Not Doing Squat Today

I am feeling like complete crud today.  My body hurts, the weather is dreary and so is  my mood, I'm exhausted, and it's freakin' freezing.  I can barely move my right hand and my left knee is screaming.  Yet I still have things I need to accomplish today.  Therefore, I made the decision that today will have to be a day of "rest," if for no other reason than I have to save every ounce of energy I have for going to the laundromat  going to a meeting, and attempting to clean this house with useless limbs (mom-in-law will be arriving Saturday). If you have heard of "The Spoon Theory," you may have some semblance of understanding.  Today is one of those days that I am short on spoons and I need to pick my battles.  Today, that battle is not exercise.  Today, the battle has to be life commitments, and in reality, the cleaning probably won't happen either.  The laundromat and meeting will have to do.  

Day 3 - Back and Core

Today was a better day than yesterday, but it really is just a trade off.  Not nearly as much pain, but significantly lower energy.  Here is what I managed to get done.

Today's Focus:  Back and Core

Warm Up:  40 minute walk

2 circuits:
10 flys with green resistant band
10 rows with green resistant band
20 reverse crunches
20 mountain climbers (I don't remember these being so hard!)
15 back lifts with twist on balance ball
20 high knees
10 criss-cross scissors
10 counts of swimmer
10 breaststroke

Day 2 - Pushing Through Cautiously

Ok, so Day 2 ended up being a bit difficult.  I woke up with hands swollen like balloons, screaming at me.  In addition, my hips and knees also joined the revolt.  I completely expected my body and Rheumatoid to fight back against me getting healthy and active, but I thought it would at least take a few days.

Though I did push through some of it, I wasn't able to do as much as I wanted.  In addition, since I am unable to really grasp anything today, I had to choose exercises that didn't require my hands.  I kept it simple and minimal because I honestly don't know what my body is telling me right now and I don't want to injure myself by not listening.  Even still, I definitely felt all the muscles I worked out yesterday.

Today's Workout: Easy Does It

30 minute Walk, variable inclines
2 sets:
20 crunches on balance ball
10 "girl" pushups
10 squats (all my hips and knees could take at once)
30-second plank

So, as you can see, not a lot, but I still did something.  I didn't say "Oh no, I hurt!  No exercise today!" like I normally would.  Instead, I said "Oh no, I hurt!  Let's pick something that is easier on the joints."  You may not think so, but that is a big step for me.

Day 1 - Accountability & Triceps

Pulling from a post on my other blog, Bipolar Musings, here my first workout update and a little more information.  You know, in case you stumbled across this blog randomly or you suddenly developed amnesia from one blog to another.

Today, I did something I haven't done in a long time - I put myself through a full workout.  Now, I know I have several friends who do a heck of a lot more than what I did today, but I pushed my muscles to their give in point and that works for me...for now.

I have learned a lot since I quit working out the first time.  I have learned that taking the easy way out is rarely the best way.  I have learned that physical activity is something my body craves.  I have learned that an overweight person who exercises regularly is still healthier than a person at the "proper" weight who doesn't exercise.  I have learned that physical activity is absolutely VITAL for maintaining functionality with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I stop moving, so do my joints.  So I am starting again. 

Today I took that first step.  Last night as I lay in bed, I planned out my workout.  I caught myself thinking "I will try to workout tomorrow" and realized I was thinking the same way I had been for the last two years.  I then changed that phrase in my head to "No.  I will not try.  I will perform.  I WILL workout tomorrow."  That change in thinking made all the difference.  Now, I know how easy it is to quit.  It is harder to get started than to quit.  And now we are to the point of this post.  

I would love if someone out there would be willing to be my accountability coach.  Everyone does better when you are accountable to someone, right?  I also want to be able to track my increased endurance and strength.  What better way than a blog!  So, if you are willing to be my accountability coach, or if you want to be my workout partner, I look forward to hearing from you!

*Note:  I have limited resources at home.  My workouts will involve gravity/body weight exercises, balance ball, or those stretchy rope thingies that I can't remember the name of - Oh yea!  Resistance bands*

Today's Workout: Tricep Focus

30 Minutes walking the dog, variable inclines
20 Tricep overhead extensions w/yellow band, each arm
30 second Plank
20 Tricep kickback w/ green band, each arm
20 Burpees
20 Tricep dips
30 Lunges
40 second Plank
40 Dead Bugs
Stretch and Cooldown

Welcome!

Welcome to my new exercising blog!  I started this blog to help me track my progress on my new goal to get fit...again!  The first few posts will probably just be an accounting of my daily workouts, but as I have the time, I will get this blog all prettified and awesome.  In the meantime, feel free to follow me on Bipolar Musings!  I look forward to sharing my progress with you and maybe finding a workout buddy or two!

Quitting may be easier, but continuing to put the effort in reaps far greater rewards.