The FastDay Forum

I run every afternoon at my park near my areas. There are many people gathering here. They are the old playing chess, children playing football, women playing erobic, the young running. I see this atmostphere energetic and healthy. Sometimes, I can make friends with many people at many age ranges. So I think I will maintain this running habit for a long tim.

I joined a gym on Sunday, and not including that day, I've already been twice this week, once for weights, once for treadmill. The plan is to go for weights again tomorrow, and to do a proper run outside on Sunday. Yay! for exercise!

There's a commute by bike challenge going in NYC. I've started cycling to and from work. Most of my ride is on a river path, so I'm not out in traffic, which is nice. Most of what I do on the road is on designated cycle paths (not that this stops drivers from being idiots). So far so good. Believe it or not my biggest problem right now is how chilly it is in NYC! I need cycle clothes that aren't for a subtropical island, clearly.

I've been running more, too. I did almost 10k the other day, which is the longest run I've done in ages. My standard run is about 7.5K but includes a crazy hill.

Sounds like you are enjoying the cycling overall @MaryAnn! Commuter cycling is a great thing to do. On cold mornings I wear a beanie under my helmet - looks funny but so what - and gloves under the bike gloves. Also thermal tops - layers, as I do get warm while cycling. It is never cold enough here that I need long pants/tights but I could wear those under my bike shorts if necessary. I am sure you will sort things out. And good luck with the challenge!

Good for you with the running too. Are you still going to the gym?

For various reasons I haven't done any exercise apart from walking the dogs this past week. Need to get back into the cycling, swimming and hilly walks again. Running is unfortunately not an option for me - dodgy knee and my specialist told me NO RUNNING after I started some and caused all sorts of discomfort and problems with my knee.

Have you been to the gym yet @fat_teacher?

I have been gyming, too, @Sassy1, but not as much as I should. I've got more time on my hands now so that will help.

Good luck getting back to exercising!

I've been back on 5:2 for 4 weeks now and am building in some exercise this time. As I am so overweight I have to be selective so no running marathons for me (yet?). I walk my dogs for an hour and a half each morning. I go aqua jogging twice a week. I've started going to a gentle yoga class and am starting Pilates next week. And I use a static bike 2 or 3 times a week. I've decided that I am only going to do things I enjoy otherwise I will not stick with them. it's good to hear what other fasters are doing.

Hi @Esta

As I have mentioned elsewhere, your exercise program sounds fabulous, and is much more than most do. The range of activities is marvelous too, it means you are exercising your body in the variety of ways it needs. I do a lot of aerobic exercise, but not enough strength work, and not sure how I "can" improve the latter. I don't like paying for my exercise (!!) or traveling far to do the exercise but don't have enough motivation to do the strength exercises at home...

What sort of dogs do you have? As my avatar shows, I have 2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I walk them for almost an hour every day, up and down the local hills, which they are not very keen on! Although they generally want to go out, they are glad to be home - and at the moment they are very happy sleeping in the bed where I am.... It's a bit cool out, but we will get moving soon.

Keep having fun with your exercise!

Hi@Sassy1. I've got two English Pointers - Morgan and Riley. I am going to sit down this weekend and work out how to add an avatar picture of the dogs. They need a lot of exercise - physical and mental - so I do agility with them both once a week and some clicker training too. I guess the agility counts as exercise for me too! You can do a lot of resistance and strength work using your body weight - there are some great on line tutorials. At the moment I am way too heavy to do much of those but I have them in mind for the future! Have a good weekend.

Hi @Esta

Here is a link to instructions for posting an avatar.

help-f14/topic5530.html?hilit=Dominic

Good luck!

I'm working on getting my 10K steps a day in. I was very good last week, but this week I've been less motivated. I really need to get my act together!

Last night I had to bribe myself: I allowed myself a small split of wine (1/4 bottle - 6 oz) if I completed the two mile walk after dinner, which got me to 10k. I suppose that's better than only getting 5k steps in.

Hi@Tracieknits I love these little bargains we do with ourselves! When I 5:2 'd before I was using a pedometer to measure my steps and did my best to get 10k in each day. I was never sure how accurate it was as a measure - I wore 2 different pedometers at the same time and they varied by nearly 4,000 steps at the end of the day. How are you measuring yours? I have been looking at fitbits and other similar things but I'm not sure if they would help. I don't wear a watch and am not sure I want to start wearing one again. I'd be interested to hear anyone's thoughts on them.

Esta wrote: Hi@Tracieknits I love these little bargains we do with ourselves! When I 5:2 'd before I was using a pedometer to measure my steps and did my best to get 10k in each day. I was never sure how accurate it was as a measure - I wore 2 different pedometers at the same time and they varied by nearly 4,000 steps at the end of the day. How are you measuring yours? I have been looking at fitbits and other similar things but I'm not sure if they would help. I don't wear a watch and am not sure I want to start wearing one again. I'd be interested to hear anyone's thoughts on them.

I use a fitbit One and it clips to my bra. Aside from being cheaper, I think it is more accurate. They say that the ones you wear on your body are more accurate than the bracelets. It also counts stairs climbed I hate having things on my wrists!!

Thanks@Traciknits. I'll have a look at that - I do want something that is accurate..

I'm doing a decent job keeping up with the bicycle commuting. I took one day off this week because I was so exhausted. A hot, crowded subway ride reminded me why cycling is better! But exhausting. I'll get used to it, I guess?

Meanwhile, other than a jog a week, my other exercising has fallen by the way side. I should at least be hitting the weights 2-3 times a week...

Great that you are managing the bicycle commuting, @MaryAnn. It should get easier, though your improvement may be very gradual and the ride still be hard work. (I only cycle twice a week, and though I have got stronger, those hills are still difficult. The frequency of your riding should help you though.) I hope you keep it up - making exercise part of your daily routine is such a benefit when you have a busy life. It is understandable that you find it hard to keep up all the other activity - you did have a lot on.

I am back into my usual exercise routine, but do still need to do some more strength work. @Esta, I think you mentioned some YouTube (?) clips you think are good? Could you please give me the link - ta.