206.03: Luck

This challenge is about making the most of opportunities as they come up. I have a lovely foundation behind me so far this year, and some ends to wrap up, or items to put in place this round. I would like to make the most of my energy and my choices so that I am flexible and available to make use of opportunities that come my way.
I'll be continuing with the near-daily gym visits. More than ever I have seen how beneficial they are to my emotional well being and balance. I have a good rhythm with my partner on this front, and it grounds me. We do T'ai Chi once or twice a week as well, and really like it. Vivian, now 5, has become a bit of a gym rat too, and days when she doesn't get in the pool are a bit gloomy for her.
The thesis and conference paper final edits need to be completed and submitted and done and dusted by mid March. I'm looking forward to it, and wondering where the universe will lead me once it's all wrapped up.
The onerous task weekly list will always be a part of my life, as will the gratitude and affirmations journal.

Happy Tuesday

12 minute Elliptical-walk-row (1800 meters in 12 minutes) -walk to finish out the mile - 12 crunches with a twelve pound ball, 12 ab twists with a 12 pound ball, plank for 1 minute 20 seconds.

The glute curl was at 25 pounds for 12 reps. It's my valentine's day present to my partner. :)

Happy Year of the Fire Monkey

Super tired again this morning, but went to the gym with my partner anyway.

12 minutes on the elliptical, three quarters of a mile walk, then twelve minutes on the rowing machine (1500 meters). Another quarter mile walk before weights, where everything was a set of twelve with 25 pounds except for triceps press (36 reps), chest press (15 pounds), glute extension (40 pounds), and back extension (70 pounds). Abs work with the 8 pound ball included twists and crunches, and leg lifts. Two one minute planks, one before and one after weights.

We walked another half mile before T'ai Chi.
I nearly passed out coming up from a forward fold, so I'm guessing the blood pressure is pretty low right now.

On the upside, my resting heart rate is down to 82, second day in a row.

And now, naptime.

In the small quiet spaces

Yesterday's migraine persisted into today, making me slower and more easily worn out. My partner was great, and my daughter and mother-in-law were wonderful too, being supportive about me needing rest.

We made it to the gym for some family time. Vivian's gymnastics class was cancelled, so we signed her up for next month and she played while we did a little in the gym. 8 minutes on the elliptical, 1000 meters on the rowing machine (took just over 8 minutes) and half a mile walk were all I could manage.

Insight moment: the workout that I began with in January has become my half-hearted accomplishment. This is how to know the level up is real.

Lots of quiet rest and calm conversation today led to finding a taoist yoga retreat in April, with the possibility of a month in an Ashram. Sometimes God speaks through pain.

Weary

I was weary this morning. Not merely tired, but bone weary to the point of apathy.
My partner got me moving, and we ended up in the gym, despite the drenching rain. Twelve minutes on an arc trainer, then a half mile walk, then 1200 meters on the rowing machine. Another quarter mile walk and then T'ai Chi, and I felt like myself once more.

I am still tired, and even a bit weary, but I care again.

The Power of the Gym

I'm so glad my challenge this month is about asking for help and leaning on others - I really am nothing without my support right now.

My attitude was all prickles and vinegar this morning on the way to drop Vivian at school and then on to the gym. Instead of nursing it in silence as I usually would (convinced that what I felt didn't matter because I don't matter), I took a breath and told my partner what is bugging me. The world did not end. We did not argue. We drove quietly, then talked, then drove, then talked about something else.

Apparently I felt the need to announce in my sleep that "There are no car companies in Canada."

We talked like normal people the rest of the way to the gym.

My heart rate was way up for the twelve minutes of the elliptical, but came down during the four tenths mile that we walked after. Then I rowed for twelve minutes (1750 meters) and though about the workout narrative some more, and felt my perspective fall back into place about halfway through. Another six tenths walk to complete the mile, then onto arms and abs. The number of the day was 15, except for the abs work, which was 16 per set. I was flat on the floor today, doing weighted (10 pound) crunches, toe dips, and twists and a one minute plank.

I almost got the eighth pull up in a row, but realized I would be better off doing four with good form.

And then hot tub.
Always the hot tub.

Swim

A lot of arms work again this morning after the elliptical-walk-row-walk. We did a full mile, with some focused effort on incorporating the T'ai Chi walking.

Then hot tub.
Now, tea before a meeting.

First swim instructor class tonight, with lots of instruction and 480 yards of swimming.

Be me

My workout has achieved a regularity that is comforting. There is enough structure that it covers everything, while allowing for enough flexibility that I can tweak it for tired days, shortened gym time, increased ability and the like.

1. Elliptical - do the minutes and level that make sense for you. The goal is to get your heart rate into a good zone for at least five minutes. Do not push too hard, by getting into your max heart rate, here. (220-Your Age). You should be working hard and energized, not wrecked.
2. Walk. Recover the heart rate by walking at least ten minutes.
3. Rowing machine. Same rules as the elliptical. The rowing machine is a full workout in its own right. If you need to shorten your workout, skip the weights but not the row.
4. Walk again, at least ten minutes.
5. Plank
6. Abs work
7. Weights
8. Plank
9. Walk to cool down
10. Swim

End the whole thing with ten minutes in the hot tub.

Yes, I know it's a lengthy workout, but it's the best part of your day.

Encouragement matters

My partner's encouragement is the only reason I made it to the gym today. I was so freaking tired. But then, as always, being at the gym was Just Right. Why do I ever fight it?

The number of the day was 12: even the elliptical was twelve minutes. The press were there again today, which is good, but always weirds me out. Rowing took longer than usual - 7 minutes for the kilometre - but I did it.

In the weight room, I added twelve weird arm dip things on the rack that I usually do pull ups on. It was good but wow, hard!

Twelve inclined sit ups with the 8 pound ball, center and each side. A minute plank, with 15 seconds single leg each leg.

An hour of T'ai Chi followed by tea, a garlic bagel with egg, cream cheese, lox and red onion. Again, I probably would have skipped the class if he hadn't walked out the door. I think I owe him a thank you note for carrying my motivation today.

NOW I can go back to sleep if I want to. :)

Love 2016.02

In keeping with all things "love" for this month, I'm including a lean on others piece.

This month I will actively look for ways to accept the strength and wisdom of others.
We are all stronger together.
I am not alone.

~Daily Gratitude Journal continues, and will include when I'm grateful for the assistance of others.
~Daily gym will continue, with my partner. It's not as though I am incapable or disallowed to go alone, or anything. But it's a powerfully connected time when we go together.
~Onerous Tasks will continue, as ever, and I will make a note of how and when I am able to have help slaying these pesky kobolds.
~Papers: I have full rough drafts for the thesis and the conference papers due this month.