Cathe fans--click here to check out an interesting post on Cathe's forums about the Workout Manager Software and new website they're planning to launch some time in the (hopefully) near future.
It looks pretty awesome to me, though I'm sure there will be some bugs in the transition and some complaints about it since people are often resistant to change. I'm excited and I hope it won't be too costly to be a premium member.
Cathe fans--click here to check out an interesting post on Cathe's forums about the Workout Manager Software and new website they're planning to launch some time in the (hopefully) near future.
It looks pretty awesome to me, though I'm sure there will be some bugs in the transition and some complaints about it since people are often resistant to change. I'm excited and I hope it won't be too costly to be a premium member.
Cathe fans--click here to check out an interesting post on Cathe's forums about the Workout Manager Software and new website they're planning to launch some time in the (hopefully) near future.
It looks pretty awesome to me, though I'm sure there will be some bugs in the transition and some complaints about it since people are often resistant to change. I'm excited and I hope it won't be too costly to be a premium member.
You may have noticed that I should probably call this blog "Home Fitness Fig" because my workouts are almost all done in my living or dining room (except for the occasional jog). However, today I branched out and went to a group class.
I finally got to try that yoga class I've been planning to attend. Ewan was finally healthy enough to go back to nursery school. He's in school from 9:00 to 11:30 M-W-F and the class is from 9:15 to 10:45 on Fridays, so the timing is perfect (and it's a short walk from his school). I really enjoyed the class. It was a bit embarrassing because I got there a little late (Ewan was grumpy going back to school so it took a while to settle him there) and the only mat left was in the very front and center of the room in front of the teacher. So they're doing this crossed legs closed eyes gentle start to the class when I come bumbling in and have to sit down in front.
Still, I wasn't self-conscious long and I thought it was a great experience. I expect to go back next Friday, and maybe also on Monday when they have class at the same time. The yoga was strengthening, stretching, relaxing, and there was also some ab work, so it was really ideal. The teacher called everyone by name (and asked my name when I came in and also encouraged me by name from time to time). It is a beginner class so I was able to keep up fine. I'm only worried that my bad ankle is a little sore now, but I didn't think I did anything to stressful to it.
In other news, this is post #100 on my blog!
You may have noticed that I should probably call this blog "Home Fitness Fig" because my workouts are almost all done in my living or dining room (except for the occasional jog). However, today I branched out and went to a group class.
I finally got to try that yoga class I've been planning to attend. Ewan was finally healthy enough to go back to nursery school. He's in school from 9:00 to 11:30 M-W-F and the class is from 9:15 to 10:45 on Fridays, so the timing is perfect (and it's a short walk from his school). I really enjoyed the class. It was a bit embarrassing because I got there a little late (Ewan was grumpy going back to school so it took a while to settle him there) and the only mat left was in the very front and center of the room in front of the teacher. So they're doing this crossed legs closed eyes gentle start to the class when I come bumbling in and have to sit down in front.
Still, I wasn't self-conscious long and I thought it was a great experience. I expect to go back next Friday, and maybe also on Monday when they have class at the same time. The yoga was strengthening, stretching, relaxing, and there was also some ab work, so it was really ideal. The teacher called everyone by name (and asked my name when I came in and also encouraged me by name from time to time). It is a beginner class so I was able to keep up fine. I'm only worried that my bad ankle is a little sore now, but I didn't think I did anything to stressful to it.
In other news, this is post #100 on my blog!
You may have noticed that I should probably call this blog "Home Fitness Fig" because my workouts are almost all done in my living or dining room (except for the occasional jog). However, today I branched out and went to a group class.
I finally got to try that yoga class I've been planning to attend. Ewan was finally healthy enough to go back to nursery school. He's in school from 9:00 to 11:30 M-W-F and the class is from 9:15 to 10:45 on Fridays, so the timing is perfect (and it's a short walk from his school). I really enjoyed the class. It was a bit embarrassing because I got there a little late (Ewan was grumpy going back to school so it took a while to settle him there) and the only mat left was in the very front and center of the room in front of the teacher. So they're doing this crossed legs closed eyes gentle start to the class when I come bumbling in and have to sit down in front.
Still, I wasn't self-conscious long and I thought it was a great experience. I expect to go back next Friday, and maybe also on Monday when they have class at the same time. The yoga was strengthening, stretching, relaxing, and there was also some ab work, so it was really ideal. The teacher called everyone by name (and asked my name when I came in and also encouraged me by name from time to time). It is a beginner class so I was able to keep up fine. I'm only worried that my bad ankle is a little sore now, but I didn't think I did anything to stressful to it.
In other news, this is post #100 on my blog!
I went to the doctor today and got a couple prescriptions--an antibiotic and a decongestant. I hope the decongestant doesn't totally wipe me out. I am very susceptible to drowsiness on medications.
No workout today as I've had a headache for hours and hours now along with the regular illness misery.
Tomorrow I hope that Ewan and I feel well enough that he can go to nursery school and I can finally try that yoga class I mentioned before. If I don't make it to the class, I'll try another part of Jennifer Kries' Hot Body Cool Mind DVD. I tried the yin yoga section of it the other day and liked it (though there are some things she says that make me roll my eyes, but that's typical of me).
I wanted to post something more interesting today, but that headache won't back off, so maybe I'll stop here.
I went to the doctor today and got a couple prescriptions--an antibiotic and a decongestant. I hope the decongestant doesn't totally wipe me out. I am very susceptible to drowsiness on medications.
No workout today as I've had a headache for hours and hours now along with the regular illness misery.
Tomorrow I hope that Ewan and I feel well enough that he can go to nursery school and I can finally try that yoga class I mentioned before. If I don't make it to the class, I'll try another part of Jennifer Kries' Hot Body Cool Mind DVD. I tried the yin yoga section of it the other day and liked it (though there are some things she says that make me roll my eyes, but that's typical of me).
I wanted to post something more interesting today, but that headache won't back off, so maybe I'll stop here.
I went to the doctor today and got a couple prescriptions--an antibiotic and a decongestant. I hope the decongestant doesn't totally wipe me out. I am very susceptible to drowsiness on medications.
No workout today as I've had a headache for hours and hours now along with the regular illness misery.
Tomorrow I hope that Ewan and I feel well enough that he can go to nursery school and I can finally try that yoga class I mentioned before. If I don't make it to the class, I'll try another part of Jennifer Kries' Hot Body Cool Mind DVD. I tried the yin yoga section of it the other day and liked it (though there are some things she says that make me roll my eyes, but that's typical of me).
I wanted to post something more interesting today, but that headache won't back off, so maybe I'll stop here.
I found this link from someone on the Cathe forums. It's all about the fine line between exercising enough for it to benefit your health and exercising to the extent that it hurts your immune system. I have wondered if this has anything to do with how much I've been sick lately. I know I don't exercise nearly as much as some of my online fitness friends, but maybe I just can't do as much as they can, for some reason. I also wonder if it has something to do with just being run down and tired, but still trying to work out (though I'm not doing that this particular week). I often don't get enough sleep. I know I need more sleep than my husband but I usually don't get much more, and I'm often tired. So maybe I'd have a better immune system if I just got more sleep.
I've also been getting some ALL CAPS advice from online friends that I should go to a doctor already. OK, maybe, but I have to figure out when. Tomorrow I really need to get groceries, so perhaps I can arrange an appointment to work around my shopping trip. I'm a stay-at-home mom, so theoretically I have loads of free time, but I also have to do things around getting the big one to and from school and the little one down for his nap, etc. Plus it's not a lot of fun to take a sick toddler along with you to the doctor. I'm just sayin'.
So, how about you, occasional readers out there in internet land? How does your health relate to your workouts? Obviously working out is usually really great for our bodies, but how much is too much? The only answer I know is that it's going to be different for every individual and lifestyle. I'm still figuring out what will work for me. For now I have to heal from my illness and my injuries before I can really start working out full strength again.
I found this link from someone on the Cathe forums. It's all about the fine line between exercising enough for it to benefit your health and exercising to the extent that it hurts your immune system. I have wondered if this has anything to do with how much I've been sick lately. I know I don't exercise nearly as much as some of my online fitness friends, but maybe I just can't do as much as they can, for some reason. I also wonder if it has something to do with just being run down and tired, but still trying to work out (though I'm not doing that this particular week). I often don't get enough sleep. I know I need more sleep than my husband but I usually don't get much more, and I'm often tired. So maybe I'd have a better immune system if I just got more sleep.
I've also been getting some ALL CAPS advice from online friends that I should go to a doctor already. OK, maybe, but I have to figure out when. Tomorrow I really need to get groceries, so perhaps I can arrange an appointment to work around my shopping trip. I'm a stay-at-home mom, so theoretically I have loads of free time, but I also have to do things around getting the big one to and from school and the little one down for his nap, etc. Plus it's not a lot of fun to take a sick toddler along with you to the doctor. I'm just sayin'.
So, how about you, occasional readers out there in internet land? How does your health relate to your workouts? Obviously working out is usually really great for our bodies, but how much is too much? The only answer I know is that it's going to be different for every individual and lifestyle. I'm still figuring out what will work for me. For now I have to heal from my illness and my injuries before I can really start working out full strength again.
I found this link from someone on the Cathe forums. It's all about the fine line between exercising enough for it to benefit your health and exercising to the extent that it hurts your immune system. I have wondered if this has anything to do with how much I've been sick lately. I know I don't exercise nearly as much as some of my online fitness friends, but maybe I just can't do as much as they can, for some reason. I also wonder if it has something to do with just being run down and tired, but still trying to work out (though I'm not doing that this particular week). I often don't get enough sleep. I know I need more sleep than my husband but I usually don't get much more, and I'm often tired. So maybe I'd have a better immune system if I just got more sleep.
I've also been getting some ALL CAPS advice from online friends that I should go to a doctor already. OK, maybe, but I have to figure out when. Tomorrow I really need to get groceries, so perhaps I can arrange an appointment to work around my shopping trip. I'm a stay-at-home mom, so theoretically I have loads of free time, but I also have to do things around getting the big one to and from school and the little one down for his nap, etc. Plus it's not a lot of fun to take a sick toddler along with you to the doctor. I'm just sayin'.
So, how about you, occasional readers out there in internet land? How does your health relate to your workouts? Obviously working out is usually really great for our bodies, but how much is too much? The only answer I know is that it's going to be different for every individual and lifestyle. I'm still figuring out what will work for me. For now I have to heal from my illness and my injuries before I can really start working out full strength again.
I'm still sick (mild fever, stuffy head, aching, etc.) I haven't been to the doctor yet because I took my toddler to his pediatrician today instead. He was prescribed an antibiotic but he seems worse off than I am. I'll see how I feel tomorrow--I'd have to drag him to the doc with him and expose him to more germs to go the doctor myself. Since I realized I've been sick off and on (mostly on) for a month (in addition to the bad ankle and now a weird knee issue), I have decided to take a rest week and not exercise. Well, I'll probably do some yoga. I can't do absolutely nothing at all. And I'll do my physical therapy, though I don't know when I'll get to appointments with a sick toddler at home all the time.
I'll try to think of something to blog about while I'm resting. Today I don't really have anything to write about, though. I'm just sleepy so I should probably go to bed soon (if I want to actually rest).
I'm still sick (mild fever, stuffy head, aching, etc.) I haven't been to the doctor yet because I took my toddler to his pediatrician today instead. He was prescribed an antibiotic but he seems worse off than I am. I'll see how I feel tomorrow--I'd have to drag him to the doc with him and expose him to more germs to go the doctor myself. Since I realized I've been sick off and on (mostly on) for a month (in addition to the bad ankle and now a weird knee issue), I have decided to take a rest week and not exercise. Well, I'll probably do some yoga. I can't do absolutely nothing at all. And I'll do my physical therapy, though I don't know when I'll get to appointments with a sick toddler at home all the time.
I'll try to think of something to blog about while I'm resting. Today I don't really have anything to write about, though. I'm just sleepy so I should probably go to bed soon (if I want to actually rest).
I'm still sick (mild fever, stuffy head, aching, etc.) I haven't been to the doctor yet because I took my toddler to his pediatrician today instead. He was prescribed an antibiotic but he seems worse off than I am. I'll see how I feel tomorrow--I'd have to drag him to the doc with him and expose him to more germs to go the doctor myself. Since I realized I've been sick off and on (mostly on) for a month (in addition to the bad ankle and now a weird knee issue), I have decided to take a rest week and not exercise. Well, I'll probably do some yoga. I can't do absolutely nothing at all. And I'll do my physical therapy, though I don't know when I'll get to appointments with a sick toddler at home all the time.
I'll try to think of something to blog about while I'm resting. Today I don't really have anything to write about, though. I'm just sleepy so I should probably go to bed soon (if I want to actually rest).
Well, I've still been sick. I may actually end up taking a rest week and not just a rest day. I just haven't been able to kick this random virus (or multiple viruses). The fun thing about being feverish is my weird dreams get even weirder. Well, I don't know if it's fun, but it makes for some interesting memories when I wake up. Last night I was lucky that I happened to be turned away from my husband, since I actually slapped out in my sleep while slapping someone in my dream. I slapped my hand on the headboard--ouch! It's been a long time that I've gotten so physical while sleeping. I tend to get quite physical in dreamland--violence-wise, I mean. I hit people a lot--not sure what that means. I'm really fairly gentle and non-confrontational in real life. I also had a rather strong sentence in my mind as I woke up, which I guess came from my dream. I wrote it down because it amused me: "Give it up, you nefarious strawberry-stealing bastard!" So apparently I was working on saving some strawberries in that dream. All I remember is an earlier dream that involved sneaky aliens disguised as people and a pirate ambassador kidnapping me in a helicopter.
This has nothing to do with working out, except that my resting body has more time to think about weirder things. Probably cold medicine got to me last night.
So if I'm not better by Monday, I'll call my doctor and I'll rest a few days--except for a bit of yoga. I'd still like to try a new yoga class on Friday as long as I'm well and Ewan is well enough to go to nursery school that day--he's still sick, too. Keep us in your prayers!
Well, I've still been sick. I may actually end up taking a rest week and not just a rest day. I just haven't been able to kick this random virus (or multiple viruses). The fun thing about being feverish is my weird dreams get even weirder. Well, I don't know if it's fun, but it makes for some interesting memories when I wake up. Last night I was lucky that I happened to be turned away from my husband, since I actually slapped out in my sleep while slapping someone in my dream. I slapped my hand on the headboard--ouch! It's been a long time that I've gotten so physical while sleeping. I tend to get quite physical in dreamland--violence-wise, I mean. I hit people a lot--not sure what that means. I'm really fairly gentle and non-confrontational in real life. I also had a rather strong sentence in my mind as I woke up, which I guess came from my dream. I wrote it down because it amused me: "Give it up, you nefarious strawberry-stealing bastard!" So apparently I was working on saving some strawberries in that dream. All I remember is an earlier dream that involved sneaky aliens disguised as people and a pirate ambassador kidnapping me in a helicopter.
This has nothing to do with working out, except that my resting body has more time to think about weirder things. Probably cold medicine got to me last night.
So if I'm not better by Monday, I'll call my doctor and I'll rest a few days--except for a bit of yoga. I'd still like to try a new yoga class on Friday as long as I'm well and Ewan is well enough to go to nursery school that day--he's still sick, too. Keep us in your prayers!
Well, I've still been sick. I may actually end up taking a rest week and not just a rest day. I just haven't been able to kick this random virus (or multiple viruses). The fun thing about being feverish is my weird dreams get even weirder. Well, I don't know if it's fun, but it makes for some interesting memories when I wake up. Last night I was lucky that I happened to be turned away from my husband, since I actually slapped out in my sleep while slapping someone in my dream. I slapped my hand on the headboard--ouch! It's been a long time that I've gotten so physical while sleeping. I tend to get quite physical in dreamland--violence-wise, I mean. I hit people a lot--not sure what that means. I'm really fairly gentle and non-confrontational in real life. I also had a rather strong sentence in my mind as I woke up, which I guess came from my dream. I wrote it down because it amused me: "Give it up, you nefarious strawberry-stealing bastard!" So apparently I was working on saving some strawberries in that dream. All I remember is an earlier dream that involved sneaky aliens disguised as people and a pirate ambassador kidnapping me in a helicopter.
This has nothing to do with working out, except that my resting body has more time to think about weirder things. Probably cold medicine got to me last night.
So if I'm not better by Monday, I'll call my doctor and I'll rest a few days--except for a bit of yoga. I'd still like to try a new yoga class on Friday as long as I'm well and Ewan is well enough to go to nursery school that day--he's still sick, too. Keep us in your prayers!
I've again updated my rotation ideas document (which you can find to download here). I've added a month-long rotation using Cathe's 4-Day Split, which is much like the November rotation Cathe posted on her forums, but with a little extra cardio. It's what I would like to do if my ankle were completely healed. I decided I'd also post it right here for those who are interested:
Cathe’s 4-Day Split Month-Long Rotation Adapted from Cathe’s Nov. ’07 Rotation
Week 1
DAY 1 Higher Intensity Step plus Chest & Back
DAY 2 Kickbox plus Legs & Core
DAY 3 Jog or Bike for 30-60 minutes
DAY 4 Lower Intensity Step plus Shoulders, Calves, & Core
DAY 5 Boot Camp plus Biceps, Triceps
DAY 6 Long walk or other easygoing cardio
DAY 7 Rest
Week 2
DAY 1 Higher Intensity Step plus Chest & Back
DAY 2 Jog or Bike for 30-60 minutes
DAY 3 Kickbox plus Legs & Core
DAY 4 Long walk or other easygoing cardio
DAY 5 Lower Intensity Step plus Shoulders, Calves, & Core
DAY 6 Rest
DAY 7 Boot Camp plus Biceps, Triceps
Week 3
DAY 1 Jog or Bike for 30-60 minutes
DAY 2 Higher Intensity Step plus Chest & Back
DAY 3 Kickbox plus Legs & Core
DAY 4 Lower Intensity Step plus Shoulders, Calves, & Core
DAY 5 Boot Camp plus Biceps, Triceps
DAY 6 Long walk or other easygoing cardio
DAY 7 Rest
Week 4
DAY 1 Slow & Heavy Legs
DAY 2 Rest
DAY 3 Higher Intensity Step plus Chest & Back
DAY 4 Kickbox plus Legs & Core
DAY 5 Long walk or other easygoing cardio
DAY 6 Lower Intensity Step plus Shoulders, Calves, & Core
DAY 7 Boot Camp plus Biceps, Triceps
I've again updated my rotation ideas document (which you can find to download here). I've added a month-long rotation using Cathe's 4-Day Split, which is much like the November rotation Cathe posted on her forums, but with a little extra cardio. It's what I would like to do if my ankle were completely healed. I decided I'd also post it right here for those who are interested:
Cathe’s 4-Day Split Month-Long Rotation Adapted from Cathe’s Nov. ’07 Rotation
Week 1
DAY 1 Higher Intensity Step plus Chest & Back
DAY 2 Kickbox plus Legs & Core
DAY 3 Jog or Bike for 30-60 minutes
DAY 4 Lower Intensity Step plus Shoulders, Calves, & Core
DAY 5 Boot Camp plus Biceps, Triceps
DAY 6 Long walk or other easygoing cardio
DAY 7 Rest
Week 2
DAY 1 Higher Intensity Step plus Chest & Back
DAY 2 Jog or Bike for 30-60 minutes
DAY 3 Kickbox plus Legs & Core
DAY 4 Long walk or other easygoing cardio
DAY 5 Lower Intensity Step plus Shoulders, Calves, & Core
DAY 6 Rest
DAY 7 Boot Camp plus Biceps, Triceps
Week 3
DAY 1 Jog or Bike for 30-60 minutes
DAY 2 Higher Intensity Step plus Chest & Back
DAY 3 Kickbox plus Legs & Core
DAY 4 Lower Intensity Step plus Shoulders, Calves, & Core
DAY 5 Boot Camp plus Biceps, Triceps
DAY 6 Long walk or other easygoing cardio
DAY 7 Rest
Week 4
DAY 1 Slow & Heavy Legs
DAY 2 Rest
DAY 3 Higher Intensity Step plus Chest & Back
DAY 4 Kickbox plus Legs & Core
DAY 5 Long walk or other easygoing cardio
DAY 6 Lower Intensity Step plus Shoulders, Calves, & Core
DAY 7 Boot Camp plus Biceps, Triceps
I've again updated my rotation ideas document (which you can find to download here). I've added a month-long rotation using Cathe's 4-Day Split, which is much like the November rotation Cathe posted on her forums, but with a little extra cardio. It's what I would like to do if my ankle were completely healed. I decided I'd also post it right here for those who are interested:
Cathe’s 4-Day Split Month-Long Rotation Adapted from Cathe’s Nov. ’07 Rotation
Week 1
DAY 1 Higher Intensity Step plus Chest & Back
DAY 2 Kickbox plus Legs & Core
DAY 3 Jog or Bike for 30-60 minutes
DAY 4 Lower Intensity Step plus Shoulders, Calves, & Core
DAY 5 Boot Camp plus Biceps, Triceps
DAY 6 Long walk or other easygoing cardio
DAY 7 Rest
Week 2
DAY 1 Higher Intensity Step plus Chest & Back
DAY 2 Jog or Bike for 30-60 minutes
DAY 3 Kickbox plus Legs & Core
DAY 4 Long walk or other easygoing cardio
DAY 5 Lower Intensity Step plus Shoulders, Calves, & Core
DAY 6 Rest
DAY 7 Boot Camp plus Biceps, Triceps
Week 3
DAY 1 Jog or Bike for 30-60 minutes
DAY 2 Higher Intensity Step plus Chest & Back
DAY 3 Kickbox plus Legs & Core
DAY 4 Lower Intensity Step plus Shoulders, Calves, & Core
DAY 5 Boot Camp plus Biceps, Triceps
DAY 6 Long walk or other easygoing cardio
DAY 7 Rest
Week 4
DAY 1 Slow & Heavy Legs
DAY 2 Rest
DAY 3 Higher Intensity Step plus Chest & Back
DAY 4 Kickbox plus Legs & Core
DAY 5 Long walk or other easygoing cardio
DAY 6 Lower Intensity Step plus Shoulders, Calves, & Core
DAY 7 Boot Camp plus Biceps, Triceps
I've updated to my rotation ideas document (which you can download here). I've added what I plan to do for the next few weeks--alternating weights with yoga or Pilates and no cardio (unless I can get a stationary bike at some point or permission from the physical therapist to do my regular stuff soon). Here's next week's plan:
I've updated to my rotation ideas document (which you can download here). I've added what I plan to do for the next few weeks--alternating weights with yoga or Pilates and no cardio (unless I can get a stationary bike at some point or permission from the physical therapist to do my regular stuff soon). Here's next week's plan:
I've updated to my rotation ideas document (which you can download here). I've added what I plan to do for the next few weeks--alternating weights with yoga or Pilates and no cardio (unless I can get a stationary bike at some point or permission from the physical therapist to do my regular stuff soon). Here's next week's plan:
I just saw on Cathe's forum that one of the forum members, Katie (CollinsMom) added a very helpful post with all the premixes and times from Cathe's incredible 4-Day Split series. You can find it by clicking here. I just thought I would add a link for those who haven't seen it on the forum yet.
I just saw on Cathe's forum that one of the forum members, Katie (CollinsMom) added a very helpful post with all the premixes and times from Cathe's incredible 4-Day Split series. You can find it by clicking here. I just thought I would add a link for those who haven't seen it on the forum yet.
I just saw on Cathe's forum that one of the forum members, Katie (CollinsMom) added a very helpful post with all the premixes and times from Cathe's incredible 4-Day Split series. You can find it by clicking here. I just thought I would add a link for those who haven't seen it on the forum yet.
I finally have the Tracey Staehle weight worksheets ready. You can click here to go to the list of downloads to find it. Scroll down to where it says Tracey's Weight Worksheets.xls for Excel worksheets or Tracey's Weight Worksheets.doc to download them in Word. I put the weight work on there from High Intensity Kickbox Challenge, Sculpt Sweatfest, The Parts Series: Glute Camp, and The Parts Series, Strictly Upper Body. I didn't put the Total Body workout from The Parts Series because it's not weight focused at all--she just uses one set of light dumbbells and a medicine ball on that one. Also, if you are interested in the special bands she uses in Glute Camp, you can find them by clicking here. I believe if you do a search you can also find them at Amazon.
Also, I just checked Tracey's forums and saw she's thinking of ordering a bulk shipment of Versa Loop bands to sell with free shipping. So if you're a forum member, check it out here.
I finally have the Tracey Staehle weight worksheets ready. You can click here to go to the list of downloads to find it. Scroll down to where it says Tracey's Weight Worksheets.xls for Excel worksheets or Tracey's Weight Worksheets.doc to download them in Word. I put the weight work on there from High Intensity Kickbox Challenge, Sculpt Sweatfest, The Parts Series: Glute Camp, and The Parts Series, Strictly Upper Body. I didn't put the Total Body workout from The Parts Series because it's not weight focused at all--she just uses one set of light dumbbells and a medicine ball on that one. Also, if you are interested in the special bands she uses in Glute Camp, you can find them by clicking here. I believe if you do a search you can also find them at Amazon.
Also, I just checked Tracey's forums and saw she's thinking of ordering a bulk shipment of Versa Loop bands to sell with free shipping. So if you're a forum member, check it out here.
I finally have the Tracey Staehle weight worksheets ready. You can click here to go to the list of downloads to find it. Scroll down to where it says Tracey's Weight Worksheets.xls for Excel worksheets or Tracey's Weight Worksheets.doc to download them in Word. I put the weight work on there from High Intensity Kickbox Challenge, Sculpt Sweatfest, The Parts Series: Glute Camp, and The Parts Series, Strictly Upper Body. I didn't put the Total Body workout from The Parts Series because it's not weight focused at all--she just uses one set of light dumbbells and a medicine ball on that one. Also, if you are interested in the special bands she uses in Glute Camp, you can find them by clicking here. I believe if you do a search you can also find them at Amazon.
Also, I just checked Tracey's forums and saw she's thinking of ordering a bulk shipment of Versa Loop bands to sell with free shipping. So if you're a forum member, check it out here.
I received the new Tracey Staehle DVDs yesterday and today I did her Strictly Upper Body workout from the Parts Series DVD. Tracey uses heavier weights in this workout than in her previous sculpting workouts. I liked how much she incorporated the Bosu (I'm always eager to use it now that I've got one). I liked that she did a lot more bicep stuff in this one than in the High Intensity Kickbox Challenge weight workout. The abs section at the end seemed a bit short, but also seemed pretty tough and effective--I'll see how sore I feel tomorrow. Also, though it seemed short, she also has an abs section on her Glute Camp workout on the same DVD, as well as on the new High Step Intensity Mix 2 DVD.
As for the weight worksheets, Tracey kindly included some weight info with the DVDs, which made it really easy to add the details to the Excel spreadsheets I'm making. I finished SUB today and tomorrow will add the GC weights, since I plan to try it tomorrow. Soon after I should be able to post the worksheets for Tracey's workouts here on the blog.
I received the new Tracey Staehle DVDs yesterday and today I did her Strictly Upper Body workout from the Parts Series DVD. Tracey uses heavier weights in this workout than in her previous sculpting workouts. I liked how much she incorporated the Bosu (I'm always eager to use it now that I've got one). I liked that she did a lot more bicep stuff in this one than in the High Intensity Kickbox Challenge weight workout. The abs section at the end seemed a bit short, but also seemed pretty tough and effective--I'll see how sore I feel tomorrow. Also, though it seemed short, she also has an abs section on her Glute Camp workout on the same DVD, as well as on the new High Step Intensity Mix 2 DVD.
As for the weight worksheets, Tracey kindly included some weight info with the DVDs, which made it really easy to add the details to the Excel spreadsheets I'm making. I finished SUB today and tomorrow will add the GC weights, since I plan to try it tomorrow. Soon after I should be able to post the worksheets for Tracey's workouts here on the blog.
I received the new Tracey Staehle DVDs yesterday and today I did her Strictly Upper Body workout from the Parts Series DVD. Tracey uses heavier weights in this workout than in her previous sculpting workouts. I liked how much she incorporated the Bosu (I'm always eager to use it now that I've got one). I liked that she did a lot more bicep stuff in this one than in the High Intensity Kickbox Challenge weight workout. The abs section at the end seemed a bit short, but also seemed pretty tough and effective--I'll see how sore I feel tomorrow. Also, though it seemed short, she also has an abs section on her Glute Camp workout on the same DVD, as well as on the new High Step Intensity Mix 2 DVD.
As for the weight worksheets, Tracey kindly included some weight info with the DVDs, which made it really easy to add the details to the Excel spreadsheets I'm making. I finished SUB today and tomorrow will add the GC weights, since I plan to try it tomorrow. Soon after I should be able to post the worksheets for Tracey's workouts here on the blog.
Note: I'm changing this week's rotation since I realized I probably won't get a great workout done on Thursday (Thanksgiving) and since I already messed up by not doing upper body as planned on Sunday (raked leaves instead).
Last week, of course, did not turn out like I planned. After I finally got to the physical therapist, he discouraged me from my favorite forms of cardio, so I'm going back to alternating upper body work, primarily floor work for lower body, and yoga or Pilates. I will also be doing my assigned PT exercises daily for the bad ankle, in addition to PT visits twice a week. Ugh.
Since I don't know how long my cardio will be limited (perhaps a few weeks), I'm going to deal with my rotations one week at a time and not make out a month-long one yet.
Here's the rotation for this week:
Note: I'm changing this week's rotation since I realized I probably won't get a great workout done on Thursday (Thanksgiving) and since I already messed up by not doing upper body as planned on Sunday (raked leaves instead).
Last week, of course, did not turn out like I planned. After I finally got to the physical therapist, he discouraged me from my favorite forms of cardio, so I'm going back to alternating upper body work, primarily floor work for lower body, and yoga or Pilates. I will also be doing my assigned PT exercises daily for the bad ankle, in addition to PT visits twice a week. Ugh.
Since I don't know how long my cardio will be limited (perhaps a few weeks), I'm going to deal with my rotations one week at a time and not make out a month-long one yet.
Here's the rotation for this week:
Note: I'm changing this week's rotation since I realized I probably won't get a great workout done on Thursday (Thanksgiving) and since I already messed up by not doing upper body as planned on Sunday (raked leaves instead).
Last week, of course, did not turn out like I planned. After I finally got to the physical therapist, he discouraged me from my favorite forms of cardio, so I'm going back to alternating upper body work, primarily floor work for lower body, and yoga or Pilates. I will also be doing my assigned PT exercises daily for the bad ankle, in addition to PT visits twice a week. Ugh.
Since I don't know how long my cardio will be limited (perhaps a few weeks), I'm going to deal with my rotations one week at a time and not make out a month-long one yet.
Here's the rotation for this week:
I've got the worksheets done for the couple of sculpting workouts Tracey already has out--Sculpt Sweatfest and the second section of High Intensity Kickbox Challenge. (I won't be doing one for the Core Strength & Conditioning one since I don't have that workout yet and it's probably not necessary to record weight numbers for it.) I haven't yet received her new workouts, though I preordered and from what I understand, they've been shipped. I hope to receive them VERY soon. Perhaps Monday! Once I receive those, I'll finish the worksheets and post them here. I've already got the pages set up to fill out. I'm pretty excited to receive her new workouts, particularly the Parts Series sculpting workouts, since I can't do the High Intensity Step Mix 2 until my ankle heals.
I've got the worksheets done for the couple of sculpting workouts Tracey already has out--Sculpt Sweatfest and the second section of High Intensity Kickbox Challenge. (I won't be doing one for the Core Strength & Conditioning one since I don't have that workout yet and it's probably not necessary to record weight numbers for it.) I haven't yet received her new workouts, though I preordered and from what I understand, they've been shipped. I hope to receive them VERY soon. Perhaps Monday! Once I receive those, I'll finish the worksheets and post them here. I've already got the pages set up to fill out. I'm pretty excited to receive her new workouts, particularly the Parts Series sculpting workouts, since I can't do the High Intensity Step Mix 2 until my ankle heals.
I've got the worksheets done for the couple of sculpting workouts Tracey already has out--Sculpt Sweatfest and the second section of High Intensity Kickbox Challenge. (I won't be doing one for the Core Strength & Conditioning one since I don't have that workout yet and it's probably not necessary to record weight numbers for it.) I haven't yet received her new workouts, though I preordered and from what I understand, they've been shipped. I hope to receive them VERY soon. Perhaps Monday! Once I receive those, I'll finish the worksheets and post them here. I've already got the pages set up to fill out. I'm pretty excited to receive her new workouts, particularly the Parts Series sculpting workouts, since I can't do the High Intensity Step Mix 2 until my ankle heals.
I had a migraine and a fever today. At least I did some yoga before it came on. In the afternoon I took a little nap and now I feel better. I'm working on the Tracey Staehle weight worksheets, but have been rather busy lately with Ewan being sick (and now being sick myself). I finished one for the sculpting section from High Intensity Kickbox Challenge. I still need to do Sculpt Sweatfest, though I don't remember her using much weight on that one. I will also do the new Parts Series, which should arrive any day now. I'll post here when I get them done.
I had a migraine and a fever today. At least I did some yoga before it came on. In the afternoon I took a little nap and now I feel better. I'm working on the Tracey Staehle weight worksheets, but have been rather busy lately with Ewan being sick (and now being sick myself). I finished one for the sculpting section from High Intensity Kickbox Challenge. I still need to do Sculpt Sweatfest, though I don't remember her using much weight on that one. I will also do the new Parts Series, which should arrive any day now. I'll post here when I get them done.
I had a migraine and a fever today. At least I did some yoga before it came on. In the afternoon I took a little nap and now I feel better. I'm working on the Tracey Staehle weight worksheets, but have been rather busy lately with Ewan being sick (and now being sick myself). I finished one for the sculpting section from High Intensity Kickbox Challenge. I still need to do Sculpt Sweatfest, though I don't remember her using much weight on that one. I will also do the new Parts Series, which should arrive any day now. I'll post here when I get them done.
OK, I was fairly clueless about how this physical therapy thing goes. I met my new PT today and he was nice-- reminded me vaguely of the guy from Prison Break--Wentworth Miller--but not so attractive. There was just something about him that reminded me of WM. He did a lengthy examination of my ankles, comparing the good and bad one, measuring stuff, making me walk barefoot on the cold tile floor, pushing it here and there, etc. Then he made me do some fairly gentle ankle strengthening exercises. After that I had these electrode thingeys stuck to my foot and ankle and a cold wrap put around that. They did muscle stimulation with a machine for about 15 minutes. I have a little list of exercises to do daily and I am supposed to come for physical therapy twice a week for at least 4 weeks. Yikes. I have had to schedule my next few weeks of Monday & Wednesday mornings while Ewan's in nursery school. I describe all this in case any of my readers ever ends up going for physical therapy for an ankle injury some time. I didn't really know what it was like until I got there.
The bad news is he told me I shouldn't be doing step aerobics, jogging, or kickboxing right now (though I admitted I'd been doing some already). He said I was at high risk for injury until I strengthen the ankle more. This is not surprising since it felt a bit wobbly and I twisted it slightly once while jogging Saturday (not bad but it was scary for a moment there).
I decided I'd go back to mainly upper body weights, and alternate it with yoga. I am hoping to visit a yoga class on Friday morning while Ewan is in school. On Mondays and Wednesdays after my PT I can do a yoga video as well.
This PT appointment was another one of those times when I felt funny saying how active I am. I described the activities I normally like to do and wondered if they'd believe me with my figure. But I also figured a physical therapist would know better than to assume an active person would always look like a fitness model. Of course, this week I haven't been as active as I like! I'm going to work tonight on a new rotation to finish out the week focusing on upper body. At least I have some new workouts, such as Cathe's 4-Day Split and Amy's Slo-Mo Strength Challenge, which should help with the boredom of a continued upper body focus.
OK, I was fairly clueless about how this physical therapy thing goes. I met my new PT today and he was nice-- reminded me vaguely of the guy from Prison Break--Wentworth Miller--but not so attractive. There was just something about him that reminded me of WM. He did a lengthy examination of my ankles, comparing the good and bad one, measuring stuff, making me walk barefoot on the cold tile floor, pushing it here and there, etc. Then he made me do some fairly gentle ankle strengthening exercises. After that I had these electrode thingeys stuck to my foot and ankle and a cold wrap put around that. They did muscle stimulation with a machine for about 15 minutes. I have a little list of exercises to do daily and I am supposed to come for physical therapy twice a week for at least 4 weeks. Yikes. I have had to schedule my next few weeks of Monday & Wednesday mornings while Ewan's in nursery school. I describe all this in case any of my readers ever ends up going for physical therapy for an ankle injury some time. I didn't really know what it was like until I got there.
The bad news is he told me I shouldn't be doing step aerobics, jogging, or kickboxing right now (though I admitted I'd been doing some already). He said I was at high risk for injury until I strengthen the ankle more. This is not surprising since it felt a bit wobbly and I twisted it slightly once while jogging Saturday (not bad but it was scary for a moment there).
I decided I'd go back to mainly upper body weights, and alternate it with yoga. I am hoping to visit a yoga class on Friday morning while Ewan is in school. On Mondays and Wednesdays after my PT I can do a yoga video as well.
This PT appointment was another one of those times when I felt funny saying how active I am. I described the activities I normally like to do and wondered if they'd believe me with my figure. But I also figured a physical therapist would know better than to assume an active person would always look like a fitness model. Of course, this week I haven't been as active as I like! I'm going to work tonight on a new rotation to finish out the week focusing on upper body. At least I have some new workouts, such as Cathe's 4-Day Split and Amy's Slo-Mo Strength Challenge, which should help with the boredom of a continued upper body focus.
OK, I was fairly clueless about how this physical therapy thing goes. I met my new PT today and he was nice-- reminded me vaguely of the guy from Prison Break--Wentworth Miller--but not so attractive. There was just something about him that reminded me of WM. He did a lengthy examination of my ankles, comparing the good and bad one, measuring stuff, making me walk barefoot on the cold tile floor, pushing it here and there, etc. Then he made me do some fairly gentle ankle strengthening exercises. After that I had these electrode thingeys stuck to my foot and ankle and a cold wrap put around that. They did muscle stimulation with a machine for about 15 minutes. I have a little list of exercises to do daily and I am supposed to come for physical therapy twice a week for at least 4 weeks. Yikes. I have had to schedule my next few weeks of Monday & Wednesday mornings while Ewan's in nursery school. I describe all this in case any of my readers ever ends up going for physical therapy for an ankle injury some time. I didn't really know what it was like until I got there.
The bad news is he told me I shouldn't be doing step aerobics, jogging, or kickboxing right now (though I admitted I'd been doing some already). He said I was at high risk for injury until I strengthen the ankle more. This is not surprising since it felt a bit wobbly and I twisted it slightly once while jogging Saturday (not bad but it was scary for a moment there).
I decided I'd go back to mainly upper body weights, and alternate it with yoga. I am hoping to visit a yoga class on Friday morning while Ewan is in school. On Mondays and Wednesdays after my PT I can do a yoga video as well.
This PT appointment was another one of those times when I felt funny saying how active I am. I described the activities I normally like to do and wondered if they'd believe me with my figure. But I also figured a physical therapist would know better than to assume an active person would always look like a fitness model. Of course, this week I haven't been as active as I like! I'm going to work tonight on a new rotation to finish out the week focusing on upper body. At least I have some new workouts, such as Cathe's 4-Day Split and Amy's Slo-Mo Strength Challenge, which should help with the boredom of a continued upper body focus.
This week will be adapted from the third week of my “Using all my new Workouts Rotation” which is listed on my Rotation Ideas document (which you can find here).
Like I said yesterday I really dragged through Rhythmic Step yesterday. I still feel tired and achy today, so I'm taking a rest day (but cleaning house, so at least I'm not totally lazy). I even feel sort of sleepy trying to write this blog entry! I think I am just not getting enough sleep. Tomorrow I finally see a physical therapist about this ankle problem (which again gave me twinges yesterday--another reason for today's rest). So I hope the PT can help me strengthen my ankle so I can be back to more regular step aerobics (my favorite form of cardio).
So it's not a terribly ambitious week for me. I'm thinking of trying a local yoga class while my youngest is in nursery school on Friday. Then I will still try a circuit workout later that day. I hope to go jogging again on Saturday, if the weather and my new physical therapist allows.
OK, here’s this week’s plan:
This week will be adapted from the third week of my “Using all my new Workouts Rotation” which is listed on my Rotation Ideas document (which you can find here).
Like I said yesterday I really dragged through Rhythmic Step yesterday. I still feel tired and achy today, so I'm taking a rest day (but cleaning house, so at least I'm not totally lazy). I even feel sort of sleepy trying to write this blog entry! I think I am just not getting enough sleep. Tomorrow I finally see a physical therapist about this ankle problem (which again gave me twinges yesterday--another reason for today's rest). So I hope the PT can help me strengthen my ankle so I can be back to more regular step aerobics (my favorite form of cardio).
So it's not a terribly ambitious week for me. I'm thinking of trying a local yoga class while my youngest is in nursery school on Friday. Then I will still try a circuit workout later that day. I hope to go jogging again on Saturday, if the weather and my new physical therapist allows.
OK, here’s this week’s plan:
This week will be adapted from the third week of my “Using all my new Workouts Rotation” which is listed on my Rotation Ideas document (which you can find here).
Like I said yesterday I really dragged through Rhythmic Step yesterday. I still feel tired and achy today, so I'm taking a rest day (but cleaning house, so at least I'm not totally lazy). I even feel sort of sleepy trying to write this blog entry! I think I am just not getting enough sleep. Tomorrow I finally see a physical therapist about this ankle problem (which again gave me twinges yesterday--another reason for today's rest). So I hope the PT can help me strengthen my ankle so I can be back to more regular step aerobics (my favorite form of cardio).
So it's not a terribly ambitious week for me. I'm thinking of trying a local yoga class while my youngest is in nursery school on Friday. Then I will still try a circuit workout later that day. I hope to go jogging again on Saturday, if the weather and my new physical therapist allows.
OK, here’s this week’s plan:
No, the title does not refer to the way I drive--though my Daddy Bob often said I drove like my mother with a lead foot--the man was a great critic of everyone's driving. You should have heard him singing "Nearer My God to Thee" in the back seat of my friend Ellen's massive Ford LTD. Anyway...the lead foot refers to the way my feet felt today. Actually my legs. OK, actually my whole body. I don't know if it's related to the soreness from jogging on Saturday (I'm really out of practice with jogging) or if it's related to my ankle, which started stiffening up today, or if it was just general fatigue. I suspect a big combination of those bland ingredients--a recipe for dragging through my workout. I managed to get through most of Cathe's Rhythmic Step workout, but skipped the Challenge section at the end (the challenge runs through the combos together a few times). I could just barely drag myself through it, even though it's my favorite step workout! I chose it knowing I felt unmotivated and tired, so I can just imagine how tough it would have been to do a workout I didn't enjoy. I really started to feel my ankle toward the end, though it's hardly bothered me lately, so I'm glad I 'll be seeing a physical therapist on Wednesday.
Do you ever have these kind of workout days? Maybe it would have been better to just take a rest day, but I feel like I do that too often when I get in this mood. I did really want to complete a workout, and I did manage to do most of it, so I felt good that I pushed myself, but it wasn't fun the way my step workouts usually are. I did enjoy parts of it, especially as Rhythmic Step has gotten so much easier now that it's more familiar, but I didn't bound with the joy I knew I could feel in it on a good day.
I think tomorrow if I don't feel any better, I'll go ahead and rest and hit it harder on Wednesday (after I check with the PT that I am not overdoing it anyway). I'm tellin' ya, I'm even having trouble motivating myself to get up and wash my hair (so hard to do when the boys are up during the day), so you know I'm dragging. Here's to a better day tomorrow! I lift a glass of chocolate skim milk to you! (OK, better go get some chocolate skim milk so that I can make that a reality--maybe it will help.)
No, the title does not refer to the way I drive--though my Daddy Bob often said I drove like my mother with a lead foot--the man was a great critic of everyone's driving. You should have heard him singing "Nearer My God to Thee" in the back seat of my friend Ellen's massive Ford LTD. Anyway...the lead foot refers to the way my feet felt today. Actually my legs. OK, actually my whole body. I don't know if it's related to the soreness from jogging on Saturday (I'm really out of practice with jogging) or if it's related to my ankle, which started stiffening up today, or if it was just general fatigue. I suspect a big combination of those bland ingredients--a recipe for dragging through my workout. I managed to get through most of Cathe's Rhythmic Step workout, but skipped the Challenge section at the end (the challenge runs through the combos together a few times). I could just barely drag myself through it, even though it's my favorite step workout! I chose it knowing I felt unmotivated and tired, so I can just imagine how tough it would have been to do a workout I didn't enjoy. I really started to feel my ankle toward the end, though it's hardly bothered me lately, so I'm glad I 'll be seeing a physical therapist on Wednesday.
Do you ever have these kind of workout days? Maybe it would have been better to just take a rest day, but I feel like I do that too often when I get in this mood. I did really want to complete a workout, and I did manage to do most of it, so I felt good that I pushed myself, but it wasn't fun the way my step workouts usually are. I did enjoy parts of it, especially as Rhythmic Step has gotten so much easier now that it's more familiar, but I didn't bound with the joy I knew I could feel in it on a good day.
I think tomorrow if I don't feel any better, I'll go ahead and rest and hit it harder on Wednesday (after I check with the PT that I am not overdoing it anyway). I'm tellin' ya, I'm even having trouble motivating myself to get up and wash my hair (so hard to do when the boys are up during the day), so you know I'm dragging. Here's to a better day tomorrow! I lift a glass of chocolate skim milk to you! (OK, better go get some chocolate skim milk so that I can make that a reality--maybe it will help.)
No, the title does not refer to the way I drive--though my Daddy Bob often said I drove like my mother with a lead foot--the man was a great critic of everyone's driving. You should have heard him singing "Nearer My God to Thee" in the back seat of my friend Ellen's massive Ford LTD. Anyway...the lead foot refers to the way my feet felt today. Actually my legs. OK, actually my whole body. I don't know if it's related to the soreness from jogging on Saturday (I'm really out of practice with jogging) or if it's related to my ankle, which started stiffening up today, or if it was just general fatigue. I suspect a big combination of those bland ingredients--a recipe for dragging through my workout. I managed to get through most of Cathe's Rhythmic Step workout, but skipped the Challenge section at the end (the challenge runs through the combos together a few times). I could just barely drag myself through it, even though it's my favorite step workout! I chose it knowing I felt unmotivated and tired, so I can just imagine how tough it would have been to do a workout I didn't enjoy. I really started to feel my ankle toward the end, though it's hardly bothered me lately, so I'm glad I 'll be seeing a physical therapist on Wednesday.
Do you ever have these kind of workout days? Maybe it would have been better to just take a rest day, but I feel like I do that too often when I get in this mood. I did really want to complete a workout, and I did manage to do most of it, so I felt good that I pushed myself, but it wasn't fun the way my step workouts usually are. I did enjoy parts of it, especially as Rhythmic Step has gotten so much easier now that it's more familiar, but I didn't bound with the joy I knew I could feel in it on a good day.
I think tomorrow if I don't feel any better, I'll go ahead and rest and hit it harder on Wednesday (after I check with the PT that I am not overdoing it anyway). I'm tellin' ya, I'm even having trouble motivating myself to get up and wash my hair (so hard to do when the boys are up during the day), so you know I'm dragging. Here's to a better day tomorrow! I lift a glass of chocolate skim milk to you! (OK, better go get some chocolate skim milk so that I can make that a reality--maybe it will help.)
I suddenly realized that I did not list all my so-called athletic experience in my reminiscing posts. (You can find them in the September archives where I wrote at least 3 posts contemplating my history in athletics and the performing arts and whether I am a klutz.)
Indeed, I missed two of my important collegiate attempts at grace and ability. First, I actually took a ballet class. I had never taken ballet as a young girl, but some friends in my college dorm got together and got a local ballet teacher to lead a special class just for us. Some of my friends had ballet experience already (especially a couple of petite twins who were experienced dancers and very limber--we called them the CTU--Contortionist Twin Unit--boy, I miss the CTU!) Anyway, a few of us were fairly hopeless and had never done a lick of ballet in our lives (like me, of course). Still, we had that class for several weeks and learned a lot. I began to feel more graceful even though I probably wasn't actually becoming any more graceful. We got to learn those different positions and even did some leaping about. It was very basic but we had a lot of fun. I still use some of the moves I learned then when I am dancing around my own house (in private or in front of my little boys, who are the best audience ever). It's a great asset to my around-the-house dancing, which also consists of moves learned in show choir, at many high school dances, and in hard rockin' mosh pits in the 90's.
Another athletic attempt was when I took Fencing in college. Yes, I took a fencing class! And I got A's in it! It was taught by a short, geeky, philosophy teacher (Dr. Hill--many thanks to Chappy for reminding me of his name). Our fencing class was overwhelmingly male, and they tended to be of the less athletic, more cerebral (i.e. nerdy or geeky) type. There were only 2 or 3 of us girls. I had the most ample chest of the girls, so I got to wear the one set of breast plates that the fencing class had. It was a little embarrassing being the only one who wore breast plates, but it was also fun when one of the boys clinked a foil against my chest and then blushed furiously. They were very reluctant to hit me in the chest, which I found to be a great fighting advantage. I remember doing fairly well at fencing. I wasn't necessarily one of the best in the class, but I was far from the worst, which is really saying something for a klutz like me. I also never signed up to go to competition, and I didn't take a second semester, so that's where my brief fencing career ended. I still remember it fondly, though, and I occasionally take up a fencing position, salute, lunge, and thrust. I can't even remember all the cute little French fencing terms, but I find that my body has not forgotten the moves (like riding a bike, I guess).
It's hard to believe that a klutz like me has survived so many ungainly attempts at athleticism, but I keep on keeping on. Nowadays it's all about step aerobics, weightlifting, kickboxing, and even (gasp) the occasional jog, so I haven't given up on being stronger and faster. I have, however, pretty much given up at competing athletically, though I'll never say never. ;)
I suddenly realized that I did not list all my so-called athletic experience in my reminiscing posts. (You can find them in the September archives where I wrote at least 3 posts contemplating my history in athletics and the performing arts and whether I am a klutz.)
Indeed, I missed two of my important collegiate attempts at grace and ability. First, I actually took a ballet class. I had never taken ballet as a young girl, but some friends in my college dorm got together and got a local ballet teacher to lead a special class just for us. Some of my friends had ballet experience already (especially a couple of petite twins who were experienced dancers and very limber--we called them the CTU--Contortionist Twin Unit--boy, I miss the CTU!) Anyway, a few of us were fairly hopeless and had never done a lick of ballet in our lives (like me, of course). Still, we had that class for several weeks and learned a lot. I began to feel more graceful even though I probably wasn't actually becoming any more graceful. We got to learn those different positions and even did some leaping about. It was very basic but we had a lot of fun. I still use some of the moves I learned then when I am dancing around my own house (in private or in front of my little boys, who are the best audience ever). It's a great asset to my around-the-house dancing, which also consists of moves learned in show choir, at many high school dances, and in hard rockin' mosh pits in the 90's.
Another athletic attempt was when I took Fencing in college. Yes, I took a fencing class! And I got A's in it! It was taught by a short, geeky, philosophy teacher (Dr. Hill--many thanks to Chappy for reminding me of his name). Our fencing class was overwhelmingly male, and they tended to be of the less athletic, more cerebral (i.e. nerdy or geeky) type. There were only 2 or 3 of us girls. I had the most ample chest of the girls, so I got to wear the one set of breast plates that the fencing class had. It was a little embarrassing being the only one who wore breast plates, but it was also fun when one of the boys clinked a foil against my chest and then blushed furiously. They were very reluctant to hit me in the chest, which I found to be a great fighting advantage. I remember doing fairly well at fencing. I wasn't necessarily one of the best in the class, but I was far from the worst, which is really saying something for a klutz like me. I also never signed up to go to competition, and I didn't take a second semester, so that's where my brief fencing career ended. I still remember it fondly, though, and I occasionally take up a fencing position, salute, lunge, and thrust. I can't even remember all the cute little French fencing terms, but I find that my body has not forgotten the moves (like riding a bike, I guess).
It's hard to believe that a klutz like me has survived so many ungainly attempts at athleticism, but I keep on keeping on. Nowadays it's all about step aerobics, weightlifting, kickboxing, and even (gasp) the occasional jog, so I haven't given up on being stronger and faster. I have, however, pretty much given up at competing athletically, though I'll never say never. ;)
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