E is for Exercise

 Since retirement and more free time, I am focusing on getting more exercise. I give weekly updates here to hold myself accountable and see my progress. I'm pleased that I've been consistent with this exercise effort for the last two months, but it is really hard to do some days.

This week went pretty well. One day, we walked around a park, and I've included pictures from that visit here. 

Here's what I did this week. 

On Sunday, we walked around Green Spring Gardens.
They had at least a dozen different kinds of daffodils. 

Friday, March 28:

Free Day: I rested my knee today since it was really bothering me after last night's line dancing. However, I did spend some time in the yard cleaning flower beds.

Saturday, March 29:

LIIT Class: I did not feel like going to the gym this morning because I woke up with a headache—an all-too-common occurrence. However, it subsided as the morning wore on, so I went. The class was supposed to be interval training (30 seconds on, 10 seconds off), but it was 45 minutes of constant aerobic movement. I was disappointed because I didn't realize how much I enjoyed those 10 seconds of rest. Plus, there was not as much strength training as I had hoped. However, it was a good workout that wore me out, but I recovered by stopping by the library on the way home. :)

The gardens were about an hour south of us and ahead of us in blooms. I haven't seen any hyacinths blooming here yet.

Sunday, March 30:

Free Day: We took advantage of the warm weather and visited a garden we hadn't been to before. We spent about an hour ambling around the various paths, admiring the flowers. We didn't work up much of a sweat, but it was movement.

Monday, March 31:

Strong and Balanced: Today, this 45-minute class used a step, weights, and a big exercise ball. As we did a couple of classes ago, we did a competitive relay as part of the class. And once again, I'm a sucker for these simple exercises. 

I worked up a good sweat and got a good shoulder and back workout today. And something new happened. While I was in the class, I actually thought to myself, "This is fun." I like some exercise classes better than others, but this is the first time I was enjoying myself. Most of the time, I do them because they are good for me. 

Ballroom: Ward and I didn't practice this week before class, and it showed, at least on my part. This was the last class in this session, and we did the steps we had learned for the tango, waltz, and samba. We were learning a new part for the samba, and I turned the wrong way every time. (Maybe it has something to do with being a lefty?) It was not the most rewarding class, as I spent more time being confused than I liked, but it was a good workout. And when I feel embarrassed, I remind myself that the ballroom class exercises my brain as much as it does my body.

The park is in the historic district of Alexandria, VA, and has an 18th-century plantation house.

Tuesday, April 1:

Line Dancing: Ward and I usually go to this class together, but he was helping a friend this morning, so I went by myself. It was a red-letter day because a relatively new person watched me on one of the dances to figure out what to do. And at the end, she told me how well I did. It was a fun time, and I definitely got a good aerobic workout.

Wednesday, April 2:

Free Day: Not much happened today, physical-wise. I didn't practice ballroom, and I didn't work in the yard because it was cold and windy. However, I did get my hair done and finished a book. :) 

Hellebore

Thursday, April 3:

Zumba: I've been to Zumba a few times, but never enough to get comfortable. However, I thought I would give it another try today, especially since this was the class that worked best into my schedule. The instructor was good, but I found the class exhausting. I cut back on the movements, rarely hopping and occasionally doing the arm movements, but I was still challenged. However, I liked the fact that there was a dance/exercise choreographed for each song, not just songs in the background for rhythm. My goal is to be able to do a full hour of Zumba with all the bells and whistles and not be exhausted. I don't know how long that will take, but it's a goal.

Friday, April 4:

Strong and Balanced: In today's class, we used weights, a playground ball, and solo cups. I like this class because it uses a variety of equipment. That adds some fun elements and helps keep the class from getting boring. I thought I didn't do much with my back or arms in Zumba yesterday, but that is where I felt sore today during class. On second thought, maybe some of that soreness came from yard work I did after class.

Ward is checking out the Moon Gate sculpture.

Until next time...