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Lunch Hour Workouts

Well, so far, it's happening.  It has only been a short time, but it's happening.

I've been able to go to the gym a couple of times a week so far.  It involves a mad dash out, going from work to workout mode and back, and cramming food into my pie hole afterward -- including those Quest bars that I've tried before and didn't like, but well, I'll probably be updating my review soon! 

I've been getting in about 30-35 minutes of workout time in so far, though realistically I might be able to push that to 40, maybe 45 if it's not super sweaty, as I get more efficient with my clean-up routine.  So far, it has just been a couple of miles of running here and there and elliptical (which I haven't used in like two years!), some squats (I'm doing a Squat Challenge that I'll update on later), and abs/arms/back (just one of those) if I have time.  There isn't a lot of space in there nor much set-up to do exercises without a machine -- or maybe I'm just new an intimidated -- but maybe I can do them at home.  I just haven't had a lot of time to figure it all out since I'm re-learning how to work out efficiently without a guidance of a workout video.



As I mentioned, I've been trying to insert normal activities back into my life outside of work and baby.  I finished a (non-baby) book already and have started another, which has definitely helped me unwind a little bit.

The fitness front just became more urgent, though, because besides the 5K that I'm going to "wing" next month, I am also participating in the YMCA Stair Climb again this September.  I was able get by without much training the first time because my base fitness level was pretty good.  I had to skip out last year because I was seven months pregnant, and now, I have a little less than 3 months to condition myself to climb 75 flights of stairs.  Even a few flights is enough to make me feel dizzy these days!

Sometime in the next month or so, I'm going to start using the stairs more in my building to train during lunch.  I guess if I can't raise my baseline fitness to what it used to be, I can at least work on doing the specific activity, right?  Meanwhile, I will try to stick to my lunch hour goals and hopefully chip away at my sleep debt and fitness debt.

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On a related topic, I've been lugging around two small backpacks to carry my gym stuff.  I leave most of it at my desk and only bring in what I need to replace like clothes and socks.  This way, I'm not having to carry my purse, pump, laptop, AND gym bag across town when I walk from my car to my building every morning.  I've been looking at some bag (backpack) that might help me consolidate some of these things, but they are both kind of pricey.

I saw this Aer Duffle Bag, which just came out.  It seems to have space for everything, including shoes that even has ventilation.  It seems to be marketed toward men more, but besides that, it's like $150 and maybe a bit more than I need?


The second is this bag, the Work-Play Gymwise II bag (it comes in a grey color, too).  It also has a shoe compartment, though not ventilated.  It is sold from the UK and will run about $100.  Separate compartments are critical, because of, well, smells.


Maybe I'll get one of these as a reward to myself if I stick to my fitness commitment for a while?  Maybe my haphazard bags will be enough?  I already feel better in terms of feeling more balanced and being in a better mood overall, so I guess I don't need other motivators.  Oh, I guess there's the physical health aspect, which recently became more urgent than in the past when "health" was vague.  I might elaborate on this later.

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