Week One
Well, getting started is always difficult with anything new, but I noticed that my biggest challenge was doing the exercises correctly as well as maintaining balance. I had to stop several times throughout to re-read Gin's explanations, then focus on making sure I was keeping my abs contracted. In addition, I really had to focus on relaxing my neck because I felt a lot of strain in that area as I started learning the exercises. I found I was having particular trouble with the lunges due to balance issues, and the Prone Runner exercise because my arms are so weak. I was able to do two sets of all the exercises except the Lunge with shoulder rotation and the Side-lying hip lift.
The walking was very refreshing, felt great and was very much enjoyed by my dog Abraham.
Day after first workout: Although it seemed like I spent most of my time trying to figure out how to do the workout correctly my body definitely knows it did something a tad bit different than it normally does, YAY! Went walking again today and was a little tight in the legs but warmed up quickly and enjoyed it very much.
Friday: Workout went very well today. I understood how to do the exercises from the beginning and was able to focus more on the details like holding poses for the right amount of counts, keeping my back straight, holding my abdominal muscles tight, and a myriad of other things. The workout took me a lot longer this time, so I feel like I'm doing it for the first time. Nonetheless, things are going better than Monday. I am tired after this workout and my butt is really ticked off at me.
Legs felt like jelly on the walk but it was good to stretch them out and not quit, because I was pooped. I was really sucking wind for the hilly route this week, and was glad it was over, but I'm going to keep trucking.
Week Two
Monday: The workout becomes more familiar each time I do it. I was able to do two sets with the maximum reps for each exercise this time. Completing the whole workout as Gin set it up was a small little victory for me. I am noticing a nice soreness in many areas of my body I have obviously not used in a long time. I managed to stay upright and balanced for all of the exercises and really maximize the controlled movement this time.
Walking: The walking is going well as I'm changing up my route, and I have had some company from some friends and my husband along the way. Of course my dog Abe always comes along for the walk. I do have to confess, one of my walks this week was to and from a local brewery for a glass of my favorite locally brewed beer. True it was still 30 minutes if you add the time there and back, but I know, I know, I'll try to be good. Also, had a great walk on Saturday in the Flat Iron Mountains with someone who is in far better shape than I am—ouch. It was tough but great and I was happy when it was over, ha ha.
Friday: This completes the second week of my workout. Gin planned for me to do the full workout twice a week for the first two weeks. Again I was able to do two sets with the maximum recommended reps. I did begin to add a few of the challenge moves on the Hip-Hinged Reverse Flies and the Squat with Arm Arc. I'm not quite ready to do that with the other exercises yet. Also kind of excited to add the third set next week, and hoping to try one of the yoga videos Cooking Light sent with my gear.
Week Three
Monday: The workout is becoming second nature now. I have done it a total of five times, and I am really getting into doing it well. I noticed that my hands sweat a lot today, and I was actually having trouble hanging onto my weights. They wanted to slip out of my clammy hands—especially when I was holding them facing down towards the floor. I do have kind of small hands, so if anyone is reading this, and you have small hands too, you may want to have a towel handy to wipe off your hands and weights between each exercise so you can hang onto the balls. I'm tired after the workout, but it felt good. I am still sore in places, and don't see any physical results yet, but I can definitely feel myself starting from the inside core and working out. Speaking of the core, as I use those muscles more, I feel like I am doing the exercises more and more effectively. Breathing has become a huge part of the process as well, as I think I might have been holding my breath through some of my earlier workouts.
Walking: Unlike before, walking has become a part of my daily schedule. Some days have been a bit challenging to fit it in, but I gave one of the yoga videos Cooking Light sent me a try this week—it was good, and will be better when I practice it more and get used to it. We also had some bad weather this week so my walk suffered for a few days, because March was just not cooperating at all. Nonetheless, my workout as a whole is progressing very well and I'm anxious to see some real results in the future. Headed up to the Flat Irons again this Saturday, and actually did much better than the last time. Hooray!!
Friday: This completes the third week of my workout. Gin planned for me to do the full workout three times this week instead of two. Again I was able to do two sets with the maximum recommended reps. And, I stayed with the challenge moves on the Hip-Hinged Reverse Flies and the Squat with Arm Arc. Added the challenge for the Kneeling Rear Leg Lifts since this last Wednesday. I am noticing I am sleeping really well lately, and I am noticing a teeny bit of toning in my arms. My belly is still poofy, but from what people tell me, results take time. Things I noticed by doing the workout three days a week is more soreness and less recovery time, but I think I had it pretty easy those first two weeks.
Week Four
Monday: This is my last week for the workout schedule. Gin has increased my sets to three. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! So, it went well but it hurt and I had to go slow. I'm definitely becoming better at the workout as a whole. I'm noticing that I am stronger in many areas of my body but I am tired today. Whew! Also kicking it up a notch made trying to hang onto the weight balls with sweaty hands a little annoying so I had some weights that I used for the exercises where it was a challenge (Hip-Hinged Reverse Flies and Side-Lying Hip Lift). No biggie but still much better than straining my hand muscles to hang on.
Walking: The walking has been enjoyable from the beginning, but with the weather becoming nicer, and the sun staying out longer, it is even better. No more walks to the local pub by the way, and it was no trouble at all walking for 45 minutes instead of 30, in fact, sometimes I was doing that anyway because of where I ended up on my route. The Flat Irons are the most beautiful and scenic place to take a hilly walk. If anyone ever comes out this way, please make sure it's on your list of things to do.
Friday: This completes the fourth week of my workout. Gin planned for me to do the full workout three times this week, and also added another set. Again, I was able to do two sets with the maximum recommended reps. And, I did keep the challenge moves I had accomplished for the first two sets. But, for the third set, I backed everything down to the basics. I still haven't moved to the challenge moves for some of the exercises because they are doing their job just fine the way they are.
In general, I am very pleased with my workout. I am excited to keep it going and to see my body change and respond to all the hard work I have been putting forth. I really have noticed that I have been sleeping well, have felt much better physically, and have actually had more patience overall with day-to-day stresses and surprises. Still hoping to strengthen my back more as time progresses, and maybe in the future graduate to one of the more strenuous exercise programs Gin has developed for the other ladies.
I plan to continue following the workout Gin created for me, and possibly joining a yoga or Pilates class in the future. Thanks for everything that you did for me, Cooking Light!!! To all those ladies waiting for a good time to get started, there is no time like the present!! Good luck to all the future exercisees!!!!
