According to the schedule, today's task was to run or run/walk for 25 minutes. However, I'm feeling lousy and I have vacation days coming up, so I decided to take the night off to down lots of ginger tea and cold medicine and get to sleep early.
Tomorrow is an assigned "rest and relax" day, but I'll report in on how I think this project is going so far.
Until then...
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Day Ten - Clamming up
Off-topic, but I'm watching the CMA Music Festival on TV, and what in the name of Punky Brewster are some people wearing on that??
Just wondering.
Well, that gave me another five seconds to delay reporting that today's efforts were basically abysmal. To elaborate:
The Goal:
Strength training (yoga, pilates, any toning exercise)
The Reality:
Eschew the idea of going to a yoga class in favor of coming home and "relaxing for a while, then I'll do something in an hour or so."
My intended "something" probably included various arm exercises using my 5lb weights (and those are plenty for me, smirkypants), some stretches and various other lifts, crunches, lunges... whatever I could remember...
But you know what they say about the road to Hell.
Instead, I proceeded to fall asleep for 3.5 hours and not wake up until 10 p.m.
Then, only so I wouldn't have to report a total fail, I completed about 10 minutes of lame exercise (some stretches, leg lifts, squats, girly push ups, etc.) I didn't touch the weights. There's no indication of how long one is meant to "strength train" for, but I'm pretty sure it's more than ten minutes.
Today's Suck:
Besides completely throwing off my circadian rhythm yet again and doing a half-hearted half-workout? I could only do ten girly push ups tonight before I got too tired. Ten. I met a 69-year-old woman who can do 50. Seriously. And she can do the splits.
Today's Success:
I tried a new exercise called a clam. It's pilates-related. It looks like this (without the band) http://www.ehow.co.uk/video_4953442_pilates-stretch-band-exercises-clam.html. (By the way, her tone of voice is another reason I can't stand exercise classes. That and the people who take the classes who are in better shape than I am.) This clam thing works the hell of your backside, which means I better get a really cute ass if I keep doing it.
Hmmm.... what to have for dinner at 11 p.m.??
Just wondering.
Well, that gave me another five seconds to delay reporting that today's efforts were basically abysmal. To elaborate:
The Goal:
Strength training (yoga, pilates, any toning exercise)
The Reality:
Eschew the idea of going to a yoga class in favor of coming home and "relaxing for a while, then I'll do something in an hour or so."
My intended "something" probably included various arm exercises using my 5lb weights (and those are plenty for me, smirkypants), some stretches and various other lifts, crunches, lunges... whatever I could remember...
But you know what they say about the road to Hell.
Instead, I proceeded to fall asleep for 3.5 hours and not wake up until 10 p.m.
Then, only so I wouldn't have to report a total fail, I completed about 10 minutes of lame exercise (some stretches, leg lifts, squats, girly push ups, etc.) I didn't touch the weights. There's no indication of how long one is meant to "strength train" for, but I'm pretty sure it's more than ten minutes.
Today's Suck:
Besides completely throwing off my circadian rhythm yet again and doing a half-hearted half-workout? I could only do ten girly push ups tonight before I got too tired. Ten. I met a 69-year-old woman who can do 50. Seriously. And she can do the splits.
Today's Success:
I tried a new exercise called a clam. It's pilates-related. It looks like this (without the band) http://www.ehow.co.uk/video_4953442_pilates-stretch-band-exercises-clam.html. (By the way, her tone of voice is another reason I can't stand exercise classes. That and the people who take the classes who are in better shape than I am.) This clam thing works the hell of your backside, which means I better get a really cute ass if I keep doing it.
Hmmm.... what to have for dinner at 11 p.m.??
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Day Nine - Reading signs
First, I'd like to apologize to the woman I mistook for a dog.
Second, today I learned an important lesson. It's important to look for signs. Not cosmic signs - this is not the spiritual mumbo jumbo blog - actual signs. Like, with words. Or sometimes pictures. You'll understand soon enough.
Let me tell you, muffins, I had no desire to go out running today. None. Work was... tiring, let's say, and really, I just wanted to come home and veg out, as the kids say. "The kids" being me and my peers in the midst of our 1990's adolescence.
But.... I'm pretending I'm accountable to people reading this thing (are there people reading this thing? I might not want to know the answer if it's no), so off I went. I really don't understand the people who eagerly "hit the gym" after work each day. I'm wholly convinced that there was some sort of electroshocktherapy in there somewhere. Or maybe hypnosis by treadmill. Don't ask me.
There's an idea for a horror movie... a possessed elliptical machine that keeps people... um, ellipting (?) until they drop dead. Wes Craven could direct.
Today, however, was not a gym day, but an outside day. I might prefer the possessed elliptical to the Tennessee mugginess, but thank the everloving Lord, the heat seems like it might, maybe, possibly, please God, be breaking soon. But here's how today went down:
The Goal:
Warm up one mile. Switch off every two minutes between a hard run and an easy run, for one mile. Cool down one mile.
The Result:
This is where the sign thing comes in. Because if I'd read the Big Ass Sign on the walking path, I would have known where the one mile mark was and I wouldn't have run an extra half mile, resulting in what I'm sure was some highly attractive panting and wheezing.
Oh and "hard run" in this case meant jog to moderate run, whereas "easy run" meant brisk walk.
Today's Suck:
Other than not seeing the sign and exerting myself more than necessary (gradual, people, remember, we're going to leave the "Push It" mentality to Salt n' Pepa, and I promise that's my last '90s reference of the day), I just really wonder if I'm actually ever going to be able to run (outside) for more than two minutes in a row and even do that without having an borderline asthma attack. And I couldn't even do the hard/easy run thing.
Today's Success:
It's starting to feel really lame to say my success of the day was trying at all. Okay, I actually did the 2 minute run/walk interval thing.... I think before this, I'd been on more of a 1 minute run/two minute walk deal. So, all right, that's progress. At a slimy, slimy snail's pace.
Oh, and I'm going to go get an Italian soda. I'm not even putting that under the suck category because it's something I utterly should not do, but I'm feeling smug in my defiance of should right now.
Second, today I learned an important lesson. It's important to look for signs. Not cosmic signs - this is not the spiritual mumbo jumbo blog - actual signs. Like, with words. Or sometimes pictures. You'll understand soon enough.
Let me tell you, muffins, I had no desire to go out running today. None. Work was... tiring, let's say, and really, I just wanted to come home and veg out, as the kids say. "The kids" being me and my peers in the midst of our 1990's adolescence.
But.... I'm pretending I'm accountable to people reading this thing (are there people reading this thing? I might not want to know the answer if it's no), so off I went. I really don't understand the people who eagerly "hit the gym" after work each day. I'm wholly convinced that there was some sort of electroshocktherapy in there somewhere. Or maybe hypnosis by treadmill. Don't ask me.
There's an idea for a horror movie... a possessed elliptical machine that keeps people... um, ellipting (?) until they drop dead. Wes Craven could direct.
Today, however, was not a gym day, but an outside day. I might prefer the possessed elliptical to the Tennessee mugginess, but thank the everloving Lord, the heat seems like it might, maybe, possibly, please God, be breaking soon. But here's how today went down:
The Goal:
Warm up one mile. Switch off every two minutes between a hard run and an easy run, for one mile. Cool down one mile.
The Result:
This is where the sign thing comes in. Because if I'd read the Big Ass Sign on the walking path, I would have known where the one mile mark was and I wouldn't have run an extra half mile, resulting in what I'm sure was some highly attractive panting and wheezing.
Oh and "hard run" in this case meant jog to moderate run, whereas "easy run" meant brisk walk.
Today's Suck:
Other than not seeing the sign and exerting myself more than necessary (gradual, people, remember, we're going to leave the "Push It" mentality to Salt n' Pepa, and I promise that's my last '90s reference of the day), I just really wonder if I'm actually ever going to be able to run (outside) for more than two minutes in a row and even do that without having an borderline asthma attack. And I couldn't even do the hard/easy run thing.
Today's Success:
It's starting to feel really lame to say my success of the day was trying at all. Okay, I actually did the 2 minute run/walk interval thing.... I think before this, I'd been on more of a 1 minute run/two minute walk deal. So, all right, that's progress. At a slimy, slimy snail's pace.
Oh, and I'm going to go get an Italian soda. I'm not even putting that under the suck category because it's something I utterly should not do, but I'm feeling smug in my defiance of should right now.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Day Eight - Crazy crunchers
One of the reasons I don't like going to the gym is because I never seem to have enough attention span to stay on one piece of equipment (other than possibly a treadmill) long enough to not feel like I'm lacking in some sort of human ability to actually get an effective workout.
Today was definitely an exercise A.D.D. day. And not even in the gym.
The Goal:
Cross train 30-45 minutes
The Result:
As cross training is described as any non-walking or running cardio, I decided to check out some online dance videos. And no, I don't mean the kind you find on YouTube.
First one I found was a Crunch Fitness cardio salsa. From the first minute, it taught me a very important lesson. Crunch Fitness is a crazy place. If I can tell that from the video, I don't want to know what the inside of one of those places is. I got annoyed with it after about 5 minutes.
So then I went to my Dancing With the Stars DVD. Here's the thing: I really love dancing with a partner. I like having a lead. But when it comes to dancing by myself, trying to follow steps and an order, there's one problem: I have trouble with my left and right. Yeah, I know. I'm 30 and I still have to make the L sign with my fingers to know which one is my left hand. Don't start with me.
So between that and the whole going the opposite way of the person you're facing on the screen... well, I like having a lead. So that lasted.... maybe 15 minutes? I didn't keep track.
So attempt three. My hula hoop. This one I'm pretty good at, and I can do it to music or in front of the TV. Putting on the DVD of Glee, which is kind of flippin' charming, accomplished both. So, again, didn't time it, but I'm guessing about 20 minutes.
I think it might have been easier to have just sucked up an elliptical, but I rarely last more than ten minutes on those things.
Maybe I should think about getting a bike. I'd like one in pink. With a basket.
Today's Suck:
Today I had the attention span of a three year old. I'm not sure if I actually did work out the full 30 minute minimum (I think I did) and while I did break a sweat... I don't know, I just kind of feel like I slacked on it today.
Today's Success:
Well, the point is to slowly develop an exercise routine, not to be a Spandex-clad gym bitch. So the fact that I tried again after one thing failed me (or I failed at it) is a good sign. Also, I confirmed that my Crunch of choice is Nestle's (though if you're going standard American chocolate, Hershey's is far, far superior).
Today was definitely an exercise A.D.D. day. And not even in the gym.
The Goal:
Cross train 30-45 minutes
The Result:
As cross training is described as any non-walking or running cardio, I decided to check out some online dance videos. And no, I don't mean the kind you find on YouTube.
First one I found was a Crunch Fitness cardio salsa. From the first minute, it taught me a very important lesson. Crunch Fitness is a crazy place. If I can tell that from the video, I don't want to know what the inside of one of those places is. I got annoyed with it after about 5 minutes.
So then I went to my Dancing With the Stars DVD. Here's the thing: I really love dancing with a partner. I like having a lead. But when it comes to dancing by myself, trying to follow steps and an order, there's one problem: I have trouble with my left and right. Yeah, I know. I'm 30 and I still have to make the L sign with my fingers to know which one is my left hand. Don't start with me.
So between that and the whole going the opposite way of the person you're facing on the screen... well, I like having a lead. So that lasted.... maybe 15 minutes? I didn't keep track.
So attempt three. My hula hoop. This one I'm pretty good at, and I can do it to music or in front of the TV. Putting on the DVD of Glee, which is kind of flippin' charming, accomplished both. So, again, didn't time it, but I'm guessing about 20 minutes.
I think it might have been easier to have just sucked up an elliptical, but I rarely last more than ten minutes on those things.
Maybe I should think about getting a bike. I'd like one in pink. With a basket.
Today's Suck:
Today I had the attention span of a three year old. I'm not sure if I actually did work out the full 30 minute minimum (I think I did) and while I did break a sweat... I don't know, I just kind of feel like I slacked on it today.
Today's Success:
Well, the point is to slowly develop an exercise routine, not to be a Spandex-clad gym bitch. So the fact that I tried again after one thing failed me (or I failed at it) is a good sign. Also, I confirmed that my Crunch of choice is Nestle's (though if you're going standard American chocolate, Hershey's is far, far superior).
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Day Seven - Peanut butter and penance
Tell me: when it is that the notion of a good, old-fashioned PB&J became something associated with guilt? It's really quite irritating.
Here's what happened: I decided I wanted a peanut butter sandwich for dinner. But as peanut butter is my Kryptonite, I don't keep it in the house. So I'm on my way out the door and I can't help thinking that I just shouldn't. Grrrrrrrr......
So instead, I'm making homemade raw mixed nut and seed butter in my food processor, to be eaten with organic superfruit spread on locally baked multigrain bread. Which is tasty and all, but sometimes you just want to go old school, you know?
Hey, at least I'm better about it than a lot of people. You know them: "Oh god, no! No! I can't have bread! Nuts have fat!" Insert weeping and pants-wetting... yeah, all right, I'm in good shape.
All right, let's go from bringing in calories to burning them off.
The Goal:
Rest and relax
The Result:
As awesome as I am at not working out, I wanted to make up for yesterday's total fail. So when I woke up (involuntarily) at 6:30 this morning, I decided to go out and complete yesterday's one mile run/run-walk. Which was followed by my staggering back into bed and oversleeping.
Today's Suck:
Even though my walk-run was probably 75% walk (the run part included about a 50 yard full out sprint), it still took a lot out of me. I wonder if that has anything to do with not drinking any water beforehand?*
Today's Success:
Getting my ass out of bed and exercising, even if it was only temporary consciousness; making a healthier choice in terms of food.
*Yes, I am a master of logic.
Here's what happened: I decided I wanted a peanut butter sandwich for dinner. But as peanut butter is my Kryptonite, I don't keep it in the house. So I'm on my way out the door and I can't help thinking that I just shouldn't. Grrrrrrrr......
So instead, I'm making homemade raw mixed nut and seed butter in my food processor, to be eaten with organic superfruit spread on locally baked multigrain bread. Which is tasty and all, but sometimes you just want to go old school, you know?
Hey, at least I'm better about it than a lot of people. You know them: "Oh god, no! No! I can't have bread! Nuts have fat!" Insert weeping and pants-wetting... yeah, all right, I'm in good shape.
All right, let's go from bringing in calories to burning them off.
The Goal:
Rest and relax
The Result:
As awesome as I am at not working out, I wanted to make up for yesterday's total fail. So when I woke up (involuntarily) at 6:30 this morning, I decided to go out and complete yesterday's one mile run/run-walk. Which was followed by my staggering back into bed and oversleeping.
Today's Suck:
Even though my walk-run was probably 75% walk (the run part included about a 50 yard full out sprint), it still took a lot out of me. I wonder if that has anything to do with not drinking any water beforehand?*
Today's Success:
Getting my ass out of bed and exercising, even if it was only temporary consciousness; making a healthier choice in terms of food.
*Yes, I am a master of logic.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Day Six - Something about eating
What's the saying about eating something or being eaten? Does it mean some days you do good and other days you don't? Odd expressions we have.
The Goal:
Run or run-walk one mile.
The Reality:
Yeah, massive fail today. I planned to get up and go to the gym before the 9 a.m. Weight Watchers meeting. Oddly, falling asleep at 3:30 a.m. made that not happen. Funny that, eh? But I did get to the meeting.
Around 10:15, I put on my sneakers and headed out. And... made it about 100 yards before every fiber of my being was saying "the hell with this," so back home for Holly.
Which apparently was the predecessor to me catching up on that lost sleep.
And I intended to actually get out or to the gym in the late afternoon, but.... you know what they say about the road to Hell. Sigh.
Saturday Special: The Weigh-In Day (one Saturday a month and possibly one day a week depending on certain red tape):
138 lbs
Today's Suck:
See above. Total fail on the goal. Oh, and I've gained 3 lbs in the last six weeks.
Today's Success:
Ummmm.... I didn't go out and eat copious amounts of pizza and ice cream? Oh, I made a good smoothie. Try this.
3 cups spinach
1/3 cup liquid egg whites (the pasteurized kind, in the carton)
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen dark cherries
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 tsp agave syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
It's pretty good. It gets thick though, so you might want to increase the amount of milk. You can use orange juice if you prefer.
The Goal:
Run or run-walk one mile.
The Reality:
Yeah, massive fail today. I planned to get up and go to the gym before the 9 a.m. Weight Watchers meeting. Oddly, falling asleep at 3:30 a.m. made that not happen. Funny that, eh? But I did get to the meeting.
Around 10:15, I put on my sneakers and headed out. And... made it about 100 yards before every fiber of my being was saying "the hell with this," so back home for Holly.
Which apparently was the predecessor to me catching up on that lost sleep.
And I intended to actually get out or to the gym in the late afternoon, but.... you know what they say about the road to Hell. Sigh.
Saturday Special: The Weigh-In Day (one Saturday a month and possibly one day a week depending on certain red tape):
138 lbs
Today's Suck:
See above. Total fail on the goal. Oh, and I've gained 3 lbs in the last six weeks.
Today's Success:
Ummmm.... I didn't go out and eat copious amounts of pizza and ice cream? Oh, I made a good smoothie. Try this.
3 cups spinach
1/3 cup liquid egg whites (the pasteurized kind, in the carton)
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen dark cherries
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 tsp agave syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
It's pretty good. It gets thick though, so you might want to increase the amount of milk. You can use orange juice if you prefer.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Day Five - How to succeed in exercise without really trying
Ohhh... Friday. You're so lovely.
Now, if you will all remember yesterday's post, I said I was going to rock today's goal. So...
The Goal:
Rest and relax.
The Reality:
Oh yeah, I rocked that one. And just in time for the Sabbath. My people will be so proud. I passed that test with flying colors. I even took a nap after work. That might have something to do with only getting 4.5 hours of sleep. Clearly, a better sleep routine needs to be added to my personal health goals.
Today's Suck:
Napping after work will probably mean I won't actually get to sleep until later than I ought to tonight, especially since tomorrow is early morning Weight Watchers.
Today's Success:
I am an excellent rester and relaxer. (Actually, I'm really not. I stress things. But I'm working on it).
What shall tomorrow bring? (Pray I'm within my weight limit. I don't want to be charged).
Now, if you will all remember yesterday's post, I said I was going to rock today's goal. So...
The Goal:
Rest and relax.
The Reality:
Oh yeah, I rocked that one. And just in time for the Sabbath. My people will be so proud. I passed that test with flying colors. I even took a nap after work. That might have something to do with only getting 4.5 hours of sleep. Clearly, a better sleep routine needs to be added to my personal health goals.
Today's Suck:
Napping after work will probably mean I won't actually get to sleep until later than I ought to tonight, especially since tomorrow is early morning Weight Watchers.
Today's Success:
I am an excellent rester and relaxer. (Actually, I'm really not. I stress things. But I'm working on it).
What shall tomorrow bring? (Pray I'm within my weight limit. I don't want to be charged).
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