January Fitness
It’s January 1, so you know what that means, right??? It’s time to make resolutions that include exercise. My goal is to not only keep myself motivated with exercise, but to motivate the people around me. Exercise is so much more fun when you have someone to talk to about it. A few things that I’ve added to my daily walks are: Couch to 10K. I’m using this app:
I’m actually on week 2. It starts out really easy, about 30 minutes for the total work out. I think I had to run for minute increments in between walks last week for about 30 minutes. Yesterday, it was 90 second runs alternating between 2 minute walks for 20 minutes. It’s really created for beginning runners. I’m probably more advanced, but I kind of like the slow start to build up my confidence in running.
I also created a calendar to make me do some crunches and sit ups each day. It’s not really difficult and I may change the amount I do each day as the month progresses. Since it is so easy, I should be able to keep it up. (This is the first fitness calendar I’ve created. I’ll get better at making them over then next 12 months.)
I also plan to continue doing KettleWorx once I get back home. I have a love/hate relationship with KettleWorx, but you can really see (and feel) a difference quickly if you do it regularly!
Couch 2 5K and KettleworX
Today, I finally made it running three miles without stopping. I can’t believe I did it and didn’t feel like I was going to die! I think the Couch 2 5K app on my iPhone is the best thing that I’ve ever done for my running. Since I didn’t go all out and try to get there too fast, I built up my endurance and got there without being discouraged and wanting to quit. It took a little longer for me than the eight weeks it was supposed to because I had things come up and I didn’t get to run on some days, but for some reason I still had the stamina when I started back. Usually that is not the case with me. Usually if I skip a couple of days, I have to start from the start again. I still have two more days of Couch 2 5K, but I have no doubts that I will be able to do it with no problem and I should be able to stick with it!!
I also began incorporating KettleworX in to my exercise routine. I am now on week 2 of the program. Week one cardio had my legs so sore for a week. I kept at it though and now I have completed week 2 of cardio. It already got harder and I hear that Week 3 is brutal! I really like the KettleworX program. The only thing I don’t like is that they used the same videos in the editing if it was the same exercise. I get tired of hearing the same stuff come out of the guy’s mouth each time. But, aside from that it is a really good program. I also think it is helping me with my running because I’m getting stronger through the KettleworX program. Did I mention that with warm up and cool down, the whole tape is 25 minutes!? I love that it’s not too time consuming!!
Kettleworx
My friend over at Definitely Leopard has really gotten in to the Kettleworx work out plan. You use kettle bells to do different work outs. I did some research on the internet and found that most people that have done this plan really seem to like it. You only do 20 minutes of exercises and it is supposed to pay off like crazy. So today I went up to Target and bought my own program. I only bought the 5 lb. kettle bell package because I don’t want to start doing it and think it is too hard and quit. (It also came in a 10 lb. kettle bell package.) A bonus to buying the smaller weight is that the 10 lb. one was $61.99 and the 5 lb. one was $49.99. The whole program is much more expensive if you buy it online, so I recommend Target. If I keep it up, I totally realize I’m going to have to buy a 7 lb. kettle bell and then work my way up, but the bells really aren’t as expensive without all the videos. I’m really looking forward to trying to do the cardio weights video. I hear it is the hardest and most fun!!
I plan to do Kettleworx on my walk days since I’m already pretty far along with the Couch 2 5K plan that I’ve been doing. BTW, I’m almost done with Couch 2 5k and I can run 30 minutes straight right now. By the end of the week, I’ll be at 3 miles and maybe a full 5k.
Georgetown Trails
I have been sick for the last couple of days and really had to get out of the house. I also needed to start exercising again, but didn’t feel like going to Lady Bird Lake in Austin because of all the people. I thought I’d try out the trails out in Georgetown and see how that would be. It turned out to be a great idea. It’s mostly shaded and it’s a really pretty walk. I went about 5 miles total and really enjoyed the change. About every .10 mile they had markers, so even if you didn’t walk with Endomondo, you’d still know how far you went. I really enjoyed the patch on the trail that had markers with random animal tracks going across the cement. They had raccoon, bear, pheasant, deer, horse, dog and many other fun tracks. I think they might have jumped the shark with the golf ball tracks, but that’s just me. There weren’t many people out there so the walk was very pleasant.
The water was really still. There were families on the side fishing, but I never saw anyone catch anything.
The highlight of my walk was seeing this snake. At first it was on the side of the trail and I thought it was dead and wanted to poke it. I turned back to take a picture of it as it was crossing the trail, so it was alive. I really wanted to know what kind it was.
We were going to go to the famous Monument Cafe, but they said it was a 45 minute wait and I’m sorry, there is no breakfast worth waiting 45 minutes. We ended up going to some coffee shop on the square, which had the worst coffee I have ever tasted.
Pay ATTENTION!!!!
I’m getting much better at the Couch to 5K running. I skipped a couple of runs last week, so I’m still at Week 5 day 2. Today we ran for 10 minutes, walked 3, Ran 6 minutes, walked 3, Ran 5 minutes, walked 5 for cool down. I usually continue walking until I finish my 4.25 mile loop. Today the total for me was 5 miles. For some reason, the app didn’t register Week 5 Day 1, so after I finished day 2, I was messing with my phone to get it fixed and I wasn’t paying attention. I walked straight in to a car that had parked over the side walk!! I swear that is one of the things that bothers me most about having a front garage. People just park anywhere they want. Now, I know I should be paying attention, but cars really shouldn’t be parked over the sidewalk!! I’m probably going to live, but I did hurt my shin.
Couch to 5K
I am not a runner. I want to think I am, but I really am not. I get really motivated to start running, but I just don’t go as far or as fast as I want to and I end up getting discouraged and quit. Usually, this happens right about the time I get to the point when I can run two miles straight. I had finally decided I was going to give up on running and focus on being a walker when someone told me about the Couch to 5K app on the iPhone. About 2 weeks ago, I decided to give it a go. So far it has been an easy work out. It starts out with a 5 minute walk and then has you alternate walking and running. (I have been using the 5 minute walk time as a 5 minute jog time.) As the weeks go on, they add run time and minimize walk time. As of today, I have completed Week 3, Day 1 of the couch to 5K program. Since this starts out slowly and helps you build stamina, I feel like I may be able to keep this up. I guess we’ll have to see as the runs start getting longer if this is going to work for me!!
Climb for Air
Saturday I finally did the Climb for Air. I figured it would take me a minute a flight of stairs.To my surprise, the 33 flights of stairs or 660 stairs, only took me 8:07. But let me tell you, it was the hardest 8:07 of my life. But the third flight I was panting and had to start walking. It was crazy. I’m telling you, if I had any stairs near by, I’d start walking them. That was the best/hardest exercise I’ve ever done!!!! What was even crazier was firemen from around the area went in and did it wearing full gear. It took most of them about 5 minutes or less to climb to the top! I was so proud of my entire team. We did so good! I’m going to put this on my annual races, but next year I will try to train for it at least a little bit. 🙂
After the race, we went to Coal Vines on 2nd street. Three of us shared a sausage bell pepper pizza. I was a little leary of this because I usually only put cheese on my pizzas, but this was one of the best pizzas I’ve ever eaten! I recommend this place to anyone. It wasn’t crazy expensive either!!
The fire fighters did the climb in full gear.
A fire fighter waiting to go in!
I’m about to climb THIS????
Two ambulances ready to serve…we saw several people going out on stretchers.
These guys are amazing!
I think this was just another day for them!
Really? WHY did I sign up for this?
This is the stairs I had to climb.
I saw this car in the parking garage as I was about to leave. It reminded me of being a kid.
What a beautiful building!
After the climb, we went to Coal Vines. Their wine wall was too cool!
This is one of the best pizzas I’ve ever eaten!
I can’t believe I did it!! That building is MINE!!! 🙂
Garmin – Forerunner 110 GPS-Enabled Sports Watch
I have decided I want to try running again. I saw a training plan that didn’t look too difficult on Pinterest that I want to give a try. I determined if I’m going to try to alternate running and walking on a time schedule, I really need a watch. I ordered a new Garmin Watch from Best Buy today! I can’t wait to get it!! I’ll let you know if it was worth the money once I get it in a few days! If anyone has any experience with this watch, please let me know what you think.
Garmin – Forerunner 110 GPS-Enabled Sports Watch – 010-00863-00.
Fabulous after FIFTY 