Welcome, to my Fitness Journal!
If you have anything of relevance to say -- advice, encouragement, etcetera -- feel free to add your two cents.
BUT if you're just looking for a new place to post spam, please know that I am very liberal with the delete button, and I will block those who attempt to post multiple spam comments from all of my sites. (So far, I've blocked 5.) I have a very busy life and little time to deal with such non-sense.
I hope you enjoy reading about my fitness journey, and will share yours as well.
Final Calisthenics and Abs Routine... For Now
By admin on January 10th, 2012
In Background
Here are my current exercises, in order of performance. As I mentioned in my previous post, I added 2 new exercises. This time, I have decided to give you the full routine list, including the number of reps.
*The new additions have an asterisk next to them.
Standing exercises:
Stretches
Side leg lifts - 2 sets of 20 (no touching the wall, stabilized with the core muscles only)
Forward knee lifts - 2 sets of 20
Straight front leg lifts - 2 sets of 20
Squats - 2 sets of 20
Toe Raises (also known as heel raises) - 2 sets of 20
Floor exercises:
Heel touches - 2 sets of 30
Butterfly crunches - 2 sets of 30
*Rollups - 2 sets of 10
Bridge Butt lifts - 2 sets of 30
Bicycles - 2 sets of 30
*Lying lower leg lifts - 2 sets of 10
Standing exercises:
Side twists - 2 sets of 20
Wall pushouts - 30 (slow)
Heel to Buttocks kicks - 2 sets of 20
Arm circles - 40 forward, 40 back
Side twists - 2 sets of 20
It usually takes 34-35 minutes to complete the entire routine, unless I am exhausted or didn’t sleep well. In such cases, it takes an extra 5-8 minutes to complete the routine. Keep in mind that the name I give each exercise is not necessarily its proper or common name. Some are, of course, but many of the moves are renamed, so that I can better remember what to do. 
Poor memory is a factor here.
I intend to increase the new exercises to equal reps with the old, over the next few months. Once my body has adjusted, I will then increase all reps, or introduce additional movements. 
Note: If I find any good videos that demonstrate the exercises, I have not already posted videos for (in previous posts), I will add them later.
A belated Happy New Year to all!
I hope everyone's New Year has gotten off to a great start.
Amended My Exercise Routine Again
By admin on December 17th, 2011
In Background
After realizing that doing twice as many of some of the floor exercises was putting a strain on my neck, I decided to lower the count and add a new exercise into the mix. The Rollup. Great for the abs. Here’s a video demonstration of it:
I did 2 sets of 10. It’s more challenging than it looks, but I will build up my endurance and increase the number of reps soon enough. I also divided my side twists into 2 sets of 20, performed after the floor exercises and then another 2 sets of 20 after the final standing exercises. I am searching for another good floor exercise that is small room friendly and worth the effort, as far as results go.
I’m seriously considering the lying lower-leg lift (That's not the proper name, I think, but a pretty good description). I haven’t done those in years, but they are great for the inner- and outer-thighs. In any case, I will start at 2 sets of 10. It’s always best to build up reps slowly.
I’ll let you know what I decide when I decide on a final Calisthenics and Abdominals routine. And if I can find a video of the new exercise, it will be included.
A Warning About Taking Long Walks Outside
By admin on December 17th, 2011
In Background
Just the other day, I took a long walk with a friend. We had a specific goal in mind -- 40 minutes to our destination and another 40 minutes back. We reached the goal together, but my friend was unable to walk back to my house because she was exhausted. So, we had to take the bus back to my home.
My new rule is, no matter what a friend says, do not take them on a long walk unless they can get to the destination point without huffing and puffing. I should have known she wouldn’t be able to make it there and back when she started breathing hard 1/2 way there. 
You should never push too hard in an environment where you can’t simply stop and rest. She would like to walk to with me again "soon", and I am all for it, but next time we take a shorter walk in an area where we can stop and rest. Ironically, this will most likely be a place that we’ll have to drive to.
Adding extra reps to my exercise routine for the Holidays
By admin on December 8th, 2011
In Background, Goals
I added extra reps today not just for the holidays, but for the sake of getting more bang out of my exercise time. I feel more energized and slightly "high" after exercising these days, but I had stopped feeling as tight and toned as I did weeks before. This has always been my cue to kick it up a notch.
I felt a burning throughout (both) the standing and floor exercises that I have not felt in weeks. Feels good to know you’re making your body better, stronger, tighter. I was planning to only increase the reps of my standing exercises, but changed my mind in the moment.
Here are the exercises:
Side leg lifts
Forward knee lifts
Straight front leg lifts
Squats
Toe raises
*Added 5 reps to each set.
Heel toe touches
Butterfly crunches
Bridge butt lifts
*Doubled the number of reps per set
Bicycles
*Added 10 reps per set
Side twists
*Doubled the number of reps per set.
Wall push-outs
*Added 10 reps
Heel to buttocks kicks
*Doubled the number of reps per set.
Arm circles
*Doubled the number of reps per sets, backward and forward.
Also, despite the cold, I intend to do more outdoor walking until there’s ice on the ground. I intend to shake things up with some and old and new exercises this Winter. Will keep you up to date.
In case I don’t write again till after the holidays -- which is quite probable, Have a happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
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