Winter Trainer challenge?

[roo4]

I'll give it a try! It doesn't matter to me if we do cycling only or add in other activities. I want to focus on strength training and spinning this winter, but I'll throw in some swimming as well.

[Catrin]

Why don't we call it a general exercise challenge, say a certain amount of time a week? Obviously this is simply our challenging ourselves on this. I will be leaving town tomorrow for the holiday but will put the spreadsheet together this weekend. Barring last minute weather-related travel schedule changes it should be online and posted in a new thread sometime on Sunday, December 1!

[roo4]

Count me in, with the following caveat.

Let's not get to pedantic with what "counts" as exercise or how to calculate minutes, ok? For example, when I lift, there is a certain amount of time that I rest between sets. I am NOT going to figure out how many minutes I am resting and how many minutes I am actually lifting. Likewise, I'm sure some people are going to spend a significant time shoveling snow. If they want to include that as exercise, fine with me. This is just for fun and to keep us motivated, right? Heck, maybe someone will shovel a neighbor's sidewalk just to get in the extra minutes!

[Catrin]

Count me in, with the following caveat.

Let's not get to pedantic with what "counts" as exercise or how to calculate minutes, ok? For example, when I lift, there is a certain amount of time that I rest between sets. I am NOT going to figure out how many minutes I am resting and how many minutes I am actually lifting. Likewise, I'm sure some people are going to spend a significant time shoveling snow. If they want to include that as exercise, fine with me. This is just for fun and to keep us motivated, right? Heck, maybe someone will shovel a neighbor's sidewalk just to get in the extra minutes!

It really is up to the individual what and how exercise is counted. As far as lifting is concerned, the rest phase is just as much part of the routine as the lifting part - gotta have both This is indeed just to have fun and motivate ourselves during a trying time of the year, exercise wise.

I've also been doing a lot of thinking lately about why we exercise. Some appear to use exercise as a kind of punishment (not saying any on this forum does that), but for me it is the joy of movement, to recharge and refresh. What better time of the year to use that time for reflection and consideration on the year that is passing by and the year to come? Perhaps I am being a bit too philosophical but that is what it means to me.

[Crankin]

Exercise is feeling more like a chore to me lately. I am always glad I've done it, but I guess it feels like a chore because I know if I slack off on the intensity and frequency, I'll be fat, sick, and unhappy.

[Catrin]

Exercise is feeling more like a chore to me lately. I am always glad I've done it, but I guess it feels like a chore because I know if I slack off on the intensity and frequency, I'll be fat, sick, and unhappy.

I hear you Crankin, I've certainly been there. Is there any way that you can mix things up, do something new? I don't know if that will help...

[Crankin]

I don't know what more I can do. I do boot camp 2x a week, ride, either indoors or out, and hike. This time of year through March, it is about as mixed up as it gets, with snow sports, too. I went through a yoga phase. I like it, but the classes at my gym aren't at the most convenient times for me. I do it at home occasionally. I can barely swim and I can't swim with my contacts in, nor can i see without them! I have been taking a step class once in awhile, too.
It's more the knowledge that I can never stop. I've been exercising at this level since I was 25. That's 35 years. I've had thoughts of wanting to be just a normal person who can eat lots of bread and sit on the couch. But, I can't. I got burned out on teaching at the gym, and it was a huge relief when I stopped. About 2-3 years after that, I got in a real funk, gained weight and just went through the motions. I went to classes, but barely worked. It was during this time that I started riding. It's been 13 years. I guess I've come to the realization that I need to work harder at riding; I just hate the thought of a "training" plan, it would kill the joy for me. But, on the other hand, I hate the idea of requiring more rest, aging, slowing down. And, this summer, I had a lot of things hurting. It's not resolving the way I want, but it's better.
I know what I need to do, and I will do it. The level of suffering just needs to ratchet up. I can be very tough; I think I'm just a little tired of it.