The Exercised Body or April, Month-End Review

Swam from 7 to 8 p.m. last night, showered, went by the store then stopped to see The 'Fugee who was disappointed that I wouldn't stay long. And the lyrics that go through my head the most? Time won't give me time...

On Saturday, I also fretted about time but realized that I had spent two hours bicycling even though I seldom regret time spent in the pursuit of fitness so I turned the fret station off.

There are days when I feel wrecked when the alarm clock goes off and when I get to work, I want to put my head on the desk until I feel rested.

To go to yoga tonight or to do a little spring cleaning and prepare stuff for the American Kidney Foundation pick-up? I could have used the extra time but the tension in my arm, neck and back made the choice an easy one.

Last Tuesday, at an impromptu "party," Asmira and The 'Fugee declared that I had lost weight and, although I've lost five four pounds, I've been struggling with portion control and feeling quite whale-ish. The 'Fugee elaborated by saying that she can tell the difference between my exercised body and her unexercised one. Though visions of being smaller float around in my head, I know that life would be dim without exercise.

Month-End Review:

10 Minute Solution: 5 Day Get Fit Mix
Cardio Kickboxing, 2 x's

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!
10 Minute Stretch, 2 x's

Bicycling, 3 x's

Climbing, 4 x's

Just Walk: 5 Mega Miles
Mile 2: Walk and Tone, 2 x's
Mile 5: Ab Walk, 2 x's

Just Walk: Walk to the Hits, Party Songs
Mile 1, 4 x's
Mile 3, 1 x

P90X
Kenpo X, 2 x's

Swimming, 4 x's

The Gauntlet, #Kettlebell, 2 x's

Treadmill, 2 x's

Walking, 13 x's

Yoga, 15 x's

Zumba, 2 x's

Belly Up

Made a stress-relieving bubble bath bag for Chiquita, my cousin. The contents of the bag included Epsom salt infused with essential oil, lavender bubble bath and Dr. Oz's new magazine, The Good Life.

Chiquita reported back that she enjoyed her bath and I told her that she could bring the Mason jar back for a refill of salt.

This article, Massaging Your Soul, made me think about Chiquita and her bag and it made me think of myself as I get drawn deeper into massing my soul.

And massage? It gets me out of my head and hits the reset button. At the end of a massage, I often think Okay, I'm ready to be nicer, more patient, more...I can even rub the furry one ad nauseam and watch as he tilts his head back into my hand or watch him as he goes belly up.

The Little Wolf with a Bone (iPod moment)

A Vacation Of Sorts

You get spoiled by making play dates to exercise with others and while I knew that I would miss meeting up with my peeps, I didn't despair because I like my own company too.

The forecast was for stellar weather and I wanted to honor the stellar by exercising outdoors. Lingered in bed a bit then made preparations for departure. Felt like I was going on vacation as I gathered stuff and bicycling on the riverfront did feel like a vacation of sorts.

Headphones, check. Orange slices, check.

I might have hit the trail by my lonesome but I wasn't alone. There were plenty of people to engage with and it was nice to see so many kids out.

There is a sizable hill before you make it to the end of the Riverfront Trail and to the Chain of Rocks Bridge. I hit the proverbial wall -- big time. That orange that I packed and ate while on the bridge was one of the best oranges that I've ever had.

View From Chain of Rocks, Arch in the Distance

Up-Close View Again

I racked up 22 miles which would represent a slow day for Patti*. Still, my appreciation for mileage has been renewed.

*Checked with Patti and she got in 31 miles...

You Forget About The Windows

Zumba was not calling my name but I went last Thursday because Alison wanted company and she thought the class was so fun that she wanted to return this week and she also brought her sister, Joanne, who's visiting from the UK.

Joanne proceeded to tell me that she had been to boot camp with Alison and today she'd been walking around the sculpture park and gardening plus... I'm supposed to be on vacation but something went wrong.

Joanne had me cracking up when she asked if people were going to be looking into the windows of the exercise room. I told her that they hardly ever do and once you get into the class, you forget about the windows.

We got a visit from one of the gym staffers because our teacher likes to crank up the music plus open the doors since it gets stuffy.

After the staffer left, the instructor said but not bitterly Excuse me for trying to teach a Zumba class. She reminds me of Little Diva from Pit Boss. Ashley asked Little Diva if she would tone down her attire and Little Diva responded Tone what down?

Despite that inevitable moment when I was turned in the opposite direction of the class, I thought That was fun when I walked through my door and then I couldn't stop singing Dancing Machine.

If You Swim, Just Swim

As I pushed the button on my lap counter to mark the occasion of lap three, I thought about my coworker, Rene, who doesn't like lap swimming because she thinks it's monotonous.

Lap three seemed like such a little number compared to the number of laps that I wanted to accomplish and I longed for an MP3 player but quickly dismissed the idea too.

...We're just saying if you eat, don't eat your projects. Don't eat your sadness. Don't eat the argument you just had. Just eat. If you walk, just walk. If you drive, drive. We have to choose again and again to be in the present moment... (The Healer...Prevention, Jan. 2014, pg. 48)

Pretty sure that I was sluggish since I took a nap after work and, pretty much, headed to the pool post-nap...

I've had an active dream life of late -- three dreams within a week:

Dream One: Someone hits my car and leaves a lot of white paint on it.

Dream Two: I'm in an amphibious situation and just as it hits the water, I wake up.

Dream Three: A part of my yoga mat is missing. It's as if someone has taken a scalpel and sliced a fourth of it off but it still looks the same when it's rolled up. Plus, it has a cute little bow on it.

My upper back was so jammed up on Monday that I did a few minutes of yoga in the morning -- cat/cow, child's pose and fish.

If I had a yoga studio, I'd name it Yoga Works. Because it felt so good and calming, I did a few minutes of "back care" yoga this morning too. Threw in an earth salutation to make it even sweeter.

Spring Training, #TeamDrea

Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge, New

Caught Off-Guard by Blue Water (for St. Louis Blues)

Was tired, thirsty, sleepy and feeling a bit guilty when I got home from bicycling. It was about 1:30 when I rolled my bike through the door and Easter "dinner" was at 2 and there was more stuff that I wanted to do. I hate being on a schedule during the weekend.

I could have rushed and gathered stuff but also knew that I'd probably only eat turkey and green beans then stare at everything else including my aunt's mac and cheese and sweet potato pie so I stayed at home and, among other things, cooked Monday's meal...

Simply Stir-Fry

Still thinking about squeezing in a short nap before visiting some of my folks this evening.

A Nod In My Direction

A former colleague stopped by the office and my immediate coworker explained that she was walking funny because of back pain.

A massage? Melinda suggested. My boyfriend is an opera singer and he gets them for his voice. As a flight attendant, Melinda often accesses things from awkward angles and her boyfriend suggested massage therapy for her as well.

My coworker said I don't get massages but she does (nodding toward me). She knows how to take care of herself.

Melinda then asked me if I watch Parks and Recreation. Apparently, there are characters that have a Treat Yo Self day, ha-ha.

Melinda and I both agreed that The One Afflicted With Back Pain should try massage. The Afflicted One... started tallying the cost of the chiropractic treatments she's been receiving.

You can't afford not to deal with stress crossed my mind.

If you can get rid of the stress element altogether, we can get rid of your spine pain.

-Shorty's doctor to Shorty, Pit Boss

Stress dampens empathy.

-On Being podcast?

Stress can take you down physically and energetically.

-Jackson, cat behaviorist on My Cat From Hell, Season 3, Epi 7