Biggest Loser Gym Workout

Exercise No Responses »
Feb 082012
 

Last night, we went back to the J after nap time so I could do the 6PM workout.  This year, we’ve had more variety in the workouts… pool, cycling, gym, etc.  I missed the first gym workout, so I was glad that I could attend last night.

There were about 40 people in attendance.  4 of the JCC personal trainers put us through our workout.

We had a basic cardio warm up with walking, shuffles, and other movements down the gym court and back.  After that warm up, we did a series of 1 minute exercises.  We did things like push ups, step ups, oblique twists, knee lifts, partner rows, and a few others that currently escape me.  The trainers incorporated bands, body weight, and the BOSU into the workouts.  We ended with a nice stretching period.

The trainers did a pretty good job of mixing it up and keeping us moving.  My only complaint is that we were crowded for the warm up.  They had us line up in two lines and do our movements down the court.  We really needed to be in 3 or even 4 lines to have enough space between us.

All in all, it was a good workout.  I’m glad I made the effort to attend.  It’s so much easier this year since the workouts are all at 6PM and Kid Kare is open until 7:30PM.  It allows me go and take the kids with me.

The next Biggest Loser workout is next Thursday in the pool.

Instructor in the Water

Exercise 1 Response »
Feb 072012
 

Today, I went to my water aerobics class.  Our regular instructor was not there.  Adam was our sub.  We had Adam before and he’s great.  Today, he surprised me by joining us in the class.  He came into the water and did the entire class with us.  It was so much fun.

I think it’s good for me to change things up a bit, especially in the water.  Usually, I feel good after class, but when we have Adam, I am beat.  I really feel like I get a great workout.

He seemed to do a better job than I remembered making moves more difficult if needed.  I think when an instructor can modify to make exercises both easier and harder, they gain the support of a wider variety of students.  All of us are definitely not created equal.

My favorite moves of the day included racing Shayna down to the deep end with our noodles.  We had several races that included flutter kicking and bicycling (forward and backwards).

I’m so glad that I take this class on a regular basis.  The water workouts are a nice change of pace and are definitely fit well in my routine.

Shayna and I decided to figure out a 15-20 minute workout to do while the kids take their swim lesson on Thursdays.  I see some additional racing in our future.  I can’t wait!

Biggest Loser Spin Workout

Exercise No Responses »
Feb 042012
 

On Wednesday, we had our 3rd Biggest Loser workout at the J.  We had about 35 people show up for spin class.  It was really set up well for the new folks.  I’d guess by looking around that this was the first spin class ever for at least 25 of the participants.

Richard taught the class.  He wasn’t prepped ahead of time for the audience and was so excited to have a full class of students.  He waited until 6PM and after some introductions, he took a few minutes to explain to everyone how to set up their bike.  Set up is pretty important or you can compromise your knees and have a bad experience.  For some of us who were already set up, we just started spinning during that time.  By 6:15PM or so, there was music and actual class going on.

Richard is very narrative.  He loves to paint a picture and tell stories.  This was my second class with him.  In the first class, many months ago, he took us to the Lake Placid Olympics and we went ski jumping.  He paints a vivid enough picture that you can remember it much later.

In Wednesday’s class, he went through several basic moves and then we ended with a 5K race,  He’s really good at having you visualize the competition.

I got a good workout and was impressed with all of the beginners.  I hope all of them felt like they accomplished something.  For me, a SPIN class was really hard to walk into the first time.  Once I got the hang of setting up my bike, I was hooked.  Currently, I try to spin at least once a week.

Later in the month, there’s a Yoga session.  I’ve never done yoga and I’m hoping that the class is beginner friendly.

Thursday Trainer Workout

Exercise No Responses »
Jan 302012
 

I recently signed up for group personal training.  We have a group of 2.  We met with Jen, our trainer on Thursday.  I had the best workout ever!

First, the workout was one full hour.  In the past, all of my trainer workouts have been 30 minute sessions.  I was always given the advice that 2 thirty minute session would be better than 1 hour long session.

Before the session began, I warmed up on the elliptical for 10 minutes.

2 sets of the following:

  • -Squatting jumping jacks x 25
  • -Walking lunges w/ weight in 1 hand x 10lb the first set, 15lb the second
  • -step ups x 1min w/ 10lb weight (using a standard step that you’d see in step class)
  • -Single Leg Deadlift w/ 2x10lb DB x 15ea leg
  • -Shoulder Retraction w/ 15lb x 20
  • -push press w/ 18lb bar x 30
  • -isometric front/lateral raises w/ 3lb x 20ea
  • -isometric oh press w/ 8 & 12lb x 20ea
  • -punching back extension w/ 5lb x 4×12
  • -bench plank w/ front arm raises x :45
  • -tricep pull down drop set w/ 60-10lb x 12ea
  • -cable bicep curl drop set w/ 50-20lb x 12ea

My partner in crime is extremely motivating.    I usually marched in place in between exercises.  My partner in crime jumped around and cheered whenever she was waiting for me to finish something.

Our trainer was terrific at pushing us both and kept us going strong for the full hour.  I can’t wait until Thursday’s workout.  Now, I just need to fit another strength training workout into my schedule.

Getting Back to Normal

Adventures with Nick and Sally, Exercise, Family No Responses »
Dec 282011
 

Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to get everyone back to normal.  The holidays aren’t quite over yet since New Year’s is this weekend, but it’s a much more low key time for our family.

Stephen went back to work today.  He was off for 4 days and it was fun to have him home.  The kids and I had a normal day that included the J, pasta lunch at home, and nice naps.  We made dinner and hung out at home the rest of the day.  I’m glad we didn’t try to venture out for errands or shopping.

Bed time for the kids tonight was a bit rough.  They are both so tired and off schedule.  I’m hoping a couple of more days like today and everyone will be caught up on sleep.  We also need to get everyone back to eating more normal food.  We’ve had so much pizza, cookies and other goodies around lately, that we’re all in need of some detox over the next few days as well.

I’m also looking forward to taking the tree down, storing the decorations and wrapping supplies, and organizing the new toys and gifts.

Usually, we go to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Wednesday evenings.  We haven’t been there lately, and I hope that by next Wednesday, we’ll be back in the swing of things and can make a trip down to University Circle.

I’m off to clean and organize something!

 Posted by at 8:22 PM

A Full Spin

Exercise No Responses »
Dec 052011
 

Today was an awesome day!  I completed my first full spin class since my second knee injury.  For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been doing 1/2 of the class.

I was hoping that my knee would be pain free today and it was.  I didn’t feel like I needed ice or a nap when I was done.  WIN WIN!  As usual, I’m careful with the standing positions and still go at my own pace, but it’s so motivating to spin in Beth’s class.

Tonight, it feels a tad tight, but I’ll take it.

I’ve had some other good workouts lately, but nothing makes me sweat like a full hour of spinning.

I love planning my Monday’s around spin class and can’t wait until next week.

Workout Plan

Exercise, Family No Responses »
Nov 282011
 

My knee is finally showing great improvements.  It still gets a bit swollen and tender after activity, but generally doesn’t bother me.  Next week on Monday, I am going to do a full spin class.  That will be the test.

With the holiday weekend, I didn’t go to the gym.  But, I tried to stay active.  On Thanksgiving, we had a morning hike as a family.  Later after dinner, my sister and I went on a walk.  Sunday, we walked a bit in the rain to go over the two suspension cable bridges that go over Grainger near Canal Road.  Nick’s wanted to see them up and close all summer and yesterday was the day.

Today, I did a set of weights along with 30 minutes on a stationary bike.

The next few weeks will be tough for workouts.  There are many activities planned throughout the month that involve food and not activity.

I’m planning on a solid 3 workouts a week and hoping that I can usually get 4.

For the rest of the week:

Tuesday: off from the J.

Wednesday: high intensity elliptical workout for 45 minutes.  I need to charge my ipod and load some new songs.

Thursday: off from the J.

Friday: eSpinner bike and weights.

Also, I’d like to implement a family walk most nights after dinner.  I’m not sure if that is realistic.  We’ll give it a try tomorrow.

 

 

 Posted by at 9:19 PM

Knee Recovery

Exercise 1 Response »
Nov 042011
 

I’ll spare you the photos, but my knee/calf/leg still looks like it ran into a train.  I’m glad to say that the swelling is going down.  My biggest challenge now is a large hematoma on the front of the knee.  It’s making it hard to use stairs and bend without discomfort.  Except for that, the whole injury is a ton better than 8 days ago when the injury occurred.

Unfortunately, I’m pretty good an knee rehabilitation.  This is my 3rd significant injury.

The hardest part is my workout schedule.  I was finally back to solid long workouts just 2 weeks before this fall.  Now, I am starting over – again.

This week, I did go to the JCC on Monday or Tuesday since I had 3 extra kids while my friend had her baby.  It was probably good for me to take a rest.  On Wednesday, I did 30 minutes on a stationary bike.  It was slow and all about range of motion.  I kept the bike going just fast enough that the TV didn’t think I stopped.  It was about 40 RPM and didn’t make me sweat.  That being said, it felt good to stretch out my leg.

On Thursday, I went to the water aerobics class.  I wore a floatation belt to keep me from too much impact and only did 1/2 the class.  The water felt great, but I didn’t want to overdo it.

Today, I did another 30 minutes on the bike.  I don’t really think I over did it, but I’ve been crabby most of the day.  I think I just get frustrated with taking it easy.  It’s also hard to WANT to cook and clean when you have a bum knee.  With a fridge full of fresh vegetables, I want to use or preserve things before they go bad.

I’m encouraged that my knee will be better each day, but I’m also realistic in my thinking that it could take several weeks for the hematoma to absorb.  Meanwhile, I’m thankful that it’s not more serious and I’ll keep plugging along!

Knee Injury – again!

Exercise 1 Response »
Oct 272011
 

I was planning to post my weekly Fresh Fork CSA pick up today.  My computer network is not cooperating.  Hopefully, I can remedy the problem in the morning.

Instead, I’ll tell you about another injury.

Yesterday, while going into the JCC, Sally and I started to jog.  She likes to run to the door once we hit the sidewalk.  I’m not sure if Nick wondered in front of us or if Sally and I tripped over each other.  I can tell you that my left knee to the brunt of the fall as I tried not to fall on top of Sally.  She was crying and covered in mud, but she looked ok.  My knee was killing me.

We made out way into the J and sat on a bench to regroup.  I took the kids to the playroom and cleaned up Sally.  This involved putting Nick’s spare shorts on her since he pants were muddy and soaked.  It looks ridiculous, but works in a pinch.

I went to the desk and got an ice pack for my knee that was starting to swell.  By the time I did a very short workout and shower, I knew that I needed to get it checked out.

I called Stephen and he met us at the library so he could take the kids while I figured out my doctor strategy.  Do I try for a same day ortho appointment, do I go to the ER, urgent care or regular doctor?  I ended up with a same day appointment with internal medicine.

She ordered an x-ray.  It was negative.  I was glad nothing was broken or fractured.  She prescribed crutches, NSAIDS, ice, compression and elevation.

I headed to an ortho appointment today.  He checked to make sure my MCL and ACL were intact and told me that I have a “big boo boo”.  Basically, my knee is swelled up so much that I can barely bend it and nature needs to take its course.

I can do anything that is tolerable.  I’m glad that it wasn’t more serious, but it is still very painful.

Hopefully, I can have a weekend ahead with lots of rest and recuperation and be back in the swing of things next week.

Mid-Week Workout Plan Update

Exercise, Family 1 Response »
Oct 192011
 

I thought today would be a good day to track the workout progress to date for the week.

The Plan (in black) – Actual (in Green)

Monday – spin

I went to Beth’s spinning class.  This was my second class since my knee injury.  It feels so great to be back!

Tuesday – try out the new higher intensity water aerobics class

This class is new and Sharan is the instructor.  It was an awesome class.  I actually felt like it was challenging.  This is something that I’d like to figure out how to fit into my workout schedule on a regular basis.  It’s a pay class, but seems worth every penny.  I think I will become a regular.

Wednesday – cardio warm up (45 minutes on the elliptical), then weights

We got to the J a bit later than I planned.  I warmed up with 17 min on the elliptical.  I rocked the intensity and strides per minute.

  • Chest press (2 sets with 12 pound dumbbells)
  • Fly (2 sets with 10 pound dumbbells)
  • Shoulder press (2 sets with 5 pound dumbbells)
  • Biceps (2 sets with 12 pound dumbbells)
  • Triceps (1 set of 60, 50, 40, 30, then 20 pounds)
  • Leg curl
  • Leg extension
  • Lunges (1 set of 10 on each side)
  • Push ups (using bench or Smith bar)
  • Plank (tried 3 times, didn’t have a way to time myself)
  • Abs machine (it was busy every time I walked by)
  • Abs floor exercises (did variety of exercises)

I feel very good about this workout.  I didn’t get to all of the exercises due to time constraints (and I forgot my exact list).  I worked hard and felt like I pushed myself.  It’s good to be on track.

We’re started to make some vacation plans for next summer and I am hoping to really get in shape between now and then.  It’s great to have some extra motivation going into the holiday season.

 Posted by at 9:37 PM  Tagged with:
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