Trying to Catch Up

I am still trying to catch up on my lack of sleep. I can go through my normal routine of working at my job and home, but when I exercise, I feel the lack of stamina. I do certainly realize that your body needs sleep. As I said Monday, I stayed away from my class and tried to jog on the treadmill. I found it to be difficult, and walking even tired me out. Tuesday I did go to my spin class, but it was hard too. Wednesday I went to FF class, and Thursday I skipped the spinning class and made it 24 laps in the pool. Today I made it to my FF class. I think some of my friends think I do too much, but when I read of others that are in "training", they are doing much more than me. I am still laying off the Dr. Peppers. I have an occasional Diet Coke. Usually it is water that I am drinking. And I do realize that I still consume too many calories. I hope to change my lifestyle in this regard and eat more fruit (which I seldom eat) and vegetables (which I need to eat more of). I seldom have anything sweet, so that is not a problem. I do continue to feel very fit even though I still am engaged in the "battle of the bulge". Tomorrow is Saturday and I do hope to do some sort of activity. I also hope that anyone reading this log of my exercise is encouraged to keep up with their program. We don't have to look at one another and compare ourselves. We are all different and we know what we can and cannot do. But I hope that I am a reminder to everyone that they must be doing something to fight this premature aging that is a result of a sedintary lifestyle. So... keep moving, at your own pace, and think of exercise as the fountain of youth.

Not Enough Sleep

You know I have mentioned being with my friends this weekend. When you get with friends you don't get to see everyday, you want to make the most of it. You are having so much fun laughing and talking and listening that you don't want the time to end. You lose track of time. Before you know it, it is the wee hours of the morning. So.... over the weekend I only got about 7 hours of sleep total. Last night I was able to get in one night 7 hours. I decided to skip my workout class this morning. I hope to hit the treadmill later this morning. I don't plan to make skipping a habit. My habit will continue to be working hard so that I can be healthy enough to keep going and have another weekend of only 7 hours sleep. How about you? Is working out a habit now in your life? If not, start today and make moving a daily habit. You decide what you do, how long you do it, and how difficult it is. But make it a habit starting today.

Friendship

This weekend I spent time with some of my closest and oldest friends. The Bible says a friend loveth at all times. How blessed I have been to have had these friends in my life for such a long time. Our most common thread in our friendship is our history. We know about each other now, but we have a history of knowing all about each others' pasts. We are different in many ways because of our life experiences. Therefore, we bring a new perspective to one another. I may not have experienced being divorced or widowed or losing a child or visiting my child in jail, but I can come to understand the gamut of emotions you have by my friends sharing their lives with me. All of their stories and tears bring me to a new level of empathy. I am able to ask questions, sometimes quite personal, and my friends share with me so I can understand human nature better and have a clearer understanding that I would not have in my sometimes "sheltered life". I see the strength in the character of these women, and I am encouraged and know that when my time of tragedy comes I will have the support I need to help me along the way. So I salute friendship whether it be a longtime friendship or a newfound friendship. Thank God for those friends you have in your life.

Three a Days

Well, you hear of football players' practice called two a days when they practice twice a day. So I called my workout today three a days. I swam 20 laps this morning, then I made it to fitness fusion at 7:15. Later this afternoon I jogged on the treadmill for a walk/run of 25 minutes. It was plenty long enough to sweat alot. I thought I would do this because I am meeting with my special "oldest" (meaning longest tenure) friends. There will be about 8 of us 50+ year olds and I know I won't have time to do any exercise. I will get back to work on Sunday. Have a great weekend.

Today was Different

Today was different for me. Now I really do enjoy going to my classes. But one thing that I do kinda get tired of is leaving my house every day before daylight. I was about to head out the door, and I just changed my mind and decided to do something different. Today I spent some early morning time in prayer and Bible study. I just needed what I have neglected. But don't believe that I skipped my exercise although it would have been easy to do. I like to exercise in the morning because then I have gotten it done. If I wait too long.... sometimes I won't do it. So I got on the treadmill and I did what "Body For Life' recommends. Only I went longer than 20 minutes. But you get warmed up and then increase your speed for a minute and then increase again for a minute and continue and then start the cycle over. Well I have been wanting to jog so I did this on Monday and again today. Here is what I did- walked for 3 minutes at a speed of 3.5 to 4.0 mph, then for one minute I jogged at 4.2, another minute at 4.4, another minute at 4.6, another minute at 4.8, then I went back to 4.0 and started the cycle over. I was able to do 5 cycles, and then a cool down of 4.0 to 3.5 for two minutes. I was on the treadmill for 30 minutes. I could have walked the 4.2, but it was easier on my legs to jog it. So, I figure I jogged for 20 minutes total and walked for 10. I hope to make this a habit and increase my time and then increase my speed and then take it from the treadmill to the outside. I will see if my knees will hold up to this. Yesterday I did my spinning class which is actually becoming easier to me. I had to work so I did not make the afternoon walk. I have some business this afternoon so I don't know if I will make it to walk this afternoon or not. Tomorrow I am either going to the spin class or swimming. I have not been to the pool all week, and I do want to make it at least once a week. So.... mix up your exercise, but as the saying goes Just Do It!!!!

Been Awhile

Well, it has been awhile since I last posted. Almost a week! But don't think just because I have not been moving the fingers on the keyboard I have not been moving the body because I have. I did not get much walking in last week due to the weather, work, and going out of town. On Thursday I made it to my spinning class. I still must wait an hour after finishing before I can put my makeup on. The sweat is still pouring for quite awhile. Friday I went to my fitness fusion class and it was a great workout. I went out of town so I did not walk that afternoon. Today was fitness fusion again. I wanted to go to the pool, but I slept too late and did not make it. It is a good thing though because I don't think I could have done double-duty today. We had a great workout. Lots of lunges, squats, planking. Whew!!!! I am still breathing hard. Today I hope to plan those small calorie meals I told you about last week. You know 300 calories to be eaten 5 times per day. Okay.... this is my 6th week. If I know anything about exercising it is this- CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY!!!! You can't skip several days. I missed Saturday and Sunday. One day is fine, but I should have done something on Saturday. You cannot just exercise 3 days a week. You have to do something every day!! Well, every day but one. If you don't have time, then break it up into 10 minute intervals. But you have to do it every day!! I am saying this to myself as I type it on this blog. I hope to walk this afternoon, and maybe try again to throw some jogging back in there. Remember.... you are not behind... jump in and get moving!!!

Making It

Yesterday was my spinning class, and I am making it. I kept up with the group pretty good. I did everything Ryan told us to do. I was wringing wet when I finished my ride, but oh... it felt good. You know..... to know you are doing your body good just feels good. While we were riding Ryan spoke more about our eating habits. Of course there are lots of different opinions about eating what, when, how often, etc. But his advice is to eat 1500 calories a day in small amounts of 300 calories for 5 times a day. This keeps your body from starving, it keeps your motor running all day long. He also said to keep up your exercise even on the weekend with one day of rest. And to take it up a notch, throw in an additional cardio exercise 3 times a week. Hey, I can do that. In fact with my fitness fusion and spinning I do either walk or swim. Yeah.... I got it going on. So.... I do know that my focus needs to shift somewhat to planning my meals and following through. Yes... I can do this!

A Beautiful Weekend

What a beautiful weekend we had! The temperature was cool in the morning and warmer in the afternoon. Just the kind of day that begs you to come and enjoy it- walking, running, biking, hiking, gardening, whatever... you fill in the blank. I did just that on Sunday. I went for a bike ride, not too far, less than 10 miles, but it was great, nevertheless. Today I did double duty. I made it to the pool. I bit the bullet and jumped in and took off, and it felt great. I made it 20 laps before going to my fitness fusion class. And yes.... I was very tired after I finished with it. But I have the sense of doing something good for my body. I must have a very slow metabolism because I am in my 5th week, and I am just now recognizing some changes. And mind you these are not drastic- a few pounds, but definitely some inches. I have not measured, but I do know that my clothes are not as smug. But I cannot let that be my motivation or I would have quit by now. I am determined to continue all my life with some sort of exercise because it is GOOD for me! And.... it makes me feel good. The weather is looking like rain; therefore, I will probably miss walking today. Tomorrow is spinning class, and I am ready to sweat!

Keeping It Up

I am keeping it up. On Wednesday I made it to my fitness fusion class, but was unable to make it to walk. On Thursday I worked hard at my spinning class. Yes, I sweated bigtime, and I was able to do most of what the instructor asked of us. I was unable to get off work early enough to make it to walk. On Friday, I really wanted to make it to the pool. But I am just having a hard time making myself jump in that cold pool. I skipped the pool and made it to my class and did make it to walk on Friday afternoon. It was a beautiful afternoon in the 70's and it would have been a great day for a bike ride, but I had other responsibilities. Maybe I will make that bike ride tomorrow. I definitely need to take it up a notch and work harder. I did do some pushups here at home today. Okay.... a new week starts tomorrow and I plan to work hard.

Listening to Your Body

I totally believe in listening to your body. No one knows how you feel but you. Yesterday I posted that I did not feel like doing my spinning and I opted for the yoga. Today I just felt kinda tired and wiped out, and there are many people I know with various illnesses- bronchitis, influenza, colds, and stomach viruses. So.... I just feel today I will rest up before all the activities I have later in the day. I certainly don't want to start a habit of missing, and this is my first weekday that I have missed. Maybe later today I will try to swim if my schedule allows it. Yesterday my feet were even hurting when I walked. This may just mean that I need some new shoes. But.... I just say listen to how you feel and adjust your exercise accordingly. This morning I plan to spend more time on my spiritual self instead of my physical self. This time of resting will be used to nourish my soul with God's Holy Word. What about you, are you nourishing your spirit as well as your body?

Energized

Today after my workout, I felt energized. That is because today, I skipped my spinning class and did the yoga class. For some reason this morning, I just did not feel up to sweating and breathing hard, so I decided to do the yoga class. This class involved alot of stretching. When I finished, I was totally energized. I left there to go to work, and I felt fantastic. You know.... you just have to listen to what your body tells you, and my body was telling me to skip the spinning. I am glad I did. After work today, I made it to my neck of the woods in time to meet two of my walking partners, and we did have time to make it 4 miles. The temperature was in the 70's- wind pants and tee shirt. I talked to a friend who backpacks quite a bit, and she walks with a weighted backpack. I figure this is a good way to get my heart rate up if I only plan to walk. Of course I can get it up with running, but lately I have not felt my knees could stand the running. So... I think in the next few days, I will take a backpack "slightly" weighted to see if that works for me. I am enjoying doing new and different things as I go on this exercise journey. I am certainly not bored!

Overslept

Today I overslept. Now that is something that I never do because whether my alarm goes off or not, I usually am awake by 5:30. But today, I did not wake up until 6:40. I had to be at my class at 7:15; therefore, I was in a rush. I did okay in my class, but I was rather sluggish. It is so important before doing any exercise that your blood is flowing good, and you are stretched good. When you get older you need to warm those muscles up or you can easily get an injury. And right now I am gungho on this exercising- I don't want an injury to stop me. Friday afternoon I did go for my 4 mile walk. I did make it all 5 days last week in my classes and also in my walking. Saturday and Sunday were days of rest for me. I am staying focused and committed and I hope to even add something else to my routine. Lately I have been drinking more Dr. Pepper, and I do enjoy an occasional glass of wine. Wednesday marks the first day of Lent. No Dr. Pepper or wine for me. This is what my sacrifice will be. Okay, today is Monday and we can start our week off with moving, moving, moving. Let's get our bodies going doing something.

Circuit Training

Today our trainer Ryan was coming back from feeling weak from a respiratory infection. He explained to us that he was not feeling well enough to partcipate in our regular class. Therefore, he only demonstrated to us what he wanted us to do on each of our stations in our circuit training. There were 20 stations. We would be trying to do a maximum of 20 repetitions per station, and when we moved from station to station we would alternate with either regular lunges or side lunges. Of course through all of this we were not to stop, but continue in order to get a good cardio workout. We worked our abs, our chest, our shoulders, our legs, our triceps, and our biceps. Some of the stations I was able to do 20, but there were a few I could only do 15. Yes, I did get my heart rate up, I sweated, I was breathless, and my muscles were tired. It was constant and the time went quickly. I totally enjoyed our circuit training. I learned new exercises to do for different body parts. Leave it to Ryan to keep things interesting. Okay... this is now 3 weeks of 5 days each week I have now completed. I know that you must do something for 21-28 days (depending on who you talk to) for something to become a habit, so I am almost there. I just know that even when I want to miss, I don't! And then I am so glad that I didn't. Keep up the good work!