I am wiped out today after playing paintball yesterday down near Salem, Oregon at Blackhawk Down. The day was filled with epic gunfights and battles (enough that I might just write an After Action Report on it once I get my head on straight again) and it was a great day for running, ducking, dodging and diving with temperatures that barely made it to 35 degrees mid-day.
Today is a day for relaxation and recuperation. God bless Sundays!
Showing posts with label day off. Show all posts
Showing posts with label day off. Show all posts
Sunday, February 27
Friday, January 7
Round Two!
Lo and behold, I was able to make another trek outside today! Another mile down on the road to fitness, and another great burst of energy that has helped me through a hectic day at the office. One thing that I have noticed is that even after taking a couple of weeks off of my quest for a smaller bottom, going a mile just doesn't take very long. Roughly 15 minutes or so and I'm done! This got me thinking today; as someone who seems to never take the chance to take a "real" break from work, perhaps I should push myself to do a 15 minute stroll 2 or 3 times a day to get my labor-laws taken care of AND my workout at the same time!
Should do... but will I? Only time will tell.
Should do... but will I? Only time will tell.
Thursday, January 6
Back in the Saddle Again...
After taking a 3 week vacation from the workout circuit, I have slowly begun feeling like I'm moving a bit slower and having a more difficult time getting going in the morning. The need to get up and do something has been building like a pot about to boil over on an unattended stove and finally today I gave in and got outside.
I didn't dive headfirst into a "too much too soon" workout though. I've done that in the past and have finally learned that doing so leads to disastrous results. The last thing I want to do now that I'm ready to get back into my workout is to pull a muscle or stretch a tendon. No, instead I headed out the door with Pooch (he looked far too comfortable sleeping on the couch) at my side and the two of us plunked along on a mile walk around the neighborhood.
The walk was amazing despite the cool weather and foggy mist that left my sweatshirt drenched after 15 minutes of moving around in it. Just being out and moving coaxed my body into releasing some of that pent up energy and now I'm feeling ready to tackle the rest of my "to-dos" with gusto.
If you have gotten back into the rut of taking too much time away from your workout... take heart. You aren't the only one feeling the guilt and shame of replacing afternoon walks with 5lbs. of fudge. Now that the holidays are over, it's time to put down the ladle of gravy and put on those sneakers! Let's get back in motion before Valentine's Day rolls around.
I didn't dive headfirst into a "too much too soon" workout though. I've done that in the past and have finally learned that doing so leads to disastrous results. The last thing I want to do now that I'm ready to get back into my workout is to pull a muscle or stretch a tendon. No, instead I headed out the door with Pooch (he looked far too comfortable sleeping on the couch) at my side and the two of us plunked along on a mile walk around the neighborhood.
The walk was amazing despite the cool weather and foggy mist that left my sweatshirt drenched after 15 minutes of moving around in it. Just being out and moving coaxed my body into releasing some of that pent up energy and now I'm feeling ready to tackle the rest of my "to-dos" with gusto.
If you have gotten back into the rut of taking too much time away from your workout... take heart. You aren't the only one feeling the guilt and shame of replacing afternoon walks with 5lbs. of fudge. Now that the holidays are over, it's time to put down the ladle of gravy and put on those sneakers! Let's get back in motion before Valentine's Day rolls around.
Monday, November 29
Sweating Out the Turkey
After a few of days of nothing but turkey, yams and apple pie, I figured it was probably time to get back into the workout groove. Luckily, when I woke up this morning I was full of energy and ready to go, so I ran with the feeling and popped Denise Austin's Fat Blasting Yoga in and pushed play before I had a chance to talk myself out of it.
Even though it's been a while since I last practiced any yoga poses, my body fell right back into it as if it hadn't taken a break at all. I couldn't believe that I had enough energy and strength to complete the first segment, let alone all three, but here I sit an hour later with every muscle stretched and pose completed (except for the one where you sit cross-legged and push your body off the floor with your hands - that is just crazy talk).
When I first purchased this particular workout DVD years ago, it came with a 21 day challenge. "In 21 days, you'll see great results," Denise promises at the beginning of the program. So, what the heck. I haven't done a fitness challenge in a while so I think I'll give it a go. I've got nothing to lose but inches 'round the middle!
Even though it's been a while since I last practiced any yoga poses, my body fell right back into it as if it hadn't taken a break at all. I couldn't believe that I had enough energy and strength to complete the first segment, let alone all three, but here I sit an hour later with every muscle stretched and pose completed (except for the one where you sit cross-legged and push your body off the floor with your hands - that is just crazy talk).
When I first purchased this particular workout DVD years ago, it came with a 21 day challenge. "In 21 days, you'll see great results," Denise promises at the beginning of the program. So, what the heck. I haven't done a fitness challenge in a while so I think I'll give it a go. I've got nothing to lose but inches 'round the middle!
Wednesday, November 24
Thanksgiving Thoughts and Reflections
It had been my intention to work out every day this week to get back into the habit of posting on this blog frequently. Sadly, the plan got de-railed Monday when Mr. Kawaii and I had to make the difficult choice to lay our sick kitty to rest. The event has thrown a wrench into all of our holiday plans, and has given me a chance to reflect on the things that are most important in my life.
It is easy when we are committed to trimming and slimming our waistlines to become so focused on ourselves that we loose sight of the world around us. In the past, I have spent the holiday season analyzing every ounce of turkey, gravy and sliver of pumpkin pie in an effort to not gain weight, and although my intentions are always good it causes me to see the season through a filter of longing, faltering willpower and inevitable regret. In the end, what really matters isn't so much what we put in our mouths at holiday parties and gatherings, instead it is that we are surrounded by people (and animals) who love us wholly and completely as we are - whether we lose that next 10 pounds or not.
This year, I'm going to take a deep breath and eat what I want the first time around, skip the second helpings and just do my best to stick with exercise whenever I can fit it in. In the end, I know that if I stress too much over little things like rogue gingerbread cookies and attacks of marshmallow snowmen, that I'm going to miss the point of the season.
To everyone who has cheered me along on this journey, thank you. I sincerely appreciate your support, and hope to see you out and about next week when we are all working off that little bit of stuffing. :)
It is easy when we are committed to trimming and slimming our waistlines to become so focused on ourselves that we loose sight of the world around us. In the past, I have spent the holiday season analyzing every ounce of turkey, gravy and sliver of pumpkin pie in an effort to not gain weight, and although my intentions are always good it causes me to see the season through a filter of longing, faltering willpower and inevitable regret. In the end, what really matters isn't so much what we put in our mouths at holiday parties and gatherings, instead it is that we are surrounded by people (and animals) who love us wholly and completely as we are - whether we lose that next 10 pounds or not.
This year, I'm going to take a deep breath and eat what I want the first time around, skip the second helpings and just do my best to stick with exercise whenever I can fit it in. In the end, I know that if I stress too much over little things like rogue gingerbread cookies and attacks of marshmallow snowmen, that I'm going to miss the point of the season.
To everyone who has cheered me along on this journey, thank you. I sincerely appreciate your support, and hope to see you out and about next week when we are all working off that little bit of stuffing. :)
Monday, November 15
Rooftop Chores, Chutes and Ladders
Today's calorie burning adventure took place on the roof of my house. As I was checking the mail a few days ago, I happened to look up and see that the entire north side of the roof was sprouting moss by the bucket load. Leaves were peeking out of the gutters, and the house magically added "home maintenance" to my weekly To Do list.
Mr. Kawaii and I headed up the ladder this afternoon when the sun peeked its head out from behind the fall cloud cover. After a couple of hours of bending over to scoop sloppy leaves from the gutters, traversing the incline to sprinkle moss-killer across the shingles and hunting for loose or torn shingles we were left sweaty, soggy and proud that our rooftop is heading into winter prepared for Mother Nature's worst.
As much as I enjoy hitting the gym for a focused workout, I prefer the opportunity to burn calories while I work on an physically demanding project. It makes me feel more accomplished, self-sufficient and proud of my own abilities.
So, how's your roof looking? ;)
Mr. Kawaii and I headed up the ladder this afternoon when the sun peeked its head out from behind the fall cloud cover. After a couple of hours of bending over to scoop sloppy leaves from the gutters, traversing the incline to sprinkle moss-killer across the shingles and hunting for loose or torn shingles we were left sweaty, soggy and proud that our rooftop is heading into winter prepared for Mother Nature's worst.
As much as I enjoy hitting the gym for a focused workout, I prefer the opportunity to burn calories while I work on an physically demanding project. It makes me feel more accomplished, self-sufficient and proud of my own abilities.
So, how's your roof looking? ;)
Sunday, May 30
Achey, Achey, Takin' A Breaky.
I can't believe we're back at Sunday already! I'm taking the day off from exercising, aside from helping some family move a piano and some other unknown items around. My poor body needs the break, and the psychological damage from the last two days working in the yard needs time to fade and settle before I head back out to combat the creepy-crawlys.
Aside from the sore muscles and creaky joints, my body seems to be adjusting to the new exercise schedule really well. Yes, my back feels like there is a 300 pound man standing on his tippy-toes on it, but I'm not immobile. Being able to push through the exercises and come out without being bedridden is a huge step in the right direction!
I hope that you all had a great week of movement, and I look forward to seeing what next week brings. Thank you for your comments and e-mails, they are inspiring and entertaining in their own right and I'm glad that we're all in this struggle together.
Have a great Sunday!
Aside from the sore muscles and creaky joints, my body seems to be adjusting to the new exercise schedule really well. Yes, my back feels like there is a 300 pound man standing on his tippy-toes on it, but I'm not immobile. Being able to push through the exercises and come out without being bedridden is a huge step in the right direction!
I hope that you all had a great week of movement, and I look forward to seeing what next week brings. Thank you for your comments and e-mails, they are inspiring and entertaining in their own right and I'm glad that we're all in this struggle together.
Have a great Sunday!
Sunday, May 23
And On The 4th Day, She Rested
Goodness, we've made it four days with this whole blog/exercise thing. Can you believe it? I certainly can; my shoulders, knees and butt cheeks keep reminding me every time I bend over that we've been on the go all week. I've conceded that it's time for a break.
Taking a day off from exercise once or twice a week is an important part of the fitness process. Just like your brain needs time to recover after a long stint of studying or working, your body needs time to recover from all the squats, knee lifts, push-ups and yoga-pretzels. Back in my "eat-nothing-exercise-until-your-head-pops-off" days I learned that if I didn't give myself a day of rest, eventually my body began to break down on itself and would take one for me. Suffering from exhaustion and torn muscles is about as fun as being IN a barrel of monkeys (and they aren't the cute cuddly ones - they're angry and have poop), and so I recommend that you schedule a day of rest as a part of your work out program.
So with that, Pooch and I are going to go play in the yard or take a nap on the sofa. Perhaps a nice bath is in my future (but not Pooch's - that's just more work) to help relax some of these sore muscles. Please feel free to leave me comments below and let me know how your work-out week went. Was it good? Bad? Ugly? I want to know!
Taking a day off from exercise once or twice a week is an important part of the fitness process. Just like your brain needs time to recover after a long stint of studying or working, your body needs time to recover from all the squats, knee lifts, push-ups and yoga-pretzels. Back in my "eat-nothing-exercise-until-your-head-pops-off" days I learned that if I didn't give myself a day of rest, eventually my body began to break down on itself and would take one for me. Suffering from exhaustion and torn muscles is about as fun as being IN a barrel of monkeys (and they aren't the cute cuddly ones - they're angry and have poop), and so I recommend that you schedule a day of rest as a part of your work out program.
So with that, Pooch and I are going to go play in the yard or take a nap on the sofa. Perhaps a nice bath is in my future (but not Pooch's - that's just more work) to help relax some of these sore muscles. Please feel free to leave me comments below and let me know how your work-out week went. Was it good? Bad? Ugly? I want to know!
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