Working Out
So, I am back to working out, as I mentioned.
Here is how it is going: it feels great, exhilarating even, in the moment, and then for two days I am terribly sore.
Day 1 was several days ago. That day I just did the Ballerobica "Basics of Ballet" video. It was a good way to get reminded of posture, positions, technique, etc. I found that just maintaining good ballet posture was a workout, but on top of that were plies, tendu, eleve, releve, and degage. I was pretty tired after and felt really good.
The next day, my knees were hurting. They hurt for about two days. On day three I was planning to work out, but was sleep-deprived so decided against it. That was Thursday.
Friday I tried to do the Ballerobica Ballet Workout, Level 1. I was good through the first combination, but halfway through the second combination, I had to stop because my arches were killing me. I did notice that on the first combination, posture and exercises were already easier than they had been last Monday. Also, when I was overwhelmed (either too much pain, moment of exhaustion) I would stop, drink some water, and then resume, and when I resumed it was easier for having had that little break.
I did have to quit during the second combination, though, because I was worried about injuring my feet. I decided to concentrate for a few days on foot and ankle exercises, before getting back to the Ballet Workout itself. So, I did foot and ankle exercises, at the barre, for 30-40 minutes. By the end, my legs were literally exhausted. Like, I was having trouble standing up and walking.
During the foot and ankle exercise time, B came home and I got distracted and, like a MORON, forgot to stretch the front of my legs. I stretched everything else.
Saturday, I was in agony. The front of my thighs hurt ALL DAY. They were also weak when I would sit down, stand up, or go down a step. After several hours of that, the pain spread to my knees. I think the tight muscles on my thighs were pulling my knees out of alignment. B helped me to stretch my legs and them gave me a thigh and knee massage. When he stretched my left leg, I felt a series of three small pops right above the knee, which relieved the knee pain.
My next workout will probably be Monday, and I think I will do just foot and ankle exercises and then upper body. My weights came in on Wednesday or Tuesday, they are 8 pound dumbbells. I will use one f the many upper body routines on Sparkpeople.
I hope that after about a week or foot and ankle strengthening, I will be able to get back to the ballet workout.
I'm treating the soreness with ibuprofen, fish oil, and Tramadol.
ETA Sunday: it appears to be working. I know, working out twice isn't supposed to have a real effect, but I can say truthfully that the second time, positions and posture were significantly easier. I already feel it is easier to maintain good posture throughout the day.
Between that and keeping my wheat consumption low I'm already a little smaller in the waist. I bought some pants last weekend; I went to Torrid and the size 20s were too big, but the size 18s were very tight. I bought the 18s, hoping they would stretch out or something. Today I put the gray pair on for the first time since purchase and already they are very loose in the waist and hips.
It is just really hard not to eat wheat. Mainly it is pastry and baked goods that I love, but I also really love pasta, and I have yet to find a wheat-free pasta that is good.
Here is how it is going: it feels great, exhilarating even, in the moment, and then for two days I am terribly sore.
Day 1 was several days ago. That day I just did the Ballerobica "Basics of Ballet" video. It was a good way to get reminded of posture, positions, technique, etc. I found that just maintaining good ballet posture was a workout, but on top of that were plies, tendu, eleve, releve, and degage. I was pretty tired after and felt really good.
The next day, my knees were hurting. They hurt for about two days. On day three I was planning to work out, but was sleep-deprived so decided against it. That was Thursday.
Friday I tried to do the Ballerobica Ballet Workout, Level 1. I was good through the first combination, but halfway through the second combination, I had to stop because my arches were killing me. I did notice that on the first combination, posture and exercises were already easier than they had been last Monday. Also, when I was overwhelmed (either too much pain, moment of exhaustion) I would stop, drink some water, and then resume, and when I resumed it was easier for having had that little break.
I did have to quit during the second combination, though, because I was worried about injuring my feet. I decided to concentrate for a few days on foot and ankle exercises, before getting back to the Ballet Workout itself. So, I did foot and ankle exercises, at the barre, for 30-40 minutes. By the end, my legs were literally exhausted. Like, I was having trouble standing up and walking.
During the foot and ankle exercise time, B came home and I got distracted and, like a MORON, forgot to stretch the front of my legs. I stretched everything else.
Saturday, I was in agony. The front of my thighs hurt ALL DAY. They were also weak when I would sit down, stand up, or go down a step. After several hours of that, the pain spread to my knees. I think the tight muscles on my thighs were pulling my knees out of alignment. B helped me to stretch my legs and them gave me a thigh and knee massage. When he stretched my left leg, I felt a series of three small pops right above the knee, which relieved the knee pain.
My next workout will probably be Monday, and I think I will do just foot and ankle exercises and then upper body. My weights came in on Wednesday or Tuesday, they are 8 pound dumbbells. I will use one f the many upper body routines on Sparkpeople.
I hope that after about a week or foot and ankle strengthening, I will be able to get back to the ballet workout.
I'm treating the soreness with ibuprofen, fish oil, and Tramadol.
ETA Sunday: it appears to be working. I know, working out twice isn't supposed to have a real effect, but I can say truthfully that the second time, positions and posture were significantly easier. I already feel it is easier to maintain good posture throughout the day.
Between that and keeping my wheat consumption low I'm already a little smaller in the waist. I bought some pants last weekend; I went to Torrid and the size 20s were too big, but the size 18s were very tight. I bought the 18s, hoping they would stretch out or something. Today I put the gray pair on for the first time since purchase and already they are very loose in the waist and hips.
It is just really hard not to eat wheat. Mainly it is pastry and baked goods that I love, but I also really love pasta, and I have yet to find a wheat-free pasta that is good.