The Exercise Motivation Thread - 2015

[tammat]

im pretty sure I posted this but just in case I'll repeat myself. About 4 weeks ago I saw the backs of my legs in a mirror as I was jogging on the spot. Oh dear :jaw: it was a pretty wobbly affair. I've been working my legs more since then and today I thought I would have another look see in the mirror. My legs were not nearly as wobbly. Yay!!! that was terrific motivation for me to do a jolly good work out today. I was squatting and lunging with joy . No it wasn't really joyous but I didn't winge
Go people Go.

Exercise as if your cats lives depend on it

 

[Winchester]

Good work, people! Keep going! Remember the cats! 

3.25 miles on the treadmill this morning

 

[Columbine]

1 hour 15 mins at yard - mucking out, catching in, seeing to Pushkin etc etc.

Congrats on your progress tammat

Good work everyone. Keep it up

 

[Norachan]

Thanks for the motivation @Tammat  

We had some blueberry bushes given to us by a guy we know form the next village, so yesterdays exercise was unloading them from his van, lugging them into the enclosure, digging holes for them, planting, raking and watering. We've got a little blueberry forest for the cats to play around now, great for surprise ambush attacks!

I was going to go for a walk after that, but I was so tired I took a nap instead. 

Just about to start yoga now.

 

[Norachan]

I did 90 minutes of yoga then a one hour walk before it started raining again.

I think I've pulled something in my neck, probably from trying to lug those big blueberry bushes around yesterday. @Columbine  what yoga poses do you do for your neck? I did a headstand, which seems to have loosened it a bit. I like inversions so I do headstand and handstand every time I do yoga. I did plough pose and rabbit pose too, which felt soooo nice. Necks are tricky though, aren't they? I don't want to over stretch it and end up doing more harm than good.

 

[Columbine]

I've never mastered headstand/handstand. I used to love inversions like plough and shoulderstand but I very rarely do them now. With fibro, there are certain pressure points throughout the body that are ultra sensitive to touch/pain. One pair is across the top of the shoulders close in to the neck - almost exactly where the weight is taken for shoulderstand

Kundalini is so different - you don't choose poses based on how you feel physically (ie to loosen tight areas). Instead, you pick sets (usually including mantra) that focus on a specific issue - either one of the chakras or stress or energising etc etc. That's why I find it easier with dvds - my knowledge base just isn't broad enough to do it myself - and it's so much easier when I don't have to set a timer before each pose.

Having said all that, I find basic things like neck rolls or cat/cow really useful for loosening my neck. Cat/cow is particularly useful because it mobilises the entire spine. I've done Alexander Technique for years too (it was mandatory at college), and that makes you so aware that every movement, howevrr small, affects the whole body.

Sorry...I'm rambling. Back to topic. I need to do some yoga today, but I'm not sure if I'm gong to do it. Collie needs working too, and I can only cope with one activity a day at the moment

 

[tammat]

Great exercising everybody

I did my chest, triceps and biceps today. I glad tomorrow is Friday. I'm having two rest days this week Saturday and Sunday.

 

[Columbine]

You've certainly earned your 2 days of rest tammat :nod:

It's decided - I'm going to the yard today. Mucking out etc and maybe a ride if I have time/energy.

 

[Winchester]

I think you are all doing a great job! I'm a little worried about JTbo as it's been a while since we've seen anything. JTbo, if you're around, please check in. 

 

3.25 miles on the treadmill this morning

1 mile on the treadmill tonight

I've not been able to walk outside at lunch this week. It's not too bad, simply because I am getting enough walking in to still meet my FitBit goals. But today, I was pretty much desk-bound and didn't get there....had to hit the treadmill for a mile. 

 

[tammat]

Yes I'm worried about JTbo too.

I spoke too soon. I knew it!! Drats!! I only get a rest on Sunday. The good news is that my body is holding up well. I'm going to continue bulking for another week. I ate well this week. I lowered my calories a little ( I am determined to keep my food intake high) and my waist went down by 1cm. Basically I continue with bulking until my body tells me it's had enough. Ie I get tired, unmotivated ect....
Today was shoulders with Rohan and I did my back in the afternoon. Cleo and I had a lovely nap in between I just love day time naps.

Can anyone suggest warm shoes to wear in winter? Not for exercise just for everyday wear. I always get numb feet which lead to chill Blains in winter. I thought there might be certain brands or good types of shoes that you guys wear in the snow?

 

[Norachan]

Can anyone suggest warm shoes to wear in winter? Not for exercise just for everyday wear. I always get numb feet which lead to chill Blains in winter. I thought there might be certain brands or good types of shoes that you guys wear in the snow?

I think sock are more important than shoes. You can get thermal, insulating socks that keep your feet warm. As long as your shoes are waterproof you should be OK.

 

[tammat]

I think sock are more important than shoes. You can get thermal, insulating socks that keep your feet warm. As long as your shoes are waterproof you should be OK.

Thankyou. I just ordered myself a pair of "heat holders" socks. I never thought of thermal socks. I can't wait to see how they are

 

[Columbine]

tammat As I've probably moaned about already I have severe Reynauds syndrome - my hands and feet are freezing/numb pretty much all year round. For me, thermal socks dont help at all. Ugg style boots are the only things that help my feet (apart from disposal footwarmers that is). 'Real' uggs are too expensive for me- I get double faced sheepskin boots from lesser known brands. They work just as well for half the price

I'll be back down the yard today. Didn't ride yesterday, but took Leah for a walk before I started on the muck out (Leah loves going to the yard). Today I will be riding or free schooling Collie as well as mucking out. Her asthma is flaring now the pollen count is rising and I need to check how bad she's got so I can judge how often she needs her inhalers.

@JTbo - let us know if you're ok

 

[Norachan]

Thanks for the tip @Columbine  I had a hot bath after work then did 5 minutes of cat/cow and some deep breathing. Felt a lot better the next morning.

I did a lot of walking yesterday. 90 minutes walk around the forest in the morning then one hour on my feed-the-ferals route at night.

Going to do some yoga after work today.

 

[Columbine]

Glad you're feeling better Norachan

Collie didn't get worked yesterday - 5 mins after I got to the yard the heavens opened and I'm very much a fair weather rider :lol3: Collie gets a massive strop on if I try to work her in the rain anyway

Definitely riding today. I still need to check her breathing out properly.

 

[Winchester]

Yes I'm worried about JTbo too.

I spoke too soon. I knew it!! Drats!! I only get a rest on Sunday. The good news is that my body is holding up well. I'm going to continue bulking for another week. I ate well this week. I lowered my calories a little ( I am determined to keep my food intake high) and my waist went down by 1cm. Basically I continue with bulking until my body tells me it's had enough. Ie I get tired, unmotivated ect....
Today was shoulders with Rohan and I did my back in the afternoon. Cleo and I had a lovely nap in between

I just love day time naps.

Can anyone suggest warm shoes to wear in winter? Not for exercise just for everyday wear. I always get numb feet which lead to chill Blains in winter. I thought there might be certain brands or good types of shoes that you guys wear in the snow?

Tammat, this is a stupid question and please forgive my total ignorance. Do you get snow where you're at in Australia? I know you have winters, but I don't know about your precip. The reason I'm asking is because I wear snow sneakers during our winters here. Once the snow starts to fly, I trade my walking sneakers in for my LL Bean snow sneakers. They're warm and they keep my feet warm....along with a good pair of insulating, but not real heavy, socks, as suggested by Norachan. And because we really do get a lot of snow (and ice), I can put my YakTrax on over the soles of my snow sneakers and I won't slip even on ice. 

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/71441?page=womens-waterproof-snow-sneakers-tie-closure-low-cut

These are the ones that I have; they're not as low-cut as the ones above:  http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/79319?page=womens-waterproof-snow-sneakers-tie-closure-mid-cut

3.5 miles on the treadmill this morning. 

 

[tammat]

Thanks Columbine and Winchester. We have had snow here twice in my lifetime. 43 years. We get frosts and the temp will drop to -3 -2 degrees Celsius. So it's not at all cold compared to what you guys have to live with. I just don't tolerate the cold well so I'm determined to be prepared this year. The socks are the cheapest option so I'll try them first. Then I'll try shoes if they don't work.
Thanks for all your suggestions.
I'm at lunch for Mother's Day. I'll be doing my abs and legs this afternoon.

 

[Norachan]

Thanks Columbine and Winchester. We have had snow here twice in my lifetime. 43 years. We get frosts and the temp will drop to -3 -2 degrees Celsius. So it's not at all cold compared to what you guys have to 

You are so lucky! It snows twice a day here between January and March. 

 

Fully intended to do yoga last night but the call of the wild was too much for me and I went on another long 90 minute walk instead. I was glad I did, I saw loads of deer and a fox.

I did 90 minutes of yoga and then a 90 minute walk today. It's warm enough to do yoga out on the deck now.

 

[Columbine]

You all make me feel so lazy! I miss the days when I could be more active. Good work everyone

I'm mucking out again today. Might ride too - depends on time/energy and whether I decide to dig out the stable (leaky roof + rain = big mess underneath the banks). I so need my instructor to get back from holiday - I've barely ridden since Collie cracked my ribs last summer, and I feel like I've forgotten how to school her. Hacking isn't great at the moment due to a new stretch of motorway being built through the fields next to ours So not fair - it used to be really nice riding round there. Oh, well. I hate progress.

 

[Winchester]

3 miles on the treadmill this morning.

I walked 20,011 steps today. I was really close to the 20,000-step mark tonight, so hit the treadmill for 1/2 mile. That got me to 20,000 steps. It was 8.85 miles today. Yard work really adds up. I push-mowed, did some weeding, and planted veggies tonight. I also mowed on the riding mower, but that doesn't count....no walking. 

Am pooped. I need a good, warm shower and then off to bed!