Taking The Stairs

      Today marks one full week 'sans' exercise due to doctors orders to lay low for 5 to 7 days (nothing major just some tests). So I was MORE than ready to hit that gym this afternoon! My initial plan was to get up at 5am and get on the treadmill for an ease-back-into-it run. Well, that buzzer came and left. And after pushing snooze five to seven times it was time to get up and get in the shower. That's okay, I will get another chance to get in a run tomorrow. I do LOVE a morning run.

      When I got to the gym today I decided to do the StairMaster for a warm up. I ended up staying at work a little later than planned so I only had about 10 minutes to do the stairs. I don't know about anyone else, but the StairMaster is my Achilles heel of exercise. I immediately get my heart rate up and begin huffing and puffing. Even at my fittest, the stairs kicked my butt. My husband always makes fun of me because I sound like the most out of shape person trying to catch my breathe going up a flight of stairs and I have ALWAYS been like that. Today was no exception. Even though I didn't have a very long warm up, it definitely got my heart rate up!

You can tell from the blurriness that I was trying to catch my breathe after my short 8 minute climb! But it felt great (once I was done!)

This was on the cool down, I mostly stayed at level 6. I also got in a great full body workout with some free weights!

Lets hope 5am comes with a sweet jog on the treadmill tomorrow morning :)

Smiles!

What cardio machine gets your heart pumping?