Feeling it!

Yesterday I went back to the 5x5. I had gone back to my regular lifting but, after a couple of weeks, I stopped seeing results. So I'll try the 5x5 again. I didn't realize it doesn't just go on forever! I'm glad to know there is a stopping point. Anyway, I can really feel the squats I did! Sore legs!

Weights

It took me a long time to work up the motivation to get to they gym today.  I didn't go until 2!  And I just lifted weights.  I just didn't feel like doing cardio.  I told myself I was still drained from my long run.  True or not, it's the story I'm sticking with!

See you tomorrow!  Save travels!

Stuff!

Believe it or not, I have something to report from yesterday! I usually don't do anything after a push night but my appointment with my PT is on Thursdays and I decided to just go for it and hope for the best. I did go to bed at 7 on Wednesday (and laid there till 8:30!) and then I slept again on Thursday from 6 -7:30. So better sleeping than normal on those nights. Anyway, really fun appointment. We did some different things, including kickboxing. But the thing I really loved was jumping! This guy believes in jumping! And he has this thing he's created with these two.....goal post looking things that have gridmarks. And a tape that velcros between them that you jump over. So if you hit it, it comes right off. Because it's velcro! Anyway, I jumped 26 inches! Today I went to the gym and did weights. Really challenging today. And the elliptical for 20 minutes. Oh, and my phone died. So Bart's giving me his old one tonight and I'll use that till I kill it! Julie: Destroyer of technology!!

Weights - only weights!

No cardio. I just wasn't feeling it. Didn't get a great night of sleep, had a snack rather than lunch (bad!) and my audiobook listening situation is still very sad. Last night I reset that old phone to factory state. But still no love. I played my audio book and it stopped around 25 minutes. Then again a minute later. So....it's just not going to be my option. Alas!

Weekend Update

Friday I did a big run! 6 miles, Texas loop and I did Texas 3 times. It was good, I was exhausted when I was done. I was running back up Texas with a lady and she said, "sometimes I don't run, but I take really big steps up the hill - it's like doing lunges." So maybe I'll try that sometime. Yesterday I went to they gym. Weights only, no cardio. Just too tired, I actually didn't even want to do the weights. But I wanted to keep this upcoming week on track because it's going to be very busy at work. Because I did gym yesterday, I'm on track to do it tomorrow and then weights with Mike on Thursday. Day off today. So glad about that!

Well now!

Here is my first post from my new tablet!  It will take some time to get better at swipe typing. I have to think of the keyboard so differently. Exercise my brain I guess!

Interesting article you sent today. I don't know that I fall in the too much zone (do you think we do?) But it sure is getting harder. And slower. Maybe it really is time to branch out.

And on that note, I went to the gym today. Weights and elliptical. I get really sweaty on that thing. So much more than when I run. Anyway, it was good.

Healthy eating today too.

Catching up!

It probably seems like I didn't do anything this weekend but I just didn't check in! I had my computer off and didn't get around to posting. So.....let's see. Friday:Ran three miles. Also, I sure could feel the results of my PT session the day before. Saturday: Should have been a gym day but I drove over there and it was so packed I just left. I realize that probably everyone who normally would go on Sunday was probably there so they could have it out of the way on game day. So I ran 3 miles. Sunday: Gym! And it was absolutely dead. Really delightful. Also did the elliptical for 30 minutes. Monday: I was going to do a 3 mile run this morning but my old phone just would not work. I've kinda been thinking it was this app from the library that was no good but today my Run Tempo app died every time the library app did. So, yeah, angst. Anyway, I came home, downloaded the library book as an album to iTunes, put that on my nano, and then listened to my nano this afternoon. I just like using my phone because it supports apps and I can use Run Tempo on it. Anyway, because I went later (after work), I decided to go over to Texas. So I ran down there and I ended up running texas 3 times before running home. 6 miles! Yay! Slow, but I did it.

Big day!

Guess I made up for my day of exercise slack yesterday. I didn't sleep well at all Saturday night, and I was pretty much a zombie yesterday. But today I ran, lifted weights at the gym, and did the elliptical! I know, nuts! Today was a scheduled gym day but things were getting a little harry with work and it was getting ready to rain. Because I was starting to question my ability to get to the gym, I decided to run. 3 miles. Kensington Loop. Zero coyotes. Then it turned out I could get to the gym, so I did! I did my routine, 5x5 style. Then I decided to do the elliptical, mostly because I wanted to listen to my book. Thursday Mike (my PT) is going to measure me. Then I'm going to set some kind of goal and some kind of reward. Not a food reward, though. I was thinking that a pedicure would be a good reward. Or maybe a visit to that Korean body scrubbing place I love.

PT Day!

What a really great meeting I had today! We went though all the exercises in the 5x5 so I know what I'm doing and don't hurt myself. So I'll continue to do that at the gym and then, next week, we'll work on other different things. I also asked him to measure me next week so I can keep track of any size changes. I ran there and back. I think it's just under a mile each way. So, fun day!

Day B of 5x5

Well, I was super sore from squats, I'll tell you that! But they were on the menu again today so I did them. I was going to do them with a bar only. Last time I did them with a weighted bar. But the bars that you actually put weights on seem to weigh more than the pre-weighted bar I used the other day! So I used that 20 pound bar again. After weights, I did 20 minutes on the elliptical which was very challenging. I had it at a high interval level. I have an appointment on Monday with someone at Science Fitness on Adams Avenue. I just want to make sure that I'm doing my weight exercises right! And if our meeting goes well, I'll buy a 6 (30 minute) session package. That package comes out the same as it does for Chuze, my gym. So we will see what Monday brings!

Something Different - For Real!

Not just different listening material! As you know, I've been going to the gym and lifting weights. You also know that I'm not losing any weight. I do think I'm making some muscle gains, but not as much as I'd like. I know I've mentioned that I've been toying with the idea of going to a trainer. But, honestly, I just don't want to spend that money. Anyway. The other day Bart told me about a weightlifting program called 5x5: http://stronglifts.com/5x5/ I decided to give it a try and I mentioned it to Angie. She says this is the program that Mike and Josh have been using! I did day 1 yesterday and, I'm surprised, but it was pretty hard! Challenging. And this morning I can feel it. Which means I didn't start my weight low enough, I suppose. In theory, I'm supposed to go up 5 pounds each new session. But I am going to hold steady till I'm unsore. There are questions. I don't have a workout partner so I never want to lift to the point of needing a spotter. I guess at some point I'll just plateau my weights. But I wonder if it will stop working then or if I will just maintain. Also, the plan says to take a true day off between lifting sessions. I am not going to do that. I am going to run. So......how much will that screw me up? I will find the answers through trial and error, I'm sure! I kinda suspect that these rules are really for meatheads who want to super bulk. Which is not my plan. My goals are: Fat reduction, increased calorie burning, muscle, strength. I have decided I'll try this for 12 weeks and see if I have any changes. I can always go back to my old routine or try a different method, if need be.

Weekend update!

I guess I forgot to post yesterday! I did run - 3 miles. It really wasn't great. Felt hard and it was slow. But I think I was probably still in recovery mode from late night of work on Friday. Anyway, I did it. Today I went to the gym and I didn't want to go! But, as usual, I was glad when I got there. Lifted weights and did the elliptical. Rained all day today! Really fun!

Gym Again

And it was fun again! 2:30 is the time to go. It's slow then. So I lifted weights. Did some new leg stuff. I bet I'll feel it tomorrow! After weights I did the elliptical for 20 minutes. I'm a lot better but not quite there yet. Less coughing but today I sound like a 60 year smoker sometimes! Last night I took a half serving of Mucusnex (I don't know how to spell that!) because I kept coughing after I was in bed. So I'm going to take another one tonight before I lay there coughing for an hour!

I did something!

Yay! I went to the gym today! First time I've done any exercise in days. I'm not 100% but I feel so much better than I have been. I thought the gym would be busier today with post-new year people, but I suppose I was early enough that they were still working. I lifted weights. It was really challenging and I used some lighter weights. I can tell I've been off. And then I did the elliptical. I was going to do 30 minutes but only did 20. I really wanted to cough! And I didn't feel like hacking at the gym. Headache is having a bit of a resurgence here tonight, so I'm happy to have nice brand new sheets to sleep on! That cures all ills! I went to the office today and was relieved that the entire office is already sick! So I fit right in.

Rain!

It's raining again! Love it. It's not terrible but enough that I sure don't want to be out in it. I did go to the gym today. It's been months, I think! And I really liked it. I did the same exercises I've been doing at home but, for some reason, my muscles seem more sore. Can't say why that would be. I lifted weights and then I did the elliptical for 30 minutes. My feet are really having some angst. I hate to say it, but I think it's my Van's! Shoes. Van's shoes. Sads. Switching up my morning shake here. I've been using soy protein powder but but the last couple of afternoons I was really zombie-y. So I am going to do some teaking and see if that helps. I'll run tomorrow - maybe at the gym if this rain keeps up. Then Thursday off. Because I'll be flying! Oh, sad thing. My old iPhone died on my again today. So maybe it's just getting to be past its prime. I hope not.

Stuff and stuff

I thought I was a little cranky today but, tonight, I have a bit of a noggin ache. So maybe that's why I was feeling a case of the cranks earlier. I did lift weights today. And then I ran hills. Finished book three of my audiobook series. I'm excited to start the next one!

Hills and Weights

Well, weights and hills. I really don't know if I should actually be doing weights before running, but I figure at least I'm doing them. A lot of times, when I'm done running - I'm just done! I did that tiny hill again today. 30 minutes. Intervals ahoy!

Intervals

I did something new today. Or something I haven't done for a long time, I should probably say. I used to run that short hill by my office but my hill running has really morphed to strictly Texas. I've been reading a bit about interval training, so I thought a shorter steep hill would be good. I went down Meade to the Florida cross street. That's a pretty substantial hill. My running beat app is pretty awesome and actually has a timer mode. So I set it for 30 minutes and knew I was done when the beeping stopped! There was some super shady guy loitering by the cars and asking people for money, so I had to keep a close and paranoid eye on him! I lifted weights before I went.

What a mess!

Not me! For once!! Today I went over to Texas to run hills. And that's what is a mess! That entire hill apparently really wanted to fall down and slip into the road. Rocks, dirt, and debris on the sidewalk and into the road. No trees down, though. It was a good hill session because the newest episode of Serial was out today. I anxiously await Thursdays so I can listen to the recent podcast. It's so good. Also, I lifted weights before I ran. It's been awhile!

Whew!

This is my last act before bed, so it's going to be short! I lifted weights today and I ran. So slow. Dang. But such is life. Thanks it! It's Thanksgiving in your neck of the woods so Happy Thanksgiving!