Eye of the 'Drea

He's On A Boat

2012-01-29T17:00:00.005-06:00

Went to Kettlebell 101, got in the room at 8:59 and saw that the class size had exploded.

I went to my usual spot in the room next to my usual person, Barbara, that I stand next to as Mike started counting. There would be no running around the room to warm-up -- too many bodies.

As I came down off of a jumping jack, my left calf seized up. I thought it was the beginning of a charlie horse, stepped out to massage it but, no, I pulled it or something.

My plans for this week will definitely have to be revised:

Monday: Kickboxing + Gentle Yoga OR Climbing (Depending on Patti's schedule)
Tuesday: Swimming (or, possibly, climbing if no climbing on Monday)
Wednesday: Kickboxing or Hot Yoga -- (depending on decision abt climbing)
Thursday: Hot Yoga (Depending on Monday and Wednesday's Schedule)
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: Hot Yoga and Swimming
Sunday Kettlebell + ???

Ah, the best laid plans of mice and 'Drea; there will be no climbing or kicking in my future this week.

There were so many people in class that Mike kept the newbies in one room while the rest of us went into Studio B. I heard him mention the clean but Mike reassured us that the people who had been training with him for years could offer assistance.

So, the elder stateswomen of kettlebell were in charge. Someone went to hit play on an iPod or CD player and I'm On A Boat came on. I won't tell you which words I Googled to find this song.

We were all like "oh my..." So, yeah, I don't listen to the radio much because I've never heard of this song...

I was okay with the swinging until we got to the clean. When Julie stepped out of our huge circle, I knew that she was headed in my direction. Julie advised me not to start the clean from a deadlift position which I did because I've been watching this video.

See, I cannot be left alone with videos. Julie also tried to show me how to transition from one arm to the other while doing the clean. I'm hoping that, one day, the clean will become second nature.

After class, I thanked Julie for her pointers. She was pushing a boxing bag onto the floor and getting ready to take Mike's boxing class. I was just ready to collapse and nurse my calf...

Oh yeah, there was this one guy who had a kettlebell about the size of a bowling ball. While we did the clean, I couldn't help but notice his exquisite arms.

Turn Around and Sit On Your Asana

2012-01-28T14:00:00.004-06:00

Usutally, after Hot Yoga, I look forward to the next session because, somehow, my selective memory kicks in. I forget about the horrors of the chair pose sequence -- raising your chest off your legs for five breaths then getting your arms up by your ears and holding that position.

I forget about the sequence of yogi sit-up, rolling over to plank, yogi sit-up. I forget...

When Crystal, Patti and I are unable to go together we swap notes about our sessions. I told them that I felt like I had turned a corner on Wednesday when I attended Cindy's class. I also told them that it's really funny that I feel like I've turned a corner because I struggle with so many of the poses: standing head to knee, half tortoise, eagle and camel.

But I also mentioned to them that maybe this was one the biggest corners of all to have turned: enjoying Hot Yoga despite not being mega-accomplished. That and, you know, resisting the urge to stand in mountain pose during the whole class.

At the end of that stomach to back sequence of planks, sit-ups et al., Jeremy told us to turn around and sit on our asanas. Ah, yogi humor; I love it. That's why I still have a Yoga and Spa magazine with an ad from a local studio. It says: we hope to see your asana at our new location...

Just read this article the other day about yoga and burning calories. Thought it was accurate and I think this video, Shit Yogis Say, is hilarious:

Clear Your Mind And Your ... Will Follow

2012-01-25T22:00:00.018-06:00

After yoga I wanted to, as Cindy advised in class, let it go with an encore of inhaling, raising my arms, swan diving and exhaling. Also, I could not stop singing after class...

When I got to the studio, it was not crowded and the class never filled up. There ended up being twelve of us. The possibility of a wintry mix probably kept people at home. It's totally nice to have an uncrowded class and to have an unobstructed view of yourself in the mirror. Wait, did I just write that???

Cindy was on a roll tonight and her oft-repeated mantra was clear your mind. She told us to stop thinking about work, to stop thinking about other things that might be bugging us and she said my favorite Cindyism: don't let your mind write little stories.

She also reminded us to activate our palms in mountain, to use our breath as a barometer and if we couldn't breathe while in a pose that meant that we were trying too hard which didn't mean that she didn't push us.

During the first round, we were testing the water. This time, we're diving in....I saw where you were at the first time...go deeper...

As she gave instructions for cobra, she told us that we could pretend to be a mermaid or a cobra -- whatever worked for us...You had to be there but it was funny when she said it.

And speaking of instructions, Cindy is great at giving them. I was able to hold my plank much longer because I listened to her instructions -- table top, fingers splayed out, no swayed back etc. etc. I also felt more solid in triangle pose...Cindy had us cracking up when she told us that we could practice the plank at home. At the 80 minute point in class, no one wants to hear any p words...

Here's something that you might not know about me: I break into song if I hear a line that reminds me of one. Ask me "When will I see you...?" and I'll start singing The Supremes. So, when Cindy reminded us gaze on the forehead in the mirror -- it was enough to make me think about this song:

Now, if I can just wind down -- that would be good...

Make Your Strengths Stronger

2012-01-22T15:45:00.004-06:00

Woke up, thought it was Monday and groaned before I realized the date. It was 8:10 a.m. before I managed to peel myself from the bed. This is the latest time that I can roll out if I plan to make it to Kettlebell 101.

I/we experienced a worthy beat down but at least Mike makes us laugh. As we were running and shuffling around the room to warm-up, Mike said:

I know what you're thinking: they don't make me do this at Curves.

And later:

Ladies...and Chip.

Chip is a sweetie and he definitely reminds me of Rodney Dangerfield...

As we stretched, Mike said that it's not uncommon for one side to be stronger than the other which always makes me think about my yoga teachers. Mike's motto:

Turn your weaknesses into strengths and make your strengths stronger.

Mike asked us to find a partner and I groaned inside but it ended up being kind of cool. We basically faced off and there was a line of folks on one side of the room and then another line. Line one would do swings for 30 seconds while line two did push-ups and then we would switch tasks. We essentially did some of the same exercises that we normally do but, for some reason, it made it more interesting to alternate. Also, I can do "squat, release and press" pretty easily so it was something to look forward to when I saw line one doing that sequence.

Mike said that he would work with us on the clean and he did. I'm still having a hard time getting that move down but I've been reluctant to practice at home lest I pick up bad form and make it a habit. I asked Mike for suggestions and he thought I should take a look at:

ArtofStrength.com

Jeff Martone

Steve Cotter

*Jason Brown

Not sure which one does Minute of Strength but Gingerzingi had recommended that site too.

After class, I changed shirts. I should have just brought another set of clothes. Lately, I feel like that's all I do -- deal with wet clothes...

I headed to the rock climbing gym after class. I would say that I went for the annual membership sale but this year there was a pay online option. I went because I'm always interested in how far I can push myself. I didn't last too long but it was nice to hang out with my climbing buddies.

A new friend found A.J. I guess he was like I climb walls; I can climb this chair to get a better view...

And Erin's shorties came with her because they wanted to have fun...

I Need Some Fake Exercises or (More) Gospel from Hazira, A Special Friday Night Birthday Edition

2012-01-20T17:30:00.006-06:00

How do I take care of these (thighs)?

I'm not doing anything that hurts.

I need some fake exercises.

That's so Bosnian...

You'll be talking to your organs soon.

Hazira to me re: my increasing interest in acupressure et al.

The heart sends out the strongest waves...

I'm telling you; it's all about balance.*

I wouldn't wish someone's mother dying in another country on my worst enemy.

Something is going to please you.

After I put my coat on backwards...

I am so impressed with those people who never give up.

Commentary while watching Conviction.

Rugala Se Ruga Pa Postala Druga.

Rough translation: You become what you laugh at... Hazira made this comment after I told her that I had bought four boxes of Annie's Homegrown Bunnies and almond butter not realizing that I already had reserves at home. I usually chuckle at her impressive food inventory.

Please call my ~~soul~~ cell.

Freudian slip?

And the class will have lots of civil people and you like civil people.

Hazira after I told her that I was thinking about taking a Healing Touch class.

*Balance is the key to optimal mental health. Dr. Miranda Baten on The Erica Hill Experiment

Creating Willpower

2012-01-19T21:15:00.000-06:00

There are four parts to this workout which actually felt more like a fun workshop:

Footwork

Warm-up

Cardio

Flexibility & Strength

I've never experienced a footwork warm-up; it's five minutes of lifting your heel, tapping just your big toe then just your little toe, rolling the meaty, upper part of the foot around etc. My big toes had a hard time cooperating when it came time to touch them to the floor by themselves.

After warming up the feet, you warm up the body. And, oh yeah, this whole workout is done barefoot and don't think that you won't get a good workout without your shoes.

There were some yoga elements to willPower & grace: mile high. Tree pose, a surrender-like breath move and another move that reminds me of a mini backbend.

Liked the heart to heart portion of the program: walk out for five – make your thumbs and index fingers into a heart shape then put your heart over the hear t shape then balance on the traverse part of your foot that you warmed up previously. Makes for a tough little plank. Then, you flex your wrists and shake them out…

After cardio, I didn’t have much left in the tank for the flexibility and strength segment which included planks, side planks and push-ups but it’s all good because it’s nice to have a workout to grow into. In addition, there are three (and sometimes four) levels to work at.

There are a lot of squats and lunges to contend with which made for a good lower body workout.

I love the energy that Stacey Lei Krauss brings to the table and loved the banter:

Your body language should say that you have arrived.

Let's create some willpower.

Most of the time I only think of willpower in terms of food. Not sure why because I do have willpower when it comes to exercise but I've gonna create more of it now.

Got My Drishti on Again

2012-01-17T22:00:00.012-06:00

Hadn't been to Hot Yoga in 10 days and I had to wrap my mind around the HY rituals. I had to make sure that I had bath and hand towels along with water and I had to wrap my mind around the fact that I was going to do yoga for 90 minutes.

I got to the studio about 10 minutes early (as required), took off my shoes and set up shop. People stay in the room 10 minutes before the teacher steps in but I don't. I can't lay down in that heat prior to class. I read, watch the clock and keep my eye on the teacher until about a minute before class. Mind you, when I got to class, there was one spot left and at least two people arrived after me so I guess people rearranged themselves to make room.

Valerie guided us through Dante's Inferno:

We will sip not gulp water in between poses. Put your water bottle about a foot to the right. No leaving the class...

I felt okay until we got to the standing poses. I backed off of eagle and let my mind write stories: My back is too big. My shoulders are too tight and, in general, I'm just not graceful.

I did some of the first steps of standing head to knee pose. I was completely off balance and couldn't even manage a little baby standing bow pose. I did like the way that I looked in mountain though.

I felt blah about my half tortoise pose and bemoaned the fact that my abs, while strong, were not strong enough to get my forehead to the floor before my hands and I could barely elevate my legs during bow pose.

Valerie cracked me up as we did some version of a head to knee pose:

We want to feel achy and uncomfortable but we don't want to feel pain or electricity.

I hoped that she would elaborate but...

During savasana, I put my hand towel over my eyes and stayed there for a few minutes. I rolled over then rolled my mat up and made eye contact with Patti and Crystal. We headed to the little coatroom where one of my classmates told me that I'm doing good. I was flabbergasted by her comment and I would have looked around the room but she was looking directly in my face so I knew that she was talking to me.

Plus More

2012-01-15T12:45:00.007-06:00

There's someone behind and in front of me with turn signals on as I get ready to pull into the parking lot. I also spot Mike, the instructor, walking up the ramp. I wish that we could all come to an agreement that kettlebell class should start at 9:15 instead of 9:00 a.m. since so many hit the parking lot at exactly 9.

I already know that we will be pushed to exhaustion during the warm-up. In addition, Mike will see to it that we properly stretch and warm-up our rotator cuffs, shoulders, forearms, knees, and hips et al.

As we're doing a kind of yogic forward bend, Mike says that this is not a competition. I jokingly whisper "yes it is" as does the woman in front me.

Mike also tells us when we have our right hand by our ear and our left hand actively reaching towards the floor that it's a stretch that we can do at work while we're at our desk. So many instructors seem to know the havoc sitting down all day wreaks.

During the stretch phase of the program, I notice that I like what I see in the mirror and I don't add or delete anything from the thought...

We did a lot of five minute circuits that included two-hand swings, one arm swings, push-ups, burpees, lunges, figure eights and, yes, the clean. Mike is going to give me extra attention with the latter next week. He also had to correct me during the halo. I know what you're thinking; the halo is simple but...

Towards the end of class, I got noisy. I didn't mean to be but it was the only way to gut it out. At least I made my classmates laugh. When I moaned that I didn't like burpees, the woman next to me said that she didn't like any of it. She was the same one who said earlier that stretching was, indeed, a competition.

At the end of each kettlebell class, I've felt that it was an honest hour's workout. I feel like kettlebell is such a thorough beat down that pushes me to the brink by asking that I give everything that I have in the tank plus more.

Oh yeah, one of my classmates did help me out with the clean by reminding me that my thumb needs to point backwards. I'm just hoping that I'll get to the point where doing the clean becomes second nature.

Sour Cream Is Good With Everything or Even More Stuff People Say To Me

2012-01-12T20:00:00.001-06:00

I’m gaining weight but it’s not a problem; I’ve given up on the losing weight thing.

Colleague on the difficulty of getting to the gym during the week because of late nights at work.

I could never swim like that; I would drown.

A woman to me after I did the front crawl.

Your calves seem more developed.

Massage therapist

That is my worst nightmare.

Friend at work when I mentioned outdoor climbing

Sour cream is good with everything.

My colleague who mixed two bananas with sour cream, a little sugar and heavy cream.

Patti: I never go for that hold. It's a red herring even though it's pink.

Me: Huhhuhuh...

Me: So, was it love at first sight?

Pam: With climbing, yes.

(As opposed to love at first sight with her husband)

My aunt Debbie: What are you up to today?

Me: I'm going to this boxing class.

Aunt: (Enthusiastic chuckling) Girl, you're always up to something.

Me to Lifeguard: Is the water cold?

Karen (woman sitting on edge of pool): My foot is numb.

MT: How are you doing physically and emotionally?

Me: Oh, don't start what you don't have time to finish.

MT: I have time...

Me: I'm fine.

MT: You know what fine means? F.....Up, Insecure, Neurotic, Emotional...

Me:...I'm fine (unintentional).

Where The Cinnamon and Cobblestone Rolls Are

2012-01-10T17:15:00.008-06:00

Got home from the gym last night all om-ed out from yoga class where Donna kept mentioning the drishti which she had, previously, never mentioned. Don't know why I was surprised but the population of class doubled -- almost overnight.

Had I known that the electricity had gone out, I would have stayed at the gym. The power company's automated service said that they were aware of the outage and estimated that service would return around 10 p.m. I kept hoping that I would hear devices click on sometime during the night but it never happened...

I was happy to see Donna. Last week my mat-neighbor, who had on a knit ear flap hat, told me that the sub was in the house again.

Me: I think I'm gonna leave.

Ear Flap Hat Wearer: I'm sorry.

Me: It's okay...

Months ago, I decided to get an ipod Touch. So glad. I watched the pilot episode of Pan Am and read Original Sin, a sampler that I had downloaded. Went to bed earlier than I normally do because things are far less interesting when there's no electricity. Woke up around 3:45 a.m. and wondered what I would do for breakfast.

Hours later, had a banana then a piece of wheat bread with almond butter then went by the St. Louis Bread Co. for coffee where the evil, mile-high cinnamon and cobblestone rolls stared at me.

Nothing to make me take a trip down memory lane like staring at rolls and danishes and paying $2 dollars plus for regular coffee. I used to be such a cafe mocha girl and, as Dr. Phil said, I don't care what you call them cappuccino, frappuccino, caramel latte -- they're all just hot milkshakes.

P.S. Thanks to my brother, who got me a well-made blanket in Korea years ago, I stayed pretty warm last night.

Sorting Things Out

2012-01-09T17:15:00.000-06:00

Crystal's Schedule:

Mon - running
Tues - HY
Wed - running and HY
Thurs - HY
Fri - running but maybe a rest day
Sat - HY & maybe a ride if the weather is nice
Sun - HY

'Drea's Schedule:

Monday (TBD + Gentle Yoga)
Tuesday: Swimming
Wednesday: Climbing
Thursday: Hot Yoga
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: TBD (Hot Yoga and/or...)
Sunday: Kettlebell + ???

Patti's Schedule:

tonight: 0ff
Tues: hy
Wed: climbing
Thurs: hy
Fri: climbing
Sat: ? one or the other
Sun: ? one or the other

Anyone that you swap schedules with? What's your workout schedule like this week?

The Hips Are The Engine

2012-01-08T17:15:00.001-06:00

Missed three Sundays worth of kettlebell practice because I slept in one Sunday and because of the holidays.

Class was packed.

As we warmed up, Mike reminded us that the hips are the engine for all kettlebell moves. He also told Charlie that he was a very lucky man to be in a class full of kettlebell women.

Mike did his usual. He broke off the newbies and left the more experienced kettlebellers in another circle. The woman in charge caught me when I was doing the clean. As soon as she mentioned like a zipper, I remembered practicing it with Mike.

When the groups merged, Mike went for the final blow while Nelly came on the playlist. And, yeah, it was "hot in there."

After class, Barbara said I heard you singing; it does help, doesn't it?...

Chased kettlebell class with rock climbing. I had so much energy that I was practically bouncing. David, who is new to our group, had me laughing. He said that you all are the most polite group of rock climbers: Lower me. Please. Belay for me. Please. He said that his crew never rolled like that...

Drawing the Yoga Nazi Straw

2012-01-07T17:30:00.012-06:00

Had a little jones going on for Hot Yoga because I hadn't been since Monday. Walked in, saw Jeremy i.e. The Yoga Nazi and made peace with that.

As class started and I tried to get my drishti on, I saw Patti smiling in the mirror and that made me giggle. Luckily, I was able to rein in the giggling. At least I didn't bring my cell phone to class and forget to turn it off. Dang thing rang three different times and Jeremy was like and that's why we turn our cell phones off.

The humidity was extra high. Sweat rolled off of all parts of my body and really dripped from my elbows. As I picked up my hand towel Jeremy said, Not to single anyone out but try not to wipe the sweat away unless it's rolling into your eyes. He laughed and I smiled...

I had to go into hero pose a couple of times to rest and I had to back off of camel pose because I thought that I might vomit. At that point, couldn't believe that I had the nerve to have jonesed for Hot Yoga.

As we went from yogi sit-up to plank to decoy savasana, Jeremy asked us to get back in control of our breathing. When you control your breathing, you control your mind and heart. Let's get some control.

And I did get control again...And Jeremy? He wasn't too bad today.

On The Same Rope

2012-01-04T21:30:00.008-06:00

Went climbing after a two and half week hiatus. Walked up to the counter to check in and saw Burke's shining face.

Me: Happy...

Burke: Don't Happy New Year me. Give me a hug.

One of my favorite Burke moments happened as I tried to get over the arête and he yelled Woman power!

Burke told me that he had set new routes. Cool. New year. New routes.

As I belayed for Mike, Frank's friend chit chatted with me. Mike asked for a take and the friend was like I better move on; It's a good thing that you don't talk with your hands. Ah, I've missed rock climbing humor.

Later on as I belayed for Jessica, I noticed that Erin (newbie) had on new shoes. She said that her daughters gave them to her for Christmas. But they're kind of tight with these socks on, she said.

Me: Socks? You can take those off now since you're no longer wearing rental shoes.

Erin: You're a liar.

Me: Look down at my feet. Look at the guy's feet over there. You're supposed to be able to feel the rock better if there's nothing between you and your climbing shoes. I would also advise you to get foot spray...

As I approached my last route, Jessica and I went through safety checks. I looked at my figure eight knot and back-up knot. Jessica checked her carabiner then said And we're on the same rope. I started cracking up. You definitely want to be on the same rope.

Heels and Toes Together

2012-01-02T18:00:00.005-06:00

Lest you think that I've gone completely cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs when it comes to Hot Yoga and that's all that I do now, I attended my first spinning class yesterday. I know that I'm in trouble when I start watching the clock and I'm so glad that the sampler class was for 45 minutes. I do have to say that it feels good when sweat is rolling down my nose et al. and I definitely want to take another spinning class. I got the good life t-shirt from the Y's Open House where I took the spinning class. At first I turned it down because I really don't need another t-shirt but I really liked the design...

When I arrived at the Hot Yoga studio today, Dr. B~~arbie~~ asked me if I had made a New Year's resolution to do yoga every day. I told her that that wasn't quite my resolution but it must have been a lot of other folk's resolution because the morning class was jam-packed.

Got to experience a fourth teacher, Rita, who said Happy New Year a couple of times but it was all about the tone and which pose we were at when she said it. I was like, yeah, Happy New Year to you too. She did do a little serious talk about how we were starting off the New Year right.

Those Hot Yoga instructors are serious about mountain pose but Rita was really serious. She kept reminding us to put our heels and toes together when it was time for mountain.

There is this woman with a CrossFit body in class. You're not supposed to be looking around but I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly she held a plank after my own had collapsed a mere 10 seconds into a 60 second situation.

When we did camel and looked back at the wall, Rita said that we were partially closing the carotid and it felt like it but doing camel was not the only time that I had trouble breathing. It's all practice, though, and I'm getting better at the whole breathing thing.

The Workouts With and Without Friends or Year-End Review, 2011

2011-12-31T17:45:00.004-06:00

Got up around seven in order to be at an 8:00 a.m. Hot Yoga class. The only reason that I went is because that class was the only one that Crystal, Jessica and Patti could make. There’s no talking allowed during class but it’s still nice to do a workout with friends. My balance, by the way, bites early in the morning...

I had forgotten some of the activities that I engaged in until I compiled this review. A newer friend asked me if I ever did anything normal like walk for exercise. I find it very hard to resist a long walk when the weather is stellar. Plus, I've had some of my best epiphanies while walking.

There are many days when I gnash my teeth about the variety of activities that make it hard to stick to my philosophy that money spent on fitness is money well spent. I wish that many of the things that I enjoy could be housed under one mega facility and I'm still mulling over the best financial approach to my various pursuits. On the other hand, I'm thrilled that there are many activities that I like to do and that I enjoy moving my body even when it's an intense workout.

I've gained five pounds (well, four since I've taken up Hot Yoga) but no panic here since I still fit comfortably into pants that I purchased three years ago. Looks like I did gain muscle logging in miles of swimming et al.

I heard a lot of memorable things from coaches/teachers/instructors but one of my favorites and maybe because it's fresh in my mind is when Cindy told us during a Hot Yoga class to not let our mind write stories. This strategy is very effective when negative thoughts creep in. Lately, though, there's less and less negativity hanging around my neighborhood...

Happy New Year. Hope that your 2012 is filled with all kinds of fitness pursuits.

10: Minute Solution: 5 Day Get Fit Mix

Cardio Kickboxing, 6 x's

Power Yoga, 2 x's

10 Minute Solution: Best Belly Blasters!

Belly Fat Burner, 1 x

Bikini Belly, 1 x

Dancer's Abs, 1 x

Perfect Pilate Abs, 1 x

Six Pack Ab Attack, 2 x's

Waist Slimmer, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Dance Your Body Thin!

Smooth and Sexy Moves, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Fitness Ball Workouts

Arms and Shoulders, 3 x's

Firm Flat Abs, 1 x

Lower Body, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Hip Hop Dance Mix

Hip Hop Basics, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Kickbox Bootcamp

Basic Training, 5 x's

Fat Burning Blast, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Pilates for Beginners

Core Basics, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: rapid results fat burner

Low Impact Fat Blaster, 2 x's

Power Sports Drill, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

Arm and Shoulder Sculpt, 1 x

Sleek and Sexy Abs, 7 x's

Stretching, 10 x

Bicycling, 18 x's

BodyGo Row Classes @ CrossFit, 7 x's

Boxing, 9 x's

CrossFit Basic Training, 5 x's

Give Me 10!

Core Makeover, 1 x

Fat Blasting Cardio, 13 x's

Lower Body Firmer, 1 x

Upper Body Sculpt, 3 x's

Yoga Stretch & Flex, 3 x's

Kettlebell 101, 4 x's

Lawn Mowing, Leaf Raking, Shoveling, (other) Yard Work, 9 x's

Personal Training with Jackie: 30 Day Fast Start

Lower Body & Abs, 1 x

Upper Body, 2 x's

Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training

15-Minute Ab Circuit, 1 x

40-Minute Total Body Circuit, 3 x's

15-Minute Upper Body Circuit, 57 x's

Personal Training with Jackie: Crunch-Free Xtreme Abs

Standing Crunch-Free, 1 x

Personal Training with Jackie: Xtreme Timesaver Training, 1 x

Rock Climbing, 78 x's

Shred It with Weights, 1 x

Sprint Triathlon, 1 x

Stairmaster, 1 x

Supreme 90 Day System

Chest and Back, 1 x

Swimming, 75 x's

Treadmill, 10 x's

Walking, 111 x's

Wii Fit, 51 x's

Willpower and Grace: mile high*, 2 x's

Yoga, 54 x's (12 x's during month of Dec)

*Disclosure: I received this DVD without charge.

The Bluff

2011-12-30T17:15:00.002-06:00

Patti sent me a link to Living Social's deal of the day which happened to be three belly dancing classes for $14. I don't know why I sent you this deal, she wrote, except that this is one activity that you have not tried.

I'm not a dancer although I did try 10 Minute Solution's Dance Your Body Thin! and liked it but those are definitely moves that won't leave the house.

I shrugged as if Patti could see me through cyberspace and said that I wasn't interested.

She wrote back to say that I was lily-livered or something like that. I wrote back that I would try it if she would but she declined my offer.

I resisted the urge to call her lily-livered as well and just asked her to get back to me if she changed her mind.

They Call This The Drishti

2011-12-28T22:15:00.004-06:00

Walked into the locker room and saw this totally sweaty, red-faced and spent woman.

Me: Recuperating.

Her: Jeremy.

My immediate reaction was happiness because if Jeremy taught the previous class, he would not be the teacher for the 7:00p.m. class. But what if he taught back-to-back classes? Damn.

This newbie was chatting up the woman at the desk.

Cindy: I'll be teaching the 7 o'clock class.

Me (silently): Yes!

Cindy had her hair back so I hadn't recognized her.

I like Cindy's style. She's firm but not a commando. When she entered the room, she set down the rules.

Rule number one: No leaving the room or else I'll tackle you she said followed by light laughter. She went on to demonstrate the resting poses etc. etc. then we got down to business.

Cindy also explained the importance of gazing at your forehead in the mirror. They call this the drishti, she said.

At several points, we stopped to get reacquainted with our breath and Cindy told us that we could tap into the power of our breathing at any point during our day. A bit later, she told us to not let our mind write stories; in essence, we were to concentrate on our practice and release tension.

I now see the point of gazing at your forehead in the mirror. It was totally helpful during camel pose as I was quite loopy and it settled me down and it was also centering when I had my peace fingers wrapped around my big toes.

When I was at the store, I couldn't resist picking up coconut water for Crystal and Patti. I gave it to them after class. They were tickled not unlike I was tickled at the beginning of class when I placed my mat near Patti's.

You Should Be Your Tallest Self

2011-12-26T14:30:00.012-06:00

Got to experience another teacher besides Jeremy and she (Cindy, I think) was a tad bit less intense.

This is my third Hot Yoga outing and, while I still sweat, my body is not the rainforest that it was on the first try.

Here's a sampling of the coaching that went on:

Just melt.

There was no pun intended by the instructor and, really, after bow pose, you really do want to melt into the mat.

During the decoy savasana, we were told:

Eyes open. I'll tell you when to close your eyes.

After our brief savasana, we went into plank and that was intense. Crystal implored us to stay there though.

This is 60 seconds out of a 90 minute class...

As we held a rather intense chair pose and rose but only lifting our upper bodies off of our knees.

Leave your lower body where it's at.

During tree pose, we were told -- knee to the side, crown reaching toward the ceiling and shoulder back:

You should be your tallest self...

I did feel pretty tall and majestic in my alignment.

After class, Patti said We're thinking about going climbing this afternoon. After I closed my mouth, I said: Let me know...

On The Fourth Day of Yoga

2011-12-24T20:15:00.004-06:00

My Monday night yoga teacher said that she would be subbing at another branch of my gym. I thought it would be nice to get all centered for, not only Christmas Eve, but for transitioning to 2012.

As I got out of my car, I saw other people emerge out of their cars with telltale mats in a variety of colors.

The instructor for Drills to Make You Sweat took her class up until the absolute last second. A little rude if you ask me.

Our yoga class was full but not uncomfortably so. There was a wife and husband with their son attending and I thought that was pretty cool...

So, I started yoga with Donna on Monday. Did Candlelight Restorative Yoga on Wednesday, Hot Yoga on Thursday and, as I ended my week with yoga, Donna was her usual supportive self telling us to honor our bodies and reminding us that:

Your breath is your power.

During my first class with ~~the Yoga Nazi~~ Jeremy, he told us that yogis have lived without food and without water but not without prana.

Okay, living without prana is not a groundbreaking revelation but what Jeremy did do for me was to help me with breathing. As he reminded us to breathe, he did a five count for the inhalation and a five count for the exhalation. I've been practicing a five count and it's been, surprisingly, helpful as far as me being a better breather.

Decoy Savasanas

2011-12-22T22:10:00.008-06:00

Went to Candlelight Restorative Yoga yesterday and went to Hot Yoga today. Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum.

When I went to my first hot yoga class last Saturday, I knew the basics: take two towels and water. I also knew not to wear anything that would become transparent.

Crystal via Patti also advised not to eat too big of a breakfast.

What I didn't know was the other stuff so I was surprised when the instructor told us to make sure that we could see our forehead in the mirror and, when he monitors the room, he makes sure that you are gazing in that direction. I read this after the first class on Yoga Spy's blog:

I do Iyengar yoga, not Bikram yoga, which involves looking at one’s mirror image while doing asana.

Jeremy a.k.a. The Yoga Nazi doesn't usually teach on Thursdays but, as I entered the room, Patti whispered to me that that Jeremy would be the teacher.

I put my mat near the back and near Patti. Looked at Patti and got tickled. Luckily, I made it through the giggle phase because there was really nowhere else to go with my mat. When Jeremy came in the room, he moved people around and I ended up back near the front again. Oh well...

As you might have heard, I'm the hard one. That's what Jeremy said before he laid down the law:

Water breaks between poses, no looking around, no closed eyes and no leaving the room. If you think you need to leave the room, raise your hand and I will have a discussion with you about it. If you get tired or cannot do a pose, stand in Tadsana (Mountain Pose) or kneel in Vajrasana (Sitting Pose). No fidgeting. If you absolutely have to wipe sweat off because it's about to roll in your eye, do it...

I felt like the heat didn't bother me as much this time but I also felt more worn out. Jeremy had us doing yogic sit-ups then planks. We kept going from our backs to our stomachs and there were a couple of fake savasanas thrown in.

When we finally got around to the real savasana, Jeremy actually said Namaste before he left the room.

During Downward Facing Dog, Jeremy said that I our feet should be hip width apart and that our hands should be shoulder width apart. He came over to me and said Your hips are not that big. Guess my delusions of grandeur kicked in again...

Rendezvoused

2011-12-19T21:30:00.002-06:00

Eight of us rendezvoused for rock climbing and it was fun playing musical climbing partners. When Jessica and I climbed together, I asked her if she knew how to do Eagle Pose and she quickly put her arms and legs together. As I tried it, I made a comment about my shoulders and Jessica added, and I'm paraphrasing, that I had something else sticking out that prevented me from doing Eagle. I laughed because I hadn't thought of that.

I also asked Jessica about flip turns because I think it's about time. She suggested that I practice somersaults on land and that I remember to breathe once I actually start practicing in water.

After we've climbed for a while, we usually ask one another how many routes we have left in us.

Me: I'm done.

Patti: I don't see your fork.

Me: It's in my forkarm.

When I repeated this joke to Leah and Mike, it was like someone hit the instant replay button. Their faces slowly crumpled upon hearing the punchline. Patti got in on the joking too.

Jessica: I'm going to change.

Patti (while slipping her arm around Jessica): Don't change. You're lovely the way you are.

Me: Don't go changing...to try to please me...

As we were leaving, we exchanged holiday greetings. Leah was trying to spare me a sweaty shirt when I pulled her in and said Have yourself a sweaty little Christmas.

And, now, I can't get this song out of my head...

Hot Yoga Eve

2011-12-17T14:00:00.008-06:00

Well, actually, it's not the eve of hot yoga since I went today but that's what Patti called it as we reached the end of our countdown.

I'm not quite sure when I agreed to try hot yoga because I don't really like a lot of heat but figured that I could survive a hot yoga class if I was able to survive Las Vegas in July.

The ~~Yoga Nazi~~ teacher introduced himself then handed down the rules and the one that sticks out the most is that once class started, you were not allowed to alter the aura by leaving the room.

I seldom take a shine to anything of a mandatory nature so I just filed that away. Other rules included:

No talking in class

No cell phones (applause) etc. etc.

No intake of water in the middle of a pose

If you get tired, assume the position on your knees and gaze...

Eyes open (with exception of Savasana) at all times

I decided to wear my green t-shirt made out of bamboo and my sole pair of official yoga pants and they worked beautifully.

I managed to find myself at the front of the room and I survived that too.

Even in regular yoga class, I can't manage Eagle and it was definitely unmanageable since I was completely slick with sweat. In the end, my shoulders are way too tight for this move. And Standing Head to Knee pose? Yeah, that didn't work for me either.

As we did yogic sit-ups and planks, I tried to gauge what time it was and was so relieved when the 1.5 hours was up.

We went into Savasana and the teacher said that we should hold the pose for three to five minutes. I've never had a yoga teacher walk out during Savasana but today was the day. What happened to holding the space? That's something that Madonna did beautifully in Candlelight Restorative Yoga. Or, since Hot Yoga is kind of hardcore, should I not expect the teacher to hold the space?

The Massage Nazi

2011-12-16T17:15:00.006-06:00

Three weeks after I send a text, she says that she might be available in two days.

I tell her that I might be there.

She also asked me to come fifteen minutes earlier than originally proposed but still saw me at the original time.

When it's time for the massage, the first place that she lays her hand on is my sacrum although her usual first point of contact is the back.

She has really strong hands and the first time that I received a massage from her, I knew that it was going to be special the minute she put her hands on my back.

When the massage is over, she moves from my head to my side and gently touches me. When I open my eyes, she flashes a 100 megawatt smile, tells me to take my time and that there's no rush.

As I put on my shoes, there's a knock at the door.

Me: Did you think that I had fallen asleep?

TMN: I was like she took me seriously.

She changes the sheets as we chit chat and she tells me how much the session will be.

I hand over the dead presidents.

TMN:I like it when my clients pay in cash.

The Massage Nazi knows what she wants and she also knows how to start and finish a massage...

You Haven't Done Child's Pose Until

2011-12-14T22:30:00.007-06:00

As I was driving away from the rock climbing gym, I second-guessed my decision to head to yoga. It was dark, raining, yaddayaddayadda.

I have two visits left on a group coupon and since Yoga Wall is on hiatus, I decided to try Candlelight Restorative Yoga.

I walk in and about seven women were already on the floor. Some of them looked as if they were about to give birth.

I rolled out my mat and it looked completely jadan. The teacher, Madonna, quickly came over since I have a tendency to stick out. She gathered props for me: a strap, eggs, blocks, a blanket, a bolster and eye bag.

Madonna assembled some props and asked me to put my back to the bolster. I put the soles of my feet together and put the strap at my back then over my head and, finally, around my feet. The eggs supported my knees and I reclined with an eye bag. It was like reverse Savasana and Madonna did ring a bell to bring us out of each pose. She told me ahead of time that they usually hold one pose for about 10 minutes.

Next, we did Crocodile. Most of the props were moved to the side except for the bolster which we placed our ribs on while placing our foreheads on an egg.

After Crocodile, we put our legs up on the wall and put our eye bags back in place. The bags, by the way, smelled divine.

At some point, we did Child's Pose by placing the bolster at our knees then laying on it. Amazing. I felt like it was the first time that I've gotten the full benefit of the pose. As I was in Child's Pose, I thought Yoga, where have you been for most of life?

During class, Madonna came around to massage feet, legs and shoulders -- the shoulders with some mentholy situation. I know that the massage and yoga communities are intertwined but I'm not sure where the whole massage during yoga comes from. Never mind. Why look a gift horse in the mouth?

We did Savasana and Madonna preambled by saying that it was the most important pose. After we came out of Savasana, we ended the class with three "Om's." Madonna's got some pipes on her. After "Om," you know what came next:

Namaste

You're Taken or Overheard Everywhere

2011-12-13T18:30:00.006-06:00

You should be more respectful to your belayer.

Leah to her friend Jessica

Do they sell gloves or something? My fingers hurt.

Newbie rock climber

Excuse me; it's overflowing.

Woman in Trader Joe's new to the coffee grinder. I reached around her and apologized as I shook her can to make room for more coffee.

Cekaj! Cekaj, man!

One horse playing Bosnian to another while in the pool. Cekaj = wait...

You need to get out. Now...

Lifeguard to man who got up a full head of steam and dived into the shallow end.

I'll climb anything from a 5.2 to a 5.12.

Yusuf

Climber: It wasn't pretty.

Her friend: It was beautiful. I'm very proud of you.

I like leeks in everything...

Coworker

The body has an amazing ability to heal itself if given the proper nutrition.

Bryan, acupuncturist

Climber: Take.

Belayer: You're taken.

When the climber has reached the top of a route, he or she usually says "take" or "take it up" and the belayer says "gotcha." The belayer, in this instance, is a native French speaker and I really like the way he turned the phrase after his climber asked for a "take."

Brace the Lats

2011-12-11T16:45:00.004-06:00

Warm-Up for Kettlebell 101:

Run around the room. Run around the room swinging one arm then the other. Skip around the room. Shuffle towards the mirror. Shuffle in the other direction. Make use of all the floor space while running...

After the warm-up, another newbie said: Okay, I'm done. I gave her a high five then went to assume the position near my kettlebell.

We moved on to our usual of jumping jacks et al. Warmed up the shoulders a bit more. Warmed up the hip region and the knees...

Mike was not playing around (row, push-up, around the body and catch, shoulder press, squat curl). When it was all over, he had administered a very thorough beat down.

We did our regular kettlebell swings and we did that darn one minute circuit of lunges. It's official: I cannot stand that curtsy situation.

The newbies got introduced to the swing and release. Um, I didn't quite catch on to that one. Not sure if this is the one that Mike said you should have T-rex arms for...

I have to say that I like it that Mike insists that we get into a circle or, really, an oval. It makes you feel more connected to your classmates.

Towards the end, we sat down and took our legs far apart. Each person said a number and we did arm presses and some other move. There were eleven of us so it was pretty intense.

We also did ab work. Have you ever held a kettlebell over your chest while doing bicycle motions with your leg? Or extended your straightened legs toward you then the floor? We also did windshield wipers with our kettlebells poised above our chests.

Mike also introduced us to the waiter walk. You put the kettlebell in your hand and hold it out as if you're a waiter serving someone and you can't curl your fingers around it. Mike said that when you're doing the waiter walk, you should brace your lats. There was not enough bracing in the world for me to be able to serve. I tried with my right hand and got absolutely nowhere with the left.

I bought my first kettlebell. I was going to get it from Play It Again Sports but they only had the kb's in five pound increments and Mike suggested that I get a 10 kg. Like luggage, I need to put an identifying marker on my k'bell because I don't want anyone to walk away with it. Maybe I should name it too. I like Adabelle or, maybe, just Belle.

Don't Run From It

2011-12-10T19:00:00.000-06:00

I have been jonesing to swim but when my designated swimming days came around, I couldn't bear to go out in the cold then get into a cold pool but today it was in the 40's and I was determined to go.

It was nice and humid inside and the water actually had a smidgen of warmth. I played with a baby and talked to Chatty Kathleen but still managed to get in 24 laps when Bob Harper kicked in...stand up and finish what you started.

I got in 33 laps and it wasn't as taxing as my previous pursuits of a mile. I won't say that it was easy because my arms were aching since I did Jackie Warner's Personal Training with Jackie: 30 Day Fast Start* yesterday.

I chased the burn or maybe the burn chased me.

How my arms got sore:

Pyramid One:

Push-up and Bicep Routine (i.e. one push-up, one biceps curl...two push-ups + two curls...repeat until you get to ten.)

Pyramid Two:

Chest Press and Biceps Curl

Pyramid Three:

Chest Fly and Outward Biceps Curl

Pyramid Four:

Row and Head Banger

Pyramid Five:

Wide Row and Kickback

Pyramid Six:

Side Extension & Kickback

Right around pyramid four, Warner advises you to chase the burn instead of running away from it. By the fifth pyramid session, my arms were on fire and I couldn't finish pyramid six.

I did the lower body segment last Sunday and my hamstring muscles were so tight that I couldn't straighten my legs in yoga class. I took a salt bath and the next day, in true pyramid fashion, my quadriceps got in on the soreness.

*Disclosure: I received this video without charge.

Unique Climbing Invitation

2011-12-08T20:15:00.002-06:00

I've been waiting for Leah to wax poetic again...

We checked our schedule,
Then checked it twice;
And hope that you'll be nice
To climb with us this yule.

This Sunday Fair
The fun starts at eleven
Will there be all seven?
The question remains where?
Which location
To practice our vocation?

* * *

In addition to poetry, here's a little rock climbing humor.

Gazing at the Third Eye or The Gospel According to Donna, My Other Yoga Teacher

2011-12-06T20:00:00.005-06:00

Savasana is a gift that you should give yourself every day.

If you're not breathing, you're not doing the practice.

Wherever you go, you must breathe.

(While we tried to get our fingers to our toes)

Heart center open...

Let your head hang low -- like a piece of ripe fruit.

I don't like to hear the word "ouch."

While we were doing pigeon and curious pigeon.

Strong and majestic -- like a mountain...

Even though your eyes are closed, you're gazing at your third eye which is right above the bridge of your nose.

Your tush should not torque.

During chair pose

Wherever you go, it should feel good. This pose is a restorative position.

Donna on child's pose. She told us that we could put our big toes together or whatever felt good to us...

Yoga Girl didn't amuse me as much as Whole Foods Parking Lot but it did amuse...

Keep Your Eye on the Kettlebell

2011-12-04T16:30:00.003-06:00

Pain is temporary -- wish that Mike had said that at the beginning of class. Mike also had on a t-shirt that said: pain is weakness leaving the body. Yeahyeahyeah...

We did calisthenics and lots of stretches before getting to swing. And how long does it take to feel the pain? Just one short minute.

Kettlebell Swing, 30 Seconds
Jumping Jacks, 30 "
Right Arm Swing, 30 Seconds
Mountain Climbers, 30 "
Left Arm Swing, 30 Seconds
Criss Cross Jumping Jacks, 30 "

At some point we did planks to push-ups and regular push-ups in between swings but I've tried to put that out of my mind because it kinda hurt.

Next, we did a lunge while pulsing the back leg and moving the kettlebell from one side of the front leg to the other. We also did a curtsy situation with the kettlebell and the side lunge was saved for last.

After lunging around, we got to incorporate more lunging when Mike asked the people who knew the Turkish Get-Up to stay put and do them while the rest of us went off to learn the TGU. I was introduced to the TGU at CrossFit but it was during basic training and I haven't done it since...

Mike demonstrated first then five of us worked on getting up. The one and only guy in the class, poor thing, has big challenges with coordination -- even bigger than me.

We worked on the TGU without the kettlebell first. Next, Mike told us to take a shoe off and we practiced with our shoe which was a pretty cool exercise because you had to move carefully to keep your shoe balanced on your hand. Practicing with a dumbbell was next. By the end of class, I felt like I had a pretty good grasp of how to do the Turkish Get-Up. I'll have to start practicing at home so that I don't forget.

Oh yeah, Mike told us not to just grab the kettlebell but to roll to it, cradle it then lift it up. He also said that you want to keep your eye on the kettlebell. Is that like keeping your eye on the prize?

Things That I Need to Remember:

The leg that's bent is the leg on the same side as the kettlebell.

Take it to the bridge i.e. your leg can't go through if you don't lift your bootie.

Remember the way that I came i.e. the moves are exactly the same but in reverse.

P.S. Thanks to my classmates who were keeping an eye on me and offering tips while we were doing that curtsy situation...

Losing Track of Time

2011-12-03T19:45:00.002-06:00

No wonder Whitney asked how long we usually climb. Glanced at the clock and couldn't believe that we had been at the gym for three hours. Not sure what time was spent yakking and what time was spent climbing. It was probably half and half. Patti and I had not seen Mike and Leah since October so I guess there was catching up to do.

I thought about what I could have been doing but we're all busy and we all have stuff to do. We exercised and enjoyed ourselves -- definitely worthy pursuits.

Whitney getting her stretch on or either showing respect for the wall before ascending. Whitney hadn't climbed in five years but she did great. Climbing must be like bicycling...

Even though Leah (lead) and I (top rope) started out ascending together and joked about synchronized climbing, I think she was surprised when I called her name or maybe she was surprised that I had my camera in my hand.

Mike tackled this 5.10 route and is at the crux.

Patti, who is in orange and belaying for me, wanted to know if I was showing off since I paused to play photographer. For some reason, I like to take pictures when I'm perched near the top of the route; guess I like the view.

Sexxi Drea or Best of the Blogger Stats

2011-12-02T17:15:00.000-06:00

Every now and then, the Blogger stats make me laugh. A sampling of recent searches that brought people to my blog:

wild drea

bully t shirt

drea hard

i'm to tense when swimming front crawl

blogspot old lady sexy

black boulderers

sexxi drea

i'm a tart t-shirt

"peed on jessica"

how can i motivate myself to get rid of my clutter

*Indeed, how can I motivate myself to get rid of clutter?

These shoes are toast. The toe box has a little window and the rand is coming apart. I climbed in them for almost two years and I've gotten my money's worth. They smell and they're dirty so why can't I part with them?

What's Not Sore or Month-End Review, November

2011-11-30T22:10:00.001-06:00

Hit the rock climbing gym at 6:00 p.m. and didn't leave until around 8:30. We haven't had an outing like that in a while and it felt good even though Monday rock climbing followed by Tuesday boxing and another bout with climbing have left my biceps tender; hope that means that they're growing. What's not sore is my elbow. Massage, self-massage and soaking in Epsom Salt seems to have done the trick.

While I missed more days of exercise than I would have liked to, I felt like I got in a lot of quality work:

10 Minute Solution: 5 Day Get Fit Mix

Cardio Kickboxing, 1 x

Power Yoga, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

Sleek and Sexy Abs, 1 x,

Bicycling, 2 x's

BodyGo Row Class @ CrossFit, 3 x's

Boxing, 2 x's

Give Me 10!

Fat Blasting Cardio, 1 x

Kettlebell 101, 2 x's

Leaf Raking, 1 x

Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training

15-Minute Upper Body Circuit, 3 x's

Rock Climbing, 7 x's

Swimming, 4 x's

Walking, 3 x's

Yoga, 8 x's

The Bread and Butter Combination

2011-11-29T22:10:00.004-06:00

Skipped my regular yoga class in order to finally check out the boxing class at the gym that I got the Groupon for. I no longer feel right if I don't get in yoga twice a week. I did go yesterday and it was an amazing class which made me feel better about missing tonight's session.

Got to the boxing class and the teacher divided us. The more experienced boxers sparred with each other.

The newbies got to prance around on the balls of our feet before we touched the bag then we got around to what our instructor likes to call the Bread and Butter combination -- the one-two punch.

After that, we practiced the three-four (a hook on each side).

We also practiced kicking and, after working on two basic ones, we did a combo. The instructor said that the first straight kick is to make the "person" implode while the second kick should cause teetering.

I really like the roundhouse kick. You lift your knee up -- like a dog at a fire hydrant -- then you kick and hit with your shin.

So far, I like the kettlebell class better than the boxing at this particular facility. I like the way calisthenics are incorporated in the other boxing classes that I've gone to. The other classes also seem more fluid. It still felt good to hit the bag and I was definitely in the mood to kick.

Oh yeah, the instructor reminded us to breathe. He actually wanted us to call out the number for each punch and the corresponding letter when we got around to kicking. He said that when you’re holding your breath it creates unhealthy, internal pressure. I love it that I keep getting reminders to breathe...

Every Woman Should Know How to Clean

2011-11-27T12:30:00.014-06:00

I'm many things but I'm not really an a.m. exerciser but since my exercise schedule is getting complicated, I dragged myself out of bed and headed to Kettlebell 101 because I didn't want more time to elapse between classes. I made it to class in the nick of time.

After the last encounter with kettlebells, I thought my upper body would be sore. Not.

I cannot fully describe how sore my hamstrings were. I took at least two Epsom Salt baths, a yoga class, did self-massage and hamstring-specific stretches but the 'strings remained sore for almost four days...

For today's warm-up, we ran around the small room, rotated our arms while running, shuffled to the side, skipped and ran backwards. I was so happy when we started doing stretches. The stretching portion included but was not limited to a figure eight with our arms; my mind/body connection is so challenged when we're supposed to reverse the figure eight. We did this one stretch where you cross one leg over the other with the feet right next to each other then bend at the waist. Mike was impressed that we could all bend post-Thanksgiving.

After the warm-up, we did swings, one arm swings, the press, catch and lunge, rows, around-the-body with a catch, push-ups etc. After this series, Mike took us three newbies to the side to work on the clean while the bigger group did Turkish Get-Ups et al.

Did you know that you're leaking power if you don't properly rack the kettlebell on your biceps and forearm during the clean? I didn't.

It helped when Mike said that the motion for the clean is like zipping up a jacket. I kept making a popping sound when racking my kettlebell. Mike said it was because I was strong* and kind of flinging the kettlebell (10kg) up but he said it's a lot to learn and we'll just chalk everything up to kettlebell practice.

Things I need to remember:

Hand Off Body (During One Arm Swing)

It's Not A Squat Stance

Squeeze the Butt

Thumb Back

Don't Try to Control the Kettlebell (During Swings)...

I was a mess when I tried to swing and clean. Mike was like don't overthink it. How did he know that I'm prone to overthinking?

Even though Mike was joking, he is right: every woman should know how to clean.

*Other people keep telling me that I'm strong. I'm not sure why I need to keep convincing myself. In addition, when I shuffled past the mirror, I noticed that I am more toned even though I've been thinking otherwise.

What's Hot, What's Not: Holiday Edition

2011-11-25T18:30:00.004-06:00

Hot

Carrying Around Almond Butter, Instant Oatmeal and Larabaras in Purse

Not Hot

Well, It Was Hot When It Came Out Of the Oven

Hot

Incorporating What You Learned in Bootcamp-like Classes for an Outdoor Workout

Not Hot

Finding Out There's a Fitness Room but Getting Bored by Spinning Bike

* * *

Not Hot

Packing So Lightly That There's No Margin for Error

Hot

Finding Free Laundry Facility at Inn In Case of Packing Errors

* * *

Not Hot

The Relative Who Almost Downs a Bottle of Vodka Right After Turkey

* * *

Hot

Patience

* * *
Even Hotter

One Year Old Niece Who Toddles Off With Water Bottle, Catching Up with Relatives and, You Know, Getting Rest

Nephew After Dinner

Crossing Another Book Off The List

2011-11-23T16:16:00.002-06:00

As I uncluttered, I went through magazines and found a recommendation for this book in O: The Oprah Magazine.

Grennan initially signs up to volunteer at an orphanage for a couple of months and really has no idea what he is getting into.

As it turns out, wondering what you're supposed to do in an orphanage is like wondering what you're supposed to do at the running of the bulls in Spain -- you work it out pretty quickly... (16)

Before I could utter a word I was set upon -- charged at, leaped on, overrun -- by a herd of laughing kids, like bulls in Pamplona. (17)

Grennan starts Next Generation Nepal and helps to reunite children (trafficking victims) with their families.

Despite the trafficking, caste system and poverty, it's a tale with a couple of happy endings and it's a book that left me wanting to make a trek to Nepal.

The book also made me remember how convenient life can be:

Other times, when the children were at school, I would go into Kathmandu to visit a simple, run-down artificial climbing wall, where one could practice rock climbing right in the city. The commute to the outdoor climbing wall took three hours, round-trip...(44)

Don't think that I would be an avid rock climber if it involved three hours of travel time for each outing.

Approach The Kettlebell As If...

2011-11-21T17:00:00.001-06:00

When I saw this picture in my daily Groupon newsletter, I knew that I wanted the coupon. I checked out the website and saw that, in addition to boxing, the gym also has kettlebell classes so I took myself to Kettlebell 101.

Before we started the instructor, Mike, asked us newbies if we'd been exercising. One woman, Mary Ellen, said that she hadn't exercised in six months. Whattttttttttt??? That's mock shock because ME certainly had enough stamina to make it through the class which started with shoulder, arm and hip rotations. We also did three versions of jumping jacks with mountain climbers thrown in and a few other things that I can't remember.

Before the warm-up this woman, without any solicitation on my part, told me that, for three months, she only took a kettlebell class once a week and dropped a size -- didn't lose any weight -- but dropped a size.

After the warm-up, Mike asked the newbies to follow him and he left one of the more experienced class members in charge of the larger group and stepped over to give them new tasks in between instructing us.

We worked on the kettlebell swing, press, around-the-body (recovery move), one arm swing, etc.

Mike talked about the importance of hip action and how he approaches every kettlebell as if it weighs 100 pounds. He also said that the kettlebell is a mobile gym -- if you know how to do it and incorporate circuit training. I think he likened it to having a airplane but needing to know how to fly it.

After Mike stayed with us for about 40 minutes, we joined the larger group and did more stuff in 30 second segments, including a push-up series where we tapped the kettlebell with one hand...push-up...tap with the other hand...

Mike reminded us of the importance of breathing, a reminder that I seem to get in many settings these days.

After class, the same woman who told me about dropping a size suggested that I get protein after class. She was super nice and everyone else was for that matter -- proving that there really are more nice people in the world than not.

Other classmates smiled and warned me about impending soreness. I thought, yeah, I just went shopping and I've got Epsom Salt for that...

And, oh yeah, Mike said that he's done a lot of training and he finds that a kettlebell workout provides the best full body workout. They all say that, don't they? It is a pretty intense workout though.

I'm Usually Toast

2011-11-19T18:00:00.002-06:00

I had an epiphany at the pool. I streamlined and I stayed streamlined for, apparently, longer than I usually do. I must wobble or roll out of my streamlined position but I maintained during this outing and I immediately thought about my Tuesday yoga teacher when we do mountain pose.

He tells us to put our feet together, to lift our toes up and spread them apart and to make sure that each and every part of our feet touches the mat. I'm missing a step that he talks about but, in the end, he tells us that our body is in perfect alignment at that point.

As I did the front crawl, I tried to maintain the alignment of being streamlined. I thought about my swimming teacher who told us that if you swim a certain way during front crawl, you'll be like a torpedo in the water and I also thought about another teacher who drilled into her kids that they needed to swim streamlined.

By lap 25, I knew that I wanted to chase a mile.

When I did the back stroke, I thought about my rotator cuff. Of course, the muscles are doing their job all the time but I have major appreciation for them when my arm is going backward and past my ear.

Around lap 27 while doing the side stroke, I started to feel tension in my triceps area and, at some point, the tug in my elbow that has visited of late started to make its presence known.

By lap 30, I think that I'm about to make myself cry and I employ Patti's rock climbing strategy of not pausing for fear that I will stop.

Once I got in 33 laps, I hoisted myself on the surface of the water and floated.

I ran an errand after swimming and I noticed that I wasn't toast the way that I usually am after taking on a mile.

Boxing and CrossFit classes have made me deal with discomfort and go beyond that.

After talking to a friend and discussing how I juggle my fitness schedule, she suggested that I pick one activity and stick to it. Never...

The Heat Sequence

2011-11-18T18:00:00.003-06:00

Tamal Dodge says that The strap is a great tool. I couldn’t agree more. I love props whether it’s a stability ball, resistance band or a ball for Pilates and now that I’ve fallen in love with yoga, I have even more props to play with.

During the Hatha program, I enjoyed using the strap around my feet and I also enjoyed grabbing it close to my ankles for an amazing butterfly pose and even though I lost my balance and rocked backwards, I liked using it during boat pose. I also enjoyed the shoulder stretch since the strap was incorporated. Hatha felt particularly good following a day of rowing and rock climbing since my hips were intensely sore.

During the Flow program, Dodge brings the heat. He incorporates reverse warrior, baby cobra, plank, inverted bicycle and downward facing dog. I liked the chair, crescent and sun salutation sequences. This session definitely has a cardio aspect to it and I welcomed the cool portion of the program that came towards the end.

I thought that I would feel weird during yoga at home by my lonesome now that I've gotten accustomed to classes but I was wrong. It still felt good and savasana and the half-fetal positions were still quite tasty.

While the DVD says for beginners, I think most people would enjoy it. I've been going to yoga classes for about six months now and I'm starting to feel less like a beginner...

I also visited Dodge’s website and I feel like there’s a yoga retreat in my future. Hope it’s the near future.

Been to any yoga retreats? If so, which one did you enjoy the most?

*Disclosure: I received this video without charge.

I've Got Muscles

2011-11-16T22:10:00.009-06:00

Checked the CrossFit schedule and noticed that an open house/open gym overlapped with BodyGo Row. I almost emailed Laurie to see if there was a mix-up but figured that we'd be just about finished with class by the time the open house started and that we didn't warrant that much attention that an open house was an impossibility towards the end of class.

The Mission

Row for 200 Meters

Eight Figure Eight Kettlebell Swings + Eight Push-ups

200 Meters

Eight Figure Eight Kettlebell Swings + Eight Push-ups...

Laurie asked Keri if she was going to use the human-size rubber bands for her push-ups and she set up a bar on the weight bench for me.

I decided, though, that eight push-ups were doable even if I had to do them slow.

The figure eight kettlebell situation stumped me more than the push-ups.

For our next mission, we rowed tabata style and, after that, we rowed for a minute then hopped on and off to do:

Slams (20)
Wall Balls (20 with 12 lb Ball)
Box Jumps (25)
Burpee Pull-Ups
Sit-Ups (35)
Ring Dips (20)
Walking Lunges...

I started with the box jumps because I figured that I wouldn't have the wherewithal to finish them towards the end and I was right. Next, I took on sit-ups then ring dips. While I was on the rower, Leeny (there for the open house) spotted me. Leeny was one of our coaches during basic training.

The last thing that I worked on during that 12 minute session was wall balls and Leeny joined me -- right by my ear -- imploring me to continue. Oh. My. God. I almost fell sideways. And, for the record, it is extremely hard to quit when someone is enthusiastically, loudly and firmly urging you on.

Laurie asked me if I was able to finish with 500 meters. I hopped back on the rower. Leeny got next to Connor pushing him to finish by a certain time. Then she came over to me to cheer me on and moved on to Keri to help her finish.

I wished my classmates a good night and headed toward the rock climbing gym to meet up with Mike, Lisa, Patti and Erin, a newbie climber. For some reason, I feel like I climb better after rowing -- maybe it's an adrenaline thing...

Earlier in the day, I thought about my weight -- how it's going up. I'm pretty sure that some of the gain really is muscle but I also feel the need to count calories again.

Mike, who hadn't seen me in a while, said that I looked smaller. It was really nice to hear that today.

And Laurie is funny. Whenever she introduces me to a new coach or another CrossFitter, she tells them that I'm strong and usually refers to my dubious kettlebell technique as proof. I don't care; I've got muscles.

The Alternative

2011-11-15T22:10:00.008-06:00

Did I really want to go to yoga since I went yesterday?

I was sure that I could benefit from a few shoulder shrugs et al. because the day had been tedious but yoga was a bit aggravating too. Someone took "my" spot when I went to put my belongings away; someone's cell phone rang a few times and another person came to class 30 minutes after it started.

I did notice that I'm much better at one of my favorite poses. It was easier to get into and there was only slight quivering.

After yoga, I wondered if I was really in the mood to go swimming. I wasn't quite jonesing even though I haven't been in about a week.

The alternative, though, was to sit on my behind to zone out and watch Hoarders or Breaking Bad or the last episode of Out of the Wild.

I logged off, put my suit on, threw my towel, flip flops, goggles, lap counter etc. in my gym bag and headed out.

I did my usual song and dance of easing into the water by trying to warm up by standing in one spot while rubbing water into my skin which never makes first contact any easier when your forehead finally hits the water. Of course, my body instantly adjusted to the temperature and I never looked back.

There were only two people in the pool when I got there which made for a peaceful night.

Walls Again

2011-11-13T15:30:00.002-06:00

I went to pick up The Glass Castle and it wasn't on the shelves for reserved books which is not unusual since I sometimes notice that a book has arrived before the staff has had a chance to put it in its proper place.

The clerk went to look in the back. No book. He went to look on the shelf and I was glad when he didn't find it because I would have been embarrassed by an oversight.

He went to the back to look again and found it. Someone had put it to the side because it had been damaged by water.

Did I want to wait for another copy of the book? No, I did not. He marked it as damaged and I went on my way.

I have the urge to sum up this book in two words: rough childhood -- the kind that you hope that no child has to survive. It's the kind of childhood (part of it) when the switch is flipped and the children are more parent-like than the parents.

I was moved to tears when the author decides to move to New York (before graduating from high school) to join her older sister. The scene that got me is when she says goodbye to her father and gets on the bus.

Another scene that moved me is when the family, because of legal trouble, heads to Phoenix. Walls is looking forward to seeing her grandmother (the subject of Half Broke Horses) when she's told of her grandmother's death.

I couldn't believe I'd been sitting there thinking about Grandma Smith, looking forward to eating Cream of Wheat and having her comb my hair and cuss, and all along she'd been dead. I started hitting Mom on the shoulder, hard, and asking why she hadn't told us. (92)

Even though Walls wrote The Glass Castle before Half Broke Horses, I'm glad that I read them in the order that I did.

Plankgate

2011-11-11T17:30:00.003-06:00

This new yogi got into a pose and wanted to know what it was called.

That's downward facing dog someone said.

If it's downward then why am I up?

I started cracking up. She was serious but it was funny the way she asked.

Dana summoned me over to her mat. She wanted me to pack up and move next to her because she was sure that the woman with stinky feet would come and "sit" next to her. But you can't giggle she said. Isn't that a backhanded invitation? And, of course, I get the urge to giggle most when someone tells me not to and how cute of Dana to think that I was so fresh. My feet had been inside of my shoes all day. Well, for feet that had been inside of shoes, they were okay.

So, I put my mat next to Dana's even though I was now in close quarters in between Dana and Caroline. I managed not to giggle except for when our teacher had us do mini-planks and cobra then commented on his student who taught the class the previous week.

He talked to the student about planks which she tried to annihilate us with. Dana said that her arms were sore for three days after plankgate...

The 10th Interval

2011-11-09T21:15:00.007-06:00

I love it when Laurie gives us a choice. We could row for two minutes, do a series of push-ups, hop back on the rower, squats etc. OR row for five thousand meters. I chose the latter but as we rowed, I turned to Connor and said Did I choose this?

Row for 500 meters

Rest for one minute

Row for 500 meters

Rest for one minute

Repeat...

After about 1,500 meters, I started loosening the straps on my feet, walked around and flexed my ankles then I would strap my feet back in and row.

I was worn out when I hit the 10th interval and my legs felt like jelly.

As we headed out, Kerri started up with her mantra: If you can do the rowing class, you can do the regular CrossFit class.

I haven't really talked with Kerri about any apprehension that I feel about the CrossFit class or maybe she just assumes I'm apprehensive because she's never seen me in the morning class which I'm not able to attend anyway because of work.

I do have apprehension about the regular class and wasn't going to lie. This other woman, Marissa, said that she found rowing harder than the regular class and offered to accompany me to a regular class so that I will have a familiar face present. She normally goes in the morning but said that whenever I'm able to go, she'd make it work. I found her offer incredibly sweet...

After BodyGO Row, I went to Trader Joe's and, since I was in shouting distance of Target, I walked across the parking lot and picked up the last two containers of mango Chobani.

Hopped on the highway and wondered if I should join Lisa, Mike and Patti who were climbing. I decided that if my legs weren't too sore when I got out of the car, I'd go in and climb a couple of routes; I got six in before we headed out.

Wonder what I'll do tomorrow...

Random fact: Efficient rowing and rock climbing rely on the legs and not the arms.

Odoriferous Light

2011-11-08T20:00:00.002-06:00

Went to try out a boxing gym that's closer to me and knew when I had arrived because I had seen the building on the website. Love the building, especially the windows.

The young lady at the desk pointed out where the cubby unit was located and she also explained that people were warming up by jumping rope. After I put my gym bag away, I went back to retrieve a pair of lightweight gloves minus the fingertips. In addition, the gloves weren't nearly as odoriferous as the ones at the other gym. When I called to schedule a class, the guy did warn me that although they sanitize the gloves, some of them do still smell.

The bags at this gym are not as dense as the bags at the other gym. Therefore, I can roll my hand wraps and put them away for now...

The class was packed and when it was "go" time, half of the class went to do strength training and the rest of us boxed and kicked. I like that the class was divided into two parts.

I wasn't crazy about the strength training approach but it was okay. When I finished with class, everything that I had on was wet. Boxing seems to bring out the body monsoon.

I felt more at home at the other boxing gym but it's just not feasible to drive that distance on a regular basis.

One thing is for sure: I really enjoy boxing and I need a boxing home.

Carrying Books

2011-11-06T14:15:00.001-06:00

I seldom take reading material to the rock climbing gym but there was the possibility that Patti might be running behind schedule because of rush hour traffic and I'd rather read than twiddle my thumbs.

I'm so glad that I was carrying that book under my arms. Otherwise, Brandi would not have asked me what I was reading and we wouldn't have gotten into a conversation about books and she wouldn't have told me that she was reading Half Broke Horses. I don't know when the book would have fallen onto my radar because no one else has mentioned it to me.

When I finished reading the book, I turned it over, read the authors' bio and blurbs by other authors and quickly requested the author's first book, a memoir. All that to say, I really liked Half Broke Horses, a "true life novel" about the author's grandmother.

In the Author's Note, Walls says that she intended to write the book about her mother but her mother insisted that her mother was the one who had lived a remarkable life. Lily Casey Smith, Wall's grandmother, died when she was eight so a lot of of what she relays about her grandmother has been passed down to her.

However, since I don't have the words from Lily herself, and since I have also drawn on my imagination to fill in details that are hazy or missing -- and I've changed a few names to protect people's privacy -- the only honest thing to do is call the book a novel. (272)

Here's one of my favorite passages in the book. Casey Smith responds to her first husband, Ted:

"You have a mighty high opinion of yourself," I told him. "The fact is, you don't love me, and you haven't destroyed me. You don't have what it takes to do that." (82)

I also liked what Casey Smith said to her second husband after he grew weary of his wife's run-ins with different people.

"These showdowns. It's becoming a pattern."
"It would be either a pattern of me standing up for myself or a pattern of me getting pushed around." (180)

I love a woman who stands up for herself...

Downloaded or had any interesting books tucked under your arm lately?

I Knew It...or More Stuff People Say to Me

2011-11-04T17:30:00.004-05:00

Me: I strain to hear the teacher.

Opal: Honey, I don't even try that anymore. I just look at Dana and follow her; she's been doing yoga for a long time.

Me to Lifeguard: So, what are your tips for front crawling breathing?

Lifeguard demonstrates then: I think you just need to make a goofy face.

You're running kind of late, aren't you?

Lifeguard to me as I arrived at the pool at 8:30 p.m.

You still have time to get your workout in.

Gentlemen to me. I got to the pool at about 7:15; it closed at 8

I knew it.

A response from a friend at work who asked me if I was going to have Papa John's pizza -- provided by work during preparations for a special event. I said no.

What's your name? That's my sister.

Someone would climb then belay then someone would hold Keri's baby. When it was my turn, Celeste's big sister approached me -- probably wondering who the stranger was holding her infant sister.

I like how when she's taking it easy, she does routes that we find challenging.

Leah's Mike on how Leah was taking it easy by top rope climbing but still rocking 5.9's and 5.10's while nursing her shoulder.

Gratuitous Picture of Leah When She Wasn't Nursing Anything

No one wants to be up front...Even the instructor falls and he tells us not to base our practice on someone else's.

Dana re: her crowded Sunday yoga class and how everyone wants to be in the back of the class.

Lisa: You make interesting moves when you climb. I just hop to the next hold. Hop like a bunny.

Me: What's your Chinese zodiac sign?

Lisa: I don't know: Bunny. Asshole...

Me: (Lots of laughing)...

Interesting First Move or Interesting Composition -- You Decide

I did a century both days.

An Upper Limits staff member who was having a conversation with Patti and me after spotting Patti's MS T-shirt

Hard To Sit Out

2011-11-02T19:15:00.013-05:00

Googled " sore...should I...exercise." Surprised that I haven't settled on a definitive answer before now.

My quads and glutes are still sore from boxing class on Monday. You would think that the yoga class that I went to immediately after boxing and the yoga class that I went to yesterday would have helped alleviate the soreness but it didn't.

I took myself to BodyGo Row class and survived but when I saw Laurie write on the board, I groaned (inside) a little. Since I don't go to the regular CrossFit classes, I haven't been lifting weights and it takes me ~~forever~~ a minute or two or three... to get the coordination down.

Agenda:

Two minutes of rowing (damper at four)

10 Deadlifts (40 lbs?)

Two minutes of rowing (damper at six)

10 Hang Cleans (26 lbs, Laurie referred to these as Hand Cleans?)

Two minutes of rowing (damper at eight)

10 Catch Presses

Two minutes of rowing (damper at ten)

20 Swings

Rowing Drills

8 Deadlifts
8 Hang Cleans
8 Catch Presses
8 Swings

Ab Work

I didn't hit myself in the face with a kettlebell while doing catch presses so I'll count tonight as a success. Looking forward to reading while soaking in Epsom Salt. In all honesty, I don't think that I was completely amped to exercise and I was looking for an out when I Googled exercising while sore but it's hard for me to sit out...

Postscript: Tried to do a pull-up but, apparently, the bar at the CrossFit box is much higher than the one at the playground.

The Front-Runner or Month-End Review, October

2011-10-31T22:10:00.003-05:00

If I were keeping a poll of most memorable months, October would be the front-runner. I bicycled for almost 30 miles, did a sprint triathlon, returned to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, cut the grass (and it had the nerve to grow again) and discovered the joys of wall yoga and boxing.

As I uncluttered, a never ending project it seems, I came across the 10th Anniversary edition of O: The Oprah Magazine and saw 10 Biggest Health Mistakes by Bob Greene.

#1: They (people) work out simply to burn calories. What matters more is exercise intensity. Vigorous exercise dulls your appetite while moderate exercise stimulates it.

I was definitely surprised that I hardly had a appetite after hiking and outdoor climbing recently. I hate half a sandwich in the middle of climbing and the other half for dinner (along with some fruit etc.). In addition, I got reacquainted with intensity during boxing classes. Shauna had the line of the night as she sat on the floor while we tried to catch our breath:

Let's go. I'm not just down here (on the floor) for fun.

She also warned us not to drop the medicine ball on our face as we lifted one leg and held the medicine ball in our opposite hand. Here's my log of activity for October and I'm so glad that I managed not to drop a medicine ball on my face.

Bicycling, 3 x's

BodyGo Row Class @ CrossFit, 2 x's

Boxing (and Kickboxing), 7 x's

Lawn Mowing, 1 x

Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training

15-Minute Upper Body Circuit, 4 x's

Rock Climbing, 5 x's

Sprint Triathlon, 1 x

Swimming, 4 x's

Walking, 9 x's

Yoga, 9 x's

Hope that your October was memorable...

Three Eggs to the Back

2011-10-29T17:30:00.008-05:00

Went to Yoga Wall class which I missed last week because of the trek to Arkansas. It was just enough time away for me to get nervous and make myself ponder how I get myself into such things as practicing yoga on a wall.

I'm glad that you came back one my classmates said when she spotted me; thought that was quite sweet and welcoming.

Of course, the class was fine. The instructor, Sharon, is super nice and very good and the woman next to me on the wall is a giggler. Just the person that I don't need next to me or maybe I did need her today.

I had planned to go to a boxing class immediately after yoga. I had even packed pineapple Chobani yogurt and a Honeycrisp apple to nosh on in between but my chest, hips et al. had been seriously opened up. I hung upside down, to the side and got an amazing stretch by placing one foot on the wall while holding a strap and pulling in the other direction. Sharon joked, as we were getting a serious twist on, for us to make a wish. We also did the revolved triangle pose (Parivrtta Trikonasana) and I wonder which position made my glutes sore.

Even the start of class was a bit intense. We started by placing three eggs at our back for a kind of mini backbend. So, yeah, I returned home.

After savasana, I'm usually hard-pressed to wiggle my fingers and toes so I'm not sure what made me think that I would survive a boot camp-like boxing class afterwards. Again, Sharon agreed to be watch~~man~~woman during savasana which was fine by me. When she started talking about how if thoughts about xyz enter your mind, I thought she was going to say stop them but she said that opposite -- a strategy that has, surprisesurprise, been working for me...

The Yoga Wall class will be on hiatus since one of the teachers has to have surgery. I'm going to miss it but I'm sure that I'll find another activity to fill the void.

On another note, it baffles me that I cannot do a shoulder stand. Guess I'll add that to the list of things that I'm in pursuit of. Along the same lines, I was at the park practicing pull-ups and progress is being made. It felt good to hoist myself upwards...

Return of the Arm Slayer

2011-10-28T17:30:00.002-05:00

Shauna leisurely chatted up a boxer as she spotted the Rally Squirrel on her t-shirt as I wondered when she would tell us to stop doing jumping jacks and, it's not until I'm in push-up position, that I remember how Shauna likes to kill your arms before you even put on gloves.

Towards the end of cardio, a reminder from Shauna:

Don't just touch those bags, hit 'em.

I was happy to hear gloves off until I realized that the ab portion of the program was about to begin...

I survived the ab work and I'm hoping that the STL Cardinals will survive game seven.

I didn't have the heart to finish watching the World Series last night so when I woke up, I was really surprised to see a cardinal on a bat sitting in the box for Friday's forecast. Go Cards.

Do Bears Really Crawl?

2011-10-26T18:15:00.005-05:00

One thing that I know for sure: If your body is not glistening by the end of a boxing class, you must have gone into the locker room to hide.

Before class started, some people warmed up. I, however, wanted to reserve my energy for the pending beat down.

I watched as this youngin leaped up to the bar that holds the boxing bags. The bar has to be at least 10 feet tall. After leaping, he hung on for a little bit, stabilized then started doing pull-ups. I didn't realize that the watcher was being watched and this woman was like We can do that -- no problem. Then, we start talking about our struggles with pull-ups.

Class went like this:

Warm Up

Run around the boxing bags.

Do long jumps until you reach the end of the row of boxing bags. (4x's)

Bear crawl, 5x's, followed by two Push-ups until you reach the end of the row. (4x's)

Sprint to the End of the Row. Jog to the Front. Sprint. Jog. Sprint. Jog.

Gloves On

(On The Bag) Body shot. Body shot. Cross. Hook.

Off The Bag

Jab. Jab. Cross. Hook.

Off The Bag

Squat. Squat Jump. Squat then knees to elbows.

On The Bag

(Off The Bag) Alternating Lunges

(On The Bag) Burn It Out and Punch for One Minute

Off The Bag

Burpees

On The Bag (for some punching combination that I can't remember)

Stand Up Mountain Climbers

On The Bag

Planks to Push-Ups

Off The Bag

Ab Work

What Boxing Bags Look Like When You're On The Floor Doing Ab Work

Sidenote: I noticed that I felt stronger while doing push-ups.

Tackling the East Side of the Ranch

2011-10-24T12:15:00.012-05:00

Two and a half years ago, I didn't know that Patti existed and, up until six months ago, I didn't know that Leah was around either but there I was around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday preparing to rendezvous with Patti, Leah, et al. before heading to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch.

Once we hit Arkansas, we didn't waste much time before heading out to climb and after climbing, we set up camp, ate dinner, sat around, chatted and read. At seven something, I crawled into the tent and listened to my peeps talk about satellites and shooting stars.

Patti wanted me to take a look but I told her that I could see the stars from a crack in the tent but she wasn't satisfied and harassed me until I came out to witness the beautifulness of it all. She pointed out The Milky Way and a satellite while Mike told us about the A-Train satellite constellation.

Around 10, it started to rain and Patti abandoned the tent. I, in all honesty, was too sore to move. I took a look around and didn't see any rain coming in and continued with my tossing and turning.

The next day, we made our way to the Cliffs of Insanity, a trek that is definitely a reminder that no one needs a gym.

On our way back to The Lou, Patti said: I can't wait to get home to...

Me: ....slip into something fresh???

Patti: To slip into a shower.

As I walked toward my house, I felt a stinging sensation. I knew, without a doubt, that it was a tick. Ewww, ewww, and ewww. I no longer had to wonder what a tick looked like. My knee crease still stung after that sucker was removed...

Mike Making His Way Up --From the 'Drea Skycam

The Crowd Goes Wild for A.J. -- Also from the Skycam

Hobo, One Cool Little Dog

Diamond Falls for Patti and Vice Versa

Leah Stops To Smell The Roses

Morning at the Campsite

Patti Salutes The Sun

'Drea Embracing the Cliff...Special Thanks to Noah for the Camera Work

Find Leah --in a Lime Green Shirt

The Horses of Horseshoe Canyon Ranch

Additional Notes:

Thanks to Patti for letting me know that I had to let the wet tent air out. The prospect of setting up the tent by myself was a bit daunting but I did it. Patti and I actually talked about how amazing equipment, from rope bags to tents, is made. And as always, thanks to YouTube.

Shauna, The Arm Slayer

2011-10-20T19:30:00.002-05:00

We played run around the boxing bags to warm up (apparently, a warm-up favorite) then grabbed a kettlebell. In between kettlebell swings, we did a progressive number of push-ups and I was in complete disbelief that Shauna wanted us to pick up the boxing gloves and put them on because my arms were a lost cause.

Shauna reminded me, twice, that I should lead with my left foot since I'm right handed.

She also had to remind me of combinations because anytime she threw out a five sequence combination, I got lost after the first three punches: jab, cross, uppercut...what?

Forgetting the combos didn't bother me because I was still punching and I figured that I was still burning calories.

We did routine calisthenics: mountain climbers, jumping jacks in the upright position and jumping jacks in plank position. We also did planks and, of course, ab work.

We ran sideways around the bags too which seems more draining than running straight.

I've learned to take extra clothes because I'm usually drenched after these boxing classes and, with it being chilly, I don't want to push my luck.

After four classes, I think that I prefer boxing over kickboxing; I can only put so many demands on my coordination. As we got ready for class, this one guy practiced his kicking and he made the most explosive, thunderous sounds when he made contact with the bag.

I'm Gonna Knock You Out

2011-10-19T23:00:00.000-05:00

I'm reading You Are Your Own Gym and I just started on chapter nine where this part jumped out at me:

To see the greatest benefits of my proven training method you're going to have to let go of your comfort occasionally. That's the deal. In return, you will look and feel better than ever before. (45)

I took myself to a third consecutive boxing class. Turned myself over to Tai again knowing that discomfort would be involved.

My back is starting to take the brunt of boxing. No problem. Because of yoga, I know how to massage the muscles of my back even when it's hard to get on the floor.

Tai's class was on the light side of brutal today:

Lean and kick.

Hit 'im the eyes. Hit 'im in the groin.

Don't quit on me (one of her favorite - and necessary - phrases).

Stop watching my clock.

Get off my floor (another necessary phrase usually said during abnormal ab work).

One thing that I dig is working two bags when you, say, do a punching combination on one bag then kick backwards or to the side on another bag...

I also like the drill when you keep your hands moving/punching (interspersed with hard punches) until you're told to stop. Another of my favorites is repeatedly delivering two body shots then shuffling to the other side of the bag and delivering two more. Shuffle...body shots...shuffle...

Now, of course, I can't get this song out of my head.

All Around The Boxing Bags

2011-10-18T19:30:00.008-05:00

The boxing gym has two classes: kickboxing and boxing. I thought that I would try the boxing without the kick or so I thought. The kick was actually the beatdown that Chris administered.

Chris is reserved so there was no fanfare just quiet commands.

You know how they say that a cheap person squeezes a quarter so hard that they're capable of making the eagle scream? Well, Chris squeezed but it had nothing to do with frugality. Everyone looked absolutely used up at the end of class; I was already exhausted during the warm-up. I don't even remember the myriad calisthenics that Chris threw at us.

He had us run around the perimeter of the bags to warm up. If someone ran slower than you (not a problem that I had), you could just dart between the bags and go around.

We used a medicine ball for lunges, for squeezing them between our legs as we went into a squat position on the wall and for push-ups. During the warm-up, we rapidly tapped our toes on the medicine ball. So, never underestimate the ways that a medicine ball can be used during your workout.

We did combinations like jab jab + a low body shot to the left then right + right and left head shots. Typically when we did a combination, Chris had us drop to the floor and do, say, four bear crawls frontward then backward then drop and do push-ups. It was crazy.

I really looked at him hard when he wanted us to do a long jump. He demonstrated and looked like he was channeling Al Joyner or something...

In between jabbing and crossing, we did mountain climbers, jumping jacks, squats etc.

I did like it when we went to the front of the room and hit every bag for six punches. Once you got to the end of the row, you had to run back to the front of the room and repeat. Then, we ran around the boxing bags again and Chris would yell out for us to find a bag...jab jab...run...find a bag...jab jab...run.

And just when you thought you couldn't take it anymore, Chris came around to give personal attention with his punch mitts and you had to jabjabjab on his countdown.

We ran with a medicine ball and we did the most tortuous ab work. What is it with these people and circus-like moves for the ab? Probably the "easiest" ab work that we did involved wrapping our legs around the bottom of the bag, leaning back and extending our arms out to the side. For the record, Chris was unrelenting for exactly one hour...

Yesterday, I thought that I smelled something while I was at the gym. Wasn't sure what it was but now I know why some folks have their own boxing gloves. The ones at the gym smell awful.

Random fact: the classes have been comprised of all women so far.

Also, there was this woman in class today and, if she were fighting, I would definitely put my money on her...

Jesus 911

2011-10-17T18:01:00.008-05:00

When I told my mother about CrossFit, she said You signed up for it and you paid for it too, didn't you?

I did it again. Saw a group coupon for a boxing gym and because I've always wanted to don gloves, I signed up.

Checked out the class schedule and decided to try kickboxing. Got to the gym, filled out the paperwork and the guy said that I needed hand wraps. Thought that should have been in the coupon information but whatever. What color did I want? Geez, don't give me a choice. I finally went with red over blue, lime green, hunter green etc. For some reason, red seems like a power color.

He wants to know if I've done a boxing class before. If you count 10 Minute Solution's cardio kickboxing segment, yes. So, um, no.

He wrapped my hands for me. Three times around the wrist, three times around the knuckles, one time around the thumb then he took up the rest of the slack.

He told me that there will be a warm-up, 30 minutes of boxing then ab work. He also advised me to take water breaks when I needed them. I take a lot of these classes and I see people try to make it straight through but take a break when you need it.

I see a woman practically pouncing around the room. It turns out that the woman is Tai and she was raring to go.

During the warm-up, Tai said It's only going to get worse.

More motivation from Tai (make sure you picture Tai with bulging eyes and a commanding voice):

Don't give up on me.

Oh, I'm not scared of you.

(A comment that you got if you were punching light)

I don't hear your bag.

Kick 'im in the side. Kick 'im in the head.

(Apparently, "him" is not a short person either)

Somebody better call Jesus.

(During the crazy ab portion of the program)

Get off my floor.

(During crazier ab work)

And my personal favorite as we squatted, punched as fast as possible and came to the end of the cardio part:

Hold your ass in and give me everything you've got.

There's a picture of Muhammad Ali on the wall with his trademark quip: Float like a butterfly; sting like a bee.

I have a whole new respect for boxers. I never knew there were so many ways to get one's behind kicked in an hour. That was, hands down, one of the most intense workouts that I've ever done and I feel like I could drop a significant amount of weight this way too.

How I Felt After Kickboxing Class

I don't know about you but after enduring an ultra-tough class, I feel stronger and able to take on whatever is coming my way.

Anyone else been to a boxing gym? I'm hooked. Get it? :)

The Rose-Colored Speedo and the Yoga Wall

2011-10-15T18:15:00.009-05:00

I had a dream that I stepped into a wild, overcrowded yoga room. I kept moving and, magically, there was a door that opened up into a body of water. When I walked back into the yoga room, I had on my favorite rose-colored Speedo suit and I kept moving through the crowded room...

I spotted a yoga studio as I did my usual eyeballing of Groupon Now and I was instantly intrigued by Yoga Wall but would I be able to do it?

I intended to go last Saturday but couldn't drag myself out of bed. Well, I could have managed but sleepiness + apprehension = burrowing.

I asked Patti if we could rendezvous for our Saturday climbing later so that I could attend the yoga class. The time change was cool with her since she's fallen head over wheels for bicycling and was able to get her a.m. bicycling groove on.

I just put myself on automatic before fear set in and headed out to Yoga Wall class.

It was a small group which I'm always grateful for when I'm delving into a new experience -- fewer witnesses to a potentially embarrassing situation.

What to say about Yoga Wall? Downward Facing Dog felt so much better. Spinal rejuvenation was, well, rejuvenating. Warrior Two is pretty cool with the assistance of straps. And Superwoman? When Sharon asked me to lift my arms, I was like It's not going to happen. I felt pretty awkward elevated and with my feet on the wall and raising my arms was going to significantly add to the awkwardness but everyone else was pretty confident that it was going to happen. Sharon walked over to assist me and, yes, I was able to achieve the Superwoman pose while in the pelvic swing. Thanks to my classmates for the supportive applause.

I also did my first inversion on the wall -- the one at 00:40 in the video below.

During Savasana,* Sharon guided and said something like If you hear the wind on the roof yaddayaddayadda, just ignore it. I'll watch over you.

Confession: I am a sucker for sentiments like that because I tend to be hypervigilant and it's nice to let go while someone else is the watchman.

When we were in the pelvic swing, chest open and head back, Sharon talked about how most people feel really vulnerable with their chest open because we're programmed to protect our chest area because that's where our heart is at etc. etc. but if you open your chest, you also open yourself up to myriad possibilities.

So, yeah, Yoga Wall was amazing. And I'm not going to mention that Sharon gave me a foot massage that didn't tickle.

My classmates were like: You made it through your first Yoga Wall now let's see if you come back. They have no clue about the addictive nature of my personality.

*I'm really enjoying being brought out of Savasana by the ringing of a bell.

Do you have a preference for how Savasana ends?

Train of Thought

2011-10-12T20:45:00.004-05:00

Oh, quads are sore...It's a nice night for an Epsom Salt bath...I should get... Oh, the library...Yes, it stays open until 7...I can get that book, Postcards from a Dead Girl, that Dawn recommended....

BodyGo Row Class Agenda

Before the agenda was taken care of, Laurie made sure that everyone knew each other or had been introduced. I sometimes behave like a troglodyte but not Jaime who took the initiative and introduced herself in the lobby.

Once the intros were taken care of, we warmed up by doing reverse lunges et al. then the rowing games began.

Two Minutes of Rowing
"Pick Your Poison"
Rowing
"Poison Picking"
Rowing
"Poison Picking"...Repeat

Poison to Pick From:

Planks to Push-Ups (20 x's)
Plyo Push-Ups (20)
Push-Ups (20)
Single Arm DB Thrusters (20)
Sit-Ups (30)
Straight Leg Raises or Tucks (at Dip Station) (25)
Squats (20)...

So far, Postcards from a Dead Girl is good. What's even better is that I didn't drop it in the tub because book dropping has happened before.

Glutes Against The Wall

2011-10-11T22:00:00.002-05:00

Monday

I've had my eye on another yoga class and decided to take my post-triathlon sore hips et al. to a nighttime session.

We did inversions on the wall since we were a small group.

The only wall inversion that I've done is one with my butt against the wall -- legs up.

Well, we also did the reverse. Hands on the mat while walking our feet up and down the wall. It was intense but felt really good.

At one point, we achieved an amazing calf stretch by extending our leg and curling our toes under.

As we got to the end of the practice, my newest teacher asked us if we wanted an eye bag. I've been up for all kinds of new activities lately so I said yes to an eye bag for savasana.

I put my woodsy smelling bag in place and the guiding started:

Relax your feet.

Relax your calves.

Breathe into every vertebrae in your spine.

Relax the space between your fingers.

I've heard a similar litany before. I liked it then and liked it last night...

Relax your earlobes.

Relax your eyebrows.

Relax your eyelids.

Relax your eyeballs.

Just. Let. It. Go.

Postscript: Slept wonderfully and considerably less sore Tuesday morning.

Tuesday

Got to take it to the wall again.

When it was time for the wall, my yoga teacher instructed us to put our right hip against it then put our legs up. We were also told to make sure that our glutes were against the wall. It always feels good to have my legs up on the wall and even better to extend my arms backwards while the legs are up; it's a great stretch.

It also felt good to do the butterfly pose against the wall -- the perfect Rx for my sore hips.

We did this situation

too and my yoga teacher stopped to tell me that my posture was excellent. It's a challenging pose but I like it.

Tuesday Bonus Round

Nighttime swimming, 10 laps...

Conclusion: I am definitely a p.m. exerciser.

Taking the Sprint Out of Sprint Triathlon

2011-10-09T17:15:00.005-05:00

To do the sprint triathlon or not to do the sprint triathlon? That was the question.

I did think the triathlon would be a good way to celebrate my increased comfort in the pool. More specifically, my increased comfort with front crawl breathing. Of course, the swimming portion of the program is also what made me the most nervous.

What finally got me to register was thinking about Patti's Bike is Good t-shirt. She's already signed up for Bike MS 2012 and is planning to ride 75 miles...

I had been pretty much relaxed about the triathlon until I got to the pool area and the countdown started. My breathing was completely raggedy. Once the other woman got out of the lane, I was able to calm myself down and finish before getting kicked out as we had 30 minutes to complete the swimming portion.

We did the bike portion on spinning bikes and, during the "run," I walked a lot. Those 3.1 miles on the treadmill felt like the longest three plus miles ever.

The distances for this tri: 500 yards of swimming, nine miles of bicycling and 3.1 miles of running or walking.

Calves, Measuring in at 16 Inches, Are Getting Out of Control

Here are my results:

Swim Split, 22:53
Swim Rank, 38 out of 40

Bike Split, 20:45
Bike Rank, 34

Run Split, 41:16
Run Rank, 37

I was slow but I endured.

About To Veg Out

2011-10-07T18:15:00.003-05:00

Sore and tired pretty much sum up how I feel and vegging out is definitely on the agenda -- as much as I'm able to veg out... I'm going to kick back and watch a movie and hope that I don't fall asleep.

Recently, I've watched Win Win and loved it.

Didn't stick the first time around but I'm six episodes into Breaking Bad; it makes me edgy the same way Prison Break did.

I'm still watching Heavy. Jill got busted hiding food in her room. She had a thing for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and when she's confronted about contraband, here's what she had to say:

I'm not hiding it. It's just peanut butter. I have peanut butter in my room because I need the peanut butter. We exercise for three and four hours a day. Heck yeah, I have peanut butter in my room. (Jill/Johnny episode)

I've been catching up on The Biggest Loser too. Bob cracked me up when he told the former NFL player that he was like a Christmas present to him and I was moved when that same player broke down and Bob told him:

What you don't have here and what you don't have here in your legs, I need you to overcompensate and have it here (pointing to brain).

I like the new trainer, Dolvett, too:

If you're not moving, you're not losing people.

Hopping Up On The Deck Is Getting Easier

2011-10-05T20:15:00.013-05:00

Guy: I'm looking for Laurie. I guess she's the one who runs this joint.

Kerri: (Points toward interior of box) She's the one in shape.

The one in shape was not playing around either. On the agenda for class:

500 meters of rowing @ 22 mets
10 Burpee Pull-Ups

Laurie looks at me and wants to know if I know what a burpee pull-up is. I'm not quite sure but I have an idea. So, yeah, what's worse than a burpee? A burpee immediately followed by a pull-up. Voilà, the burpee pull-up.

Laurie hops up and executes a textbook pull-up. It was sick. Just sick.

She wants Kerri and me to go through the pull-up motions to get a feel for them. Sure...

500 meters of rowing @ 24 mets
20 Slams (20 lbs)

500 meters of rowing @ 26 mets
25 Sit-ups

500 meters of rowing @ 28 mets
5 Burpee Pull-Ups
10 Slams
15 Sit-Ups

Run Around the Building or Walk for Recovery (and Hop Up On The Deck to Get Back in Building)

15 Push-Ups (Assisted)

Rowing, 5 Minutes

End of Workout

It's amazing how much you can get done in 45 minutes...

I was happy to see Kerri pull up when I arrived. She was in the last rowing class and I like to have someone to joke around with.

Apparently, there's another jokester. One of the guys was like So, this is what you like to do for fun?

Kerri tells me that she goes to the CrossFit group class during the day a couple of times a week and she likes to mix in rowing. She also tells me that if I can do the rowing class, I can do the regular CrossFit class which is good to hear.

I Ate Your Chips or Stuff People Say to Me, VIII

2011-10-03T19:00:00.008-05:00

I ate your chips. I knew you wouldn't mind.

Leanne (next door work neighbor) brought back a veggie burger for me from Local Harvest; they usually serve burgers with Billy Goat chips which I usually don't eat.

You look good. Your skin is so clear and you look like you've been dipped in chocolate.

Lori, my friend

Lori With One of Many Animals She Has Befriended

She has been dipped in chocolate.

Michael, a yoga teacher sitting nearby in a coffee shop*

So, tell me, what's up with you? Yaddayaddayadda...You look cute. Yaddayaddayadda

Lisa, fellow climber

One route at a time.

Patti to me after I voiced my frustration with getting off to a rocky climbing start.

Patti Standing On Top of the Bouldering World

Nubian Princess...

Jackie, a climber, to me. She had a hard time remembering my name and said that she would just call me Nubian Princess. I had no objections.

I'll tell ya, one mistake that I see people make a lot is being too far away from the wall.

Brent's friend's comment on lead belaying after Brent asked me about the lead climbing class.

Leah: Are you still doing yoga?

Me: Yeah, I'll probably try Bikram next.

Leah: That's not good for your body. Pause... You can go outside (it was around 100 degrees this day) and do yoga.

Leah Lead Climbing Some 5.11b Situation

You're totally ready for lead climbing. Later...Your technique is good.

Jessica

Jessica Showing Her Usual Tenacity On A Route

If I had a choice between jumping out of a plane and rock climbing then, maybe, I would choose rocking climbing.

Janine

*Sitting at a middle table with Michael on the left and an older couple on the right, I was fully embarrassed at this point. I guess exercise and cleaner eating are agreeing with me???

Just Pedal...With Consolations

2011-10-01T19:45:00.006-05:00

Ever since Patti started training for her Bike MS event, she's been inviting me to go bicycling and I finally took her up on her offer. Mind you, I've been bicycling sporadically and the last time that I went (on Sept. 4th) a mere nine miles wore me out.

I had a dream last night and, in the dream, I woke up late, forgot to eat breakfast and damaged my bike at the library. Not sure why I made a pit stop at the library.

We ended up doing approximately 28 miles which is the longest mileage that I've racked up in one bicycling outing. I like the art of the drive-by and I'm usually done with bicycling in about an hour or an hour and a half.

At one point, it felt like I was in The Twilight Zone. I thought I was pedaling but didn't feel like I was getting anywhere. I was so relieved when Crystal said something about a subtle hill.

During the last leg, when I felt like we would never get back to the finish line, I told Patti to just go ahead; it was an offer that I extended multiple times because I just ran out of steam. I kept telling myself to just pedal and, eventually, I'd get back to where I started from.

When we finally got towards the end of our ride, Crystal said If it's any consolation, we're close. Although, Michelle did challenge her, very funnily, about what constitutes close.

Michelle also chimed in to say that when she first bicycled that kind of mileage, it was tough but now it's easier. Duly noted...

Patti was coaching me along at the end. You are going to be so proud of yourself when you make it to the end and, later, We are doing this for our health... She also kept trying to distract me with nature which worked...a little.

Nickel Plate Trail

Postscript: Crystal has some gadget and reports that we rode 29.8 miles.

Just Getting Started or Month-End Review, September

2011-09-30T18:00:00.003-05:00

To borrow a turn of phrase from my yoga teacher, goodbye to National Yoga Month but not to yoga. In fact, I think that I'm just getting started with yoga. I have, however, almost said goodbye to bicycling. Gotta remedy that...

10 Minute Solution: Fitness Ball Workouts

Arms and Shoulders, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

Sleek and Sexy Abs, 1 x

Bicycling, 1 x

BodyGo Row Class @ CrossFit, 2 x's

Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training

15-Minute Upper Body Circuit, 3 x's

Rock Climbing, 6 x's

Climb So Ill, a new gym coming to town, Open House

The Open House Sky

Arch from Open House

Swimming, 8 x's

Treadmill, 1 x

Walking, 12 x's

Yoga, 5 x's

Legs As Far Apart As Possible...Rest Head on Hands...If Possible...Always Makes Me Quiver

What was your go-to activity or what made you quiver this month???

Just Row

2011-09-28T20:00:00.008-05:00

It's been a week since I went to BodyGo Row and I was biting my nails about whether or not to attend. Hours passed, crickets chirped and I still hadn't signed up. I tried to figure out what intimidates me. Do I fear that I'll be worked out to death??? Maybe I should stop watching the videos about the CrossFit games which seem a bit otherworldly.

I paused for the cause and talked to one of my friends at work while I contemplated going to BodyGo Row or doing something else. My friend wants to get back into yoga but feels like she needs to lose weight before even attempting it. I went into cheerleader mode.

And as I listened to myself cheerleading, I decided right then and there to sign up for BodyGo Row. I can't ask someone else to be courageous and then not follow my own advice.

Speaking of yoga, I slept beautifully last night. So soundly. Here are conclusions that I must draw.

Acupuncture = beautiful sleep
Yoga = beautiful sleep

I arrive at the CrossFit box and Laurie's like You came back.

Me: I'm a glutton for punishment.

We warm up, do a few squats then Laurie writes the workout on the board.

Row for 1:30

Eight Russian Step-Ups

Eight Pull-Ups with Rings

Repeat...

Row for 1:30

Eight Russian Step-Ups

Eight Pull-Ups with Rings

Repeat, repeat...

After we finish that series, we do an eight minute set of:

Row for 1:00

10 Wall Ball Sit-Ups, 10 lbs (I went for the eight ball but Laurie had other ideas...)

Row for 1:00

10 Wall Ball Sit-Ups

Row for 1:00

10 Wall Ball Sit-Ups

Row for 1:00

10 Wall Ball Sit-Ups

The Wall Ball Sit-Ups got to me on minute seven and I didn't get in my last minute of rowing but I fought the good fight. I was better at unstrapping myself (from rower) and heading to the next task. Overall, I felt less clumsy.

Rowing Tally for Sept. 28th: 2245 meters

Note: We didn't stand up for our wall ball sit-ups.

The Lone Yoga Mat

2011-09-26T19:30:00.001-05:00

Got home, ate a few pieces of apple while reading The Sleeping Doll and waited for 5:45 to roll around before I headed out to try this yoga class. Because of National Yoga Month, I got a pass to attend a class nearby.

As I headed to the studio, this stunned guy asked They have yoga around here?

Yes, I tell him, just a couple of doors down. He inquires about price etc. and I walk a few feet to see that the blinds are closed and the lights are off even though I'm staring face-to-face with a flyer that says All-Levels Yoga (Monday at 6). There's a lone yoga mat and block on the floor. Maybe there's a secret side entrance. I check but there's just an alley. In the meantime, I stand in the doorway with a yoga mat across my back.

I decided not to wait around. When I get home, I go to the studios' website to get the owner's email address and, just as I'm about to hit send, I see that most of the yoga classes have been canceled until November but there was no cancellation notice earlier in the day.

I'm not having very good luck with this studio. I decided to go to Community Yoga which they hold a couple of Sundays a month and, when I attempted to go, the teacher got the times mixed up.

Maybe I should have told that guy that No, they don't do yoga around here.

It sucked to try and regroup and get reenergized for exercise when I could have taken care of that immediately after work.

So, yeah, there's a cooperative bakery and an eye-catching mural but no regular yoga classes around there.

The Mural

The Water Will Welcome You

2011-09-24T19:30:00.006-05:00

3+...The number of minutes it took me to descend the ladder into the hellishly cold pool water.

2...Number of minutes it took me to submerge my head into same chilly water.

1...Amount of laps that I got in before Chatty Kathleen arrived.

1/2...Lap that I got in before an almost full-scale wardrobe malfunction.

At one point, Kathleen and I were down in the deep end. She wanted to know if I could just hang out without treading and, truth be told, I don't spend much time treading water. I just go from one end to the other when I'm not making wardrobe adjustments.

Kathleen demonstrated how to keep one's head above water without moving a limb.

It's about balance and, once you relax, the water will welcome you and hold you up, she said.

My swimming suit provided the aggravation for today and don't think that I haven't tried to secure a back-up swimsuit. I'm getting ready to send suit number two back to Swim Outlet.

Second Attempt to Get Back-Up Suit
It's really weird. I feel like my collar bone is disappearing again and that I've chunked up and, yet, the upper part of my swimming suit is out of sorts. The material looks like it's in good shape but who knows. In addition, a pair of pants that I bought three years ago still fits comfortably; so, I should just chill out.

Remember how I said that I had virtually no wants for my birthday? Well, I have been looking for a lightweight jacket for this time of year. I've also wanted a personal shopper. Be careful what you ask for. I was accompanied by two pretty good shoppers but one, Asmira, is like the undisputed heavyweight champion of bargain shopping. She found so many jackets for me; I chose two and refused to look at anymore because having more decisions would only cause me to bite my fingernails. Asmira also found a $5.50 workout top. You can never have too many workout tops, right?

I just might need my personal shopper to venture into the aquatics department as well.

I've really enjoyed this swimsuit. Hope that I'll be able to find another like it.

I'm One of Those People or (More) Gospel According to Melinda Frances

2011-09-23T17:30:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure that this post is appropriate now that Melinda has her own blog. Nevertheless, here's the gospel and I hope we all get to do some fun stuff soon.

I think I was meant to work in a bar and not an office.

People who don’t trust me get on my nerves – especially when I'm bartending.

No, William. I'd marry Harry too or Charles... I think I'd make a really good princess.

I just need to confirm that it (engagement ring) looks amazing on me.

People underestimate my laziness. I don't mind doing stuff as long as it's fun.

When I'm in a bad mood, I have no self-control.

People can be secretly scary. I'm one of those people.

Just because you're on a diet doesn't mean you can't look at the menu.

Her vagina (the Duggars mother) is like a water slide.

After my confession that I had watched an episode of 19 Kids and Counting.

I was in love with this Turkish guy for one day. I loved him and he loved me.

Another Day, Another Wound

2011-09-21T20:00:00.006-05:00

Saw a new BodyGo Row evening class at CrossFit. The description said that it was rowing mixed with kettlebells and lunges. Perhaps a kinder and gentler way to get back into CrossFit...

Had my eyes on BodyGo Row for days and finally signed up for the class this morning. I was nervous as all get out on the way there. It was a small group so that made me feel better until the board was explained.

Five... three minute intervals:

15 Kettlebell Swings (25 lbs)
5 Toes to Bar
5 Shoot-Throughs

After finishing with the KBs, T2Bs and Push-Throughs, the remainder of the time in each interval was spent rowing.

Thanks to the woman who let me have the higher situations for the Push-Throughs because it made the maneuver easier...

At some point in the program, Laurie (instructor) saw that I was struggling and suggested that I go from kettlebell swings to rowing. It wasn't like I was getting my toes to the bar anyway. As I was working on the intervals, I thought "My God, I need to get in shape just to do CrossFit," a shocking thought when you feel like you're in shape.

After the interval series, we did The Farmer's Walk around the building. I had a 30 pound kettlebell in each hand and I kinda like The Farmer's Walk. We had to hop up on the deck to get back in and that's when my leg hit a bolt. I knew it was there but I was so intent on hopping on the deck that I got beside myself.

Deck Souvenir
After my first attempt, Laurie was like It's like getting out of the pool then You can go through the door. I was like no thanks but I thought hell naw. Did she think a bolt to the leg would deter me? I hopped up on the deck, picked up my kettlebells, strapped my feet in and started rowing again.

I asked the woman that was in class how long she's been doing CrossFit. She's been at it for two months and goes about five times a week. Maybe it really is in the brain.

At one point, we noted our calorie burn for one interval. I burned 36 calories and, as Laurie said, That was a lot of work for 36 calories. And the guy next to me said: Yeah, like six M and M's.

Possible Earth and Fire Issue

2011-09-20T21:01:00.004-05:00

It's been seven months since I've gone to the acupuncturist to boost my immune system for something wicked that I picked up in February; I hope to never experience that situation again. On the plus side, whatever Bryan did in February worked really well...

Bryan wants to know what's going on. I tell him that there is weirdness along the right side of my body that includes a shoulder, elbow and knee tweak in addition to a right toe that throbbed for 1.5 days.

Bryan wants to know where on the shoulder, elbow, knee and which toe.

He thinks it might be an earth and fire issue.

Bryan: But thank goodness you don't have an Earth, Wind and Fire issue.

Me: (Laughing at his corny joke)

Bryan starts tapping the needles in on my left arm then goes off to consult his book. He wants to shift focus, takes one of the needles out and puts it on another point. He also lets me know that I require needles in sensitive areas i.e. it's gonna sting a bit. Why do I always require needles in sensitive zones?

Another needle is in the top of my middle finger -- felt that one

Bryan tells me his reasoning behind the placement of needles but I'm mostly fascinated by and he is completely giddy that he has balanced the meridian points against themselves and balanced them seasonally...

Went to yoga and I have to say that I'm really digging the Happy Baby Pose and thinking that Forward Bend Pose would work for Hazira since it's good for insomnia etc.

Sometimes my yoga teacher is really in the mood to impart his wisdom and he talked about how some people just do high impact exercise and, if you chose that route, sooner or later, you'll probably end up in the hospital. On the other side, he said some people might do yoga all the time which would make them really low-key, a state that he's not opposed to but...

It was a nice class with 10 people in attendance and five on each side of the room. The only uncool part happened when this woman, who hadn't been there in a while, walked on my mat with her bare feet...

I kind of wanted to go swimming tonight but I've been on the move just about all day. I decided to listen to my yoga teacher's usual end of class advice: take a moment to enjoy the benefits of the practice.

So, that's what I'm doing right now -- taking a moment.

Sunday Morning Body Yawning

2011-09-18T22:15:00.004-05:00

To celebrate my birthday and National Yoga Month, I decided to participate in Yoga Within the Confluence but outdoor yoga and rain don't mix.

My "treadmill/elliptical trainer" gym membership had been frozen up until three days ago so I looked around at the group classes and spotted a Sunday morning class that didn't have any adjectives like intermediate or power.

As I was checking in, I saw this woman heading toward the counter. I knew, without a doubt, that she was the yoga teacher. She had it written all over her.

I thought attendance might be low because of the rain but the class was so full that I almost left. I had to also tell myself that being near the door did not give me a reason to tip out. I remembered this FitSugar article that said: no one is paying attention to you -- everybody's concentrating on their own practice.

Did I mention that it's unnerving being in a new class with about fifty plus folks?

We warmed up with two-hand "drumming" which was kind of cool because the sound of applause was loud and choreographed as we drummed our legs. We moved on to rubbing our hands together then placed our warm hands over our eyes and stayed that way for several minutes which was very relaxing.

Planks and downward facing dog had sweat rolling down my face. I never knew that sun salutations were so much work.

At some point in the program, people were doing shoulder stands and back bends but I stayed at ease.

Before savasana, we reached our arms overhead and Gloria said that it was like a yawn for your body and it did feel that way. I guess there was enough room in the class for me seeing that I had space for a body yawn...

I thought about what I wanted for my birthday and I didn't have much on the list. Kind of nice not to have too many wants. I did buy these Nike about a week ago but not with my birthday in mind but more as a back-up pair of shoes.

How do you know when you need a new pair of shoes? When you start sliding across the floor in a cardio class or when your feet are sliding while you're on top of a stability ball trying to do strength training.

Love the tag on here:

When you need to cut. Explode. Jump. Plant. Move. Sprint. Push. Run. Train...

Yeah, Nike, I plan to continue doing all of that and because I've been doing "all of that," this birthday finds me feeling very good. It's been a rainy day but not dampened.

Thanks everyone for the presents and well-wishes.

Just Bounce It

2011-09-16T17:45:00.004-05:00

Looking for something to do this afternoon? What about ab work? I used to avoid ab work but, now, I embrace it and since I do it more often, it doesn't ~~hurt as much~~ seem like such an onerous task.

I tried out Best Belly Blasters, a compilation of previous 10 Minute Solution DVDs, and made a few notes along the way.

Six Pack Ab Attack

Boot Camp like...

For instance, after getting into an elbow plank, you then have to crawl through the mud during said elbow plank.

The segment was tough and I had to modify certain tasks but I liked it.

Waist Slimmer

Felt like I should have earned a spot in a Cirque du Soleil production attempting some of the moves in this one. And, if you don't know it, I reallyreallyreally like Cirque du Soleil but who doesn't?

And, by the way, I so want to do what this woman is doing.

If I were in Seattle, I'd take a class. Please also note that clipping articles and saving them for a year is also how one becomes a mini-hoarder...

Belly Fat Burner

This segment left me with one question: Plank Bounce...Really?

You know me -- I felt the plank bounce and did it anyway.

Dancer's Abs

I'm not a huge dancer but it's nice to do something different even though I felt coordination challenged which is always ironic because I don't think that I'm uncoordinated -- maybe I'm just not graceful. I suspect that a lot of people will like this segment for the belly dance/Bollywood-like portion of the program.

Pilates Perfect Abs

Love the overall exercise in body control and the breathing and barefootedness of it all reminds me of yoga.

Bikini Belly

No mat but choreography required for this segment. You'll also get your cardio groove in during this one.

Turkey and Spit Sandwich or Overheard...

2011-09-14T21:06:00.009-05:00

I spent nearly two hours in traffic court. Since the judge went in alphabetical order, I was the last one on the regular docket. A big up, though, to the law firm who told me to go to court for one ticket and ask for a continuance on the other one. I keep thinking about what I could have spent traffic ticket money on but it's too late for that. Here's what I overheard in court...

Please tell me that you didn't drive here...They're always in the car, aren't they?

The judge to a woman with a suspended license who said that her brother had driven her and was waiting in the car.

Don't do that.

The judge to a 19-year-old who was putting his new court date in his Blackberry but after the judge warned everyone to turn cell phones off.

I can't be anymore magnanimous than that.

The judge telling a man that if he produced certain papers his fine and points would be reduced.

Judge: Where do you work?

Offender: On The Hill.

Judge: Can I still eat there?

Offender: Yes.

Judge: And get a turkey and spit sandwich...

I didn't run into it. The truck did.

A woman without insurance whose car somehow moved from parked position.

I need to see proof of insurance -- six months -- no Rodney D. Young-30-day- insurance.

The judge

That's my anniversary date. I've been married for 37 years; those were six of the best years of my life...

Judge

Offender: I'm guilty. I did it.

Judge: So, there's no need to shine the bright lights in your eyes?

We already sent you to driving school. What's wrong with this picture?

Judge

It was amended to littering.

The judge to the court clerk on an offender's charge been reduced from points.

You're going to be in tall cotton...

The judge to an offender who had racked up over $700 in fines. If he produces certain documents, his fines and points will be reduced.

My six months of French paid off.

The judge re: his flawless pronunciation of an offender's name.

The representatives from the driving school are sitting out there near the...

Judge

If you've never been on time for anything, trust me: you want to be on time for driving school. They lock the doors when class starts.

Judge

Judge: How do you plead?

Offender: Guilty with an explanation. My speedometer was broken.

Judge: The o...l...d broken speedometer defense. Even the bailiff thought that was funny and he's not easily amused... You know that you're responsible for the repair of your car?

Although she didn't show, Gladys Knight was on the docket. You know the judge couldn't resist making references after he called her name...

Thinking of Klondike Bars

2011-09-12T19:15:00.003-05:00

When I think of weight loss, I think of Klondike bars although I haven't had one in ages.

It's the catchy slogan: What would you do for a Klondike bar? that makes me think about weight loss. I sometimes think that I would do just about anything to lose more weight but, in the end, I don't mean it because, otherwise, I wouldn't still eat as much processed food as I do and I would also exercise more.

My cousin asked me if I had finished reading the primer YOU Losing Weight and I gave her a short breakdown. I was like, you know, the usual: exercise for, at least, 30 minutes a day; no fried foods; watch out for fake-out foods, no soda, drink plenty of water -- yadda yadda yadda.

Still, I like to be reminded and I like the way that Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz's books are written.

Here are some of the reminders that grabbed my attention:

The front of the package isn’t even as revealing as the outside of a new car. It might look seductive, but you really have to check what’s under the hood to see what it’s all about. The ingredient list is where all the answers are. (16-17)

Is it still possible than I can get faked out by "100 percent wheat," "good source" and "supports heart health?"

Some fake-out words you should watch out for...(19)

Plus, the more pliable and loose you are, the less you’re affected when you fall or get into accidents. (37)

The doctors on the importance of finding time to exercise:

Now, we know you’re busy. We know you’re juggling more balls than a twelve-armed clown... (59)

Thanks, doctors, for reinforcing the importance of regular massage -- as if I needed more incentive, haha.

Evidence shows that increased amounts of oxytocin may decrease blood pressure and lower the effects of stress and control your appetite. If nothing else, it’s a darn good reason to schedule a weekly massage. (72)

Like this honor society concept.

Go food shopping: Your current kitchen is most likely a prison – it’s filled with a lot of bad dudes. We want to turn your kitchen into a nutritional honor society…(85)

My kitchen, by the way, is more like a halfway house...

1650 Yards

2011-09-10T19:45:00.005-05:00

As I got up this morning, I realized that there was nothing that I had to do. I have had to put air in my front tire of couple of times recently and, for once, I followed my first mind and headed to Dobbs where they took care of a nail that had embedded itself in my tire.

After Dobbs, I ate lunch and headed to the pool where I've been working on getting 10 laps in before I start slacking. As soon as I got 10 in, I spotted a very tan man sitting in the bleachers. I nodded. It was chatty Kathleen's husband who is quite the bicyclist. I should really say that he is an ultra cyclist since he's done a century or two.

At some point Kathleen and I, inevitably, talk across the lane dividers. After she left, I decided to see if I could get in a mile. I started to feel punch-drunk around lap 26 but I thought if I could make it to lap 28, I could gut it out. I checked with the lifeguard about the closing time and I finished with seven minutes to spare -- or 15 minutes before closure.

When I climbed out of the pool, I felt heavy, drained and knew that I was done for the day. Good thing that I didn't have anything that I absolutely had to do. Oh yeah, my appetite was also insatiable. Can't say that I have the same appetite for swimming a mile since this marks only my second time getting it done and I'm not sure how people swim a mile on the regular. Probably through training, hunh?

The Deep End

2011-09-09T17:15:00.003-05:00

Believe it or not, the last time that I swam the front crawl from the shallow end to the deep end was in a swimming class several years ago -- when I had an escort, my swimming teacher, who pushed and pushed and knew my game.

The game? I would always agree to try the front crawl if I were going from the deep end to the shallow end. Why? Because I knew that my breathing would sustain me until, at least, the black line where, if I got of sync with breathing, I could put my feet on solid ground again. Buoyancy and treading water never even entered the equation but drowning was certainly on my mind.

I've been trying to get myself to swim from the shallow end to the deep end for some time now and I usually get to the deep end but using a variety of strokes.

The water in the pool that I usually go to is quite chilly. I stand around for a while until I convince myself to submerge and, since I'm submerged, it's makes since to start off doing the front crawl which I do until I get to the black line then I pull up and resort to the back crawl, side stroke or elementary back crawl.

I think that I felt relaxed enough and confident enough after yoga that I just decided that I was going to "finish what I started" and get from one end to the other and I did it. It felt so great and huge to make it across that black line doing the front crawl and I feel freer in the water now. My sidestroke (from left side) is also getting better.

If I can tap into that feeling of achievement and happiness right now, it would be great because I am in one foul mood for a Friday. Not even sure where it came from and what it's about but I could definitely benefit from getting in a pool and working this out...

* * *
Gratuitous quote:

You listen to me you mook. You’re in the deep end of the pool at least act like you can swim.

from Epi 14, Season 4 of Prison Break, Scylla buyer to Don Self (24:00)

Poser Ambitions

2011-09-07T19:30:00.001-05:00

I had forgotten that I had a book tucked under my arm until Brandi asked me what I was reading. I showed her the cover and she almost flinched. Is it self-serving?, she wanted to know. I told her that there was a point that if I heard co-op etc. one more time, that I was going to put the book down. In addition, Dederer also dabbles in a bit of self-deprecation about being "educated, white, liberal and well-intentioned."

Brandi told me that she was reading Half Broke Horses and that it was pretty good. Poser, I said, grew on me. Brandi said she doesn't have that much patience. If a book doesn't win her over in 40 pages, she's outta there...

After the book grew on me, I settled in and enjoyed reading about Dederer, her career, family and childhood which she usually explored in five Child's Pose chapters.

Perhaps because her parents are writers, Dederer's young daughter Lucy has a way with words. After the family moves from Seattle to Colorado, Lucy has a rough day at school and tells her mom:

Thank goodness you're so big. That way I fit into your lap. (252)

I think I feel the same way that Dederer does about yoga at home.

Home practice sucked. The gestures and movements that were so thrilling in class seemed flat and dull when done at home alone. In class, tension hummed in the room as bodies moved in and out of shaped, failed, succeeded, breathed. There was a feeling that you were participating in a very slow but very real transformation. At home, the same movements became mere stretching exercises -- the boring part of PE. (261-262)

At one point, Dederer shows her friend, Lisa, the handstand that she has been working on for a quite a while and Lisa, without any hesitation, kicks up into a handstand and, later on, completely immerses herself in yoga. Dederer writes: She had turned into a human parlor trick. (150)

I can relate to Lisa (not the parlor trick part) which is why I'm on my third book about yoga. Yesterday, when I went to yoga, I, first, did my best not to look in Dana's direction until after class and, after class, she told me that she did everything to avoid my eyes during a spinal twist. Of course, the woman next to me, Dee, was funny too. She breathes heavily as if she is dispensing with loads of tension and she also finds my muttering (while trying to do a really splity pose) amusing.

This passage also rang true:

People think yoga is boring. This is one of the big raps against it. And it is, if you're not concentrating. If you fling yourself into the pose, and let your mind wander, and merely tolerate the experience, yoga is, in fact, extremely boring. But if you concentrate hard, boredom opens up and the pose becomes the most interesting thing on earth, in fact the only thing on earth. The more you practice dharana, the simpler the world gets. There's just you and the thing on which you are bending your attention. (152)

If nothing else, after yoga, I feel like my body has gone from constricted to pliable. It's even more transformative than that; I feel as if I were blown glass -- heated and twisted. More viable.

The Gospel According to My Grandmother

2011-09-05T19:30:00.004-05:00

There's no way to explain the unconditionalness of it all when it came to my grandmother. She was very sweet to me but she could also be very feisty. Some of her kids would chide me for not jumping into the fray when my g'ma got extremely riled up. I told them: you all don't understand; grandma is a heavyweight champion and you all are just featherweights who don't stand a chance.

My grandmother doing one of her favorite activities. She loved her some bluegills...

The gospel:

It's so quiet in here that you can hear a mouse pee on cotton.

People need to think twice and speak once.

I'm the mama!

Just wait a cotton-pickin' minute.

I stopped by the schoolhouse door.

Something that my grandmother would say when she thought her opinion was not being valued.

You've got the cow by the tail.

There goes the cowbell again.

Anytime the phone would ring frequently which was often at her house.

You'd wear the horns off a billy goat.

To anyone who was bothersome.

You're going to catch pneumonia in the ass...

If my grandmother thought someone was underdressed.

If you want to get me something, give me a little piece of money. I don't want anymore whatnots, they're just dust catchers.

Do you want to be buried or cremated?

Me: Cremated.

Grandma: No, you don't!

Now, you have to eat something...

My grandmother when I became more selective about what I ate.

I'm sure that it was nothing that you couldn't handle.

My grandmother's commentary after I told her about how rough my week had been.

The Importance of Getting the First Route In

2011-09-03T21:30:00.003-05:00

Apparently, when a flash goes off, Jeremy knows it's me. I know what you're thinking but I was not all up in his face; I used the zoom.

When I rolled out of bed at 8:45 a.m., I wondered about crazy people that hit the climbing gym at 10:00 but, once you get that first route in, the sleepiness fades and you become entertained by mothers who try to coax their kids into climbing with: You use your legs to run and play all day. You have strong legs; keep climbing.

On The Wall

Off The Wall -- Does this make me a dangling modifier?

Patti, Today's Queen of Bouldering

Patti Showing Jessica Yet Another Injury

Jessica Playing Peek-a-boo To See What's On The Other Side of the Route

Went to say goodbye to the pool because fall-like weather is on the horizon. Here are some pics that I took around the pool.

I was surprised when I got to the pool because there was tree-related debris everywhere. There had been a brief but intense storm in the county which I hadn't been aware of. I debated whether or not to get in the pool with all of the debris in it but decided that there are so many chemicals in the pool that it hardly mattered. Needless to say, I had the pool to myself. It felt so right and I felt so good.

I'm also going to miss my post-swimming bowl of watermelon that Hazira usually provided.

It's been a good day. Hope you all can say the same...

Who Not To Put Your Mat Next To or Month-End Review, August

2011-08-31T20:45:00.003-05:00

Went to yoga yesterday. The person next to me got tickled because we were working with straps and I thought we were finished with a sequence. My leg was all over the place and she started giggling then I started giggling and I was barely able to rein the giggles back in. During savasana, I had the urge to giggle again and I just thought: Don't look at Dana. Next, I realized that I cannot have my mat next to Dana's anymore. We're usually not next to each other but someone was absent and the rest is history.

Dana was on the same page and after class she said I can't be next to you. We started giggling again. Funny thing, I had kind of a miserable Tuesday so maybe I needed the laugh. No one really gave us dirty looks either. I guess regular yoga sometimes turns into laughing yoga if you're in a group.

In addition to yoga, I did:

10 Minute Solution: Best Belly Blasters!

Bikini Belly, 1 x

Dancer's Abs, 1 x

Six Pack Ab Attack, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Dance Your Body Thin!

Smooth and Sexy Moves

10 Minute Solution: Fitness Ball Workouts

Firm Flat Abs, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Pilates for Beginners*

Core Basics

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

Arm and Shoulder Sculpt, 1 x

Sleek and Sexy Abs, 2 x's

Stretching, 1 x

CrossFit Basic Training, 5 x's

Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training

15-Minute Upper Body Circuit, 5 x's

Personal Training with Jackie: Crunch-Free Xtreme Abs

Standing Crunch-Free, 1 x

Rock Climbing, 6 x's

Swimming, 10 x's

Walking, 11 x's

Yoga, 5 x's

Wii Fit, 1 x

Hope your workouts were not all work. What did you enjoy the most this month?

*Disclosure: I received Pilates for Beginners without charge.

Lazy Woman's Yoga

2011-08-29T20:40:00.003-05:00

I should have been the Groupawn. You know the dude, Josh Stevens, that lived off Groupons for one year.

I've wanted to try Thai Yoga massage for a while and, well, an opportunity presented itself.

I managed to book the appointment on the same day as the grand opening for the new rock climbing gym. Actually, the facility had to reschedule and I just said "yes" to a new date because if you wait for everyone's schedule to be perfect, nothing will happen. It all worked out though. I took a shower at the gym and headed out with not a minute to spare and chided myself for not leaving earlier. Got in the car, opened up my lavender hand cream which had liquefied and, therefore, spilled all over my shorts and car seat. I really liked that cream and my brown Bermuda shorts too. Seeing that I was about to have an up close and personal session, I could not get back ino the shorts that I had just gotten out of. Thought about stopping at Marshalls but I really didn't have time.

About 500 feet away from the address, I parked before my chances ran out in a city, Clayton, that is trendy and has a lot of traffic and limited parking opportunities. I hurriedly got out of the car and arrived at the door at the same time that a woman with a pale blue cruiser arrived. I held the door open for her and also picked up her water bottle as she rolled her bike in. My timing was not so bad after all.

As I was lying on my stomach, a few things crossed my mind. I thought this yoga was a form that Gingersnapper might be able to get on board with even though the whole being touched by a stranger might still weird her out. Also, out of the massage experiences that I've had, I felt that this one was the most decadent because a lot of the stretches can be achieved via regular yoga.

A couple of things:

Don't think that I've ever had my feet so thoroughly pummeled and I didn't have a problem with ticklishness because it was, mainly, drumming and stretching of the feet.

I remember looking at this deal for reflexology massage and thinking that there's absolutely nothing appealing about this picture.

The Thai yoga practitioner/yoga teacher that I went to see is one of the best breathers in the whole wide world.

When she placed her foot in my armpit and pulled my arm, well, that felt odd but amazing.

At the end, she said some well-intentioned stuff that I don't remember and then we both said Namaste.

And, okay, I don't know what it is but whenever I say Namaste, it makes me smile. Guess I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth...

The Lowdown and The Poet Laureate of Rock Climbing

2011-08-27T18:00:00.003-05:00

My rock climbing gym opened a new location. There's:

The Old Crappy Gym and
The Monstrosity

Mike, Patti and I hit The Old Crappy Gym first since the new one wasn't slated to open until noon for the grand opening celebration. Mike and Patti started lead climbing and, since the gym was pretty empty, I wondered if I should attempt the lead climbing test again. As soon as I started thinking about it, my heart starting beating faster despite Patti telling me to stay calm.

I went and got a short rope to practice on one route and I knew that I needed to take the test while I still had something in the tank. I went to the front desk to announce my intention.

Dude comes over and gives me the lowdown:

No back clipping

No z-clipping

No missed clips

No rest

The only time I will be allowed to rest is after the fall

Sure, no problem, and thanks for reminding me to relax.

I thought the whole "no rest" thing was a bit much because I see lead climbers resting all the time. Does taking a rest mean that you're not a safe climber?

I take a deep breath and, as my mother likes to say, there's no experience like bought experience. I do not miss the second clip this time and there's a certain amount of relief knowing that I'm on belay after the second clip.

I'm told that when I get to the hold with a split in it -- above the fifth clip, I need to fall and I don't hesitate because I just want to get it over with. I let go and I'm so pleased when I stop falling. I get my rest and I chalk up and I hear Patti from below shouting out encouragement but I'll be damned if a rock that I've been able to step up on (from the side) gives me problems and, that's it, the test is over because I can't step up on that one rock.

After the fall, I thought about how close I was to the top and I kept thinking no mistakes; don't blow it. Even though I didn't get my lead certification, I feel much better about this test than the last one and I don't think that I should have been "failed" because of one misstep. I don't think that I've ever seen a lead climber ascend a route flawlessly or without a hiccup but the staff member said that he was "failed" for a similar misstep. Whatever...

We head out to The Monstrosity and I'm glad that we went to The Old Crappy Gym first because the new gym was jam packed since there was free climbing for everyone.

Leah wrote this Macbeth inspired poem after my first attempt at the lead climbing test.

Clipping, and clipping, and clipping,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last attempt of leaded climb,
And all our yesterdays have lighted there
The way to dusty falls. Out, out, brief misclip!
The test but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets its hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by our eventual victor, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

And Leah was so in love with the new gym that I told her I felt an How Do I Love Thee? inspired piece was surely on the horizon and it was:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the new breadth and height
My limbs can reach, when climbing out of sight
For the endless routes to flash and onsight.
I love thee to the level of frictions'
Most quiet help, by sun and fluorescent light.
I love thee sorely, as Crossfit women Might;
I love thee elegantly, to backstep on the crag.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old gym, and with my harness tight.
I love thee with crimps I seemed to use
With my heel hooks,–I love thee short of breath,
Smiles, smears, of step throughs!–and, if routes choose,
I shall love thee better after the arete

.

I've enjoyed all of Leah's poems but felt that she really nailed the last line in "How Do I Love Thee?." I've officially dubbed her The Poet Laureate of rock climbing...