I bike for pancakes!

Monday, May 26, 2008

So on Saturday, I biked to the farmer's market with a friend, which ended up being about 25 miles round trip. And today, I biked to the Copper Dome for breakfast (I bike for pancakes!), then I ran a few errands (still on the bike) and then pedaled w/ my hubby down to the in-laws' place in the 'burbs for a barbecue, which turned out to be about 30 miles total for the day. Which means I hit 55 miles for the weekend! And I can still walk!

We'll see if I make it to BodyFlow tomorrow after work...but I think I'd better, in the interest of stretching out my legs!

  

Good week lined up...

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

It's amazing how sitting down for a second and deliberately changing your thought process can have an effect on your overall feeling of wellbeing (or lack thereof, depending on the scenario, I guess)...but that's what I did over this last weekend (see previous mopey/whiney post if you're curious), and I'm happy to say this week is off to a much better start! (and I fully expect to continue it on this trajectory!)

Yesterday I took off work a little early (I'm working nore diligently on keeping myself to a 40 hour week, and I seem to do better about accomplishing my weekly objectives if I don't wait till Friday to start...or maybe I just wasn't ready for the weekend to be over...but option A is my official story!). I also went biking with a friend and then we hit up a BodyFlow class (yoga/pilates/tai-chi fusion class) as well last night. Happily, my legs survived both quite nicely (I'd been a bit worried that I'd poop out partway through the class, but the bike ride was a great warm up!).

Today I think I'll go to another BodyFlow class (glutton for punishment? maybe...) and then try to get my weight lifting in when I go home (esp. upper body, which tends to get neglected when it's nice out due to the lure of biking)...there was a time (a much more flexible, healthy time) when I regularly did yoga 5-6 days a week, and I'm thinking I'd like to get back to that. I do need the structure of a class, though (I lack the discipline to not spend the whole hour in down dog and child's pose!), and while I'd prefer to do just yoga, BodyFlow is as close as I can conveniently manage with my current scheduling. It's not a bad option by any means, though (something different is always nice, and maybe eventually I'll be able to get through a class without windmilling my way through the tai-chi segments!)

Now I just need to keep the momentum going!

  

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APRILCORRINA 5/21/2008 11:23PM

Did you make it to your BodyFlow class again last night? I was much too sore myself, although I think I might try to hit the 7:40 tomorrow night (feel free to stop by if you're up for it--I'm not sure if I'll make it though as I have a dr.'s appt. at 6:15). And I totally know what you mean about lacking the discipline to not spend all my time in the "fun" poses (I'm partial to child's pose as well, but also enjoy the triangle, and for some reason, the one-legged poses like warrior three, but I suspect that has something to do with the "warrior" part of the name). I would like to try a full-on yoga class sometime, and am saving it for one of my weight loss goals. I almost had a melt down yesterday--I get a free 90-day tune up on my bike at Penn Cycle, plus my bike's been clunking a bit on the shifting, so I called the shop yesterday to see what the protocol was--i.e., did I need to make an appointment? The guy I talked to said to just bring it in and they could maybe even do it while I waited. Well, bring it in I did and nearly crumpled in upon myself (a bit dramatic, perhaps!) when the guy at the store said they'd have it done by 5 on Saturday. Chester, bless his heart, called and talked to the guy I bought the bike from and he amended the finish time to tomorrow evening. Whew! So yeah, I still have Saturday as biking/farmer's market day on my calendar, although my last check of the upcoming weather suggested thunderstorms. Hope this week is going well so far for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

I don't feel like doing this, but...

Friday, May 16, 2008

**warning...this is mostly just me whining about my week, so feel free read no further if you like**

...maybe if I write it down, I'll remember it:

I NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEGATIVE THINGS IN MY LIFE BUT FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE THINGS.

Has been a ridiculously stressful week...one of those weeks where when you look at it on the calendar you expect to see smoke as it goes down in flames. Gaaaaah.

I have been soooo tempted to let my eating and exercising go to crap. And I"m not going to lie, I have given in a couple times (half of a king size chocolate bar on Monday, a small bag of death-by-caramel-flavored-popcorn today, skipping my strength training altogether thus far...), but I noticed this afternoon that all week I've been dwelling on the negatives and I think I need to switch gears and focus on the positives that have happened in this rather crappy week (which the more I think about, maybe isn't so crappy after all...). So for my own benefit, I shall acknowlege the negatives...

1) my grandpa is in the hospital back home and they're not sure what's wrong.

2) I have to work more overtime over the weekend and I don't want to... *sticks out tongue*

3) my best friend from back home is having a quarter-life crisis and I don't know how to help.

4) my cat is (maybe) sick and we have to go to the vet tomorrow.

5) my kitchen is full of dirty dishes that I really don't want to wash and dry and put away tonight.

Alright...I gave myself 5 minutes, and those are the major things that have really been bothering me this week (so life's not too bad, I suppose!) And now I shall enumerate the positives:

1) I have fit in 2 extra bike rides this week, for a total of 75 extra minutes of exercies between Monday night and Wednesday night.

2) I have attended two yoga-type classes (as planned), for a total of 120 minutes of strenuous (but ultimately relaxing) exercise this week.

3) I am getting my unruly hair cut tonight, which will make me feel somewhat better, I'm sure, between getting to chat with the friendly stylist, and not looking like a runaway mop when I get out of bed in the mornings.

4) I may get another bike ride in tonight, if the thunderstorms hold off long enough.

5) at one point on Tuesday night, there were NO DIRTY DISHES WHATSOEVER in my kitchen (and not just because they were all in the livingroom!)...and if I wash all the dishes that have amassed since then, I can have the same feeling when I make breakfast on Saturday morning!

6) I have been given a huge, complex project at work, which I choose to believe is a nod from my higher-ups signaling they feel I can take on more responsibility without hanging myself. (seriously, it's the biggest project I've ever been given...I was almost hyperventilating with excitement...then stress).

7) I have not gone over my calorie range once yet this week (despite making some poor food choices).

There, see, I don't have it quite so bad as I thought...it's been a stressful week, but I think part of that was just me focusing on the stress of the moment and not looking at the bigger picture often enough. And hopefully the negatives are off the table next week (or are at least more manageable)! But even with all the crap from this week, I've still gotten some very positive things in, and that will continue on into next week!

So there. I'm going to feel better about this week whether I want to or not! (actually, I do feel better, so it worked. now I just need to remember to do this DURING the week, not just at the end!)

  

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APRILCORRINA 5/19/2008 12:13PM

Hey! Good for you for extracting some positives things out of a potentially quite negative week. Also, congratulations on not going over your calories--that's hard for me to do even on a not-stressful week, so definitely feel good about that one! I'm sorry about your grandpa--hopefully you have heard something by now, at least. How did the vet visit turn out? How was your weekend? So I've been wondering on how the logistics of the bike ride/Bodyflow will work tonight. I have two ideas: (1) I will pack my bike in my trunk, drive either to the Y or somewhere close so as to minimalize riding in the dark and (2) bike home between ride and Y and then drive to Y. What are you thinking you will do? Honestly, I was feeling somewhat terrible this morning--I had a headache and was queasy-stomached but I think it was perhaps partly due to not having coffee yesterday, when I usually do everyday, because after I had a cup I felt 100% better. So what I'm getting at is I had a sad moment when I thought I might not be able to go, but my day has just turned right around! Hope you're having a better Monday than last week's days! Report Inappropriate Comment

MAXFOCUS 5/17/2008 12:14PM

Sorry to hear you had such a stressful week. It is tough when you have many situations that are out of your control (your grandpa, friend, etc). You are doing great recording your positive actions - that is important. Great job with the bike riding and yoga. I wish I had more time to do yoga but right now I'm concentrating on getting through a couch to 5K program. Hoping that you have a fantastic week next week. Report Inappropriate Comment

Y not?

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Yep...we switched over to the YMCA for our gym-type membership...works out b/c tonight I'm walking over for a BodyFlow class--I'm not 100% sure what that entails, but it's supposed to be yoga-ish (and I really hope they have loaner mats b/c I forgot mine at home)...but if nothing else, I brought my running shoes along with my yoga duds so I can hit the cardio machines at least...though I don't think my legs will be terribly happy with me if I do that, b/c I biked 15 miles last night after work, and 8 the day before...but we'll see. In any case, I'm rather excited about all the options that the Y offers...

I'm still having trouble with ye olde diet (esp. after I get off work...I'm stellar till then), so I think we're not going to keep any junk food in the apartment for a bit...(that means you, tortilla chips, salsa, and ice cream--shoo!)...we'll keep apples on hand for snacking, and we're going back to eating dinner at the table (since that helps us to not sit on the couch and nibble all evening...it also helps us get the dishes done on a regular basis--not a bad thing either!)...I'm so glad hubby is good-humored enough to go along with all this...serioulsy it would be so much more difficult if he were disinclined to cooperate!!

And on a slightly unrelated note, next wednesday (May 14th) is Bike/Walk to Work Day...so mark your calendars!

  

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APRILCORRINA 5/6/2008 1:23PM

I so could have written this blog. :-) Except for the fact that tortilla chips are a rare food item that I can keep in the house without fear of overeating. But the problems with eating after work/on the couch/wanting to keep up with dishes are also my own. So, I will feel heartened that you are also working on these things and I will work on them too. Good luck at your BodyFlow class tonight! It's harder work than it sounds, and my limbs were pretty sore the last time I went, after not having gone in a long time. I was regularly going for a time, however, and felt great as a result! It's awesome for toning and feeling strong, plus it's fun. I hope you make it and enjoy it, and they should have loaner mats! P.S. You know, I think I will mark the 14th on my calendar! I'm going to give myself two more practice runs downtown (one tomorrow night, I think, and then maybe one this weekend) and next week I'm going for it (although I think I'll equip myself with a pump, spare tube and probably a few other things--any advice?--first). Wish me luck! Comment edited on: 5/6/2008 1:23:41 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

Shifting allegiences...or gyms, at least...

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Well, we toured the YMCA yesterday after work b/c we're thinking of shifting our gym membership over from the Community Center (the Community Center's rates keep going up, and they've reshuffled all their group exercise class times to during the day, when both hubby and I are at work--it's a great idea to have this as a community resource, but it seems like it's geared to SAHMs and retirees...it's just not a good fit for us anymore).

But we live pretty close to one YMCA and we both work really close to another, and between the two they have a lot of classes that we could take and they're open much later, so we could actually use the cardio equipment more often, too...and with the last rate hike at our old place, they don't cost that much more...and they've got a pool...so yeah, I really can't think of a good reason not to switch...plus, one is walking distance from where I work, so when it gets wicked hot here in the summers, I can workout in comfort after work!

On a totally unrelated note (now that I've talked myself through that decision!), I think I need to re-commit to the diet portion of my program...I've regained about 5 pounds over the last month...argh...and I'm sure that all the eating out and mindless snacking I've been doing has played no smal part in that. So I'm going to cut down on eating out and rid the kitchen of the tortilla chips (my arch nemesis). I have been doing VERY well on the whole consistently exercising thing, though, so it's not all a wash! But getting back on track with the food is my main priority for the next month.

  

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APRILCORRINA 4/29/2008 1:29PM

Yay! If you do switch to getting a YMCA membership, I would totally go with you sometimes! It's awesome that your husband gets a membership with you, too--Chester has had one before but he doesn't really like going. It helps to have someone (or better yet, multiple someones) to go with. Plus I like the idea of biking to their BodyFlow (i.e., yoga) classes and it'd be nice to have someone to bike with. I've had to cut down a lot on eating out, too. Unfortunately an ample amount of ice cream has found its way into my freezer and has been rapidly disappearing. :-( I have my trickiest difficulties on the eating portion of weight loss too--stupid sweet tooth. Good luck! I think a Monday evening bike ride sounds fabulous. Is 6 too late? I don't usually get home until 5:30 and should realistically allow myself a little bit of time. If not, next weekend might work (although it's Chester's birthday weekend so I probably shouldn't set anything in stone just yet). Report Inappropriate Comment