Gym is Open (Tuesday 12/18)

We're going to Boulder to run errands and take care of a few sundry things, but I hope to do lots of walking on the Pearl Street Mall.  I also plan to walk the dogs when we get back.  I had hoped to go to the rec center today (I miss my strength training), but I'm not sure I'll be able to fit it in.  Sigh.  I feel it's important to at least do lots of walking since I haven't been able to get to the rec center. What did you do to move your body today? Kix

WOOOOOHOOOO Christmas vacation is so close I can taste it!  Today's stint at the gym was cut short by my cell phone... didn't think I could hear it with my mp3 player blasting but I was wrong!  15 mins elliptical 30 mins upper body weight training 5 mins elliptical Ya'll have a great day!

I love Pearl Street Mall - I use to go up there every Halloween for the Mall Crawl, it was quite the party. I don't think they do it anymore due to some violence that happened, but it was a great party while it lasted. Have fun walking up there, it should be a nice, sunny day. Today was long running day - I've been running 5k every other day and trying to shave some time off and today I improved by 20 seconds - not too bad. So, today I warmed up for 10 minutes with walking, about 38 minutes of running and then about 5 minutes of cool down walking. I was NOT AT ALL motivated to do it, but I plowed through and felt better at the end. I was just asked to go snowshoeing on Saturday, so I should get some good exercise then. Actually, it's a date - we'll see how it goes.

I have to say we got a workout today with the personal trainer.  And best of all he was a very nice calm unassuming guy and very helpful.  First we did a fitness assessment - body fat percentage, blood pressure, resting heart rate and exercising heart rate - I did as many stair steps as I could for three minutes and apparently it was too many because he didn't like my heart rate after that.  We also tested our flexibility (which I rocked) and did as many push-ups as we could in a minute (I was against the wall thank goodness - was impressed that hubby could do as many has he did!) After that he took us through a circuit on the weight machines and showed us some stuff with the exercise balls and medicine balls.  My arms feel like mush but I feel good otherwise.  We are going to do a 2 for 1 deal basically with the trainer - an hour once a month where he will work both of us to keep us motivated and monitor our form etc. We were actually really impressed with him and felt like we could benefit from his help.  He was more about functional fitness - range of motion, pilates, using your own weight for resistance rather than weight machines.  I like that personally.  I still don't know how to use a treadmill or elliptical or anything - we didn't do the cardio machines, but I'm sure they aren't too hard to figure out once I can move again.  Ok, no more typiing, I can't lift my arms!

Hi, Kix.  I lifted weights for upper body today and did some core work.  I'm starting the new routine from the exercise specialist at the gym, so am in uncharted territory.  Did some core exercises called supermans and planks - both target your core muscles.  I'm wondering whether I'll be able to get out of bed in the morning...  If so, I'll try the lower body strength training routine and some cardio tomorrow evening! Hope you enjoyed the trip to Boulder -  Kellie

Well, so much for Boulder.  My sister was quite ill today with what turned out to be a severe case of acid reflux accompanied by esophogeal spasms.  I spent my day at the doctor's office while she was examined and had a number of tests.  A couple of prescriptions later, and she's on the road to recovery. We'll go to Boulder on Thursday.  I only walked 1700 steps today, a new low.  Not only that, I ate catfish and coleslaw for lunch and I feel extremely full.  Kix

Your poor sister - tell her I hope she gets better soon! I had that before surgery and there was a time when I just couldn't eat at all - I would get sick on everything. This was the year before my surgery and I didn't lose one d&*n pound! Just goes to show you that you can't always just "diet and exercise" to lose weight, like so many non-obese people think. Have fun walking today!