Sept 19 to 24

 

via GIPHY

Lots of swimming this week - I think I went three times. Also, the stretching sessions in the afternoon have morphed into stretching and the a bit of a HIIT session. Still, in the end, I stretch and I get sweaty. My heart likes it as well as my major joints.

A typical session is this

start on the mat, baby pose. Stretch out shoulders and back

Then to 90 and 90 on my butt, stretching hips out. 

rolling legs and shoulders and back

downward dog

Runner's stretch to 

One or two rounds of

10 stand up BW squats

20 kettlebell swings - hand to hand

10 kb cleans

10 kb clean and presses

10 -20 kettlebell halos

10 kettlebell rows

The back to stretching - usually lying down hamstring stretches with a towel around the foot

back to stretching out the hips and quads

and ... fini.

A very good month so far

Probably not the greatest use of my time but I'm finding that my body actually feels like it is glowing at the end of it - and not from the sweat.

The other workouts - the swimming ones are like this:

100 m warm up -usually slow breast stroke, just to try and get everything moving and warm

100 m breast stroke with snorkel and hand fins - arms only

100 m legs only - been working on kicking for butterfly and freestyle

100 m front crawl - working on technique

50 m crazy fast front crawl - every piece of kit on to go as fast as we can. 

100 m easy swimming - whatever we want

50m slow down and relax

it's 600m for now, but I know I'll be adding meters to the middle. Feels good. The only difficulty is the fast as heck sets - I keep nearly drowning as I'm flooding my snorkel with how fast I have to breathe. Anyway, I'm just glad to be doing something other than nothing. 

This week coming up I can get back out to hiking, as the heat has taken off, leaving me with the awesome colours to go and see. Hopefully the rain stays away and I can get out there and enjoy.

I did turn on the Sleep Mode for the iPhone and watch. It's interesting to see that data at the end of the week. Not so much fun when I realize I'm not getting enough sleep in the evenings, which necessitate and afternoon nap to get enough sleep altogether. Something should be done there. 

Sept 12 to 18

I'm pleased to write that the good habits continue along here. Workouts everyday continue as does the feeling good and sleeping well things.

It's been busy, but fun.

Friday I had a longer yoga session that should become standard - there was about 35 minutes of raised heart rate and some kettlebells along with body weight squats. A nice way to start off the weekend, if I say so myself.

Swimming was cool this week - getting into the mindset of going every other day and just getting swimming done. Got up to a 35 minute workout on Saturday. The water was HOT, man ... I was actually surprised I could still swim outside, and the water was like a bath tub. I now have my own swim bag for all the equipment I have - snorkel, fins for hands and feet ... all kinds of stuff.  I also got some ear cleaning tools for the guck leaking out of my head. Those might be brains, so I'm being cautious.

My legs and should muscles are complaining a bit, but my joints are smiling along with the swimming, man. It's been a real nice ride this week. I'm ready for next week and to see how far these new habits take me. Should be awesome.

Still need to do more kettlebells, but at least I'm working into that.

I have my garage gym ready to go at home when the outdoor workouts can't happen for the cold, I know that I need to work on my hips and I even have a yoga class schedule on my laptop. I'm ready as I will ever be for this winter...

Sept 5 to 11

 I've had to be very deliberate in these days on my habits. I'm re-reading "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg. A masterwork that book is, man ... anyway, I know that I need habits that are going to help me cure all that ails and threatens me.

Diabetes, poor circulation,  being fat and out of shape, being angry all the time, money and the list goes on.

I did step out of the pool on Thursday and watched my Apple Watch fall off of my wrist. The screen shattered on the deck of the pool. I went to work the next day and ... it was like I was missing a limb. I quickly found and purchased an Apple Watch Series 5 ... which is still darn cool. Still adjusting to it, but it is a cool watch.

I also learned that the boxing guy isn't coming back to my gym. Dang.

11 for 11 so far in September

Control your habits or the habits control you.

So lots of stretching and yoga and working out and HITT training and thinking about the future. About 2023, 2024 and 2030. How do I get there, what do I have to do to get there and how do I get there with a healthy body and a fat wallet?

Habits. Things I do day to day.

Speaking of which, I closed my rings every day this week, even after cranking the circles for Move and Exercise. I'm seeing better sleep and happier mental attitude, but I know I also need to work on proper nutrition and basic fitness, too.

These will come with time and proper habits.

Aug 27 to Sept 4

 Lots of stretching and swimming these days. I did try and get out onto Lake Ontario last week and it was hilarious how much of a failure it was. It was too rough and I didn't have the new to me kayak inflated enough. Both were... hilarious. 

I got my fourth dose this week, too. Ready for my kids' return to school and their inevitable bringing home every virus, bacteria and microbe. <<shivers>>

I was scrolling on tikky tokky and found Musclewiki. What a cool friggin website, man. I used it to add a thing or two to my lifting.

I did my usual session of stretching everyday during these days and just greasing the groove, so to speak. Making sure I get some time on a mat and making my hips and legs and shoulders better. Every day. I'm also trying to get my VO2 Max up. I did test it this week and I ended up with a 31, listed as "fair".

Yeah, need to up that. A lot.

Interestingly, I discovered that my Polar HRM works with my Apple health apps and can help me close my rings. Hashtag awesomesause.

I did "close my rings" every day during this time, too. Stretching and yoga are my heroes these days. Lots of self-reflection and time alone.