I have a complaint regarding ageism in America. And sexism too, for that matter. The other night I was watching the only t. v. show I regularly watch: The Closer. I really enjoy the writing and the characters on that show. Kyra Sedgwick is absolutely lovely and you can tell by her arms that she is dedicated to working out. She looks just great. But I noticed the other night that they have started to fuzz her out! There was a close-up with her and one of the other characters; his face was as clear as could be, but she was just slightly out of focus. What's up with that? They don't fuzz out the men. Why can't a beautiful woman in her 40's look like she's in her 40's? She obviously takes good care of herself, so why does she have to be wrinkle-free? Maybe I am overly sensitive since I am in my 40's (and next year I won't be in my 40's anymore). But I wish Kyra and all the other 40+ actresses out there would stand up and say, I won't be fuzzy anymore! Then maybe the rest of us wouldn't keep trying to compare ourselves to the impossible standard of perfection that has been set for us.
OK, thanks for listening. I feel a little better.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Resolutions
Last year I didn't make a New Year's Resolution. I really didn't make any resolutions until April, when I watched my husband complete a half-marathon and noticed, on the faces of each and every single person who crossed that finish line, a look of achievement that I decided I wanted for myself. The really fast runners, the newbies, the ones who looked like they were about to drop...they all had the same look on their face: "I did it." That encouraged me to start training for a half-marathon in October, which I successfully completed.
So now I have come up with a new goal, and I'm putting it out there right now so that I can't back down. 2011 is going to be the year I learn to swim. I talked to the swimming director at the gym today and signed up for private adult swimming lessons, beginning some time after the 10th of January. I have several reasons for wanting to attain this goal.
First of all, during the last mile of the half-marathon my knee began to bother me. I did not stop running, of course, because I only had one mile to go. But since then it has continued to bother me and I have not been able to run on it very long or very often. So I need to find something else to burn big calories.
Second, although I am still and will always be younger than Becky, I know age is going to creep up on me. Finding something that is easier on the joints is going to be a bonus in the future.
And third, it just stinks not being able to swim. Last year my husband and I went to St. John in the U. S. Virgin Islands for our 25th anniversary. St. John is one of the ultimate snorkeling sites in the world. But on our first day out, I got out in the water about up to my neck, started to panic and hyperventilate, and had to turn around and go back to the beach. Luckily my husband is not the type to say, "Well, see ya later, I'm going to go have fun anyway." Instead he is the type to say, "We're not having this." He went up the beach until he found a place that would rent me fins and a life jacket (translation: water wings for weenie adults) so that I was able to snorkel with him. And the day we came across a big group of sea turtles will always be one of my favorite memories. But I almost missed it, due to my fear of the water. So it is time to learn how to do this.
I will keep you posted, and in the meantime, what is your goal for 2011? What do you need to do to achieve it?
So now I have come up with a new goal, and I'm putting it out there right now so that I can't back down. 2011 is going to be the year I learn to swim. I talked to the swimming director at the gym today and signed up for private adult swimming lessons, beginning some time after the 10th of January. I have several reasons for wanting to attain this goal.
First of all, during the last mile of the half-marathon my knee began to bother me. I did not stop running, of course, because I only had one mile to go. But since then it has continued to bother me and I have not been able to run on it very long or very often. So I need to find something else to burn big calories.
Second, although I am still and will always be younger than Becky, I know age is going to creep up on me. Finding something that is easier on the joints is going to be a bonus in the future.
And third, it just stinks not being able to swim. Last year my husband and I went to St. John in the U. S. Virgin Islands for our 25th anniversary. St. John is one of the ultimate snorkeling sites in the world. But on our first day out, I got out in the water about up to my neck, started to panic and hyperventilate, and had to turn around and go back to the beach. Luckily my husband is not the type to say, "Well, see ya later, I'm going to go have fun anyway." Instead he is the type to say, "We're not having this." He went up the beach until he found a place that would rent me fins and a life jacket (translation: water wings for weenie adults) so that I was able to snorkel with him. And the day we came across a big group of sea turtles will always be one of my favorite memories. But I almost missed it, due to my fear of the water. So it is time to learn how to do this.
I will keep you posted, and in the meantime, what is your goal for 2011? What do you need to do to achieve it?
Sunday, December 26, 2010
More Holiday Fun
My sister-in-law Keri, in town for the holidays, agreed to accompany me to the gym on Christmas Eve. Her gym at home keeps eucalyptus-scented towels in a little refrigerator and the fitness staff walks around offering them to the members. Luckily she gave me this information before we arrived at my gym, so she was forewarned that there would be no eucalyptus-scented towels awaiting her there.
What was awaiting us, though? Becky had been hard at work creating yet another of her masterful holiday-themed workouts. This one was called "Undecorate the Tree."
Under each of the ornaments were instructions for a different exercise. Some were serious - like five minutes of cardio with 45 seconds hard and 15 seconds recovery to each minute. Others were just for fun - like creating some elf mischief in the gym. Angela surprised the heck out of a young man when she changed the weights on his machine between sets.
We had so much fun with this workout that by the end of our workout, there were six people participating. People who weren't participating with us were surely feeling jealous as we sang "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bell Rock" while doing walking lunges up and down the hall. After telling Keri recently that our workouts never exceeded an hour, this one of course took an hour and a half.
Here's the group, with our fearless leader decked out in antlers at the bottom (she wanted to be sure you could see her holiday socks).
The Two Buff Chicks hope you had a Merry Christmas and will have much joy and exercise in the coming year.
What was awaiting us, though? Becky had been hard at work creating yet another of her masterful holiday-themed workouts. This one was called "Undecorate the Tree."
Under each of the ornaments were instructions for a different exercise. Some were serious - like five minutes of cardio with 45 seconds hard and 15 seconds recovery to each minute. Others were just for fun - like creating some elf mischief in the gym. Angela surprised the heck out of a young man when she changed the weights on his machine between sets.
We had so much fun with this workout that by the end of our workout, there were six people participating. People who weren't participating with us were surely feeling jealous as we sang "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bell Rock" while doing walking lunges up and down the hall. After telling Keri recently that our workouts never exceeded an hour, this one of course took an hour and a half.
Here's the group, with our fearless leader decked out in antlers at the bottom (she wanted to be sure you could see her holiday socks).
The Two Buff Chicks hope you had a Merry Christmas and will have much joy and exercise in the coming year.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
An Early Christmas Present from the Two Buff Chicks
Becky and I have a whole bunch of holiday related workouts. Yesterday we did one of our all-time favorites. We do it every year around Christmas. We thought you might like to try it today or tomorrow. Then you can feel strong and good about yourself even if you are a complete slug on Christmas Day.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
Directions: For the first round, perform the first day exercise (5 push-ups). For the second round, perform the second day exercise AND the first day exercise (5 stability ball crunches and 5 push-ups). Continue in this manner until in the last round, you will perform all twelve exercises. If you're good at math you will have quickly calculated that you will have done 60 push-ups by the end of this workout.
On the first day of Christmas we did 5 push-ups
On the second day of Christmas we did 5 stability ball crunches
On the third day of Christmas we did 5 bicep curls
On the fourth day of Christmas we did 5 triceps extensions
On the fifth day of Christmas we did 5 overhead press
On the sixth day of Christmas we did 10 jumping jacks
On the seventh day of Christmas we did 5 stability ball crunches
On the eighth day of Christmas we did 10 upright row
On the ninth day of Christmas we did 10 incline press
On the tenth day of Christmas we did 12 bent over lat raises
On the eleventh day of Christmas we did 12 triceps kickbacks
On the twelfth day of Christmas we did 15 assisted pull-ups
Just our little gift to you! Have fun!
A couple of things to keep in mind:
- You should try to be as festive as possible during this workout. Wear antlers, wear red and green clothing, wear bells, sing Christmas carols. Be as obnoxiously festive as you can.
- There isn't a lot of leg work in this workout. If you want to work your legs, change some of the exercises or add to them. We were plenty tired without working our legs.
- We have been doing this workout for several years. Each year it takes a little longer to wear us out. But if this is your first year and you want to take it easy, do just some of the exercises. Or if you're a maniac, do the whole thing twice. Whatever works for you is what we want you to do.
- Singing the song as you work out can be quite annoying to the people around you. Don't ask us how we know that.
Directions: For the first round, perform the first day exercise (5 push-ups). For the second round, perform the second day exercise AND the first day exercise (5 stability ball crunches and 5 push-ups). Continue in this manner until in the last round, you will perform all twelve exercises. If you're good at math you will have quickly calculated that you will have done 60 push-ups by the end of this workout.
On the first day of Christmas we did 5 push-ups
On the second day of Christmas we did 5 stability ball crunches
On the third day of Christmas we did 5 bicep curls
On the fourth day of Christmas we did 5 triceps extensions
On the fifth day of Christmas we did 5 overhead press
On the sixth day of Christmas we did 10 jumping jacks
On the seventh day of Christmas we did 5 stability ball crunches
On the eighth day of Christmas we did 10 upright row
On the ninth day of Christmas we did 10 incline press
On the tenth day of Christmas we did 12 bent over lat raises
On the eleventh day of Christmas we did 12 triceps kickbacks
On the twelfth day of Christmas we did 15 assisted pull-ups
Just our little gift to you! Have fun!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Penance
Here is my post-vacation confession: I did not do one single solitary lick of exercise during my entire week in South Carolina. I thought about it. I thought about it a lot. While my husband was out for his 4 or 5 mile runs, I thought about it. On the days it warmed up and the wind stopped blowing, I thought about it. I even thought about my usual morning crunches and push-ups. But thinking never once led to doing. I did not even go for a walk.
Food-wise I did okay. I tried to be sure to get my water, eat my fruits and veggies, and stop when I was full. There was one particularly ugly incident involving a box of Cheez-Its that I found in my mother-in-law's kitchen, but other than that things seem to have stayed in balance.
So now it's back to the land of the ice and snow. I have been exercising hard and faithfully since my return and continuing to try to make good choices when I eat. As a result, I'm a little sore and a little hungry. But that's okay. Sometimes you need a little break and then you go back to your regular habits and life moves on.
And in the meantime, on days when I leave the gym and my fingers get so cold that I have to run the heat on full blast all the way home in order to warm up, I can always come home and look at this picture:
Or this one:
Yes, that's a dolphin. He was totally awesome! Even better than a box of Cheez-Its!
Food-wise I did okay. I tried to be sure to get my water, eat my fruits and veggies, and stop when I was full. There was one particularly ugly incident involving a box of Cheez-Its that I found in my mother-in-law's kitchen, but other than that things seem to have stayed in balance.
So now it's back to the land of the ice and snow. I have been exercising hard and faithfully since my return and continuing to try to make good choices when I eat. As a result, I'm a little sore and a little hungry. But that's okay. Sometimes you need a little break and then you go back to your regular habits and life moves on.
And in the meantime, on days when I leave the gym and my fingers get so cold that I have to run the heat on full blast all the way home in order to warm up, I can always come home and look at this picture:
Or this one:
Yes, that's a dolphin. He was totally awesome! Even better than a box of Cheez-Its!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Zzzzzzzz
You know how they always have those lists of things you need to do to be healthy? Well, I can make myself exercise. I can make myself eat properly. I can make myself take a multivitamin. I can make myself floss. But how the heck do you make yourself get a good night's sleep? Either you get one or you don't. And they keep pointing out how that is one of the most important things you can do, which only adds to my stress level when I'm trying to sleep.
I can fall asleep. But if I wake up, I'm up. Last night I woke up at 1:30 a.m. and I don't really think I ever fell fully back to sleep all night. I tried really hard to make myself do it, but myself was having none of it. I'm nice and sleepy now, though, thanks very much! I'm a bad napper, though, so I will just try to tough it out until bedtime.
My son says if you wake up in the night you should get up and do something productive, because that quiets your mind and makes it possible for you to go back to sleep. Usually it's too warm in the bed and too cold out of the bed for me to consider that, but I may get desperate and try it. I could count sheep or better yet, count the days until Becky turns 50...oh, that wouldn't take very long so scratch that.
Anyway, here's wishing you a good night's sleep and wishing myself one as well.
I can fall asleep. But if I wake up, I'm up. Last night I woke up at 1:30 a.m. and I don't really think I ever fell fully back to sleep all night. I tried really hard to make myself do it, but myself was having none of it. I'm nice and sleepy now, though, thanks very much! I'm a bad napper, though, so I will just try to tough it out until bedtime.
My son says if you wake up in the night you should get up and do something productive, because that quiets your mind and makes it possible for you to go back to sleep. Usually it's too warm in the bed and too cold out of the bed for me to consider that, but I may get desperate and try it. I could count sheep or better yet, count the days until Becky turns 50...oh, that wouldn't take very long so scratch that.
Anyway, here's wishing you a good night's sleep and wishing myself one as well.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Winter in the South
As I mentioned yesterday, it's cold in South Carolina. Those of you in Minnesota might not have much sympathy, but the locals here keep telling us it never gets this cold in December, so we're feeling a little chilled. Yesterday the wind was blowing so hard you could have surfed on the whitecaps in the sound. Not the ocean, the sound. And you ain't seen nothin' until you've seen hunks of Spanish Moss rolling across parking lots like tumbleweeds.
But the trade off? Here is how they decorate the harbor for Christmas. It is so pretty and really gets you in the spirit. (It also helps that the forecast for later this week is 60's and sunny).
People have the masts of their boats lit up with Christmas lights and the reflection off the water is just beautiful.
By the way, today's fitness effort was to look up the local YMCA on Google and try to find it. We ended up in the middle of a fancy-schmancy subdivision where the nice lady in the guard shack told us we weren't the first ones to have been misdirected. She thought she knew where it was but when we went where she sent us, there was nothing that resembled the YMCA except a basketball goal in an empty parking lot. With Spanish Moss rolling by like tumbleweeds.
But the trade off? Here is how they decorate the harbor for Christmas. It is so pretty and really gets you in the spirit. (It also helps that the forecast for later this week is 60's and sunny).
People have the masts of their boats lit up with Christmas lights and the reflection off the water is just beautiful.
By the way, today's fitness effort was to look up the local YMCA on Google and try to find it. We ended up in the middle of a fancy-schmancy subdivision where the nice lady in the guard shack told us we weren't the first ones to have been misdirected. She thought she knew where it was but when we went where she sent us, there was nothing that resembled the YMCA except a basketball goal in an empty parking lot. With Spanish Moss rolling by like tumbleweeds.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Vacation Fitness
My husband and I took off for the coast of South Carolina this week, leaving our son at home to have fun with final exams and midwestern blizzards. But even in South Carolina, it's not very tempting to go outside and exercise. The wind is blowing fairly hard and the temperature is in the 30's. Even though the sun is shining and it looks pretty outside, I really have been having trouble making myself get out into it for anything other than shopping or going out to dinner.
This morning my husband got up, ate breakfast and said he was going to go for a run. Instead he sat down on the couch and watched a little t. v. Then he had lunch and a nap. I took his picture while he was napping but he refused to let me put it on the blog. I don't know why; his mouth was closed and he wasn't drooling or anything. But I'm trying to be a nice wife so I won't put it on.
To be fair, and to keep from making him sound like as much of a slug as I am today, he is out at this moment running. While I, on the other hand, am sitting at the computer desk, feeling regretful about all - no, make that some - of the calories I've taken in, but not bad enough to get up and do anything about it. Some days you've got it, some days you don't. Today I don't and I'm not even feeling particularly guilty about it. Maybe I can do like Carrie Bradshaw in Sex & the City and use shopping for my cardio today.
This morning my husband got up, ate breakfast and said he was going to go for a run. Instead he sat down on the couch and watched a little t. v. Then he had lunch and a nap. I took his picture while he was napping but he refused to let me put it on the blog. I don't know why; his mouth was closed and he wasn't drooling or anything. But I'm trying to be a nice wife so I won't put it on.
To be fair, and to keep from making him sound like as much of a slug as I am today, he is out at this moment running. While I, on the other hand, am sitting at the computer desk, feeling regretful about all - no, make that some - of the calories I've taken in, but not bad enough to get up and do anything about it. Some days you've got it, some days you don't. Today I don't and I'm not even feeling particularly guilty about it. Maybe I can do like Carrie Bradshaw in Sex & the City and use shopping for my cardio today.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Mmm, Good!
There's a great website out there that I wanted to pass on to you in case you haven't heard of it. It's called hungrygirl.com and there are all kinds of good recipes that are healthy and really fill you up. She takes regular recipes and makes them better for you, then shows you the comparison between her way and the usual way. Hungry Girl also checks out restaurant food to let you know some good choices when you go out to eat (and terrifies you with stats on some of them as well). Tonight we are having her butternut squash fries; we've made them many times and they are delish! You can also sign up to get daily emails with new tips and recipes.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Danger, Will Robinson!
If you get that reference, you must be in my age group. I used to love that show! Even though it was a little sad if you thought about the long-term prospects for Will and Penny. I mean, who were they going to marry?
But anyway, back to the point. One thing I have learned about myself over the years is that I have a period of time every afternoon in which I need the robot from Lost in Space to come along and remind me I'm in danger. The time between when I get home and when we eat dinner is the time when I sometimes think I'm going to starve. If I don't quickly find something healthy to snack on, it can get pretty ugly. Lately I've been slipping a bit, so it seems like a good time to think about healthy snacks that can get you through that long period between lunch and dinner.
Here are some of the things I like to keep on hand for my danger times:
But anyway, back to the point. One thing I have learned about myself over the years is that I have a period of time every afternoon in which I need the robot from Lost in Space to come along and remind me I'm in danger. The time between when I get home and when we eat dinner is the time when I sometimes think I'm going to starve. If I don't quickly find something healthy to snack on, it can get pretty ugly. Lately I've been slipping a bit, so it seems like a good time to think about healthy snacks that can get you through that long period between lunch and dinner.
Here are some of the things I like to keep on hand for my danger times:
- a hard boiled egg
- a tablespoon of hummus or low-fat ranch dressing or peanut butter with veggie sticks or whole grain crackers
- a wedge of Laughing Cow light swiss cheese with fat-free pretzels or whole grain crackers
- a cup of vegetable soup
- a small bowl of cereal with skim milk
- a piece of fruit with a tablespoon of peanut butter
- a big green salad
- a glass of skim milk and a couple of graham crackers
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Taking Stock
My job as an office manager and bookkeeper means that at the end of the year you will find me throwing things out, filing things away, making new files for the upcoming year and preparing for the onslaught of duties that will come with January. I go through my accounting program searching for any errors I might have made that I haven't already caught, I do a test run of my 1099's, I get on the IRS website to see what's new with them, and I print off a checklist of year-end duties and dates.
I find that over the years the rhythm of this cycle has begun to spill over into my "real" life as well. It's a good time to look back on the year to see what you have accomplished, as well as what you wish you had accomplished, so that you can prepare for the year to come.
Where do you find yourself as 2010 comes to a close? Where do you want to be in a year? I feel pretty good about 2010. I set some attainable goals for myself and they have come to pass. I wanted to complete a half-marathon. I wanted to get more involved at church. I wanted to build some new friendships and rebuild some old ones. Opportunities for all of these goals came into my life this year and I was able to accomplish them.
It's not quite time for New Year's resolutions yet, but it's a good time to start thinking about where you would like to see yourself this time next year. What was good about this year? What are some good changes that you could try to make happen in your life in the coming year? How can you make yourself a happier, healthier person in the next twelve months?
I find that over the years the rhythm of this cycle has begun to spill over into my "real" life as well. It's a good time to look back on the year to see what you have accomplished, as well as what you wish you had accomplished, so that you can prepare for the year to come.
Where do you find yourself as 2010 comes to a close? Where do you want to be in a year? I feel pretty good about 2010. I set some attainable goals for myself and they have come to pass. I wanted to complete a half-marathon. I wanted to get more involved at church. I wanted to build some new friendships and rebuild some old ones. Opportunities for all of these goals came into my life this year and I was able to accomplish them.
It's not quite time for New Year's resolutions yet, but it's a good time to start thinking about where you would like to see yourself this time next year. What was good about this year? What are some good changes that you could try to make happen in your life in the coming year? How can you make yourself a happier, healthier person in the next twelve months?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
More Tunes
I finally took a few minutes (okay, it was longer than that) to look at my iPod and find some more suggestions for good cardio workout music. See what you think.
- Sweet Child of Mine - Guns and Roses
- Mirror in the Bathroom - The English Beat
- Black Tongue or Tick or Zero or pretty much anything by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
- Butterfly - Crazy Town
- Feel Good or 19-2000 - the Gorillaz
- We Care a Lot - Faith No More
- Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd
- One Way or Another - Blondie
- Tribute - Tenacious D
- On Mercury - Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Hit the Road, Jack - Ray Charles
- Somebody More Like You or Helena - Nickel Creek
- Paradise by the Dashboard Light - Meatloaf (sorry but I dare you not to sing along)
- Rocket Science - The Pimps
- Crazy - Gnarles Barkley
- The Other Side or pretty much anything by Aerosmith
- The House is Rockin' - Stevie Ray Vaughn
- Runnin' Down a Dream - Tom Petty
- I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers
- Walkin' on the Sun - Smashmouth
- Anything upbeat by the Beatles - my favorite is When I'm 64 - it doesn't especially rock but I love it
- Steppin' Out With My Baby - Tony Bennett
- Let's Spend the Night Together - Rolling Stones
- Men in Black - Will Smith
- Big Black Horse - K. T. Tunstall
Monday, December 6, 2010
Nudges
Sometimes after Becky and I lift, I would just like to slide on out the door and go home. But before I can do that, Becky will say something like, “You’re going to do some cardio, aren’t you?” It's more of a statement than a question. But then I think, why not? I'll go over and get on the elliptical and work up quite a little sweat! I always feel great afterwards. So why don't I do that on my own?
That is why it is so great to have someone in your corner who will push you a little bit. Or, as in Becky’s case, someone who will push you a lot.
Here are some other reasons why you really need to find a compatible workout partner:
• You’re less likely to blow off a workout if you know someone’s waiting for you to show up.
• Even if you are tired, you will finish the workout rather than stopping halfway through like you might do on your own.
• You encourage each other to try harder – by golly, if your partner can lift 5 more pounds than so can you!
• It’s more entertaining than your iPod.
• You can brag to your partner about your accomplishments and no one thinks you’re being cocky, because your partner can brag to you too.
• You can complain to your partner and no one thinks you’re being a whiner, because your partner can complain too.
• Your partner will appreciate all the small steps and progress you make.
• It expands your circle of acquaintances in the gym.
• It makes it more fun!
Find someone who will nudge you - and be sure to return the favor!
That is why it is so great to have someone in your corner who will push you a little bit. Or, as in Becky’s case, someone who will push you a lot.
Here are some other reasons why you really need to find a compatible workout partner:
• You’re less likely to blow off a workout if you know someone’s waiting for you to show up.
• Even if you are tired, you will finish the workout rather than stopping halfway through like you might do on your own.
• You encourage each other to try harder – by golly, if your partner can lift 5 more pounds than so can you!
• It’s more entertaining than your iPod.
• You can brag to your partner about your accomplishments and no one thinks you’re being cocky, because your partner can brag to you too.
• You can complain to your partner and no one thinks you’re being a whiner, because your partner can complain too.
• Your partner will appreciate all the small steps and progress you make.
• It expands your circle of acquaintances in the gym.
• It makes it more fun!
Find someone who will nudge you - and be sure to return the favor!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
GO LAURA!
Here's a shout-out to our friend Laura, who is running a marathon in Memphis this weekend. We're sending you good thoughts and wishing you good luck! We're so proud of you. Not many grandmas can run a marathon, nor can they look so good doing it!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Having a Breakdown
Wednesday Becky and I were doing a series of breakdowns. Breakdowns are when you do one set with either your usual weight or a little more weight than usual, then immediately take a little weight off and do a second set, then immediately take a little weight off and do a third set – no breaks between sets. That third set is really hard, even though it is less weight than you usually lift!
When we came to the lat pull down machine, Becky started on her first set and I realized she had set the weight at 87.5 pounds. 87.5 pounds! The most we ever start with is 75. So what flies out of my mouth? “OH MY GOSH, BECKY, ARE YOU SERIOUS???” She looked at me in complete innocence, then looked at the weight and said, “Oh, I thought it felt heavy!”
Becky’s determination always amazes me. I would have stopped right then and lowered the weight. But did she stop? No. She completed 8 reps. Who knows what might have happened if I had kept my mouth shut? So much of this is about what you think you can do. Becky thinks she can, so she does.
This was a really good lesson for me (but I still did not think I could do 87.5 pounds, so although I was quite impressed with Becky’s achievement, I did not try to compete. You can call me a wuss if you want. I won’t mind).
When we came to the lat pull down machine, Becky started on her first set and I realized she had set the weight at 87.5 pounds. 87.5 pounds! The most we ever start with is 75. So what flies out of my mouth? “OH MY GOSH, BECKY, ARE YOU SERIOUS???” She looked at me in complete innocence, then looked at the weight and said, “Oh, I thought it felt heavy!”
Becky’s determination always amazes me. I would have stopped right then and lowered the weight. But did she stop? No. She completed 8 reps. Who knows what might have happened if I had kept my mouth shut? So much of this is about what you think you can do. Becky thinks she can, so she does.
This was a really good lesson for me (but I still did not think I could do 87.5 pounds, so although I was quite impressed with Becky’s achievement, I did not try to compete. You can call me a wuss if you want. I won’t mind).
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Advice from the Cat
There is a new cat at our house, kind of by default. We didn't go looking for her, but she insisted she was ours. One night, a while back, we heard loud meowing on the patio outside our bedroom. We looked out and saw an orange cat, just standing there and meowing in the general direction of the house. Well, we live way out in the country. Cats come along and then they head home. So other than the fact that she meowed outside on the patio all night, we didn't think much more about it.
The next night while I was fixing dinner I heard meowing again. I opened the kitchen door and there she stood on the back step. She meowed at me like, "Let me in. I live here." I told her to go on home.
The following day my son confessed that he had slipped her a piece of bread because "she looked hungry," and she had devoured the bread in a matter of seconds. So the next time I saw her, I gave her a little cat food. Soon we were keeping a bowl in the garage for her. And a heated pet bed.
You know where this story is going, don't you? After calling all the neighbors and finding no one who claimed her, and after taking her to the vet for a clean and very expensive bill of health, Annie has now moved in to the house.
She's a really sweet cat. She just has a bit of an issue with food. I guess those days of going hungry made her think the best modus operandi was to eat every bite of food she ever passed (kind of how I used to be). When she was still outside and I put food in her bowl, she would eat all of it, no matter how much I gave her.
But when she moved in we had a new problem. We have always used a self-feeder for our other cat. We just fill it up every week and she nibbles on it as needed. She has always remained very svelte and eats just what she needs. When Annie first came in the house, she could not walk by that bowl without stopping for a little nosh. What really cracked us up was that she would lie down while she ate. Like it was just too much work to stand up and chew at the same time.
She finally seems to be getting the hang of the self-feeder. But in the meantime, here's what has happened:
I think we need a kitty cat treadmill.
So while you're trying to navigate yourself through all the parties and family get-togethers in the next few weeks, keep Annie in mind and remember:
The next night while I was fixing dinner I heard meowing again. I opened the kitchen door and there she stood on the back step. She meowed at me like, "Let me in. I live here." I told her to go on home.
The following day my son confessed that he had slipped her a piece of bread because "she looked hungry," and she had devoured the bread in a matter of seconds. So the next time I saw her, I gave her a little cat food. Soon we were keeping a bowl in the garage for her. And a heated pet bed.
You know where this story is going, don't you? After calling all the neighbors and finding no one who claimed her, and after taking her to the vet for a clean and very expensive bill of health, Annie has now moved in to the house.
She's a really sweet cat. She just has a bit of an issue with food. I guess those days of going hungry made her think the best modus operandi was to eat every bite of food she ever passed (kind of how I used to be). When she was still outside and I put food in her bowl, she would eat all of it, no matter how much I gave her.
But when she moved in we had a new problem. We have always used a self-feeder for our other cat. We just fill it up every week and she nibbles on it as needed. She has always remained very svelte and eats just what she needs. When Annie first came in the house, she could not walk by that bowl without stopping for a little nosh. What really cracked us up was that she would lie down while she ate. Like it was just too much work to stand up and chew at the same time.
She finally seems to be getting the hang of the self-feeder. But in the meantime, here's what has happened:
I think we need a kitty cat treadmill.
So while you're trying to navigate yourself through all the parties and family get-togethers in the next few weeks, keep Annie in mind and remember:
- It's not your last meal.
- Grazing is probably not a good idea.
- Whatever you do, don't lie down while you eat.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
We're Back!
OK, so we took a week off from the blog to enjoy the beginning of the holiday season. But that does not mean you are off the hook for December. Below you will find a calendar of some extra little things you can add each day to your regular workout routine to keep you on track and healthy during this most challenging of seasons. I hang mine on the fridge to remind me to do them every day. You will be so glad you stuck with your exercise and healthy eating choices when the new year rolls around and you don't have to make a resolution that includes getting in shape or losing that holiday weight.
I tried really, really hard to make this into a calendar format, but finally admitted my computer abilities left something to be desired. Please feel free to write this on your own calendar or just print it off as is.
December 1: Perform a random act of kindness
December 2: Walk 30 minutes after dinner
December 3: Do 25 push-ups and 50 crunches
December 4: Do 2 sets of 15 jumping jacks, push-ups, crunches and lunges
December 5: Walk an extra 15 minutes or try a new class at the gym
December 6: Walk the stairs for 5 minutes
December 7: Do an extra 20 push-ups and 30 second plank
December 8: Walk an extra 15 minutes
December 9: Do an extra 20 push-ups and 20 crunches
December 10: Do this circuit twice for 1 minute each: jumping jacks, jump rope, wall sit, lunges
December 11: Do an extra 50 crunches and 25 push-ups
December 12: Walk an extra 20 minutes
December 13: Take an extra 5 minutes to talk to a friend
December 14: Walk an extra 15 minutes and do 15 push-ups
December 15: Do an extra 15 minutes of cardio - your choice
December 16: Walk an extra 15 minutes
December 17: Do 25 push-ups and 25 crunches
December 18: Spend 15 minutes sitting quietly
December 19: Walk an extra 30 minutes
December 20: Do something unexpected
December 21: Do this circuit three times for 1 minute each: jumping jacks, grapevine, skip in place
December 22: Walk an extra 15 minutes
December 23: Spend 15 minutes sitting quietly
December 24: Walk an extra 10 minutes. Do 50 crunches and 25 push-ups
December 25: Rejoice - Reflect - Relax
December 26: Walk an extra 30 minutes
December 27: Spend 15 minutes in quiet time
December 28: Do an extra 25 crunches, push-ups and lunges
December 29: Walk an extra 15 minutes
December 30: Walk an extra 15 minutes, do 15 dips and 15 push-ups
December 31: Do 25 push-ups, dips, crunches and lunges
January 1: Resolve to make this your healthiest, happiest year ever!
I tried really, really hard to make this into a calendar format, but finally admitted my computer abilities left something to be desired. Please feel free to write this on your own calendar or just print it off as is.
December 1: Perform a random act of kindness
December 2: Walk 30 minutes after dinner
December 3: Do 25 push-ups and 50 crunches
December 4: Do 2 sets of 15 jumping jacks, push-ups, crunches and lunges
December 5: Walk an extra 15 minutes or try a new class at the gym
December 6: Walk the stairs for 5 minutes
December 7: Do an extra 20 push-ups and 30 second plank
December 8: Walk an extra 15 minutes
December 9: Do an extra 20 push-ups and 20 crunches
December 10: Do this circuit twice for 1 minute each: jumping jacks, jump rope, wall sit, lunges
December 11: Do an extra 50 crunches and 25 push-ups
December 12: Walk an extra 20 minutes
December 13: Take an extra 5 minutes to talk to a friend
December 14: Walk an extra 15 minutes and do 15 push-ups
December 15: Do an extra 15 minutes of cardio - your choice
December 16: Walk an extra 15 minutes
December 17: Do 25 push-ups and 25 crunches
December 18: Spend 15 minutes sitting quietly
December 19: Walk an extra 30 minutes
December 20: Do something unexpected
December 21: Do this circuit three times for 1 minute each: jumping jacks, grapevine, skip in place
December 22: Walk an extra 15 minutes
December 23: Spend 15 minutes sitting quietly
December 24: Walk an extra 10 minutes. Do 50 crunches and 25 push-ups
December 25: Rejoice - Reflect - Relax
December 26: Walk an extra 30 minutes
December 27: Spend 15 minutes in quiet time
December 28: Do an extra 25 crunches, push-ups and lunges
December 29: Walk an extra 15 minutes
December 30: Walk an extra 15 minutes, do 15 dips and 15 push-ups
December 31: Do 25 push-ups, dips, crunches and lunges
January 1: Resolve to make this your healthiest, happiest year ever!
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