Talk about your exercise experience today

[BullDog]

Weight lifting went well today. I was able to go up in weight on several lifts, so I was happy about that.

[little_ms_sunshyne]

I joined a gym in January but have used it a total of 3 times! I am finding that I would much rather go hiking or jogging out in a natural setting, but know I probably need to do some strength training. Aargh! Ready for today and am enjoying reading this thread!

[Medusa]

The other night I did 90 minutes on the treadmill. This is a major accomplishment for me because 20 minutes used to be difficult for me. My knees didn't act us nearly as bad and the only real aches I had were hip pain.

I have also built up to 20 deep squats at a time. That's also HUGE for me because as a person with a lot of weight I really feel it!!

Today will be cleaning house and hitting the treadmill later this afternoon.

Plus, with it being Spring, I'm feeling the gorgeous weather and enjoying the fresh air

[Gemme]

Good morning and happy Easter, exercisers.

I had a good workout and then an okay workout and then some stretching interrupted by a WTF moment. It could have been worse.

Elliptical #21, random program, level 5
320 cal, 2.63 mi, 35:00 min

Recumbent bike #4, random program, level 5
144 cal, 5.05 mi, 25:00 min

Things were fine with the elliptical but a couple of minutes after I got on the bike, it started to skip now and then. For those that haven't been on a bike when it does this, it basically loses its gear and the resistance hits zero LIKETHIS and then it catches again and gets back and on track then, a few minutes later it does it again. It skipped about 4-5 times during my workout. When I was almost done, one of the gym attendants came over and asked if I wanted her to fix it. I hate to jump from machine to machine if I don't have to so I told her I was almost done and I'd come get her when I got off of it.

I'm glad she came over but I can't stand someone wanting me to get off of a machine. If I wanted off, I'd get off. It didn't save me anything as I was going to let them know after my workout anyway and I still had to go get her when I was done. But at least the next person wouldn't have to deal with the issue, so that's good.

The stretching was fine until the lady that was on the stretching contraption (don't know the name for it but it looks like a giant pitcher's mask blown up and out of proportion and it's great for being able to do stretches to hit all of your major muscle groups) decides she wants to hunker down next to me. First, she picks up a mat and slams it down on the ground so there's a big waft of air (not a horrible thing) and bits of dirt (not a good thing) that come flying over to me. That annoyed me but I opted to ignore her.

Then she decides to try to start a conversation with me. I am not rude but I am not friendly either. My answers are succinct. I've never seen her before and she's starting up a conversation like we're at a bar....the length of time I've been coming there, how my body has or has not changed since I started working out, etc. It just felt weird to me. She wasn't even dressed for the gym. She had on painter's pants and a short sleeved button down shirt.

She let things go for a minute and we both continued with our stretching. I decided if she tried to make conversation again, I'd be more open. What the Hell. It's Easter. Maybe she's lonely, right? Maybe she's new to the area. Whatever. So she does and I'm nicer but it still feels weird. Spidey senses do not lie so I didn't push the friendly thing and eventually she picked up and left. She didn't wipe down her mat either. Two gym demerits for her!

Actually I saw a lot of people forget their manners and gym etiquette this morning. They must have been consumed with what they were going to eat later or maybe just how much they spent on green crinkly grass and candy.



All in all, not a bad day. My wrist is sore. I tweaked it at work yesterday so I'm babying it a little bit but that's all I have going on right now.

[SmoothButch]

I ran five miles outside.

[nycfem]

Well... after my last exercise at the gym where I thought I mastered the treadmill's ability to injure my back by taking it slower at a much lower incline, wouldn't you know that night my back went into total pain! As BB said, "How many times is it going to take you to learn?"

Today I did the stair master for an hour and then took an hour and 45 minute walk with my brother and his husband from Manhattan to Brooklyn, crossing over the Williamsburg bridge. It was a great walk. The weather was beautiful and we walked through such colorful neighborhoods.

Hoping I sleep normal tonight (no back pain).

[Gemme]

I'll tell you....I hated it.....HATED IT....when my physical therapist said to avoid the treadmill at all cost. I still sometimes get pangs of longing when I go into the gym because that was/is my favorite piece of equipment to use.

BUT

The woman has a doctorate. She knows far more than I regarding this so I headed her advice and I felt a significant difference after I stopped. It's hard to use proper form on it.

BUT

I miss it.

[nycfem]

Thanks, Gemme. I didn't have any back pain last night while I slept which is when it would hit me after the treadmill (when I'm still), so, yeah, I must stay away!

Originally Posted by Gemme

I'll tell you....I hated it.....HATED IT....when my physical therapist said to avoid the treadmill at all cost. I still sometimes get pangs of longing when I go into the gym because that was/is my favorite piece of equipment to use.

BUT

The woman has a doctorate. She knows far more than I regarding this so I headed her advice and I felt a significant difference after I stopped. It's hard to use proper form on it.

BUT

I miss it.

[BullDog]

One of my fitness goals is to lose around 2 pounds per week. I have been keeping track for 4 weeks now and according to the scale I have lost 8 pounds exactly. I'm right on track.

[Cailin]

due to school stress (yay education!) I had stepped away from the gym for a while but finally got up this morning and started up again. Slow, of course.

10 minute warm up, a 10 minute plod jog with 10 minute medium paced walking and then the leg machines. I am going to be feeling this tomorrow.



btw, NY times ran a study in their paper on the effects of jogging that's really interesting . slow versus running

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/0...ut-ahead/?_r=0

[Gemme]

I got a quickie in tonight.

Elliptical 20, random program, level 5
Stats: 280 cal, 2.51 mi, 30:00 min

I followed it up with some good stretching.

The gym was crowded tonight, as it tends to be. It'll peter out as the week progresses until there's practically no one on Friday night.

[nycfem]

My back is continuing to do really good. I stayed away from the treadmill. I also wonder if my back is better because I'm getting sleep and not wearing my backpack that I wear to school. Don't get me wrong, I'm still staying away from the treadmill, but my back is so good right now that I'm wondering if it's not only the treadmill but a combination of things. Figuring out pain and keeping it at bay is always half the battle with exercise!

Today I did an hour on the Stair Master. I've been doing a "bell curve" program that starts low, goes up and levels off real high, and then gradually goes back down. Psychologically it's a program that works well for me.

[Gemme]

I agree that it's probably a fairly intricate equation as to finding out exactly what does what. Our bodies are so complex and connect this bit way up here with this bit way down there.....I raised my arm over my head while driving and I felt it on the side of my thigh. Connected!

Somewhat related...I was concerned early this morning. I woke up to some of the same pain I had when I was in (and the reason for) physical therapy. Sharp and biting pain and irritation in my hip and thigh. I thought 'here I go again' but then I remembered how much manual labor I did yesterday and how much kneeling and bending and crouching. I hoped it would lessen over the course of the day. I did some PT exercises before work to remind my body that I was trying at least.

Thankfully a day of being stuck inside while it rained feels like it paid off. My hip and thigh are much better now. We'll see how I feel when I wake tomorrow. It's always been the absolute worst first thing in the morning.

[nycfem]

Today I did an hour on the stair master (loving that bell curve program) and then an hour of weight lifting, abs, leg exercises, yoga, and stretching.

My back is in better shape than ever. Hope it stays that way when I go back to work on Monday!

[Cailin]

20 minutes on the treadmill, and today was arms day. so about 40-50 minutes doing weights

12 reps, 3 sets each.

[SmoothButch]

Today I ran three miles in 30 mins, 20 seconds. A new personal record. The last two miles were both under ten minutes each.

[nycfem]

I'm still making the most of my spring break time. Today: 1 hour stair master, then 1 hour of leg exercises, back exercises, weight lifting and stretching.

My back got a slight kink in it while on the stair master. Sigh. Don't think it will go into a "tread mill" state (my back, I mean). I usually have no problems on the stair master but I think I was just doing too high a level than I should have been and compensating with lazy form. It's so easy to pull something!

[Gemme]

So true!

I got in an early morning workout today.

E21, random program, level 5
Stats: 231 cal, 2.04 mi, 25:00 min

I stretched afterward for about 8-10 minutes.

[nycfem]

I woke up with no back pain. That's a start . I wish it was nice weather today so I could go walking but it's just not! I think I'll either take a rest day or go to the gym and if I feel the slightest twinge of back pain I will switch activities or call it a day! There is such an impulse to tune out the body's messages but that sure doesn't pay in the long run!

[Gemme]

I am officially off for the next two days and I can't sweat at all.

Not. one. drop.

I may not have planned this well.

Looks like I will have a boatload of stretching in my very near future.