Getting stronger

[FlowersandPetals]

Happy Sunday!

Today’s Workout:

Darebee Warmup
Fit December Day 29; 5 sets
EOTD Back Leg Raise Hold 30 Seconds (assuming 30 seconds for each leg so that’s how I did it)

Arms and Abs Strength Training exercises- 1 hour, 49 minutes

Stretching: Stretched and Stretching for Runners

Went to Urgent Care yesterday because of my abscess. It was definitely infected but not ready to be drained yet. I was prescribed antibiotics and given instructions how to care for it (warm compresses etc). The doctor said my ears look good but a bit congested. I’m glad I went, though I wish I’d gone sooner. It hurts terribly!
I started some new strength training exercises today. I’m a little bit limited what I’m able to do, but I did my best. My oldest daughter calls me a tough woman. It’s in my genes, and hers as well now.

Hope everyone has a great day and God bless

 

[FlowersandPetals]

Good morning/afternoon/evening wherever you are

Today’s Workout:

Classic Warmup
Fit December Day 30 -5 sets
EOTD 40 Side to Side Backfists

Leg Day Strength Training-1 hour, 21 minutes

The Walk workout, 3 times through (12 minutes)

Stretching: Morning Stretching, plus some of my own stretches

My abscess is affecting what exercises I can and can’t do, especially lower body exercises. It’s improving but still very painful. Hopefully by the end of the week I’ll finally be back to normal, or somewhat normal. December has been a rough month for me and my family. At least we had a nice Christmas. I’m grateful for that.

Have a great day everyone and God bless!

 

[Maegaranthelas]

I hope the healing goes smoothly and quickly

 

[FlowersandPetals]

I hope the healing goes smoothly and quickly

Thank you!

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

 

[Haleth]

 

[MadamMeow]

Hope you heal up quick.

 

[FlowersandPetals]

Good Morning/ Afternoon/Evening Everyone! Happy New Year’s Eve!

Today’s Workout:

Darebee Warmup
Fit December Day 31: had to go with a hall pass due to my abscess

Arms and Abs Strength Training (abs exercises are standing kind) 1 hour, 55 minutes

Stretching: Stretched, and Stretching for Runners

My abscess is improving, but still affecting my workouts and other things I usually can do. Feeling a bit hopeful since the rest of yesterday wasn’t as bad as it has been. One good thing is that now I know what it’s like to have one, I’m more empathetic (?) to others who have suffered with it. Always trying to see the bright side in things, as much as possible. Both of my girls have had it. While I did care for them, and did my best to help, I don’t think I was as understanding about it. I’ve apologized to them about it. All good.

In spite of getting sick this month and the abscess, I only needed to use 4 Hall Passes for the Fit December Program. Not too bad, huh?

Have a great day everyone! Happy New Years Eve! Stay safe and God bless

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

Congratulations on completing Fit December @FlowersandPetals !
Best wishes for continued and speedy healing.

 

[FlowersandPetals]

Thank you @Laura Rainbow Dragon

I forgot to mention: Laura, I’ve taken your advice about rests between exercises. I did forget a few times this morning, lost track of when to count say, 30 seconds. It actually helped! So thank you!

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Fit December Win

 

[Fremen]

Congrats

 

[FlowersandPetals]

Thanks for all the congrats

I normally don’t check in a second time in one day but I didn’t share my plans, thoughts about 2025. I usually don’t make resolutions, because most of the time I end up backing out on them. So I make plans, share what I hope to accomplish for the new year.

One of the things I got for Christmas is a knitting loom. I asked for one so I can try to learn how to make socks for my husband. One of his health issues is lymphedema in his legs. His socks are pretty expensive and I am gonna try to learn to make them for him instead. (If it doesn’t work out, my family will be getting some knitted stuff for Christmas next year ) I used to work in a crafts store and love making things. I used to be an avid cross stitcher and would like to get back to that sometime.

Another thing I want to do is find a new place to live that’s more affordable. I’m grateful for my home but it’s been 10 years living here and we’ve always wanted to move out of state.

Fitness related: work on pushups! They’re so hard for me. I have tiny wrists but I think I can do this. In fact, I started working on them a few days ago. Also cut back on potato chips (aka crisps outside of the US) and going for smaller portions with my meals. With all my food limitations and getting asked what I eat, at least anyone can tell I’m doing alright. Maybe too good?

Hope you all have a safe and happy new years.

God bless

 

[FlowersandPetals]

Happy New Year!

Today’s Workout:

Prep Warmup
Roamer 5 sets
Standing Abs Challenge Day 1. 16 minutes

The following workouts were done with a medium loop band around my legs, wrist, ankle weights with other weights (depending on the exercise)

Roundabout- 5 sets

Soft Girl- 5 sets

Standing Desk - 2 sets

Wild and Free - 3 sets

Standing Core - 5 sets

Workout of the Day: Clean Slate - 7 sets (no weights or wrist/ankle weights during last 2 or 3 sets)

A song came on I loved so I danced like a maniac a few minutes, air guitar, head banging, etc.

97 minutes

Stretching: Reset & Go, Sandman

I hope everyone had fun last night. We usually sleep through New Year’s. My cat decided to turn on the tv around 4:30 this morning. May oldest daughter was awake as well so she took care of it. I want to make something special today to celebrate but haven’t decided what to make yet. Looking forward to what the new year brings. Hopefully we move out of here!

Have a great day everyone and God Bless

 

[Mamatigerj]

Cheers for Fit December! And Happy New Year!

 

[CODawn]

Congratulations!

 

[FlowersandPetals]

Thank you @Mamatigerj and @CODawn

Today’s Workout:

Darebee Warmup

Two Minute Plank (just one set - it was harder than I thought!)

Standing Abs Challenge Day 2

Arms and Abs strength training exercises- 2 hours

Stretching: Stretched, and Stretching for Runners

I’m trying to work on doing full pushups. For some reason, though I try to make sure everything is “tucked in, shoulders back, etc.” it’s hurting my lower back. My lower back sinks down and I can’t get it back up. I’m doing combination full plank position pushups and kneeling kind. Starting to wonder if this exercise is one I just can’t do- at least this way. I can do it on a stability ball. I will be getting one of those soon (the other one got holes in it - had it for several years).

This morning during my workout my cat was going nuts chasing a bug on the ceiling. So I helped him with that. He’s got a high prey drive and doesn’t give up so easily.


Have a great day everyone and God bless!

ETA: this is Stormy after chasing the bug. The clock behind him - yeah around 5 a.m.

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

I’m trying to work on doing full pushups. For some reason, though I try to make sure everything is “tucked in, shoulders back, etc.” it’s hurting my lower back. My lower back sinks down and I can’t get it back up. I’m doing combination full plank position pushups and kneeling kind. Starting to wonder if this exercise is one I just can’t do- at least this way.

This tells me you're not engaging your abs and legs enough. We think of push-ups as an upper-body exercise. And sure: your arms, shoulders, chest, and upper back muscles are doing the heavy lifting. But your legs and abs still need to be engaged to support your hips. Think about trying to lift your navel and your quads to the ceiling while you're doing push-ups. Ditto for any front plank position.

That Two Minute Plank workout is intense! Working on it will definitely help to build your strength for full push-ups.

I can do it on a stability ball.

Do you mean with your toes on the ground and your hands on a ball? If yes, you're doing incline push-ups, which reduce the weight-bearing load. Yes, you're introducing a balance challenge with the instability of the ball, but you're making the exercise easier from a strength point of view. To work on strength I would ditch the ball and try incline push-ups on stable surfaces. As you get stronger, you gradually decrease the slope of your incline.

Stairs work great for this. But if you don't have access to stairs where you workout, anything stable and strong enough to bear your weight will work. Yoga blocks, thick books, a strong coffee table, etc.

Full push-ups are hard! Sure, we see a lot of images of people doing them, because they are the quintessential calisthenics exercise, and used in so many fitness tests. But to do even one with good form requires a significant level of strength. If you can already complete that Two Minute Plank workout with good form, I think you are close to having full push-ups with good form too. Don't give up!

 

[FlowersandPetals]

@Laura Rainbow Dragon when I do push-ups on a stability ball, it’s usually with my toes on the ball and my hands on the floor. I live in a small apartment so I don’t have access to stairs, unless I go in the hallway of the building I live in. I would rather not since it’s not so clean here and some people have dogs. Dogs trigger my MCAS symptoms, unfortunately. Thanks so much for your advice and encouragement!