Tag: walking

Today I went to the gym, but I was super tired and kind of in the dark place. I got on the elliptical, but I got frustrated immediately. My music wasn’t playing, and I just was not feeling it. Instead of getting into another downward spiral, I ditched the elliptical and walked the track. I got my music to work, and I was able to chat with my friends.

I don’t feel like I’m really working out like I should be, but at least I’m making it to the gym at all. At the end of the day, I walked over 5 miles. Cardio is cardio, and I’ll call it a good day.

Hiatus = over

Aside from a few stray Krav Maga classes and my walks on the beach, I didn’t work out all summer.

Today I went back to the gym. Here’s the set list.

I also competed in a fencing tournament last weekend. I didn’t win any tournaments, and I had a panic attack after lunch, but I got back into the ring and finished strong. I did good fighting, and I was proud to watch my kids do good fighting.

Depending on my insurance situation in the upcoming months, I’m going to look into seeking formal treatment for my anxiety. It’s keeping me from doing the things that I love (things that keep me from being depressed), and my little tricks aren’t cutting it anymore.

All in all, though, I’m feeling pretty good. I think that being active and eating well will help. I’ll just need that extra nudge to be my best self.

I came home from CIC 2 and rested a little bit before getting back on the road for Bonnaroo.

That trip involved a lot of walking and dancing (my fitbit logged over 20K steps one day!). The multiple climates, elevations, and pollens were unkind to me, so I have a sinus infection (it started bothering me on Day 2). Other than that, I had a great time and saw a lot of amazing acts!

Fyi, when I left for CIC 2, I weighed 202.2 lbs. When I came back, I weighed in at 201.2 lbs (keep in mind that I was carrying some water weight). After Bonnaroo, the scale read 195.4 lbs. I think I may have been a little dehydrated from the road, and I know I was walking off more calories than I was eating because festival food is expensive, and most of the camp food was fruit. That being said, if I can stay below 200 lbs and make sustainable changes to my diet and exercise, I think I can make some permanent changes to my body and health.

I did not make it to the gym on Thursday or Friday. Nik and I have had trouble getting moving in the mornings, and I did homework on Thursday when I could have been working out. No regrets on the homework, but we need to go to bed earlier or something.

On Friday I helped a friend with an outdoor project that involved setting up a medieval tent, cleaning it, and putting it away. That involved walking, lifting, and scrubbing, and it was outdoors. I had a great time being productive and hanging out with my friends. My fitbit didn’t pick any of it up.

On Saturday and Sunday, I went to the beach. I took lots of walks on Saturday. When I went Sunday with friends, we took walks, we played with dussacks, and I actually went for a little swim.

Today I’m back to tracking calories. I keep getting off track because I keep eating things that don’t have clear labels (like home made food – not bad), or I eat away from home (often fast food – kinda bad). My barcode scanner is working again, so that will encourage me.

Since Nik and I didn’t get up in time to lift this morning, I tried working out at home instead. I took a photo of this themed workout at the PSC gym over a year ago. I did Level 1.

My purpose was twofold. I needed to work out, and I wanted to see if this could work as a Krav warm up (with some adjustments, yes).

Today is the first time I’ve felt fat since I’ve put on the weight. Even though my clothes got a little tight during winter break, I never felt like this. When I was jumping around, my clothes were shifting, and I saw a lot of belly. That happens, but I also felt like the extra weight was hindering me. I felt really slow, and I don’t have much flexibility. When I lift weights, I don’t feel like this. I don’t know if this means I’m being challenged and should do more exercises like this or what. I assume there will be more days that I don’t wake up in time for gym time before Nik has to work, so I’ll have time to try more workouts.

Tonight is Krav. If there’s an uneven or small number of people, I may join the class, and if all 4 instructors in training are there, we can split up: some teach and some train. We’ll see. I ate something that didn’t agree with me, but I’m feeling better since then and should be okay by tonight.

I’m finally back!

On Monday, I helped teach my first Krav class of the new year in the new venue. I had my usual first day jitters, but Eddie and Michael were there with me, and we made a great team.

On Tuesday, I hit the gym after class and did 30 minutes on the elliptical with the mask on. I did half the run set on 2 on both sides. I did the next 15 minutes at settings 2 and 3 and the final 15 with both sides set on 3 (the max is 4 on each side – I’m not sure what elevation that mimics).

Today Nik and I woke up early and hit the gym (like we meant to Monday). We lifted weights. Then I went to the beach with Emmers and took a walk. Tonight Michael and I took lead (with Eddie mixed in as a very enthusiastic student) at Krav. It was a busy day.

Tomorrow my plan is to do another 30 minutes on the elliptical after my office hours.

Yesterday my cardio consisted of a walk on the beach. While Nik was working, I went to the pier and back. Walking on sand really tested my calves. It wasn’t a particularly nice day, but I did get some photos.

Today all the walking I did was inside the grocery store. I mostly focused on sewing. I’m still not particularly motivated to work out. I know motivation is shit and won’t get you anywhere, but I have other things to do that I’m enthusiastic about (or at least deadlines that I’m enthusiastic about).

I’m sorry I haven’t been updating. Part of my problem is that I don’t like typing on my phone, and I’m usually away from the computer when I remember my blog exists. I’ve been home from CIC for about a month now. The spring semester has ended. The summer semester has begun, and I’ve picked up some odd jobs. I have a new routine:

Sunday: SCA fencing (weather permitting)
Monday: Krav
Tuesday: gym after work
Wednesday: Krav
Thursday: walk during my lunch break
Friday: Friday Knight Fights (I’ll explain below)
Saturday: long walk on the beach (weather permitting)

I’m trying to do something active each day, but I’m also varying my level of activity. I know I can’t go hard every single day. I also know that now that I’m teaching Krav instead of practicing, those days aren’t as demanding as they used to be.

The weather has been lousy (or there have been events or holidays), so I haven’t been able to fence much. I think I made it to one fencing practice after CIC, and I spent most of my time doing long sword drills, not sparring. I’ve barely touched my rapier, and I’m not happy about it.

I also got sick last week and couldn’t eat much, making me very weak for a few days. I think that this week is the first time I’ll really get into my routine (only to have it change abruptly for the holiday weekend). 

So now that I’ve gotten the complaining out of the way, let’s talk about the fun part: Friday Knight Fights. Nik and I have acquired a new entertainment job. We now do a “medieval show” that consists of us doing three full contact long sword bouts in armor (tournament style). It’s a lot of fun and very challenging. We still have some issues to work out with our armor (I can’t see out of my helm, for example), but I already love it!

At any rate, assume no news is good news, but I’m going to try to be more diligent in my updates.

It’s almost time. Here’s what I’ve been up to since my last update.

I hit the elliptical after work Friday (3/31). I went to fencing that night as well. We had a good time even though we had a little scare – at one point the gym staff asked that all patrons stay where we were since there was an incident outside. It sounds like some people had a beef at the outdoor basketball courts, and a firearm was involved. I’m glad we have a safe indoor space to practice.

That Saturday I went to work and played with kids.

On Sunday, since most of the people in my SCA group were at an event, I called practice off and went stand-up paddle boarding with Nik instead.I did end up in the water once – not on purpose! The wind was pretty strong, so paddling was a challenge. We had a great day.

Monday and Wednesday were Krav nights, as usual. Michael and I worked on getting Jacob ready for his P2 test, and we brushed up on P3 materials as well.

I usually hit the gym on Tuesdays, but I was exhausted and needed sleep more than I needed cardio, so I took it easy that day. Thursdays are usually rest days, so I had two last week.

On Friday I got back to the grind and went to the gym after work. Then I got home, had a little rest, and was walking out the door to go to fencing when anxiety hit me. I did NOT feel prepared for CIC. I sent my apologies to the fencers and stayed home packing and getting organized. I was more prepared than I thought, and Nik and I went to the store to pick up a few more supplies as well, so I feel much better about it now. I kind of feel silly for missing the fun at fencing, but it was worth it to have some peace of mind.

On Saturday I walked around the island before work, where I walked around some more when I wasn’t playing games.

Sunday morning was the moment of truth. I woke up bright and early to be at the gym in Gulf Breeze at 9:30. Eddie, Kita, Michael, Jacob, and I were all there to test. Everyone did really well, and I got over half my steps in before noon. Michael dropped an elbow on my back a little too hard at one point, so I’m getting a neat bruise back there, and Kita clipped my chin with a hammer fist, but I DIDN’T GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE. This is a first for me. 

After that I went home and changed clothes for fencing. I took it easy-ish and kept enough gas in my metaphorical tank to fence everyone who brought gear. I was mostly in teaching mode, but that doesn’t mean that I wasn’t moving around a lot!

Tonight is my last Krav class before I leave for CIC. I’m debating going to the gym tomorrow after work (it’s only half an hour). I’d like to have more time to pack, and I’m already incredibly sore, so I would like to rest my muscles before I go murder them for a week, but I also kind of want to keep the hype train rolling over here. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow.

No promises on updates while I’m on the road.

I’ve been too busy to blog. Let’s look back on the past week and a half.

Last week was Spring Break. I spent Monday morning at the beach, where I resumed my walks to the pier and back. That night was Krav practice with Eddie. He couldn’t stay late to work with me, but it was good to have him there for practice since he sees nuances that I don’t.

On Tuesday I went to the gym with Nik. We lifted (arms) and did cardio.

Wednesday was another beach day (with a walk). Michael was back at practice that night, so after teaching, we had some time to work on P3 and higher skills.

Thursday was another gym day with Nik. We had chest and shoulder day and then did cardio (I think – I’m getting my days mixed up, but I know I went twice last week). That night I went to a fun and challenging Beach Body class with Eddie and Kita. That was definitely a full body workout!

On Friday I tagged along to the beach partially to enjoy my vacation and partially because I needed to fill out paperwork for my new job. I did a lot of walking that day.

Saturday was my first day at my new old job. I’m a pirate again, so I get to spend a couple hours on the weekend doing stage combat and playing games with kids. I have second shift, so I still get to hang out at the beach and go for my long walks in the mornings.

On Sunday I helped at a Krav seminar Eddie and Kita were running on my side of town. Then I picked up Nik and headed to the park, but we didnt fence. We planned to get some cardio in, but the gym was closed, so we took a Poke-walk instead.

This week I was back to the grind at work, so my routine is back to normal.
Monday: Krav
Tuesday: cardio
Wednesday: Krav

I’m gearing up to do the P3 test with Michael in a couple weeks. I’ve already passed, but I’ve been asked to do it again. I didn’t ask why. I’m happy to have the practice and confident that I know the material.

I’m getting a little overwhelmed at work. It’s been a struggle to work out when I’ve been unmotivated, but I know those are the days that I really need to get up and move.