I lost quite a bit of weight over Christmas, which is very unusual, but I had pneumonia, which I would NOT recommend!
I was thinking about the earlier posts about being bored with one’s exercise routine and constantly wanting to try something new. I happened upon a post from the Hansens’ coaching group, which is a couple of brothers who coach pro runners. I thought it was relevant.
“Many people think that ROUTINE is boring and predictable and lacking originality. I think it is effective and helps in providing consistency and IMPROVEMENT.”
I guess it comes down to “wherever you go, there you are.”
Okay, sounds good. I’m happy with where I went and where I am. My weekly routine seems to be 2-3 days of running, 2-3 days of Pilates and 3 days of circuit strength type training. Obviously some days with two workouts. Consistent and improving. If I decided I wanted to focus on and improve my running, obviously the load would change.
Yesterday I had a pokey 3.5 mile jog followed by Pilates. Lots of core work and upper back work - too much time at my desk this week.
This morning was a cardio conditioning workout, very much outside my comfort zone but I managed to convince them I wasn’t going to die! Kettlebells, pull-ups, battle ropes (I think that’s what they’re called), squats, burpees, tuck jumps, running laps around the building (the easy part) and more that I’m blocking myself from recalling! The program I’m enrolled in is a 6 week challenge so this morning we weighed, measured, talked about goals and assessed things like reach, flexibility and strength. I’m ahead of the game as I can already do a push-up and a burpee and there were many who could not.
Beautiful day here. Going to head out for a pup walk.
Unseasonably warm today, so I drove up to WI & hiked some muddy hills. Only 7.5 miles, but it was refreshing to be out with no hat, no gloves, and no winter jacket.
Last night’s HIIT was interesting, for me anyway. After a session of pull-ups and squats, five rounds of: 15 wall balls, a 50’ sandbag carry, 15 calories on the assault bike followed by another 50’ sandbag carry. Two minutes of rest between rounds, so 15 minutes of work and 8 minutes of rest for a total of 23 minutes. The difficult part was lifting the heavy sandbag from the floor and getting it into a comfortable carrying position.
This week’s programming has been a deload week, which just means it’s been lighter workouts. Today, I worked on some gymnastic movements and bench press for skills and strength. The HIIT was three 5-min intervals of rowing, cleans and as many burpees I could do within the time remaining. Sit-ups and KB swings for core work. And a 2-mile run to “cash out.”
Have you folks noticed the plethora of Peleton commercials on TV lately?
Also, speaking of pneumonia, did you get the vaccine that’s available?
Peloton opened a showroom at my local mall. We have been bombarded with postcards, but no real incentive to visit. Well… I’d look their treadmill, but the ol’ faithful Precor is still chugging along after 9 years.
The closest Peleton showroom to me is located at the Stanford Shopping Mall. And what’s interesting is that Soul Cycle is nearly next door. Talk about keeping your enemies close. :))
D has a Peloton bike and she likes it quite a bit. Their programming has expanded and evidently there are now options for fitness walking. The Tread is very pricey and I’m not clear if you have to subscribe to their programming in order to even use it. That’s only $39 extra a month!
I got two new kitchen gadgets that I’m getting a lot of use from. Finally got a Vitamix but also added a Breville countertop oven. It has some nice features that allow for air frying, dehydrating items, and proofing doughs. Meals at home have definitely improved.
That is unseasonably warm, Midwest. Our part of Virginia is warm but a sea of mud.
Grossly underestimating calories, as the writer observed, is a huge issue. I seem to recall learning about calories and metabolism in health class and it just shocks me when people are so blissfully unaware. One of our staff members, a diabetic, is on the list for a liver transplant. She seems to have no understanding of what she should be eating. Smoothies from the smoothie chain- she might as well be eating pure sugar. It’s really sad. I don’t want to end up that way.
45 degrees and sunny! 3.6 hilly miles of run/walk around the neighborhood.
I’m doing a 31-day challenge at my yoga studio–31 days of yoga, 31 days on the Whole30, and 31 days of meditation (starting with 5 minutes and working up to 20, if a beginner). So far, yoga has been fairly easy (classes at the studio are included in the fee for the challenge, which is very convenient.) Plus, one of the instructors put together a 20 minute yoga flow routine that is on Facebook–easy to do at home if I can’t get to the studio. Meditation is hard for me. I try to do it when I get up in the morning.
Whole30 is OK–requires lots of planning for me. It’s basically eating fruits and vegetables and protein. No alcohol, no sugar, no grains, corn, flour, or beans. I don’t have a huge appetite for sweets–I’m more likely to crave chips or pizza, but I have been shocked to see that there is sugar in everything, e.g., hot sauce, pickled veggies, salad dressing, bacon, even some mustards, etc. Also–there’s no dairy on the Whole30. I usually have a teaspoon of cream in my coffee–switched to almond milk (ugh–it looks like chalk). I decided just to drink black coffee and see if I can get used to it.
The biggest thing I’ve noticed after six days–my joints are not stiff in the morning and my right knee, which has been wonky, is feeling pretty good. I’m thinking there might be something to the sugar/inflammation thing, but I’ll see if my knees improve. (I know too many folks with knee replacements and to me that seems like the beginning of the end–I’m probably way older than most people here–retirement age.)
Thanks for the information on Whole 30 @Bromfield2. Not sure I could do it, but the sugar thing-wow.
My Winter Challenge is going well. So far have ran or walked over 3 miles/day (mostly running) including at least one mile outside. Thing like this work well for my motivation. Also thinking of races this year. Publicly announced (ok - announced to the women I run with on Saturdays) that I plan to run another 10K this year and then try a 10 miler. That’s my “reach” goal for 2019.
I used to get very frustrated at how easy it was for me to gain weight and how difficult it was to lose.
When I began to get more calorie-aware, I was astonished (nodding at the linked article) at how many calories were in the foods I liked most. I thought I couldn’t possible “eat less” because I’d be hungry all the time!
Using MyFitnessPal to log calories has been so helpful re: my continuing education of calories in food, and maintenance.
I skipped hiking with the club today and opted to get up a little later, and walk the dog five miles. The weather, although not as nice as yesterday, is still great for January!
Currently 50 degrees and raining here. And rain is expected all day. I’d like to get a run in today, so I’m probably going to have to wear my trail running shoes and just “suck it buttercup.”
@Bromfield2 Try oat milk. I actually like it better than almond milk. But it’s still not dairy milk. Of all the diets, I think the Whole 30 is one of the best. Similar to the diet I’ve been using for many years, except I add a small amount of whole grain like oatmeal or cream of wheat and a little dairy (low sugar milk and yogurt occasionally). Watch out for the amount of nuts and fruit consumed. Some is great, but too much is not.
When I started trying to lose weight six months ago I was worried that given that I was post-menopausal it would be very hard and my losses would be frustratingly slow. After reading a bit and thinking about what would be easiest for me I decided to combine intermittent fasting which aligned with my natural lack of hunger before noon with My Fitness Pal calorie counting. I cut out no foods. But because I’m keeping my calories low but like a high volume of food I est mostly a low carb diet though I eat chocolate every single day! And I certainly eat bread or other carbs from time to time.
I was rather hungry the first month but then adjusted. Six months later I am down 50 pounds! I have another 8 pounds to my original goal, and 15 to my new one.
What shocks me is how many people are shocked that I haven’t eliminated sugar or cut carbs completely or excercised like crazy ( I fast walk 10k steps most days but that’s it)
You’re a great example of how successful people can be with intermittent fasting, @maya54. I know I couldn’t do Whole30- once I decide I can’t eat something I want it even more. What’s worked well for me is deciding what I can add to my diet.
Sounds like everyone is off to a great start to the year, doing what’s best for them.
I wimped out and went to the gym. I saw a couple runners out there, but not me.
Ten mins of stretching, 10 mins of rowing, 10 mins of running, 50 weighted sit-ups, 10 mins of running, 50 weighted sit-ups and 10 mins of running. Back to heavy programming tomorrow. No more holiday fooling around. :-SS
I can’t believe I just signed up for the SF 1/2 in February, the morning of the Super Bowl. I got an email that said “last day to get your bib in the mail.”
Went to a Pilates fusion class this AM. Think Pilates mat class using 5-10 lb weights. Lots of core work all done on the mat.Only had time for 20 minutes on the bike. I’ve been back at the gym for about three weeks. I’m not able to do a lot of things but I can do some. It feels good to be back. Yesterday I finished my work out with 4 laps around the track. I attempted to jog for small bits of time. I know I’m not supposed to but I couldn’t stop myself.
After lots of insurance gyrations I am scheduled for my knee MRI this afternoon.
