Monday, February 14, 2011
February 12
I caught up on my workouts by doing two workouts: Legs & Back and Kenpo.
L&B went pretty well although lingering soreness in my back dictated fewer pullups with a little lesser intensity. The legs workout has been tough for my left knee. Even though the knee is not giving me half the problems it has in the past, I still don't have the range of motion in the lunges that I'd like.
Kenpo was good, as always, and is made better by never looking at the TV screen. Wesley - blllllllllllllllllhhhhhhhhhh.
L&B went pretty well although lingering soreness in my back dictated fewer pullups with a little lesser intensity. The legs workout has been tough for my left knee. Even though the knee is not giving me half the problems it has in the past, I still don't have the range of motion in the lunges that I'd like.
Kenpo was good, as always, and is made better by never looking at the TV screen. Wesley - blllllllllllllllllhhhhhhhhhh.
February 11 and 10
The change in pullups I made during Chest & Back has really kicked my ass. On the 10th, my lats were so sore that even ibuprofen didn't help! It was that great kind of soreness that I haven't felt in a long time. But, it also meant that I was in no shape for a workout and, so, I wussed out.
On the 11th, I spent 5 hours stacking firewood and was too beat to workout but, given my day, I don't feel too bad about it.
On the 11th, I spent 5 hours stacking firewood and was too beat to workout but, given my day, I don't feel too bad about it.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
February 9
Since we started this week with Shoulders and Arms, this was Chest and Back day.
I really want to be able to do wide front pullups without using a chair. Those are the easiest pullups for me but I just can't seem to get there.
I really want to be able to do wide front pullups without using a chair. Those are the easiest pullups for me but I just can't seem to get there.
February 8
Plyo day! That is a tough workout and it doesn't seem to get any easier. My knees just really don't like to jump and I can't convince them that they need to just suck it up. I don't let them stop me but I have to modify the 'jump knee tucks' (the 'mother of all P90x moves'), the 'rock star hops' and the 'hot foot' by using a chair as a crutch. Still, I'm finishing the workout every time and that's all that matters!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
February 7
My bff wanted to start back up with P90x so I abandoned my routine and started a new round with her, beginning with Shoulders and Arms. I gather that we're doing Phase 1 of Classic but she needed to start with S&A instead of Chest and Back since she's recovering from a strained oblique.
S&A is a pretty straightforward weight workout with nothing fancy in the way of moves. I've broken my right elbow a couple of times in my life which makes certain moves a little more challenging. That arm doesn't completely straighten anymore and I think a little bone chip is floating around in there. So, I've been doing bicep curls with bands but it's just not hard enough anymore and, last night, I started using 15 lb. dumbbells for most of the curls.
Also, I sipped on a recovery drink throughout the workout and have no lingering soreness. Maybe that protein thing is right.
S&A is a pretty straightforward weight workout with nothing fancy in the way of moves. I've broken my right elbow a couple of times in my life which makes certain moves a little more challenging. That arm doesn't completely straighten anymore and I think a little bone chip is floating around in there. So, I've been doing bicep curls with bands but it's just not hard enough anymore and, last night, I started using 15 lb. dumbbells for most of the curls.
Also, I sipped on a recovery drink throughout the workout and have no lingering soreness. Maybe that protein thing is right.
Monday, February 7, 2011
February 4 through February 6
Wasted days. Bummer.
I already knew that time was going to be a problem on the 4th and that I wouldn't get a workout in at all. What I didn't know is that I would get sick and be out of the program for 2 days. Head cold, horrible sinus headache, blah, blah, blah.
On top of all of that, the Steelers lost the Super Bowl. A dark day in Steeler Nation. Oh well.
I already knew that time was going to be a problem on the 4th and that I wouldn't get a workout in at all. What I didn't know is that I would get sick and be out of the program for 2 days. Head cold, horrible sinus headache, blah, blah, blah.
On top of all of that, the Steelers lost the Super Bowl. A dark day in Steeler Nation. Oh well.
February 3
I was able to do all of the upward-facing dog poses without resorting to cobra! Woo-hoo!
When I woke up, I was so sore across my shoulders and back that I wasn't sure I wanted to work out on the 3rd at all. I did a bit of research and discovered that the culprit may be too little protein in my diet currently. If I add a mid-morning protein shake and a recovery drink after each workout, not just the weight workouts, I should start feeling less achiness.
When I woke up, I was so sore across my shoulders and back that I wasn't sure I wanted to work out on the 3rd at all. I did a bit of research and discovered that the culprit may be too little protein in my diet currently. If I add a mid-morning protein shake and a recovery drink after each workout, not just the weight workouts, I should start feeling less achiness.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
February 2
Today was to be a double workout, cardio and weights, alas, it was not to be. I was able to do Back & Biceps this morning but didn't get in a cardio workout.
I enjoy the B&B workout immensely. It's a lot of pullups and curls. The only thing about the workout that is kind of a bummer is my inability to do any of the pullups without using chair assistance. I feel stronger all the time and I think I should be able to do wide front pullups without aid by now. Argh.
I have my fingers crossed that not doing cardio today will help me with Yoga X tomorrow. The last few times I've done Yoga X, I've had trouble doing 'up dog' and have had to resort to cobra on some or all of the vinyasas. For a while, I had no trouble getting through it so I'm not sure how to interpret this step back.
I enjoy the B&B workout immensely. It's a lot of pullups and curls. The only thing about the workout that is kind of a bummer is my inability to do any of the pullups without using chair assistance. I feel stronger all the time and I think I should be able to do wide front pullups without aid by now. Argh.
I have my fingers crossed that not doing cardio today will help me with Yoga X tomorrow. The last few times I've done Yoga X, I've had trouble doing 'up dog' and have had to resort to cobra on some or all of the vinyasas. For a while, I had no trouble getting through it so I'm not sure how to interpret this step back.
February 1
Freezing rain! Lovely.
A good day for staying in and doing Plyometrics - another P90x workout. When Tony Horton says it's the 'mother of all P90x workouts,' he ain't lying! The high-impact jump training is rough on my knees and I can't do all of the moves, particularly the rock star hops where one is expected to bring her heels to her butt. My old, rickety joints just don't work that well. Still, it's a tough, rough, pretty awesome workout. It hurts...good.
At the beginning of the workout, TH says something to the effect of 'you can do anything for 30 seconds' and that really clicked in my head. That statement has become my mantra throughout the workout.
During my P90x Classic phase, my knee was far too painful to get through Plyo. I probably only completed it 3 times in 12 weeks because of the pain brought on by jumping. But now I've gotten through it twice in 2 weeks with no ill-effects the next day and I'm hopeful that it bodes well for getting back on the bike.
A good day for staying in and doing Plyometrics - another P90x workout. When Tony Horton says it's the 'mother of all P90x workouts,' he ain't lying! The high-impact jump training is rough on my knees and I can't do all of the moves, particularly the rock star hops where one is expected to bring her heels to her butt. My old, rickety joints just don't work that well. Still, it's a tough, rough, pretty awesome workout. It hurts...good.
At the beginning of the workout, TH says something to the effect of 'you can do anything for 30 seconds' and that really clicked in my head. That statement has become my mantra throughout the workout.
During my P90x Classic phase, my knee was far too painful to get through Plyo. I probably only completed it 3 times in 12 weeks because of the pain brought on by jumping. But now I've gotten through it twice in 2 weeks with no ill-effects the next day and I'm hopeful that it bodes well for getting back on the bike.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
January 31
My new year begins!
I know it's a month late, however, January is pretty much a wash as far as I'm concerned. The year 2011 is about trying to ride 1,000 total miles on my road bike and mountain bike. Since January had an average temperature of about 152 below zero (hyperbole!), I decided to pretend like it didn't happen.
Last year, I ended the biking season with almost exactly 800 miles. That's great but I also ended the season with a bad left knee. A sharp pain struck every few up-strokes during my last 10 or so rides, leaving me gasping on a couple of occasions when it caught me off guard.
My riding season ended abruptly when it got very cold very quickly in late autumn and the temperatures have yet to rebound. I've ridden in cold weather before (once I broke my elbow falling on a patch of ice while mountain biking in 10 degree weather) but this year, I wasn't into it. So, I'm off the bike until we get a break in the weather.
To maintain a baseline of fitness, I started doing P90x and have already completed the 3-month Classic plan. How's P90x? It's ok. Getting used to it the first month was a little rough. I was sore every day and, some days, just the thought of working out was brutal.
Last week, I started P90x Doubles with one change - since I have already finished the basics, I dropped the first four-week phase. This is, therefore, my second week of the second phase of Doubles.
One thing I've found is that Cardio X is fairly lame. Aside from the Plyo moves it includes, the workout just doesn't keep my heart rate up. So, on January 31, I did Kenpo X in the morning and Chest, Shoulders and Triceps in the afternoon along with Ab Ripper.
I really dig Kenpo - it's a fun, martial arts-based workout that keeps my heart rate at 160 to 170 throughout. Plus, you can imagine you're kicking the crap out of someone. Out of all the cardio workouts, it's my favorite by far. But the team that joins Tony Horton for the dvd workout includes the WORST demonstrator in the world: a guy named Wesley Idol (or "Idle" which would be a much more appropriate name for the guy). Idol is given credit for creating or assisting with the creation of the workout but he's a tall, pasty, doughy white guy with no muscle definition who seems to be sleepwalking through the workout. I understand the desire to give the guy some credit but the producers of the dvd surely could have found a different way!
On the other hand, I love Tony the Marine. His form and muscle definition are what we're all striving for in the workout. Because Tony Horton moves around so much, I look to Tony the Marine for form tips.
So, let's see how the off-bike workouts go and how ready I am when the weather finally breaks. One thousand miles...
I know it's a month late, however, January is pretty much a wash as far as I'm concerned. The year 2011 is about trying to ride 1,000 total miles on my road bike and mountain bike. Since January had an average temperature of about 152 below zero (hyperbole!), I decided to pretend like it didn't happen.
Last year, I ended the biking season with almost exactly 800 miles. That's great but I also ended the season with a bad left knee. A sharp pain struck every few up-strokes during my last 10 or so rides, leaving me gasping on a couple of occasions when it caught me off guard.
My riding season ended abruptly when it got very cold very quickly in late autumn and the temperatures have yet to rebound. I've ridden in cold weather before (once I broke my elbow falling on a patch of ice while mountain biking in 10 degree weather) but this year, I wasn't into it. So, I'm off the bike until we get a break in the weather.
To maintain a baseline of fitness, I started doing P90x and have already completed the 3-month Classic plan. How's P90x? It's ok. Getting used to it the first month was a little rough. I was sore every day and, some days, just the thought of working out was brutal.
Last week, I started P90x Doubles with one change - since I have already finished the basics, I dropped the first four-week phase. This is, therefore, my second week of the second phase of Doubles.
One thing I've found is that Cardio X is fairly lame. Aside from the Plyo moves it includes, the workout just doesn't keep my heart rate up. So, on January 31, I did Kenpo X in the morning and Chest, Shoulders and Triceps in the afternoon along with Ab Ripper.
I really dig Kenpo - it's a fun, martial arts-based workout that keeps my heart rate at 160 to 170 throughout. Plus, you can imagine you're kicking the crap out of someone. Out of all the cardio workouts, it's my favorite by far. But the team that joins Tony Horton for the dvd workout includes the WORST demonstrator in the world: a guy named Wesley Idol (or "Idle" which would be a much more appropriate name for the guy). Idol is given credit for creating or assisting with the creation of the workout but he's a tall, pasty, doughy white guy with no muscle definition who seems to be sleepwalking through the workout. I understand the desire to give the guy some credit but the producers of the dvd surely could have found a different way!
On the other hand, I love Tony the Marine. His form and muscle definition are what we're all striving for in the workout. Because Tony Horton moves around so much, I look to Tony the Marine for form tips.
So, let's see how the off-bike workouts go and how ready I am when the weather finally breaks. One thousand miles...
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