Re-adjusting routines

Finally! I completed my 10 day course of antibiotics (well it ended up being 11 days since I forgot a dose or two over the 10 days). I am starting to feel more human and resuming my normal activity level. I was even able to get a session in with my personal trainer. I felt every movement she made me do. It also reminded me how much not being active or getting to the gym does to my body.

With all the overtime I have been working, I haven't been making it to the gym as much as I once was. Coupled that with being sick for 2.5-3 weeks. My body just went back into fat ass mode.

My trainer is awesome, she worked with me to modify my session so that I didn't overdue it, but also gave me a time line for easing back into a routine as I start to feel better.

Personal trainers are expensive, but the right ones are worth their weight in gold. I feel really comfortable with Sue and she does an excellent job explaining the movement we are doing and where I should be feeling it. She also isn't afraid to call me on my bullshit if I am slacking. It's exactly what I need for the kick in the rear to get me going.

We also talked about whether to continue with the aquacise in the water. Originally when I joined the Y, it was at the advice of PT (when I was rehabbing my knee). Now that I am working out with a trainer I am able to do more higher impact routines. So I feel like aquacise isn't giving me the biggest "bang for my buck" for my gym routine. Sue felt very similarily, but she felt that there was still some benefit to being in the water. So we decided to do more of a gym routine with the occasional aquacise class.

So before I was doing all aquacise (3 times a week), now I am going to aim for 1 aquasise class per week and 2-3 gym sessions (mini-Sue workouts). Granted this is on top of still working a ton of overtime (which is looking like it will continue for the next 3-4 months); so hopefully I can keep in line with this goal.

One obstacle to overcome is the distance, the Y is 30-40 minutes away (depending on traffic); however its affordable and it has access to a pool, which is what drew me to it at first, however they also have swim classes and swim time for Brenden which is also a huge benefit. The second obstacle is Brenden... trying to juggle around a toddler is not picnic. Thankfully the Y also has a day care, which is included in the cost of my membership. So I can go to the Y during the day and Brenden can be in day care. Which I do admit, there are times that I put him in day care, just so I can get a proper shower! Oh man, there is nothing that feels like a nice warm shower when it's been days since your last one.

The Y is building a new location which is significantly closer for me, however it won't be completed for several years. I think once it does open, we will most likely move to the new location.

Gym!

While switching out phones over the weekend, I finally downloaded pictures from my camera. And I found two pics worth posting here...

 

  

My time on the elliptical, I try to spend keeping my target heart rate, which is currently 154. But over the past week, I've wanted to push it to see what I could do... but not get my heart rate above 170. The first picture was my very first attempt. Which averages out to a 14.52 minute mile. And then the second picture was taken Monday night at the gym.... to be honest, it was actually closer to 12.15 for the mile, but its hard to get the camera to not jump around while still moving on the elliptical.... so it took a few attempts. But still very pleased with the results. 

I know its not much, but I am 291 pounds and NEVER considered being a runner, but seeing numbers like this makes me want to improve. But I first must get my cardio and my heart right. Got to condition, I can't just go from couch to 5K overnight... it takes time. I think I will do one of these 'timed runs' only once a week. I could never be a runner, I have bad ankles and shin splints like no ones business.  

Any advice about how to ease into something like this? Not looking to become a runner, but it may be nice to shake things up a bit. 

Trying to start the new year off right

So after working 24 hours what does one want to do?

If you answered "Go to the gym" then you'd be me....

I signed up last week for Planet Fitness their brand new location in Stratham, NH. This location is open 24 hours during the week. I signed up for their "black card" which is a little more money then their standard option, but enables me to travel to different locations. I have 2 friends that belong to the Plaistow location and Ben belongs to the Tewksbury, MA location... so at least with the travel option, if I wanted to work out with others, I could.

Come to find out, while talking with "the boys" at work over the breakfast table, many of them have either switched gyms or joined as well. So perhaps I'll be able to see some friendly faces there.

So this morning, in the snow and all, I went to work out at a real gym for the first time in 3 years. It's just like I remembered. I started on the elliptical machine for cardio and then went on their circuit (their version of Curves) and finished up with some ab work and stretching to cool down. I was there for about an hour. I was more or less trying to get oriented to the place. I like how its laid out. Plenty of room to move about.

I felt really good leaving the gym dare I say a "gym high".... I can only hope that it continues. I brought clothes to go tomorrow after work as well. I guess we'll see. The only bad thing is that my iPod is dead.. :-(

In other personal news, welcome to the world Baby Kaylee... my friend Tricia gave birth today. Mom and baby are doing well. Perhaps I'll get to see them tomorrow!