So despite my wishing, the completely expected happened tonight at my weigh in - I gained weight. Despite the fact that I DID manage to finally make it to the gym on Sunday it had little effect on the non-stop eating I did the REST of the week. So, for the millionth time I am vowing to get back on track this week! No more cookies! Get my ass to the gym!! STOP EATING EVERYTHING IN SIGHT! We'll see how it goes.
Speaking of the gym, I was just curious - do those of you who go to the gym regularly have specific machines that you like to use? I do. Here's the deal - the gym that I go to has a women's only section and a co-ed section. While I have no problem using the co-ed section (self-esteem wise), I don't particularly LIKE using it because I find it really loud. With all the machines it is so loud that even with my iPod at full I still can't hear it all that well. Not to mention the fact that the area where the classes are held is in the mezzanine area right above the cardio machines and it has OPEN WINDOWS (i.e. no glass) - so when there is a class going on (which seems to be every time I'm there), the music also blares out of that area and makes it even louder. To make a long story short, I prefer the women's section. Here's the thing though, the women's only side has only 2 elliptical machines and since I have bad knees and hips I prefer the smoothness of the elliptical to the pounding of the treadmill. BUT one of the two machines doesn't work very well so I like to use the other one. Over the past few weeks, whenever I go to the gym there is always this same girl there using MY machine and she always manages to get there RIGHT before me so it's not even like I only need to wait 5 minutes for her to get off of it. Seriously, no matter WHAT day of the week or time of day I go she is there, on MY machine! It's starting to really get on my nerves!
So I go to the gym on Sunday (finally!) and guess what, SHE'S ON MY MACHINE!! I decided to just suck it up and use the treadmill but I didn't want to do my usual 2.8 miles per hour walk speed because it's not really a very good workout. So what did I decide to do?? Interval walking and running!! I swear I must have lost my mind because when I hopped up on that machine I thought it would be a GREAT idea to alternate between walking and running (ok, honestly it was probably a jog) every 2 minutes for half an hour. I swear by the end of it I thought I was going to DIE!!! The worst part? When I woke up this morning I could barely move!! I had NO IDEA that running could cause so much pain!!! I thought that maybe the pounding might mean I would wake up with sore knees or hips or something but when I tried to get out of bed, everything from my waist to my neck was so sore I thought I had been hit by a car! SERIOUSLY!!! How does running make my SHOULDERS hurt? Anyway, I'm thinking of trying it again next time I go - you know, test out that old no pain, no gain theory.
Any of you runners out there please share some tips with me!! What should I be doing? Am I going to kill myself doing this? Stay tuned!
When you run (what speed are you at? If you're just starting, you should probably keep it relatively low, no more than 4.5), make sure to keep your knees soft so that they an absorb the impact of your feet hitting the treadmill. Keep your hands open and relaxed (not fisted), tucked next to your ribcage and moving as little as possible - don't swing them as you run. Make sure you're landing heel-toe, heel-toe, and maintaining a tight core, which will help your balance and help keep your body relaxed. It actually shouldn't be that hard on your knees if you're running properly, particularly on a treadmill, since they're designed to have more give than say the pavement. And BREATHE - in through your nose, out through your mouth, slow deep breaths. And if you don't normally run, you might want to cut your intervals back to a one minute run, two minute recovery - just pick the pace up on your recovery.
ReplyDeleteHope that helps.
Are you stretching before getting on the tredmill? You would be suprised how much it relly helps.
ReplyDeleteWhen you're running, don't bring your arms up too high, keep them around waist height, and as Cassandra said, don't make tights fists with your hands.
My trainer suggested intervals as well, run 2 minutes, walk 1 mintue, run 2 etc.
Have you tried the arc trainer? I don't find it as hard on my legs (but my toes tend to go numb)
Relax, try to have fun, and don't get yourself down!
I joined a ladies only gym because I did not like the co-ed workout environment. I started out only using the treadmill, and I recently converted to using the elliptical. I burn way more calories on the elliptical in half of the time I would on the treadmill.
ReplyDeleteHave you looked into getting a personal trainer? I have one and she is great. I never even knew how to work any of the other machines or what to do with weights until she showed me how to do everything. It was the best investment I have ever mad. I was also very lazy. With having a trainer, she keeps pushing me to do my best and never give up. I don't know what I would do without her.