Running Down a Dream

I really miss running!!!  And here's how I know for sure: I keep dreaming about it. 

The other night I dreamed I was walking down a country lane.  It was springtime and it was dusk.  It was one of those really pretty evenings; the sky was so pink that it even made the air look pink.  I really wanted to start running but I knew I wasn't supposed to.  But finally I couldn't stand it.  I looked all around to be sure no one saw me, and I took off!  I ran for so long that I got lost and had to call my husband to come pick me up.  (Wouldn't it be nice if dreaming about running burned off calories?)

Next Monday I go back to the orthopaedic surgeon so he can take a look at my knee and see if I can try running on it again.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Random Thoughts

Running up and down the stairs at work 878 times in one day counts as cardio, right? 

And on the home front, how many calories does folding laundry burn?  Because I've done a lot of that this week, too.

Am I the only person in the country who has never heard of the dance called "Swamp Thing"?  We learned it at our ballroom dancing class last night and apparently it is all the rage at weddings.  Who knew?

How many days until spring?  Yes, I'm still counting.  The answer is: too  many.

And yes, in case you're wondering, Annie the Cat is still having weight issues.  But she is also still really cute.

I'd Like to Thank the Academy...

I have seen 9 out of the 10 Oscar nominated movies this year.  My goal was to see all 10 but 127 Hours only played in our town for about 15 minutes and I did not make it to the theater in time.  But I have never gotten so many of them viewed prior to the awards, so I'm pretty excited to see who wins.  If I were a member of the Academy, here is how I would vote (this is not necessarily who I think will win):

Best Picture: Black Swan
Best Director: Black Swan
Best Actor: Colin Firth
Best Actress: (you guessed it) Natalie Portman
Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale
Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo

And now, for your pre-Oscar viewing pleasure, here is an Oscar workout for the weekend. 

OSCAR WORKOUT

You have been nominated for the highest honor, the Oscar, for acting like you love every moment of every workout. Choose one winner from each category. Then match that number to the workout number listed. If you want to make it even more like the Oscars, write out the nominees and put them in envelopes for you and your partner to take turns opening.

I. We get our strength to push and pull and lift, not to mention look good in tank tops, from our upper body. The nominees in the category of upper body are:

1. Muscle Beach Party
2. Iron (Wo)Man
3. Pecs and the City
4. Hannah and her Muscles
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

II. It keeps us pumping, helps us love, and keeps the blood flowing. The nominees in the category of cardio are:

1. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
2. The Quick and the Dead
3. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
4. Rush Hour
5. Speed

III. They walk us thousands of miles each year, walk us up the stairs, and generally keep us supported. The nominees in the category of legs are:

1. My Left Foot
2. The Leg and I
3. It’s a Wonderful Leg
4. When Harry Met Sally’s Legs
5. A Few Good Legs

IV. They lift things, grab things, carry things, and if treated right, look good in sleeveless tops. The nominees in the category of arms are:

1. A Farewell to Arms
2. Armed and Dangerous
3. My Big Buff Greek Arms
4. The Sound of Muscles
5. The Whole Nine Arms

V. The most elusive of all prizes, the nominees in the category of tight core muscles are:

1. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Abs
2. The Firm
3. Bridget Jones’ Workout Diary
4. Flubber
5. Absolute Power

Now take your nominee from each category and see what exercise you need to do.  And be sure to gush and thank the Academy during your acceptance speech.

I. Upper Body Category

1. 25 push-ups and 2 sets of 15 front and lateral raises
2. 3 sets of 12 incline press, reverse incline press and overhead press
3. 3 sets of 10 lat pull down, chest press and overhead press
4. 3 sets of 10 chest press/flyes on bench and seated cable row
5. 2 sets of 15 hay bales, push-ups, and upright row

II. Cardio Category

1. 25 jumping jacks
2. 2 minutes on the stationary bike, PRE 9-10, twice, with a one minute break
3. 1 minute jump rope, three times, with a one minute break between each
4. 2 minutes on the elliptical, PRE 9-10, twice, with a one minute break
5. 2 minutes on the stairstepper, PRE 9-10, twice, with a one minute break

III. Legs Category

1. 2 sets of 15 step-ups and calf press
2. 3 sets of 10 leg press and calf press breakdowns
3. 2 sets of 15 stability ball squats with a thirty second wall sit in between
4. 2 sets of 15 leg curls and leg extensions
5. 20 plie squats, 10 balance moves (per leg), and 10 lunges (per leg)

IV. Arms Category

1. 1 set of triceps pressdown 21’s and 1 set of bicep curl 21’s
2. 2 supersets of 15 push-ups/dips
3. 25 each: triceps extension, dips, alternate curl
s4. 2 sets of 12 skull crunches and 30 second wall sit/bicep curls
5. 2 sets of 15 triceps kickbacks and hammer curls

V. Core Category

1. 100 crunches and a 30 second plank
2. 2 sets of 25 Roman chair
3. 2 sets of 15 reverse crunches
4. 25 bicycle crunches (each side)
5. 2 sets of 25 oblique crunches and 2 sets of 25 crunches

I Know I Sound Like a Broken Record but...

I don’t care how long you’ve been doing them. I don’t care if you do them every day, once a week, once a month, or once a year. I don’t care if you 5, 25, or 125. Push-ups never fail to make you sore. Add them to the rest of your workout and it is like you have tweaked everything else you did. I threw in just one set of 25 yesterday with the rest of my lifting and I feel them today all the way from my back to my front and down my arms.

A guy came up to me in the gym one day and said, “I used to be in the Marines, and do you know that your push-up form is what they call perfect?” Well, that was news to me. I couldn’t even do one in high school, and failed my Presidential Physical Fitness test. I remember feeling so dismayed, like the president was actually going to be disappointed in my score.

But when I started working out with Becky and I told her I couldn’t do push-ups, she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I said, “I can’t do those,” and she just said, “Sure, you can.” And what do you know? I can.

Start out small. Use a stability ball and roll out only as far as you feel comfortable. I started with my thighs on the ball, then gradually moved out to my knees, and then my ankles before I started doing the “real thing.” And you don’t have to do a whole bunch to feel the results. Try a set of 8. Then when you can do those, bump it up to 10. You may find, as I have, that the number you can do depends on when in the workout you do them. I can do them all day if they are at the beginning of the workout, but throw in a set at the end of the workout and it can be a real struggle. Sometimes for a real challenge we have a push-up contest or do 3 sets of 25; once we even made it to 100 (4 sets of 25). Mix them up, keep at them, and eventually you will grow to love them as much as we do (well, maybe you won’t love them, but you will love what they do for your muscle tone).

See If You Believe This One

Last night a representative from the U. S. Olympic Swimming Team was at the Y while I was having my lesson.  Afterwards he approached me and said that, based on my agility, speed, grace, and perfect form, he would like me to join the team.  He is sure that with my participation, we will definitely bring home the gold.

Yeah.

Right.

I'm getting the motions down pat, but I still just can't seem to figure out that old breathing thing!  I like to think I am a reasonably intelligent woman; what is so difficult about this?  So, based upon what I like to call my will power (i.e., stubbornness), I have signed up for extra lessons.  Poor Kaitlyn is going to be stuck with me on Sundays too, until I get this.  Lucky for me, she is also trained in life-saving.

Fred & Ginger

For fun and fitness, my husband and I are taking a ballroom dancing class. So that now, instead of just looking like complete geeks on the dance floor, we will kind of know some steps while we look like complete geeks on the dance floor.


Friday night was our first class and we learned the first three parts to the jitterbug. As in all things movement-related, I try to overdo. I take huge steps, fling my arms about wildly, and lean back way too far. So I’m trying to work on that. My husband is trying to work on being the one who leads. He’s not used to that, since he usually lets me boss him around a lot.

Our friend Charlie told us that he and his wife took a ballroom dancing class and it was really romantic. But our friend Kathy and her husband took a ballroom dancing class last year and look what romantic led to in that case (see blog from February 12). That wouldn’t be such a good idea for us. But we are having a lot of fun and meeting some nice people, so even if we never learn how to dance like Fred and Ginger, we’re still having a good time.

Mixing It Up

I've been in a bit of a rut with my workout routine lately - free weights and basically the same moves each time because I haven't been feeling creative enough to come up with anything different.  But yesterday I was so tired of it that I decided to do my entire workout using machines instead of free weights.  I did my legs, chest, back and shoulders all on machines.  I went back to free weights for my biceps and triceps, did my knee-strengthening exercises and my regular old crunches. 

I want to tell you that today I am sore just about every place on my body!  Even my abs, which didn't do anything differently.  Just a reminder from myself to myself that sometimes you have to change things up to get results.  It made me more interested in the workout and, based on the way I'm feeling today, it was a more effective workout than those I have been getting lately.

So whatever you are doing in your workout routine, try something new today and see if it makes a difference in how you feel tomorrow!

It's Really Coming!

The weather has warmed up - the sun is shining - people are not wearing their coats - and my friend Natalie even came to work yesterday in flip flops!  Now we know winter isn't finished with us yet, but isn't it so awesome to get this little taste of spring every year?  It gives us hope!  The gray days are numbered!  Soon the crocuses will be popping up and the birds will be chirping and, out in my neck of the woods, you will even be able to hear the little frogs start their spring cheeping.  I am hearing people talk about signing up for the summer session of the half marathon training and I saw several runners outside this morning on my way to work.  If seeing winter getting ready to leave town won't put a smile on your face, then I just don't know what will.  You may yet have to put your coat back on this winter, but it won't be for much longer, so hang in there!

Sabotage in the Workplace

Your workplace can be a great source of support when it comes to eating right and exercising. Or it can be the source of your greatest downfall. May I present as evidence:

Exhibit A:

My office is a great place to work if you try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Everybody tries to eat right, most of the time, and exercise on a fairly regular basis. A group of us walk at lunch, at least on the days when the weather is not so bitter cold. The lunch offerings near our building, for those days when we don’t bring something from home, include places where you can find healthy soups or salads, and a deli where they will fix a sandwich any way you want. And we don’t have a vending machine. You have to walk down the block to the pharmacy if you want some junk food, and then you have to be really sure you want it, because there will be commentary from your co-workers.

Exhibit B:

I used to work at a place that was not quite so good for the will power. It was a large office. Someone was having a birthday every time you took a breath, which meant we all brought in treats and cake. Someone brought in donuts at least once a week, usually more. I can’t believe that on a fairly regular basis I used to eat those big glazed honey bun things with chocolate frosting all over the top. Secretaries’ Month (yes, I know some people celebrate Secretaries’ Day, but there we celebrated all month) was a complete breakdown of defenses: lunches out, food brought in, treats to take home, etc. If all else failed, there was a whole bank of vending machines filled with healthy choices like Cheeto’s and M&M’s. No wonder my behind was as wide as an ax handle. It’s hard to say no to a constant barrage of temptations like that.

My point is this:

If you work someplace like Exhibit A, great! Thank whoever is responsible for that and keep up the good work.

But if you work someplace like Exhibit B, it’s going to be a lot tougher. You have to be a lot tougher. Start small, by bringing healthy choices for the pitch-ins. You might find that you are not the only person who wishes they did not have to fight temptation so hard. Try to eat a healthy breakfast so you don’t hear those donuts calling to you quite so loudly. Bring a good healthy lunch to work with you so that you don’t need to hit the vending machine in the afternoon. Try to get some cardio every day. Your workplace may never be Exhibit A, but with a little planning and a LOT of will power, you can make some positive changes in Exhibit B.

Resolution Update

Last month my friend Kathy, the one who gets our office walking and who worked out for all but her last month of pregnancy, shared her New Year's Resolution, which was to have a bathing suit body by summer. 

Here's what Kathy looked like on Wednesday:

But on Thursday, Kathy did not look like this anymore!  That's right, she had her baby.  Everyone in our office is so happy for her, her husband and their new little boy.

Congratulations!

I'M VERY COLD!!!

For the second week in a row, when I got to my swimming lesson last night and was waiting for Kaitlyn, my teacher, one of the other instructors came up to me and said, “Ma’am, we don’t have lap swim at this time. This is just for lessons.” And for the second week in a row I replied, “I know I’m taller than the other kids, but I am here for a lesson, too.” Maybe by the 8th and final week they will be used to me.

It’s been a long time since I have been around a lot of preschoolers. I used to teach preschool and I had a preschooler of my own for a while, until he grew into a grade schooler, dreaded middle schooler, terrifying teenager, and wonderful young man. But it is really fun to watch them jumping around and splashing in the water, learning to do all the things I did not learn when I was their age. They have cute little voices and stylin’ bathing suits. The only thing that makes me a little cross is that they get toy time at the end of their lesson and I do not. And last week they got to ride in a big inflatable boat while the teacher pushed them around the pool and I did not. Totally unfair.

Last night it was 21 degrees and dropping when I went to my swimming lesson. I was dreading the end of the lesson, when I would have to get out of the pool and make my freezing way to the locker room. But I made it through once again without drowning; in fact I came less close to drowning than ever before and even was able to back stroke for a whole length, including over the deep end. I hit Kaitlyn twice and kicked her once but she seemed to take it in stride; I guess they don’t get hazard pay but they probably should.

When I got out of the pool I toweled off as much as possible and hurried as fast as I could to get in a hot shower. While I was in the shower, I heard a woman come into the locker room with her little girl, who had also been in swimming lessons. The little girl said, “I’m very cold!” Then a little louder she said, “I’M VERY COLD!” Then over and over, “I’M VERY COLD!” All in her high-pitched little voice. I was like, “Yeah, little sister, I feel your pain.” She did not stop her complaints until she had been showered, dried, and dressed in her pajamas to go home. I wanted to join her in the complaining and then put on my jammies and go home, but I had to go to a meeting. Totally unfair.

What's So Great About Belonging to a Gym?

I'm a regular and faithful member of my gym.  It helps keep me on my fitness path in a lot of ways, such as:

1. When your physical therapist tells you to do squats with a little squishy ball between your knees because that will strengthen your quads, and you ask the wellness director if she has a little squishy ball you can use, and not only does she have one you can use, you can keep it in her office and go in and get it whenever you want. (It’s red. I bought one yesterday at Target to keep at home for those days I can’t make it to the gym. It has Disney fairy princesses on it. It’s very pretty. Don’t tell my son).  
2. When you’re used to doing your exercises a certain way and they begin to feel a little boring and your body doesn’t seem to be having much reaction to the work you’re doing, you can look around and find someone doing something a different way and you can try it. For example: yesterday after I finished doing the chest press on the bench, which I do almost every time I lift, in a desperate attempt to keep certain parts of the anatomy from sagging to my knees (who out there is old enough to remember what Carol Burnett would do whenever she dressed up as an old woman?), I noticed one of my son’s workout buddies doing the chest press in a much more challenging and difficult looking way. Translation – it’s probably better than the way I do it. He pressed both arms up, then pressed the left side, then pressed the right side, then pressed both sides, etc. Wow. I’m going to try that tomorrow. 
3. When you are a regular, you get to know so many people. So that when you are so tired that you don’t feel like you can lift one more weight, even a 3-pound barbell, there is usually someone there to chat with for a minute (or two). That gives you time to catch your breath without looking like you’re just standing around being lazy. Then suddenly you will feel like you can lift some more weight after all. 
4. They have a lot of posters on the walls, so that even if there isn’t anyone around to talk to for a minute, you can study the poster of the anterior and posterior muscles as if you just want to learn about them. You would think by now that I would know all of them, but I don’t. I just look at the poster.  I don’t think I have learned any of them. Remember, I didn’t even know that your quads were called that because there are 4 muscles in there. Live and learn, huh? 
5. Encouragement, encouragement, encouragement! When someone tells you that you are looking strong, that is enough to keep you coming back for at least one more day.

 

 

 

41 Days

41 days until spring, according to my At-A-Glance 2011 Yearly Planner.  How are your triceps doing?  Ready for them to see the light of day?  Ready for tank tops, sleeveless dresses, and - dare I say - bathing suits?  Don't let the winter doldrums get you down!  The snow, ice, gray sky and cold air will eventually be gone (honest, I swear) so now is the time for some good advance planning.  Try a new class or just hitting the gym for some regular workout sessions.  You will be so glad once that sun comes back.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

You know what this weekend is, don't you?  That's right, it's time for the Super Bowl commercials, chili, nachos, and whatever else you have at a Super Bowl party.  Oh yeah, and it's also the Super Bowl.  No matter who you are rooting for, you might enjoy our Super Bowl Workout.  It's been one of our traditions for several years and it is a lot of fun.  Throw in some cardio and you might not even have to feel guilty about cocktail wienies and Rotel dip and pizza.

SUPER BOWL WORKOUT


You’ve played hard all year and now you have made it to the playoffs. Warm up for the big game with 1 minute of jump rope. Follow the playbook below to be the champion!

1st Quarter: Recruit Your Team

• For a tight end: 25 stability ball squats, 20 balance moves, and 15 lunges.

 

• For a field goal kicker: one set each of 12 leg extensions and 12 leg curls.

 

• For a running back: 3 sets of 10 breakdowns on the cable row machine.

 

PENALTY! Do one set of 8 assisted pull-ups at the heaviest weight you can.

2nd Quarter: Design Your Plays

• Huddle up and do 3 sets of 12 upright row.

 

• You were tackled. Hit the ground and do 25 push-ups.

 

• Touchdown! Celebrate the kick with 3 sets of 12 triceps kickbacks.

FLAG! OFF SIDES! Do 25 oblique crunches (each side).

 

HALFTIME: Join the cheerleaders in 25 jumping jacks.
(To make it more difficult, perform them using light hand weights)

3rd Quarter: Game Resumes

 

• Keep your three touchdown lead with 1 set of bicep curl 21’s.

 

• You’re stuck on the bench – do a 30-second wall sit.

 

• While you’re stuck on the bench, do 1 set of 12 superset chest press & flyes on the bench.

TIME OUT! Take a water break

CHALLENGE! Triple Triceps (1 set of 15 each: skull crunches, dips, & extensions)

4th Quarter: You’re Almost There

• Tone up for throwing a completed pass with 2 sets of 10 hay bales.
• Practice for your post-game Gatorade with 1 set of 8 heaviest alternate curls.
• Don’t be intercepted as you do 100 crunches.

 GAME OVER! YOU WIN!

 

You Missed It

Oh, I wish you could have seen me at my swimming lesson last night. The following phrases would have sprung to your mind:

• Dolphin-like.
• As graceful as a swan.
• Gliding through the water like a magnificent sailing vessel.

Tears would have come to your eyes unbidden, and you would have had thoughts of mermaids…

OK, my fantasy is now over. The following phrases are what really would have sprung to your mind:

• Wow, is that a manatee?
• There’s an old shoe floating in the water.
• Somebody help that lady; I think she’s going to drown!

The only tears coming to anyone’s eyes were my own, as yet again I forgot you can’t breathe through your nose in the water.

Ah well, I kept trying. And it did feel like I did slightly – very slightly – better. I kicked, I back-floated, I worked on learning the breast-stroke kick, I added arms to the back float, and at the very end we worked on free style for as long as I could stand it, which was about 2 minutes. Best of all, for me at least, I did not drown, yet again.

 

 

 

 

 

I Love My Physical Therapist!

I'm feeling a little better about my knee trouble today.  I had my first session with the physical therapist yesterday, she talked to me about what caused the problem and what I need to do to strengthen my leg, and then told me I don't have to come back anymore.

Got some education on my quads.  Apparently there are four muscles in there.  Yeah, that might be why they're called quads - duh!  I never knew that.  The littlest muscle likes to hang back and let the other three do all the work.  But then when the little one gets called upon to participate, it isn't strong enough to do what it is supposed to do.  So that is the muscle that now has to be strengthened.  The therapist gave me three strengthening exercises to do daily, and in the meantime, I can do whatever cardio machine I want and lift whatever I want.  She just recommended staying away from anything that would cause impact to the knee until I can see the doctor again.  So no running, no kickboxing, and no jump rope, but anything else is okay. 

I can't tell you how much better I felt emotionally after hearing all this; however, my body seized up in terror as it realized that I would be putting it through its paces once again and it would no longer be able to maniacally store fat all over the place.  That's right, tonight another swimming lesson and some weightlifting, tomorrow some elliptical, oh yes, we're going to have some regular torture sessions.