Sunday, August 10, 2014

Regimen

For someone who swore she wouldn't bother you with info about her fitness, I sure am interpreting that promise broadly. See, I've been up to this for 3 weeks and it strikes me I should tell you how it's entirely different than I thought it would be. This really is Solipsism 101, however, so do feel free to click back tomorrow for something less painfully "all about me".

What I'm Doing: You can see this post for a review of what I aimed to do before I began the New Regime.

As it happens, I have been going to the gym 3 times per week (@60 min each). Why? Well, it's not actually as horrible as I thought it would be. Sure, it's summer and the living is easy, but it strikes me I should habituate to the best of my ability before the bad weather sets in. Also, the classes I've opted to do aren't overly crowded (but they are well-attended).

I'm also practicing active yoga at home twice a week (@45-60 min each). Those practices have been more active than restorative because I'm trying to re-establish my muscle strength (while maintaining flexibility) to build on the work at the gym. If I'm feeling mentally lazy I do a couple of online yoga classes back-to-back (free ones from Yoga Journal).

At the gym, instead of doing cardio machines (which I've used a few times), instead I've gravitated towards the classes. I like their interactivity and the fact that they're in a separate, more quiet space. My goal is to try them all (and there are like 60 variations on a bunch of styles). So far, I've done yoga for one of those gym sessions each week. Why? Well, if I'm going to try them all, I might as well start with the ones that don't scare me. Also, I'm very intrigued to see how gym yoga has evolved in the last 20 years. (Natch, I have a post-worth of info on that which I'll bore you with another time.)

In addition to yoga, I've also been taking the classes that focus on core strength and muscle fitness. I just don't love jumping as much as using my body as leverage. However, I'm pleased to tell you that those muscle-based classes are VERY cardiovascular. I leave with rubbery muscles and covered in sweat (ugh, but I tolerate it).

You might be thinking: Kristin, you still seem to be doing more yoga than anything else. Yeah, well what of it? I'm also doing all the walking I used to do (nothing new there) but I'm systematically adding in some new stuff, approached in a style I can manage. It's a start. Point is, I'm doing much more active fitness than I was a month ago.

What It's Doing For Me: 

Let me start by assuring you that, if you're a person struggling to manage your regular life and all of its bits and pieces, you can add the gym, or some other kind of regular fitness you enjoy, without it sucking up every last bit of energy you have. (Time, well that's another matter entirely, I'm afraid...)

The reason for this, as near as I've been able to determine for myself, is that you use a different pool of energy for fitness than for other pursuits. As an analogy: Imagine that you "pay" for your regular life in cash (let's not suggest we're using credit, people!). The energy for the gym is "paid" by, let's say, an energetic debit card (still energy you own, but of a different format). You replenish the funds available by engaging in your activities of choice. Then you live off the proceeds while you're going about your day-to-day.

I'm amazed to say that I don't feel more tired doing all of this activity, though I am freakin' sore. But it does cut into the time I have to do other things and I'm still coming to terms with that.

But never mind the preamble, what differences can I see or feel?
  • I am stronger, more aligned and more flexible, which is very enjoyable. I've been so weak and exhausted since I had pertussis. This enlivens me.
  • I have a bit of observable, improved tone in my upper abdomen and backs of legs/lower derriere. I assure you, it's not going to get me my own reality show, but a couple of people have commented.
  • However, the main difference - and it's pretty notable - is in how it's undercut the symptoms of my, ahem, menopausal journey. Mercifully, my headaches are being well-managed by a couple of hormonal precursors (prescribed by my naturopath). But the epic that is PMS is playing at a lower volume in the last few weeks. I am far less bloated (it's almost all worth it for this reason alone), less prone to night-sweats and hot flashes. It's too soon to say, but it might actually have some impact, eventually, on the hemorrhagic aspect of my cycles. Of course, so will full-on menopause :-)
So there you go, three weeks in and worth doing.

I should say one other thing, since you'll note I haven't discussed whether I've "lost any weight". I deliberately didn't step on the scale before I started this exercise and I have no intention of doing so at any time going forward. IMO, scales are reductive and I don't understand the obsession with them. They don't tell you if you've lost fat (unless you have a fancy one and even then, the jury's out), they don't explain how you've gained muscle. They cannot advise you (like a simple tape measure), whether your waist is an inch less large.

I have eyes and clothing to tell me whether this regimen is having the intended external impact. And so do we all...

Today's questions: Have you recently begun to exercise hard? How are you feeling? At the gym, do you prefer the cardio or the muscle-tone classes? Are you one of those scale-watchers? Is there some hidden benefit to the scale, in your opinion, that I just don't get? I wanna know.

21 comments:

  1. After a hiatus of several years, I started running while on holidays. I'm not exercising terribly hard yet as I'm walking than running at this point. Reminds me how much I enjoy running and am forcing myself to go slow to minimize wear and tear on knees and lower body. Am planning on keeping it up and starting a gym routine with a friend in September to improve my upper body fitness and posture. Exercise is as much for my mental as physical health. Hardest part for me is being organized enough to fit exercise in my day and also walk my dog.

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    1. I can't believe you started exercise on vacation?! That's hard core! But I'm glad it's going well. And I agree, it's so challenging to figure out how to put the exercise into the agenda.

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  2. This is all very interesting to me, because I just decided I must do something about my big belly/butt. I don't mind being pear-shaped, but it seems like my extra 20 lbs is concentrated there and that's not healthy or balanced. (I will try jogging again - I think I can do a few minutes at a time - interspersed with walking.)

    Looking forward to your post on Gym Yoga classes. I take them 3 times a week and luckily the 2 teachers I love are the ones that teach at times I can go. Whenever there's a substitute, it's not as great. Sometimes, it's ok, but a couple of the teachers are Really Annoying, so I skip class if I know they'll be teaching.

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    1. I'm surprised by how many people love to run/jog. I realize that it's free and you get to be outside, but I think the weather here is just to miserable. Seems like you've got a great system worked out. You are very organized!

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    2. I like running in winter - keeping warm is less of an issue (layering is key) than staying cool in the summer.

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  3. Forgot to mention - I also do a 20 minute routine with weight machines twice a week & about 30-35 minutes on Sundays. Doesn't sound like much, but makes a big difference in my general shape, which I really noticed when I didn't have a gym membership for a few months.
    :-)

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  4. I started recently doing 3x60min/week of strength. I do strength training twice and a core workout for the third one.

    I feel better, but sadly I haven't seen the tape measure measuring less yet. I eased myself in in June, did 2/week in July and upped it to three times a week now. I'm quite curiously following your journey of the same.

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    1. The tape measure changes over time. I've had to tell myself that I'm doing this for the long haul and when the changes come, they'll come. Till then, I'm going to feel happy about being stronger :-)

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  5. Kristin, it's eerie how your random exercise rampup coincided with mine. I'm even working out in my hotel room and hotel gym on business trips! I agree with most you said in this post. Integrate more exercise in ways that don't scare you; participate in more interactive areas that fulfill what I suspect is an extroversion level similar to mine; and be alert to changes in tone, shape, and proportion, rather than focusing on the scale.

    Of course we're lucky we don't work in professions that force us to focus on our weight. Some I can think of are pilot, jockey, model...Yup, working such professions would be a real downer for me.

    Like you, I somehow feel like exercising more than I have been. The weather in northern California in winter, of course, is much less discouraging of exercise than the hell frozen over that is where you live. [Move here! We'd have fun! I'll feed you and take you bra shopping!] Like Susanm, I need the mental health benefits as much as the physical ones. Like SewTypical, I do weights, though free weights at home, because it makes a bigger difference to my shape, and in less time, than other types of exercise.

    I really hope I continue with this level of exercise throughout the winter. As mild as our winters are, I do feel the impact of the gloomy skies.

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  6. OOoh, we're exercise twins! And I would love to move to California, right about now. I want your sunshine! (And I'd be happy to eat and go bra shopping!)

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  7. I had great plans of starting anew with exercise this summer. However, the gym I belonged to closed without notice and the new gym isn't due to open until next month. I have been walking more and enjoy the workout - we Walk - so I am a little sweaty when I am done. I've tried doing stuff from Netflix, but lord, do I feel dopey while doing it.

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    1. How irritating! It is kind of bizarre working out to the TV, but I think it becomes less weird the more you do it. I think.

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  8. Since I find running difficult in the summer heat (winter running is so refreshing and invigorating!), I've added in some lap swimming in the last 2-3 weeks. Oh man does it leave me wiped out! Sweating while in the water is a bizarre sensation, but I'm enjoying it nonetheless.

    I agree about tape measure/how you look as trumping scale, which is just one indicator.

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    1. OK, it never occurred to me that the cold is more conducive to running - but here there's too much ice and slush to do it year round. (Well, the crazy people do it year round...) I so wish I had a private pool or lake to swim in. I just cannot handle the idea of swimming in a public pool. I mean, I won't even take a bath because it feels like sitting in one's own grime.

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  9. I'm interested in your comment about paying for your fitness with a debit card, recharged by enjoyable activities. With me, it is the opposite. My fitness program (free weights and watching TV while pedalling my stationary bike uphill LOL) gives me the energy I need for the rest of my life. I realised this at a deeper level when I broke my ankle and the orthopedist told me I could only sit around. I had no energy, and my general wellbeing only improved when I returned to the gym and started doing free weights, while sitting or lying on a bench. Much better! and when I was able to get back on my bike for cardio I felt great. I've been exercising for so long
    I can't comment on any improvement in body shape. It's probably slowing my decline, I'm 62.
    Mae

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    1. I think we're saying similar things - but perhaps using different terminology. What I'm suggesting is that you put money on the card by exercising, and then you take it off as you live your life. Ah, analogies - they don't always mean the same thing to different peeps :-)

      And I'm sure, Mae, that you are forestalling all kinds of potential aging-related glitches that happen over time. A young spine makes for a young person!

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  10. What really caught my eye here is your reference to the hemorrhagic nature of your cycles, which I can relate to all too well. I'm looking forward to moving beyond this peri phase and closing the door.

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  11. 6 months ago I gave up 20 years of long-distance running (marathons, half-marathons: always training for something) for ... yoga. My short, curvy, 59-yr.-old body has never felt better. I weigh the same as before but my clothes are loose and I have loads more energy. Best part is I think 75 min./day of yoga for the rest of my life is sustainable.

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  12. I gave up riding 3500 miles on my bike for yoga and feel better than ever. I do yoga every day for some length of time. I focus on strength and balance but also fit in yin or restorative, too. I am 53 and yoga has supported me through my midlife journey.

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  13. I got weighed at the doctor's on Friday - I was a little surprised at the number, because my measurements correspond to a lower weight (i.e my current weight is higher than I was expecting, based on my curet measurements). I guess physio is paying off - muscle weighs more than fat, right?
    When I ran, I used to love indoor tracks. I found them so soothing - almost hypnotic. Just around and around in a big circle - no traffic worries, no bad weather...

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