About a year and a half ago I started having some real problems with my ankle. Without going into the painful details it wasn't caused by running but did exacerbate it after I was done. Still, for the past year I haven't run on it at all. Instead substituting eliptical trainers and biking. It works and I even convinced myself that I was going to start biking regularly.
I'll be damned though if I just cannot get past bike-butt. Shin splints were never a problem, I just ran them out, but I just cannot seem to force myself to 'toughen up' back there. Then, about two weeks ago I just couldn't stand to get on the stationary one day and decided to try a Jog/walk. I posted it as my workout here a couple of times. Thankfully, I have not had a problem with my foot and so I think I'll try to get back into running now that my ankle seems to have healed.
Anyhow, I'm glad I didn't spend a lot of money on an expensive new bike to 'motivate' me. The truth is, I like running and need to get back into it. Going back to the old standard will probably require some new insoles or other weight bearing based technology, but that's ok. Knowing what type of workout you like and finding ways to make it work for you are an important part of maintaining an exercise program. As we age and change, modifications and adjustments will undoubtedly be required and that's a good thing.
Fit Topic of the Day -
Peripheral heart action. PHA workouts have their origins amongst the bodybuilding set from as far back as the early 60s. Essentially it is a form of circuit training which attempts to draw blood away from the heart muscle and to the extremities. In practice, by moving the blood up and down the body you prevent pooling and promote the uptake and removal of waste products and acid buildups allowing you to perform more work in less time. (Yay!)
Without getting super specific, one begins by grouping even numbers of exercises together(2, 4, 6, 8) depending on how many sets and how much total time you have. A basic program will take an upper and lower body exercise and perform them in succession to the desired number of repetitions and sets.
Ex: Squats, pushups, lunges, shoulder press, hamstring curls, lat pulldown. I like to group them in twos and perform each one twice before resting for 30-60 seconds. Have fun!
Rediculously Fit person of the day -
Dara Torres - US Olympic swimmer. Just read a short piece on her the other day. At 44 she's been to 5 Olympics and is still swimming competitively. That is some serious commitment. Almost makes me want to get back on the bike......almost.
Me and my iPod -
workout - Reverse Lunge with bar, TRX body pull, Deadlift, Standing shoulder press.
iPod - Affirmation Nation(hilarious) - Pandora - College Indie station.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Batteries Recharged
Back after a little much needed vacation. Was really nice to have no agenda at all. Walked the bejesus out of that town though. That felt really good. Probably averaged btw 3 and 6 miles a day. Wore my brand new shoes and they were still a little too new for my feetsies. Should have thrown my worn out Superfeet insoles into them. They never hurt too bad but I was glad to trade in for my cushy sandals a few times.
We ate out a lot and that was fun since we really don't get to do it that often. I never worried about what I was eating with all the walking around we were doing. Killer sushi there, ate that a few times and it was sooo good. Eating brings me to my next point.
Fit Topic of the Day -
Cheating - No not that kind of cheating. diet cheating. I read a recent facebook post from someone who's apparently someone's friend of mine I guess. In summary this person was lamenting that they had a fall off the wagon type of day and what should they do?
There are 3 things I would point out here for this person and for you as well. First, this is exactly why I don't subscribe to diets. Without fail you will, at some point, quit or cheat or eat the 'wrong' thing. This negative association with food is unhealthy and doesn't support lasting change. Altering one's eating habits and creating a new nutritional platform should be the goal.
Second, let's assume instead that this is a short term goal, an upcoming wedding for instance. OK, so you had a bad day with your food, is all hope lost? No, while it is true that you may have compromised a bit of your weekly weight loss it's ultimately important to stick to the plan. When planning an outdoor project at your house do you abandon everything due to 1 day of rain? Well, I would but that's because I hate home projects, but you get my point. You made a plan, you were sticking to the plan, get back on the plan.
Third, when having difficulty making healthy food choices, it's important to examine why that is. In my experience issues around food choices fall in to 2 major categories. Lack of convenience and attaching eating to emotional issues. Its important to recognize if your struggles are the result of scheduling and meal planning problems or if you are satisfying some emotional need that sabotages your progress. Take time to figure out your issues and create a work-around or consult with a fitness professional for advice.
Fit Person of the Day -
Diana Nyad - at 61 she is currently attempting to swim from Cuba to Florida. Apparently, she'd failed some 30 years ago and decided it was still on her bucket list. Nyad has some other long distance records as well. Go get some laps in at the 'Y' people and be grateful that you don't have to eat, change suits, and do 'business' in the open ocean.
Me and My Ipod -
30 min jog/walk - Armin van Buuren, Crystal Method, Benny Benassi techno genius mix
We ate out a lot and that was fun since we really don't get to do it that often. I never worried about what I was eating with all the walking around we were doing. Killer sushi there, ate that a few times and it was sooo good. Eating brings me to my next point.
Fit Topic of the Day -
Cheating - No not that kind of cheating. diet cheating. I read a recent facebook post from someone who's apparently someone's friend of mine I guess. In summary this person was lamenting that they had a fall off the wagon type of day and what should they do?
There are 3 things I would point out here for this person and for you as well. First, this is exactly why I don't subscribe to diets. Without fail you will, at some point, quit or cheat or eat the 'wrong' thing. This negative association with food is unhealthy and doesn't support lasting change. Altering one's eating habits and creating a new nutritional platform should be the goal.
Second, let's assume instead that this is a short term goal, an upcoming wedding for instance. OK, so you had a bad day with your food, is all hope lost? No, while it is true that you may have compromised a bit of your weekly weight loss it's ultimately important to stick to the plan. When planning an outdoor project at your house do you abandon everything due to 1 day of rain? Well, I would but that's because I hate home projects, but you get my point. You made a plan, you were sticking to the plan, get back on the plan.
Third, when having difficulty making healthy food choices, it's important to examine why that is. In my experience issues around food choices fall in to 2 major categories. Lack of convenience and attaching eating to emotional issues. Its important to recognize if your struggles are the result of scheduling and meal planning problems or if you are satisfying some emotional need that sabotages your progress. Take time to figure out your issues and create a work-around or consult with a fitness professional for advice.
Fit Person of the Day -
Diana Nyad - at 61 she is currently attempting to swim from Cuba to Florida. Apparently, she'd failed some 30 years ago and decided it was still on her bucket list. Nyad has some other long distance records as well. Go get some laps in at the 'Y' people and be grateful that you don't have to eat, change suits, and do 'business' in the open ocean.
Me and My Ipod -
30 min jog/walk - Armin van Buuren, Crystal Method, Benny Benassi techno genius mix
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