I swam laps for an hour, then soaked in the hot tub like a steamed Brussels sprout. Could it be I'm starting to crave exercise every day??

I have to miss my sprint intervals tonight-parenting duties call. But I'll put in extra rowing time this afternoon and a walk with the 100 lb dog for an extra arm workout.

Did a circuit at the gym: it's a minute of stepping up and down on a platform, followed by a minute of reps on a series of 10 machines. The entire workout takes 30 minutes (with rest stops in between steps and machines). Then I did my Activetrax workout: this is a daily customized workout with dumbbells, machines and mat work. I also tried the stairstepper, which was a massive FAIL.
I think I am going to work up to a 20 minute mile on the treadmill first before trying that machine again.

I'm trying to get into the pattern of swimming three times a week, and on the other days doing circuit and Activetrax, or a class. On Sundays I plan to take the day off or just play in the pool with the kids.

Just the usual again tonight.

I'm starting to recognize people at my gym, which feels good. The staff knows me, and there is one boy in particular with curly hair that I always say Hi to when I come in.

I've never been to a gym where people were as encouraging to each other as in this one. The men hang out in little groups and so do the women—I've never seen that in a gym before.

A lot of the men are very developed in their upper bodies, and very tattooed. They do a lot of stuff on the mats, old-school pushups and other configurations that look self-taught.

When I smile at the women, they smile back, and lately, they've started initiating interaction with me, which I like. I'm white, and I'm alone, which kind of makes me stand out, but now that I've been going there a few months, I'm starting to feel like I blend in and belong.

I used to be more shy there but now I'm not afraid to say, "Are you gonna do another set?" (in a nice way), when some young guy has been sitting there a long time messing with his phone. And they're always extremely respectful. When I'm waiting for one of them to get off a machine, if he was really trying I sometimes say, "Good work!" like a teacher, and they beam.

The older women are sort of that way with me, which is nice. They sometimes comment on the amount of weight I use, in a complimenting way. Sometimes I will join in with another woman to encourage someone else to use more weight.

I'm older, but among the most fit of the women, and I'm naturally competitive and always feel proud when I get on a machine and move the weight up to my level. On the other hand when I get on a machine after one of the men (most of them are really good about spritzing and wiping down the machine and I always reinforce it with a Thank you!), I sometimes comment with admiration on the unfuckingbelievable amount of weight they use.

I'm getting stronger, and I like how my heart pounds on each machine. Tonight I did an extra machine—so that was 14 machines, three sets of 15 reps on each one.

Walked home from work. Brooklyn to NYC. It took over three hours. I love walking home and not being on the subway for an hour. The one negative is the traffic and pollution at certain points. But that is life. The best part is when I walk uptown by the water right after coming off the Brooklyn Bridge. Wow, the sun shining, sailboats, the breeze, heavenly...

It finally cooled off enought to get in my five mile run... cleared my head... refocused... Then I walked in the door to my little puggies...running back and forth to thier leashes and just had to take them for a walk...:)

i lifted my coffee cup from the desk to my mouth several times before walking across the room for a refil

Moving comfortably back in the swing....

45 minutes eliptical, always at hilly, high intensity. Upper body probably same amount of time. The typical planks and core work out, too.

I love the fact that the gym is pretty empty and the fact that I am doing this along with two coworkers/friends. We have a good time.

I hiked my ass off today! I even got some uphill hiking in. Felt great to really expand my lungs and feel them work...now I really have to compensate with some upper body and core stuff at the gym... :)

I did about an hour total of cardio, 30 on the elliptical and 30 on the treadmill with a heavy incline...it's hiking season! This amounted to nearly 5 miles....

Then did a circuit of mostly arms, and back, but also did calves and the abductor/adductor and some core...which I need to find something interesting to do for, since I'm not a lay down and do crunches type... :| I heard Zumba is good for abs...we shall see...

NOW

I'm gonna go do some work in the veggie garden.....that's gotta count for something...lol

My doc will only allow me to walk so my daily regimen is just that. BUT i can walk. I walk on average about 5 miles a day. When I get angry I walk. I walked 20 miles total last Tues. (very bad day) This place I live has steep hills tooI walked for hunger 20 miles 2 weeeks ago. I am ouch .I am walking tomorrow for the homeless. I will be starting swiming soon. My doc will be releasing me for that I have to have lower back fusion surgery which iam trying to do EVERYTHNG in my power not to have. But I have always loved high diving since I was younger. I want to do that too. And I still want to skydrive. sooo bad I can taste it. lol I have lost a total of 60 pds and where fat once was there is now muscle. I still am not where i want to be. I am 5'7 was 260 now iam 200 and still at full throttle ahead. o.

Great time at the gym today. 1 Hour on the Arc Trainer next to Jill (the gym obsessive who looks like she stepped out of a Nike ad) watching old episodes of Amy Sedaris' short-lived sit-come, Strangers With Candy. I wasn't crazy about the movie Strangers Wtih Candy but the shows are hitting my subversive sweet spot. It's about a 46-year-old woman who is back in high school. Amy Sedaris, of course, is the sister of the famous, gay author, David Sedaris, who I also love (He has a new book out!).

I said hi to Jill and she gave me a tiny "hi" with a tiny "smile." She was wearing perfume which is not my favorite thing to be next to, given that perfume sweats itself off the skin at the gym (Ewww!). I fantasized about telling her "No more perfume, Jill!" but I knew then that would put our relationship right in the toilet so I sucked it up, literally.

After the Arc Trainer, I did weight lifting, yoga, abs, and stretching for an hour. Jill switched to the stair master. Then, as I got up from the mat to leave, I noticed Jill had left. I walked to the real stairs to go home, and what-do-you-know, I saw Jill had actually switched back to the Arc Trainer and was still going full force! On a Saturday night.

Got a quick workout in at the gym early this morning...did about 20 minutes on the bike and 10 on the rowing machine (which I love as much for the stretch as the work out)

Then did some arm and back work...my shoulder is a bit achy so I took it easy on the weights for the day...

I did about 20 minutes on the eliptical...did some weights for about 30 minutes or so and then another 20 minutes on the treadmill with a 7 percent incline...

Then came home and worked in the garden for about 3 hours...I don't know if that counts as a workout but I was sure sweatin' and working...lol

What kind of skating do you do?

I have been lifting 2-3 times a week. (I'm a weight slut)
I bought a rowing machine on craigslist for $25 and I
have been trying it out and getting the hang of it.
I notice in my life that I love to set and meet goals.
I think I set my weight loss/ health goals too high,
and I sometimes get frustrated...
Progress keeps me motivated!

I roll it old school! ;) Quadskates!
I'm much more comfortable with them than inline skating.
Apparently, rollerskating is THE most UNcool thing I can do, according to my 19 year old son. "Blading" is much cooler!

These are my fabulous skates:

http://www.rollergirl.ca/skateshop/i...e-pink-500.jpg

http://www.planetonwheels.com/store/...l#.UZz90KVKpcQ

Off for a walk now, before the rain comes :)

After nearly tow months of dealing with some long lasting back and shoulder pain I got my injection yesterday,today I am doing more that I have a while,most of cleaning my house better than I could lately but not doing any heave work for another fue days just to becareful with the injection so it will go where its suposed to.Tomorrow will be better than today,so I hope to be back to the exersise grindstone in a couple of days.

Nah, you're cool. I have a friend who goes once a week for the exercise. She has been skating with the same group of people for over 20 years.

...approx twenty minute walk to the local drugstore--only to realize at the counter that I left my wallet in another bag.

...was a lovely twenty minute walk back home without my coffee :blink:

Today I did five miles on the stationary bike to warm up, about 20 minutes on weights and then 30 minutes on the treadmill...got her up to a 10% incline.. I'm not sure how high it goes..come to think of it...lol

This must be one of the saddest stories I have ever heard... :(

Over an hour of cardio today and the usual weight lifting. The usual dog walk in the evening, as well.

Exercise today was totally thwarted by responsibilities. I got about 15 minutes in before I had to be working/schooling the kiddo/working/driving the kid to dance class. Tomorrow I'll get more time in then weekend off, have early morning bike ride scheduled for Monday morning. Taking my training friend out for a super hilly but short (20 mile) ride. This weekend calls for rain rain rain rain rain. With heavy winds. Won't be riding.

Maybe you need to tell your 19 year old son that the Roller Derby girls all go four wheeling. And that's about as cool as it gets.

Got up and ran about 3 miles. First mile was stiff and uncomfortable . Then when I started to get a good sweat going I got my second wind and I really wanted to run longer but I knew it would make me late for work.

Today I did 20 minutes on the eliptical...it's getting easier now and I find it less challenging.... :(

Then did a more challenging circuit with the weights...a LOT of back, shoulder, bis and tris...some calve and thighs for good measure...I'm SO feeling my back muscles now! It's making me stand up straighter which is a plus..

Then did 15 minutes on the treadmill...got that baby up to an 18.5 incline! That's what I needed! I am now in LOVE with this machine....it makes all the right things hurt in a good way...and I feel afterward like I do after a wicked good hike, so I KNOW it is going to be excellent for training :)

I so meant to remember the name of it so I could find out how much those bad boys cost. One of those in the living room and I'd never need the gym again! Except that I really do love the muscle machines...and the sauna...and hot tub..oh and my polka lady...ok nevermind...

I was on the elliptical for 50 minutes watching bits from the Real Housewives of NJ, Dr. Oz, and Judge Judy. Thank the Goddess for TV at 4pm on a weekday! I hear NYC school days may be extended for next year. I live in fear of the possibility of having to give up this good TV slot, where I have a lot of choices. And I know this all sounds a bit pathetic, but it's the little things in life that sometimes make life more pleasant. I hate watching the news at 5. No thanks. I'll take the trash please, and plenty of it.

Jill has not been at the gym the past two times I've been there. WTF?! There was one regular there today, the petite Asian, muscular, always serious looking, independent woman. She wears all black and has a long black braid and always wears weight lifting gloves. She does a routine quite similar to mine. She goes on the elliptical and then does a routine on the mats as well as weight lifting. She was lifting two free weights of different weights. I asked her why (I would never do that!), and she said the matching weight was missing. Ohhh... She always has that problem solving chip in her brain that I am missing. Then she said, matter-of-fact, "It's better than nothing." I like that she doesn't giggle when she talks to me. She's smile-free, but without any negativity either. She exudes an energy that's private. There's something about a woman who doesn't giggle that earns my respect. I'm a giggler. No doubt about it. :D

Got a great 10km walk in yesterday-- today was spent gardening, which has left me feeling MUCH more tired and achy than a walk or skate! Lugging landscaping rocks, weeding, planting...plus a good walk into the forest to transplant more ferns and I scored some awesome moss for the 'riverbed' of our little gully.

Tomorrow is a skate day!

P.S. Easygoing femme!
This is me at Derby practice! :)
I'm the tall blonde

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n..._6708815_n.jpg

Yesterday I was good, did over an hour of cardio.

Today I dodged the weights (when I should have done them), and only did an hour of cardio.

I don't really have anyone interesting at my gym like nycfembbw does.

I did see an old school bull dyke there yesterday. I wanted to thank her for paving the way (she was in her late 60's or early 70's), but when I smiled at her, she just looked at me. Like I said, old school bull dyke. Awesome! :D Does anyone ever think about that when they see the stereotypical older "bull dyke"? What those women went through that we now reap the rewards of?

I have this wave of respect and appreciation well up in me at those moments.

(how the hell did I get from exercise to a speech on lesbian history and the strong women who paved the way for us? I may not define as a "woman", but they certainly paved my way, as well)