(no subject)

[jianantonic]

Yesterday was so busy and intense that I've decided to take my journal break way early today. The only major thing on my agenda for today is that I have to write my weekly feature. Usually I'm done with that on Monday, but we've cranked up the number of other daily pieces I have to write, so the days of busy Mondays followed by boring but relaxing weeks are over, I believe. All this is fine.

So I was bad and made lots of excuses for not going to the gym over the last...long time...I've been a few times, and on days that I haven't gone, I've done things like take long walks or play tennis, which is still good for me, but not as good as gymming it up, so I'm kind of irritated with myself over that. I gave myself a little tough love, though, writing on my desk calendar for this week "Go to the EFFING gym you lazy fuck!" That worked out well for me. I went yesterday after work and had a dandy time. I did legs and then got on a treadmill. I've pretty much completely graduated from the elliptical to the treadmill now. I was a lot more comfortable on the elliptical, and I could usually do 30 minutes of cardio no problem on those things, but my results weren't what I'd like to see, and I wasn't getting any better at actually running despite my improvement on the elliptical, so I moved on. I definitely can't run for 30 minutes straight yet, so what I've done the last couple of days is start out running and I don't even let myself consider walking until after at least 5 minutes. Then I increase the incline and walk until the 25 minute mark, where I lower the incline and start to run again, not letting myself stop until at least 30 minutes. This is going well. Hopefully I can run a little bit more each day until I really am running for the full 30 minutes. We'll see. It may be a while.

Question, though - usually even while just walking on the thing, my heart rate is well within the "cardio" zone on the little meter. When I run, my heart rate is usually pretty close to the top or even a little above the highest recommended range. So does that mean it would actually be a better workout for me if I didn't run/push myself so hard? I mean, I want to push myself harder - I feel like if I can run, then I should. But maybe I'm wrong? Help, those of you in the know...

I talked to my trainer yesterday and told her I'd like to start doing more sessions now. I had to stop seeing her because I couldn't afford it, but now that the house is sold, I have a little more financial flexibility. And I can't think of a better thing to spend my money on, honestly. I was feeling so good when I was in a regular fitness routine. I need to get back to that. I told my mom all I want for Christmas this year is training sessions. I also want a Griffin for my iPod, actually, but I can get that for myself if no one buys me one.

Okay time to dive into work.

Peace.

Comments

[robinhoodvandal.livejournal.com]

as long as you are healthy you should be fine being above their recomended cardio range.

[medusa-stare.livejournal.com]

As far as I understand the cardio thing: lower rates burn fat, while higher rates burn glucose. Glucose that doesn't get burned turns into fat, so the end result is pretty much the same, really. I'm remembering all this from ninth-grade health, so I hope it's still right.