Ice Skating is a Workout!

Over the weekend I went to Indiana to visit some friends.  On Saturday we wanted to do something fun that we hadn't done together before, so we went ice skating.

This was the first time I had been ice skating in 13 years, and I wasn't any good back then either, so it made me nervous thinking about doing something so unfamiliar.  I woke up Saturday morning and I was still very sore from my lower body workout the day before, but I was determined to get out there and do my best.  Normally when I'm doing something that I'm not very good at, I let myself get overwhelmed and self-conscious; this time, I wasn't about to let that happen.  My friends gave me some pointers and a lot of encouragement. Even though I fell down several times, I managed to go around the ring quite a bit!  And I had fun!

Here is a picture of me all bundled up in the shop where we rented the skates.

See the smile on my face while I'm on the ice?  Learning to skate was not easy, but I'm so glad I let myself have a good time!

Here are some of the bruises I acquired.  Don't worry, they aren't as painful as they look.  I'm rather proud of them, actually.  

After the lower body workout and the ice skating, my muscles had had enough.  On Sunday, I was so sore I had a hard time moving.  My friend told me that it's a pretty common occurrence to have pain when you are just starting. She encouraged me to give it some time, keep using and stretching the muscles, and the stiffness and pain would work itself out.  She was right!  On Monday I felt much better and by Tuesday, there wasn't any more pain, just some manageable soreness.  

This has been another good fitness week.  On Monday I went to the gym again and did an upper body workout.  Yesterday I stayed home and did some latin dancing. This morning I went and did a lower body workout.  I've discovered that I am starting to rather enjoy the soreness.  It's not as sharp as it was on Sunday, just a mild ache when I move.   Having the gentle soreness makes it feel really good when I stretch and it makes me more aware of which muscles I am using when I move.  

I have decided to follow the plan in Body for Life which recommends doing strength training on M,W,F and aerobics on T,Th,Sa, and taking Sunday as a day off.  So far I'm enjoying it.  

Tomorrow is the final checkpoint of the 20 Week Challenge.  Hannah and I have decided to extend our challenges a little; we're going to keep our current challenges going until the end of January and make it a full 5 months.  Then, in February, I'm starting a new 20 Week Challenge.  I'm going to alter it a little from the first one.  I am still going to build the challenges at each checkpoint like I did this time, but I am going to have different challenges.  I'm still working on what those challenges will be.  I know for certain that I'm going to allow myself to celebrate my birthday and Easter with a dessert. I'll let you know once I've selected my new challenges for the next 20 Week Challenge.

Stay tuned for the results!  Tomorrow I'll be weighing myself, taking measurements, and posting some before/after pictures!