I've been in a blogging slump all week. Struggling for topics, and time... (always time!) My current time-suck is exercise. (Because God-forbid I should actually make time to write).
The gym beckoned -- actually, it dragged me back into its sweaty clutches kicking and screaming -- but for the sake of my overall health and well being, I desperately needed to get back into some sort of exercise routine. Two weeks in and I'm feeling it.
Oh, not the good-to-be-alive, energy-abound kind of feeling it. Not even the I-worked-so-hard-for-this-satisfying-muscle-ache kind of feeling. I'm talking about the achy joints that have left me limping and popping Advil every 8 hours just to negotiate the stairs at home sort of hurting. This can't be good. I'm only 40!
I pretty much go through life tired. Whether it's the restless kiddies (one or both) or me just having a crap night, I never seem to achieve the Golden 8. More like the Ravaged 5. So going to the gym, mustering the energy needed to pack the bag (hey - it requires BENDING DOWN!) and squeeze my generous ass into workout clothes -- it all takes a certain amount of 'enthusiasm'.
Last week, not wanting to give up after one session, I decided to rely on a little help from my friend Mr. Bull. I just call him Red. BEST WORKOUT I'VE EVER HAD! I was cranking so fast on the bike, the resistance wheel couldn't keep up to me. While Fall Out Boy pounded in my ears, my heart pounded against my chest wall at 153 bpm (that's good, right?) I cranked that puppy for 30 minutes - until my legs began to shake (refer to knee joint probs above) - but it wasn't enough. Time for weights.
I was going to head for the machines - but decided I needed some 'real weights' so headed to the tough-girl area. I passed over the wussy 2, 3, and 5 lbs weights (some skinny chick in short-shorts and a tank were pumping those... puh-lease!) and chose some 10 pounders.
Bicep curl, extend into shoulder press.... Ouch - my left arm is seriously weaker than my right. I need to work on that. And breathe, in-out, right arm up-down, left arm up-down, 12 reps. Left arm beginning to falter. Wipe sweat from brow on shoulder... return weird look from skinny chick in mirror. Breathe, grunt, and... REST. I squatted to put the weights down.
That's when I noticed that they were different in size. I'd had a 10 pounder in my right and a 15 pounder in my left. Ah.
How to make the exchange without earning a skinny-girl smirk...
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13 comments:
I was so just about the call my personal trainer to get another appointment since I was sick last time I had an appointment and had to cancel. I don't want to now cause I feel the same way as you. Plus my left is weaker than my right, it's pathetic the way it shakes.
I love my PT to bits, she rocks, but damn she always makes me do the Friggin plank, I HATE it.
GRRRR. Me just want to eat carbs and be happy.
Oh go to Bonnie Starings blog (link on mine) she did a hilarious version to Avril Lavigne's Girlfriend, Duncan Hines is so delicious. It's hilarious.
Ahh, the gym... Before I got married I used to do 3 sets of 50 squats with a huge 100ib weight on my back. I was so lean and sinewy!!! My abs were a nice female version of 6 packs. Buns? All steel.
Now...I'm lucky to do 20 mins on the bike!! But well . . . at least we're making an effort. You GO, WYLIE, you can do it!
And I should DEFINITELY try old RED to give MY excercising a boost!!! =)
I used to exercise every day for an hour a day when I was home on mat leave. But since I've gone back to work...not so much. I really need to start exercising again. Maybe I'll look at doing something this week.
Wylie:
I look at the gym as the only time I get to be alone, and not feel guilty about it.
And, yeah, I love it that I lift more than most of the women (including the super-skins) at my gym.
Good luck, go Red Bull!
It's nice to know I'm not alone in my efforts!
Megan - You get to go ALONE? I have to bring my 3 year old... Yes, he is in the playroom under the watchful eye of Betty (Sweetness calls the gym Betty's House), but it still requires the 20 minute checks, assisted potty and drink breaks. And his attention span with Betty is exactly 1 hour so I can only do a 40 min workout if I want to shower.
Alone? Lucky, lucky, lucky.
I'm a gym rat.
Doesn't mean I don't have pain, Wylie. It just means that I've reached the point where I have MORE pain with LESS gym.
Hang in there. It'll pay off in the end.
LOL! And wow, sounds like you're doing great, getting into an exercise routine. I need to kick my own ass out the door and go for a walk... ;-D
Hey, that wasn't supposed to be funny! Just that the more I go to the gym, the less pain I have.
Sorry Susan - I read that backwards!! (I'm still chuckling)
Funny - I USED to be a gym-rat - before marriage. Everyday, 5 days a week, minimum one hour. Man I was hot back then... but of course, thought I was fat. Oh, to go back!
Long time ago in a galaxy far far away, I used to be young and skinny - even had a green belt in karate. Did 200 sit ups a day, push ups, you name it. Then I blew my knee out.
I REALLY need to get back in shape, but now I hate gyms and the need to reveal my totally out-of-shape body. But oh, my Wylie, don't over do it!
That is the story of my life. My problem is just getting to the gym. Once I'm there I'm fine. I just did some retail therapy. I'm thinking new workout clothes will motivate me more;-)
great, next step for Wylie is aphetamines and the roids! Though, now I am thinking your next book could be gym based.
Oh and No Fear tastes better then Red Bull
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