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Exercise Thread: May

KathyBC

By KathyBC,
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Greta
Greta

I achieved a little milestone today, and I have to share because I'm silly I'm so excited.  It's not a big deal, really, but it's a big deal to me.   A few months ago, I was at the gym with my husba

Greta
Greta

Went to the gym first thing this morning for leg day with my husband.  It's so much more fun to have a workout buddy!  I guess he must have enjoyed it too, because he suggested we make it a regular th

KathyBC
KathyBC

New month, new thread!   Yard work for a couple hours with dd yesterday. One hour Zumba ripped dvd today.

Greta

Greta

Posted
Posted

I achieved a little milestone today, and I have to share because I'm silly I'm so excited.  It's not a big deal, really, but it's a big deal to me.

 

A few months ago, I was at the gym with my husband, and *after* I'd done an hour of cardio, he insisted that I try a squat at the Smith machine.  I'd never squatted anything that heavy in my life, and my legs were tired from an hour of cardio.  I tried telling him all of that, but he wouldn't listen, and kept twisting my arm.  I caved (stupid, I know), and I tried it.  Couldn't even do one rep.  I fell.  I didn't hurt myself, thank God, because the machine caught me.  Only my pride was bruised.  That whole section of the gym, with all of the really ripped people, was already intimidating to me, so after that I didn't feel like I'd ever be able to show my face there again!

 

Recently I found out that you get a free hour consultation with a personal trainer when you join the gym (don't know why nobody told me that when I first joined!), and I had that consultation this afternoon.  It was great.  He showed me how some of the machines work, recommended a basic routine to get started, and then said, "let's do some squats at the Smith machine".  Crap.  My heart instantly started racing.  I even told him that I was scared.  But he demonstrated it first, he spotted me, he assured me I could do it, and he was right.  I DID IT!  I didn't fall on my butt!  I did five reps!  It's true, there were no plates on the bar, but the bar alone weighs 45 pounds, so I'm totally counting it as a win!  Because, most importantly, I'm not petrified of it any more!  I can do this!

 

I'm ridiculously happy for such a minor accomplishment!  :lol:

 

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Sarah CB

Sarah CB

Posted
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TRX class yesterday, plus 14,000 steps.

 

Today I think I might brave a run with my Couch to 10k app. I didn't run at all last week because my shins hurt and I'm terrified of getting injured. But, I'm feeling pretty good today and I watched all shapes and sizes of people running in the beautiful weather yesterday and I figure if they can do it, then I can.  

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Andani

Andani

Posted
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I achieved a little milestone today, and I have to share because I'm silly I'm so excited. It's not a big deal, really, but it's a big deal to me.

 

A few months ago, I was at the gym with my husband, and *after* I'd done an hour of cardio, he insisted that I try a squat at the Smith machine. I'd never squatted anything that heavy in my life, and my legs were tired from an hour of cardio. I tried telling him all of that, but he wouldn't listen, and kept twisting my arm. I caved (stupid, I know), and I tried it. Couldn't even do one rep. I fell. I didn't hurt myself, thank God, because the machine caught me. Only my pride was bruised. That whole section of the gym, with all of the really ripped people, was already intimidating to me, so after that I didn't feel like I'd ever be able to show my face there again!

 

Recently I found out that you get a free hour consultation with a personal trainer when you join the gym (don't know why nobody told me that when I first joined!), and I had that consultation this afternoon. It was great. He showed me how some of the machines work, recommended a basic routine to get started, and then said, "let's do some squats at the Smith machine". Crap. My heart instantly started racing. I even told him that I was scared. But he demonstrated it first, he spotted me, he assured me I could do it, and he was right. I DID IT! I didn't fall on my butt! I did five reps! It's true, there were no plates on the bar, but the bar alone weighs 45 pounds, so I'm totally counting it as a win! Because, most importantly, I'm not petrified of it any more! I can do this!

 

I'm ridiculously happy for such a minor accomplishment! :lol:

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Greta

Greta

Posted
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I wanted to ask those of you who lift weights:

 

How many times per week do you lift?

 

Do you prefer whole-body workouts or splits (e.g. upper body one day, lower body one day)?

 

What do you think of circuit training?

 

I'm just curious what has worked well for you, what you enjoy, that sort of thing.  

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Greta

Greta

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I've been enjoying the thread, but not actually posting my workouts!  So I'll start doing that.

 

Monday I did legs  and walked two miles.

 

Tuesday, I did arms and shoulders, and 20 minutes of HIIT on the stair-stepper machine, and the same two-mile walk.

 

Today, I was planning to attend a circuit training class at my gym, but I woke up with a migraine (a chronic problem for me) so I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to power through.  I took my medication, so we'll see how it goes.  I'll need to leave here in about an hour to make it, so I hope the medicine works well and quickly.

 

 

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Slache

Slache

Posted
Posted

TRX class plus 30 minutes walking on the treadmill and then another 20 minutes out walking my dog today. I'm mad that I was up half a pound this morning :(

Have you ever used a TRX knockoff? I'm considering purchasing the WOSS.

 

http://www.amazon.com/WOSS-AttacK-Trainer-Made-USA/dp/B00K3ZF04I?ie=UTF8&keywords=Trx&qid=1462373845&ref_=sr_1_2&s=exercise-and-fitness&sr=1-2

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Laurie4b

Laurie4b

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I wanted to ask those of you who lift weights:

 

How many times per week do you lift? I aim for 3, so often just get in 2. Three would be optimal for me.

 

Do you prefer whole-body workouts or splits (e.g. upper body one day, lower body one day)? I prefer to split; however, the program I'm getting ready to start does whole body

 

What do you think of circuit training?  :thumbup1:

 

I'm just curious what has worked well for you, what you enjoy, that sort of thing.  

 

What worked well for me was incremental steps. 

 

I started with 3 bodyweight exercises: plank, squats, push-ups (started against a wall!) For me, it was important to start this way because it was not too intimidating. I could do it. 

 

I learned more and incorporated more as time went on. I am currently doing a routine designed by a personal trainer and a PT. I am getting ready to do the program from New Rules of Lifting Supercharged. 

 

I have a gym membership plus most of what I need to lift at home. That makes it easier for me to have a choice. If I feel my "want to" lagging, I go to the gym b/c once I'm there, there is nothing else to do, KWIM? Whereas at home, I can keep finding things to do to put it off.

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Laurie4b

Laurie4b

Posted
Posted

Yesterday, Zumba. 

Today: 1/2 hr with personal trainer to learn new strength-training moves: 

 

Pallof Press  (substitute for side plank, because side planks tweak my shoulder on that one side)

Wood chop (on cable)

Kettlebell swing 

Cable chest press (kneeling or standing)

Bench press (dumbells or barbell)

Kneeling lat pulldown

Inverted Row

Hip thrusts 

 

I hope to go in before the training to my regular routine in, since this will be a very quick pass-by for each move. 

 

Zumba tonight. 

 

I will probably be good and tired tonight!

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Greta

Greta

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What worked well for me was incremental steps. 

 

I started with 3 bodyweight exercises: plank, squats, push-ups (started against a wall!) For me, it was important to start this way because it was not too intimidating. I could do it. 

 

I learned more and incorporated more as time went on. I am currently doing a routine designed by a personal trainer and a PT. I am getting ready to do the program from New Rules of Lifting Supercharged. 

 

I have a gym membership plus most of what I need to lift at home. That makes it easier for me to have a choice. If I feel my "want to" lagging, I go to the gym b/c once I'm there, there is nothing else to do, KWIM? Whereas at home, I can keep finding things to do to put it off.

 

 

Thank you, Laurie!  

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Slache

Slache

Posted
Posted

I wanted to ask those of you who lift weights:

 

How many times per week do you lift?

 

Do you prefer whole-body workouts or splits (e.g. upper body one day, lower body one day)?

 

What do you think of circuit training?

 

I'm just curious what has worked well for you, what you enjoy, that sort of thing.

I don't know how to work out which is why I like programs. I have done programs where it works on different body parts on different days and programs where it works on the entire body and rotates between strength, cardio, and yoga. I'm hoping to start the couch to 10K program in the spring and I plan to do one full body strength training a week and one upper body strength training a week. I don't really have a preference. I think I really like the variety of switching between philosophies.

 

I lose more fat with circuit training. The most fat I've ever lost is with insanity. I didn't understand why the results were so impressive until I read The New Rules of Lifting for Women. Each day starts out with an incredibly intense warm up that leaves you sweaty and exhausted. After the warm-up you have the stretch where your heart rate drops and your body cools down. According to NROL when this happens you release a hormone telling your body to feed off of your fat rather than your food, or something like that. I'm sure there's a lot of technical jargon I'm forgetting. I don't recommend Insanity because of the enormous quantity people that have been injured during the program. I do however recommend and incredibly difficult warm up followed by a short break if your goal is to burn fat.

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Greta

Greta

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Posted

I don't know how to work out which is why I like programs. I have done programs where it works on different body parts on different days and programs where it works on the entire body and rotates between strength, cardio, and yoga. I'm hoping to start the couch to 10K program in the spring and I plan to do one full body strength training a week and one upper body strength training a week. I don't really have a preference. I think I really like the variety of switching between philosophies.

 

I lose more fat with circuit training. The most fat I've ever lost is with insanity. I didn't understand why the results were so impressive until I read The New Rules of Lifting for Women. Each day starts out with an incredibly intense warm up that leaves you sweaty and exhausted. After the warm-up you have the stretch where your heart rate drops and your body cools down. According to NROL when this happens you release a hormone telling your body to feed off of your fat rather than your food, or something like that. I'm sure there's a lot of technical jargon I'm forgetting. I don't recommend Insanity because of the enormous quantity people that have been injured during the program. I do however recommend and incredibly difficult warm up followed by a short break if your goal is to burn fat.

 

 

Interesting, thanks Slache!

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Greta

Greta

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The migraine medication helped a lot, so I was able to make it to that circuit training class this morning.  So glad I went, because I think the exercise was medicine too - I felt better and better as the class went on!  I'll try to go for a walk this evening, too, once the sun is starting to go down.  

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hjffkj

hjffkj

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Well towards the end of the day I started feeling better. I think it is PMS, I get quite lethargic, grumpy, and overall sick feeling within a day of my period so here's hoping it was that. Since I was feeling better I did another 24 minute full body HIIT workout.

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Laurie4b

Laurie4b

Posted
Posted

Yesterday, Zumba. 

Today: 1/2 hr with personal trainer to learn new strength-training moves: 

 

Pallof Press  (substitute for side plank, because side planks tweak my shoulder on that one side)

Wood chop (on cable)

Kettlebell swing 

Cable chest press (kneeling or standing)

Bench press (dumbells or barbell)

Kneeling lat pulldown

Inverted Row

Hip thrusts 

 

I hope to go in before the training to my regular routine in, since this will be a very quick pass-by for each move. 

 

Zumba tonight. 

 

I will probably be good and tired tonight!

Well, there was miscommunication between me and the trainer and she came with an upper body workout. We ended up doing a weighted glute bridge, kettlebell swing (I had never done them before) and bench press with dumbbells and on the Smith machine. (I guess I will have to figure out the others myself. I know that I can grab a trainer and ask them to check my form for one particular exercise, so I should be able to cover them.) But anyway... I did do my regular workout plus that and did get to Zumba and I am currently whomped. 

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KathyBC

KathyBC

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PACING was the issue of the day.

 

I thought I would try the 20 minute Zumba Rush dvd again. It still felt hurried, particularly at the end, but a bit better. I did finish wondering, though, why they felt the need to pair such a fast pace with frantic music... we get it, it's supposed to be quick, lol.

 

Plugged in a Tai Chi for Beginners dvd found at the thrift store for $2! But after 30 minutes, we hadn't got much further than some stretching. Just agonizing!

 

LOL, makes you appreciate good quality when you find it. :D

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Greta

Greta

Posted
Posted (edited)

Did chest and back today for weights, plus a little moderate-intensity cardio.

 

ETA:  And I did abs!  The trainer at the gym who gave me the free consultation said that you can (and should) do abs more frequently than other muscles, because they recover more quickly.  

Edited by Greta
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hjffkj

hjffkj

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ETA: And I did abs! The trainer at the gym who gave me the free consultation said that you can (and should) do abs more frequently than other muscles, because they recover more quickly.

Yeah if you haven't had 4 c-sections!! It is amazing how long my lower abdominals take to recover now compared to even just 2 c-sections. Not sure about after 3 because I wasn't really working out then.

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Soror

Soror

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Yeah if you haven't had 4 c-sections!! It is amazing how long my lower abdominals take to recover now compared to even just 2 c-sections. Not sure about after 3 because I wasn't really working out then.

(I don't usually pop in here but....)

 

I haven't had c-sections but had pretty decent diastasis. After 2 even I regained decent strength in my abs but with #3 although I worked out I didn't focus enough on the abs- really I used the diastasis splint and did some Tupler exercises but although my tummy got smaller it didn't get much stronger. After #4 my belly was really wrecked- it felt like jello- not even super firm jello. I finally decided I better really address it and did Mutu Mamas- it is daily exercises but they start nice and slow. I made huge strides with it and now can keep up in my exercise classes just fine- and when I started I couldn't even really do plank without feeling discomfort from the diastasis. I'm 3.5 yrs out from my last baby and it has taken a lot of time and a lot of work but I'm excited about how far I've come. I'm back to being able to do exercises I did before any kids and I didn't think that was possible. I don't think MUTU is the only way to go but I think there is hope if you go nice and slow and it really did work to back off all the hard core stuff for awhile- even though I didn't want to- it was worth it.

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hjffkj

hjffkj

Posted
Posted (edited)

(I don't usually pop in here but....)

 

I haven't had c-sections but had pretty decent diastasis. After 2 even I regained decent strength in my abs but with #3 although I worked out I didn't focus enough on the abs- really I used the diastasis splint and did some Tupler exercises but although my tummy got smaller it didn't get much stronger. After #4 my belly was really wrecked- it felt like jello- not even super firm jello. I finally decided I better really address it and did Mutu Mamas- it is daily exercises but they start nice and slow. I made huge strides with it and now can keep up in my exercise classes just fine- and when I started I couldn't even really do plank without feeling discomfort from the diastasis. I'm 3.5 yrs out from my last baby and it has taken a lot of time and a lot of work but I'm excited about how far I've come. I'm back to being able to do exercises I did before any kids and I didn't think that was possible. I don't think MUTU is the only way to go but I think there is hope if you go nice and slow and it really did work to back off all the hard core stuff for awhile- even though I didn't want to- it was worth it.

I will look into Mutu Mamas. I've repaired my abs after the first 2 by going very slowly and with very specific about routine but not sure if it was Mutu Mamas. This time around I have a good amount of weight to lose because of a second term miscarriage, the depression eating from that, and then 2 other pregnancies all back to back. Once I drop about 30lbs I'm going to slow down and repair my abs. My gap isn't too big this time around luckily.

 

Thanks for the input I appreciate it!

Edited by hjffkj
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PinkTulip

PinkTulip

Posted
Posted

Yesterday I walked for an hour in the treadmill at the gym and then came home and planted 3 flats of petunias in my front yard.

 

Today I have worked on clearing a huge section of my backyard. We have a big bed the entire width of my backyard that is about 20 feet deep. It is overgrown and full of weeds, and we decided to rip it all out and just start over. My family was going to all work on it this Saturday, but it looks like it's going to rain, so I got started today. I have worked out there for 5 hours total so far today. I may go out for another hour of two after dinner, depending on how shakey I feel.

 

I am completely confident I won't be able to move tomorrow - it's like doing squats for 5 hours.

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Greta

Greta

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I will look into Mutu Mamas. I've repaired my abs after the first 2 by going very slowly and with very specific about routine but not sure if it was Mutu Mamas. This time around I have a good amount of weight to lose because of a second term miscarriage, the depression eating from that, and then 2 other pregnancies all back to back. Once I drop about 30lbs I'm going to slow down and repair my abs. My gap isn't too big this time around luckily.

 

Thanks for the input I appreciate it!

 

 

:grouphug:  I'm sorry for your loss.  

 

I've never had to face the challenge of repairing abs after a c-section or any other kind of abdominal surgery, so I'm grateful for that.  I've always had a bit of a belly pooch, even back when I was a skinny kid.  I've just always been kind of weak in that area.  Past time to address that, huh?  

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Soror

Soror

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Posted

I will look into Mutu Mamas. I've repaired my abs after the first 2 by going very slowly and with very specific about routine but not sure if it was Mutu Mamas. This time around I have a good amount of weight to lose because of a second term miscarriage, the depression eating from that, and then 2 other pregnancies all back to back. Once I drop about 30lbs I'm going to slow down and repair my abs. My gap isn't too big this time around luckily.

 

Thanks for the input I appreciate it!

Sorry for your loss :( In July she has a big MUTU sale fwiw, you can do those exercises at any size too. I started it when I still had a few pregnancy lbs on me. The full program also has some HIIT workouts if your looking for something like that. Hopefully it won't be too bad since it isn't that big and you repaired it before.

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Slache

Slache

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Posted

I have a question regarding repairing your abs. Are you talking about their appearance, or a weakness you incurred? I have had two very well done C-sections and while I cannot tell you what my abs look like :leaving: I feel that they have the same strength they always had.

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Soror

Soror

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I have a question regarding repairing your abs. Are you talking about their appearance, or a weakness you incurred? I have had two very well done C-sections and while I cannot tell you what my abs look like :leaving: I feel that they have the same strength they always had.

Both really, it is more about what diastasis does then how it looks, that is just a bonus. 

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hjffkj

hjffkj

Posted
Posted

I have a question regarding repairing your abs. Are you talking about their appearance, or a weakness you incurred? I have had two very well done C-sections and while I cannot tell you what my abs look like :leaving: I feel that they have the same strength they always had.

Strength but it also fixes some of the appearance. Essentially it's when the abs separate. You can test how separated they are by lying on the floor with you knees bent. Left you head forward and measure with your fingers how wide a gap there is(check below the bellybutton.) The wide the more separated and the deeper down you can push the more damaged the connective tissue is, if I recall correctly. There are YouTube videos

 

Along with separated and I think I also have a lot of scar tissue after 4 c-sections so it get irritated more easily. Mmy strength in my abs is still there it just takes longer for them to recover after working them hard.

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Sarah CB

Sarah CB

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I haven't used a knockoff.  The gyms I've been to have all used TRX for their classes and the one I bought for home is also TRX, but it's not a very complicated idea so I'm sure a knock-off would work just as well.

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Soror

Soror

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Posted

I have a WOSS one bought it a couple of years ago maybe. Works just fine, seems very stable, I have mine hanging from a 6x6 beam on my pergola on the deck and the kids swing from it- dd1 does the splits with it.

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Luckymama

Luckymama

Posted
Posted (edited)

It's been raining all week so I haven't been able to garden or do yard work.

 

Sunday dh and I went to the gym. I lifted and did core work using a balance ball.

 

Monday nada--dd had 2 AP exams an hour away so lots of driving and waiting around

 

Tuesday nada

 

Wednesday training session at gym

 

Thursday body weight boot camp class (killer but fun)

 

Today training session at gym, hopefully some cardio

 

 

I tend to do full-body workouts when I lift---twice weekly w trainer, once w dh (sometimes we do the same things, sometimes widely different), once w the boot camp class.

 

I always do a push, a pull, a squat or deadlift, a lunge or step-up, and at least 10 minutes on core (plus warmup and stretching) Sometimes there will be two exercises in each category. My ideal workout also involves HIIT for 8-10 intervals.

 

If I work hard on squats or bench presses or deadlifts (like going for a new max or a 5x5 at 75-85% of my max), I go lighter on the other motions.

Edited by Luckymama
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Greta

Greta

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Just 40 minutes of medium-intensity cardio today.  Might have done 60 if it weren't so bleeping hot in my house.  Ugh, it's going to be a miserable summer.  I really need to move to a cooler climate.  I'm not cut out for this!

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Slache

Slache

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Just 40 minutes of medium-intensity cardio today. Might have done 60 if it weren't so bleeping hot in my house. Ugh, it's going to be a miserable summer. I really need to move to a cooler climate. I'm not cut out for this!

Agreed! I do very well working out at 5 AM with a fan in the window. Then I close the windows and warm the house up with a hot shower if it's winter.

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Greta

Greta

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Agreed! I do very well working out at 5 AM with a fan in the window. Then I close the windows and warm the house up with a hot shower if it's winter.

 

 

I'm definitely going to have to start getting up earlier, and doing my workout first thing.  I'm on a medication which makes me drowsy.  I take it at night, but it still makes it very hard to wake up in the morning.  But I think as the temperatures climb, it's going to be easier to wake up earlier than it will be to workout later in the day!

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Slache

Slache

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I'm definitely going to have to start getting up earlier, and doing my workout first thing. I'm on a medication which makes me drowsy. I take it at night, but it still makes it very hard to wake up in the morning. But I think as the temperatures climb, it's going to be easier to wake up earlier than it will be to workout later in the day!

I get SO MUCH MORE done during the day when I work out first thing. It's amazing. I use a pre workout drink because I'm a dead person in the morning. Coupons are your friend.

 

http://www.gnc.com/MuscleTech-Shatter-SX-7/product.jsp?productId=43910966

 

http://www.gnc.com/GNC-Pro-Performance-AMP-Amplified-N-O-Loaded-V2/product.jsp?productId=42372476&kwCatId=&size=16&ppg=16

 

I prefer the first one by far. I use about half of a serving and it lasts about 6 months. I get a much better workout taking this.

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Greta

Greta

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I get SO MUCH MORE done during the day when I work out first thing. It's amazing. I use a pre workout drink because I'm a dead person in the morning. Coupons are your friend.

 

http://www.gnc.com/MuscleTech-Shatter-SX-7/product.jsp?productId=43910966

 

http://www.gnc.com/GNC-Pro-Performance-AMP-Amplified-N-O-Loaded-V2/product.jsp?productId=42372476&kwCatId=&size=16&ppg=16

 

I prefer the first one by far. I use about half of a serving and it lasts about 6 months. I get a much better workout taking this.

 

 

Thanks.  I've never tried any product like this.  I do rely upon coffee to get me going in the morning!  But I'll consider this.  

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