Oh What A Difference A Day Makes

When it comes to exercise lately, I’ve been a bit spotty. Last week was a big fail in that area. I only exercised once, on Monday. And I skipped this Monday too. If it gets to a certain point of the day, I just don’t feel like working out anymore. I always start the day with good intentions though. I get dressed in my workout gear and then I dilly dally around, and before you know it, it just feels too late for me.

I don’t really like doing cardio on an empty stomach. So, my plan is always to get my strength training done before I eat breakfast, then have my daily cereal, then get in my elliptical workout. Last week, I did this, that or the other thing, and before I knew it, it was 10:30 in the morning, and I knew my endurance wouldn’t hold out for my elliptical workout. So, I then told myself to get it in after I eat lunch. By that point, I just don’t feel like it.

Yesterday was one of those days. I fiddled around doing random things, and before I knew it, it was time for lunch. I had my lunch, and then felt guilty for not exercising. My husband had a short day, and he pretty much kicked my butt into gear. He told me to suck it up and do my mile. I did. It was about 1:00 PM, but I did 40 minutes. Got in about 1.1 miles and could have kept going. I could have probably pushed myself to get in a full hour, but decided I better not.

Good thing too. My legs felt just fine this morning. When I got on my elliptical, I was about 18 minutes in and felt like I was going to die. I managed to get my mile in (or pretty close to it, as I took the batteries out of my display screen), but I took multiple breaks. I also switched shoes for the last 7 minutes.

That was the longest mile ever. It seemed like it would never be over. But I pushed through and got it done. I’m stiff now, and every time I stand up I groan. I need to stretch, and see how I feel tomorrow.

My Five Finger exercise progress is going well. I upped my time with them from 5 minutes to 7 and things still seem to be OK. I’ll stay with the 7-minute plan for a few weeks and then up it to 10 minutes.

It’s all about consistency. I’ve not been consistent at all with my working out lately. I need to remind myself, it doesn’t matter how late in the day it gets…do it anyway. I always feel a lot better after I get in my mile. Yes, morning is best for me, but it won’t kill me to get it in later in the day.

Mileage update

I’m closing in fast on the 300 mile mark of the virtual walk. That snuck up on me. Here are the last several pictures from the site.

Mile 287.8                                                                             Mile 288.8

                 

Mile 289.9                                                                             Mile 291

                 

Mile 292                                                                                 Mile 293

                   

 

(photo credit - Copyright 2006 Lawrence Berkeley Lab)

Do you ever procrastinate your workout routines? Do you take the off if it “gets too late”, or do you suck it up and get it done anyway?

Afternoon Mile

I normally like to get my exercise done in the morning. Lately, I’ve been slacking off big time in the exercise department. I keep coming up with excuses not to “git ‘er done”. No more excuses I say. My lack of posting on the blog this time is due to my lack of exercising.

Part of my lack of motivation has been a severe lack of balance. That led to my confidence dropping, and my mood followed. Seems like my back was partly to blame, mainly my hips. My back was way out of alignment, making it even more difficult for my legs to move. My left leg would go forward, and then sort of hitch and get stuck. It didn’t want to move past a certain point. It would move, but I felt like I’d fall if it went any further. Walking was a pain in the butt and I came close to falling more than once when I went anywhere.

Long story short, I had some issues getting around the house. Issues that didn’t used to affect me. Getting into the shower was probably the scariest issue. But I adapted and did it “my way”.  My confidence was shot, and I thought to myself “shoes always help,” so I put on my pool shoes and bingo, that did the trick. Got in the shower with little issues.

My confidence is coming back slowly. I’m still using the pool shoes, but I’m about ready to stop that. I haven’t used my walker for a good long time, probably for almost two months. That’s going to change soon too. My hips and lower back seem to be back in place, and that’s helped a lot.

Today, I debated whether or not to exercise. Finally, around 1:30 or 2:00 in the afternoon, I decided to get with it. I put on my workout gear, and busted out my 1.1 mile in 40 minutes. I took a few breaks, but all in all my endurance was great. I even saw 61 rpm at one point. I’m normally at a speed of 55 to 56 in the beginning, and slow down to 52 or 53 near the end.

Still making my way through Virginia. Here’s the photo for my mile today on the virtual walk site.

Mile 235.4



 

Copyright 2006 Lawrence Berkeley Lab

No more excuses. Keep my butt in gear and stay moving. It doesn’t matter if I have a bad day, bad week, bad month, or longer. There’s no excuse for not moving. Unless of course there’s pain involved. But if there’s no pain, I need to move my behind.