Treadmill. That's how I do my 3 days of 20-minute cardio. It's tough, it's fast, it has hills and IT HURTS!
Today I wasn't sure if I'd even make it on the thing. The universe was testing my willpower. I bounced on my toes, stretched down to the floor, bounced up and down a bit more -- felt a little bit like Richard Simmons. After I was all psyched up, I stepped on to the treadmill and hit start. Nothing. Hit 3 mph and it inched along.
So... I stopped and walked out to find the WD40 out in the garage. The little red tube on it made it easier to spray under the treadmill belt. Feeling all handyman of myself, I stepped back on the treadmill and hit start. The sides of the belt slipped and slided everywhere. The middle did......nothing.
Now this isn't really news. We've had the thing for four years and haven't greased the belt once. Steve almost went through the handles two days ago when he tried to do his cardio but I just figured he didn't know what he was doing:).
After pushing, pulling, black fingers and icky WD40 everywhere, I decided that this wasn't going to work. So, I went rummaging for the key to our community gym. Yeah the key I've had for a year and haven't used once. The key I left for my friend a few weeks ago so she could take the kids to the pool. The key that looks an awful lot like my work key. Not in any of the usual places, drawers, cabinets. Steve didn't know where it was. I'm getting frustrated.
Taking a deep breath I look one last place and bingo! Cardio here I come.
As soon as I get my water.
I grabbed my water bottle and Niagara Falls rained on my shirt. The lid had somehow been forgotten in the filling-the-bottle process and now I was wearing my water. Running to my room, I tripped over the dog, my daughter's stuffed pink Easter lamb and my gym bag. Cursing, I changed clothes.
I finally get to the gym. I'm pretty perturbed. Luckily it's empty. I have it all to myself. That way I get to watch whatever I want. Thank goodness because I need a real distractor for cardio today. My lips smack as I anticipate some loud, fast movie that will keep my attention for the next 20 minutes. Car chases, people shouting, loud music. It's been a long week and a long morning (it's about 0900 by now).
I pushed the on button to the TV. Nothing. I shook the remote and pushed again. Nothing. Mentally I pulled out my hair with both my hands and opened my mouth to the heavens and screamed like a coyote. Outwardly, I took one last, calm breath and pointed the remote a little higher. Finally!
Thank goodness because I didn't want to miss the only movie running ---- "Terms of Endearment"
Twenty-five minutes later, I sat in the gym floor stretching through my sweat and bawling like a baby while Shirley and Jack cruise on the beach with the ashes.
I got through it but what a morning!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Free Day & Marble Slab
I had my short hiatus on Sunday and boy did I use it!
I started out the day with a protein shake so I could keep up my habit. But then my uncle asked me to Cracker Barrel and there was no way I could pass up coffee with apple butter biscuits.
Then I took my daughter to a movie and I simply can not go to the movies without diving into a bag of popcorn (without butter). I did pass up the traditional Dr. Pepper and had water instead. So while Kung Fu Panda hi-yad and drop kicked bad guys, I felt good about being able to stay away from sour patch kids and fizzly carb drinks.
But alas, as we walked out into the sizzling Alabama heat, I couldn't help it. I looked left.
To the best creation since 31 flavors. Marble Slab Creamery.
It screamed at me! Bellowing in my face, "it's your free day! it's your free day!"
Tugging on my hand at the same time was my 7-year-old pointing in the same direction and grinning wildly. I was not getting out of it.
The vanilla smell smacked me right in the face along with the ice cold air conditioning as I opened the door. Any shred of self-control I might have had left zipped out into the humidity with the jingle of the door bell. The colorful rows of candy bars, gummy bears, sprinkles, gum balls, fruit, nuts lined the glass counter. Buckets of double chocolate, cake batter, mochaccino & raspberry gleaned through the glass. And I was diving right in.
To make me feel a little better, I did put raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and almonds in my small cup of sweet cream...berries have antioxidants, right? And Bill Phillips does say that I can forget ALL the rules on Free Day. So down it went, one yummy spoonful after another.
I started out the day with a protein shake so I could keep up my habit. But then my uncle asked me to Cracker Barrel and there was no way I could pass up coffee with apple butter biscuits.
Then I took my daughter to a movie and I simply can not go to the movies without diving into a bag of popcorn (without butter). I did pass up the traditional Dr. Pepper and had water instead. So while Kung Fu Panda hi-yad and drop kicked bad guys, I felt good about being able to stay away from sour patch kids and fizzly carb drinks.
But alas, as we walked out into the sizzling Alabama heat, I couldn't help it. I looked left.
To the best creation since 31 flavors. Marble Slab Creamery.
It screamed at me! Bellowing in my face, "it's your free day! it's your free day!"
Tugging on my hand at the same time was my 7-year-old pointing in the same direction and grinning wildly. I was not getting out of it.
The vanilla smell smacked me right in the face along with the ice cold air conditioning as I opened the door. Any shred of self-control I might have had left zipped out into the humidity with the jingle of the door bell. The colorful rows of candy bars, gummy bears, sprinkles, gum balls, fruit, nuts lined the glass counter. Buckets of double chocolate, cake batter, mochaccino & raspberry gleaned through the glass. And I was diving right in.
To make me feel a little better, I did put raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and almonds in my small cup of sweet cream...berries have antioxidants, right? And Bill Phillips does say that I can forget ALL the rules on Free Day. So down it went, one yummy spoonful after another.
Friday, June 20, 2008
I Learned a New Word
It's called DOMS...delayed onset muscle soreness. And I've been having it for three days!! I did the lower body workout Wednesday and woke up that night in serious-can't-sleep-is-this-going-to-get-me-out-of-the-morning's-cardio pain.
Yesterday, I could barely walk up the stairs so I decided to sit at my desk until lunch in the hopes that it would go away. But guess what happens when you sit still with sore muscles --- they get stiff! It's hard to get out of the chair, to walk to the water fountain, to traipse down stairs. It's painful to do anything but type.
I should tell you that I have felt this before. After a run when I haven't done it in a while. On the downslope of a mountain hike. During the 15th mile of a 20-mile bike ride. But none of that could have prepared me for the excruciating nightmare that I've been having after just an hour's worth of working out with weights. I worked quads, hamstrings, calves and abs. And yesterday, all I could think about was how I looked like I had just finished riding a horse because I walked like I had on chaps.
But here's the coolest part.
I got on the Body for Life community site before I got on the treadmill. Probably just putting it off a little longer. Secretly I was hoping someone on there would tell me it's OK, you can just do cardio another day.
But Katie (not her real name) had logged a post at a little after 5 am and was begging for help. Her thighs screamed, calves mooed and her abs were on fire. There was no way she could do cardio! Katie needed a push, needed support and needed info. I had found it! Someone to help me get through the cardio. If she could do it, I could. So I posted back to her and told her that movement was absolutely paramount to making the pain go away. And walking was moving.
I was energized! I had a partner in crime! Happy with my little post, I pranced back to the treadmill and did my 20-minute cardio workout. Don't get me wrong, my legs screamed and scratched and tortured me but the more I lengthened my stride, the easier it got. Didn't hit my fastest sprint but I did make it. And when I checked back on Katie later that night, she had made it too! DOMS and all.
Yesterday, I could barely walk up the stairs so I decided to sit at my desk until lunch in the hopes that it would go away. But guess what happens when you sit still with sore muscles --- they get stiff! It's hard to get out of the chair, to walk to the water fountain, to traipse down stairs. It's painful to do anything but type.
I should tell you that I have felt this before. After a run when I haven't done it in a while. On the downslope of a mountain hike. During the 15th mile of a 20-mile bike ride. But none of that could have prepared me for the excruciating nightmare that I've been having after just an hour's worth of working out with weights. I worked quads, hamstrings, calves and abs. And yesterday, all I could think about was how I looked like I had just finished riding a horse because I walked like I had on chaps.
But here's the coolest part.
I got on the Body for Life community site before I got on the treadmill. Probably just putting it off a little longer. Secretly I was hoping someone on there would tell me it's OK, you can just do cardio another day.
But Katie (not her real name) had logged a post at a little after 5 am and was begging for help. Her thighs screamed, calves mooed and her abs were on fire. There was no way she could do cardio! Katie needed a push, needed support and needed info. I had found it! Someone to help me get through the cardio. If she could do it, I could. So I posted back to her and told her that movement was absolutely paramount to making the pain go away. And walking was moving.
I was energized! I had a partner in crime! Happy with my little post, I pranced back to the treadmill and did my 20-minute cardio workout. Don't get me wrong, my legs screamed and scratched and tortured me but the more I lengthened my stride, the easier it got. Didn't hit my fastest sprint but I did make it. And when I checked back on Katie later that night, she had made it too! DOMS and all.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Buns of Blubber
Quivering jelly. That's what my legs felt like after quads and hamstrings today. And that was only the first half of the workout. I hadn't even gotten to calves and abs. My thigh shook like shake 'n bake and the 15-pound weight almost fell through the floor when I dropped it.
My legs could barely walk me into the office. And this day of course, I was in high demand. People kept asking me to come here or go there. How about I just wheel myself over in the office chair? or Can't you just bring that 60-pound lead piece of art over here to me instead?
And the one thing that kept bubbling to my brain's surface was that I have cardio tomorrow. Crawling up the treadmill should be OK. I mean, it's only my second cardio workout on this program. We're working up to walking right?
My sister on the other hand, the one who's been working out with weights for months, gleefully tells me that she's so frustrated with the weight workout. Why you might ask? Certainly not because it's leaving her in trembling piles of goo. It's because the poor thing can't seem to find the right amount of weight; bless her heart. My goodness how tough that the workout isn't challenging her enough.
As I'm writing though I've noticed the pain that plagued my arms yesterday is waning and the piercing hot pain in my upper legs is dying to embers. So maybe cardio won't be so bad tomorrow. Good thing because I don't think that challenges me quite the way it does my sister.
Until tomorrow...
My legs could barely walk me into the office. And this day of course, I was in high demand. People kept asking me to come here or go there. How about I just wheel myself over in the office chair? or Can't you just bring that 60-pound lead piece of art over here to me instead?
And the one thing that kept bubbling to my brain's surface was that I have cardio tomorrow. Crawling up the treadmill should be OK. I mean, it's only my second cardio workout on this program. We're working up to walking right?
My sister on the other hand, the one who's been working out with weights for months, gleefully tells me that she's so frustrated with the weight workout. Why you might ask? Certainly not because it's leaving her in trembling piles of goo. It's because the poor thing can't seem to find the right amount of weight; bless her heart. My goodness how tough that the workout isn't challenging her enough.
As I'm writing though I've noticed the pain that plagued my arms yesterday is waning and the piercing hot pain in my upper legs is dying to embers. So maybe cardio won't be so bad tomorrow. Good thing because I don't think that challenges me quite the way it does my sister.
Until tomorrow...
Monday, June 16, 2008
Day One - Upper Body
And Owwww!!!
That's all I can say. I cried like a baby after my last set of triceps.
This is the first time I've worked out by isolating muscle groups. Six
sets of increasing weight: two exercises per muscle group -- chest,
back, shoulders, biceps, triceps.
I know it's good for me but the only thing keeping me going is the fact
that I don't have to do it again until Friday.
There was one other small consolation. My sister was hurting just as
much as me. Who says families aren't stronger with pain?!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Body For Life
My sister and I have decided we are done with yo-yo dieting and gym-ratting.
I have a friend who decided to do Bill Phillips' Body for Life program while he was deployed. He lost 50 pounds and gained muscle!
So I read the book, my sister read the book and we've both read the website. We're ready to go....we start tomorrow.
The premise is very exciting because I get to eat SIX TIMES A DAY!!!!! And I love to eat. I'm probably what you would call an emotional eater so any program where I can eat all day is right for me. Of course, that doesn't mean I can eat garbage. I have to eat healthy stuff: lots of protein, carbs and vegetables.
In addition, I have to work out SIX TIMES A WEEK!!! I'm used to running on a treadmill for an hour 3 times a week with absolutely no results. This program only calls for 20 minutes of cardio three times a week. 20 minutes! I did a practice run the other day and the 20 minutes kicked my rear. But the burning in the pit of my stomach made me realize that I had actually done something really good for myself.
The other three days of the week are for weight lifting. Roughly 45 minutes of weight lifting each of the major muscle groups. Not having lifted weights in years, this should provide lots of pain and soreness. But I just know it's worth it.
I'm tired of lugging around 20 extra pounds and breathing heavy when I go up stairs. I'm sick of not being able to lift the smallest thing. But more importantly, I'm sick of excuses. Not enough time; although there is for 3 hours of tv every night. Too tired; who wants to sit/sleep their life away? Work is more important; not if I drop dead from cardiovascular disease.
So here I go. And my sister's doing it with me. With a healthy dose of sibling rivalry that can only lead to two winners no matter the end result, I am all set to change my crappy perspective and bulging mid-section.
WISH ME LUCK!!
I have a friend who decided to do Bill Phillips' Body for Life program while he was deployed. He lost 50 pounds and gained muscle!
So I read the book, my sister read the book and we've both read the website. We're ready to go....we start tomorrow.
The premise is very exciting because I get to eat SIX TIMES A DAY!!!!! And I love to eat. I'm probably what you would call an emotional eater so any program where I can eat all day is right for me. Of course, that doesn't mean I can eat garbage. I have to eat healthy stuff: lots of protein, carbs and vegetables.
In addition, I have to work out SIX TIMES A WEEK!!! I'm used to running on a treadmill for an hour 3 times a week with absolutely no results. This program only calls for 20 minutes of cardio three times a week. 20 minutes! I did a practice run the other day and the 20 minutes kicked my rear. But the burning in the pit of my stomach made me realize that I had actually done something really good for myself.
The other three days of the week are for weight lifting. Roughly 45 minutes of weight lifting each of the major muscle groups. Not having lifted weights in years, this should provide lots of pain and soreness. But I just know it's worth it.
I'm tired of lugging around 20 extra pounds and breathing heavy when I go up stairs. I'm sick of not being able to lift the smallest thing. But more importantly, I'm sick of excuses. Not enough time; although there is for 3 hours of tv every night. Too tired; who wants to sit/sleep their life away? Work is more important; not if I drop dead from cardiovascular disease.
So here I go. And my sister's doing it with me. With a healthy dose of sibling rivalry that can only lead to two winners no matter the end result, I am all set to change my crappy perspective and bulging mid-section.
WISH ME LUCK!!
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