Month-End Review, January

Took my tender little calf to the swimming pool and it was the perfect place to be.

I think it's kind of funny that I now walk out with the lifeguard. We usually talk about what books we're reading etc.

When we hit the parking lot, there were only two cars and I noticed that she now has a hybrid. The lifeguard said that she had simply run her truck into the ground. Her truck, by the way, had 300,000 plus miles on it. Now, that's the kind of stuff that I like to hear because I definitely want my car to last much longer.

I wonder how many exercise miles my body has on it now. Vroom...vroom... Hope that you got your exercise groove on this month...

10 Minute Solution: 5 Day Get Fit Mix

Cardio Kickboxing, 2 x's

Power Yoga, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Kickbox Boot Camp

Basic Training, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

Stretching, 1 x,

Arc Trainer, 1 x


Kettlebell 101, 4 x's


Personal Training with Jackie, 30 Day Fast Start

Upper Body, 1 x

Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training

15-Minute Upper Body Circuit, 1 x

Rock Climbing, 6 x's


Spinning, 2 x's


StairMaster, 1 x


Swimming, 6 x's


Treadmill, 3 x's


Walking, 1 x


Wii, 7 x's


Willpower & grace

Warm-up, 1 x

Yoga, 8 x's

He's On A Boat

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

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 of 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

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

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

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

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.