Basically

I've been trying to roll out of bed without comment (about which day it is or lack of sleep). It totally helps knowing that I'm going to an office with windows galore. The openness and the light have made such a difference...

Decided to go to yoga because I wanted to try a different teacher at the studio that's been offering free yoga this month.

It was a basics class and, basically, I got my behind kicked. Kept thinking that Tiffany definitely omitted something in her bio. I practiced next to Rosie and she told me that it took everything in her not to drop back into child's pose (and stay) at one point.

Left the fierce yoga practice and went to Zumba where there was a fierce sub. Talk about a frenetic pace. I almost walked out of the class.

It's official: I'm knackered.

Don't Say No

During a kettlebell session, Marisa asked Jessica a.k.a. Crazy Lats to do something. Marisa prefaced her request by saying Don't say no.

Princess Tiffany piped in to tell Crazy Lats that You do say I can't a lot...

Gloria showed us how to do a headstand this morning.

I didn't even try. I immediately thought there's too much of me to get up there.

On the way home, saw a personalized plate that said Do Yoga. Done, I thought to myself.

Got home, played slug and started thinking about headstand. My core is strong. Why can't I do a headstand?

I looked on YouTube and got on my mat. My feet smarted after a couple of attempts and, then, surprise -- I flipped over -- foot hit a corner of a sewing table and a picture fell down. Never saw it coming and didn't get hurt. Good thing that I was relaxed.

It never occurred to me that I might flip over; otherwise, I would not have been so close to the sewing table.

I felt completely lethargic before I flipped over and totally energetic afterward.

Obviously, I had too much momentum during my attempt and not enough control but I'm looking forward to working on headstand.

Yes, 38 Of Them

The B-day Girl Demoing the B-Bag for a Newbie

It's Marisa's birthday but she wanted to give us a gift.

38

Marisa wasn't sure if she had divided everything up properly but I told her Don't worry. Tiffany is going to take care of any discrepancies or logistics when she arrives.

Jumping Jacks, 38
Two-Hand Swings, 38
Push-ups, 38
Goblet Squats...
Presses, 38
V Sit-ups (Alternating with Med Ball)
Mountain Climbers
Tactical Lunges
Snatches (19 L, 19 R)

Did I mention that I'm digging the kettlebell snatches? They wear me out but I feel powerful when I do them.

After the first circuit, we all reported to a station.

Slam Ball (30 lbs)
Bulgarian Bag, (19 -- each direction)
Battle Ropes, 38
Military-style Push-ups
Step-ups
Triceps Extension on TRX

It was kind of a cool workout because we did it together and counted off reps. Julia told me, in so many words, to slow my roll when I counted of presses and I wanted Tiffany to slow down during tactical lunges. It's cool that we're strong in different areas.

The last official task of the workout was burpees. Yes, 38 of them.

Paige and Jessica Rabbit a. k. a. Crazy Lats and Bowls were clowning. I did a modified version of burpees like I usually do. At some point, I asked Paige where she was at in the count and knew that I was going to stop when she did. I give mad props to Julia who's been working on burpees. It took her a while but she did 38...

Marisa said that she got the sweetest greeting from her brother who said that she looks younger than she did five years ago and that, surely, working out is contributing to her youthful countenance.

Guess what Marisa bought herself? An orange 70 pound kettlebell. I'm sure that it will be featured in a future workout.

On My List

Took a warm, deep space stretch yoga class at the studio that I'm trying out. At one point, we had a leg extended -- foot flexed stretching the quad then we moved that leg over, rested on the edge of the foot while holding onto blocks placed at the side of the body; mmmm, the mother of all stretches for the IT Band. It was an intense class but yummy. I enjoyed the heat. Plus, some maneuver helped to ease my ongoing knee tweak. And, oh yeah, gotta get me one of those green balls to roll out muscle knots.

Probably should have saved the deep stretch class for today. Went to kettlebell after taking off last week for birthday festivities. Marisa didn't name the workout but it should have been called The Filthy Fifty.

50 Two-Hand Swings
50 Push-Ups
50 Snatches
50 Triceps Dips
50 Mountain Climbers
50 Clean and Presses
50 Hand-to-Hand Swings
40 "V" Sit-Ups
40 Around the Body with a Catch
40 Alternating Lunges etc. etc. etc.

I think triceps dips are on my list, right behind burpees, of things that make me wince. After the dips, I was dragging and didn't feel like I had it in me but when I saw Princess Tiffany, Julia and Jessica Rabbit gutting it out, I didn't dream of stopping which is why I keep going to kettlebell class. I need instructor and peer pressure at least once a week.

The Princess Is A Beast

Comfort is no test of the truth. Truth is often far from being comfortable. My yoga quote of the day by Swami Vivekananda.

It's good to be reminded of discomfort on kettlebell day.

Slept well last night as I usually do after swimming. Guess the water gradually rocks me to sleep but not just sleep -- a solid, restful one...

Did my usual I don't want to go to kettlebell internal whining then got myself in gear.

2kb = double your fun. We did this sequence for a while -- all for 45 seconds:

Jump rope (with imaginary ropes)
Two-hand swing, two kettlebells or one larger one
Squat
Snatch
Press

Repeat...

I enjoyed doing the alternating kettlebell clean and seesaw press. I also enjoyed working out next to Princess Tiffany. She's been out of town for two weeks but totally owned her workout including the double snatches portion of the program. Tiffany handled those kettlebells so beautifully that I wanted to stop and take a picture. The Princess is a beast.

Julia and I don't normally join in for pull-up practice but we did today. As we we walked to our cars, Julia said I'm proud of us.

You'll Feel It Tomorrow

The feeling is starting to return to my arms. It's a burning feeling but feeling nonetheless...

After the warm-up, Marisa pointed towards the whiteboard and said that the workout was self-explanatory - pretty simple or something like that. And the words were pretty clear-cut.

50.....................Swings, squats, push-ups
40
30
20
10

Chip did require clarification but I saw the glint in Marisa's eyes and knew what she was up to.

50 swings
50 squats
50 push-ups

40 swings
40 squats
40 push-ups. etc. etc.

Since Tiffany, "A-Rod" and Megan were the pacesetters, as usual, I never made it to 10 but 120 two-hand swings were enough for me.

Next up was the kettlebell clean and press.

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

Marisa told the newbie that she was going to feel it in her shoulders tomorrow.

Newbie: I'll feel it tomorrow? How about now?

I got in 98 cleans and presses before the pacesetting crew finished the set.

Next, we hit the floor for side planks with a reach. Rocking side planks. Static planks. Planksplanksplanks... Russian twists...

Marisa was tickled that she saw one picture of the yoga event at Busch Stadium and I was it. She wanted to show me the picture that had been shared on Facebook but I had seen it and didn't need to see it again.  It's a picture that I wish didn't exist because I can see the weight that I've gained but as I told Hazira today -- it's not the end of the world. I just need to batten down the hatches and reassess my food intake.

Marisa also asked me why I practiced yoga but she pretty much knew that it was for mind and body. I also told her that yoga felt particularly good the day after kettlebell practice...

Cindy emailed me a link to the video below. I forgot how beautiful kettlebells can look in the hands of an experienced swinger.

The Six-Letter Word

Ninety five degrees today but 82 tomorrow. It was the perfect time to hit the pool but, no, I just had to go to kettlebell practice. When Chip said I hope this workout is not for us, I was sure that the list on the whiteboard was meant for Marisa's other clients but I was wrong. My first line of defense is usually denial in case you're wondering...

Modified Circuit:

10 Inchworms with Push-up (Instead of Burpees)
25 Two-Hand Swings
9 Inchworms..
30 Two-Hand Swings
8 Inchworms...
35 Two-Hand Swings
7 Inchworms...
40 Two-Hand Swings
6 Inchworms...
45 Two-Hand Swings
5 Inchworms...
50 Two-Hand Swings

I absolutely do not care how long it took me to finish but Marisa kept track. It took me 17 minutes to inch my way through that circuit. Erin and Princess Tiffany came late and still finished before me and they didn't modify which meant that they started out with 30 burpees. Julia did a semi-modified workout and had to leave early because she got nauseous.

I swung with a 12 kg kettlebell then switched back to a 10 kg when we did a minute of cleans and presses, snatches, etc.

As I looked at those burpees on the whiteboard, I thought about the pool and wondered about my decision-making skills.

Saving The Underhands For Last

If looks could kill, that ability would be Princess Tiffany 's superpower.

As we entered the workout area, I asked Tiffany how she was doing. I don't feel like working out she said and the look on her face matched what she told me.

I speculated that once Tiffany was five minutes into the workout, she'd probably be okay and Marisa said that she had a client earlier who felt the same way then really got into the workout.

Whether Tiffany feels like working out or not, she usually makes it through all maneuvers like an ultra-exerciser...

We started off by killing the legs with squats (several varieties) and lunges. You know that you are in trouble when you feel a burn in your glutes 40 seconds into your workout.

After the legs, we worked on abs then we picked up our kettlebells.

40 two-hand swings
20 cleans (right, left)
20 squats (r, l)
20 tactical presses (r, l)
25 snatches (r, l -- modification of cleans and presses for me)
40 two-hand swings

We did more ab work including planks which I'm getting better at holding for a minute even though my whole body quivered.

After planks, we worked on pull-ups. I usually do pull-ups on the TRX and I did that for awhile then joined Princess Tiffany in working on assisted pull-ups. We tried overhand and underhand pull-ups and the Princess made me laugh when she said I like to save my underhands for last.

Tiffany's Response

Before kettlebell practice, I tried to brace myself -- the way one braces the lats in the kettlebell waiter hold. I remind myself that I will be pushed out of my comfort zone. Guess Marisa heard me. She started us off with body weight exercises. Well, first, she started us off with the usual Molotov cocktail of butt kickers, high knees, mountain climbers and jumping jacks then we moved on to the body weight portion of the program.

Bomb Divers anyone? How about crab planks (a kind of reverse table top push-up)?

We did hand-to-hand swings; hand-to-hand cleans; clean and presses; squat, curl and biceps extensions; around the body with a catch and lunge. Some kangaroo situation where you do a backward lunge then hop up. I felt instant feedback in my glutes on that one.

We did 30 triceps dips. Thirty two-hand swings. Push-ups. Planks with a T-up and then a reach. Regular planks and ab work to end class. We actually begged for the ab work as opposed to more kettlebell maneuvers.

At one point, I asked Princess Tiffany  if she was even sweating. A little, she responded...

Be Like Tiffany

Did not exercise yesterday and felt totally weird. It was my mother's birthday and she wanted to go to Red Lobster. I got the wood-grilled tilapia (half order) with roasted vegetables and was silently grateful that I don't eat out often and that I don't even like to eat out anymore.

Wednesday is reserved for swinging and what a way to get back on track.

Marisa reminded me to get my butt lower to the ground as I did jump squats. Later on, she told me to embrace burpees as I protested. I'm fairly coordinated but I have such a hard time with agility when it comes to burpees. Plus, the burpees came at the end of class when we had four stations and one minute at each station:

Burpees

Around The Body with a Catch and Lunge

Battle Ropes

Two-Hand Kettlebell Swing

Tiffany's Extra Credit Assisted Pull-Ups

Tiffany wanted to know if we should go straight into the next station and that is such a Tiffany question. And, for the record, if the Gymboss goes off and Tiffany hasn't finished her reps, you better believe that she's going to do them anyway; she doesn't stop because the buzzer has gone off.

Putting My Back Into It

Want One

This week, I'm keenly aware of my back.

I feel every downward facing dog, every punch that I've thrown, every route that I've climbed, and every kettlebell clean and press that I've executed. There's no pain but a feeling of expansion.

Kettlebell practice was mostly about the upper body. I enjoyed working on the TRX and it did cross my mind that maybe I should get one -- along with a boxing bag but only if I unclutter more.

For my fellow kettlebeller, Tiffany, I have several nicknames -- Little Ms. Turkish Get-Up and Princess Tiffany (for the sparkly headbands that she wears at times). Tonight, she was Cirque du Soleil for doing a plank, arms-extended, from a medicine ball.

As for me, I had to ditch the medicine ball and modify since it's always a risky situation when I try to perch on a ball.

No Rep Left Behind

If Marisa says that we're doing a Tabata with six sets of triceps dips then we're going to do them but not because Marisa realizes that she stopped at five but because of Tiffany who will remind her.

It doesn't matter if I call Tiffany Little Miss Turkish Get-Up or I tell her that I'll see her on the parking lot afterwards, she never lets us forget a rep or circuit but, as Marisa likes to say, you're only cheating yourself when you don't push...

Tiffany tells me I'm a scientist and a Type A Personality... Ugh, she can't help herself. I ask Tiffany how often she works out. She tells me five days a week then I wouldn't be able to make it through work if I didn't. I assured Tiffany that she was not the only one who wouldn't be able to make it.

At one point, we get up after doing some situation on the floor and Marisa wants us to do jumping jacks but I cannot get the signal from my brain to my legs and arms so I take a break...Marisa definitely came prepared with one of her wreck you routines...

My massage therapist gave me Epsom salt the last time that I saw her. Go ahead and use the whole thing...and it will be fragrant because it has essential oils in it, she said.

Post-Kettlebell Rx

As I read in the bath, I thought about Hazira who thinks about the financial situation of friends in the former Yugoslavia. Hazira asked me how much my ings (climbing, swimming etc.) cost per month and how much for massage. I know it's a luxury but not...

Current Reading Material

The Marisa School Bus

Yeah, I pretty much got schooled by Marisa but what's new? She schools me every Wednesday.

When I first started practicing kettlebell, I found myself standing next to Barbara but when that place closed, most of the kettlebellers went separate ways.

Barbara's been ready to swing again so I, jokingly, suggested to Marisa to avoid the jugular right away and Marisa told me I always go hard. She also reminded me to go at my own pace and to modify when necessary but followed it up by saying that Working out is not always comfortable. Touché Marisa.

Marisa & Tiffany Demoing Partner Sit-Ups

And Barbara? It was as if she hadn't missed a beat. She was all over those burpees and pretty much rocked the whole workout and it was good to stand and swing next to her again.

I noticed that Tiffany was silent as a monk. She said that it had been a rough day and we all agreed that we were pretty much over the work week. I have mad props for Tiffany for practicing despite being in a mood...

Marisa Doesn't Need Box Jumps

Marisa Demonstrating on TRX

Got to Marisa’s place and didn’t see any other cars. If I had fingernails, I would have gnawed on them. I did not, under any circumstances, want Marisa’s undivided attention and, yet, I got out of my car and put one foot in front of the other. Brownie point for me.

Marisa let me know that several people were en route.  Even she knows that no one wants to be alone with her.

When Tiffany arrived, she threw the mother of all sullen looks. At first, I thought that I imagined it but I said something anyway and Marisa was like Yeah, that was quite a look.

Tiffany sprained her ankle under shady circumstances. No box jumps, said Marisa then Tiffany turned to me and said You can thank me later but Marisa doesn’t need box jumps in her repertoire to make you suffer.

We did planks perched on a medicine ball, push-ups on the TRX. Double cleans. Russian step-ups – you name it. Marisa did incorporate boxing and, as I kicked the bag, Megan said that she thought I’d found my true calling and I do miss boxing. Small problem -- after 40 seconds of boxing, I could barely swing the kettlebell in the next station…

As Tiffany and I went out the door, I told her about my internal dialogue – I would not mull over the intensity of kettlebell class. Kettlebell practice is not supposed to be easy. Tiffany cracks me up because she often talks about the lure of sitting on the couch. It’s nice to have someone who is also ambiguous about a tough workout but shows up anyway.