January (new year) abbercisers!!

[momof3]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Good MOrning All,

Made it to bootcamp this morning and feel better. It's amazing...it's only been a week since I last exercised, but I'm reminded of how easy it is to fall out of the routine of it. I really had to struggle to get out of bed this morning. I kept telling myself that my day will be so much better as a result.

[ezzmae]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Good evening here. I haven't logged onto this thread in a while but I am still exercising away. I had an interesting situation with my friend yesterday. She knows that I go to the gym 6 times per week, that I have lost a lot of weight in the past year, but she clearly still thought that I was a little unfit. Wonder what she thought I was doing everyday for 1.5 hours. I joined her and 2 others for a training session in the park last night. I knew that I am fit, I also knew that I was fitter than them. I guess then it was no surprise to me that I blitzed them, but my friend was extremely shocked, sulking a little. Of course today there was all sorts of excuses as to why she is not as fit at the moment. But I guess that it just goes to show that you should never judge someone fitness by their body type and maybe she will think twice about judging others. On the bright side I have also given her a goal, to beat me.

[Doggygirl]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Hi abbercisers! :b&d: Like essmae, I've been absent but abbing and abbercising in ab-land. I'm hopelessly un-caught up on this thread! I will just say that I can relate to the notion of walking being faster than running. My knees creak at the very thought of running.

I took my first ever Yoga class on Monday. I love the idea of yoga - body balance and stretching and strengthening. I really liked the teacher and it was a small class - just 3 students. One other first timer like me, and the 3rd person had only been a couple of times.

So now my questions about yoga. How many classes a week do you take to get benefit? (or if 1 class or something, do you also work at home?) Are there resources l ike books or tapes or web sites that you experienced yoga doers (yogaers? yogurts? ) recommend?

My goal is to diversify my workouts. I love Curves but could feel some deep muscle something or other developing that feels like I'm doing too much of the same things. I was working out at Curves 6X a week most of the time - sometimes 5X a week. This week I'm dropping Curves back to 4X with 2 yoga classes. Any feedback on that schedule, or even this combination of exercise classes? Tomorrow's yoga class should be interesting - a different teacher and a longer session which includes meditation - I'm assuming at the end.

Curves is doing boot camp for the forseeable future which means we do the regular workout (2X around the circuit) then about 10 minutes or a little more of extra work, which changes each week. There is an extra 5 minutes of aerobic work then 4 other exercises for abs, buns, arms, etc. - a couple of those spots per week. I'm liking it! I can feel the extra work. That's another reason I want more variety in my workouts.

I have changed up a few things at home in my effort to develop good eating habits that are sustainable for the long term. My goal is to be able to maintain my weight through good, consistent choices that become "second nature." In some ways losing weight was easier than figuring out how to maintain it. (so far anyway - not much experience with maintenance yet!) Here are a few things that have helped me lately:

1) Plan dinners for the week on Saturday or Sunday. (this encourages me to find some new recipes to try for variety and of course drives my shopping list. It also gets me thinking about good options for breakfast, lunch and snacks so I am not caught hungry and desparate.)

2) Eat at the dining room table ONLY. I'm a snackaholic and can put away a huge amount of food mindlessly at my desk, or while watching TV or reading, etc. I spend a lot of time cooking so now it's time to sit at the table with no distractions and enjoy it!! I also want to get OUT of the habit of mindlessly eating in those other situations. I bought some cool new dishes to change the presentation (OK - not expensive - they are from Walmart but I like the look! and they are square!!). And I put some candles on the dining room table in addition to getting "sissy seats" for me and Mr. Doggy - the chairs are cool but solid wood!

We'll see how this goes. So far so good.

OK - if you're hiding behind the :sofa: come out and get :b&d:!!

DG

[LVT25]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

DG-- I have been taking a weekly yoga class for over a year now and I love it. She calls it power yoga, and there a re a few pilates thrown in for good measure. The class lasts 1 hour, we always end with 5-10 minutes of "meditation". I think once you learn the sun salutation this is something easily done daily on your own. The right music helps. I did buy a yoga DVD, which a did a few times, quit for no good reason. There is always yoga on the FIT channel if you have satellite tv. WIP posted a link to a girl on Youtube doing different forms of yoga. I am going to try her moves as they are suppose to help with balancing hormones. I think her name was sadie. I wonder if I can hook my laptop up to the big screen tv for this???
I think yoga is great for core muscles and balance/posture. I am definately stronger than when I first started. It's always a good idea to mix up your fitness routine.
Now if I would only take my own advice.

I did go grocery shopping and stocked up on fruits and vegetables. It's a start. I really need to get out of the habit of needing something sweet after my meal.

Namaste.:h

[Marshy]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Hi all,

Hmm. Must get back to yoga. I started going to a weekly class, then developed a foot injury which meant I had to give it a miss for a month or so, then my work pattern became a bit erratic and I couldn't make it... blah, blah, blah. You know how it goes. I really enjoyed it though.

Had a great session at the gym today - cardio, weights, swim. I never in a million years thought I'd become a gym convert. I haven't yet succumbed to the Lycra & iPod look but it's only a matter of time...

[ezzmae]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Doggygirl - How long do your curves routines last? I do Body Pump twice a week, you lift whatever weights you want, I try to up mine a little every 6-8 weeks. It goes for 1 hours, which is 50 mins weights including 5 mins warmup, 5 mins abs and 5 mins cooldown. It is the fastest way for me to gain muscle definition and to get my metabolism working.

[peacenik]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

i have never taken a proper yoga class, but i have practiced on my own for 10 years or so. before i became such a lush, i was awesome if i do say so myself. i never felt or looked better than when i was really deep into practicing everyday, even if it was for 10-15 minutes. i do it for flexibility and strength, but also to get in touch with what i'm really feeling in my body. as alcoholics, i think we ignore our bodies and when one does a regular practice, you can't help but get in touch with how you are feeling.
i do dvd's from the "gaiam" company.

i did the treadmill for 50 minutes today...was feeling tired and lazy, so i listened to my body and did a mellow walk while listening to npr.

[peacenik]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Marshy;521026 wrote: Hi all,

Hmm. Must get back to yoga. I started going to a weekly class, then developed a foot injury which meant I had to give it a miss for a month or so, then my work pattern became a bit erratic and I couldn't make it... blah, blah, blah. You know how it goes. I really enjoyed it though.

Had a great session at the gym today - cardio, weights, swim. I never in a million years thought I'd become a gym convert. I haven't yet succumbed to the Lyrca & iPod look but it's only a matter of time...

ha!

lycra...oh dear

[Doggygirl]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Thanks LVT and Peacnik for the yoga feedback. I'm going to that other class this morning which is scheduled for 1 hour 15 minutes and includes mediation in the description. I hope I like this teacher as much as the Monday one! (but at least there is one I like!)

I do need to figure out a setup for at home work. LVT that's a good suggestion on the yoga/meditation music. The atmosphere in the studio sure adds to the whole experience - the music, very low light, candles (don't tell the fire marshall!) etc. Peacenik thank you for the name of the folks who make the DVD's you used. I'll google that later when I get home!

Ezzmae, the standard workout at Curves with the full 13 resistance machines (some clubs only have 11 or 12) is 26 minutes not counting the stretching after the circuit. I usually spend about 5 minutes or so stretching. It's a bout a 1/2 hour workout by design. Of course the option always exist to go around the circuit additional time(s). The boot camp we are doing adds other cardio and exercises off circuit, and is not part of the standard Curves routine.

Anyway...just want to make a quick post - I'll be back sometime later after yoga!

DG

[SAUSAGE]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Morning / afternoon everyone

DG - glad the Yoga is going well - have never tried yoga although recently went on a 10 week pilates course as I was advised this was good for my pelvic floor after my surgery. Must get back into this again. Regarding Curves I have a friend locally who has joined our local Curves gym -she says she'll show me round sometime. I find it amazing that you just do 30 mins work out. I know I dont' take advantage of my own gym and the equipment there even though I put in about 40 mins each time I work out.

Ezzmae - I was into body pump too but was advised to stop this after my surgery (hysterectomy) by my consultant - not sure if he meant for life or just 6 months or so!! Sad really cos I was starting to see results, even with the drinking!!

I've just been on a 30 min run - about 11 degrees C here in UK - much more pleasant than it has been, that awful wind chill has gone - always feel more motivated to run in warmer weather!

Will be back later

[Doggygirl]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Hi Abbercisers! Yes Sausage I too have heard such good things about pilates. One day when you have a chance to visit Curves with your friend you will have to let me know what you think. It doesn't offer all the variety and flexibility of a bigger gym but it sure was the right thing for me (not intimidating!!) at the right time. I am having fun exploring additions to my plan though.

I worked out at Curves today. I did not to the "extra credit" boot camp stuff. I should have but the spirit didn't move me. I did do about 10 minutes of hula hoop though just for fun. Even did it in both directions! That felt like a good way to end the week - something just for the fun of it.

I ordered two Yoga DVD's from Amazon this morning. I'm also going to get a mat and a couple of blocks as I think I will enjoy working at home on this between classes. "Yoga for the Inflexible" sounded too good to pass up!!

DG

[LVT25]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

I had a good exercise day yesterday. I really need to take advantage of the beautiful fitness center we have available. And get my money's worth!:H

After my meeting, I did 30 minutes on the treadmill and 15 minutes on the rowing machine. it felt great, and I'm a little sore today--what a wuss!!

[ezzmae]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Hi Sausage - I don't think you have to stop Body Pump forever, after a while you can return and just life light weights for the squat track. Or else you can squat with no weights. Pump is great for arm definition.

Pilates is great, if a little boring sometimes. It can be difficult to find the right teacher. I used to do Pilates with hand weights, with was even better. We don't have a pilates teacher anymore, so I now do a Core Strength class with a fitball and I find this class even better for my core, I am usually sore the day after.

2 years ago I didn't exercise, apart from walking everywhere. I was diagnosed with a slight prolapse womb at only 30, one which was going to need attention in the next 10 years. The other day I had it checked out and through exercise and always holding in my abs when at the gym I have mostly rectified it, now my prolapse looks normal for my age with 2 kids, and I can have more kids.

[Determinator]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

arg! overdid it today and paying the price. did back-to-back classes (total of 3 hours with no break).
screwed up my shoulder so bad it's hard to type. sniff sniff..... ice and rest. I know the drill.
keep up the great work everyone!

[on my way]

January (new year) abbercisers!!

Deter, take some ibu with that ice