Harumph. This getting in shape stuff is hard. More because I feel like my progress is so minimal. I want to be buff, dammit!
Maybe I’m just frustrated because I just got back from trying to go for a run. Try is the key word here. Now, I’m just a beginner, and the fact that I’m running at all is a small miracle. I mean, even as a kid, I was not a runner. Remember the Presidential fitness dealie? The first time we did it, I did not even finish the one-mile run. Later, I was barely able to complete it, and that was with a lot of walking. Now, as an adult, I would like to be able to run. Part, because I would feel like a badass if I could run for 5 miles. Part, because I want to be slim and toned.
The part of me that wants to be slim and toned is a little worried that I will just be one of those chunky people you occasionally see out running or at the gym. I admit I know at least one of these. The woman I know works out like five times a week, and takes all these classes, and goes for long runs…yet she just seems to be gaining weight. Heres the thing. I can gain weight just sitting on the sofa eating cheesey poufs. So, if I’m not going to have anything to show for all the work, I would rather just sit on the sofa eating cheesey pouts.
Anyhow, back to the run. On Sunday, I ran for a mile-and-a-half before I went to the gym. My muscles were fine with it, however, I thought one of my lungs was going to wind up on the sidewalk there for a bit. However, when I got back to my front walk, I felt like I could probably go for a bit more, if I wanted to push myself. Today, not so much. I was a little ways in, and felt like I wanted to stop, but thought that was ridiculous, so I kept going. I got to about a mile in, and my lungs felt like they were going to explode, and my legs were like jelly. so I walked for a block-and-a-half, and tried to run some more. I made it like two blocks, and had to slow down again. WTF? I admit I know next to nothing about running, so maybe this is normal…but frankly, I don’t like it. Any of you runner types care to weigh in?
As for my gym going, I am trying to figure out the best way to do it. I generally do my strength training, and then half -an-hour of cardio. I was doing all my strength training every other day. Lately, I’ve been alternating between upper and lower body, but trying to do one or the other each day. The only problem I have with this is that when I do inevitable skip a day, then it puts two days minimum between that muscle group instead of one (so more like 72 hours between working said muscle instead of just 48). If I do the whole shebang, then if I don’t get to the gym, ideally it would be on a day I was skipping anyway, and I just might not get my cardio in that day. (as for how I do my strength, I am mostly using machines right now to work on building up and form, then slowly working into more free weight stuff. I work large to small on each group, add weight as I am able to max out my reps without losing form, occasionally change the order so my muscles don’t get used to the routine). Anyhow, again is one way better than the other? Back in the day, I just did the machine circuit straight through three times a week. However, now, I am doing more sets of reps and more different exercises. I don’t mind taking extra time to work out, if it means I will get more results, I also don’t mind going more if that would be the better way. I am just trying to figure out which is the best.
My final wonder of the day is how often I should change up my cardio? Besides the trying to get myself up and running, I rotate my cardio on the machines at the gym. I am concerned that mixing them up too often is as bad as not mixing them up at all, in that my body is just getting used to everything and getting efficient and not giving me the max workout. However, what is better once a week, once a month, one mainstay and tossing in something else every now and then?
Man, maybe I should just invest in a lifetime supply of cheesey poufs.