I walked quite a bit today, for probably about 4 hours, before I went to my Al-anon meeting. I'm guessing that I walked about 3 or 4 miles, just sorting out things in my mind, kind of wandering, while window shopping, between lots of the downtown area at home.

As far as gym type of work outs, I've actually got a pass to work out at an gym that we have on campus. I go about three times a month, which isn't often, but when I do go, I usually sit in on a group yoga class, then do some additional stretches on my yoga mat. I tried the recumbent bicycle thingy and I didn't last too long. Mostly because I would rather just go for a long walk around town, like I did today, and stop off for treats at a bistro or cafe. :blush:

One thing I plan to work into my exercise rituals is to sign up for swimming yoga..... or is it called water ballet? I love to swim and I hope to add that kind of exercise to my cachet of activities, as soon as the weather improves.

I have been cautious with types of exercise lately because I gave not felt too good lately --- sometimes exercise helps me to deal with stressful life stuff and yet other times it stresses me out more if I exercise too much. I have noticed though that if I make a concentrated effort to breathe deeply while exercising that it helps with lowering my stress levels.

I repeated the scenario from last week. My cat sitter/old college roommate/Hope came by after her pilates class, so thus I got up and got dressed, and we walked for an hour in Central Park. Then she wisely went on her way, while I stayed and got lost in a sleet storm (Well, that part didn't happen last week.). Story of my life!

A good tug-o-war walk with the 100 lb dog.
4 miles rowing.

Finally been back to the treadmill this week. Fourth time today of about 40 minutes. I've been putting it on a healthy incline too! I hope to keep it up now that I've gotten over the barrier of actually starting again!

Off work today so was able to get a nice work-out in: 1 hr 15 min on the stair master,level 3, 565 cal., 182 floors, 2.4 floors per minute. Then 15 minutes of weight lifting and ab/leg exercises.

So what does everyone use or recommend? I used a fitbit for about a week and while it was interesting to see how many steps I took, it just felt like another thing to charge. Maybe I'll go back to it at some point.

I've gone through a love/hate relationship with my fitbit Charge HR(I affectionately call it the fit-bitch or nit-wit). I like tracking the heart rate on my workouts and over time so I can see progress with peak and sustained workout HR. Not sure if that's worth a hill of beans, but I like tracking it. My mom and I have steps challenges and she kicks my butt in steps, but I walk more flights of stairs 10-fold. Overall, it's been a decent motivator for both of us. It also helped me make my sleep patterns more consistent for better energy and mood.

Just my .02. I'd love to hear about other gadgets, too and what folks like most about them.

what does it tell you about your sleep? how does that element work?

I was sooo tired after work but made it into the gym: Stairmaster 45 minutes, level 3, 350 cal, 113 floors, 2.4 floors per minute. Followed by: 15 minutes stretching and light ab/leg exercises on the mat.

4 mile row. And I think I spent half the shivering. I'm considering that exercise. It's flippin' freezing and windy and crazy here!

I think it's based on heart rate decrease and movement, but once I sync it with the app on my phone it shows a graph of what time I go to sleep, restless or awake periods throughout the night, how long I sleep, and when I wake. It's pretty generic information I think.

So based on that info, I've set a "bedtime" routine to be more consistent, and also tried to get in a consistent amount of sleep each night. Sometimes that's easier said than done. But I do notice a difference in my daily energy and mood when I'm more consistent with sleep.

Before this nit-wit I never would have suspected that that would have an impact. :)

The downside - is that when I roll over in bed, if the little light/sensor thingie is not firm on my wrist the darn thing shines in my eye and wakes me up.

I'm gonna be stuck at home today.

So I'll be turning up some loud fast music and going to town on the punching bag.
Will do push-ups too.
And sit ups.

(Undecided what else)

Upper body workout is still off limits, so today will be lower body and some core after PT. It will be a good day.

Has anyone used a Bowflex Treadclimber or Max trainer? I'm debating buying one of them and just not sure which one I want. Thought I'd see if any of you had opinions.

AND consumer reports if you have a membership?