Readers’ Workouts — January 8

Welcome to Readers’ Workouts, the weekly event where we share workout stories, goals, successes, and challenges. The New Year is the perfect time to start a Tuesday habit of linking up with Readers’ Workouts for accountability and support.

After doing Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred thirty times in two months, I was ready for something new so I jumped on the free 10-day trial at GaiamTV. Already, I’m seeing the problem with variety — I don’t get as good of a workout from a new video as I do from one that I’m familiar with. The realities of our current screen set-ups make GaiamTV impractical right now, anyway. I can only play it on a tiny laptop screen. DVDs and my Wii have their own small television — plenty big for the space I have in my study. So, a worthy experiment but I’ll be going back to my DVD collection.

I’m slightly ahead of pace for my goal to exercise 1400 minutes in January. All that New Year energy vaulted me ahead! I’ve also kept to my practice of making sure there is some strength-training element to my workouts on odd-numbered days, although that will get a boost when I go back to my own DVDs where I will use better form and get the other benefits that come with repetition.

Did your workouts get some New Year energy? Answer on your blog (feel free to grab the logo) and link to your post below or join us in the comments! Be sure to visit the other participants to see how we all did at the beginning of the year.

Comments

Readers’ Workouts — January 8 — 10 Comments

Beth on January 8, 2013 at 2:16 am said:

Hi Joy! I don’t know if you use itunes at all, but I noticed the other day that they have a new feature with sets of workout videos–I picked up three 20-minute cardio routines for $1.99. I haven’t tried them out yet, but I figured at that price it would be worth experiementing. It might be a nice way of mixing up your routine while keeping the videos on hand to do again and learn better. I have a cable that I use to plug my ipod into my tv, so they play directly on the screen.

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Michael S. on January 8, 2013 at 6:48 am said:

I’ll have to check into iTunes; thanks for the tip, Beth.

Since I’m packing to move day after tomorrow, I’ve felt too guilty to exercise. Unfortunately, not too guilty to play computer games, watch TV or visit with friends over a meal. I’m still getting in about three miles a day, but I was doing six on my really good days last month.

Because of the arthritis, I have trouble walking on even slightly broken ground. That means I’m using Walk It Out on my Wii, which I love. Don’t know if my apartment set-up in the new place will be conducive to Wii, but they have a good fitness center with plenty of treadmills, and it’s a short walk over there to use them. I’ll be getting back to it with a will on Monday; I plan to basically move now through Sunday.

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- Joy Weese Moll / @joyweesemoll on January 8, 2013 at 6:43 pm said:
  
  I really like Walk It Out, too. When I get bored with the music, I’ll walk while watching video on my laptop — it’s a little more challenging to catch the beat but that’s okay.
  
  Good luck with your move!
  
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Suzanne on January 8, 2013 at 7:51 am said:

A variety of DVDs is a great way to avoid workouts getting boring. I have several that I should use more when I can’t (won’t?) make it to the gym.

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Dee @ EditorialEyes on January 8, 2013 at 9:02 am said:

Good for you for trying something new, Joy. Even if it wasn’t the right fit, it’s good to try new things!

I managed the two works I’d planned last week, and I went to my first jazz dance class last night. 90 minutes, active pretty well the whole time, and a lot of focus on core and legs, which is exactly what I need. It was also terribly fun, which is also exactly what I need–90 minutes of exercise without really noticing that I’m exercising!

So, my plan should remain pretty constant for the next sixteen weeks:
Monday – 90 minute dance class
Wednesday – 60 minutes at the gym, focus on cardio and abs
Friday – 60 minutes at the the gym, focus on cardio and arms
Saturday – 20 minute pilates DVD

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- Joy Weese Moll / @joyweesemoll on January 8, 2013 at 6:44 pm said:
  
  That looks like a great plan. I’m so glad the class worked well for you!
  
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Haralee on January 8, 2013 at 9:21 am said:

I am so much better at a class! I agree with Dee a dance class doesn’t seem like exercise!

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Crystal @ I Totally Paused on January 8, 2013 at 10:48 am said:

I completely understand what you mean about new videos. I usually only do new ones half heartedly the first time so I can get more of an idea about what the workout entails.

Good job staying on track this month!

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Christine on January 8, 2013 at 11:18 pm said:

Sorry the Gaiman TV isn’t more suitable for you, but kudos to you for trying something new.

I clocked in with 329 minutes=approx. 5.5 hrs last week. I’m happy with that.

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