Well-Trained Bodies- December

[Soror]

I didn't see a new thread so I thought I'd start us out.

As always, everyone is welcome!

[Soror]

For December I'm doing Caroline Girvan's 24 Days of Christmas- every day- just 20 minutes a day. I usually work out longer but coming out of being sick I thought this would be a good choice.  This will be mostly strength training with some HIIT.

 

 

[Ali in OR]

Cardio Ballet today. You think you're getting a nice, gentle workout, but you definitely feel those pliés and relevés later!

[lynn]

Well darn it.  I will never learn that there are certain moves I need to stop doing or an old back injury comes back to haunt me.  I know better than to try any other program than good old weight training.  Walking and yoga for me the next few days then back to body beast lifting on monday.💪

Edited December 1, 2021 by lynn

[Laura Corin]

Thanks for starting the thread @Soror.

Today went well. Pj sun salutations,  then I ran a couple of miles at lunchtime.  Then finally some yoga after work.

[wintermom]

I went for 2 walks almost back-to-back, about 1 hr each, both with friends. They were great, but my legs are done now. 😉 Great start to the new month!

[Harriet Vane]

Going down in flames here. We had to drop everything and drive out to be with my father-in-law, who is in his last days. He has been suffering with dementia and a lot of pain with Lewy body, so it will be a relief when his race is run. I'm still nursing along a sinus infection (tested and definitely not covid). So it's been a couple days of no exercise. My hope is if I can get a decent night's sleep tonight, I'll get out for a walk tomorrow.

[wintermom]

@Harriet Vane So sorry to hear about your fil. 

[Laura Corin]

I'm sorry, @Harriet Vane

[Soror]

@Harriet Vanehugs and prayers for your family during this difficult time

[Soror]

Today- 20 min core weights/bodyweight

Still nervous about walking much outside and aggravating my allergies.

Hoping with my thyroid med change I'll have the energy to improve my diet, which I've been fighting. It's not been total crap but far from where I'd like it. I also know I've put on weight. Some is muscle, which I don't mind, some is certainly not. 

[Laura Corin]

Very busy today at work. Pj sun salutations,  a half hour walk at lunchtime,  then yoga before supper. Hoping for a run tomorrow. 

[wintermom]

It was overcast and rainy all day, as well as super busy at work. I was going to skip my evening walk, but the dog persuaded me to venture outdoors. We ended up walking for about an hour. Now I'm starting a push-up routine to try and maintain some of my upper-body strength from paddline and tennis. It's not fair that strength gains slip away so quickly. 😉 

[Soror]

11 hours ago, wintermom said:

It was overcast and rainy all day, as well as super busy at work. I was going to skip my evening walk, but the dog persuaded me to venture outdoors. We ended up walking for about an hour. Now I'm starting a push-up routine to try and maintain some of my upper-body strength from paddline and tennis. It's not fair that strength gains slip away so quickly. 😉 

No, it is not fair at all!

_----------

A bit of time outside yesterday. The weather was just so nice. I'm still paranoid about aggravating my allergies but didn't want to miss it. I did not go in the woods.

Today- 30 min full body complexes

So far, I'm feeling much more energetic with the new med change. I'm hoping the positive continues and I don't have to tweak again. Having energy makes a big difference.

[Laura Corin]

12 hours ago, wintermom said:

It was overcast and rainy all day, as well as super busy at work. I was going to skip my evening walk, but the dog persuaded me to venture outdoors. We ended up walking for about an hour. Now I'm starting a push-up routine to try and maintain some of my upper-body strength from paddline and tennis. It's not fair that strength gains slip away so quickly. 😉 

Yes. Not fair. I've introduced more planks into my yoga and reintroduced Crow, which I used to do easily.  I'm up to 75 seconds each in straight arm and forearm planks, but my Crow is pitiful. It's partly about needing to get my nerve back.

1 hour ago, Soror said:

No, it is not fair at all!

_----------

A bit of time outside yesterday. The weather was just so nice. I'm still paranoid about aggravating my allergies but didn't want to miss it. I did not go in the woods.

Today- 30 min full body complexes

So far, I'm feeling much more energetic with the new med change. I'm hoping the positive continues and I don't have to tweak again. Having energy makes a big difference.

Glad you are getting your spark back.

I got up late and missed my sun salutations. I managed to run a couple of miles at lunchtime and I'll try  for yoga after seeing my mum and before bed.

[Jenny in Florida]

Oooof, it's been kind of a week for me, and I've missed exercise goals on three different days (once missing my step goal, twice skipping strength and stretching because I simply didn't manage my time well enough in the morning). Nothing to be done about it, obviously, except to try and plan better in the future when I have to flex the schedule around work commitments, medical appointments and personal stuff.

I did walk this morning, but didn't make my 4K goal. I have plans to attend a community event tonight and hope to leave the house early enough to do a little walking in the downtown/historic area first. 

Tomorrow evening is the Jingle Jolly Jog 5K, which sounds like fun.

Other than that, it's business as usual until I can scrape up the time and emotional energy to explore other options.

 

Holiday Hustle Challenge Update: 151.6 of 500K (or maybe only 400K?)
Daily Walking Streak: 279 Days
South Lake/Lake Apopka Trail: 3 of 25.5 miles

[Ali in OR]

dumbell workout yesterday, treadmill today. Too much stress, too much stress eating. Almost the weekend!

[Jenny in Florida]

@Ali in OR - I related to your too much stress/too much stress eating comment in a very deep and personal way.

My "dinner" last night started with an apple drizzled with some nice flavored balsamic -- so far, so good -- but then I moved on to a rather large bowl of oat-based ice cream topped with plant-based "whipped cream" and accompanied by a handful of cookies.

[SKL]

I did not get back into the swing of things after last weekend.  However, there is still hope as December is young.  🙂

So far on each of December 1-3 I've taken the pup for a relatively short walk.  The first day, I fell and got some more scrapes and bruises.  This is yet another reminder of why I need to do my yoga every day, especially the balance stuff.  But I have only done a little of it so far this week.  😕

I'm cleaning house.  My kid is having 6 friends over tomorrow, and the maids are not able to come (last maid service was a few weeks ago).  So there should be a fair amount of bending and stretching going on over the next 24 hours, in between my sedentary client work etc.  I hope to also fit in some official yoga.

[Jenny in Florida]

@SKL - Ouch, I'm sorry about the scrapes and bruises. Having taken a few good falls, myself, I know how disconcerting the experience is, on top of whatever actual physical damage you sustain. 

I hope you heal well and quickly and that you get back into your groove soon.

[wintermom]

12 hours ago, Soror said:

So far, I'm feeling much more energetic with the new med change. I'm hoping the positive continues and I don't have to tweak again. Having energy makes a big difference.

That's wonderful! Absolutely, having energy makes a huge difference! 

[wintermom]

9 hours ago, SKL said:

I did not get back into the swing of things after last weekend.  However, there is still hope as December is young.  🙂

So far on each of December 1-3 I've taken the pup for a relatively short walk.  The first day, I fell and got some more scrapes and bruises.  This is yet another reminder of why I need to do my yoga every day, especially the balance stuff.  But I have only done a little of it so far this week.  😕

I'm cleaning house.  My kid is having 6 friends over tomorrow, and the maids are not able to come (last maid service was a few weeks ago).  So there should be a fair amount of bending and stretching going on over the next 24 hours, in between my sedentary client work etc.  I hope to also fit in some official yoga.

Yikes! Sorry about you fall. Was it related to the dog? I'm not sure how large your pup is, but I remember walking my German Shepherd "pup" at 80+ pounds, and he could easily pull me over if I wasn't really careful.

I need some people to come over to spark my house cleaning. 😉 Things are getting very cluttered with empty boxes from deliveries (dh has been really busy shopping online).

[wintermom]

I'm beginning to really enjoy my evening walks in the dark now. The houses lit up with Christmas decorations helps a lot. It's also a really nice way to round off the days where I'm stuck on the computer all day. Tonight I pulled out all the accessories for keeping out the cold while walking, such as neck warmer, fleece-lined pants, winter boots, heavy gloves, fleece hat, extra-heavy sweater and reflective wind-breaker. There's an element of strength work with the added weight of clothing! 😉 

 

[Harriet Vane]

@wintermom I agree, not fair one bit!

 

 

[Laura Corin]

6 hours ago, wintermom said:

I'm beginning to really enjoy my evening walks in the dark now. The houses lit up with Christmas decorations helps a lot. It's also a really nice way to round off the days where I'm stuck on the computer all day. Tonight I pulled out all the accessories for keeping out the cold while walking, such as neck warmer, fleece-lined pants, winter boots, heavy gloves, fleece hat, extra-heavy sweater and reflective wind-breaker. There's an element of strength work with the added weight of clothing! 😉 

 

I'll try to take Husband out to walk around the decorations tonight. He doesn't walk after dark usually.  I grew up with a lot of snobbery in my family about 'tacky' decorations. I've pretty much shed that at last and I'm just happy to see silly stuff.

We are picking up the tree this morning - strength work - and I'm Christmas shopping this afternoon- steps. I've done my sun salutations. 

[Soror]

11 hours ago, wintermom said:

I'm beginning to really enjoy my evening walks in the dark now. The houses lit up with Christmas decorations helps a lot. It's also a really nice way to round off the days where I'm stuck on the computer all day. Tonight I pulled out all the accessories for keeping out the cold while walking, such as neck warmer, fleece-lined pants, winter boots, heavy gloves, fleece hat, extra-heavy sweater and reflective wind-breaker. There's an element of strength work with the added weight of clothing! 😉 

 

That does sound lovely.

A walk in the woods yesterday! My first since I got sick 2 weeks ago. My sinuses are nearly cleared up now. I went to bed without a mucinex and am doing ok (ya- I hate mucinex). 

Today- finished 30 minutes of glutes (my legs were already so - we'll see if I can walk tomorrow). 

There is a town about 1 hr away that has ice skating. I'm thinking of taking the girls. None of us have ever been (we don't usually have that around here). I'm not if we'll do it this weekend or try for next weekend. 

[Ali in OR]

Christmas tree yoga is back!!  I enjoyed that for 5 or 6 weeks last year. This was my first Saturday this year doing yoga with only the tree lights, the mantel garland lights, and the gas fireplace on. It's quite lovely. I just did an easy stretchy kind of floor yoga (lower back love).

Our outdoor lights are kind of meager compared to many of the neighborhood houses. But an evening walk around the neighborhood sounds like a lovely idea if it's not raining tonight--everyone else goes all out!

[wintermom]

Hold onto your hats, ladies! Winter is really here. I went for a hike with a friend up in the local mountains/hills this afternoon.. There was a couple inches of snow and some ice. The alpine skiing had just started, and they were making snow to supplement the small amount we have. I'm starting to get excited about skiing sometime soon! 😃

 

[Jenny in Florida]

I kept thinking I would make up at least one of the two exercise sessions I missed this week, but it didn't happen today. 

Started off with a nice 4K walk through some very heavy haze this morning, after which we went to the holiday parade in the historic downtown area. I left my husband to drag the folding chairs to his car (I mean, he offered) while I scooted across town to meet up for lunch with a friend who is having kind of  a rough time. We manage a little bit of walking to and from the restaurant, but I'm sure it didn't being to make up for the amount of food we consumed. 

Then this evening was the main event, the long-anticipated Jingle Jolly Jog 5K.  I was pretty convinced that, after the tiring day and given my record of moving more quickly during morning races than during evening ones, I figured I wasn't even going to hope for a decent time. However, I surprised myself by posting my best time yet. (Remember, I walk, so nothing to write home about, but I feel good about it.)

I topped off the evening with a leisurely 2K ramble around the neighborhood with the dog.

 

Holiday Hustle Challenge Update: 169.3 of 500K (or maybe only 400K?)
Daily Walking Streak: 280 Days
South Lake/Lake Apopka Trail: 3 of 25.5 miles

[Laura Corin]

Nice pictures @wintermom and @Jenny in Florida.

I went to the gym early this morning. I really liked the rowing machine and it got my heart rate satisfyingly high without my having to go hard or fast. I could only stay on for five minutes as someone came to use the machine right next to me and it didn't feel comfortable.  I moved to a remote elliptical for the rest of my time.

Apart from that, just pj sun salutations. 

[SKL]

I did a lot of cleaning and lugging boxes up and down stairs this weekend.

I also ran a 5K this morning.

Did a bit of yoga.  Want to do a bit more, but I just ate, so we'll see.

[wintermom]

I got in a short dog walk in the snow. It was pretty cold and I was recovering from the 2.5 hr hike from yesterday. I didn't mention that my friend and I bushwhacked over a mountain for an hour at the start of our journey. My quads are definitely feeling it today!

I had my indoor tennis league 2 hr match this evening. I didn't play fantastic, but it was really fun to smack some tennis balls around. 

[Jenny in Florida]

@wintermom - That hike sounds like quite a workout!

Nothing new or unusual here. I've walked morning and evening for the last few days and consistently made my step goal. Barring a level of heroic determination I can't imagine mustering, there is no way I can make that original 500K goal in the compressed time frame of this challenge, so I'm trying to be okay with 400K. Also trying to decide whether I'm signing up for the annual pass for next year's challenges or if I want to try something different. 

I did walk my 4K this morning and did almost 30 minutes of floor-based exercise.

Registration for the final WDW race weekend of the season happens this week. I've been thinking I wanted to up my game and try a 10K. (In addition to just wanting to stretch, I'm not too proud to admit that the medals and t-shirt designs for the longer races are always cuter.) However, the 5K for that weekend also sounds like fun -- It's an evening race and includes a scavenger hunt. So, I may sign up for both; we'll see how brave I feel on the day (and how difficult it is to get into either or both of the races.) 

If I do register for the 10K, I will need to get intentional about "training." I've walked that distance for virtual events a couple of times, but I've never had to worry a lot about keeping any particular pace. I've read that runDisney is pretty relaxed about enforcing minimal pace rules, but technically you need to be able to maintain at least 16 minutes/mile. So, if anyone has suggestions for good resources to help old, stiff, walking-on-arthritic-knees me prep for this kind of challenge, I'd appreciate pointers.

 

Holiday Hustle Challenge Update: 179.1 of 500K (or maybe only 400K?)
Daily Walking Streak: 282 Days
South Lake/Lake Apopka Trail: 3 of 25.5 miles

[Alicia64]

On 12/1/2021 at 3:49 PM, Laura Corin said:

Thanks for starting the thread @Soror.

Today went well. Pj sun salutations,  then I ran a couple of miles at lunchtime.  Then finally some yoga after work.

This is what I'm finally understanding about lifelong fitness: working out needs to be part of my entire world. I've noticed that as Alec Baldwin is going through his horrific situation, his wife is continually running three miles and doing yoga!

At first I thought, if my family were in crisis, I sure wouldn't be running!!

But that's the thing. The people who have totally embraced a certain lifestyle -- around fitness, smart budgeting, smart home cleaning or smart eating etc.-- actually lean on their good habits for strength when life turns brutal.

Wow. I have to think more on this one.

Thank you Laura for the model!!

 

[lynn]

Not as many workouts this past week.  We spent a few days traveling to get the last of my fils effects😢.    picking it up this week and ending these last few weeks of 2021 strong.

Have great week everyone.

[Laura Corin]

Just now, Alicia64 said:

This is what I'm finally understanding about lifelong fitness: working out needs to be part of my entire world. I've noticed that as Alec Baldwin is going through his horrific situation, his wife is continually running three miles and doing yoga!

At first I thought, if my family were in crisis, I sure wouldn't be running!!

But that's the thing. The people who have totally embraced a certain lifestyle -- around fitness, smart budgeting, smart home cleaning or smart eating etc.-- actually lean on their good habits for strength when life turns brutal.

Wow. I have to think more on this one.

Thank you Laura for the model!!

 

I feel embarrassed.  I'm not in the least someone to be emulated. Most days I spend a couple of minutes stretching first thing, forty minutes just walking at lunchtime and 25 minutes on yoga after work.

I don't sleep well without a walk or run outdoors, and my back doesn't enjoy my desk job without the yoga, so it's a selfish schedule. But it's true that I walk further and faster when things are difficult. 

[Ali in OR]

30 min on the treadmill this morning. Trying to get eating under control this week.

[Jenny in Florida]

50 minutes ago, Laura Corin said:

I don't sleep well without a walk or run outdoors, and my back doesn't enjoy my desk job without the yoga, so it's a selfish schedule. But it's true that I walk further and faster when things are difficult. 

I struggle all the time with how to fit my exercise stuff into my life and my self-concept. It feels very weird to me that I devote so much time and energy to this and yet no one seeing me on the street (or even myself looking in the mirror) would see me as "athletic" in any way. I honestly feel embarrassed sometimes when I start engaging in conversations with people I know who are runners or more "serious" fitness buffs. I'm a good 20 pounds overweight, pretty squishy all over with not one single identifiable muscle and physically weaker and more fragile than most of the people I know. Heck, despite the several years I have now been working on increasing my walking speed, I'm still only barely above the minimal pace required not to get kicked out of even walker-friendly races. 

And yet I spend money on race entry fees and expensive walking shoes, and I ask my husband (who hates to even be in a car more than necessary) to give up time on weekends to drive me to trailheads all over Central Florida. It absolutely feels selfish and silly sometimes.

I try to remember that, even if the results aren't as visible as I might like them to be, the health benefits are real. And being outside is definitely good for my mental health. For me, at this point in my life and given the assorted physical stuff I have, the goal may be more about staving off decline/maintaining what I have than it is "getting better." Sometimes, I find that depressing, but I try to remember that taking care of myself both physically and mentally may also decrease the chances (or at least delay the onset) of me becoming a burden to my loved ones. 

Some days I don't want to do any of it at all. And sometimes, even when I force myself out the door for a walk thinking it will help my mood or relieve some physical symptoms, it turns out to be unpleasant. But, in general, I enjoy having these routines as part of my days. 

For the record: My husband is nothing but supportive. He grumbles only a little when driving me to those trailheads and straight-up encourages me to sign up for whatever races and events I want to do (and occasionally joins me for one). He didn't blink an eye when I said I was thinking of hiring a coach of some kind to help me increase my pace and stamina. His view on this is that, even if it were "just a hobby," the resources I devote to fitness don't exceed what he spends on his hobbies (and mine is probably healthier). 

But, yes, I often still struggle with how I feel about it.

Edited December 6, 2021 by Jenny in Florida

[Laura Corin]

9 minutes ago, Jenny in Florida said:

I struggle all the time with how to fit my exercise stuff into my life and my self-concept. It feels very weird to me that I devote so much time and energy to this and yet no one seeing me on the street (or even myself looking in the mirror) would see me as "athletic" in any way. I honestly feel embarrassed sometimes when I start engaging in conversations with people I know who are runners or more "serious" fitness buffs. I'm a good 20 pounds overweight, pretty squishy all over with not one single identifiable muscle and physically weaker and more fragile than most of the people I know. Heck, despite the several years I have now been working on increasing my walking speed, I'm still only barely above the minimal pace required not to get kicked out of even walker-friendly races. 

And yet I spend money on race entry fees and expensive walking shoes, and I ask my husband (who hates to even be in a car more than necessary) to give up time on weekends to drive me to trailheads all over Central Florida. It absolutely feels selfish and silly sometimes.

I try to remember that, even if the results aren't as visible as I might like them to be, the health benefits are real. And being outside is definitely good for my mental health. For me, at this point in my life and given the assorted physical stuff I have, the goal may be more about staving off decline/maintaining what I have than it is "getting better." Sometimes, I find that depressing, but I try to remember that taking care of myself both physically and mentally may also decrease the chances (or at least delay the onset) of me becoming a burden to my loved ones. 

Some days I don't want to do any of it at all. And sometimes, even when I force myself out the door for a walk thinking it will help my mood or relieve some physical symptoms, it turns out to be unpleasant. But, in general, I enjoy having these routines as part of my days. 

For the record: My husband is nothing but supportive. He grumbles only a little when driving me to those trailheads and straight-up encourages me to sign up for whatever races and events I want to do (and occasionally joins me for one). He didn't blink an eye when I said I was thinking of hiring a coach of some kind to help me increase my pace and stamina. His view on this is that, even if it were "just a hobby," the resources I devote to fitness don't exceed what he spends on his hobbies (and mine is probably healthier). 

But, yes, I often still struggle with how I feel about it.

I'm fairly lucky in my current health status, but I  don't expect to develop a lot more fitness before I retire. Husband and I are able to hike a couple of miles further each year, and I try to spot weak areas of fitness to work on over time.  That's about it.

Today I woke up late, so missed my sun salutations.  I had my usual brisk walk at lunchtime and hope for yoga before supper.

[Alicia64]

3 hours ago, Laura Corin said:

I feel embarrassed.  I'm not in the least someone to be emulated. Most days I spend a couple of minutes stretching first thing, forty minutes just walking at lunchtime and 25 minutes on yoga after work.

I don't sleep well without a walk or run outdoors, and my back doesn't enjoy my desk job without the yoga, so it's a selfish schedule. But it's true that I walk further and faster when things are difficult. 

Your example of blending the work out into the day is a good one! You're way ahead of me.

[wintermom]

8 hours ago, Jenny in Florida said:

I struggle all the time with how to fit my exercise stuff into my life and my self-concept. It feels very weird to me that I devote so much time and energy to this and yet no one seeing me on the street (or even myself looking in the mirror) would see me as "athletic" in any way. I honestly feel embarrassed sometimes when I start engaging in conversations with people I know who are runners or more "serious" fitness buffs. I'm a good 20 pounds overweight, pretty squishy all over with not one single identifiable muscle and physically weaker and more fragile than most of the people I know. Heck, despite the several years I have now been working on increasing my walking speed, I'm still only barely above the minimal pace required not to get kicked out of even walker-friendly races. 

And yet I spend money on race entry fees and expensive walking shoes, and I ask my husband (who hates to even be in a car more than necessary) to give up time on weekends to drive me to trailheads all over Central Florida. It absolutely feels selfish and silly sometimes.

I try to remember that, even if the results aren't as visible as I might like them to be, the health benefits are real. And being outside is definitely good for my mental health. For me, at this point in my life and given the assorted physical stuff I have, the goal may be more about staving off decline/maintaining what I have than it is "getting better." Sometimes, I find that depressing, but I try to remember that taking care of myself both physically and mentally may also decrease the chances (or at least delay the onset) of me becoming a burden to my loved ones. 

Some days I don't want to do any of it at all. And sometimes, even when I force myself out the door for a walk thinking it will help my mood or relieve some physical symptoms, it turns out to be unpleasant. But, in general, I enjoy having these routines as part of my days. 

For the record: My husband is nothing but supportive. He grumbles only a little when driving me to those trailheads and straight-up encourages me to sign up for whatever races and events I want to do (and occasionally joins me for one). He didn't blink an eye when I said I was thinking of hiring a coach of some kind to help me increase my pace and stamina. His view on this is that, even if it were "just a hobby," the resources I devote to fitness don't exceed what he spends on his hobbies (and mine is probably healthier). 

But, yes, I often still struggle with how I feel about it.

I think you are doing amazing things! You may not think you see a lot of forward progress, I'm not seeing much for myself either, however there is also a huge element of "progress" when we can sustain a certain level of health rather than decline into multiple unhealthy scenarios. 

I can understand feeling embarrased about not feeling 'good enough' compared to more "serious" runners, etc. I feel like this with my indoor tennis league when I play against people who are amazing tennis players that I know I'll never acheive anything near that level. I sometimes wonder if I should even be there, potentially making them feel annoyed having to play against me. I do love being there, facing the challenge and just trying to do my best. I can play this game at this point in my life, and who knows where I'll be in a year? By the grace of God, I may have the opportunity to keep walking, paddling, biking, and playing tennis for a couple more decades. I'd like to work hard at doing what I can to make that happen. 😉 

 

[Ali in OR]

bodywight circuit x2 and a short yoga stretch for neck and shoulders this morning.

[Jenny in Florida]

13 hours ago, wintermom said:

I do love being there, facing the challenge and just trying to do my best. I can play this game at this point in my life, and who knows where I'll be in a year? By the grace of God, I may have the opportunity to keep walking, paddling, biking, and playing tennis for a couple more decades. I'd like to work hard at doing what I can to make that happen. 😉 

 

Thank you so much for the support and commiseration.

Yes, I told my husband while we were waiting for the 5K last weekend to get started that I do really love the energy of participating in these events, of feeling part of something and doing it with a crowd . . . even though I know from the get-go that I will be among the final stragglers.

I felt kind of silly about it, but I treated myself to a professional photo from the last WDW 5K I did, because I figured some day when I can no longer participate in these things, I will appreciate having evidence that I did it.

I still struggle with feeling like I'm being somehow selfish, though. When I do pay for races, I choose events that give at least some portion of the entry fee to good causes. However, I know that I could do those causes a lot more good by donating an amount equivalent to the full entry fee directly to the organization and just taking a walk on my own. 

[Jenny in Florida]

Took a quick walk at lunchtime yesterday, trying to walk off some unpleasant feelings following a work meeting. (Only semi-successful.) Then took  my usual evening walk. The dog declined to join me for the last one, which meant I could maintain a more consistent and quicker pace.

Walked the usual just-over-4K this morning (another hazy day here) and then spent about 25 minutes on stretching and strength stuff, followed by a couple of minutes of jogging on the mini-trampoline. 

 

Holiday Hustle Challenge Update: 189.5 of 500K (or maybe only 400K?)
Daily Walking Streak: 283 Days
South Lake/Lake Apopka Trail: 3 of 25.5 miles

[SKL]

I didn't really do anything yesterday, because (a) it was raining and cold and (b) I was still feeling Sunday's 5K in my leg muscles.  Actually I'm still feeling that!

This morning, I took the pup for a walk followed by playing ball in the yard.  Still want to do some yoga and get back into that habit.

[wintermom]

I'm still feeling a little sore in my quads from the mountain hike, and the daylight hours flew by with me watching from inside while working. I'm going to drag myself out the door tonight and walk the dog. 

[Laura Corin]

Pj sun salutations.  Then I ducked out of work mid morning before a storm came in to walk the dog. Yoga after work.

 

[Soror]

On 12/6/2021 at 6:57 PM, wintermom said:

I think you are doing amazing things! You may not think you see a lot of forward progress, I'm not seeing much for myself either, however there is also a huge element of "progress" when we can sustain a certain level of health rather than decline into multiple unhealthy scenarios. 

I can understand feeling embarrased about not feeling 'good enough' compared to more "serious" runners, etc. I feel like this with my indoor tennis league when I play against people who are amazing tennis players that I know I'll never acheive anything near that level. I sometimes wonder if I should even be there, potentially making them feel annoyed having to play against me. I do love being there, facing the challenge and just trying to do my best. I can play this game at this point in my life, and who knows where I'll be in a year? By the grace of God, I may have the opportunity to keep walking, paddling, biking, and playing tennis for a couple more decades. I'd like to work hard at doing what I can to make that happen. 😉 

 

I had the same feeling when I did my Spartan race. I only ran a teeny tiny portion of it. I walked at least 95% of it. It was a lot of mud, which made it difficult to run, but honestly I still would have walked even if it wasn't muddy. I tried my best to focus on the obstacles and completing them. My time was pretty bad! I don't even remember now how far down the ranks I was. But I did it. I finished and I'm darn proud of all the obstacles I did. 

I also understand the frustration of not seeing results. I've put on weight this fall. So, despite doing really well with exercise(except for a week sick and a week to deload) I don't really look any different (I have gained some muscle but it isn't really visible now). Sigh. I wanted to recommend the workout lady I use but felt too embarrassed to do so. The exercise is only a part of aesthetics. With my eating not being the best due to thyroid medication issues it doesn't show up. BUT the exercise in itself is an accomplishment and worthwhile for many reasons, even when it doesn't "show." Then I struggle with feeling guilty that I'm vain! 

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I missed exercise Monday as I had my booster (ya) on Sunday and didn't feel up to it. I did Monday's (back) and Tuesday's (legs) yesterday. Today's workout is -arms and shoulders (good thing as my legs are pretty sore!). Energy is still feeling better and my eating is improved (my appetite is not so crazy- I've had crazy hunger this fall with thyroid not being right).

[Jenny in Florida]

Another day, more walking.

I finished off yesterday's step count with a walk around the neighborhood as usual (about 2.7K). My knees and legs were quite sore when I went to bed last night; I ended up slathering on the lidocaine-based stuff I usually use on my feet and lower legs to cope with the neuropathy and also taking some ibuprofen before I could get comfortable enough to sleep. 

Feeling better this morning, though, and got outside in the damp-but-not-quite-raining weather for 4.2K of walking. Then I did about 25 minutes of floor-based exercise, accompanied by my dog.

My usual holiday panic has begun to set it, exacerbated by the fact that I have a final exam coming up Monday for which I have not prepped and a short paper to write that I haven't even begun to plan. So, finding the time to maintain the exercise routine may be a bit dicey over the next couple of weeks, but I'm trying to make it a priority.

 

Holiday Hustle Challenge Update: 196.3 of 500K (or maybe only 400K?)
Daily Walking Streak: 284 Days
South Lake/Lake Apopka Trail: 3 of 25.5 miles

[Ali in OR]

Did Cardio Core Flow today.