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10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 42

Toxicsoul, you are doing great! What a fabulous full body workout you have devised for yourself. You don't need any workout equipment, what you have is fine. Actually more than me!

The 7 minute workout is the one that I use often. I even use it with the kids I teach, we do it together during fitness sessions. They love it! Once you get the hang of it, it becomes automatic and you will want to repeat it over and over. Trust me on this.

You have made my day by posting your progress. Thank you!

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 345

Thank you squashed for inspiring me to get on with it. Honestly, if you had been 30 and shared your exercise commitment I would have shrugged and thought yeah, easy for you, you're thirty. But you're my age so that excuse doesn't fly.

I don't have a lot of equipment anymore since I got rid of most of it in my last move thinking I'd never use it (stupid me). However, I do have an elliptical, exercise ball, miniature trampoline, skipping rope, thigh master, some small weights and a Wii. So far as per your recommendation I have been taking it slow. No point in over doing it as I'll just get discouraged if I end up all sore. I warm up on the elliptical until I feel fatigued, do a series of lower and upper body strength training with the thigh master and weights and then I do various sessions on the Wii. I cool down with some stretching exercises. Of course there is also a fair bit of walking, more than just work since I have a dog. I'm going to try that seven minute workout that's in the news. Looks interesting.

I sleep so well and I have zero alcohol urges already. I do have a couple of cups of coffee every day but I consider it a treat so I still have a little bit of a guilty pleasure. I just love the aroma. I am drinking in my environment while I walk and have my elliptical facing a window which over looks a park. I haven't felt this good in a very long time. Thank you so much for giving me that shove to be kind to my body.

I truly believe I will never touch alcohol again...talk about a waste of time!

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 42

Exercise has been my salvation in conquering or at least facing the challenges that have presented themselves to me. I don't regard this as a total escape from reality, rather a time for reflection, self clarity, and peace. It's my happy place I guess.

Toxicsoul , I am delighted that you have begun an exercise plan. How wonderful it must be to walk to work! There's commitment right there! I know that you have to be organised for this to happen, allowing extra time means earlier starts! Then there's the footwear and working out how to carry your stuff like lunch and work things. Not to mention being prepared for weather changes. Most people who work within walking distance decide it's all too complicated. So good for you! What sorts of equipment do you have at home and what types of home work-outs have you been doing?

One of the things I learnt when I began exercising was to just take it easy at first. Just enjoy the sensation of moving, and using your senses to really take notice of your surroundings. For me that sensation was and still is, therapy. It might have the same effect for you too.

Try it, it won't ever be a waste of your time.

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 345

Wow, again, you're a total inspiration. Most people have a time getting out of bed with a hangover never mind having the intestinal fortitude to workout! I will never be able to mirror your amazing physical routine but am inspired and encouraged to begin my baby steps. I actually live well within walking distance to work and have been driving. I will start there. I also have an array of exercise equipment and will do at least five minutes a day to start on each. I believe these are goals I can attain. Thank you for taking the time to share...I will revisit this post regularly to help keep me motivated and I will keep you posted.

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 42

Hi Toxicsoul

My knees were fine during the bike ride but I admit to a sore butt for the first few days lol! The ride was completed over 3 weeks, cycling on average about 75 km per day with 2 days of rest in Vienna. The pace was leisurely to take in the spectacular sights.

My fitness journey began with walking. Every day, rain or shine, I hit the pavements. Slowly. After a while I gradually increased the distance and quickened my pace. I choose a different route to keep me motivated and often listened to music on my mp3 player. I started jogging between lamposts after about 3 months. Again I slowly increased the jogging until most of it was in fact running. The internet was a great place to find information for beginner runners like myself and that kept me motivated and more importantly, injury free. It was through the internet that I discovered events that I could participate in, so away I went! In a frenzy I simply entered in as many events as I could, paid the $ entry fees, searched for free online training plans and set to work!

I workout everyday except Thursday since I look after our 2 year old grandson on that day while his mum works part time. But I do consider that day a workout too! I enjoy group exercise at 6am in the morning before work. Mondays and Wednesdays are bootcamp style workouts, Tuesdays and Friday mornings are Boxfit classes. Saturday is 30km bike ride and 600m swim at pools. Sunday is my running day. So there you have it.

I encourage you to give it a go, every little bit helps. There are some excellent apps available if you have a smart phone and there are some great home workout ideas on the net to help with increasing your fitness levels and toning up.

I don't consider myself as extraordinary at all, rather that it was extraordinary to actually cope with the amount of exercise I undertook with the high levels of alcohol still in my blood stream no doubt. Stupid really.

Let me know how you get on. I would be very interested.

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 345

Squashed, you are an extraordinary inspiration. You're a couple of years older than I am yet clearly in far better physical condition. I would have thought such a long bike ride would have destroyed your knees. (I'll research as to what is exactly involved in a full Marathon.) Would you mind sharing how you got started, what type of exercises, how many days a week? I'm not over weight but do need to tone and keep my bones strong. How did you manage to stay motivated? Personally, I think it'll be easier to stay away from alcohol than it will be to get fit.

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 42

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I kind of feel a bit like my students when they get a sticker for trying so hard! Praise is a powerful and rewarding tool and I am beginning to use it on my self too.

Sian : Thanks for the autogenics training site! I am beginning the warm up breathing exercises today. I think we all could do with less tension and stress in our lives and enjoy a state of inner peace and calmness.

Dave : Yes my students are awesome. All of them. I am a relieving teacher ( substitute) so I get to interact with lots of students across all levels from 5 year olds to 12 year olds at primary state schools. I also teach all curriculum subjects but Art and Music are my favourites. Fortunately most kids enjoy these subjects too. I love it when I hear " Yay, we've got Mrs T today. We'll be doing some cool art and playing musical instruments!" My job can be quite challenging at times ( like most occupations!) but I love it!

Toxicsoul : I wasn't always an active person. I began exercising at age 50 to lose weight. I guess you could say I became addicted to it after a while. I hated it at first but when I entered my first event and crossed that finish line, I was hooked. But in a good way lol. My proudest moment was completing a full marathon at age 55. Last year I cycled 1660 km along the Danube Cycle Trail and that was an amazing experience too. I will be turning 60 this year and I will be completing my first triathlon which is a bit scary because of the open sea swim of 800m. It will be ok. I am never concerned with placings or times etc. I just get a tremendous buzz doing it. Oh and training is now more pleasurable without the hangovers!

Please keep up with the updates, the highs and lows included. We can do this!

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 100

Congrats on those 14 days and your increasing feeling of confidence for January, squashed! For a more restful relaxation technique you might like to look into autogenics http://www.guidetopsychology.com/autogen.htm It's more like body awareness than meditation - the idea is to feel the body's weight and warmth, let go of stress and tension and induce a state of inner peace, all within the space of about 10 minutes a day. Good for busy people!

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 345

I need a rest after reading your post lol. Sounds to me like you have your relaxation techniques nailed down tight! A ten k run?? I wouldn't be able to manage a run around the block. Never mind all the other stuff you do. Where did you ever find the time to drink? Clearly your lust for physical activity is working for you and may continued success be yours!

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1009

That's excellent Squashed! Keep up the great work. It's very positive and motivating to hear the resolve in your tone. What's your plan when you get back to work and you spend a week with those awesome kids. That must be BUSY!

Best regards,

Dave

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