Archive for December, 2008
Christmas Morning was a glorious morning: it felt more like a Spring than winter, all the more so as winter’s bluster was particularly virulent just a couple of days before. I hope that for those that celebrate your Holidays were joyful.
With the sun so brilliant, I took my three girls for a walk. With Macy’s surgery (and subsequent re-stitching) we’ve been a bit out of commission while she heals. There were lots of birds out–even robins. Our Richmond, VA winters have been so temperate, that the robins must migrate from northern climes and stay here. I think that our robins go a bit further south. Robins don’t eat seed, so if the ground is frozen they don’t eat.
Last Sunday, I had to transition my 18 year old cat, Mylo. HE’s the second oldest cat that I’ve had, the first oldest, Kip, was transitioned just shy of his 20th birthday. Kip was a first generation cat. I got him when I was 23. Mylo came aboard the year my son was born in 1991, so there is about 8 years difference between the two. But they overlapped. Not long ago I had my 18 yo poodle, Chloe, transitions. So Mylo was the last old-timer.
I have two young cats (9 mos old), and of course my three dogs–they are young too, with Daisey being 4, Macy 3 and Ella about 2. It’s the fewest dogs and cats that we’ve had in a long time.
I also put my daughter on a plane yesterday to Brussels and then to Germany. Her plane was a 5 p.m. so we were able to visit with family both on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. There was no one at the airport. A good day to travel. There was only a 1 hour layover in JFK, and her arrival/departing gates were the furthest apart. I made a copy of the terminal layout. My instructions: When you get off the plane, you start running. She called me when she was on the plane and said she had to do just that!
I just received word that she’s made it to Brussels. She’ll stay with the professional couple to care for their daughter (My daughter is a f-t college student, but keeps an infant part time for this couple) while they visit with friends in Brussels. She’ll then get on a train to go to Frankfurt to visit with a friend who is stationed with her husband in Germany. She’ll visit with them for another week. All in all, a nice adventure for a 20 year old–inexpensive, too, as her air fare was paid for and her lodging. I’m glad for her to have this experience at this age.
We have many blessings and much to be thankful for. But we’ve had much illness and injury this year (I guess we were just reverting to the mean, as we’ve been remarkably spared until this year). I’ll be glad for this year to be tied up and done.
It’s time now to start reviewing the resolutions. I did very well with mine this year. I have a NY’s dinner to plan for–but after that, I’d like to see less food for a while!
Workout:
- Type: Walk
- Date: 12/26/2008
- Time: 08:49:22
- Total Time: 00:40:00.00
- Calories: 172
- Distance: 2 miles
- Average Pace: 20:00/mile
December 26th, 2008
Only 10 minutes, but after a run. It was my first MB workout with the heart rate monitor. My run was 147/167. This workout was 141/156. I think that qualifies for a pretty decent cardio workout. Double duty workouts are good!
Hmm…I see that calories are calculated automatically. Brad is always improving this site!
Oh…and my medicine ball is 8lbs. It only feels like the 10lbs that I thought it was!
Workout:
- Type: Strength Training
- Date: 12/14/2008
- Time: 12:01:47
- Total Time: 00:10:00.00
- Average Heart rate: 141
- Max Heart rate: 156
- Calories: 73
December 14th, 2008
I had planned to run with all three girls. Ella, my newest dog, did not make it to the trail. Macy stayed near me. She had her t-shirt on! She’s also the one that needs to lose 8 lbs. I have 8 more lbs to lose, too. I suppose we can both do that together.
The trail was deep with leaves. We had 3 1/4 inches of rain a few days ago. The ground and frozen overnight and was just thawing a bit when we did our mid-morning run. It made for some treacherous conditions. I’ still uncertain as to whether or not I like my New Balance trail shoes. Certainly the Gortex keeps my feet dry. And in fact, my feet stay very warm, too. I’m still trying to get used to the feel. In fairness, I’ve only worn them about 5 times–I’m used to a little more supple feel in my trail shoes.
Daisey flushed out 2 large does within about 5 minutes of each other. I’m sure they had looked at their calendar and realized that Sunday was a respite from the hunters. Daisey did not give chase. The doe were beautiful to see with their beautiful white tails lifted straight in the air and their powerful, graceful poise and elegant bounding away from these strangers who surprised them. I tried to channel all of that power and grace as I huffed and puffed my way back home.
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 12/14/2008
- Time: 10:00:00
- Total Time: 00:32:00.00
- Average Heart rate: 147
- Max Heart rate: 167
- Calories: 250
- Distance: 2 miles
- Average Pace: 16:00/mile
December 14th, 2008
While I’ve not posted in a week, I’ve not quite fallen off the wagon. Macy had an operation that removed a tumor under her arm (right in her armpit), so I’ve been keeping her quiet. The operation was on the 4th. On Monday, the 8th, I asked Mark to help me look under her arm more fully as I had only been checking her stitches from the front to ensure no bleeding, swelling or signs of infection.
I was greeted with the sight of a gaping hole. (My husband did not look). I was mortified. My vet was just a minute from closing, so I had to go to the emergency vet. It was a 3.5 hour odysset (1 of those hours was the 2x drive). But Macy was very well behaved in the car and at the vet. They re cut her and re-stitched her. The vet believed that she had licked the stitches, though I had not seen her do that. They recomended a conical collar to keep her from licking.
Given the clumsiness of those, I elected to put a t-shirt on her. She has tolerated that very well. She managed to slip out of it, and then I saw the real culprit behind her busted stitches–she started scratching with her hind let underneath her arm pit. I’m sure that it is quite itchy! I put her back in her shirt (and did some retrofitting). She LOVES the shirt. The cone would have been ineffective in preventing the hind leg scratching and would explain why her stitches were intact in the front.
Though I’ve not been running, I’ve been working out with my 10 lb medicine ball for three 15 minute sessions this week. They have been very effective for an overall workout–to include cardio.
I had lunch out twice this week. My friends remarked “Wow look how skinny you have gotten.” Now, I’ve lost about 10lbs–but I’m only 5′5″. I’m still about 8 lbs over the weight that I want to be (which is not one of those perennially wished for weights, but one that I’ve had and maintained during my previous fitness period of my early 40’s). I should also add that one of my lunch dates who remarked how skinny I was had made that comment some years before when (1) I had never been overweight and (2) (of course) had not lost any weight (nor did I need to) to warrant the comment. Makes you wonder how your image gets stored in people’s memories!
Nevertheless, though I’ve not been pounding the trail or the pavement, the medicine ball workouts have been good body sculpting time. It’s terrific to look in the mirror (yeah, naked) as see that you are building some really healthy contours in arms, waist, butt and legs. Though very satisfying to see—I can really notice how much easier I can do my warehouse trips and heft dog food bags, cat litter bags, and canned food cases in my cart, out of my cart onto the belt, back into the cart, into my car, and finally, out of my car into my home.
But it is time to get back to pounding dirt/pavement a bit more and to continue with the strenght/tone. My weight has not moved–given my inattentiveness to what I’m eating (meaning I’m eating/drinking what I want) and that I’ve not gained weight, is a good thing. However, I’m only 1/2 way toward my weight goal–so being nonchalant about it is certainly no way to get to my goal.
December 14th, 2008
Loved how my arms and back felt after my workout early in the week. Used the 8 lb medicine ball to do a variety of exercises this a.m. I like the way particular muscles respond to being put in load position (position + weight (optional)) and then using very small movements (both directions) to work the muscle further. Callanetics (that old blast from the past) uses such a load and then small movement dynamic. You will feel it, as it’s a great way to fatigue the muscle quickly. More importantly, (I think), because the circular motions are controlled and are a fine muscle movement, more minor muscle groups are engaged.
I also worked my leg muscles by lifting straight out, heel as high as it could go and then doing small circles.
I find these exercises to be very effective and centering. It feels good to incorporate more strength training.
As I sit here typing, I can already feel my muscles responding.
Workout:
- Type: Strength Training
- Date: 12/08/2008
- Time: 09:17:28
- Total Time: 00:15:00.00
- Calories: 110
December 8th, 2008
My daughter has hoarded a few of my fitness items in her room: my yoga mat and my 10 lb medicine ball. I did an arm and core workout with medicine ball a couple of days ago. My core consisted of holding the medicine ball just overtop my head (arms were NOT outstretched), and bending to the left and the right. I also did walking lunges while getting the paper on the incline of my driveway about 3 times this week. None of these were sustained enough to call cardio, but they worked large muscle groups and provided ample reminders (read: soreness) that body work was accomplished.
With vet trips and hospital trips, my mind has been pre-occupied with other things. I’ve felt no motivation to engage in any real cardio this week. Nevertheless, I’ve exercised some rustier parts of my body. My core is sore and my thighs are tight–a very pleasant feeling,frankly. I’m reminded of how much our musculature contributes to our posture–and most importantly in relieving the load that more tender parts of our body (read: lower back) must do absent any muscle help.
December 7th, 2008
Did a general cardio workout to include full body skipping. Yep, skipping. Full body skipping–big hops, full arm swings on an up hill grade on my driveway. It’s a terrific way to engage your entire body and rev up your heart rate.
If you are not familiar with plyometrics, perhaps it is time to familiarize yourself with the concept. Here’s the definition from Wiki
Plyometrics is a type of exercise training designed to produce fast, powerful movements, and improve the functions of the nervous system, generally for the purpose of improving performance in a specific sport. Plyometric movements, in which a muscle is loaded and then contracted in rapid sequence, use the strength, elasticity and innervation of muscle and as it was supposed to be surrounding tissues to jump higher, run faster, throw farther, or hit harder, depending on the desired training goal. Plyometrics is used to increase the speed or force of muscular contractions, often with the goal of increasing the height of a jump or the speed of a punch or throw.
Juan Carlos Santana writes in his three part series which you can view HERE:
If you want to see the real kings of plyometric training, go to any playground and watch children play.
Conditioning muscles for very specific performance (speed/force) will enhance any sports regimen as well as improving mobility for everyday activities. As with any conditioning, you should approach plyometrics with a regard for your current condition and abilities. A simple search of the web will find many free resources that you can access easily.
Plyometrics is used by elite athletes to improve their performance. But one needn’t be an elite athlete to incorporate some simple exercises into one’s exercise routine. I’ve re-embraced the FUN of doing cardio cross training by running around my property and using anything that I come across as an exercise accoutrement.
A tree is a great thing to do a push away (lateral push up!). It’s also a plyometric–push yourself all the way OFF the tree and then push onto. You’ll feel it. Just don’t get too tired and do a face plant on the tree!
Firewood—a heavy and wide piece of firewood makes a great thing to lift and move about with your arms, with your torso with your back. Because it is not shaped like anything else you’d work with in the gym, you will work different muscles. You’ll feel it, and it will feel good.
Fallen trees–step ups and downs. Push ups. Springy small trees—use these to get some deep stretches in your arms and back. I have a Japanese Maple out front that allows me to stretch in some terrific ways.
I started my post with skipping. Skipping is something that everyone can do, and by golly, your brain will love it too! How can you depressed when you launch your body into the air? Your spirit and your body will soar.
Workout:
- Type: General Cardio
- Date: 12/03/2008
- Time: 10:49:29
- Total Time: 00:15:00.00
- Average Heart rate: 140
- Max Heart rate: 160
December 3rd, 2008
Here it is Tuesday, and I’ve not done anything much since post Thanksgiving. I did get on the scale, and despite imprudent eating, I did not gain anything. That gives credence to the calorie burn in my T-G fest preparations. My tired bones, too, were a testament to the work load.
I did not have the level of intensity in this past month’s workouts as I did in previous months. I ‘noticed’ my adult onset female bitchiness (otherwise known as PMS) more so than in the last two months. I was also punked out more–and needed a couple of days recuperative time. Some wrestle with food cravings and other stuff, it seems that my battle is with my uterus.
While it is an abusive relationship (with it meting out the pain end), for some reason I’m quite attached to it despite the admonitions of many of my uterus free friends to “throw the bum out, you’ll never miss it.” It did carry two children, and has provided respectable service despite its falling into a state of extreme grouchiness punctuated by violence.
I leave now to take all three of my dogs to the vet. Hopefully this will not prove to be stupid ambition on my part! It is time to get the three mule team back in action–it will be good for me and my grouchy uterus!
P. S. I took all three girls, and I was so proud of them! They listened, got in and out of the car with ease; lay down quietly while we were waiting;were amicable patients. Macy weight 68.8 and needs to lose 8 lbs. I’m glad they did not put me on the scale. Daisey has gained all of 1 lb in the year that we’ve had her. Ella Rose, our newest addition–she’s gained 3 lbs since we’ve had her!
The vet started to tell me all the ’stuff’ we could put Macy on to help with weight. I said, no, diet and exercise will work. The trouble is she eats so little of HER food, an so much of everything else. We’ll put up a food quarantine!
December 2nd, 2008
