I had yet another kick-butt session with Trainer Debbie. She totally kicked my brain in. I find that she is a bit of a fib job though. She tells me at least 10 times that the set I am working on is going to be the last set. I finish, then she has me doing something else. I told her that I am starting to see the asterisks after her words, and the 10 pages of disclaimers that are sure to follow. However, I did do all she wanted me to do. She pushed me. I got there.
I also took something called a VO2 Max (Maximum Oxygen Consumption) test. This is a test that measures that amount of oxygen my body can use while I am at my maximum effort. Basically, you march on the treadmill till you can't take it and have to stop. The machine measures your oxygen, heartrate and breath. I did not love the machine, as it was a big face mask. I kind of felt like I couldn't breathe normally. I think maybe I was just feeling a bit closterphobic. Anyway, I scored in the low-fair category of fitness. I am not surprised. I have a long way to go. What I like about the test is it can tell me more accurately how many calories I burn on average when I hit certain heartrates. That is super cool. Has anyone ever taken this test?
This morning, I woke up early. I got caught up on a lot of your blogs and just enjoyed the crispness of the morning. The temperature has dropped about 10 degrees today and I think it is going to rain a bit.
Sidenote: I am in love with frozen berry mixes in my oatmeal this morning. I just nuke those puppies and they get all warm and super yummy. I just lay a cup of them in my oatmeal and it is just so good. Can you tell I am eating breakfast?
So, here is the question: should I add some yoga into my fitness? Does yoga count as a good workout, or is it just recovery? There is a class this morning at a local studio, and I am toying with going. Is it like a day off? I have done yoga before and it definitely can get your heart moving, but it isn't the same as a huffing and puffing at the gym. What do you think? How do you rate yoga in your fitness routine?
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Hi Missa girl!! Let me know how you like Trader Joes, k? They have all kinds of yummy goodness there!
ReplyDeleteI have thought on and off about Yoga myself... what did your trainer say about it? Let me know... I am thinking it's something that you do in addition... but who knows! Some people that is ALL they do.
I love oatmeal too, and berries in it... whoa! So yummy!
Have a beautiful Saturday!
Madonna claimed that was all she did. She had a rockin body. So it can be pretty intense. But, i don't do itl I wish the best for your weekend, and that you DO go. It'll be fun.
ReplyDeleteYour fib comment cracks me up. I tell my trainer all the time that she doesn't know how to count. One more thing means 5 more. 12 reps means 17. One set...yea right...that would be 3 sets. I think it a requirement to be a good trainer :)
ReplyDeleteI have never done yoga, so I don't have any advice on that one. I'm too type A to do yoga I think...lol.
ooooh, don't you just hate it when they say "last set" and then have you do more!
ReplyDeletevery cool test that you had done. i would love to do it, but i don't think they offer it my gym.
as for yoga, i've never taken it, but have always wanted to. there are SO many different kinds, going from relaxing/meditative to kick ass.
Thanks for your support on my blog...my no "drama" blog is having a big of drama today...lol.
ReplyDeleteYou're rockin' the Donut Meter! I do like Yoga. I don't think it has a great calorie burn but the stretching, toning, relaxation, balance and posture benefits are worth it in my estimation. Think of it this way, it's great on a day off from Cardio and lenghtens those muscles that strenthening bunches up. I'm a fan but I have never taken a class - I do it at home.
ReplyDeleteMissa, thanks for the rundown on the Polar.
ReplyDeleteSorry I can't help with you question...my experience with yoga is limited to the fact that one of the many things included in our Wii Fit box was a yoga mat.
Yoga is tough for me. I've done it a few times and I do think it is a definite workout! Just not my fav thing to do... Maybe if I get better at it, it will be. :)
ReplyDeleteYoga for me is good for stretching. For an active recovery day. It's not really cardio, but that doesn't mean it isn't hard. I wouldn't use it to replace anything, but to supplement some days.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog :)
ReplyDeleteI just started doing yoga once a week. I've been in sessions at the gym where I swear, we napped half the class. I did a yoga workout last week on Exercise TV and it KICKED MY BUTT I was hardcore sweating. So I think it just depends. Overall, I call it a "light" day, though...but I love it :)
Glad you had fun with your VO2 Max testing! It's unpleasant but it sure is nice having a way to measure your fitness definitely like that.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many areas for well rounded fitness, cardio, strength, flexibility, balance, speed, yoga is just a piece of the puzzle I think and it depends on your workout personality. I have never managed to quiet my mind long enough, maybe one day.