Fitness Friday

So I had all intentions of going to the gym today.  Needless to say, it didn’t happen.  When my alarm went off at 4:30a, I wasn’t not having it, so I packed a bag and prepared to go after work.  But since I left work about 15 minutes late and had already been in my car driving for awhile, and my legs are super sore (I don’t think I stretched enough the other day...) I decided going home and dancing to some Foo Fighters was the best idea ever.  :)

Sat 1/7/12

30 mins arms, abs and stretching

Sun 1/8/12

55 mins stationary bike

15 mins abs and stretching

Mon 1/9/12

Rest

Tues 1/10/12

40 mins legs, abs and stretching

35 mins stationary bike

Wed 1/11/12

90 mins yoga (it felt SO good to be back in practice)

Thurs 1/12/12

Rest

Fri 1/13/12

Rest - unless you want to count dancing around my room...(+ stretching out my poor hamstrings)

Fitness Friday

I had all intentions to return to yoga this week.  In fact, I had the intention to return to yoga today but life has this way of laughing at you when you make plans, so needless to say there’s no yoga this week.

But what there was this week was strength training.  And can I just say it felt amazing?

It was the first time I’ve been able to lift in at least two months due to pain, hospitalization and surgery + recovery.  I got in two days of strength that left my arms and legs shaking but feeling strong.  Man, I missed that!

I’m hoping yoga can return next week as I’m itching to stretch out my body and ease my mind again.

With that, here’s what I was able to accomplish this week and I’m pretty happy to say I’m starting off my new year right!

SAT 12/31/11

35 minutes elliptical

25 minutes stationary bike

15 minutes abdominals and stretching

SUN 1/1/12

Rest

MON 1/2/12

15-20 minutes abdominals and stretching

30 minutes stationary bike

TUES 1/3/12

25 minutes elliptical

30 minutes arms and stretching

WED 1/4/12

40 minutes abdominals, legs and stretching

25 minutes stationary bike

THURS 1/5/12

20 minutes abdominals and stretching

30 minutes stationary bike

FRIDAY 1/6/12

Rest

Did you make any fitness goals this year?

If so, what are they and how did your first week go?

Fitness Friday

I’m happy to say that despite traveling this week, I’ve been able to maintain daily exercise.  My family belongs to a gym in the area and I signed up for their gym’s 3-day gym trial pass that I’ve been able to use.  It’s nice to see myself being able to return to my usual exercise routine or at least start incorporating more of my usual activities.

Saturday 12/24/11

Rest

Sunday 12/25/11

60 minutes walk and talk with family

Monday 12/26/11

40 minutes stationary bike - random level 2

15-20 minutes abdominals and stretching

Tuesday 12/27/11

20 minutes abdominals and stretching

35 minutes elliptical - random level 2

Wednesday 12/28/11

10 minutes abdominals and stretching

20 minutes Yoga Download session

Thursday 12/29/11

35 minutes stationary bike - cross country

17 minutes stairmaster

10-15 minutes abdominals and stretching

Friday 12/30/11

32 minutes stationary bike - random level 3

10 minutes stretching

I have lots of fitness goals for 2012 and new programs I want to try out so I’m definitely glad I’m returning to my normal self.  But more on that later...

Fitness Friday

I had all the intention in the world to write up this post last night but it turns out that I’m having a hard time coming off my pain medication.  I didn’t even think that was possible after only a week (and taking it as needed) but after talking to a few people, that seems to be what’s happening.  I was weening myself off but only because I was concerned about pain.  Turns out, I needed to be concerned about withdrawal symptoms too.  Who knew?

Anyway, after being sent home from work with awful nausea, a headache and pretty severe shakes, I laid down on my couch and tried to sleep it off.  It worked long enough that I was able to eat dinner, but it all returned shortly after.  One thing that upset me was that all my pain was nearly non-existent yesterday and I was excited to get to the gym for a workout (still keeping it easy) before the holiday (especially since I won’t be able to get there for the next couple days with work and shortened gym hours).

It’s all good though and as I type this, I’m doing my best to ween myself off even more and just relax but needless to say, I didn’t make it to the gym yesterday for a really good reason.

SAT 12/17/11

Rest / recovery

SUN 12/18/11

Rest / recovery

MON 12/19/11

Rest / recovery

TUES 12/20/11

Rest / recovery

WED 12/21/11

31 minutes stationary bike - easy

10 minutes stretching - easy

THURS 12/22/11

35 minutes elliptical - easy

10 minutes stretching - easy

FRI 12/23/11

Rest / sick

Fitness Friday

Well I’m pleased to say my surgery was not postponed and I’m writing this post while relaxing on my couch.  Surgery went well and while I’m in quite a bit of pain and discomfort, the pains meds are keeping it tolerable and I’m in good spirits.  I will write more on that later though.

It was very exciting for me to be back in the gym again this week.  I still kept my workouts relatively easy and simple, as I can tell I need to work myself back into my usual intensity.  But as the week progressed and I was able to push myself a little bit more, it felt really good knowing I will be back to my normal routine in time.

Saturday 12/10/11

Rest

Sunday 12/11/11

15-20 minutes abdominals and stretching

30 mins elliptical - level 2

Monday 12/12/11

20 minutes abdominals and stretching

40 minutes stationary bike - levels 2 & 3

Tuesday 12/13/11

15-20 minutes abdominals and stretching

30 minutes elliptical - levels 2 & 3

Wednesday 12/14/11

20 minutes abdominals and stretching

10 minutes stair master (I always forget how hard this is!)

10 minutes stationary bike

Thursday 12/15/11

Rest - surgery!

Friday 12/16/11

Rest - recovery

Obviously, this up-coming week will probably be a week of little to no exercise as I build up my strength and recover from my surgery and that’s okay.  I’m not willing to push my body too hard after it’s been through a lot.  This up-coming week is a week to rest and take it easy and only bring about exercise as my body says it’s ready and if it’s not ready this week, that’s okay.  It’s all about listening to your body.

Fitness Friday - She's BACK!

I can’t tell you just how good it felt to be back in the gym this week!  For the first time in a few weeks, I was able to feel a little more like myself and could tell my energy was returning.  I kept it easy this week as I didn’t want to push myself too hard and hinder recovery, plus I developed a bit of a cold that I’m still working through.

SAT 12/3/11

15 mins abs and stretch

35 mins stationary bike - level 1

SUN 12/4/11

Rest

MON 12/5/11

Rest

TUES 12/6/11

15 mins abs and stretch

35 mins stationary bike - level 2

WED 12/7/11

Rest

THURS 12/8/11

20 mins abs and stretch

33 mins elliptical

FRI 12/9/11

15 mins abs and stretch

25 mins yoga

**In all technicality, this workout hasn’t happened yet but as soon as I hit publish, this is what will happen.  And then I’ll sleep.**

I’m sad that I won’t be participating in the 10k I started training for several weeks ago, but after all that has gone down in the last few weeks, there’s no way that could happen.  I know I will have an opportunity to train/run one in the future so I won’t get too disappointed.

Meanwhile, I’m working on some fitness plans to begin after recovery from my up-coming (rescheduled) surgery and I’m looking forward to returning to the weight room at the gym.  I look forward to feeling super strong again.

Fitness Friday

Sat 11/5/11

4.3 miles/45 mins run (53 mins w/ warm-up and cool down)

15 mins abs and stretch

Sun 11/6/11

Rest

Mon 11/7/11

90 mins yoga

Tues 11/8/11

30 mins/3 mile run (45 mins w/ warm-up and cool down)

Wed 11/9/11

90 mins yoga

Thurs 11/10/11

20 min/2 mile run (30 mins w/ warm-up and cool down)

25 mins legs and stretch

Fri 11/11/11

Rest

It’s nice to see the return of yoga in my workouts again isn’t it?  Now to just keep working on that whole yoga/lift/run/cross-train balance thing some more....

Happy Friday!

Fitness Friday

I promise I didn’t forget this post.  But I can’t promise I didn’t keep forgetting it’s Friday all day.  This week has been weird.  I blame being sick; that works, right?

It was definitely one of those weeks where my fitness regime had to take a back seat to my overall health.  It’s hard for me to accept that sometimes but thankfully I was able to force myself to listen to my body and give it the rest it was asking for while still at least keeping up with the runs on my 10k training plan.  I’m not sure if I’ll actually end up being able to run the 10k with all of the health stuff going on, but I’m not willing to break away from the training just yet.  The way I see it, I’m enjoying it and it’s giving me something to work towards so it’s all good and I should just keep going.

With that, here’s what my week looked like:

Saturday 10.29.11

15 mins yoga and stretching 

Sunday 10.30.11

30 mins abs, arms & stretching

2.5 mile/25 min run (35 mins with warm up and cool down)

Monday 10.31.11

Rest - sick

Tuesday 11.1.11

3.5 mile/35 min run (45 mins with warm up and cool down)

20 mins yoga

(I think I did abs too but I didn’t write it down so I can’t actually confirm or deny that statement...)

Wednesday 11.2.11

Rest - sick

Thursday 11.3.11

2.13 mile / 20-25 mins run (33 mins with warm up and cool down)

45 mins arms, abs and stretching

25 mins yoga

Friday 11.4.11

Rest - sick 

(I had thoughts of doing some yoga after work today but when I got home from work shortly before 10pm, I decided I just wanted to climb into bed, write this post, read and get some sleep.  And I say that’s okay.) :)

Fitness Friday

This was another one of those weeks where my fitness regimen didn’t play out the way I had hoped / originally planned.  But at the end of the day week, I’m still happy with what I have accomplished.

Sat 10.22.11

30 mins / 3 mile run (40 min with warm up & cool down)

30 mins arms, abs and stretching

Sun 10.23.11

Rest

Mon 10.24.11

25 min / 2.5 mile run (35 min with warm up & cool down)

10-15 mins abs and stretching

Tues 10.25.11

Rest

Wed 10.26.11

20 min run / 2 mile run (30 min with warm up & cool down)

Thurs 10.27.11

30 mins yoga

Fri 10.28.11

30 min yoga

10 min abs & stretching

So I’ll be honest, my exercise for today has yet to happen but as soon as I hit publish, I’m rolling out my mat and going!  My plans for today just kept changing and while a big part of me wants to crawl into bed with my Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix book, I also really want to get in at least a bit of exercise.  It was one of those days where time was going by quicker that I wanted/needed it to for everything I had to accomplish.  I watched my plan to hit the gym after work disappear when 4pm came and went.  I switched the plan to a yoga class down the street at 6:15pm and when 6pm came and went, I knew my best bet was just to go home, eat dinner and listen to a yoga podcast.  Tomorrow though, I’m back to the grind!

------------------------------------------

How was your week of fitness?

Fitness Friday

Today was not supposed to be a “rest” day (especially per my 10k training) but as the day progressed, I realized that a workout was not on the agenda.  Between a migraine, ear pain and my chronic pain being more severe today, I knew it was best to just come home after work and rest.  Sadly, the Aleve I took earlier can’t keep up with all of the pain and I have friends on call should I decide to take the strong stuff.  (I’ve never taken it before so obviously I am a bit on the apprehensive side).

Anyway, I’m okay and using tonight to tackle my to-do list (at least what I can do without moving my butt from my bed/couch).  Here’s what my week of exercise looked like:

Sat 10.15

30 mins abs, arms and stretching

30 mins stationary bike

Sun 10.16

30 mins strength and stretching (Jillian Michael’s 20 min workout - level 2 + additional stretching)

Mon 10.17

45 min run w/ warmup & cool down (2.5+ mi run, 3 mi total)

15 mins abs & stretching

Tues 10.18

15 mins abs and stretching

35 mins stationary bike

Wed 10.19

Rest

Thurs 10.20

25-30 mins run w/ warm up & cool down (2 mi run)

10 mins abs and stretching

Fri 10.21

Rest

This was my first week following my training and I definitely didn’t do nearly as well as I would have liked.  I followed the training aside from yesterday (should have also had strength) and today (should have been cross training) but I don’t think the Jillian Michael’s is suitable as my only strength training, especially on weeks when I don’t get to yoga and end up having to miss my second planned strength session.

Overall it was a good week but I’m looking forward to pushing forward with next week.

Fitness Friday

There was no doubt in my mind that today would be a “rest” day but oh man do I still have this urge to go to the gym or yoga.  Not so much because I feel like I need the physical activity but because I could use the mental release and relaxation it brings me.

I hope to make time tomorrow (if the energy is there) to break a bit of a sweat and relax.

SAT 10/8/11

20 mins abs and stretch

55 mins run w/ warm up and cool down (4.61 miles)

Sun 10/9/11

30 mins abs, legs and stretch

42 mins stationary bike

Mon 10/10/11

90 mins yoga

Tues 10/11/11

25 mins abs and stretch

40 mins run w/ warm up and cool down (3.2 miles)

Wed 10/12/11

90 mins yoga

Thurs 10/13/11

20 mins abs and stretch

30 mins stationary bike

Fri 10/14/11

Rest ** (Well deserved rest!)

It was nice having more yoga in my life this week and really breaking a sweat in most of my workouts.  Some people are afraid of sweating but it gives me a sense of accomplishment in my workouts.  Maybe I’m crazy, but it’s true!

Now it’s time to continue my well deserved rest and get some sleep! ...it doesn’t feel at all like Friday.  Are we sure it actually is?