Search This Blog

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Ride or Die

Over this past month, I've been spending a lot of time on the stationary bike (upright, not recumbent) and I've actually been SWEATING!  Yay for sweat!!

Today, I went to my first spin class in 5 months.  I haven't been allowed to go to spin until now because I'm still supposed to be cautionary on weight bearing activity.  When I ride the stationary bike on my own, I keep it at a very modest resistance and just go as fast as I can for 30 minutes.  My physical therapist, Jana, allowed me to spin today IF I promised to not stand, jump, hover or ride with a heavy resistance.  I have to admit, it's hard to be in a spin class and not really participate, but I stayed true to my "rules" and I kept it moderate and fast.  At first I was sitting in class wondering why I didn't just go ride the stationary bike by myself.  I wasn't too crazy about the music that was being played, and I was a little annoyed that I couldn't do all of the interval training the instructor was cueing.   However, I stuck with it and really had a great workout.  I decided that the benefit of attending a spin class for now is really for the motivation of staying on the bike longer than 30 minutes.  Even though when I ride alone, I can listen to my own bangin' tunes, I enjoyed the camaraderie of the class today.

Side note:  Speaking of bangin' tunes, I want to talk about music for a minute.  When I exercise, music is SO crucial to me.  I have to have songs that inspire me to work harder, move faster, or slow down when it's time to cool down. 

I thoroughly enjoyed driving up to Spokane, WA this past weekend with my husband.  We took our kiddos to my folks', and took a road trip up to visit my brother at Gonzaga.  Matthew was home for two weeks, then had to go back to summer school ON his 21st birthday.  We wanted to head up and brighten up his weekend.  Had SUCH a blast with the coolest brother ever!  We talked about music for much of the time as Aaron and I had just spend 6.5 hours surfing Satellite radio and reminiscing as each song came on.  We spent a lot of time on Shade 45 and Hip Hop Nation as I read the history of rap music from Wikipedia to Aaron (omigosh...did I just admit that? AND P.S. what did we do before smart phones)?  We switched the channel to Backspin (old school hip hop) and listened to the artists who helped form the genre of rap.  It was so fun!!  We also enjoyed listening to 90s on 9 and Lithium so we could relive our high school and college days.  And, of course, had to listen to Octane... my FAVORITE...  I love hard rock.  Other fav stations:  Faction, Alt Nation and Classic Vinyl (had to hear some Zeppelin!!)

Man, that was quite a digression!  I am going to work on my next entry as a "favorite play list" writeup.

I haven't been swimming too much lately -it's because I'd rather cycle.  What can I say?  I'm addicted to SWEAT!  Plus it's less of a hassle:  I can go as soon as the gym daycare opens instead of waiting until 10am.  And it's so much easier to get ready for the day afterwards!  However, I'm so glad that I was forced into swimming.  Now that I am reacquainted with the pool and have defined my goals while swimming, I can see myself working it into my regimen. 

Alright folks, signing off.  Remember, if you are injured, it is NOT an excuse to stop exercising!  There is always something you can find that you are able to do.  Trust me...

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Still motivated...but just barely...

So folks, I have been battling a sore throat, and other cold symptoms, for the past 5 days and it's getting progressively worse.  Today I skipped physical therapy in lieu of a trip to a nearby walk-in clinic.  I didn't want to hack and cough all over my therapist and her staff.  I just felt that wasn't appropriate.  I know, I'm very thoughtful.  Thanks for noticing.

I'm SO hopeful that my antibiotics clear this thing up so I can go to the gym tomorrow.  I am so looking forward to riding the hideously awful stationary bike!!

The good news is that over the past two weeks, I've been able to attend my sub's Turbo Kick class.  I have kept it very low impact (no jumping...boring! ...but better than nothing) and so far so good.  There's a little bit of achiness in the left foot, but that's because the intrinsic muscles are waking up after being "babied" for the past several months.  I have to admit, the "achiness" is kind of bothersome...

I hope to be able to go this Thursday again and I'm gearing up for a June return to my classes!  Well, at least Turbo and PiYo.  Those, I believe, I can modify over the next month as I ease my way back into the regular regimine.

Side note:  I did not appreciate being weighed today at the walk-in clinic.  That was unnecessary and I did not dress appropriately - clearly my tennis shoes, hoodie and glasses added at LEAST 5 lbs.  The nerve! 

I'm still keeping my eye on the prize, but I can tell you this:  I'm SO tired of boring, mediocre workouts.  HOWEVER, I'm still motivated enough to do what my therapist and doctor tell me because one thing is for sure: I hope to NEVER go through this nonsense again.

I'm out - off to go cough myself into oblivion and sneeze some more...  Enjoy your evening!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Trying to Stay True...

I am trying SO hard to follow the rules and not push too hard, but I AM GETTING FRUSTRATED again.  Just knowing that my injury is healed is making it VERY hard to hold back on my workouts.  I understand that I'm supposed to ease back into everything, but I was THIS close to going spinning this morning.  Instead, I put on some killer music and hit the bike for 33 minutes and pushed through at 110 RPM the entire time.  I was sweating and it felt GREAT!  I then took it to the treadmill... I haven't done the treadmill yet and I was not released to do it yet, but my endorphins were on FIRE.  My brain was still in control and I only stayed on there for about 7 minutes - the length of two phenomenal songs.  I even did a 1 minute jog because I feel that I just have to try.  I guess we will see later today or tomorrow what the outcome will be...

Can you tell by all of the caps lock that I'm fired up?????  I'm very, very close to going to my sub's Turbo Kick class tomorrow.  My brain is telling me to go swimming, but my body is telling me to try TK.  I think I'll wait to see how I feel when I wake up tomorrow.  If the foot is sore, I guess I'll know I need to pull back a bit.

I had a fantastic weekend up in Moscow, ID visiting my former college buds.  It was just what the doctor ordered.  Now, for the doctor to order up some Turbo Kick... that is what will REALLY get me fired up! 

Hamming it up on my former bed on the sleeping porch at dear ol' Delta G...