Getting Creative with Workouts

     So I recently (Monday) noticed my treadmill smelt like something was burning in it.  So apparently you can run them to their death!
We've had 10 years together, a lot of boring miles, but at the same time helpful miles. Especially since I only run on the treadmill when the weather outside is impossible to run in or I am forced into a very late night run where it's just safer to run indoors:)
     I am hoping I can find replacement parts, but if not I guess it's done its job:)  My longest straight run on it was 18 miles (horribly boring, but watched a few good movies to pass the time.)
However, despite my dislike for the treadmill, I can't believe I am saying this but I miss it!

     So because of the continually bad weather here, never ending snow and freezing temps.  I am left with a couple of options, go to the local fitness center and use their treadmills and indoor track - I dislike gym's more than running on a treadmill at home.
Or get creative...

     I am going with the GET CREATIVE method (for now...  I'm sure I'll eventually need to hit up the gym a little).  So I have been turning my home and normal life into workouts.

     For starters, the stairs.  I have 2 flights of them inside, and a 3rd if I count the set outside on the back porch.   I am a distance runner and I can run several miles easily.  But you throw in only running up and down stairs and I feel like I am out of shape after only 5 minutes...
It can also get boring, so I have been mixing it up. here is what I have been doing:

Run a couple of flights of stairs, stop and do 1 minute of what I call elevated push-ups (using the stairs)
Run a few more flights of stairs, stop in the middle and do 1 minute of jumping jacks.
Run a few more flights of stairs, stop at the top and do 1 minute of sit-ups.
Then repeat.
I do this for about 30 minutes, it really wipes me out!

     I do own a stair climber machine, but I find it works best to use while watching any T.V.  I find actual stairs slightly less boring than the machine!

     Other things I have been doing.  I have a part time library job that lets say I do for 4 hours a day.  Mostly just standing around, but does require me to go around and find items on the shelf and push 100 pound carts.
Well since I can do this without anyone having a clue or thinking I am weird, I have added a leg workout to it and I take the long way around the libraries with the carts now:)

     When I have to squat down to get a book at a lower level, I will squat and hold the sitting position for 15-20 seconds.  (In case anyone is watching I just pretend it is taking me longer to find the book, LOL)
I have been offering to pull the "holds" which no one likes to do and they are glad to hand over to me.  This gives me a 15-30 minute time period (twice a day) where I can do squats and lunges and hold them and burn a few extra calories and get a decent leg workout in, all at the same time having some alone time.  I don't know why I never thought of this before!  The best part is, I can plug in my headphones and listen to some great tunes while I do this:)

     I know that none of this will completely help me keep up my mileage for running, so yes I will force myself out to the gym or if mother nature plays her part maybe the temps will melt the snow enough to run outdoors a little??? (PLEASE)
But it's changed things up, I've discovered new muscles and I guess in a way it is it's own form of cross training:)  Overall, I think (for now) this is a good thing that the treadmill broke!

     So what kind of fun and  CREATIVE things do you do, when you need to mix it up, or just get creative to get a workout in?



2 comments :

  1. Last summer a group of us did morning playground workouts and it was amazingly tough but fun !

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good job getting creative with your workouts. It's so easy to make excuses to not work out! You definitely didn't do that! You go, girl!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog! I love my readers, feel free to share your comments and opinions!