Workout February 9, 2016: First, Cardio.

Today I returned to Cardio today after bronchitis and it was HARD! Bone Builder on Tuesday has two parts to it: Cardio and strength. Lisa varies the intervals between a few minutes at each station, or the way she did it today with half Cardio and then half strength.

I coughed throughout the cardio, even after lowering the resistance to embarrassingly easy levels … but I did it! And it felt GREAT! Lisa of Pulse Fitness talked me through without making me feel embarrassed and I ended up feeling quite strong.

We moved on to TRX, straps that hang from the ceiling which are used for a full-body strength workout. They can also be used for Pilates. In our case, we started with standing back and chest exercises. Surprisingly, my coughing stopped completely. We moved to some fluid exercises starting with a one-legged squat, then moving through the straps into a position parallel to the floor, standing on one leg with the second straight back, both arms open wide into a “T” shape. The chest openness, the ab engagement, and the balance felt like my body was ready to move and to get back onto the strength building bandwagon.

Earlier today I went to a cardiologist for an appointment snowed out by the blizzard two weeks ago. My primary care doctor sent me to check out an increase in my resting heart rate from 60-70 up to 100 or more, along with shortness of breath. Dr Cardio was thoughtful and thorough, explaining everything he ws doing and looking for throughout the exam. After completing his comprehensive exam he said, “I didn’t find anything, which is good (no major issue found) and bad (we can’t fix what we can’t see). He asked me to come back in a few weeks for a “stress test” so we can see where exactly I get sort of breath while exercising. Meanwhile, I’ll start listening to Lisa and step up my cardio.

After Bone Builder, was wonderful MELT. We start by lying on our backs and quietly paying attention to the tight spots in our bodies and any imbalances between the right and left sides. After bronchitis, I was just completely out of sync side to side. Lisa led us through a lower back massage using the foam roller, then upper back and shoulders. By the end of class I felt stronger, more in alignment, and was not coughing. I didn’t even cough during the deep breathing portion of MELT.

My goal in sharing my workout experiences is to help other people who may have health or orthopedic issues, or just fear of working out, to have a glimpse into how fitness is very accessible. When something comes up, like today’s cough, you adjust your workout and problem solve how to modify any exercises, with the help of a good trainer.

Try it!

Last week, my cube neighbor came over and sat down on my extra chair looking concerned.

“How many days per week do you go to the gym, Laura”

I explained that I try to go five days, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday, but that I had to drop my Wednesday workout this semester while I’m taking a Program Management class.

“That’s too much,” said Joe.

“You need to spend more time with your husband,” he explained. Work out twice a week at the gym and the rest of the time at home so you can spend more time with your husband.”

I was surprised, “what if Jim wants me to go to the gym because he knows it keeps me healthy and in a good mood?”

“It doesn’t,” said Joe. “He wants you home.” He wants more time with you.

I’ve been with Jim since 1985 when I was dancing six hours a week and I’ve keep up a pretty aggressive exercise schedule ever since, so I wasn’t sure where Joe was coming from.

“Is this about me? Or about you?” I asked.

“I’m not sure,” said Joe.

How cute is Joe?

February 4, 2016

Did the blizzard keep me from working out? No! I worked out with Lisa that Friday as the snow clouds were gathering, while watching the lines of cars queue both going into and out of the grocery store parking lot.

When my road was barely plowed I slogged into Pulse for Tuesday’s Bone Builder and MELT, although I did ask Jim to drive me since the roads really were awful.

On Thursday, AFTER going to the doctor for a cough and getting antibiotics, I worked gently with Lisa on the Pilates Reformer, stretching my arms and legs but not doing any cardio (darn 🙂 ) per doctor’s orders.

So why was today, a week after the doctor, my first time back at the gym?

Because I was absolutely floored with bronchitis from Friday through Tuesday, my first time sick in years. I was busy Wednesday so tonight’s personal training with Lisa was my first time back in a full week.

While I was home sick, I worried that sitting still for so long and/or coughing so hard would reignite one or more of my old injuries. Moving meant coughing, so most exercise was out but I did pull out my soft MELT foam roller and gently stretch my back and not-quite-on-but-near whatever muscle it is around my ribs that hurt from coughing. Now, Thursday, I don’t have any rib-ish pain at all.

We skipped cardio (super-darn 🙂 🙂 ) in deference to my recent recovery but we did a full Pilates machine workout with leg circles, both on the Reformer and then side leg circles using the springs and the Pilates Tower. We did the arm series on the Reformer, which I think is secretly an ab exercise, and then lovely side stretches on the Pilates Chair.

I’m not sure I’m up for a cycling class yet but I certainly appreciate having machine Pilates available to help put me back together after being so sick.

Look what I found posted on the gym’s website! My review of their self defense class is here.

Today (Sunday) I just wanted to get in Trivia Cycle since I knew the theme would be David Bowie, before continuing with my Birthday Weekend Celebration. The class was full so Lisa asked me to move to the bike in the front of the room, the teacher’s bike. No problem, I’m always happy to help.

“Ok everybody,” I announced from my position of authority, “turn your bikes up to level 2! That’s 2 on a scale of 1-10. Let’s not strain ourselves today!”

“It’s still my class,” said Lisa, overriding my low-key suggestion by making us start with “an easy 5.” Fine. Lisa stood next to me using a podium to read off the trivia questions.

I was enjoying my view, being able to see everyone in the class and, bonus, the teacher’s bike appears to be in the acoustically perfect part of the room relative to the four Bose speakers. Relaxing and racing along, I stood up to get a good leg stretch while riding.

“Hey! Where are you going?” shouted one of my classmates. “Are we supposed to stand now?” I sat down. Wow, being in front really does give you some level of leadership responsibility. I realized that everyone in the class could see me and people were matching my pace. I started paying a lot of attention and tried to represent well.

Class went super-fast with great Bowie music playing. Jim, Patrice, Jennifer, and Krista  got most of the answers but everybody got a few right. I definitely pushed myself more sitting in front than I would have from a regular position.

You can sign up for Trivia Cycle at www.PulseFitnessBethesda.com