stepping_out

I thought I'd try a spinning class for funsies. I like to cycle and it said there would be music, so why not, it's upper body day. But when I got there, I couldn't figure out how to get my feet into the little basket things properly, and I've only been on a spinning bike once before - nearly ripped my leg out of its socket that time because I forgot to keep pedalling. So I was cautious but the instructor wanted us to stand up on the bikes. I tried, but it felt really unsafe because my feet weren't in the right place somehow. They were also doing something that I guess was supposed to mimic a push up off the handlebars, a lot of multi tasking going on. Mind you, I was just there for the cycling, so I just did that. It was a mix of not being comfortable with the bike standing up, and a healthy dose of not being arsed. The instructor did not like it, he kept saying "everybody stand up!". At my age, I'm a bit past the point where I feel I need to do stuff I don't want to do just because someone tells me to. Okay, especially if someone repeatedly tells me to. So I'm just pedalling along and enjoying the music. Eventually, he comes up to me and quite aggressively tells me to get up. I shake my head and he points to the door, pretty sure he said something but couldn't make it out. So I went to do some deadlifts. I tried, cardio, I tried!

Just checking in to say I just got kicked out of a cardio class. #proud

I'm happy to help with the planning if there is something I can do remotely.

Are they not adjustable? (Sorry, I'm very curious about other ppls squats because I love squats.)

30lbs goblet squat is pretty badass IMO. Think that's an indication that strength may not be the limiting factor on back squats. How are you feeling about your position and mobility etc on that? Could also be a balance thing. This is just to say that these things take time to develop, and everybody faces that in one way or another. Hang in there, it'll come. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Just realised the challenge is over, time to check on ma goals. 1) Nutrition: Week 1: Start tracking. I'm not going to count calories or weigh things, I'm just writing things down. This is to figure out where things go off track. I already know breakfast is an issue, so I'll use week 1 to make sure I'm stocked up on easy breakfast foods. Did well on this one and tracked throughout, minus maybe three days where I was super busy at work. Week 2: Add prepped lunches Monday - Friday, and actually take them into work! This will be a great money saver as well. I think I did this once. But I also worked from home a lot. Will pick this up next challenge. Weeks 3 & 4: TBD. Depending on how the first two go, add something or improve something. I started ordering weekly vegetable boxes in week 2, with the implicit goal of demolishing each before the next one arrived. Am quite happy with that, eating a lot more vegetables. 2) Strength: Week 1: Actually get some rest. One super light recovery session on Wednesday, and weightlifting on Friday. Done. Weeks 2-4: Back to training, stick to the plan (programme not out yet, so I don't know what this will involve). Done. Note: A "session" includes mobility work. Did this every workout, except yesterday. 3) Conditioning: Swim at least once per week. I'm counting this as conditioning because I'm swimming laps as fast as I can (not very fast!) and resting between laps, so it's basically intervals. Did this, except this week, which was a rest week after swimming twice last week. That included the mile I have been training for. Will start weekly swimming sessions with the girls again next week. Sprints once per week, starting week 2. This never happened. Add one metcon type session per week to my training weeks 2-4. Can be a finisher. Kettlebells or whatever, need to get creative. If I count the mini challenges, I did two. 4) Life: Do house buying things. Did this, sort of, because there were delays with the solicitors so there actually wasn't much to do other than ringing the estate agents to "check on progress". Ah well. We've started decorating in our minds, if that counts. To be continued. The weather is getting nicer and I'd really like to pick up my running again. At the same time, I don't want to wear out my legs! Have decided not to attempt the marathon, I could probably run-walk it and finish but I just plain don't want to. Will just go down to Brighton and join the post-marathon party instead, much better plan! The lesson is definitely to be a bit less ambitious with the goals, just pick a few and be consistent. Overall, I'm feeling really strong at the moment, so I think my recovery and nutrition is pretty on point. The next challenge will be around food prep and conditioning. May need to invest in some lunch boxes to make that happen.

I went through three different driving instructors, I was 27 or 28 when I got my licence I think. The first one kept shouting at me, which just added another dimension of crazy to being thrown into the deep end of London traffic. The second asked me stuff like "what colour is the car behind you" while driving on a dual carriageway - why the fook does the colour of the car matter, shouldn't I be more worried about not going into that one, or ANY car for that matter?? Then he taught me to park up right on a corner with the hazards flashing so he could pop into the shop to get a can of pop. Anyway, when I finally found one who was calm and let me figure things out, I went on to pass my test at first try. All this to say, that's not a reflection on you, it just means he's a terribly teacher. And in a way, he's doing you a favour because he obviously realises that he isn't able to teach you properly, so he could just continue to take your money. This way, you can find someone who's better suited to your needs. It's much like finding the right coach - and helps to remember that you're paying them for a service! Onwards & upwards.

It's soooo good! I had it again the next day and just ate the whole tray standing in the kitchen. And I'm not really that into kale! Yesterday's training: Last day of work before I technically have a 10-day break for Easter and such. Although I'll probably be working. Still, can't wait to be able to just sleep in if I want to. Also, naps are the best.

Possibly OT, but have just booked our tickets to see "The Movie" on Friday. Unreasonably excited!

Yesterday's noms: Oven roasted kale (with avocado oil and salt), chicken, bacon and mushrooms. Will make again. Like, today. Really enjoying this vegetable thing, I HAVE to eat more of them because otherwise, my fridge overfloweth and I need to finish off a certain amount before the next delivery arrives. Plus I'm eating stuff I probably wouldn't have bought, like fennel, which turns out to be delicious.

We're watching one episode per night, takes up all my willpower at the moment!

Another double post...

Feeling pretty groovy right now. Team training session (we only have one per month) and a pretty tough workout. I got a depth check on my squats with the knee sleeves and apparently, they're okay! So it is decided then, knee sleeves are magical. Everybody get some!!! Deadlifts went well with 2 sets of 122.5x8 (cluster sets, not touch-n-go). Decided to ditch the belt because it seems to put me into a weird position and it didn't seem to affect things other than being more comfortable. Now off to "swim" a mile for Sport Relief and if I don't have a single vegetable today, I'll still put it down as a win.

Double post...

I thought that's what this class was all about!!! ;-)

On the web, you can do this by hovering over the topic title. Will take a while to get used to the new colour scheme for me. Plus I'd really like Tapatalk back... Le sigh!

I'm really enjoying the knee sleeves! Went back to the gym yesterday and did some light squats just to make sure I could get to depth. They give a really nice bounce out of the hole, but I need to practice with them more. Didn't feel like cooking yesterday so we ordered in. Lots of meat & salad.

It's probably one of those situations where there isn't really anything people can say to help. But you KNOW you're doing everything right, so eventually the "whoosh" is coming!!! Hang in there.

Easy mode done after main sets, 25kgx25. Counting this as my weekly cardio!!!

Those are basically fruit!

I've been having some knee pain, not really pain even but they've been getting sore after heavy squats. Sooooo I bought some knee sleeves as a treat - and also to avoid damaging my knees, so maybe it's not really a treat. (Which means I can get another thing for a treat!) Anyway. This is what happened.

Hope you feel better soon!

It's a Daredevil reference Nelson & Murdock, avocados at law.

I've been on a quest to improve my squat mobility for about 6 months now. Some things that have helped, in case you're looking for stuff to do! Goblet squats, I do these as a warm up. 5 in normal squat stance, 5 wide stance, 5 narrow stance, 5 normal stance.Cossack squats, I have pretty tight groins (?) as well and like to do these in between sets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpczTeSkHz0Front squats can also be a bit easier if you're struggling with balance, but the weight needs to be lower than for back squats, all other things being equal.Glute stretches, pigeon pose and the like.I like to randomly spend some time at the bottom of a squat, I tend to hold on to something in front of me to keep my balance. You may not need to hold on if BW squats aren't an issue!Another thing you could experiment with is your stance. I moved to a wider stance, feet pointing out a little bit and trying to keep the knees in line with my toes. That means actively pushing the knees out, especially on the way up. The wider stance has made it easier to go to depth.

No veggie pictures from yesterday because I went out for both lunch and dinner, social butterfly that I am. I did however have a bit of luck with my weekly vegetable delivery. There was baby avocado included and I swapped something else to get more - this is what I ended up with! So, if any of you get in trouble with the law over the next week, I've got you covered!