Still Feeling Worn Out, Still Accomplishing

I really wanted to get more accomplished, but in many ways I feel I’m dragging so much. The weathermen keep saying the weather’s about to break & I’m trying to overlook the days’ stress (which became more intense on Friday & will exist at this intensity at least through Wednesday, but likely until next weekend in some small way. This cold is taking quite a bit of my energy too.

I am excited; however, as I learned that Under the Dome is having an encore presentation of its premiere tonight. As I’ll be tuning in, I used the elliptical while watching 60 Minutes so that I could more fully enjoy the show. Besides, it’ll be on later, & I didn’t want to run the risk of dozing off or deciding to not bother.

June 30 accountability – Elliptical 2000 RPMs at 7 p.m.

One Long Day That Began Feeling Miserable

I didn’t sleep well last night at all. In fact, I fell asleep early on in the evening, sort of as a nap. I woke up realizing that it wasn’t just being extra tired & having a difficult Friday morning, emotionally, but instead my back was sore – sore like a back is when a cold consumes it. Yep. That’s what it was. I headed to the nearest pharmacy & hit their OTC rack. I soon found a box that mentioned everything I was feeling: sore throat, aching back, sinus pressure, coughing, sneezing, running nose. Some were more intense than others, but these symptoms definitely described me. Off I went to the cashier.

I definitely don’t think that if I had waited until last night to burn calories that I would have amounted to much. I also think that much of my success from yesterday morning was due to the stress & aggression for which I was feeling at that time. It’s still pretty much all there now, too; but, it’s in a different way & won’t be clearing up all too soon.

I think one thing I realized yesterday morning was that 1000 RPMs, although a great accomplishment, could probably be just as well doubled. So that’s what I’m going to be trying to aim for from now on.

I didn’t get home until later in the day & with the OTC still figuring out how to combat my symptoms, I was pretty wiped out. I took care of my 2000 RPMs, but the weather conditions outside (humidity!) & personally feeling wiped out (my cold!), I didn’t do much more even though I had “time”.

June 29 accountability – Elliptical 2000 RPMs at 3:30 p.m.

Rough Day Emotionally

Today’s elliptical calorie burn had to happen early in the day as I knew I wouldn’t be around until tomorrow afternoon. I had fully intended to get up & at it an hour earlier than I had, but certain circumstances prevented this. It’s sad because as much as writing this now (especially earlier in the day) & knowing how excited I am that I was able to burn calories so early in the a.m. as I’m always technically intending to do, I’m not even able to enjoy it because something otherwise quite upsetting also took place. I typically have much stress involving my time, but this is quite impacting.

June 28 –Elliptical 1000 RPMs at 6:30 a.m.

Still Getting it Done

I considered burning today’s calories in the a.m., but knowing that I’d be home from a late evening meeting shortly after 9 p.m., I easily convinced myself to wait it out. I’m guessing that although I’d prefer to get my body’s calorie burning early on in the day (which would also help in “waking it up” & assisting in keeping the continuous calorie burn steadily throughout my day), my body is instead getting pretty used to these late day calorie burning sessions.

I also found something online that relates to today. It actually relates to a lot of my days; I think that’s why it caught my eye.

June 27 accountability – Elliptical 1000 RPMs at 9:30 p.m.

Pyramid of Good Information

Again today I had plenty of time to get lots of calorie burning into my schedule. Instead, as the humidity & “ugly” weather loomed in the air & therefore into our psyches, I didn’t burn too many additional calories considering my available time. I did make a point to accomplish more than lifting weights.

Recently I found this online:

Unfortunately, as much as I know right from wrong; I definitely feel that these pyramids provide an excellent reminder. They really provide an excellent perspective & that’s something I can appreciate right now.

June 26 accountability – Elliptical 1000 RPMs at 7 p.m.

Another Day of Hand Weights

Today should have been an optimal day to work on that idea I had of coming up with five different workouts making up my day. Unfortunately the “dog days of summer” continue. Along with the weather being such as what it is, I had a meeting right smack in the middle of the day which again required me to shower & get cleaned up with enough time to spare before heading out for the three hour schedule divergent. Knowing I didn’t want to wait until late I decided to do about the same workout as I did yesterday. I think I felt more relaxed & relieved that I had this accomplishment before Prime Time television began even though I didn’t feel that it was adequate. I know it’s something & I need to be okay with that. Accountability is accountability & as long as I’ve accomplished something in the positive direction, then I’m good. Not being as satisfied, then I’ll be able to step it up that much more for tomorrow.

June 25 accountability – Lifting Weights from 3:15-3:45 p.m. 

Still Not Back on the Bike

Yes. I’ve had it on my mind. I haven’t used my bike in quite some time. I didn’t check back, but something around a week’s time, I’m guessing.

We’ve been getting back into the rhythm of things today with the power back on. Our area has been expecting storms. The weathermen & anchors are saying that the “dog days of summer” came early this year. I’ve got to admit that my motivation got stunned by Mother Nature. Between Mother Nature, my difficult day, & having a crochet project that I’ve been keeping steadfast to…I fully intended to get on the elliptical, but I’ve also been in high anticipation of the new television show Under the Dome premiering tonight. In my head I was going to be on the elliptical while watching the premier. This didn’t happen. I knew I wanted what I did do to count for something, so I put my all into working out with my hand weights for a full half hour. Under theDome appears to be an awesome show; I’m excited!

June 24 accountability – Lifting Weights from 10:15 – 10:45 p.m.

A Simple "Walk" Around the Yard

Today we awoke to our bedroom air-conditioning turning itself off at 4 a.m. due to a lack of electricity in our house. We did fall back asleep shortly as there’d be another three or so hours till we needed to be up preparing for church.

We had no storm so we left early enough in case there were lots of traffic incidents to concern ourselves with – what with traffic lights & such. We live very near the county border & on our way to church we were able to see how businesses were affected, etc. We also saw with the first traffic light in the next county, that the problem ended somewhere.

Soon after church we found out at a local grocery store that it was actually our entire county (of which we live at the southern tip of) that had lost power, we may never know of the accuracy of this statement, but it’s possible. My DH did plenty of intermittent research over the course of the day (in between battling his allergies) & thinks it may have just been our town. In any case, we began thinking in advance not knowing how long this outage would be.

One of the things I considered was that none of what I use to burn calories in our home (except the “entertainment” I use while I burn the calories) is operated by electric. In fact, only the Bike & Elliptical use batteries. My hand weights & rowing machine are both completely manual. I also have a stepper, which I obviously never use, but I believe the feet portion of it is battery & the arm bands are manual.

We also discovered yesterday that the reason why so many people were parking on the street (& therefore) on our front grass) since Thursday is because our neighbor lot her battle with cancer on Thursday. This gave additional purpose to cutting our definitely-in-need-of-a-good-trim grass.

I did wait until the sun wasn’t as bad, but then headed out. The visitation at the funeral home was 2-4 p.m. & 7-9 p.m. today only. We went at about 2:30 p.m. & unfortunately they were back home for their dinner, which they had to grill considering our shared lack of power, while I mowed. I was feeling good that our yard, being next door, would look nice for them when they left their house for the evening viewing hours as well as for everything connected with her funeral Mass tomorrow.

At least this worked out & got finished despite the high humidity & wiping sweat from every inch of myself every few strokes of pushing the mower. Yes, I meant to spend time on either the bike or elliptical; however, I didn’t feel all that well after finishing the grass, partly because of the humidity level outside (I think it might have been one of those days where they advise against watering or mowing lawns during the daytime peak hours).

June 23 accountability – Cutting Grass from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

A Day Anticipating the Full Moon

DH typically doesn’t work on Saturday’s. On this Saturday he did need to & it turned out to be for a bit longer than originally anticipated. Oh well. One thing he sort of wanted to do was go walking late in the day with me because of the full moon for the weekend.

Knowing this, by 7:30 p.m. I made sure to put down my project (of the hour) & hustle myself (yes, yet again) onto the elliptical. I knew I’d be off & ready for our walk, whenever he would decide he was ready for it to be. He kept talking about 9 p.m., since the moon was likely to be in full swing by then, but we wouldn’t be as likely to be too tired to do a bit of a walk. At first my DH was trying to figure out a good open space to admire the sky. I thought of one, but it was a mile further away & down a hill (& ya know, for every downhill there is an uphill - & vice versa). By the time we did leave (about 9:15 p.m. or so), he had decided we’d just go for a bit of a walk (probably a mile) somewhat circling a section of our neighborhood. A small, gradual hill is all that we “endured”. This walk, like that of last Sunday for Father’s Day, was neither a slow drag, nor a quick, rapid pace, but still a walk none-the-less. We did see the full moon, but it was definitely clouded over plenty.

June 22 accountability – Elliptical 1000 RPMs at 7:30 p.m. & 1-mile walk in neighborhood with DH

The Pressure of Completing Other Important Projects

Oh, I’ve been busy on a project. I can be sitting right there next to the machine, but I wanted to finish one more part of my project & then I realize that I really need to just give my few moments to this workout to really get that accomplishment so that I can get my days’ accountability on. So there I was, for a second day in a row, opting for the elliptical over the bike. Wow. I really get it; I know why. It’s because the bike doesn’t have an automatic way to work my arms as does the elliptical. There have been times in the way ago past when I strategized my hand weights simultaneously. I’d be sitting on the bike & really feeling that my arms needed to be doing something too. This all was, of course, before I owned an elliptical.

I didn’t feel that the elliptical & the bike (with arm weights) are an equivalent workout & I do hope to soon figure out a way to re-incorporate the weights with the bike. Much of this will be with strategizing a location from which to pick up the hand weights while sitting atop the bike. Really, it could be that simple.

The other reason why I don’t like being off the bike for too, too long is that I had to then sort of re-introduce the bike to my body. My butt muscles & bones adapt & get used to the bike’s seat, but when I don’t use the bike for days (maybe around a week or more) I endure what I think of as “second day soreness” all over again.

It’s strange, I don’t care for the format of Dateline, but definitely enjoy Rock Center (also enjoy Brian Williams as host). When my DH & I were reminded that Rock Center would be airing tonight while watching NBC Nightly News, we both basically said, “Yeah, we’re going to watch that.” I think this is part of the reason why I kept on my project until close to 10 p.m. I’d watch Rock Center while on the elliptical & he could also watch then as well.

Well, part way through Rock Center I went to call on him. He said he’d be resting in bed which was just a few short feet away. I called to him from the doorway, completely planning to state that he’d missed the first five story lines or half the show. Well, when I said, “Hey, are you awake?” He didn’t say anything. I therefore hopped on the elliptical & did my thing.

I was working on some afterward stretches & wiping off sweat when Brian Williams began the last ten minutes of the show. He spoke about the show’s first air date which I assumed would just go into a point he’d be making. Well, it was. The point was about the accomplishments of what actually was the rather low rated show. Oh my. Yep. I had just watched the finale; the series finale that is of Rock Center.

Why is that? Why is it that Dateline is still streaming strong, but Rock Center, a good & decent show that I would prefer to have on at 9 p.m., rather than 10 p.m., just couldn’t hack it? What a bummer!

I should have gathered that something was up when Brian Williams made, what he called, “a final plea” to watch Rock Center in the final minutes of the Nightly News half hour.

June 21 accountability – Elliptical 1000 RPMs at 10:30 p.m.

Still Pushing Until the Evening

Knowing I’d be home a little bit after 9 p.m., I easily forewent the a.m. workout opportunity today. Not a likely habit that I would be aiming for, but one that’s obviously begun. With energy sources slightly more depleted, an elliptical workout, & then bed ended my day. Yes, this was the first day in quite some time that didn’t include at least one bike ride. The bike ride: the trademark of a days’ workout earned. – has been sidelined for something possibly better? Soon we’ll see, as time will (maybe) tell.

June 20 accountability – Elliptical 1000 RPMs at 10 p.m.

Bouncing Back From an Otherwise Rough Day with a Bike Ride & Hand Weights

‘Twas another day where the morning time wasn’t working for me. Later in the evening sort of is, but not nearly as early as I’d hope, knowing I sort of wanted to give a shout-out to my epiphany from yesterday, after I did my “religious” bike ride, I bounded myself to my weights. I did feel at peace for having done so & although I did not follow any pre-set routine (I watched a random television show, not a particular DVD) I simply used facets I’ve picked up over the years of watching, reading, etc. & implemented them for an exact half hour.

I highly considered rowing afterward, but I got caught up in a project. My DH & I shared an important conversation then, too.

June 19 accountability – Bike 5K at 7:30 p.m. & Lifting Weights from 8:00-8:30 p.m.

Off to a Good A.M. Start, Busy P.M.

I’m guessing that my 9:45 p.m. from Monday night had a little something to do with letting go of the hope to getting on the sweating at 5 a.m. This did set me back… & then some. I knew I’d have to be showering by 10:15/10:30 in order to leave in a timely manner for a midday appointment. I knew I’d be gone from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., but suddenly, along with the assistance of my DH, I wouldn’t be coming directly back on home.

On Sunday afternoon I had planned to take care of an errand. The store closed before I’d be able to get there. My DH figured out how to Segway this trip onto my Tuesday afternoon. Sort of.

I had really hoped to be home by 3 p.m., but as I continued to find myself in construction mayhem, & well, buildings that simply didn’t exist, instead of turning around & letting this errand wait some more, my DH was researching online on the other end of the cell phone line, not letting me give up hope for this errand. Sadly, I did have to give up hope for a near 3 p.m. arrival back home. After spending nearly four hours on the road, this woman with road rage was rather worn out. I knew there would be no way for me to take on any more rounds for the day & instead considered a round on the rowing machine. Since I technically had four sections early with Bike, Elliptical, Bike, Elliptical, Rowing would round out for a fifth, but it never did happen. As my Tuesday evening got kind of held up otherwise (deep in other such projects) I considered that since I really wanted to be able to expand beyond just the bike, & I suppose the elliptical (& even maybe the rowing machine), I wasn’t going to be able to function for the day and get in five increments of all this fun! Simply didn’t exist in our element of time! What I need to do is re-route & come up with five things that will increment to equal five giving me the completeness & the range for which I’m looking.

June 18 accountability – Bike 5K at 7:00 a.m., Elliptical 1000 RPMs at 7:45 a.m., Bike 5K at 9:00 a.m., & Elliptical 1000 RPMs at 9:30 a.m.

Revolutions = Revolutions Per Minute (RPMs)

Before leaving the house this morning time was spent on finalizing my “assignment”; therefore, burning calories wouldn’t be happening until later in the day. I learned late afternoon that my Tuesday would be fairly free to spend my day trying to get in 5 “rounds” again. This enticed me to get biking, or whatever I’d pick out, that much sooner once I did get home so that I’d have a greater rest period before my Tuesday morning began. Unfortunately, this wasn’t how my evening turned out as one thing led to another & the clock was striking 9:40 p.m. as my feet entered the straps of the pedals on the bike.

So much for timely relief & a break for my muscles before Tuesday morning began. On the bright side, it could have been worse. It could have been later on Monday night!

Also learned during online chat session today that I won’t be getting any closer to knowing the distance equivalence of my elliptical than Revolutions Per Minute, or RPMs.

June 17 accountability – Bike 5K at 9:45 p.m.

Hoped for So Much More; Still Accomplished Plenty

I think I woke up pretty “fired up” to burn some calories while getting things accomplished. Laundry (a general “no-no” for Sunday) was getting sort of finalized by the time I was getting myself in place to “burn”. I really felt I could ride the bike for a 5K, take care of some laundry, get on the elliptical, for 1000 revolutions, wrap up laundry business & finish out the “at home” with a half hour of rowing. This would have all been completed in successive half hour allotments, of 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., & 11:30 a.m. Then, I would have headed out to meet up with Dad for a four-mile walk in a park local to him. This isn’t exactly what He had in store for me, however. Nope. Rather, soon after finishing the 5K on the bike, my DH & I began a discussion which completely cut into my concept of “breaking” & somewhat stretching while working for a few minutes in the laundry room. Rather, I hardly did anything in there & instead fought to prevent wrinkling while accepting that anything on the Elliptical & rowing machine just wouldn’t be happening until at least the evening time. I was also running 15 minutes late to meet up with Dad. Fortunately, we could work around much of this delay & we’d still have our walk in the park. Strange thing is it was pouring (very heavily, I might add) at home & most of enroute to him. We don’t live nearby them. In fact, I took a rain jacket, rather than sunscreen to cover with in case there was a little too much rain. I really didn’t anticipate our not walking. Dad wouldn’t mind & he knows that I’m not one of “those” girls. I’d probably joke that my hair hadn’t dried yet from my shower!

I did have an “assignment” of sorts that I just couldn’t put off any more days on my computer. Therefore, until that was completed, there would be no evening rowing, etc.

All in all, I did accomplish & that’s what’s important.

June 16 accountability – Bike 5K at 10:30 a.m., 4-mile walk from 2-4 p.m. with Dad

A Bike & Elliptical Kind of Day

Today was the bike at 9:45 a.m. quickly followed by the elliptical at 10:10 a.m. I also meant to visit with the rowing machine, but somehow that didn't happen. At least I ate a little bit better today. 

I've been using the distance of "1000" to mark my achievement on the elliptical & trying to connect with the manufacturer (we bought it used) to learn of what "1000 revolutions" really are. I'm rather surprised that the automatic live chat (the large button on the sales screen) doesn't have information on how the distance is measured beyond that they are "revolutions". 

If I were to be buying it straight from the store/manufacturer for the roughly $500 price tag it apparently has, then I wouldn't be handing over my money until I knew how I'd be calculating how far I'd "ellipticaled". (Yes, I get it, "ellipticaled" isn't a real word; but, it does get my point across.) I think it's important that part of the accomplishment is the ability to calculate one's distance & that includes actually knowing what the distance is.

At least I'm working on learning this statistic. Until then...

June 15 accountability: Biked 5K at 9:45 a.m. & Elliptical "1000 revolutions" at 10:10 a.m.

Not as Much as Originally Anticipated, but Still Something

After having an extremely emotional & mentally challenging & exhausting late day yesterday (Thursday) & when I originally thought that today would have a morning 5K on the bike followed closely by similar activity on the elliptical & possibly a related elliptical event in the evening as well as maybe some time spent rowing, the only accountability I have is that from 7 a.m., a regular, ordinary, but still accountable 5K on the bike.

It's been a rough day & it's definitely setting the tone for what's to be a near impossible weekend of emotional highs & lows. As long as I watch what I eat & account for something that makes me feel even though it's not what I'd anticipated or preferred (like today), that it's okay & that it'll get better; I've just got to keep at it.

June 14 accountability: Biked 5K at 7:00 a.m.

Second Half of Back-to-Back

After feeling depleted yesterday (Wednesday) from an intense Tuesday I decided to "team up" my Wednesday & Thursday accountability activity. As the day drew longer, I also realized that exhaustion & "waiting around" could take away from the "benefit" I'd otherwise receive. Ultimately, I took a bit of a nap waiting for the "end of the day" to arrive in so that I could hop on the elliptical & spend an equal amount of time on it prior to midnight as well as just after midnight, therefore attesting to both my Wednesday & Thursday (today) accountability.

My plan did work; however, I do know that just as I struggled to bike efficiently when my bladder cried to me for not emptying it prior, my body was tired like someone who should have slept more or been sleeping (because it was past their bedtime, not because their activity level had worn them so). I had lost momentum & at that point was merely making certain to reach the statistical information I so desired prior to dismounting from the machine & officially joining my head to my beloved pillow (after a few all-important stretches, that is).

Additionally, as it is the time for double-overtime hockey games to rule the end-of-day hours, I found myself bummed because I would have gladly watched NBC (Leno), & instead found that I would have to watch CBS (Letterman) instead. It's not that I dislike Letterman, but I've always favored Leno (& NBC comes in better too).

Regardless of all, it was delightful to return home from an emotionally & mentally exhausting day shortly after 10 p.m. to know that I had, in fact, already accounted for my physical activity for this day. Good stuff!

June 12 accountability: "1000 revolutions" on the elliptical leading up to midnight (approximately 11:30 p.m.)

June 13 accountability: "1000 revolutions" on the elliptical immediately following midnight (at roughly 12 a.m.)

First Half of Back-to-Back

Today has been a long, busy, very strange day. I have felt a bit depleted & I do realize that since I made as many 5K rounds as I did yesterday to keep up with my accountability that a late day activity would be as good as any. 

As I know that my tomorrow (Thursday) will be a very difficult, busy, & tiring day, it occurred to me that a back-to-back event of a sort - something that would cover the timing from right before midnight today (Wednesday) to right after midnight, & therefore be tomorrow (Thursday) would be a great idea! % That's just about what I think I'll do!

June 12 accountability: To Take Place Late & Therefore to be Posted Along with June 13 accountability

Including the Elliptical Today

Today was another "special" day where I was able to curb my schedule around a routine of five 5Ks on the stationary bike. I happened to get up fairly early, although I originally intended to be up at 5:00 a.m. for my first bike ride. As I got up at 5:25, I didn't even take the time to visit the toilet before I sat on the bike's seat. Bad idea. I don't think I would do this ever again unless I absolutely needed to. Sitting a-top that seat with a full (overnight) bladder definitely both slowed me down, as well as making it uncomfortable & difficult to hold my position a-top the bike's seat.

I survived & returned again in just a little less time than I normally would. When I typically post my times, I truly am getting on the bike's seat within a minute (maybe two) of the hour or half hour. As I like to do things in five's, this practice holds to that; as well as keeping to enough recovery/rebound time in between each set.

Originally I would have begun at 5:00 a.m., then gone to 7:00 a.m. I still would have used 9:00 a.m. for my third set, but as I had to shower & run a personal errand at that point, I knew that I wouldn't be back on until 3:00 p.m. I hoped on five minutes early as I had decided, largely based on the television schedule, that by hoping on at 4:35, I would be finished up before 5:00 p.m., & I didn't want to bother with watching the news again (which was the only "quality" television on at that time).

Initially, I thought that hopping back on the bike two more times would be easily do-able, & therefore something I should do; however, in the end, I decided to give the elliptical a shout-out. I meant to get on the elliptical twice so that today would end with seven sets of activity total; however, that ultimately wasn't as rational as originally proposed. I haven't used the elliptical nearly as much as I've used the bike (nor have I owned it as long) & I don't know what the elliptical measures in. The distance read "1000" when I finished working on it. With the bike I knew I could look up whether it was in miles or kilometers; I'm sure I can do the same with the elliptical, & I might. For now, I don't know exactly what the 1000 means, but I feel good about it, & that's what really matters right now.

I didn't get two sets, so in the spirit of avoiding six's, I suppose I'll think of today as biking 5 sets & having one set on the elliptical - keeping them separate. If I do something like today again (& I'm sure down the road that I will) that I'll add another set on the elliptical in & will be able to enjoy a conclusive seven total sets of calorie burning activity at that time.

Until then I'm content with my activity; I've got to work on my nutritional intake more. 

June 11 accountability: Biked 5K at 5:30 a.m. 7:10 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 2:55 p.m., 4:35 p.m., Elliptical 1000 at 9:15 p.m.

Trucking Along

I did have visions of biking this morning (is this story a broken record, or is it just me?) Regardless, I didn't get around to it until late day. I ate dinner while watching Nightly News. Actually, that's not true. I found myself chatting with my DH while Nightly News "talked" in the background.

This accountability thing helped out tonight; I really might have taken the day off otherwise. I do think I'm beginning to feel the "good work", at least in the back of my upper legs... Yes, I do stretch after each 5K. It's a good kind of feeling that I'm having in my muscles... Now, just to get my food intake in gear... That's not accurate... There's a lot more to get in gear... I'm getting there...

June 10 accountability: Biked 5K at 8 p.m.

Slowing Down for Sunday

And I actually thought I had a chance of biking another five 5Ks today, but because I have the time available doesn't mean I'm going to feel up to it, or be able to really use my time in that way.

Strategizing Mass sometime in the morning, along with a shower, would I happen to elect to break a sweat before Mass, just creates way too much pressure. It is Sunday, a rest day of varying sorts.

Knowing I'd be seeing my DH around 7 p.m., I put my current crocheting project down after the movie ended shortly before 6 p.m., changed my clothes & began pedaling.

I ended up with about 15 minutes before he arrived; just the right amount of time to clean up everything & be ready to spend the evening with him.

June 9 accountability: Biked 5K at 6 p.m.

An Infomercial Day

After going to sleep very late (at 2:20 a.m.) I wasn't sure what would become of my bike riding for today; I wasn't sure when I'd be getting out of bed. Sure enough, I didn't get up until around 9:30 a.m.; I believe it was minutes beforehand. Maybe I should have hoped right on then at 9:30 a.m. to begin my every-two-hours "formula". Well, I didn't. If I had done so, I likely would have trudged on & pedaled out seven, maybe even eight 5K rounds; but, I didn't.

In fact, at 10:55 a.m. as I had been realizing for half an hour that I really needed to start, if I ever intended to finish five rounds of 5Ks for the day - or, if I intended to attempt smaller amounts of recuperation time in between. (I've tried that before & it didn't necessarily work out.) I even had a moment in there, maybe two consecutive moments, where I also considered just biking one 5K for the day & feeling satisfied with that accomplishment.

With all of the other factors of my day in place as they were, I really couldn't tell myself that today was a day meant for just one 5K, because it wasn't. I didn't have nearly the time invasions that I typically might have & my DH was otherwise occupied in so that I wouldn't have to be concerned with being a bother to him. I trudged on.

As it is Saturday, normal weekday programming isn't on today. Instead, I flip through the channels avoiding ball (& puck) games. They're just not my thing; I'd be a more productive stationary biker with the television off than with a game on to increase my pedaling productivity. 

Before we were married & I lived on my own I didn't have cable (as is now) & I watched plenty of my local PBS station while I sat & crocheted (my stationary bike wasn't situated in view of a television at that time). A PBS station is much like an infomercial: watch all you want, even learn a thing or two about selling, just don't call in.

On Saturday's I frequently end up on infomercials. I have a few rules for watching these.

1. I won't stick with it if it's about hair, make-up, nails, any beauty products really, or other feminine concepts. I'm not a girly-girl anymore than I'm a "game watcher" & thus my pedaling productivity is synonymous to that which I wrote about above.
2.  I also won't stick with it if it's related to AARP, life insurance, devices related to falling & not being able to get up, assisted living facilities, or anything else which someone would need to be considering who is definitely 50+ (more like 55+ & I'm still being rather generous).
3. I will watch it if it's about healthy eating whether that be a healthy product, vitamin supplement, or kitchen utensil (blender, etc.) which will help me better take care of myself.
4. I will also watch it if it's an infomercial or an exercise product. This could include a DVD to workout, or a device with which to exercise. The Total Gym, P90X, and Hip Hop Abs all fall into this category. The latter two are awesome because the energy they provide actually gets my body rate up & I get a better 5K workout in, but all three are positive, body moving health producers.
5. And for the purpose of this posting I will sum up the rest of the infomercials I'll watch with this final number five (as well as this means I'll have listed these points in an increment of five, which highly pleases me). Vacuum cleaners, spray on cleaning products, & other household & outdoor products.

I would never purchase any of these from an infomercial; however, as is the case with the Ninja, I will purchase them after personal research, etc. from a retailer.

I bring all of this up because even though I have previously seen the infomercial for the Total Gym & Hip Hop Abs, I watched both of them again today. I began at 11 a.m. with Total Gym & at 1 p.m., I watch Hip Hop Abs. Hip Hop Abs did get me to get my biking rate up higher than normal & I highly enjoyed that. I happened to "dismount" & head to my computer. As a big-time Amazon.com customer I searched for Hip Hop Abs there first. I had a little nostalgia in doing so & soon came to realize that I'd previously "viewed" it on Amazon's website. The DVD package doesn't cost a lot, but as I've recently been checking out various songs on YouTube.com, I figured why not check to see what's already on YouTube.com for Shawn T (who designed P90X & Hip Hop Abs). Once I found this on my computer (at this time it was 1:45 p.m.), I decided to set it up on the "big screen" & I went to Roku on the television, clicked on YouTube & typed in Hip Hop Abs. The same result showed up on the screen & as I watched it I did a low-key version of it.

I was surprised at how quickly the time seemed to go while working through it. One big bonus that I really enjoyed (besides that each move has a name & working through each move entailed a segment of its own) the time for the whole workout (roughly half an hour) was counting down on the screen the entire time as was the timing for each segment/move.

From the infomercial I know that there are many different DVDs which focus on different aspects (i.e., hips, buns, & thighs) & the length of time for each of these DVDs varies. I'll admit I'm interested to check out the Hips, Buns, & Thighs version; but, I'd also like to know the titles of each of the other versions. I didn't get to this today. Maybe I will soon. I didn't get to bike the seven 5Ks that I thought I might today, and I did consider getting back on at 9 p.m. & 11 p.m. Oh well, it wasn't meant to be...I may not have rowed for a half hour today, either; but, I did spend a half hour personally trying out Hip Hop Abs for the first time. For someone who is still trying to get back into The Biggest Loser Cardio Max & Power Sculpt, I'm quite satisfied for today's achievement.

June 8 accountability: Biked 5K 11 a.m., Biked 5K 1 p.m., Video 1:45 p.m., Biked 5K 3 p.m., Biked 5K 5 p.m., & Biked 5K 7 p.m.

Just Like Back in College

Yoy! Today has taken me back to my ol' college days...when stationary biking was first introduced into my life...in the college's fitness space...I didn't know then that five years after sitting on that first bike, I would be buying one of my own...One that would end up 3/4 under water in a 4' flood three years after entering my life.

Nevertheless, rather than tossing it along with much of my other "destroyed" possessions, Dad did his best to clean it up & in the process convinced me to keep it in my life. It's a manual, but it's always had a sound when in use; that sound is just louder now that water has gotten into the interior. Just got to turn up the volume on the television, that's all.

I did get home in time for Nightly News with Brian Williams, but only by a bit & I was still hungry even though I had been eating as I drove home. I think I realized during my last few stop signs that I'd have my feet on the floor & not on bike pedals during Nightly News.

Ironically, as today is Friday, I realized it was also when Rock Center would be on. Although I really didn't want to wait until 10 p.m. just to have a sure-fire television show to watch while I biked, I knew that I could muster myself into biking at 10 p.m. for this reason. 

Incidentally, 10 p.m.is the exact time I used to bike while attending college. Well, eventually I mixed it up, but initially 10 p.m. just happened to be when I would happen to be able to make my way over to the hall where the bikes were lined up. I realized that I made for a decent cool down simply by walking back to my dorm room upon finishing my ride. Sometimes I think fondly about that walk (it's a small college; it wasn't a huge walk), especially when I'm forcing myself to do stretches (something I don't think fondly of at all).

So, this evening I watched a little television, then a movie. All the while working on some internet research & progressing on one of many crochet projects that should already by completed before the clock struck 9:55 p.m. & I knew I needed to go change into my sweating clothes.

If it weren't for accounting of my activity I don't think I would have made it today. I really don't think that tonight's bike ride would have been completed if it weren't for this blog & my desire to keep at it until August 29. I'm worn out & have spent an hour typing this post as I've been constantly distracted with fatigue & news stories online & on the television.

As for accountability, there's a good chance I'm going to need to begin accounting for my food intake, but that'll be pretty intense, so it's really still to be decided.

June 7 accountability: Bike 5K at 10 p.m.

Not as Much as Hoped for, but Still Something!

With today's inclement weather, so glad yesterday was National Running Day! And after my morning (& likely the great change-up - running outside for a longer time period versus biking inside) I was definitely incredibly tired last evening! I remember writing my day's post yesterday & feeling like a ton of bricks.

I slept like a champ & didn't take any time to fall asleep, although my sleeping conditions were much different than they typically are, & I do believe that has a little something to do with it.

As for today, sadly, like last evening when I had originally planned to bike a few extra 5Ks, I couldn't do it today either. I had my alarm set for a few intervals this morning, but had such intense REM that I did something I really never do & that's hit the snooze button. My alarm is one where I can set up multiple alarms, & so I am more likely to consider those times when I might get myself going & just set the alarm for those times. Although, I also think sharing a sleeping surface with a husband impacts my early morning artificial noise making routine as well.

I was so off-kilter this morning from needing additional REM that I not only continued to hit the snooze button ferociously instead of just turning the alarm off & waiting for the next one, but I simply just kept skipping the alarms altogether! Yep, eventually I realized that my morning was doomed & that I was basically really running late overall. No more Z's for me! Definitely no morning 5Ks on the bike either! And, here I'd originally hoped for two sets?! Wow! That's some lost ambition!

So, this evening came around: the next round of hours when I happened to be at home. Originally we weren't supposed to be home this evening, then my plans changed. Good thing, I needed to get at least one 5K in; I've got to account for something. 

I wasn't hungry when I first arrived home. I think my body was still reeling from having had so much food last evening. I considered hopping on the bike A-SAP, but that would have meant starting before 6 p.m. Okay, so you might have caught on by now; I guess I have a confession to make. If I don't feel inundated with the news (smartphone, early morning news, bad news stories getting rung out, other people chatting a lot, etc.) then I highly enjoy watching NBC's Nightly News with Brian Williams. Nightly News begins weeknights at 6:30 p.m. If I haven't biked yet for the day, it's a sure-fire enjoyable half hour of television in which I'm likely to not be trying to bike as well as find a decent show to watch.

Of course, in a most perfect situation I would have also returned to the bike a couple hours later as I've done before (& rather recently, I might add!). So, now I've got to get back in gear. Tomorrow morning isn't looking up; maybe one round, maybe. Tomorrow night is a lot better chance; praying for two rounds! We'll see though, crocheting is getting a lot of finger time lately too. Can't be crocheting on the bike; wish I could!

June 6 accountability: Bike 5K at 6:30 p.m.

National Running Day!

I believe this feeling is referred to as Exhilaration!

That feeling you get when you've accomplished something great that feels so good.

I think the day worked out because I desperately wanted to accomplish it all...especially as it's National Running Day. I did wake up just as I'd planned to at 4:15 a.m. I rowed from 4:30 a.m. until 5:00 a.m., then began my 5 mile run. I got three "five's" out of the deal. I ran five miles at 5 a.m. on the fifth; not bad. The last mile or so definitely got difficult & I was thrilled I'd worn my knee brace. So much for having it off since Friday evening. I've worn it all day today.

If today was about accomplishing it all, then eating big must have also been a huge part of the plan. I had a very large dinner. So much so that I know quite a bit of the work I've been putting in will need to be re-worked.

Just got to get back on the path. I won't be out running again soon, but I'm very thankful that I was able to participate today, in this National Running Day.

June 5 accountability: half hour of rowing at 4:30 a.m., 5 mile run at 5:00 a.m.

A Chatty Bike Ride

Today definitely didn't go as planned at all; but I did rebound. Yes!

So that mowing the lawn activity was a decent workout last evening & I did wear myself out enough that I was ready for bed when I should have been going to bed, not when I normally wait until. With the weather as pleasant as it was, after a sweet conversation with my DH, I quietly prayed myself off to sleep/into dreamland.

Then the morning alarm went off at 4:45 a.m. and the back-up set for 5 a.m. itself... And I just couldn't do it - either time. The first one, at quarter till the hour, was designed to be prep time for the toilet, etc. if it would be needed. The second, at 5 a.m., was set up in case it would be helpful in that I would actually get up & get going regardless. Both came & went with me hitting the button to end the sound & return to snuggling the covers as I rapidly returned to my REM.

My DH prepared to leave for the day as usual & I knew I only had a few minutes after he left the room until 7 a.m. struck (Can you believe it?) when I was going to ride my second 5K of the morning. I remember that for a moment at 6:58 a.m. I had one teensy-weensy bit of get-up-&-go, but I really was so tired that it latest less time than it took me to type this sentence. I think I even considered the bike ride at 7:15 a.m., but at that point more considered that I needed to find my overall energy to go right for the shower, not the sports clothes.

I had a busy day that landed me back home shortly before 8 p.m. My DH & I began chatting & I encouraged him to join me in our fitness room so we could carry on while I accomplished my 5K bike ride. We had a lovely discussion that entailed me to bike a few extra seconds as I didn't watch the bike's counter like I typically might in so that I didn't stop just in time once I reached my 5K goal; I simply added a hundredth on.

Today could have been worse. I could have biked 5K at 10 p.m. or later. This would have been even worse preparation for tomorrow morning. And I would have likely convinced myself to wait until tomorrow evening to run (& there are numerous reasons why this isn't as good an idea as running in the morning is). 

For National Running Day tomorrow, I'm aiming for a 5 mile run at 5 a.m. Best case scenario, rowing beforehand at 4:30 a.m. This would mean rising at 4:15 a.m. to get myself ready. Sounds like I need to sound-off & go to dreamland STAT!

June 4 accountability: 5K at 8 p.m.

Mowing the Lawn, Sort of Like Rowing

I'll admit, I had higher hopes for today. Falling asleep last night was more difficult than I anticipated. I elected not to get up as early as I originally planned as a result. This meant I wasn't up at 5 a.m. to ride the bike before 7 a.m. Instead I got up at 6:55 a.m. to ride the bike just once - at 7 a.m. It was difficult pulling myself from under those sheets & that comforter. After struggling last night with the temperature, then having a great temperature right in my grasp, it definitely was knowing that I really had to get up right then to get on the bike which helped the most. Those cozy sheets have kept me away from my bike pedals way too many times in the past (especially the recent past).

I also had considered rowing this morning, but no, that didn't happen either. I figured I'd be watching TV at 6:30 p.m. and would row while I did that. Instead, plans changed & I wasn't even home at 6:30 p.m. to watch TV or row. No big deal. Cutting the lawn was still on the schedule. As I pushed the mower & pulled it too, I considered just how much that same movement of rowing is a part of moving that mower around. The weather had turned a bit kinder, & although it was 7 p.m. when I mowed, I found myself sweating plenty. Rowing machine or not, I was getting some work done & that was a good thing. Our mower mulches, so regardless of lawn size & pushing speed, it takes about an hour to finish the gig.

High hopes for one round of rowing & biking tomorrow morning. Tomorrow evening is kind of booked. Besides, I've got to rest up a bit for my big run on Wednesday morning, June 5. After all, that is National Running Day! Can't miss out on that!

June 3 accountability: 5K Bike at 7 a.m. (& Mowing the Lawn from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

Introducing the Rowing Machine!

Today I felt from the get-go that I'd likely be biking & rowing. I just had to figure out when. Today's weather made it complicated as I felt sticky most of the day. We have three main rooms in our home which have TVs, I spend the bulk of my time in two of them: the living room & the fitness room. I also happen to love crocheting & have a crochet project I'm stitching in the living room which is "due" much sooner than the project I'm stitching in the fitness room. The fitness room is on a different floor of the house from the living room as well; it is upstairs.

Basically, after attending morning Mass & having breakfast, my DH & I found ourselves napping (it was the darn weather's fault!). I was productive on a few simple clean-up projects & even got up-to-date clipping coupons. Of course, all the while hoping I'd find a coupon for a particular product (to no avail!). Then, I headed upstairs. Plenty of water on hand for hydration & the ceiling fan going full steam. 

I crocheted for a few minutes, then realized that an entertaining TV show begun & hopped on the bike. Shortly after finishing up on the bike, I pulled my "no finger" gloves on & grabbed the bars on the rowing machine as I watched another episode.

Got the legs & the arms (& maybe the stomach too?!) worked out today! Good stuff!

June 2 accountability: Biked 5K at 5 p.m. & Rowed at 5:30 p.m.

Outdoor Biking This Time

Since neither of us had personal appointments and the weather cooperated, we decided that going for a bike ride together could be nice. I had considered warming up by biking one or two 5Ks at home like yesterday, but not knowing exactly when my DH would be ready, I kept taking care of other things until we headed out. 

We began our bike ride at noon, and although I made sure to lather up well before we even left home, since the weather forecast threatened of thundershowers, and it was cloudy as we pulled into the bike path's parking lot, I opted to leave my regular prescription glasses on rather than switch to my prescription sunglasses. By the second third of the ride I was getting pretty annoyed with fighting sweat and sunscreen from burning my eyes as well as not having my sunglasses on. The route is rather shady, but the sun beams brightly just as well.

In all, we biked 10 miles, or a little more since we biked a bit past the 5 mile sign before turning around. We endured windy curves and lots of hills to boot. I was wiped out when we returned to the car. A lot, I believe, was from the extensive impact from the sun coupled with the weather in general. I did start out the morning with a teaser headache and should have taken a little something before we headed out. We decided to take the long way home and ended up stopping off for a few pills to alleviate the pressure in my forehead that much sooner. I had the passenger seat tilted back and had napped a bit too. Between the rest and the headache pills I began to feel more normal.

Once we returned home we both knew we wanted to take a nap. I had visions of napping for a short time and then heading to the rowing machine for the first time in, well, a long time. These visions didn't turn to dust instantly, but with the help of the day's humidity I never made it to the rowing machine. Maybe tomorrow.

June 1 accountability: Biked 10 miles (outside) at noon