Exercise Support Group--Week of 03/04

[Michael Welter]

Good morning, folks. It's time to set our goals for this week. My goal will be to run 10 miles this week. Keep me honest! Don't let me slack off.

[whatevergirl]

Ok! My goals for the week are to break up my workouts to one mini one BEFORE I head out to work...like 15 minutes of yoga, stretching, and weights. (not on same day, varied throughout the week) and then, to do the bulk of my cardio after work before dinner. I bought this neat new book today..."8 Minutes in the Morning.' It talks about doing something in the morning, before your day begins...and then continuing after work.

I did 25 minutes of weight lifting today, with walking of about 1 mile. It's a far cry from where I was this time last year but with my foot problem, what can I do? I can't believe I gained 10lbs since this whole stupid foot thing began--! My foot is still painful, but I've decided to just keep going. I will do the elliptical more, along with the bike this week, to save my foot. I am motivated again--Lent is helping, I made a 'vow' to God that I will take care of the body He has given to me...and I'm looking at sticking with my exercise as sort of a 'prayer' to Him.

Stay focused everyone...please help me to stay consistent, k?

have a blessed week.

[tkdnick]

Stepped on the scale yesterday morning - down a total of 16 lbs so far.

Since my groin muscle is still causing problems I am aiming for 2 intense workouts and 3 moderate-easy workouts this week. 1 intense workout down already.

I think I can help with the motivation... MOVE IT, MOVE IT, MOVE IT!!!! SAVE THE DRAMA FO YO MAMA AND GET GOING SLACKER! Just imagine a drill sargeant running behind you yelling those at you constantly. If you need, I can record it so you can play it in your ipod, cd player, walkman, whatever.

[whatevergirl]

think I'll pass. lol

Ok--I did the elliptical today--did a little over a mile, and my foot started hurting. Now, not as bad as it hurts when I walk, but still a little sore. I did yoga stretches and ab work today, as well...overall...good workout as a comeback from all the time off I've had. Feels good. I also woke up earlier today, and did 10 minutes of strength training for my upper body. Told you I was going to split my workouts to a mini one when I wake up...and a longer lasting workout after work.

That's it for me...keep up the good work, everyone.

[tkdnick]

Originally Posted by whatevergirl

think I'll pass. lol

Ok--I did the elliptical today--did a little over a mile, and my foot started hurting. Now, not as bad as it hurts when I walk, but still a little sore. I did yoga stretches and ab work today, as well...overall...good workout as a comeback from all the time off I've had. Feels good. I also woke up earlier today, and did 10 minutes of strength training for my upper body. Told you I was going to split my workouts to a mini one when I wake up...and a longer lasting workout after work.

That's it for me...keep up the good work, everyone.

What happened to your foot?

[tkdnick]

Got in a VERY light workout on Monday and an intense one Tuesday. Moderate workout today and tomorrow and hopefully Friday and Saturday.

[puzzleannie]

they finally got our pool fixed (leaks, no heat, no steps for us old folks for 3 years in spite of salesman's and HO org's promises), it was nice and warm - 82 on Friday, yesterday ice cold, 72, no good for arthritis sufferers. They also overfilled it so we short folks cannot do our aquasize, will give it another shot today.

still cannot walk very far, working back up to all four sets of rosary mysteries, can only manage one rosary now, have been severely hampered by back to back illnesses and flare-ups.

tai chi keeps me limber, and chair exercises with 3 lb wts, but have to separate reps half in the morning half at night.

[whatevergirl]

I have always wanted to take tai chi...it looks like it is very beneficial.

Welp--I'm still at it...all the stretching is really helping my foot! It might be loosening something. Tonight, I did the bike...with intervals--60 second spots--higher resistance, then lowering...for about 7 miles. I would love to get back up to 10-12 miles...but, over time, I'll get there again. With God, all things are possible. I really missed you guys! (and working out...maybe I used my foot as an excuse...I really didn't think that working out would help it? )

Keep up your good work...!! Summer is only a few short months away...you know what that means...shorts...beach-wear.... gotta get ready

[whatevergirl]

Originally Posted by tkdnick

What happened to your foot?

Hi tkdnick!

Last October, I got into running, and ran sprints on my treadmill...the next thing I know, I started having trouble walking...like heel to front movement. (right foot only) Supposedly it's called 'plantar fascitis' and can be caused when you over exert your foot/feet without properly stretching. I'm guilty of not stretching enough before workouts. Cool downs I'm pretty good about, but I dunno....I like to just jump into the workout...and get it done. lol

I really learned my lesson...this has been really painful on most days just to walk from my bedroom to the kitchen...then, there's days when it's not a big deal. I have noticed over the past few days, with starting up my work outs again--that my foot isn't as cramped. It's almost like a deep stiffened cramp in the base of your foot, near your heel.

I also read that it takes 9 mos. to 2 yrs for this to heal...are you kidding me?

[tkdnick]

Originally Posted by whatevergirl

Supposedly it's called 'plantar fascitis'

I also read that it takes 9 mos. to 2 yrs for this to heal...are you kidding me?

Ah yes. It's not a fun thing to have. You may also want to look into getting arches for your shoes. Plantar fascitis can also by caused by flat feet or high arched feet. Stretching (including the calf muscle) can really help with it.

[whatevergirl]

Originally Posted by tkdnick

Ah yes. It's not a fun thing to have. You may also want to look into getting arches for your shoes. Plantar fascitis can also by caused by flat feet or high arched feet. Stretching (including the calf muscle) can really help with it.

yes--I have found out that stretching the calf muscle...I MEAN STRETCHING...really helps it. I know everything is connected, but still...I have also been using a small metal ball to roll my foot over...it stretched the plantar muscle I guess? It's a real pain...pun intended. But..all this time, I thought I had to abstain from exercise til it healed...but, I feel such an improvement over the past few days, I'm really happy!

[whatevergirl]

Originally Posted by tkdnick

Got in a VERY light workout on Monday and an intense one Tuesday. Moderate workout today and tomorrow and hopefully Friday and Saturday.

have you been working out long? do you have any particular goals with your workouts...weight loss...entering a race...health reasons...all of the above? Just curious. I'm always interested in hearing people's reasons for staying focused. For me, I want to keep the body God gave me in shape. Not obsessively or vainly so...that is something that would go against His will, I believe. But, I view working out as offering a prayer up to God...through the 'suffering' of a really tough workout...it helps me get through it, when I know I'm offering it up to the Lord.

Not sure if that sounds odd...but I read something recently, that when we focus literally every activity we do, for God...it transforms even the most mundane tasks, into awesome prayer opportunities.

[tkdnick]

Originally Posted by whatevergirl

have you been working out long? do you have any particular goals with your workouts...weight loss...entering a race...health reasons...all of the above? Just curious. I'm always interested in hearing people's reasons for staying focused. For me, I want to keep the body God gave me in shape. Not obsessively or vainly so...that is something that would go against His will, I believe. But, I view working out as offering a prayer up to God...through the 'suffering' of a really tough workout...it helps me get through it, when I know I'm offering it up to the Lord.

Not sure if that sounds odd...but I read something recently, that when we focus literally every activity we do, for God...it transforms even the most mundane tasks, into awesome prayer opportunities.

Losing weight, getting healthy, etc., etc.

I am a martial arts instructor and 1 day teaching class I took my students through a form. By the time we were done I could barely breathe. I realized how sad it was that I couldn't even keep up with my students and that if I continued with the life I was living that I wouldn't be around for them, or kids of my own, or whatever it is that God has planned for me. It's pretty eye-opening and a little scary when you realize that the life you're living is going to end up killing you.

[whatevergirl]

Originally Posted by tkdnick

Losing weight, getting healthy, etc., etc.

I am a martial arts instructor and 1 day teaching class I took my students through a form. By the time we were done I could barely breathe. I realized how sad it was that I couldn't even keep up with my students and that if I continued with the life I was living that I wouldn't be around for them, or kids of my own, or whatever it is that God has planned for me. It's pretty eye-opening and a little scary when you realize that the life you're living is going to end up killing you.

aw--yeah...that can be a serious wake up call. But...at least you woke up. LOL There are some who don't...and someone said something to me a few years ago...that always stayed with me...why do you never see obese people in Assisted Living Facilities? (because they died before they made it there) Horrible sounding, but when you stop to think about it...holy cow...that is so true, no? I don't think I have ever seen someone very overweight in one of those 'homes.' There might be a few, but it's not too common. I think as a society, how we eat is scary.

It's great that you're here--we're all here to motivate one another...this thread will keep you honest. Post often...see you soon.

And--remember...when the workout gets tough--offer the suffering to God...offer your body and soul to Him...and He will do the rest.

[Katie1723]

I have been managing 40 + miles walking the past few weeks. And for some STRANGE reason, I have started losing weight.....lost 8.5 lbs. since the end of January. I haven'et lost that much consistently for a LONG time
Kathy