newcs

So...I caved and got a gym trial. I'm just not good at working out on my own. Despite all the logic that it's super simple and way less expensive to work out at home, outside, etc...it just never happens. So I'm playing to my strengths (working out in a gym on a routine) and got a 2 week free trial at a gym in town. Day 1 and I ran this morning (well, jogged and walked but it's a start). As a cool side effect, my 2 miles on the treadmill got $1.50 donated to a charity. The gym is donating 25 cents per mile for every mile logged on a specific treadmill this week and 2 members have stepped up to match it. New plan is to keep doing circuits whenever people do them at work (we usually do short back/shoulder circuits 2-3x a day), hit the treadmill 2-3x a week (counts toward my using my legs goal), lift weights 2x a week (counts toward circuits) and figure out what to do after my 2 week trial is up.

I can't feel/see mine anymore...but hopefully that'll change over the next few months. I'm having a lot of trouble starting a new routine and because of that, I'm doing a less than stellar job of meeting my goals. I'm planning on trying out a "gym" in my town that does all sorts of classes - taekwondo, kickboxing, yoga, etc. It's more of a martial arts studio with various classes. If I like a couple classes, I'll hopefully make it a routine to go there. When I worked next door to a gym, I was so good about going and worked out 5x a week. I haven't been able to find that routine since. It was nice on some days to just mindlessly run on a treadmill or do a bodyweight routine without having to rearrange furniture.

How are the first couple weeks going? Hope things are going ok with the knee!

Haven't had a chance to read all of your thread but did read the first few pages. Whole 30? Sledgehammer training? I'm impressed. I tried paleo a while back and couldn't hack it. The feeling gross (tired/bloated) just never went away for me. Maybe it's the Portuguese/Irish genes that are just adapted to grains. I'll have to look into the sledgehammer training. I love anything that requires minimal equipment and uses functional movements.

Not so awesome this week. I had a severe lack of motivation coupled with sinuses that just wouldn't leave me alone. Still got 3 days of more moving around in (including 1 day of hiking) but only stayed within my calorie goal for 2 days and did 3 BW circuits. Oh well, it's a new week! Current totals: Legs: 6/6 Calories: 7/10 Circuits: 9/12

Haha, I had a 2-pack, basically. Which was so foreign to me that I asked "what are these weird things at the bottom of my ribs?" Yeah, those were my abs. So far so good on week 1. Averaged less than my 1800 high and logged for an extra day. Took a long walk on one day and ran around for 8hrs on two days. I completely 1 of the Advanced Body Weight circuits which completely kicked my butt. So the other 5 were arms circuits. I'll aim for 2 of the ABW circuits this week and see if I can add one each week. Have yet to call the electrician but have set up landscapers and pressure washers and all sorts of fun homeowner stuff.

We really are in similar situations! Even had injuries to make things more complicated...mine was my back. Thankfully, it's better. Hope things get better with your knee and that the challenge goes well for you!

Way back in the beginning of the year, I did pretty well in my first NF Rebellion challenge. Then I flunked out of the 2nd and dropped off the map. Since then, I've started a new job in a fitness-related industry and it's time to get back to a healthy routine. The main goal: Form a routine. I do best when I have a routine to follow but starting it is always difficult. How will I get there? Use my legs Run, walk, jog, wander. Just use my legs to travel more than normal 3x each week. Grades: A = 16-18 B = 13-15 C = 10-12 F = 9 or fewer Get and stay on track with calories Track every week day (Monday - Friday). Net 1600-1800 calories per day. Averaging (within the current week only) is allowed. Grades: A = 26-30 B = 22-25 C = 18-21 F = 17 or fewer Use my bodyweight Do 36 circuits of a bodyweight routine over the 6 weeks. Whether it's the deceptively draining arms workout or the Advanced Bodyweight Workout. Grades: A = 33-36 B = 27-32 C = 21-26 F = 20 or fewer What else? My life goal is simple this time around. Schedule a consultation with the electrician. We've got lights that don't work, a fan that won't shut off and all sorts of fun stuff. I'd like to be able to use the lights in the bathroom again. You know, the little things. My motivation? One time, I saw physical evidence that I do, in fact, have abs. I'd like to make sure it wasn't an illusion. I have a post-it note next to my tea to remind me of that day. Where have I been? Though I fell off the NF map, I haven't completely regressed. I'm still eating (mostly) healthy, making most of my foods from scratch or eating whole foods, walking, biking, sometimes working out, etc. I ran my first 5K in June, my first mud race (Spartan Race) in August and will be running Rugged Maniac on September 28. Because I switched jobs, I no longer have a gym that I can use during the day, which has been a huge adjustment. I've tried to convince myself that I like running outside but I really (sadly) just don't. I'm slowly adjusting to minimalist shoes for running. I've gained about 7lbs from my lowest weight and 5lbs from my ideal weight and my haphazard approach to fixing it is, well, haphazard. So here I am. Edited 9/18/13 to refine my grading.

Thanks for the extra advice!! I think the shop is good about letting you take a spin around to try out the bikes you're interested in so that shouldn't be a problem. Plus I'm leaning toward one particular shop based on their policies and reputation and they have the 30 day return policy so I should be ok even if I make an impulse buy and regret it.

hahaha the lungs of a cheetah and the legs of justice Definitely thinking hybrid sounds like the way to go. There's too many potholes and cracked pavement around here for me to think a road bike with its narrow tires would suffice. I actually didn't know hybrids even existed before I posted this so I'm pretty glad I came to you all for advice. I think I'm going to avoid going used this time due to a bad previous experience and the fact that I really don't know what I'm looking for. Plus the bike shop near me has a 30 day policy that if you change your mind, you can return it for free. I think they also offer financing like you mentioned. I have to check out the ads to see if there are any coupons (got a $5 off a helmet one so far) and then I'm planning to hit up at least one store tomorrow. If all goes well, I might be riding by Monday!

Thanks for the info! Looking back on my previous post, I didn't mean to imply you were faulting him for accepting a better position so I apologize if it came across that way I've been in his shoes before and my boss was awesome...her attitude was "I'm so happy for you! But this totally stinks..."

Sorry to hear about your assistant! It's tough to fault someone for leaving for a better job but still stinks when you lose someone. Let us know how the swap on the workouts goes...I hope it helps! Do you find the liquid stevia to have a weird aftertaste? I've only tried a stevia sweetener once and couldn't stand the aftertaste but since it's getting to be iced tea season, I'd love to have a low/no calorie natural alternative to simple syrup.

Glad to hear things improved from week 4! I don't know what it is but it seems like many of us got knocked down that week. Happy you picked yourself back up and knocked week 5 out with enthusiasm!

Haha yep! I'm healthy 90% of the time so I can eat my butter, sugar, flour and other tasty things the other 10% of the time. I believe in moderation but I'm also not into messing up an amazing cookie/cake/pie/etc recipe to make it healthy when you can indulge every now and then without harm to your overall goals.