*

Off to the in-laws for our traditional southern New Years Day Hoppin'John and collards. Lots of salt, but sooo delicious! I weighed in at 152.5, not bad considering the eating that's been going on for two weeks. Over my original goal weight by 2.5 pounds. This year I want to get down to 143. That had better satisfy me. I am starting another exercise class on Saturdays. Zumba at 9, then StepAerobics at 10. Both are loads of fun.

I'd like to join in here please if that's ok?
The gym is closed for me today but hoping to get there tomorrow and Monday, then back to my normal routine come Wednesday.
January is hopefully going to be an opportunity for me to try some new classes including Zumba and Bodycombat, as well as going back to my old favourites Step and Bodytone. I'm also hoping to continue increasing my running distance on the treadmill to get to 10k in the next couple of months, and continue with my personal training sessions.

My gym was open today, so after helping my visiting mother pack up the van (including her cat in his carrier) & waving goodbye to her, I walked down the street to work out.

60 minutes elliptical, resistance at 8, half backward
45 minutes Pilates routine afterward

Brilliantly sunny day, and warm enough to not wear gloves. I watched the Rose Parade on the elliptical's TV screen. And afterward, me doing my Hundred and One-Leg Circles on a mat in a big square of sunlight on the waxed studio floor. Smelling chicken soup from one of the delis on the street, surprisingly open on New Year's Day, a lovely comforting smell. I'll make Kalyn's Hopping John soup today in honor of the holiday.

Happy New Year and Happy January!
I was working out today and wondering what I should set for a goal exercise wise. I think I am going to do several things but one will be to set a goal of 300 days of exercise. I figure that averages out to 25 days per month and will allow some leeway for illnesses, trips or injuries.

January 1: 60 minutes elliptical

Totals:
1 day
60 minutes

Just got back from the gym where I ended up doing 45mins cardio and then some ab work.
Had planned to try for a faster 5k time, but after my 10min warm up on the cross trainer I just couldn't get in a good groove running so gave up after 2.5k. Did some incline walking for 15mins instead then 10mins on the cardio wave using dumbells for arm exercises at the same time.

Sunday, January 2:

15 minutes rowing on the Concept 2, concentrating on form, as the college crew team member showed me this past Friday, so I'm not writing down any speed or distance metrics
60 minutes weights
45 minute spin class

When the gym opened at 7 AM, I was the first one there, but by the time I left, just before 10 AM, the place was humming & I saw lots of new faces.

The January rush has officially begun.

January 2: 43 minutes running on treadmill

Totals:
2 days
103 minutes

Really didn't want to go to the gym today, I hate it when my usual classes aren't on and my usual gym friends aren't there, just totally puts me off going.
SO, I got on my outside running gear for the first time since the end of Oct and went for a short run! Did probably about a 5min warm up walk, then ran for 30mins to the sport store I get my gear from, and bought myself a new top and jacket as the ones I was wearing are too big now! Bought a different colour to my normal black (nice bright turquoise blue) and in good quality climacool instead of the cheapest I could usually find. They are for hubby to wrap up for me for my birthday in a couple of weeks, so I'll have to have another outside run soon

Great work, LM! I'll be at the gymn tomorrow. See you there?

Hmmm, I like this running/shopping strategy!

Midwife - please tell me you're going to bed soon. You've been up for hours! (Yes, I love sleep. )

Monday, January 3:

60 minutes elliptical, resistance at 8, including 30 minutes backward
60 minutes circuit training class


Feeling vaguely guilty because I signed up for 6 AM spin class today, my day off for New Year's, then overslept.

I didn't get the cardio machine I wanted, because there were people at the gym I hadn't seen before on the machines. And circuit training class was completely full.

January 3: 60 minutes body pump class (weight lifting)

I HATE the gym in January-- HATE!
Could barely find a parking spot at 4:15.

Totals:
3 days
173 minutes

Gymn today and it was very sparsely populated. I'm not sure whether all the schools are back: that would affect the numbers of people. And some gymn-rats are abroad, I know.

I did well and I'm rather pleased with myself. I haven't been there since 24th November and yet I kept up with myself on the treadmill and I stretched beautifully. I liked the way I looked in the mirrors too. (You'll remember that I haven't been in an exercise-free zone but it's been a different zone or 'other planet', as I sometimes call it.)

I hope you're all doing well too.