As much as I am not looking forward to my father having surgery, I am kind of excited to get out of Atlanta for the weekend. I don’t know if it’s the cold weather we’ve been having this winter or just winter itself, but I feel like the weeks have just been dragging on. I think I always feel this way in February though. I think it’s the worst month. I mean, there’s Valentine’s Day, if you’re into that, but other than that, what else is it good for? Not that DC is going to be warmer, but at least it’ll be a change.
I’ve been feeling better these past couple days. I’ve been putting a lot of energy into working out and I think that’s helped. Now, I’m not going crazy or anything like that, but I’ve been trying to get all my mileage in and lift weights in addition. I decided to split up tomorrow’s 5-miler into a 2 and 3. I don’t know if splitting up my training plan like this is as effective, but I feel like I’m getting the miles in, so I shouldn’t worry. Besides, I have run five half-marathons before; I can do the distance.
Went down to the office gym at lunch and did 2 miles on the treadmill. I haven’t lost any weight (according to my scale) but I ran in these old mesh UVM shorts and they were literally falling off me. Weird. Not that I’m complaining about that. In addition to the run, I also did a few ab moves. I never know what half these things are called!
full sit-ups, 3 sets of 12
where you lie on your back with your legs in the air and lower them practically to the floor, 3 sets of 8
sitting on my butt with my legs not touching the floor, going side to side with a 7.5 pound weight for obliques, 3 sets of 20
side plank – 2 sets of 15 seconds each, each side
V-ups – 1 set of 12 (so hard!)
I tend to neglect my abs. I guess it’s because I’ve always heard that you can’t spot train. Is that true? Will doing a bunch of ab-work give me a flatter core? I mean, I know it’s good for running and posture and everything, but from a purely superficial standpoint, will it help my honeymoon bikini cause?
I NEVER do ab work! i’ve heard that its all about your diet. i should prob still do some sit ups or crunches sometimes though
i feel like plank in yoga kills my abs! we should just do those all the time!
I can’t help but think that abs are like 50% diet, 30% exercise, and 20% genetics. I made those percentages up, but you know what I mean.
I would try pilates since it uses your entire core… oh, it’s awful but so good at the same time.
I’ll be thinking of you this weekend!
Which half-marathon are you doing?? The GA ING?
Have a safe trip up to DC, and I’ll be thinking of you and your fam this weekend!
Oh man…I totally neglect my abs…just out of pure laziness, really
Awesome workout Lee! Goodluck this weekend too…I am totally thinking about you. Keep us posted okay?!
Hi Lee! I’m glad that you are feeling better. I think if you couple running with core work you will definitely see results in your ab area! I get a lot of core work in with yoga and my body sculpt class. My fave is the boat pose, which is essentially a v-sit. Have a great weekend!
you can tone up your abdomen muscles doing ab work, but as far as losing fat and getting a flatter core, that is all with diet!
Good Luck this weekend! I hope all goes well (which I know it will).
Ab work is the worst for me. I have been going to a class at they Gym called Body Works plus abs. It is a great work out. You are doing so well with yours.
Oh, they have that class at my gym too. I’ve never gone though. Do you go to LA Fitness?
It may help a little…but I think cardio will be most beneficial in helping them look their best. I don’t really like doing ab work because it takes so long before my abs get fatigued. The only think that quickly works are front and side planks. I do one front plank for as long as possible, and then side planks for as long as possible. It never takes more than 5 minutes!
I haaaate ab work. Hate, hate, hate! But in the past year, I’ve made myself do them 3 times a week. I think it’s made a difference (or maybe it’s in my head?). I do most of the exercises from this blog post:
http://iamthebeholder.wordpress.com/2009/03/14/ab-solutely/
But then I hear things like “abs come from what you eat” (or something like that). I figure, it can’t hurt, right??
I hope all goes well with your father’s surgery!
Pilates has been the most beneficial exercise for me, in regards to the old abs. I also really like pilates for a whole other slew of reasons.