100 things, fitness and exercise, #25, late night workout

[labelleizzy]

Made it to the gym kind of late for me tonight... lots of, I guess you'd call it social interaction and/or networking and/or problemsolving happening around the late afternoon when I originally intended to go. Very quiet space in the evening after 7 pm.

only there for a brief visit, about 10 minutes on the ellipticals again, damn! that makes me pant like a dog who's been running on the beach. got my pulse up past 150, that's pretty rare, especially for only 10 minutes.

Light work on upper body on the nautilus-style weight machines, and light yoga work out in the foyer, still I was there almost an hour, and left the place in a much mellower and more centered frame of mind than when I went in. Working out is a good way of helping me manage my stress and mood, I'm glad I have the chance to get myself to such an attractive space. Since it's a beautiful place, it makes it more restful and appealing to actually go and move (and sweat).

Time to wash the workout clothes, methinks, and (le sad) the pretty new bright blue brushed cotton trousers I got on the recent shopping trip with runeshower. First time wearing them, and I think I got peanut butter all down the leg. Argh.

I'm also dead pleased to be 1/4 of the way through my 100 things posts. I was hoping that engaging in this posting endeavor would be of help in actually building a regular habit of exercise, and it seems to be doing so.

Comments

[rensong.livejournal.com]

Working at the YMCA for so many years and having a mother who was an aerobics instructor growing up and who worked several years as the Fitness Director, I've picked up a few things on the fitness and health over the years. Exercising and getting healthy is awesome and go you for sticking with it! However, word to the wise - if you're going to go all out for a short, intense, cardio work out like running on the cross trainer, the minimum you want to be on there is 12-15 minutes, else it might do more harm than good. Always give yourself a nice slow cool down, too (length dependent on how long you were running - for example, 12-15 min run, 2-3 min cool down; half hour run, 7-10 min cool down, and so on). It's especially important to avoid reinjury.

Once again, yay you for getting out there an exercising! Just remember to be nice to your body along the way, too. :)

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

I want to be nice to the body; I've got a delicious massage planned for tomorrow, actually.

And okay, it is good to have concrete and specific tips on particular techniques. I will try to hang on for another 2-5 minutes the next time and see how I do, and will remember to find something to do for the cool down... that particular machine doesn't seem to want to go slow, so it's difficult.

Will bear it in mind, thanks!

[rensong.livejournal.com]

A slow to moderate walk around the room after you finish on the cross trainer is a good cool down if the machine refuses to go easy on you. ;) Also, though you're probably already doing this, always make sure you stretch after you're work out, too, especially the muscle groups you were using most, like your legs and arms. Hold each stretch for 8-10 seconds, making sure you aren't over extending anything. You're muscles will thank you. :)

Yeah, so I have way too much Fitness Trivia in my head. On the bright side, at least it is more useful than things like knowing the name of the robot that always went through the Stargate first on Stargate SG-1 (two, even; the technical term was MALP - Mobile Analytic Laboratory Probe - but the robot's actual name Fred, if you're curious), or being able to quote Star Wars almost from start to finish. ;) Feel free to ask if you need more tips or fitness assists.