Month-End Review, November

Just got back from the pool. Normally, Tuesday belongs to Kate but since my quads and legs, in general, are still tender from this situation, I took it to the water --a fitting choice in more ways than one since I was crabby and teary. I wanted to swim until my arms couldn't move anymore and I wanted to float the length of the pool.

One of the best things that happened this month was a feeling of being in sync while doing the front crawl; the breathing has been better and I worked my way back up to 25 laps.

And, oh, I got back on the treadmill for the first time in ages. It was strange hitting the machines after a long hiatus.

And one of the best things tonight? I feel renewed -- after swimming, floating, taking a hot shower with ginger and bergamot soap and pushing the boundaries of the speed limit.


Here are other things that invigorated me:


10 Minute Solution: Fitness Ball Workouts

Ultimate Stretch, 1 x

Upper Body, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

Stretching, 4 x's

Cardio and Muscle Class, 2 x's



Personal Training With Jackie: Power Circuit Training

15-Minute Upper Body Circuit, 3 x's

Personal Training With Jackie: Xtreme Timesaver Training, 2x's



Raking Leaves, 1 x



Rock Climbing, 7 x's



StairMaster, 1 x



Swimming, 4 x's



Treadmill, 2 x's



Walking, 4 x's



Wii Fit, 17 x's


What did you find renewing this month?

Month-End Review, October

As you all might have guessed by now, I kinda like looking back at the month that was. When I exercise, I note it but I'm usually surprised by what activity I engaged in the most.

My one-two punch was rocking climbing and Wii activities. While rock climbing burns a lot of calories, you don't spend a lot of time on routes; significant time is devoted to safety checks and, in our case, yakking.

I have a feeling that Gingersnapper will back me up on a few inclusions in my exercise tally. Yeah, I'm including the time I hand-washed my poor pollen and sap-saturated car and my stint raking leaves.

And, to tell the truth, raking leaves engaged my glutes more than Pilates or squats. There was also the added bonus of feeling like I was in one big Zen garden. Hope the neighbors didn't mind me singing somewhere in the vicinity of the top of my lungs...


10 Minute Solution: 5 Day Get Fit Mix

Power Yoga, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Rapid Results: fat burner

Cardio Max, 1 x

Power Sports Drills, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

Stretching, 4 x's

Bicycling, 2 x's


Car Washing, 1 x


Cardio and Muscle Class, 3 x's


Lawn Mowing, 1 x


Personal Training With Jackie: Power Circuit Training

15-Minute Upper Body Circuit, 3 x's

Raking Leaves, 1 x


Rock Climbing, 9 x's


Swimming, 5 x's


Walking, 9 x's


Wii Fit Plus, 16 x's

* * *

Route/Rock Climbing Tally for Oct. 31st and it was scary y'all:

Kristin's Farewell, 5.8

Life in the Pack, 5.8

Billy Goat Chips & Life in the Pack, 5.8 (Combination i.e. rainbow climbing)

Where the Beer Flows Like Wine, 5.8

Now, That's More Like It!, 5.9 (See Below)

Photosystem, 5.9

Six Week Warrior, 5.9

Slammed, 5.9 (Attempted)

How was your October?

First Things First: Breathe and Relax Your Arm

I promised myself that I would get massages often. Well, the last time that I had a massage was in October of 2009. Today is my friend Lori's birthday. I thought she might like a massage, I could get one too and we could spend relaxing time together.

Before my appointment, I did two 15-Minute circuits of Jackie Warner's Personal Training Circuit -- figured that I might as well add the Warner aftermath to the list of kinks that needed to be kneaded. My body just rains every time I do a Warner circuit. I need to do this workout way more often -- to keep myself in check.

An hour and a half later, I arrived at the spa and when the massage therapist got ready to start, she told me to take a deep breath. I tapped into my yoga thing, she did a centering ritual of sorts and the decompressing began.

There were several times when I thought I just might cry. Guess I must be storing something but I guess we are all storing one thing or another.

The only thing that was uncomfortable about the massage was the attention to the feet. Having my feet touched is almost unbearable and I was hoping that reflexes would not get the better of me.

I was also told to relax my arm which is not the first time that's happened. It's ironic because I'm certainly not trying to help by holding it up -- just general tension I guess...

When I first got my car, my CD player went on the fritz. I immediately made an appointment to get it fixed. One of my colleagues said, What dedication to self-care. Those words are never far from my mind and I'm going to get a whole lot better at that activity. I work out hard and, dang it, I'm going to play hard.

I smelly all woodsy like tea tree oil but in a lavender kind of way and I'm digging it.

I thought this article about spas in Afghanistan was pretty intriguing.

In what ways have you shown that you're dedicated to taking care of yourself?


P.S. I'm semi-unplugged as I have a stupid virus on my home computer. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Month-End Review, June

What was new this month?

I got a friendly e-mail from Groupon that my time at The Heights recreation center was coming to an end. I was able to use a different machine, the treadclimber, and I also shot hoops which I haven't done in ages. I really enjoy sinking baskets and chasing the ball around. The actual tossing of the ball doesn't burn many calories but you have to shoot baskets as if no one is watching or something like that. Right?

I also did more yoga this month than I've probably ever done. Frankly, it was necessary after Kate's Cardio and Muscle class on Tuesday.

Here's the exercise breakdown for this month:

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

10 Minute Stretch, 4 x's

10 Minute Solution: Quick Sculpt Pilates

Standing Pilates Sculpt, 1 x

Strength and Flexibility Pilates, 1 x

Total Body Toner, 1 x

Bicycling, 7 x’s

Cardio and Muscle Class, 5 x's

Mowed the Lawn, 1 x

Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training

15-Minute Upper Body Circuit, 1 x

Rock Climbing, 5 x's

Shooting Hoops, 4 x's

Swimming, 4 x's

TreadClimber, 3 x's

Walking (with bouts of jogging), 7 x's

Crunch: Candlelight Yoga, 4 x's

I continued to enjoy the view and trek from the isolated portion of parking lots.



Thanks again to Gingersnapper for reminding me of bonus exercise.

Did you realize your June goals? Do anything different?

That Place In Your Head

I had never heard of Jackie Warner but the title pulled me in since I've never had a personal training session and wonder whether or not I should sign up for a few.

I later learned from a coworker that Warner had a show on Bravo. Chalk my unknowing up to that fact that I don't have cable tv which I go without in order to maintain other elements of my luxurious (not) lifestyle.

I didn't really pay attention to the As Seen On TV. Although, the silver shorts and the six pack did capture my attention. I popped the DVD in and haven't looked back since.

If you wear glasses while you workout, don't -- at least not while you're doing Jackie Warner's workout because they are going to get all wet and slip and slide off of your face.

Personal Training with Jackie: Power Training Circuit is no-frills and Warner gets to the crux of the matter in no time starting off with a light jog, kick squats and chain breakers for the warm-up.

I also like the presentation. Before the actual routine, there's a screen to let you know what you're about to get into:

Quads
The Moves:

Sissy Squats

(done while standing on weights)

UFC (a drop, get on a knee, get up and crouch, get down again, then up sequence)

Front Lunge

Power Burn

I think that I heard myself whimper through the chest and back portion of the program. Ditto for abs. I'm doing a straight leg crunch in the picture and because Warner hits the abs so thoroughly, I had to really tune in when she was saying, "Go through the burn; believe it or not -- after awhile it gets numb."

While it didn't get numb, it definitely helped to be talked through the rough spots. There's also a point when she says go to that place in your head...

Here's how Warner hits the abs:

Upper Abs


The Moves:

Straight Leg Crunch

Legs Up Crunch

Tall Sit Up

Power Burn (Repeat of Straight, Legs Up, Tall Sit)

Lower Abs

Reverse Crunch

Tummy Tuck (oh, the inhumanity)

Single Leg Jack

Power Burn (Repeat...)

Obliques

The Moves:

Sumo Side-to-Side

Windshield Wipers

Side Plank

Power Burn (Repeat...)

I've come to really like this workout even though I know that it requires stepping up to the proverbial plate. I know that It's going to be rough but it's good to be challenged, right?

When you're doing a challenging workout, what is your self-talk like and what's one of your favorite workout DVDs?

Free-For-All or Month-End Review, May

I enjoy taking a look back at the month that was. Now, this enjoyment typically refers to exercising but, in all honesty, there were other non-exercise joys.

And you are enjoying your exercise, aren't you? Exercise is the icing on my cake, the non-fat cream in my coffee, the full moon in my sky, the water underneath my boat and the wind beneath my wings. Okay, it also makes me quite goofy...

I usually have a couple of set days for a certain exercise; otherwise, it's a free-for-all. I'm in Kate's Cardio and Muscles class on Tuesday and rock climbing on Saturday or Sunday unless I'm lucky enough to get in extra climbing.

I didn't go to Cardio and Muscle since my girl Kate was on vacation. I took this opportunity to shake up the routine. I also plan to kick things into a higher gear. Gingersnapper had this post about getting in extra exercise that resonated with me. She talked about how the back of the parking is seldom populated and the irony of trying to find the parking space closest to the gym door was not lost on me. Now, you'll frequently find my little Mazda at the far end of the lot. Join Gingersnapper and me at the back of lots?

Here's how I got physical this month:

10 Minute Solution: 5 Day Get Fix Mix

Power Yoga, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Dance your body Thin!

Dance Toner, 1 x

Smooth & Sexy Moves, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

10 Minute Stretch, 6 x's

10 Minute Solution: Quick Sculpt Pilates

Buns and Thigh Sculptor, 1 x

Standing Pilates Sculpt, 1x

Bicycling, 13 x’s


Mowed the Lawn, 3 x’s

Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training

40-Minute Total Body Circuit, 2 x's

15-Minute Upper Body Circuit, 3 x's

Rock Climbing, 4 x's

Rowing, 1 x

Stair Climbing, 5 x's

Step Interval Class (with Stacey), 1 x

Swimming, 4 x's

Treadmill, 2 x's

Walking Outdoors, 6 x's

Yardwork, 1 x

How was your May and what are your plans for June?

Month-End Review, April

Anyone else shocked that it's April 30th or is it just the queen of denial who is surprised?

I hardly set foot inside of the gym but I worked it out – it being my body. ;)

My water consumption went down somewhat; I got in 193.5 cups of water -- 56 less than last month but c'est la vie.

How did you all fare this month on the fitness front? Is there an exercise or DVD that rocks your boat and that you regularly look forward to facing?

X = Exercise and a half X = under 30 minutes:

10 Minute Solution: 5 Day Get Fix Mix

Power Yoga, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Dance your body Thin!

Dance Toner, 1 x

Smooth & Sexy Moves, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Fitness Ball Workouts

Upper Body Workout, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

10 Minute Stretch, 6 x's

Sleek and Sexy Abs, 4 x’s

10 Minute Solution: Quick Sculpt Pilates

Core Conditioning, 1 x

Strength and Flexibility Pilates, 1x

Total Body Toner, 1 x

Bicycling, 9 x’s


Cardio and Muscle Class, 3 x's


Drills to Make You Sweat Class, 1 x


Mowed the Lawn, 2 x’s


Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training

40-Minute Total Body Circuit, 1 x

P90X

Cardio X, 1 x

Rock Climbing, 7 x's


Swimming, 3 x's


Treadmill, 1 x


Walking Outdoors, 7 x's

Disclosure: I received 10 Minute Solution: Quick Sculpt Pilates without charge.

Month-End Review, March

X marks the exercise spot and I exercised for 27 days. Yay! Here's how the calories were burned:

10 Minute Solution: 5 Day Get Fix Mix

Cardio Kickboxing, 1 x

Power Yoga, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Belly, Butt & Thigh Blasters!

Better Booty Camp, 1 x

Belly Flab Fighter, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Dance your body Thin!

Smooth & Sexy Moves, 6 x's

Dance Toner, 2 x's

Get Fit Club Mix, 1 x

Cardio Dance Party, 1 x

Ballet Sculpt, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Fitness Ball Workouts

Firm Flat Abs, 1 x

Ultra Stretch, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: KnockOut Body!

Knockout Body Blast, 1 x

Fierce & Fabulous Abs, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

Stretching, 3 x's

Adaptive Motion Trainer, 1 x


Cardio and Muscle Class, 4 x's


Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training

15-Minute: Abs Only Circuit, 1 x

15-Minute Total Body Circuit, 1 x

P90X

Ab Ripper, 2 x's

Cardio X, 1 x

Rock Climbing, 6 x's

Stair Climbing (Out and Indoors), 6 x's

StairMaster, 1 x

Swimming, 2 x's

Treadmill, 3 x's

Walking (Outdoors & Lazy River) 8 x's

I'm most proud of the fact that I set out to drink eight glasses of a water a day and got in a total of 249.5 cups during the month of March.

Erin Gudeux from Consumer Reports Health Blog had me chuckling when she said that she is more likely to climb Mt. Everest than get in the newly recommended 60 minutes of exercise for women over 40. Well, duh, Erin; you'd have to be in great shape to climb Mt. Everest. So, go ahead and get in that 60...


Disclosure: I received the following videos without charge: 10 Minute Solution: 5 Day Get Fit Mix, Belly, Butt & Thigh Blasters! KnockOut Body! and Personal Training with Jackie.