Fitness/Self Care Check In

Walked for an hour ,23 out of 31 days in December. Success rate of 74%.
Hopefully I can improve on that in January
Goal is still to get swimming

74% has got to be a B+. Go for an A in January! Get in the pool & get cool at this time of year in Oz, I would think!

Did full yoga session yesterday, and will do so again this am. Also, get out on the bike, and may even do some easy jogging/ walking over the hills. Very easy!

Thanks for the positive encouragement

Heading out jog/walking with my dog shortly. Hopefully will do just as much jogging as last time. I always sort of dread it but then am very glad after I'm done and feel like it wasn't so bad. We got snow last night and the road's not plowed so that will add to the workout a bit.

Do you guys not look forward to your aerobic workouts? I think once I'm in better shape I won't dread as much. Right now it's a lot of work and takes a lot of determination. I actually just downloaded a 7-week plan from RunnersWorld.com to be able to run 30 minutes without walk breaks. We'll see if my body can hack it. It's a 4-day per week plan. I need to buy a "runner's" watch.

Zwangsstorung (or anybody else), would you mind giving me your opinion on something? I've been jog/walking for at least 6 weeks now and my legs STILL hurt pretty much the whole time I'm jogging, especially my right one. I stretch beforehand and afterwards. How/why could this be? It really detracts from my enjoyment of the exercise.

If I knew there was something I could do to help it, I would. When I used to jog in my 20s and 30s my legs never hurt like this at all! I don't know how I'm going to make it up to 3.4 miles to participate in this relay race this spring if it constantly hurts to jog.

Thanks for any thoughts . . .

P.S. I sent a message to the "experts" on RunnersWorld.com and also just did a basic search on google for "why do my legs hurt when I run?" Seems the suggestion from other runners is either buy new running shoes (mine are old) and/or go to an orthopedic specialist. I think I'll try new running shoes first.

newgal2, when I used to take walks everyday my legs hurt very badly and continued to do so, I thought I would get used to it at some point but I never did. I think you're looking in the right direction for new shoes or something like that, it could also be lack of vitamins.



On my 3rd day of eating healthier, haven't added an exercise routine yet as I want to put all my focus on college starting next week, but maybe when I get into that and it warms up during the spring I'll start walking and doing other exercises again.

hope it works for you.

let us know...

sorry that i have no ideas of my own

It would seem to me that you have over stressed yourself. One thing that would help a lot is a good massage. Could you pay for one? Failing that, get some muscle rub and get someone to really give those sore muscles a treat. Or do it yourself, but that is not so much fun! Do it now with some Vaseline. You could try a gel with ibuprofen in it. Rub it in for half an hour, and repeat daily. Really kneed your muscles and joints. Perhaps get some pointers on utube.

I had a similar experience a few years ago. I went for a run and didn't feel too bad. The next day I couldn't get out of bed! You just have to take more care when you are not so young.

Once again, learn from the professionals. Cyclists will spend an hour on the bench getting their legs massage after a grueling day in the saddle. Do this before you go out. It all helps.

Thanks a lot Tony. I will try some self massage. Not working right now so a massage isn't really in the budget.

Well, no jogging for me today since it's -32 with the windchill where I live! The more important reason is that my legs hurt like hell from yesterday. Going out to buy new running shoes today. Problem is I don't think the temp is going to improve much throughout the week. I will just have to dress more warmly. Probably won't be going with the dogs anymore since, as part of the training plan I downloaded from RunnersWorld.com, I need to be monitoring the minutes (for a run/walk routine). Bought a digital watch that shows seconds on it yesterday.

As far as self care, I'm going to the library today to get a new book. As I continue to look for work and have a lot of time on my hands, I try to keep busy (doing something other than sitting on the internet!), and reading is part of that.

I'm baaack! Oh yeah, mother fluffers, you can't get rid of me that easily. Just did my workout, and used my new vest with all the lil weight things (10KG in total, apparently) and it felt amazing. 30 minutes, wasn't a huge amount, but I did alright, and don't feel pain from it, so I hope that does mean my "injury" has healed. xD Guess who's back..back again..Zwang is back!

Re Dread of aerobic workouts.

I think if you can find something you enjoy, it makes it all much easier. It shouldn't be punishment, if you want to keep it going. But, on the other hand if its hurting, that's no fun at all.

Personally, I have come to the awful self truth that I just can't dance. (I've been told that I can't sing either, but that is just jealousy!) However, what I can do is step aerobics. Its just a matter of finding things that get the limbs moving, the heart pumping, and getting a bit out of breath.

If you enjoy it, you'll keep at it.

Enrolled in a weekly swimming class. Starts last week Jan.

Ah man, I would love to do something like that. x_x I love swimming, ... it's something I haven't done since I was a kid, and likely never will do, because of scars, social anxiety stuff, and disliking the idea of being half nekkid in-front of strangers. x_x

Well, I bought my new running shoes yesterday. I've finally admitted to myself that my body is so sore because I'm pushing myself farther than my body is able to go right now. Duh! I will scale the run portion of my interval training back. Runner's World website does have a beginner's training schedule that gets you up to running 2 miles in 2 months or something, so I guess I'll try that starting tomorrow.

Have lost 3 pounds since starting to eat healthier last Friday. I guess it really helps that I'm no longer eating a whole large pizza in 24 hours and doing things like that anymore...

Having good yoga / meditation sessions at the moment. Still developing my practice, even after years of doing it regularly. Finding new stuff out.

Remember, everybody, to keep your spirits up this time of year. January can be a drag with coldness, long nights, bills and so on. Keep those routines going. See what nature is doing. Get in shape for a good summer. That's where I find motivation. Mm

Started my 8-week beginner's program to get up to running 30 minutes straight this morning. It was damn cold out (-2F) but I, along with my golden retriever, Belle, survived, since I wore some of my husband's arctic gear for ice fishing and Belle has plenty of fur!

Good work, newgal.

Personally, I feel that I have finally emerged from the Xmas slough and back to speed, if a little overweight. To celebrate this, I have invested in a new cycle stem which allows for better handlebar position. More comfort, less strain. While in the shop, saw some puncture proof tyres. Want some. Apparently, some dude cycled round the world on just one pair of tyres and had only one puncture, in Australia. God, I'm so gullible!

I did 4.1 mi today, 9191 steps by myself at the park! I did it forward and backward yea can feel it in my legs. I had an apple this morning cut it in half this morning. I have an app on my phone that I use to track my steps and listened to nice relaxing music didn't have a care in the world. I noticed something when walking everything was calm and serene, lovely to see people active and happy enjoying themselves/life with their dogs (the ones who had dogs). Wish I had a dog with me, but can't afford it.

I never realized this about life. People of all ages at the park enjoying themselves and I have been to parks before, but never walked it like I did today. I do plan on getting up earlier to do this walk before noon where it will get pretty warm.

today was a horrible day and havent eaten much but i did have an orange and i did bake my fish fingers instead of deep frying them so thats good i suppose. i want to have a banana later but i dunno if they will be ripe enough yet

no exercise though, didnt have time / energy, im hoping i can still do yoga before bed...

I'm thinking of purchasing a treadmill sometime soon. I don't like walking in the cold and it would also be good for walking when I don't feel up to leaving the house. Nothing fancy, just one to walk on.

I was a slacker today.

Hi Blue Bird,

A treadmill sounds like a good idea. I used to use one at the gym. Certainly can work to get your heart rate up, and get your muscles exercised. I have a x trainer, but its not getting much use at the moment as I'm into my bike for my aerobic workout. The advantage with x trainers is that you also use your upper body.

Good luck with that. You may get a bargain in the sales.

Well, I downloaded a couch to 5k app for my iphone. It will be so much easier than holding my watch to monitor the time for intervals. All I have to do is hold the phone and a voice will tell me when to start and stop jogging. It's subzero out with some unplowed snow on the roadway, but I'm going to dress appropriately and head out anyway so I can stay on track. Will go with my doge Belle, who just loves the snow and doesn't seem phased by the freezing temps at all! Just makes the exercise session for fun to be with a dog.