April Challenge. week 1 done: Just about... - Strength & Flex

Strength & Flex

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April Challenge. week 1 done

UnfitNoMore profile image
13 Replies

Just about managed to fit an hour in today, it’s been hectic... luckily a couple of brisk walks before and after junior parkrun gave me a decent start. Hectic day since, isn’t Sunday supposed to be the day of rest? Got my dumbbell session in and completed the hour with some yoga.

Haven’t run at all this weekend, so raring to get out there again tomorrow. I did 45 minutes of basic training workout which was short bursts of more things yesterday, and some favourites in there and some not so favourite.

Tomorrow I’m going to start with the run and train: lower body guided run. 34 minute fartlek run with some backward lunges, squats and one leg stands chucked in between the intervals... anyone observing will think I’ve escaped from my padded cell.

Here’s to week 2 everyone... we got this.

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UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMore
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Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

We have? Sorry..we have!

Go you..You are doing brilliantly...I think videos would help us to appreciate your efforts;)

Enjoy your run tomorrow !

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMore in reply to Oldfloss

Maybe one day! Then you can all watch my arms shaking during the last push up low hold on the tank top arms routine... first 3 are ok, so I think it’s psychological as I’m willing the clock down so I’m done. My current favourite torture though is plank wraps.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to UnfitNoMore

If you want torture..you should have done the Park run with me yesterday!!!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMore in reply to Oldfloss

Hehe... sand can be interesting... was it that bad? After a walk and a couple of tailwalks I may actually be running my first parkrun on Saturday... so long as there isn’t another SOS for volunteers.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to UnfitNoMore

It was... It really was, fr me anyway... check out my post on Bridge.. folk wanted to know what it was like...I was honest. I think it was exceptional...but that did not stop the other runners, although there were no mega fast times...I so admire the marshals there and the tail runners.. and will be volunteering for that role at my local one at home.

Yesterday was a recovery run... yes, I needed it.. a gentle 7K in less time than the 5K took me on Saturday ! and then a good walk along the coastal path on the Lleyn.

Some simple weight training this morning before driving home to Staffs !

Realfoodieclub profile image
Realfoodieclub

Sounds like a good week, I only managed one run last week, I’m itching to get out tomorrow. I did a NTC runners cold down yesterday, I can see me adding more of their workouts in, I was very impressed it was like having a class in my living room 😀.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMore in reply to Realfoodieclub

Yeah, I wish they’d talk you through the exercise just before it rather than during it if I was in a hurry, but normally I have time to watch each video before starting the workout.

The other thing is the plans can be edited so you can change the number of days a week without having to restart... and all plans will only use equipment that you actually have, apart from the Gym Strong plan which needs everything!

Realfoodieclub profile image
Realfoodieclub in reply to UnfitNoMore

At the moment I’m just picking the ones I want to do when I want to do them, instead of bedtime reading I’m watching all the videos underneath the exercise. I had trouble with the last one of the runners cool down but I don’t think I have a very flexible middle. ☹️

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMore in reply to Realfoodieclub

I have the exact same issue 😂. Getting better, part of my issue was coordinating all the movements in my head, which had with this foot?! But certainly some flexibility too. I’m going to start NTC plans when my running one ends in August. Marathon September 2020 so I can tick over the running and work on strengthening and flexibility September to March/April and then onto the marathon plan.

So, yesterday I got weighed for the first time this year... and usually I fluctuate by about half a stone... not this time, I’ve put a whole stone on. I’m sure the extra bit I’m not used to is muscle build since last summer, but it does mean I can work on losing those pounds again now, and maybe get rid of the belly that never went. So I’m watching my intake again, looking at losing a pound a week through nutrition, so have to decide on putting back exercise calories or allowing weight to drop a little faster.

Realfoodieclub profile image
Realfoodieclub in reply to UnfitNoMore

I am such a slow loser, I find it really hard to exercise and lose weight. I would always go for fuel and a slow loss, for me my body feels stronger and fitter when I do that and it stays off.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMore in reply to Realfoodieclub

That’s what my tracker app wants me to do... as I burn calories it’s adding them to my day, but there is an option to turn that off... I think I’ll fuel and see how it goes.

Little Miss UMN is working out how far she needs to run to eat certain things... and looking at how filling they are... some stuff is already crossed off her “I’d like these in the cupboard list”... halo top may take over my freezer though! Then a strange thing... she can’t have tomato and so there’s one pizza at Tesco she can eat... we have it rarely, but she scanned the one in the freezer and half of it it actually comes out as a decent breakfast option for her 😂. She’s very much into hitting targets for carbs/protein/fats as well as calories... this is fortunate as I can’t be that bothered as long as I’m close, seems she will be giving me the menu!

Realfoodieclub profile image
Realfoodieclub in reply to UnfitNoMore

Oh I remember no tomatoes, I had to do that for three years before I found out what was wrong with me, ( sub clinical hyperthyroid). It is a hard one, It was long before Pinterest, there are so many good ideas on there, I had to come up with a nightshade free, “nomato” sauce for a friend last year, they use it for all sorts, I took a recipe from Pinterest and added in oat flour to stabilise it a bit more, it worked really well. I have been tweaking my food for fuel for four plus years now and it has become second nature to think about the fuel I need first then a treat second. It doesn’t help me lose weight but it really does help me maintain.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMore in reply to Realfoodieclub

I do get some funny looks when I mention fuelling in the supermarket 😂😂

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