The giant ball

On Thursday the hubby and the pooch went to romp at the dog park. That left me with one of life's glorious jewels: free time after work to decide on whatever exercise I wanted. I thought about doing one of Jillian's hour-long DVD workouts, but figured I was better off going to the gym and continuing my streak. I started with 15 minutes on the elliptical at level 8, moving to level 10 in the last few minutes. Then I moved to the treadmill for 25 minutes. I did run one slow mile.

This is my theory on getting back to running. I have to start slowly. This is in reference to days a week that I do it, pace at which I run, and distance that I cover. Unfortunately too many times, I have charged at a plan with overzealous gusto only to get burned when my knee starts throbbing after the third day. Or my spine. Or my other knee. You get the idea. Some people are born runners. I was born to ramp it up modestly. Nice to know that at 34, I've learned how to do a few things better. So far I have run exactly one mile about four different times. One time I even added on a half-mile. I know I'm not breaking any records. What's important is incremental advances where I can feel satisfied with my progress and how my body is responding. So far, all systems go.

After that I took myself to the top floor of the gym to alternate 30 seconds of free weights, squats, ball exercises, and ab work until I started to feel fatigued. This wasn't my most impressive workout of the month, but I'm glad I went. That is the big secret. Something is always better than nothing.

Triumph on the treadmill!

I had some personal frustrations souring my mind yesterday. When this happens I can find comfort flopping on the couch like a beached, disinterested seal or I can seek some relief in an energetic run. This is when I bank on the endorphins to kick in and make me feel better. Sure it was a record setting hot weather day in February, but I was on a one track mind for the treadmill. I found a nice spot to watch Cash Cab. I had my i-Pod fully charged and newly loaded with motivating tunes. I walked for ten minutes to warm up and then I kept on trucking. I ended up running 4.25 miles in less than an hour. I felt like a superhere. I felt like Michael Phelps, previous to bong smoking. I felt like my frustrations weren't eradicated but my mind was a lot clearer for the evaluation process. Three days in a row of exercise. Gotta love it!

Three weeks in a row!

Last night marked the third Wednesday in as many weeks that I made it to the gym for a run. I wan on the treadmill for close to an hour, and spent 30 minutes running. I'm pretty proud of sticking to my goal to run once a week and hopefully I'll be upping the amount soon enough. But, hey, slow and steady is the name of my [running] game! Tonight, I'm also thrilled to have plans to go to a Body Pump class. It's been too long. I also want to stay on target with my new (more intense) workout goal which is to complete the IWTB dvd in its entirety by my birthday. That plan calls for some serious strength so I'll definitely benefit from the muscle-toning effects of an hour of lifting weights!

There are costs and risks to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction. John F. Kennedy

Love my gym.

I have been a member of Planet Fitness for about 10 months now. I love my gym. At a monthly cost of $10 (with a $20 annual fee), the price is beyond compare. How many people find these kinds of deals on gym memberships? Hardly anyone! So because I am such a frugal nut, the price is what immediately attracted me. As far as I was concerned, they could have 4 treadmills and awful hours and I still would have been hooked. However, they have three rooms of treadmills, stair masters, ellipticals and bikes. They also have four separate areas for different weight equipment: the free weights, the 30-second routine, weight machines with adjustable plates, and weight machines that are resistance based. You can definitely find something that suits your personal tastes when you are given these kinds of choices.

Another interesting feature is their motto: the judgement free zone. From their website: "We discourage weight dropping and obnoxious grunting so you can focus on your own workout and not the person next to you." This is the non-intimidating atmosphere that makes people feel comfortable. Sure, there are some burly lads in the free weight area chest pressing the bar with car tire-size plates on each end, but it's not like you're at a Gold's Gym or a Powerhouse Gym. Those places are notorious for meathhead conventions. On the reverse side, this isn't Curves either. There truly are all types of people here. Male high schoolers breezing along at 8.0 on the treadmill. Moms in sweatpants carrying their bright pink water bottles. Dads with cassette players and bright white shoes. Your usual smattering of women with too much make-up. Overweight. Thin. Old. Really old. Pregnant. Diversity is in abundance!

Yesterday I made it to the gym for a run (*finally*). I walked for a 15 minute warm-up and ran 2.5 miles in an unhurried 30 minutes. I think I coughed enough to slightly disturb some people around me, but my lungs didn't end up on the treadmill's dashboard. I have no idea what asthma feels like, but if it's anything close to the restricted feeling of not being able to take a full, deep breath---yikes. I have new sympathy.

Well the clubs are opening at increasingly fast paces. Franchises are exploding. If you're lucky enough to find a PF new you, by all means sign yourself up!

Feb 3-Feb 10: 3 workouts and 9 miles

Now that I am once again excited about overtime, I'm trying to find that balance between working longer hours and still finding time to exercise.

Last Sunday I had a robust workout to start the week. I got in cardio on the elliptical and strength training for my upper body.

On Wednesday I was at the gym by 7am where I managed to run for 30 minutes straight even though my enthusiasm was lacking.

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I also did about 5 sets on the leg press machine. I was in a bit of a hurry and didn't consider this to be that intense, but 3 days later my hamstrings were still sore.

On Thursday, I squeezed in 15 minutes of ab work with my IWTB dvd. You might be surprised at how a small amount of time spent on your gut can really have a lasting effect a few days later.

Friday was the tough one. I worked a 10 hour day and then had already vowed to still go to the gym. I had to boost my waning energy reserves. I added two new songs to my work that booty playlist. I jammed a cup of coffee about an hour before I hopped on the treadmill. With a fortunate feeling of an eager spirit, I pulled off five miles! That was a huge emotional accomplishment. I haven't run 5 miles since, gosh, maybe before my half marathon in October? So, hmmm, it has definitely been awhile.

I feel great!