Friday, January 29, 2016

Pushing When Your Body Pushes Back

I never got around to picking up the wood rack although I brought a good third of the wood inside, one armful at a time. Then I drove around town because I had errands to do. Being stuck in traffic eats up a lot of time. After sorting through a bunch of Cub Scout stuff, I had to pick my son up from school even earlier that usual because I wanted to get him checked out by his pediatrician.

My son's developed a series of large nasty pimples along his hairline, just under his bangs where they're invisible unless you push his hair up. And because he once contracted VRSA and had to be hospitalized when he was 3, I'm extremely cautious with ailments that don't quite look right. This isn't a single angry red pimple, but a cluster. Inside the hairline, the skin looks red and rough. Could this be psoriasis? It runs in my family. Could this be a staph infection? One of my dogs had one and needed treatment. The doc says it's probably staph and not to worry, it can be treated topically with bacitracin. But just to be safe, he pops the pimple and swabs the pus for a sample to send off to a lab.

Later, we have a Cub Scout den meeting where the boys are practicing their Klondike skills while the parents confer about different activities. The moms are all involved with the Blue & Gold banquet and I'm right in the middle of it. We don't get home until late, which means we don't go to be until late. Because we need to unwind by lounging on the sofa. First my son plays a few rounds of video game, then I watch another episode of Longmire by streaming Netflix. When I'm caught up with that, I'll probably finally start watching Breaking Bad, starting with the pilot episode.

My sciatica has become a chronic pain in the butt. It's not acute, and it's not constant. I'm fine sitting in front of my computer, or in my car but suffer when I have to stand. Sliding into my car has me groaning like an old person. My calf and hamstring threaten to spasm at weird moments. Walking is okay except up and down the stairs. My dad developed pain in the back of his knee from spinal stenosis. His doc gave him fentanyl patches to deal with the pain, but I don't think he ever used them.

I'm avoiding movements that exacerbate the discomfort. Standing for long periods is horrible, but not as bad as sitting on a hard surface, especially if my feet don't sit flat on the ground. The weight of my leg pulling down on my hip has always been a problem for me, so as much as I hate seeing kids put their feet up on tables and other seats, I have to put my feet up to relieve the pressure on my sciatic nerve.

I cut my cardio down because I'm tired, and my toes are numb even before I get too far on the cross-trainer. I get sporadic pain girdling my leg just under my left knee. That's new. Luckily it dissipates before I'm done with my first 30 minutes. I don't have these issues with the elliptical, but I don't get to warm up my upper body either on that machine. Curling my knees to my chest helps a lot when I do my pull ups. I also knock out a bunch of push ups, and do planks and curls. This is my warm up. Some people might be done at this point.

The DB area is crowded and there are no free benches. I'm looking for the smaller flat bench to put under the Smith machine bar. Instead, I do three sets of light weight at the Breaker Bench, limiting my last set to 85 lbs because I can't put my feet down (they're too short to lay flat on the ground) and the actual bench is too wide, chafing me as I bring the bar and hence, my elbows down. I'm a small person. Finally a few people leave the DB area and I grab a bench and start off light with high reps. I get to 6 reps at 120 lbs before I'm done. I can probably go heavier, if I cut some of my warm up sets beforehand. My right shoulder feels slightly sore but it's not an actual injury.

I debate with myself whether to do 3 or 6 sets of DB laterals and wind up with the latter, and doing full rep sets. The 25 lb DBs are hard on my forearms, especially the right elbow. My left elbow is a bit tender from the pull ups. I guess I'll only do 3 sets today, especially since I've upped my reps on all sets. I also include Drag Curls and just one set of RG BB Curls. I do most of my Mat Stretch but skip anything that feels like a lunge. That movement really inflames the sciatic nerve, pressing the butt muscles right up against the already tender nerve.

I feel cold most of the time, except when I'm dripping sweat. I'm eating too much junk food too. This is all probably because I'm not getting enough sleep. My husband says he'll be home late on Saturday and doesn't have to leave until Monday. Of course, Monday I have to leave the house early to drive my son to his extra gym class. I haven't seen my hubs since just after New Year's so that's nearly a month. It's like he's been sent to Mars. No wonder I'm tired.

Friday Workout
(6.04 miles total cardio)

Steady State
Calorie :   125 CAL
Distance: 3.42 mile
Speed :    6.83 mph
Duration : 00:30:00
187
Set 1 : 110x21
50
Set 1 : 50 Lap/Rep
Straight/Elbow
Set 1 : 00:00:30
Set 2 : 00:00:30
Set 3 : 00:00:30
Set 4 : 00:00:30
50
Set 1 : 50 Lap/Rep
Set 2 : 50 Lap/Rep
Set 3 : 50 Lap/Rep
100
Set 1 : 100 Lap/Rep
Elbow/Straight
Set 1 : 00:00:30
Set 2 : 00:00:30
Set 3 : 00:00:30
Set 4 : 00:00:30
187
Set 1 : 110x21
119
Set 1 : 45x20
Set 2 : 65x15
Set 3 : 85x12
144
Set 1 : 80x12
Set 2 : 90x10
Set 3 : 100x8
Set 4 : 110x8
Set 5 : 120x6
35
Set 1 : 20x12
Set 2 : 20x12
Set 3 : 20x12
Set 4 : 25x12
Set 5 : 25x12
Set 6 : 25x12 SuperSet with
37.5
Set 1 : 20x12
Set 2 : 20x15
Set 3 : 20x15
Set 4 : 25x15
Set 5 : 25x15
Set 6 : 25x15
77
Set 1 : 50x15
Set 2 : 55x12
Set 3 : 55x12
Set 4 : 55x12
91.67
Set 1 : 50x25
Prgm#3
Calorie :   299 CAL
Distance: 2.62 mile
Duration : 00:30:00
187
Set 1 : 110x21

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Hair of the Dog That Bit You

yesterday
I'm a bit upset that my sciatic pain has become chronic and nagging. It's not horribly painful, but just enough to get my attention an awful lot. I've read that repetitive motions can make it worse. Oh, like running or pedaling on the elliptical? Well, at least I'm not seated like on an exercise bike. So maybe I'll take tomorrow off and take a lot of ibuprofen, something I'm loathe to do when I'm working out. I did it when we in Florida, and I spent a lot of time walking around, but by the end of the week, I was fine. This is going on the 2nd week now, and it's a persistent dull ache in the ball of my foot, in two of my toes that used to curl up a bit in a pesky hammertoe fashion. It's the threat of my hamstring suffering a muscle spasm when I'm on the bench to press. Ugh.

Today do a full body workout, but make concessions to my inflamed sciatic nerve. No Bird Dog planks because they really seem to make everything feel worse. I curl my knees up to my torso when I do pull ups because hanging straight also seems to exacerbate that nerve. Pedaling on the cross-trainer always makes my toes a bit numb. I don't have that issue on the elliptical. And pedaling backwards seems to make everything feel better. I've limited my stretches as well. Added some benching back into the routine, only did a set of push ups as a sort of warm up. And added Drag Curls too. Only one set of RG BB Curls though... forearms don't quite feel right lately. Of course, all on the right side.

I see a lot of regulars. The Mayor has his adolescent son, a skinny blonde kid, trailing after him. At the Cage, an elderly couple walk up to me and the man says with a smile, "Can I do that?" "Do what?" "Get my leg up over my head?" "Sure, go ahead," I say to him, looking a bit perplexed. "Oh I don't think so," he says cheerfully. Well, okay now... I guess they're just making conversation?

I'm going to take tomorrow off because I have things to do, like pick up the wood rack that the stray cat has toppled over. It's full of wood, but it's only a half rack. However, that's likely to take some time. That'll be my workout for tomorrw. That and scrubbing the kitchen, bathroom... all those mundane household chores that need to get done...

Wednesday Workout
(6.53 miles cardio)
Steady State
Calorie :   139 CAL
Distance: 3.95 mile
Speed :    7.89 mph
Duration : 00:30:00
187
Set 1 : 110x21
50
Set 1 : 50 Lap/Rep
50
Set 1 : 50 Lap/Rep
Regular/Elbow
Set 1 : 00:00:30
Set 2 : 00:00:30
Set 3 : 00:00:30
Set 4 : 00:00:30
50
Set 1 : 50 Lap/Rep
Side
Set 1 : 00:00:30
Set 2 : 00:00:30
Set 3 : 00:00:30
Set 4 : 00:00:30
140
Set 1 : 30x15
Set 2 : 50x12
Set 3 : 70x12
Set 4 : 80x12
Set 5 : 90x12
Set 6 : 100x12
35
Set 1 : 20x12
Set 2 : 20x12
Set 3 : 20x12
Set 4 : 25x8
Set 5 : 25x12
Set 6 : 25x12 SuperSet With
37.5
Set 1 : 20x15
Set 2 : 20x15
Set 3 : 20x15
Set 4 : 25x12
Set 5 : 25x15
Set 6 : 25x15
77
Set 1 : 40x15
Set 2 : 45x12
Set 3 : 50x12
Set 4 : 55x12
83.33
Set 1 : 50x20
187
Set 1 : 110x21
Prgm#1
Calorie :   292 CAL
Distance: 2.58 mile
Duration : 00:30:00
187
Set 1 : 110x21

Tuesday Routine

"Do you remember a guy that's been
In such an early song
I've heard a rumor from Ground Control
Oh no, don't say it's true

They got a message from the Action Man
"I'm happy, hope you're happy too
I've loved all I've needed to love
Sordid details following"

The shrieking of nothing is killing
Just pictures of Jap girls in synthesis and I
Ain't got no money and I ain't got no hair
But I'm hoping to kick but the planet it's glowing

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know Major Tom's a junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all-time low

Time and again I tell myself
I'll stay clean tonight
But the little green wheels are following me
Oh no, not again
I'm stuck with a valuable friend
"I'm happy, hope you're happy too"
One flash of light but no smoking pistol

I never done good things I never done bad things
I never did anything out of the blue, woh-o-oh
Want an axe to break the ice
Wanna come down right now

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know Major Tom's a junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all-time low

My mother said to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom
"

David Bowie -- Ashes to Ashes


Well, I'm late again with my post. I did work out my standard 10 min warm up and whack the machine for 15 rounds. However, I skipped the Step Mill as I had an appointment at the library and I wanted time to shower and change. I just don't know how people can get into their coats, and then their cars all sweaty and smelly from working out. Yuck...

Tuesday is my son's birthday so before I went to the gym, I bought the KitKat and mini M&M chocolate layer cake he was eyeing at the supermarket on Monday. He brought mini-cupcakes and lemon puffs for the class to enjoy. Because everyone is so allergy-alert, only store-packaged items with their ingredient labels are allowed in school. Later, I take my son for sushi dinner. His favorite are the tuna rolls and the volcano rolls with a dollop of chili sauce. Then a quick shopping trip to Kmart where he picks out a board game (Minion version of Life) he wants us to play later. As soon as we get back from visiting another Boy Scout Troop. This is his last year as a Cub Scout and he has to choose which Troop he wants to join. Our town has three, which is a lot for a place known quaintly as a village. I've eaten lots of cake and candy. Oh well...

Tuesday Workout


5 rounds Beginner Follow Me


5 rounds Intermediate Follow Me


5 rounds Advance Follow Me

Monday, January 25, 2016

Oh No, Not Again

The lyrics from Bowie's Ashes to Ashes run through my head when I pull my trainers out of my gym bag this morning. "Oh no, not again..."

Yep, I have two black gym shoes, but one is mesh and one is leather. One is an Asics and one is Ryka. Ugh. At least they're both black. I doubt if anyone will even notice because really, no one looks at anyone's feet unless there's a screaming neon reason to. I'm also hoping that the shoes aren't too different in height. My sciatica is still bothering me and I mostly feel it in the ball of my right foot, the outside ankle, up the outside of my calf and my butt. It's a persistent dull pain.

The cross-trainer has always bothered my right foot, usually the ball of my foot and a few toes go numb by the time 30 minutes is up. That foot also tends to slide a bit which says there's some sort of muscle weakness. I don't have this issue with the other foot. Doing hammer grip pull ups really bothers my sciatica when I cross my left ankle over my right as I pull up. I curl my knees up slightly to lessen the discomfort. After 20 reps, I drop to a full extension and do one more pull up. Now, sets of 21 reps have become the norm. Oh well... But it's very satisfying to feel the back do the work, not the arms. I worry my arms will get puny from lack of bicep curls. Kidding.

I have to shovel out the road drain on my property, and the alternate parking spot that's been walled in by the snow plow. So not looking forward to doing this. It's work. So I'm careful with how much I do at the gym. I want to maintain progress with my delts and lats so I'll continue with those routines. But I really have t stop "stress eating" over the weekend. My husband hasn't been home in nearly 3 weeks so what's my excuse? I do two sets of wide hand push ups and 3 sets of planks. Both make my right leg and butt hurt. When I look up from my last set of push ups, a pimply-faced twenty-something year old man is lounging on the the mat across from me. Ugh.

He's been watching me, and over my head phones, I can hear some thing like, "Good work." What? Is he talking to me? I look at him for a moment like he can't possibly be talking to me and then I turn away, because it just makes me mad. If I look at him I'll be tempted to blurt out a loud FU. Honestly. WTF? Who the hell is this fat kid to say anything at all to me? Maybe it's because he's a guy. Guys are such total idiots in the gym.

I do my DB lateral raises and up the reps slightly when I up the weights to the 25s. I see a lot of regulars, and some new faces. Hollywood is looking good with her shapely arms and mad housewife hair-do. The Mayor spends most of his workout holding court. I think he might get 3 sets in the entire hour and a half he's at the gym. But I guess that's all he needs to maintain his less than illustrious middle-age shape.

I pace the entire length of the gym looking for either a free mat to stretch out on, or a vacant elliptical. Finally one frees up and I do 30 minutes of Program #1. I like the Performance Programs because they automatically include level variations, and backward pedaling. My legs don't hurt doing this type of cardio. I skip most of the Mat Stretch and concentrate on the simple piriformis stretch. Then finish with another set of pull ups. Done!

I have to get some mini-cupcakes for my son to bring to school tomorrow. It'll be his birthday. And when I get home, I'll have to shovel snow again. At least it'll be warm at 37F. Winter Storm Jonas dumped about 8-10 inches on us, depending on where you stand. I've lived through a few snow storms, and this wasn't any blizzard. At least up here.

Monday Workout
(6.39 miles total)

Steady State
Calorie :   137 CAL
Distance: 3.85 mile
Speed :    7.7 mph
Lap/Rep :  --
Duration : 00:30:00
187
Set 1 : 110x21
50
Set 1 : 50 Lap/Rep
N/A
Set 1 : 00:00:30
Set 2 : 00:00:30
Set 3 : 00:00:30
Set 4 : 00:00:30
100
Set 1 : 100 Lap/Rep
N/A
Set 1 : 00:00:30
Set 2 : 00:00:30
Set 3 : 00:00:30
Set 4 : 00:00:30
50
Set 1 : 50 Lap/Rep
N/A
Set 1 : 00:00:30
Set 2 : 00:00:30
Set 3 : 00:00:30
Set 4 : 00:00:30
35
Set 1 : 20x12
Set 2 : 20x12
Set 3 : 20x12
Set 4 : 25x8
Set 5 : 25x12
Set 6 : 25x12
37.5
Set 1 : 20x15
Set 2 : 20x15
Set 3 : 20x15
Set 4 : 25x12
Set 5 : 25x15
Set 6 : 25x15
187
Set 1 : 110x21
N/A
Calorie :   286 CAL
Distance: 2.54 mile
Speed :    --
Lap/Rep :  --
Duration : 00:30:00
187
Set 1 : 110x21

Summer's Gonna Be Unbearable

It was already near 60F when I woke up this morning. Already too freakin' hot! Dogs were panting after a few quick romps through the par...