Fitness Log #147 And Friday Firsts

I have been keeping track of my exercise every Friday for over 2 years, and plan to continue doing so.

I started the Friday Firsts sections as a way of keeping track of some of my “firsts” as I dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. Things seem to be settling down, but I will keep it for now–more as a way to be aware and thankful of what is happening in my life.

Friday Firsts

This week’s firsts:

  1. I had another post featured (in Physician on Fire’s Sunday Best). This was not a first, but having two posts in a row featured by bigger sites was definitely an exciting blogging premier.
  2. In less good news, I was stopped by my neighbor, the EMT. He wanted to warn me that he is again seeing more COVID patients, a number of whom are vaccinated. The good news is, these people are much less sick than the unvaccinated patients. (If there is any doubt in your mind, I advise everyone to get a COVID vaccine. If you have questions, or particular concerns, you should talk to your doctor.)
  3. I am not sure if some comments this week were really good spam or real comments. If your comment didn’t show up, drop me a line and I will thank you for your feedback.
The neighborhood plum tree has fruit! It is hard as rocks this week.

Fitness Log

As a reminder, my current goal is to make sure that I get 210 minutes a week of moderate exercise, of which 60 minutes should build strength (yoga counts); if I am working in the hospital, my goal is just 90 minutes, which is a more realistic stretch during those busy days.

How did I do?

  • Saturday:  After breakfast I got dropped off at the local shopping area to run an errand, and then walked back. It felt good to be outside exercising, and very good to be starting with a short walk. 25 minutes.
  • Sunday:  I felt a little hungover after socializing (without alcohol) last night and sleeping a little later today. After an extra cup of coffee, though, I was ready to go to the tennis courts with Mr. PiN. My stamina isn’t as good as before my hospital rotation, but I ran around for 29 minutes. I hit the ball pretty well, considering.
  • Monday: I walked part-way home after work, for the first time in a very long time. I seemed to be walking slower than I recall, it took me 25 minutes and I still had to get picked up a little closer than the usual spot. After a little more computer work at home, I worked with my trainer for 30 minutes. After 2 months away, let’s just say that exercises that were easy before were kicking my behind today.
  • Tuesday: Planned to do yoga live (on Zoom) after work, but found out I had been sent a recorded version of the somewhat easier noon class. Actually did the taped class (with a little slacking). I will call it 55 minutes of yoga.
  • Wednesday: I was pretty stiff and sore this morning. When I went with Mr. PiN to the tennis courts, I definitely felt the effects of the last few days of exercise. I still managed to hit some balls with him for about 26 minutes.
  • Thursday: I decided today should be a rest day. After 4 heavy workouts in a row, my muscles needed a rest.
  • Friday: I took a walk after work today. It was partly to clear my head before returning to the computer to write notes, and partly because I knew I hadn’t reached my exercise target for the week yet. I have to guesstimate my walk time, because I stopped to talk to my neighbor as he returned home, but I will say 31 minutes.

Total: 86 minutes walking, 55 minutes of tennis, 55 minutes of yoga, and 30 minutes of strength training, for a total of 226 hard-fought minutes. I am stiff and out of shape, but I made my goal. I am hoping that next week I will enjoy my exercise more while I am doing it.