Day 673 - Morning run & X2 Ab Ripper

It's 8 Am and I'm about to go out for my normal Saturday run.  Problem is that it's only 22 degrees outside.  Well, that should wake me up this morning.

Update: The run went okay.  I did 3.5 miles in an average pace of 8:45/mile. Not great, but not terrible either.  After my run I did P90X2 Ab Ripper.  It's been a couple of weeks since I've done that workout and I can certainly tell.  Later today I just plan to do some light stretching to help my back muscles.

Day 672 - Workout with I.M. Rings

I decided I wanted to do an upper body workout today, but something like Chest + Back + Balance was probably too strenuous right now, so I tried the rings that I got that are similar to a TRX training system.  It allows me to do reps that focus on the chest, but adjust the amount of strain base on my position.  I could definitely feel some stress on my back, but it wasn't causing any issues with the nerve, so I got through the workout okay.  Tomorrow I'm hoping for a morning run and then maybe a round of X2 Ab Ripper.

Day 671 - Happy Thanksgiving - X2 Yoga

Well, today marks the 2 year mark from when I started the process to lose weight and get in shape.  2 years ago I weighed 188 pounds and was an out-of shape mess.  Now I weigh 140 and enjoy regular exercise and eating right.  I am very happy that I've been able to turn this into something more than just a short-lived "fad" for me.

I started physical therapy for my upper back and neck to see if that can help relieve some of the stiffness and soreness I continue to have.  It seems to be helping some, but progress is slow.  I've had to cut back on the workouts quite a bit.  The directive from the doc and PT guy are that I should not be doing anything that will aggravate the nerve, so that makes for a pretty short list of workouts.  I got a round of X2 Yoga done today after a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.

Day 670 - 4 Mile Run

I had my appointment on Wednesday with the Orthopedist and he suggested that I need to start to have some physical therapy and he also prescribed some medication to help with the muscle inflammation.  I had my physical therapy appointment on Friday and the therapist said that I could do some workouts, but avoid anything that causes my back to hurt.  I went out for a good run in the morning.  It was a cold 32 degrees outside, but in spite of that I enjoyed the run.  I took a branch off of the normal trail that went up hill at a very steep incline.  It was a good challenge and it felt good.

Day 669 - Chest + Back + Balance

Well, it was a bit of a struggle getting through the workout tonight because my back was pretty sore, but I took it slow and was able to finish.  I have a Dr. appt. on Wednesday to see if there is anything more that can be done about this issue with my back. Here's hoping they have some other ideas.

Day 668 - Run & P.A.P. Upper

I got in a nice run this morning on my favorite trail  I did a bit more than 5k (like normal) and averaged a pace of about 8:45/mile.  It was a bit chilly (50 degrees), but not terrible for running.    I did some yard work and then did my workout of P.A.P. Upper.  My back was sore, but I was able to push through the workout.  The only thing I didn't do is Superman with weight because it's really tough on my back (and because it's hard for me and I don't like it).

Day 667 - X2 Yoga

I ended up having two days off because of things I had to do on Thursday night that kept me from being able to work out.  That's okay because I'll make up for it on Saturday by doing a run in the morning and then doing PAP Upper in the afternoon.  I did X2 Yoga tonight and it was helpful with stretching out my muscles. I enjoyed the workout a lot.

Day 666 - P.A.P. Upper

I was off from work today, so I was able to enjoy most of the day just relaxing and doing a few things around the house.  I went to a matinee movie and then did my workout.  For a change of pace I decided to listen to an audio book that I've been listening to recently since I can do PAP Upper without having to listen to what is being said.  It was nice to have something to listen to help make the time pass while ding the workout.  I scheduled a follow-up with the Orthopedist because my back is continuing to hurt despite the steps I am going through to heat it before workouts and ice it down after.  I get to see him next week.

Day 665 - P.A.P. Lower

I got a late start on the workout tonight, but I still got it done.  I decided to do phase 3 this week because of my back bothering me recently.  I didn't have to modify the workout too much.  The only thing I skipped was Side Bridge Leg Lift.

Day 664 - X2 Yoga

It's Saturday morning and I started the day off with X2 Yoga.  My back has been feeling pretty sore lately.  I suspect the Cortisone shot that I got a few months back is pretty much worn off at this point, so my back is again flaring up pretty often (especially if I overdo it with a workout).  I'm trying to be reasonable about what I'm doing, but I need to look into options to get this issue fixed on a more permanent basis.

I went out for a 4-mile walk this afternoon to enjoy the nice brisk autumn weather.  I finished up the day with a round of X2 Ab Ripper.  I was surprised by how easy it;s getting again.  That's a good sign.  Now I just need to keep it going.

Day 663 - Run

I'm a bit late posting this.  This is for Friday.

I went for a run during lunch today.  I was hoping to do X2 Yoga in the evening, but my back muscles were still a little sore from the earlier workouts this week.  I decided to do yoga in the morning instead.

Day 662 - Ab Ripper

Today would normally be a rest day, but (as usual) I am doing Ab Ripper as a makeup for not getting it done on Monday after Chest + Back + Balance.  It went really quick (and pretty easy) tonight because I've been doing it more often lately.  I weighed in this morning and I am now again at 140 according to my scale, so it seems I'm putting back on a bit of the muscle weight since my pants still fit well.

Day 661 - Plyocide

I didn't add in any extra breaks tonight when I did this workout.  As a result it didn't take long to get through the workout, but it also meant that I literally had sweat dripping off of my face throughout the workout.  I recently got a fitbit to track my steps and sleep and I found it interesting that it recorded that I had 3 minutes of active time at the end of the day.  Wow, that is not very accurate considering I was jumping around like a mad man during this workout.

Day 660 - Chest + Back + Balance

Wow, so many pushups and Pull-ups in this workout.  My arms and shoulders are feeling it tonight.  I was happy that I got all the way through the workout without any shortcuts.  Tomorrow it's Plyocide time.

Day 659 - Run & X2 Ab Ripper

Well, I stayed pretty much on plan for this week with the workout activities.  Today I started off with a run in Hibernia park.  It was a nice fall morning with lots of colorful leaves to enjoy.

Eating was okay too.  I went a little over on calories, but wasn't too concerned because I burned plenty of calories in the morning with the 3.5 mile run.

Day 658 - P.A.P. Upper

I have a vacation day today, so I was able to get an early start on my workout.  It felt really good.  I increases the weight on the Renegade Row move (pictured left) to 25 lb. dumbbells for the first two sets and then dropped to 20 for the last 2 sets.  It felt good to get done early.  Now I can enjoy the rest of the day with Kristi celebrating her birthday.