This morning I had to come in to work early and finish up a statistics assignment on multiple regression and get some work done before work and classes started, so sadly, no swimming. I could have taken the risk to fit it in but quite honestly? I'm exhausted.
Last night (after another 12 hour day...) we went out for a late supper with some family who are in town visiting. It was great to see them - I truly enjoy their presence. We went out to a local very "foody" restaurant. Pricey but delicious. Truly delicious...the kind of place where the food is art and you groan with delight at every bit. They refused to let us pay which was a bonus (as it's a rather high end place). I have to say - the beauty of good quality, locally sourced food in normal portions of healthy food was a pleasant change. Even my dessert was lush, but small (a small pot of pumpkin custard with 2 tiny gingerbread cookies...heaven). I had a full meal and felt satisfied but not overfull and after a glass of wine and good conversation I was quite tired and happy.
We got back too late to finish up my stats homework...I was off to bed. I'm worried I'm getting to be a terrible partner - I hope J and I can have some time together on the weekend. My knee is a bit stiff but I think it should be OK for me to go tomorrow to the gym. So...I will do that and hopefully enjoy myself thoroughly. Today will be another long LOOOONG day...
Cheers all.
Music to do statistics to: Bjork - Debut (I just love Venus as a Boy)
Rest day
Yesterday I got up and went swimming. I finally got around to getting a set of noseplugs so it was nice to not drown as I swam! In my last lap my knee went *TWINGE* big time. So I got out and went on with my day. It was OK at first but towards the end of the day I kept getting random twinges in it, mostly when I sat for too long in the lab chairs, which are at odd heights.
Grrrrrr.
I am tired of my knee being an issue. This morning I slept in a bit and just came in to work to get some stuff done early. I let the knee rest...and it still hints of stiffness but hasn't twinged yet. Here's hoping. I'm really really sick of this. It doesn't hurt, but I keep wondering what I'm doing to my knee...why it keeps doing this. Is it just me getting older or is it more? I no longer run. I swim. I bike. I do hamstring and quad strengthening. I've even started taking glucosamine supplements. I don't know what else I can do.
So tomorrow I am going to my doc and getting a referral to a physiotherapist so they can have a serious look at what is what and maybe offer me some more useful info. I'm not going to stop what I was told to do. What I was told to do by a regular sports doc at the clinic is not causing pain, but I am not normal either. I want to be sure I'm not damaging my knee...maybe it's supposed to do this as I strengthen it. Maybe this is how it is from now on...maybe I should be doing more. I have no idea. I just want an expert to tell me what to do, before I take the risk of making it worse. I have (knock on wood) many many years to go in life. I'll likely need my knee for most of that...:)
Grrrrrr.
I am tired of my knee being an issue. This morning I slept in a bit and just came in to work to get some stuff done early. I let the knee rest...and it still hints of stiffness but hasn't twinged yet. Here's hoping. I'm really really sick of this. It doesn't hurt, but I keep wondering what I'm doing to my knee...why it keeps doing this. Is it just me getting older or is it more? I no longer run. I swim. I bike. I do hamstring and quad strengthening. I've even started taking glucosamine supplements. I don't know what else I can do.
So tomorrow I am going to my doc and getting a referral to a physiotherapist so they can have a serious look at what is what and maybe offer me some more useful info. I'm not going to stop what I was told to do. What I was told to do by a regular sports doc at the clinic is not causing pain, but I am not normal either. I want to be sure I'm not damaging my knee...maybe it's supposed to do this as I strengthen it. Maybe this is how it is from now on...maybe I should be doing more. I have no idea. I just want an expert to tell me what to do, before I take the risk of making it worse. I have (knock on wood) many many years to go in life. I'll likely need my knee for most of that...:)
Full on Cardio :)
The weekend was busy but still relaxing. I got some work done on my MSc and still got to go out to a show with J. Sunday was extra nice - slept in and then J walked with me the 3K to work and hung out in the sunshine while I did my cell culture stuff and then we walked home again together. The weather was gorgeous all weekend - a pleasant change from all the rain all summer. I got done all the little things I felt I needed to do to keep up on life at home and even got to crawl around on the roof trying to fix a small leaks around the flashing by our roof vents. We can't fix them until spring, so I'm hoping massive amounts of caulking in obvious gaps will help :) It was so nice and toasty up there I wanted to just lie back and relax in the sun a bit, but I figured me + roof = dangerwillrobinsondanger, so I did what I had to up there and came back down.
This morning I got up and headed into the gym...now that it's routine it's not even an issue. Funny how easy 5:30 can be once you put your mind to it. Seeing as the bikes were filled up by the university football team I tried a new machine this morning...sort of like a hybrid stairclimber elliptical thing. It was really cool...more cardio (which I LOVE). At the recommendation of the doc I kept the resistance low and picked a hilly program, put on some fast trance music that I love and let her rip for 30 minutes. Whew! Felt good, and my knee didn't complain. It was fun and different. Then some arm weights and the leg work for knee strengthening and some situps and stretching. Watch robot says I burned 350 calories total. Nice way to start the day.
There was a girl there who I was in awe of this morning. She must have had about 15 different situp variations and her watch was set to 1 minute...she would do the one thing until her watch beeped and on to the next. I was in awe of what her core body could so. Amazing. Someday I'll get up to that. I think I'll try 1 or 2 of her crazy new situps and see what happens.
Have a great morning all! I'm off into the crazy vortex of life!
Serious full on cardio music : Lone Deranger: Hallucinogen
This morning I got up and headed into the gym...now that it's routine it's not even an issue. Funny how easy 5:30 can be once you put your mind to it. Seeing as the bikes were filled up by the university football team I tried a new machine this morning...sort of like a hybrid stairclimber elliptical thing. It was really cool...more cardio (which I LOVE). At the recommendation of the doc I kept the resistance low and picked a hilly program, put on some fast trance music that I love and let her rip for 30 minutes. Whew! Felt good, and my knee didn't complain. It was fun and different. Then some arm weights and the leg work for knee strengthening and some situps and stretching. Watch robot says I burned 350 calories total. Nice way to start the day.
There was a girl there who I was in awe of this morning. She must have had about 15 different situp variations and her watch was set to 1 minute...she would do the one thing until her watch beeped and on to the next. I was in awe of what her core body could so. Amazing. Someday I'll get up to that. I think I'll try 1 or 2 of her crazy new situps and see what happens.
Have a great morning all! I'm off into the crazy vortex of life!
Serious full on cardio music : Lone Deranger: Hallucinogen
Step one: Obtain underpants
This morning I got up and tried on some of my new workout gear. There was a lululemon sale so I have a new top, bra, headband and shorts (on sale they are the same price as normal stuff!). Man their stuff fits so well and breathes so well. Pity it's so pricey. The shorts are nice with a built in shortyshort bit so I don't flash my butt when I stretch. I get the impression they're made for yoga though because they're super comfy for stretching and weights, but by the end of my 30 minutes speed walking on an incline in on the treadmill they were riding up all over like granny undies...annoying. If I could return them I would but they've been sweated in, so I suppose I'll just live with a slight undie line when they do that and make it an inspiration to firm up things in my netherregion more so they don't!
It's hard to just speedwalk, but I did it. I didn't feel right hopping on a bike...I'm just freaked I'll get "the pain" back again. I did a bunch of upper body weight stuff and then did the 2 weight machines for my butt and upper legs that I've been told will help. My knee got a bit twingy at the end, and I can tell it was being pushed a bit but I know I have to find the balance between building up the strength I need and hurting it so that it will be stronger. I've been promised that after a month I should see improvement if I'm nice, but consistent...higher reps at low weight to build up some strength so my legs are more balanced. I sure hope so...
I must be off. Lots to do. :)
It's hard to just speedwalk, but I did it. I didn't feel right hopping on a bike...I'm just freaked I'll get "the pain" back again. I did a bunch of upper body weight stuff and then did the 2 weight machines for my butt and upper legs that I've been told will help. My knee got a bit twingy at the end, and I can tell it was being pushed a bit but I know I have to find the balance between building up the strength I need and hurting it so that it will be stronger. I've been promised that after a month I should see improvement if I'm nice, but consistent...higher reps at low weight to build up some strength so my legs are more balanced. I sure hope so...
I must be off. Lots to do. :)
Back to the pool
"Doctor it hurts when do this"
"Well then don't do that then..."
This morning I went to the pool and swam for 25 minutes. I actually remembered my goggles which was nice. Swimming felt really good. I only had the odd knee twinge when I tried to kick breast stroke with the weird froggy legs so I just didn't do that and it was OK. I'm still a bit stiff, but it's nice to know I'm still OK for swimming. I do think I need a nose plug thingy tho as I keep getting water up my nose when I try and do the stroke stroke stroke breathe thing for freestyle swimming. I used flippers for half the swim...I like it, as it forces my legs to move right...but when I take them off for the last half I feel sooooooo slooooooow!
image source
Yesterday was another stupidly long 14 hour day, but tonight is only about 12, and I'm meeting a friend (the one whose wedding I was in in August but haven't seen her since she go back from her honeymoon) after work for a bit...and then maybe I'll see J too. We've both kept ridiculous hours this week. Tomorrow night is him and me. I can't wait...No concrete plans, just a firm determination to not fall asleep early from exhaustion :)
Have a great day everyone.
"Well then don't do that then..."
This morning I went to the pool and swam for 25 minutes. I actually remembered my goggles which was nice. Swimming felt really good. I only had the odd knee twinge when I tried to kick breast stroke with the weird froggy legs so I just didn't do that and it was OK. I'm still a bit stiff, but it's nice to know I'm still OK for swimming. I do think I need a nose plug thingy tho as I keep getting water up my nose when I try and do the stroke stroke stroke breathe thing for freestyle swimming. I used flippers for half the swim...I like it, as it forces my legs to move right...but when I take them off for the last half I feel sooooooo slooooooow!
image source
Yesterday was another stupidly long 14 hour day, but tonight is only about 12, and I'm meeting a friend (the one whose wedding I was in in August but haven't seen her since she go back from her honeymoon) after work for a bit...and then maybe I'll see J too. We've both kept ridiculous hours this week. Tomorrow night is him and me. I can't wait...No concrete plans, just a firm determination to not fall asleep early from exhaustion :)
Have a great day everyone.
and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Well, I'm back again. I left here at 9:30 and am back again at 7AM for another long day. Sheesh.
My knee is still stiff from that stupid spin bike, so it's getting one more day of relaxing before I give it a go at swimming tomorrow. That should give me a bit of a guage to see if I need to lay off again until monday or if I can try some cycling on friday. We shall see.
I am encouraged. Once again I stepped on the scale. Not being at the gym I was actually home for a long hot leisurely shower and was curious. I tried to ignore it but I ended up stepping on the scale - and wouldn't you know it? 128.5. Lowest...well ever, in my adult life.
Apparently when you are insanely busy and only stopping for meals to cram food in your mouth and keep going it's easier to lose weight. As a nibbler I usually snack away at calories. Having healthy meals packed has basically taken that out of the equation lately - I've not have any time for nibbles. Just focusing on eating healthy and no crap. Guess that works :)
source which I totally do NOT endorse...it's stupid and crazy to fast like that. The toon just made me laugh and I just finished a lecture on plagiarism so I feel like I have to reference everything!
I'm encouraged that in all the insanity of things I'm doing (it's gonna be another 14 hour day today) I am NOT overeating to fend off stress. If anything it's a challenge to make sure I eat enough and drink 8 glasses of liquid a day - which I'm making sure I do.
Time for another day! Have a good one everyone :)
My knee is still stiff from that stupid spin bike, so it's getting one more day of relaxing before I give it a go at swimming tomorrow. That should give me a bit of a guage to see if I need to lay off again until monday or if I can try some cycling on friday. We shall see.
I am encouraged. Once again I stepped on the scale. Not being at the gym I was actually home for a long hot leisurely shower and was curious. I tried to ignore it but I ended up stepping on the scale - and wouldn't you know it? 128.5. Lowest...well ever, in my adult life.
Apparently when you are insanely busy and only stopping for meals to cram food in your mouth and keep going it's easier to lose weight. As a nibbler I usually snack away at calories. Having healthy meals packed has basically taken that out of the equation lately - I've not have any time for nibbles. Just focusing on eating healthy and no crap. Guess that works :)
source which I totally do NOT endorse...it's stupid and crazy to fast like that. The toon just made me laugh and I just finished a lecture on plagiarism so I feel like I have to reference everything!
I'm encouraged that in all the insanity of things I'm doing (it's gonna be another 14 hour day today) I am NOT overeating to fend off stress. If anything it's a challenge to make sure I eat enough and drink 8 glasses of liquid a day - which I'm making sure I do.
Time for another day! Have a good one everyone :)
Meh
So it turns out the crap bike in spin class did leave my knee with a bit of a twinge after and it still hinted at me of slight stiffness this morning so I plan on taking a few days off to be gentle to it. I have no desire to be limping about when a few days rest is all it needs (knock on wood). This morning I just came into work instead of working out. Which is bad, but yet good as I am insanely-beyond-it-all busy.
How busy?
Well, I was in here at 7AM and it's 7:45PM and I still have about an hour left to do before I can go hop on the bus to go home and nom some supper and flop into bed.
Wait...what am I even doing here?
Buh bye!
How busy?
Well, I was in here at 7AM and it's 7:45PM and I still have about an hour left to do before I can go hop on the bus to go home and nom some supper and flop into bed.
Wait...what am I even doing here?
Buh bye!
Monday morning, it was all I hoped it would be...
Well, this weekend was busy but I got a lot of work done on my project and my husband helped me destress. I got some frustrating news about my project on friday that means a lot more work for me...so I ranted and raved a bit and then got to work, because really, I can whine all I want about how it's unfair, but it all needs to be done so I might as well get at it. Still angry, but it is what it is. To help destress J took me out for thai food and I got to visit some old friends on sunday so that helped.
I went to spin class today - another full on crazy workout. I forgot my chest strap so I have no numbers but I know I worked hard. I got there late so I ended up with a crappy bike and it bothered my knee a bit. Hopefully it will be alright...I asked the teacher to give me the "look" if I was doing wrong form for my knee or if there was a move coming up that I shouldn't be doing and that was great but the seat on my bike kept sloooooooooowly sinking. I keep forgetting - riding a "normal bike" I'm used to stopping pedalling for a drink and there is no tension on the flywheel. With the exercise ones for the class the wheel keeps turning slowly which sort of wrenches your knee a bit...I think that may be most of my problem with my knee being a bit sore. I'll be nice to my knee for the rest of the day - I did some extra stretching and tomorrow is swimming, so hopefully things will stay OK. I managed to fit into the spin class on wednesday as well so we'll see just how that goes. If my knee is still sore I'll drop out and just walk instead.
I'm all stocked up on healthy food and we did well over the weekend. The one indulgence was chili pizza (mmmm) but I didn't pig out on it so I feel fine about our food lately. The trick for me seems to be to have healthy snacks...that and learning that most of the time when I feel nibbly it's actually because I'm thirsty. Usually I've started having a drink of water when I feel peckish and wait 5 minutes. If I'm still hungry I have something. 8 times out of 10 it's been thirst...a good lesson to know...
I hope you all have a wonderful day.
I leave you with this song that's been in my head all morning :)
I went to spin class today - another full on crazy workout. I forgot my chest strap so I have no numbers but I know I worked hard. I got there late so I ended up with a crappy bike and it bothered my knee a bit. Hopefully it will be alright...I asked the teacher to give me the "look" if I was doing wrong form for my knee or if there was a move coming up that I shouldn't be doing and that was great but the seat on my bike kept sloooooooooowly sinking. I keep forgetting - riding a "normal bike" I'm used to stopping pedalling for a drink and there is no tension on the flywheel. With the exercise ones for the class the wheel keeps turning slowly which sort of wrenches your knee a bit...I think that may be most of my problem with my knee being a bit sore. I'll be nice to my knee for the rest of the day - I did some extra stretching and tomorrow is swimming, so hopefully things will stay OK. I managed to fit into the spin class on wednesday as well so we'll see just how that goes. If my knee is still sore I'll drop out and just walk instead.
I'm all stocked up on healthy food and we did well over the weekend. The one indulgence was chili pizza (mmmm) but I didn't pig out on it so I feel fine about our food lately. The trick for me seems to be to have healthy snacks...that and learning that most of the time when I feel nibbly it's actually because I'm thirsty. Usually I've started having a drink of water when I feel peckish and wait 5 minutes. If I'm still hungry I have something. 8 times out of 10 it's been thirst...a good lesson to know...
I hope you all have a wonderful day.
I leave you with this song that's been in my head all morning :)
"I give you my phone number. When you worry, you call, I make you happy..."
I got up this AM and did 32 minutes on the exercise bike and then weights and stretches...felt fantastic. I burned about 220 calories -I totally work harder with someone telling me what to do. Today I wanted to get in to work a bit earlier, so I cut it a bit short. Monday I hope to get into spin class and pump things up again.
It's friday...finally. I have lots to do this weekend, but right now I'm enjoying some granola and a coffee and at the moment I don't think there is a single thing that could come up today to bring me down. :)
This song came on at the gym while I was getting changed this morning...it and I've been humming it in my head since then...it is indeed the song of today. Enjoy!
It's friday...finally. I have lots to do this weekend, but right now I'm enjoying some granola and a coffee and at the moment I don't think there is a single thing that could come up today to bring me down. :)
This song came on at the gym while I was getting changed this morning...it and I've been humming it in my head since then...it is indeed the song of today. Enjoy!
So. Tired.
Last night, thanks to the wonders of the newly revamped bus system and missing/losing buses(and their hidden unlabelled new moved bus stops) I didn't get home until 9. Bleh. I made a healthy supper of fish rice and veg, but after I ate I just did some chores and fell into bed at 11.
This morning I was still exhausted when the alarm went off. I was just going to sleep for an extra hour, because it was raining and I had a bit of a headache and had curled up under the duvet when my cat hopped up on my bed, mewed and licked my nose and then bonked my chin as if to say "Hey - time to get up! Come on you know it's good for you" and... I did. I was up and out to the bus to swim my 25 minutes and then get here to work.
Swimming was HARD today...I'm guessing because I'm just so tired. My butt seemed to sink a lot when I swam. I hopped in the pool and used my heart rate monitor today and altho it survived the water no problem it didn't transmit much of anything -in 26 minutes I apparently burned 4 calories with an average heart rate of 0. Heh...I guess it won't be of to omuch use to me there. Oh well...I double checked before and after that it worked, so there's nothing wrong with it. I guess it's just too cheap a model to work well under water. No biggie...
I hope i can survive work and clsses today and get home for a nap...
Sleep. That's where I'm a viking.
This morning I was still exhausted when the alarm went off. I was just going to sleep for an extra hour, because it was raining and I had a bit of a headache and had curled up under the duvet when my cat hopped up on my bed, mewed and licked my nose and then bonked my chin as if to say "Hey - time to get up! Come on you know it's good for you" and... I did. I was up and out to the bus to swim my 25 minutes and then get here to work.
Swimming was HARD today...I'm guessing because I'm just so tired. My butt seemed to sink a lot when I swam. I hopped in the pool and used my heart rate monitor today and altho it survived the water no problem it didn't transmit much of anything -in 26 minutes I apparently burned 4 calories with an average heart rate of 0. Heh...I guess it won't be of to omuch use to me there. Oh well...I double checked before and after that it worked, so there's nothing wrong with it. I guess it's just too cheap a model to work well under water. No biggie...
I hope i can survive work and clsses today and get home for a nap...
Sleep. That's where I'm a viking.
Well whaddaya know
Well, I got up this morning and worked out again. I do believe I can do this. I DO need to do a little more planning with packing the night before so that I don't forget things when I'm running around and out the door to the bus (*cough* bra *cough*)...luckily I'm wearing a sweater...with a lab coat over top...yeah...slick I know...
Because I want my knee to be my friend I didn't go to the spin class today...instead I speedwalked 35 minutes on the treadmill at 7 KPH for 35 minutes...burned about 260 calories. Then some situps and some weights on my arms, back and the quad weigh work I've been told to do do strengthen my knees. I used the foam roller on my hamstrings too, as they're still really stiff. I have to say that overall I am surprisingly unstiff from swimming. I'm not *normal*, but it's just my shoulders and butt really...not as bad as I thought. I'm looking forward to going again tomorrow. I'm going to wear my heart rate monitor just once to satisfy my curiosity...even J asked if I'd worn it yesterday...he said he's noticed I've been more upbeat lately. I have been. :)
I haven't weighed myself in a while so out of morbid curiosity I stepped on the scale this morning to sort of get a baseline of where I'm at and wouldn't you know it - I weigh 130.
Maintaining health is so much trickier than losing weight. I don't want to go all crazy hard core...I just want to be fit. And I'm doing that.
Yipadee :)
Have a great day everyone.
Because I want my knee to be my friend I didn't go to the spin class today...instead I speedwalked 35 minutes on the treadmill at 7 KPH for 35 minutes...burned about 260 calories. Then some situps and some weights on my arms, back and the quad weigh work I've been told to do do strengthen my knees. I used the foam roller on my hamstrings too, as they're still really stiff. I have to say that overall I am surprisingly unstiff from swimming. I'm not *normal*, but it's just my shoulders and butt really...not as bad as I thought. I'm looking forward to going again tomorrow. I'm going to wear my heart rate monitor just once to satisfy my curiosity...even J asked if I'd worn it yesterday...he said he's noticed I've been more upbeat lately. I have been. :)
I haven't weighed myself in a while so out of morbid curiosity I stepped on the scale this morning to sort of get a baseline of where I'm at and wouldn't you know it - I weigh 130.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
That, my friends, is indeed the lowest I have been in a long long LONG time (like oh, say grade 9). It explains why I've felt good and fit lately and felt like my new clothes have fit well, even a bit loosely. It's good to know I can maintain my healthy weight. I've watched weight creep up on my coworkers and they just resign to it...and I am NOT going to let that happen to me. I refuse to go up more than 5 lbs without taking action. I feel very proud that I have managed to do that for a few years now - to just be healthy and still *live*...Maybe I will get down to that 125 I've always thought about wistfully. Don't get me wrong-I'm OK with myself now... I'm healthy. I just know there are ~ 5-10 pounds to go if I want to be all uberbuffed, and I honestly just haven't been quite willing to put in the extra oomph to get there. I've had a ticker to track what "happens" to happen, but I've just been glad to be healthy (doesn't stop me from thinking about every once in a while tho). I had honestly expected the number to be up a bit because I've eaten poorly lately and it's *that* time...but hey...sometimes it pays to look after yourself. This has made me think again...I just don't want to get all focused on weight and numbers...because they're not the point.Maintaining health is so much trickier than losing weight. I don't want to go all crazy hard core...I just want to be fit. And I'm doing that.
Yipadee :)
Have a great day everyone.
swimming swimming in my swimming pool...
This morning I went swimming for the first time in over a year. The university gym pool has lane swim every tuesday and thursday mornings so I thought I'd check it out. I got there way too early and had to kill time, but I wanted to be sure i had time to change and get ready and ask my nerdy questions...and it all went fine. I swam lanes for about 25 minutes until I really couldn't swim much longer. I was counting laps but was really zen about it all and stopped after about 15 laps there and back and just kept swimming until 25 minutes was up. I used flippers for most of it. I don't know if it is a better workout with them but I go further so I feel better...I know my entire legs are very...fatigued. It felt nice tho - the pool is a nice ambient temperature so I didn't get hot or cold and there were lots of people there, but everyone was friendly and I wasn't the slowest swimmer there (which surprised me). I think I will definitely make it a ritual of at least once a week, if not twice. It's different. I like different. I wimped out and didn't wear my heart rate chest strap. I think I'll just be content in what the internet says I burned for slow steady swimming for 25 minutes - about 250 calories. I'm more in it for the overall fitness and not hurting my knee.
I am a bit concerned as my hamstrings are wound up tight -I did a bunch of stretching this morning waiting for the pool and have been doing stretches. I think I'm going to make a point of doing some quad work on the weights tomorrow to make sure I don't put out my knee again. The doctor that looked at my knee originally recommended simple leg weight work I could do to help strengthen my knee...I guess half the issue can be the muscles in the back of my leg getting tighter and pulling things out of alignment so they can rub. If I can work to strengthen the front of my thighs, hopefully it will keep things where they should be and not rub (and make me sore in even MORE interesting places. Fun fun). My upper body has been OK (a bit stiff...) but it's my legs mostly protesting at what I've had them doing this past week. I'm not overdoing it (I don't think) but I am pushing myself. I'm working hard, but listening to my body and not doing anything that hurts and stopping when I'm fatigued. Hopefully I won't overdo things...I love how it feels and I want to be able to keep doing this.
I think tomorrow I'm going to just walk on the treadmill and do the leg lifts and take it easy...no spin class. I don't want to do too much too soon. I'm really bad for that. Here's hoping in a few weeks I won't be so stiff. It's not unbearable or anything...but it is very noticeable I've been working out :)
I've been eating healthily all week as well, which I'm pleased of. I'm not trying to lose weight or anything (altho if a few pounds came off I wouldn't mind) - I'm trying to develop good eating habits in my crazy schedule...have healthy snacks. Like my new desk snack: Fruit d'Or dried cranberries...they're a canadian company that sells and produces organic healthy fruit snacks and juices together with organic maple syrups. A nibble of 15 or 20 of them is a sour/hunger killing snack. I like them. They're sweetened with a bit of maple syrup and the only ingredients are cranberries, maples syrup, sugar and oil. No chemicals...I like. They were on sale when I saw them last week and so I hope that doesn't mean they won't be sold at my grocer anymore because I LOVE them...
I've also been given a great gift from our chinese grad student - a "travel buddy" tea infuser from China. He had one and I kept raving about it so he had a friend send me one. I LOVE it. It's a thermal bottle designed to make tea in- it's vented but you can still screw on the cap so you can toss it in a bag AND the bottom comes off and lets you put whatever loose tea in it you like. So I can drink tea whenever I like and not spill it...I'm going to get my liquids into me however I can if it kills me! I don't like water on it's own...it needs something in it, so I can start having herbal teas (I have apple tea this morning -yum) as well as water. I have a bunch of crystal light lemonades but I'm not entirely comfortable with drinking that much aspartame...I've been adding just a bit of it to my water bottle and not a whole package. I just need "something" in the water for me do drink it...I've learned this.
I've got granola and yogurt at work and I think on the days I workout the granola, yogurt and a piece of fruit will be my breakfast. It keeps my hunger in check *almost* as well as oatmeal. I'm planning on experimenting with making oatmeal the night before and reheating it ans see how I like it...I'm big on texture so it'll come doen to how mushy it is...we shall see...ANYways...I'm off to lunch before my break is over (Mmmm...borscht)and back to work...stiffness and all. I'm curious how 25 minutes of swimming will make me feel tomorrow...
I am a bit concerned as my hamstrings are wound up tight -I did a bunch of stretching this morning waiting for the pool and have been doing stretches. I think I'm going to make a point of doing some quad work on the weights tomorrow to make sure I don't put out my knee again. The doctor that looked at my knee originally recommended simple leg weight work I could do to help strengthen my knee...I guess half the issue can be the muscles in the back of my leg getting tighter and pulling things out of alignment so they can rub. If I can work to strengthen the front of my thighs, hopefully it will keep things where they should be and not rub (and make me sore in even MORE interesting places. Fun fun). My upper body has been OK (a bit stiff...) but it's my legs mostly protesting at what I've had them doing this past week. I'm not overdoing it (I don't think) but I am pushing myself. I'm working hard, but listening to my body and not doing anything that hurts and stopping when I'm fatigued. Hopefully I won't overdo things...I love how it feels and I want to be able to keep doing this.
I think tomorrow I'm going to just walk on the treadmill and do the leg lifts and take it easy...no spin class. I don't want to do too much too soon. I'm really bad for that. Here's hoping in a few weeks I won't be so stiff. It's not unbearable or anything...but it is very noticeable I've been working out :)
I've been eating healthily all week as well, which I'm pleased of. I'm not trying to lose weight or anything (altho if a few pounds came off I wouldn't mind) - I'm trying to develop good eating habits in my crazy schedule...have healthy snacks. Like my new desk snack: Fruit d'Or dried cranberries...they're a canadian company that sells and produces organic healthy fruit snacks and juices together with organic maple syrups. A nibble of 15 or 20 of them is a sour/hunger killing snack. I like them. They're sweetened with a bit of maple syrup and the only ingredients are cranberries, maples syrup, sugar and oil. No chemicals...I like. They were on sale when I saw them last week and so I hope that doesn't mean they won't be sold at my grocer anymore because I LOVE them...
I've also been given a great gift from our chinese grad student - a "travel buddy" tea infuser from China. He had one and I kept raving about it so he had a friend send me one. I LOVE it. It's a thermal bottle designed to make tea in- it's vented but you can still screw on the cap so you can toss it in a bag AND the bottom comes off and lets you put whatever loose tea in it you like. So I can drink tea whenever I like and not spill it...I'm going to get my liquids into me however I can if it kills me! I don't like water on it's own...it needs something in it, so I can start having herbal teas (I have apple tea this morning -yum) as well as water. I have a bunch of crystal light lemonades but I'm not entirely comfortable with drinking that much aspartame...I've been adding just a bit of it to my water bottle and not a whole package. I just need "something" in the water for me do drink it...I've learned this.
I've got granola and yogurt at work and I think on the days I workout the granola, yogurt and a piece of fruit will be my breakfast. It keeps my hunger in check *almost* as well as oatmeal. I'm planning on experimenting with making oatmeal the night before and reheating it ans see how I like it...I'm big on texture so it'll come doen to how mushy it is...we shall see...ANYways...I'm off to lunch before my break is over (Mmmm...borscht)and back to work...stiffness and all. I'm curious how 25 minutes of swimming will make me feel tomorrow...
Holy cardio batman
Well. I have now experienced the strange hellish glee that is a spin class.
I made it to the gym this AM and thought I'd try out their 6:30 AM spin class....never went to one before. WOW....holy cardio. I was sweating like a damp glowy pig by the end of it all...what a solid workout! I am pleased that I managed to keep my asthma in check (just barely) and had a crazy good workout - according to my robot I was in my cardio zone for 42 out of the 45 minutes and burned 398 calories...I figured since I've been biking to work all summer it was the safest bet for starting out as far as a fitness class went, and it's theoretically good for my knee, so hey - why not? I'm up for new things. I'll have to remember my inhaler next time so I can push myself a little more. Unfortunately their bike seats aren't as comfy as mine...but I suppose I'll live :)
I'm a little miffed at how the centre runs the classes as they have sign up sheets that only come up 2 days before the class and they only have 10 spots, with 10 open as walk ins. Usually the sheets are full by the time I get to them, so I'll just have to try my best to be here on time to get in the class as a walk in...I find I push myself harder with someone telling me what to do. I forgot how much I like classes...:)
And now I'm having a banana, and some granola stirred in some yogurt and starting out my day. Not bad so far for a monday. I love that I got to see the sunrise over the river this morning on the bus...there were lots of clouds and the sky was red - Gorgeous. :)
This weekend I sort of indulged at a family supper last night (there was schnitzel people...I LOVE me some schnitzel) so it felt good to burn off some of that and just feel the gloriousness of movement and breathing and sweating...it's kind of like a moving meditation for me...when I get into a cardio zone I just...well I just feel *good*. :)
Tomorrow is free lane swim so I do believe I'll be checking out the pool. I'm very excited...unfortunately I don't think I can wear my Polar heart rate monitor chest strap in the pool (does anyone know if I could? I threw out the box so I"m not sure...), but I'll just have to guess at what I'm doing to myself...I haven't swum seriously in years so it may be more mad flailing, but hey...gotta start somewhere right?
And I learned something today - 1% milk (which I drink all the time...can't get down to skim..it's like water...blech) is essentially the same in calories and fat as buttermilk (like 8 calories and .2g of fat difference for a cup!). Awha? I had no idea. All this time I've avoided cooking with it even though it makes some things taste so much better because I thought it was super fattening. This opens a lot of ideas for cooking and baking...coolio...
Have a great day all :)
I made it to the gym this AM and thought I'd try out their 6:30 AM spin class....never went to one before. WOW....holy cardio. I was sweating like a damp glowy pig by the end of it all...what a solid workout! I am pleased that I managed to keep my asthma in check (just barely) and had a crazy good workout - according to my robot I was in my cardio zone for 42 out of the 45 minutes and burned 398 calories...I figured since I've been biking to work all summer it was the safest bet for starting out as far as a fitness class went, and it's theoretically good for my knee, so hey - why not? I'm up for new things. I'll have to remember my inhaler next time so I can push myself a little more. Unfortunately their bike seats aren't as comfy as mine...but I suppose I'll live :)
I'm a little miffed at how the centre runs the classes as they have sign up sheets that only come up 2 days before the class and they only have 10 spots, with 10 open as walk ins. Usually the sheets are full by the time I get to them, so I'll just have to try my best to be here on time to get in the class as a walk in...I find I push myself harder with someone telling me what to do. I forgot how much I like classes...:)
And now I'm having a banana, and some granola stirred in some yogurt and starting out my day. Not bad so far for a monday. I love that I got to see the sunrise over the river this morning on the bus...there were lots of clouds and the sky was red - Gorgeous. :)
This weekend I sort of indulged at a family supper last night (there was schnitzel people...I LOVE me some schnitzel) so it felt good to burn off some of that and just feel the gloriousness of movement and breathing and sweating...it's kind of like a moving meditation for me...when I get into a cardio zone I just...well I just feel *good*. :)
Tomorrow is free lane swim so I do believe I'll be checking out the pool. I'm very excited...unfortunately I don't think I can wear my Polar heart rate monitor chest strap in the pool (does anyone know if I could? I threw out the box so I"m not sure...), but I'll just have to guess at what I'm doing to myself...I haven't swum seriously in years so it may be more mad flailing, but hey...gotta start somewhere right?
And I learned something today - 1% milk (which I drink all the time...can't get down to skim..it's like water...blech) is essentially the same in calories and fat as buttermilk (like 8 calories and .2g of fat difference for a cup!). Awha? I had no idea. All this time I've avoided cooking with it even though it makes some things taste so much better because I thought it was super fattening. This opens a lot of ideas for cooking and baking...coolio...
Have a great day all :)
Success!!
Day one on the new regime has actually come to pass!!
I finally did it! I managed to get up, have breakfast and catch the 6am bus. My bus stops right in front of the gym on campus at about 6:25 (bonus because it has been raining for days...) and I went in and checked the place out. The class for today was cancelled so I put my stuff away and worked out in the gym...man it feels good. I did 34 minutes on the treadmill speed walking with brisk arms at about 7 KPH and couldn't resist jogging a few 2 minute stints. My heart rate monitor says i was in heart rate zone for 30 minutes and burned about 285 calories (and went 5.5K). Cool...
Then I used the ball and some free weights to do a few sit ups and push ups and a few lunges and had time for a shower and grabbed a coffee on the way to work.
The gym is nice....I do believe I'll try to get there at least 3 days a week...I'm excited to check out the pool too...if it's as nice as the rest of the place I will declare this to be the best "free" gym membership ever :)
I've got a healthy chef's salad packed for lunch and have so much energy. I forgot about that cool part of exercise :) It probably helps that we were old fuds and went to bed at 9:30 last night because we were both exhausted and so I feel fantastic today. Lots of sleep. Cool!
Have a great day everyone :)
I finally did it! I managed to get up, have breakfast and catch the 6am bus. My bus stops right in front of the gym on campus at about 6:25 (bonus because it has been raining for days...) and I went in and checked the place out. The class for today was cancelled so I put my stuff away and worked out in the gym...man it feels good. I did 34 minutes on the treadmill speed walking with brisk arms at about 7 KPH and couldn't resist jogging a few 2 minute stints. My heart rate monitor says i was in heart rate zone for 30 minutes and burned about 285 calories (and went 5.5K). Cool...
Then I used the ball and some free weights to do a few sit ups and push ups and a few lunges and had time for a shower and grabbed a coffee on the way to work.
The gym is nice....I do believe I'll try to get there at least 3 days a week...I'm excited to check out the pool too...if it's as nice as the rest of the place I will declare this to be the best "free" gym membership ever :)
I've got a healthy chef's salad packed for lunch and have so much energy. I forgot about that cool part of exercise :) It probably helps that we were old fuds and went to bed at 9:30 last night because we were both exhausted and so I feel fantastic today. Lots of sleep. Cool!
Have a great day everyone :)
Bus annoyances
I am beginning to think the world has issues with me working out in the mornings.
This morning I got up early to catch the bus to campus and use the gym here. I somehow missed my bus by mere seconds and then sat waiting in the shelter for the next bus...which with the new bus schedule came in 30 minutes, which effectively ate up my workout time. I know that had I been early for the bus, it would have been late. It's just the way the bus goes...I will miss my bike when the snow comes. Only having to bus it when it's raining is nice. Schedules can be rather erratic.
I'm just trying to get the logistics of the gym figured out for the future...perhaps I can go there saturday after my MSc work. We'll see.
I'm beginning to think working out at home makes more sense...I really do want to swim twice a week, but the key ingredient in that would be actually making it to the pool :)
I'll keep trying.
This morning I got up early to catch the bus to campus and use the gym here. I somehow missed my bus by mere seconds and then sat waiting in the shelter for the next bus...which with the new bus schedule came in 30 minutes, which effectively ate up my workout time. I know that had I been early for the bus, it would have been late. It's just the way the bus goes...I will miss my bike when the snow comes. Only having to bus it when it's raining is nice. Schedules can be rather erratic.
I'm just trying to get the logistics of the gym figured out for the future...perhaps I can go there saturday after my MSc work. We'll see.
I'm beginning to think working out at home makes more sense...I really do want to swim twice a week, but the key ingredient in that would be actually making it to the pool :)
I'll keep trying.
Still sane. Well as sane as I was :)
This AM I got up extra early (5:45) and continued my last night's stream of organising and getting my sh*t together. There is now a pantry full of healthy food. The house is sane...ish. The cats are tended. I figure if I make an effort to keep on top of life, maybe it won't combust...I've started classes and stayed late to make up time and my head did not in fact explode as I at first thought it might yesterday. My 2 classes look to be all practical stuff I'm sort of familiar with (HELLO directed graduate learning! I think I love you !).
I even made healthy lunches and had a solid breakfast...I was actually going to do my ball DVD this AM strangely but I got up in robot mode and went right into the shower on autopilot and at about shampoo rinse-off time I realised I'd sort of skipped that part...but fear not people! All is not lost. Because I'm still fitting exercise in. It and healthy eating are becoming a part of life...and I'll fit more in. It will happen :)
To keep up with life, last night I walked briskly home from work for about 40 minutes. I'm glad I did as I ran into an old friend I haven't seen in ages on the way home, and my answering machine message I left for J about it on the way home prompted him to walk out and meet me halfway home, so we got a nice brisk walk at dusk home together. I love walking along the river with J...it's one of my favourite things. And this AM I biked to work to get a little exercise in...and tonight I'm gonna do my ball DVD when I get home from my brothers...or the elliptical. One or the other. It *will* happen...because it matters to me. My lungs are still beat up from being sick, but the more I do the better I'll get.
I am approaching the realisation that most days I will be able to keep it together. My old dear friend Cindi has a great blog, where she takes the time to post about things that matter to her and inspirations she's come to over time in her job or life...and one of her most recent posts really struck a chord with me - that when something is important to you and *really* matters, you make the time for it, even if it means giving up something else. It's all about priorities. What you choose to be important. Sure you can't have *everything*...but you can make time for the things that matter if they mean enough to you...
And I've decided I just need to keep my priorities straight because I'm pretty damn special- J, me...everything will have it's place. I made the harsh call that bellydance will have to be left out this semester even tho I love it, because there's no time to practice what I learn in my lessons...so I'll use that hour instead to workout. And next semester when my 2 classes are up I'll reevaluate my time. Day by day.
We can do this. I know we all can. ;)
Dilemma
I was just given a bunch of fresh low bush cranberries.
What do I do with them??
Ideas pretty please....
I'd love to try making a homemade granola bar only with them in it...
If only I had a dehydrator...
What do I do with them??
Ideas pretty please....
I'd love to try making a homemade granola bar only with them in it...
If only I had a dehydrator...
Oh no, I gotta go back to school...
Yeah - the best intentions can get hit over the head with a frying pan and pressganged...
I intended to come to work early, check out the gym and get organized on my "first day of classes" (I'm a student again - eep!).
And what do I do? Forget manuscripts I have proofed and have to hand in at 8AM sharp so I had to go ALL the way back from the busstop to my house (it was raining so I couldn't bike) and so I missed the early bus...and got to the stop again JUST in time for work. They revamped all our bus schedules as of today, so I have to leave 15 minutes earlier than normal to get to work at the same time...I did make it to work *just* on time, but unfortunately not with any spare time.
No healthy breakfast (just a muffin) and no workout plans...yet. I'll have to make the time to stop by tonight after work...grrr.
I want to know all about the campus gym and where I go and all that so that I don't waste any time. I'm planning on doing my exerball DVD monday, wednesday and friday for september and coming in to the gym for either swimming or a spin class tuesday and thursday and maybe even saturday. Here's hoping I can stick to this. We shall see. I really want to get this to work for my life...I can't ignore ME in all this crazyness...
It feels like a bit of a gong show until I can get things together. It's "test" week here...waiting for it all to settle into place...
The Pink Ladies Pledge is to look cool, to act cool and to be cool...
(It's at 4:00...yes I'm a nerd. An OLD nerd...Hee hee...I love this movie...)
I intended to come to work early, check out the gym and get organized on my "first day of classes" (I'm a student again - eep!).
And what do I do? Forget manuscripts I have proofed and have to hand in at 8AM sharp so I had to go ALL the way back from the busstop to my house (it was raining so I couldn't bike) and so I missed the early bus...and got to the stop again JUST in time for work. They revamped all our bus schedules as of today, so I have to leave 15 minutes earlier than normal to get to work at the same time...I did make it to work *just* on time, but unfortunately not with any spare time.
No healthy breakfast (just a muffin) and no workout plans...yet. I'll have to make the time to stop by tonight after work...grrr.
I want to know all about the campus gym and where I go and all that so that I don't waste any time. I'm planning on doing my exerball DVD monday, wednesday and friday for september and coming in to the gym for either swimming or a spin class tuesday and thursday and maybe even saturday. Here's hoping I can stick to this. We shall see. I really want to get this to work for my life...I can't ignore ME in all this crazyness...
It feels like a bit of a gong show until I can get things together. It's "test" week here...waiting for it all to settle into place...
The Pink Ladies Pledge is to look cool, to act cool and to be cool...
(It's at 4:00...yes I'm a nerd. An OLD nerd...Hee hee...I love this movie...)
Cha cha changes
Lately I've been noticing my taste buds are...maturing. I now really like a ripe firm tomato. I can tolerate raisins in some things now, altho they're still mostly too sweet for my taste. More of a cereal or trail mix sort of liking now. Mustard is OK sometimes...and strangely (used to be a salt fiend) salt is sooooo last year. And black olives? I like them now. I don't care for sweet pickles much anymore (except still in grilled cheeses sandwiches made with Cheez Whiz, but I don't much like Cheez Whiz anymore so it's kind of a moot point) and now love a good crisp dill pickle (didn't care for them that much before). I even dig some red wines (mostly Riojas) now...
I don't know if I'm using up some taste buds or just eating differently has woken up some new ones, but man - it's strange. The biggest thing for me is *liking* tomatoes. Actually choosing to eat them and not just in a sandwich or a sauce...as long as they aren't soft and mealy they are deeeeelicious. It's encouraging me to try more things...and try them a few times to see if I do like them. Sometimes different isn't bad...it's just a new flavour.
Still don't like cilantro tho.
Soap city....
I don't know if I'm using up some taste buds or just eating differently has woken up some new ones, but man - it's strange. The biggest thing for me is *liking* tomatoes. Actually choosing to eat them and not just in a sandwich or a sauce...as long as they aren't soft and mealy they are deeeeelicious. It's encouraging me to try more things...and try them a few times to see if I do like them. Sometimes different isn't bad...it's just a new flavour.
Still don't like cilantro tho.
Soap city....
whew!
Heh...got a workout in today...got up early to make J breakfast (it's his birthday and I won't see him much at all today. Yeah it's like that...:) )....then I left for the bus 3 times and walked partly there only to have to return for something... 3 times. Yeah. So I ended up having to bike madly instead to get to work on time because I missed my bus...into the wind...
Whew!
I drank my fruit smoothie that was supposed to be my relaxing breakfast for the bus when I got to work.
What a busy day and it hasn't even started :)
Seems like yesterday has continued on unobstructed. Last night I was at work until (blech) 9:30, but on my way home from the bus I had a brain wave and stopped at the grocery store and bought a small preroasted chicken and a few salads. Yum...so for $10 I had a healthy yummy supper when I finally got home. I was starving (I had a banana and some trail mix at work, but those only go so far...) and I knew I'd just eat a lot of whatever easy to make crap I saw first if I didn't find something to eat that was good for me...and this was perfect. Already made :)
And - even better - I've got more leftover "instant" chicken for lunch today as part of a chef's salad and used the rest to make my birthday boy a chicken salad wrap for his lunch too. Yum.
Instant chickens...I love you.
But not quite as much as J...happy birthday JJ :)
music to bike frantically to work to: Futureheads: The Futureheads
Whew!
I drank my fruit smoothie that was supposed to be my relaxing breakfast for the bus when I got to work.
What a busy day and it hasn't even started :)
Seems like yesterday has continued on unobstructed. Last night I was at work until (blech) 9:30, but on my way home from the bus I had a brain wave and stopped at the grocery store and bought a small preroasted chicken and a few salads. Yum...so for $10 I had a healthy yummy supper when I finally got home. I was starving (I had a banana and some trail mix at work, but those only go so far...) and I knew I'd just eat a lot of whatever easy to make crap I saw first if I didn't find something to eat that was good for me...and this was perfect. Already made :)
And - even better - I've got more leftover "instant" chicken for lunch today as part of a chef's salad and used the rest to make my birthday boy a chicken salad wrap for his lunch too. Yum.
Instant chickens...I love you.
But not quite as much as J...happy birthday JJ :)
music to bike frantically to work to: Futureheads: The Futureheads
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