakdown, if your using different weights. I bought a complete used set (5-50lbs, plus a few extra heavier pairs) of rubber hex dumbbells from Craigslist as well as a vertical weight tree for storage. Inexpensive and takes up very little space.
Well, we got enough snow that thereās no outdoor running today and the gym wasnāt opening until 10:30 so I got in a home workout this morning. I broke out the resistance bands for some banded hip extension, single arm rows, single leg glute bridge, āsaluteā planks and Brady band series. Thermometer tells me our back yard is 21 degrees so Iām not too upset about being indoors today.
Interesting article on the benefits of resistance exercise when it comes to heart health. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/04/well/move/even-a-little-weight-training-may-cut-the-risk-of-heart-attack-and-stroke.html?
I have dumbbells with the spin lock collars. Like this:
https://yorkbarbell.com/product/14-solid-steel-spinlock-dumbbell-handles-w-collars/
I use a variety of 10#, 5#, 3#, 2.5#, 1.25# metal plates to build the total weight I need. It works and it wasnāt expensive.
I meant to comment earlier that Iām sorry to read you are dealing with elevated BP and Cholesterol. I find it frustrating to know what to do with certain health markers and screenings.
I think it was the NYTimes ? that ran a series awhile ago about how recommendations change with time, and sometimes dramatically.
Best of luck navigating your doctorās recommendation and what you are most comfortable with ā says the person who doesnāt always listen to what the doctor says. Oops.
I was a dummy yesterday, and lesson learned! I checked the weather for Sundayās hike. High of 30. Awesome!
But what I neglected to do ā probably because itās winter and not summer ā is check the weather AT THE TRAILHEAD. Sure enough, with the moderating effect of Lake Michigan, it was warmer near the Lake where I checked the weather.
I arrived at the trailhead further inland and north & stared in disbelief at the temperature reading on the dash. 19.
I swapped jackets and put on my warmer one. Used glove liners with mittens ā but Iāll confess I have not solved the cold hands problem I get when hiking. Everyone says get those mitten hot packet things.
BUT ā this is the dummy part ā when I was thirsty, I took a sip on my hydration tube, and DUH, the water in the tube was frozen. I had neglected to bring a Nalgene bottle. So, I shoved the tube as far inside my jacket as I could to let my body heat work on it, then pulled it out and kneaded the frozen ice plugs, tried to sip, repeat, repeat, repeat.
I finally got some water to flow! What a relief!
Great hike though. This weekās hike leader is strong and she took us up and down those hills (HILLS, a rare treat!) for 12.5 miles.
Our lunch break was very short, because when we stopped, we would cool off too quickly and get uncomfortable.
Treat of the day was seeing a bald eagle fly directly over the car on my drive up. Magnificent.
^^If you belong to Costco or Sams they have hand warmers so inexpensive. Like a giant box for $12 (canāt actually remember the price but CHEAP) They do get nice and warm/hot and last for hours. Sometimes H and I can use the same ones in a days time if he and I go out for exercise at different times.
Ha! @abasket
I saw you on that other thread promoting Costo! 
Yes, I should definitely try them for the coldest of days. Less expensive than those heavy duty 4 ply expedition weight wool gloves Iāve been eyeing!
Not to mention, a good addition to my first aid kit!
If your hands get really cold, then yes - get those little packs! I have a pair of gloves with a āhoodā that folds over that works well for me. My hands get really warm while running, so I like being able to pull back the hood yet still have something over my fingers. They are similar to these: https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-scarves-gloves/w-run-fast-gloves/_/prod8351655?color=35544
My new habit that started today is calorie free beverages only. On the plus side, I have done well with sticking to water and tea during the day. I donāt use any sweeteners. Coffee in the morning is another matter, but Iāve gone from half and half to 2% milk to almond (or other nut) milk. My stomach just doesnāt do well with black coffee.
We had a quick survey of how weāve been doing with PN this morning. I feel Iāve done well with consistent exercise so far but the diet based habits have been a challenge. Yesterday I purged our pantry yet again and was reminded of all the great ingredients I had to make some good meals. One of the good things I discovered was the bad foods I had purchased in the past were out of date - they hadnāt been eaten and werenāt going to be. I think that means Iām making some progress.
@sabaray, you are doing the online PN program, right? Do you feel that you are getting personalized feedback and attention from your assigned coach? Are you able to discuss questions, concerns, obstacles and what is working for you?
@MichaelNKat, I have not been as invested in the coaching relationship this cycle but I canāt fault my coach for that. Sheās a far better fit for my personal goals than my first coach. Always accessible and has done a great job helping me personalize the formula, very good at understanding where my Pilates and yoga fit. Iām really happy with my relationship with her. I havenāt been participating in the discussions but have reviewed the notes and followed up as necessary. I think this is a sustainable program for me, working between being Level 1 and Level 2 depending on my goals at the moment. Right now itās all about looking good in a bikini, lol.
@sabaray, thanks for that feedback. Iāve really been trying to get a handle on the differences with the client experience, if any, between doing the program online vs doing it with a private coach that you retain directly who also uses the Pro Coach platform (which is what the online program is). Does your coach ever call you? Itās great that she personalizes the program for you also. Another of the questions Iāve had is the extent to which that is done online given that the system is intended to be a 1 year program. I would imagine there are lots of clients who would want to accelerate that given their goals and personal timelines.
Personally I think newbies to the program need the full year. Iāve definitely skimmed lessons and habits this 2nd round that I didnāt feel I needed reinforced as much. I would prefer to work with an individual coach but the logistics donāt work for my location. Iāve spoken with my coach several times and texted but I donāt think others in my cohort have. i think the pro coach platform is more of a guideline- the personalization has come through discussion but doesnāt appear on the platform. Does that make sense?