Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Cardio Machines, Good or Bad?

Been a busy week! Sorry I've been so late in posting this week. But here's something for you all :).

Cardio machines. I’m not a big fan. I think they have their place, in a garbage heap.

Okay, that’s harsh and I don’t really mean that fully.

The one I hate least- Treamills. I think treadmills are good for only when going outside is a bad idea (like snow covered ice). Pro’s- I think it immitates our natural rhythm as closely as any machine can because our own bodymechanics are allowed to take precedence. There is no spot to place hands and feet leading to irregular patterns. Although those patterns in ellipticals, bikes, and stair climbers are probably good, our own stride is better in my opinion. Cons: people place their arms on the siderails which decrease calorie burn and also decrease our natural gait pattern. People then tend to lean forward when holding onto the machine. Also, for interval drills, this is a bad piece of equipment. The speed changes are not instant like if a person was running outside. Max speed on a machine for 20-30 seconds also takes some practice to learn what that top speed is. Otherwise it’s a guessing game getting to that top mark. And hitting top speed on a treadmill is more dangerous than hitting top speed outside. I’m definitely not going to fall off the back of the sidewalk but for someone maxing out their speed on a treadmill, hitting the button to slow it back down could be a bit tougher.

Ellipticals- pro’s: Not to hard on the joints so they’re better for people with joint pain and osteoarthritis and osteopenia. Negs: well, the calories burned readout seems pretty wack to me. I’d alternate that and the treadmill. I’m sure people lose weight with this, but there are better options waiting on the sidewalk. 

Steppers- I’ll admit, I’ve only used a stepper twice, maybe three times tops. I can’t really say what is good or bad about them, just that they’re a machine and that I don’t like machines.

Bikes- I love bikes people ride outside for fitness purposes although I do still have a bit of fear of them. Yes that was 10 years ago, yes I’m still anxious. Indoor bikes such as in spinning classes’n'stuff I’m not a huge fan of. It doesn’t challenge balance because it’s stablized on a frame. The benefits of riding outside totally beat riding an indoor bike.

Recumbent bikes- I’m totally prejudiced against these things. I think they’re the lazy person’s way out. It’s like being able to say I did something without actually doing anything. No core work at all, not even having to hold yourself up, just lean back and rest why dont ya? No pro’s at all other than at least it’s better than sitting doing nothing but I dont think these can hardly be called exercise. Cardio, okay fine, call it that, but it’s not real exercise unless you’re an extremely deconditioned person.

Cardio I like: intervals with swimming, running/walking, boxing, tennis, and many others. Not golf. And not ping-pong either ;).

And now, even though I don't like recumbent bikes, I own one. Yes I do. It makes a good place to hang clothes to dry. I do use it occasionally. Fine, more like rarely.


Thursday, April 17, 2014

Looking Ahead

This year so far has been rough on our family. Nothing actually huge, just an overabundance of small things that add up. I need a vacation from it all. And a winning lotto ticket :).

Though right now things aren't always pretty financially, physically, or emotionally around here it's temporary. Eventually I'll have a couple more things paid off and that will release some stress there. Eventually I'll not be in daily physical pain which will also lead to a better emotional state... Pain kind of sucks and it's also caused be to be overly fatigued since it interferes with me sleeping at night at least a few times a week now. And emotionally will improve as things become more stable for the family in general.

It's hard to not feel stressed and overwhelmed some days. But I know I have a great family to go home to every day. I have a baby who needs me, though at this point I'm not really sure he cares who takes care of him as long as it gets done. He certainly recognizes me :). But they're so adaptable at this age. I have an awesome teenager who is surprisingly well behaved. And I have an amazing man in my life, though he has his own struggles, is always there for me.

So, looking forward to how this year will end I'm not sure how much of our situation will change but I know that things always get better when you have good people around you. And family, you're good people :).

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

SNOW!

So, the week the weather was supposed to stay nice, it didn't :(.

I might as well just give up and buy a treadmill.

Nightly routine is still going well. My car hates me and I helped a friend today so still no workout this week. I know, I'm making excuses. And I hate that I'm making excuses. Really I could have watched one less episode of House (now on Netflix!!!!) and done a workout instead. OR I could have done my kettlebell workout while watching an episode of House.

Overall, the morning routine is still my nemesis. I have no trouble with the Baby Muddy part of the routine. It's more when it comes to me. I know what my problem is, if there's an excuse to use, I'll find it.

And tomorrow I need to take my car to the shop because my tire is doing something crazy. It feels wobbly but my tie rods and lug nuts and something else were replaced last June. So hopefully if it's one of those it'll still be under warranty.

Also, there is snow on the ground. SNOW! In April... This really really sucks. I want to get outside and run. I got in a nice walk the past weekend with the stroller and our dog. Don't worry the baby, not the dog, was in the stroller.

Teen Muddy trained both Saturday and Sunday for her upcoming run. So proud of her!

Hope everyone gets out there.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Routines

I have some routines that I do pretty well with.

One of them is my routine I do when I get home from work. I put a load of laundry into the wash and the one in the dryer goes upstairs to be folded. I get dishes into the dishwasher and put the clean ones away if there are any clean ones in the dishwasher. Once the sink is empty I fill it and put the bottles in it. Then I clean the cat boxes while the bottles soak a couple minutes. I wash my hands. Then I wash the bottles. Then if the washer is done I put it in the dryer.

AND where I fall apart on that routine is actually folding the ones I brought upstairs. But alas, at least our clothes are clean and I don't have a huge Mount Washmore in the bedroom.

But my cat boxes get cleaned pretty much every day. I don't do so well on this when I'm not working (weekends) or when I'm on call because I don't go home that night.

I also have a once a week routine where toilets get washed, floors get scrubbed, and everything gets clean basically. That takes two hours. I put the sheets in the wash and do the downstairs. I put them in the dryer and clean the upstairs then mop everything. That's usually done on the morning after I'm on call since I get up earlier that day or on Mondays after I take Teen Muddy to school. That's pretty well ingrained into my week as well. Rarely gets skipped. And you can hug my toilets most of the time.

My mornings are pretty much the same too. Baby Muddy is my alarm (joys of second shift). He gets changed, then I feed him his food and his bottle. Then I get myself generally presentable. This routine doesn't really fall apart ever. If I don't do something on it then I'd end up going to work without pants on or something so it's pretty much a bare bones have to do kind of routine.

What I'd like to really incorporate in my day is a workout routine. Auto pilot my workout. It should be take care of baby, get myself ready for workout, workout, then get myself presentable. Most of the time I work out and have to strip out of my work clothes, grab a tank top and shorts, do my workout, and redo getting myself presentable. Then I'm like well, I'm already ready for work so why bother... then the workout is missing :(. And the Mudder is not getting any farther away.

This morning routine is going to be my goal next week (since this week I'm still putting furniture away).

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Bellin Run

The Bellin Run is a huge event around where I live.

It's also the first of only two runs I have planned for this year so far. It's a relatively inexpensive run. Some runs can cost a huge amount of money. This one is a whole $20. Seriously. For a 10K!!!

I'm going to run it with my sister's running partner. She's way way awesome :). She was part of our Tough Team last year. And she's the leader of our Tough Team this year. I'm not sure if she knows that... but she was the first to sign up for the Mudder so by default I say she's leader.

My daughter, aka Teen Muddy, is also running the Bellin this year. She's going to run with a friend of hers. They don't want to run with this here old lady :'(. Sad sad. Running is an awesome habit to get into. It keeps you young, literally! Seriously, there have been studies that runners age slower than non runners. All the more reason to run.

The run is on June 13th. Teen Muddy is starting her training this week. The weather outside is finally above freezing consistently so I can get Baby Muddy out in his stroller so I know I need to stop with just the weights and add on the running too. I'll still lift the weights and swing the kettlebell, too.

During the weekdays I know I need to get out for at least a mile on the days I start work later. That would be on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I wish I had a second shift friend who lived near me to keep me on track to run. Maybe someday...

Everyone out there, find what you love and go do it!

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Insanely Sore! Head to Toe!

So, as you can see from yesterdays post, I finished the carpet in my family room. I was sore yesterday, but today... OMG, so much worse! My shoulders are just crying and my hips are pure agony. This must be delayed onset muscle soreness. I was considering a workout today but when I woke up like this, forget it!

I haven't done a workout since midweek last week. We had a really bad stressful situation last week with day care and having to switch. I became overly stressed and then ate terribly and didn't work out at all. Then with this carpet replacing, I'm pretty sure that's a good enough workout for now. Tomorrow I'm skipping the workout because I'm returning all the furniture to the room. That will be another workout all in itself. Maybe I'll do a short walk if there's any time left before I go to work depending on how  long it takes to put everything together again.

This week I've done much better on not eating junk other than some Cheetos today. And I'm much less stressed now that we have a new day care provider for Baby Muddy. She seems very organized and nice :). Little guy did well yesterday with nearly no crying. He saved that all for me yesterday morning... Today he wasn't fussy at all and let me get some things done!



^^^ BabyMuddy staying busy while I do dishes :). 

The rest of my house looks like a disaster area because the furniture from one room somehow expanded and is now in three rooms... Trying to keep the half of the kitchen that isn't covered in extra furniture looking somewhat livable :).

Until this whole carpet laying business is done, I'm just going to hope someone drops a hot tub off at my place! 

Monday, April 7, 2014

Laying the Carpet!!

So this weekend I did it. I DID IT ALL MYSELF!!!

Well, almost myself. Mr. Muddy had to help me take the couches out of the room. They were a bit to heavy for me to handle. But I did manage to roll the old carpet halfway, then drag the couches over the top of it and roll it up the rest of the way.

I am in pain from the base of my skull to the tips of my toes. YES, even my toes hurt!

Here's the progress...

Carpet rolled up and out of the way. Cleaned up the floor.


Most of the carpet down, just a small seam along the wall by the door on the right to go. 


And finished product! 

Sort of. The vents are going to get spray painted and then I'll put those back on and we need a strip go to between the door and the tile floor. The other doorway was an even transfer and doesn't need anything :). Also have to stain the bottom edge of the baseboard and shelves since the old carpet went up a little higher. Went from plush to berber in this room. I prefer berber for high traffic areas.