The Exercise Motivation Thread - 2016

[Norachan]

 
Yes, they're pretty much like the YakTrax. They criss-cross under the shoe. They really bite into snow and ice. Do you like yours? Do yours work well, too?

The only problem I can find is that they usually only last one season. Part of the problem is that you're not supposed to wear them on dry roads; they're really meant for snow and ice. The problem is that (and I mentioned this before) not all property owners clean their sidewalks and as passersby walk in the snow, they wear it down and it eventually turns into an icy mess. I am scared to death of falling (I have osteopenia and my doctor always says, "Whatever you do, don't fall!). So I wear the YakTrax until I know that sidewalks are clear, the sides of the roads are OK, etc. So part of the time, I walk on ice and snow; the other part I'm on dry roads. And the coils aren't made for dryness....and they will break/snap. I usually end up buying a new pair at the beginning of the winter season. Still, I suppose it's cheaper than falling down and breaking a bone.

2.25 miles on the treadmill this morning. 

I'm pretty happy with mine. The roads around here are mainly dirt tracks, so even if the snow has melted in places I'm walking on soft earth. The only paved road gets cleared after heavy snow, but there is hardly any traffic. It generally has at least an inch of ice and snow on it. I can see how walking on dry roads would be a problem, like wearing 8 pairs of stilettos at once!

An hour of yoga today.

 

[ghiblithecat]

The cat I grew up with died today at 10 years old because of cancer. I ran so hard today I don't even know how I did it. I swear I sprinted for an hour and a half straight. I'm so tired now. RIP Chester.

 

[Winchester]

 
The cat I grew up with died today at 10 years old because of cancer. I ran so hard today I don't even know how I did it. I swear I sprinted for an hour and a half straight. I'm so tired now. RIP Chester.

I'm so sorry. 

JTbo, you went for a bike ride at 3 a.m.? Now that would have been pretty neat, esp with the snow. Was it clear outside so you could see?

2.25 miles on the treadmill this morning.

 

[AbbysMom]

The cat I grew up with died today at 10 years old because of cancer. I ran so hard today I don't even know how I did it. I swear I sprinted for an hour and a half straight. I'm so tired now. RIP Chester.

I went for a four mile walk yesterday. If felt good.

 

[jtbo]

I'm so sorry. 

JTbo, you went for a bike ride at 3 a.m.? Now that would have been pretty neat, esp with the snow. Was it clear outside so you could see?

2.25 miles on the treadmill this morning.

It was very dark and there was tiny bit of freezing water in the air that turned later at the morning to snow. I like riding during the night when everyone else is sleeping, one of my favorite places for example would be empty shopping mall at night, or north pole, if it just would be warm enough in there, well bit of land would be nice too ;D

Earlier last week I think, I went bike ride sometime around 11 p.m. and it was bright moon with snow and all it was quite photographic, just had no camera with me.

Yesterday I rode trough city center too, there was nothing moving there, except two rabbits.


1 hour and 20 minutes of moving wet snow today, full body workout, burned 1075 calories and got a blister near base of thumb. Base consumption corrected calorie burn is 674 calories per hour and that should work out something like 220 Watts average power, but that reading might be unreliable as I have not found a way to proof it yet.

Anyway, every piece of clothing was dripping wet after that, got really good workout, 4 to 6 inches of wet snow. today and I opened pathways that had accumulated more than 1 foot of snow.

 

[Winchester]

3.5 miles walked today during lunch. Considerably cooler out today and much breezier than yesterday.

5.75 miles total for the day.

 

[tammat]

The cat I grew up with died today at 10 years old because of cancer. I ran so hard today I don't even know how I did it. I swear I sprinted for an hour and a half straight. I'm so tired now. RIP Chester.

So sorry for your loss. Hugs to you.

Yesterday I saw Rohan and picked up my new programme. I hadn't trained yet so I gsve it a try. Oh my word!!! It's hard and it will take a bit of getting used to.
I went for my 20 min stroll after dinner and then had a serve of icecream. I weighed it and it was within my calories allowed for the day. A girls gotta have a little treat every now and then [emoji]128512[/emoji]

 

[Norachan]

 
The cat I grew up with died today at 10 years old because of cancer. I ran so hard today I don't even know how I did it. I swear I sprinted for an hour and a half straight. I'm so tired now. RIP Chester.

I'm so sorry. Running is a good way to deal with your grief. You have to keep your breathing really deep and steady as you run, so it's stops that tightening in your chest you get when you're about to cry.

I ran miles and miles when I lost my cat George a few years ago.

Just an hour of yoga so far today. It's started raining with some sleet in it. I'll try and walk later if it clears up.

 

[ghiblithecat]

 
I'm so sorry. Running is a good way to deal with your grief. You have to keep your breathing really deep and steady as you run, so it's stops that tightening in your chest you get when you're about to cry.

I ran miles and miles when I lost my cat George a few years ago.

Just an hour of yoga so far today. It's started raining with some sleet in it. I'll try and walk later if it clears up.

Yeah, running is pretty much the only thing I can do that makes me temporarily feel better. There is something about the really intense pain/discomfort of the end of the sprint that actually makes me feel better mentally. That is really good advice. I definitely had issues with the breathing and feeling like my throat and chest was closing up. Thanks so much 

 

[rpandcat]

@GhibliTheCat -- that feeling of really intense pain combined with deep breathing -- and for me -- combined with endorphins is why I exercise. There have been times in my life where things have seemed okay, but weren't. Exercise just let everything out. I'm sorry for your loss, and hope that running can help you through this difficult time.

On that note. I haven't worked out in 2!!! weeks because of my hand/neck thing. I'm starting to sleep poorly and feel uncomfortable. The MRI is next Friday. I'm working out on Sunday, I hope.

 

[tammat]

I did back and shoulders today. This new programme is very mean. It's so hard I just want to cry like a baby.

Keep going everybody

 

[Columbine]

I'm not posting much, but I'm keeping going - mostly yoga or spending time with the pony, depending on weather and energy levels. VERY sore from the yoga, but am hoping that'll get better soon as my body gets used to it again. My flexibility is definitely coming back

 

[AbbysMom]

3.5 miles walked yesterday.

 

[catlover19]

I've walked about 2.5 km today, another 1 km walk in a bit when I have to pick up the girl I babysit. It's windy,was snowing this morning and I was pushing my 25 pound son in his stroller.

I just ordered an activity tracker, can't wait to get it.

Screenshot_2016-01-29-13-44-54.png

• catlover19
• Jan 29, 2016

Screenshot_2016-01-29-13-45-19.png

• catlover19
• Jan 29, 2016

 

[kittyluv387]

Im currently eating a nutella cheesecake. But i need to get back to exercise. -.- i normally get a light workout twice a week. But not lately. And i should really up it to 3x but thats so hard....i go to 24hr.

 

[rpandcat]

I went to the gym for the first time in 2 weeks. I've been trying to rest my hand/arm/neck... bleh...

if anyone has any ideas about this--I'm open to ideas..

I can't lean on my wrists too much--things like push-ups have to be done w/fist grip and my wrists side to side (instead of front back if that makes sense). Right now, even putting some weight on the hand while working my oblique is difficult (it's painful). During bicep curls, it's hard to grip the weight to make the bicep--the bicep itself is not the problem. Typing is slightly painful/difficult--but the pain is not caused by the typing itself (as in, if I start with no problems, and if all I'm doing is typing, I don't have pain), but typing "brings it out" (so to speak). Large muscles/muscle groups are fine. I don't want to stop working them, as I'm pretty sure it will worsen the situation. It's gripping things--anything (a pencil)--that's problematic. This is all nerve damage.

I'm going to meet with one of the instructors for a 1/2 hour session probably to figure out what alternative exercises I can do.

In the past 2 weeks, not exercising is making me nuts. I have not been sleeping well, and am less happy. I like being in shape and being strong, but it's very much how I feel which makes it important. I don't want to stop doing music... It's very common for musicians to end up having both acute and chronic injuries..and while playing music is the source of all of these problems, stopping is not really an option.

I practiced last night (20 minutes), went to the gym this morning, and feel much better, and, at the gym, when done trying to do some arms, everything else seemed so easy... ... Right now, my hand kind of works (one hand/arm is much worse than the other), and it tingles/burns/feels like the skin is less sensitive.

Doing those hand/wrist things with the soup can, some stretching, ice, and brace at night.

To tape or not to tape...

Sources for stretching exercises

Ice/Heat/Both??

???

MRI next Friday. My regular doctor just had a baby, and is out. I asked to go to Sports Medicine. She sent me to Occupational Therapy .. not really helpful. I've been pestering her. Seeing about PT...

 

[Columbine]

What instrument(s) do you play? I trained as a musician, and knowing which instrument will likely give me a clear idea of exactly what is and isn't possible.

With severe RSI rest really is important to let things settle. Tumeric supplements might help the healing process - its a proven natural anti inflammatory. I know it helps me. I've also found Bowen Therapy incredibly helpful, and it can work really quickly.

Hoping you feel better soon

 

[rpandcat]

I was a flute player for many years, but eventually had to stop completely. If I put my head in the position I was in, it's not good. My right shoulder was lifted and forward, and my right wrist was back about 30 degrees.

Went to PT at 16, 18, 19, sometime in grad school, and several years ago. Got a lot of puzzled looks from PTs.

A few years ago, I saw a pain doc. He did a diagnostic procedure (injection of anesthesia in my neck), and now, I get 4 medial branch blocks and a bunch of injections. Pain, headaches, everything got much better. Awhile ago, I asked him, "So can I do music again?" He said, "Sure. I don't see why not."

So I decided to completely switch instruments, and am starting the cello. I thought things would be okay: my neck wouldn't be involved, the wrist is in the opposite position, and the bow is kind of pulled down (instead of holding something up, as with the flute).

 

[Columbine]

That's spooky :jaw: I trained in recorders and baroque flute (so I totally get the issues flute causes) and, after a long break, switched to bass viol - not all that dissimilar to a cello from the physical perspective. The only physical difference is the bow is held from underneath instead of over the top. I thought that would be better too - only to find it created all kinds if other issues (as you have, by the sound of it).

I really do recommend Bowen Therapy, and things like yoga can really help stretch out tight muscles too. I'd avoid hand weights for the time being - no point in exacerbating things unnecessarily.

When I was at college Alexander Technique was compulsory. You might find it helpful to book some sessions with someone who specialises in musicians and take the cello along. I've had sessions with the viol, and it really makes a difference in preventing re injury.

I hope you're able to get these issues resolved soon. RSI is horrible

 

[jtbo]

2 hours of bicycling, icy and snowy roads.

I should of eat something before I ride my bike, but I did not do that, so it had not so great result, but at least I did it.

I did read some newspaper article which claimed that exercising is not helping with weight loss.

Then I searched more about it and I'm not buying that claim, some studies are proposing that there would be limit of how much calories you can burn, but something does not add up.

For example athletes can eat thousands of calories in a day and they burn it all away, now how that would be possible if there would be a cap to what can be burned?

Claim is that other calorie expenditure decreases when increasing amount of exercise, but too many variables were not explored that I would believe even that.

Maybe I find more about it, but I do believe that too much exercise is too much, like too much caloric deficit is too much or too much eating is too much, so exercise should also be done with moderation.

Often bit less is better than too much, but rarely nothing is more than little, so any little counts, imo.

edit: It seems that newspapers have gotten bit wrong idea of these studies, when they claim that exercise is not helping with weight loss, in other study it is specifically mentioned that increased activity level plays important role in weight loss, but still newspapers make headlines quoting study and telling lies:
http://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(15)01577-8
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0040503

So if you read from paper something about exercise not being effective in weight loss, it is not whole truth, there is big IF, if you eat too much or if you workout really lot without enough proper nutrition etc. then exercise might not help that much, but when eating right and doing proper exercise, not too hard, not too much and it will help to loose weight.