Letting Go

My son and I are cut from the same cloth: we're both night owls, which means we're both going to have a terrible time adjusting to the new Middle School schedule. Classes start at 7:38!  Good grief! The local librarian tells me that this was set up so kids could get back in time to help their families with crop harvesting. Uh, news flash! Not many agro families around here that require the help of their school-age kids! I'd rather he sleep in later and get home later. Now I have to figure out a schedule for his afternoons. Busy kids are kids not getting into trouble.

Today I leave the house a bit late. It's 10:20 but my son is still asleep. I leave a note on the bathroom mirror telling him I'll be home around 1:30 pm. Yes, with time for travel, changing clothes and showering, it's about 3 hours.

I get on a totally different LifeFitness cross-trainer today. My right foot starts to tingle a little more than halfway through the 30 minute session. Before it's over, my left foot also starts to get numb. Ugh. I think I had a dream about buying those toe-spreading cushions just to see if they'll sort things out with my feet. My two pull up sets were bears. But I decided to add a few more push ups at the end. I didn't really have time for a full Mat Stretch, or to play with any iron. For now, doing enough cardio, core and body weight exercises are my priorities.

The Mat area is full and I keep on walking to the back of the gym where there's one large classroom. Luckily, it's empty and I can grab a small personal mat for crunches. I snap a few quick selfies in the mirrored room. The lighting is weird, and my image is distorted. I put on a few pounds this weekend, having drank too much at our lake association BBQ Saturday night, and subsequent foray to the awesome Big W's Roadside BBQ joint on Sunday. Followed by dessert at PeachWave. Yes, I'm pretty relieved that the scale only reads 111.6 lbs this afternoon! But I'd be happier if it was back at 108.

At some point I'll be strong enough to actually complete rep 41 on Hammer Grip Pull Ups. 31 reps is now my new minimum. I add a few push up variations that I suddenly remember: T-push ups, and Dand (Hindu) push ups. When I walk by the mirror, my triceps have a great pump. Guys are jealous. No, I'm kidding. Or not.

I see other middle-age women and I want to drag them off the machines where they're mindlessly flailing their limbs. I feel this way especially with women with such poor muscle tone that their arms are mere bones poking through flabby hanging flesh. And what would I do with them? I'd make them do push ups. Unless they had serious shoulder issues, I'd have them start with kneeling push ups. What's nice about push ups is that by changing the position of your hands, you can change the angle of the exercise, adjusting it to bypass shoulder, elbow and sometimes wrist issues.

Ladies don't seem to understand that shoulders and arms take work. Serious work, not just reps on a machine while staring into space. That's probably as effective as pushing a door close a few dozen times. Personally, I've been looking at a movement called the Cuban Press for shoulder work, but I haven't tried it out yet. Obviously, I'd have to use super-light DBs since I have a wonky right shoulder, but that's not a problem. Unless I'm forced to use those plastic pink Beauty Bells. Ugh.



Monday's Abbreviated Workout
6.1 miles total cardio

30 min X trainer
144 cal
3.55 miles
7.09 average speed

HGPU 36
Knee Ins 50
Push ups 100
Crunches 3 X 50
Bird Dog Planks 2 X 60 sec

30 min elliptical
Prgrm 1
288 cal
2.55 miles

Knee-ins 50
HGPU 40.5
T-push ups 25
Dand push ups 25

Getting It Done

I let my son sleep in as long as possible before rousing him so I could get to the gym before 11 am. With only a 2-hr window for child care that ends at 1 pm, I didn't have much choice. I suggested to him that next time I might let him sleep in while I go to the gym. I'm just worried he'd freak out, but he told me that I could tape a note to the bathroom mirror. "What about on your phone?" I suggested. "No, I'll see the bathroom note first, and then I won't be looking all over the house for you. If I'm wondering where you are, I might not see the note on the phone." Okay, fair enough. Chances are good that he'll still be asleep by the time I get back anyway...

Two hours would be enough time if little things like stashing my gear in the locker, using the restroom, undressing and putting all my stuff away in the plastic bags I've designated specifically for gym shoes and dirty gym clothes didn't actually eat up time. I'm on the only LifeFitness cross-trainer that goes to Zero; all the rest start at One, which slows me down and doesn't actually feel like a better workout. My right foot has been acting up, most noticeably when I'm doing cardio. For the past few months my hammer toes have had intermittent spasms, and sometimes I feel as if my heels have lost any semblance of cushioning that makes walking bearable.

This looks really comfy!

Today, toes on my right foot seem to lean left, toward the errant bunion big toe, causing a sensation of crowding inside my trainer. Ugh, don't you hate it when your ligaments and nerves have their own agendas? I'm fearful of the second toe crossing over the big toe due to tendon and soft tissue issues. But I'm not sure what I can do about it. Don't even mention doctors because most of them don't know anything except what they've been programmed to do: charge a lot of money and suggest surgery. Uh, no thanks.


Worse, my "good foot", the left one, starts to develop a slight numbness as well. Maybe it's that blasted aging process where you lose the fat padding on various places in your body. I'm hoping they're not all migrating to my belly and hips. That would really suck.

My first set of pull ups is passable. I've gotten 31 without any issues, and I probably could've gotten more, but I'm in a hurry. I knock out push ups, crunches and planks, then a knee-in. I don't even have time to consider any alterations to the routine, like maybe doing smaller sets of different push ups instead of one giant set of plain ol' wide hand push ups.

I don't even consider doing a set of push ups before getting on the elliptical because that would add time. I'm sandwiched between two old men. I think we're all doing versions of one of the Performance Programs because those are the only programs that ask you pedal backwards occasionally. I had to skip doing this yesterday after kickboxing the machine, and my hips felt off this morning when I woke up. Pedaling backwards remedies a lot of the sciatic problems I have so I do this instead of Intervals if I have to make a choice.

My last set of pull ups is a bear, although not at first. But now that I've set the "bar" higher, completing a full set is harder. Of course, because that's how goals work, right? My hands and arms are starting to really tired as I approach 40 reps. From a full extension, I can just get my forehead to the bar. Okay, that's not quite a rep. Maybe half a rep? I've stopped using the FitNotes app for the time being because I don't have a routine set up for the Super Abbreviated Workout AND I have to enter my stats into my phone's notepad no matter what. It's a duplication of effort, and it's not really netting any benefits. The only thing I appreciate about the FitNotes is that it does remind me of exercises I might forget. Not doing those movements is then a conscious determination, and not an accidental moment of distraction.

It didn't occur to me until I read an article in Men's Health that doing push ups and pull ups was considered a test of manly abilities. Is that why the younger guys give me such an odd look? But now that I think about it, I rarely see women (or girls) doing push ups or pull ups on a regular basis. Because usually they can't. No perseverance, I guess. I do it because it's obvious: push ups and pull ups are the most efficient body weight exercises for the upper body and core muscles. Cardio (pedaling on the elliptical and/or cross-trainer) works the rest. Friends advocate rowing as a full body cardio exercise, but I don't think my hands would put up with it since I have to change my grip every few minutes to prevent my hands from developing stress and pressure injuries when I do cardio. As blessed as I am genetically (I'm strong, flexible and maintain muscle mass easily), I have many athletic deficiencies (tiny hands, overly flexible & shallow joints, and sensitivity to pressure). But at least I'm having fun.

Friday Workout
(6.24 miles total cardio — Yaaaay!)

30 min X trainer
137 cal
3.74 miles
7.46 average speed

HGPU 31

Push ups 100

Crunches 3 X 50
Planks 2 X 60 sec
Knee Ins 50

30 min elliptical
Prgrm3
280 cal
2.50 miles

HGPU 40.5

Priorities

I took my son to Sausage Party on Tuesday, and was pleasantly surprised that the clerk only charged me $5 per ticket even though it appeared to be a Sony Pictures film. I'd been warned by various friends that the movie was extremely and perhaps uncomfortably sexual in nature. My son assured me that he was mature enough to view such matters. I'll admit there were moments when I cringed in my seat, mostly in scenes depicting same-sex shenanigans. And even though I consider myself fairly open-minded and tolerant, I wasn't really thrilled about the idea that orgies are the answers to everything, including questions about a just and loving god, and the meaning of life. Seriously.

My son's main concern was that the foods were stereotypical depictions ("Mom, isn't this racist?"), and that the movie was being disrespectful of various religions. I guess if you poke fun at everyone, it's okay and no one will call for a jihad on your ass. Still, I was glad to see that my son was able to see past the flailing arms and legs. The theater itself was fairly empty save for a row of teenage boys, and a pair of fat middle-aged men with a teen and his kid brother in tow. And that kid was younger than my son.

My son developed the sniffles so I let him sleep in on Wednesday, thereby missing the only time I could take him to the gym with me and park him in Child Care. They also have Child Care at 4pm but I'm told it's extremely crowded, and a rowdier crew in the gym. I'll pass.

Today I cut my rounds for kickboxing the machine and skip the post-boxing cardio. Because I just don't have time. Two hours is not enough time to stash my gear, do a 10-min warm up, 15 rounds of kickboxing, 20 min of cardio, pull ups, change and shower and dress. 15 rounds alone is 60 minutes. Today, I only do 11 rounds. And my brother calls between rounds so there's that. His father-in-law has passed away and he'd like us to check out the cemetery plot because he's heard that sometimes plots bought long ago are rendered unusable by acts of nature. Like trees.

My arms are still tired when I attempt my first and only set of pull ups. I actually get 36, but there is such a difference (to me, at least) between the first rep where my face is clearly above the bar, and the last rep where I'm struggling to get my nose to the bar. Tomorrow will just be a cardio and body weight day. Because that's all I can do in two hours.

Thursday's Workout

10 min elliptical
95 cal
0.84 miles

Nexersys
5 r beginner
3 r intermediate
3 r advance

HGPU 36

Photos posted for actual stats

5 rounds Beginner (always a great warm up)

3 rounds Intermediate (these rounds are so unpredictable!)

3 rounds Advance (the 2nd round was really hard because it was mostly sweep-combinations like Cross-Power Sweep, which tends to throw you off-balance)

Abbreviated Workout Day One

I was pedaling on an unfamiliar LifeFitness cross-trainer today. That's my excuse for not quite making 6 miles. That, and the fact I really hate it when my right foot goes numb so I was taking it easy. I had my son in the Child Care room with a lot of toddlers. He found himself a corner, put his headphones on and fired up his laptop. He's such a good kid.

Because I only have two hours to get everything done, and change and shower, I'm in a mad rush. Again, the first set of Hammer Grip Pull Ups is hard, but I've been raising the bar ever so slightly. Now my standard set is 31 pull ups. I'm not really happy with my push ups, but I knock out a hundred reps straight through without having to pause for rest or breath. Crunches and planks are for resting. Knee-Ins are for resting, and a sore tail bone. I have to be careful not to do that last exercise too often or I'll develop an abrasion. It's painful, and not in a good way.

I'm back on the cardio platform, but this time it's 30 minutes on the Precor elliptical. I punch in Program #1 and start pedaling. I'm actually kind of tired, and sore even though we didn't do much this weekend except walk around the 16th Annual Daniel Nimham Intertribal Pow Wow at Veteran's Memorial Park. Bought some cool things, and tried "fry bread" for the first time. Also ate some of the best corn bread ever, freshly poured into a pan and fried up like a pancake. Absolutely yummy!

I just have time for a quick hamstring stretch, and then onto the last set of pull ups. It's always easier once I warm up, and I'm absolutely drenched. I make it all the way to 40 before dropping into a full extension, and then one more pull. 41. Done! A quick shower and my son is NOT the last child in the child care room today. Yaaay!

Tomorrow we have orientation at the middle school, and then I promised to take my son to see Sausage Party. He's very mature for 11. I think he can handle it.

Monday Workout
(5.92 miles total cardio)

 30 min X trainer
130 cal
3.44 miles
6.85 average spd

HGPU 31

Knee-In 50
Push Ups 100
Crunches 3 X 50

Bird Dog Plank
2 X 60 sec

30 min elliptical
Prgm 1
277 cal
2.48 miles

HGPU 41

Cardio Workout Cure to Fatigue

Biceps without curls

I'm tired and sore so I don't really plan to lift any weights, unless it's body weight. For the next two weeks, I will have my son in tow so I'll have to do abbreviated workouts. Why wait until next week? I figure I can just do a cardio type "Leftovers" workout today, and not kill myself. But because I'm not moving weights (except for my own), I decide to up my X-trainer session back to a full 30 minutes. And of course, my right foot starts to go numb exactly 17 minutes into the run. By the time I'm done, the whole front of my foot is uncomfortably tingly. Luckily, it doesn't last and I can walk it off.

I stretch a little and then do pull ups. I get 31 reps and feel a sense of relief that that first set is done. The first set is always the hardest. Since temps are in the 70s, the gym is relatively empty. Anyone who prefers to run or exercise outside is doing so. It'll get more crowded as the day heats up. I spend most of my time on the Mat, doing push ups and core work. After the routine 100 push ups, I knock out the standard crunches and planks. And then I add a set of Dand (Hindu) push ups, an elbow plank and then two sets of one-leg push ups (one set per leg). I'm not even tempted to do any more pull ups until after my 2nd cardio session.

Doing Intervals is always hard, but of course, it's as hard as you make it. I'm slower today on the uphill. Normally I can do 2 minutes anywhere from 120-140 SPM (strides per minute). Today I'm coasting along between 90-110. But then again, I'm hitting and maintaining over 200 SPMs for a minute, and then dropping to 180-170 for the 2nd minute in the valleys. I'm actually able to increase my speed as the session progresses, so that for the last valley, I'm able to hit 240 SPM and maintain it for at least 30 seconds. Not as fast as I've been in the past, but faster than I expected. Yaaay for me!

Hair is perpetually disheveled

I'm drenched and winded when I head back to the Stretch Cage. Hips, hammies and lower back all need extra special gentle attention when stretching. And then I stare up at the bars, grab them and start doing pull ups. As I've said before, I do "partials", keeping my elbows bent the entire time to spare my joints, forcing my back and shoulders to do all the work. I also have to keep myself from swinging or kipping with momentum so I've learned to cross my ankles and bend my legs behind me. Having a long straight body just means I sway more, and that makes pull ups a lot harder. I keep going until I think I'm going to fail, drop to a full extension, and pull myself up just one more time. 41. Double Yaaaay!

At the Mat I do a full stretch because I know my muscles are going to stiffen up as soon as I cool off. Stretching helps, at least if I do it while I'm still warm. I can tell guys are staring. Don't they realize that staring is rude? Old guys are absolutely the worst. One old guy (with sunglasses on no less!) keeps walking towards the Mat and then stops to get a drink from the fountain, or something. He does it three or four times, as if no one has noticed. Uh huh. I pretend I don't notice any of them. It's better that way. Thank goodness for iPods and headphones!

Friday's LeftOvers Workout
(6.34 miles total cardio)

30 min X trainer
3.74 miles
135 cal
7.47 average spd

HGPU 31
Knee in 50

PU 100

Crunches 3 X 50

Hindu PU 25

Bird dog planks 2 X 60 sec

One leg PU
2 X 50 (once ea leg)

Elbow plank 60 sec

30 min elliptical
Intervals
290 cal
2.58 miles

HGPU 41

Fatigue as Stimulant

Haven't given up
on this tank top yet.

I went to the gym yesterday even though I was going to my last Beginner Swim class later in the evening. 15 rounds of whack the machine had me panting hard and sweaty. But that's always just a temporary condition. I only did 20 min on the elliptical to save some energy for later. But I remembered to see how far I could get after doing 30 reps. That meant rep 31 was from a full extension. And so on. I made it to 35. Rep 36, I at least got my nose to the bar. I'm counting it.

At swim, I actually learned how to tread water for the first time. It's a lot harder than I thought it would be! I also worked on trying to coordinate my stroke with breathing during freestyle, aka, the American crawl. I guess I'm a lot more serious than other people who take this class. Yesterday there was only one other lady, a perfectly nice retired woman. But I wish she'd stop talking long enough to pay attention. She's so caught up in her head that she can't follow instructions correctly. We all have this problem to a degree, but I'm losing patience with her because I'm afraid she'll accidentally drown me in her confusion and panic. I'm best when I'm not thinking too hard about what I'm suppose to be doing. And I'm best when I'm practicing on my own. Yeah, just reinforces the idea that I'm not truly a "class person". But we all knew that. I'm quite pleased, but worried that Friday's workout is going to suck...

Thursday Workout

10 min warm up
0.84 miles
95 calories

15 rounds Nexersys

20 min elliptical
1.65 miles
183 cal

HGPU 36!

5 rounds Beginner (totally awesome!)

5 rounds Intermediate (some glitches)
 

5 rounds Advance (eventually I found my rhthym)

Pulling Things Up

My son and I saw and enjoyed Suicide Squad yesterday. I had no idea that it was a sequel of sorts to the Superman Vs Batman movie out earlier this year. I was wondering why the Bat looked a little fat in the jowls, and unshaven. Christian Bale never looked unkempt. But Ben Affleck is another story. I also had no idea that everything and everyone is tied to favored superheroes and villains in Gotham, Arrow and The Flash. Imagine my surprise when Viola Davis emerges as Amanda Waller, who I'm pretty sure, was killed off in last season's Arrow. But no one ever stays dead in superhero land. Just like in SuperNatural!

Today is a Pull Day, and even though I got enough sleep, I'm still tired. I see a friend when I dismount the X-trainer and I excitedly tell her that I've got two photo shows back to back next summer. She's happy for me as I promise to give her postcard invitations to the receptions! Meanwhile, creepy PJPants is on the treadmill, peering over his shoulder while straining to hear what we're talking about. Well, certainly not him.

The first set of pull ups is always the hardest, but that's psychological. It's doubt that makes me linger before I grab the roof bars of the Stretch Cage. I shouldn't have doubts anymore, but I do. My right knee is off today. My left hip is also a tad iffy. After push ups, crunches and planks, I head off to the racks. There's a fellow in the Smith doing seated OHPs so I drop my gear in the MaxRack station. I don't like the MaxRack. It's much heavier than the Smith and has odd limitations. When I start doing SLDLs there, my knee and lower back feel wrong. I try adjusting my stance but nothing really helps. Which means, as soon as the Smith is free, I move all my gear over and pick up where I left off. SLDLs, followed by RG BB Rows. This pulling motion is exhausting, and I worry that I'll be too tired to do any sets of pull ups later. Of course, I'm being silly.

My braided ponytail keep flopping down my shoulder in a distracting way. I'm half tempted to secure it to my head in a sloppy bun just to keep it out of my face. I so miss having short hair! Other than constantly pulling at my sports bra straps because the hardware is biting into my shoulder and upper pecs, I don't pay much attention to my clothes. But I'm reminded of a post on a muscle site of a gal who complains that guys stare at her when she's trying to do leg raises so she doesn't do them. I suggested that she face a wall, and wear longer shorts. She'll consider finding a wall but doesn't think she'll ever wear long shorts. Okaaaaay now. Because why? They're not cute? They're not sexy? Uh, what was the complaint again?

No curl biceps

I'm back to doing RG BB Rows after SLDLs. It feels pretty good. Using the Smith actually mitigates the issues I'm having with my right knee and lower back. But I'm tired and I do a set of pull ups before starting the Seated One-Arm Cable Rows. The latter are more biceps work than anything else I do, and I think my biceps are doing okay in spite of not doing any curls. I see some old faces again. Tattoo Braid is back. Blondie is back, wearing the oddest patterned tights under gym shorts and a hoodie. The Mayor minus his son. Several ancient guys. But I love seeing Goldilocks on the treadmill. She is the cutest little girl — all business and no-nonsense, although I'm tempted to call her Alice because truly, she's the living embodiment of Alice from Wonderland with her straight blonde hair, pale skin and upturned nose.

I do an extra set of Knee-Ins when the Stretch Cage is in use. The Hindu-looking, bespectacled "Accountant" sits across from me staring, and I ignore him. He's just as creepy as the other old guys. Except this guy never wipes down anything he uses. Blech! He never busts a sweat either, so I'm not really sure why he even attempts the assisted pull up machine. I'm fairly oblivious to most people, but today I notice an old lady watching me do pull ups. She seems absolutely ecstatic when I drop down at rep 30 and pull back up for rep 31. I don't really push myself today, so I stop every time I reach 31. Maybe tomorrow I'll try to max out my reps. Honestly, pulling myself up is easier than pulling up weighted bars. I know it's not quite the same thing, but it's always useful.

Wednesday Pull Day Workout
(4.37 total cardio miles)

15 min X trainer
1.73 miles
72 cal
6.91 average spd

HGPU 31
Knee In 50
PU 100
CR 3 X 50
Bird Dog 2 X 60 sec

MaxRack SLDL
55 lbs X 15
75 X 12
95 X 12

Smith SLDL
12 X 80 lbs, 100, 120, 130

Smith RG Bob row
15 X 30 lb
12 X  80, 100
15 X 120, 130

Knee ins 50
HGPU 31

Seated one arm cable row
3 X 12 X 45 lbs

30 min elliptical
Prgm1
302 cal
2.64 miles

HGPU 31