Weekly Workout Thread 17. 7 - 23.7

[coda72]

Don''t worry about missing a workout, Lorelei. You''ve been doing really well, so you deserve a break.

Dixie, hopefully a move to Hawaii will be happening within the year. My husband and I bought a house there in April intending it to be a retirement home, but plans probably will change and we hope to be there within a year.

Workouts have been going really well for me this week. Tonight will be my 5th workout of the week. I wanted to do a longer run today, around 6 miles, but the weather is looking iffy. I refuse to run 6 miles on the treadmill, so it may turn out that I only run 3 miles.

Keep up the good work, everyone!

 

[scarlet16]

So I''m finally starting to get back on track everyone...I ran for the 2nd time this week. I''m slowly trying to build back up again. Back in April I was regularly running 4 miles at a big incline with no problems. Right now I''m at 2 1/4 miles.

Thanks for being my inspiration!!!

 

[akw94]

Good afternoon,
Everyone sounds like they''re doing well w/workouts. That''s great!
I managed to get in my 3rd workout last night. I went to the gym and did the running program. It was harder than Monday, but I was very tired. I am actually surprised I got it done but am happy to have done another day. Somehow I have to manage 1-2 more workouts this week. I don''t see myself working out today b/c I really need some rest, but I may do so before a meeting this evening.
My eating was fine yesterday only b/c I was so busy that I had virtually no time to fit in eating. I realize that''s not exactly healthy but i''d rather eat less than more. Right now, I am starving! I keep forgetting to bring food to the office

I may run out for a sandwich b/c I don''t think I can go until dinnertime w/no food.

Monarch, good to "see" you. Hope your garage sale is successful. I need to have one too b/c I''d like to get rid of a ton of stuff before moving. Of course, I am still waiting/hoping for an offer on my place to truly make any plans.

I think I''ll wait until I have a bit more willpower until I try the fries. It is a good idea though to separate portions first, and I will definitely do that when I buy them.

TG, I think I may have done that tape before too. I used to do a lot of ...darned it, can''t remember her name but very bubbly and does those dance/cardio tapes. She actually has a kickboxing tape too and a step tape that I recently tried. Have you ever taken out tapes from your library? That is really working for me so that I can frequently change and not get too bored.

Gotta go eat something!!

 

[Blenheim]

Mmm, after reading this thread I''m craving some fries.

It sounds like everyone''s doing great with the workouts though!

I was doing sooo well with the walking until yesterday. I took Dylan out for his wake-up 30-40 minute walk, came home and ate breakfast, and then after a bit I realized that my foot was hurting. A lot. And by lunchtime even, it was hard to walk around. I cancelled my non-puppy-pace afternoon walk, tried swimming but even that hurt. I iced/elevated/took ibuprofin, and it still hurt a lot when I woke up. After spending about four hours at the hospital today, I''ve learned that I fractured one of the bones in my foot. I''m on crutches and I can''t get the non-removable splint wet. Ugh. I''m supposed to schedule an appt with an orthopedist for next week, and I guess I''ll learn more about how long this should take to heal from him/her.

I feel so freaking injury prone.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Oh Blenheim, you sound like my niece. She has been on crutches more times than I can count and she''s only eleven! She says just standing up can break a bone on her. Her mom pumps her full of calcium, hoping that will help, but so far, it''s not yet.

I hope you feel better soon.

I''ve been VERY bad on the eating right/exercising thing since vacation started. Now I''ve been home two days and I''ve still not gone to the gym. Worse, I weighed this morning and I''ve gained weight! Grr. Still, here I am with Easy Cheese and Wheat Thins. Maybe tomorrow I''ll do better again.

 

[Mara]

oh blen i am so sorry to hear that!! did the DR say how you could have fractured a bone just walking?! yikes!

i was thinking of getting some new shoes, but i need for them to be good for both walking and kickboxing. i need light shoes with good support for kickboxing but i also need padded shoes for walking. but i also was checking out racewalking shoes which have way more support on the 'heel' because apparently you hit the heel when you racewalk vs the toes. anyway i have to figure out some new shoes because i know my old ones are totally shot. i also walk a lot in flip flops and i know that's bad...hehee. but sometimes i am so lazy about putting my tennis shoes and socks on...plus sometimes i just can't feel like wearing shoes and socks!

breakfast was 3 egg whites and 1/2 cup of high fiber cereal w/coffee...lunch was a hamburger patty from our homemade night, and a bowl of whole foods salad and snack now is a big ole bowl of sweet watermelon...YUM. tonite i'm going to kickboxing with a friend, and then we are having sushi after, woo hoo. love sushi!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

I dread wearing socks in the summer, too. They make my feet SO hot and sticky. I tripped on a flipflop walking my dog *named FlipFlop* just this morning because I was determined not to wear socks today.

 

[Blenheim]

I walk my morning walks in flip flops, because I don''t want to keep Dylan waiting while I lace up shoes and I figure that we''re not going too fast. The doctor was saying that maybe it was walking in flip flops that caused it. (I know they''re bad, but could they really be that bad?!) I''m almost wondering if I actually fractured it a little while ago. I''ve snubbed that toe* hard twice this summer, and I suppose that I could have broken it then and it just took a while to start hurting? Or maybe it hurt some, and I just didn''t notice until it got really bad yesterday? I''ve astonished some docs with how high a pain tolerance I have.

Fishie, I drink three glasses of milk a day and take a multivitamin. The only timme that I''ve broken anything is a stress fracture towards the end of a cross country season though, but I was running very high mileage. This is just bizarre. Thanks for the good wishes. You still have time to take the dog on a walk tonight, and maybe that could get you out of your vacation slump.

*I didn''t break the toe, but one of the little sesamoid bones on the ball of my foot right by it --

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Hey, there''s an idea! I need to give her a bath, and that''d let her dry off a good bit outside. I''ll wear my flip flops, no doubt, though.

Happy healing *and quick healing* to your sesamoid!

Hey, also, have you posted any more pictures of your ring? I think it''s beautiful!!

 

[Mara]

yikes i better make sure that my flip flops have enough padding on my toes!!!! now i am all paranoid and i have been walking so much that a few pairs are worn pretty thin.

 

[Mannequin]

Time to take you out behind the barn, Blenheim...

Just kidding! OUCH, girl, you just can''t stay in one piece, can you? You poor thing! Let me know when you are feeling better and we''ll make that IKEA visit happen.

Oh yeah, and to stay on topic, I''ve been riding my bike now that I have the tires inflated and it''s easier to get to than it was in my old place. I need to work on getting on my exercise ball a few times a week too, now that I have that inflated again as well.

 

[Blenheim]

I really hope that it has more to do with how wearing flip flops leaves you much more prone to stubbing toes on roots and stones, and that it's not something bad about flip flops in general. They're sooo comfy.

Fishie, I keep meaning to take some and when I do, they never turn out as nicely as I hope. I just figured out how to use macro mode a couple of weeks ago, though. But I still can't get pictures that look anywhere near as crisp and pretty as Mara's. It's driving me nuts because my ring's so pretty on the forest trail that I like to walk on, and I tried having a little photo shoot out there and it just did not turn out.

J cooked dinner tonight for obvious reasons -- grilled chicken and cheese quesidillas, with a side of sauteed corn and onions with Southwest flavorings. It tasted great, but I have a feeling that all of that cheese wasn't the best idea.

ETA: HEY!

I didn't see Equestrienne's post when I posted. (I'm actually laughing though.) I was thinking of starting a "Hey Equestrienne" post yesterday, and asking if you wanted to get together sometime, but then I realized I should wait to make sure that there wasn't anything wrong with my foot first. I'd love to get together a bit later this summer. Once I'm a bit more mobile, I'll let you know!

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks for the kind words guys, I feel better! I went to the gym this morning at 5.50 am and I was wilting as they hadn't put the AC on and it was stifling even though it was so early. Anyway I did the usual 30 mins crosstrainer and 15 treadmill and I think I am getting addicted Cinderella!

Coda, I bet you can't wait to get to Hawaii! I am really happy for you and what a great investment!

Blen - you mind how you go and I hope your foot feels better soon!

Dixie - the heat is getting worse and hasn't broken yet...They say we should get huge storms this weekend then it should cool off, can't be quick enough for me.

 

[bee*]

Thats terrible Blenheim! Hope you make a quick recovery.
I went to the gym yesterday to do my running and after about 19 minutes I got such a bad stitch so had to stop. Not sure what happened as its never happened me before-I''ll blame the heat again!!

 

[coda72]

I did my 5th workout of the week last night, and boy am I glad it''s over! My legs are killing me today because I ran for an hour. I don''t know the distance because they don''t have it marked in the park I ran in, but I would guess I ran around 6.5 to 7 miles. Now it''s time to let my legs rest for a couple of days. If I feel up to it, I will work out on Sunday, but if not, I''ll wait until Monday.

I plan on doing one long run per week increasing the time by 15 minutes each one until I''m up to 2 hours because that''s how long I think it will take me to do a half marathon.

Sounds like everyone is pretty motivated this week. Blenheim, sorry to hear about your foot. Lorelei, good job getting back to the gym after a day off. Bee, don''t worry about stopping running. You may eventually learn to run through those pains.

 

[Lorelei]

Well done Coda! That is INCREDIBLE!!!!!! Such a good feeling to be able to run so far and have that sort of stamina! Hubby was delighted this morning as he ran a mile and a half in 10 minutes which he hasn''t been able to do since high school! One thing I am noticing and I have mixed feelings about is my right arm is really muscling up, it was strong anyway due to my work, but it is looking quite...muscular, especially at the bottom part. I guess my female hormones will ensure I don''t start bulging like Popeye

I don''t know why it is reacting this way as I am not using weights, oh well, better than fat and flabby!

 

[Mara]

congrats coda on the workout goals!! yay lorelei for getting your butt into the gym....i can''t believe they didn''t turn the A/C on...that''s the best part about the gym. hehee.

i actually notice if i don''t work out for a few days after really working out all week, my body totally starts complaining in the way of giving me small twinges and aches and pains. for example last thurs i had my last kbox and then the place was closed on sat when they are typically open. so on sunday, my right arm (the injured one from last year) started killing me and literally we were just out at a festival having fun. it''s not like i was lifting heavy things or doing anything. it was hurting me all of sunday afternoon and into monday and i was worried i couldn''t go to class and also wondering what the heck was going on with it! so on monday night i go to class and it hurt after but tues it was FINE. i was like hmmmm maybe it just was upset that it hadn''t been used for friday, saturday, sunday. totally odd. or i''ll get some weird back twinges or something if i don''t work out regularly once my body has gotten used to it. makes me kind of paranoid about taking a break...hehee.

anyway i went to class last nite, doing back to back classes for me is really hard, i went on wed and thurs this week (and mon) and i always feel extra tired on the last nite...so i think i MAY go tomorrow morning (depending also on what dinner is tonite, hehee)...and then not til monday again. we have a bbq for a friend''s birthday tomorrow night so there will be lots of unhealthy food consumed, so might as well go to class tomorrow morning so i can eat freely..hehee.

have a fab weekend everyone and stay cool!

 

[Mara]

i posted this over in hangout but here it is for you workout gals too!! watch the summer drinks!!
__________________________


The View had an interesting segment on this today...here are some highlights... With all these hot days we are all fans of the cold, refreshing summer drinks right? Well check this out!
a frozen margarita is 800 calories
an apple martini is 400 calories (sorry appletini!!)
1000 calories in a long island iced tea
a mojito is only 65 calories, but watch the sugar
vodka is the best alcohol to have calorie wise, aka a diet tonic with vodka.
jamba juice has as many calories as a whole plate of nachos (i''d so much rather have the nachos!)
mocha frappucino is as many calories as a plate of chocolate chip cookies!!

those colored, flavored vitamin water has a lot of calories in it and sugar...it''s eqiuvalent to one scoop of ice cream with sprinkles. i''d SO much rather have the ice cream.

extra 100 or 150 calories a day may not sound like much but if you are not burning that additional calorie consumption off, then within a month you will have gained 1+ lbs just from drinking something like a vitamin water every day.

when you drink fruit juices, make sure it''s 100% fruit juice, no additives or fillers. the natural sugars in 100% are healthier for you.

wine is the 2nd healthiest drink behind vodka, a 5 oz glass has 100 calories, and red is better than white since it has the extra anti-oxidants etc in it (and probably less sugar than whites)

after watching this i''m so glad that i drink just plain iced water 90% of the time...i have iced tea sometimes with no sugar for lunch and i have a full calorie coke at restaurants once or twice a week and that''s it. though i am a sucker for the frozen guava margaritas maybe about 2ce a month at our local mexi restaurant.

 

[bee*]

Thanks coda-hopefully I wont get those pains next time

 

[coda72]

Thanks for the drink tips, Mara. Cosmopolitans are usually my drink of choice, but I''ll bet they''re not low cal either! I bought some diet lemonade last week and mixed it with vodka, and it made a pretty good drink. Since vodka''s low cal, that sounds like a good drink to not gain weight!

 

[Rod]

Hey all,

Now, I''m in trouble. Like I don''t spend enough time on this forum and then Lorelei introduces me to this. Thanks Lorelei!! My two addictions of late are diamonds and my fitness.

A little background for those who don''t me. I was a bad boy. I ate unhealthy food. My cholesterol was high. My blood pressure was high. I worked every night, and on weekends because I believed I need to work more hours to keep my job. I make great money, but it''s not worth my life. My doctor believed I had a death wish.

You know how it is. Something has to click in your head before you take the right steps. Something definitely clicked for me. And we (my partner and me) started inline skating. This we could only do about once a week, but at least it was some exercise. Then I got the bright idea that my partner and I should join the gym. Now, mind you, we joined Bally''s over 26 years ago. It cost us $1,000 each for a lifetime membership and we went a total of 3 times (that''s what? $666/visit). We found the experience emasculating, intimidating, awful, embarrasing and we never went again. So, when we visited the gym we ultimately joined, I told them, the gym intimidated me. The machines intimidated me. And the people (all buff of course) using the machines, intimidated me.

So, they gave us 3 free sessions to see if they could cure our intimidation. Something clicked in my fat encrusted brain and I liked it. I like the endorphen rush. I liked lifting weights (albeit low dose weights) and I liked the elliptical. So we joined and started. First two days a week. Then three. Then four. Then five. And then we hit the plateau. So, we hired a personal trainer and we work out with him every Saturday. For me, it''s the absolute best hour of the week.

So, what is the sum of all this. I''ve lost 50 pounds. My waist went from a 40 inch waist to a 32 inch waist. My body fat went from 29% to (currently) 17%. My blood pressure is normal. My cholesterol is in the good range. I''ve even taken up running!! I''m hoping to do a 5K this year. Me, run? Hard to imagine.

And I''m pleased to join this side of the forum. Having read some the posts, you are all inspirational and I hope to learn much about health and fitness from you.

Thanks everyone. Sorry for the long post.

Your friend..........

 

[bee*]

wow rod-thats great weight loss and inches etc. I know what you mean when you talk about the gym being intimidating when you see all those buff bodies. I felt like that when I joined my gym too but the only way to get one of those bodies is to join as well!

 

[hlmr]

Good for you Rod!!!

Your story is very inspirational too!! Thanks for sharing - everyone''s contributions and success stories really help to make a difference. I am always inspired by this thread!

 

[Rod]

Thanks to you both. I know I'm going to enjoy this thread and learn lot's from you all!!

Thanks for understand the intimidation issue. I thought the young buff people would be looking at me and wondering what that "fat - old man" was doing at the gym. The fact is they're there to work on their fitness and they don't pay any attention to me (everything isn't about me, afterall - LOL). I don't really think much about them either. I'm there to work hard and I enjoy it. Actually, being such a regular now, some have noticed how hard we work and have complimented us on our progress. A couple have even come over to offer encouragement and help if they see us trying to use the free weights (I call them "big-boy-toys") wrong.

One thing I get a kick out of. And for those of you who use an elliptical you'll understand. But, we work out on weights for about an hour to an hour and a half each session, followed by the elliptical. The first time I used the elliptical I thought I would die after 5 minutes. Now, I go forty five minutes, pretty intensely. I average 85 RPM, with 30 second bursts over 100 RPM every 5 minutes, and typically travel more than 5.5 miles burn over 700 calories in 45 minutes. I love when one of the younger guys get's on the machine next to me and their natural competitive tendancy kicks in, only to not be able to keep up with me!!!

Thanks again for the kind welcome!!

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 7/21/2006 4:55:40 PM
Author: Rod

And then we hit the plateau. So, we hired a personal trainer and we work out with him every Saturday. For me, it''s the absolute best hour of the week.

HI:

Please tell me more about your personal trainer and how they help. I exercise 5 days/week and long ago hit a plateau--please share why is it the "absolute best hour of the week"?

cheers--Sharon

 

[Rod]

Because I didn''t know enough. Simply put, our trainer is certified. He knows so much more than we do and he customizes our workouts to help us achieve our goals. Plus, he works our butts off when were with him. People comment that we look like kids in a candy store when were in a session with him. He''s made a world of difference and if you''re at a plateau, I really really encourage you to hire a trainer to help you like ours did with us.

Good luck.

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 7/21/2006 5:39:34 PM
Author: Rod
Because I didn''t know enough. Simply put, our trainer is certified. He knows so much more than we do and he customizes our workouts to help us achieve our goals. Plus, he works our butts off when were with him. People comment that we look like kids in a candy store when were in a session with him. He''s made a world of difference and if you''re at a plateau, I really really encourage you to hire a trainer to help you like ours did with us.

Good luck.

HI:

I had been contemplating this for sometime, and now I am convinced. Congrats on achieving your goals.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Mara]

i also have read that some tips to get around a plateau is to step up the workout a bit and also step up the calorie intake a bit. for example, add one more exercise into your daily regime or weekly regime, or make your existing regime a little bit harder somehow. and then eating a little bit more also keeps your body from ''starving'' for calories and may jumpstart the weight loss again coupled with a bit more strenuos workouts. don''t know if this WORKS but i did add in another 1-2m walk per day about 2 weeks ago, and i have noticed some additional changes in my body.

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 7/21/2006 6:09:41 PM
Author: Mara
i also have read that some tips to get around a plateau is to step up the workout a bit and also step up the calorie intake a bit. for example, add one more exercise into your daily regime or weekly regime, or make your existing regime a little bit harder somehow. and then eating a little bit more also keeps your body from ''starving'' for calories and may jumpstart the weight loss again coupled with a bit more strenuos workouts. don''t know if this WORKS but i did add in another 1-2m walk per day about 2 weeks ago, and i have noticed some additional changes in my body.

HI:

I definately need to change what I am doing--weight loss isn''t my goal as achieving greater leg definition is. Much harder to do than I imagined with just the gamut of exercises I am doing at present--and I do push myself. Just not the right type and combo I imagine.....

cheers--Sharon

 

[Rod]

Date: 7/21/2006 6:09:41 PM
Author: Mara
i also have read that some tips to get around a plateau is to step up the workout a bit and also step up the calorie intake a bit. for example, add one more exercise into your daily regime or weekly regime, or make your existing regime a little bit harder somehow. and then eating a little bit more also keeps your body from 'starving' for calories and may jumpstart the weight loss again coupled with a bit more strenuos workouts. don't know if this WORKS but i did add in another 1-2m walk per day about 2 weeks ago, and i have noticed some additional changes in my body.

Mara, you are absolutely right on both points. I read just about every fitness book and magazine I can get my hands on. The weight plateau is a tough one.

What I learned on the weight front was that by eating more meals (I aim for six a day), I actually keep my metabolism moving at a faster pace then when one isn't eating. The body is an amazing thing. Our bodies work hard to maintian the status quo. So, if you've been on the plus side of the scales most of one's life, the body will work very hard to keep those pounds. Eating less only goes so far. The body has the ability to take minimal amounts of calories and convert them to fat in order to keep the weight in check. Eating more keeps the oven primed and I lost more weight by eating more and pushing harder in the gym at the same time.

I also learned that I wasn't giving muscles enough down time. One might think that working your arms hard and then working them the next night will help them grow. They didn't. I had to train myself to allow certain muscles to fully refresh and then attach them harder when they were rested.

Your friend......Rod

PS: I feel funny in the Ladies in Waiting forum. Are you ladies sure you're OK with a guy in this thread. Maybe this thread could move to the Lifestyle section?? I don't mean to hijack this, but a lady in waiting, I'm certainly not. No offense.