I went to the doctor’s Friday, regarding the persistent ache in my right knee. Its not a constant pain – more a “when I do certain things, it hurts” kind of pain. I thought it prudent, to have it looked at, before I started working on my running. I would hate to put effort into preparing for my tri and have a trashed knee ruin all my hard work.
So, to make a long story short – there is no apparent tendon or ligament damage. It would seem that a combination of running, possibly needing new sneakers and an awkward stride on the treadmill may be the culprit. So, for the next week, no running or fitness walking. I can still cycle, swim and use the elptical/cybex machine to maintain my muscle tone and continue to improve my cardiovascular endurance.
If my knee does not feel better in a week, we’ll go from there. Hopefully, it goes away or is something I can live with and work around. Pain doesn’t mean gain, after all.
This week has been tough on running days because we’ve had a lot of snow. For my first run of the week I went to my normal path but it was covered so after the first interval I went back to the roads. They were still icy in spots but had at least been plowed. For my second run I stuck to the roads from the start and was fine. Today was supposed to be my last run of the week but the snow has struck again. It started Friday mid-day getting me out of work 2 hours early. I went home and did my last lifting day of the week with my free weights in the cold garage. Working out in my long johns, gym pants and a wind breaker IS as sexy as it sounds. I went to the garage and ran in place lifting my knees as high as I could to reach the level 10 instead of my normal run today.
A friend of mine found and indoor climbing center near where we work and we both wanted to check it out. I had done a little climbing at similar facilities while I was in high school and then again years later after college. We did the basics class last Sunday to brush up on the knots and the belaying technique. Then we were free to climb and did that for about another hour. I quickly remembered how good of an upper body workout this was. Most of the walls here have an incline beyond 90 degrees so my forearms and back stay engaged for most of the climb. I plan to push myself as hard as I can to build up the muscles needed for climbing and to use these days to replace one of my upper body workout days.
I also wanted to cover other products I’m using along with the program. One of those is EAS whey protein. I buy the big purple bag of vanilla flavored whey at Costco. I’d prefer chocolate but they don’t carry it. I take one serving immediately after I finish a workout. I do this only on lifting days, not running days. The other product is creatine monohydrate. I take this everyday including my rest day. I use one “heaping teaspoon”, as the package describes, immediately before I lift then one more immediately after. On my rest day or running days immediately after running I take only one serving.
For food this week I made two meals I think are worthy of mentioning. One is a turkey chili recipe that is incredibly simple and easy to make in bulk which I did. Here is the recipe:
1 lb ground turkey breast
1 can diced tomatos
1 can kidney beans
1 packet chili seasoning
First brown the turkey and drain off excess liquid. Make sure to rinse off the beans because the liquid they’re stored in will cause some unpleasant wind from your backside (brilliant advice from EC). Then mix everything together and bring to a simmer stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes then remove from heat. In prep for this storm I doubled up on the recipe and added a can of tomato sauce.
Since the chili was my protein source but has carbs from the beans, I just increased the portion size slightly and reduced the rice portion size.
My other meal was equally simple. I stopped in at the local grocery and picked up the biggest piece of fresh catfish on the rack. I had the lady cut it in half and season one piece with cajun spices and one with lemon pepper. I took these home and wrapped each separately in foil. Cooked them at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. For my veggie I cut up some zucchini squash and put it in a pan with just a little oil over medium heat and lowered a little once they started cooking. I seasoned it with lemon pepper seasoning. I used rice for the carb and this made two meals.
Let’s just say the first thing first about a Trotter treadmill – there is little doubt that on your treadmill comparison travels, you will find a cheaper exercise machine. With the pervasiveness of money in today’s society, or rather the ubiquity of our wanting to hold on to as much of it as we can, it is easy to see why other machines might beat a Trotter treadmill in the consumer’s treadmill comparison. But while some people might make the selection from their treadmill comparison of the machine that comes with the lowest price tag, discerning consumers hold on to their money and invest it in something that might be a little more expensive, but is definitely worth it. These canny consumers know that with a Trotter treadmill, you get more than what you pay for.
There are a number of schools of thought that inform any treadmill comparison: one runs along the lines that fitness equipment is expensive, so let’s limit our costs by purchasing the cheapest treadmill we can find. This line of thought, of course, is extremely limiting and would knock a Trotter treadmill right out the window, along with the many great features a Trotter treadmill has to offer. The canny consumer, however, appreciates that while a treadmill comparison can throw up some cheap treadmill alternatives, you really do get what you pay for, and if you’re going to invest, you may as well invest in the best. Many consumer reviews would argue that the best is a Trotter treadmill.
A Trotter treadmill is large and extremely well built, with professional runners rating the Trotter line as one of the most durable on the market. Its sturdy build means that it will require a dedicated spot in your home for its use, but a Trotter treadmill is worth every inch. With a professional grade running board that provides you with the most ergonomic exercising stance and high quality cushioning, with a Trotter treadmill you will hardly notice your exercise time fly by. This comfort is combined in a Trotter treadmill with a great range of programs and user interface, allowing you customize your workout to your own specific needs.
Any treadmill comparison will tell you that a Trotter treadmill should be high on your list, and it is usually the price tag alone that frightens people off. But the treadmill comparison of the canny consumer will illustrate how price shouldn’t necessarily be at the top of your treadmill list: invest in the best, invest in a Trotter treadmill.
So, I had yet ANOTHER crazy binge last night (that make the third one this week) and it took me awhile to realize that I am PMSing. After much thought and internet searching, I decided to start tracking my PMS symptoms, but then I realized that what I really wanted was to track my emotional eating. Cause y’all, when I have an emotion, I eat. A lot. And sometimes I don’t even realize what’s going on until it’s too late (like last night when I had 3 bowls of tortilla soup. THREE bowls. Yeah it was good and yeah I was hungry, but come on! Three? Crazy.), so I used my very limited mad spreadsheet skillz to make a logsheet where I could track what was happening on a day to day basis. I didn’t want to make it to complicated, but there are a few key things that needed to be included for me to get a good idea of what’s going on. Oh, that’s the title of my spreadsheet: the What’s Going On Log (WGOL). So anyway, here’s what I have included on my WGOL (pronounced woggle):
Where I am in my cycle
how many hours I slept last night
how much exercise I did
how much water
any digestive issues (you all know how important this is to me!)
and finally, what’s going on with 1) my marriage, 2) my kids, 3) work, and 4) anything else.
If I can remember to fill this out every day I think it will really help me figure out WHY I am overeating and eventually HOW I can head off those binges before they start. I’d like to get a few month’s worth of data and then see if there are any trends. I think this will be an interesting experiment. Is there anything that maybe I should add to this? I want to keep it simple, but I don’t want to leave off anything that might be helpful.
When it comes to exercise, people like to walk or run. These are natural activities for us. They can have practical applications, such as getting from one place to another. They require less gear than many other forms of exercise (although you can spend a bundle on shoes, clothes and other accessories if you really wanted). And walking or running are great forms of exercise. They burn calories, work many muscle groups and strengthen cardiovascular components in the body. Walking is one of the best or perhaps the only feasible form of exercise for people with diseases such as osteoporosis, hypertension and chronic back pain. Walking doesn’t require a lot of technical know-how or instruction. We already know how to do it, and a few pointers about heart rate and breathing will at least get us on the road. In general, walking and running are easy and convenient ways to improve health and fitness and a home treadmill adds to this overall appeal.
According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, over 40 million consumers purchase treadmills each year and the number continues to grow. Treadmills account for over 1/3 of all home exercise equipment sales. So why do so many people choose treadmills and how do they compare to stair machines, stationary bikes and other home fitness equipment?
Ease and Convenience
The number one reason people use a treadmill is convenience. It allows you to exercise even when the weather is bad or the fitness center is closed. You can exercise in the early morning or after dinner or whenever the mood strikes you. You can even use your treadmill in the buff if you don’t feel like washing your workout clothes.
You can read, watch TV, talk with friends, or listen to music or audiotapes while you exercise on a treadmill. You can keep an eye on your kids, wait for files to download, take care of dinner or the laundry and even meditate, think through problems or make grocery lists.
For those who need to stay in the office until five – even when it’s not busy, or who prefer to exercise in the privacy of their own homes, a treadmill is ideal. Also, in some areas and neighborhoods, walking or running exposes one to traffic, muggers or vicious dogs. These hazards are avoided by using a treadmill.
Another reason people like treadmills is because you can just hop on and walk without a great deal of preparation and even if you don’t work terribly hard at it, you still accomplish something. But today’s treadmills make it easy to program in workout routines that simulate hills or vary speeds to enhance the effectiveness of your workout or challenge you to work harder and improve. The control panels are typically user friendly and many machines have built in heart rate monitors.
Clearly a treadmill provides several advantages over walking or running outside. And it is often easier and less expensive than other types of home exercise equipment, but how does it compare in terms of pure cardiovascular workout and calorie burning?
A Better Burn
According to a study done by the Medical College of Wisconsin and the VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, a person using a treadmill for 60 minutes burns an average of 865-705 calories. Check that against other common exercise equipment:
What about the new elliptical machines? An elliptical cross trainer with handles to work the upper body provides a workout that compares to that of a treadmill when it comes to muscles used and heart rate issues. The main difference between the two types of home exercise equipment is that and elliptical machine operates more smoothly and creates less of an impact on bones and joints. This might be good for those with recent injuries or chronic conditions, but it is the impact that helps maintain or improve bone density, which in turn strengthens bones and prevents the loss of calcium.
Most experts agree that a healthy person needs the bouncing and jarring associated with walking or running to keep bones, muscles and joints working properly. A treadmill is one of the few home fitness machines that provide this type of exercise. And most come with a cushioned platform to minimize impact or keep it at an acceptable level. As with any form of exercise, it is a good idea to check with your doctor first if you have health conditions that may make it difficult or unwise for you to participate in certain activities.
With a treadmill, the concept is basically simple. If you want to work harder, you increase the incline or the speed. Usually this is done with a push of the button. An elliptical machine can be adjusted to target certain muscle groups, but it requires some knowledge and usually must be done manually. And because elliptical machines are relatively new to the home fitness market, there are fewer models to choose from and they tend to cost a bit more than the average treadmill. Some people have commented that they feel the elliptical machines can be more difficult to use because the motions do not feel as natural as walking or running. It is a good idea to try out any piece of exercise equipment before buying to see how it feels and fits with your needs.
Many people who exercise do so because they know they should, not because they thoroughly enjoy it. Sure you feel good after you complete your workout, but sometimes getting motivated can be difficult. And if you are going to put in the time, you want to know that what you’re doing is actually helping you burn calories and become more fit. Treadmills rank at the top of the list when it comes to home fitness equipment, providing one of the most effective workouts in proportion to the amount of time spent. So make your movements count. Try a treadmill.
C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for Treadmill-Ratings-n-Reviews.net, providing treadmill ratings and reviews on the best treadmill models.
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On the way home from work last night, I looked at the streets very closely. With all the snowpiles everywhere and the forecast for mid-twenties overnight, I expected to rise this morning to a bunch of glazed ice.
Thankfully, when I got up, the Weather Channel on my Iphone said it was 33 degrees and my patio thermometer read 34. I confirmed on my run that the streets were wet but not glazed, so when I got back I hurriedly threw my bag together and set off on my bike to look for groundhogs on my way to work.
Sadly, I didn’t see any, so I guess they had all hurried back into their holes for another six weeks of winter in spite of the clouds and drizzle.
Exercise bikes are a good way of losing calories and cutting the flab. They are a good cardio vascular workout and make the calf muscles especially strong. Cycling or biking is a very good form of exercising, as it tones up the entire body. Exercise bikes are equally good for providing such a workout. In the comfort of the home or the gym, you can easily work out and at any time of the day. Most of the exercise bikes, which are available in the market, have a control panel as well as a range of resistance levels. In this way it’s beneficial to both the beginner as well as the advanced user.
The exercise bikes are available for as little as $200 for a simple bike and can cost till $3000 for an exercise bike with all the frills added. Thee are innumerable types of exercise bikes, which are available in the market. Before you buy an exercise bike its important to read before you make a decision as exercise bike reviews will give you an idea of the latest prices, functions and types of exercise bikes which are available in the market. There are essentially three types of exercise bikes, which are available in the market, which are upright stationary cycle, semi recumbent stationary cycle and recumbent stationary cycle.
It’s important that you note all the functions of the exercise bike before you in for the purchase. Read all the exercise bike reviews online as well as visit the stores where they are displayed. There are many magazine which are specifically dedicated to reviews, in these exercise bike reviews each and every aspect of the bike is given and compared with many other bikes. In this way a person can compare various models, prices and functions before the final purchase decision is made.
