Carry on exercising - the August 2022 edition

[roonetta]

Hope this works!

One week shred - cardio circuit (33 min). I always forget how hard that one is. No way could I do it every evening for a week. Especially not in combination with doing the strength circuit every morning.

(3/20)

Epic heat day 27 (quads and calves) and the bowflex 3 min plank challenge.

Days exercised 216

You're right about Girvan being made of steel Cat. She is very inspiring.

50 minute strength workout with Natalie and Trinny

Days exercised 197

My calves feel tight after yesterday’s cardio circuit. So I did the corresponding strength circuit today (one week shred - strength). I can really feel my abs!

(4/20)

I saw a really inspirational story yesterday about a woman who got fit and started going to the gym at 71. She's now 77 and in great shape. I'm afraid I've been led to rather fear ageing because my older relatives have not taken care of themselves. Some of this is genetic, and some is lifestyle. Half my family is Arab and very much prone to T2 diabetes - too much abdominal fat on small, narrow frames, even whilst being a low weight on the scale, coupled of course with Arab love of extremely sweet sweets. This is 100% my body type if I don't work at it. Exercise isn't really on their radar. On the other side, most of the women have osteoperosis - again, partly genetic, but also due to an avoidance of anything resembling strength training. I already have back issues and it helps me to know all this isn't inevitable.

I also fear aging for the same reason Cat. My mum is 71 and is already quite frail. Since retiring at 65 all she does is watch TV and is not active at all. I hate to think of where she will be in 5 years time. In her defence it's only recently become common knowledge that strength training prevents osteoporosis, but she could definitely move more. It is one of the things that keeps me motivated - I really hope the exercise helps me as I age.

Walk to/from work

Days exercised 198

It’s funny that you’re all talking about resistance training. One of my friends sent me this link this evening: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/dec/08/strengthen-your-heart-bones-and-maybe-even-your-brain-a-beginners-guide-to-weight-training-at-any-age?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

I’ve made it all the way through all my workout DVDs. So today I’m starting again and working through another cycle. Hard Body - level 1, day 2 (45 min).

(5/20)

Also just did a quick 30 minute dynamic Pilates workout

What a great article. So many benefits!

Good luck starting the cycle of workouts again

Would it be too obvious to send that article to my mum? 😂No, she's doing alright. She's broken both wrists before she was 70 and had one plated, but she does get out and walk a lot. She's doing a lot better than her siblings, that's for sure.

Going to read the other posts and the link but logging first: a few days ago did epic heat 28, then caught a cold so felt under the weather and today did epic heat day 29 (full body circuits - a nice one) and the bowflex plank.

Days exercised 217

Sorry 218 days it should be

Just had a read through of everything. I think Caroline girvan was my first real contact with resistance training and I love it. Seen and felt my body get so much stronger. I also have the same fears about old age and putting on weight and becoming sluggish and unfit (got some relatives who aren't that old and are overweight and struggle to walk any distance and have knee problems).
My only "regret" is that I don't so as much running or yoga as I would like - always seem to go for the girvan workout!

Sorry to hear you have been under the weather Sophie. Glad you are feeling better.

I don't think you can go far wrong with Girvan. Most of the strength workouts had me huffing and puffing and you also do the HIIT and EMOM workouts which definitely have a cardio element!

I feel like I could do more yoga too, although I do find the Pilates workouts I have been doing are improving my flexibility and have definitely improved my arm. I'm still a bit reluctant to lift heavier at the moment for fear of hurting it again. The workouts don't really do much for weight loss though

Went to Cardiff with my sister Friday and managed just over 17,000 steps so definitely counting that as exercise

Days exercised 199

@SophieLion I don't think I'll ever be an outdoor runner really! Its not a fitness problem, I can "run" 5k on the elliptical no problem, I think its because I have almost no arches in my feet. If I didn't have access to a gym I'd probably be more motivated to look into special shoes or something. One thing I like about Caroline is that she seems like more a trainer than an "influencer" (unlike some YouTubers, she doesn't make clickbait like "get abs in 20 seconds with no effort".) She's realistic.

Thank you Roonetta I just feel that running gives me the best hit of endorphins- always feel so good after a run (even if I very often don't enjoy the running part). And goodness is your arm still Bothering you? Sorry to hear this

Yes that is really true about Caroline girvan Cat. None of the "do this abs workout every day for 2 weeks and you'll have a six -pack" and I really loved the elliptical when I was using it at a gym in the summer.

Today epic heat day 30 (superset HIIT) and a 10 mins abs workout.

Days exercised 219

Epic heat day 31 lower body complexes (found this tough as slept awfully) and 3 min plank.

Days exercised 220

Ps I don't think we've seen motherforkin for a while. Hope she's ok ...

I hadn't realised it had been quite so long since Motherforkin last posted. Hopefully it's just pressure of work.

I am sad to report that the Reddit female fitness forums are full of young women afraid to pick up a dumbell in case they accidentally turn into Popeye overnight. Depressing.😫

Well the train strikes mean I can't get to the gym until Thursday now so I'll be using the bike and the lighter weights I have at home. Not feeling very motivated this morning as its pitch dark and bitterly cold here in South Wales, I've caved and had the bedroom radiator on overnight. If only there was a way to convert the kinetic energy from indoor fitness equipment into electricity. Scientists, get on it.

@iloveeverykindofcat - this makes me realise that it’s important for DD to have seen me exercising with dumbbells throughout her teenage years (she’s 18). She knows I haven’t become bulky as a result.

After lots of rest days, I re-discovered some motivation. KBFF levels 1 & 2 (40 min). I’ve had social events rather than just being lazy. So difficult to exercise when you have to be dressed up and out of the door at a certain time!

(6/20)

Rest day yesterday and today Epic heat day 32 (upper body giant sets) and a CG 5 min plank.

Hope the weather warms up for all of you and that the strikes stop soon.

Days exercised 221

KB&T L1 (40 min). I’m looking forward to it warming up a bit next week. It hasn’t really been above freezing since last weekend. My step count is low because the pavements are covered in icy compacted snow.

(7/20)

The buses and traffic got me so mad I did HIIT in the gym. 😆

At least the train strike was good for something Cat

I have only done my walks to and from work this week, no extra workouts. I have no excuse except I just couldn't be bothered. Hoping that now the kids have broken up I will have a bit more time and will aim to get at least two workouts in next week. Might try and do a couple this weekend. I need to burn some extra calories to make way for all the food I am planning to eat over Christmas

3 x walk to/from work

Days exercised 202

Epic heat day 33 legs.

Days exercised 222