For a while, I was running 3 miles before work every morning. Then I stopped. I'm not sure why or when or how. It was roughly a month ago.
Post-Thanksgiving, I was ready to get back on board, so the immediate week following, I did cardio kickboxing on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday I did Zumba. Friday I went to a class called "Fierce" that physically made me sick and so sore it hurt to move for three days.
This week, I'm back to a whole lot of sitting around doing nothing. I think I will blame some demon, tempting me to sit at home and vegetate. Let's blame Screwtape's nephew Wormwood, Junior Tempter. If you haven't read The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, it might be worth your while.
Monday, I knew I had to buy groceries, so I didn't work out. Wormwood and I had a little chat, and we decided that going to the grocery store is time consuming, so I didn't have time to work out. After shopping, I would need to go home, make some dinner, and then relax after the arduous trials of 30 minutes in a grocery store.
Tuesday (yesterday), work was just awful. Wormwood told me I needed to go home and relax, or there's no way I would survive the week. I concurred.
Today, well, Wormwood was kind enough to remind me that I needed to return some books to the library. I forgot to do it on Monday (though they're not due until Sunday), but it takes all of 5 minutes for driving there, parking, and walking inside to return the books. And I have laundry that needed doing (which I am post-poning until Friday for some reason which actually makes no sense when I try to put it in words). There was just too much to do. The gym must be put off.
In summary, I am sitting, vegetating, as usual. I'm off the hook the rest of the week because the Y is closed. How convenient is that? Wormwood can take the rest of the week and the weekend off. He deserves it. He's been successfully keeping me away from the gym for over a month, only sliding the one week.
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Sundays are for Dreaming
Sometimes, I find Sundays are for getting things done--all the things that I should have done on Saturday but didn't because I was being a bum or had too many social plans. On Sundays, I clean; I run errands; I cook and bake.
Sometimes, I find Sundays are for thought, for deep thinking. On Sundays, I'll sit in the bathtub and read a book. On Sundays, I sometimes actually write and draw. On Sundays, I sit around with ideas, write blogs I'll never publish, read articles, makes lists and plans to do things I will probably never do. Sunday is often a day for dreaming of how I want my life to be. Life may never be as I dream it, but I think the exercise of dreaming it is important. It keeps me sane. Dreams are what keep everyone sane. Lord knows our lives usually aren't cut out to do that for us.
Today, like many days the plan I'm making is to be more fit, to control my gluttony and work out more regularly. I live such a sedentary life. Eight or nine hours for five days a week barely moving from my chair at work, pulling cookies out of my desk drawer when I just can't take the brain drain of work anymore.
If I'm good, I go to the Y after work, get sweaty and gross or chlorinated in the pool for an hour. I'm often not good and go straight home.
Then I eat, and if I'm good it's full of vegetables and few carbs and meat, but someitmes I'm bad and it's nachos. Mmmmm, nachos. Lately there is always ice cream, which is often paired with chocolate cake. Don't judge me--it's all homemade and gloriously irresistable. I like to think that even if I'm indulging in too much fat and sugar at least there are few to no preservatives.
This eating takes place at the coffee table, in front of the computer or the TV (often both). I might spend the evening reading with my laptop ready should Chris pop in to chat, or watching my latest television show, rarely remembering to justify it by crocheting.
In other words, I go from glued to a desk chair all day, to glued to a couch, and then I sleep, glued to my bed. I don't move. I may grow moss soon, and while I like the image of me starting to take root, turning tree-like, growing moss, sprouting leaves, and generally becoming covered in vegetation, in reality I know that what's happening is my metabolism is slowing, and my blood pressure is lowering, and I may start to build up fat in my system even though I look pretty healthy, on the thinner side of curvy. This misleading appearance may be the bain of my motivation to actually be fit.
I need a non-appearance related goal that is also not tied to a fitness routine (I will fudge a fitness routine), so my goal is to get back to the weight I was when I know I was healthy, when I worked out twice a day, ate five snacks instead of three meals, and counted my calories. I was in such incredible control of my food intake and my fitness, and I locked in to a weight range about ten pounds lighter than my current range. I never got below that, I just stayed there no matter what I tried to do, so I'm going to try to get back there. Although given the lapsed time since then, perhaps my current weight is the new minimum. Female bodies are known for such shifts.
Now that that's all planned, I'll probably go read in the bathtub and dream of a small house with no extra space. I want a backyard with a garden (which in reality I would have a patch of ground where nothing comes up and things that did would be withered), a big lazy adoring dog, and perhaps some chickens for fresh eggs. This house should have a little garage on the side where I can park my car and do some creative projects--refinish and reupholster furniture. That's the dream, but it's entirely unrealistic at the moment.
Sometimes, I find Sundays are for thought, for deep thinking. On Sundays, I'll sit in the bathtub and read a book. On Sundays, I sometimes actually write and draw. On Sundays, I sit around with ideas, write blogs I'll never publish, read articles, makes lists and plans to do things I will probably never do. Sunday is often a day for dreaming of how I want my life to be. Life may never be as I dream it, but I think the exercise of dreaming it is important. It keeps me sane. Dreams are what keep everyone sane. Lord knows our lives usually aren't cut out to do that for us.
Today, like many days the plan I'm making is to be more fit, to control my gluttony and work out more regularly. I live such a sedentary life. Eight or nine hours for five days a week barely moving from my chair at work, pulling cookies out of my desk drawer when I just can't take the brain drain of work anymore.
If I'm good, I go to the Y after work, get sweaty and gross or chlorinated in the pool for an hour. I'm often not good and go straight home.
Then I eat, and if I'm good it's full of vegetables and few carbs and meat, but someitmes I'm bad and it's nachos. Mmmmm, nachos. Lately there is always ice cream, which is often paired with chocolate cake. Don't judge me--it's all homemade and gloriously irresistable. I like to think that even if I'm indulging in too much fat and sugar at least there are few to no preservatives.
This eating takes place at the coffee table, in front of the computer or the TV (often both). I might spend the evening reading with my laptop ready should Chris pop in to chat, or watching my latest television show, rarely remembering to justify it by crocheting.
In other words, I go from glued to a desk chair all day, to glued to a couch, and then I sleep, glued to my bed. I don't move. I may grow moss soon, and while I like the image of me starting to take root, turning tree-like, growing moss, sprouting leaves, and generally becoming covered in vegetation, in reality I know that what's happening is my metabolism is slowing, and my blood pressure is lowering, and I may start to build up fat in my system even though I look pretty healthy, on the thinner side of curvy. This misleading appearance may be the bain of my motivation to actually be fit.
I need a non-appearance related goal that is also not tied to a fitness routine (I will fudge a fitness routine), so my goal is to get back to the weight I was when I know I was healthy, when I worked out twice a day, ate five snacks instead of three meals, and counted my calories. I was in such incredible control of my food intake and my fitness, and I locked in to a weight range about ten pounds lighter than my current range. I never got below that, I just stayed there no matter what I tried to do, so I'm going to try to get back there. Although given the lapsed time since then, perhaps my current weight is the new minimum. Female bodies are known for such shifts.
Now that that's all planned, I'll probably go read in the bathtub and dream of a small house with no extra space. I want a backyard with a garden (which in reality I would have a patch of ground where nothing comes up and things that did would be withered), a big lazy adoring dog, and perhaps some chickens for fresh eggs. This house should have a little garage on the side where I can park my car and do some creative projects--refinish and reupholster furniture. That's the dream, but it's entirely unrealistic at the moment.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Body Design
So I've been a bit lame with the workouts. Not horrible, but not as intense as I had hoped for. I didn't work out Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Monday, I did go to yoga--I found myself not as nimble as the week before. Tuesday I only did a lame 20-minute Denise Austen video, but better than nothing. Wednesday I had to go to the grocery store, so no workout. On a positive note, I've walked to work every day except yesterday.
And then, tonight...dun, dun, dun. I drove over thinking it would be nice to join the cycling class. Last week when I was touring the facility with my trainer they had a good leisurely class going, and I thought "this is my kind of thing." Then I showed up, and the cycling class was cancelled.
I thought about running or doing the weird impactless running machine they showed me last week, but the machines are so busy and visible, and the track is a bit crowded, so I wandered into the other class that was going at the same time "Body Design."
I think the instructor Brian wanted me to fall over and die. I can't feel my legs, and my butt cheeks are on fire. No joke...we did a bijillion squats. Walking to work tomorrow should be interesting.
Brian badgered me into promising to come back, which I cannot do because I have an appointment with my personal trainer during the class. I think I will go to Brian's cycling class next week so that I can tell him that I'm not wimping out.
Must drink more water.
Monday, I did go to yoga--I found myself not as nimble as the week before. Tuesday I only did a lame 20-minute Denise Austen video, but better than nothing. Wednesday I had to go to the grocery store, so no workout. On a positive note, I've walked to work every day except yesterday.
And then, tonight...dun, dun, dun. I drove over thinking it would be nice to join the cycling class. Last week when I was touring the facility with my trainer they had a good leisurely class going, and I thought "this is my kind of thing." Then I showed up, and the cycling class was cancelled.
I thought about running or doing the weird impactless running machine they showed me last week, but the machines are so busy and visible, and the track is a bit crowded, so I wandered into the other class that was going at the same time "Body Design."
I think the instructor Brian wanted me to fall over and die. I can't feel my legs, and my butt cheeks are on fire. No joke...we did a bijillion squats. Walking to work tomorrow should be interesting.
Brian badgered me into promising to come back, which I cannot do because I have an appointment with my personal trainer during the class. I think I will go to Brian's cycling class next week so that I can tell him that I'm not wimping out.
Must drink more water.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Personal Trainer
So I met with my personal trainer today (I get 3 total for free with the start of my membership).
We set some goals.
I have never been one to drink as much water as one is supposed to drink. Today we measured my body mass index (BMI), and I guess the machine measures high if you don't drink enough water. So this will be my easy way of bringing down my BMI.
The working out 3-4 times a week will be the easy goal I think. I can do that.
Increasing distance though, blergh. I have no willpower. I wimp out too easily. I want to increase my endurance though, so that is my goal. I will substitute increasing the amount of laps/time I swim for running as well. It's still endurance. I don't care if it's running or swimming.
I also learned the right way to use a rowing machine.
I will be the master of fitness...even though I'm technically taking tonight off. :)
Mmmmmm pasta.
Also, I like this personal trainer girl. She's nice, and it was nice to talk to somebody in person. I am bummed that for her it was work, and there are only three sessions (two left). I need to make some friends.
We set some goals.
- Drink more water.
- Go workout 3-4 times a week.
- Increase the distance I can run without stopping.
I have never been one to drink as much water as one is supposed to drink. Today we measured my body mass index (BMI), and I guess the machine measures high if you don't drink enough water. So this will be my easy way of bringing down my BMI.
The working out 3-4 times a week will be the easy goal I think. I can do that.
Increasing distance though, blergh. I have no willpower. I wimp out too easily. I want to increase my endurance though, so that is my goal. I will substitute increasing the amount of laps/time I swim for running as well. It's still endurance. I don't care if it's running or swimming.
I also learned the right way to use a rowing machine.
I will be the master of fitness...even though I'm technically taking tonight off. :)
Mmmmmm pasta.
Also, I like this personal trainer girl. She's nice, and it was nice to talk to somebody in person. I am bummed that for her it was work, and there are only three sessions (two left). I need to make some friends.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Competative Fitness
So I'm competing for workout time with my friend Molly and with Chris...separately. We tally Sunday evenings to see who wins. I don't think the winner wins anything except maybe superiority, but Chris and I talked about owing eachother elaborately cooked meals. :)
I got 1 hour in at an intense yoga class yesterday. I will be going back for that next Monday. Tonight I was debating between some "Body Design" class and a water fitness class called "Working Down Under." The description of the body design class mentioned weights, so I wasn't too thrilled about that, and the working down under class had no description and is for beginners (because all the evening water fitness classes are for beginners), so again, not so thrilled.
It doesn't matter though because actually getting myself over there turned into me making dinner. So instead, I'm going to go to the only class that will be available later: Zumba. I know, I know, I mock dance classes horribly. I'm sure it's a great workout, but I don't do the dancing thing. I'm tempted to stay home and do a yoga video before bed. Who am I kidding, I will be staying home and doing a yoga video and possibly a Denise Austen cheesy 90s workout video because, well, I love when she says "smile, we're burning fat." If you're laughing at me right now, Denise Austen's madness works--really, it does. I kind of swear by her, even though every video I own came from the dollar store several years back. Yes, I am aware that staying home to do workout videos is not social behavior.
Tomorrow's classes look awful, so I think I will make tomorrow a lap swimming night. Although, I'm also leaning towards a run.
Thursday, I have a personal trainer booked because it was free.
Friday, well maybe a lap swimming night, maybe a yoga video, maybe a run.
Saturday morning, I am for sure getting up to go to yoga because yoga on Monday was so awesome.
Sunday, lap swimming is a definite thing.
Notice how I have all these plans, but I'm already falling short today (Day 2). I am going to lose. :)
I got 1 hour in at an intense yoga class yesterday. I will be going back for that next Monday. Tonight I was debating between some "Body Design" class and a water fitness class called "Working Down Under." The description of the body design class mentioned weights, so I wasn't too thrilled about that, and the working down under class had no description and is for beginners (because all the evening water fitness classes are for beginners), so again, not so thrilled.
It doesn't matter though because actually getting myself over there turned into me making dinner. So instead, I'm going to go to the only class that will be available later: Zumba. I know, I know, I mock dance classes horribly. I'm sure it's a great workout, but I don't do the dancing thing. I'm tempted to stay home and do a yoga video before bed. Who am I kidding, I will be staying home and doing a yoga video and possibly a Denise Austen cheesy 90s workout video because, well, I love when she says "smile, we're burning fat." If you're laughing at me right now, Denise Austen's madness works--really, it does. I kind of swear by her, even though every video I own came from the dollar store several years back. Yes, I am aware that staying home to do workout videos is not social behavior.
Tomorrow's classes look awful, so I think I will make tomorrow a lap swimming night. Although, I'm also leaning towards a run.
Thursday, I have a personal trainer booked because it was free.
Friday, well maybe a lap swimming night, maybe a yoga video, maybe a run.
Saturday morning, I am for sure getting up to go to yoga because yoga on Monday was so awesome.
Sunday, lap swimming is a definite thing.
Notice how I have all these plans, but I'm already falling short today (Day 2). I am going to lose. :)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Social Fitness
So I've decided to go for the YMCA membership for social reasons as well as fitness reasons, but I'm not cutting the internet just yet.
I don't want to pay for both, but the installation fee for internet was hefty. I don't want to join the YMCA, not like it, and then have to pay said installation fee again to get my internet back.
Instead, I'm joining the Y on a trial basis. I get to have both a Y membership and internet service for one month. If I decide in a month that I don't like the Y, I will keep my internet. If I decide that I like the Y, the internet goes.
Tada! Pure genius.
I don't want to pay for both, but the installation fee for internet was hefty. I don't want to join the YMCA, not like it, and then have to pay said installation fee again to get my internet back.
Instead, I'm joining the Y on a trial basis. I get to have both a Y membership and internet service for one month. If I decide in a month that I don't like the Y, I will keep my internet. If I decide that I like the Y, the internet goes.
Tada! Pure genius.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Interwebs? YMCA?
So I'm struggling with a dilemma.
I've discovered a YMCA conveniently close to my apartment. It has a track and a pool, which are two things I like that I can't get from the hokey workout facility at work. Sounds like a worthwhile investment to me. There are even some fitness classes I could take. That would be a good decision socially.
Cost is my concern. A membership is $38 a month. That's not bad, but I don't want to spend that kind of money if I won't use it. I've kind of decided that if I get a YMCA membership, I'll cut my internet plan.
Technically, I can access the internet from the lobby of my apartment complex (though it can be inconsistent), so I don't need to pay for internet. My paid-for internet hasn't been that consistent anyway. The only major drawback of cutting my internet is losing the ability to pay bills online. I can't fathom paying with paper methods.
I'm also contemplating getting rid of my Netflix, but that's a bit less likely.
The real question is will I take the time to go to the YMCA? Will it be worth it? I don't know, but I should figure it out--soon. If I go for it before January 16th, they waive the initial fee. That will be a wash considering what my internet installment cost was. Oh well.
One thing I definitely should do is get some Wii games that demand being in motion without investing in fancy Wii gadgets that I don't already have. Wii investing is at least a flat rate. I won't have to continuously pay.
10 days to decide. Blergh.
I've discovered a YMCA conveniently close to my apartment. It has a track and a pool, which are two things I like that I can't get from the hokey workout facility at work. Sounds like a worthwhile investment to me. There are even some fitness classes I could take. That would be a good decision socially.
Cost is my concern. A membership is $38 a month. That's not bad, but I don't want to spend that kind of money if I won't use it. I've kind of decided that if I get a YMCA membership, I'll cut my internet plan.
Technically, I can access the internet from the lobby of my apartment complex (though it can be inconsistent), so I don't need to pay for internet. My paid-for internet hasn't been that consistent anyway. The only major drawback of cutting my internet is losing the ability to pay bills online. I can't fathom paying with paper methods.
I'm also contemplating getting rid of my Netflix, but that's a bit less likely.
The real question is will I take the time to go to the YMCA? Will it be worth it? I don't know, but I should figure it out--soon. If I go for it before January 16th, they waive the initial fee. That will be a wash considering what my internet installment cost was. Oh well.
One thing I definitely should do is get some Wii games that demand being in motion without investing in fancy Wii gadgets that I don't already have. Wii investing is at least a flat rate. I won't have to continuously pay.
10 days to decide. Blergh.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Blog Intentions
Yes, I know my blogs of late have been of a personal nature. A month of living out of a suitcase has killed all creativity. Coffee shops aren't all that helpful--I tried very hard to work on a short story last week, but my brain would have no part in it.
Due to limited access to Netflix, I just cannot crochet. When I get all moved into the new apartment in a couple weeks, I will begin the crochet madness again with the aid of beloved mindless original Star Trek.
Also to come is a lot more cooking and baking, sponsored by having my own kitchen and groceries. I will be better about providing recipes. Expendable income should result in returning to a lifestyle of organic cooking, although there will still be potstickers from a bag. They are a definite vice of mine, even if the smell slightly resembles stinky feet.
I might have to share some progress on the fitness front as well. My job comes with a workout facility, so I will be working out more. I will, of course, continue to use cheesy 90s Denise Austin workout videos that I purchased from the dollar store five-and-a-half years ago. They work. I'm also considering joining a yoga studio so that I can add a social element to getting fit. I am honestly too cheap to join a gym, especially since I would actually have to get in my car and drive to one. That defeats the purpose of living downtown.
I'd like to reserve my car for grocery trips only, although I'm holding out hope for some sort of downtown local grocer, in which case my car will almost never get used. It's a great car, but I've put over 5,000 miles on it in the last month-and-a-half. It's time for it to get some down time.
Also to come to my blog are photos not taken with my cell phone. I have two cameras that have been given to me. If I can acquire cords and successfully get them hooked up to my computer, I should be good to go. (All free cameras come without cords.)
Due to limited access to Netflix, I just cannot crochet. When I get all moved into the new apartment in a couple weeks, I will begin the crochet madness again with the aid of beloved mindless original Star Trek.
Also to come is a lot more cooking and baking, sponsored by having my own kitchen and groceries. I will be better about providing recipes. Expendable income should result in returning to a lifestyle of organic cooking, although there will still be potstickers from a bag. They are a definite vice of mine, even if the smell slightly resembles stinky feet.
I might have to share some progress on the fitness front as well. My job comes with a workout facility, so I will be working out more. I will, of course, continue to use cheesy 90s Denise Austin workout videos that I purchased from the dollar store five-and-a-half years ago. They work. I'm also considering joining a yoga studio so that I can add a social element to getting fit. I am honestly too cheap to join a gym, especially since I would actually have to get in my car and drive to one. That defeats the purpose of living downtown.
I'd like to reserve my car for grocery trips only, although I'm holding out hope for some sort of downtown local grocer, in which case my car will almost never get used. It's a great car, but I've put over 5,000 miles on it in the last month-and-a-half. It's time for it to get some down time.
Also to come to my blog are photos not taken with my cell phone. I have two cameras that have been given to me. If I can acquire cords and successfully get them hooked up to my computer, I should be good to go. (All free cameras come without cords.)
Monday, November 21, 2011
A Place to Live
I've been looking at some living options for if I get this job, and I find my priorities are very different than they used to be.
While I have always been drawn to older homes with wood floors and big back yards, I have decided not to look at anything like that for my next housing environment. I'm a single girl; I don't need that yet.
Most of the places I am finding are a 15-20 minute commute to work. These places (often for not much more than I have been paying) include swimming pools, fitness centers, and tennis courts. Many of them have options to have a fireplace and a garage. Some of them even include wifi and free movie rentals.
Of course, there is one where I could live a 2-3 minute commute to work (13 minute walk, which I think would be nice with parking in mind). I don't believe it has a garage option, so that's a major drawback. I would also have to find a gym nearby, and I keep finding all these militaristic gyms and martial arts places--no thank you. Although I did find a yoga studio near where work would be. I could become comitted to yoga. There's also one center that looks promising but that doesn't have a web site--it looks like they have pilates, which I love. If they have a kickboxing class, I'm sold.
Of course, if I can get a ground level apartment, I could also invest in a few Wii fitness games.
Not sure the place close to work is worth it. Although, I might be tempted to join the yoga place even if I live further away.
While I have always been drawn to older homes with wood floors and big back yards, I have decided not to look at anything like that for my next housing environment. I'm a single girl; I don't need that yet.
Most of the places I am finding are a 15-20 minute commute to work. These places (often for not much more than I have been paying) include swimming pools, fitness centers, and tennis courts. Many of them have options to have a fireplace and a garage. Some of them even include wifi and free movie rentals.
Of course, there is one where I could live a 2-3 minute commute to work (13 minute walk, which I think would be nice with parking in mind). I don't believe it has a garage option, so that's a major drawback. I would also have to find a gym nearby, and I keep finding all these militaristic gyms and martial arts places--no thank you. Although I did find a yoga studio near where work would be. I could become comitted to yoga. There's also one center that looks promising but that doesn't have a web site--it looks like they have pilates, which I love. If they have a kickboxing class, I'm sold.
Of course, if I can get a ground level apartment, I could also invest in a few Wii fitness games.
Not sure the place close to work is worth it. Although, I might be tempted to join the yoga place even if I live further away.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Gettin' Fit
I went to bed early last night so that I could get up and work out. I also wanted to be better about riding my bike to work, but it's going to be rainy this afternoon. Boooooo rain!
That also means it is unlikely that I can take my fishing chair out to read by the pond on my lunch break. Blergh again. I might have to come home at lunch to crochet and watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Arrested Development. These are the two series I'm currently making my way through on Netflix.
I did actually get up and work out--kickboxing.
I had been making good progress on losing weight and getting fit when I first moved here. Three weeks in to my time here, I was about 5 lbs away from my goal. As of yesterday, I'm now about 10 lbs away from my goal. :C
Can I be 20 again? Everything was so easy at 20. Not that maintaining/losing weight is all that hard for me now. I do have a very user-friendly metabolism. I just want to eat ice cream and brownies freely again, though. By freely, I mean the whole plate. I still eat those things now, I just have to be careful to watch the portions.
That also means it is unlikely that I can take my fishing chair out to read by the pond on my lunch break. Blergh again. I might have to come home at lunch to crochet and watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Arrested Development. These are the two series I'm currently making my way through on Netflix.
I did actually get up and work out--kickboxing.
I had been making good progress on losing weight and getting fit when I first moved here. Three weeks in to my time here, I was about 5 lbs away from my goal. As of yesterday, I'm now about 10 lbs away from my goal. :C
Can I be 20 again? Everything was so easy at 20. Not that maintaining/losing weight is all that hard for me now. I do have a very user-friendly metabolism. I just want to eat ice cream and brownies freely again, though. By freely, I mean the whole plate. I still eat those things now, I just have to be careful to watch the portions.
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