Keeping on exercising

[MotherForkinShirtBalls]

That last 100th post snuck up as I was coming on to check in this evening!
@BezMills
@Happleandhorange
@Roonetta
@alittlefrustrated
@tryingtobesogood
@ProfessorRadcliffeEmerson
@afaloren
Let me go check who I've forgotten...

The last two years I've counted for a bit then just list my counting mojo, despite training pretty solid throughout. Tbh I don't quite remember what I was up to at the back end of last year, but I 100% was doing my minimum 2 BodyCombat a week and whatever else.
I think I've averaged 4 a week, and I'll expect the same or more for 2026. I'm just not going to count, as for me the "juice" (knowing my number) isn't worth the "squeeze" (keeping count).
I have a few goals that I should collect at Crossfit (gymnastics moves to unlock and numbers on certain lifts), and just generally to finish better than I started!

I'm feeling much better today, but didn't train obviously. My HR etc are back in normal ranges, and another sound night of kip will do me the world of good.

Tomorrow's the big day where we try for 1 rep max on squat, deadlift and overhead press. I'm not super optimistic for huge numbers and promise my joints no heroics. Let's see, wish me luck!

Had my half hour stretching class today. Part of this involved attempting to tie myself into a knot.

50 x25m swim on Sunday
221.

Ha! To finish better than I started sounds absolutely ideal!

I swithered about training today (not 100%, not even 75%) but went for it. Fueled by 4 espresso with fat milk, a nice ripe banana and two big Reeces Pieces.

Well I only went and hit +2.5Kg PR on squat. Pleased with that, was never going to risk a big increase there.

Then it was overhead press. I equalled a shoddy lift from October that honestly I had some brass neck to count, in hindsight. I did the October one looking in a mirror and I did not like what I saw! And it was strong and solid this time. So even tho the number wasn't bigger it counts for me as a great rep. Specially with not feeling great.

Then we did deadlift and this one I was hopefully going to put 20Kg on the October number, but today wasn't it. I equalled my PR with a very solid lift then put 5Kg extra on it and lifted that too. Kaboom.

I drove home, and basically collapsed on the sofa. I'm absolutely done in, but well chuffed.

Well done @BezMills !

@BezMillswhat a brilliant session. A solid rep at PB must feel good.

I am logging 50 lengths swim this morning. Felt great to be back in the pool.

Well done, that sounds amazing.

Christmas Day here and the gym was unexpectedly rammed, especially the classes. Very festive atmosphere. I did Bodycombat warmup and then a treadmill gentle walk (trying not to trigger asthma). But inspired by @BezMills I did my gym weights and it is really encouraging to see steady recovery and improvement. My shoulder is now flexible enough I can hold a barbell which is amazing.

Goals for the year: if I can be as fit as I am now by December 25 that would be a huge win. To keep it up!
I'd like to improve fitness enough that I can consider an overnight hike
That's my stretch goal.

Our gym is closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Re-opens Saturday.

I'm hoping to get a cancellation for the Pilates class. If not, I'll get into the actual gym. Going to try to step it up this year...in spite of a friend who keeps lecturing me about being 'addicted'.

The truth - the gym has helped me to preseve what's left of my sanity. I'm just about at the 5th anniversary of being widowed and - for more than two years now - the gym has been the one constant in my life.

These negative responses are very common I think. They tend to come from people who are insecure about their own fitness.

If the gym is a coping strategy as well as a route to fitness, what's wrong with that?

Thank you. Yes, that's my view.

I'm much fitter than I thought I could be at this age and stage and for that I'm grateful.

Yes, I agree. I'm grateful too. I feel more at home in my body now, before it felt as if it was something I had to just drag around. Gym makes me much more positive about my whole life as a consequence. That's a knock-on effect for everyone who knows me. This is why I havent set any huge goals, to just keep feeling like this would be enough.

Motivation comes in lots of shapes and forms. Whatever it takes is my philosophy - vanity, competitiveness, health, whatever.

I restarted exercising regularly as a conscious effort to improve my mental health. Then the need to get a grip on my weight after seeing a senior cardiologist for a minor-ish issue that needs attention now, not in 10 years time, has kept me going.

Another teeny win yesterday. Sounds ridiculous, but...

Was cleaning the top of the cooker hood last night and did not need to use the wee kitchen step stool in order to reach all the way round. Ergo, my arm flexibility/stretch has definitely improved.

Not ridiculous at all. I've noticed something similar with my injured shoulder.

Good day today. I went to gym. Weights snd treadmill walking - trying to work out how not to trigger another asthma attack. That went well, so I then came home and went for a v v short interval run, which immediately wrecked my lungs - I suspect I am better in gym because cool aircon. I am going to try again, but use combination inhaler quickly and also increase the walk to 2 min per 1 min running.

78

No spaces on Pilates, thus far. A couple appeared in the middle of the night, when my phone was off. Missed them.

Yesterday, exercise consisted of hammering in posts in back boundary.

Neighbour came to door, worried. Her phone had gone and she'd heard someone 'sobbing'...

I'd been hammering whilst singing "If I had a haaaaaaaaammmer...."

@WearyAuldWumman I wasn’t sure whether to congratulate or commiserate you on your singing! I am going with congratulations 😁

I walked 3.5 miles with only very brief stops yesterday. Tough towards the end but I was really pleased. I think the gym work is paying off in terms of muscle stamina.

I managed another walk! I’m now six weeks post hip surgery and we are managing some walks outside. We did 35 minutes / 1.5 miles today on slightly uneven ground. I’m using walking poles but I’m really pleased. I’m not sore and tired but feel better for these bits kf exercise. I’ll do my physio exercises, some resistance bands and five minutes on my exercises bike late this afternoon.

Well done everyone for exercising outside in midwinter!
Lol at singing.
I just jumped into pool to cool down, on my way to bodybalance now with friend. If I make it, that will be 79.

Got to bodybalance. Nearly broke me.

I loved to read that! You're doing amazing