After a fun--but exhausting--three nights away, my family and I returned home last night. Now I'm working on readjusting to the night schedule so I can resume working tonight. With only seven weeks left on this shift, I don't want to complain too much, but I would be ever so grateful to have just one more night off.
I ended up not making my cardio routine on Thursday last week, which was something of a bummer, but getting the packing finished and the car loaded took more time than I thought it was going to. This week, though, I don't anticipate any trouble maintaining my fitness regimen.
I was back at it today with my strength training session. With the exception of one or two movements, I upped the weight from 7.5 to 10 pounds. It doesn't seem all that significant when looking at the numbers themselves, but I can definitely feel a difference--and a good one at that. While watching the mirror for a few exercises, I could also see a bit of difference. It's nothing major just yet, but it is encouraging to see that healthy changes are taking place.
Since there are still a few hours left in the day (depending on where you are), why not do a little exercising yourself if you haven't already? Your body will thank you for it!
Monday, April 29, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Always improving, no matter how small the increments...
I see I forgot to put up a post yesterday. I did, in face, get my cardio workout in last night after I got up. And tonight I squeezed in my strength training session. If at all possible, I will get my cardio workout in tomorrow right after I get home, before my family takes a little trip.
Things are improving in the realm of fitness. The routines are getting a little easier, and next week I feel I will be ready to increase the weight a little bit (probably from 7.5 pounds up to 10 on most exercises). It's a fun feeling!
Well, that's going to have to be it from me for tonight. I'm behind schedule and have to leave for work in an hour. Happy fitness everyone!
Things are improving in the realm of fitness. The routines are getting a little easier, and next week I feel I will be ready to increase the weight a little bit (probably from 7.5 pounds up to 10 on most exercises). It's a fun feeling!
Well, that's going to have to be it from me for tonight. I'm behind schedule and have to leave for work in an hour. Happy fitness everyone!
Monday, April 22, 2013
Can you feel it? Can you FEEL it?
It's been a great Monday, and I only see it getting better!
If you did't already know, I am a published author (well, co-author at this point; for more details, see my main site, www.jwexperience.com). This morning I found a quiet spot at work and sat down for an hour after my shift to write. I didn't write a lot, but the fact that I did it was something in itself.
At home, I did my strength training workout, even though I could have claimed being tired and skipped it. But having stuck with it, I'm quite glad I did. My fitness gains probably aren't very impressive, especially after only five total sessions with Power 90, but it's a start, and that's important.
I noticed today that I was able to crack out a few more push-ups than last time and that the weight I was lifting seemed a bit light for several of the routines. I'm not planning to increase my weight this week, but I can tell the time is approaching.
I've also noticed a small increase in my flexibility. That is something I feel is worth some hype. I am by no means as flexible in the legs and back as I was after finishing physical therapy last year, but I can tell I'm moving in the right direction. In a few weeks, I might even be back to touching my toes.
Random questions for today: What hobbies do you enjoy? How do you make time for them?
If you did't already know, I am a published author (well, co-author at this point; for more details, see my main site, www.jwexperience.com). This morning I found a quiet spot at work and sat down for an hour after my shift to write. I didn't write a lot, but the fact that I did it was something in itself.
At home, I did my strength training workout, even though I could have claimed being tired and skipped it. But having stuck with it, I'm quite glad I did. My fitness gains probably aren't very impressive, especially after only five total sessions with Power 90, but it's a start, and that's important.
I noticed today that I was able to crack out a few more push-ups than last time and that the weight I was lifting seemed a bit light for several of the routines. I'm not planning to increase my weight this week, but I can tell the time is approaching.
I've also noticed a small increase in my flexibility. That is something I feel is worth some hype. I am by no means as flexible in the legs and back as I was after finishing physical therapy last year, but I can tell I'm moving in the right direction. In a few weeks, I might even be back to touching my toes.
Random questions for today: What hobbies do you enjoy? How do you make time for them?
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Didn't think I'd make it...
Being on the night shift and having to work until 8 AM on Sunday mornings, it is difficult to get in a workout before the morning service at church. However, with a very tired wife and son, we opted to attend the evening service instead and I went to bed rather than doing my exercises. That was kind of a gamble since I knew I wouldn't necessarily feel like being active once we got home.
But yay for me! I sucked it up and went through the cardio routine. It went much better than the first time through last week, which was encouraging. Abs are still rough, but that'll just take time and diligence.
I do feel better having done my workout (as is almost always the case), but I'm still tired and there's not a lot of time left for a nap before going to work tonight. It will be interesting to see how my morning workout goes because I plan to do my strength training exercises after I get home from work. Guess you'll just have to wait until my next post to find out.
But yay for me! I sucked it up and went through the cardio routine. It went much better than the first time through last week, which was encouraging. Abs are still rough, but that'll just take time and diligence.
I do feel better having done my workout (as is almost always the case), but I'm still tired and there's not a lot of time left for a nap before going to work tonight. It will be interesting to see how my morning workout goes because I plan to do my strength training exercises after I get home from work. Guess you'll just have to wait until my next post to find out.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Slow starts are better than no starts...
It's been a few days since I exercised last, so today's workout was both invigorating and challenging. I have to admit that discipline on the days I don't work is lacking, and unfortunately not even my wife is always able to convince me to get moving.
Since I've got a bit of a goofy schedule going on, I decided to start my six-day cycle of Power 90 today rather than Monday, which would be my normal start day. Tomorrow will be a challenge because of church, but I should be able to fit my workout in. And if I keep to my schedule, a workout Thursday morning before hitting the road with my family to visit friends in Springfield, MO, will be just the thing I need.
Today's workout, then, was the strength training session for Power 90. It's a lot of fun to finish up the workout and have muscles that are still quite full from being used. My triceps in particular feel very solid.
And with that checked off my list for today, I should try to do a little writing before going to bed. Good luck in all of your exercise endeavors today!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Getting my sweat on!
Today was the Sweat 1-2 and Ab Ripper 100 sessions. I'm definitely not used to moving like this, but it was a lot of fun. The most frustrating aspect of this workout is that I get a lot of tension in the balls of my feet that makes some of the exercises early on less enjoyable. There's something about the yoga positions at the beginning that seems to stress my feet, so I might need to take a break between the yoga segment and the remainder of the workout.
The ab routine is a huge weak spot for me, too. It's supposed to be 10 repetitions each in 10 different moves, but I can only make it through the first 3 or 4 moves before my midsection decides it hates me. I look forward to building up to the entire set.
Even after just two days, I already feel better, despite the sore muscles that haven't been used in a while. It should be a productive few months coming up!
The ab routine is a huge weak spot for me, too. It's supposed to be 10 repetitions each in 10 different moves, but I can only make it through the first 3 or 4 moves before my midsection decides it hates me. I look forward to building up to the entire set.
Even after just two days, I already feel better, despite the sore muscles that haven't been used in a while. It should be a productive few months coming up!
Monday, April 15, 2013
A change in focus...
Hello faithful readers!
Well, I decided that I needed to make a change in my approach to my exercise plans. As much as I am looking forward to not only completing the C25K program (as well as the Gateway to 8K and Freeway to 10K programs), what I need at this point in time is an overall fitness routine that will help me strengthen my core and low back, tone the rest of my muscles, and shed pounds and inches from my waist. With that in mind, I've decided to embark on the Power 90 program from Beachbody. I've had this program for a while and used it for a month or so shortly after getting married in 2010, and while I started seeing results in that short period of time, I allowed work and other things to distract me from keeping up with it.
Don't worry, I plan to return to running at some point, though that will probably be at least a few months down the road. What I like about Power 90 (and P90X, if I can ever get my body to the point that it will tolerate me using that program again) is that there is a set routine and schedule that makes up a six-day week. And when I purchased these programs, I got three levels of the Power 90 series, so I will be able to build and (ideally) not hit too many plateaus.
Today, then, I did the Level 1-2 Sculpt workout, which is a strength training regimen. Push-ups and dips are easily my downfall in this routine. I have adjustable dumbbells and picked 7.5 pounds to be my weight for today. There were several exercises where I could have gone heavier, but it's my first day using weights in a while, and I know that if I'd tried to do more I would really pay for it in 48-72 hours.
As I'm sure I've said elsewhere on this blog, keeping active is the more important aspect of living a healthier lifestyle, so I don't feel too bad about changing goals right now.
Random question of the day: What muscle do you want to train the most, and why?
Well, I decided that I needed to make a change in my approach to my exercise plans. As much as I am looking forward to not only completing the C25K program (as well as the Gateway to 8K and Freeway to 10K programs), what I need at this point in time is an overall fitness routine that will help me strengthen my core and low back, tone the rest of my muscles, and shed pounds and inches from my waist. With that in mind, I've decided to embark on the Power 90 program from Beachbody. I've had this program for a while and used it for a month or so shortly after getting married in 2010, and while I started seeing results in that short period of time, I allowed work and other things to distract me from keeping up with it.
Don't worry, I plan to return to running at some point, though that will probably be at least a few months down the road. What I like about Power 90 (and P90X, if I can ever get my body to the point that it will tolerate me using that program again) is that there is a set routine and schedule that makes up a six-day week. And when I purchased these programs, I got three levels of the Power 90 series, so I will be able to build and (ideally) not hit too many plateaus.
Today, then, I did the Level 1-2 Sculpt workout, which is a strength training regimen. Push-ups and dips are easily my downfall in this routine. I have adjustable dumbbells and picked 7.5 pounds to be my weight for today. There were several exercises where I could have gone heavier, but it's my first day using weights in a while, and I know that if I'd tried to do more I would really pay for it in 48-72 hours.
As I'm sure I've said elsewhere on this blog, keeping active is the more important aspect of living a healthier lifestyle, so I don't feel too bad about changing goals right now.
Random question of the day: What muscle do you want to train the most, and why?
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