My sciatica is whispering at me so I'm cautious with all my movements today. It's always that way the day after Kickboxing the machine. The cross-trainers that I favor are all in use, and it's chilly enough that I don't want to use the ones by the front door. Even though it's a double-door entrance, you can feel a blast of cold air on your back whenever anyone enters or leaves. And because my right outer calf is tight (the sciatic nerve runs through there) I'm perfectly happy to do the elliptical instead. I don't usually because it only works legs while the cross-trainer allows you to pump with your arms. I also get "better mileage" on the cross-trainer, although I pay for it by leaving the machine with numb toes and feet.
Because my arms aren't quite warmed up, I find my routine pull ups a bit tough and only make it to 25 reps. Still, it's better than 21. Or 15. I have gotten a lot better at these! I do a quick set of push ups, and then some planks interspersed with crunches. I can hear the Mayor but he's not quite as loud as usual. Oh, it's because he's got his teenage son with him. After a measly three sets of RG BB Rows (I'm feeling them more in my traps than anywhere else which means I'm not bent over enough, but my lower back won't tolerate it lately), I change my grip and do Stiff-Leg DLs, focusing on keeping my back straight and knees out of the way. What I really worry about is slamming the bar into my hips. I only lower the bar to under my knees before straightening up again. Of course, since I've got short legst, it's not really that far to the ground either.I do only 3 sets of Seated Cable One-Arm rows because even at moderate weight, there's stress on my elbows and wrists from this movement. I'd also like to do a few BB Upright rows but someone's using the 30 lb. I was planning to grab some magnetic discs and move up to 35 lbs, but instead I'm forced to jump right to the 40s. I muscle through my reps but the movement bothers my right elbow and forearm enough for me to reconsider doing pull ups right away. Instead, I jump on the elliptical and do 30 minutes of Intervals. The first 5-7 minutes are a bit sluggish, but eventually I find my groove and really zoom along for 30-45 seconds. When I'm done, I attempt more pull ups.
I try a few pistol squats too. Two to be exact. Two per leg. I can do them, but I'm leery of aggravating the sciatica. As I'm starting my Mat stretch, a big guy with longish hair plops down on the adjacent mat. I'm not sure why people are such idiots but I don't appreciate their stinky sneakers, or them flashing their winter-white thighs when their shorts roll up as they stretch. The solution would've been for them to face the other direction. Yes, direct those smelly feet and stark white bums to the utility closet door! Why are guys such morons?
Concerns about some post-menopausal symptoms has led me to try an estrogen cream from Smoky Mountain Naturals. It's been a week and I've noticed positive results for the lady parts with only a few applications. I'm not sure if it's having any effect on the weird things happening to my face though. Maybe it's only apparent to me, but I've noticed: the more pronounced nasal-labial folds, a crease inside my left eye socket, creases over my outer brows, and the beginning of what I call "mummy mouth", that unattractive puckering around the lips that makes it look like your mouth's been sewn shut. It's more pronounced if you wear lipstick. I prefer lip balm. My neck has stopped itching and is no longer streaked red, but that's due to a few dabs of fluocinonide.
Friday Workout
(5.71 miles cardio; 20,320 lbs moved)
189
Set 1 : 95x15
Set 2 : 115x12
Set 3 : 125x12
Set 4 : 135x12
Set 5 : 95x15
Set 2 : 115x12
Set 3 : 125x12
Set 4 : 135x12
Set 5 : 95x15
205.33
Set 1 : 112x25
