Friday, Jan. 17th:

30 minutes Stairmaster, the usual
60 minutes back & biceps routine

Lifting generally makes me feel better about myself, while Pilates makes me feel worse about myself. I think my body type is just better suited to one than the other. I'm never gonna look like a dancer.

Give up Pilates? What about yoga? Is that any better?

January 17: 7 miles running (55:38)
55 minute yoga DVD (Brian Kest Power Yoga)
30 minutes foam rolling

Saturday, Jan. 18th:

45 minute elliptical, random intervals, resistance at 10, which meant that, for some minutes, the thing went to 14, and it was like strength training.
(I got shut out of spin class, as the manager behind the desk got to talking, after I asked her to put me in the class, and apparently forgot to put me in the class. And the New Year's Resolution people are thronging to Saturday morning spin class.)
60 minute Pilates mat class, a good class, in fact an excellent class, which totally redeemed my faith in it.

Birchie, now I realize what helps for Pilates is attractive gym clothes. Seriously, that's the secret. On Thursday, I was wearing something faded, boxy, a size too big and somewhat cropped, which is not a good look for me. I waver between believing workout clothes can be frayed and too big, because I sweat in them, and appreciating what a nice, nice-fitting shirt or pants can do. Clothes that fit and look nice make me like myself better.

OK, saef. Those clothes have to go. Get something else. The powers that be have decreed imperial purple shall be a gymn clothes colour over here. It suits me so I'm pleased. I'm glad you got to the bottom of that problem.

(sorry if font is tiny - on phone)

Jan. 16: 100 minutes bikram yoga

Jan. 17: 105 minutes bikram yoga, 15 minutes kettlebell

Jan. 18: 100 minutes bikram yoga. Great class! Thought I might go back for a second class but I am short on time. Perhaps tomorrow.

Totals:
19 workouts
1965 minutes

January 18: 50 minutes weight lifting (lats, delts, biceps)
P90X(2) Yoga - 66 minutes

Sunday, Jan. 19th:

30 minutes StairMaster, the usual, tough as ever
30 minutes shoulders, biceps & triceps routine, just one circuit instead of two, so that I could accommodate ...
30 minutes Leg Day

Continuing my experiment with a leg day, rather than a spin class. I'm committing to this for six Sundays, after which I will reassess.

This is how I'm dealing with my anxiety about breaking my routine. The fear of course is what if what I **was** doing was better for me, in fact, perfect for me, and I messed up a good thing by making a change, and I deteriorate, and I regret it. It's ridiculous when I write it out here. But this is what makes me sad about my routine sometimes, the prospect of sustaining it, exactly as it is, forever & ever. It's like a balancing act. Can I hold myself up forever? I get frightened by that. The answer of course is no, people have to change positions, change it up a little. So I am trying this experiment of turning another cardio day to a strength day. Doing nothing at all is beyond me right now. Baby steps.

saef: Keep up the good work--90 minutes is fantastic!

It's been a loooonnng time since I exercised. None at all since starting IP 1 yr ago, and not much for some yrs. before due to weight. After reading about the importance of exercise in maintenance (thanks 3FC posters), I conquered inertia & went to a nearby gym. 1 hr of pilates class (with much modifying & a little just watching); 10 minutes stationary bike. Hoping to get back to running if the mild but annoying osteoarthritis in my hip will tolerate it.

January 19: 13 miles running treadmill incline 2% (1:56:53)
30 minutes foam rolling

January 20: P90X Kenpo DVD (58 mins)

Excellent job on both your weight loss and getting to the gym!

Jan. 19: 100 minutes bikram yoga

Jan. 20: 100 minutes bikram yoga and later went to the gym and did 65 minutes of bod pump! Gonna be sore tomorrow!

Totals:
22 workouts
2230 minutes

Thanks! I'm also trying to get back into running, and my problem is also arthritic; it's my big toe joints. Or maybe my problem is treadmill running, since I like running out of doors better than on the machine.

Monday, Jan. 20th:

15 minutes treadmill, elevation 2.0, speed 4.8
Then alternating three minutes walking at 3.5 with running three minutes 5.0
Final run at 5.3
for a total of 60 minutes

Weirdly enough, I run better when I run faster -- but I tire out sooner.
I'll say it again: Running is hard. Why is it so hard for me?

Tuesday, Jan. 21st:

30 minutes Stairmaster, the usual, quite tiring
60 minutes shoulders, chest & triceps, weaker on the bench press than last week