Starting the day off right :)

So far I'm quite pleased with my progress.  I hope I can keep it up.  Yesterday El and I went to a spin class at lunch.  It was a great workout.  There are fans all over the room but they don't seem to turn them on so the place becomes a sauna.

In the evening I played floor hockey.  Although we lost, we played really well.  Some of the guys on the opposing team were really aggressive so I took it a bit easy.  Even still, I've got a lovely bruise on my thigh from blocking a slap shot on the net.

This morning El and I went to the U of O pool for a swim workout.  I managed to swim 1000 m in about 30 min.  It felt good to be back in the pool although I need to work on perfecting my flip turns before my competition in May.

Starting out..

I'm doing this in the hopes of getting stuff done, during the summer I have sent El so many squat challenges and what not challenges I completed exactly 0 of them.

So now I've come up with some smaller easier goals which are:

1) Finish my boxing course. - Be able to do all jumps on the jumping rope and skip for a minimum of 15 minutes.

2) Enjoy my pole dancing course. I start this on saturday and can't wait to improve my arm strength !

3) Lose more body fat gain muscle -eat healthy!

4) Go to the gym at least 4 times a week (including boxing//excluding pole dancing) so do sport at least 5 times a week

5) Go running at least once a week whether its in the gym or outside.

6) Also add at least one kilo of weight to the weights I lift.

7) Lastly start trying to prepare lunches for work.

So far I've done my boxing for the week, Ive added a kilo to one set of weights that I lift, and I've been to the gym 3 times! I have also managed to skip with the jumping rope for 2x5 minutes :)

Yaaaay!

Lunchtime workouts

 If work permits, I like to go to the gym at lunch to workout. Sometimes I just need the extra minutes of sleep in the morning..so this is a second chance for me to get my workout in early(ish).

Today Tamara and I rushed over for a quick spin class! I have not sweat so much in a long time.

Prior to the sweat-fest
T- already checking off her goal of weekly spin

I came across this article recently on how to squeeze in a lunch-time workout. It says to head straight to the showers with all your clothes, so you don't get stuck in a long line-up.  This is good advice, especially if your gym is very busy. Good life is usually nuts at lunchtime.

Tuesday

After resting my body on Sunday and Monday I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and go for a ride outside.

I rode around with my friend and although it was mostly at the walk, I worked on making Cedric use his back. I didn't want to work him too hard as it was quite warm and Cedric has grown in his winter coat.

After my ride I came home and went for a 30 min run. My GPS watch wasn't working properly but I think it was about 3k. I managed to work my way up to running three 3 minute intervals.

Afterwards I had volleyball game in Gatineau. I kept about 80% of the balls in play. I didn't try any overhand serves because my back was bothering me. Perhaps next week it will feel better.

My goals

Thanks El for inviting me to the 30 day challenge! As some of  you know, I had back surgery almost 2.5 years ago and have been working ever since to get my body back up to normal.

My long-term goal is to do a beginner triathlon next May so my main goals for the next 30 days are to get my body ready for that competition.

Swim -  Swim once a week at least 1000 m.

Bike - Go to a spin class once a week.

Run - Be able to do a 5-1 interval run.

I'm also active in a number of sports. I play volleyball, floor hockey and go curling once a week. I also horseback ride 3-5 times a week. My secondary goal is to improve something in all of these areas.

Volleyball - I haven't been strong enough to do anything but an underhand serve so I'd like to work towards making an overhand serve (that doesn't hit the net) and have all the balls I hit to remain in play.

Floor Hockey - I'd like to get a goal. I normally play defense so this will be a bit of a challenge but I'd like to try.

Curling - I normally use a stick when I deliver the rock (because of my back surgery I wasn't able to bend over and slide). I've become quite proficient at it but I'm stronger now and I'd like to work towards being able to deliver the rock "normally" and not like an old person.

Horseback Riding - I've been riding for over 25 years so my goals are quite technical. I'd like to work on being able to do sitting trot while keeping Cedric's back round. I'd also like to work on getting Cedric's canter more elastic and getting him to keep his body straight  at all three gaits.

(Re)Connection

Thanks El for re-starting the blog! (And for calling me out to write a post.)

My goals for November:

30 Day Calisthenics

I overdid this one in September (sometimes I jump in with 2 feet and little foresight) so planned ahead and made a calendar this month. One challenge was not enough for me so I compiled the Butt, Burpees, Plank and Wall Sit 30 day challenges from 30dayfitnesschallenges.com. Yes, I took before pictures. No, I’m not posting them on the internet.

Job Applications

I am currently looking to expand my career and am pushing myself to apply for a minimum of five opportunities in the month of November. The worst that will happen is I will gain more experience writing and editing the dreaded cover letter, and the best….

Roll My Kayak

I used to paddle a lot and I’ve been carting a white water kayak around with me for years. So I’ve joined a local kayak club and so far have attended one demoralizing pool session. About a decade ago, I learned to roll my kayak my first hour out, it’s now been seven years since I’ve tried and it hasn’t come back so quick. So I will continue to attend the weekly pool sessions and practice and I feel confident that I will have it back soon.

Reconnect with Me!

I feel like since transitioning to city-life and a regular 9-5 job I’ve slowly lost some of my passions and ambitions. Lately I’ve been pushing myself to re-kindle these and create more balance in my world. Primarily I am accomplishing this by spending more time outdoors with intention. For example last week I hiked a local mountain – I pushed myself hard and did not break on the ascent but on the descent I pulled out my camera and took my time to observe my surroundings and play. My favourite shot of the day is the one above - I love macro photography and was going in to take a shot of a mushroom when I realized I was interrupting this guys lunch, If I hadn't been taking my time and being observant I would've missed my Planet Earth moment (in my mind I could hear David Attenborough narrating as I tried to capture my find). 

Of all my goals this is the most important and also the hardest to define as a SMART goal – I think all three of the others are also sub-goals to this. The balance and connection that I gain may not be overtly measurable but I can say that I already feel that I am making progress.   

Monday

Good morning!

I started out the day and week with a quick interval run. It did not feel quick.  

How are you starting out the week?