Exercise routines, tips and chatter?

[C~Q]

Ooh ooh ooh Bec I forgot to ask, have you done the new Combat yet? If not, wait till you get to track 5 - You can't stop the beat" from Hairspray, has to be up there as one of my favourite BC tracks ever!!!

I am so jealous of you guys running. I can't do it I do my pelvic floor exercises every day but nup - running is not going to happen

Just tried to do the plank on my hands and it felt easier...maybe I wasn't doing it right?

Have to go, going to see Phantom of the Opera tonight, missing Combat but hey ho

Happy training!

[paradise lost]

Nai i love to swim too, it's just the bike i hate. LOL What i WIMP i am! I like my running, so wouldn't be swapping that out. If you were here i'd run with you and get you motivated! LOL. I run with DD in a babyjogger (google images it to see one ) which means i'm spending a bit of time for ME but with HER too. If you want to talk about run training i am a bore on the subject (though NO expert!). You might find your times improve if you stick to 3ish runs/week and make one long, one fast and one easy. Like if i were you i'd aim to be running about 18-20k but doing one 10k at an easy pace, one tempo (that's where you run at race pace) for 3-5k and one recovery (that's another easy one) 5k a week and then junk miles (extra just because you like running - not likely if you hate it!) if you feel like it. I'm training for a 10k in May. I had an injury a few weeks back so i'm behind in training and at the moment i'm running:
Monday: 5-7k recovery (11mins/mile with buggy)
Wednesday: junk 5-8k (sometimes i do sprints to bulk my hams, sometimes i do 5k tempo, sometimes i do 8k steady)
Thursday: 5-7k tempo (9:50/mile with buggy, 8:50/mile without)
Saturday: 10k long/slow (11mins/mile with buggy)

My long runs will peak at about 15k and my tempo's at 8k before the race. If you regularly run 1.5-2x the distance you are racing you get MUCH faster. With running it's quality of training not quantity of runs which will really benefit you, and less is more when it comes to relative beginners (like if you're wanting to get your 5k split from 32mins to 27mins. If you want to get it from 21mins to 19mins then you need help and advice beyond what i can offer LOL).

Rachel i haven't done ANY combat, never tried it! To be honest i'm not sure i fancy it, i hear it sometimes when i'm passing the studio and there seems to be a lot of aggression in it, like not the moves, but the instructor screaming "kick your enemy! kick kick kick!" I go there to RELAX! I prefer the hard-work-but-happy vibe in Pump. We're thinking of trying Step some time this spring but my gym buddy has her thesis to finish first

If you're suffering a weak pelvic floor, don't suffer on, see the doctor. I know several people who needed ONE session with a physio to get great technique and had full control again within a few weeks. Worth a go. Don't let it be an obstacle if you want to run. I know 2 fifty-somethings who run with incontinence towels in their shorts. Both have had hysterectomies and have post-op issues ongoing but both say NO WAY is running going out the window for that! Come on girl! You can tackle Les Mills classes, getting this sorted will be NOTHING

Bx

[Nadine216]

Rachel - It is easier on your hands, but if you keep it longer and consentrate on sucking in your tummy and making your back strong, you will get the same work-out And I reread my post and it is a bit confussing. I MEANT to say you must take the weight on your arms (the part which are on the floor) So like Bec said, by dropping your head and relaxing your shoulders, it makes it a TAD bit easier.

How was Phantom of the Opera??? Have always wanted to see that, but never really got the chance.

Bit personal, but I have been wondering for a WEEK - Bec, what kind of job do you have???

[paradise lost]

HAH! I'm a single stay at home mother on welfare!

I have an MA in history and have worked for the NHS in socio-epidemiology research and smoking cessation but we decided before DD was born that we wanted her raised by her parents and not in childcare (personal decision, not a judgement of others who choose or have to work!) though since we split up that has fallen entirely on me. I'm glad i'm doing it, she's very smart and ahead in her development and i think for my family it was the right decision, though the loneliness and poverty can get a bit tiring at times...

Bx

[Nadine216]

LOL ok, SAHM GREAT JOB!!. Some of your posts are extreamly well put together and you have knowledge of various topics, so for the love of me I could not figure out what job you have, or degrees ect. And all the free time for running - sounded like something worth looking into
I had to google socio-epidemiology!!

[paradise lost]

LOL! I didn't know ANYTHING about epidemiology before that work either! The project was a comparison of accident and suicide rates across europe to see if other countries were doing anything the UK could be doing to improve things. Quite interesting stuff, but ultimately a lot of what is culturally inherant can't be translated.

I try to run at naptime or thereabouts so she can sleep through it (can be boring for her sitting in the jogger for 65mins) but if the weather's nice we go out with her awake and after i've run she gets out and does her "runnins" with me striding beside her. She's already got great pace

My ultimate goal is to be a writer of books, following in my grandmother's and great grandfather's footsteps, but i think DD will be a good bit older before i have time to write anything longer than a post on here...

Bx

[Mrs P]

As the person who introduced BB to the couch to 5k, I was a bit embarrassed that I wasn't able to do the program myself, so I've been feeling a bit useless since then.

But today I read an interesting post on another forum about how to break bad habits - mine is putting off exercise - and I promptly dragged my sorry wobbly butt off to a pump class - my first in AGES!

And it was GREAT! So now I'm posting in here as a sign of my commitment to myself to KEEP IT UP!!

[paradise lost]

YAY Mrs P!!!! Welcome back to the burn! LOL.

What happened with the couch to 5k? The thread went quiet and never perked up again...

Bx

[Nadine216]

Bec - I think you will be a very good writer

Welcome Mrs P *wave*

[paradise lost]

Small report:

Monday: Supposed to be a 3-4mile recovery run, but had to stopafter 1.5miles as had terrible acid reflux and mouth kept filling with puke *Bleurgh!!!* Awful
Tuesday: REALLY REALLY FANTASTIC Bodypump class. Worked my butt off but felt SO good and managed lots more than i did at the 1st class after relaunch.
Wednesday: Just did a 4mile tempo run with the jogger.
0.5mile warm-up (12min/mile)
mile 1: 9:37/mile
mile 2: (recovery from massive hill which is SO HARD with the buggy) 11:20/mile
mile 3: 9:46/mile
0.5mile cool off (12min/mile)

Not as fast as i'd hoped but the day after pump is NEVER ideal for speed

Bx

[Nai]

My small report:

Sunday: 6km walk (ok so it was 3km to the pub, 2 pints of Guinness and 3km home but I was pushing the pram and it was quite hilly).
Monday: flu vaccination so just some ab work at home (arm was sore )
Tuesday: cycle to work 30min each way plus a 4.5km run
Wednesday: 6.6km walk/run home from work (note to self: don't run with a FULL backpack)
Thursday: cycle to work 30 min each way.

Plan to do a run Friday & Saturday.... see how it goes

[C~Q]

Welcome MrsP!! I hope we can all help to motivate you!

I'm glad you put about going to the Dr Bec, i'll definatly go. I had thought it was just up to me and my PFE!

You should give Combat a go at least once! It isn't really aggresive, I mean you never actually touch anyone and it's good for getting rid of your frustrations!! Step is great too. It's my second favourite

Phantom was brilliant. I had seen it twice in London and this was easily as good. It was toned down as it was the touring version (smaller sets, chorus etc) but the men that played the leads were wonderful. I was is floods from the overture!

A bit of a set-back from my side Yesterday I was sitting on the floor leaning against the wall watching the kids in the bath and when I got up something really dodgy happened to my back. I think it may be the sciatic nerve?? It bloody kills and I can barely bend over. DH sat me down and said in no uncertain terms I have to listen to him and take a break It's like my body is falling apart with the shin splints, bad hip and shoulder and now my back I really don't have a choice. So I have cancelled all child care at the gym till Tues night and hopefully i'll be able to go back then. Please cross your fingers for me

It sucks and I have been stomping around like a toddler in a temper tantrum ever since.

Anyone have any ideas what could help? I was thinking maybe walking? Or a Step class (only joking!)?

[all girls]

Hi ladies, hope you don't mind me popping in but i am starting back up with the exercise after having my princess nearly 6 weeks ago and noticed that you all do the classes i like, when did you guys start back with them after having your bubbas? My back is really weak and i saw my trainer 2 weeks ago and she said i should wait until 7 weeks before i start. There is no way i could run or do anything too 'bouncy' as i would need an extra set of hands to hold my bb's hehe. Any suggestions?????

RachelM, i have had lots of sciatic probs in the past and have a great chiropractor which is what works for me as it is usually my back or pelvis out which is pushing on a nerve. If you don't like chiros etc then lots of heat packs and stretching or you could also try ice for 15 mins on 15 mins off. Hamstring stretches work for me too.

[Nai]

I started back after 2 weeks (c/s) just doing walking and built up to jogging by 8 weeks. After 6 weeks I also started a mums & bubs class that was run by a physio. She concentrated on building up the core muscles slowly and gave options for lower/higher intensity in the exercise based on your recovery. I would highly recommend you looking in to something like that. Ours was run by our local Neighbourhood House and my MHCN gave me the information.

[C~Q]

Thanks Allgirls, I hadn't thought about hammy stretches, i'll try that in a minute. Well I have started my week away from the gym by having a Whopper and chips and i'm now getting stuck into the booze (doesn't matter if I have a hangover tomorrow - i'm not going to the gym ) DH is laughing at me saying i'm in mourning but you all know what it's like!

I started back after DD2 at 6 weeks which was the earliest I could get her into their childcare. I went straight back to Combat and Pump but it took at least a month to get even a small amount of my fitness back. The first Combat class I did I actually threw up in the middle (in the loo!) because I pushed myself so hard, so take it easy!

Oh, and invest in a good bra, I have never had big boobs but my friend swears by Myers sports bras but you have to get properly measured. Good luck!!

[Nadine216]

Hi Allgirls

I was back in the gym 5 MONTHS after having dd!! She was bit of a handfull and I had a full-time job AND work for my husband, so did not have much time. I actually got back into the routine fairly quickly and regained my fittness fast.

I don't even want to give you guys an update of my "gym" week, because it consisted of only two classes on Monday Thuesdays there are no classes and Yesterday I slept in, because dd had a wicked night and I was up with her. Today I just did not have a ride (my car is in the shop) so I got to spend the whole morning in DH's shop - yay
Going to have a fitball class tomorrow and going for a stroll with dd on Saturday.

[all girls]

Thanx girls looking forward to it but know the first week or 2 might be a bit tough.

Nadine216 what is the fitball class like? Never done that one.

Rachel hope your back is feeling better.

[Nadine216]

did not went to the gym today!!! Something's up with my tonsils. I am so SICK of being SICK. My body is totally rebelling against me ... I think I might be getting old

Allgirls - I just adore my fitball classes. It strenghtens your core and work your deep muscles, so while in class you don't really sweat or get your heart rate up high (sometimes, we would do spesific exercise to get your heart pumping, espesially when we do "hold-it" moves), you just feel the burn and the next morning you curse the burn I do fitball to tone. If you consentrate real hard on the exercise and your breathing, you get a hell of a work-out. It's also a great way to build up your strenght after c/s ... easy does it. You should try it sometime Ask your trainer to incorporate fitball exercises (especially crunches) in your routine.