This past week of workouts was another mixed bag. I was feeling much better at the start of the week, but then I dealt with the side effects of my medication for the rest of the week which really affected me more than I expected. But I ended the week starting a new workout challenge and I think that really motivated me to keep going.
Monday was the day I was feeling my best. I don’t take my medication until after my workout, so I wasn’t dealing with any side effects at that point. I was a bit off because I was nervous about doing my shot again, but that’s not that bad compared to how I can feel from other issues.
For cardio, we had 2 blocks. Both blocks had the same things, but the second block reversed the order. In the first block, we started with a 4-minute distance challenge followed by a 1-minute recovery. Then we had 30-second intervals of a base, push, and all-out. The second block started with the 30-second intervals and ended with the 4-minute challenge.
On the rower, we had similar blocks to cardio. The first block started with a 4-minute crew row where we had to match the speed and cadence of everyone else on the rower and then ended that block with the 30-second intervals. And in the second block, we reversed the order so we ended with the crew row. I don’t love crew rows, but I tried my best to keep up with everyone.
And on the floor, we had one block. We had shoulder presses, single-leg deadlifts, bicep curls, and bird dogs. Nothing was too crazy on the floor, so I was able to go a bit heavier than normal and also focus on my form which was nice compared to trying to get everything in.
Tuesday was probably the worst day for me with side effects, so I just tried to manage it the same way I manage nausea. However, I also had to deal with some lightheadedness, so that was a bit more of a challenge. But just like I’ve been doing before, I just took breaks when I needed to.
For cardio, we had 2 blocks. Both blocks had push paces with inclines followed by recoveries. In the first block, we had 45-second push paces and 1-minute recoveries and in the second block we had 1-minute push paces and 45-second recoveries. And the incline/resistance levels were higher in the first block than in the second. This wasn’t too bad for me since there was always recovery coming up, but I did have some moments when I was really feeling off.
The rower matched up with cardio. So in the first block we had 45-second of work and 1-minute of recovery and in the second block we had 1-minute of work and 45-seconds of recovery. And the goal was to try to get at least the same distance each time within a block and not start off strong and then get too tired. I’m glad that I was pretty consistent with my distances each time.
On the floor, we focused on cluster sets so we did 12-16 reps of an exercise, took 10 seconds to rest, and then did the exercise again as many times as possible. In the first block the cluster sets were with chest presses and in the second block they were with squats. And after doing 2 rounds of the cluster sets, we had sit-ups and plank reaches for the rest of the block. It was a little tough to do the chest presses because I was feeling weak, but I just did what I could each time.
I was feeling a bit more like myself by Wednesday, but I still had to take it a bit easy from time to time.
For cardio, we had the same block each time with the goal to try to go a bit faster each block. We had 1-minute intervals with a base to push pace, a push pace, a push pace to all-out, and an all-out. I used the same resistance levels each time, but I did try my best to pedal faster each block. I wasn’t always successful, but at least I tried.
On the rower, we did the same block each time and it was a real challenge for me. For each 1-minute interval, we had an exercise with a medicine ball first and then finished the minute with rowing until we had to get up again. But because getting on and off the rower takes time for me, I really didn’t have much rowing time. I did modify the exercises and did them over the rower so I didn’t have to do much more than just unstrap and stand up. In the first block, we had front presses before each row. In the second block, we had squat to presses before each row. And in the last block, we had front presses to overhead presses before each block.
On the floor, the first two blocks had 2 exercises for each block for the first 3 minutes and then a variation on a burpee for the last minute. I did regular burpees using the bench for each block since I couldn’t do the different variations. And the exercises we had were upper cuts and deadlifts for the first block and chest presses and goblet squats for the second block. And in the last block, we had all 4 exercises.
And on Thursday, it was the first day of the 12 Days of Fitness. This is a challenge that requires attending a specific number of classes in order to win swag. It’s similar to Hell Week, but the workouts aren’t quite as hard. This year, we have to make it to 6 classes in the first 12 days of the month to win socks and shoelaces. And since I will do that just having my regular schedule, I knew I needed to sign up.
For cardio, we started with a 2-minute push pace followed by a 1-minute recovery. Then we had a 90-second push pace to all-out followed by a 1-minute recovery. And then we had a 1-minute all-out to end that block. And we repeated that again for the second block.
On the rower, we started with 3 rounds of a 200-meter row. Between each row, we could recovery as long as we needed. After completing all 3 rows, we had squats to shoulder presses with a medicine ball before doing 3 rounds of a 150-meter row. We did the exercises again and then had 3 rounds of a 100-meter row. I was feeling better on the rower so I challenged myself to try to improve each round and I was able to do that!
And on the floor, we had 1 block with 3 mini-blocks. And we did each mini-block twice before moving on. We had low rows with weights and tricep extensions on the straps, lunges and rollouts on the straps, and shoulder presses and lateral leg lifts with the straps. I don’t know why I ended up going so slowly, but I never made it to the last exercise in the last mini-block. But I do know I was doing heavy weights so that might have been it.
I’m glad I ended my week on a good note. This pattern might repeat this week with taking my next injection after my workout on Monday. But maybe my body will be more used to it so it won’t be as bad. I’ll just have to wait and see. But at least I’ll get more of my workouts done for 12 Days of Fitness so I can make sure I earn my swag!
You Might Also Like
A Week Of Tough Workouts (or Frustration As Motivation)
Going Hard In My Workouts (or At Least This Time I Wanted To Make Them Tough)
Pushing Through A Tough Workout Week (or At Least It’s What I’m Used To Dealing With)
A Week Of Mayhem (or Completing Another Fitness Challenge)
Pre-Hell Week Workouts (or Getting Myself Ready)
Another Week Of Weekday Workouts (or A Week Of Painful Workouts)
