Up until a month or so ago, I hated exercise. I would do it, but I didn't have to like it. Then I decided to try to do the couch to 5k thing, but in my own way. I don't have a treadmill, I live on a busy street where running would be a hazard, so I run in place in my livingroom. After a few weeks of that, I found out I like exercising. Who knew? I like pushing myself to see if I can beat yesterday's miles. I was having some problems moving up in the plan so I started over last week, doing it only 3 days a week instead of five. It's working better now that I'm having a day to rest in between.

I decided I wanted to track my exercises someplace, and this seems like a good place to do that. I'll start with yesterday's workout, since I remember that, and go from there on out.

11/13 - Couch to 5k week 2 day 1. Five minute warm-up walk, 35 minutes of 90 seconds jogging, 2 minutes walking. Five minute cool-down walk. Total miles 2.5.

11/14 - 10 minutes resistance band, some girlie pushups (I can't do the regular ones yet) and some crunchs and leg lifts. Walk Away the Pounds muscle mile 1 until the cooldown, then I switched dvds and did the 1 mile express. Edit: Total miles 1.86

I'm so annoyed with myself today. My body just didn't want to workout. I did my normal 5 minutes of warm up, after stretching a bit, then tried week 2, day 2 of couch to 5k and my body just wanted to give up after like 30 seconds. My left calf and thigh were on fire almost totally through all the runs, which made my in between walks that much slower as I tried to calm the leg down. I did the intervals for 30 minutes, then a 5 minute cool down walk, followed by stretching. I only managed 2.32 miles.

Totals: 2.32 miles in 40 minutes.

That is the way to handle it. Many people pick a suggested routine from somewhere and try to plug it into their lives. In reality each of us have different lives and are at different levels of fitness. We have to pick something that fits into our lives and we have to take all the things we do (work, raising children, volunteer activites, etc) into account. Increasing exercise duration and or intensity will come in time. I find people do much better when they start with just a little and work up from there. I've come across too many who attempt to go for it all at once and ultimately burn out.

Good luck!

Joe

Thanks, Joe!

I haven't worked out since last Wednesday, as my kid got sick and I was busy taking care of him and not sleeping or eating properly for exercising.

Today I got back on track. Restarted week two of couch to 5k. Fifteen minutes of stretching, 5 minute warm-up walk, did 90 seconds jogging/2 minutes of running for 25 minutes, though my last run I ran for 2 straight minutes, then did the two minute walk, did a 5 minute cooldown, and some stretching after.

I also realized that when I eat breakfast, I can't do as far in distance, so I won't be eating breakfast anymore.

Totals: 2.55 miles in 35 minutes.

Today was my first time exercising since the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Almost two weeks! I almost talked myself out of doing it today, but made myself go ahead anyway. I'm still on week 2 of couch to 5k, because I haven't actually finished it yet. If I could find time to do four days this week, I'd start week 3 tomorrow or Wednesday because I had no problems today, and I didn't even stretch or anything. I only did my 5 minute warm up walk, 20 minutes of intervals and 5 minute cool down walk.

Totals: 2.31 miles in 30 minutes.

Felt good enough to start on week 3 today. I had to push myself to finish both 3 minute jogs, but I did do it. Five minute warm up, 90 seconds jogging, 90 seconds walking, 3 minutes jogging, 3 minutes walking, 90 seconds jogging, 90 seconds walking, 3 minutes jogging, 3 minutes walking and a 5 minute cooldown walk.

I wondered why I only had done 2 miles when I had finished and checked back at the cool running site and it has a total of 2400 yards and that's under 2 miles so I figure I'm ahead of the game. Even my lungs hurt today and I thought I was doing so well for not having any problems with my breathing considering I had smoked for 15 years.

Totals: 2 miles in 30 minutes

I did week three day two on Thursday, 2 miles in 30 minutes (five minute warm up, five minute cooldown and the 20 minutes of the plan). I did it again today. Same time, same distance. I felt better about it today too, because Thursday felt like it was going to kill my fat ass. I'm going to do it again next week then we'll see about moving onto week four. Week four looks way too hard for me right now.

I did start week four today. The first three minutes was easy as pie, the first 5 minutes was a bit tough, second three minutes was easier than that first five minutes, last five minutes I had to push the entire time, saying "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." I did finish and I'm so totally proud of myself.

Totals: 30 minutes, 2.21 miles.

Failed at my run today. I managed the five minute warmup, and the first 3 minutes and the first 5 minutes, and the walk, I couldn't finish the second 3 minute though and I ended up just giving up. Guess I'll try again tomorrow.

Totals: 1.44 miles at however many minutes the above was.

I feel like I talked myself out of it somehow. That I was reminded I got to do it all again today and that I got it in my head that it was a bad thing and just sorta gave up.

Also it seems I have a harder time with the work out if I stretch first. How weird that is.

Redid week 4, day 2. Completed it.

Totals: 2.24 miles in 30 minutes

Did week 4, day 3 on Friday. I don't remember the miles or time though, but it was around 30 minutes and 2 miles.

Did week 5, day 1 today. It was a lot easier than I thought it'd be. My legs are slightly achy but not too bad.


Totals: 2.14 miles in 30 minutes.