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You’ve got a great thing going here, and I just know that you’re going to have it all one day. Everything that you want!
Hey, do you stretch after workouts? I remember Scott saying to stretch, and I just keep forgetting to do a stretch after my walk even though most others probably do it out of habit! I’m so stiff afterwards, and it’s probably because of the fact!
Thanks Again. You know everyone’s affirmation really help keep me going. I truly appreciate it.
Joan - I can’t afford to go too nuts shopping - I hardly have any income right now....
Carrie - I just have to stay motivated.
Brandon - Yes I do stretch but likely not enough. Especially when I am short on time - I would rather work hard during the time I have and then just grab my bag and run. I always think I can stretch when I get home, but sometimes I skip it all together or it is several hours later when I no longer have the benefit of warm muscles. I also often stretch between exercises during my workouts. I take advantage of stretching on days when I am feeling tired and likely take too much “rest” time between sets that way.
No workout yesterday (Tuesday) AHHH - 3 “rest” days in a row - with little to NO activity!! I am really struggling to get some momentum on another very important project that I have been avoiding for months. I finally made some headway today, but I still have some tough decisions to make in the next few days. I just need to take my head out of the sand.
I did go to swim practice tonight. Last one for this year. Not my best effort. But it feels good to have a least moved. Swam 2 km total. My right shoulder feels a bit off - I’m going to have to get it checked. I found I was not extending my stroke on my right side and was pulling a bit short so as to put less stress the joint. It is not generally painful or achy or anything, but I have noticed some twinges after certain stretches and it does occasionally limit my weight lifting.
Thanks Shawn - I did take a few more steps important steps today with it, but I could have done more. I also swallowed my pride and made came to an important decision.... one that I dont’ like but bills are a reality.
I am feeling pretty low right now. I had every intention of going to the gym this evening, but sat down ... and never got back up. I talked to my trainer on the phone today and he wants email updates… so I talked to my mom and made her promise to double check that I get my butt to the gym tomorrow. Sooo I havent’ moved for 4 out of the last 5 days… this sucks and I feel gross. I’ve been glued to my office chair and the tension in my neck and shoulders and low back is rediculius.
I listened to a few of Scott’s podcasts and I know what I have to do… I just need to do it. Maybe it is time to request some personal coaching.... think he’d be willing?
I know what it’s like when you haven’t moved for days - and it is a gross feeling. Sometimes we get into a mental/physical funk, since, as Scott says, we’re humans and just kinda do that sometimes.
If you earnestly seek help in all resources available to you, you will find it. It’s even funny how sometimes it’s from the people and things we never thought.
Thanks Brandon - I was in a real funk. I’m not totally out of it but I have moved for the last 3 days.
Friday - made it to the gym with time to do a Back, Quads & Shoulders workout before meeting for a movie at the theater.
Yesterday I had plans to meet a girl friend who teaches to help me with my Professional Portfolio. She missed her morning gym class so we went to my gym together. She had to go through a quick orientation so I did my warm up on the elliptical, then while she experimented on several different cardio machines I did a good interval session on the arctrainer. 45 sec sprint : 1:15 recovery - 7 times followed up with 30 min on the crosstrainer. Some stretching and abs. It was nice to have a partner to go with for once - it definitely made it easier to get there since I’ve been struggling in that department. I also pushed a bit harder because I wanted to show her what I could do now.. not that she knew what I could do before.
Today I made it with enough time for my Chest, Hams & Arms workout - but with little time for extra cardio after. Skipped my abs set in order to get at least 15 min on the bike after.
Oh - and I did my warm up on the rowing machine for the first time - played the fish game!! LOL the harder you pull the higher your fish goes. The object is to avoid the big black fish while eating the smaller white fish. I got over 800 points on my second round.
My motivation is still not totally back. I’ve noticed that I am dragging myself to the gym. Once I get there I am usually ok, but I am not leaving enough time to do anything beyond the basics of my workouts. I have the time (ie I have lots of free time) so I could be getting in cardio if I would give myself longer sessions before either the gym closes for the evening or I have to be somewhere.
My diet has likely been hindering my progress too - I’ve had horrible will power this past week.
Things will get better - maybe I just need to get some sunshine.
Boy do I know what those times are like. We’re all behind you, and you’ll figure it all out, but in the meantime - you’re moving! We all seem to weather more than a few of these storms over the course of our journeys, but it’s an amazing feeling to get through it, look back, and say “I made it!”
I can totally understand your lack of motivation. I have gone through the same thing. For you it is one big project that is nagging at you, for me it was a lot a little projects. I took the time off to take care of a lot of them and now I am ready to get back to exercise.
So take care of your employment situtation, get to the gym when you can or need to and don’t beat yourself up about it.
You’re doing great for no motivation, Catherine! The routine of it all is what keeps me going when I really don’t want to get my butt in gear. Stick to your routine and it will pull you through.
Thanks for the words of encouragement Brandon, Eileen and Bree - they are all needed and appreciated right now. Bree - you are right - routine is why I made an attempt today (see below).
Eileen - I am maintaining, but barely - I was secretly hoping to pass you, but you’ll certainly make it before I do.
Brandon - I just have to keep reminding myself that while I may not be successful on first attempt, each attempt will prepare me better for the next.
I had been on such a high as far as the weight loss is concerned, but I’ve had my head stuck in the sand for too long as far as getting a move on with my career. Now reality is setting in and bigger issues are weighing on me. (pun intended)
The prospect of having to go back to the high school where I’ve been support staff is not appealing. I said all my good-byes in June and thought I was going to be laid off - which was good (for me - not others in my position at other schools) because it meant I’d get EI until I got a Teaching Job. However the province came up with the money to keep the school pools open for another year and our jobs were saved (bad for me - good for everyone else). Now EI will run out in a few weeks when my contract starts back up. My choices are quit - and have no source of income, or swallow my pride and go back. So I have put myself in a very uncomfortable position of having to go back to a job I thought I was done with. I had considered quitting, however bills still need to be paid… Don’t get me wrong - I enjoyed that job (for the most part - but it is less fulfilling than before I went to Teacher’s Collage) and I have friendships with several of the staff and the kids are great, but it is not a job I can really make a good living off of, and ... well.. I didn’t spend another year at University and several thousands of dollars getting a second degree for nothing.
Monday - another MID day - pretty much was a bump on a log.
Today - did some more work on the resume, cover letters and portfolio. Making progress - feeling a bit better, but still intimidated by the prospect of interviews. I know the stress is affecting me mentally as well as physically… (if I wasn’t single I’d be worried about something else altogether!!)
Knew I had to go to the gym, (my mom was doing a good job of making sure I did - she is my editor), so I worked till about 9:30 then headed over with the intention of just doing an easy cardio session - couldn’t get psyched to do weights today. The location I went to is supposed to be open till 11 PM, but for some reason the whole block was blacked out and the parking lot was empty..... sooo I headed home and walked around my neighbourhood for an hour instead. The fresh air probably did me more good than anything. Didn’t have the umph to walk fast so my HR barely broke 115, but my leg muscles were twitching good when I got home. Did a yoga podcast followed by some more focused back and leg (quad) stretches.
Haaa - this morning I woke up with a sore throat.... and I blame my mother. She got sick over the weekend and is just getting over it now, but I likely picked it up from her. It may explain my really low energy and drive if my body is fighting off something.
I couldn’t see myself doing a serious weight workout today so I attempted to go out walking again tonight - but as soon as I got outside it started to rain. I was home again within 3 minutes of leaving. So I went downstairs to the treadmill. I only went for 30 min though. Old foot issues are rearing their ugly head and the joint of my big toe on my right foot was really getting sore. I noticed it earlier this summer after my camping trip where I did a lot of hiking. I first had this issue during my 3rd year at university and got orthotics then, and I’ve had new ones made but they don’t address the problem as well. I’m going to have to find my old ones and try them in my NB walking shoes, and see if they will do the trick. This is why I like doing my cardio on zero impact machines like elliptical, bike etc. at the gym. They circumvent all my leg issues and I can keep going.
Had a good chat with Bev - she is my best cheerleader (both in my weight loss goals and just generally) and I haven’t talked to her since June (she was globe trotting all summer). She encouraged me in my job quest and is going to be one of my references. She gave me lots of suggestions and encouraged me to use some of the ‘experts’ in the school to help edit/tailor my documents.
I hope you are feeling better soon...take plenty of vitamin C. It’s what saves me in the ER when people cough in my face. I swear by it and so do most nurses I work with. My colds, if I get them are only 2 or 3 days instead of a week or more.
I am feeling like I have a bit more energy today. I got some vitamin C and I’m drinking Green tea. I still don’t want to hit it hard though. I did some yoga and stretching this afternoon and did a short bodyweight circuit in the living room. I may stilll go for a short walk before bed just to get some fresh air.
Getting further on my application documents. Just had a positive phone call from Bev to let me know the Principal of the High School wants me to come in for a meeting to go over my stuff and help me with some connections. Even though I am an aiming for Elementary positions, not Secondary, when I get on the supply list I can still pick up stuff in that school and I am sure they will call me since they already know me well.
It’s been a few days so I thought I’d better post.
Friday - late evening session at the gym - Back, Quads, and Shoulders (skipped the shoulders because they have been giving me issues...), but hit everything else hard. My legs were wobbly when I walked down the long flights of stairs at the gym - I obviously worked the quads good… but I should have spent some time stretching them after.
Saturday - tried another location of my gym. This one had a steam room. Felt awesome after 45 min of LSB on an elliptical.
Sunday - got up, showered, breakfast and dressed in my gym clothes .... then got side tracked and never made it. SOOO MID day.
Today - EARLY (for me) session with my trainer. (I haven’t seen too many early mornings this summer so having to be up at 7 just seemed early to me. I have a week to get back on a normal daily schedule.) Great session - put me through the Chest, Hams and Arms workout of my program. Did a PB for the flat DB press - 35 lbs in each hand - felt good and I didn’t need that much assistance from Mike, but I’d be nervous attempting to get them into position on my own so I’ll stick with the 30’s at the gym for now.
Run down of body issues
Knees - generally feeling better - still some minor pain in my left knee, but it is not limiting me in my workouts anymore. Of course I am still sticking with safe exercises, ball squats, no step-ups for now
Shoulders - talked with my chiro on Friday - right rotator cuff is a bit aggravated from swimming - but now that the summer is over I won’t be swimming with the masters club so it can have a rest for the next month or so before I try it again. Today during my workout I had a few sharp twinges just when pulling the bar down for triceps push downs and especially when letting it back up. By the 3rd set I was making my trainer do that part for me.
Now for the new one - my pinkie and ring finger on my left hand are numb and tingling… since at least last Wednesday. I think I’ve pinched a nerve in my elbow. I don’t seem to have any weakness or loss of movement, just mild pins and needles contently. I may have to make an appointment to see someone. Not sure if my chiro can help or if I need to see my MD for a referral to someone else. Any suggestions???
Good. I was also thinking about the fact that its the left arm—the arm that goes numb with heart attacks. Not that you’re having a week long heart attack, but it’s really good you’re getting it checked out.
lol - I’m defenitely not having an MI! I’d be more conserned about a stroke - but this is really localized to the hand - and there doesn’t seem to be any weakness. I’m pretty sure it is a nerve thing, but I’m not sure what to do about it.
I am feeling physically much better today!! Yah! My energy seems to have returned, but I still have a bit of a stuffy/runny nose from the cold my mom gave me last week.
Today I was itching to go to the gym all day - but I prioritized working on my resume (*see below*) as more important and chained myself to my chair until late this evening again. I quit about 9:30 and headed to the gym for a good cardio session. 10 min warm up on crosstrainer. Stretch. Another 20 on the crosstrainer, followed by 15 on the recumbent bike. Good high HR throughout. I purposely stayed away from anything that required me to use/lean my arms because of the numbness issue in my left hand.
* I visited with my brother, who is a Vise Principal at another High School, last evening and he picked my resume apart and gave me lots of valuable suggestions. I basically had to start over from scratch today. So I have been going though binders of stuff from teacher’s collage and pulling a lot more concrete examples of my teaching to put in - now I have way too much info on it but I figure it is better to get too much now and then pull the really good stuff and toss the weaker stuff later.
But working on my computer so much is causing more hand issues… today my mouse stopped working… so I had to go the the mini plug in one I have for my laptop. But using it has caused hand pain in the past and tonight when I was driving to the gym I noticed a little pain in the middle of the underside of my right wrist… and I’ve had a few twinges as I send emails tonight and write this post. Good thing I’m visiting the doc tomorrow morning.
Maybe I should lay off the computer except for only absolutely necessary work .... but I as so Internet addicted as I’ve had time to surf all summer!
Now I’m going to go have a good stretching session on the living room floor with some abs and yoga, before bed.
