Today I did 1 hr and 15 minutes on the Arc Trainer. I watched/listened to some Miley Cyrus videos (I think I have Wrecking Ball memorized.). I like good girls gone bad even if it only means lasciviously sticking your tongue out, cutting your hair short, and getting sexy with big stuffed animals. I also watched the reality show Shahs of Sunset which I kind of love: a gay guy, Reza, who I've become attached to and curvy dark Semetic women with big asses and fierce personalities.

Then I did 45 minutes of weight lifting, planks, and yoga in silence.

I socialized a bit with the less likable of my locker room girlfriends, Samantha. She's such a complainer. Today she said, "Don't you hate when people leave their stuff all over the floor?" Well, yes, I suppose I do hate it except when it's me.

Today's events
 

Three hours of full court basketball games at the school I work at where some of us get together with the kids on the weekends now and then and come up with some fun physical activity. It was such a great time, moments to remember :)

1 hr Arc Trainer / 30 minutes weight lifting and yoga

I'm getting over a pulled something in my back, so I had to take it all slow and make sure I didn't do anything at all that would further strain my back.

Last night I watched a new episode of Mad Men with headphones while I used the exercycle in my apartment.

That's 55 minutes of alternating intense and less-intense pedaling. I'm drenched when I get off the bike. It's a great workout, a self-customized spin class.

I watch a digital clock and change the pace one or two minutes at a time. That's a great way to maximize the impact to the heart.

Also, I stand on the pedals at times, and since there are foot straps (wide leather ones with fake fur inside!—the bike was my dad's and it's about 50 years old if you can believe that!), I exert effort on the pull-up as well as the push-down motion.

Usually, afterwards I do some stretching, yoga and free weights, but I haven't been getting enough sleep this week and my energy wasn't as good as it usually is, so I skipped it last night.

Since I got back from my last visit to see my dad, who is in the last stages of his illness, and learned I have high cholesterol (a new development), I've really focused on exercise.

I've worked out every day for about two weeks straight. In a week I fly back down to see him again. I'll probably jog while I'm there, maybe go to the local gym if they'll cut me a deal for the week.

Today my mom had another stroke. She's ambulatory, speaking, and making choices that are not in her best interest; refusing to get more care in place for my dad—though the long-term-care policy has been activated and all it would take is a phone call—insisting instead on rushing home tomorrow morning when they release her, to clean up after his night of vomiting, because his organs are shutting down.

I called and tried to strong-arm him over the phone to get someone there himself, and he argued that he didn't need help, then said he'd call me in half an hour and tell me what he'd decided.

He did call, in exactly half an hour, but hadn't gotten through to the agency. I think he was too confused to pull it off. I asked for the number but he wouldn't give it to me.

Anyway I have a ticket to fly out there on Saturday and my sister is probably going out there in the next few days.

And after the phone calls I got on my exercycle and watched the season 4 finale to Mad Men.

Fifty-five minutes of really pushing myself; heart-pounding, sweating cycling.

Then I did a little work with the free weights on a mat in my livingroom, and then I changed out of my sweaty clothes and put on a baby blue Lanz Christmas flannel night gown, and now I'm having a mug of hot chocolate and watching a movie.

Ginger, really sad to hear of all the stress with your parents. I keep thinking how that bike was your dad's and how I hope it's meaningful to have that connection.

Today I did two hours on the Arc Trainer (level 10, strength program) and then an hour of weight lifting and yoga. I still have a pulled muscle in my back, so I have to pick only exercises that heal and strengthen and none that aggravate. I miss my routine but at the same time it's getting me to try out new things, to leave my comfort zone. There's a regular at the gym in a wheelchair and with one leg only, and he's an inspiration in that there is always a way to enjoy and benefit from movement.

*huff
 

I wen't outside to enjoy the 70* day,then played some basket ball for an hour ,when I finely caught my breath I got a few tennis balls to play pitch with the fur kids.I promiss it gave me more exersise with all the running,throwing the ball not to mention the bending over a lot of time to get the ball.
I am back on the Adkins plan and have lost 2 1/2 pounds last week.I talked to a nutritionist then she said for me to get as high as 150 carbs a day,that's about right for three meals plus a snack,but I am keeping it at 62 to 75 carbs a day max so that is working for me just fine.Also I picked up a couple of boxes of the Adkins candy bars to snack on if I wan't something sweet,on the box it says 2net carbs on the front but on the back it says 18 carbs per bar...confusing... whatever the plan is working.I tried the zero plan but I just need more than a zero carb plan as I didn't feel well.

Thanks for noticing that, nycfem. It's true, the bike is part of the legacy he's leaving me, and I think of him every time I use it.

Right now my priority is staying healthy, rested and sober. I had signed up for a Meetup for tomorrow night but I'm canceling because I want to stick with a few trusted old friends. New people feel like to much to handle now.

Working out every day is already making me more toned and stronger. I feel like I'm preparing for battle but really I'm getting through a battle. I tell myself I'm trying to be strong enough to care for the people who need me now but really I'm working out a lot because I'm afraid of being weak, myself, with no one to take care of me. This is all making me kind of scared.

I prefer to do my cardio like this too. I ordered the Hip Hop Abs and have yet to get it started! I think this week is looking good for that! How do you like your videos? I'll be starting this workout real soon after I research to combine it with some other workouts that include mountain climbers, planks, abs, push-ups, and a diet that is mostly protein, fresh fruits and veggies. That is what my exercise experience is gonna be this year. I'll also be doing stairs/steps and running preferably outside but some treadmill and fitness bike also.

I love my ipod when I'm working out in the gym and running. I like motivation type music like Eminem's Lose yourself, Kanye's Stronger, and personal type music for reflection like Phil Collins, Michael Buble, and Rock and Punk Rock for the fast beat. When I'm doing abs or planks I usually don't listen to anything.

I'm in back Yoga every Monday and love it. Every Tuesday I'm back in beginner Tai Chi cuz it's been a while.

How are you enjoying the Tai Chi?

Today I took a personal day from work because my childhood friend Lisa from Ohio is visiting this weekend for her work, so I wanted to spend the day with her.

I suggested we go to the gym. She knows I'm somewhat (cough, cough) rigid or quirky in my interests, since we've been friends since kindergarten. She said that she'd take a class. She's flexible like that. She then said, "But then we should go get manicures." I said, "Can I stay at the gym while you get a manicure?" She rolled her eyes, and said, "Whatever."

I only have a few precious free guest passes, so she generously offered to sneak in to the gym, and it worked. She went off to take her class, and I did my Arc Trainer for an hour (Level 10, Strength Program), then 30 minutes of the Stair Master, and an hour of weight lifting and yoga. It was so much more relaxing than going to work.

Then I called her on my cell phone to see where she was at the gym, and she said, "I'm in the dress section at Century 21. Meet me there. Now it's payback time, and you have to come in the dressing room and watch me try on clothes." I think our friendship works because she doesn't get resentful of me. She gets even. I didn't dare disobey her orders.

Tomorrow morning we are going to play basketball with the students from my school.

Well...I'm used to a combination of seated Chi Kung or Qigong. We would sit on the floor on our exercise mats for an hour and do seated moves, breathing and meditation. Then the next hour we'd work on the moves..which I think were short form.

I'm in long form and it's heavily focused on the 108(?) moves. We stand the entire time (2 hours) which is hard on me.

Comparing the two types is like comparing an apple to an orange. What I like about any Tai Chi is the mental release/relaxation I gain from just focusing in on one thing intensely.

The Yoga I'm in to strengthen my back is new to me. I've only had water Yoga before. It's been a delightful surprise.

Buttah

This isn't working...new plan!
 

I give up. This new job and everything else is making it too difficult to continue to be able to do the 3-hr workouts. I've tried and tried and it's just too nuts. Have to adjust. Going to try splitting things up and see how it goes.

The Mayo CLinic recommends 150 aerobic or 75 intense aerobic, and two sessions of strength training a week. Which makes like 30 minutes of exercise a day.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/exercise/e...s/faq-20057916

I don't know if people consider them a good source or what your fitness goals are, but I think if you check around, three hours a day is way over what most sources recommend.

It's so fun to exercise, and feels so good, I wish we all could do three hours a day. I wish I could too. I understand your frustration.

My fiance Sharon gave me a Fitbit 1 for Christmas. I have been
using it to track my activity apart from my regular exercise.
So, I average 6,000 to 8,000 steps a day, and to my surprise,
I average walking UP 15 to 20 flights of stairs a day! Oh, but
this is while I am working and not on the weekends.
I can also see that I definitely do not sleep enough and I don't
drink enough water.