exercise regularly

A few weeks ago I discovered Pilates and I really like it. I want to build up a Pilates routine, maybe 2/3 times a week? If I also manage to get back into running regularly again, I could switch between the two. I think that would be a good workout schedule.

After lots of ups and downs, I’m starting over with a clean slate for 2009. Since January 1st I’ve been running every other day (so that’s 1, 3 and 5) and have done pushups in between (so that’s 2 and 4). I’m having some lower back problems and my dad suggested that doing leg lifts would help. So starting tomorrow, I will start my day with doing (while still in bed) 5 sets of 20 leg lifts.

I was wondering what exercises I should do, but I guess I can keep it like this for now. Running, pushups and leg lifts seems like enough for now.

Okay, it’s raining again so I need a plan for my alternative indoor workouts.

• First of all: I have to stick as much as possible to running every other day. If I skip a day and the next day it is raining etc etc, before you know it I haven’t run in days and I’m completely off schedule.
• I’m going to try the hundred push-up plan. Just because I like pre-made plans so much, and I’ve read entries by people who are doing it. I did my initial test today and although I cannot do even one regular push-up yet (I’m soooo weak!), I did 17 knee push-ups, so I’ll do those (for now), and will start in column 3 of week 1.
• I want to do ab and leg stuff, but I think I have to create my own plan there, because I really don’t like what I’ve found online so far. What I’d like to include: crunches (+ sideways crunches?), elbow-knee touch crunches, squats, plank (+ side plank?), maybe leg lifts on chair? Work in progress.

I also measured my chest, waist, hips and thighs today, because the scale doesn’t say everything… I’ll measure again a month from now.

Edited to add: a new season of The Biggest Loser just started on tv (well, it’s an old season, but new for us), and that’s inspiring, so I’m going to try to be my own Bob :)

I was supposed to run C25K:Week7Day1 this morning, but it was raining pretty hard. Running in a drizzle is okay, but in the rain? So I did an alternative workout in my room. I think it would be a good idea to do more (mini-)workouts on non-running days, to get in a routine more. I’m still figuring out exactly what to do though. I’ve got an easy but rather boring program for pushups and ab-stuff, but I’ve also got a few videos with 20minute workouts. Those are definitely more fun. The (silly) problem with those at the moment is that I have to turn on my computer to do them, and that is just asking for trouble. I’m going to try to put them on a disk or on my usb-stick so I can watch them on my television next time.

Because the main focus of this goal at the moment is the C25K plan, I decided to join a more specific 43T goal. It’s more inspiring to have your posts in between other people who are trying to accomplish the same thing.

I will keep this goal up too, because that’s the long term goal. After I completed the C25K, I’ll still have to find my way towards a exercise routine that is good for me. And I also have to add some other stuff, like crunches.

I had to stop running for 2 whole months, because of a problem with my left foot. Things were looking much better the last few weeks, and this morning I finally went for run again :D I decided to step back down to week 4, and I was afraid that I had fallen back further than that, but it was okay. I’m really not on week 5 level yet right now, but week 4 went okay.

Well, day one went just fine. On the podcast, I really liked how Robert seemed to address 3 different people this time (“Day 3, you’re done, everybody else, keep going!”) and I imagined three little me’s running along, one for each day, and when I slowed down for a walk, they kept on running :) And then I imagined more little me’s running along, from the first few weeks! What a difference already! I’m still a big scared about the 20 minute run which I’m supposed to be doing on Saturday already (Yaiks!), but today went well enough :)

I did several more week 4 sessions during the last few weeks, and the last 3 or 4 sessions were completely “sting-free” and although I still feel tired afterwards (which is okay, after all, it is exercise), it got easier every time. After today’s session I really felt ready to move on, so next time I’ll be doing week 5 :D

I can’t seem to get this regular exercising thing into my system… The flu and holidays are external circumstances of course, but still. After the last post I tried week 4 once, then I went on my holidays. Unfortunately I came back with a huuuge blister under my foot, so although I really wanted to go jogging immediately, I wasn’t able to for a week. Today I finally could again, and I did another week 4. This is a real challenge, and I almost gave up during the last run, but I made it!

After my last post I got the flu, and then I somehow didn’t really get started again. After the flu I did a few more week 3 sessions, but things weren’t okay in other areas, which influenced my sleep, which influenced my exercise, etc etc… I did a week 3 session this morning though. I’ve got two small holidays coming up, but before I go I want to try one week 4 session, to see if I can do that yet. Just to know where to start from when I get back…