Gear Up

This activity focuses on where I'm going to train and what gear I will need to do so. Michelle breaks it down into 3 locations:

• In the gym
• Outdoors
• At home

For myself I can see me doing it mainly at the gym, occasionally outdoors if I do something like the 1000 steps or a run with a friend. The weight session though I may do from home depending on what it is and whether I need equipment that I don't have. I am getting myself back into the habit of exercising in the morning so that when this program starts I won't have adjusting to the early mornings to deal with on top of the lower calories and increased exercise.

 

Now in terms of gear:

• Good runners - I bought a new pair in June so these should still be good to go, haven't exactly been very active between June and now so they're kind of still being worn in.
• Heart rate monitor - I bought one of these 2 weeks ago, a Polar f7 on advice from my friend because my Suunto one just didn't seem to be very accurate. It's pretty and shiny.
• Workout gear - I already have 2 pairs of 3/4 exercise pants and a long pair for yoga, a couple of work out tops of that slinky material that draws out the sweat, 5 pairs of sports socks and a nice Kathmandu jumper. I only have 1 good sports bra though, so this might be something that I buy another one of. I'm not sure I want to buy more than one additional, especially as my shape changes and sports bras for someone who is well endowed are not cheap.
• Yoga mat - check but might ask for a pretty Lululemon one for Christmas.
• Weights at home - I have 2 x 2kgs weights at home. Will see if I need to get heavier ones as I progress.
• Exercise ball at home - check.
• Gym membership - yep at the local gym. It has cardio machines, weigh machines, a pool and a cycling room so enough for what I need to do.

I figured I would be pretty right for equipment. I know that I know the theory about exercise and know how to do it, it's the mindset issues and actually getting and doing the exercise that is the issue.i

 

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Warm Up Week 3 Challenge Results

So how did the week go?

Monday: zero. Challenge came out during the day and I had toastmasters on that night.

Tuesday: 2.75km. Walked from North Melbourne station into work this morning, only took me 25 minutes so this is definitely something that is doable, as long as I'm running on time in the morning. Total: 2.75km

Wednesday: 16km. Walked from North Melbourne station again (2.75km) walked to and from the gym (2.5km) and rode 10.75km at the gym. The bike at the gym had a cool monitor attached which you could log into and ride certain routes. It's kind of like a game, you can compete against yourself in previous rides so tht you can see if you're improving. Made it more fun and only took me just over half an hour for the ride. Total: 18.75km

Thursday: zero. Had an Agile meetup after work, and didn't walk in the morning. It's funny how that happens, do a big work out and then think that it's ok to not do anything the next day. That's probably one of the negative thought patterns that I have going on, relating to both food and exercise. One good day or meal or activity and then I think it's ok to have a treat or be slack and watch tv.

Friday: again zero. Finally got my car back from my ex husband though which makes it easier to get to the gym or any activity really.

Saturday: 12.5km. 11.8km on the bike, same bike with the computer screen. Did two new routes though so I didn't get to see if I beat any previous times, but it was interesting to see the different 'scenery' on the routes. Then finished with 700m on the rower to bring it up to 12.5km. Total: 31.25km

Sunday: no km but I did do an hours yoga class which felt nice to stretch out the muscles that weren't exactly used to the level of exercise I did this week regardless of how capable I am in performing it.

It felt amazing to actually get over the 30km and it was clear that it was a mindset thing rather than a capability thing. I can clearly do it, especially if I break it up into smaller chunks and reality is that it didn't take me exceptionally long to do it, especially on the bike. Nice confidence boost though.

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Warm Up Week 3 Challenge

This week I am setting you an exercise challenge. I want you to walk, swim, cycle, row, run 30km this week. Break it down into small chunks. You might walk 5km on monday, cycle 10km on Tuesday, swim 1km on Wed. Etc... Mix it up, keep it interesting, try something new! Oh and driving in your car does NOT count!

... And this is a warm up challenge??? Holy moly...

Ok, I'm breathing again. 30kms is totally doable right? Talk about challenges though. Interesting to see my mind immediately go straight to "no way!" instead of "how can we do this?"

I think it's the distance that scares me because that's not something I work with often, 9/10 it is the time spent doing the activity e.g. Half an hour on the bike or elliptical, 10 minutes on the step machine, half an hour walk. I don't normally pay attention to how far I go during the time spent on that activity and cause I have no awareness of it now 30km seems like a lot.

But is it?


Sure, if I tried to swim that I'd be dead, but walking/biking/elliptical should be more than doable. I know I can do 10km pretty easily/quickly on the bike, so a couple sessions on that should make a large dent in it. Combine that with walking some of the way to work and I should knock it off relatively easily. Planning on Wednesday being one of the bike sessions, so that will give me a good indication on whether 2 or 3 bike sessions are required.

 

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