Today, I fell off the BOSU!

Exercise 2 Responses »
May 122011
 

Today, I showed up at the J for the 4:30pm BOSU class.  Usually, Kim teaches the class.  Today, we had a substitute – Joel.  At first, I was kind of worried because I don’t do new instructors well.  I like my routine.  But, I decided to stay for the class.  I had heard that Joel was hard in a good way and that his classes were more athletic.  But, I didn’t know what that meant.

I should have known I was in trouble when he asked how many people usually come to this class.  He was trying to figure out if there were enough BOSUs for everyone to have two of them.

Joel showed off warmed up by jumping rope on a BOSU before class.  It was amazing!

The class was really good and he had me doing lots of new things.  As always, I did what I could and modified as needed.

So, class was going along fine.  It was hard and good.  About 1/2 hour into the hour class, we started to use both BOSUs.  We had them front to back of each other and stood on one and practiced transferring back and forth.  It was all good until he wanted us to jump/switch our feet.  So, if the left foot was on the front BOSU and the right foot was on the back BOSU, jump so that the left foot was now on the back and the right foot was now on the front.

I jumped and fell.  I should have know better.  I don’t really jump much on ground and had no business jumping on 2 unsteady BOSUs.

I got back up and gingerly finished the class and didn’t try to jump anymore.  I mostly torqued my knee.  I wasn’t really sure if it was ok.  Unfortunately, it’s my “bad” knee that was never the same after my ACL tear and surgery in 2004.  Once I was home and we finished dinner, I stretched, iced, and took some medicine.

I sure hope that I feel good as new in the morning.  I have so much going on this week.  I’m taking a wild flower class on Saturday, spectating at the Cleveland Marathon and having my brother’s farewell on Sunday, and going to Fit Bloggin’ on Thursday.  There’s no time in my schedule for any injuries.

Next up: hoping for water aerobics in the AM.

Elliptical:750 calories, 1 hour

Exercise 3 Responses »
May 112011
 

Yesterday, I set a goal for today.  It was 750 calories in one hour on the elliptical.  Mission accomplished.

I usually would get bored after 20-30 minutes on any cardio equipment.  Since I want to work up to 1000 calories in one hour, I didn’t want to get bored too early today.  So, I brought a book.  I’m sure my intensity wasn’t as high as it could’ve been, but I completed the hour and hit my calorie burned goal.  It feels great!  I’m going to ramp up my intensity a bit at a time over the next couple of weeks and then I should be at my 1000 calories in an hour.  It might take a little more sweat and a little less reading.

Circuit Training

Exercise 2 Responses »
May 102011
 

Today, I had my trainer workout with Chelsea.

I warmed up for 20 min (265 cal) on the elliptical.  My workout started with our standard lunges with press holding 10 pound dumbbells.  I still hate them, but I am getting better at them.  I usually go one length with the press and the other just holding the weights.  My arms get tired.

Then, we did a circuit of row, push ups (on smith bar), single tricep left, single tricep right, biceps, repeat.

We ended with some leg extensions, squats, wood chops and abdominal work.

It was a great workout.

Next up: cardio on the elliptical in the morning.  Goal is 750 calories.

A Gorgeous Day!

Adventures with Nick and Sally, Exercise No Responses »
May 092011
 

The weather is absolutely beautiful once again.  We started our day with a trip to the J.  Stephen is still out of town, so it was just the kids and I.

I did my normal spin class along with some abdominal work and back extensions.  We had a bit of excitement during class.  One of the regulars fell off their bike when the handlebars came out.  It was scary for a couple of minutes, but she was ok and got back on the bike and rode the rest of the class.  WOW!  It was a good reminder to make sure the handlebars on secure in a hole and tightened down properly every class.  It’s also a good idea to check them during class and re-tighten if necessary.  They are attached to a post that goes in a hole in the front of the bike, since it’s adjustable.

Later in the day, the kids and I went to the park.  Nick didn’t want his picture taken, so he hid.  I love the blue sky!  Sally has been a daredevil on the slides.  It was fun to spend time outside with them.

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Next up: trainer workout with Chelsea in the AM.

 Posted by at 9:39 PM  Tagged with: ,

Happy Mother’s Day!

Adventures with Nick and Sally, Exercise No Responses »
May 082011
 

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms!

With Stephen out of town, it was just the kids and I.  We went to the JCC.  I burned 600 calories in 45 min on the elliptical.  I also did biceps and triceps.

After lunch and nap time, we headed to the playground, and then we played outside at home.  After dinner, we headed up to the duck pond.

It was such a beautiful day outside and I was happy to spend it playing with my kids.

Next up: spin class in the AM.

What does it mean to go to the J on a Sunday?

Workout No Responses »
Mar 202011
 

The JCC, J, Jewish Community Center, and The Mandel Jewish Community Center are all names for the same place in Beachwood where I go to workout.  All are welcome at the J.  You don’t have to be Jewish to be a member.  But, since it’s a Jewish facility, certain things are different.

  • They have woman’s only workout room and several gender specific swim sessions to help accommodate the Orthodox Jewish members.
  • The only Kosher Subway restaurant resides in the J.
  • They sell Challah bread on Friday.
  • They do not conduct any financial transactions on Saturday (and the Subway and Kid Kare is closed that day).
  • They celebrate the Jewish holidays, but don’t close for as many as they used to (probably due to the competition).
  • They are open on Christmas.

But, the thing that I notice the most is the crowd on Sunday (due to the religious schedule for the Jewish faith).  It’s like a typical Saturday at other facilities.  Sunday is my least favorite day to go to the J (especially in the morning).  It’s the only time that I go to the J that I feel like I am waiting for equipment or that the different areas are crowded.

Sunday is also the one day that I can take the kids while I work out and my husband is at home.  He enjoys the couple of hours at home without us around and that makes it worth the trip (most of the time :-)).

Today’s workout:

  • 30 minutes of high intensity elliptical
  • 5 min in the sauna
  • short bike ride around the neighborhood later in the day (@2 miles).

Next up: SPIN with Beth in the morning.

 Posted by at 9:42 PM  Tagged with:

Monday SPINNING!

Exercise No Responses »
Jan 172011
 

Monday is the best day to spin at the JCC.  Beth teaches the 9:30am class and she is phenomenal!  I am so glad that I had her for my first spin class (after a long hiatus) last June.   I plan my life around this class every week.  Spinning is tough and can be intimidating.  When you have a good great instructor like Beth, it’s easy to get started.  Beth gets there early (and you should too since her class is always full) and helps new folks get set up on their bikes.  She always has a few gel seat covers and extra water just in case.  My favorite quote from Beth is “you are the boss of you”.  I think it’s great advice for everyone, especially if you are new.  It boils down to you are in control of how fast and hard you pedal and if you sit or stand.  It really doesn’t matter what your neighbors are doing.

Spinning is my only “2 water bottle class”.  One water bottle doesn’t cut it.  The music selection is to my taste and I always get a great workout from this class.

Today workout – 5 min warm up on a brand new Elliptical; 1 hour spin class on a brand new spinning bike.

 Posted by at 3:07 PM  Tagged with: ,
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