Lifting Is Happiness

It's been a week since I posted. A long, emotional week. I've been focused on kindness, gratitude, and love. The world needs more of it, and I'm really trying to stay positive. I'm still not feeling great, but I'm trying not to think about it. It is what it is and thinking about it just makes me feel worse.

I'm accepting my limitations and doing what I can. My main goal right now is to stay active. Last week was rough. I had several days of just walking with the Moon Dog. I have been on an exercise streak since Saturday, so things are going better.

Saturday's workout:

single leg dead lifts 15#db  8reps/side x2
standing rows w/ exercise band 15 reps x2

biceps curls/ overhead press 15#db  8 reps x2
standing chest press w/ band 15 reps x2

overhead triceps extension 15#db  15 reps x2
standing chest fly w/ band 15 reps x2

hammer curls/lateral raises 5#db 15 reps x2
triangle push ups 10 reps x2


Sunday's workouts

superman lifts 1:00 minute x2
1 arm push ups on floor 5 regular/5 modified per side  x2

plank (high/forearm) 1:00  x2
swimming 1:00  x2

twisting supermans 1:00  x2
serratus sway 1:00  x2

double bicycles 1:00  x2
serratus twists 1:00  x2

*Plus a Run/walk with the Artists (aka my favorite running buddy) 2 miles


Monday's workouts

I did a longer walk with the Moon Dog yesterday. It was a gorgeous day, and it was nice to clear my head on a very stressful day.
I also had TKD last night. I have to admit, I wasn't feeling it before class. I was tired and stressed out and not feeling very good. Getting out the door was a struggle, but I made myself go. I hate missing class, and I knew I would feel better if I went. It ended up being really great. The whole class was on nunchucks, and it was so fun. I felt 1000 times better after class.

Tuesday's workout

squats 115# 8 reps
alternating turning kicks 40 reps
squats 135# 8 reps
back kicks 10 reps/side

plie squats 115# 8 reps
hook kicks 10 reps/side
plie squats 135# 8 reps
360 hook kicks 12 reps/side (right side was okay but left was a struggle - did not go well)

lunges 115# 6 reps/side
side kicks 10 reps/side
lunges 135# 8 reps/side
punches 100 reps

Won Hyo x6

I love lifting. It makes me feel strong even when I struggle, and it makes me happy. I'm definitely focusing on what makes me happy right now, so lifting is a big part of the plan.

Hell Week Workouts

I'm at the end of Hell Week - for non-theatre people, it's the week leading up to the show. I'm exhausted. I've had a tension headache for four days, I've been making poor eating choices, and not sleeping enough. And yet, it is my favorite part of working on a show. I love watching it all come together.

It hasn't left much time for exercise. Sunday, I walked with my super-awesome friend, Michelle. We got to chat and got in a 4 mile walk. On Monday, I managed to make it to TKD. This has become a priority for me, and I really didn't want to miss class. I'm really glad I went. It's such a stress-reducer. Tuesday, I was not feeling motivated, but I did a good workout, anyway. I was feeling ill, dehydrated, and exhausted, but I got through it.

Tuesday's Workout:

squats 135# 6 reps x2
one leg jumps (foot on bench) 15 reps x2
Won Hyo x4

plie squats 135# 8 reps x2
one arm push-ups level 2  10 reps/side x2
Chun Gi, Dan Gun, Do San

punches 100 reps x2
reverse crunches on incline bench 10 reps x2
dead lifts 115# 6reps x2
Won Hyo x4

side db crunch 15#  10 reps/side
alternating lunge/front kicks 16 reps x2

Other than walking, I haven't done much for the last couple days. I'm hoping to get up and do a workout tomorrow morning, but if not, I'm not worried. I think sleep could be even more beneficial right now.

I've made a training plan for Phase 1 of my marathon training, and it starts Monday. I've planned out my workouts for the first two weeks, and I am ready to start taking care of myself again. This week has kicked my butt. Right now I am focused on being consistent and building a running base. When I get closer to the race, I will start a marathon training plan. I found one from Runner's World that looks good. It's a 16-week plan and seems like it will work with my life.

But, first, I've got to get through the shows. So excited!!

Week 3 of Awesome Workouts

Week 3 Begins!

I rested yesterday. I spent time with my parents and went to the cast party for the show. It was a mellow, fun day. I'm still feeling a little off, but I wanted to get in a good workout today. I decided on Squats/Push-ups/Won Hyo.

Squats              Push-ups            Won Hyo
125# 12 reps    level 3 12 reps    x3
135# 10 reps    level 3 15 reps    x3
145# 8 reps      level 2 15 reps    x3
155# 6 reps      level 1 15 reps    x3

It was a great workout. It was difficult, but I felt strong. I love that feeling.

I've been keeping track of my workouts here to keep myself accountable. So far, so good. I've also changed the way I've been tracking my food. I track my food 95% of the time, but I was finding that the tracker apps weren't working for me. It was too mindless. I could select the food, enter it, and forget about it.

Back when I lost a lot of weight and got healthier, I used a notebook and pen, and it worked really well. I have to sit down and focus on what I am eating, when, and how I'm feeling. I decided to try it again. So far, it's been working. I've had a couple days where I indulged a little too much, but I wrote it all down. I think it kept me from going even more overboard.

Figuring out what works is definitely a process. Right now it's working.