I've spent the better part of the last week sulking and trying to psych myself up to train without Dale and without the safety net of Logan to "fix" anything that goes wrong. It wasn't difficult to find excuses... have to clean the house, I'm already sore, have to bake for Christmas, it's Christmas Day...
Yesterday I threw all those excuses to the side. I was sore. I was stiff. I was grouchy. I know the best way to cure the grumbles is to get moving. So I did. As soon as DH was up, I abandoned my family for me time. Jumped on the treadmill and made myself do 30 min. Around the 20 minute mark, I could feel my good leg suffering but I worked through it. There's no point in stopping at the first sign of pain or I'd never get anywhere! So 30 min on the treadmill. I didn't travel as far as I normally do (in fact, I was about 400m off) but it wasn't a bad effort considering I'm still in recovery mode. After that I did some stretching to extend the muscles that contract during walking with the restricted stride on the treadmill before heading out the boxing bag.
15 minutes on the bag saw me throw the towel in due to DH relocating my boxing stand to a location that is not suitable for boxing. Every time I stepped backwards I was running into his bloody BBQ! We have a very small court yard (no back yard) and over the warmer months, DD's massive trampoline (purchased by DH without considering the space issue!) takes up almost half of the space we do have. But 15 min is 15 min and I will tackle the logistics issue another time.
Reminding myself I'm still on the recovery path, I headed back into the garage to do my least favorite part of exercise - floor work! I loath free weights, cable weights, mat work! I don't know why (other than all those disgusting meat heads in the gym who look at you like you're wasting space) but I loath it. I prefer to slog it out with cardio! BUT, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! So, onto the yoga mat I go!
Knowing full well that the best way to get back to doing the floor exercises I DO enjoy (lunges, squats, step ups) is to strengthen my core, I get to it. First off on my list is The Plank. Now, the last thing my trainer said to me before going on holidays was NOT to do the plank on my toes. To build up to it and stick with the knees for now. Well he's not here. I am. I need a challenge. So I start on my toes ;) I know that in PT I've been doing around 30 sec on my knees before my back begins to spasm. So my goal was 30 sec. Positioning my watch so I can see it, I start. At 25 seconds I could feel things starting to waver - but just 5 more seconds... PLEASE! I stick with it and last the 30 sec! WOOT! a short break and then round 2. This time I started to waver at 20 sec... 25 seconds was dangerously close to damaging so I pulled the pin. I shook it off with a silent reminder that this is what recovery looks like. Besides, it's an improvement from the knees!
Next up, opposite arm opposite leg extensions. I loath this exercise! I struggle to control my hips. But it is so good for me! So off I go. By the this time, my arms are complaining after the weighted boxing gloves, but I ignored that. The first few reps were pathetically dismal - I kept losing my balance! Forcing myself to focus, it finally got through a set. And then after a short break, another set. By this time, DD is downstairs asking me if I'm done. Reluctantly, I begin my stretching regime.
Laying on my back with my feet on the fit ball, I did my rolls ins - rolling the ball up to my bum and back out again. A brilliant stretch for the lower back! Then the side to sides to promote movement in my lower back. Then hip flexor stretches, hamstring and quads, glutes, arms.
After the session I felt GREAT! My back felt good - free and mobile! I felt good! I was sweaty, I was worn out, I was relaxed. I am looking forward to my next session!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Jealousy and Christmas
I've spent the last few days trying to write myself an exercise plan for whilst Dale is away. But I keep drawing blanks. On the one hand, I have all these things I want to do to work various parts of the body...but on the other hand - I don't want to aggrevate my back with Logan away! I have around 15 days until my next physio appointment and I'm feeling it now!
Today is a sore day. I actually needed to take strong meds for bed last night and some extra panadol at lunch today. Stretching isn't doing squat and neither is my spike ball. All I want to do is get on the treadmill and hit the boxing bag (pardon the pun!). I'm tired (exhausted is probably a better description), feeling fat, and wishing I could get out and do more! I know that if I can get some regular exercise in, I am going to feel more energetic... but it's getting past the mental barrier of causing more pain...
I'm rather envious of my friend who, in the last month, has lost 6Kg. I want to lose 6Kg! I shouldn't complain because I have actually lost 1Kg since I did this particular disc and haven't been exercising even 1/4 as much as I normally do. So the fact I've LOST and not put on weight during my forced hiatus, is a great thing... but I desperately want to lose more weight!
And it's Christmas time! The Season to eat, drink, and be merry! The season where everyone does their best to resemble the Jolly Man himself... well, I don't need to try much right now - I'm already there! But this is the time of year where I try to be even more well behaved to avoid the accumulation of extra Kilo's. And the time of year where I loath my body even more for all the hot weather and young girls flaunting their perfectly skinny bodies...
I WILL lose this weight. It may not be a quick trip to weight loss central... but I WILL lose it! And I am going to KEEP IT OFF!
Tomorrow is Christmas Day - my little family of 3 will spend the day together playing with DD's new toys. We will have a Roast lunch, there will be fruit on the table to eat throughout the day... of course Santa always delivers chocolates which I will do my best to avoid... oh and then there is the plum pudding for after the roast... with custard. No alcohol this year which is fine as I am not really into alcohol... But I will make sure we get out an about. DD has asked Santa for a Scooter this year and I am sure he will deliver her one. So we will get out for a walk so she can try it out. And for the remainder of the day, I will do what I've been doing today - increase my incidental exercise to drop these kilo's!
Merry Christmas to all!
Today is a sore day. I actually needed to take strong meds for bed last night and some extra panadol at lunch today. Stretching isn't doing squat and neither is my spike ball. All I want to do is get on the treadmill and hit the boxing bag (pardon the pun!). I'm tired (exhausted is probably a better description), feeling fat, and wishing I could get out and do more! I know that if I can get some regular exercise in, I am going to feel more energetic... but it's getting past the mental barrier of causing more pain...
I'm rather envious of my friend who, in the last month, has lost 6Kg. I want to lose 6Kg! I shouldn't complain because I have actually lost 1Kg since I did this particular disc and haven't been exercising even 1/4 as much as I normally do. So the fact I've LOST and not put on weight during my forced hiatus, is a great thing... but I desperately want to lose more weight!
And it's Christmas time! The Season to eat, drink, and be merry! The season where everyone does their best to resemble the Jolly Man himself... well, I don't need to try much right now - I'm already there! But this is the time of year where I try to be even more well behaved to avoid the accumulation of extra Kilo's. And the time of year where I loath my body even more for all the hot weather and young girls flaunting their perfectly skinny bodies...
I WILL lose this weight. It may not be a quick trip to weight loss central... but I WILL lose it! And I am going to KEEP IT OFF!
Tomorrow is Christmas Day - my little family of 3 will spend the day together playing with DD's new toys. We will have a Roast lunch, there will be fruit on the table to eat throughout the day... of course Santa always delivers chocolates which I will do my best to avoid... oh and then there is the plum pudding for after the roast... with custard. No alcohol this year which is fine as I am not really into alcohol... But I will make sure we get out an about. DD has asked Santa for a Scooter this year and I am sure he will deliver her one. So we will get out for a walk so she can try it out. And for the remainder of the day, I will do what I've been doing today - increase my incidental exercise to drop these kilo's!
Merry Christmas to all!
Monday, December 20, 2010
The gift of Health
My husband is a twit. Plain and simple.
Last night he wanted to take DD to the Christmas lights in a neighboring suburb where they do a BIG display every year. We had discussed this over the last few weeks and had meant to take her on the weekend... but someone (not me) went for a "quick drink" (7 hours later) after work with the boss.... and then slept Saturday away before insisting we go to a twilight market in Oona Whoop Whoop... so no lights Friday night or Saturday night. Sunday night was out because I was rostered for the early shift = 5am wake up on Monday.
The brilliant man decided he didn't want to go Christmas Eve because it would be too busy. Fair enough and agreed. I'm on another Early shift Thursday and so our only real options were Monday night and Thursday night with Thursday being the prefered day because I had PT straight after work Monday. With me so far?
Well yesterday (Monday) was a big day for me. Up at 0500 work by 0700. Worked all day bored out of my brain because instead of the normal 30+ patients I only had 16! My day was spent writing a little ditty my boss has requested. I was also trying desperately hard not to chew my arm off waiting for a phone call about a job I had applied for. Straight after work I race to get changed and to the gym on time. By the miracle of School Holidays, there was next to no traffic on the roads and I managed to get to the gym early! WOOHOO! Shame about all the Monday Night Guilters who were clogging up the gym though!
On the way home, I finally get the call I've been waiting for! Unfortunately I didn't get the job I had applied for (3 days a week) BUT was offered the same role at 2 days because the other girl is also going on Mat Leave. SCORE! I was over the moon! It's something I am SO passionate about and a fantastic opportunity for me! The down side is she is due in May. I asked when the role starts because I have leave booked in May - going away for my 30th. Well... it seemed this was not what they wanted to hear and she began to back peddle. She said she'd call me tomorrow (Tuesday) to let me know if I can have my leave but I assume I still have the job - they can't take it back right? I tried to call DH several times to tell him the FANTASTIC news about the job. He knew how much I wanted it. First words out of his mouth? "Well you blew it didn't you?" (referring to my leave) and then berated me over the phone. Good one buddy. A quick chat to my bestie reassured me lifted my spirits! By the time I got to the gym I was back to bouncing with excitement!
Got through my session with few hiccups and even felt loser than when I'd started! SCORE! Raced to the supermarket to pick up bread and then home to cook dinner for DH and DD. THEN he says we HAVE to go to the lights tonight. He won't go Thursday. Awesome. I'm exhausted. It's freezing cold. DD has a cold. And now we have to go to the lights. But will you help get her showered and into warm clothes or clean up? Noooooooooooooooooooooo go downstairs and work. I'll do it all.
Get in the car and again he berates me about the job. Not ONE positive thing to say about it. By this point I'd had enough and told him to can it. Then we get to the lights and he tells me that money is tighter than normal and there's no money for non-essential items before Christmas "Oh, and I've not done any Christmas Shopping" AKA there's presents for DD and DH but not me. Now presents aren't the be all and end all but do you think there was a more appropriate time than when we're looking at Christmas Lights? Way to go to kill the Christmas Spirit in one fell swoop. To top it off, the two of them kept going off and leaving me on my own. Essentially, I could have staid home and not been missed. Instead, I was walking looking at lights on my own, surrounded by families, and walking a couple of Km each way. In total it took us around 2 hours at slow pace. The only time they spoke to me or addressed me was when either of them wanted something.
SO, during my two hour walk post PT, I decided to do some thinking to amuse myself. I was thinking about PT. About the muscles I was feeling after the session. About my upcoming new role. About my 30th. About the Christmas situation... and I decided if no one was going to give me a Christmas Present, I'd give myself the best one anyone can give... I'm going to give myself the gift of HEALTH. I'm going to immerse myself in my fitness and make myself as healthy as I can. What better gift is there than that?
Last night he wanted to take DD to the Christmas lights in a neighboring suburb where they do a BIG display every year. We had discussed this over the last few weeks and had meant to take her on the weekend... but someone (not me) went for a "quick drink" (7 hours later) after work with the boss.... and then slept Saturday away before insisting we go to a twilight market in Oona Whoop Whoop... so no lights Friday night or Saturday night. Sunday night was out because I was rostered for the early shift = 5am wake up on Monday.
The brilliant man decided he didn't want to go Christmas Eve because it would be too busy. Fair enough and agreed. I'm on another Early shift Thursday and so our only real options were Monday night and Thursday night with Thursday being the prefered day because I had PT straight after work Monday. With me so far?
Well yesterday (Monday) was a big day for me. Up at 0500 work by 0700. Worked all day bored out of my brain because instead of the normal 30+ patients I only had 16! My day was spent writing a little ditty my boss has requested. I was also trying desperately hard not to chew my arm off waiting for a phone call about a job I had applied for. Straight after work I race to get changed and to the gym on time. By the miracle of School Holidays, there was next to no traffic on the roads and I managed to get to the gym early! WOOHOO! Shame about all the Monday Night Guilters who were clogging up the gym though!
On the way home, I finally get the call I've been waiting for! Unfortunately I didn't get the job I had applied for (3 days a week) BUT was offered the same role at 2 days because the other girl is also going on Mat Leave. SCORE! I was over the moon! It's something I am SO passionate about and a fantastic opportunity for me! The down side is she is due in May. I asked when the role starts because I have leave booked in May - going away for my 30th. Well... it seemed this was not what they wanted to hear and she began to back peddle. She said she'd call me tomorrow (Tuesday) to let me know if I can have my leave but I assume I still have the job - they can't take it back right? I tried to call DH several times to tell him the FANTASTIC news about the job. He knew how much I wanted it. First words out of his mouth? "Well you blew it didn't you?" (referring to my leave) and then berated me over the phone. Good one buddy. A quick chat to my bestie reassured me lifted my spirits! By the time I got to the gym I was back to bouncing with excitement!
Got through my session with few hiccups and even felt loser than when I'd started! SCORE! Raced to the supermarket to pick up bread and then home to cook dinner for DH and DD. THEN he says we HAVE to go to the lights tonight. He won't go Thursday. Awesome. I'm exhausted. It's freezing cold. DD has a cold. And now we have to go to the lights. But will you help get her showered and into warm clothes or clean up? Noooooooooooooooooooooo go downstairs and work. I'll do it all.
Get in the car and again he berates me about the job. Not ONE positive thing to say about it. By this point I'd had enough and told him to can it. Then we get to the lights and he tells me that money is tighter than normal and there's no money for non-essential items before Christmas "Oh, and I've not done any Christmas Shopping" AKA there's presents for DD and DH but not me. Now presents aren't the be all and end all but do you think there was a more appropriate time than when we're looking at Christmas Lights? Way to go to kill the Christmas Spirit in one fell swoop. To top it off, the two of them kept going off and leaving me on my own. Essentially, I could have staid home and not been missed. Instead, I was walking looking at lights on my own, surrounded by families, and walking a couple of Km each way. In total it took us around 2 hours at slow pace. The only time they spoke to me or addressed me was when either of them wanted something.
SO, during my two hour walk post PT, I decided to do some thinking to amuse myself. I was thinking about PT. About the muscles I was feeling after the session. About my upcoming new role. About my 30th. About the Christmas situation... and I decided if no one was going to give me a Christmas Present, I'd give myself the best one anyone can give... I'm going to give myself the gift of HEALTH. I'm going to immerse myself in my fitness and make myself as healthy as I can. What better gift is there than that?
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Cold weather sucks
Do you know what sucks about this unseasonal cold snap? The fact that it makes it very difficult to tell if my aches and pains are weather related or exercise related!!!
Yesterday I was rather uncomfortable. I spent a lot of the day with heat packs, my massage ball, and stretching. I was fine if I was at home but as soon as I ventured out into the cold air, I hurt. So it is hard to tell how much of it was DOM's (after Thursday's session) or weather related!
Today is colder again (seriously, did someone forget to tell the weather man it is suppose to be SUMMER?!) and I am still sore. A bit more catchy today than yesterday which suggests it is more weather related. Regardless, I am trying to keep the stiffness at bay.
But today, I still did some training. Not much and certainly nothing like I was doing before this injury, in fact I feel like I'm back at square 1. But it's a step in the right direction anyway.
I spent 25 min on the treadmill varying my speed between 5.4 and 6.0 Km per hr. The incline between 0 and 3. The higher the incline and the faster the speed, the more the pain. I'm really struggling to get control of this hip when I'm walking fast and up hill. But I will keep working at it. I know I can regain it. What annoys me more is that it feels like when I first started training nearly two years ago; when I couldn't last more than 15 minutes on the treadmill because I was so unfit. Now, I struggle to spend time on the treadmill because of injury. And it's devastating! But I WILL get there!!!
After the treadmill, I did some arm and leg extensions which was unusually difficult. I really struggled to hold my core when swapping sides. And it was annoyingly more difficult to engage my core when I pushed through the heel as opposed to pushing through the toes. Something to keep working on!
I did the Plank as well to help my core. My times weren't anything to write home about. In fact, they were probably amongst my worst! But I've progressed to doing them on my toes again which is brilliant!!! Improvement! HOORAY!!!
I'm a little concerned about not having PT for almost a month due to Christmas and Dale being away. But I have a plan. I mean, we all know I have the drive to stick with it. It's my inability to control myself that is the issue! But, it's time to get this weight off and give myself a good chance of being pain free over Winter. And hopefully get fit enough to have a pregnancy free of back issues sometime in the near future!
So I need to have an exercise plan in place that is not purely cardio. Strength and resistance training is extroidinarily important to weight loss and fitness. Muscle burns more than twice the amount of calories than fat AND helps to keep us toned. Muscles also help to keep our skeletal system in check and, for someone like me, that is vital. Over the next few weeks, I will combine cardiovascular and home resistance training WITHOUT the use of weights. I'm going to use my own body and the equipment I already have; resistance bands, thera bands, TRX band, treadmill, boxing bag and gloves, yoga mat. Hopefully I will see some improvement!
Yesterday I was rather uncomfortable. I spent a lot of the day with heat packs, my massage ball, and stretching. I was fine if I was at home but as soon as I ventured out into the cold air, I hurt. So it is hard to tell how much of it was DOM's (after Thursday's session) or weather related!
Today is colder again (seriously, did someone forget to tell the weather man it is suppose to be SUMMER?!) and I am still sore. A bit more catchy today than yesterday which suggests it is more weather related. Regardless, I am trying to keep the stiffness at bay.
But today, I still did some training. Not much and certainly nothing like I was doing before this injury, in fact I feel like I'm back at square 1. But it's a step in the right direction anyway.
I spent 25 min on the treadmill varying my speed between 5.4 and 6.0 Km per hr. The incline between 0 and 3. The higher the incline and the faster the speed, the more the pain. I'm really struggling to get control of this hip when I'm walking fast and up hill. But I will keep working at it. I know I can regain it. What annoys me more is that it feels like when I first started training nearly two years ago; when I couldn't last more than 15 minutes on the treadmill because I was so unfit. Now, I struggle to spend time on the treadmill because of injury. And it's devastating! But I WILL get there!!!
After the treadmill, I did some arm and leg extensions which was unusually difficult. I really struggled to hold my core when swapping sides. And it was annoyingly more difficult to engage my core when I pushed through the heel as opposed to pushing through the toes. Something to keep working on!
I did the Plank as well to help my core. My times weren't anything to write home about. In fact, they were probably amongst my worst! But I've progressed to doing them on my toes again which is brilliant!!! Improvement! HOORAY!!!
I'm a little concerned about not having PT for almost a month due to Christmas and Dale being away. But I have a plan. I mean, we all know I have the drive to stick with it. It's my inability to control myself that is the issue! But, it's time to get this weight off and give myself a good chance of being pain free over Winter. And hopefully get fit enough to have a pregnancy free of back issues sometime in the near future!
So I need to have an exercise plan in place that is not purely cardio. Strength and resistance training is extroidinarily important to weight loss and fitness. Muscle burns more than twice the amount of calories than fat AND helps to keep us toned. Muscles also help to keep our skeletal system in check and, for someone like me, that is vital. Over the next few weeks, I will combine cardiovascular and home resistance training WITHOUT the use of weights. I'm going to use my own body and the equipment I already have; resistance bands, thera bands, TRX band, treadmill, boxing bag and gloves, yoga mat. Hopefully I will see some improvement!
Friday, December 17, 2010
My first home training session
Yesterday I woke feeling out of sorts. Agitated. If I'm honest, I've been feeling this way on and off for a few weeks now. Sadly, I know it's a result of not having my regular exercise. But yesterday, I could take it no more. I did a home session before work.
There was a time in my life when I refused to train before work. In nursing, you never know what the day is going to bring and just how fast you'll be running all shift - so I figured it wold be better to save my energy... then I discovered the joys of exercise and how it can make you feel more energetic. So I would train before work when I was on a late shift. Yesterday I ventured back into that routine.
After dropping DD off at creche, I went home and got on the treadmill. At first, I started off a little lower than my old walking rate. After 10 minutes varying between 5.6 and 5.8 Km/hr I was BORED! I was feeling GREAT! I wanted to run. But all I could think about was the jarring that would do to my back. How it could send me backwards and how I don't have physio here at the moment to get me through that. So I staid away from running.
Somewhere in the realms of my mind, I heard Dale chattering away in old gym sessions. Encouraging me to increase the incline when I felt I needed a challenge and shouldn't be running. So I thought "Why not?"... and increased the incline to 3 and the speed to 6 Km/hr. Well... let me tell you why not...
At first it was fine. I felt good. Then I felt a twinge and spasms in the right side of my back - around the rib line. Then my hips began to waver and I found it more and more difficult to control my gait. Then the left side of my back started to object. So I decreased the speed and incline... but quickly got bored... so increased them again. Hmmmm seems I don't learn my lesson too well ;)
By the time I got to 20 minutes, I was really struggling and got off. My whole lower back was objecting loudly. The only thing that felt comfortable was standing STILL. Of course, that's not possible when you have to get ready for work! Despite stretching, bending was a nightmare, turning was a nightmare. I began to get a little panicky about how I was going to cope at work - being In Charge on the late shift. But I sucked it up, downed some meds, and made my way to work. The whole way to work I used my massage ball which was excruitiating - so I knew a lot of my issues were muscle related. All I wanted to do was go home and stretch more.
At work, I struggled a bit. Bending and twisting were the biggest culprits but I managed to get through the shift. I was questioning my wisdom in training at home though! I began to think that perhaps I don't have the self restraint to train at home alone just yet. I pushed too far. Of course, pushing yourself is a good thing. But knowing your limits and when to back off is more important... and I don't seem to be able to do that yet.
And then I think about how the treadmill actually pulls my leg back which makes it even more difficult to control my gait. So perhaps I need to exercise in areas where I will be restrained. Walking trails and footpaths which won't force my speed, where I will naturally adjust my pace to how I'm feeling. I hate walking on footpaths and walking tracks. I love my treadmill! BUT, I need to do whatever it takes is to get me back to where I was and running again... so I'm just going to have to suck it up!!!
But you know what? Despite the pain caused by yesterday's session... I feel GREAT!!!! My mood improved, I slept better last night, and I felt more in control again! Exercise ROCKS!
There was a time in my life when I refused to train before work. In nursing, you never know what the day is going to bring and just how fast you'll be running all shift - so I figured it wold be better to save my energy... then I discovered the joys of exercise and how it can make you feel more energetic. So I would train before work when I was on a late shift. Yesterday I ventured back into that routine.
After dropping DD off at creche, I went home and got on the treadmill. At first, I started off a little lower than my old walking rate. After 10 minutes varying between 5.6 and 5.8 Km/hr I was BORED! I was feeling GREAT! I wanted to run. But all I could think about was the jarring that would do to my back. How it could send me backwards and how I don't have physio here at the moment to get me through that. So I staid away from running.
Somewhere in the realms of my mind, I heard Dale chattering away in old gym sessions. Encouraging me to increase the incline when I felt I needed a challenge and shouldn't be running. So I thought "Why not?"... and increased the incline to 3 and the speed to 6 Km/hr. Well... let me tell you why not...
At first it was fine. I felt good. Then I felt a twinge and spasms in the right side of my back - around the rib line. Then my hips began to waver and I found it more and more difficult to control my gait. Then the left side of my back started to object. So I decreased the speed and incline... but quickly got bored... so increased them again. Hmmmm seems I don't learn my lesson too well ;)
By the time I got to 20 minutes, I was really struggling and got off. My whole lower back was objecting loudly. The only thing that felt comfortable was standing STILL. Of course, that's not possible when you have to get ready for work! Despite stretching, bending was a nightmare, turning was a nightmare. I began to get a little panicky about how I was going to cope at work - being In Charge on the late shift. But I sucked it up, downed some meds, and made my way to work. The whole way to work I used my massage ball which was excruitiating - so I knew a lot of my issues were muscle related. All I wanted to do was go home and stretch more.
At work, I struggled a bit. Bending and twisting were the biggest culprits but I managed to get through the shift. I was questioning my wisdom in training at home though! I began to think that perhaps I don't have the self restraint to train at home alone just yet. I pushed too far. Of course, pushing yourself is a good thing. But knowing your limits and when to back off is more important... and I don't seem to be able to do that yet.
And then I think about how the treadmill actually pulls my leg back which makes it even more difficult to control my gait. So perhaps I need to exercise in areas where I will be restrained. Walking trails and footpaths which won't force my speed, where I will naturally adjust my pace to how I'm feeling. I hate walking on footpaths and walking tracks. I love my treadmill! BUT, I need to do whatever it takes is to get me back to where I was and running again... so I'm just going to have to suck it up!!!
But you know what? Despite the pain caused by yesterday's session... I feel GREAT!!!! My mood improved, I slept better last night, and I felt more in control again! Exercise ROCKS!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Stepping away from the Safety Rail!
Another Tuesday, another session with Dale. I managed a full 10 min on the treadmill before our session and could have done more. I even managed to increase my speed from my last session which is brilliant! It means that my muscles are getting stronger and I am able to control them better! Which meeeeans that the acute phase of the injury is almost completely gone!!! AWESOME!!!
The whole session was filled with improvements! Increasing weights in almost all of my exercises. Increasing my push ups. Increasing my Plank time. Achieving stretches. And BOXING! Aaaahhhhh boxing! I LOVE boxing! I've MISSED boxing! I can't remember the last time I boxed with Dale... but he was pleased with the progress I've made at home! He used to tease me for punching like a girl (aaahhhh I AM a girl?) but today he said I was punching hard! SCORE! To be honest, it's the weighted gloves I use at home! Punching with the gym gloves just seemed WEIRD! And it didn't cause too many problems! HOORAY!
So, I have one more session with Dale before Christmas... then nothing until the 3rd (?) week of Jan... it's going to be a long couple of weeks! But I am planning on keeping busy. I'm feeling more confident in my recovery and am feeling almost ready to hit the gym on my own again. Certainly to be training at home on my own! Time to dust off the treadmill and get DH to hang my punching bag again! I feel excited! I'm ready for this!!!! I just have to be careful not to go too hard and fast or I'll land flat on my back again!
So, here I go.... I'm stepping away from the safety rail. My hand is still clinging to it.... but I'm slowly stepping away!
The whole session was filled with improvements! Increasing weights in almost all of my exercises. Increasing my push ups. Increasing my Plank time. Achieving stretches. And BOXING! Aaaahhhhh boxing! I LOVE boxing! I've MISSED boxing! I can't remember the last time I boxed with Dale... but he was pleased with the progress I've made at home! He used to tease me for punching like a girl (aaahhhh I AM a girl?) but today he said I was punching hard! SCORE! To be honest, it's the weighted gloves I use at home! Punching with the gym gloves just seemed WEIRD! And it didn't cause too many problems! HOORAY!
So, I have one more session with Dale before Christmas... then nothing until the 3rd (?) week of Jan... it's going to be a long couple of weeks! But I am planning on keeping busy. I'm feeling more confident in my recovery and am feeling almost ready to hit the gym on my own again. Certainly to be training at home on my own! Time to dust off the treadmill and get DH to hang my punching bag again! I feel excited! I'm ready for this!!!! I just have to be careful not to go too hard and fast or I'll land flat on my back again!
So, here I go.... I'm stepping away from the safety rail. My hand is still clinging to it.... but I'm slowly stepping away!
Friday, December 10, 2010
I survived!
So, I didn't want to post too early and jinx myself - just in case I deteriorated! BUT, I survived my first session back! It wasn't an overly tough session, in fact it was rather subdued in comparison to what I was doing before this roung of injury.
I did 10 min of cardio, some arm weights, the plank, some push ups. But nothing too exciting. There were a few niggles here and there - with the push ups and plank. But I SURVIVED!
Wed was a little sore. My hip flexor was too tight but it settled as the day progressed. My core muscles felt like they were actually used which was nice. And my arms had that good exercise pain! AWESOME! Thursday was a little tougher on the pain front but I know it was just DOMS. So, I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahaha.
Of course, I've been reminded by both physio and Dale that I need to take it EASY. I need to be smart about my return and be careful. Which I am trying to be. Otherwise I'm going to end up flat on my back again. And since physio is going away for 3 weeks at the end of next week... I need to be extra careful!!!!! But I'm not letting it get me down!
Dale is being super fantastic and encouraging me along. It's great to know I have people backing me up on this one and supporting me all the way!
BRING. IT. ON!
I did 10 min of cardio, some arm weights, the plank, some push ups. But nothing too exciting. There were a few niggles here and there - with the push ups and plank. But I SURVIVED!
Wed was a little sore. My hip flexor was too tight but it settled as the day progressed. My core muscles felt like they were actually used which was nice. And my arms had that good exercise pain! AWESOME! Thursday was a little tougher on the pain front but I know it was just DOMS. So, I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahaha.
Of course, I've been reminded by both physio and Dale that I need to take it EASY. I need to be smart about my return and be careful. Which I am trying to be. Otherwise I'm going to end up flat on my back again. And since physio is going away for 3 weeks at the end of next week... I need to be extra careful!!!!! But I'm not letting it get me down!
Dale is being super fantastic and encouraging me along. It's great to know I have people backing me up on this one and supporting me all the way!
BRING. IT. ON!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Returning to the World of Gym!
I am a little hesitant, very nervous, and super excited! Tomorrow I am returning to the world of gymnasiums!!!! Physio has given me the all clear to head back for a light session. Dale is ready to walk me through a light session and keep me in check.... and I'm trying not to crap my dacks!!!!
I've missed my sessions, my stress relief. BUT, I'm also scared. Scared of making my back worse. It's still a long way from 100% - but I need to strengthen these core muscles again! And I feel like I've gained a hundred pounds in the last week. Ok, so slight exageration... but I feel like I'm sliding backwards with my weight. Not helped by a mega pig out with DD this afternoon. I NEED to get back to the gym! I need to feel in control again!
ENOUGH wallowing! ENOUGH sitting on the sidelines! It's time to get this Party Train moving!!!!
But I've got physio 3 hours after PT just in case things go South tomorrow ;-)
I've missed my sessions, my stress relief. BUT, I'm also scared. Scared of making my back worse. It's still a long way from 100% - but I need to strengthen these core muscles again! And I feel like I've gained a hundred pounds in the last week. Ok, so slight exageration... but I feel like I'm sliding backwards with my weight. Not helped by a mega pig out with DD this afternoon. I NEED to get back to the gym! I need to feel in control again!
ENOUGH wallowing! ENOUGH sitting on the sidelines! It's time to get this Party Train moving!!!!
But I've got physio 3 hours after PT just in case things go South tomorrow ;-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)