6 Weeks of Fitness, Week 4 (Cycle II)

9 years ago

I thought we were starting Week 3 . . .time is flying!

Some of us are in Week 4, and some in Week 10 (if you joined in last time). Maybe you're in a completely different week! Wherever you are, the most important part is that you are showing up!

One thing I am reading/hearing from various places (DVDs, books, online) is that one should have a goal, end date, reward, etc. within a given period of time. Do any of you do this? I have a goal for what I am going to do (how many times I'll exercise and how) but not how I want to look, or how I'll reward myself once I've completed a challenge.

At this point, I am doing OK in the motivation department for a few reasons:

(1) Exercise time is when I get to be completely alone with my mind focused. I find that I need this-- a way to start the day for me, before everyone here is talking to me at the same time (like they are right now!!!).

(2) I feel refreshed and relaxed after I exercise. I don't have more energy, but only because I am still going to bed way too late.

(3) My clothes are fitting a little better. That helps mentally, too.

Now, what I see I need to change is my weights. I feel like I am not any stronger when I carry things, so I definitely need to up my weights. Hopefully the kettlebell will help in this department . . .

Link below is something I found re: motivation.

How are YOU?

Here is a link that might be useful: 31 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Exercise

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Comments (10)

Annie Deighnaugh
9 years ago
Thanks anele for keeping us on track.

I have been good about exercising everyday...if you count taking down trees, cutting them up and hauling wood exercise which we did both days this weekend....

However, I seem to keep slipping up on the plank and squat business....somehow it's off my radar screen so I just haven't been doing it. I'll set my goal for this week to go back to a committed effort on both of them. I would really love to be able to squat by the end of this cycle.
outsideplaying_gw
9 years ago
I have been forgetting to post. I did my usual higher mileage last weekend and also took a Pilates class last Thursday. That was the first time in a long while I had been to Pilates and I did a lot better than I thought I would. My instructor has a group class on Thursday nights now so I'm excited about that. I missed a run last night - the heat index was out of sight and there was very high pollution so I said no. Plus I got up at 4:30 yesterday morning to be at work for a very early telecon so I was beat when I got home. Oh well...the humidity is supposed to be lower starting tomorrow and I am off tomorrow so I plan to make up for my lack of progress the past few days.
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Ann, I absolutely agree with your stepmother. I am viewing this as an investment in myself, which will help EVERYONE in my family. If I have good health in the long run, which means a positive, peaceful attitude, then we all win. For me, the time is just as much as an obstacle as the money, though. I am often alone with my (young) children for 13+ hours, so for me, at-home exercise will work the best instead of having to worry about childcare . . .if we were closer to a Y, that would be an option, though. I will have to keep researching, though. Maybe there is another place that is easier to get to. I read a study that said a facility needs to be no further than 12 minutes away in order for you to be more likely to go! Ellendi, thank you for the recommendation! I will look that up. Interesting that it's fallen out of favor, but I guess not surprising. I guess there are trends in exercise just like everything else! Tina, yes!! You don't have to be online, anyway, esp. if it cuts into your actual exercise time! sboxx, it's not hijacking at all! I can see how it's tricky to get back into things given your restrictions. Glad you are OK in the stockings! Awm, that sounds great! Does driving 40 minutes to get a lamp count, haha! It was $5 and a Bouillotte style, complete with shade. BUT, I did squeeze my legs while I drove, and believe it or not, I feel it a little today. I spent the rest of the day cleaning while my husband did DIY, which meant Disaster It Yourself. He forced an outlet into a wonky space (old house, weird wiring), and now several of our rooms have no electricity. Sigh. Our GC is coming over this am, thank goodness! Beth, haha about the cursing! I've never heard of a weighted hula hoop. Sounds so interesting . . .going to look that up!
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I had a long message I posted a few days ago . . .apparently it didn't go through! Annie, re: cellulite, I do think carbs/diet is part of the picture, but I also think it's far more complex than just that. And, unfortunately, it's hard as a vegetarian to limit carbs , but of course, avoiding refined carbs is always a good thing. I do always eat them with fats/protein-- always. As I stated in another thread, I had it since when I was 13! I was underweight, even. My mom does not have it (lucky!) but my aunt did, very badly. There are many causes and it's not understood so well. In my case, I think it's a mix of genetics and hormones. I am going to try dry-brushing to help with my circulation (some say it's tied to the lymphatic system); supposed to yield good results. We'll see . . . Joanie, the best thing is that, even though you feel discouraged, you are not quitting. That counts for a LOT. That is when it's the hardest, I am finding . . .so yay you!!! I suggest you throw the scale away. I really do. The scale does not mean anything. You can gain muscle and feel like you are not losing fat! It's very deceptive. You can retain water weight (or lose it)-- and then what? If you really need numbers, measure yourself with a tape measure. The easiest thing, though, is just to see how your clothes fit. I strongly suggest you add weights to your routine. Building muscle is so good for you (bone density!), AND, the more muscle you have, the better your metabolism is. Have you had physical therapy for your back? I wonder, too, how your "core/center" strength is. (See link below.) The trick will be to find a workout that does not further injure or strain your back/neck . . .I agree that perhaps jogging is not so good for your back at this point. Maybe you need something lower impact? In any case, I am really, really hoping you find answers soon because back pain can affect everything. I am so sorry you have to deal with this. :( Legomom, the Fitbit sounds like a great idea! If you want to add the plank and stretch, just plan ahead of time exactly when you'll do them, and you will get it done! Outside, that sounds like a fun trip! Does your DH exercise with you? I worked out with a ballet video that I hadn't used for awhile this am. I am really thinking that (for me), variation is key. Because each DVD is different, they each work the body in a slightly different way, giving more challenge. Even if one is a little easier, if I've put it away for awhile and come back, I get a benefit from it due to the variety. Yay to everyone for sticking with this, even when we don't feel like it! Here is a link that might be useful: Core Myths
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lyfia
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I finally returned to exercising this week after having ankle surgery 3 weeks ago. I'm not doing anything that involves my feet, but the trainer is getting me going pretty good anyways. I missed the feeling I get after exercising and the sense of accomplishment it gives me. Can't wait to get this cast off and actually do something useful.

ÃÂ

I'm not an individual exerciser so what motivates me is having others to work out with - guess I'm more of a team person so to keep it up I need to have others to do things with. I'm generally pretty active on my own as in always doing stuff and moving around which is much harder now and it is driving me bonkers.
kiki_thinking
9 years ago
Have missed two weeks of workouts due to life being complicated.. Starting back tomorrow and I'm fighting the anxiety of how hard crossfit will beafter2weeks away..
Had an epiphany.. I'm not where I want to be physically, but I'm greatly enjoying the feeling of improving. I like weightlifting because I see consistent quantifiable improvement..
Annie Deighnaugh
9 years ago
Thank you kiki...you got me off my duff and I actually lifted weights today...I've been "slacking off" by walking instead. Good exercise, but definitely not the same.
Bethpen
9 years ago
I just got in bed, with a vodka soda and some fritos.

My gym moved and I will try to check it out on Tuesday.

Sometimes the world interferes. That's ok. I'm looking forward to starting
Up again when I can. Taking care of myself feels good, I love getting stronger. Sometimes bologna has to take precedence. Or fritos.
kiki_thinking
9 years ago
Glad it helped, Annie. : )

I was just listing for myself some of the things that have improved since
January,and I decided to list them here:
(I've done a cleanse for 14 days.. Dropped gluten almost completely for 2 months so far, an having a green smoothie for breakfast every day, and I'm exercising daily at the gym, walking or doing crossfit.
1. Although I've actually gained 1.5 lbs, I've dropped 2 pants sizes..
2. My a1c (blood glucose avg) has dropped significantly..
3. Whatever muscular imbalance was causing my feet to pronate-- I has resolved itself. I went to get new tennis shoes and orthotics and was told my foot position was completely normal.
4. I've always has keratosis pilaris (bumpy skin) but after giving up gluten and taking an Epsom salts bath each night for soreness, it has completely gone away.
5. My dental hygienist commented that I had absolutely no plaque on my teeth.
6. I no longer have intestinal bloating or discomfort after dinner.
7. My eye dr has been trying to fit me with bifocal contact lenses.. Difficulty getting a good result.. Turned out that my vision has improved almost a diopter in each eye, so apparantly he was trying to match an evolving prescription. When he found out that I had been on the cusp of being diabetic he said it made sense..
8. I had little commas high on my ribcage, indentations that might have been
Abs, now they are dashes! (I'm still chubby, but I have dashes!! )
9. I'm sleeping better. A whoooole lot better.
1. I have more energy.
Annie Deighnaugh
9 years ago
Simply fabulous, Kiki!
anele_gw
Original Author
9 years ago
Annie, you are so close! You can do it!

Outside, do you have any more organized runs or races coming up? Maybe the weather is not conducive to it now, though?

Lyfia, I am glad to hear you're on the road to recovery! This has to be the worst part, though . . .the waiting! How much longer with the cast? I bet you will be back in no time since you are putting effort into the recovery, which many do not do.

Interesting about the team motivation. I am the opposite! I am not competitive and don't like disappointing others, so I prefer to do it alone.

Kiki, how did your return go? That is quite a list of changes! A huge congrats to finding and sticking to what works. That is really amazing!

Oh, Beth! There isn't a thing wrong with vodka and bologna. My only thing would be not to think of starting/stopping. Think of how you can make permanent changes that you do not want to stop. A real lifestyle change. If that means taking a few weeks off of the gym, then that is OK. Vodka for bed? Fine. But make that be your plan, not a stop.

You have to make this so easy and right for you that it works and you are constantly succeeding (or 90%, as we've been told here). If I had to go to the gym to work out, I would fail. I think it would actually be cheaper for me to go in the long run, but I could not do it because it's too complicated. If I had to use the treadmill, I'd fail. I've tried and it's so boring. Things that work for others would not work for me. It's so individual and personal-- different for everyone.

If I had to work on what I eat, I'd fail. During these weeks, I briefly tried to improve my diet, and you know what? Totally made me eat worse. I have been OK with how I eat for years, and I do not want to mess with that.

What works for me is my set time (morning), easy place (basement), and am making sure I add a lot of challenge and variety to my workouts (love the kettlebell and just got heavier hand weights), it is great. I didn't know that if things got too easy, it actually got BORING. I thought I needed to be perfect to move on, but no.

Thanks, everyone, for commenting. It is really more fun knowing others are in this!
anele_gw
Original Author
9 years ago
I just came across this blog . . .FUNNY!

Here is a link that might be useful: Cranky Fitness

6 Weeks of Fitness, Week 4 (Cycle II)

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Annie Deighnaugh

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6 Weeks of Fitness, Week 4 (Cycle II)

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