We're a bit into March already, but last month I successfully got out for early morning runs every Tuesday/Thursday (except one was an indoor bike instead of a run, close enough). I want to keep that up (along with weekend runs), so far so good, and add a 10-15 minute strength routine twice a week, still working on that.

Okay, I think I'm ready to finally participate on one of these threads.

I recently purchased a book titled Train Like a Bodybuilder at Home, by Erin Stern, and it's so straightforward, well-organized, and easy to grasp that I am feeling a confidence boost and some excitement around beginning a weight routine.

I'm in my 40s and have struggled with chronic pain for years (I have a feeling I might have some form of EDS, but never went for a diagnosis, partly because I got sick of talking to various doctors about all my seemingly unrelated ailments). I had a brief fling with Pilates for a couple of years in my early 30s, and that was probably the fittest I've ever been. But I still had flare ups that would set me back.

So, I have learned to go super easy on myself as I start something new. Yesterday, I did the first day of a four-day program from the book, and didn't use any weights except for one or two of the movements (only 5lbs). I also drank a magnesium supplement drink before bed and it seemed to help me sleep through the night.

Today, I feel good. Just had a mild headache in the afternoon, so I went out for two walks rather than push myself to do back-to-back strength training. Tomorrow, I'll do the second day of the program. I just have a really good feeling that weights might be perfect for me at this stage of my life.

Figured I'd share here, just as a reminder to others who have chronic pain to follow your intuition about what your body needs, and keep moving when you can.

A while back I jacked up my ankle training for a 5k. Then I got called for jury duty and caught something that knocked me back again. I've just started to feel like my old self over the last month or so, and I've gotten back into the swing of riding. I need to keep it up riding 4 times a week during March so maybe I can start walking/jogging again in April or May.

The good news is that they did some updates on Zwift while I was out of commission, so a bunch of new courses to ride and walk/jog through. :-)

I used to be sedentary up until last week but I've been doing 10-15 minutes of cardio everyday! I'll be happy if I can maintain it for this month. I already feel my body takes longer to get tired

Goals: continuing to hit my step count goal, doing more core work, working toward being able to hold a handstand. I'm feeling much better since adding more core and shoulder exercises. My back never hurts now and all other physical activities feel easier.

I need to do better about refined sugar. I get more than I should. It's so easy to do, but I really don't feel good when I eat too much and it's frustrating knowing that my own behavior is the only thing holding me back. I've switched to green tea rather than coffee in the morning, as coffee was a bad habit for me. I'd start the day by adding sugar and it just sets off the sweet cravings.

I maintained my 3x a week gym routine and added yoga on the 4th day. I want to add to that now that my surgery is over (all went well; was back at the gym the next day). I cannot seem to hit that 10 lb weight loss goal yet. I am so devastated by my cat's death (yesterday), I cannot imagine how I will hit it this month. On the other hand, it makes me want to leave the house as his absence is felt so strongly here. I am so sad; my cortisol must be skyrocketing.

I am wondering if my gym routine is too 'routine'. I feel like I do pretty heavy weights, like 120 on leg presses, 80 on hamstring machine, 65 on tricep dips and lat pulldown bar. I do 150 crunches on the crunch machine, just moved my thigh master machine up to 80 lbs and do like 50 reps on each of those (less on upper body), but I cannot get my cardio up. I think I need to vary my cardio. Ugh. I do about 40 min on the treadmill but at brisk walk, not jogging (mind you, I am nearly 60 years old with an auto immune disease and overweight). I now ride my bike to and from the gym, which is about 6 miles all told. So this month I need to focus on varying it up, which also means getting out of the house more. maybe zumba classes and more yoga. I really want to lose another 5 lbs this month but fear emotional eating might sabotage that. We'll see. I need to be easy on myself since my heart is broken. My cat was one of the greatest loves of my life.

Fitness goal for March is to find a 10-15 minute full body cardio workout that DOESN'T kill me. I tried one a few days ago and my thighs are still so sore it hurts to sit, bend, and walk 😭

I’m trying new medication that seems to make exercise both easier and harder. Too early to tell. Still, I made my walk goal.

February had me totally overwhelmed so I think I got fewer than 4 workouts in all month. I did do much better with hydration though which was one of my goals.

I’m hoping as the weather starts warming up I may be able to start jogging outside! That would be good for me mentally and physically. I also think I need to be more purposeful about including fats and protein early in the day.