Make it challenging...

My cardio routine is getting much easier, and I no longer dread the 20-40 minutes of time it takes to complete the exercise. We have an elliptical machine at home that we purchased last year for the Andrea and I to use, but mainly for her when she didn't have time to make it to the gym. Andrea also has the 80g IPOD which allows you to watch movies, videos, tv shows, or listen to music while you work out. I've watched "The Italian Job" and "The Bourne Identity" a few times each just while using the elliptical.

When I first started the elliptical, I used the setting for a flat course. On the third session I moved to a rolling hill course, where the tension increases during the uphill, and it lessens on the downhill. I'm going to experiment with other courses that vary with hill height and greater incline and decline. My main objective now though is to push my workouts to range between 30 and 50 minutes each session.

Brian gave me a schedule to use, based on 3-4 workouts a week.
Week1
Day 1 - 20-25 minutes
Day 2 - 25-30 minutes
Day 3 - 30-35 minutes
Day 4 - 35-40 minutes

Week 2
Day 1 - 25-30 minutes
Day 2 - 30-35 minutes
Day 3 - 35-40 minutes
Day 4 - 40-45 minutes

Week 3
Day 1 - 30-35 minutes
Day 2 - 35-40 minutes
Day 3 - 40-45 minutes
Day 4 - 45-50 minutes

and cycle back to Week 1

If I'm trying to lose weight, the sessions can go longer, but always cycle up in length each day, and week, and back to week1 after the third week.

I usually try to drink plenty of water leading up to my cardio and weightlifting exercises. But I will stop during my workout to rehydrate every 10-15 minutes. If I were riding a stationary bike, I would keep riding while re-hydrating.

I think I'm ready to try Wallyball this week...keep your fingers crossed, hopefully no setbacks for my knees. If wallyball works, then I will give racquetball a try!!!

I hope you like the new font size...I know I do. Learn something new every day!!!

"PRO"