Tuesday - Bike/TM - Pilates

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I think my check-ins will be a "theme" (machine cardio/Pilates) for the next few weeks. Anyway, today I did about 20 minutes on the bike followed by 30 minutes on the TM. I'm still trying to figure out what speed/level is good for me on the TM. I walk at a pretty good pace - 4.5-5 mph - and today I included some incline (hill) work. I think I can walk faster, but I'm still hesitant to do so as I don't want to go flying off the thing. It is weird. i still think I would prefer an elliptical or even a Nordic Track. We have plans to enclose our car port into a garage maybe next spring, when we do so, we can clear more stuff out of the basement and then, i think I'll get an elliptical or nordic track. I used the elliptical on vacation at the hotel one day and boy, that is tough!!

After my TM and bike adventure I did 30 minutes of Pilates doing Pilates for Lower Body - an older Gaiam/Living Arts release. The lead is Jillian Hessel. The workout starts with a standing posutre/alignment section (very short), then some mat work with a lower body focus, and finally, a standing posture/alignment section to reinforce good alignment posture. The workout wasn't overly difficult for me, but I think it is one I will do again - I can see how being "mindful" can make it more challenging.

My back is a bit sore and tight today - I think it was from sitting all day at work yesterday. I'm trying to use good posture and not slump into my lower back. Glad I have another appointment tomorrow, though!

tomorrow's workout will be a longer Pilates session and a shorter cardio session (time permitting). I may also get brave and do some upper body work w/ weights (no overhead lifting, though)

Is anyone doing the push-up challenge now? I will ask the doc what he thinks of push-ups. I really don't want to lose my upper body strength/tone so if I get the green light on push-ups I will join in on the challenge with whoever is doing it. I still have my band hanging from the P90X rotation last year and he did say I could do pull-ups and pull-downs.....So maybe I can keep the upper body strength by doing push-ups and pull-downs. I guess I have to play with all this.

I'm also going to bring my t-Tapp book in to see what he thinks. The only thing about T-Tapp I hesitate on is the tucked pelvic posture, I'm guessing since the curve of my lower back is already flattened out I don't want to do anything to encourage that posture.

Oh well, sorry to ramble on - y'all be sick of hearing about my back!

Take care,

Donna