How you doin'?

First off let me just say it's a beautiful day and I should be out riding my bike. But, it's tough to ride a bike with a cast from your knee to your toes. So, I opened the windows and watched other people get their exercise by riding their bikes. Not quite the same. But it did get me thinking (doesn't everything?) about cross training. As you know from my previous posts I like the arc trainer for the bulk of my indoor cardio. When the weather is reasonable I like to ride my bike. Occasionally I will hop on a spin bike or Jacobs ladder. Over the past 4 months I have mixed in some cross training, almost a Crossfit type program that also included kettlebells to get cardio along with strength training. So, what's the best way? Probably a combination so you don't get bored, but there's nothing wrong with finding something you like and sticking with it. Be careful of the "get through it" mentality. You know what I mean, you go work out just so you can say you worked out. What you do is less important than how you do it. If you are having trouble getting motivated try this: do a short warm-up then do the rest of your workout in intervals. Doesn't matter if you are strength training or cardio or both. Decide what you are going to do then do 30 seconds on 15 seconds rest. Work as hard as you can for 30 seconds, it's 30 SECONDS! You can do anything for 30 seconds. Get on a spin bike and sprint for 30 then rest for 15 and repeat. Do crunches, chest press, step-ups, jump rope, jumping jacks, slam ball, whatever you can think of. When you are done do 5-10 minutes of easy cardio to cool down.
That's it for today,

I'll see you at the gym ( as soon as I can drive again)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

It's Me Again

It's a new year. I'm stuck at home for a few weeks. I'm a little cranky. Seems like a good time to post a new blog entry. I know I should post more often.
I had to have surgery on my right foot, it's a surgery I'm familiar with, I had the same surgery on my left foot 10 years ago. If you don't want to know about the surgery skip to the next paragraph. If you don't skip ahead, remember I warned you. So what I had done was a "right calcaneal eccstectomy with tendon repair" what that means is, my heel bone was scraping against my achilles tendon, which was causing pain and stiffness in the tendon. Eventually it weakened the tendon to the point there was concern the tendon would break. So, I scheduled the surgery and here I am. As with most surgery, the actual surgery is the easy part for the patient. They wheel you in to the operating room, tell you that you are going to get sleepy, next thing you know you are waking up in the recovery room. Later is the hard part. This surgery has a fairly extended recovery time. Because the tendon doesn't get much blood flow it takes a loooooong time to heal. I am not to put any weight on it for 8-12 weeks. As I type this I have it elevated with an ice bag under my knee, which is what I will be doing for at least 8 more days. I have ordered a hands free crutch which I hope will help my mobility. Because the surgery was on my right foot, no driving. Ok, enough about me........
How are you doing on your New Years Resolutions? This seems to be about the time it starts getting tough. So when you decide to skip the gym (and it is a decision) what's your excuse? No time? Too tired? Sore? You and I both know those are not very good excuses. Make time, you'll have more energy if you go, have a light work out to flush the lactic acid out of your muscles, you'll be less sore. How about those eating decisions? It's just as easy to cook a healthy meal as an unhealthy one. At the very least control your portions. Remember, bikini season is right around the corner.
Next time I will talk about some specific workouts and how to keep from going crazy when you are stuck in the house for days on end.